Top 10 Fantasy Characters of All-Time 

Who are your top favorites?

Fitz is for sure my number 1, too. There’s a whole world between him and anyone else on the list.

Glokta and Fitz. Couldn't agree more.

Sazed is so very deserving of a spot here. Easily one of my favorite fantasy characters. His arc in Hero of Ages is just perfection.

While I also think Sam is the best, I think everybody only remembers Sam for his incredible heroics and great personality, but in the books, especially before Frodo holds onto the ring so much, its Frodo who saves the hobbits with his knowledge of Middle Earth and his quick thinking. Sam is a little bit more bumbling in the books and messes up a lot more. Frodo unlocks Sam's courage, which is why I think they share the 'True Hero' role.

Having just finished Assassain's Apprentice and looking forward to the experience before me, I was pleased to see your top pick!

1. Auri ( the mame of the wind). 2 . Tavore paran ( malazan) 3. Frodo ( lotr) 4. Kvothe 5. Roland ( dark tower) 6. Aria ( got) 7. Gerald the rivia 8. The valar ( silmarillion) 9. Kruppe ( malazan) 10. Anomander rake , felissin tavore, Ben quick ( malazan)

Guessing (I swear I'm being honest here): 10 - Matt 9 - Sam 8 - this one is hard because there are so many but here I go: Kruppe 7 - I haven't read S.A. rip. 6 - Haven't read Discworld (this isn't going well is it) 5 - OreSeur 6 - Tyrion 5 - Locke 2 - Glokta 1 - Fitz

IMHO it's not "Sam's the hero", or "Frodo's the hero" : both are the heroes. And Aragorn, and Gandalf, and Eowyn, and Merry.... That's one of the things that are so great about Tolkien.

Dogman was my favorite from First Law. I know he is a secondary character, but there was just something about his loyalty to Logen and his mates. Great list! I unfortunately had trouble getting into WOT. I just couldn't get into the characters for some reason. I read the the first three books, but just didn't really find myself rooting for them.

Awesome list! It’d be so hard for me to make a similar one since I love so much of the cast from all of these series. Maybe Dalinar is my favorite from Stormlight, and Rand from Wheel of Time? So hard to say!

Great list 😊 My top 5 are: 1. Matrim Cauthorn 2. Locke Lamora 3. Logen Ninefingers (his pieces of wisdom are just so good) 4. Lanfear 5. Elric of Melniboné

Thank you Matt haven’t watched yet but I know its gonna be a class video

Great idea for a video! Of the 7 series on the list I had read before, I got 5/7 (Mistborn and Stormlight I got wrong; so many good characters)

Okay I guessed 1) Matt from WoT (easy my favorite too) 2) Sam from LOTR (easy) 3) haven't read Malazan 4) after hint I guessed Taravangian from Stormlight (that was a big hint though haha) 5) Death (not fair because I haven't read Diskworld and death is the only character I know haha) 6) Sazed Mistborn (again you helped with your hint) 7) Terian from ASOIAF(again too easy everyone's favorite) 8) Locke from Lies of LL (you mentioned in another video) 9) Glokta from First Law (again you've mentioned and he's everyone's favorite) 10) Fits from Farser (again too easy) Okay this was wayyyy too easy haha I'm giving myself 100%. The ones I've read I guessed haha

Interesting list! I would have chosen Frodo over Sam. I also would have included women in the list, or given the video a different title. Just saying.

TARAVANGIAN! You have great taste, Matt.

As soon as I clicked on this video I knew your top 1 was going to be my boy Fitzchivalry, he is my number 1 too but including death from discworld, they are my favorites of all time, but I have soo many other characters I love in these two series, the reason I connected with fitz is also bcoz I read them now at my age of 20, I can see soo much of me in him.

