10 Best Anime Sidekicks

Where would the hero of any anime story be without their trusty sidekicks? While not the main characters, sidekicks play a crucial role in the narrative. They help the hero through their journey, point out areas for improvement, often provide comic relief, and bail the hero out when they need it.

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The heroes of My Hero Academia often take sidekicks to help them out, but these Pokemon would make for much more interesting pairings.

Sidekicks enrich their stories, offering different perspectives and strengths that complement the protagonist's abilities and highlight their humanity. Whether they are childhood friends, magical creatures, or skilled warriors, these sidekicks enhance the adventure and emotional resonance of the story, making them indispensable to the hero's journey.

10 Oji Karasuma

School Rumble

What starts as a slice-of-life anime quickly turns into a chaotic adventure as increasingly ridiculous elements are added one after another. By the end, the story is filled with characters who can talk to animals, can see the future, and love letters delivered via bow and arrow, among other crazy scenarios.

School Rumble focuses on the love triangle between the two protagonists, Tenma Tsukamoto and Kenji Harima, and Oji Karasuma, whose true love is curry. Karasuma is an eccentric mystery with a perpetual poker face. He excels at everything he does, from playing the guitar to being unbeatable at cards, and is even a legendary mangaka. However, beyond all his talents, he deeply cares for his friends and subtly encourages them to be their best selves.

9 Hakuryuu AKA Jeep

Saiyuki

Saiyuki, inspired by the 16th-century Chinese novel Journey to the West, follows the adventures of the monk Sanzo and his youkai companions, Hakkai, Gojou, and Goku, as they travel west to stop the resurrection of the youkai king, Gyumao. The trip is long, and despite what Lord of the Rings might lead you to believe, no one has time to travel that distance on foot. Luckily, the group is friends with the dragon Hakuryuu.

Hakaryuu, also called Jeep, is not only a voice of reason but also has the ability to transform into a Jeep. While in car form, Hakuryuu is unable to move himself and requires a driver who is adept at stick shifts. Fortunately, it doesn't seem like Hakuryuu needs to be refilled with gas; eating meals with the group is sufficient.

8 Nezuko Kamado

Demon Slayer

Nezuko is the younger sister of Demon Slayer's protagonist, Tanjiro. After a tragic demon attack on their home, Nezuko is transformed into a demon, a fate that propels Tanjiro to become a demon slayer with the primary goal of protecting and curing his sister.

Despite her transformation, which usually results in humans-turned-demons losing their humanity, Nezuko manages to retain a significant part of her human essence. This resilience allows her to stand by Tanjiro's side, providing emotional support and contributing to their battles with her enhanced demon abilities. Nezuko's presence drives Tanjiro’s mission and adds depth to his character, showcasing his determination, compassion, and unwavering loyalty to his family and friends.

7 Catbus

My Neighbor Totoro

Studio Ghibli's Totoro requires no introduction. The adorable, heartfelt story is filled with fantastical dust bunnies, totoros, and, of course, the iconic catbus. Big Totoro and the spirits of the forest go out of their way to help Satsuki and Mei while their mother is in the hospital. When Mei runs away to give her mother a gift, Satsuki chases after her with the help of Totoro and the Catbus.

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The various types of catbuses can only be seen in the Miyazaki short film, Mei and the Kittenbus, which is shown exclusively at the Ghibli Museum in Japan.

Catbuses are bakeneko, spirits that transform to mimic human transportation. In addition to carrying passengers, they can also fly, run vertically up surfaces, turn invisible, and find lost humans. Catbuses can live for centuries and change their form to imitate different modes of transportation, such as train or submarine.

6 Joey Wheeler AKA Katsuya Jonouchi

Yu-Gi-Oh!

Joey, initially introduced as an inexperienced Duelist and a bully, undergoes the most character development in Yu-Gi-Oh!. His friendship with Yugi propels his transformation into a loyal, kind-hearted friend, albeit sarcastic, cocky and gullible.

Joey and Yugi's friendship was immortalized in the card game with the Yu-Jo Friendship Spell Card.

Though often comic relief, Joey's role in the series goes beyond humor. He becomes the heart of the group, constantly demonstrating his unwavering dedication to his friends and family. Joey's loyalty is unmatched, and he is always willing to go to any length to support and protect those he cares about. His impulsiveness, while sometimes leading to trouble, also drives his courageous actions in critical moments.

