This newbie gamer clearly doesn’t understand how MMORPGs work, since she puts all of her skill points into defense when she creates her character. She also runs up to random players and asks to be friends, spams health potions to defeat a powerful enemy instead of leveling up, and cheeses bosses to death with poison. But, because her strategy is so unorthodox, Maple is able to outwit the game’s creators and become one of the best players in the world! Don’t ask questions – sweet little Maple is an angel and everybody knows it.

You’d be forgiven for thinking that Decim’s black-haired female assistant isn’t all that exciting, especially since she doesn’t even get a name until the final episodes. But, as her backstory is slowly revealed, her relationship with Decim grows, and the show dedicates more time to her, she becomes an emotionally gripping character who fundamentally changes the way Decim views humans. Don’t forget about her!

Bam is a sheltered kid who spent most of his life underground, isolated from the rest of the world except for the companionship of his one and only friend, Rachel. When she disappears to climb the mysterious Tower of God, Bam enrolls in the test himself just to chase after her and demand answers. The other candidates don’t think much of him, but he quickly demonstrates an unnatural proficiency in the magic power known as Shinsu and proves himself as a valuable asset to his team. It’s still early days for Bam, but we’re sure he’s got even more tricks up his sleeve...

Tsuna spends roughly the first 20 episodes of this anime as a cowering, useless kid who can only get things done if his hitman teacher shoots him with a bullet that essentially turns him into the Incredible Hulk. However, when a rival gang leader threatens him and injures his friends, Tsuna acquires a new powerup that allows him to fight with a clear head. He still tries to avoid conflict whenever possible, but his newfound emotional fortitude and determination to reverse the Vongola family’s history of violence makes him a much more interesting character from that point on.

Unlike the warmongering Vikings who surround him, Prince Canute is a shy noble who avoids confrontation like the plague and believes that God and his caretaker Ragnar will save him when any kind of danger crops up. That all changes when he’s stuck in the middle of a battle and is forced to make decisions on his own for the first time – he rejects his old fatalistic attitude and decides to make paradise on Earth with his own two hands. Even the Vikings are surprised when he starts confidently ordering them around, but who are they to disobey him?