Summary
- Sidekicks in anime can outshine protagonists with unique abilities in combat, intelligence, or influence.
- Sidekicks like Sai, Raphtalia, and Great Sage play crucial roles in shaping and empowering the main characters.
- Overpowered sidekicks like Sir Nighteye and Rukia Kuchiki bring strategic brilliance and powerful skills, enhancing their protagonists’ journeys.
It is not uncommon for the protagonist to shine in an anime. However, credit has to be given to those beside the protagonist that help them shine and shape their journey. These individuals are known as sidekicks, but their role is not just limited to helping the protagonist, as they have abilities that make them stand out either as battle-hardened warriors, tactical geniuses, and so much more.

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Whether they are wielding immense strength, strategic brilliance, or reality-defying abilities, these overpowered sidekicks often outshine the main character in combat, intelligence, or influence, proving that sometimes, the real MVP is not the protagonist but the one standing beside them.
7
Fujiwara No Sai
Hikaru No Go
Some people find it hard to let things go, and Sai is one of them. This legendary Go player’s passion for the game never died, even when he physically died. His spirit possessed a Go board in hopes of playing with the divine move that shows a player has mastered the game.
Hikaru comes across Sei’s possessed Go board, opening him to the world of Go with the prodigy Sei as his mentor and sidekick.
With Sei by his side, Hikaru goes from an uninterested novice into a professional-level player. What makes Sei different from other sidekicks, but still equally overpowered, is the psychological and intellectual role he plays in Hikaru’s life, shaping him into a true Go master.
6
Raphtalia
The Rising Of The Shield Hero
Raphtalia derives joy from being Naofumi’s sidekick, his sword in her words. At first, one would think she is only doing it because of the slave crest he kept on her, but as the anime progresses, fans come to understand that her race, demi-humans, are grateful to the Shield Hero for protecting them. In turn, they stay loyal to him, helping him out from generation to generation.

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Even after gaining her independence and being a hero on her own, when she was chosen to be the wielder of the Katana Vassal Weapon, she remained loyal to Naofumi. What makes Raphtalia stand out is her combination of swordsmanship, magic, and rapid development. Her loyalty and unwavering dedication to protecting Naofumi push her to go past her limits and become extremely powerful.
5
Great Sage
That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime
Without the Great Sage, it is safe to assume that Rimuru would not have achieved or attained half of what he has, especially in the short time in which he did. Great Sage is basically Rimuru’s personal AI and the true mastermind behind Rimuru’s rise to godlike power.
What makes Great Sage stand out is the fact that it is purely intellectual and strategic. It dictates any battle’s outcome before it even starts, ensuring that Rimuru has the highest chance of coming out victorious. What is more important is that with the help of the Great Sage, Rimuru can upgrade his abilities or evolve into a stronger version of himself without training.
4
Rem
Re:Zero -Starting Life In Another World-
Before Subaru’s intervention, one could say Rem was living in bondage. She constantly compares herself to her sister, Ram, believing Ram is better than her. Because of this, she has developed a rash attitude, often doing things without thinking about anything other than wanting to be better than her sister.
This seemingly bad situation helps her when she encounters Subaru, who makes her move forward from her toxic relationship with her sibling. Grateful for his help, Rem stays loyal to Subaru, serving as his emotional and physical support. Subaru is untouchable when Rem is with him, as her powers can wipe out squads.
3
Fern
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Fern is calm and composed, but do not be fooled by this, as she is a powerhouse and an extremely skilled mage. Extremely loyal to Frieren, Fern accompanies her on her post-heroic journey, where she learns and develops her magical abilities under Frieren.

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What makes Fern particularly overpowered is not her skills but her ability to stay focused in the face of dangerous opponents. She knows how to keep her emotions in check, and this allows her to study her opponents, taking into account their weaknesses before destroying them completely.
2
Sir Nighteye
My Hero Academia
Left to Sir Nighteye, Mirio would have been All Might’s successor, but that is beside the point. However, this goes to show how tight-knit All Might and Sir Nighteye were. Sir Nighteye was one of the most intelligent and calculated Pro Heroes in My Hero Academia. His Foresight quirk allows him to see a person’s future with absolute certainty for the next 24 hours, making him unbeatable and very powerful.
Without Nighteye, All Might would not have been able to stay ahead of villains, or rather, he would have struggled with it. Nighteye was the brains behind All Might’s hero operations, ensuring he always stayed ahead of the villains.
1
Rukia Kuchiki
Bleach
Rukia is one of Bleach’s most iconic characters, known for her role as Ichigo’s first mentor and an important fighter in the Soul Society. Her growth from a low-ranking Soul Reaper to a captain-level warrior makes her an overpowered sidekick to Ichigo, especially with her Zanpakutō, which makes her capable of freezing entire battlefields.
Beauty can also be deadly, as her ice-based Zanpakutō is admired but equally feared because, with a touch, she can freeze entire areas, leaving enemies immobilized. Thanks to Rukia on his side, Ichigo is able to advance on his journey as a soul reaper.

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