Loyal companions or assistants who help the main character in stories, often placed in secondary roles; also means close friends or trusted associates.
Originally 'side kick,' from the late 19th century, meaning a close companion or assistant standing at someone's side. 'Kick' may refer to a style of hitting, or come from slang meaning 'friend' or 'fellow.'
Sidekicks are narratively brilliant—by making one character secondary, authors make the main character look better, and by giving sidekicks loyalty and specific skills, they become beloved in their own right, which is why Robin and Watson have developed massive fan followings despite being 'side' characters.
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