Dagger Posted October 18, 2004 Share Posted October 18, 2004 This word gets tossed around a lot, and in my experience it tends to have negative connotations. So, what--if anything--distinguishes a sidekick from an ordinary supporting character (or a furry shoujo mascot)? Which sidekicks do you like the best, and which are the most annoying? While talking animals aren't always my cup of tea, I'm rather partial to Japolo, a character from Shamanic Princess. I'd call him a sidekick because although he's a lot more intelligent and vocal than your average shoujo mascot, he receives absolutely no character development. He makes himself useful every once in a while, but his main purpose seems to be complaining about his master as well as concocting other sorts of snarky remarks. In that regard, at least, Japolo is similar to the parasite which inhabits the title character's hand in the Vamire Hunter D movies. While some fans find him/it extremely irritating, I think D's hand makes a great sidekick. ^_^ ~Dagger~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Godelsensei Posted October 18, 2004 Share Posted October 18, 2004 [COLOR=Gray][FONT=Courier New]My favourite side-kick would probably be Shizune, from Naruto. Though she's more of a student than anything else, and that most side-kick properties apply better to TonTon the pig, Shizune is capable of much more than hunting for truffles. She has a distinct personality, but we are given none of her backstory or any explanation to what she is doing with Tsunade. (I'm half certain we will get something eventually, but eh.) However, she succeeds in kicking much *** and saving a certain huggable guy ([spoiler]NEJI!!![/spoiler])'s life. Therefore, she is cool. I have always had a well of hate reserved for Yamcha from DBZ, originating back in the day. That bastard. He's such a loser. >:^O [/FONT][/COLOR] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otaku Princess Posted October 18, 2004 Share Posted October 18, 2004 [color=DarkOrchid]I just LOVE animal sidekicks. Ryo-oh-ki (Tenchi Muyo) has got to be my favorite. Her obsession with carrots and tenchi just mke her so cute. PLUS, she can change into her spaceship form, which is ver useful. Tama-chan (Love Hina). That dang turtle! Shows up everywhere doing god-knows-what. Drinking booze, intercepting Motoko's sword attacks... while freaking her out, talking to Mutsumi and the others. Tama-chan is jsut one of the best animal sidekicks I've seen out there. Cept' Mokono (Rayearth) :laugh: Human sidekicks... uh? Shippo, wait, he's an animal too... urr. The Paper Sisters: Anita King, Michelle Chung, and Maggie Mui. They are each others sidekicks. Without the other members of the team, a single sister could accomplish nothind much. Anita Attacks, Maggie Deffends and Michelle supports. They fit together like a puzzle, if a piece is missing then things don't go right.[/color] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarmaOfChaos Posted October 18, 2004 Share Posted October 18, 2004 [color=deeppink][size=1]Hmm hmm hmm...the hand thing from Vampire Hunter D is probably my favorite sidekick. That thing is hilarious. Also, Menchi, from Excel Saga. Yet another hilarious sidekick. Ooh ooh ooh, White Blaze from Ronin Warriors! I loved White Blaze, that tiger is so freggin' awesome. -Karma[/size][/color] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sword Breaker Posted October 18, 2004 Share Posted October 18, 2004 Frankly, I think that the most annoying sidekick EVER is the entire cast od DBZ, save Goku, since they are basiclly just his sidekicks, while he kicks the crap out of somthing. That fat guy from Neko Neko TV (Cant remeber his name...) is even MORE annoying then the DBZ cast, so I take that back... Actualy that goes for the entire cast of Neko Neko, the show was just about as close to hentai as you can get... My favourite sidekick... Shaggy!! Think about it, he was everytihng a sidekick should be! Inept, afraid, hungry, and just plain crappy!!!!! GOOOOO Shaggy!