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Well, to wrap up this year, I’ve decided to take part in constructing another list of things in fiction I love for a specific meme!

Just know that me taking part in making memes similar to ones others on DeviantArt have done isn’t going to become a habit of mine. I only do it if I have something I’d like to express. In this case, I have ha hard time pinning down which fictional characters are my absolute favorites, so I’m listing off a few examples of ones I like-while trying to make sure that I’m giving fair due to ones who aren’t as frequently mentioned.

(And I’m probably going to record characters I dislike as well, FYI)

Because He’s Interesting: Basil of Baker Street (The Great Mouse Detective 1986)

I decided to shine a little bit of my own light o one of Disney’s most underrated animated features for a change-an underrated feature that helped save the company from it’s dark age, no less. Basil (named after Basil Rathbone, the most iconic of the 20th-century Sherlock Holmes actors) is an eccentric and passionate rodent investigator with a taste for adventure. He can be anti-social and immune to the needs and feelings of others at times, but he does eventually come around and prove himself to be real thoughtful and caring.

Because He’s Cool: Grandpa Max (Ben 10)

Not only is Grandpa Max a technology expert who has plot-relevant backstories AND an active role in the child protagonist’s adventurous life (moreso than post other fictional parental figures), he frequently has active roles in helping Ben save the day.

Because His Character Makes Sense: Nick Wilde (Zootopia 2016)

Despite how he’s introduced in the film, you can understand that Nick is really a good guy forced into a bad position. You may or may not know that he was the central character in the earlier versions of the film, but that ultimately made the film an unpleasant watch. Because so much of his character is paranoid, as is the world the film is set in, the film had to shift its focus Judy, since she’s more upbeat and optimistic.

Nick is introduced as a shameless scam artist who takes joy in tearing Judy down, until he recognizes his own lifelong discriminations in her when she is further shamed by Chief Bogo and is almost forced to give up her job. He calls the other police animals out on their unfair, biased treatment of her (WITHOUT being insubordinate), and he helps Judy by giving her insight to the thought process of an outlaw. His life of crime has helped shape him to be an exquisite investigator, and with Judy being the first to show humanity in him (although she has to learn to own up to the fact that she herself has the potential to hurt others), he’s proven that he can turn his life around and defy the sleepy fox stereotype.

Because She Has Flaws: Peppermint Patty (Peanuts)

Unlike most of the Peanuts cast, Peppermint Patty is not purposefully cruel to Charlie Brown out of malicious intent. True, she has tendency to rough-house him, as well as take advantage of his generosity. It’s part of her tomboyish nature. She likes Charlie Brown, although she’s not exactly sure why, and she makes whatever attempt she can to hide it. Then she tries to reconcile with him, even if she doesn’t go about it by the best means. (Although keep in mind, this doesn’t mean I’m defending all her appearances in the show, but we’ll eventually get to that.)

There’s also her (lesbian) relationship with Marcie. Both are polar opposites, but they both sustain a mutual relationship and frequently help each other out in various ways. Marcie helps Patty in school (when Patty’s sleeping for the majority of it, because she’s the type who only functions well when she’s constantly moving), and Patty stands up for Marcie against other tough kids.

It’s also consistently amusing for Marcie to refer to Patty as “sir” out of her misguided sense of politeness.

Because She’s Smart: Pidge (Voltron 2016)

Following in Mulan’s steps of taking a cross-dressing role to save her family, Pidge is a prototypical, resident nerd of the show’s cast-but only on the surface. Unlike most hackneyed attempts at writing a nerd, Pidge is fun-loving, social, physically-capable, and witty. Like everyone else in the show, she’s archetypical without being stereotypical.

Because They’re Misunderstood: Ralph (Wreck-It-Ralph)

Wreck-It-Ralph is one of my top three male Disney protagonists, next to Quasimodo and Stitch. Aside from not wanting to be the bad guy in his own game, he is selfless enough to recognize the misery Vanellope suffers from and to take a stand for her. And even though he doesn’t get to have his dream come true by the end of the film, he does at least get to have a decent improvement over his former lifestyle, not being ostracized by the rest of the members of the game. Plus, he’s all the happier to have helped make Vanellope’s dream come true.

Because He’s an Archetype: Calvin (Calvin and Hobbes)

Considered by many, including myself, to be one of the best (if not THE best) child character ever written, it’s no wonder why Watterson’s strip continues to resonate with so many to this day. Calvin is loud, obnoxious, selfish, sometimes recklesss and irrational, and everything that makes us not want kids in our household. But on the other hand, in addition to having an out-of-this-world imagination (literally), he’s inquisitive, introspective, and ponderous-mostly when he and Hobbes are in their own isolated world.

