History OneSceneWonder / AnimeAndManga

* Jinpei Matsuda of ''Manga/DetectiveConan''. He appeared in exactly ''one'' {{backstory}} arc of this long runner 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.
** The series' [[Characters/DetectiveConan character sheet]] has a whole section devoted to OneSceneWonder charcaters.

* Considering how popular DIO's [[DeathFromAbove Road Roller]] attack and FlechetteStorm are among the ''Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure'' fandom and video games, you'd hardly believe that they were each used exactly ''once'' in the entire series, during the same fight with Jotaro. Then again, we '''are''' talking about [[MagnificentBastard D]][[LargeHam I]][[CrazyAwesome O.]] [[spoiler:Although the attack is used once again in both the endings of Stone Ocean and Steel Ball Run, just not by DIO but two people closely associated with him, his last fanatical follower and the alternate universe version of himself respectively.]]

* The ''Franchise/{{Touhou}}'' spinoff manga, ''Manga/TouhouSuzunaanForbiddenScrollery'' has the unnamed Fortune Teller-turned-Jinyou who only appears for a single scene during chapter 25 [[spoiler:only to unceremoniously be KilledOffForReal by Reimu (giving him the dubious honor of being the only fully sapient youkai in the series to die on-screen (or rather, on-page)]], but this one scene made him popular enough where he's even outranked certain characters, from the games in popularity polls, and making [[spoiler:his death]] one of the main things people remember from said manga.

* The ''Franchise/{{Touhou}}'' spinoff manga, ''Manga/TouhouSuzunaanForbiddenScrollery'' has the unnamed Fortune Teller-turned-Jinyou who only appears for a single scene during chapter 25 [[spoiler:only to unceremoniously be KilledOffForReal by Reimu (giving him the dubious honor of being the only fully sapient youkai in the series to die on-screen (or rather, on-page)]], but this one scene made him popular enough where he's even outranked certain characters, from the games in popularity polls.

* ''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.]]

* Gustav St. Germain from ''LightNovel/{{Baccano}}!'' fits this trope like a glove. He's in the series for a grand total of ten minutes, barely makes an impact on the plot, and yet he's probably just as memorable as some as the biggest badasses in the series.

* An [[NoNameGiven unnamed]] one-''panel'' character in ''Manga/MahouSenseiNegima'' managed to get her own entry in [[Characters/NegimaMagicWorld the character sheet]] for the impressive feat of cramming twelve [[{{Fanservice}} Fanservice Tropes]] into said appearance.

* 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 who are actually from the games such as [[EagleLand Lt. Surge]] and Sabrina, or anime-only characters such as [[WhipItGood A.J.]] and [[{{Joshikousei}} Giselle.]]

* Manga/SailorMoon gives us Sailor Saturn. Five minutes of screen time of the anime is all she needs to prove she is the strongest of the Sailor Senshi, and she properly pays for all the hype being built about her during the whole Sailor Moon S arc, giving us the most epic Final Battle, and disappearing for whole two seasons...

* The appearance of [[spoiler:a SheIsAllGrownUp Himiko Shinobibe [[MyFutureSelfAndMe talking with the present day Himiko]] during the latter's HiddenPurposeTest]] in ''[[Anime/MashinHeroWataruSeries Wataru 2]]'' didn't just throw fans for a loop, but it became FanFicFuel on the endless possibilities of what the character could be like in a couple of years InUniverse.

** Natsume & Kurumi, the faux-Tendo sisters from one of the anime's two-part oavs, are also hugely popular with the branch of the Ranma that acknowledges the anime. This no doubt stems from a mix of their sympathetic backstory and their being the most formidable female fighters in a series where female martial artists tend to be {{Paper Tiger}}s -- they even have their own {{Ki Manipulation}}s, unique amongst the female cast of the series.

* [[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. It's very shocking to some fans that the character widely regarded as the most despicable in the history of anime shows up near the beginning of the series, and not very long at all.

* In ''Manga/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.]]

* 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 dub, any character-of-the-day voiced by [[Creator/DanGreen DAN GREEN]] is likely to be this. Especially Gym Leader [[LargeHam Byron]].