My favorite character from these properties (skipping the ones I haven't read) are: 2. Logen - I just like his idioms a lot. Glokta is a really close second 3. Father Chains - he's not in the books a lot, but he makes a HUGE impact when he's there 4. Tyrion - Easy 5. Sazed - Just a perfectly written character. I really like Vin tho too 7. Kaladin - Might be the best written character in fantasy. 9. Every character in LotR is my favorite, they're all just perfect. Except Boromir, f him

Mine would have to be- 1. Rand al’Thor/WoT 2. Matrim Cauthon/WoT 3. Kvothe/TKKC 4. Kaladin Stormblessed/TSLA 5. Taravangian/TSLA 6. Drew/ Wereworld (nostalgia from childhood) 7. Dalinar Kholin/TSLA 8. Tyrion Lannister & Catelyn Stark/ASoIaF 9. Nynaeve al’Meara/WoT 10. Perrin Aybarra/WoT

I picked 6 correctly! Although the clues helped three of those! Great list - many of my favorites as well.

I've only read two of these series: A Song of Ice and Fire and The First Law. I guessed right on Tyrion. But, "you have to be realistic," I guessed wrong on Glokta. I had picked my man, Logan Ninefingers. Though I almost picked Orso.

Great list! And finally someone analyses book Tyrion right! He thinks he’s a good person but he’s not..

Taravangian is exactly how you said it. And it's arguable that he is a main character after rhythm of war hahah

This was great Matt! I got 4 😂. Glokta is my favorite from First Law as well. I do like Fitz, but I think he’s better when he’s supported by other characters haha. Tyrion is my favorite from ASOIAF as well. My one hangup with your picks is Taravangian. I can’t stand him. I just want Brandon to kill him off lol.

Mmmmmmm suggestion. As lover of maps, and having curiosity of test what could be called the Keeley law: Fantsy settings with great worldbuilding have no good plot and characters. I suggest u to do a video with ur favourite fantasy worlds/settings.

I’m surprised that you didn’t include one character from the faithful and the fallen haha. My top 5 characters would be… 5.Geralt of Riva 4.Drem 3.Sand Dan Glokta 2.Jon Snow 1.Maquin

Nah, from Mistborn it has to be Breeze. He is SOOOO interesting and funny

Great video, but Nighteyes tops my list 💕

Dalinar is my papi!! My favourite character of all time so far. In a couple of weeks i'm going to begin Oathbringer and i'm so excited to read more of him and his thoughts

Matt was by far the best character in the WOT hard drinking, woman chasing gambler. Logan 9 fingers top badass. Sam best true hearted friend. Caladin best underdog to badass. Aragorn, best future king who is a wandering woodsman. The Warded man, best tats and magiker. Tyrion Lanaster and Jaime Lanaster, evil but noble brothers. Anomander Rake, best ancient being who is an old dragon. Glokta, former expert swordsman turned old torture lord.

1. Elrond; 2. Ned Stark (asoiaf 1st); 3. A'Lan Mandragoran; 4. Logen Ninefingers; 5. Kaz Brekker; 6. Locke Lamora; 7. Artemis Entreri; 8. Merlin; 9. Jon Snow (asoiaf 2nd); 10. Simon Snowlock

My fav is Toji Fushiguro from Jujutsu Kaisen. He was the embodiment of power but because his strength did not meet his clan definition of powerful, he went rogue to prove himself worthy eventhough what he actually wanted was to break free from social expectation. He eventually got his redemption, but through his son. A bittersweet ending for him. My sec fav is Hadrian from Sun Eater series. He's such a humane character eventhough the world paints him as a monster/hero due to his action during war.

The more ranking videos, the better. I feed off of them haha. Here is an idea. “Top 10 fantasy worlds! “

My favorite of Joe Abercrombie is Nicomo Cosca. He has some amazing moments in Best served Cold

If we are doing only one character from a series then we share 4 of our top 10 characters. I have multiple characters from a few series in my actual top 10 but two of my top 5 make appearances on your list. Here is mine: 10. Samwise (LotR) 9. Paksenarrion (Deed of Paksenarrion) 8. Silk (Belgariad) 7. Sparkhawk (Elenium) 6. Tyrion (ASOIAF) 5. Glokta (First Law) 4. Fiddler (Malazan) 3. Kaladin (Stormlight) 2. Druss (Drenai) 1. Mat Cauthon (WoT) My top 5 is solid; same if I only do one character per series or if I do multiple ones per series. Everyone else would get pushed down though and all besides Tyrion would get pushed out of the top 10 when I bring in my 2nd or even 3rd favorites from some series. Karsa (Malazan) is my true #6, Tyrion would slid to #7, Perrin (WoT) #8, Quick Ben (Malazan) #9 & Egwene (WoT) #10.

