DARKPLANT RISING Posted May 5, 2011 Report Share Posted May 5, 2011 I've come to the conclusion that in any franchise involving a story with any decent plot, regardless of manga, anime, motion picture, a book, a story with an array of memorable characters stays in my mind for a long time. In anime Death Note, Eva; movies Pirates of the *too lazy to search spelling*; books Bartimaeus, PJ, Demonata, etc... A memorable character doesn't have to have like, a dozen unique things like L. Though I doubt people here even know his name, the character "Rupert Devereaux", London's PM from the Bartimaeus Trilogy, really stayed in my mind after finishing Book 3. Those who know how he was last written will understand - the shattering of a once glorious and charming man that leaves a chill down your spine. Discuss on memorable characters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tourmaline Posted May 5, 2011 Report Share Posted May 5, 2011 May I use Lelouch of Code Geass as an example? Considering his role as main protagonist, he was also quite unique for one. In secret, he was more of an anti-hero, but he eventually ended up making himself the main antagonist, although that was obvious the entire series. What I like is not only that being unique, but I've lately rethought about it, and I believe he could be either a modern Jesus figure, or a simple victim to the Oedipus Complex. Either those, or I could be overinterpreting and looking foolish. I don't care, either way. In a very short summary, that is why I enjoyed him. I need to read a bit more literature, though. The characters are also the only thing in Bleach that were decent. I absolutely loved Gin, but that is something else. Should I read the Bartimaeus trilogy? I've heard of it, but I have not taken intitiative. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DARKPLANT RISING Posted May 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2011 Bartimaeus is a must-read if you love dark fantasy and don't mind advanced English. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AsianGuy1137 Posted May 5, 2011 Report Share Posted May 5, 2011 [quote]May I use Lelouch of Code Geass as an example? Considering his role as main protagonist, he was also quite unique for one. In secret, he was more of an anti-hero, but he eventually ended up making himself the main antagonist, although that was obvious the entire series. What I like is not only that being unique, but I've lately rethought about it, and I believe he could be either a modern Jesus figure, or a simple victim to the Oedipus Complex. Either those, or I could be overinterpreting and looking foolish. I don't care, either way.[/quote] Maybe I'm misunderstanding, but he seems more like a Batman-esque vigilante who does what he believes is right and makes the ultimate sacrifice in the end. Also, how is he a victim of the Oedipus Complex? As far as my AP Psych education, as limited as it is, goes my understanding of the Oedipus Complex is basically that a little boy has fantasies of engaging in inappropriate relations with his mother while harboring a secret hatred for his father (pretty twisted). I've always thought that the archetypal tragic heroes who seem to be perfect in every single way save for one flaw were fascinating. Light/Raito from the Death Note series comes to mind. He believed in creating a perfect utopia by creating a virtual authoritative dictatorship in the hopes that it would promote the general welfare of the world by eliminating everyone he deemed corrupt. It started out only with the condemned serial criminals, but eventually, he starts changing the world to instill an absolute system of justice in which only the purest and innocent people could thrive in. The moral ambiguity the series evokes is a disturbing reflection on how flawed our own concept of justice might be and reveals that at our core as humans, we all have a darker side that can easily be swayed to commit atrocities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brushfire Posted May 5, 2011 Report Share Posted May 5, 2011 [quote name='AsianGuy1137' timestamp='1304630708' post='5190121'] Also, how is he a victim of the Oedipus Complex? As far as my AP Psych education, as limited as it is, goes my understanding of the Oedipus Complex is basically that a little boy has fantasies of engaging in inappropriate relations with his mother while harboring a secret hatred for his father (pretty twisted). [/quote] Ah, the research of Sigmond Freud. Anyway, notable characters. L is quite notable as previously stated simply because he's so unique (his quirky little traits, the way he sits, his eyes, the way he deducts things as opposed to the usual of those characters). Hmm, Holden Caufield is quite a memorable character just because he hates everything and it's so easy to relate to as a teenager. Who else is quite memorable in literature... (I'm chatting to myself), Albus Dumbledore for me. He's a rather typical "I know everything" character but the quotes given to him are just great. Going back to anime, definitely Tomoya Okazaki. He again is a rather typical character in romance/harem anime's but he's brilliant- I ended up role-modelling myself after him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fusion X. Denver Posted May 6, 2011 Report Share Posted May 6, 2011 In anime, Kamina. A good set of morals, a righteous attitude, a laugh-inducing behavior, he makes an impact on everyone he meets. Even after his tragic downfall, his influence affects major and minor characters of Gurren Lagann throughout the entire series, being mentioned in every single episode and his awesome catchphrases being reused in others. In cartoons, Bugs Bunny. You would be very hard-pressed to find an individual with at least a shred of a sense of humor that wouldn't laugh at his antics and interactions with other memorable