The Super Smash Bros. Ultimate last year. With three mainline titles and a ton of revamps and spinoffs, the series' cast of characters has captured fans' imaginations.
Considering just how big the character pool of Kingdom Hearts is, also including beloved Disney and Pixar characters, fans of the series are spoiled for choice when it comes to picking a favorite. Thousands of players on Ranker voted on who they think deserves to be considered the greatest Kingdom Hearts character, leading to something of a crowd-sourced consensus.
Goofy
Already being a beloved animated character from the Disney universe no doubt helped Goofy but the way he has shone through in the Kingdom Hearts games is really what has made the clumsy anthropomorphized dog beloved by fans. Appearing since the very first game in 2002, Goofy has gone on to be a reliable ally for the protagonists throughout the series.
Goofy's reputation for clumsiness can often overshadow the role he most often takes on in the games which, surprisingly, is as the calm voice of reason in the face of adverse and even tragic circumstances. Goofy's optimism makes him one of the warmest characters in the games, and he can always be relied on to make the best of things.
Naminé
As the Nobody of Kairi, Naminé is a mainstay of the Kingdom Hearts games and possesses the powerful ability to alter the memories of Sora and those who are connected to him. Naminé's unusual origins set her apart from other Nobodies from the beginning as Kairi's status as a Princess of Heart meant she couldn't leave the Realm of Light.
This also meant that Naminé was born without Kairi's memories, further distancing her from Kairi, and her ability to experience true emotions also makes her unusual. As a result of her unique position, Naminé is able to be a powerful ally in the games and some fans may have a strong affinity for the Kingdom Hearts character.
Xion
First introduced in Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days as a member of Organization XIII, Xion first appears as a shy, isolated person. Due to not being a proper Nobody, Xion is able to express emotions, though this doesn't always come out in a positive way. Xion's character arc that sees her discovering her own true nature is engrossing to watch.
Finding out her nature has a massive impact on Xion but, throughout her journey, she retained a strong sense of justice, even sacrificing herself for others when she thinks it's the right thing to do. Her complexity makes Xion stand out in the Kingdom hearts games and she remains an irable character.
Ventus
Also known as Ven, Ventus is one of the protagonists of Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep for the PSP and he also appears throughout some of the other games. The youngest of the three Keyblade warriors, Ventus is cheerful and bright, bringing a similar energy as Sora but with a noticeable tendency to be stubborn at times.
In appearance, Ventus more closely resembles Roxas and his clothes are an enticing mix of different elements. Though Ventus may not be as memorable as Sora or Roxas, landing somewhere in between those two personality-wise, the tragic end of his initial appearance in the games and subsequent redemption has left him a unique place in the hearts of fans.
Aqua
Not only is she a main protagonist in Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep, but Aqua is also the protagonist of the in-between title Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep -A fragmentary age-, which sheds more light on the Keyblade wielder who is determined to become a Master.
Serious and emotionally intelligent, Aqua has a strong sense of right and wrong that shines through in her actions. Her devotion to her friends and willingness to make sacrifices makes her one of the strongest characters in the games and, along with her striking appearance, have made her stand out as a protagonist.
Lea
The original persona of the Nobody Axel, Lea appears in Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep as a boisterous teenager, overly competitive and childish in contrast to his more mature best friend Isa. Lea is cocky and determined to be ed by his peers, whatever it takes to do so.
When Lea returns later, having ed his time as Axel, he is the same brash, overconfident figure he once was, but now with a renewed determination to protect his friends. His personality can put him at odds with others but Lea's desire to be ed wasn't for nothing, as he has left a lasting impression on many fans for whom he is a firm favorite.
Riku
Riku is perhaps the character who develops the most in the Kingdom Hearts games, going from an easily manipulated jerk who is guided by his jealousy of Sora to a strong force for good in his own right. Originally a childhood friend of Sora and Kairi, he eventually comes to see himself as a rival to Sora.
After being forced to confront the darkness that lives within his own heart, Riku realizes he can use the darkness for good and he leaves behind some of his worse character traits. Riku retains some of the habits that made him rub some fans the wrong way but he has nevertheless become perhaps the most likable original character in the Kingdom Hearts series.
Sora
The main protagonist and playable character in a large chunk of the Kingdom Hearts games including the three mainline titles, Sora dominates the conversation around the game so it is no surprise that he is one of the best characters the series has produced. Sora epitomizes heroism, displaying bravery and selflessness at every turn.
One fact many Kingdom Hearts fans don't know is that Sora is the series' creator and character designer Tetsuya Nomura's favorite character and, as he's a man who also produced some of Final Fantasy's iconic figures, that says a lot. Design is an important part of the character's quality too, as it is hard to imagine Sora without his short-sleeved jacket and laidback Keyblade-wielding pose.
Roxas
Roxas is the Nobody of Sora who, despite Sora having his heart quickly restored when Roxas was created, continued to exist unbeknownst to the protagonist. A rare example of a Nobody who can experience real emotions, Roxas is strikingly similar to his counterpart in personality but with a much more noticeable dark side.
Roxas can be antagonistic and doesn't like to be put in any box. Though he seems to always do the right thing eventually, Roxas' selfishness and independence do make him an unknown quantity at times. Roxas' more complex status as a character helped push him above Sora for fans as the choice for best Kingdom Hearts character.
Axel
Kingdom Hearts has some great antagonists and that's a role that Axel manages to fulfill too, showing cruelty and a complete lack of remorse in betraying those he once kept as allies. In his first appearance in Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories, it is hard to see the Nobody of Lea any other way but his friendship with Roxas and Xion allows him to return a changed man in Kingdom Hearts II.
Though he retains some negative personality traits, Axel becomes protective of the others and far more selfless, and tragically that eventually leads to his own downfall. With his twin Chakrams that he wields along with his pyrokinesis, Axel is also a force to be reckoned with. Despite not appearing in Kingdom Hearts III, Axel made a strong enough impression to win out over all others as the greatest Kingdom Hearts character.