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When anyone thinks about anime, the first thing that comes to mind is the main characters who are the stars of the show. But often, the characters who have been beside them or even ahead of them are the deuteragonists. These are the second most important characters in the story.
Additionally, they are not simple sidekicks or reduced to supporting roles. In a world where fans often give less importance to characters other than the protagonist, they are essential figures who shape the narrative, challenge the hero, and frequently reflect the series' deeper themes. Some anime deuteragonists become so beloved, nuanced, and impactful that they outshine the main characters themselves.
In this article, we will explore 10 such anime deuteragonists who are considered the best in the anime world. These characters prove that being second in the spotlight doesn't make them any less legendary.
The list of the 10 best anime deuteragonists of all time
10. Yuno (Black Clover)
In the Black Clover series, while Asta is the loud kid who has big dreams and is not afraid to make his goals known, Yuno is the cool character who always maintains his calm and is a magically gifted rival. They both share a common bond of being sworn brothers, as they shared the origin of being orphans.
Yuno’s path as a Magic Knight is parallel but distinct. He’s reserved, stoic, and extremely driven. His calm demeanor masks a fierce determination to become the Wizard King. What makes Yuno a great deuteragonist is that his journey is not overshadowed by Asta’s; it complements it.
9. Armin Arlert (Attack on Titan)
Armin in Attack on Titan started as a fragile and underconfident child who joined the scouts to become useful to his best friend, Eren. While Eren and Mikasa often embody action and power, Armin represents intellect, empathy, and difficult decision-making. The creator of the series has ensured that his growth takes time, and this gradual growth undoubtedly transforms him completely.
He is one of the best anime deuteragonists because when his friend decided to annihilate the world, Armin gave his best to save Eren from himself. Finally, his struggle to hold onto humanity amidst war and despair makes him relatable and tragic.
8. Roronoa Zoro (One Piece)
Zoro in One Piece has been loved by fans around the world. He is one of the few characters who is globally popular even after being the deuteragonist. As a member of the Straw Hat crew, he has sworn loyalty towards Luffy, who is the captain and the protagonist of the show.
Even if he is not the main character, Zoro has the potential to be one of the strongest characters in One Piece. Most of the time, he keeps a low profile, but when his friends need him, Zoro would make sure to slice through the situations with ease.
7. Tobio Kageyama (Haikyuu!!)
Haikyuu follows the story from the point of the underdog character Hinata. But Tobio Kageyama is the skilled prodigy who challenges and completes him. As Karasuno High’s setter, Kageyama is the backbone of the team’s strategy and often the reason behind their victories.
At the initial stage of the series, Kageyama was introduced as a genius player, but he did not know the meaning of teamwork. Although, as the story continues, Kageyama’s growth is as much the heart of the show as Hinata’s.
6. Alphonse Elric (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)
Alphonse Elric is the younger sibling of Edward Elric in Fullmetal Alchemist. Many fans who love the anime believe that initially, he started as someone who stayed in his brother's shadow. But later on, he proved that even if Alphonse was the quieter, more thoughtful sibling, he served as the moral compass and emotional anchor of the series. Finally, Al is the quiet strength behind the Elric brothers’ quest, making him a stellar deuteragonist.
5. Sasuke Uchiha (Naruto series)
Sasuke in Naruto is one of the most iconic characters in the franchise. His story started as a misdirected kid who wanted to seek revenge from his brother. Although as the story progressed, it was clear that he was more than just someone who lived for vengeance. If Naruto is the sun, then Sasuke is the shadow. Basically, both of them are two sides of the same coin. In the series, Sasuke is everything to Naruto, he was his best rival, a friend, and a confidant who had his issues but also pushed Naruto to become the best version of himself.
4. Erza Scarlet (Fairy Tail)
In Fairy Tail, Erza Scarlet is one of the most powerful characters throughout the series. Although Natsu is the protagonist and he is undeniably overpowered, Erza’s influence on the team and her emotional support cannot be compared. In the eyes of fans, she is a symbol of strength born from vulnerability, and that is why she is one of the beloved anime deuteragonists of all time.
3. Katsuki Bakugo (My Hero Academia)
Bakugo in My Hero Academia is not just a simple rival to Deku. He’s also his mirror. Their shared history, where Bakugo bullied Deku as a child, becomes the emotional foundation for their evolving relationship. As Bakugo matures, he begins to recognize Deku’s strength and his own weaknesses. His journey from arrogance to humility, especially following the Paranormal Liberation War arc, shows profound growth.
2. Megumi Fushiguro (Jujutsu Kaisen)
In Jujutsu Kaisen, Megumi is the calm and intelligent character who has a sense of responsibility that often surpasses Yuji’s straightforward behavior. His role as a deuteragonist becomes crucial as the series progresses.
Although some fans felt his portrayal in the later manga arcs made him seem less impressive, it added depth to his character. It was needed as it was undeniably fascinating to watch him have internal struggles with his identity and his self-worth. But at the end of the day, Megumi worked hard and became a central pillar to the narrative.
1. Vegeta (Dragon Ball series)
Vegeta is seen as the textbook definition of what a rival deuteragonist is supposed to be. He started as a merciless Saiyan prince and antagonist, and his journey from villain to hero is one of the most iconic in anime history. While fans look at Goku as he represents cheerful optimism and relentless growth, Vegeta represents pride, discipline, and fierce rivalry.
One of the biggest reasons Vegeta is so powerful, even as a deuteragonist, is how he has layers to his transformation. Initially, he hated Goku and drove him to surpass him, yet over time, he began to adopt Earth’s values. From fighting for pride to fighting for family, his motivations shift but remain consistent with his character. He’s a hero in his own right, and arguably the emotional core of the series.
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In conclusion, these anime deuteragonists have earned a spot in the hearts of the fans as they have proved that just because they are not the protagonist does not mean that they are any less. Rather, it is their presence that made the main character grow and stay motivated.
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