Looney Tunes. Not much else to say besides he's just as recognized as Mickey Mouse around the world and he starred in decent live-action films (Michael Jordan and Brendan Fraser team-ups ftw). In classic literature, Atticus Finch. He's an exemplary role model, the epitome of the best qualities of man. When I was a kid, I'd always want to step into a character's shoes when someone like Bob Ewell spits in the main character's face and give him a good one-two, but Atticus considered the other Ewells with Bob possibly taking out his rage on them, so he simply wipes the spit off and walks away without a word. Even if my school forced me to read the book, I was still blown away by this character and have since then lowered my violent tendencies, now being somewhat of a half-pacifist. In modern literature, Albus Dumbledore. His wisdom is unparalleled in the HP universe and almost everyone who's heard of Harry Potter knows about Dumbledore and his whimsical, yet charismatic character. He's among my favorites in the series and in the last few books, I grew to appreciate him more as a character when exploring his development based on his interaction with Harry. Finding out he was gay was a bit of a shocker too. In movies, I want to say Heath Ledger's Joker. I used to go to computer camp when I was younger, I couldn't tell you how many other kids in the camp kept quoting him and praising the Dark Knight as the best movie of all time. Even today, fanboys all over the country and even the world remember the TDK Joker and his chilling demeanor with memorable mannerisms and quotes. In comics, Spider-Man. I always liked seeing Batman and other famous heroes, but never really identified with them or felt as close to them as I do Spidey. His life sucks a lot of the time and that makes you wish for things to get better and when they finally do, it feels all the more rewarding and joyous than it would for heroes with average lives. He's not the strongest, not the smartest, not the fastest, nor the most-respected, but his sense of responsibility hits home in establishing his morals and character and gives the impression that this guy is really cool for fighting to protect others, sacrificing his own selfish needs in the ultimate act of selflessness. In the Ultimate universe, [spoiler ahead] [color="#FFFFFF"]Captain America better re-think his opinion of the web-slinger after he took a bullet for him despite knowing CA didn't particularly care for him. Seriously.[/color] In video games, Mario. He's the Everyman, the most iconic, the simple yet entrancing, the one with wide audience appeal, he's garnered fans in multiple genres and kick-started a revolution amongst the industry for his awesome games and others that were inspired upon his likeness. He's a man of few words, has a multitude of story lines and ways to play, and is guaranteed a good game more often than not. I know a lot of these characters are considered overrated or mainstream, but I still think there's something to be said about a character that's able to gain favoritism from so many people, despite the amount of credit they earn for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bahamut - Envoy of the End Posted May 6, 2011 Report Share Posted May 6, 2011 Lyra from His Dark Materials stayed in my mind for a while. Ford Perfect, Zaphod Beedlebrox and Marvin from Hitchhikers were all throughly brilliant. Also, because I consider it a story, Vivi from Final Fantasy 9. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squidward Tentacles Posted May 7, 2011 Report Share Posted May 7, 2011 I personally think that Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark from the Hunger Games series are truly memorable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AsianGuy1137 Posted May 7, 2011 Report Share Posted May 7, 2011 I've always heard great things about the Hunger Games. Gotta check that out sometime; I hear they're making a movie of it. Another character that comes to mind is Kenshin from the Rurouni Kenshin manga. He's always so nice and respectful of people, no matter who they are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaos Number: Card Master Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 Agreed with General Katniss is friekin awesome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MortalKombatSmoke Posted June 22, 2011 Report Share Posted June 22, 2011 A memorable character? Since this is the Literature Section I'll stick to novels I've read... hmm... I must say Edmond Dantes from [u]The Count of Monte Cristo[/u] was one of the more memorable characters I've read over the years. His lust for revenge, oh he had a passion for it, yet somehow he practiced good morals and was the prime example of Revenge is a Dish best Served cold. I loved this character and the book. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Umbra Posted June 26, 2011 Report Share Posted June 26, 2011 Detta Walker from the Dark Tower series, although near every single character in the books qualify. I don't know how King pulls it off, but he somehow manages to make almost all of his main cast memorable, and even some of the lesser-known cast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwarven King Posted July 20, 2011 Report Share Posted July 20, 2011 [quote name='Darkplant - PAIN' timestamp='1304569740' post='5189001']A memorable character doesn't have to have like, a dozen unique things like L. Though I doubt people here even know his name, the character "Rupert Devereaux", London's PM from the Bartimaeus Trilogy, really stayed in my mind after finishing Book 3. Those who know how he was last written will understand - the shattering of a once glorious and charming man that leaves a chill down your spine. [/quote] YESH!!!!! RUPERT WAS AWESOME!!!! But I also loved Bartimaeus. ^^ Atticus Finch is also great...Fusion already stated