As the memo states, this is an updated version of my old list of favorite characters. I’ve decided to reformat it somewhat- I’ll be doing the favorite male character, favorite female character, and some runner-ups, but, in cases where a large group of characters are all runner-ups, I’ll only put pictures of the top favorites. All of the descriptions have changed, and some characters have been moved/removed. I’m trying to condense it into only the ones I really like a lot and the runner ups. Unless stated otherwise, the male is always the top favorite-most of my favorites just happen to be male. Also, be aware of the fact that this list is quite long (13 pages in Word, without images).
Important for one-shots: While they all are favorites, I’m not nearly as attached to some as I am to others (which should be readily apparent if you read the descriptions), and there aren’t actually a lot I’d want to read/be in a one-shot about, especially since those are romantic 99.9999% of the time. Also, if you are thinking of writing me a one-shot, either in exchange for a full-scale reference sheet of your OC, or out of the goodness of your heart, please note that I really dislike lemons, so don’t write me one. For your convenience, I’ll have a line of text (“One-shot for favorite male?: yes/no”) telling you whether or not I’d like a one-shot for that character. This only applies to male characters, and only to the favorite males, NOT the runner-ups.
This list is in chronological order, going from newest to oldest fandom. Pictures are below the descriptions.
Tales of Vesperia (XBOX 360)
I’m not entirely sure what made me decide this, but one day, I decided I wanted to get this game, so I did. Now, I’ve had it for less than four months, and have already logged over 130 hours playing the game. It should come as no surprise that this is already one of my favorite games ever. I’m awaiting the day they release the movie here this year (even though I already saw it subbed).
Fandom Status: Current. I try to play every day, if I can.
Favorite Male Character: Yuri Lowell
Favorite Female Character: I actually don’t have one, but I have nothing against any of the girls in the party. I DO have a least favorite female (not playable), though…
Runner-Up(s): Pretty much the entire party (except Patty from the Japanese PS3 version, I don’t know enough about her), I have no problems with anyone, really.
One-shot for favorite male?: Yes. He’s pretty much the favorite among favorites.
A bit about my favorites: At the risk of sounding dangerously fangirly, I can honestly say that there’s nothing about Yuri that I dislike, at all. I liked his personality from the very beginning, and his lines always manage to make me laugh. We actually have a great deal in common- we share tastes in food, character alignment, housekeeping ability (or lack thereof), assorted views, a good deal of personality traits (but not all of them), and both have a best friend who has a lot of opposite traits, among other things. There are definitely some differences, but there are a lot more similarities. He happens to be not only my current favorite among all of my favorite characters, he also holds the record for the fastest I’ve ever ended up liking any character so completely, ever. It’s hard for me to put exactly what it is that makes me like him into words, especially without, as stated above, sounding “dangerously fangirly.” At the risk of doing so anyway, I’ll say that there’s nobody with the level of ability to distract me that he has, anywhere. He’s the reason it took me double the usual time to write a paper last month.
Final Fantasy XII (PS2)
I ended up liking my favorite character from this game by encountering him in Dissidia Duodecim Final Fantasy (PSP), so I decided to go out and buy the game he originally came from.
Fandom Status: Pretty current, but I don’t play as often as I used to.
Favorite Male Character: Vaan
Favorite Female Character: I don’t have one, really. I don’t mind Fran, but I’m none too fond of Ashe or Penelo, honestly. I don’t hate them, though.
Runner-Up(s): Balthier
One-shot for favorite male?: Yes.
A bit about my favorites: Vaan grew on me after a while- I kind of overlooked him initially, but when I played through his story mode a second time, I started to like him. He’s my best character in Dissidia Duodecim, hands down, since he suits my preferred play style so well. I got FFXII because I’d already started to like him, and wanted to learn more about him and the game he came from. He’s the one I control when I’m playing FFXII. He’s also the first male character I like that I actually drew with any frequency, and his clothing being the way it is forced me to improve at male anatomy somewhat (as far as the upper body is concerned, anyway). This probably has something to do with the fact that he was a fangirl crush for a while.
