The Technomancer
card-carrying scientician
Thread is disturbingly lacking Neku Sakuraba
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Best JRPG protagonists?
- Thread starter Tye The Czar
- Start date
Oh, the male lead and the female lead. That second one is definitely a female-only stereotype.
TheFLYINGManga_Ka
Member
Yeah. I think almost every JRPG with whiny teenagers as protagonists (or in the cast) has those descriptions or something similar along those lines.
Morrigan Stark
Arrogant Smirk
Edge's a good protagonist. Heroic qualities without being perfect, young and naive but never annoying, bold and no-nonsense. He's really impossible to dislike. Not sure if he's my #1, but he's up there.
Count me in as someone who usually prefers side characters to protagonist. I am actually kind of drawing a blank as to who my favourite would be... mute protagonists can be ok but I can't really name any of them as "favourite". Fei's all right, but his personality (
the normal one 
Does Celes count as a protagonist? Always liked her. Fuck whiny Terra, #teamCeles all the way.
I also like the Wild ARMs trio. Rudy is kind of a mute protagonist, but has a really interesting backstory. Cecilia is a bit boring sometimes, but she does have her moments. And Jack is just badass. And he has Hanpan, who is actually a cool animal side-kick. Impossible on paper, but somehow true.
I never played Trails in the Sky but that lady sounds pretty cool, though I'm not really fond of that artwork in the OP. Sounds like I'd like her overall though. Those games are coming out for Steam right?
Yuri whoever also sounds like "my type" from the description of his personality, though I'll admit I thought it was a girl at first... >_> I really hate combat in Tales games though, so I guess I'll have to miss out.
Sigh @ the pose. It never stops, does it?
Have a Nice Day
Member
Sadly none of the protagonists that I like I would consider them as great characters, unless you believe that Balthier really IS the leading man.
CrimsonCrescendo
Banned
The main point of Lightning's arc was to show she wasn't mature and, once she realized that, became so. For the first 10 hours, though, she was
Mrs. Genocide "I'm right, everyone else is wrong" McSnow Hater
the_sun_king
Member
Balthier's the leading man to me.
CrimsonCrescendo
Banned
In our hearts he is. Fuck what SE says.
Definitely have to go with Alex from Lunar: Silver Star Story. I mean just check the avatar. He was often silent but that just made the moments when he did speak up so much more meaningful. This game was my first JRPG and it made me love JRPGs. Alex will always be the best in my book. brb bout to go listen to the Boat Song...
Shogun1337
Junior Member
Yuri Hyuga from Shadow Hearts is the best protagonist ever.
Ahhh a Yuri thread (the Yuri from ToV ain't so bad either).
I've just realized that Yuri is my favorite JRPG main character of all time.
Deified Data
Banned
Same answer I always have to this question:
Demi-Fiend from Nocturne. The strong silent type. Gives me an outlet to play out my godhood fantasies. Reshape the world in my image? Yes, please.
Demi-Fiend from Nocturne. The strong silent type. Gives me an outlet to play out my godhood fantasies. Reshape the world in my image? Yes, please.
one of the best main charactersI'm gonna get a lot of shit for this, but this is my unpopular choice
and antagonists
TheFLYINGManga_Ka
Member
What? You still waiting?Fuck I hope they release Tales of Vesperia for the PS3 in the west.
Kidding aside, the best we can hope for is a Chroncles or collection of some sort for PS4.
Love Deterrence
Member
Persona 4's Investigation Team:
It has been such a long time since I met such an outstanding cast of characters, from top to bottom. From Yu to the best waifu, Risette, the Investigation Team is one of the most diverse groups of protagonists I've ever seen. Not only is each member unique with their own rich back-stories, but they all bring something new to the table and all play a significant role in solving the murder mysteries in Inaba.
It has been such a long time since I met such an outstanding cast of characters, from top to bottom. From Yu to the best waifu, Risette, the Investigation Team is one of the most diverse groups of protagonists I've ever seen. Not only is each member unique with their own rich back-stories, but they all bring something new to the table and all play a significant role in solving the murder mysteries in Inaba.
It's not happening.Fuck I hope they release Tales of Vesperia for the PS3 in the west.
The Kween Yuna.
Obviously because she's a real person with hope no matter how bad the situation is. Humble and genuine too.
I love Yuna she's so kind, FFX was more like her story.
illmatic22
Banned
Yeah he tends to get a raw deal for the popularity and his portrayal in AC but I liked how he was able to accept what had happened and still overcome his problems.
ajim
Member
my man!Stocke from Radiant Historia is the best JRPG protagonist in like...ten years.
It is unreal how good he is.
If you do not agree I will fight you to the death and even if I lose, I will go back in time to a pivotal moment before to fix my mistakes and alter the flow of time to win the argument.
and shulk from xenoblade.
and i love the persona 4 cast.
there's a lot of likeable jrpg protagonist i think.
AntiFacebook
Member
Tidus(FFX)
DigitalDevilSummoner
zero cognitive reasoning abilities
Demi fiend / Zack / Edge Maverick
Psycho_Mantis
Banned
Zack fair and Persona 3 MC
Yuri Hyuga from Shadow Hearts is the best protagonist ever.
Came here to vote Yuri Hyuga but I see that I was beaten to the punch.
Great minds
Yup.
I certainly wouldn't be able to come up with a list of similar length when talking about Western RPGs.
thewhitehawk
Member
There's a severe lack of Final Fantasy Tactics on this thread.
M
Macapala
Unconfirmed Member
Fei & Elly are my picks.
Stocke from Radiant Historia is the best JRPG protagonist in like...ten years.
It is unreal how good he is.
If you do not agree I will fight you to the death and even if I lose, I will go back in time to a pivotal moment before to fix my mistakes and alter the flow of time to win the argument.
