This post is part of The 30 Day Anime Challenge Series alongside the Cosmic Anvil Kickstarter campaign. Click here to read the introduction, and click here to check out and support the campaign to help us fund the printing and distribution of our first collected volume of our manga-inspired comic series, Age of Revolution.
My favourite supporting male anime character is without a doubt Captain Levi Ackerman from Attack On Titan. You only have to watch this clip to see how awesome he is:
Honorable mentions: Shogo Makishima (Psycho Pass), Roy Mustang (Full Metal Alchemist & Brotherhood) and Daru (Steins Gate)
I had a real tough time with this one as I often love the supporting characters even more than the main characters in some anime. I’ve noticed as well that a lot of the supporting characters I love are kiiiiiiind of either psychopaths or douchebags. Hmm.
So with this in mind, my favourite supporting character pick is unsurprisingly my favourite loveable douchebag of all anime: Kanda Yuu from D.Gray-Man.
Kanda Yuu, D.Gray-Man
The online D.Gray-Man Encyclopaedia describes Kanda as “a handsome young Japanese man usually found in a foul mood,” and I think this summary is pretty much nails Kanda. Raised by the European branch of the ‘Black Order’ (Exorcist soldiers) to fight against The Earl (aka the Devil), Kanda is a ‘Second Exorcist’ who wields a supernatural blade named ‘Mugen’ and also possesses enhanced artificial regeneration abilities that enable him to take massive amounts of damage in battle and recover fairly quickly.
Personality-wise, Kanda is grumpy, uncooperative, and snappy – your typical ‘lone-wolf’ stereotype. Imagine a prettier, taller, and less hairy version of Wolverine and you’re pretty much there, as this clip demonstrates:
However, main character Allen Walker’s unrelenting positivity and determination to befriend Kanda result in some pretty funny squabbles between the mismatched pair, with Kanda bestowing him with the nickname ‘beansprout’ due to Allen’s weediness at the start of the story.
Kanda gets wound up by Allen a lot.
However, as Allen goes from strength to strength through the show, Kanda’s respect also grows for him, and he proves himself again and again to be fiercely loyal and honourable – even at the risk of his own life. The more recent chapters of the on-again, off-again manga have also revealed the tragic truth of Kanda’s origins – which only made my love for him as a character even stronger.
Kanda’s secret past is revealed.
Plus, just like Wolverine, he’s ridiculously unstoppable in battle:
Honourable mentions: Lavi (D.Gray-Man), Calcifer (Howl’s Moving Castle), Grell Sutcliffe (Black Butler), Dr. Stein (Soul Eater), Bakura (Yu-Gi-Oh!), Shuu Tsukiyama (Tokyo Ghoul), Levi Ackerman (Attack on Titan).
For my favourite supporting male character, I have to return to Dragon Ball.
Now, I know what you’re thinking, and no -I’m not talking about Vegeta. I’m going to talk about someone with an even more interesting story arc, and that’s my man Piccolo.
Piccolo, Dragon Ball
Piccolo is a champ with an odd origin story. Long ago, a Namekian landed on Earth. This Namekian would one day visit the Gaurdian of Earth and wish to take his place. However, the Gaurdian of Earth at the time told this Namekian that he had too much evil within his heart to protect the world. So, this Namekian split his mind, body, and soul in two parts and became two different Namekians: one being Kami the Guardian of Earth in Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z; the other becoming The Demon King Piccolo.
King Piccolo
Now, King Piccolo is our Piccolo’s father. King Piccolo terrorised the world for years until a martial arts master sealed him away in a jar like a Genie. Decades later, this Piccolo is set free and is on the hunt for the Dragon Balls to restore his youth. Unfortunately he does so, and it’s up to Goku and the gang to stop him. Goku does so by punching a hole right through his chest (so bad ass), but with his last breath King Piccolo spawns an offspring, and sends him to a forest to hatch and grow.
Piccolo Vs. Goku
Piccolo is born with his fathers’ hatred and evil, and dedicates his life to killing Goku and taking over the world. Piccolo faces Goku in the final of the World Martial Arts Tournament and it’s this fight that brings Goku’s story in Dragon Ball to an end, to be concluded in Dragon Ball Z. However, Dragon Ball Z is also where Piccolo’s story continues, and this is where it gets really interesting.
Piccolo training Gohan.
In Dragon Ball Z, Goku dies, but don’t worry – he doesn’t stay that way for long. In the meantime however, Piccolo takes Goku’s son, Gohan, away to train him for the Saiyan’s arrival. It is at this point that Piccolo’s character changes for the better. Piccolo and Gohan become close friends as Gohan becomes older, and it’s this friendship that starts to turn Piccolo into one of the greatest fighters for good.
Piccolo and Kami fuse.
Piccolo is a funny character is great as well as he’s such a grumpy guy. In Dragon Ball you have a lot of happy characters and a few angsty characters, but Piccolo I feel is the only grumpy character there, which makes him stand out, and that’s why this image of him hiding at a dinner party is amazing:
Lol
He is the most powerful Namekian, and for a short time was one of the most powerful fighters in the world, being even more powerful that Super Saiyan Goku at one point. His fight with Android 17 is something that everyone should watch, as it truly shows what he can do. Later he kicks back and becomes more of a teacher, and teaches Trunks and Goten how to fuse to become Gotenks.
But for me, it’s his relationships that make him a great character. His friendship with Gohan will always be the best thing ever in anything, but Piccolo and Goku become close friends and sort of colleagues in martial arts. He gets pushed around by Chi Chi and Bulma (just like everyone else); him and Vegeta have a silent understanding; and Piccolo also forms tight friendships with the other Z Fighters – friendships you would think to be impossible after watching the original Dragon Ball.
He still tries to be the big scary guy though, which makes these GIFs that much more hilarious:
Yes, there is an episode when Piccolo and Goku learn to drive.
IN DA CLUB.
He’s also named after a type of Flute:
Is she… crying?
Written by The Cosmic Anvil Team.
Check out our own Welsh-manga (or ‘Wanga’) series, AGE OF REVOLUTION on our official site and Comixology! And if you want to join the fight to get the AGE OF REVOLUTION Volume printed check out our Kickstarter page!
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