#60- Sarah Jane Smith
Doctor Who
Sarah Jane...often known as the greatest companion in Doctor Who history, she is beloved among Whovians such as myself for many good reasons. First of all, she's very intelligent. While she's mostly known for being an adventurous yet cunning journalist who travelled with the 3rd and 4th Doctors, she did appear in a story while the 10th Doctor was around. She also had her very-own spinoff show "Sarah Jane Adventures" because of her wonderful personality! The Doctor is obviously the most important person in the room, but Sarah Jane was always able to think on her feet well and keep up with the Doctor some of the time (which is a feat in itself that she was able to keep up with him just 50% of the time) but was also able to bring him back down to earth whenever he got lofty in his ideas. Sarah Jane was a very well-grounded companion and was the yang to the Doctor's yin. They have such good chemistry together and it's a shame that her actor (Elisabeth Sladen) passed away from cancer at an early age. She's one of my personal favorite companions because her chemistry with the Doctor is SOOOOO good and there's been nothing like it since. 10 and Donna got close, but 10 and Sarah Jane, along with 3/4 and Sarah Jane are something else.
#59- 2nd Doctor
Doctor Who
And now we have the first of three Doctors to appear on this top 100 ranking of all time...the 2nd Doctor. Patrick Troughton played this role beautifully, and he was the "bow ties are cool guy" before Matt Smith came along and made bow ties a thing. But anyway, what impresses me about Troughton is how likable his Doctor is. He's still a little "out there" and quirky like all the doctors, but there's one key character trait that makes him different from a lot of the doctors...humility. The Doctor is known for having an ego streak and struggling with arrogance. Whether it's 3 being cold and aloof to his companions, or 6 being full of himself and coarse, or 10 having this Superman complex, most of the doctors struggle with pride in one way or another. But 2? He didn't have this character flaw. Yeah, he was still a buffoon and didn't relate to his companions well at first so that was a character flaw of his...but pride wasn't a character flaw that he really had. He definitely feels different from most of the doctors, and I like that he has a unique personality compared to most of the other doctors.
Secondly, Troughton was a BRILLIANT actor. William Hartnell was a good 1st doctor, but it was certainly a tough act to follow due to doctor who really coming out strong in the UK after only 3 years...but Troughton surpassed expectations. There would be no doctor who without Hartnell, but Troughton solidified the character as a fan-favorite. Of course, other doctors came along the way and REALLY elevated the doctor to pop culture giant status later on (4 and 10, looking at you two). But, Troughton's work on the character cannot be ignored. The 2nd doctor himself is very easy to like, and Troughton was a really solid actor.
#58- Cosmo Kramer
Seinfeld
How did this wonderful goof make it so high? To be honest, I'm still not fully confident in how it came to be like this. But, as fun as the main cast is for Seinfeld, Kramer is the heart of the show that brings everything together. Jerry, Elaine, and George all have their likable personalities and fun quirks about them, but Kramer's on a totally different planet. He's weird, disorganized, and quirky. Unlike his 3 companions, he doesn't have a steady income and jumps from job to job, relying on get rich quick schemes and basically lives on the edge.
In summary, I think that's why Kramer is so likable in the show. He's a socially unaware goofball who's very different from the 3 other members of the main cast. He's the icon for everyone out there who has a brilliant brain but is eccentric and swims against the current. Kramer is a pop culture icon, and I can't help but place him so highly on my list.
#57- Sirius Black
Harry Potter
Sirius Black...the best character in the HP franchise. And yes, I will fight people on that opinion as well. Say what you will about Hermione or Dumbledore or McGonagall or Draco or whoever, but Sirius Black is one of the most well-developed characters in the series and one of the most likable.
He seems like a character that's a criminal at first, being framed for conspiring with Voldemort to kill Harry's parents. When Harry learns of this information, he becomes filled with RAGE, believing that Sirius is the one who is responsible for the death of the Potters...but that's not the case at all. Sirius was a dear friend of James Potter and would stop at nothing to protect his friend. It was Peter Pettigrew who betrayed his friends and the Potter family, not Sirius. When Harry learns of the facts, he starts to grow this incredible bond with Sirius. Sirius becomes the cool uncle that Harry never had. Sirius was a far better parent than Vernon ever was, and then some...and Sirius has to live in hiding due to his infamy of the crime he never committed.