MbotF one was funny because when you said "It's kind of two people" I said "Who the hell's favorite character is Oponn?"

My personal favorites characters are: Tyrion from SOIAF, Karsa Oorlong from Malaz, Sam from Lord of the Rings and Elend from Mitsborn Era 1. But the character that I adore the most in the entire genre is Vin from Mitsborn Era 1. She seems to me to be such a noble character, so compassionate, 100% dedicated to the benevolent causes in which she participates and being super loyal to the people she loves (not even a psychopathic monster like Zane could break that loyalty). In addition to having an excellent character arc in my personal opinion. Unfortunately, from my perspective I feel that she is very undervalued within the fantasy reading community. A shame. 😥😥😥

Top 3 would be Matrim, Dalinar and Tau (from The Burning)

Fun quiz. I got 6/10. Malazan and Discworld are absolutely impossible. Stormlight and Mistborn I *should* have gotten because those are the best characters. WoT, LotR, ASOIAF, GB and FL are all obvious. I guessed your number one before you even finished number two by process of elimination.

I got all of them but discworld and malazan (because I've only finished deadhouse gates, although I likely wouldn't have gotten it regardless) I wasn't sure if you'd go with fitz, but of course he's your favorite. 8/10. Give me my prize now thanks

Got 8/10! Only Missed the character from Discworld and Stromlight cause I haven’t read those lol

My favorite in fantasy novels is either Rand from Wheel of Time or Tavore Paran from Malazan book of the Fallens. Otherwise it's Guts from Berserk. Edit: here's my top 10: 1- Guts 2- Griffith 3 Rand 3 Tavore Paran 5 Meruem 6 Kurapika 7 Tserriednich (can't spell his name right, the psychopath prince from hxh latest arc) 8 Kaladin 9 Nynaeve 10 Fiddler

Vetinari prefers the term "Tyrant" Including minor characters, I'd have to put him in my top 20. Same with Terrovangian.

Nothing from The First Binding? Im so disappointed!!! 😂😂 kidding, but Fitz might be my number 1 as well.

Glokta - first law Cerci, Tyrion and Jaime lannister - ASOIAF Achamian - Prince of Nothing Locke Lamora - Gentleman Bastards Karsa Orlong and Quick Ben - Malazan

Ok I guessed Vetenari but man Discworld has so many characters that made me love it at least with the 9 books under my belt so far. As for the First Law, I got the same favourite as you but if you include the the in between books, I would pick Shenkt. I loved Shenkt and also Monza's gang in best served called, especially Friendly and Morveer. Also I just want to say, Nicomo Cosca feels like James from team rocket where he randomly blasts off to "die" but then pop out of nowhere.

I guessed malazan and stormlight but missed Sam from lord of the rings. Taravangian is also my fav character in stormlight. And I got tehol and bugg cause I knew you love funny characters

No faithful and the Fallen? Maquin and at least one of Ban's parents would be on my list.

Great list, wouldnt picked better ones....maybe I woudl only switch Patrician for Sam Vimes...

I got 8 making some educated guesses (haven't read wheel of time, Discworld, realm of the elderlings, malazan or lies of lock lamora)

I need a top 50 >:)

I cannot believe Eithan doesn't feature in this. Shame on you Matt! 😂

Mat ✅️ Sam ✅️ Malazen 🤷‍♂️ (not read) Stormlight 🤷‍♂️ (not read) Discworld 🤷‍♂️ (not read enough) None of the Misborn characters stood out to me before I DNF'D in book 2 Tyrion ✅️ GB 🤷‍♂️ (not read) Glokta ✅️ Fitz 🤷‍♂️ (so far agree, but only in book 2) Would add someone from Banished Lands, Marquin? OK it's really Craf

Sazed ❤

Nothing from Zelazny or Gemmell or Moorcock? I mean, I realize writers like, say, Steven Brust or Glen Cook are a bit obscure for today's readers, but I figured one of those three would make the cut. Oh well, maybe next time.... (you could do a "Top 10 Fantasy Characters That No One Under 30 Has Ever Heard Of) But yes, a solid list with some noticeable hiccups (The Patrician over the Witches or Death or Capt Vimes? Really?)

