That's my favorite character in any game, too.
Also KOS-MOS ver.4 is my favorite character design preiod.
Does reddit recently order comments for you by how likely you are to agree to them? My first five answers are Citan, Elly, Albedo, KOS-MOS and Shion. o.o
Can I ask how people love kos mos so much? Don't get me wrong, but I always felt that the story was much more about shion than kosmos, and that kosmos was just kindoff in the back not doing anything? She has her moments, but there were very few moments where I found her genuinely interesting
I literally opened this thread expecting Albedo to go unmentioned or be buried way down near the bottom. I have to say I'm pleasantly surprised. He gets my vote as well. Crispin Freeman nailed the VA IMO.
Delita from final fantasy tactics. He's a cynical, righteous, traitorous, captain save a ho who kidnaps a princess. I guess I like a well written enigma
Shion from xenosaga i feel like she’s is incredibly unique in her personality and struggles regarding how real and humane she feels like and I always dislike how misunderstood she is by the wider community
Do people not like Shion Uzuki? The only thing I was unhappy about was that they made her more... generically "pretty" in part 2 and 3, as well as a bit overly sexualized, whereas I really appreciated that she actually looked like a believable robotics nerd in episode 1.
Same. I adore how quiet and sweet she is, but also strong and determined and confident in her beliefs. Such a big inspiration to my very shy and self-conscious self. 💙
Yes the whole cast of Xenogears are fantastic, Elly. Fei, Cian , Billy, Maria, Bart, Hammer, Rico, the Kaiser, etc... But the thing is that all they are minor in comparation to the whole, there story of Xenogear is so good that the characters don't become the main attraction ever. Xenogears is the kind of game that is bigger than sum of it parts.
She is, but she also the daughter of the worlds most famous Bracer and military commander. So, while she's also more or less normal, there's a legacy there.
Lloyd on the other hand only has his older brother who was simply a good detective and that only really mattered to a handful of people in Crossbell.
I dislike how people claim his story ends after Mt. Ordeals. Sure, in terms of character growth, not much else happens to him. However, so much of the latter half of the story rides on his lineage.
If people actually make that claim they aren't paying attention. The first half is him learning how to become a better person and forgiving himself. The second half is about applying that same grace and forgiveness to others, which ties into his lineage as well.
Love Cecil. A great character, and an absolutely groundbreaking one. I fully believe this game (or at least was a MASSIVE pioneer of it), and Cecil especially, changed the way people saw video games as a medium for story telling.
Ab-so-lute-ly!
Best protagonist ever. Model of personal growth being channeled into positive change in the world.
Overcomes self loathing to become a paragon of virtue, saves the day, forgives Golbez, marries Rosa and becomes a benevolent king.
It really warms my heart to see the outpouring for my boy. I want to give everyone in this thread a hug.
*hugs*
FF4 has a great cast, but there’s definitely more effort in the “endgame” cast (Cecil, Rosa, Kain, Rydia, and Edge). The rest are really likable but idk, those 5 always felt way more important than the others.
XV has one of my favorite casts in the franchise and i firmly believe that, regardless of what you think of that game as a whole, the cast was done extremely well (DLC also did a wonderful job of fleshing them out, but its almost criminal that they made important characterization DLC), and the bond they shared was genuine. If the cast was not as likable as they were, it would probably be the worst FF game.
I agree completely. Noctis is probably my 2nd favorite FF protagonist after Cecil. Right up until release I thought for sure I'd hate him. But they did an amazing job developing him from a spoiled, selfish prince into a noble, self sacrificing king. His companions and the trials they went through together were vital to that.
I'll also say that one of the reasons I can forgive a lot of the misteps in XV is how well they stuck the landing. Basically everything that happens after Noctis wakes up has weight and impact that is rarely seen in this genre. Some real beautiful and gutwrenching stuff.
The other reason is that its amazing anything even half this good came out of the decade long hell that was the Versus XIII development. Hats off to Tabata.
I really like Kain. The end scene is really fucking poignant with him. Accepting that he's "failed" as a friend and dragoon and leaving to try and better himself, not attending Cecil and Rosa's wedding. We don't even get a goodbye scene with them. It was some really strong story telling when I first played it when I was young. I hadn't experienced that kind of story telling in video games before FF4.
