There is a weird popping happening with the audio. I reuploaded this like three times and it wasnt happening in the editor. No clue why it's happening. Sorry y'all :/ also in honorable mentions “L” is meant to be Logen. The upload here got weird 🤨
Love the vids, keep up the great work! Not to be a grammar nazi, but penultimate means second to last - is that what you are trying to say? Sounds like you might be better off using ultimate or epitome maybe...
Rand... Ewww. Awful character compared to most of the others on this list. My top 3 would be Glokta, Tyrion, Anomander Rake (although I think other characters from Malazan are better) from the characters on this list... Not read enough of Discworld to comment on them. I'd take the Wit over Dalinar.
“Five exclamation marks, the sure sign of an insane mind.” "I AM DEATH, NOT TAXES. I TURN UP ONLY ONCE." 'You can't give her that!' she screamed. 'It's not safe!' IT'S A SWORD, said the Hogfather. THEY'RE NOT MEANT TO BE SAFE. 'She's a child!' shouted Crumley. IT'S EDUCATIONAL. 'What if she cuts herself?' THAT WILL BE AN IMPORTANT LESSON. ― Terry Pratchett,
“That's not fair, you know. If we knew when we were going to die, people would lead better lives." IF PEOPLE KNEW WHEN THEY WERE GOING TO DIE, I THINK THEY PROBABLY WOULDN'T LIVE AT ALL.”
You have my full support, I empathized so much with his doubts and existential crisis. While for vin I felt I was observing her form the out side but I was so in sazeds mind
I think a lot of people write off Geralt of Rivia because people either see him as boring tough guy who fights the monsters or because they see him as a video game character now. I really think that he is such a consistently interesting and sympathetic character who actually has depth to him, even though you wouldn’t expect it.
I agree, the whole point of Geralt's character is that he is supposed to have been stripped off his humanity during the mutation. His struggle with that and his constant fight to stay human in a world that simply expects him to kill, that is war-torn, and that treats him like the plague, is what really makes him so fascinating.
I've read Lord of the Rings and some of the Discworld novels and I've watched the Game of Thrones TV show, so that covers 4 out of 15 characters on this list. I really should read some more of the books mentioned in this video.
My favourite fantasy character is Granny Weatherwax from the Discworld novels. If I'm only half as badass as her when I'm old I will have succeeded in life!
Oh man, Fitz being high up in your list with only reading the first trilogy is great. The best written character in fantasy ever imo, he gets better every book.
Personally I don't love the middle trilogy but the third is just so so so so great. I love all the fatherhood stuff in the first book (7th book?) and wow the ending of the last book is so sad and tragic and somehow both caught me by surprise and felt so inevitable and perfect and clearly Hobb knew from the first book how it would all end and it was such a perfect ending for Fitz. My favorite series for sure.
My favorites, not in order Moraine (WoT) Samwise (LotR) Eddie (DT) Locke (GB) Rand (WoT) Fiddler (Malazan) Mat (WoT) Kaladin (Stormlight) Bloody Ninefingers (First Law) Roland (DT)
If I were to name my top 15 of the top of my head, it would probably be something like this: 15- Samwise (Lord of the Rings) 14- Severus Snape (Harry Potter) 13- Geralt of Rivia (Witcher) 12- Okabe Rintarou (Steins;Gate) 11- Senjougahara Hitagi (Monogatari Series) 10- Mat Cauthon (Wheel of Time) 9- L (Death Note) 8- Joseph Joestar (Jojo's Bizzare Adventure) 7- Doflamingo (One Piece) 6- Nynaeve Al'Meara (Wheel of Time) 5- Meruem (Hunter x Hunter) 4- Vin (Mistborn) 3- Tyrion Lannister (A Song of Ice and Fire) 2- Guts (Berserk) 1- Rand Al'Thor (Wheel of Time) I'm surprised honestly how even the split between book and anime/manga characters, my list was, tho, Wheel of Time is definitely doing the heavy lifting for books, but I'm not aswell read in fantasy as Daniel is, so once I read more series mentioned in this video, the list might change abit.
I love how almost half of them are anime characters. The only character I wouldn't put among these is Vin . She's a great protagonist but Idk didn't feel much fleshed out to me.
