Do you really need so many characters? I know the urge to populate the world, but it's starting to look like you're adding a new character for each singular function in the story, or sometimes even without one, just pointless background characters. Is that really necessary?
The main cast was already more than enough to tell plenty of stories.
I think you might be getting carried away and bloating the project beyond reasonable for yourself.
Most people won't care if a character who only appears once will be just a silhouette, don't waste time and effort drawing extras.
Not a single project has ever came out exactly as envisioned, every single developer had to cut corners and settle for the best available option instead of their dream option.
Sorry if this is a bit rude, but I want to see your game finished, not stuck in eternal limbo of development hell.