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Supporting Cast? Pfft. These 25 Characters Became the Real MVPs
Main characters, we love you… but sometimes your sidekicks, side hustlers, and comic relief buddies just hit different. Whether they’re spitting better one-liners, being more relatable, or just straight-up stealing every scene they’re in, these 25 side characters took a backseat — then drove off with the whole show.
Let’s get into it.
1. Loki – Thor / MCU
Loki was supposed to be just another villain in the Marvel Cinematic Universe — Thor’s mischievous brother, a pain in the godly butt. But something magical (and chaotic) happened. Thanks to Tom Hiddleston’s scene-stealing charm, tragic complexity, and ridiculously meme-worthy one-liners, Loki evolved into the actual heartthrob of Asgard. Fans couldn’t get enough of his smirks, his sass, and his struggle between good and evil. It got so intense, Marvel gave him his own Disney+ show, making Loki the first MCU villain to lead a solo series. And let’s be real — Loki’s personal arc is way deeper than Thor’s whole hammer saga. He went from genocidal maniac to time-hopping anti-hero with a soul (and amazing outfits). Not bad for the god of mischief. Sorry Thor, but your bro stole your thunder — literally.
2. Steve Harrington – Stranger Things
Steve "The Hair" Harrington had one job in Stranger Things Season 1: be the douchey boyfriend who gets dumped. But Joe Keery's performance turned him into something else — a redemption arc masterpiece. Over time, Steve transformed from punchable high school jerk to lovable babysitter of the apocalypse. He became the big brother we all wanted, wielding his trusty nail bat and protecting the younger crew with sarcastic wisdom and unexpected heart. Fans fell so hard for Steve, he arguably overtook Eleven in fan love by Season 3. His bromance with Dustin? Iconic. His failed love life? Relatable. His flawless hair? Unfair. The Duffers may have planned for him to fade out, but audiences rallied behind him so hard they made him essential. In Hawkins, there are monsters — but Steve is the glue holding everyone together.
3. Vegeta – Dragon Ball Z
Goku may be the golden boy of Dragon Ball Z, but let’s face it — Vegeta is the real MVP. Originally introduced as a villain, the arrogant Saiyan prince with a chip on his shoulder evolved into one of the most complex, emotionally raw characters in anime history. He’s proud, angry, always trying to one-up Goku… and we love him for it. His arc from world-conquering tyrant to loving dad and reluctant hero? Chef’s kiss. He trains harder, struggles more, and still never quite gets the spotlight — and that just makes fans root for him even harder. Plus, his smack talk is legendary. “It’s over 9000!” wasn’t even his moment, but somehow, he owns it. Whether he’s blowing up planets or making pancakes for Bulla, Vegeta gives us layered chaos. Goku wins battles. Vegeta wins hearts.
4. Shrek's Donkey – Shrek
Shrek may be the ogre with the swamp and the heart of gold, but Donkey is the soul of the franchise — loud, loyal, and impossible to ignore. Voiced by Eddie Murphy at his chaotic best, Donkey was meant to be comic relief but quickly became the breakout star. His nonstop chatter, unexpected musical numbers, and surprising emotional depth made him unforgettable. Whether he's serenading dragons or annoying Shrek into submission, Donkey somehow always brings heart and hilarity. Fans quote him constantly — “We can stay up late, swapping manly stories, and in the morning... I'm makin’ waffles!” became internet legend. Donkey’s chemistry with Shrek gives the films their emotional core, and his unfiltered joy balances out the ogre’s grumpiness perfectly. Honestly, if Shrek was renamed Donkey’s Adventure, we wouldn't even be mad. He earned it.
5. Kronk – The Emperor's New Groove
Kronk was never meant to be the main attraction. He was just the muscle-bound, dimwitted henchman to Yzma’s evil plans in The Emperor’s New Groove. But the second he opened his mouth — complete with squirrel impressions and culinary tips — audiences were hooked. Kronk isn’t just funny; he’s absurdly lovable. He’s the type of guy who talks to shoulder angels, hosts dinner parties mid-evil mission, and takes genuine joy in the little things (like his spinach puffs). Patrick Warburton’s voice work turned him into a comedic legend. Fans loved him so much he got his own spin-off (Kronk’s New Groove), which is rare for a Disney side character. And let’s be real: he was way too wholesome to be a villain’s sidekick. Kronk didn’t steal scenes — he snatched the entire movie and made it fabulous.