We see how Sirius grows into a nice person and will stop at nothing to protect Harry, his godson...from evil forces bent on destroying the chosen one who would save the world from the evil Voldemort. It's unfortunate that Sirius died at the end of OOtP, but it needed to happen...it needed to happen so Harry could grow and become more mentally ready for what was to come. And, Sirius mentored him all along...helping him survive outside elements that were plotting to destroy him. Whether it was in person or through the fireplace, Sirius was the wisest, kindest, and best guardian Harry ever had. And, with Sirius' crazy story arc of going from alleged criminal to misunderstood hero to the guardian of Harry...he's a very likable character who has a thrilling arc.
#56- 12th Doctor
Doctor Who
And here's 12, the next doctor to be included on this countdown. That means there's just one doctor left, and you'll have to wait and see which doctor that is later.
But in any event, I LOVE the 12th doctor. He's practically everything I wanted to see in the doctor after Matt Smith left. Matt Smith was a great actor within the 11th doctor era, but 12 needed to be different. With 10 being a more upbeat hero and 11 being VERY upbeat, 12 needed to be grittier and darker...and Capaldi delivered in spades in series 8 of the modern show. The 12th doctor was cold, arrogant, and less concerned with his companion's thoughts and feelings. This was a great balance to how the 11th doctor was kind, humble, and was very warm and inviting around his companions most of the time. 12 started out as kind-of being a jerk to his companions, while still being someone that fought for the greater good and to protect the universe from evil.
However, he wouldn't rank this high if he stayed that way. The 12th doctor developed well. In series 9 and 10, he started to change into a nicer person. His arrogance started to decrease, his aloofness began to weaken, and his social awareness (while still being weak) it began to improve. By the end of series 10, he became one of the kindest and most compassionate doctors to ever come onto the show. You can see the development of his character in just two simple lines; in series 8 episode 2: "She [Clara] is my caretaker. She cares so I don't have to!" Quite aloof, right? Now let's look at his final episode soon before regenerating: "Never be cruel, never be cowardly...remember – hate is always foolish…and love, is always wise...always try, to be nice and never fail to be kind." The 12th doctor came a long way, and I'm very happy that his character went out on a high note.
#55- Washimi
Aggretsuko
The cunning yet kind business-woman from Aggretsuko makes the list as well, and I'm kinda shocked by how far she made it? I really liked her character, but I didn't find her that deep or likable of a character during the first watch-through of Aggretsuko season 1...until I started re-watching scenes from the show.
Washimi is one of the best friends you could ever have, and her work on the show is subtle concerning how she cares about her friends because she IS a very logical person who doesn't have that naturally warm aura like Gori does. However, Washimi is kinder than what one would expect. She's got a low-tolerance attitude towards crap from her superiors and WILL pick up the slack in the company so that the task can get done. She's dependable, efficient, intelligent, and ambitious. If one of her superiors isn't doing their job like they're supposed to be doing (like the elephant character, forgot his name), she'll do the work herself if necessary in order to have the company, both business and its employees, thrive! While all at once, she never yells at people, she never berates her co-workers, nor does she ever act high and mighty. She always has this professional attitude, and it's extremely impressive.
But, around all that tough business exterior, she has a kind heart underneath. How she gives straightforward yet appropriate advice to Retsuko while Retsuko is in a toxic relationship with Resasuke is great. She's not as blunt yet honest as Ton, and at the same time isn't as warm and sugary as Gori...Washimi has this good balance between honesty and kindness, and it comes out very nicely in the Christmas special as well. Washimi wasn't the friend that Retsuko necessarily deserved...but certainly the one she needed.
#54- Haymitch Abernathy
Hunger Games
Haymitch...the best character in the Hunger Games franchise, no contest.
Haymitch had to put up with a ton throughout his life. Through living in district 12 and basically bending the hunger games arena structure to his own will in order to win, he was the first ever winner of the annual death game competition in Panem from district 12. This is when his life started going downhill, as he became a drinker and struggled with major depression once Snow had his entire family killed for "making sport out of the capitol" by bending the physics of the barrier of the arena to his will. From there, he became forced to be a mentor for all district 12 competitors due to him being the winner...and he hated the job. He hated the job because he didn't want to put up with the capitol's crap anymore, along with dealing with the major depression and grief from losing his entire family from his win...he had to go through a lot.
However, he becomes softer after he meets Katniss and Peeta. With Peeta showing great patience and a golden heart, along with Katniss's feistiness and determination, Haymitch decides to at least and try to give a little effort into helping mentor them in order to survive...and they do! Haymitch was integral in helping these two survive the 74th hunger games, and he proves himself once more to be a very cunning strategist and a decent enough mentor to the district 12 tributes. Unfortunately, in the later books his relationship with the two is rocky due to keeping some secrets from them. He's a tragic character and is a hero of sorts in the books, albeit an anti-hero...but after all he had to deal with, I feel bad for him. His life was full of hardship in the books, and he's definitely one of the most tragic characters in the Hunger Games...and that says a lot.
