Board 8's Top 101 Fictional Characters

A project started by Ed Bellis in March 2012.

PROBABLY inspired from Holy Excalibur's Top 100 lists.

The List
101. James Sunderland (Silent Hill 2) (45; 2 lists) “Don't worry, I'm not crazy... at least, I don't think so.” http://images.wikia.com/silent/images/4/4a/James.jpg

If you want to play a video game with an unreliable narrator, Silent Hill 2 is the game to play. James has traveled to the eponymous ghostly town in search of vague answers, and he must confront his dark and unsavory past to ascertain the truth. Like many of those who wind up in Silent Hill, James is indubitably flawed, and the player must figure out what's truly real along with him.

98 (tie). Obi-Wan Kenobi (Star Wars) (45; 3 lists) “Who's the more foolish? The fool, or the fool who follows him?” http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gXwSxW66PmY/TfIyg-dOWcI/AAAAAAAAAX8/hc1BB2Y2bdI/s1600/Obi-WanClassic.jpg

When we first meet Obi-Wan, he's touted as a crazy hermit living in the desert, filled with all sorts of weird and subversive ideals. Turns out this is actually true, but only from a certain point of view. Obi-Wan acts as Luke Skywalker's mentor to the ways of the Force, just as he had in the prequel trilogy to Luke's father, Anakin. Most of the time Obi-Wan is stoic, with a firm grasp on the situation, but like most good-natured old mentors he has a wry sense of humor.

98 (tie). Charizard (Pokemon) (45; 3 lists) “I'm sorry, but calling Charizard A Pokemon is calling The Fonz a Fonz. He is The Pokemon.” -Haguile http://images.wikia.com/ssb/images/9/95/Charizard.png

The mighty Charizard, perhaps the most well-known and iconic of the first generation Pokemon (not named Pikachu, of course). Charizard is a Flame Pokemon, the final form of Charmander. Its appeal is fairly obvious - it's got nifty flame abilities and dragon-esque ones, as well as the ability to fly. Charizard's had notable roles outside the Pokemon games, becoming 1/3 of a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and nabbing a fair bit of screentime in the Pokemon anime.

98 (tie). The Boss (Metal Gear Solid 3) (45; 3 lists) “In the 21st century everyone will be able to see that we are all just inhabitants of a little celestial body called Earth. A world without communism and capitalism... that is the world I wanted to see. But reality continued to betray me.” http://images.wikia.com/metalgear/images/7/79/Mgs3-5.jpg

The Boss is, in many respects, where the Metal Gear Solid series begins. She is the woman who trained Naked Snake (who would eventually be known as Big Boss) in the ways of combat, and her worldview shaped the decisions of many who would come to follow in her footsteps. As a character, the Boss's true motivations and allegiances throughout Metal Gear Solid 3 keep the player guessing, and it's only at the end when the truth is finally revealed.

97. Scar (The Lion King) (45; 4 lists) “I know it sounds sordid / But you'll be rewarded / When at last I am given my dues / And injustice deliciously squared / Be prepared!” http://images.wikia.com/disneyvillains/images/6/61/Scar4.jpg

Scar wants to be the king of Pride Rock. Problem is, his brother Mufasa has the throne, and Mufasa's son Simba is next in line. So Scar devises a little fratricidal plan to ensure he gets what he desires... The Lion King is one of Disney's most beloved animated films, and Jeremy Irons's seductively evil performance as Scar certainly helps.

96. Yang Wenli (Legend of the Galactic Heroes) (46; 2 lists) “Nobody does anything until he gets an opportunity.” http://thecartdriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Yang-Wenli.jpg

Yang is a renowned military hero who prefers humility over showmanship (a contrast to the series' other protagonist, Reinhard von Lohengramm), and despite his triumphs on the battlefield and his genius-level tactical mind, he is unwilling to take actions that could potentially risk democracy. He and Reinhard are thus good foils for one another. Also look at that face. That is the face of space democracy right there.

92 (tie). Lightning (Final Fantasy XIII) (46; 3 lists) “Maybe Cocoon is past saving, but it's our home. And we'll protect it or die trying! We live to make the impossible possible! That is our Focus!” http://images.wikia.com/finalfantasy/images/c/c6/FFXIII-Lightning_CG.png

Like so many Final Fantasy protagonists, Lightning is a strong-willed determined leader-type whose approach to difficult enemies is to assault them head-on... but difficult personal problems pose a challenge for her. She must grapple with the threat to her world as well as learn what it means to be a leader and a friend to those around her.

92 (tie). Hermione Granger (Harry Potter) (46; 3 lists) Hermione: It's sort of exciting, isn't it? Breaking the rules! Ron: Who are you and what have you done with Hermione Granger? http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100705200954/harrypotter/images/thumb/9/95/DeathlyPromo_Hermione.PNG/250px-DeathlyPromo_Hermione.PNG

The obvious brains between the trio of herself, Harry, and Ron, Hermione is the one most likely to stay cool in a crisis, applying the skills she's learned at Hogwarts to whatever situation arises. She's the superego to counteract Ron's id, giving Harry a shoulder to lean on and a good dose of morality at the same time. And though she's the smartest girl in school by far, Hermione comes to learn that there are things more important than what you can read in a book.

92 (tie). Uncle Ruckus (The Boondocks) (46; 3 lists) “This is just more proof that the white man made a tragic misjudgment when he made it legal to teach n****s to read and write. Paint faster! Oh what? What? You call that art? Huh? Ain't no n**** ever been good at drawing! If Michelangelo had been black, Jesus would look like George Jefferson! Keep painting!” http://www.morethings.com/fan/boondocks/uncle_ruckus/uncle-ruckus160.jpg

The Boondocks is a show that thrives on loud, uncomfortable opinions, but Uncle Ruckus is a man who comes to caricaturize the self-loathing in the black community. Ruckus constantly tosses around racial epithets, fervently downplays or denies his own blackness, and insists black people were better off as slaves and that the only way they can get into Heaven is by admitting to God how terrible they are. He also threw bricks at Martin Luther King Jr. (but missed).

92 (tie). Johan Liebert (Monster) (46; 3 lists) “I saw hell right there in his eyes. Hell, in the eyes of a living human being.” -Hans Schuwald http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn178/Mumei7/Monster/JohanLiebert11.jpg

Cold, cruel, and ruthlessly sociopathic - that's Johan Liebert, the titular “Monster.” Johan's stated goal is to be the last one standing at the end of the world, and throughout the series he takes steps to ensure this, manipulating people with his natural charm and effectiveness. Johan is often likened to the Devil and is referred to as the next Hitler at one point; through his actions and, at times, his story, Monster delves into the depths of what mankind is capable of.