Anime is filled with dynamic characters that create memorable experiences, but it is often the deuteragonists– the crucial second protagonists – who add depth and richness to the story. These characters often contrast or complement the protagonist, influencing the narrative in unique and compelling ways.
By definition, a deuteragonist is someone who occupies the second most important role in a narrative, after the protagonist and before the tritagonist. They can work with or against the main character. Additionally, a deuteragonist can also play the role of the female and main antagonist, and this is common in many anime and manga.
10
Aki Hayakawa
chainsaw man
The anime has no shortage of dark-haired introverts, but while Aki Hayakawa fits that profile, it hides much more complexity underneath. He is introduced as someone who detests Denji, but after being assigned to look after him and Power, he slowly manages to find a family within them and be one of the first to make Denji happy. Fans get to see his gentle side, and this is compounded by the tragedy of his past and his quest for revenge against the Gun Devil.
Aki's character is marked by tragedy and his willingness to do anything to kill demons and is contrasted by his kindness towards people he dislikes. Aki's portrayal in the series highlights the conflict between her unyielding facade and her sensitive humanity, making her story as poignant as it is captivating. Her shifting connections with Denji and Power, along with her moments of quiet reflection, serve as a poignant examination of the delicate beauty of family found amid turmoil.
9
Reigen
Psycho Mafia 100
The diversity and variety of Reigen is simply astonishingand the way he changes so gracefully is the crux of his character. The self-proclaimed Greatest Psychic of the 21st Century serves as the boss and mentor of the lovable Mafia. At first, he starts out as someone who takes advantage of Junior's powers to make money and, as the show progresses, he treats him and teaches the boy about life, at a time when Mob was looking to improve himself.
While his main dynamic is with Mob and is a big reason why he's so good, Reigen is still his own character, with his own struggles and motivations. This is highlighted in the Separate Ways arc, where Mob leaves Reigen to be with his friends. Reigen realizes how pathetic and lonely he is, and this begins his change. There are countless reasons to love Reigen. From his flawed character, funny antics, and fatherly role to Mob to his redemption, Psycho Mafia 100 It wouldn't be the masterpiece it is without Reigen Arataka.
8
Asirpa
Kamuy Dourado
Lovely, strong young Asirpa is one of the many reasons Kamuy Dourado It's such an underrated gem. In addition to providing a glimpse into the culture of the Ainu and the intricacies of Hokkaido, she is a fascinating character who has her own conflicts and motivations. Despite being very young and a woman, she manages to stay alive and defend herself in a deadly rivalry between criminals, soldiers and wild animals.
Asirpa, as she says, represents a new generation of Ainu woman, and she carves her own path and ignores the tradition of staying at home. Instead, she goes out into nature not only to be herself, but also as a coping mechanism for her father's death. One of the cornerstones of her character is seeking revenge for her father's murder, and although she is angry at whoever killed him, she doesn't let her hatred define her and remains the kind girl she always was. Her relationship with Sugimoto and other characters makes her an incredibly rich character, and she is the perfect deuteragonist.
7
Yukinoshita Yukino
My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU
Yukino embodies competence and self-reliance, distinguished by her academic excellence, beauty, and serene demeanor. While these qualities set her apart as an ideal figure, they also lead to her isolation. That's when she meets Hikigaya and Yuigahama, and little by little she begins to rely on others, although it takes a lot of effort. She is not the only one going through changes, as she also helps Hachiman stop his tendencies to take responsibility for others.
Her interactions are comedy gold and her subtle, demeaning jokes with Hikigaya make her incredibly funny, even if it's unintentional. Plus, the romantic dynamic between the two makes the relationship even greater, and seeing them overcome their obstacles before getting together makes the payoff even greater.
6
Griffith
Furious
Although many fans view Griffith as the series' main antagonist, he is also a deuteragonist by definition and these two terms are not mutually exclusive. His dynamic with Guts is one of the most legendary and brilliantly written in manga and is the driving force of the force. His gorgeous design, lofty goals, and incredible intelligence make him nearly impossible not to like, and readers are drawn to him just as much as the people around him. The themes of dreams and their costs are elegantly carried by him.