5 Kazuma Kuwabara

YuYu Hakusho

Kuwabara's story begins as a one-sided rival to the soon-to-be spirit detective Yusuke Urameshi. However, as the story progresses, Kuwabara transforms from a single-minded thug into a fighter with a golden heart. His skills and abilities complement Yusuke's, but most importantly, he points out Yusuke's shortcomings, helping him fully develop as a hero with an attitude.

If there was ever any doubt about Kuwabara's value as a sidekick, look no further than Eikichi, Kuwabara's kitten. It was rescuing Eikichi that helped solidify Kuwabara and Yusuke's friendship.

While most of Yuske's team are quite serious, Kuwabara brings much-needed levity, grounding the other characters and balancing the themes of the story. His humorous and earnest nature adds a dynamic layer to the group, making him an indispensable member of the team.

4 Luna

Sailor Moon

Luna, a purplish-black cat with a crescent moon on her forehead, is Sailor Moon's mentor and confidant. Once one of Queen Serenity's advisors, Luna was sent to Earth after an attack on the moon forced Queen Serenity to reincarnate her daughter, the Earth prince, the princesses, and the court. On Earth, Luna's mission is to find Sailor Moon and her friends and help them become Sailor Senshi.

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In the live action version of Sailor Moon, Luna gains the ability to regularly turn into a human. In the anime, this ability is only seen in Sailor Moon S: The Movie.

Luna not only mentors the Sailor Senshi but also provides them with essential equipment. She gives Usagi (Sailor Moon) her transformation brooch, the Moon Stick, and later, the Moon Scepter. Luna also supplies Ami, Sailor Mercury, with a supercomputer and VR goggles, enhancing her analytical and strategic abilities. While Luna pretends to be a normal cat, she can speak, detect monsters, and reawaken Senshi powers. Luna is an invaluable member of the Sailor Senshi team!

3 Sven Vollfied

Black Cat

Sven, Train's partner and former IBI agent, serves as the voice of reason within their group. Sven handles the duo's finances, keeps track of safe houses, and ensures they are well-equipped with weapons and ammunition. His strategic mind and calm demeanor are essential in navigating the dangers they face as Sweepers. Of course, his Vision Eye, which can see a few seconds into the future, is a strategic asset as well.

Sven is intensely loyal to his friends. He keeps Train grounded throughout their adventures, offering a steadying influence against Train's impulsive tendencies. Though he denies it, Sven sees Eve as a daughter and does everything he can to help her successfully navigate through life.

2 Killua Zoldyck

Hunter X Hunter

Killua, Gon's best friend, is a complex character whose dual nature adds depth to Hunter X Hunter. Despite his youthful, innocent appearance, Killua hails from the infamous Zoldyck family of assassins. From a young age, Killua was rigorously trained to become the perfect professional assassin, displaying remarkable strength and skill. By the age of six, he was already capable of competing in the Heavens Arena martial arts tournament, showcasing his natural talent.

Killua's favorite treat are Chocolate Balls.

But meeting Gon changed Killua's life. This encounter introduced Killua to a world beyond the shadows of his assassin upbringing. Through his friendship with Gon, Killua begins to experience the joys of a normal life - laughing with friends, indulging in sweets, and embarking on grand adventures. While Killua keeps his intense and deadly skills honed, he also reveals his compassionate and protective side. His loyalty to Gon is unwavering; he always has Gon's back, no matter what.

1 Brock AKA Takeshi

Pokemon

Brock is Pewter City's Rock-Type Gym Leader. In the video games, he stays in Pewter City after you defeat him, but in the anime, he joins Ash and Misty on their adventures.

Brock is single-handedly responsible for keeping Ash and Misty alive. He handles all the cooking, cleaning, and navigation. His in-depth knowledge of Pokemon battles regularly helps Ash through his challenges. Everything Brock does for his friends is highlighted in the Johto episode "Sick Daze." Brock gets sick and needs to spend the day in bed. Ash and Misty try to pick up his load, but fail miserably. Really, it's a wonder that Ash and Misty made it to Pewter City on their own at all!

10 Best Video Game Sidekicks

These video game sidekicks are the best companions that you can find to help you on your gaming adventures.