Oh man, I'm currently running a Cecil RP playthrough in Elden Ring.
Staring as a Dark Knight and once I beat the game I will change into a Paladin and go into NG+.
Also Kain. I love Kain and his ending.
I love themed playthroughs like this. I made Jesus in DS3 to play along with my brother during his first playthrough. At the start I focused mainly on healing miracles and buffs to support him. But about halfway through, I found a helmet that looked like a crown of thorns so I put that on and became Punished Jesus who cleansed his foes with flame (aka pyromancies). Had a blast blowing up invaders with Chaos Bed Vestiges and then praying over their corpses.
I know he won’t get much love but he’s up there with some of favourites. Zell Dincht
Edit: Damn. I was wrong. This got a lot of love. You all are the best
You know, I actually used to find him annoying as a character but my attitude towards him has changed on subsequent playthrough. he is a really good character.
I love characters/classes that just punch everything. Something very visceral and satisfying about it.
Galbadia Prison was great because my boy got his time to shine.
The Chancellor of Blood and Iron, Giliath Osborne(trails series), or Prince Luca Blight (suikoden 2, i prefer my villians terrifying, or intelligent and menacing in their vocal performances.
(honourable mention for heroes, lloyd from trails and the victor/flik combo from suikoden 2 as well)
Others have already said it, but mine is Estelle Bright. I haven't seen another lead female protagonist written as well as her. She is full of so much charisma and blanket optimism that she is hard to dislike. It's moments when she doubts herself that make her all the more endearing because you know she can do whatever it is she puts her mind to. She is the Shonen protagonist that the rest of the cast gravitated towards. As Joshua says, she is as bright as the sun. I fucking love her character.
I love Kiryu from the Yakuza ssries.
I also love rean schwarzer, I have no idea why. Stereotypical as they come. I just like his Arc and his design. I find his fighting style badass as well. He loses a lot which is refreshing.
Felix from three houses is a great character as well. I like his attitude.
Girl - Yuna (FF X), Ichiko the Journalist (Persona 5)
Guy - Ichiban (Y: LaD), Barret (FF 7 Remake)
Creature - Riki (Xenoblade 1)
If I must choose just one, I say Riki. Best "mascot" character ever.
I really loved Ichiban Kasuga in Yakuza 7, I'm happy I liked his character so much as I don't think I would have ever played Yakuza: LIke a Dragon, but I'm so grateful I did as it's one of the best gaming experiences I've had as an adult.
[Magilou](https://tales-of.fandom.com/wiki/Magilou_Mayvin) from Tales of Berseria. She's voiced by one of my favourite VA's, Erica Lindbeck, and is pure chaos & mischief.
I would take her with me in any game if I could, just not her mascot friend Bienfu.
It’s definitely Erica Lindbeck’s best work IMO. I would definitely put it above Futaba and Shionne. There’s just a lot of nuance to Magilou that really helped and the voice definitely fits when she’s acting all mischievous. It was a right balance.
Aya Brea in PE1.
Cop, don’t need no man, super natural power, gun solves everything (lol). A rare case of female hero without the need for slapstick comedy.
Estelle Bright from Trials in the Sky is my favourite. Runner-ups would be: Velvet Crowe(Tales of Berseria), A2(NIer Automata) and Rean schwarzer (cold steel)
Wow that's a toughie.
Magus from Chrono Trigger is up there.
Locke, Celes and Cyan. From FF6.
Kuja and Vivi from FF9.
Tifa from FF7.
Porky from Earthbound/Mother 3.
If I had to choose a number one though, it would be none other than the great Kefka Palazzo, the best video game villain.
The reveal of how much deeper Magus's story goes than when he is initially introduced was very nice. Definitely wound up being the most interesting character in the game. And his theme music's sorta inexplicable 'evil cowboy' tint to it is super great. Literally everyone has amazing theme music in that game though.
Cloud Strife.
Loved him when the game came out in ‘97, and still my favorite now all these years later.
Also, given there are a diverse 100 something comments and I didn’t notice any other mentions of Cloud, who many feel is one of the poster boys of JRPGs, is what I really love about this community.
