History OneSceneWonder / AnimeAndManga

* ''GiantRobo'' has the remaining members of the BigBad ruling council, the Magnificent Ten. Plenty of people were disappointed at how they only got a few minutes between them to strut their stuff, but damn it was cool.

* ''Anime/YugiohGX'' gives us Dimitri, played by Creator/MarcThompson. His [[NarmCharm ridiculously silly and awesome]] impression of Creator/DanGreen's LargeHam Yami Yugi from the original series makes Dimitri one of the most memorable side-characters in the series, and he only shows up for two episodes. It helps that as he stole Yugi's deck to copy his dueling styles, those two episodes were spent busting out fan favorites like [[StageMagician Dark Magician]], [[MsFanservice Dark Magician Girl]], and [[BlackKnight Black Luster Soldier]].

* Jinpei Matsuda of ''Manga/DetectiveConan''. He appeared in exactly ''one'' {{backstory}} arc of this LongRunner and its effects to the canon is arguably minor ([[ThatOneCase except for Inspector Sato]]), but he ''still'' listed as one of the main characters on the show's official website.

* ''Anime/{{Robotech}}'': The ''Anime/SuperDimensionFortressMacross'' character on which Dr. Emil Lang was based on was just an unnamed chief engineer in the original Japanese version. The character design already had cool looking all black eyes. ''Robotech'' went further gave Dr. Lang a memorable German accent (courtesy of actor Greg Snegoff). All this for a character that had only appeared in two episodes with three minutes total of screen time. He would become a major supporting character in the aborted ''Sentinels'' production and the rest of the ExpandedUniverse.

* ''Anime/{{Robotech}}'': The ''Anime/SuperDimensionFortressMacross'' character on which Dr. Emil Lang was based on was just an unnamed chief engineer in the original Japanese version. The character design already had cool looking all black eyes. Robotech went further gave Dr. Lang a memorable German accent (courtesy of actor Greg Snegoff). All this for a character that had only appeared in two episodes with three minutes total of screen time. He would become a major supporting character in the aborted ''Sentinels'' production and the rest of the ExpandedUniverse.

* ''Anime/{{Robotech}}'': The ''Anime/{{Macross}}'' character on which Dr. Emil Lang was based on was just an unnamed chief engineer in the original Japanese version. The character design already had cool looking all black eyes. Robotech went further gave Dr. Lang a memorable German accent (courtesy of actor Greg Snegoff). All this for a character that had only appeared in two episodes with three minutes total of screen time. He would become a major supporting character in the aborted ''Sentinels'' production and the rest of the ExpandedUniverse.

* ''Manga/SoulEater'': Hiro appeared in a single special chapter (and a single anime episode) and still remains incredibly memorable, probably for being the only one shown to be able to cope with Excalibur.
** Excalibur itself has a tendency to do this, especially in the Wrath Chapter of Eibon.

* ''Manga/SoulEater'': Excalibur has a tendency to do this, especially in the Wrath Chapter of Eibon.

* [[FanNickname Bruce Ironstaunch]] from ''GurrenLagann''. He's just some nameless member of a cheering crowd who makes a BicepPolishingGesture while Rossiu is announcing that [[spoiler: Simon will be executed]]. Since that gesture means "up yours" elsewhere, Western fans saw him as the one good man standing up for the heroes, and he became a [[MemeticMutation legend]].

* If this trope can be played negatively, [=MaloMyotismon=] would qualify (putting aside his previous incarnations as Myotismon and [=VenomMyotismon=]). He only appeared during the last two episodes of [[{{Digimon}} Digimon's]] second season, and is remembered as one of the ''suckiest'' villains ever in an anime series.

* Despite being heavily featured in promotional material for ''Film/Naruto7TheLast'', [[spoiler:Sasuke]] only appears twice in the actual movie, and is especially epic in his second appearance, because it involves his only dialogue.

* [[spoiler:[[MadScientist Shou Tucker]]]] of ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist'' is a rather strange example. Even though he's only in one chapter before [[spoiler:he's killed off by Scar,]] he is one of the first truly intimidating antagonist encountered by the Elric brothers, and still stands out as one of the series' most horrific villains.

* In Episode 1 of ''GundamUnicorn'', when the Kshatriya is generally fucking things up, one nameless {{Mook}} in a [[EliteMook Stark Jegan]] decides to ''[[MomentOfAwesome take it on by himself]]'', putting up a very good fight before being sliced in half. He is known only as [[FanNickname godspeed.]]

** In episode 4, [[spoiler:a [[AceCustom Byalant Custom]] turns the Zeon Remnants' siege of [[{{Gundam0083}} Torrington Base]] into a CurbStompBattle, singlehandedly turning the tides and handing the Zeeks' asses back to them. ]]

* ''{{Robotech}}'': The ''{{Macross}}'' character on which Dr. Emil Lang was based on was just an unnamed chief engineer in the original Japanese version. The character design already had cool looking all black eyes. Robotech went further gave Dr. Lang a memorable German accent (courtesy of actor Greg Snegoff). All this for a character that had only appeared in two episodes with three minutes total of screen time. He would become a major supporting character in the aborted ''Sentinels'' production and the rest of the ExpandedUniverse.

