Who are sidekicks?
Who exactly is a sidekick? How does one achieve the mantle of a sidekick? Do not mistake it as a term for a weaker or less relevant underling. A sidekick is defined as someone who is a close associate to the main character, either as a trusted subordinate or a partner. The word ‘sidekick’ can sometimes be highly misleading and even insulting at times. But one must understand that it is an incredibly complex and valued position. Case in point: the origin of the word. No! no! The word ‘sidekick’ did not originate from the act of any physical kick; rather, it actually came from a slang term in the late 19th Century used to refer to the front side pocket of a pair of trousers. In other words, the one pocket that would never lose one’s money or belongings to theft, thus representing the trust the main character holds in their sidekick. It was soon defined as one’s closest companion.
PHOTO: GENE DUNCAN / FLICKR
A symbol of friendship and trust
As stated before, the origin of the word sidekick connects to the trust between companions. You want someone who’ll always be there to cheer you up? Well, Olaf loves warm hugs and would be delighted to give you one. You want someone to be your voice of reason? In comes Jiminy Cricket, the conscience! Cartoons and animations are filled to the brim with a variety of characters, but the sidekick will be the one who holds the closest connection to the protagonist.
Sidekicks aren’t extras; they are characters who move the plot forward and contribute to the character development of the protagonist. They are there when the main character is experiencing painful emotions, a rare vulnerability, or a crisis of any kind. In “Avatar the Last Airbender”, Aang and his bison Appa share a bond like no other, being the only two remaining members of their community. Let’s not forget the fact that sidekicks are ready to accompany the character through their obstacles and problems. In the movie ‘Tangled’, Pascal the Chameleon has spent his life stuck in the tower, enduring the quarantine and becoming Rapunzel’s lifelong companion, and ensuring that she doesn’t feel lonely. Then there’s the companion for life, like Pluto the dog, who has been by Mickey Mouse’s side since the 1930s. But there is one special quality in the category of trust that provides sidekicks with incredible importance. It is thanks to them that we get to see more than one dimension of the main character. Batman, on his own, is silent, brooding, and incredibly serious. But if we put Dick Grayson, also known as Robin, in the picture, we get to see the Caped Crusader as more than just a vigilante. As a fatherly figure to the young hero.
Rapunzel with her cute animal sidekick, Pascal, from the movie ‘Tangled’. PHOTO: AP
The moral eye of the audience
There are times in cartoons and TV shows where the main character will do something that will highlight their flaws (which every well-written character needs) and make the audience wonder strongly about the character’s decision or action. But guess what, there’s a chance that the sidekick of the show is thinking the exact same thing!
For example, in The Little Mermaid, Sebastian the crab was probably echoing the audience’s thoughts when he was pleading with Ariel not to go to Ursula, the Sea Witch. Another example would be from Beauty and the Beast, where it is partly through Lumiere’s (the talking candle) guidance that the Beast learns how to open his heart to Belle and treat her kindly. When watching a cartoon or an animated movie, there’s a good chance that you’d relate to the sidekick more than the main character, simply because the slightly less focus placed on the sidekick and their plotline, allows them to be portrayed as a an everyman (an ordinary character the audience identifies with) with a seemingly normal characterisation. They may even be seeing the plot through the eyes of the audience! It is important to understand this bond between the sidekick and the audience, because if the fictional one were real, there’s a good chance they’d make a great friend.
Olaf the talking snowman from the movie ‘Frozen.’ PHOTO: AP
Their own character
Another incredible thing about sidekicks is that, despite being created to be overshadowed by the story of the main character, that doesn’t make their story any less important. In fact, there are moments when their story and their character help move the plot forward.
Take, for instance, Black Panther, T’Challa’s sister Shuri, may not be at the forefront of the story, but her genius mind has helped and saved the Black Panther many times. The sidekick has and experiences their own story and experiences their own character development that reflects that of the protagonist. Even though Batman is the protagonist for many comics, DC fans would have a clear understanding of where each of the Robins comes from (Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, and Damien Wayne).
The cute and comedy factor
If you’re a Disney or Nickelodeon fan, there is absolutely no chance that you don’t have a favourite sidekick. Whether they’re a well-dressed monkey like Abu from Aladdin, a jazz-loving crocodile like Louis, or a vigilante named Casey Jones from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, all sidekicks prove to be strong requirements for entertainment.
A hero with a sidekick not only provides a sense of comfort to the audience and the storyline, but it also helps in breaking the tension in a far-too-serious scene. Sidekicks are sources for a large chunk of the movie or show’s humour. Anthropomorphic animal sidekicks are a great example of this. Giving animals like Pascal the Chameleon, Flounder the fish, Abu the monkey, etc, human-like qualities not only makes them fun to watch, but also presents them as endearing.
Time for a fun activity!
If I were a protagonist, I’d want my sidekick to be a _______.
Write a 100-word note on who your super sidekick is, and why they’re incredible. Do they have any superpowers or special abilities? Mention that too!
Published – October 07, 2025 05:26 pm IST
