You’ve studied for weeks. You trained for months. You’ve be working hard on perfecting your skills in what you can do. Where are we going with this you ask? Well, we’re chipping at the fact that there are some great anime characters out there, who for some reason, get overshadowed or downplayed by their more popular co-stars or counterparts. If you’re an anime fan, then you’ve probably seen or noticed that one character who’s done something awesome, but is either “never heard from” again, or has their screen time cut short. In this filler post that we’ve got for you, we’re highlighting five underrated (or overshadowed) anime characters that we wish got more love.

5. Rock Lee (Naruto)

Hey look, it’s Bushy Brow! Yep, this ninja in a green jumpsuit doesn’t use Ninjutsu or Genjutsu, instead he sticks to the old school way; kung-fu fighting Taijutsu! The original martial artist has tussled with villains stronger than him using nothing but Taijutsu, making him one of the original kung-fu bad boys of Naruto – next to the late Bruce Lee.

4. Kami (Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z)

Now this guy is the reason why the dragon balls even exist! Contrary to popular belief this Namekian is the true reason behind Goku’s adventures. Kami is the overseer of the Earth who once lost his faith in humanity due to their evil deeds and greediness. Then he met and earthling named Goku (back when he was a kid, of course) and his faith in humanity was restored. Let’s remember that without Kami, the dragon balls do NOT exist!

3. Shizuku Kurogane (Chivalry of a Failed Knight)

The younger sister of Ikki Kurogane who loved him more than his own father, in fact it was a incest love that most of us would find rather creepy and disturbing. Despite this she is actually quite a skilled knight with the power of water and ice by her side. Her device is called Yoishigure, a short sword that she wields in a reverse grip style during battle. We’re not saying she 100% overshadowed in the series, but should there be a second season, her underrated status may become null and void…hopefully.

2. Alphonse Elric (FMA, FMA: Brotherhood)

The younger Elric brother who plays ‘sidekick’ to his older sibling. When it comes to alchemy, Alphonse is just as skilled and powerful as his brother Edward Elric. Even though he lost his entire body trying to help Ed bring their mother back to life, Al is able to hold his own in battle against his and his brother’s villains.

1. Yajirobe (Dragon Ball Z)

He may not be nowhere near as powerful as the rest of the Z squad, but if it wasn’t for this fluffy ronin, Goku would’ve been dead – again! Yajirobe was the one who cut off Vegeta’s tail during the time he was a Great Ape, which caused him to return back to his normal state. Believe it or not, had Yajirobe not come in when he did during the Saiyan Invasion Arc, the Z warriors wouldn’t have stood a chance against Frieza. There wouldn’t be a Super Saiyan Goku, and the rest of the story arcs afterwards would’ve been completely rearranged, and not in the way we would’ve hoped. So for that, we thank you! 🙂

That’ll do it for our filler post for today, but stick around for more coming up right here on the blog!