Between Calvin’s better qualities usually going unnoticed by the adults around him, and the literal illustration of no one seeing the world the exact same way via having Calvin being the only one who sees Hobbes as a living tiger, it is so touching and bittersweet to see the strip’s interpretation of childhood untainted by the reality of the adult world. No wonder Calvin’s been a role model for most other writers (of comic strips or otherwise) for writing children-even though we certainly DON’T want him to be a role model for REAL children.

Because I Can Relate: Quibble Pants (MLP episode: Stranger Than Fanfiction)

He’s one of those characters added to Season 6 that you either love or you hate. You either find him to be unworthy of the title “Quibble”, or you’ll identify with his extreme sense of passion, and the moral of finding value in other viewpoints from fans who have passion for largely different reasons, does indeed have worth.

Because She Redeemable Qualities: Buttercup (Original Powerpuff Girls)

I admit that I initially liked her as a kid mostly because green was my favorite color, but her personality definitely does count for a lot. A tomboy like Peppermint Patty, she’s fun-loving, as well as aggressive, prone to losing her temper, and she also has the potential to be even worse than the villains of the show. Yet the show (the GOOD one anyways) has her called out on it whenever she starts shamelessly attacking her opponents. It reels her in and reminds her not to lose perspective, remind her that saving the day is not just about kicking butt, but moreover about protecting people.

Because She’s Honest: Applejack (MLP: Friendship is Magic)

You don’t need to read me to tell you she’s honest. It’s her element of harmony-although for the record, I was also considering Charlie Brown for this slot.

Because He’s Nice: Balto (Balto 1995)

While obviously having fictional heroism added to appeal to the kids, this version of Balto does do justice to the image of the real figure (even if it would have been nice to see the same done for Togo, and equally-important canine figure to the Sirum Run event). Balto is noble, resilient and selfless, not set on running medicine to the town of Nome just to be accepted by the crowd, or to impress the husky girl he likes. In fact, that’s what distinctly separates him from Steele. Balto does it to save a particular human child he cares about, along with all the others-just getting a girl and an commemorative statue as a bonus.

Because of Subtext: Emma Thompson’s P.L. Travers (Saving Mr. Banks 2013)

While obviously another fictional exaggeration of the real figure, the Travers in the movie is passionate but also unyielding in her creative vision. I considered her worthy of the ‘I Can Relate Slot’, because I can see myself in her place. I too am very passionate, and I can imagine that others around me might see me as an uncompromising stick-the-mud who is unsatisfied with any creative vision that isn’t my own. If you pay close enough attention, the film does show that Travers does indeed feel shame when letting the film team down, and she does feel joy when certain scenes are achieved and does show some willingness to go easier on the making of the film. And even if the moment where she cries at the film premiere of Mary Poppins is for largely fictionalized reasons, it does serve what I think is an important message: “Even if being robbed of autonomy of your own creation, letting a capitalist big-name company can in some ways work towards a greater good.”

Because of His Hatedom: Phoebus (Hunchback of Notre Dame 1996)

I’m not gonna lie, whenever I hear people criticizing Disney’s Phoebus just because Esmerelda chose him instead of Quasi, I have to suppress the need to smack something. Phoebus definitely would be near the top of my list of ‘Characters Who Deserve Better’-the animated film version, NOT the book version. After all, he helped save Esmerelda at least twice before the film’s climax, he saved a miller’s family who were condemned to death, he went out of his way to try to save other gypsies, and he saved Quasi from falling to his death towards the end. He’s unprejudiced, witty, friendly, and a very admirable fictional militia character if ever I saw one.

Because She’s Underrated: Nani (Lilo and Stitch 2002)

She may not be in the lineup of Disney princesses, but Nani is a fantastic female Disney role model. She may technically be underage, but given everything she’s had to take charge of after the sudden death of her parents, as well as how wise and reasonable she still manages to be in spite of that, I have no problem in calling her a woman! She’s not a ‘girl’ like the other princesses, she’s a very fully-realized woman.

Because He’s Changed for the Better: Stitch (Lilo and Stitch 2002)

As Lilo is one of my favorite Disney female protagonists for having a pure child’s mind and seeing good where most grown-ups don’t, Stitch is one of my favorite Disney male characters for having a pristine example of a redemption arc. Rather than having a heart of gold with a gruff exterior like say the Beast, Stitch was made to destroy, but eventually grows a soft spot when Lilo starts to show him kindness, and he has nothing left to destroy. And the sequels and TV series only expanded on his character. Say what you will about Stitch Has A Glitch, because it certainly isn’t void of things to criticize, it’s strongest point was evolving Stitch’s character and affirming that once he learned to BE good, he had to STAY good.

Because I can: Hobbes (Calvin and Hobbes)

The best companion/conciense anyone could possibly ask for.