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delta Posted October 18, 2004 Share Posted October 18, 2004 [COLOR=DarkRed][SIZE=1] Most definitely the Tachikomas from Ghost in the Shell. They can become invisible if they will, they hide a number of heavy artillery under their armor and can adapt to almost any working environment. Why do I like Tachikomas? Cause they have cute voices. Most unusual for crime-fighting mechas. Love and Peace! [/SIZE][/COLOR] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CB Shin Posted October 18, 2004 Share Posted October 18, 2004 Something that defines a good "sidekick" to me is character and a mind to sacrifice everything for the main character, as well as learning values from him. Someone who develops along with the protaganist. A good example of this would be Nicholas D. Wolfwood from Trigun. The man practically saved his life several times, not to mention [spoiler]declining an offer from Chapel to join the Gung-ho Guns.[/spoiler] He sacrifices something very important for Vash and in the end, he learns something from him too. Hope that doesn't reveal too much. Sidekicks with Wolfwood's dynamic personality and changes are perhaps some of the most interesting characters in any anime series. [COLOR=#503F86][SIZE=1][b]Added spoiler tags, heh ^_~ -Solo[/COLOR][/SIZE][/b] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pumpkin Posted October 19, 2004 Share Posted October 19, 2004 [font=Verdana][size=1]OB Shin got my choice right on the dot. Wolfwood from Trigun is an excellenet example of the perfect human sidekick. Basically [spoiler]gives his life[/spoiler] for the main character, Vash and his beliefs. As for an animal or creature being a sidekick also makes a great companion. Example would be Kilala from Inu Yasha, she is ALWAYS there to aide Sango in whatever she needs help with. Not to mention she's cute. ^.^ And as much as I hate to admit is Asaba is Arima from Kare Kano's sidekick as well..he's fun..loveable..and even though he doesnt have as much character development to him as the main character, i love him even more :D without sidekicks we'd be doomed. Batman without Robin is like a sundae without the whipped cream and cherry. [/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=1][/size][/font] [COLOR=#503F86][SIZE=1][b]Added more spoiler tags, heh ^_^; -Solo[/COLOR][/SIZE][/b] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dagger Posted October 20, 2004 Author Share Posted October 20, 2004 Regarding other animal sidekicks... Shiina was the [i]only[/i] good thing about Vampire Princess Miyu TV, and I love the green fairy (pixie?) that flits around in Nightwalker. It's a little strange that three of my favorite talking mascots come from vampire anime, heh. As for people, I have soft spot for Togusa (from the Ghost in the Shell movies and television series). He's a strong, sensible, ordinary guy and makes the perfect foil for the eternally trigger-happy Batou. I enjoyed watching the two of them work together in Innocence--during which, thanks to Motoko's absence, he's basically promoted from being a supporting character's sidekick to being the main character's sidekick. His pleasant family life always seems to end up getting used as a sort of motif or device. ~Dagger~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeathBug Posted October 21, 2004 Share Posted October 21, 2004 Hmmm, sidekicks, sidekicks.... I like Manta, from Shaman King. I mean, this guy has almosr zero shamanic ability, and is useless in actual combat. Yet, he [spoiler]gets the living crap beat out of him by Ryu to help Yoh, and gets sliced and diced by Faust VIII in addition to that.[/spoiler] It's not their abilities, but their dedication to the cause that makes sidekicks special. And I don't know why, but super hero sidekicks suck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meggido Posted October 21, 2004 Share Posted October 21, 2004 I would have to agree with some of the earlier responses and say that Wolfwood is the perfect example of a sidekick. Though sidekicks are usually always there, Wolfwood makes up for it by having a major impact on things. When Wolfwood [spoiler]dies[/spoiler] I was so pissed off that I started punching walls. He was a great character. