We are enchanted by the charisma of surface. We love the way moonlight crushes red-black, bleeding castles, the way its creased face carries a secret we can’t keep. The sharp, withered realities engulf us like flesh. Once we’re ready, we translate its words into wounds.
I write this to say, we are deeply affected by creativity. Some are more sensitive than others, but we can at least remember creations that deeply affected us. Books. Quilts. Macaroni necklaces. And, for most us, video games. Video games have always been a unique medium for storytelling. Obviously, some characters are more memorable than others– even the minor ones. Others are just plain underrated. So, without further ado:
- Serena from Animal Crossing: City Folk In addition to being adorable, Serena was funny, sarcastic, and lamented her status as a goddess. Like the Able sisters, I could see her having a tragic past, but unfortunately this wasn’t explored. But I do smell a fanfiction: “She cries petals instead of tears. The pink wisps float through the chilly breeze, splashing little waves across the silk black lake. They pulsate into stone fangs, to ostracize her sobbing, to hatch venom under her soft skin. Water cloaks her like an endless question.”
2. Will from Pokemon HeartGold
Oh, Will…he had so much potential. He has an awesome style and preference of Pokemon. (Psychic– my favorite.) Like most trainers in the games, he doesn’t get much of a personality. That’s reserved for the Pokemon Adventures manga, which could have been incorporated into the games. He was more villainous in the manga, even being part of Team Rocket. I won’t give anything away, but he and the rest of Johto’s Elite Four had much more character development. If only we got to see that in the games
3. Celia Fortner from Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow
This cult leader believes that good cannot exist evil, so she seeks to restore “balance” to the world. I wonder what happened in her life that made her feel this way? It sounds like an oddly reasonable motive, for being a seductive video-game villain. But she’s also cool for other reasons. In the Japanese version, her name is Celia Fortuna, which I wish they would’ve kept in the English one. (Plus, that sounds more charimastic for a cult leader….) Basically, I wanted to see more character development. As cool as she could have been, I think I’d only join the cult for free hand sanitizer….
4. DJ Phantasmagloria from Luigi’s Mansion 3
There’s not many undead DJs, so I applaud the creators for making such a unique ghost. Phantasmagloria has an awesome character design and battle sequence, but I wish (like all the other LM3 ghosts) she had more of a backstory. How did she get into DJing, and how did she (and the other ghosts) die in the hotel? She seems less like a villain, and more like a tough, snarky sidekick. Sigh…hopefully we find out in Luigi’s Rap Battle!
5. Juste Belmont from Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance
Juste Belmont was no miserable pile of secrets. The fact that he was a vampire slayer AND interior decorator made him more down-to-earth and interesting as a character. However, I was glad to see him as a spirit in Smash Ultimate. Thank God he didn’t get the airhorn version of hallejuah and a Paul Blart tombstone.
6. Bonbon from Animal Crossing: New Horizons
I love Bonbon. In addition to being a peppy villager, Bonbon gives me retro anime vibes– her eyes remind me of Akemi Roppongi from Maison Ikkoku. (And other pre-InuYasha Rumiko Takahashi characters.) Plus, she has incredible fashion sense. That tunic with ankle-strap sandals? Perfect! That singing? Adorable! I don’t know why anyone would want her out of the game– unless you enjoy catheter-jousting with Tortimer.
7. Rose from Drawn to Life: The Next Chapter
Honestly, most characters from this hidden gem are underrated, but there are still some semi-popular ones, like Jowee and Heather. I always had a soft spot for Rose. The mayor of Watersong, she is blessed with the “power of song”– enchanting her people with a smooth, melodic voice. However, her voice is stolen from her, leaving her weak. We only see her when the Hero has to save her from the ghosts and restore her voice.
But what I REALLY like about Mayor Rose is her selflessness. Even after she regains her voice, she attempts to transfer it to her son, Miles, although this action could have killed her. Her strongest trait trembled into her worst weakness. A good mayor with a selfless heart and sweet singing voice? What’s not to love?!
Curious History Girl 