JRPGs have long thrived on sweeping plots, vast worlds, and—most importantly—unforgettable characters. While protagonists often drive the story, it’s the companions who linger in players’ memories. Some offer comic relief, others moral clarity, and a few even outshine the leads. Here are ten standout JRPG companions who left a lasting mark on the genre.
10. Tressa Colzione – Octopath Traveler
Tressa isn’t just a wide-eyed merchant chasing dreams—she’s a relentless optimist whose journey across the continent captures a sense of youthful wonder. She may not be the strongest fighter, but her perspective adds depth to Octopath Traveler’s shifting narratives.
9. Auron – Final Fantasy X
Silent but devastatingly effective, Auron carries the emotional weight of Final Fantasy X. With cryptic wisdom and a samurai’s resolve, he serves as mentor, bodyguard, and reminder that duty often means sacrifice. Few JRPG characters command a presence like Auron.
8. Mia – Golden Sun: The Lost Age
In a game overflowing with elemental powers and psychic battles, Mia grounds the party with empathy and resolve. As the healer and heart of the group, she remains a quiet force of stability amid cosmic upheaval.
7. 9S – NieR: Automata
NieR’s 9S is the emotional counterweight to 2B’s cold efficiency. His evolving understanding of humanity, loyalty, and existential dread gives the game its aching, poetic soul. Through him, Automata becomes more than combat—it becomes philosophy in motion.
6. Judith – Tales of Vesperia
Judith is grace, rebellion, and mystery bundled into one high-flying Dragoon. She’s not afraid to question authority—or destroy it outright. With style and purpose, she pushes the party’s morality and mission into darker, more compelling territory.
5. Vivi – Final Fantasy IX
A living embodiment of the Black Mage class, Vivi is innocence and heartbreak wrapped in robes and a pointed hat. His journey from confused child to self-aware hero is the emotional backbone of Final Fantasy IX. His presence alone elevates the entire game.
4. Morgana – Persona 5
Okay, we had to keep one Persona pick. Morgana is more than comic relief—he’s a strategist, a moral compass, and a walking identity crisis. Whether you’re annoyed or endeared by his declarations that “he’s not a cat,” Morgana earns his place in the Phantom Thieves.
3. Cidolfus Telamon – Final Fantasy XVI
This iteration of Cid is the best yet. With biting sarcasm and a haunted past, he’s both mentor and revolutionary. His bond with protagonist Clive Rosfield grounds the high fantasy in gritty realism, helping the story feel human even as it flirts with the divine.
2. Estelle Bright – The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky
Estelle begins as a hot-headed rookie and grows into a fiercely loyal leader. Her optimism, stubbornness, and emotional intelligence make her the core of one of the most expansive RPG narratives ever written. She is the glue holding the Liberl Kingdom together.
1. Aerith Gainsborough – Final Fantasy VII
No list would be complete without Aerith. Her legacy transcends her time on screen. Equal parts healer, mystic, and romantic, she injects joy into the game’s bleakest moments. Her death was a cultural moment. Her life? A testament to how vital a companion can be.
From mystic healers to space androids, JRPGs prove time and again that side characters can be the soul of the journey. Whether making you laugh, cry, or rethink your mission, these companions aren’t just support—they’re the reason we keep playing.
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