Any anime or manga series is incomplete without its side characters. These side characters are crucial in completing the narrative, supporting the protagonists, and developing the fanbase of the series. Currently, the two anime series that have the best side characters are Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece and Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto.
While One Piece’s side characters are known for their thrilling backstories and development through the plot, Naruto’s side characters are famous for their complexities and their contribution to the main theme. Thus, anime fans have always argued which anime series between the two has the best side characters.
A similar debate took place between the two anime fandoms where fans compared the side characters of Naruto and One Piece. This time, the star of the debate was Mr. 2, also known as Bon Clay, the former officer agent of Baroque Works. Many One Piece fans believe that Bon Clay is better than almost every side character from Naruto.
Anime Fans Debate Over Side Characters From Naruto and One Piece
The central story of any anime series revolves around its main character and how he/she progresses through life to achieve his/her desired goals. However, there are often some side characters who sometimes steal the show and develop a fanbase that might rival the protagonist. These side characters are unforgettable, and while they might not be the star of the show, they become the star of their narrative.
In the case of long-running anime series like One Piece and Naruto, the list of side characters who steal the spotlight is pretty big. Thus, fans always compare them to find out which anime series is better.
In a recent debate, Naruto and One Piece fans argued over the different aspects of the side characters from their favorite series, and one character came out on top.
In hindsight, there is no way to find out which anime has the best side character as both series have different ranges. While Naruto characters are more focused on a single thing, One Piece has a different storyline with different arcs. Thus, almost every side character is developed according to that particular narrative.
Is Mr. 2 The Best Side Character in Anime?
Bon Clay first appeared during the Alabasta saga, precisely during the Little Garden arc. Although he was an antagonistic character at first, as the series progressed, he changed sides and became one of Luffy’s allies. His friendship with Luffy became so strong that he was ready to sacrifice himself for the protagonist.
As Bon Clay transitioned toward the good side, his lovable personality and his development became so entertaining that fans started praising him. His humorous interactions with Luffy and other characters added a comedic element to the story, but his determination during the Impel Down arc made every One Piece fan cry.
And to fans’ relief, although he sacrificed himself during the fight with Magellan, he still survived and might make a comeback to One Piece. His return will be one of the most iconic moments for the final saga of One Piece.
One Piece is available to watch on Crunchyroll and Naruto is available to watch on Hulu.