6. Toph Beifong – Avatar: The Last Airbender
Toph doesn’t show up until Season 2 of Avatar: The Last Airbender, but when she does — she earthbends her way straight into fan legend. Blind, sarcastic, and tougher than a rock sandwich, Toph Beifong redefined what it meant to be powerful in the Avatar universe. She’s the inventor of metalbending, an unstoppable fighter, and hands-down the funniest character in the series (sorry, Sokka). But more than that, she broke stereotypes. Toph didn’t need anyone’s pity. She made her disability a strength and flipped every expectation on its head — while punching boulders in the face. Her brutal honesty and chaotic energy gave the team an edge they didn’t know they needed. Sure, Aang is the Avatar, but Toph is the realest one in the group. She didn’t just support the story — she made it better, louder, and stronger.
7. Daryl Dixon – The Walking Dead
In the original Walking Dead comics, Daryl Dixon doesn't exist. That’s right — this crossbow-wielding redneck survivalist was created just for the TV show. And somehow, he became the most beloved character in the apocalypse. Played by Norman Reedus with grimy charm and simmering intensity, Daryl started as an angry loner but grew into the show’s moral center. He bonded with Carol, protected Judith, and quietly became the guy fans would riot for. His no-nonsense attitude, loyalty, and surprising tenderness made him a breakout star — so much so, he survived dozens of main character deaths and eventually got his own spin-off series. When Rick left, Daryl basically became the lead. Not bad for a dude who entered the show hunting squirrels and throwing shade. In a zombie world, Daryl’s the ride-or-die hero we all trust.
8. Crowley – Good Omens
In a story about angels, demons, and the literal apocalypse, Good Omens gave us Crowley — a demon with sunglasses, a vintage Bentley, and too much swagger for someone technically evil. Played by David Tennant with an iconic slither and endless snark, Crowley instantly outshone nearly everyone in the show. He’s supposed to be the bad guy, but his friendship (and let’s be honest, lowkey romance) with angel Aziraphale became the heart of the series. He waters his plants with fear. He plays Queen while speeding through London. He side-eyes heaven and hell. And somehow, we all love him for it. Crowley isn’t just cool — he’s relatable in a “trying my best not to care but I do anyway” kind of way. Honestly, give the man/demon his own series. We’d follow him into hell and back. With Queen blasting, obviously.
9. Kiba (Sadaharu) the Giant Dog – Gintama
Okay, technically his name is Sadaharu, but fans of Gintama know him as the giant alien dog who casually crushes buildings and bites people for fun. Originally introduced as the Yorozuya’s pet, Sadaharu was never meant to be a big deal — but in true Gintama fashion, he spiraled into chaos and somehow became a beloved mascot. He’s absurdly strong (like “toss-a-gorilla-across-town” strong), incredibly loyal, and often the straight dog in the middle of everyone's ridiculous antics. And let’s not forget the poop jokes — Gintama’s specialty. Sadaharu's presence balances out the emotional beats with slapstick perfection, and he’s been involved in everything from alien invasions to heartwarming scenes where he protects Kagura like a sibling. In a show where literally everything is a parody, this massive floof is pure chaotic joy. Also, he’s cuter than 90% of anime mascots. Fight me.
10. Luigi – Super Mario Bros.
He started as just Player Two — the green blur you’d pick when your older sibling already snagged Mario. But over the years, Luigi became so much more than a lanky sidekick. He’s awkward, anxious, and a total underdog — and that’s exactly why fans love him. From Luigi’s Mansion to Mario & Luigi RPGs, he stepped out of his brother’s shadow and into his own (haunted) spotlight. Unlike Mario, Luigi actually has depth: he’s scared of ghosts, talks to himself, and still pushes forward like a total hero. His jump is higher. His memes are stronger. And his fashion? Iconic. Green is the new red, y’all. Luigi may have started as a player two punchline, but he ended up being the most relatable, lovable, and hauntedly heroic plumber in the Mushroom Kingdom.