* Abel Nightroad is the ''main character'' of ''TrinityBlood'', but his superpowered form, the Crusnik, has so few appearances that it counts.

* [[Creator/ShinichiWatanabe Nabeshin]] and Kumi-Kumi in ''PuniPuniPoemy''. They only appear at the beginning of the first episode, and are subsequently StuffedInTheFridge. [[AuthorAvatar Nabeshin]] and Kumi-Kumi (who married in Anime/ExcelSaga) are the most interesting characters for many people. [[spoiler:They do come back for the last episode, though]].

** Oh yeah, and he's also voiced by VicMignogna. Keep in mind that this was years before ''Manga/OuranHighSchoolHostClub''.

* Several one-shot characters in ''Anime/{{Pokemon}}'' apply, even though many of them usually appear in only one episode they are often deemed as some of the show's most memorable characters. Whether its characters whom are actually from the games such as [[EagleLand Lt. Surge]] and Sabrina, or Anime only characters such as [[WhipItGood A.J]] and [[{{Joshikousei}} Giselle]].
** In the TPCI dub, any character-of-the-day voiced by [[Creator/DanGreen DAN GREEN]] is likely to be this. Especially Gym Leader [[LargeHam Byron]].
** Tobias during the Sinnoh League lives in infamy to this day for owning Ash with a Darkrai and a Latias.

** Ryoko Asakura could count as well. Sure, she had a few scenes in the first few episodes, and she gets good screen time in TheMovie [[spoiler: and the tenth novel]], but the only scene where she really gets much characterization or interaction with anyone else is [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHkM6Ru3xhc a doozy.]]
* Kazuhiko Amagasaki from ''TenchiMuyo'' who appeared briefly in the first episode of the original {{OVA}} series, but ended up with his own {{Omake}} comics and a much larger role in ''Tenchi in Tokyo''.
* [[Creator/ShinichiWatanabe Nabeshin]] and Kumi-Kumi in PuniPuniPoemy. They only appear at the beginning of the first episode, and are subsequently StuffedInTheFridge. [[AuthorAvatar Nabeshin]] and Kumi-Kumi (who married in Anime/ExcelSaga) are the most interesting characters for many people. [[spoiler: They do come back for the last episode, though]].

** Oh yeah, and he's also voiced by VicMignogna. Keep in mind that this was years before Ouran.

* ''Manga/DeathNote'': Barring one cameo appearance a few episodes earlier, Matt only shows up for the kidnapping scene [[spoiler: before getting riddled with bullets]]. Hasn't stopped him from becoming one of the fans' favourite characters.

* DeadmanWonderland has Rokuro who only appeared for four episode and yet his insane actions earned him a huge following.

* The Farmer with Shotgun from the first episode of ''Manga/DragonBall Z''.
* ''[[Anime/OjamajoDoremi Ojamajo Doremi Naisho]]'' has a character named Fami, who only appeared in the last episode but is particularly memorable, mainly because she's [[spoiler:[[LukeYouAreMyFather Doremi's granddaughter from the future]]]].
* In-Universe example. In ''Anime/OnlyYesterday Taeko'' recalls how as a child, she had a one-line part in her school play. Determined to get as much use of this role as possible, she puts significantly more effort into this single line than the rest of the performers, resulting in her [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome stealing the show and being offered a role in a completely different play]]. [[spoiler: However, her father forbids her from accepting the role.]]
* In ''[[TigerAndBunny Tiger & Bunny]]'', Origami Cyclone is a "superhero" who does very little by way of actual crimefighting, and the ranking system that the city uses places him even lower than the ButtMonkey, Wild Tiger. Nevertheless, his corporate sponsors are very happy with him, because he's good at his ''real'' job of inserting himself anywhere there's a camera as living advertisement.

** In Episode 4, [[spoiler: a [[AceCustom Byalant Custom]] turns the Zeon Remnants' siege of [[{{Gundam0083}} Torrington Base]] into a CurbStompBattle, singlehandedly turning the tides and handing the Zeeks' asses back to them. ]]