** Any Pokemon that looks different from their in-game form(s), such as the pink Butterfree in "Bye Bye Butterfree."[[note]]which is not Butterfree's Shiny colouration, leading many to speculate it was from the anime-exclusive Pinkan Island[[/note]] The introduction of Alolan forms in ''VideoGame/PokemonSunAndMoon'' drew renewed attention to such unique Pokemon like the Crystal Onix or the wave-sensing Puka (A Pikachu which resembles the Alolan variant of its evolved form Raichu).
* ''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]].

* Charlotte the Dessert Witch, of ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'', got less than two minutes of screentime in a twelve-episode series. Danbooru currently list her as having over two thousand different fanarts, more than all the other [[MonsterOfTheWeek witches]], all the supporting cast, and all the spinoff characters put together. Being the KnightOfCerebus and deliverer of the show's first WhamEpisode help, as does generally being [[CuteIsEvil cute.]] In ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagicaTheMovieRebellion'', she's an AscendedExtra, although the characters call her "[[OnlyKnownByTheirNickname Bebe]]". [[spoiler:She even changes back into her human form, new character Nagisa Momoe]].

** Another example from the Anime version is the [[PosthumousCharacter late]] [[MissingMom Kanata Izumi]] who, as a CuteGhostGirl, gets herself involved in [[SugarWiki/FunnyMoments one of the funniest]], yet [[SugarWiki/HeartwarmingMoments among the most heartwarming]] parts of the show all because she wanted to check on her family. See it [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0HdyFUG8L0 here]].
* [[Manga/XxxHolic Kimihiro Watanuki]] made a 14-minute appearance in ''Anime/BloodCTheLastDark'' where he provided Saya's sword which would use [[spoiler:to kill Fumito]]. He brought out about the price for the sword which Saya mentions that she would do it later. By the end of the movie, this was not mentioned again and the sword is left behind after [[spoiler:Saya killed Fumito]].

** Tsubasa Kurenai was a huge hit with fans when he appeared, for combining his uniquely quirky MasterOfDisguise WholesomeCrossdresser persona with being a hardcore, flamboyant romantic amidst a cast full of the romantically shy, as well as being a suitor for Ukyo, who at that point was unique in that she was the only one of Ranma's would-be brides without a rival suitor pursuing her hand. This led to him becoming a popular minor character for fanfiction in the series' early days, with many treating him as a full-blown member of the cast, despite the fact he canonically only had the one storyline.[[note]]Although the anime treated him better, involving him in a {{filler}} episode and with brief cameos in the first movie & Xmas oav.[[/note]]iii
*** Inverted with Konatsu, who was ultimately created to actively fill the "Ukyo's rival suitor" space that Tsubasa had been rejected from but who completely failed to make much of an impact with fans at all, despite doing Tsubasa better by having his own second dedicated story. He has gained a little more popularity as Ranma 1/2's manga has become better known, but still tends to be considered inferior to Tsubasa.

* In ''Manga/DemonSlayerKimetsuNoYaiba'', the remaining Lower Ranks are voiced by some really famous japanese voice actors who were hired to just work on these really minor characters, Natsuki Hanae (Tanjiro) even jokingly expressed disbelief on getting these big shots to “waste” them like that, as they all get killed in the very same episode they are introduced in.
* ''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]].
* ''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.

* In ''Manga/{{Claymore}}'' Teresa is a posthumous character who only appeared in a few flashbacks. However due to sheer badassery, she is bar far the most loved character by the fandom in the whole series!

* ''Manga/DeadmanWonderland'' has Rokuro who only appeared for four episode and yet his insane actions earned him a huge following.
* Sano the HospitalHottie whom was only in the 22nd episode of the ''Anime/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.)

** Their boss, Big Fire himself, had even less screentime, [[spoiler:most of which was actually an impostor]], but is just as well-remembered.

** Emiri Kimidori, who appeared ''once'' in ''one episode'', but got her own ImageSong album before some other main characters. She, too, gets fleshed out a little later on in the books, but she's still a very minor character... so far.
** 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 [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHkM6Ru3xhc a doozy.]]