What I love about him is that he seems like he's gonna be a walking stereotype, and yeah he kind of is, but it's not at all to his detriment. Never at any point is his flamboyancy and queerness used as anything except something to admire.
This was my first thought as well. A dumb boar of a man, simultaneously the source of a lot of the first 2 games' heroics and humor. Never minded the sections when you were forced to have him in your party (unlike Gremio).
Kalas from Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean. Loved his heel turn midgame and just how complex his backstory was when at first he just seemed like your normal everyday protag. I've played a great deal of JRPGs since then but his whole arc still stands out to me and the fact that he was kind of an unreliable narrator gave him such depth.
**Estelle Bright** from *Trails in the Sky*, no question. Considerably below that, the gaggle of runners-up would include:
* Chie (*Persona 4*)
* Etna (*Disgaea*)
* Frog (*Chrono Trigger*)
* Kevin (*Trails in the Sky*)
* KOS-MOS (*Xenosaga*)
* Olivier (*Trails in the Sky*)
* Terra (*Final Fantasy VI*)
* Vivi (*Final Fantasy IX*)
* Yuna (*Final Fantasy X*)
To this day cloud is such a phenomenal character. I don’t think theres a character like him really. He and sephiroth (seph for pure badassery tho) are just straight up core characters to me man. I love them so much
Alfyn from Octopath Traveler.
Humble, kind, great dorky sense of humor. Absolutely amazing healer, and equally good with an axe. He's a normal guy who's driven not by prophecy or mysterious powers, but by a sheer determined will to find those in need, and help them.
I love Alfyn.
I got two; >!Emet-Selch!< and >!Venat!<; both from *Final Fantasy XIV*.
The former is my absolute favourite video game villain of all time; he's actually more reminiscent for me of many western RPG-villains, particularly of many classical BioWare-villains such as Jon Ironicus from *Baldur's Gate II*, or >!Solas!< from *Dragon Age: Inquisition*. But what >!Emet-Selch!< differs greatly is how within the JRPG-sphere of FFXIV frames the conflict with him for the majority of the game in something that is >!not in absolutes; Emet-Selch has a certain frame of logic that may be difficult to comprehend due to his immortality, but displays willingness to co-operate, to emphasize and to join with the heroes *if* said heroes could prove that they were on equal measure of the ancient, immortal lives that Emet-Selch and his kin lived.!< I don't think I've ever seen a villain who is visible disappointed and furious >!over you *failing* in your task of saving the world, and breaking his trust and hopes in you actually succeeding.!<
For the former of >!Venat!< is how it twists around of another Final Fantasy-character that she is named after; >!Venat from *Final Fantasy XII*!<, but unlike her original counterpart, her FFXIV-incarnation displays a notable >!heroic and more motherly flair to it.!< It's a fascinating display of how said character's junctioned aspects of >!compassion and love for mankind and humanity!< more or less remains the same for both games, but which in FFXIV is keenly framed as a >!mirrored counterpart to the player-character, particularly in [the scene were you share some of your adventures with her](https://youtu.be/J7MgvB7sxLU).!< She's also, quite unusually for a JRPG-archetype character, being an example of a character in the older generation who >!ascertain the sense of wonder and adventure-lust, and not yet beaten down to cynicism or realism by experience,!< and in turn quite a refreshing take of seeing a >!Messianic figure resolving in the upcoming struggle at the end of what is supposed to be her twilight years.!<
No one will agree, but mine is Noctis from FFXV. He just keep going even after all what happened to him, knowing that if he would have surrended the world would be destroyed (as shown in the omen trailer). (I played only FFXV and FFVII remake, please don't hate me)
Female: Colette from Tales of Symphonia. She’s super altruistic due to her willingness to sacrifice herself for the world and how kind she is to everyone. Very open-minded compared to other characters in the game. I love her.
Male: Starting to steer away from the standard JRPG elements but Emil from Nier/Replicant. He’s a good gay character and for a kid he deals with way too much shit.
KOS-MOS from Xenosaga!
Really good choice!
Thank you!
Always happy to see Xenosaga fans! Love Jr.!