@@astropiu4753vin only made me not like mistborn much. It's completely my opinion but I think she was over powered and I literally never liked his part in well of Ascension and hero of ages. The only thing I don't like about mistborn. Still it's the best plot ever
Late to the party and slowly scrolling through comments he's talking. I come across this comment as soon as he starts talking about Dresden and my dread rises. The quote hits. I feel the feels. I refuse to cry on my lunch break.
“Commander, I always used to consider that you had a definite anti-authoritarian streak in you.” “Sir?” “It seems that you have managed to retain this even though you are authority.” “Sir?” “That’s practically zen.” Lord Vetinari and Sam Vimes, Feet of Clay
I am doing a reread of WoT, and I feel like I love Nynaeve more every time. Very few books have a character in a "big sister" type role. She goes through some great changes in her own arcs, but her role as Rand's rock in a few of the books where he is at his worst is crucial.
IKR, and Masquerade was even a murder mystery, set in Ankh-Morpork, with the Witches as the central characters. Literally a perfect opportunity to have Vimes show up
I knew I was gonna like Rand a lot when he barely showed up in Book 3 and I was so excited to see what he did whenever he did get a chapter or even just a paragraph.
Man, I wish I felt the same way. Book 3 was so far my favourite just due to the lack of Rand. For some reason I can't make myself care for him. But I haven't started book 4 yet, maybe the tables will turn, at least I hope so.
@@michael305m3 What makes Rand even cooler as a character is that books 7-10 deal with the fallout of those books, then books 11-12 is where the real counterattack is launched by the Shadow against Rand's character. In both of them, it is entirely opportunistic. Then there is Moridin and Demandred, the two best villains out of the books, while the Dark One is really unique, and a great character for a Dark Lord.
I’ve fought ten single combats and I won them all, but I fought on the wrong side and for all the wrong reasons. I’ve been ruthless, and brutal, and a coward. I’ve stabbed men in the back, burned them, drowned them, crushed them with rocks, killed them asleep, unarmed, or running away. I’ve run away myself more than once. I’ve pissed myself with fear. I’ve begged for my life. I’ve been wounded, often, and badly, and screamed and cried like a baby whose mother took her tit away. I’ve no doubt the world would be a better place if I’d been killed years ago, but I haven’t been, and I don’t know why...
My all time favourite reluctant, and deeply flawed chosen one: Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever by Stephen Donaldson. I seldom see this series on any lists, but it remains my all time favourite 'high fantasy series - first read it when I was in my teens - am now approaching 50 and Covenant still has a place in my heart
Agree, would love to see more discussion and reviews for Thomas Convenant. It's up there with LOTR for high fantasy in my opinion, just so, so much darker.
My favorite old wise wizard is Bayaz from First Law. I love the subversion and presence he has all throughout the series. Even when he's no where to be seen.
Sure! I love him especially in the fitz and the fool trilogy. because... SPOILER ALERT Fitz as a vengeful Father isnt something i realised i needed so much when i started the series
@@crypticweeb cool! Wouldn’t wanna spoil the Fitz and the Fool trilogy for anyone! It’s SO. FUCKING. GOOD! I mean, the whole RotE series is amazing, so no surprise that the ending was top notch lol
So, so happy that two of my favorite Discworld characters ended up on the list! And Death in the #1 slot!!! I’m not even gonna lie - I am straight up in love with Sam Vimes. It’s a terrible curse, to be in love with a fictional character, but there you go. The quote you picked for Death was perfect. It’s the whole Discworld in a nutshell, truly.
"...The Green Bone Saga is the penultimate example of, that!" - DG Well, then what is this mysterious best example?? Of course I kid, just FYI that penultimate means second to last. So if you are using it in a similar sense to how one uses ultimate as best, then penultimate would be the second best.
I was also curious about that. How mysterious, telling us about the penultimate examples in many categories but never revealing the ultimate, well played.
Re: Harry Dresden - I tried to get into the first book on and off across the years and never could get past the first few chapters and eventually gave up. But I watched some of your videos and your passion for the series made me give the book another go. Started a month or so ago - am now on book 10 - I am in love with all the characters and the world.
