Have you ever noticed how minor characters can play a significant role in the plot of an anime series? Even if they only appear briefly or are not even named, their actions can change the course of the story. Here are some examples of minor characters that had a significant impact on popular anime series.
1. The Man Who Asked About One Piece – One Piece
In the One Piece anime, just before Gol D. Roger’s execution, a random citizen asks him about his treasure. Roger’s response sparks the beginning of the pirate era. Although this character is not present in the manga version, Roger seems to be answering a question from someone before he dies. It is amusing to imagine that the entire pirate era began because of a curious man whose name was never even mentioned.
2. Saburo – Kimetsu no Yaiba
Saburo is a regular villager that Tanjiro encounters on his way home. Saburo forces Tanjiro to stay overnight at his house before he sets off again. After Tanjiro leaves, he returns to find his entire family has been killed, and his sister Nezuko has turned into a demon. If Tanjiro had returned home with his family, he and his family would have been killed, or he would have turned into a demon because of Muzan. This means that the entire story of Kimetsu no Yaiba played out because of Saburo’s intervention.
3. Grandpa Gohan – Dragon Ball
Son Gohan is an important character in the Dragon Ball universe, but his grandfather, who is a minor character, had a massive impact on the story. When the story starts, Gohan is already dead, but he appears as a spiritual entity to fight Goku briefly. Otherwise, he only appears in flashbacks or fillers. However, Gohan found Goku and took care of him when he was wild and uncontrollable, thanks to his Saiyan instincts. If Goku had not been found by Gohan, he could have been killed by stronger fighters on Earth, and he might never have become a hero.
4. Sludge Monster – My Hero Academia
The Sludge Monster only appeared in the beginning of My Hero Academia, but its actions led to significant changes. Its attack on Deku enabled him to meet All Might and learn his secret, which made Deku realize his dream of becoming a hero. If the Sludge Monster had not caused chaos or attacked Deku, he might not have become a hero, and the All For One quirk would have been passed to Mirio Togata, as originally planned.
5. Mizuki – Naruto
Mizuki plays a small role in the Naruto series, but his manipulations of Naruto led to significant changes in the story. He convinced Naruto to steal the Forbidden Scroll, which contained powerful jutsu, and led to a situation where Naruto could learn Kage Bunshin no Jutsu, his signature technique. Later, Iruka, who was also Mizuki’s target, gave Naruto a headband, a sign of graduation, and acknowledged Naruto as his student.
6. Dario Brando – JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
Dario Brando, Dio’s father, appears in the original universe of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. He mistreated his son, which made Dio become the villain he is. Dio then poisons his father, leading to events that have a long-lasting impact on the Joestar family. If Dario had treated Dio better or had not pushed him towards evil, the entire saga of the Joestar family might not have happened.
In conclusion, even minor characters in anime can have significant impacts on the story. Sometimes, it’s the actions of these characters that make the story exciting and unpredictable. So, the next time you watch an anime, keep an eye out for these minor characters who change the course of the story.
