9. Tyrion Lannister - Game of Thrones

He drinks. He knows things. He’s the dwarf of Casterly Rock, Tyrion Lannister. His allegiances have changed throughout the series, but he’s usually had the general best interest of Westeros at heart.

The youngest child of Tywin Lannister, he’s been ostracized his entire life for his size. The self-proclaimed god of tits and wine, he is a debaucherous man who enjoys the company of prostitutes. Despite his “hobbies,” he has a good moral compass which is shown on several occasions. He is the last surviving Lannister noble, and currently serves as Hand of the King.

He didn’t survive because of his abilities in combat, but through cunning and intellect. He knew how to manipulate to survive, and especially in later seasons, did what he believed was right.

Alright, putting Tyrion on a hero list is a stretch, I admit it. But honestly, what else can you call a man who defies every brush with death with nothing more than his words? Long live the god of tits and wine!
Tyrion is most known for:

• A strong intellect. He was well read, and even explained to Jon Snow that he keeps his mind sharp because he knows it’s the best weapon he’s got.
• Killing his father. After Tywin forbids Tyrion from being with the woman he loves, then beds the same woman himself, Tyrion snaps and kills his father in perhaps the most hilariously satisfying way: shooting him on the toilet.
• Having a good moral compass. This is shown many times throughout the show, but is most evident when he refuses to consummate his forced marriage to Sansa. He knows she doesn’t want to, and doesn’t force himself on her.

8. Ronald Weasley - Harry Potter

The second youngest Weasley, and one of Harry’s best friends. Ron was a stalwart ally in the fight against Voldemort.

Ron was one of the first friends Harry made at Hogwarts, and proved to be a strong and loyal one. He was the subject of ridicule on occasion (usually by Draco Malfoy) due to his poor upbringing, but grew into a powerful wizard during his time at Hogwarts.

He became skilled with dark magic, able to cast various curses. Ron also showed an aptitude with divination, even if he didn’t particularly enjoy it. Aside from his magical abilities, Ron showed a surprising talent for tactical thinking, often resorting to out-of-the-box solutions.

I always liked Ron. He struggled with his confidence at times, but he was a skilled wizard. He liked to take the easy route (same) but was brave and fiercely protective of those he cared about. He was also kind of a pig when it came to food, which I can’t judge because… same.
Ron is most known for:

• His magic. Ron was capable of almost all forms of magic, especially curses and transfiguration.
• Wizard’s Chess. He was exceptional at it, he and Harry often playing in their free time. Ron was able to play past the magic chessboard on their way to get the philosopher's stone. A feat that netted Gryffindor 50 points. Go Ron!
• His romance with Hermione. Early on, all they did was bicker. As they got older though, a romance blossomed that would eventually lead to marriage and little Weaslings running around.
• Having a good skill in battle, even able to stun a Death Eater while flying. An incredible feat, given Tonks’ amazement.

7. Cloud Strife - Final Fantasy VII

Cloud was an experiment by Shinra and former SOLDIER with Shinra. He fled, eventually joining Avalanche and setting on the path to stop Sephiroth.

Probably the most popular Final Fantasy protagonist of all time, Cloud is the edgy, awkward boy we all love. He has a deep backstory and great character growth, going from some indifferent cocky mercenary to someone who genuinely wants to save the world.

He’s a skilled swordsman, wielding his signature blade: the Buster Sword. Like Sephiroth, Cloud has superhuman strength and agility. He also possesses an aptitude for magic and skill in both chocobo and motorcycle riding.

I’m not normally a fan of the tortured soul trope, but Cloud is an exception to that. Having an identity crisis and struggling with social situations makes him feel a lot more relatable, especially when he starts to overcome it. Gives him some depth, and players love that. Glad to have some socially awkward representation.
Cloud is most known for:

• His popularity, consistently ranking high on popularity polls around the world. In 2020, he ranked first place in the “All Final Fantasy Big Vote” in Japan.
• That magnificent Buster Sword. It was passed down by his friend, Zack Fair, upon his death. It’s since become a staple to his character.
• Being the most requested Final Fantasy character to be included in Super Smash Bros.
• His skill in combat, able to unleash devastating attacks (such as Omnistrike) with his sword, or use powerful magic (such as Blade Beam). In the games, Cloud has the most balanced stats and the highest Strength, with the second highest Magic.
• His fantastic dance skills.

6. Hermione Granger - Harry Potter

A muggle-born witch. Hermione is a studious and smart girl who excels in almost everything she does. A good trait to have when you’re helping Harry Potter stop Voldemort.

Hermione is your typical star student. She excels in almost every subject, and while her social skills may suffer for it sometimes, the results speak for themselves. It takes her a while to fit in, since she comes off as a know-it-all (which she kind of is, to be fair). A trait pointed out by Ron. Despite this, though, she ends up becoming best friends with Ron and Harry, thus forming the “Golden Trio”.

Her magical skills and knowledge were key in the various battles they faced, and I don’t think it’d be an exaggeration to say that Harry would have failed without her. Honestly, she excels at so many things, it’d be easier to list what she’s not good at. No wonder she becomes the Minister of Magic.

Her personality might not be as loose as her friends, but I personally can relate to that on some levels. It was satisfying to watch her grow into such a powerful witch, especially after being teased for being a muggle-born. Bet her bullies aren’t laughing now that she’s the Minister of Magic. Classic case of long-game revenge.
Hermione is most known for:

• Excellence in her studies. There are very few aspects she doesn’t excel in, like struggling to cast the Patronus charm, and being a mediocre flier. Outside of some very niche instances, Hermione was regarded as “borderline genius”.
• Being a muggle-born, as it is seen by many as dirty or inferior. It’s probably that Hermione worked so hard to overcome this prejudice, and it makes her position as Minister of Magic all the more sweet.
• Having a strong moral compass. It’s seen during her time at Hogwarts when she begins advocating for better treatment of house-elves (in the books, at least). It also shows when she becomes Minister of Magic, and begins abolishing many prejudice laws.

5. Arya Stark - Game of Thrones

A girl is Arya Stark of Winterfell. Daughter of Ned and Cat Stark, she picks people off of her list. One at a time.

Arya is a young girl who doesn’t want to marry some handsome lord for an alliance. As she tells Gendry after his proposal: she isn’t a lady. At the beginning of the show, she’s a rebellious girl who wants nothing more than to learn how to fight. Nobody other than Jon really supports her, as he gives her a sword she names “Needle.” Throughout the series, Arya grows from a childish girl who can barely swing a blade to one of the most deadly forces in Westeros.

She’s well known and loved, whether it’s from her eradication of House Frey (who slaughtered her mother at the Red Wedding on Walder’s order) or her killing the Night King. Arya is a masterful swordsman, having trained to become a nimble and quick footed warrior. On top of that, her training in Braavos with the Faceless Men has given her the ability to take someone’s face and become them.

Most of the Stark children were remarkable in some way, but Arya’s character growth is just so satisfying. She is one of the best characters in the show, taking out those who’ve wronged her or her family. I mean, she fed Walder Frey his own sons before killing him. That’s a whole new level of revenge.
Arya is most known for:

• Killing the Night King. Just before the Night King would attack Bran, Arya charges in to attack. I haven’t cheered that loud for a show in a long time.
• Her list. Arya had a list of people she was going to kill, and while she didn’t get the chance to pick them all off herself, she did get a fair few.
• Changing faces. During her time in Braavos, Arya studied the ways of the Many-Faced God, and became “no one”. She didn’t stay though, stealing a few faces and making her way towards home.