Description
Meme is owned by: miraculouslover21.deviantart.c…

Well, to wrap up this year, I’ve decided to take part in constructing another list of things in fiction I love for a specific meme!

Just know that me taking part in making memes similar to ones others on DeviantArt have done isn’t going to become a habit of mine. I only do it if I have something I’d like to express. In this case, I have ha hard time pinning down which fictional characters are my absolute favorites, so I’m listing off a few examples of ones I like-while trying to make sure that I’m giving fair due to ones who aren’t as frequently mentioned.

(And I’m probably going to record characters I dislike as well, FYI)

Because He’s Interesting: Basil of Baker Street (The Great Mouse Detective 1986)

I decided to shine a little bit of my own light o one of Disney’s most underrated animated features for a change-an underrated feature that helped save the company from it’s dark age, no less. Basil (named after Basil Rathbone, the most iconic of the 20th-century Sherlock Holmes actors) is an eccentric and passionate rodent investigator with a taste for adventure. He can be anti-social and immune to the needs and feelings of others at times, but he does eventually come around and prove himself to be real thoughtful and caring.

Because He’s Cool: Grandpa Max (Ben 10)

Not only is Grandpa Max a technology expert who has plot-relevant backstories AND an active role in the child protagonist’s adventurous life (moreso than post other fictional parental figures), he frequently has active roles in helping Ben save the day.

Because His Character Makes Sense: Nick Wilde (Zootopia 2016)

Despite how he’s introduced in the film, you can understand that Nick is really a good guy forced into a bad position. You may or may not know that he was the central character in the earlier versions of the film, but that ultimately made the film an unpleasant watch. Because so much of his character is paranoid, as is the world the film is set in, the film had to shift its focus Judy, since she’s more upbeat and optimistic.

Nick is introduced as a shameless scam artist who takes joy in tearing Judy down, until he recognizes his own lifelong discriminations in her when she is further shamed by Chief Bogo and is almost forced to give up her job. He calls the other police animals out on their unfair, biased treatment of her (WITHOUT being insubordinate), and he helps Judy by giving her insight to the thought process of an outlaw. His life of crime has helped shape him to be an exquisite investigator, and with Judy being the first to show humanity in him (although she has to learn to own up to the fact that she herself has the potential to hurt others), he’s proven that he can turn his life around and defy the sleepy fox stereotype.

Because She Has Flaws: Peppermint Patty (Peanuts)

Unlike most of the Peanuts cast, Peppermint Patty is not purposefully cruel to Charlie Brown out of malicious intent. True, she has tendency to rough-house him, as well as take advantage of his generosity. It’s part of her tomboyish nature. She likes Charlie Brown, although she’s not exactly sure why, and she makes whatever attempt she can to hide it. Then she tries to reconcile with him, even if she doesn’t go about it by the best means. (Although keep in mind, this doesn’t mean I’m defending all her appearances in the show, but we’ll eventually get to that.)

There’s also her (lesbian) relationship with Marcie. Both are polar opposites, but they both sustain a mutual relationship and frequently help each other out in various ways. Marcie helps Patty in school (when Patty’s sleeping for the majority of it, because she’s the type who only functions well when she’s constantly moving), and Patty stands up for Marcie against other tough kids.

It’s also consistently amusing for Marcie to refer to Patty as “sir” out of her misguided sense of politeness.

Because She’s Smart: Pidge (Voltron 2016)

Following in Mulan’s steps of taking a cross-dressing role to save her family, Pidge is a prototypical, resident nerd of the show’s cast-but only on the surface. Unlike most hackneyed attempts at writing a nerd, Pidge is fun-loving, social, physically-capable, and witty. Like everyone else in the show, she’s archetypical without being stereotypical.

Because They’re Misunderstood: Ralph (Wreck-It-Ralph)

Wreck-It-Ralph is one of my top three male Disney protagonists, next to Quasimodo and Stitch. Aside from not wanting to be the bad guy in his own game, he is selfless enough to recognize the misery Vanellope suffers from and to take a stand for her. And even though he doesn’t get to have his dream come true by the end of the film, he does at least get to have a decent improvement over his former lifestyle, not being ostracized by the rest of the members of the game. Plus, he’s all the happier to have helped make Vanellope’s dream come true.

Because He’s an Archetype: Calvin (Calvin and Hobbes)

Considered by many, including myself, to be one of the best (if not THE best) child character ever written, it’s no wonder why Watterson’s strip continues to resonate with so many to this day. Calvin is loud, obnoxious, selfish, sometimes recklesss and irrational, and everything that makes us not want kids in our household. But on the other hand, in addition to having an out-of-this-world imagination (literally), he’s inquisitive, introspective, and ponderous-mostly when he and Hobbes are in their own isolated world.

