Anime side characters often walk away with the audience’s imagination even when they occupy only a fraction of the screen. A well-written ally, an enigmatic rival, or a comic relief figure can become just as beloved as the protagonist—and frequently leave fans craving more of their past, their secret skills, and adventures that were never shown. The wealth of untapped story material surrounding these secondary figures makes them perfect candidates for dedicated spin-off series.

From Levi Ackerman’s underground origins to Gaara’s rise as Kazekage, many anime side characters possess the narrative depth and fan following to carry a show of their own. A spin-off does not merely duplicate the original; it re-contextualizes familiar events, introduces fresh supporting casts, and explores tones that the main story may never have room for.

Below, we explore why side characters so often outgrow their original frames and rank the ten who most deserve a series built around them. Each selection is judged on its untold backstory, its ability to support a different genre, and the sheer demand you see across forums and social media every season.

The Undeniable Appeal of Side Character Spin-Offs

Expanding Worlds and Unseen Histories

When you watch a secondary character get a spin-off, you are not just revisiting a familiar face—you are being invited into corners of the world the main plot could only hint at. A hidden village, a assassin family compound, or a pirate crew’s early voyages all become living, breathing settings. This kind of expansion strengthens the entire franchise. If a side character hails from a secretive organization, their own series can detail its codes, internal conflicts, and forgotten lore, making the original story feel even more layered and believable.

This is why studios and publishers, including giants like Kodansha, see spin-offs as low-risk ways to experiment with world-building. For example, exploring the early days of the Hunter x Hunter Phantom Troupe through a member’s eyes would illuminate events only mentioned in passing. The main narrative cannot afford to linger on every subplot, but a spin-off can live in those gaps, rewarding dedicated viewers without alienating newcomers.

Abilities and Battles Left Unexplored

Many side characters boast combat styles or supernatural powers that the primary storyline only glimpses. A swordsman who dreams of becoming the world’s greatest, a fire-breathing demon slayer with a unique breathing technique, or a Nen user whose abilities shift with his emotional state all invite deeper examination. Spin-offs create a stage where these skills can be tested against a wider array of opponents and in environments that the main arc never needed.

Animation studios also benefit. A dedicated series lets them design choreography centered entirely on one character’s fighting rhythm. Fight sequences become more personal and inventive, and the character design itself can evolve across the spin-off’s timeline. This is particularly valuable in action and adventure genres, where fans crave spectacle that feels specific to the fighter, not just a repetition of the original show’s set pieces.

Meeting Diverse Fan Expectations

Not every fan connects with the central hero’s journey. Some prefer introspective drama, others seek comedic slice-of-life, and still others want political intrigue. A side character can be the perfect vehicle to deliver these tones. A stoic strategist might anchor a psychological thriller; a shy, awkward classmate could lead a romantic comedy spin-off. This variety keeps the franchise relevant to broader audiences over a longer period. It also provides a creative pressure valve; writers can test edgier or softer material through a spin-off before carrying any lessons back to the main continuity.

When you see how strongly fans rally around characters like Ishigami from Kaguya-sama: Love is War, it becomes clear that appetite is not always for higher stakes—sometimes it is just for more time with a personality they already cherish.

Ranking the Top 10 Side Anime Characters Who Merit Their Own Series

10. Miko Iino – Kaguya-sama: Love is War

Miko Iino is the fiercely principled discipline officer who hides a deep romantic longing underneath her rulebook exterior. Her interactions with Ishigami already sparked one of the most beloved side pairings in modern rom-com. A spin-off following Miko after graduation—navigating college, an early legal career, and a slowly blooming relationship—could blend courtroom comedy with the heartfelt awkwardness that made the original series so beloved. This kind of grounded storytelling would resonate strongly with viewers who appreciate character-driven humor.

9. Jiraiya – Naruto

The Toad Sage’s life as a wandering ninja, spy, and best-selling author is already the stuff of legend within the Naruto universe. A spin-off could jump between his youth training under the Third Hokage, his missions gathering intelligence on the Akatsuki, and the creation of his infamous “Make-Out” novels. The tone would shift effortlessly from gritty espionage to slapstick comedy to painful romance. Jiraiya’s end was tragic, but a prequel series would fill in the rich middle decades that shaped one of the franchise’s most layered mentors.

8. Shanks – One Piece

Shanks appears sparingly in One Piece, yet every one of his scenes shifts the entire world’s balance. A spin-off starting with his cabin-boy days on Roger’s ship and continuing through the formation of his own crew, the battles that earned him Emperor status, and the events that led him to sacrifice an arm would be a masterclass in adventure storytelling. With the central mystery of what he said to the Five Elders, a Shanks series could also dabble in political thriller territory, making it a must-watch for lore-hungry fans.

7. Kyojuro Rengoku – Demon Slayer

Rengoku’s flame-filled charisma left an indelible mark after just a single film. The short “Rengoku Gaiden” manga provided a taste of his early Hashira life, but a full anime spin-off could chronicle his training under his father, his first demon encounters, and his evolving philosophy that “setting your heart ablaze” is the only way to live. The visual style of Demon Slayer would shine in dedicated fire-breathing battles, while the emotional core would explore family legacy, grief, and the burden of protecting the weak. This series would act as both a thrilling prequel and an emotional deep-dive.