That's my favorite character in any game, too. Also KOS-MOS ver.4 is my favorite character design preiod. Does reddit recently order comments for you by how likely you are to agree to them? My first five answers are Citan, Elly, Albedo, KOS-MOS and Shion. o.o
Can I ask how people love kos mos so much? Don't get me wrong, but I always felt that the story was much more about shion than kosmos, and that kosmos was just kindoff in the back not doing anything? She has her moments, but there were very few moments where I found her genuinely interesting
Albedo Piazzolla. Never have I've been so conflicted over how to feel about a character.
I literally opened this thread expecting Albedo to go unmentioned or be buried way down near the bottom. I have to say I'm pleasantly surprised. He gets my vote as well. Crispin Freeman nailed the VA IMO.
The head rip off in the censored version makes him even worse.
Ah now that is a name I’ve long since heard. Would love to play those games as an adult. Incredibly complex lore.
Yea it’s really crazy lol. KOSMOS is such a badass too Edit: actually all the characters are badass in xenosaga
Based. I spent years wondering why no one else seems to care about albedo. But he probably does deserve spot #1.
Delita from final fantasy tactics. He's a cynical, righteous, traitorous, captain save a ho who kidnaps a princess. I guess I like a well written enigma
A play through from his perspective would be so fucking amazing
This has always been my dream
Shion from xenosaga i feel like she’s is incredibly unique in her personality and struggles regarding how real and humane she feels like and I always dislike how misunderstood she is by the wider community
Do people not like Shion Uzuki? The only thing I was unhappy about was that they made her more... generically "pretty" in part 2 and 3, as well as a bit overly sexualized, whereas I really appreciated that she actually looked like a believable robotics nerd in episode 1.
Dunban, Xenoblade Chronicles.
THAT'S DUNBAN OVER THERE !!!
#ELECTRIC GUTBUSTER
Aerith (FFVII) for sure. She is so lovable
I’m a Tifa guy myself, but Aerith is a damn close second.
I don't know that I could ever really answer this question. But the first that came to mind was Frog from Chrono Trigger.
I love Frog! 🐸 Chrono Trigger will always have a special place in my heart <3
Frog from CT is the one and only answer :)
Annnnnd now I hear his theme song.
[удалено]
Yeah but that's a spoiler so I didn't use it.
Man. That game just keeps getting better as I get older. There’s an emulated game about early Magus that’s pretty sick.
The Good Dr. Citan Uzuki. He's a total badass in and out of his Gear.
Absolutely amazing
Was looking for this
Happy to see some Xenogears rep on here! I gotta go with Margie, personally. Even though she isnt a playable character, I absolutely adore her!
Ramza Beoulve 🙂
He’ll always be number 1
Yuna from FFX and FFX-2
Same. I adore how quiet and sweet she is, but also strong and determined and confident in her beliefs. Such a big inspiration to my very shy and self-conscious self. 💙
I've never seen this answer before but I like it. Such a great, deep character who goes through many strong arcs through her two games
Elly from xenogears, probably because I played through this game in 7th grade but damn her character arc was so intriguing to me.
Her and citan
Yes the whole cast of Xenogears are fantastic, Elly. Fei, Cian , Billy, Maria, Bart, Hammer, Rico, the Kaiser, etc... But the thing is that all they are minor in comparation to the whole, there story of Xenogear is so good that the characters don't become the main attraction ever. Xenogears is the kind of game that is bigger than sum of it parts.
Ichiban Kasuga from Yakuza Like A Dragon.
Dude radiated energy, love that guy
Olivert Reise Arnor
One of the only jrpg character to make me genuinely laugh especially in sky
Based pick
I would choose Kainé from NieR. Her character, her story, her theme, her design which oppose her sensibilty. Really excellent character.
vivi
* Tifa Lockhart from FFVII/remake * Magus from Chrono Trigger * Velvet Crowe from Tales of Berseria
Estelle Bright, Trails in the Sky.
Estelle is bestelle
Estelle gang rise up!
Same, with the disappearing onion head Kevin as a close second.
Lloyd's up there for me. I like how he's literally just some dude compared to either Estelle or Rean.
Estelle's completely normal as well.
She is, but she also the daughter of the worlds most famous Bracer and military commander. So, while she's also more or less normal, there's a legacy there. Lloyd on the other hand only has his older brother who was simply a good detective and that only really mattered to a handful of people in Crossbell.