* Considering how popular DIO's [[DeathFromAbove Road Roller]] attack and FlechetteStorm are among the ''Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure'' fandom and video games, you'd hardly believe that they were each used exactly ''once'' in the entire series, during the same fight with Jotaro. Then again, we '''are''' talking about [[MagnificentBastard D]][[LargeHam I]][[CrazyAwesome O]].[[spoiler:Although the attack is used once again in both the endings of Stone Ocean and Steel Ball Run, just not by DIO but two people closely associated with him, his last fanatical follower and the alternate universe version of himself respectively.]]

* In ''Manga/DemonSlayerKimetsuNoYaiba'', the remaining Lower Kizuki are voiced by some really famous japanese voice actors who were hired to just work on these really minor characters, Natsuki Hanae (Tanjiro) even jokingly expressed disbelief on getting these big shots to “waste” them like that, as they all get killed in the very same episode they are introduced in.

** Natsume & Kurumi, the faux-Tendo sisters from one of the anime's two-part oavs, are also hugely popular with the branch of the Ranma that acknowledges the anime. This no doubt stems from a mix of their sympathetic backstory and their being the most formidable female fighters in a series where female martial artists tend to be {{Paper Tiger}}s -- they even have their own {{Ki Attack}}s, unique amongst the female cast of the series.

* Shoebill from [[Anime/KemonoFriends Kemono Friends]] is a ''very'' popular [[LittleBitBeastly Friend]] despite apearing only in one short scene split over two episodes where she delivers a WhamLine. Her likable character, good design and [[DeathGlare memorable stare]] left quite the impression on the fanbase.

* In ''Claymore"" Teresa is a posthumous character who only appeared in a few flashbacks. However due to sheer badassery, she is bar far the most loved character by the fandom in the whole series!

* ''Manga/MyHeroAcademia'': Hitoshi Shinsou only has two significant appearances - confronting Class 1-A before the Sports Festival, and fighting Midoriya during the Sports Festival. Beyond that, he makes only the occasional cameo appearance. Yet [[BadPowersGoodPeople his desire to become a hero despite being saddled with a villainous power]] resonates with enough people that he still consistently places in the top twenty in character polls.

* The Farmer with a Shotgun in ''Anime/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.''

* [[spoiler:Noriko and Kazumi]]'s appearance at the end of ''Anime/{{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.

* 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 Episode 1 of ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamUnicorn'', 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.]]

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

* The first Shuffle Alliance in ''Anime/MobileFighterGGundam''. Their absurd Gundams transform from playing card suits--diamond, spade, etc--and they themselves are a pretty flashy bunch of badasses in AwesomeAnachronisticApparel who take out a bunch of DG-cell-infected, subway-car-throwing Gundam Fighters hardly breaking a sweat. And they're a match for [[BadassGrandpa Master Asia]]. [[spoiler:Sad, then, that they do a collective Heroic Sacrifice to save the new Shuffle Alliance in just the next episode.]]

* Considering how popular DIO's [[DeathFromAbove Road Roller]] attack and FlechetteStorm are among the ''Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure'' fandom and video games, you'd hardly believe that they were each used exactly ''once'' in the entire series, during the same fight with Jotaro. Then again, we '''are''' talking about [[MagnificentBastard D]][[LargeHam I]][[CrazyAwesome O]].

* An [[NoNameGiven unnamed]] one-''panel'' character in ''Manga/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.

* Gustav St. Germain from ''LightNovel/{{Baccano}}!'' fits this trope like a glove. He's in the series for a grand total of ten minutes, barely makes an impact on the plot, and yet he's probably just as memorable as some as the biggest {{Badass}}es in the series.

* The first Shuffle Alliance in ''Anime/MobileFighterGGundam''. Their absurd Gundams transform from playing card suits--diamond, spade, etc--and they themselves are a pretty flashy bunch of {{Badass}}es in AwesomeAnachronisticApparel who take out a bunch of DG-cell-infected, subway-car-throwing Gundam Fighters hardly breaking a sweat. And they're a match for [[BadassGrandpa Master Asia]]. [[spoiler:Sad, then, that they do a collective Heroic Sacrifice to save the new Shuffle Alliance in just the next episode.]]