Sidekicks are characters in fiction; you wish they become your best friends in real life. They have a watchful eye for the protagonist and are always loyal to him or her. So what are their purpose?
Mood
Sidekicks are in fantasy genres, thrillers, adventure, and crime novels. They undergo a long journey with the protagonist, and they lighten up the novel’s mood. A simple example is Jaskier, from the famous novel The Witcher. Jaskier is a poet who has a funny personality and gives out an evocative ballad now and then.
Lending a hand
A sidekick is essential because he/she provides support to the principal character. They might possess a set of skills or knowledge that the protagonist might need through his quest. The first example that comes to my mind is Batman and Robin. The latter is a young man who was trained by Batman to become a superhero and work under his tutelage.
Understanding the protagonist from the sidekick
The relationship between the protagonist and the sidekick develops a liking for the reader. They are of two opposing personalities, and the sidekick’s loyalty and friendship with the latter is always impressive. We like it when the sidekick talks about the wonderful qualities of the protagonist or his past. He’s useful because he shows us a side of the main character that we cannot see on our own.
Never forget that sidekicks are imperative as much as the protagonist. Make sure to develop them and to study their behavior very well. It’s essential that we look through their past and to develop them along the way.