That's not Stocke, who is that imposter!?
Also, no love for Chaz ?
He is the leading man.
Best character in 12 imo. Him and Fran made that game for me. Would have loved a "XII-2" spin off staring both of them pirating around in a airship and going on adventures.zerokoolpsx
Member
Jack's backstory is awesome. Rudy was just too quiet and I couldn't relate to Cecilia.
I gotten his quick draw techniques to cost 1 mp with a bunch of secret signs. At that point, Jack started destroying everything, especially with accelerator.
I gotten his quick draw techniques to cost 1 mp with a bunch of secret signs. At that point, Jack started destroying everything, especially with accelerator.
Estelle is already listed so giving Joshua some spotlight. I do like Estelle a lot since her personality is the polar opposite of Joshua.I also like the Wild ARMs trio. Rudy is kind of a mute protagonist, but has a really interesting backstory. Cecilia is a bit boring sometimes, but she does have her moments. And Jack is just badass. And he has Hanpan, who is actually a cool animal side-kick. Impossible on paper, but somehow true.
I never played Trails in the Sky but that lady sounds pretty cool, though I'm not really fond of that artwork in the OP. Sounds like I'd like her overall though. Those games are coming out for Steam right?
GrandHarrier
Member
Criminally underplayed game. Love it! And yeah, Yuri gets an amazing amount of development. But dat second half change.
Damn Yuri, you lift bro?
D
Deleted member 125677
Unconfirmed Member
Mrgrgr!!!!!!!!!!!
At least she is one of my recent favourites.
At least she is one of my recent favourites.
tiggerkiddo
Member
Justin from Grandia. The game pulls no punches but he is able to grow from a kid who wants to go on adventures, to a mature hero. Plus he HAD to prove himself to earn the blessing of the Spirits and the mythical weapon.
Justin (Grandia). Such an upbeat, energetic, adventurous type of guy, fearless and curious. Lovely character, really.
Crono (Chrono Trigger). He's just awesome ^-^
Cloud (Final Fantasy VII). Like other's said, great character progression. He's got the right amount of thoughtfullness & bravery.
Since some people mentioned SRPGs as well...
Ash (Vandal Hearts). Downright good and dedicated. Love it!
adamsapple
Or is it just one of Asha's balls in my throat?
Yuri Hyuga from Shadow Hearts is the best protagonist ever.
These two would be my picks as well.
Great characters, memorable and not overly effeminate like 95% of JRPG heroes.
Put me down for P4. Cast just nails it, and it's nice that Yu actually has input at times unlike silent Minato.
Everyone is the best??
Everyone is the best??
Nightengale
Member
Yuri (Infinite Space) was great, but I have one personal peeve on his development on the second half.
10(?) years in jail? The Count of Monte Cristo 'development in a cell' approach felt kind of wasted, imo. I'm not going to pretend to be a smart-alec, but I felt that it could had been done better, instead of Yuri breaking out just-in-time for that region of space to finally take the threat seriously.
Everything else was great though, from his new title
Yuri The Man
Rhazer Fusion
Member
I like these jokers from Resonance of Rate.
I like the Resonance of Fate guys, Yuri Hyuga from Shadow Hearts, Yuri Lowell from Tales of Vesperia, Kaine and Grimoire Weiss from Neir, Fang and Vanille from FFXIII, Milla from Tales of Xillia and............
Lightning from FF13 series
Earthpainting
Member
I won't lie. This is not the thread I was expecting to see Tales games being brought up in. I'm kind of amazed in a curious way. To each their own, I suppose.
Personally, I'm more partial to some of the older protagonists in the genre. They usually have less development, say a lot less and don't have a defined voice, but I think it usually works in their favour. I'm more than capable of interpreting their actions myself, and I don't need to filter out bad writing or localisations as often or as strongly. I enjoy an Ark or an Adol more than a Tidus or an Estelle.
If I had to pick my absolute favourite, I'd say Vivi is about as good as it gets. The ticks so many boxes for me. He plays on the classic Final Fantasy Black Mage design, while still being instantly recognisable. He goes through an existential crisis for good reasons, which does not only affect him, but also a pretty sizeable plot point. You really feel for him, as he learns more about himself. They also don't cop out on the inevitable "resolution" of his arc either. He's got good chemistry with a lot of the other cast members. A lot of people talk down to him, due to his stature and gawky nature. This stands in stark contrast with characters like Steiner, who display an almost deifying respect to the little guy, due to his ability to use black magic. I also thought he was very useful in the actual combat as well.
Personally, I'm more partial to some of the older protagonists in the genre. They usually have less development, say a lot less and don't have a defined voice, but I think it usually works in their favour. I'm more than capable of interpreting their actions myself, and I don't need to filter out bad writing or localisations as often or as strongly. I enjoy an Ark or an Adol more than a Tidus or an Estelle.
If I had to pick my absolute favourite, I'd say Vivi is about as good as it gets. The ticks so many boxes for me. He plays on the classic Final Fantasy Black Mage design, while still being instantly recognisable. He goes through an existential crisis for good reasons, which does not only affect him, but also a pretty sizeable plot point. You really feel for him, as he learns more about himself. They also don't cop out on the inevitable "resolution" of his arc either. He's got good chemistry with a lot of the other cast members. A lot of people talk down to him, due to his stature and gawky nature. This stands in stark contrast with characters like Steiner, who display an almost deifying respect to the little guy, due to his ability to use black magic. I also thought he was very useful in the actual combat as well.
castaction
Member
daninthemix
Member
The FF6 cast - they're all equally protagonists, but if it has to be one then Locke. Or Terra. Or Celes.
To be fair, its almost exclusively just Yuri being brought up. And he sure deserves it. Such a great protagonist.