6. Roronoa Zoro – One Piece

Zoro’s dream of becoming the world’s strongest swordsman exists as a constant hum in the One Piece main storyline, but his backstory and training remain deliberately sparse. A spin-off could trace his childhood in Shimotsuki Village, the formative rivalry with Kuina, and the harsh years he spent as a bounty hunter perfecting his three-sword style. Later arcs could depict his intense training under Dracule Mihawk during the timeskip, a period where he learned to coat his blades in Haki and confronted his greatest failures. The series would deliver pure, undiluted sword action and explore what it means to carry a promise beyond death.

5. Killua Zoldyck – Hunter x Hunter

Killua is already a co-lead, yet his backstory as the heir to a family of legendary assassins has only been sketched. A spin-off anchored in the Zoldyck estate could explore a teenage Killua’s early missions, his relationship with his siblings—especially the manipulative Illumi and the mysterious Alluka—and his growing desire to break free. The show could switch between high-stakes assassination contracts and domestic psychological horror, all viewed through Killua’s electric, cocksure lens. When the story eventually reaches his fateful decision to take the Hunter Exam, you would understand exactly what he left behind and why his friendship with Gon meant everything.

4. Kurapika – Hunter x Hunter

Kurapika’s single-minded quest to avenge the Kurta Clan and reclaim the Scarlet Eyes is arguably a full journey in itself. The current arc in the manga has already pivoted heavily toward him, but a dedicated series could begin with the massacre and show his early struggles with Nen, his deep dives into underworld auctions, and his corrosive turf wars with the Phantom Troupe. Unlike the bright, adventurous tone of the main series, Kurapika’s spin-off would be a neo-noir revenge thriller steeped in moral ambiguity. His Emperor Time ability literally shortens his lifespan, adding a tragic clock to every battle. This would be a bold, mature complement to the Hunter x Hunter universe.

3. Gaara – Naruto

Gaara’s arc from feared monster to beloved Kazekage is one of Naruto’s most satisfying transformations, but much of it happens off-screen. A political drama set in Sunagakure could follow Gaara as he reforms the village’s military, wins the trust of a traumatized populace, and confronts external threats during the blank period between Naruto and Boruto. The story could also explore his attempts to connect with his siblings Temari and Kankuro as the distance of leadership grows. This kind of series would reward viewers who appreciate strategic world-building and emotional recovery narratives over constant combat.

2. Levi Ackerman – Attack on Titan

Levi’s appeal has already been tested with the “No Regrets” OVA, but the two-part adaptation only scratched the surface. A full series could spend its first season in the Underground City, detailing Levi’s life as a thug, his friendship with Farlan and Isabel, and the brutal lessons he learned before ever encountering the Survey Corps. Later arcs would weave through his early military career, showing how he developed his fighting technique and earned the title humanity’s strongest. Because Levi’s later narrative is defined by loss and impossible choices, a prequel would carry a constant undercurrent of dramatic irony: every bond he forms, you already know will break. That tension, combined with Attack on Titan’s signature vertical action sequences, would make for an emotionally devastating and visually spectacular spin-off.

1. Ishigami Yu – Kaguya-sama: Love is War

Ishigami tops this list because he represents something unique: a side character whose own story could easily pivot genres and still feel entirely organic. While the original series is a high-concept romantic comedy built on mind games, an Ishigami spin-off set after high school would be a gentle coming-of-age slice-of-life. It could follow him through the challenges of university, a part-time job, and the slow, awkward courtship with whoever captured his heart in the final chapters. The tone would be quiet, funny, and deeply empathetic—much like the character himself. Without the pressure of competing with the main couple’s antics, a spin-off would allow the writing to focus on personal growth, mental health, and the kind of soft romance that fans have been championing for years. No supernatural powers, no world-ending stakes, just a good kid learning to be happy. That is exactly why it would work so powerfully.

Why These Spin-Offs Matter for the Industry

Spin-offs are more than fan service; they are strategic tools that strengthen intellectual properties. A side character series can attract viewers who were intimidated by a long-running main show, serve as a test bed for new creative teams, and generate merchandise revenue from a dedicated fan base. When done right, the spin-off deepens the lore of the original while standing firmly on its own legs.

Studios also gain the freedom to experiment with animation styles. A Zoro spin-off might lean into heavy ink-brush aesthetics during duels, while an Ishigami series could adopt a softer, watercolor palette suited to slice-of-life. This artistic variety enriches the anime landscape and gives you, the viewer, a richer visual language to associate with different corners of a shared universe.

Moreover, these projects can keep a franchise alive between major releases. A seasonal anime for a side character can maintain momentum and remind audiences why they fell in love with the world in the first place. The demand is already visible in how fan communities treat characters like Levi, Gaara, and Ishigami—not as accessories to the hero, but as pillars of the story in their own right. The industry would be wise to listen.

The ten characters ranked here each represent a distinct path a spin-off could take: political drama, revenge thriller, assassin family saga, romantic comedy. They prove that the most interesting story in an anime is not always the one on the main poster, and that sometimes the side character holding your attention deserves a stage all their own.