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarmaOfChaos Posted October 21, 2004 Share Posted October 21, 2004 [QUOTE=Dagger IX1] I love the green fairy (pixie?) that flits around in Nightwalker. ~Dagger~[/QUOTE] [color=deeppink][size=1]Aw man, I remember that! She was so funny. Didn't she fall into a cup of coffee at one point? I was so upset when I learned that the rest of the episodes hadn't been dubbed...;-; -Karma[/size][/color] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otaku Princess Posted October 21, 2004 Share Posted October 21, 2004 [quote name='Dagger IX1]Regarding other animal sidekicks... Shiina was the [i]only[/i'] good thing about Vampire Princess Miyu TV[/quote] [color=DarkOrchid]I was trying to remember that name! I think so too. Well, Lava (or whatever, I can't spell. Larva? Lavra?) Is pretty cool as well. I just have a thing for sythes'. Duo (gundam Wing) I just love him for his Gundam (i'm so shallow, I know) I think without sidekicks, some anime wouldn't be as good. I can't really think of any examples right off the top of my head, but... yeah.[/color] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Shears Posted October 21, 2004 Share Posted October 21, 2004 [QUOTE=Dagger IX1]...and I love the green fairy (pixie?) that flits around in Nightwalker... ~Dagger~[/QUOTE] God, now SHE'S annoying. She's the queen of pointing out the obvious. I laughed my butt off when she fell in the coffee! DeathBug, [spoiler] when Manta got sliced, did you feel the extremly large urge to point and laugh at the helpless little midget? I did.[/spoiler] Wiz form D*N*Angel plays a key role in most of Darks' heists, and gets Daiskue out of a lot of problems. I don't understand how he always finds his way back to Daisuke or isn't picked up by some little girl mistaking it for a rabbit. What is Wiz supposed to be, anyways? ... *scours internet for hours to locate little fansites to find out about stupid furry creature origins*... Put that in your signature and smoke it ^_^ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeathBug Posted October 21, 2004 Share Posted October 21, 2004 [QUOTE=iggypopD]DeathBug, [spoiler] when Manta got sliced, did you feel the extremly large urge to point and laugh at the helpless little midget? I did.[/spoiler] [/QUOTE] No, I only laugh at misfortune when it's brought about by the abject stupidity of those it afflits. =P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Shears Posted October 21, 2004 Share Posted October 21, 2004 [quote name='DeathBug']No, I only laugh at misfortune when it's brought about by the abject stupidity of those it afflits. =P[/quote] Meanie. Anyways, I like Manta, don't get me wrong. He's [spoiler] Yoh's only friend that's not a ghost.[/spoiler] He's pretty smart, too. Not many sidekicks have that much signifance in the series or impact the main character as much as he does ([spoiler] I mean look how psychotic Yoh got when Manta was cut open. I laugh because of the expression on his face was priceless...[/spoiler]) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarmaOfChaos Posted October 21, 2004 Share Posted October 21, 2004 [quote name='iggypopD']God, now SHE'S annoying. She's the queen of pointing out the obvious. [/quote] [color=deeppink][size=1]That's why she's funny. -Karma[/size][/color] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dagger Posted October 29, 2004 Author Share Posted October 29, 2004 Revolutionary Girl Utena has some great sidekicks. While Nanami's groupies are annoying, [i]their[/i] color-coded male groupies are just bizarre and random enough to be utterly hilarious. I start cracking up whenever I hear them launch into perfectly harmonized song. It definitely helped that the schoolboy trio was one of the highlights of an occasionally spotty dub; the VAs who played them were appropriately over-the-top and silly. ~Dagger~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liubei013 Posted October 29, 2004 Share Posted October 29, 2004 Hmm...sidekicks...well, yeah, several people have already mentioned Wolfwood, who's almost the quintessential sidekick, so I won't repeat the good points made about him. Another sidekick could be Gourry from Slayers. Oh, sure, his intelligence is sub-par but he steadfastly defends Lina from any threat, even if it's out of his league in terms of power. Some might say that he's merely a lackey of Lina's, who constantly berates and abuse him due to her really short temper. But in times of danger, he remains loyal to her and continue to be her guardian against all odds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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