Glotka, only one right, but haven't read several series.

Though you gave a verbal spoiler warning to The Stormlight Archive, you didn't give a verbal spoiler warning to Mistborn. As I was listening to your video, and not watching it, I heard the spoiler. Kind of a bummer considering I just bought Mistborn because I hear everyone talk about how great it is. I was expecting a verbal cue to fast forward. Oh well. Fun video regardless. I always your content.

Glokta ❤️

I love the large SPOILER WARNING that appears every few seconds :D

What no Bee Farseerer? Ok i get that ROTE is mainly about fitz, and he'd be the popular choice for that, id argue that both nighteyes and Bee are better. (Well maybe not better but my favorites) Bee is my favorite literary character To ge fair, if you didnt have the one character per series, this list should be dominated by robin hobb characters. Fitz, nighteyes, bee farseer, Malta vestrit, Paragon, Kennit, the [beloved] fool ......all in my top ten. So what if I'm totally biased towards ROTE, this us a character top 10 and Hobbs is the best at characters.

Aragorn

Mat

Glokta

Literally don’t understand why some people get annoyed by Tehol and Bugg. They’re so ridiculous. The absolute nasty sh!t that they eat 🫣. Their reasoning for everything. 😂🤘

Mist borne vin

At a closer read Tiryon is not the best Martin character, the most loved certainly, the most memorable as well, but he is not at the level of perfection of the holy trinity of ASOIAF Theon, Sansa and Jaime, these threr are not only the best written characters in fantasy, but the best written of all time, especially Sansa, mind blowing complexity. Their character archs is what sets them aside and elevates from any other book. From all the books that I have read only Dostoevskij tops Martin on dissecting, analising and exposing the human soul. Martin has spoiled reading for me, I can't find this quality of characters anywhere else, I hear people talking about a book with "fantastic characters" and I usually end up sorely disappointed. Non that the characters listed in this video are bad, but the ones I've read from the list felt flat. Usually other authors great main characters get only close to Martin's secondary characters, because even in writing secondary characters he is unbeatable, at least for me. Every character appearing in half a chapter out of thousands of pages and dozens of characters manages to be unique and memorable. The most important criteria for me is "Hard to pin down" and with Sansa Stark is perhaps the only sentence that describes her with perfection, evrething else is polarising and open to debate. Is she smart or dumb? Is she a spoiled, vain, selfish little brat or the most sensitive, caring, forgiving and sweet person in the books? Her reactionships have about the same level of complexity. She is a puzzle where at every re-read you discover new nuances and meaning to what she says, does or thinks and your opinion of her can change dramatically in a totally different direction. And let's not forget about the moral dilemmas all the characters fase in ASOIAF and how they deal with it, I feel like it is not a great character writing if there is not a good moral dilemma to deal with. Fantasy characters don't do that often. Robin Hobb gets second to Martin.

i disliked sam actually. he’s mean to gollum

Nah, frodos the hero. Sam is incredibly important, but frodo ultimately is the one who carried the ring. Definitely a hero, but im actually getting super tired of this whole sam is the REAL hero thing thats going on

Where are the female characters?

Fitz!? Really! I love the farseer series but always felt the protagonist was the weakest part. One reason (certainly not the only reason) Liveship Traders is the only Hobb series on my personal top 5 series of all time, is the lack of Fitz in that series. Also: Animal companions are overrated. There. I said it. Listen, don't be mad at me, I'm a grumpy 40+ man venting via youtube comments. Reason I find your videos interesting is because we rarely agree. Except Malazan of course. Malazan is awsome.