Between Calvin’s better qualities usually going unnoticed by the adults around him, and the literal illustration of no one seeing the world the exact same way via having Calvin being the only one who sees Hobbes as a living tiger, it is so touching and bittersweet to see the strip’s interpretation of childhood untainted by the reality of the adult world. No wonder Calvin’s been a role model for most other writers (of comic strips or otherwise) for writing children-even though we certainly DON’T want him to be a role model for REAL children.

Because I Can Relate: Quibble Pants (MLP episode: Stranger Than Fanfiction)

He’s one of those characters added to Season 6 that you either love or you hate. You either find him to be unworthy of the title “Quibble”, or you’ll identify with his extreme sense of passion, and the moral of finding value in other viewpoints from fans who have passion for largely different reasons, does indeed have worth.

Because She Redeemable Qualities: Buttercup (Original Powerpuff Girls)

I admit that I initially liked her as a kid mostly because green was my favorite color, but her personality definitely does count for a lot. A tomboy like Peppermint Patty, she’s fun-loving, as well as aggressive, prone to losing her temper, and she also has the potential to be even worse than the villains of the show. Yet the show (the GOOD one anyways) has her called out on it whenever she starts shamelessly attacking her opponents. It reels her in and reminds her not to lose perspective, remind her that saving the day is not just about kicking butt, but moreover about protecting people.

Because She’s Honest: Applejack (MLP: Friendship is Magic)

You don’t need to read me to tell you she’s honest. It’s her element of harmony-although for the record, I was also considering Charlie Brown for this slot.

Because He’s Nice: Balto (Balto 1995)

While obviously having fictional heroism added to appeal to the kids, this version of Balto does do justice to the image of the real figure (even if it would have been nice to see the same done for Togo, and equally-important canine figure to the Sirum Run event). Balto is noble, resilient and selfless, not set on running medicine to the town of Nome just to be accepted by the crowd, or to impress the husky girl he likes. In fact, that’s what distinctly separates him from Steele. Balto does it to save a particular human child he cares about, along with all the others-just getting a girl and an commemorative statue as a bonus.

Because of Subtext: Emma Thompson’s P.L. Travers (Saving Mr. Banks 2013)

While obviously another fictional exaggeration of the real figure, the Travers in the movie is passionate but also unyielding in her creative vision. I considered her worthy of the ‘I Can Relate Slot’, because I can see myself in her place. I too am very passionate, and I can imagine that others around me might see me as an uncompromising stick-the-mud who is unsatisfied with any creative vision that isn’t my own. If you pay close enough attention, the film does show that Travers does indeed feel shame when letting the film team down, and she does feel joy when certain scenes are achieved and does show some willingness to go easier on the making of the film. And even if the moment where she cries at the film premiere of Mary Poppins is for largely fictionalized reasons, it does serve what I think is an important message: “Even if being robbed of autonomy of your own creation, letting a capitalist big-name company can in some ways work towards a greater good.”

Because of His Hatedom: Phoebus (Hunchback of Notre Dame 1996)

I’m not gonna lie, whenever I hear people criticizing Disney’s Phoebus just because Esmerelda chose him instead of Quasi, I have to suppress the need to smack something. Phoebus definitely would be near the top of my list of ‘Characters Who Deserve Better’-the animated film version, NOT the book version. After all, he helped save Esmerelda at least twice before the film’s climax, he saved a miller’s family who were condemned to death, he went out of his way to try to save other gypsies, and he saved Quasi from falling to his death towards the end. He’s unprejudiced, witty, friendly, and a very admirable fictional militia character if ever I saw one.

Because She’s Underrated: Nani (Lilo and Stitch 2002)

She may not be in the lineup of Disney princesses, but Nani is a fantastic female Disney role model. She may technically be underage, but given everything she’s had to take charge of after the sudden death of her parents, as well as how wise and reasonable she still manages to be in spite of that, I have no problem in calling her a woman! She’s not a ‘girl’ like the other princesses, she’s a very fully-realized woman.

Because He’s Changed for the Better: Stitch (Lilo and Stitch 2002)

As Lilo is one of my favorite Disney female protagonists for having a pure child’s mind and seeing good where most grown-ups don’t, Stitch is one of my favorite Disney male characters for having a pristine example of a redemption arc. Rather than having a heart of gold with a gruff exterior like say the Beast, Stitch was made to destroy, but eventually grows a soft spot when Lilo starts to show him kindness, and he has nothing left to destroy. And the sequels and TV series only expanded on his character. Say what you will about Stitch Has A Glitch, because it certainly isn’t void of things to criticize, it’s strongest point was evolving Stitch’s character and affirming that once he learned to BE good, he had to STAY good.

Because I can: Hobbes (Calvin and Hobbes)

The best companion/conciense anyone could possibly ask for.