11. Roy Kent – Ted Lasso
Grumpy, growling, and full of f-bombs, Roy Kent entered Ted Lasso as the team’s aging star with anger issues. But give him five minutes of screen time, and he’ll become your emotionally constipated, foul-mouthed hero. Played to perfection by Brett Goldstein (who also writes for the show), Roy became an instant fan favorite thanks to his brutally honest heart. He yells, yes — but he also loves. His bond with Keeley? Pure. His mentorship of the team? Inspiring. And when he cries in the locker room? Soul-shattering. His “soft on the inside, cactus on the outside” persona hit fans right in the feels. He wasn’t even meant to be that central to the show, but audiences fell in love with his gruff tenderness so hard, he became the guy. Roy Kent is here, he’s there… you know the rest.
12. Harley Quinn – Batman: The Animated Series
It’s wild to think that Harley Quinn didn’t exist before the ‘90s cartoon. She was literally created as a throwaway sidekick for Joker in one episode of Batman: The Animated Series. Fast-forward 30 years, and she’s one of DC’s most iconic (and merchandisable) characters. Why? Because she’s chaotic perfection. Her blend of unhinged loyalty, tragic backstory, unpredictable violence, and heartbreaking vulnerability gave her depth far beyond the usual “villain’s girlfriend” trope. Fans connected to her — especially when she started breaking away from Joker and embracing her own agency. Comics, movies, games, and even a critically adored adult animated series followed. Harley went from sidekick to symbol. She’s messy, funny, unpredictable, and powerful — and we wouldn’t want her any other way. Mr. J might’ve brought her in, but Harley walked out as the star.
13. Puss in Boots – Shrek 2
When Puss in Boots entered Shrek 2, he was supposed to be a minor addition to the main cast. Instead, he rolled in with a rapier, Spanish accent, and those eyes — and instantly stole the entire movie. Voiced with flair by Antonio Banderas, Puss balanced dashing charm with ridiculous adorability. One second he’s doing Zorro-level swordplay, and the next he’s turning into a tiny, wide-eyed cat meme before memes were even a thing. The internet ate it up, and so did fans of all ages. His popularity exploded so fast that DreamWorks gave him his own spin-off movies, which even outperformed parts of the Shrek series in acclaim (Puss in Boots: The Last Wish was a literal masterpiece). Not bad for a sidekick with a hat and some boots. He didn’t just steal scenes — he made the franchise his.
14. Zuko – Avatar: The Last Airbender
Let’s be honest: Aang is great, but Zuko is the character arc of Avatar: The Last Airbender. When he first appeared, he was your classic firebending villain with anger issues and daddy trauma. But over three seasons, he evolved into a conflicted, vulnerable, and deeply human hero. His redemption arc is now legendary — taught in the great halls of fandom as the blueprint for how you write character growth. Fans obsessed over every moment Zuko struggled with his identity, morality, and need for acceptance. His banter with Uncle Iroh, his awkward friendship with Team Avatar, his “honor!” — it’s all become iconic. The fact that fans wanted a Zuko spinoff more than a continuation of Aang’s story says it all. From scar-faced antagonist to tea-sipping legend, Zuko earned every ounce of the love fans gave him. Fire prince? More like fan king.
15. Boba Fett – Star Wars
Before The Mandalorian, before The Book of Boba Fett, before all the Clone Wars backstory… Boba Fett had less than five lines in the original Star Wars trilogy. And yet? He became a fan obsession. Why? Cool armor. Mysterious vibes. Jetpack. That’s all it took. Kids and collectors went nuts over him. His toy figure? Instant legend. His backstory? Fans made it up before Lucas did. Boba Fett became the ultimate “cool guy in the corner” character. And because the films gave us just enough, the mystery became part of his appeal. Eventually, he got fleshed out in comics, cartoons, and a full-blown Disney+ series — not because he was supposed to… but because we demanded it. He’s basically proof that a few seconds of screen time can lead to full-on fandom. Never underestimate a good helmet.
