Sidekick Research
For the game and to story we are required to have a character to take the role of being the protagonist's sidekick. Because of this, I decided it might be a good idea to research into some games (and other media) to see the different types of sidekicks and companions that are used.
The first area I wanted to briefly look into is what a sidekick actually is.
For this task, I mostly just used a number of different online dictionaries to see what the definitions where.
What is a sidekick?
Cambridge Dictionary: "a person who works with someone who is more important than they are" (Cambridge Dictionary, 2017).
Collins Dictionary: "Someone's sidekick is a person who accompanies them and helps them, and who you consider to be less intelligent or less important than the other person." (Collins, 2018).
Vocabulary.com: "A sidekick is a buddy who comes with you on your adventures. If you’re a superhero, your sidekick helps you fight crime." (Vocabulary.com, 2019).
All of the meanings state that a sidekick is a character that works alongside another character. The first definition states that the sidekick works alongside someone who has more importance than themselves. The second definition goes on to add that the sidekick is considered less intelligent than their partner. Then finally, the final definition states the role of a sidekick in terms of a superhero theme, which is the sidekick usually helps the hero fight crime.
Examples of sidekicks:
Super Mario
In most of the previous (main series) Super Mario games, there were characters that are comparable to sidekicks.
The first example of this would be Luigi, Mario's brother. In the game New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Nintendo, 2009) the game could be played with up to four players at once, where one player plays as Mario, another as Luigi and then the last two as two variations of the character named Toad. However, the game could be played single player, but these other characters are still shown during the cutscene that open and ends the game. Because of this, it could be argued that, in this game at least, these other characters aren't really sidekicks.
But there is a game where Mario does for sure have a sidekick.
In one of the latest Super Mario games, being Super Mario Odyssey (Nintendo, 2017) there is a character who is with Mario during the whole game/story. This character being Cappy.
(Nintendo, 2017)
What is the sidekick?
When Cappy is first seen in the game he is in his original form, which looks like a white top hat, with a ghostly body/arms dangling out the bottom of said hat. He also has big eyes, with red irises, and tufts of white/blue hair on the top of the head/cap.
What does the sidekick do?
In Mario Odyssey, one of the main and most unique mechanics is that Mario can throw Cappy at enemies to take control of them, which is required to be carried out to defeat certain enemies (such as the kingdom mini-bosses), and to also obtain some of the hidden moons (E.g. take control of a chain chomp to slam it into a wall to break it and reveal the hidden moon).
(Super Mario Wiki, 2017)
Relevance to the story:
At the beginning of the game a cutscene is shown where Mario is fighting Bowser on his ship, for once again he has kidnapped Princess Peach (But this time with the intent to force her to marry him).
After a brief battle, Mario is knocked off the ship, losing his cap in the process. Once Mario awakens he finds himself in one of the new kingdoms not seen before in the Mario world, (in the past games) being 'Cap Kingdom'. The first character to find Mario is Cappy, who, to begin with, runs away from Mario, due to his timid personality.
However, upon talking with Mario, we find that Cappy is facing the same problem as Mario, being that someone he knows and cares for has been kidnapped by Bowser (In this case it is Cappy's sister, Tiara)
Cappy says he needs to get to a functioning ship to save his sister, but to do so will need to get to the next kingdom, ass all the ships in the cap kingdom were all damaged. Cappy then instead proposes the idea of both himself and Mario working together to get to the top of the tower to then get to the next kingdom, with the goal of acquiring a working ship to save both Peach and Tiara. After doing so, Cappy transforms into Mario's traditional cap, using a piece of Mario's cap that was kicked of the ship and shredded by the rotor blades.
All in all, Cappy and Mario join forces becuase of their goals being so similar (being that Bowser has kidnapped someone they care about), and by joining forces they'll be able to put their strengths together to get to the working ship (located on kingdom 2), and then follow Bowser through the many kingdoms, to eventually allow Mario to have a rematch with Bowser, but this time with Cappy, to save both Peach and Tiara.
Personality:
From the very first cutscene with Cappy, we can tell that the character is rather timid, as he is easily startled. However, although having this weakness, he is still a rather brave and caring character, as he's putting himself in danger to save those who are important to him.
Additionally, it could also be said that he is talkative, as in most, if not all of the cut scenes he speaks (although I feel that this is to make up for Mario providing no dialogue).
The Super Mario Wiki also uses the word selfless to describe the character, as he's willing to put others ahead of himself, and will travel to new and dangerous locations to help others.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (Monolith Soft, 2017)
During the story of this game, there are a number of characters who could be counted as sidekicks.
During the game, the player will be able to play as/control a range of characters. Although there is the main protagonist, being Rex, the player is allowed to change their party
(Nintendo, 2017)
formation, so if they wish they could play as Nia, Tora, Vandham, Mòrag or Zeke. However, during the story cutscenes, the main protagonist is still shown as Rex, with the other characters being shown as his friends/companions.