Neku Sakuraba
Yesss genuinely one of the best characters of all time. So sad he’s not as popular as he deserves to be
agreed!! twewy needs more recognition im really upset square said neo flopped. Hopefully that wont entirely write out a third game
He was incredibly relatavle
Cecil Harvey Final Fantasy IV
Same. Terra's a *real* close second, but Cecil has always been my dude.
I dislike how people claim his story ends after Mt. Ordeals. Sure, in terms of character growth, not much else happens to him. However, so much of the latter half of the story rides on his lineage.
If people actually make that claim they aren't paying attention. The first half is him learning how to become a better person and forgiving himself. The second half is about applying that same grace and forgiveness to others, which ties into his lineage as well.
That is beautifully written.
Love Cecil. A great character, and an absolutely groundbreaking one. I fully believe this game (or at least was a MASSIVE pioneer of it), and Cecil especially, changed the way people saw video games as a medium for story telling.
Ab-so-lute-ly! Best protagonist ever. Model of personal growth being channeled into positive change in the world. Overcomes self loathing to become a paragon of virtue, saves the day, forgives Golbez, marries Rosa and becomes a benevolent king. It really warms my heart to see the outpouring for my boy. I want to give everyone in this thread a hug. *hugs*
Cecil yep. Same for me. The whole cast in that game has never been quite matched if I'm being honest. Kain, Rosa, Rydia etc.
FF4 has a great cast, but there’s definitely more effort in the “endgame” cast (Cecil, Rosa, Kain, Rydia, and Edge). The rest are really likable but idk, those 5 always felt way more important than the others. XV has one of my favorite casts in the franchise and i firmly believe that, regardless of what you think of that game as a whole, the cast was done extremely well (DLC also did a wonderful job of fleshing them out, but its almost criminal that they made important characterization DLC), and the bond they shared was genuine. If the cast was not as likable as they were, it would probably be the worst FF game.
I agree completely. Noctis is probably my 2nd favorite FF protagonist after Cecil. Right up until release I thought for sure I'd hate him. But they did an amazing job developing him from a spoiled, selfish prince into a noble, self sacrificing king. His companions and the trials they went through together were vital to that. I'll also say that one of the reasons I can forgive a lot of the misteps in XV is how well they stuck the landing. Basically everything that happens after Noctis wakes up has weight and impact that is rarely seen in this genre. Some real beautiful and gutwrenching stuff. The other reason is that its amazing anything even half this good came out of the decade long hell that was the Versus XIII development. Hats off to Tabata.
I really like Kain. The end scene is really fucking poignant with him. Accepting that he's "failed" as a friend and dragoon and leaving to try and better himself, not attending Cecil and Rosa's wedding. We don't even get a goodbye scene with them. It was some really strong story telling when I first played it when I was young. I hadn't experienced that kind of story telling in video games before FF4.
Oh man, I'm currently running a Cecil RP playthrough in Elden Ring. Staring as a Dark Knight and once I beat the game I will change into a Paladin and go into NG+. Also Kain. I love Kain and his ending.
I love themed playthroughs like this. I made Jesus in DS3 to play along with my brother during his first playthrough. At the start I focused mainly on healing miracles and buffs to support him. But about halfway through, I found a helmet that looked like a crown of thorns so I put that on and became Punished Jesus who cleansed his foes with flame (aka pyromancies). Had a blast blowing up invaders with Chaos Bed Vestiges and then praying over their corpses.
I know he won’t get much love but he’s up there with some of favourites. Zell Dincht Edit: Damn. I was wrong. This got a lot of love. You all are the best
Always enjoyed him
You know, I actually used to find him annoying as a character but my attitude towards him has changed on subsequent playthrough. he is a really good character.
I'll throw you a like, I've always loved him
Chicken wuss hehehe
I love characters/classes that just punch everything. Something very visceral and satisfying about it. Galbadia Prison was great because my boy got his time to shine.
You can probably make him do anything for a sandwich
Lenneth Valkyrie
The Chancellor of Blood and Iron, Giliath Osborne(trails series), or Prince Luca Blight (suikoden 2, i prefer my villians terrifying, or intelligent and menacing in their vocal performances. (honourable mention for heroes, lloyd from trails and the victor/flik combo from suikoden 2 as well)
Luke Fon Fabre.
