Whilemain characterstypically receive the lion’s share of screentime and development, there are notable instances where their rivals emerge as the more compelling characters despite reduced focus.
These rivals often possessmore complex motivations, undergo more dramatic character evolution, or simply have more intriguing personalities and backstories than the protagonists they’re designed to challenge.
The most memorable rivals transcend their designated role as foils or obstacles, garnering fan followings that sometimes eclipse themain characters they were created to complement.
8 Anime Where the Protagonist Loses Everything
When anime strips its characters bare, what’s left is raw humanity. These are the stories that rise from ruin.
This phenomenon occurs across various genres, making secondary characters sometimes capture audience imagination more effectively than the designated heroes they were meant to support.
7Eugeo (Sword Art Online)
Eugeo Outshines Kirito’s Bland Heroism
Unlike Kirito, who arrives in the Underworld with his real-world experiences and mentality intact, Eugeo begins as an artificial fluctlight withprogrammed limitationsand a rigid understanding of his world’s rules and hierarchies.
Eugeo’s experiences involve breaking free from his society’staboo index constraintsas he gradually develops independent thought and emotional depth. His internal struggles with duty, morality, and personal desire create genuine character tension absent from Kirito’s straightforward heroic path.
His noble sacrifice and complicated relationship with his childhood friend Alice give Eugeo’s story emotional weight thatresonates far more deeplythan Kirito’s predictable hero narrative inSword Art Online.
While Kirito repeatedly conquers challenges through superior skill and determination, Eugeo’s growth stems from painful questioning of everything he once believed, making his evolution from obedient villager torebel against the systemsignificantly more interesting than the main character’s familiar hero journey.
6Ken Kaneki (Tokyo Ghoul)
Internal Conflict Personified
Tokyo Ghoul presents a unique rival dynamic where protagonist Ken Kaneki is constantly competing against his ownalternate personalityrather than an external character.
Following his torture by Jason, Kaneki develops a moreaggressive, ruthless version of himselfoften represented with white hair and black nails, creating aninternal battle for dominance.
This split personality confrontation represents Kaneki’s struggle between maintaining his humanity and embracing theghoul nature thrust upon him.
While the original Kaneki attempts to remain compassionate and avoid unnecessary violence, his alternate self argues for pragmatic brutality as the only means ofprotecting what matters.
5Yuno (Black Clover)
Prodigy vs. Hard Work
Black Clover’s Yuno is theperfect counterpoint to protagonist Asta, possessing extraordinary magical talent that contrasts sharply with Asta’s complete lack of magical ability.
Abandoned together as infants, these orphans develop acompetitive brotherhoodthat drives both to pursue their shared dream of becoming the Wizard King.
Yuno’s quiet competence and natural affinity for powerful wind magic establish him as a prodigy whoseabilities seem almost effortless, making him the direct opposite of Asta’s loud personality and reliance on physical strength. His character shifts and becomes more fascinating when he faces opponents whose power exceeds his own, forcing him to develop the sameresilience that defines his rival.
Yet while Asta focuses on honing one particular ability and featuring one catchphrase ever since he opened his mouth, Yuno channels his unique strengths in ways that feel more nuanced than by simply rushing in whilechanting hallelujah.
4Katsuki Bakugo (My Hero Academia)
From Bully to Hero
Katsuki Bakugo begins My Hero Academia as an arrogant bully with explosive powers matched only by his volatile temper, initially appearing to be little more than aone-dimensional antagonist.
However, hischaracter undergoes one of the most substantial and believable evolutionsin the series, eventually making him far more interesting than Midoriya’s more conventional heroism.
Unlike Deku, who receives the world’s most powerful quirk from All Might despite his initial powerlessness, Bakugo must confront the crushing realization that natural talent and hard work aren’t always enough in a world ofinherited powers and connections.
He’s one of the few characters in anime to overcome his toxic pride and develop genuine respect for others' strengths. While Deku’s path follows a predictable trajectory ofgaining control over inherited power, Bakugo completely rebuilds hisunderstanding of heroismand his place within it.
3Aizen (Bleach)
Mastermind Behind the Scenes
Bleach’s Sosuke Aizen is one of anime’s most calculating antagonists, operating as both mentor and hidden enemy to protagonist Ichigo Kurosaki. His reveal as thetrue villainorchestrating events from the shadows transforms the entire series, recontextualizing earlier arcs and demonstrating planning that spansdecades within the story.
Aizen’sphilosophical approach to powerand evolution makes him intellectually fascinating beyond Ichigo’s more straightforward motivations. Hismanipulative abilitiesextend beyond his illusion-creating zanpakuto, demonstrating psychological insight that allows him to predict and influence others' actions with uncanny precision.
The contrast between Aizen’s planning and Ichigo’s instinctual approach creates perfect narrative tension, with the protagonist’s unpredictability beingthe one variable Aizen struggles to fully account for.
While Ichigo’s motivations remain consistently heroic, Aizen’s complex ambitions regarding the Soul King raise far moreinteresting questions and possibilitiesabout divine authority.
2Seto Kaiba (Yu-Gi-Oh!)
Legacy of Trauma
Seto Kaiba begins Yu-Gi-Oh! as a ruthless business prodigy whose traumatic childhood under his adoptive father transformed him into aseemingly heartless competitor.
Unlike Yugi, whose personality remains relatively consistent throughout the series, Kaiba undergoes substantial character development that gradually revealsvulnerabilities beneath his cold exterior.
Kaiba’s fierce devotion to his younger brother Mokuba complicates his antagonistic role, showing how hisharsh experiencesshaped both his ruthlessness and his capacity for profound loyalty.
While Yugi benefits from the Pharaoh’s ancient wisdom and support from his friends, Kaiba’s achievements come through solitarydetermination and gradual emotional growth.
His technological brilliance, distinctive aesthetic, and unwavering commitment to excellence created such a loveable character that many fans found themselvesmore invested in his storythan the actual protagonist.
1Griffith (Berserk)
Dream Worth Sacrificing Everything
Berserk’s Griffith stands as perhaps the most fascinating rival character in anime history, beginning as protagonist Guts' charismatic leader before becoming his greatest nemesis through the infamous Eclipse.
Griffith’soverwhelming ambitionto create his own kingdom drives every aspect of his character, creating a study in how dreams can simultaneously inspire greatness and justify atrocity.
Unlike Guts' straightforward warrior mentality, Griffith’s character explores the corrupting nature of ambition itself. His extraordinary charisma allows him toinspire absolute devotionin his mercenary band while maintaining emotional distance that ultimately makes them expendable to his greater purpose inBerserk.
The Eclipse represents one of anime’s most shocking betrayals precisely because Griffith’s character development makes it bothhorrifying and believablewithin his established psychology.
His transformation into Femto takes his character beyond simple villainy into a meditation on how ambition can dehumanize even themost charismatic leaders.