I randomly picked up the series on book 4. Going in blind at that point was great, because when I eventually read the first 3 books they fell flat. They weren't terrible, but certain scenes (especially with women) made me cringe a bit.
I saw Fitz on the thumbnail and knew I had to watch this list. The Realm of the Elderlings doesn't get enough love, the characters of Fitz, Fool, and Nighteyes are amazing. The entire series is great and anyone who likes fantasy NEEDS to read the series.
@@roolenoir3183 The only media that's made me cry was the second trilogy of Fitz books. Sanderson has gotten close with Stormlight Archive, but nothing compares to Hobb's.
Moiraine’s speech about Manetheren in Eye of the World is what sold me on the series. I really hope they capture that scene in the show. Also, I enjoyed Oathbringer considerably more on the re-read as well! Currently about 100 pages into Rhythm of War...
Discworld has the best characters; Sam Vimes, Death, Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, and one of my favourites, Moist Van Lipwig. I agree on Glockta; he’s a quite compelling character.
I'm so excited for you to read more of Hobbs ROTE works, the Liveship trilogy is packed full of characters that I love (even if I don't like them) and there are some women who you can really truly HATE without ever feeling like it's rooted in misogeny or the authors opinion of his ex wife lol. And perhaps it's for personal reasons, but during the Tawny Man trilogy the Fool shot so far up my list of favorites I honestly don't think he'll ever leave. Hobb is a master of flawed characters.
I will always stand by the fact that Guy Gavriel Kay does some of the best characters in fantasy. The fact that he can write books with artists, poets, and doctors as his protagonists and still make his novels engaging and suspenseful proves you don’t always need a fighter or warrior to make a compelling character
me after the honorable mentions: wait, why Death wasn't there? Daniel: Death is my NUMBER 1 me: screaming in my room because DEATH (the character offc) IS AMAZING AND DESERVES ALL THE LOVE IN THE WORLD
Dresden is my number one, and I've read a good amount of the characters on this list, but great video! Gave me a few series to check out and reminded me of some I want to reread. Thanks man! I'll always stan Dresden though. I just think he's incredible. When I have hard times, I think on what Dresden would do and find strength in that.
I'm really happy to see you made another list because I loved the first video. Here's my list: Prince Zuko Samwise Gamgee Dalinar Kholin Kaladin Stormblessed Rand al'Thor Loial Hermione Granger Sans the Skeleton Aang Vin Kvothe Bilbo Gandalf Randall Flagg Kelsier
Excellent list. I really enjoyed your eloquence in expressing why Death is your favorite and am so elated that Discworld brought you so much enjoyment. GNU Terry Pratchett
Great list! Super surprised by your number one, but very pleasantly so! Death of the Discworld is one of the finest characters ever written in any genre. Mort was my first Discworld novel and my first fantasy written for adults - I read it 30 years ago when I was about 13 or so. Hooked me straight away and I didn’t even get all of the subtleties then. I can’t recall how many times I’ve re-read it now but it always brings me joy. Terry Pratchett is such a loss to the world!
Man Death in Literature is also one of my favourite characters ever. Have you ever read The Book Thief or seen the movie? He is the narrator and omg his human attributes and emotions whilst also feeling all powerfully inevitable is just next level writing. Not a fantasy book as per say but a fantasy narrator not to miss. A must read/watch for literature fans. Just bring the tissue!
You really should read Michael Mooorcock, in particular Elric of Melnibone. Talk about conflicted characters. It's worth mentioning that he's the most perfect anti-Conan character you'll ever meet. characters you are familiar with that I think you are selling short (I do understand that in both cases, the respective universes are cluttered with great ones, but still...): Lord Vetinari and Michael Carpenter. And finally, two characters I didn't read as much as I should, but need more exposure to the general Fantasy readers: Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser. A nice couple of honest rogues. Apropos of nothing, I'd like to have read (impossible now) a meeting of Death (Pratchett) and Death (Gaiman).
Exactly, if he likes Rake and Geralt, he needs to read their main inspiration. I mean, Dragnipur and even Nightblood must be inspired from Stormbringer
Totally agree with this. Moorcock created some weird & amazing characters from Hawkmoon to Jerry Cornelius but Elric is the one to start with!! Conflicted & heroic anti-hero & anti-Conan. And some say the uncredited “inspiration” for Geralt.