Balthier narrowly escaped being disliked, initially, because lots of Vaan’s haters (and there are A LOT of them) tend to put Vaan down, using Balthier as an example of a “better” character. Instead of pre-judging him and hating him for that, I played the game, and actually found him pretty amusing. He, along with Vaan and Fran, are my active party in FFXII.
Final Fantasy XIII (XBOX360)
My little sister wanted to get the game, so I took her to the mall to get it the day I got FFXII. Somehow, I ended up being WAY ahead of her in the game (last disc)…
Fandom Status: Pretty current, but I’m stuck (which rarely happens) and angry at Vanille right now.
Favorite Male Character: Hope Estheim
Favorite Female Character: Lightning Farron
Runner-Up(s): I’m cool with everyone in the party except Vanille, and it’s not just because it’s pretty much her fault I’m stuck.
One-shot for favorite male?: No, I foresee it being too awkward.
A bit about my favorites: I like Lightning because she’s a girl who can actually fight. Nobody has to rush in like a knight in shining armor to save her. Even if she comes off as mean and cold and somewhat overprotective, as an older sister myself, I can see where she’s coming from. She has the distinction of being one among very few favorite female characters I have. I like her design enough to cosplay her, but her costume is always expensive, and I have doubts about the ability of colored contacts that light to cover my natural eye color.
Hope I like because of the way his character develops. He starts out one way, but he changes quite a bit as the story progresses. He’s also always there to heal me, something Vanille never seems to do when I need her to.
Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children & Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core (Movie, PSP)
My best friend showed me the movie, and got me into Crisis Core (which I, in turn, got my little sister into). I haven’t gotten to play FFVII itself due to it being rare and EXPENSIVE now, but I know the story and characters pretty well.
Fandom Status: Semi-current
Favorite Male Character: Reno
Favorite Female Character: Tifa Lockhart
Runner-Up(s): Zack Fair and Aerith Gainsborough. Cloud Strife, too.
One-shot for favorite male?: Yes.
A bit about my favorites: Reno, I liked instantly (as my best friend predicted I would), because of his personality. I could watch the scenes he’s in over and over, and never be less amused than I was the first time I saw them. They’re all pretty memorable.
Tifa, I liked for similar reasons, different though they are. I also like her because she’s not a typical “female spellcaster” type (though I don’t dislike those), and can actually physically fight. I cosplayed her at Comic Con 2011 (in her Advent Children costume, thought it suited me better). I also play as her in Dissidia Duodecim.
Zack is hard not to like, and it’s a terrible shame that he ended up the way he did (spoilers). While I never crushed on him, I always thought he was a likeable character. He’s the kind of person it’s hard to stay upset around.
Aerith I like because of her personality. While she is one of the “staff chick” type of characters, it’s not like someone with her ability set isn’t useful, even after spoilers that probably aren’t spoilers anymore.
Cloud is a cool character as well, and I can’t dislike him. It sort of amuses me that a guy who fights villains like Sephiroth, carries around a huge sword, and has as much baggage as he does gets along nicely with children, since it’s not something you’d usually expect. I play as him in the Dissidia games, and he was my first character to reach level 100.
Kingdom Hearts II & 358/2 Days (PS2/DS)
Since the last list, I acquired KHII, and, later, 358/2 days. My favorite characters for these two games are the same.
Fandom Status: Semi-current. I don’t really play these days, but I might grab Dream Drop Distance when it comes out.
Favorite Male Character: Roxas
Favorite Female Character: None. I’m terrible for having so few favorite females…
Runner-Up(s): Axel and Sora
One-shot for favorite male?: Maybe
A bit about my favorites: Roxas grew on me during the KHII prologue enough that he became a favorite character. That inspired me to get Days, since he’s the main playable character there. I liked that he wasn’t too much like Sora, despite their connection.
Sora is my original favorite from the Kingdom Hearts series, and I don’t like him less than I did then (lack of any fangirl crush aside), even though I’ve seen quite a few people who like Org. XIII members decide they dislike him.
Axel grew on me much later than the other two. This probably had something to do with me getting to know him and playing him in a roleplay I did with my best friend. He’s actually a lot of fun to play.
It’s also worth noting that I don’t ship any of these characters as pairings, or anyone else in the series, unlike many KH fans.
