As is tradition, the first day of the oprainfall Awards celebrates characters. These awards not only deal with visual design but personality and how they handle their role. Speaking of roles, the roles for handling the next two categories, Hottest Guy and Gal respectively, are Campaign Hub Manager Angela Hinck and Review Manager Josh Speer. Take is away, guys…
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HOTTEST GUY |
| Previous Winners 2012: Dunban (Xenoblade Chronicles) 2013: Professor Sycamore (Pokemon X & Y) |
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ANGELA:Ready to take a break from more serious categories like “best story” and “best downloadable game?” Never fear: your favorite category is here for you, along with all of our choices for 2014’s hottest male characters. From chivalrous to lazy, rugged to pretty, we have a variety of beautiful men in our roster. So who won the hearts of our staff? Here are the contenders.
- Ringabel (Bravely Default)
Ringabel is a tried-and-true character type: the amorous and charming rogue with a cloudy past. Like the best examples of this trope though, he’s a genuinely good guy with noble intentions and even some wisdom hidden away behind the frivolousness. As for his looks, I’ll let the picture up there speak for itself. Not many men could pull off the “nearly naked cherub” look with such finesse.
- Link (Hyrule Warriors)
Link has had a reputation as a pretty boy for years, and for good reason. He has that classic, elfish look going for him that has always been popular with his fans, and that only continues to hold true in Hyrule Warriors. Not to mention that he has the famous Hero of Time title under his belt. He’s got the looks and he’s got the heroism. The only downside might be that he doesn’t have the best conversation skills.
- Fang (Fairy Fencer F)
Fang is the sort of protagonist that makes some people swoon and others roll their eyes — the latter mostly because they’re probably wondering “if that guy can be a hero, why can’t I?” Lazy and kind of amoral, Fang isn’t what you would call a ‘hero’ at first glance. At the start of Fairy Fencer F, he’s serving jail time for not paying for bread and is in no rush to get out due to the easy prison life. Give it time, though. His charmingly ruffled appearance hides a capable and passionate personality. He just might need to take a nap first…
- Luka Redgrave (Bayonetta 2)
Luka dresses like a cowboy, acts like an intrepid reporter, and is one suave smooth-talker… or so he seems to think. In reality, Luka often falls short of being smooth, especially when he’s trying to show off around Bayonetta. She might not be impressed, but his brand of humor has gotten him plenty of fans in the real world. Additionally, even though he fumbles his impressive entrances and speeches on occasion, Luka still impressively holds his own in tough situations and does often have some very useful information to share.
- Ludger (Tales of Xillia 2)
Ludger is a guy under a lot of stress at the start of Xillia 2. On top of the responsibilities every RPG protagonist must bear (fate of the world and so on) he has his share of mundane problems, too. Think family issues and entrance exams; though admittedly, Ludger’s versions of those problems aren’t exactly mundane. At least he handles his various trials in style. Everyone loves a sharp-dressed man, and how many Tales protagonists do you see a tie and dress shirt?
AND THE BIGGEST HUNK OF 2014 IS…
Link
It looks like our staff is into the strong and silent type. Link has been saving the land of Hyrule since 1986, and for a guy who has been in the hero business for nearly 30 years now, he’s still looking as handsome as ever. It just goes to show that it’s hard to defeat a classic.
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HOTTEST GAL |
| Previous Winners 2012: Syrenne (The Last Story) 2013: Anna (Fire Emblem: Awakening) |
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JOSH: The next category is always a tricky one. What exactly defines a woman’s hotness? Being cute? Naughty? Sexy? Or is it a factor of their intelligence and personality? While it is a challenge to narrow down an exact definition, it seems from our voting that the staff believed the hottest girl had to have a mix of both personality, intelligence and looks, which seems more than reasonable to me. In alphabetical order, here are our lovely ladies!
- Agnès Oblige (Bravely Default)
I suppose this nominee makes a sort of sense, since she was so integral to the plot of Bravely Default. Agnès was cold while her female teammate Edea was warm, but perhaps that just appealed to more people. I mean, sure a rambunctious girl like Edea is a lot of fun, but maybe we wanted one with more mild mannered tendencies? If so, Agnès certainly fits the bill. She is certainly lovely, in a reserved, demure sort of way, and maybe that won us all over.
- Bayonetta (Bayonetta 2)
What do I need to even say about Bayonetta? I mean, she’s gorgeous, fierce and over the top. It also doesn’t hurt that she spends 90% of the time walking around bare ass naked except for her magical mane. But that might not necessarily make her the hottest gal. Perhaps hottest also means nicest or cutest? Sex appeal might not be enough for our quirky staff.
- Edea Lee (Bravely Default)
Much as I drool over Bayonetta, I truly adore Edea. I mean, just look at her! She adorable, sassy and speaks her mind at the drop of a hat. Better yet, she is fierce, loyal and a great character. Nevertheless, she has some stiff competition with these other ladies, many of which have been around in the gaming world for longer. Let’s hope she is victorious and not defeated and left Mrgrgring in the corner…
- Neptune (Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth1)
This next nominee I probably know the least well, but from what I’ve read she seems adorable. I mean, I do have a thing for pink haired cuties, and she is carefree and yet powerful. There’s something to be said for that childlike innocence in a woman. Plus, any character who gives adorable nicknames to everyone has to at least have a shot for winning hottest gal, right?
- Shantae (Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse)
I fervently hope that Shantae can bellydance her way to the top of the the list. She is both lovely, full of personality and unflinchingly loyal to those she cares about. Plus her magical transformation abilities make her a powerhouse against any foe. And, as Pirate’s Curse has proven, she’s a force to be reckoned with even without the aid of her magical abilities! Honestly, this seems like an obvious choice for the gold.
AND THE LOVELIEST LADY OF 2014 IS…
Neptune
It was a close race, but the winner and champion was none other than Neptune! Yes, the goddess of Planeptune has stolen our hearts as well as the first place slot. Loved by many for her laid back ways, she is also a fierce fighter who defends those she cares about. Better yet, she’s two personalities for the price of one. Once she changes via HDD mode into Purple Heart, cute little Neptune becomes a gorgeous woman. No longer laid back, she is serious and focused on the task at hand. And really, can any of the other nominees beat her two-in-one aspect? I think not, and it would seem the staff agrees. Keep on Nep Nepping, you purple haired beauty!