Really enjoyed this! I love the discworld love! Moist Von Lipwig is my favorite character though. Also, I’m a little surprised you don’t have Michael Carpenter on here too. Keep up the great work!
After hearing you talk about the Wheel of Time on this channel, that and the fact I love fantasy. I’ve just started reading The Eye of the World, and enjoying it!
1.That's the perfect Death quote. 2. I think that as you get older, Sam Vimes will move up on your list. Being a middle-aged father really deepens your understanding of the rage at the way the world runs roughshod over the powerless. He's more than a detective, he is the living embodiment of righteous anger. 3. I think Mat Cauthon is a better character than Damodred. He shows more growth and is more unique in the fantasy genre. Otherwise, a very solid list!
With all of this love for Fitz and the author on multiple videos, I'm hopping you'll continued on after the first trilogy to complete Fitz's story. It's one worth reading through.
Daniel, you need to read the Liveship Traders before you read the next Fitz trilogy. Reading Liveships before the next Fitz trilogy is like reading Warbreaker before Words of Radiance. A few easter eggs, one major crossover character, etc. However, not reading both Liveships and The Rainwild Chronicles before the last Fitz trilogy is like skipping Words of Radiance and going straight to Oathbringer. You will be constantly asking yourself "Who the hell is that and what does it matter?" Do not skip books in the Elderlings series, it all comes together in the end and you will miss out sorely and be spoiled reading them out of order.
@@vyper4861 Kennit and Malta are two of my favorite fantasy characters of all time! Plus, having such a determined and proactive protagonist in Althea is a nice break from being in Fitz's head. I love him, but I really appreciate the breaks in between his books.
Yes!! Yes!! Yes!! Hobbs is the Queen of world building and her Characters in each book have real personalities. I’ve met people who remind me of characters in her books. I’m a bit obsessed!! WoT and The Fitz books are my favorites.
LOVE seeing a Pratchett character be #1! DEATH is a brilliant choice. "Reaper Man" is one of the funniest and most touching fantasy novels I've ever read.
I really think this is a worthy list and the characters mentioned deserve their spots. Such wonderful characters from such fantastical books. God how I love reading fantasy and these splendid characters.
Fitz is the best!! He grows so much and it's so phenomenal to see a character's entier life story from 6 to 50ish years old. I got to a point where just thinking about him made me tear up when I was reading the last book.
I mostly watched this to find mde characters and books to seek out but I was like "Glokta or Manza better be on here!" so I'm happy. Love your content man. Thanks to you I'm a huge reader again after almost 15 years. First Law and The Priory Of The Orange Tree were my first reads getting back in and I haven't looked back. Abercrombie is my favorite all time author now as well. His character work is just untouchable.
whoa! I never realized the connection that characters become more extroverted as they become more powerful. That’s a flaw in lots of fantasy characters that should be examined more often. Good insight Greene!
As much as I adore Rand and Mat more than I can possibly say, Perrin will always be my favorite Two Rivers boy. I'm not even sure if I can explain why I just really love him and relate to him. They are all three peak characters to be sure.
Vin is my girl! Coming from someone that has struggled with depression and self confidence issues my whole life, she is bar none the most relatable to me characters I have ever known in any book. I think that she also suffers from some ptsd from all of the trials she has faced. Sanderson is a master at getting into the head of his characters and really giving you a gritty idea of their emotions.
Having crippling depression and anxiety, I personally do not care to read about it for pages on end. On the contrary, it tightens my own feelings, making things worse. Same goes for Glints and the physical pain. It was so striking when I read it, but I won't ever read it again. Can't bear to break into tears at each and every description of his (my) pain.
It's when I watch Daniel's videos that I realize just how big my backlog of books is. I just want to read everything, since it's my dream to be a fantasy author with the skills to write characters this good
My top 3 favorite characters in Fantasy: 1) Fitz Chivalry Farseer (From start to death i have seen all his shit) 2) Kaladin Stormblessed (Way Of Kings had a big impact on me) 3) Mat Cauthon (The most charming character i have ever read).
