Thanks for tagging @solana-ceae was free today for a bit so you caught me at a nice time and it's pretty interesting and also so painful to keep it to 10, because i have probably 10 for each type media i read or watch lol. These are in no particular order and might come back someday to elaborate on some of these choices
if anyone wants to do it consider yourseves tagged
1. Elizabeth Bennett from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Elizabeth Bennett, is a character so beloved to me, that even after almost a decade of having read the novel, P&P remains one of my most favourite novels of all time. It was my first romance novel ever and also was my introduction to the works of Jane Austen and romance novels in general. It's also the reason i have such a fondness for regency era romance novels. I love all of her iterations in the myriad of iterations of Pride and Prejudice adaptations we've seen over the years, though i will confess my favourites are the from book (ofc), the 1995 bbc mini series (the better adaptation of P&P novel), the 2005 movie and from the web series, the Lizzie Bennett diaries, a really beautiful awesome web series that is fully available on youtube and i think is a must watch for any fans of P&P.
Elizabeth is such a beautiful vivacious woman, who was courageous, fearless enough to not settle for anything but what she wanted, and a little prideful and she is a wonderful example of how one can be unfairly prejudiced against someone because of an erroneous first impression and also not someone behaving towards you like you expected. And i loved it as a kid, still do almost a decade later, but in a lot different way than i did as a kid.
2. Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter series
As much as jkr's comments and my growing age seeing the pitfalls of the harry potter series made me like the actual series a lot less, but Hermione Granger still reigns supreme as my favourite character from the series (followed by Draco Malfoy, Harry Potter and the book version of Ginny Weasley, yes the book version specifically).
Hermione Granger is and will remain one of my biggest inspirations in life. She was the first character i saw that was so like me when i read it as a kid, and she made me feel ok being one of the smart girls. She's smart as heck, empathetic to the plights of others, believes in justice even when she gets made fun of for it, and totally vicious when crossed. Like it wasn't really shown in the movies, but book Hermione was low key unhinged when she was crossed and i love that for her. She's not perfect, and i love that about her.
I really wish we had her perspective on the shenanigans of the series because it would be so fascinating honestly. And honestly if i had to criticize (one) thing about her was her decision to get together with Ron at the end. It was plain and boring and for those who like her with him great for you, i don't.
3. Arya Stark from Game of Thrones/A Song of Ice and Fire series
She's so persevering and so determined to attain her goals, i love that for her. She's gone through a lot in her tiny life, but she's never let it beat her down ever, she always stands back up and takes names.
I hated what they did to her character in the last 2 seasons of the show (actually i point blank absolutely detest the last season of Game of thrones period so yeah) but before that i loved what she was doing, and everything.
"What do you say to the god of death? Not Today"
100/10 line. Absolute banger. Very quotable. Very inspiring. Fight me if you think otherwise
4. Fa Mulan, Mulan disney movies
An absolute icon, childhood and adult inspiration to live as i want and to have the strength to do what's right and being yourself no matter what.
Also the 1998 movie has some of my favourite movie songs EVER.
Also Bisexual legend Shang ftw
5. Annalise and Erika, The Princess and the Pauper
Yes some of my favourite characters are from a barbie movie, what about it?
Love them both, 100/10 top barbie movie (along with The 12 Dancing princesses) both provided so many lessons to young me and even now are a source of comfort. Also The Princess and the Pauper has one of the best barbie movie songs, the best villian songs and i have each and every song from this movie memorised.
She's such a comfort character now, and honestly it's hard for me to explain why i love geet so much in anything less than what is an essay lmao.
Jab We Met is honestly one of bollywood's best rom coms ever. Such a feel good story, a banger soundtrack album and the absolute sparkling chemistry between Shahid and Kareena.
She's such a bright, bubbly, vivacious character, full of life and enthusiasm you can help but be charmed by her and her iconic line "Main apni favourite hun (I am my own favourite)" is such a lovely self love line. Even when things in her life didn't work out the way she wanted it to, she soldiered on, and made the best of her situation. Her romance with aditya is so nice and so balanced man i absolutely love jab we met.
If you haven't watched Jab We Met, this is a sign that you should!! I THINK it's one of those movies even those who don't watch bollywood will enjoy.
7. Kaori Makimura from City Hunter manga and anime
She's also another comfort character whom i relate to and looking back, was also one of my first female crushes in any media lol.
She's so unapologetic to be herself, is sometimes insecure about stuff, some of which that i highly relate to, as a woman who was never into the overtly cutesy femme get up ever since i was a kid. She also grows so much as the series progresses and her partnership with Ryo is so complex and yet so simple at the same time. I love how she appreciates Ryo, the very flawed man he is, knowing he's deeply flawed but loving him anyways. And actually it's manga english translation took SO FUCKING LONG to finish istg it was a slow burn from hell. And even though the romance wasn't shown as much, the love and respect Ryo and Kaori had for each other is one of my favourite things in media.
8. Elle Woods from Legally Blonde
She's such a beautiful character who shows that it's fine to be your feminine self even if the environment around you doesn't like that. Legally Blonde is one of my comfort movies and Elle Woods is absolutely the major reason for it.
She's confident in herself and her feminity, a go getter, really intelligent and also still being kind and empathetic towards others. I really think if I'd seen this movie (and the show suits) when i was younger, there was a high chance i would've been a lawyer instead of a doctor that i am right now lmao. She's such an inspiration.
"What? like it's hard?" Absolutely banger line. This is poetic cinema at its peak.
9. Aria Roscente from The Villianess Turns the Hourglass
One of my favourites in the villianess isekai genre of manhwa. A trailblazer, an icon, an absolute legend and a trendsetter.
Aria is such a strong woman. She's also highly intelligent, but also willing to work hard for her goals. While the plot may seem contrived to give her all the things going right, she also never fails to take advantage of all the opportunities that she sees and i love her for it. (The actual villian in this manhwa is such an icon, many wish to be mielle, but you truly can't be mielle)
Aria is my favourite even if she also does a lot of gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss and she will do it in STYLE and pizazz.
10. Hashimoto from Kieta Hatsukoi
She's the best girl, and honestly she's one of the best parts of Kieta Hatsukoi . She so sweet and encouraging of aoki and she's so cute, absolutely love her.
- Tara Elias/Yeonwoo from I'll Save this Damned Family (manhwa)
- Florentia Lombardi from I Shall Master this Family (manhwa)
- Ink from Bad Buddy (thai series)
- Kate Beckett from Castle (series)
- Fujisaki from Cherry Magic (manga and japanese Live action)
- Kim Yu-Na Semantic Error (more in the korean live action adaptation, but also in the manhwa)
- Miranda Priestly from The Devil Wears Prada (movie)
- Donna Sheridan from Mamma Mia 2008 (movie, acted by Meryl Streep)
- Cersei Lannister from Game of Thrones/A Song of Ice and Fire series
- Daenyrys Targaryen from Game of Thrones/A Song of Ice and Fire series
- Anne Elliot from Persuasion by Jane Austen
