Every good anime protagonist needs a good sidekick. Someone to travel with, back her or him up when things get dicey, provide comic relief, be their cheerleader, or just making sure to carry the protagonist's things. The best sidekicks are not only loyal and helpful, but they also have an indescribable charm to them that makes them so memorable and lovable. There are countless sidekicks spread throughout anime, but who are the best of the best? Here's the 10 most amazing anime sidekicks!
10 Dororo - Dororo
Starting off this list is Dororo from, you guessed it, Dororo. The 2019 adaptation is a bit grittier than the original 1967 manga but still follows Hyakkimaru, a boy born without eyes, ears, nose, skin, or limbs, traveling across Japan killing demons. Travelling with him is Dororo, a young orphan child.
Dororo becomes something of a younger sibling to Hyakkimaru, even frequently calling him "Aniki" (big brother). Even with the danger of hunting and killing demons, Dororo stays by Hyakkimaru's side. Dororo also makes sure that they're paid for their demon killing services.
9 Pikachu - Pokemon
This list would not be complete with everybody's favorite Pokemon, Pikachu. Pikachu was the first Pokemon Ash Ketchum ever had, given to him by Professor Oak in the Pokemon anime, and they've been side-by-side ever since. Their relationship, however, had a bit of a rocky start.
When they first met, Pikachu would regularly disobey Ash during battles, he shocked Ash, and he refused to go into a pokeball. Pikachu still refuses to go into pokeballs but over time, Pikachu and Ash have become inseparable, and now Pikachu is ready to jump into battle to fight for Ash.
8 Genos - One Punch Man
In the world of One Punch Man, Genos is series protagonist Saitama's dedicated pupil, and one of the few characters than truly recognizes Saitama's strength. Like Saitama, Genos is also registered as a superhero, but because this world cares more about look and personality, Genos is a popular S-rank hero while Saitama is an unknown C-rank hero.
Genos's body is completely mechanical, earning him the nickname, "Demon Cyborg" (sometimes he's called "Blond Cyborg"). There's no denying there are few sidekicks as fiercely loyal as Genos, which just makes us like him more.
7 Nezuko - Demon Slayer
Not every demon slaying swordsman has a demon sidekick helping them hunt demons, but the brother-sister team of Tanjiro and Nezuko in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba are inseparable. The Demon Slayers Corps doesn't allow its members to travel with demons, but Nezuko is an exception.
What makes Nezuko so special is the fact that she's a demon that doesn't eat humans. Instead, she fiercely protects humans, especially Tanjiro. She's strong enough to kick a demon's head off with one hit, and she's always there to give Tanjiro support in battle.
6 Riza Hawkeye - Fullmetal Alchemist
Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye in one of, if not the most, competent soldier in Fullmetal Alchemist's Amestrian State Military, and she's the personal bodyguard and adjutant of Colonel Roy Mustang. Hawkeye is so much more than just a bodyguard, she's the most invaluable member of Mustang's team.
Hawkeye has a tattoo on her back that contains to secret to flame alchemy, which she shared with only with Mustang before having him burn it so no one else can have the secret. Thanks to her incredible sharpshooting skills, she's earned the nickname, "The Hawk's Eye".
5 Mako Mankanshoku - Kill La Kill
There's probably no one on this list as extravagantly supportive as Mako Mankanshoku from Kill La Kill. She's goofy, over-the-top, definitely over-caffeinated, one of the worst students at Honnōji Academy, but most importantly, she's Ryūko Matoi's best friend. Mako always has Ryūko's back, either with a rousing speech or unbridled enthusiasm.
When Ryūko was brainwashed and wearing the evil Junketsu, Mako was able to get through to her and bring her back to normal. And let's not forget that Mako and Ryūko go on a date in the final episode and its canon.
4 Killua Zoldyck - Hunter X Hunter
Killua comes from the Zoldyck family, a family of renowned assassins feared in the world of Hunter X Hunter. Trained from birth to be a ruthless killing machine, Killua gives up his life of being an assassin and runs away to become a hunter, where he meets and befriends Gon.
They become fast friends and travel the world, meeting new people and battling powerful foes. Their friendship only grows as the series progresses, and their arc has plenty of emotional moments that could leave viewers in tears. Plus, how awesome was it when Killua ripped out a guy's heart with his bare hands?
3 Krillin - Dragon Ball
Krillin first had a brief rivalry with Goku in Dragon Ball when they were both children and training under Master Roshi, but they soon became lifelong best friends. Krillin has been by Goku's side throughout the original Dragon Ball, through Dragon Ball Z, and most recently in Dragon Ball Super.
Krillin doesn't often get the credit he deserves. Sure, he's died multiple times from villains along the way, but don't discount the fact that he's one of the most powerful humans on Earth. He's also very brave, never backing down from a fight against a stronger opponent.
2 Armin Arlert - Attack on Titan
Armin has been friends with protagonist Eren Yeager since childhood. While he may not be the physically strongest member of the Survey Corps, his intelligence and strategic knowledge are unmatched, making him an essential member of the military. His genius and planning led to many successful plans and saved lives.
It's thanks to Armin that Eren has his motivation. Armin showed Eren and Mikasa an illegal book his grandfather owned that described the world outside the walls, and that sparked Eren's desire to see the outside world with his own eyes.
1 Robert E. O. Speedwagon - Jojo's Bizarre Adventure
Capping off this list of most amazing anime sidekicks is JoJo's Bizarre Adventure's best girl Robert E. O. Speedwagon. Introduced in Part 1 of the series, Speedwagon was originally just a street thug with a code of honor but after being impressed by Jonathon Joestar's gentlemanly compassion, turns his life around and becomes friends with Jonathon, as well as the narrator for the part.
Later in life, Speedwagon began the Speedwagon Foundation, an influential organization funded by the money he made from the oil he discovered. While Speedwagon unfortunately dies rather early in the series, the Speedwagon Foundation's influence continues to assist the Joestar bloodline well into the future.