Japanese RPGs have given rise to some of the most memorable characters in gaming. Whether it’sFinal Fantasy VII’s CloudorTales of Symphonia’sLloyd the characters tend to stick with their players. JRPGs usually put players in the shoes of an authentic pre-written protagonist on a journey that still feels unique to the gamer.
JRPGs have a habit of creating characters that follow very similar tropes, like the seemingly simple farmhand getting thrust into a world-saving grand adventure. Yet despite this, fans of the genre become invested in these adventures every step of the way.
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Even when a character follows typical anime or JRPG tropes, good writing and character development can go beyond what is expected and make players connect to them emotionally. The genre has many great heroes that stand the test of time. Some of the greatest get a mention here.
Updated June 04, 2025 by Michael Llewellyn:The JRPG genre is still one of the most beloved in gaming. Even today with the ease of the downloadable games many of these JRPGs still fetch a high price for a hard copy. This is because these games pull their players into their worlds, lore, and history.
Furthermore, the characters and their development through the eyes of the player are incredibly important to the experience. Whether a character is a battle-hardened veteran or a young naive teen dreaming of treasures and high adventure the player must develop a connection to these characters. This is why many on this list are so beloved by fans of the genre.
13Lloyd – Tales Of Symphonia
Released in 2004 for the GameCube in the West,Tales of Symphoniaserved as an introduction to the series for many fans. Much asthe series' most recent title,Tales of Arise, has done by shaking up its formula while keeping the series’s roots,Symphoniareinvented itself with stunning cel-shaded visuals and a revamped battle system.
However, it is the cast characters in the game that shine with great development and interactions. The lead protagonist, Lloyd, shows great development from something of a class clown to a well-traveled warrior with interesting motivations and a past he’s struggling to come to terms with.
12Sora – Kingdom Hearts Series
First released in 2002,theKingdom Heartsserieshas become a complex saga over the years. Creating unlikely crossover storylines between Disney Characters andFinal Fantasymay seem implausible, but the series created something special.
Furthermore, they created an excellent protagonist in Sora. Sora could have easily been overshadowed by the iconic cast and guest appearances from both franchises but his coming of age journey resonates with gamers, young and old. Sora is also one of themost recent entrants ofSuper Smash Bros.
11Kiryu Kazama – Yakuza Series
First released in 2005, theYakuzaseries struggled to find a larger audience outside of Japan. It wasn’t until the prequel,Yakuza 0, that the series broke the mainstream and introduced many gamers to one of the best crime sagas and RPGs in gaming.
The series protagonist Kiryu takes the lead in seven games in the franchise, fromYakuza 0toYakuza 6. His journey from a Yakuza mobster to a reformed orphanage owner is often interrupted by the people from his past, often finding himself dragged back into the underworld. He’s an empathetic character that grows with every installment, making him relatable and likable at the same time.
10Lenneth – The Valkyrie Profile Series
Lenneth is the lead character in theValkyrie Profileseries, which began on the PlayStation in 2000. She still stands as one of the best protagonists ever seen in JRPGs, male or female. She is a goddess and the chooser of Einherjar – warriors to help in the war of Ragnarok.
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As the first game progresses, Lenneth learns the tragic history of her past life while her memories slowly return to her. Yet despite all of her suffering and being forced to overcome odds that should be too much for even a goddess, Lenneth continues to grow as a character in a way that feels real and relatable.
9Celes – Final Fantasy 6
Final Fantasy 6was first released on the Super Nintendo in 1994. It was later ported to the PlayStation with additional cutscenes in 1999.A release on mobile devices and PCplatforms followed in 2014 and 2015, respectively.
Even thoughFinal Fantasy 6is very much an ensemble piece that is full of memorable protagonists, it is Celes that stands out. She overcomes an attempt in taking her own life and manages to deal with feelings of guilt. Celes proves her resolve when she sets off on a journey to reunite the other main characters of the game. Furthermore, her backstory makes her incredibly relatable and inspiring in a way that’s as relevant today as she was 26 years ago.
8Yuri Hyuga – The Shadow Hearts Series
Yuri Hyuga is one of the lead protagonists ofShadow HeartsandShadow Hearts: Covenant.Both titles were released on the PlayStation 2 in 2001 and 2004, respectively. TheShadow Heartsseries is set in an alternate universe during the First World War. The games have gained a cult following for their well-written stories and an excellent cast. The first two games' lead protagonist, Yuri, is a favorite among JRPG fans.
In Yuri, the developers at Nautilus Studio created a believable yet charismatic lead that, despite his supernatural shapeshifting powers, is as vulnerable as the next person. He’s neither the plucky optimistic adventurer nor the brooding dark superhero type. Yuri’s writing as a character is expertly written and transcends the typical traits found in a JRPG hero.
7Kaim Argonar – Lost Odyssey
Kaim is the lead protagonist ofLost Odyssey, a game fromHironobu Sakaguchi, the creator ofFinal Fantasy.The game remains an exclusive Xbox 360 title but runs via backward compatibility on the Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. Kaim is an immortal that loses his memory during a battle and has to work to regain those memories.
Of course, Kaim is following the amnesiac JRPG formula to a degree, but uncovering his past reveals one of the deepest and meaningful character portrayals ever seen. His backstory is developed through a gaming mechanic called “A Thousand Years of Dreams." These story elements were written by Japanese novelist Kiyoshi Shigematsu and the writing is superb. Kaim’s immortality is portrayed as more of a curse than a gift in dealing with losing his loved ones. Yet, despite this, he lives for protecting others.
6Nier – Nier Gestalt
Nierwas released on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in 2010. On the surface, Nier appears to look like another barbarian-style character found in western action games. Those who play the game, however, will see that he’s a man that will stop at nothing to save his daughter.
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Nier’s journey is a painful one, yet despite this, he remains honorable and cares for others, like the people of his village. He’s an older character that appeals to a demographic of gamers that have become weary of angsty teenage stereotypes. A remastered version of the Japanese-releasedNier Replicantfeaturing a younger protagonistwas remastered and released for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
5Yuri Lowell – Tales Of Vesperia
Tales of Vesperiawas originally released exclusively for the Xbox 360 in 2008. Its definitive edition was released for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and the Xbox One in 2018. Its lead character, Yuri, is the complete antithesis to the clueless young hero archetype found in the series’ predecessors and other JRPGs.
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Yuri is experienced if a somewhat weary warrior with a heart. There are moments in the story where he exemplifies traits of an anti-hero showing little to no mercy to those that deserve to be punished. Yuri is a complex but likable character and arguably one of the best in theTalesseries.
4Stocke – Radiant Historia
Radiant Historiawas first released on the Nintendo DS in 2011, with an expanded remake getting released on the 3DS in 2017. It was developed by a team of developers from tri-Ace and members of theShin Megami Tenseiteam.
Their skill in writing and creating incredible characters was perfectly represented byRadiant Historia’s lead protagonist, Stocke. At first glance, he looks like another blonde JRPG hero, but he’s a seasoned veteran and a brilliant leader. Stocke inspires hope in his friends, cares about their well-being, and is willing to go to any length to rescue them when in danger.
