These charismatic characters stole all the attention.
Screen time is not infinite. Each story faces the challenge of presenting its characters in a way that allows each one to play their role.
However, some characters turn out to be more successful than others. Even though the gray characters continue to perform routine functions, only one becomes the star of the title.
1. Vinand Saga (2019-2023) – Askeladd
Not only is Askeladd from Vinland Saga a mercenary leader and an excellent fighter, he is also a first-class thief.
He so cleverly stole the role of the protagonist from Thorfinn in the second half of the first season that, by the end, you don't remember the latter – only Askeladd's difficult and unenviable fate remains in your mind.
The first season of Vinland Saga is an example of an amazing plot formula where all the events serve to reveal a single character who formally takes part in the events, but hides his true face until the end.
2. Steins;Gate (2011-2015) – Kurisu
In some ways, Steins;Gate is a unique anime because it's hard to forget such specific and eccentric secondary characters.
The title's main idea is embodied by the two protagonists, Okabe Rintaro and Kurisu Makise. However, their relationship is unequal, as all of Okabe's motivation stems from his interaction with Kurisu.
Kurisu is a very atypical character because there aren't many arrogant, brilliant young scientists in anime. However, Makise does not conform to archetypes. This is why the heroine consistently ranks among the top female anime characters.
3. Darling in the Franxx (2018) – Zero Two
There's no denying her significant role in the title. Leave Hiro, the protagonist, alone, or add Ichigo, a potential love interest, to the mix. However, the pairing isn't nearly as entertaining as Zero Two.
For her dramatic story to work as intended, Zero Two has to exist in conflict with the world around her. When every character exists to shine the spotlight on her, why shouldn't she shine?
4. Re: Zero – Starting Life in Another World (2016-...) – Echidna
Re:Zero – Starting Life in Another World is surprising in that its characters don't stand out from the crowd in a typical fantasy environment.
First, Rem took the brunt of it. The humble maid suddenly eclipsed the main character, Emilia, in popularity because it turned out that she was an exemplary supporter of the protagonist, Subaru, as well as a dramatic character and a much more complete person.
Echidna, however, is on a whole different level. She brings a gray morality to Re:Zero's fairy tale narrative, taking its philosophy to another level.