#53- Katsuki Bakugo
My Hero Academia
Bakugo...is a character that has some very interesting growth. The panel you see above is from a semi-recent manga chapter, showing him sharing wisdom about how arrogance will ultimately sink you...and this panel shows what incredible character development Bakugo has. Without season 3 in the anime as well, this dude would still be just as arrogant and short-tempered as he was in seasons 1 and 2.
Bakugo is known as the main hero, Deku's, arch rival. Deku is as humble as Bakugo is arrogant. Deku is as kind as Bakugo is as impatient and short-tempered. The two couldn't be any more opposite from each other, and with how likable Deku is...it was actually quite easy to root against Bakugo in season 1. He felt like Gary Oak on steroids. Even still, he was a very interesting character to me with how he acted...this cocksure rival was going to give Deku a run for his money and be the rival that he needed to be...always in Deku's way while also growing as his own character and hero...and dang, did he shine in later seasons.
After becoming potentially the best hero in season 2 among his classmates with winning the tournament and all, his large ego starts to become broken...he gets kidnapped and humiliated. After the villain squad captures Bakugo, we begin to see this growth out of him where his ego begins to break and humility begins to come into his personality. It's not much, but he begins to soften. After being rescued and getting signs that All Might's reign as top hero is over, we see where he starts to blame HIMSELF for All Might's decline. After confronting All Might about all the controversy going on surrounding his fight with All For One, Bakugo doesn't get angry or high and mighty when All Might doesn't reveal anything...instead, he just says "thank you...for everything." You can tell that a LOT was going on in this teen's brain, because NEVER before had Bakugo cut his losses and gave a humble, calm response...it was a big step for his character. Then later, when he reveals to Deku that he blames himself for All Might getting weaker and being so angry at himself for such an event happening, along with his own inflated ego being thrown for a loop...it was thrilling to see.
And, with how in the manga his ego continues to weaken (as evidenced in the above picture), I can't wait to see how his character continues to mature throughout the progression of the manga. I really look forward to it.
#52- Leslie Knope
Parks and Recreation
Leslie, the quintessential politician who cares for the people...at least that's what she seems like at a surface level. Leslie IS a very kind-hearted person and loves the people and wants to care for them and make Pawnee a better place for all residents. However, she's a lot deeper than that.
Leslie loves to work and love the citizens of Pawnee, but she can work too hard and become burnt out and grouchy. She's intelligent and strong-willed, but stubborn and absolutely refuses to talk out political differences with Ron Swanson. She loves her friends and co-workers, but if any little thing happens in their lives where big change comes for that person and that person has to devote more time to another person, Leslie can get jealous very quickly. We see this character flaw come out very well when Ann begins the process of moving away from Pawnee. Yet, through all her character flaws...Leslie Knope is a very likable character. She's the best friend who exerts a ton of energy to care for everyone, but is also very well-rounded.
She feels like a real person, which is amazing to see. When a character feels real, like someone you know very well in real life, and they're still very rootable and well-written all at the same time, you know you have an excellent character. Leslie is one of those characters.
#51- Carmela Soprano
The Sopranos
Carmela, who you think at first would be the standard housewife...is anything but. That's one of the reasons why the Sopranos is an award-winning show...their characters get flipped on their heads and defy archetypes. Carmela defies that archetype.
Carmela is one of the first housewives to confront her husband's crap and fight against his ideals. When Tony Soprano's lustful lifestyle got too much for Carmela, she became sick of the lies and went OFF in the 4th season. And, even before that there was a lot leading up to it...the tension within her family's household, the rebellion that her kids were showing...this woman had to put up with a lot of crap. And, enough was enough. She set a mold for her character archetype in the future. She was the mom who had enough courage to call out her husband on his crap and fight to put an end to it, at least to some degree. Betty Francis from Mad Men and Skyler White from Breaking Bad follow a similar path as well, which made those shows all the more engaging. However, Carmela pulled it off first and the best. Even with her hypocrisy and self-righteousness sometimes, she takes responsibility for her actions and owns it. Skyler does the same but to a lesser degree, and Betty gets stuck in this mental loop that's damaging...but more on that another day.
Carmela's a great character all-around. She's a thrilling foil to Tony and Edie Falco is an INCREDIBLE actress. Arguably the greatest strength of the Sopranos is the pretty much perfect acting, and it makes the characters come to life all the more.