19. Serana - The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Serana, a pureblood Daughter of Coldharbour who has been locked away since the Second Era. Her blood is the key to fulfilling the Tyranny of the Sun.

Shortly after meeting the Dawnguard, you’ll meet Serana. She’ll be your companion for most of the Dawnguard DLC, and regardless of which side you choose, she’ll help you stop Lord Harkon from completing the prophecy. It’s a true hero who helps you kill their father. Serana is one of the most beloved characters in Skyrim for her depth, and story.

She’s a strong fighter, capable with both weapons and vampire magic. She’s also a Daughter of Coldharbour which attests to just how strong she is. Her relationship with her parents isn’t great (considering you’re plotting to kill her father) but she’s strong, and knows what needs to be done for the good of the world.

Serana is one of the most popular characters in Skyrim. Her story is compelling and interesting, and unlike every other character, you actually feel like you develop a bond with her. Even if you side with the Dawnguard, she still helps you take down Harkon.

And yet we still can’t marry her.
Serana is most known for:

• Being a Daughter of Coldharbour. Basically, she received her vampirism from Molag Bal himself, and I will say nothing more of the ritual.
• Her deep story. The Dawnguard DLC heavily revolves around Serana and her parents, and the further in you go, the more you learn about her.
• Being the most popular Skyrim follower.

18. Fa Mulan - Mulan

Fa Mulan is the only child of Fa Zhu, a war hero. When war demands her sickly father to take up arms again, Mulan defies tradition (and the law) and takes his place instead.

When she fails to impress the matchmaker and bring honor to her family, it seems as though all hope is lost. A little later, however, her father is conscripted into the Chinese army. After a minor outburst, and a harsh scolding from her father, Mulan decides to go against all tradition (and again the law), and take her father’s place under the guise of a boy named Ping.

During her training, Mulan proves herself more than capable. Showing her physical and tactical prowess, and her skill with swordplay. She rose from clumsy rookie to top of her class, and her quick thinking saved the troops from certain death.

Mulan is probably my favorite Disney princess. She defied tradition to prove to herself that she could be more than someone’s wife. Mulan is the hero China needs and definitely doesn’t deserve! After all, to quote the Emperor himself: you don’t meet a girl like that every Dynasty.
Mulan is most known for:

• Stealing her father’s sword and impersonating an imperial soldier, all to keep her father safe.
• Her strong will and unique way of thinking, often devising out of the box methods of doing her chores.
• Being one of the few Disney princesses who doesn’t actually have royal blood.
• Saving China with quick thinking and improvisation.

17. Shrek - Shrek

Shrek is an ogre, living alone in his swamp. Until it’s suddenly overrun with fairytale creatures. In an effort to get his swamp back, he agrees to go on a quest to rescue princess Fiona.

Despite being an Ogre, Shrek doesn’t really wanna hurt anyone. All he wants is peace and quiet in his own little space (same, buddy). That changes when he meets Fiona and falls in love. After rescuing her from the dragon’s keep (and later from a marriage to Lord Farquaad), they live happily ever after in his swamp. … Kinda.

Shrek is well known for being an underdog, dealing with racism and prejudice from the world despite his efforts. He’s strong, kind, and genuine. He even goes so far as to steal a potion from the Fairy Godmother to turn himself (and Fiona) human to try and give her a more traditional happily ever after. His strength and terror are wielded responsibly, usually in defense of those he loves.

Shrek is iconic. We all know him, we all love him. He’s our onion, with all of his layers. He’s fought tooth and nail to overcome prejudice and racism, and by his fourth movie, the world finally gets to see his true nature. Shrek is the hero that shows us it’s what’s on the inside that counts.
Shrek is most known for:

• Doing the roar. Obviously.
• His unconventional methods, as seen when he frees Fiona from the dragon’s keep. He notes that all the previous knights wound up dead, and that it would be safer to trick the dragon and run.
• Defying the prejudices of Far Far Away, as seen when he refused to give up on Fiona when she was supposedly charmed by the Fairy Godmother. He fights for what he wants and what is important to him.
• Knowing his limits and doing the right thing. When Harold dies and leaves Shrek as the next king, Shrek immediately mentions that having an Ogre king is a bad idea and sets out to bring back the only other heir, Arthur. He realized that people would probably be upset about his monarchy, and gave it up.

16. Aang - Avatar: The Last Airbender

A monk from the Southern Air Temple, Aang was frozen in ice in the waters near the Southern Water Tribe for 100 years. When he’s finally set free by Katara and Sokka, he soon learns his destiny: to save the world.

During his 100 year stasis, the world fell to chaos with the Fire Nation attacking. Soon he learns that he must master the other three elements and stop the Fire Lord before Sozin’s Comet arrives. Naturally for a 12 year old (or I guess 112 year old) that is a lot of pressure. But Aang is strong.

Together with Katara, Sokka, Toph, and eventually Zuko, he masters the elements and faces the Fire Lord. Aang grows from a childish boy to a wise and mature young man, even fighting to find a way to beat Ozai without taking his life. Despite his struggles, he’s always been sustained by his friends.

Imagine being 12 and tasked with saving the world, after you were frozen for 100 years. Then imagine actually doing it. Aang is a charming and fun loving kid, and despite his personal growth, he never really outgrows that playfulness. Despite all odds, he saved the world.
Aang is most known for:

• Being frozen for 100 years. The pressure of being the Avatar caused him to flee the Air Temple, but he got caught in a storm. In an attempt to protect himself and Appa from drowning, he froze them both in ice.
• Being the last airbender, as the title would suggest. The Fire Nation exterminated all of the airbenders in effort to ensure the Avatar would not be reborn.
• Becoming a fully realized avatar sooner than others, having only taken a year.
• Sticking to his morals. Even when all of the past Avatars advise him to kill Ozai, he continues to fight to find another way.

15. Sora - Kingdom Hearts

Wielder of the Kingdom Key, Sora is a young man from the Destiny Islands whose destiny is intertwined with many, many worlds.

Sora grew up on the Destiny Islands with his friend and rival Riku, and eventually his friend Kairi as well. When a strange storm hits and their home is invaded by Heartless, Sora learns he is a keyblade wielder, and uses this new power to fight off the Heartless invading his home. This leads him on an adventure that spans many worlds. Most of his adventures are focused on finding or saving Riku or King Mickey, but there’s so much lore it’d be impossible to summarize.

He travels through different worlds and saves them from Heartless, which definitely paints him as a hero. He’s a skilled swordsman, wielding the keyblade with expertise. He is also capable of using magic, though generally Donald handles that side of things (well, sometimes).

Kingdom Hearts was one of the first RPGs I played, so Sora holds a special place in my heart. He fights to protect the world from evil, and is strong in his convictions. A classic hero archetype.
Sora is most known for:

• The Kingdom Key. His first keyblade, the one that appeared during the attack on the Destiny Islands.
• Having a pure heart, as seen when Riku takes the keyblade from him. Once Donald and Goofy return to Sora’s side, the keyblade realizes that Sora’s heart is stronger than Riku’s, it removes itself from Riku’s possession and returns to Sora.
• Singing. Sora has a decent singing voice, as seen in the Atlantica world of Kingdom Hearts II.