It could also be argued that the weapons of the game, called blades, could be counted as sidekicks, since when the player fights with a particular weapon, Rex (or the playable character) wields the weapon, while the blades physical form helps provide the fighter power (shown in combat as affinity).
However, there is one character in particular whom I would count as a sidekick. This character being Azurda (Referred to as 'Gramps' by the protagonist)
What is the sidekick/Relevance to the story:
When this character is first introduced in the game, he is what is known as a titan, which are large (compared to the other characters) creatures which have different roles within the world of Alrest. Azurda in particular, at the beginning of the game, is one of the smaller titans, and only has one character living on his back, being the protagonist, Rex. However, the titans vary in size, from small titans such as Azurda to large titans which are the landmasses of the game (Gormott).
From the very beginning of the story, Azurda is already shown to be a companion to the protagonist, as the protagonist is living on his back. However, after being injured while escaping from the antagonist of the game (relatively early on in the story), Azurda reverts back to a much smaller and younger looking form.
Upon changing to this form, Azurda begins to travel around with Rex (protagonist), by settling himself in his helmet. During the story (cutscenes) and even during combat, Azurda speaks with the other characters of the game.
What does the sidekick do?:
When Azurda is still in his titan form, his role in the story is the home of the protagonist (as well as friend, maybe even close to a family
(Nintendo Wiki, 2017)
(A Less Famous Kim, 2018)
relationship). When Azurda changes form, his role within the game changes to more of a companion type role, as even on the islands Azurda can follow/travel with Rex. However, in terms of combat, he can't attack (can't physically attack), but can however give the player advice about enemies.
Personality:
Azurda is a rather caring and cautious character, which is shown when he scolds the protagonist for taking a quest because of the large money reward.
(Reddit, 2018)
While in his titan form, he's also shown to be a rather courageous character, as he flies into danger to save the protagonist, and gets wounded due to these actions. This could also mean that he's reckless, but I feel as though its more due to a trait such as selflessness, where he put Rex's life before his own.
Warframe (Digital Extremes, 2013)
Now the 'characters' whom I looked at for the sidekick section of my research in this game isn't exactly what you would call a sidekick, but more or a companion (just as it's called in-game).
(Nintendo, 2018)
As a brief explanation, In Warframe there are various creatures you can breed, or entities that can be created and equipped to the players loadout with the role of being the players companion, and helping them
fight off the enemies that appear during almost every type of level that can be played in the game.
One example of a companion you can have in the game is a dog-like creature called a Kubrow. These can have different visuals (such as patterns) which can be obtained by breeding Kubrows. However, whatever the Kubrow looks like, it will help the player during combat by running up to enemies and viciously attacking them.
However, one main companion that caught my eye from this game is a companion know as a Taxon. The reason this caught my eye was since it is similar to one of my current sidekick concepts, so I thought it'd be a good idea to look a little further at it.
The Taxon is a sentinel which can be built by the player and then equipped for the use of combat. However, unlike the Kubrows, the Taxon attacks by firing a beam.
(Warframe Forums, 2014)
(MyAnimeList, 2016)
(Warframe Forums, 2016)
The Taxon, in particular, caught my eye, since one of my concepts for the sidekick was to make it a small mechanical (floating) octopus that assists the player during combat by firing a laser.
However, after writing my story, I feel as though the concept I prefer is moving away from the idea of a mechanical sidekick, but this section of research was still helpful as it gave me further ideas for how sidekicks could help during combat.
Mob Psycho 100 (Studio Bones, 2016)
Mob Psycho 100 is a manga/anime about a boy named Shigeo Kageyama (referred to as Mob) who posses a range of psychic powers. His esper powers allow him to see spirits, as well as exorcise them, which he puts to use while working for a character named Reigen Arataka (Although he's a con as he has no psychic powers himself). This character in itself could be counted as a sidekick (but in the eyes of Reigen, Mob is the sidekick), as he is often with Mob when he encounters spirits (though that's because he calls mob in to deal with real spirits).
However, there is a character who, in terms of being a sidekick, I focused on more. This character being Dimple.
What is the sidekick?:
When first introduced in the story he is possessing a human and acting as the leader of a cult. After encountering mob and threatening to kill him, he shows his true form, being a spirit, which has a large humanoid appearance but with a green glow and red cheeks. However shortly after showing this form, is easily defeated by the protagonist, Mob.
Shortly after this, he returns with a different form. This form shows dimple as what's comparable to a small green cloud. Although he still kept some of his features, such as the green glow and red cheeks.
Relevance to the story: When Dimple is first introduced into the story (episode 3 in the anime), he's was running a cult known in the story as 'LOL', which focused on making people smile. The cult tries to make Mob join,
(Clouded Anime, 2016)
but due to his high-level powers is immune to the method making people join the cult/smile. Dimple then shows his true form as a spirit and fights Mob, only to get utterly defeated.