16. Kronii – Hololive / VTubers
In the chaotic, magical world of VTubers, Kronii — aka Ouro Kronii of Hololive EN: Council — wasn’t supposed to be the breakout. But her deadpan delivery, silky voice, and perfectly-timed existential dread turned her into a fan favorite almost instantly. Her character lore? She's the Warden of Time. Her vibe? A mix of sarcastic big sister and someone who’s mildly annoyed she exists in the first place. Whether she’s roasting herself, dunking on chat, or casually dropping mind-bending jokes, Kronii delivers it all with a calm, confident snark that stands out in a sea of hyperactive energy. She even became a meme queen, with clips going viral across platforms like wildfire. In the Hololive universe, where chaos is standard, Kronii stood out because she refused to play the chaos game — and somehow mastered it anyway.
17. Schmidt – New Girl
New Girl was supposed to be the Zooey Deschanel show. But by episode three, everyone was saying the same thing: Schmidt is hilarious. Played by Max Greenfield, Schmidt started as a walking douchebag jar — overly confident, weirdly fashionable, and aggressively Type-A. But then he evolved into the soul of the loft. His wild one-liners, vulnerable moments, and absurd quirks made him unforgettable. He was the guy who would color-coordinate his closet, cry over a sandwich, and quote Kanye West like scripture. And yet, you loved him. His bromance with Nick, slow-burn romance with Cece, and endless list of neurotic habits gave him more range than any other character. He became the reason people quoted the show, made GIFs, and screamed “youths!” at strangers. He might not be the lead, but in our hearts, Schmidt IS the show.
18. Megatron – Transformers
Optimus Prime is the noble, wise leader we’re supposed to cheer for… but let’s be honest: Megatron is way more fun to watch. He’s ruthless, dramatic, and drops one-liners with the flair of a Shakespearean villain powered by nitro fuel. Whether it’s the animated series or Michael Bay’s explosion-fests, Megatron always brings unfiltered chaos and unmatched menace to every scene. He’s the kind of bad guy who doesn’t just want to conquer Earth — he wants to monologue about it while transforming into a space tank. Fans gravitate toward him not just because he’s powerful, but because he’s extra. Even in Beast Wars, his "yesssss" catchphrase turned into meme gold. Megatron might not be the “hero,” but he’s the kind of villain you cheer for anyway — dramatic, over-the-top, and entirely unforgettable.
19. Marceline – Adventure Time
Adventure Time is packed with quirky characters, but none captured hearts quite like Marceline the Vampire Queen. At first, she’s just a floating goth with a bass guitar and a mischievous grin. But then her story unfolds — and oh boy, it hits hard. With a heartbreaking backstory about her father, the apocalypse, and a love lost in Princess Bubblegum, Marceline became the show's emotional powerhouse. She's a vampire-demon hybrid who writes songs about her trauma and sings with soul-crushing honesty. Her episodes are some of the most critically acclaimed in the series. She’s cool, vulnerable, effortlessly queer-coded, and just plain badass. While Finn is the technical hero, Marceline became the icon — especially for fans craving depth, complexity, and a little moody music. She didn’t just survive the end of the world — she owned it.
20. Gojo Satoru – Jujutsu Kaisen
From the second Gojo Satoru appeared, blindfolded and cocky, the internet lost its collective mind. Sure, Yuji is the protagonist of Jujutsu Kaisen, but Gojo? He’s the moment. He’s that overpowered mentor character who breaks every rule with a grin — and still wins. Whether he’s one-shotting cursed spirits, casually flexing his god-tier Infinity powers, or making jokes mid-fight, Gojo brings unstoppable chaos with irresistible charm. Fans adore him for his power, yes, but also for his contradictions: carefree yet burdened, goofy yet brilliant, a teacher who hides deep trauma beneath his smirks. And let’s not ignore the looks — the white hair, the shades, the memes. Gojo wasn’t meant to be the lead, but fans worship him like a deity. In a world of darkness and curses, he’s the ultimate wildcard. Stylish, savage, and strangely sweet.