Left 4 Dead 1&2 (XBOX 360)
I found out about the game online, and listened to some voice clips for the survivors on YouTube. I thought they were hilarious, so I ran out and got the game a few days later. I liked the first one, so I bought the second one, which I like even more. Normally, I’m not so drawn to shooters but the dialogue and the fact that I can shoot, blow up and set fire to zombies helps.
Fandom Status: Semi-current. It’s been a long time since I’ve played, but I feel like going back and hacking through zombies right now.
Favorite Male Character: Ellis (L4D2) and Francis (L4D)
Favorite Female Character: None …
Runner-Up(s): Everyone but Rochelle. She isn’t as witty as the others, always steals my medkits, and I’m still mad at her for ruining a great high-difficulty run.
One-shot for favorite male?: No.
A bit about my favorites: Ellis became a favorite pretty much as soon as he started talking. He’s the character I always play as, and my overall favorite of the series. I always enjoyed his stories, and would tell my brother to wait for him to finish whenever he tried to prematurely open the safe room door.
Francis I thought was cool from the intro movie onward. It always amused me that he called the zombies vampires. Some of his lines also amused me, and, when I wasn’t playing as him, he usually came to help me when I needed it, which was nice. I do have a rather amusing memory of saving him from a Witch, though.
Touhou Project (PC)
My friend linked me to a vocal arrange of one of the characters’ boss themes, so I investigated the games. I ended up downloading them, and have everything from Embodiment of Scarlet Devil to Ten Desires- except Great Fairy Wars.
Fandom Status: Semi-current. I play when I’m bored and have nothing to distract me. If you play this, you know why that’s important.
Favorite Male Character: There ARE no males in the actual games, Unzan (who is basically a giant pink cloud) notwithstanding.
Favorite Female Character: Marisa Kirisame, Alice Margatroid, Shikieiki Yamaxanadu, Fujiwara no Mokou, Captain Minamitsu Murasa, Koishi Komeiji and Satori Komeiji.
Runner-Up(s): I also like Sakuya Izayoi, Byakuren Hijiri, Sanae Kotiya and Yukari Yakumo. There are very few I actually dislike.
One-shot for favorite male?: There are none.
A bit about my favorites: I like the designs, powers and personalities of these characters, and their boss and stage themes as well. If there are any Touhou fans out there, you’ll know what I mean when I say that Marisa B (Master Spark, usually) is my favorite player character.
Tales of the Abyss (PS2, Anime)
My best friend got the game and introduced me to it, so I ended up ordering it online (it’s not made here anymore), and, eventually, downloading all of the episodes of the anime based on the game. I’m waiting for Valentine’s Day, because it’s the release date of the 3DS port of this game. It’s easily one of my favorite games ever.
Fandom Status: Current. While I haven’t played the game in a while, I’m awaiting the day when I can grab the port for my 3DS. Then I can take it everywhere.
Favorite Male Character: Luke fon Fabre
Favorite Female Character: None. I actually liked Tear at first, but then…
Runner-Up(s): Guy Cecil. Jade Curtiss and Ion are likeable too.
One-shot for favorite male?: Yes. He’s the runner up to the top spot for favorite characters.
A bit about my favorites: Luke I always liked, even before he cut his hair and got an attitude adjustment- something that confounds me to this day, since I normally go insane when people complain like that. I think it’s because I understood where he was coming from. We actually have quite a few things in common, including but not limited to: similar relationships with parents, having been shut in our houses (him much longer than me, though, and I could sort of leave but not really), and, at one point or another, similar…fashion sense (it’s the jackets). For these reasons and many more, he’s the runner up for overall favorite of favorites, and is a long-standing fangirl crush (which is not something I say often), and the one who replaced the longest standing one.
Guy I like because of his personality, and because he came across as nicer than most of the other party members. I didn’t find him to have any intolerable character flaws, either, and overall, he’s a likeable character.
Death Note (Anime)
I was introduced to this by my best friend. I never got to finish watching it, but I’m fully aware or how it ends and everything.
Fandom Status: No longer current.
Favorite Male Character: L Lawliet.
Favorite Female Character: I don’t have one. Again.
