Because it is the heir to medieval fantasy, fantasy has created many heroes. Powerful, courageous, honorable, altruistic, they can also have their own flaws and imperfections. Today, the Hitek editorial team offers you a selection of the 10 greatest heroes of fantasy. And to discover our eight favorite anti-heroes, it's this way!
#10 Arthur (Kaamelott, by Alexandre Astier)
In Kaamelott, Alexandre Astier reclaims the myth of King Arthur. Grumpy and dishonest, not always accepting his divine mission, his version of the legendary Breton sovereign tends towards a certain heroism. Arthur does not seek the Grail for personal glory, but rather to bring light to his people. He fights to ensure that the Knights of the Round Table live up to his image of chivalry and heroism. Arthur is certainly a flawed character, who could just as easily have been included in our selection of the best fantasy anti-heroes, but his daily fight for honor, despite his own weaknesses and depression, make him an indisputable hero.
#9 Ged (Earthsea, by Ursula K. Le Guin)
Hero of the Earthsea cycle by the great Ursula K. Le Guin, Red is a talented young wizard, nicknamed Sparrowhawk. Initially portrayed as an arrogant teenager, he unleashed an evil shadow because of his pride. To right this wrong, he embarks on a journey during which he learns wisdom and humility, as well as the balance between light and darkness. Red is a nuanced and captivating hero, whose journey of initiation offers many lessons for readers.
#8 Prince Caspian (Chronicles of Narnia, by C.S. Lewis)
A young heir to the throne of Narnia, Prince Caspian embodies hope and nobility. As his country's magic is stifled by Telmarine oppression, he transforms from a naive prince into a resolute leader, courageously assuming overwhelming responsibilities. Humble, courageous, and deeply respectful of tradition, Caspian rallies the creatures of Old Narnia to restore justice and freedom. For many readers, he symbolizes the ideal of justice and sacrifice, leaving a lasting impression on fantasy lovers. #7 Lyra Belacqua (His Dark Materials, by Philip Pullman) The heroine of the His Dark Materials series by British writer Philip Pullman, Lyra Belacqua is raised by the Scholars of Jordan College in Oxford. Curious, courageous, and resourceful, Lyra leaves her home when her best friend is captured by the Gobblers. At the center of a prophecy that is crucial to the Witches, Lyra will play a key role in destroying the Authority and understanding the role of Dust. She has an exceptional gift for reading the alethiometer, a highly complex object that allows her to instinctively discover the truth. She is now the heroine of the cycle The Dust Trilogy, of which the third volume is still awaiting publication.
#6 Conan (Conan the Cimmerian, by Robert E. Howard)
Created by the American writer Robert E. Howard - to whom we also owe Solomon Kane -, Conan the Cimmerian embodies brute strength and indomitable courage. This barbarian from the wild lands of Cimmeria, who is characterized by his moral complexity, triumphs over the many dangers of the Hyborian world. On his path: evil sorcerers, terrifying monsters and corrupt empires. Unlike Aragorn from The Lord of the Rings, Conan does not use his physical power and cunning to pursue an altruistic ideal, but seeks above all to survive. He is the symbol of the individual in the face of adversity, and helped to create the highly codified genre of Heroic Fantasy. #5 Ædan of Vaumacel (The Knight of Thorns, by Jean-Philippe Jaworski)
First appearing in the short story In the Service of the Ladies, the knight Ædan of Vaumacel is the main character of the trilogy The Knight of Thorns. Recognizable by his bramble-shaped crest and the thorns decorating his shield, Ædan of Vaumacel is a knight-errant of great courtesy and whose sense of honor often borders on implacable intransigence. Putting his sword at the service of the Ladies and justice, he is madly in love with the Lady of the Blue Forests, a powerful sorceress whose designs will have great consequences for the ancient Kingdom of Léomance. Because he was unable to attend the trial of the former Duchess Audéarde, accused of having an adulterous relationship with him, the Knight of Thorns is hated by both the former Duchess's supporters and Duke Ganelon's supporters. His alliance with the Adventurers of the Bird Wood, his heroic participation in the Tournament of the Immortal, his confrontation with Don Benvenuto Gesufal, and his actions during the War of the Two Duchesses will certainly not have improved his reputation. Yet, this tough yet honorable character is one of the most exciting fantasy heroes in fantasy literature.
#4 Link (The Legend of Zelda, by Nintendo)
Since his appearance in The Legend of Zelda released on NES in 1986, Link has become one of the greatest fantasy heroes. A central character in Nintendo's video game saga, the young Hylian has put his sword and shield at the service of Princess Zelda. Wielder of the Legendary Sword, he fights the forces of Evil that threaten Hyrule, starting with the merciless Ganon. Although we never hear the sound of his voice - in order to accentuate the immersion of the player who can imagine that the hero has the same timbre as him -, Link manages to make many friends and allies during his adventures, despite his annoying tendency to break pots inside the houses of the inhabitants of Hyrule. Never flinching in the face of danger, he is the perfect embodiment of courage.
#3 Jon Snow (Game of Thrones, by George R.R. Martin)
One of the main characters in the cycle A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin, adapted into a series by HBO under the title Game of Thrones, Jon Snow is known for being the bastard son of Ned Stark, the Lord of Winterfell. Hated by the latter's wife and having no future as a bastard, he joins the Wall in the North at the beginning of the first volume to become a member of the Night's Watch. There, Jon Snow will bravely confront the Wildlings, before realizing that they are fleeing an even greater danger: the White Walkers. With a sense of honor as keen as his father's, Jon Snow is also a remarkable fighter, and will manage to rise to the position of Lord Commander of the Night's Watch. In the series Game of Thrones, however, he leaves his office after being betrayed by his sworn brothers and decides to retake Winterfell from the odious House Bolton. After distinguishing himself during the Battle of the Bastards, he becomes King in the North, but agrees to become the subject of Daenerys Targaryen, on the condition that she help him fight against the Night King and his army of the dead.
#2 Harry Potter (Harry Potter, by J.K. Rowling)
At the age of 11, Harry Potter - a young orphan living with his uncle and aunt who hate him - learns that he is a wizard with powerful magical powers. At Hogwarts, the school of magic located in the north of England, he discovers the wizarding world. But in his first year, he will have to confront Lord Voldemort, the terrible dark wizard who is responsible for the death of his parents and who was almost destroyed by attacking Harry when he was only one year old. During his schooling, Harry will be widely recognized for his ease on a broomstick but also and above all for his immense courage, which will allow him to face a thousand dangers and as much suffering. Whether he has to face a Basilisk, a Dragon, or an army of dark wizards, nothing can deter the young bespectacled wizard. Not even the prospect of his own death, since he agrees to sacrifice himself to enable the destruction of Lord Voldemort in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Courage makes a young man!
#1 Aragorn (The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien)
An iconic member of the Fellowship of the Ring, Aragorn is the descendant of Isildur and the true heir to the throne of Gondor. Son of Arathorn, he will put his sword to the service of Frodo's quest by participating in several of the greatest battles of the War of the Ring, including the Battle of Helm's Deep and the Battle of Pelennor Fields. But his greatest challenge will be accepting his true place: King of Gondor. The descendant of the kings of Numenor has all the qualities to be a good king: he is handsome, kind, wise, generous, empathetic, courageous, a good fighter, and a friend to all the peoples of Middle-earth. In short, Aragorn is the perfect hero par excellence!
Did you like this article? Then feel free to tell us who your favorite fantasy heroes are. We also encourage you to discover our selection of the 15 best Elves in fantasy.
0 Comments