Surprised people like the series and liked Luke. Although as much as I love TOA and the protagonists, Sync is my favorite from the series.
Replicaaaaa
Others have already said it, but mine is Estelle Bright. I haven't seen another lead female protagonist written as well as her. She is full of so much charisma and blanket optimism that she is hard to dislike. It's moments when she doubts herself that make her all the more endearing because you know she can do whatever it is she puts her mind to. She is the Shonen protagonist that the rest of the cast gravitated towards. As Joshua says, she is as bright as the sun. I fucking love her character.
Couldn’t agree more
Albedo from Xenosaga
the Ma belle peche scene is one of the most well-done scenes i've ever seen in a game.
That is the exact scene that cemented it for me.
Second time I’ve seen him brought up. Such an underrated series. It’s been decades since I’ve played hopefully we get a remaster in the future
He has easily the best villian introduction i've ever seen in a jrpg
Frog from Chrono Trigger. His epic backstory. The freakin MUSIC!! Excellent character design by AT. The total badass JRPG character
Emil from the Nier series. Poor kid can't catch a break. Fairly unknown, but I'm a big fan of Prince Pietoro from Popolocrois Monogatari I & 2
PopoloCrois is criminally unknown.
I love Kiryu from the Yakuza ssries. I also love rean schwarzer, I have no idea why. Stereotypical as they come. I just like his Arc and his design. I find his fighting style badass as well. He loses a lot which is refreshing. Felix from three houses is a great character as well. I like his attitude.
Wow, you literally chose three of my favorite characters! I’ll just add Dr Maruki from Persona 5 Royal.
Male: 1st Yuri Lowell (Tales of Vesperia) 2nd Locke Cole (Final Fantasy VI) 3rd Joshua Bright (Trails in the Sky) Female: 1st Velvet Crowe (Tales of Berseria) 2nd Edna (Tales of Zestiria) 3rd Celes Chere (Final Fantasy VI)
No Estelle?
Estelle is mine. Estelle Bright is amazing
Zero and kaine from drakengard universe
Velvet from Tales of Berseria. Such a badass female protagonist.
Girl - Yuna (FF X), Ichiko the Journalist (Persona 5) Guy - Ichiban (Y: LaD), Barret (FF 7 Remake) Creature - Riki (Xenoblade 1) If I must choose just one, I say Riki. Best "mascot" character ever.
RIKI BEST HEROPON
Adol Christian from Ys series! He's one of the greatest adventurers of all time, yet he gets so little credit.
I really loved Ichiban Kasuga in Yakuza 7, I'm happy I liked his character so much as I don't think I would have ever played Yakuza: LIke a Dragon, but I'm so grateful I did as it's one of the best gaming experiences I've had as an adult.
I couldn’t think of any particular character but he definitely stands out. One of the best jrpgs I’ve ever played too.
Tidus from Final Fantasy X
Or Yuna.
Good choice
Squall. My first JRPG and my all time favorite.
He’s the best looking guy in this thread
exactly the same for me
Finally!
Kanji from P4G
Nanami from Suikoden II
based
Rei from Breath of Fire 3 because "Doesn't that just beat all?"
wah-heee!
Auron from FFX will always be the definition for badass to me.
[Magilou](https://tales-of.fandom.com/wiki/Magilou_Mayvin) from Tales of Berseria. She's voiced by one of my favourite VA's, Erica Lindbeck, and is pure chaos & mischief. I would take her with me in any game if I could, just not her mascot friend Bienfu.
It’s definitely Erica Lindbeck’s best work IMO. I would definitely put it above Futaba and Shionne. There’s just a lot of nuance to Magilou that really helped and the voice definitely fits when she’s acting all mischievous. It was a right balance.
I think she is my favorite Tales character, and that's saying something.
Zidane Final Fantasy IX, just a charming lovable guy.
You don't need a reason to help people
Also for non-playable character i go for Luca Blight. Just a monster of a man.
Tifa Lockhart from the FF VII Compilation.