* [[spoiler: [[MadScientist Shou Tucker]]]] of ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist'' is a rather strange example. Even though he's only in one chapter before [[spoiler:he's killed off by Scar,]] he is one of the first truly intimidating antagonist encountered by the Elric brothers, and still stands out as one of the series' most horrific villains.
* An [[NoNameGiven unnamed]] one-''panel'' character in ''MahouSenseiNegima'' managed to get her own entry in [[Characters/NegimaMagicWorld the character sheet]] for the impressive feat of [[FetishFuelStationAttendant cramming]] '''''[[FetishFuelStationAttendant twelve]]''''' [[{{Fanservice}} Fanservice Tropes]] into said appearance.
* In ''OutlawStar'', Shimi/[[spoiler: Leilong]] is perhaps the biggest bad ass of the series, [[spoiler: defeating the entire crew in open combat]], but only appears in one episode, and [[spoiler: he doesn't even die like almost every other one-off villian.]]
* Inuyama, the "cowardly" samurai/firefly enthusiast/[[spoiler: assassin]] from ''SamuraiChamploo'' only gets one episode and he [[spoiler: nearly beats Jin, stopping only when he discovers his employer's death and decides to walk away.]] And what's worse, [[spoiler: he promises that they'll meet again.]]
* ''Anime/CodeGeass'' has Mao. He was only in a few episodes in a row towards the middle of the first season, but is remembered for being CrazyAwesome, and at the very least foreshadowed [[spoiler: Lelouch's PowerIncontinence]].
* Yuna from ''Anime/InuYasha''. She only had two episodes but the amount of fan art you would think she was a reoccurring villain. It helps that she has EvilIsSexy, VaporWare, AbsoluteCleavage and ToplessnessFromTheBack.
* ''{{Robotech}}'': The {{Macross}} character on which Dr. Emil Lang was based on was just an unnamed chief engineer in the original Japanese version. The character design already had cool looking all black eyes. Robotech went further gave Dr. Lang a memorable German accent (courtesy of actor Greg Snegoff). All this for a character that had only appeared in two episodes with three minutes total of screen time. He would become a major supporting character in the aborted ''Sentinels'' production and the rest of the ExpandedUniverse.

* Hinata and Hikage Miyakawa made a grand total of ''three'' appearances throughout the LuckyStar anime (and only a few more in the manga), but managed to get their own spinoff series later on.

* [[spoiler: Kuroha]] in the Franchise/KagerouProject anime ''Anime/MekakucityActors''. Despite being shown in the opening doing something [[KillEmAll extremely plot important]] and being hyped up as a source of conflict in the intro and TheStinger of episode 11, he only appears halfway into episode 12 and [[EvilIsHammy hams up the scene]] for all of five minutes before [[spoiler: he ultimately bites it.]]

* Luke and Jan, the Valentine brothers from ''{{Hellsing}}'' only appear in one episode (2 in the TV anime) but have one of the largest followings in the fandom. Jan for his [[CrossesTheLineTwice over-the-top]] LaughablyEvil nature and Luke for his SmugSnake-ness and ''brutal'' offscreen death. It helps that they invoke EvilIsSexy for quite a few fangirls.
* Despite being heavily featured in promotional material for ''Film/Naruto7TheLast'', [[spoiler: Sasuke]] only appears twice in the actual movie, and is especially epic in his second appearance, because it involves his only dialogue.
* The Farmer with a Shotgun in ''DragonBallZ'' has a surprisingly large following for a character whose sole purpose was to demonstrate that Raditz was ImmuneToBullets. He'd go on to become something of a RecurringExtra in the anime, even making a cameo in ''Battle of the Gods.''

* In-Universe example. In ''OnlyYesterday Taeko'' recalls how as a child, she had a one-line part in her school play. Determined to get as much use of this role as possible, she puts significantly more effort into this single line than the rest of the performers, resulting in her [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome stealing the show and being offered a role in a completely different play]]. [[spoiler: However, her father forbids her from accepting the role.]]

* [[spoiler:Noriko and Kazumi]]'s appearance at the end of ''{{Diebuster}}'' stole the climax of the show. They were only in it for about 30 seconds had no lines and ''weren't even seen'' yet they managed to turn a BitterSweetEnding into a CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming.

* Yuna from ''{{Inuyasha}}''. She only had two episodes but the amount of fan art you would think she was a reoccurring villain. It helps that she has EvilIsSexy, VaporWare, AbsoluteCleavage and ToplessnessFromTheBack.

* Sano the HospitalHottie whom was only in the 22nd episode of the ''GhostInTheShellStandAloneComplex'' series but lets just say some folks remember her for her... [[GirlOnGirlIsHot potential]] -- she was a fairly blatant MsFanservice LipstickLesbian whom was [[LesYay blatantly trying to hit on the Major]]. However the only reason why that episode didn't become a softcore lesbian porno was because she was actually a assassin that Motoko had to stop and beat. (Besides Sano would most likely be a part of Motoko's little harem if she turned out to be good anyways.)

* Burger-kun's five minutes of screentime in ''DarkerThanBlack'' Season 2 somehow managed to net him an internet fandom, for God knows what reason.

* Despite being heavily featured in promotional material for ''Film/Naruto7TheLast'', [[spoiler: Sasuke]] only appears twice in the actual movie, and is especially epic in his second appearance, because it involves his only dialogue.

* Luke and Jan, the Valentine brothers from ''{{Hellsing}}'' only appear in one episode (2 in the TV anime) but have one of the largest followings in the fandom. Jan for his [[CrossesTheLineTwice over-the-top]] LaughablyEvil nature and Luke for his SmugSnake-ness and ''brutal'' offscreen death. It helps that they invoke EvilIsSexy for quite a few fangirls.

* Luke and Jan, the Valentine brothers from ''{{Hellsing}}'' only appear in one episode (2 in the TV anime) but have one of the largest followings in the fandom. Jan for his [[CrossesTheLineTwice over-the-top]] LaughablyEvil nature and Luke for his ''brutal'' offscreen death. It helps they invoke EvilIsSexy for quite a few fangirls.