Runner-Up(s): None.
One-shot for favorite male?: No.
A bit about my favorites: This (like a few other fandoms) has me choosing a character opposite to my best friend’s chosen character- she chose Light, I chose L. There’s just something cool about L, and I like how he’s not like everyone’s vision of the typical detective. He also shares my fondness for sweet foods.
Rozen Maiden (Anime)
I discovered this after seeing a picture of Suigintou in a result right here, on Quizilla. I later recognized her picture elsewhere, and that led me to watch the series. I finished the first season, but couldn’t finish Traumend due to difficulties with the episodes, which wouldn’t play.
Fandom Status: No longer current.
Favorite Male Character: None.
Favorite Female Character: Suigintou and Souseiseki
Runner-Up(s): None.
One-shot for favorite male?: There isn’t one.
A bit about my favorites: Suigintou was the one who got me into the series in the first place- if I hadn’t seen her picture here, I wouldn’t have discovered it. I like Souseiseki because of her design, and because of her personality, which isn’t as extreme as most of the other dolls.
Naruto (Anime, Gamecube, Wii)
I used to watch this on Cartoon Network, when it still aired, and played the fighting games that came out for the two systems I listed above. After that, I watched subbed episodes for a while, but I’ve lost interest.
Fandom Status: No longer current.
Favorite Male Character: Haku
Favorite Female Character: Hinata
Runner-Up(s): Sai, Sasori and Deidara
One-shot for favorite male?: No.
A bit about my favorites: Haku became a favorite shortly after he was introduced, and I was pretty upset when he died. I always played as him in the fighting games he was in, and he’s the record holder for pretty much all of my records.
Hinata, I like because she isn’t obnoxious like a lot of the other girls. She tries hard, and she’s actually pretty capable.
Sai and Deidara both amused me, for different reasons, and Sasori I thought was pretty cool. Just for the record, I don’t ship anyone here with anyone else listed.
Tales of Symphonia (Gamecube)
Discovered through, of all things, an avatar chat, which I recognized Sheena (as someone’s avatar) from. I decided to get the game after recognizing her on the box art, and I’m really glad I did. This, along with Abyss and Vesperia, is one of my top favorite games.
Fandom Status: Current. I need to play more, and find that new OVA episode, if it’s out yet. It’s supposed to be…
Favorite Male Character: Mithos Yggdrasill
Favorite Female Character: Sheena Fujibayashi, Colette Brunel
Runner-Up(s): Zelos Wilder, of all people (I used to actually hate him)
One-shot for favorite male?: Yes
A bit about my favorites: Mithos became a favorite pretty much instantly, and I continued to like him even after spoilers happened. I still do. He was my longest running fangirl crush (it lasted a few years) until he was replaced by a more recent one. He really needs to be in more quizzes, even the “Which ToS Character Are You?” quizzes tend to leave him out.
Sheena is my favorite female playable character, and the reason I got into Tales of Symphonia (and the Tales series itself) in the first place. I considered cosplaying her once, and I still might, if I have enough money to get a second costume.
Colette never annoyed me, even if she bothered other people who played the game. Even if she’s always getting kidnapped, she’s still a pleasant character.
Zelos is an example of one of those incredibly rare times where I ended up liking a character I initially hated. My first impression of him was “obnoxious pain in my ass/pervert”, but he managed to grow on me enough to end up on this list, years later. Multiple playthroughs and the OVA really helped his case. It’s not a love-hate relationship, though, I’m not fangirling over him.
Kingdom Hearts & KH: Chain of Memories (PS2, GBA)
My younger brother got it for the PS2 (which is now mine). I never got to beat the game, since it was in his room and I haven’t had time yet, but I DID make it to the very end of Chain of Memories on the Game Boy Advance. I’m not a die-hard fan, or anything, but they are pretty good games.
Fandom Status: Semi-current. If I play, I mostly play the more recent games.
Favorite Male Character: Sora
Favorite Female Character: None. This should be a recurring theme by now, if you’re reading from the top.
Runner-Up(s): None.
One-shot for favorite male?: No.
