5. Squall (Final Fantasy VIII)

Squall (the best-looking guy here) is easy to dismiss as Cloud Strife II: But Meaner This Time, because he’s angsty, stoic, and has iconic, cutting one-liners. He starts off as an angry loner indifferent to others’ feelings, but as time marches forward and circumstances change, he is dragged into a leadership position. He can no longer treat people as disturbances of his peace, and has to connect with them on levels he once would have found insufferable.

Squall wants to be alone. He doesn’t want to rely on or care for others. But as he’s forced to work alongside people and grows protective of them, he sorts through his emotional constipation and finds connections he once would have scoffed at. Through becoming a leader, Squall goes from a misanthrope deadset on his own isolation to someone who risks his life for those he loves, and that’s beautiful.

Also, his gunblade is fucking sick.