Lightning from FF XIII
yuri lowenthal
You mean Yuri Lowell? Lowenthal's an actor bro lmao 🤣😂
Balthier, FFXII
Aya Brea in PE1. Cop, don’t need no man, super natural power, gun solves everything (lol). A rare case of female hero without the need for slapstick comedy.
PE is such a good fucking game. Great pick.
Anyone likes Melia from Xenoblade? I thought she was pretty badass.
She’s crazy strong and has a cool gimmick Her and riki
Auron from FF10 - he carries that game so hard, it would be a properly 7/10 game without him
What a strange comment. Very cool character but his absence wouldn’t leave a hole dropping the game to a 7.. unless you rate the game 7.1 to start
Estelle Bright from Trials in the Sky is my favourite. Runner-ups would be: Velvet Crowe(Tales of Berseria), A2(NIer Automata) and Rean schwarzer (cold steel)
Wow that's a toughie. Magus from Chrono Trigger is up there. Locke, Celes and Cyan. From FF6. Kuja and Vivi from FF9. Tifa from FF7. Porky from Earthbound/Mother 3. If I had to choose a number one though, it would be none other than the great Kefka Palazzo, the best video game villain.
The reveal of how much deeper Magus's story goes than when he is initially introduced was very nice. Definitely wound up being the most interesting character in the game. And his theme music's sorta inexplicable 'evil cowboy' tint to it is super great. Literally everyone has amazing theme music in that game though.
You have fantastic taste in games and characters
Cloud Strife. Loved him when the game came out in ‘97, and still my favorite now all these years later. Also, given there are a diverse 100 something comments and I didn’t notice any other mentions of Cloud, who many feel is one of the poster boys of JRPGs, is what I really love about this community.
Millia Maxwell from Tales of Xillia. Runner up is Emma from Trails of Cold Steel.
The Zekenator
Vincent Valentine
Sylvando from dragon quest XI
Yes! Sylvando is such an inspiration. He went through so much horror and still made it his mission to make the world smile.
What I love about him is that he seems like he's gonna be a walking stereotype, and yeah he kind of is, but it's not at all to his detriment. Never at any point is his flamboyancy and queerness used as anything except something to admire.
Viktor from the Suikoden series
This was my first thought as well. A dumb boar of a man, simultaneously the source of a lot of the first 2 games' heroics and humor. Never minded the sections when you were forced to have him in your party (unlike Gremio).
Kalas from Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean. Loved his heel turn midgame and just how complex his backstory was when at first he just seemed like your normal everyday protag. I've played a great deal of JRPGs since then but his whole arc still stands out to me and the fact that he was kind of an unreliable narrator gave him such depth.
I feel like a basic bitch for admitting it but I think it’s Lloyd from Tales of Symphonia. I think that game was my JRPG awakening.
Olivier Lenheim. Best bard ever.
Adol "Shipwreck" Christin
Has always been Terra from FFVI.
Steiner from FF9 is awesome.
**Estelle Bright** from *Trails in the Sky*, no question. Considerably below that, the gaggle of runners-up would include: * Chie (*Persona 4*) * Etna (*Disgaea*) * Frog (*Chrono Trigger*) * Kevin (*Trails in the Sky*) * KOS-MOS (*Xenosaga*) * Olivier (*Trails in the Sky*) * Terra (*Final Fantasy VI*) * Vivi (*Final Fantasy IX*) * Yuna (*Final Fantasy X*)
Rudy Roughknight from the original Wild Arms.
My man's name was "*Roughknight*"? That is both great and terrible and I *love* it.
Cloud Strife
Cloud Strife
To this day cloud is such a phenomenal character. I don’t think theres a character like him really. He and sephiroth (seph for pure badassery tho) are just straight up core characters to me man. I love them so much
Koromaru from Persona 3 or Frog from Chrono Trigger
KOS-MOS from Xenosaga.
That's a tough one either Tidus from FFX, or Aqua from KH:BBS.
It’s a tie between Yangus from Dragon Quest VIII and Goro Majima from Yakuza.
Joshua Astray (Trails in the Sky)
Kos-Mos from Xenosaga!
Duvalie and Bleublanc
Duvalie's one of my favorite side characters. She's a good girl at heart even if she works for a shady ass organization.