A bit about my favorites: I liked Sora pretty much right away, even if the concept of whacking things with a giant key was a little strange to me at first. I had something of a little fangirl crush on him a really long time ago, but, as the “no” in the above slot should indicate, not anymore.
Soul Calibur II, IV & Legends (Gamecube, XBOX 360, Wii)
I first played Soul Calibur in an arcade, and went on to get Soul Calibur II for the Gamecube soon after. Years later, I got Soul Calibur Legends (Wii spinoff, RPG style) and Soul Calibur 4.
Fandom Status: Semi-current, waiting for Soul Calibur V to be released.
Favorite Male Character: Siegfried Schtauffen
Favorite Female Character: Taki
Runner-Up(s): Iska Farkas
One-shot for favorite male?: No.
A bit about my favorites: Taki was my original favorite, and my best character in the fighting games (normal ones, not Legends).
I tried out Siegfried one day (in another form), then went on to play as him in 4 and Legends. I was right about him (in a good way), but I won’t say about what, because of spoilers.
Due to him being not playable, I never did get to play as Iska, who wasn’t a favorite at first. When I first saw him, my reaction was along the lines of “Huh? Who is this guy imparting quest information on my screen?”. After a few cutscene comments and such, he started to grow on me-then the spoilers happened, though he remained a favorite anyway. It should also be noted that the internet hates him- even my secret image source doesn’t have a single picture of him, and it has pictures of everything.
Guilty Gear (Arcade, Wii, DS)
I first played this game in an arcade while on vacation, many years ago. I eventually acquired the DS and Wii titles.
Fandom Status: No longer current, but I’d still play if brought near an arcade machine of it.
Favorite Male Character: Bridget (It’s not a mistyping, he’s a boy who dresses like a girl, long story)
Favorite Female Character: Baiken
Runner-Up(s): Dizzy
One-shot for favorite male?: No, that’d be really awkward.
A bit about my favorites: Baiken was my original favorite, and my best character. I decided to try out Bridget and Dizzy, who grew on me after a while.
Sonic the Hedgehog (Dreamcast, Gamecube, GBA)
I discovered it through a Sonic Adventure demo that came with the Dreamcast. I later got Sonic Adventure 2 for the Dreamcast, then Sonic Adventure 2 Battle for the Gamecube, followed by Sonic Heroes.
Fandom Status: No longer current.
Favorite Male Character: Shadow
Favorite Female Character: Amy, somehow.
Runner-Up(s): I actually don’t mind most of the cast.
One-shot for favorite male?: No. Just no.
A bit about my favorites: A bit about my favorites: Initially, I wasn’t too fond of Shadow as I played through the game, but he’d grown on me by the end , and ended up my favorite. As for Amy, I have no idea why I like her, since I normally don’t like characters like her. I just do… Please note, everyone, that I have NEVER had a character crush on ANYONE in the Sonic series. Also, I do NOT ship these two as a couple. Actually, I don’t ship anyone at all.
.hack//SIGN (Anime)
I was into this a long, long time ago, and so were two of my friends. I used to stay up after midnight watching it when it was still airing.
Fandom Status: Non longer current, haven’t seen it in years.
Favorite Male Character: Tsukasa
Favorite Female Character: None
Runner-Up(s): None
One-shot for favorite male?: No
A bit about my favorites: I rather liked Tsukasa while the show was airing, and he was one of my earliest favorite anime characters. I connected pretty well at the time, and probably still would, if I ever saw the anime again.
Yu Yu Hakusho (Anime)
I and my friends were very into this, long ago. I actually went back and watched some of the old episodes a year or two (maybe three) ago.
Fandom Status: No longer current, but I still feel nostalgic on the rare occasion I see stuff for it here on Quizilla.
Favorite Male Character: Hiei
Favorite Female Character: I don’t remember if I had one.
Runner-Up(s): I don’t remember disliking anyone that wasn’t an outright villain.
One-shot for favorite male?: No
A bit about my favorites: Hiei was one of my absolute favorite characters in the past. I remember always wanting to get at least one of the YYH games, but I was too afraid to ask my mom to buy one for me. To this day, I still haven’t gotten one, but I guess it’s a little pointless now. If I’m not mistaken, YYH was the first fandom I ever roleplayed.
