Normally when people think of The Matrix saga, a few key names tend to come to mind. You've got the guide and ship pilot Morpheus and the mentor Oracle. You've also got the hacker and companion to our protagonist, Trinity, and of course, the bullet-dodging lead himself, Neo.
Still, The Matrix is brimming with a cast of badass heroes in supporting roles. Many of them ended up playing prominent parts in humanity's century-long struggle against the machines and their computer-generated dream world. The renowned first film had its share, while more were introduced in the sequels - and we'll no doubt see some new heroes in the anticipated Matrix 4.
With that said, let's get jacked into the system as we explore ten of the saga's more underrated characters who helped Neo in his action-filled quest.
Persephone
There are a number of reasons Persephone tends to get overlooked. Being a program seemingly playing second fiddle to another rogue program, The Merovingian, she doesn't take up much of the spotlight. The fact that she finds her way back to the side of this virtual criminal after betraying him in Reloaded does little to help her image, too.
Regardless, Persephone serves as a memorable, seductive player in the game, complete with a femme fatale-esque persona. She's essentially the sole reason our heroes are able to get in contact with The Keymaker; a pivotal moment in the second film.
Ghost
Fans of the video game might appreciate this Zion operative, though those who stick exclusively to the films aren't likely to know much, if anything, about Ghost. As it happens, he shares something of a connection to Trinity, being on record for getting unplugged from The Matrix on the same day as her, and apparently having feelings for her.
Ghost has proven to be a practiced gunner of the Logos hovercraft. He was also the man responsible for receiving the dire message sent by an Animatrix lead warning Zion of an impending attack by the machines. His cool, collected demeanor and experience on the frontlines against the enemy are reminiscent of Neo.
Spoon Boy
This child sees very little screentime in The Matrix to the point where we know virtually nothing about him; not even his own name. We only know of his potential as "The One" somewhere down the line, and his uncanny ability to bend nonexistent spoons with his mind. Yet, this Matrix-mending boy has become something of a Matrix icon with his brief, but profound quote - "there is no spoon."
This philosophical bit of advice is a key catalyst in enlightening Neo and building his power to overcome the restrictions of The Matrix at will.
Dozer
With his multiple talents and areas of expertise, Dozer managed to be one of the Nebuchadnezzar's most valuable members, leading up to his untimely death at the hands of the traitor Cypher. His duties ranged from food preparation to piloting to plugging our leads into The Matrix.
He's even credited with brewing the ship's stock of alcohol. It may look and taste like engine oil, but hey - in stressful dystopian times, such a resource can prove vital.
Dozer proved to be a key component when it came to the ship's overall operation and the well-being of its crew.
Link
Out of the ashes of the murders hitting half of Morpheus' crew comes Link, a whiz of an operator for the Nebuchadnezzar. He tends to waver a bit when it comes to trust and faith in Morpheus. Still, he's always there for support, navigation, and guidance - even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
His relationship to Zee, the sister of the late Tank and Dozer, gives him a personal and emotional bond to two of the most vital ex-crewmembers.
Link has to deal with quite a few tasks, given the fact that he's often singlehandedly manning a ship that once held several crewmembers while our main heroes are plugged into The Matrix.
Seraph
The Wachowski's establish that not all programs are malicious, and in fact, some are on the side of humanity. In addition to The Oracle, Seraph makes for another prominent program that aids Neo and company on multiple occasions. This cool, practiced martial artist proves a valuable asset in terms of wits as well as connections into the system.
His access to the "back doors" of The Matrix is useful to Neo, who uses them to swiftly reach The Oracle and The Architect. He also assists our heroes in various other ways in the sequels and tends to Sati when it seems no one is left to look after her.
Niobe
Given her massive role in aiding and fighting for our main heroes, Niobe is on a level of significance comparable to Neo, Trinity, and Morpheus. At least this is the case when she appears in the sequels. She bails Neo and company out of some major jams, including the intense highway chase, and the mission to contact The Architect.
Not only this, but she lends her ship, the Logos, after Morpheus' is blown to smithereens, and manages to maneuver it through endless narrow tunnels leading to Zion. This EMP she uses is crucial in buying everyone time in the midst of the machine onslaught.
Her history with Commander Lock and relationship with Morpheus further establish her as a key player in this saga.
Michael Popper (The Kid)
Those who watched The Animatrix remember the ambiguously labeled "Kid" as the focus of one of the anthology's most memorable shorts. This animation, "A Kid's Story," follows a narrative that largely parallels Neo's, giving us a younger perspective of The Matrix's dynamic with a mind seeking to get out.
Still, he tends to get overlooked and brushed aside by both fans and various characters in the films, partly even by Neo himself.
It's odd, considering his bravery, loyalty, and selflessness. This is capped off by his heroic action in braving the battlefield to open the gate and grant the Logos access to Zion. Not only this, but this relatively green soldier manages to pilot a mech and fend off Sentinals to do so. Michael is truly Zion's positive, fighting spirit personified.
Tank
While many of the Nebuchadnezzar's crew is out on their action-packed Matrix trips, it's the operator known as Tank who's doing much of the dirty work behind the scenes. His wizardry behind a computer screen, coupled with his whimsical, laid back character and high spirits make him one of the most likable characters.
He's the man who basically "downloads" Neo's mind with a wealth of vital knowledge and skills thanks to his elaborate software. He also equips Neo and Trinity with an absurd arsenal of weaponry, much of which proves useful in The Matrix's final act.
Oh - and he's also the one to finally take out Cypher; a satisfying feat that shouldn't be overlooked.
Captain Mifune
This tough, by-the-books Captain can be considered the unsung hero of the battle for Zion. Sure, it may have been Neo who eventually arranged the peace agreement between the humans and machines. Yet, it was Mifune who played a huge role in holding off the swarm of sentinels when it seemed they could steamroll the city at any moment.
His blaze of glory fight in Revolutions was a somber, yet epic way for this hero to go out. His endearing "coming of age" moments with Michael makes him all the more memorable.