The next day, Dimple shows up at Mobs house in a weakened form, and so beings the relationship between Mob and Dimple (with Dimple always following Mob).
To begin with, Dimples intentions aren't quite like a sidekick would be, as he aims to try and use Mob, and eventually, steal his body with the aim of being praised as a God. However, as the story continues, he
(Clouded Anime, 2016)
begins to work alongside the protagonist (Mob).
Towards the end of the first season, dimple assists Mob and another esper named Teru infiltrate another psychic organisation, as they've kidnapped Mobs brother Ritsu due to him possessing powers.
Dimple ends up fighting members of this organisation to assist in the mission of saving Mobs brother.
Moving on to season 2 of the anime, Dimples change in objectives and personality is made even more apparent. During episode 4 (season 2) Mob is faced by a girl who has been possessed by a powerful spirit.
(Lost in Anime, 2019)
After fighting for a brief period of time, Mob decides that he'll only be able to remove the evil spirit, is to turn into a spirit himself and forcefully remove the spirit from within the girl. However, to do so, Mob is required to experience and out of body experience by going unconscious, which would, therefore, leave his physical body in danger. Mob asks if, during the time he's unconscious, Dimple could protect his body by possessing it. There is a brief hesitation by both Dimple and Reigen, but in the end, Dimple decides to possess Mobs body, and also leave his body once Mob expels the evil spirit from the girl.
(YouTube, 2019)
What does the sidekick do?
Focusing more on when Dimple becomes more of a sidekick than a villain, he helps the protagonist in a number of ways. The common things he does is comparable to the stereotypical tasks that come to mind (for me at least) when thinking about the term sidekick, this being fighting.
during a number of occasions, Dimple makes use of his powers, as well as being a spirit and being able to possess people, to infiltrate certain locations (e.g. the claw hideout at the end of season 1), but he also uses his powers to fight other spirits/espers, with the aim of helping the protagonist.
Additionally, Dimple has more of a comedic role in the story as his character, which somewhat links to his personality. But this comedy is shown through a number of ways such as facial expressions (art style/animation) and sound.
​
Personality:
Dimple is shown to want one main thing at the beginning of the story, (around the time of his introduction) which is he is shown to want to be seen as a God, and worshiped by all of humanity. Around the time where he has these ideas he's rather selfish and reckless (shown by his overconfidence in fighting Mob).
However, after following Mob, his ideals and personality begin to change. He still keeps his somewhat cocky, but humorous personality, but he becomes somewhat more caring for a number of character, especially Mob.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998)
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is one of many games that is a part of the Zelda franchise, but is also one of the few Zelda games that I would say makes use of a sidekick/companion character.
The general outline of the story is that a young boy named Link is tasked with saving the lands of Hyrule from the Gerudo king Ganondorf. Early on in the story Link warns Zelda of Ganondorf but is unsuccessful in saving her. After this Link eventually manages to obtain the three spiritual stones that allow him to
(MobyGames, 2006)
enter the sacred realm to obtain the master sword, but by doing so also allows Ganondorf access to an ancient relic known as the Triforce. Although Ganondorf only receives a third of its power as it splits into three sections.
Years after this, link awakens in the sacred real, having aged to a point where he is capable of wielding the master sword and must continue his quest of stopping Ganondorf/defeating him, who now rules over Hyrule.
What is the sidekick of the game?
Right at the beginning of the story/game, the protagonist is awakened (from a dream/nightmare/vision) by a female fairy named Navi.
As you'd expect from a fairy, she is quite small and has a round glowing body, with a pair of wings.
Relevance to story
The story begins with Navi waking Link up from his dream. Link, not being a real Kokiri, never ended up being like the other children of the forest and never had his own fairy. However, the Great Deku Tree summons Navi to help Link with his journey, as he is the hero but will need help during his journey.
(Zelda Dungeon, 2015)
What does the sidekick do?
Mainly assists the player during gameplay. The main feature of this character is that she is used in gameplay to lock the camera onto a specific target, allowing combat/interaction to occur more smooth/effectively. Additionally, she also assists the player during gameplay (especially combat), by giving hints as to what the player should do or how to defeat an enemy. Not only that but her colour also changes depending on certain circumstances (turning green when something of importance is close by).
Personality
Navi doesn't really have much of a personality, but it could be argued that all of her hints throughout the game and sections of warning dialogue are rather helpful and thoughtful (as she yells "Watch out!" when the player encounters an enemy).
Evaluation of research
After carrying this section of research out, I feel as though my understanding of sidekick characters has improved. Not only that, but I also have some ideas for the sidekick of our game as I now know some of the different gameplay/story elements that sidekick character can be used for. Because of this, I feel as though this section of research has ended up being rather useful for me.