Final Fantasy IX (PS1)
This game had a large impact on a lot of the things that appear in my life today, and was home to my very first character crush, way back when. My dad randomly brought it home one day, which is actually pretty unlike the way he was back then…
Fandom Status: No longer current, but I still play Zidane in Dissidia/Dissidia Duodecim.
Favorite Male Character: Zidane Tribal
Favorite Female Character: Princess Garnet Til Alexandros XVII (Dagger)
Runner-Up(s): None.
One-shot for favorite male?: No.
A bit about my favorites: Zidane is probably one of the most influential favorites I’ve ever had- he started my fascination with thief characters, among other things. He’s even had a subconscious influence on a character I created for a novel- a thief (female, though) with a similar hairstyle (which I realized 3 yrs. later) and, now that I think about it, a somewhat similar outlook on life, and, though they do have major differences, I can definitely see how he managed to influence her design after all these years. It amazes me. Actually, I think he’s managed to influence a lot of my prototype thief characters. I wonder what kind of characters I’d be writing if I’d never encountered him…
Garnet, I liked when I encountered her, but the connection wasn’t nearly as strong as with Zidane.
Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon (Anime)
The very first anime I watched. If not for this show, I’d likely be a very different person today.
Fandom Status: No longer current, but it’s not like I don’t care about it anymore at all.
Favorite Male Character: None.
Favorite Female Character: Rei Hino (Sailor Mars), Minako Aino (Sailor Venus), Yaten Kou (Sailor Star Healer), Seiya Kou (Sailor Star Fighter), Hotaru Tomoe (Sailor Saturn), Makoto Kino (Sailor Jupiter) and Setsuna Meiou (Sailor Pluto)
Runner-Up(s): None, but I don’t mind most of the rest of the cast. Usagi and Chibiusa grate on my nerves sometimes (all the time, for Chibiusa) though.
One-shot for favorite male?: There isn’t one.
A bit about my favorites: Sailor Mars was my first favorite anime character ever, followed by Sailor Saturn. The rest of them grew on me over a VERY large span of time, but all of them I like for their personalities. I have a good bit in common with most of them in one way or another, but perhaps I have the most in common with Jupiter, both of us being physically strong girls with dark hair who can cook and have some similar interests. Beyond that, we’re not that similar, though.
The Legend of Zelda (N64, GB Color, Gamecube, GBA, DS, Wii, 3DS)
The very first videogame fandom I really joined. It all started when I got Ocarina of Time for Christmas forever ago, and it continues- I got the 3DS remake of the same game this Christmas, along with Skyward Sword.
Fandom Status: Current, I play OoT on my 3DS all the time. I’m already at the end of the game. I’ve also started Skyward Sword, and am about halfway through.
Favorite Male Character: Link and Sheik
Favorite Female Character: Princess Zelda
Runner-Up(s): I like pretty much everyone that isn’t Ganondorf or a villain.
One-shot for favorite male?: No
A bit about my favorites: Link, I pretty much grew up with, since I’ve been playing the games for most of my lifespan. I always play as him in the Super Smash Bros. games, too. I’ve never actually had a crush on Link, but he’s always been one of my favorite characters. If there’s any sort of real-life relationship analog, it’d be more like “childhood friend” than “crush”.
Sheik, I actually didn’t like much as a kid, because he got in my way when I wanted to put back the Master Sword before doing the Forest Temple, which was frustrating, since there were things I’d wanted to do. Now, I harbor him no ill will (obviously), and am happy to see him when he shows up to teach warp songs. I was also pretty amused (perhaps too amused?) when he dove off the tree by the warp pad in Lake Hylia after the Water Temple on this most recent playthrough. Didn’t remember that at all. Also, I like his theme song. [Also, before anyone says Sheik isn’t really male, the game itself calls him “young man”, regardless of true identity.]
Zelda I always liked, even though she didn’t get much screen time. I used to have so much fun as a kid, sneaking past the guards (something I still enjoy doing to this day) to see her. I sometimes play as her and Sheik in the Super Smash Bros. games as well, and I happen to like her latest incarnation in Skyward Sword, too.