why. Hmm...other characters from novels for me would be Drizzt, Dobby, and Cinna from the Hunger Games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yoko Kurama Posted July 20, 2011 Report Share Posted July 20, 2011 Foxface from the hungergames. The image of her throwing knifes through a kids throat at the start of the games has stuck with me as epic, so she is huge in my mind. In anime for me its Kurama from Yu-Yu Hakushow. Obviously the name change might show that. But ideally he is the ultimate face of anime/manga prettiboyism. Nevertheless, he was always my favorite. Theres lots of things that glue to my mind like these two though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D.A._Sakuyamon Posted July 20, 2011 Report Share Posted July 20, 2011 Darren Shan from the Sage of Darren Shan series. Along with Bobby Pendragon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiksilver Posted July 20, 2011 Report Share Posted July 20, 2011 How you could mention the Bartimaeus Trilogy in a thread titled "Memorable characters" and not talk about Bartimaeus himself, I have no idea. Out of every single book I've read, he's the one whose had the most impact on me. Fellow readers of the series will know why. I also thought Kitty was pretty memorable. Her resoluteness, the way she would never give up...kinda inspiring, I have to say. From other novels, I liked Jake from the Dark Tower, Lyra and Lord Asriel from His Dark Materials, and Neal Caffrey from White Collar. (What? It's one of the best-written and best-made TV Shows I've ever seen.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shalltear Bloodfallen Posted July 20, 2011 Report Share Posted July 20, 2011 [quote name='Quiksilver' timestamp='1311179289' post='5371779'] How you could mention the Bartimaeus Trilogy in a thread titled "Memorable characters" and not talk about Bartimaeus himself, I have no idea. Out of every single book I've read, he's the one whose had the most impact on me. Fellow readers of the series will know why. I also thought Kitty was pretty memorable. Her resoluteness, the way she would never give up...kinda inspiring, I have to say. [/quote] Took the words right out of my mouth. Among all characters introduced in the Bartimaues Trilogy, Bartimaeus is by far the one that left the biggest impact on me. Doing almost everything to piss of his summoners (and make it funny) and his over all quirks, the last thing I expected was him actually caring deeply about one of them and even assuming his form regulary as a sign of respect, which made it realy touching when the story was revealed. While characters like Rupert Deveraux left an impact as he was a very powerful and rich man that got destroyed in seconds, I frankly allways thought they had it comming sooner or later, If not *removed to avoid spoilers* crushed them, the non-magic users would´ve. From other books I´ve read, I actualy found Oromis and Brom, both from the Inheritance cycle, rather memorable characters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Umbra Posted July 20, 2011 Report Share Posted July 20, 2011 Another special mentioning from the Dark Tower series: Reverend Earl Harrigan. Can you say [i]GAWD[/i]-bomb? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phœnīcius Infīnius VII Posted July 21, 2011 Report Share Posted July 21, 2011 Annabeth from Percy Jackson. Haymitch and Katniss and Peeta from the hunger games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niv-Mizzet Posted August 9, 2011 Report Share Posted August 9, 2011 Sir Schmoopy of Awesometon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwarven King Posted August 9, 2011 Report Share Posted August 9, 2011 [quote name='Quiksilver' timestamp='1311179289' post='5371779'] How you could mention the Bartimaeus Trilogy in a thread titled "Memorable characters" and not talk about Bartimaeus himself, I have no idea. Out of every single book I've read, he's the one whose had the most impact on me. Fellow readers of the series will know why. I also thought Kitty was pretty memorable. Her resoluteness, the way she would never give up...kinda inspiring, I have to say. From other novels, I liked Jake from the Dark Tower, Lyra and Lord Asriel from His Dark Materials, and Neal Caffrey from White Collar. (What? It's one of the best-written and best-made TV Shows I've ever seen.) [/quote] You sir have received a like. [quote name='SSxMINI LUCAS' timestamp='1311259438' post='5374141'] Annabeth from Percy Jackson. Haymitch and Katniss and Peeta from the hunger games. [/quote] Umm...no...Cinna is by far the best character in the Hunger Games series. End of story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nine Breaker Posted August 10, 2011 Report Share Posted August 10, 2011 [font=tahoma,geneva,sans-serif][color=#800000]Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles has always been a hit, but the most memorable characters out of all her books has to be Louis, Lestat, and Claudia. Similar to what Twilight has done for this generation, Interview For the Vampire was for the previous (although I think Interview was not so controversial and such a base breaker like Twilight is). I'll even say that many of the vampiric literature and shows these days have much influence from the dynamics of those three characters.[/color][/font] [font=tahoma,geneva,sans-serif][color=#800000]Those who read Battle Royale may not agree with me on this, but out of the cast of a little over 40 students, Kiryama and Mitsuko take the prize. You have two antagonists whose perception of life is so skewed it makes one almost pitiful and other terrifying. Yet no doubt that both of them were very dangerous. Shinji is also memorable. He was the dark horse in all sense of the word.[/color][/font] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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