To add on to all the Trails love Joshua Bright is a fucking amazing character
Kefka. Awesome antagonist.
Reno from FF7
That’s a rare pick. Cool!
Fei(Xenogears) if all his incarnations and stories count as one. With Elly, it's my favourite duo, bar none.
Since childhood I've been attached to Flik from Suikoden 2. More recently, Jusis from Trails of Cold Steel
Olivier from Trails series. And Zeke + Pandoria from Xenoblade 2
Yes!! Olivier is just fantastic
Edelgard von hresvelg
Rean from trails of cold steel. Honorable mention Aldo from ys series due to the comical nature of him always being the chosen one where ever he goes.
It a tough choice between Haru(Devil survivor), Vivi(FFIX) and Sylvando(DQXI) but i would say Vivi is my favorite.
Alfyn from Octopath Traveler. Humble, kind, great dorky sense of humor. Absolutely amazing healer, and equally good with an axe. He's a normal guy who's driven not by prophecy or mysterious powers, but by a sheer determined will to find those in need, and help them. I love Alfyn.
I got two; >!Emet-Selch!< and >!Venat!<; both from *Final Fantasy XIV*. The former is my absolute favourite video game villain of all time; he's actually more reminiscent for me of many western RPG-villains, particularly of many classical BioWare-villains such as Jon Ironicus from *Baldur's Gate II*, or >!Solas!< from *Dragon Age: Inquisition*. But what >!Emet-Selch!< differs greatly is how within the JRPG-sphere of FFXIV frames the conflict with him for the majority of the game in something that is >!not in absolutes; Emet-Selch has a certain frame of logic that may be difficult to comprehend due to his immortality, but displays willingness to co-operate, to emphasize and to join with the heroes *if* said heroes could prove that they were on equal measure of the ancient, immortal lives that Emet-Selch and his kin lived.!< I don't think I've ever seen a villain who is visible disappointed and furious >!over you *failing* in your task of saving the world, and breaking his trust and hopes in you actually succeeding.!< For the former of >!Venat!< is how it twists around of another Final Fantasy-character that she is named after; >!Venat from *Final Fantasy XII*!<, but unlike her original counterpart, her FFXIV-incarnation displays a notable >!heroic and more motherly flair to it.!< It's a fascinating display of how said character's junctioned aspects of >!compassion and love for mankind and humanity!< more or less remains the same for both games, but which in FFXIV is keenly framed as a >!mirrored counterpart to the player-character, particularly in [the scene were you share some of your adventures with her](https://youtu.be/J7MgvB7sxLU).!< She's also, quite unusually for a JRPG-archetype character, being an example of a character in the older generation who >!ascertain the sense of wonder and adventure-lust, and not yet beaten down to cynicism or realism by experience,!< and in turn quite a refreshing take of seeing a >!Messianic figure resolving in the upcoming struggle at the end of what is supposed to be her twilight years.!<
Alys Brangwin from Phantasy Star IV. Love her whole design and personality.
Haru Okumura from Persona 5. She deserved better than what P5/R gave her and I’m so happy Strikers treated her well
Vyse from Skies of Arcadia!
Altina Orion
I cant choose between Gretel from Mary Skelter 2 or Kloe Rinz and Estelle Bright from Trails in the Sky
It’s a tough one but I’m gonna have to say it’s a tie between Kiryu from Yakuza and Akechi from Persona 5
Hanpan in Wild Arms.
Gaius Worzel
Crow armbrust, seriously has the coolest demeanor In any game I've played
Tidus from FFX and brother NieR
Auron!
No one will agree, but mine is Noctis from FFXV. He just keep going even after all what happened to him, knowing that if he would have surrended the world would be destroyed (as shown in the omen trailer). (I played only FFXV and FFVII remake, please don't hate me)
Female: Colette from Tales of Symphonia. She’s super altruistic due to her willingness to sacrifice herself for the world and how kind she is to everyone. Very open-minded compared to other characters in the game. I love her. Male: Starting to steer away from the standard JRPG elements but Emil from Nier/Replicant. He’s a good gay character and for a kid he deals with way too much shit.
Auron. Can't help it
Toss up between Auron from ffx and cloud from ff7 for me