What Is a Deuteragonist – and The Best Deuteragonists in Anime

The main character is usually the make-or-break element of a story.

A strong main character is the foundation of any anime. However, the main character often has a secondary character who is just as important.

This secondary character is known as the “deuteragonist,” or the second main character.

Deuteragonists in Anime

In anime, especially Shonen anime, the deuteragonist role is quite common.

Even in older anime like “Noragami,” this pattern continues with Yato and Yuki.

For example, in the new anime “My Hero Academia,” we have Midoriya as the main character and Bakugou as the second lead.

Take sports anime Haikyuu!! for example as well. We have Tobio Kageyama and Hinata Shoyo

What Is a Deuteragonist?

Now that we know what a deuteragonist is, let’s dive deeper into their role.

The deuteragonist is often a friend, rival, or partner to the main character.

They help the main character grow, give them a push, and aid in their overall development.

Usually, the deuteragonist is the polar opposite of the protagonist.

For example, if the main character is cheerful, the deuteragonist might be grumpy. If the main character is serious, the deuteragonist might be a goofball.

These contrasting character types make the story more interesting and the dynamics between the characters more compelling.

So today we are counting down our picks for the best anime deuteragonists.

Best Anime deuteragonists fans love more than the main character

10. Karma Akabane– Ansatsu Kyoushitsu

Karma Akabane is one of the best deuteragonists in anime.

He meets all the criteria for a great deuteragonist.

In the anime, Karma is shown as very talented. He can do almost anything, unlike the main character, Shiota.

One key aspect of their relationship is their frequent petty fights.

Karma also gets jealous if Shiota is better than him at something Karma excels in.

09. Genos – One Punch Man

One Punch Man is often a satire, but do you know what’s even funnier? An android showing more humanity and empathy than the human characters in the show.

Even though Genos is an android, he often gets hurt while saving others.

The dynamic between Genos and Saitama is fun to watch. Genos is always serious, while Saitama looks bored all the time.

Another interesting dynamic is the overpowered main character and the struggle to gain power.

These elements make Genos one of the best deuteragonists in anime.

08. Mikasa Ackerman – Attack On Titan

Mikasa Ackerman, along with Armin Arlert, is one of the main supporting characters in the Attack on Titan television series.

She is a member of the Survey Corps and is known for her amazing fighting skills, agility, and strong loyalty to her friends and allies.

Some fans believe Mikasa is the main character, with Eren as the main antagonist and Armin as the narrator, even though Eren is often seen as the protagonist.

This idea is supported by Mikasa’s dedication to protecting Eren and their different outlooks—Eren’s pessimism vs. Mikasa’s optimism.

Mikasa is easily one of the best anime deuteragonists and one of the best-written female anime characters.

07.  Fushiguro Megumi – Jujutsu Kaisen

Despite being very different from Yuji Itadori, the protagonist of Jujutsu Kaisen, Megumi Fushiguro is another deuteragonist, and the two remain best friends.

Megumi and Yuji disagree at times, especially when it comes to their moral principles.

For instance, Megumi has no problem taking a human life if it helps him in any manner, yet Yuji would prefer not to kill any people if he can avoid it.

06. L Lawliet – Death Note

The Death Note fandom is split equally between Light and L. Many consider L to be one of the greatest anime deuteragonists ever.

Light Yagami started as an anti-hero but turned into the series’ real villain. He had a twisted sense of right and wrong and no ethics.

L, on the other hand, is just as smart as Light but keeps his moral integrity.

This makes him the real protagonist for many fans. Death Note fans also love L for his quirky habits and unusual behavior.

05. Roy Mustang – Fullmetal Alchemist

In contrast to the adventurous Elric brothers, Mustang unveils the true foes of Fullmetal Alchemist.

Though he dislikes working with bureaucracy, Mustang is regarded as a war hero.

In Fullmetal Alchemist, he confronts everyone and everything near him, making for a stressful voyage.

Mustang gives the narrative intrigue and suspense, while Edward and Alphonse provide the action.

04. Roronoa Zoro – One Piece

Another famous figure in the anime world is Roronoa Zoro, the future pirate king’s sidekick in One Piece.

Zoro, also known as “Pirate Hunter,” was a highly skilled bounty hunter before being rescued by Monkey D. Luffy, the main character.

Aside from his charisma, Zoro’s abilities make him even more popular. His skills come from intense training, not from the powers of a Devil fruit.

Roronoa Zoro is one of the best anime deuteragonists in our list.

03. Vegeta – Dragon Ball Z

Among anime and manga, Vegeta from the well-known Dragon Ball series is arguably the most recognizable deuteragonist.

Vegeta has alternated between being Goku’s ally and opponent throughout the Dragon Ball Z series since his debut in the “Saiyan” saga.

After Goku, the Saiyan Prince is unquestionably the second most significant character in the saga.

Except for the “Cell Games” narrative, the pair has consistently assumed the lead roles in every story arc.

They receive nearly as much attention as any other character, especially in Dragon Ball Super.

The only person who can keep up with Goku’s quick development is Vegeta. This makes Vegeta one of the best deuteragonists in anime.

02. Killua – Hunter x Hunter

Killua Zoldyck from Hunter x Hunter would top nearly everyone’s list of favorite characters.

Similar to Zoro, Killua is an outstanding fighter with immense heart and unwavering loyalty.

Raised in a family of assassins, Killua had no friends until he met the main protagonist, Gon Freecss, during the Hunter Exam.

What sets Killua apart from Zoro is his constant display of emotions. His anger, sadness, happiness, jealousy, and rare moments of fear are all palpable.

01. Bakugou Katsuki – My Hero Academia

Bakugou Katsuki starts as a rude and arrogant character.

He initially seems like a bully, tormenting Deku for being Quirkless. But as the show progresses, Bakugou changes dramatically.

His character reveals both his feelings of inferiority and his complicated connection with Deku.

In the manga, he continues to grow, winning over many fans. He consistently ranks high in popularity polls.

Bakugou’s character development and his complex relationship with Deku make him one of the best deuteragonists in anime.