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1[[quoteright:250:[[ComicBook/{{Batman}} https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/250px-Detective_Comics_38_8679.jpg]]]]
2[[caption-width-right:250:And the rest is history...]]
3
4->''"Behind every hero, there is always a wisecracking, obnoxious '''Nincompoop!'''"''
5-->-- '''Samos''' on ''[[VideoGame/JakAndDaxter Daxter]]''
6
7The friends and helpers of the main hero. They can be almost any type of hero playing a secondary role, a normal character observing the action, or PluckyComicRelief--sometimes all three. Typically they are a {{Foil}} to the hero, and this is often underscored by their dramatically different appearance.
8
9Sidekicks [[RecklessSidekick often get themselves into trouble]], so the hero can rescue them. They also give the hero or MrExposition someone to [[TheWatson explain the plot to]]. In the finale, they may line up against the EvilMinions. (The reason why they are called sidekicks and not the Good Minions is part tradition and inertia, and part the differences between the two relationships--because the hero and sidekick both are heroic, reciprocal bonds of loyalty and friendship are far more likely than between the villain and his minions.)
10
11Sidekicks are almost never [[OlderSidekick older than the main hero]].
12
13In {{Comic Book}}s, SidekickGraduationsStick: the "graduation" of a former sidekick into an independent hero in their own right is one of the few categories of changes that tend to avoid being reversed in the long run. However, before that graduation you'll see them get stuck with a lot of dead ends, like HeroHarassesHelpers and the SidekickGlassCeiling, though they rarely gets hit with NeverBeAHero. But if the hero bites the dust or otherwise ends up out of action, they're the number one candidate for a LegacyCharacter. ([[DeathIsCheap if it sticks]])
14
15Contrast the {{Deuteragonist}}, a second character on equal footing with the protagonist. May overlap with LoveInterest. See also DuoTropes and ServantTropes.
16
17----
18
19!!Subtropes:
20[[index]]
21* AscendedFanboy -- A hero's fan who becomes their sidekick.
22* BastardUnderstudy -- A villain's sidekick secretly planning to betray their master.
23* BattleButler -- A fighting sidekick who is also employed by the hero as a servant.
24* BestFriend -- Heroes often cite their loyal sidekicks as these.
25* BroodingBoyGentleGirl -- A kind and caring female character is the sidekick to a troubled male character.
26* BumblingSidekick -- An incompetent sidekick who makes the hero look better.
27* TheCaretaker -- A sidekick who dedicates themself to taking care of someone else.
28* TheChampion -- A sidekick who dedicates themself to getting the best for someone else.
29* ChessmasterSidekick -- A sidekick who is actually manipulating events.
30* TheConfidant -- A sidekick who is the only person the hero confides in.
31* TheConscience -- A sidekick who acts as the voice of reason to the hero.
32* TheConsigliere -- The most trusted advisor to a powerful leader.
33* CowardlySidekick -- A sidekick who is cowardly, to make the hero seem braver.
34* TheCreon -- A leader's sidekick who would not want to be in charge.
35* DamselInDistress -- A secondary female character who exists to be rescued.
36** DamselScrappy -- A particularly disliked damsel.
37* ADayInTheLimelight -- When a sidekick becomes the main focus of the story for an episode or two.
38* DeadSidekick -- The sidekick dies, motivating the hero.
39* TheDragon -- A villain's sidekick.
40* GirlFriday -- The hypercompetent female sidekick working behind the scenes for a male hero.
41* {{Housewife}} -- A woman whose entire life revolves around her husband and the care of his house.
42* HypercompetentSidekick -- A sidekick who is better at what they do than the hero.
43* TheJeeves -- An immaculate butler sidekick.
44* KidSidekick -- A sidekick who is a child.
45* TheLancer -- The second-in-command {{foil}} to TheLeader.
46* LancerVsDragon - When TheLancer fights TheDragon.
47* MuggleBestFriend -- The non-powered sidekick to a powerful hero.
48* NonHumanSidekick -- [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin A sidekick who is not human]].
49** FairyCompanion -- A fairy who is a sidekick.
50** GratuitousAnimalSidekick -- An animal sidekick.
51** RobotBuddy -- A robot sidekick.
52** SnarkyNonHumanSidekick -- A sarcastic sidekick who isn't human.
53** TalkingApplianceSidekick -- A sidekick who is a usually inanimate object.
54** VirtualSidekick: An AI (not a robot) serving as a sidekick.
55* NonPlayerCompanion -- A video game sidekick who is not controlled by the player.
56* NumberTwo -- The primary sidekick to a powerful leader.
57* OlderSidekick -- A sidekick who is older than the hero.
58* OvershadowedByAwesome -- A sidekick who looks weak in comparison with an overpowered hero.
59* PlatonicLifePartners -- Sidekicks often live closely with their heroes despite not being romantically involved with them.
60* PsychoSidekick -- A less morally righteous sidekick who takes care of unpleasant business for the hero.
61* RecklessSidekick -- A sidekick whose reckless tendencies get them into situations they must then be rescued from.
62* TheReliableOne -- A secondary character who can always be relied upon to get things done.
63* RomanticWingman -- A sidekick who helps out with courtship endeavors.
64* RudeHeroNiceSidekick -- When the sidekick is more polite than the hero.
65* SarcasticDevotee -- A sidekick who mocks the hero despite being deeply loyal to them.
66* SassySecretary -- A mouthy and sarcastic secretary sidekick.
67* SatelliteCharacter -- When a character is wholly defined by their relationship to someone else, common syndrome among sidekicks.
68* ScienceHerosBabeAssistant -- A ScienceHero has an attractive woman as an assistant.
69* SecretKeeper -- A sidekick who knows a big secret about the hero.
70* SilentPartner -- A sidekick who doesn't say anything.
71* TheSquire -- The sidekick to a knight.
72* TheStoryteller -- A common role for sidekicks is to ensure the hero's story is passed on.
73* SupportingProtagonist -- A sidekick who is the POV character despite the story not being about them.
74* SupportPartyMember -- A non-fighting sidekick to adventurers.
75* TheStarscream -- A villain's sidekick who makes no secret of their disdain for the villain and plans to usurp them.
76** DeckOfWildCards: All of the villain's sidekicks want to overthrow them.
77* SycophanticServant -- A sidekick who demeans themself to uplift the hero.
78* TokenBlackFriend -- A Black sidekick without their own character arc.
79* TranslatorBuddy -- A sidekick who has to explain what the hero means all the time.
80* UndyingLoyalty -- A sidekick who is consummately loyal to their hero.
81* VileVillainLaughableLackey -- Villain sidekicks tend to be goofy and less serious than their employers.
82* TheWatson -- A sidekick who exists to ask questions [[AudienceSurrogate on behalf of the audience]].
83* YesMan -- A sidekick who never contradicts the hero.
84[[/index]]
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