Griffith is an extremely nuanced and morally gray character. On the one hand, he treats his loved ones very well and appears to have a good heart on the surface, but his actions of manipulating others, killing those who oppose him mercilessly, and generally doing anything to achieve his goals make it difficult to place it in action. a category. The Eclipse is everything your character was built for. His betrayal of his loved ones, his portrayal of the fallen angel, and the emergence of his God complex really make this climax one of his best. Furthermore, Griffith's brilliance doesn't stop heresince it's everything after the Golden Age arc that makes it a character masterclass.
5
I
Death Note
L is an intriguing character because, in this scenario, he is the hero while the main protagonist is the villain. As the world's most brilliant detective, L impresses with his strategic thinking and genius intellect. His complex yet accessible step-by-step plans make him a perfect foil to the equally intelligent Light. Like all great deuteragonists, L's dynamic with the main character is exceptional, and it's fair to say that this relationship is the basis of the series.
In addition to his fun cat and mouse relationship with Light, L's personality and morality are very interesting to analyze. His tireless pursuit of justice, love for overcoming adversity, desire for truth, underhanded methods and manipulation and many other aspects of his character have helped him steal the show many times. If that wasn't enough, he's easily the funniest in the world. Death Notewith his characteristics of sitting in strange positions, love of sweet foods and sheer unpredictability all working together to make him the most likable character in the series.
4
Hey I know
Kingdom
The heir to the throne of Qin and the man who began Shin's goal of becoming a Great General, Ei Sei showed his skill from the start, managing to put down a rebellion in the worst possible situation and regain his throne using diplomacy and tactics. and extreme charisma. This had already solidified him as an interesting character and he only got better. Although the series focuses primarily on battlefield warfare, it also shows the politics of the Warring States and how Ei Sei maneuvers its bloody politics.
From his tragic story as someone hated by everyone who returned home, his ambitions to unite China through war, and his optimistic belief in the nature of humanity, Hey Sei is a force to be reckoned with com and stands out as one of the best characters in a series full of brilliantly written characters. He showed his leadership by going to the front lines and leading an army of peasants against one of the greatest generals, Riboku, and saved his nation.
3
Kageyama Tobio
Haikyu!!
The King of the Court is the beating heart of Karasuno as its genius creator and is a perfect contrast to its protagonist. He is presented as an arrogant player who holds people to an outrageously high standard, and his main development is learning to work with others and accommodate all types of players. He is mentored by many people, friends and enemies alike, on how to become the best team member he can be, and his journey to trusting others and leaving their part up to them is one of the most prominent character arcs in Haikyu!!.
Kageyama's feelings of inadequacy and insecurity in the face of better players like Oikawa and Atsumu are an important part of his character, and by confronting them he not only becomes a better player, but a better person. His journey from an isolated, perfectionist setter to a collaborative, inspiring teammate sums up Haikyu!!The central themes of teamwork, perseverance and personal growth.
2
Killua Zoldyck
Hunter X Hunter
It may be unbelievable to many, but Killua actually had more screen time than Gon and appeared in more chapters than him, showing how important he is to the story. The heir to the best family of assassins in the world left everything behind to be a normal child and discover the world, and Gon allowed him to do so. Throughout the entire series, the effect his manipulative family has on him is shown, and Killua breaking free from it is the highlight of his character arc. His hatred of killing and wanting a new life and purpose makes him sympathetic from the start, and it's very easy to empathize with him.
Killua has the cool factor under control, and his many incredible moments, like the beating he gave Youpi, outrunning the butlers, and his solo mission in East Gorteau make him one of the most exciting characters to watch. Furthermore, his touching moments such as the hug with Nanika, protecting Gon when he was in Zetsu, his admiration for Gon and many others make him an emotionally intelligent boy who has blessed Hunter X Hunter with the best moments on several occasions.
1
Sasuke Uchiha
naruto
This legendary character needs no introduction and is very popular because he is very good. The Uchiha Avenger contrasted perfectly with Naruto and without him the themes of the series would not exist. Even Kishimoto himself stated that whenever Naruto does something, he always thinks about Sasuke too and how it will affect him in the story. The beauty of Sasuke's character is the immense tragedy and how he goes through life responding to everything that is thrown at him.
His internal conflicts, ideology, relationships, fights and much more make Sasuke the character someone thinks of when they hear the word deuteragonist. Additionally, he possibly had as much screen time as Naruto, peppering the series with his travels across the world. His changing goals after adjusting them based on new information has always led to some interesting developments in the series that have made it much livelier. And finally, his character's conclusion, where he travels the world alone in search of atonement and also to expand his points of view, ends one of the greatest character arcs in shonen history.