21. Stewie Griffin – Family Guy
Stewie started off as the evil genius baby trying to kill his mom. But somewhere along the way, Stewie Griffin evolved into Family Guy’s most beloved (and bizarre) character. His mix of British theater kid energy, unhinged intellect, and sudden bursts of emotion turned him into the show’s chaotic soul. Whether he’s building time machines, battling his teddy bear, or secretly longing for love and validation, Stewie brings more depth than anyone else in Quahog. His dynamic with Brian, the dog, spawned some of the series' best episodes — part road trip, part philosophical meltdown. Peter may be the “star,” but Stewie is the reason people still tune in. He’s sharp, savage, and somehow relatable despite being a murderous baby with a football-shaped head. And let's be honest — no one else could make “Victory is mine!” so iconic.
**22. Genie – Aladdin (Disney)
Genie, voiced by the legendary Robin Williams, wasn’t just a sidekick — he was an event. From the second he bursts out of the lamp in Aladdin, Genie hijacks the movie with shape-shifting madness, fourth-wall breaks, and pure comedy gold. Originally intended as comic relief, Genie ended up redefining what animated characters could be. Williams improvised most of his lines, creating a whirlwind performance packed with impersonations, emotion, and energy that left every other character in the dust. Sure, Aladdin’s love story is cute and all… but let’s be real: we came for the Genie. He was so beloved, Disney bent their rules just to let Williams riff. Fans adored him, critics praised him, and Genie became a pop culture icon. He granted three wishes, but honestly? He gave us a thousand laughs — and a character we’ll never forget.
23. Sheldon Cooper – The Big Bang Theory
What began as just another quirky ensemble sitcom quickly became The Sheldon Show. Dr. Sheldon Cooper, played by Jim Parsons, wasn’t supposed to be the center of attention — but his blend of brilliance, neuroses, and baffling arrogance made him the fan favorite almost immediately. From "Bazinga!" to his spot on the couch, Sheldon became a cultural phenomenon. Fans couldn't get enough of his strict routines, brutally honest observations, and awkward attempts at friendship. He was the definition of a loveable oddball: annoying, yet endearing; genius, yet socially clueless. His performance earned four Emmys and a spin-off series (Young Sheldon) — a rare feat for a character who began as a walking punchline. While Leonard technically was the main guy, Sheldon was the one people quoted, memed, and adored. He didn’t just break out — he blew up.
24. Catra – She-Ra and the Princesses of Power
Catra started out as a classic cartoon villain: bratty, mean, and always scowling behind a mask. But She-Ra and the Princesses of Power transformed her into one of the most emotionally complex characters in modern animation. Torn between loyalty, resentment, and a truckload of trauma, Catra became more than just a rival to Adora — she became her mirror. Fans watched her spiral, evolve, fall, and fight her way back. Her character arc went from edgy villain to heart-wrenching redemption, and her relationship with Adora (yes, that one) gave the show its emotional weight. She was messy, angry, deeply flawed — and wildly relatable. By the final season, fans weren’t asking if she’d be redeemed… they were demanding it. Catra didn't just claw her way out of villainy. She claimed her own story — and all of our hearts.
25. Yoda – Star Wars
He’s small. He’s green. He talks like your grandfather after two space beers. But make no mistake — Yoda became one of the most beloved characters in Star Wars history without ever being a lead. Introduced in Empire Strikes Back as a mysterious hermit, Yoda quickly revealed himself to be a Jedi Master — wise, powerful, and weirdly adorable. His teachings shaped the entire Star Wars mythos, from “Do or do not” to “Fear leads to anger…” lines that became life mottos for millions. Despite minimal screen time, Yoda became the philosophical heart of the saga — and fans couldn’t get enough. He got his backstory, action scenes (hello, prequel flips!), memes, and even inspired Baby Yoda (Grogu), who arguably outshined everyone. Yoda may have trained heroes — but in the eyes of the fandom, he became the legend.
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Sometimes the best part of a show, movie, or game isn't the hero swinging the sword or making the speech — it's the quirky, chaotic, or charming side character doing their own thing in the corner. Whether they were comic relief, background noise, or originally just meant for one episode, these icons proved that the "supporting cast" can steal the whole damn show.
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