Anime Characters Who Were Never Meant to Be Popular—But Became Legendary

Anime creators often spend years crafting their protagonists to ensure they resonate with audiences and drive merchandise sales. Sometimes the spotlight shifts unexpectedly toward a minor villain or a supporting character who was never intended to survive past a single story arc. These accidental icons frequently overshadow the main heroes and reshape the direction of the entire franchise through sheer fan demand. The following list highlights ten legendary characters who defied their creators’ original plans to achieve immortality in the medium.

Vegeta

Akira Toriyama originally introduced the Prince of Saiyans as a villain destined to die after his defeat on Earth in ‘Dragon Ball Z’. Fan popularity surged so intensely that the creator felt compelled to keep him alive as a grudging ally to Goku. Vegeta evolved from a ruthless conqueror into a devoted father and husband while maintaining his prideful edge. His journey of redemption became one of the most compelling character arcs in the history of shonen anime.

Hiei

This three-eyed demon began his existence as a minor villain in the early chapters of ‘Yu Yu Hakusho’. Yoshihiro Togashi planned to write him out quickly but realized the character had resonated deeply with the readership. Hiei joined the main cast as a Spirit Detective and brought a darker energy that balanced the team dynamic perfectly. His signature Dragon of the Darkness Flame technique remains one of the most iconic moves in the genre.

Rei Ayanami

Director Hideaki Anno designed Rei to be a disturbing and emotionless doll that audiences would find unsettling rather than attractive. Fans completely inverted this intention by embracing her quiet mystery and establishing the moe archetype that dominates anime today. Her impact on ‘Neon Genesis Evangelion’ forced the narrative to pivot significantly around her connection to the apocalyptic events. She stands as a prime example of a character escaping the creator’s control to define a generation of otaku culture.

Pikachu

The original mascot for the ‘Pokémon’ franchise was intended to be the pink fairy Clefairy. Production decisions shifted toward the electric mouse when the anime adaptation required a partner for Ash Ketchum that appealed to all genders. Pikachu became an instant global phenomenon who transcended the show to become a recognizable symbol of pop culture. This yellow creature now serves as the permanent face of the highest-grossing media franchise in history.

Seto Kaiba

Kazuki Takahashi initially wrote Kaiba as a one-off antagonist for a single game of Duel Monsters in the ‘Yu-Gi-Oh!’ manga. Readers reacted so strongly to his arrogant personality and obsession with power that he returned as the primary rival to Yugi Muto. His immense wealth and dragon-themed deck helped transform the series from a variety game show into a dedicated card battling epic. Kaiba remains one of the most memorable anti-heroes due to his flamboyant ego and dramatic flair.

Robert E. O. Speedwagon

This character appeared as a minor thug in ‘JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’ before becoming a loyal commentator for the Joestar lineage. Hirohiko Araki likely never envisioned that a man with no supernatural abilities would become the most beloved meme in the fanbase. Speedwagon used his vast fortune to establish a foundation that supports the heroes long after his death. His enduring loyalty and enthusiastic narration have earned him the playful title of best girl among the community.

Rem

The creator of ‘Re:Zero’ firmly positioned the silver-haired Emilia as the main heroine and romantic interest for Subaru. The blue-haired maid Rem stole the show with her unwavering devotion and emotional confession scene in the first season. Merchandise sales and fan polls consistently place her far above the intended lead despite her supporting role. Her overwhelming popularity created a unique dilemma where the secondary love interest eclipsed the primary narrative focus.

Sesshomaru

Rumiko Takahashi introduced Inuyasha’s older brother as a cruel antagonist who despised humans and sought to kill the protagonist. The powerful dog demon gradually garnered a massive female following due to his stoic demeanor and elegant design. His surprising growth involves learning compassion through his protection of the human girl Rin. ‘Inuyasha’ fans ultimately championed him as the series’ breakout star despite his initial villainous role.

Buggy the Clown

Eiichiro Oda introduced this flashy pirate early in ‘One Piece’ as a comedic villain who seemed destined for obscurity. Buggy managed to fail upwards continuously by surviving dangerous situations and gaining followers through sheer luck and misunderstanding. He evolved from a minor nuisance into one of the Four Emperors of the Sea alongside the world’s strongest pirates. His accidental rise to power serves as one of the longest running and most entertaining jokes in the series.

Levi Ackerman

Hajime Isayama created humanity’s strongest soldier to be a cool supporting character in ‘Attack on Titan’ rather than the emotional core. Levi quickly surpassed the protagonist Eren Yeager in popularity polls due to his lethal efficiency and tragic backstory. His obsession with cleanliness and blunt personality provided needed levity amidst the grim tone of the show. The narrative weight shifted to accommodate his presence as he became essential to the survival of the Scout Regiment.

Tell us which accidental anime legend is your favorite in the comments.