noun
followers; hangers-on; entourage
Refers to a group of people who surround and follow a powerful or influential person, often with a slightly negative connotation of sycophancy.
社長はいつも取り巻きに囲まれている。
The company president is always surrounded by his entourage.
彼は有名人の取り巻きになるのが好きだ。
He likes being a hanger-on to celebrities.
側近 refers to a close aide or trusted advisor, often in a political or organizational context, without the negative nuance of sycophancy that 取り巻き can carry.
子分 is a follower or underling in a hierarchical group, often in yakuza or gang contexts, implying a stronger subordinate relationship than 取り巻き.
Compound of the verb 取り巻く (とりまく, 'to surround') in its continuative form, literally meaning 'surrounding'. The noun form refers to those who surround someone.