Not every great anime character gets the recognition they deserve. While the flashy protagonists and scene-stealing villains hog the spotlight, some of the real heroes are stuck in the background, silently carrying the team on their backs, only to get sidelined in the fandom discussions. We list some of the most underrated anime characters who deserved better. They should have received more love and attention from fans, better writing from writers, screen time, and credit.
Sure, some of them have their niche fanbases, but let’s not pretend it’s anywhere near the hype they’ve earned. Whether it’s through raw sacrifice, next-level loyalty, or just being the emotional backbone of the series, these characters elevate the show they are a part of. So today, we are giving flowers where they’re overdue. Here are 10 criminally underrated anime characters who deserved better and way more love.
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1. Chopper (One Piece)
Tony Tony Chopper isn’t just the Straw Hats’ mascot. He’s their doctor, their healer, and one of the biggest reasons they have even made it this far. Trained by legends like Dr. Hiriluk and Dr. Kureha, Chopper mixes real medical skill with serious fighting power. He made his own transformations, fought CP9, and saved lives with treatments that would’ve stopped most pirates for good. But even after all that, he still doesn’t get the same respect as Usopp or Nami, with his bounty even being a joke.
While everyone’s busy hyping up power-ups and big fights, Chopper is the one keeping the crew alive. He’s not just a comic relief character or emergency food, as Luffy states. He’s one of the best doctors in anime and the heart of the Straw Hats. It’s about time fans gave him the love he’s earned.
2. Jean Kirstein (Attack on Titan)
Jean Kirstein had all the qualities of a main character, but spent most of the series in Eren’s shadow. He wasn’t chosen by fate, didn’t awaken any special power, and never tried to be humanity’s savior. What he did instead was grow from a selfish recruit who just wanted to survive into a soldier who stood his ground when everything fell apart.
While Eren chose all-out destruction and Levi cut through enemies with brute strength, Jean chose humanity. He made tough decisions without ever turning cold, and held onto his sense of self in a world designed to break it. Jean wasn’t the loudest or the strongest, but when it counted, he stepped up. And that mattered most. He is criminally underrated, and fans should really fix that and give him the credit he deserves.
3. Krillin (Dragon Ball)
For years, Krillin’s been the punchline of Dragon Ball, but it’s time to set the record straight. He’s, without a doubt, the strongest human on Earth. This guy’s faced off with gods, gone head-to-head with galactic tyrants like Frieza, and somehow managed to survive long enough to start a family with Android 18 in a universe where planets explode regularly.
Who needs Saiyan blood or flashy transformations when Krillin’s got raw skill, unshakable determination, and the kind of grit that lets him rise from the dead every time he’s blasted into oblivion? He took brutal hits from Cell, outwitted Frieza’s entire army, and bagged victories that most Z-Fighters could only dream of. Krillin is one of the most underrated characters in the Dragon Ball franchise, and it’s high time fans put some respect on his name.
4. Zenitsu Agatsuma (Demon Slayer)
Zenitsu might annoy fans with his constant yelling and crying, but when it’s time to slay demons, he’s unstoppable. This guy switches from trembling coward to a literal thunderbolt in an instant. One form, one move, and the demon’s down. Terrified, traumatised, and riddled with self-doubt, Zenitsu still rises to the occasion when it matters most.
His character growth during the Entertainment District arc proves there’s more to him than just a comic relief character who only does badass things when he’s asleep. He is a human fighting demons, it’s normal for him to freak out. What matters is that despite being scared, he pushes forward because that’s what real warriors do. He deserved a lot more respect from the Demon Slayer fandom for his contribution to the story.
5. Shizune (Naruto)
Shizune has been holding the Hidden Leaf together from the moment she returned with Tsunade. She’s more than just your average assistant. Shizune is a battle-hardened medical ninja and a trusted advisor who steps up when it counts. She fought Kabuto during the Legendary Sannin battle and later led healing operations during the Fourth Great Ninja War.
While she rarely takes the spotlight, her work has saved countless lives. From medical support to village affairs, Shizune is the one who always quietly handles things in the background. Without her, Tsunade would fall apart, and Konoha Village would not be what it is today. The Naruto fandom owes her a lot of appreciation for everything she has done.
6. Sui-Feng (Bleach)
Suì-Fēng is a force to be reckoned with. As Captain of the 2nd Division and commander of the stealth force, she’s an assassin so lethal that her Zanpakutō can take down an enemy in just two strikes. She faced Baraggan, the King of Hueco Mundo, and managed to hold her ground. Yet, because she doesn’t get the spotlight like Ichigo or a flashy Bankai reveal, she often gets overlooked by the fandom.
Her loyalty to Yoruichi and the emotional depth behind her cold exterior are often ignored, too. Suì-Fēng is not just a fighter; she’s a person who values duty over personal glory. It is high time the Bleach fandom realizes her worth and gives her the love and appreciation she deserves.
7. Rika Orimoto (Jujutsu Kaisen 0)
Rika wasn’t just a normal cursed spirit. She was heartbreak fused with unstoppable power. Twisted by love and grief, she broke the rules of the Jujutsu world without even trying. Her bond with Yuta was one of the most impactful bonds in the story. While other romances came and went, Rika’s story hit harder than most fights. She was the soul of Jujutsu Kaisen 0, the driving force behind Yuta’s strength, and the emotional core that made every moment hit twice as hard.
But once the prequel ended, the fandom moved on from Rika’s tragedy pretty quickly. She became a distant memory instead of the powerful, tragic figure she was meant to represent. She is one of the many anime characters who definitely deserved better.
8. Bertholdt Hoover (Attack on Titan)
Imagine being the Colossal Titan and still being underrated. Bertholdt carried the flames of a war he never asked for, but his pain is often brushed aside, while Reiner’s gets all the attention. Tormented by the horrors he caused, Bertholdt never got the chance to show his side of the story, reduced to just being a villain brainwashed by Marley.
He deserves more than to be remembered as just a symbol of destruction. He was a child thrust into a war that wasn’t his to fight, and while Reiner and Annie shared his fate, Bertholdt’s end was far more tragic. He died a horrific death, eaten alive by Armin, with his name etched as a traitor forever. He never got a redemption arc or any semblance of peace, but no fan can deny that he was the catalyst for everything that happened in Attack on Titan.
9. Todoroki Shoto (My Hero Academia)
Todoroki had everything it took to be a legend—fire, ice, and a storm of rage he kept buried deep. But his real power wasn’t his quirk. It was the strength to push back against the pain, control it, and keep moving forward. His true fight wasn’t with villains. It was with the legacy his father forced on him, the pressure to become something he never chose, and the weight of trying to surpass All Might.
In the early arcs, Todoroki felt like a force of nature. But somewhere down the line, the story stopped caring. Deku got all the power-ups, and even Bakugo found purpose, while Todoroki’s role dwindled. He had what it takes to be one of the best side characters in shonen, but his potential was squandered by Horikoshi. He truly deserves better, a lot more love from the My Hero Academia fandom.
10. Major Miles (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)
Major Miles is the definition of quiet strength. As a half-Ishvalan officer working in a system that tried to erase his people, just existing in uniform was a rebellion on its own. He didn’t need flashy alchemy or big speeches to make an impact. Miles played the long game, fighting from the inside and bringing down the corrupt regime.
He wasn’t there for glory. He was there to protect, resist, and push for change in a system built to crush people like him. That takes real power. While Edward and Mustang get most of the credit, it’s characters like Miles who quietly carry the story to greatness.
So, these are some of the best anime characters who deserved better but didn’t for one reason or another. Who is your favorite side character?
