Some say your first favorite character stays with you--

[alwaysbeenasmiler]

There was once upon a time where I was just a book nerd-- I think I was 14 or 15 and it was in the 90s, and I WAS a geek, I was a very big geek-- I didn't watch a whole lot of TV though, and while I wrote stories-- it was my own made up world-- and oh yes, the occasional anime on SCI-FI's JAPANIMATION WEEK (yes, that made me wince a bit just typing it out). I did play video games, but they were the standard platformers-- Sonic, Mario, Zelda and all that-- I wasn't really personally invested in it.

Until one summer day, in fact the very first day that I ever babysat these kids-- Their mom was a nurse and I had a full 10 hour day, five days a week with them-- or was starting it. They were playing this game called FF3 (or really it was FFVI but hey, silly americans), it was a NEW game, just came out and they had powered through it. They liked to pretend they were these characters, dress up like them-- and they conned me into being this escaped general with augmented magic (can you see where I'm going with this). And I played along with it because.. hahahaha hijinks!

Then they played this game in front of me-- more specifically, it was this scene where they are at this opera house and there is some impersonation going on; one of the members of your party looks exactly like a famous opera singer, and there's this note left by this mysterious person saying he was coming for her. Then come to find out there are 3 different groups coming for this singer.. including a quirky purple opera house.

It was love (not about the purple octopus, though I am an Ultros fangirl)

It was Setzer Gabbiani, gambler and airship engineer-- this guy had swag, oh god. with his long white wavy hair and his bomb ass gambler jacket-- he was a regular OG. To 14 year old me, that was the epitome of class and adventure-- to an ENFP like me, I could relate to him, wanted to have adventures, my own airship.. and yes, perhaps the love was in the fact that inherently I could relate to him-- I mean I wasn't a guy and I didn't look at him, but I think in my own personal soul, I was just as free spirited at him, or at least I wanted to be. I inserted him into all my stories (it wasn't a Mary Sue though because the heroine was a created character that was NOT like me-- I will argue this to my dying day). No matter what though, he went down as being my first favorite fictional character in a video game setting. (and he wouldn't be the last)

Setzer Gabbiani is like the pioneer, he paved the way for other video game, and yes even animated characters (following after him was Malachite from Sailor Moon-- in which I realize that I have a TYPE, i.e long white hair)

So question, everyone!

Who was your first favorite fictional character?

Comments

[rionaleonhart]

I love this story!

My first favourite character was also from Final Fantasy; it was (this may not be a surprise) Squall Leonhart. I picked up a preowned Final Fantasy VII box in a shop, not knowing anything about the series, but the shop assistant accidentally put VIII in the case instead, which is a mistake I'm grateful for; VIII was a much better game for me to start the series with.

I was thirteen years old, very introverted, very unsure of how to interact with people. Other people were more or less incomprehensible to me; I couldn't imagine what was going on inside their heads, and that made it tricky to know what to say to them.

But here was this guy who was just like me! He was awkward around people; he didn't really know what to do in social situations. I could understand his actions; he made sense to me. So maybe, if I was able to connect with this character, I'd be able to connect with other people. Maybe their thoughts and feelings didn't have to be an impenetrable mystery.

It sounds ridiculous, but Squall Leonhart basically taught me empathy.

[alwaysbeenasmiler]

Oh gosh, that is awesome! I love hearing other people's stories like this, because it helps me to relate to them. I think that there is a little bit of us inside our favorite characters, that is why we love them because we recognize a piece of us, even if it is a small piece

[sparkythegeek]

Old Ben Kenobi. :D

[alwaysbeenasmiler]

Aww yeah, he was pretty badass!

[breyzyyin]

Ah, you know...that is a good question! XD I am honestly not sure who would be my first favorite fictional character, as I've loved quite a few of them over the years.

I think...I think maybe either Marsala from EXOSquad or Rogue from the 1990's X-Men cartoon. Marsala for his unwavering kindness and understanding in the face of great adversity and prejudice, and Rogue just for her spunky attitude and cheerfulness despite also going through some really tough times.

In terms of video games, I think Cloud Strife from Final Fantasy VII and Jowy from Suikoden II both win out. Cloud because I could relate to him a surprising number of ways, I found...and Jowy just because his story-line was so personal and touching to me.

That was a really neat question to think on! ♥

[alwaysbeenasmiler]

I've always admired Rogue for the mere fact that yeah, she was dealt a pretty hard lot, but really she preservered!

[borlandia]

Gambit from X-Men. When I was really, really young. I was crazy about comic books when I was 6 and for years after that - Gambit just always seemed so badass.

[alwaysbeenasmiler]

I always had a massive crush on Gambit, he actually reminds me a lot of Setzer, my first favorite fictional character-- except Setzer sans the french accent!

[clawdine]

Ah gooosh. I think it was Cybersix, when I was 10. The eponymous series has crossdressing, secret identities, a kickass female hero, cyberpunk, and a bittersweet ending. <3

I can't believe I've never played FFVI before, even though I had a GBA emulator! XD I've frequently heard it's one of the best stories in the series.

[alwaysbeenasmiler]

I think you'd enjoy the game! It's one of my favorites!

[lassarina]

I think mine is Celes, lol. My dad introduced me to FF6 by showing me the opera and I was hooked. (most enduring FF loves are Celes and Kain.)

[alwaysbeenasmiler]

That Opera Scene is damn well magical! It was very theatric and the music, oh gods-- there is nothing better then Aria de Mezzo Carretre (or however you spell it), unless of course it is the Zeal theme from Chrono Trigger.

Kain is also love!