Sometimes we’re so focused on the main characters that we forget about the minor characters. These characters are more than just people created to populate a story and fill up space. Each brings something to the table that the more main characters lack or they help to bring out certain characteristics in the main characters. So this issue of FAnime Friday is giving a nod to some of the best, and underrated minor characters from a handful of anime series. Let’s forget the vindictive villains, gallant heroes, and steadfast sidekicks for a moment in favor of those who make brief, but poignant appearances.

Series: Naruto and Naruto Shippuuden
Name: TenTen (テンテン)
Age: 14 in the first part, 16 in Shippuuden
Rank: Chuunin
Affiliation: Konoha (Team Guy)
Voiced by: Yukari Tamura (Japanese), Danielle Judovits (English)

In the series of Naruto one can count, literally on one hand, the number of female shinobi who can be considered strong, independent, and not in need of rescue by their male teammates at every turn. Among those few is the oft overlooked TenTen of Team Guy. With teammates like Hyuuga Neji, Lee Rock, and Maito Gai as her Jounin instructor it’s not surprising that a character who doesn’t seem to bear any noticeable eccentricities (aside from being levelheaded) and has no mission of vendetta would stand out much. We get our first real glimpse of TenTen and her unique personality during the Chuunin examination when her and her fellow teammate Hyuuga Neji stepped in to aid Rock Lee who was being over powered while attempting to protect fellow Konoha ninja Haruno Sakura of Team 7. It is not until the Preliminary matches of the second round of the Chuunin exam though that we get to see TenTen in action. TenTen is a weapons expert who can hit her mark 100 times out of 100 times, in other words, TenTen never misses. Unfortunately, as is seen throughout the series when a shinobi specializes in one art, they have a weakness and TenTen’s misfortune is to get selected to go against an opponent who happens to specialize in the one technique that would always render TenTen’s skills null and void - Wind. Despite this TenTen gives the match her all and even pulls out some techniques that a shinobi of her current rank and experiance (Genin) shouldn’t be able to use. Despite seeming to have a small crush on her fellow teammate (Neji) TenTen never allows this to blindside her in battle nor does she ever become a crazed fangirl, as do Sakura and Yamanaka Ino. Despite the fact that she does not appear to use Ninjutsu (ninja techniques), sans the use of summoning weapons, TenTen has superb chakra control that can rival a medic nin’s (as evidenced by her use of chakra strings), and is more than capable in Taijutsu (hand to hand). TenTen’s mastery of weaponry and top notch skills in hand to hand combat and chakra control give her a range of strengths that no other female shinobi her age can boast. Do not let her polite, sweet nature and girl-next-door looks fool you, this is one tough character that should not be over looked.

Series: Ouran Koukou Host Club
Name: Fujioka Ryouji (藤岡 涼二)
Relations: Fujioka Haruhi (daughter)

His daughter is a studious young woman with a serious head on her shoulders and a dream to become a lawyer like her mother. He on the other hand can be downright irresponsible and is a big, albeit cross dressing, kid at heart. WAIT! Cross dressing?! Yup, that’s right. Fujioka Ryouji is a bisexual male who married the love of his life and settled down to hold a steady job. However upon her death Ryouji was forced to find a job that could support both him and his daughter. Taking pride in who he is and what he is Ryouji took up a job at a gay bar where he cross dresses and works at. It’s not clear what he does at the bar, but it is implied that he holds a high paying and important job so it is believed that he is either a bar tender or holds a managerial position. While at the okama bar Ryouji uses the stage name of “Ranka” (蘭花). In the series we get a few glimpses here and there of Ryouji, and in the case of one episode, he plays a part in his daughter’s rescue by aiding the members of the Host Club in successfully cross dressing and infiltrating the St. Lobelia Academy. Other than that though he is for the most part over looked. If one takes a look at Haruhi though and her mannerisms it is clear to see that he raised her well and did instill upon her some interesting quirks of his own. For example, because of Ryouji’s own sexual preference and gender bending the Fujioka family is a very open-minded and open-hearted one. Gender identity lines are continuously crossed by this duo. Ryouji often likes to counter his daughter’s serious moods with his own lighthearted fun making him much like the leader of the Host Club, which explains how Haruhi is so well equipped to deal with Tamaki’s eccentricities.

Some how this week I managed to keep from making an exceptionally long-winded post. Of course this meant that I only got a chance to highlight two over looked minor characters. Have no fear though, you can expect to see another issue dedicated to more Minor Characters to keep an eye out for in the future.

Last 5 issues of FAnime Friday:

• Issue #10, August 24, 2007: Claymore
• Issue #9, August 10, 2007: Haruno Sakura
• Issue #8, July 27, 2007: Looking Back on Old Favorites
• Issue #7, July 20, 2007: Envy
• Issue #6, July 13, 2007: Ouran Koukou Host Club

Read the rest of the FAnime Friday issues on the FAnime Friday page! ^_^

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