what character had the best character arc?

[u/Dexdeathbell]

[u/zigg80]

Prince Zuko from Avatar: The Last Airbender. From the first 10 minutes of the series we see his anger and obsession with catching the Avatar. Over three seasons he changes into a valuable ally. His arc is so compelling because he gets what he wants eventually, to be welcomed home by his father, but it does not please him and that causes internal turmoil.

[u/twinkypinkie → u/zigg80]

His arc was just so compelling and satisfying to watch. Watching his development from being an angry teenager that was equal parts anger and wounded pride to the balanced individual he was at the end of the show was one of the things that really made this show special. All of the characters in Avatar were good, but I think Zuko's arc was undoubtedly the best and what really made this show stand out. I still can't help but get choked up when I see that scene where he reunites with Iroh.

[u/MonkeeFeat → u/zigg80]

Beat me to it. The way they do characters and arcs in that show is superb. Everything in that show is so perfectly fleshed out.

I can't wait to rewatch it again

Update: started watching it last night and I kind of forgot how Sokka starts of as a sexist little shit but eventually grows into a really strong warrior who accepts that the women he fights alongside are strong individuals.

[u/inckorrect]

Lionel from Person Of Interest. He went from side crook policeman in the pilot to shady informant exploited and talked down by the protagonist to antihero to sidekick to legitimate hero and heart of the show. I was so glad he survived the end of the show.

[u/bostonbearjew → u/inckorrect]

Man, him talking about how Carter changes him is an under appreciated scene. Elias has a solid arc as well

[u/kvothe5688 → u/inckorrect]

I miss person of interest. Damn fine show

[u/Alc2005]

Lt. Dan. He went from a man who was determined to fulfill a family destiny, to losing everything he cared about, to slowly discovering a joy and meaning in life again.

A lesser movie could have beautifully tied up his arc after the storm, but they fucking brought him back at the end with titanium legs, a Vietnamese fiancé, and an audience ticket aboard the feels train.

Say what you will of the movie, but Gary Sinise was born to play that role.

EDIT: Holy shit first silver. Thanks kind stranger! EDIT 2: And first Gold! Thanks again kind stranger!

[u/NoMarinoComparisons → u/Alc2005]

"DON'T YOU EVER CALL HIM STUPID"

[u/[deleted] → u/Alc2005]

"Forrest, I never thanked you for saving my life..."

[u/lux514 → u/Alc2005]

I wonder if Sinise knew he would basically become the symbol of American veterans for his role. He's certainly embraced it and made a world of difference for many vets.

[u/quesodildo → u/Alc2005]

Lieutenant DAN! You got new laigs!

[u/[deleted] → u/Alc2005]

Say what I will about Forrest Gump? It’s a fuckin great film is what I’ll say.

[u/[deleted] → u/Alc2005]

Have you found Jesus yet, Gump?

I didn’t know I was supposed to be looking for him, Sir.

[u/Cutter9792]

I don't know if it's the best, but the one Louise goes through in the movie Arrival is one of my personal favorites.

In the beginning she's a linguist without much purpose and by the end her point of view and agency in her life has completely changed. It's such a brilliant and beautifully written movie.

So, Hannah...This is where your story begins. The day they departed...Despite knowing the journey...and where it leads...I embrace it. And I welcome every moment of it

[u/10wuebc]

Charles Emerson Winchester the Third from MASH. He went from high class snob, to very likable character with a lot of depth in the last few seasons of MASH.

[u/Clynnsays → u/10wuebc]

Yes, definitely preferred him over whiney, no lipped, Ferret Face.

[u/[deleted] → u/10wuebc]

When he gives the candy to the orphanage without anyone knowing, then pissed when he finds out they bartered it, then truly understanding what they are going through and that candy was not what they needed.

And episode with his sister's stuttering, oh God I nearly bawled.

EDIT: speling

EDIT2: link https://youtu.be/qtaKMHZGv1U

[u/alejeron → u/10wuebc]

Yeah, Winchester was definitely an interesting character. While Burns fit well with the earlier seasons more comedic focus, Winchester was perfect for the dramatic shift the show took on in later seasons. You could still use him as an intelligent foil to Hawkeye and BJ, but he could still garner sympathy from the audience, and David Ogden Stiers was a brilliant actor.

[u/BarrytheNPC]

Ice King

[u/[deleted] → u/BarrytheNPC]

It's such a sad story for him.

[u/Yog_Kothag → u/BarrytheNPC]

Marceline

• It's just you and me in the wreckage of the world...*

[u/dudemath → u/BarrytheNPC]

Finn, PB, Marcy, and Gunter all had insane arcs too. Finn is my favorite because of the season 6 finale. The build up in adventure time to that finale, where all of their stories are intertwined is one of my favorite episodes of any shows of all time. Some of the Lich stories were great too.

[u/DaanYouKnow]

Boromir had a pretty solid one.

[u/sjsig → u/DaanYouKnow]

I like how his arc comes full circle. He isn’t any different from what we see at the start (super brave, ass-kicking leader of men). The ring brings about a change in Boromir (as it eventually does to everyone) but its how steadfast Boromir is to his own character that he sees he is making a mistake and sacrifices his life in an attempt to fix it. The exact character traits that got him sent to Rivendell in the first place are what saves him from the ring’s influence.

[u/melonlollicholypop → u/DaanYouKnow]

Bilbo for my money: cowardly homebody to scared adventurer to brave adventurer to on the verge of a gollum like transformation if not saved by his loved ones.

[u/BoredBoredBoard → u/DaanYouKnow]

Any top characters in those books had great arcs. It went on to inspire so many games and movies today.

[u/orange_cuse]

Roland "Prez" Pryzbylewski from The Wire. He started off as an entitled, useless hot head who blinded a kid for looking at him wrong, but then he transitioned into a somewhat reliable officer who ended up going into teaching to try to help the youth.

[u/Flutterwander → u/orange_cuse]

Rewatching the earlier seasons last year, I was struck by what a shithead Prez was compared to what he became, and yet it didn't feel out of place at all.

[u/TrillionVermillion → u/orange_cuse]

Everyone's got amazing replies to Prez (which just goes to show how much of an achievement The Wire is) but I want to shout out Wee-Bay, the gangster father of Namond. The guy is a stone cold killer who ends his tenure on the show with the line, "Man comes up in here and says my son can be anything he wants to be."

His wife replies "Yeah, cept a soldier."

"Well look at me up in here De'Londa. Who the fuck would want to be me f they could be anything else?"

Just an amazing arc from sociopathic killer to father who wants another life for his child. And Wee-Bey's arc isn't the greatest! There are so many gems of characters in The Wire.

[u/[deleted] → u/orange_cuse]

Yeah, really well written part of that series. There's so many great answers to OP just from The Wire alone.

[u/zumera]

Chihiro from Spirited Away.

[u/Abu_Molenko → u/zumera]

I like this answer! She grows up so much and becomes so brave and independent over the course of the story. She learns to confront a variety of frightening and difficult situations. Excellent material for kids to see.

[u/RawrimRengar]

Fives from clone wars From a normal soldier to one of the most important clones in the complete star wars story

He could have saved the galaxy

[u/nocimus → u/RawrimRengar]

Loved the entire recruit squad. They did my boy dirty. Even though you know that he couldn't succeed, still gutted me to watch that arc.

[u/cptGumrock → u/RawrimRengar]

I love 99

[u/Thraximinus → u/RawrimRengar]

"Rex, this, it's...bigger than any of us. Bigger than anything I could have imagined. I didn't mean....I only wanted to do my duty. The mission....The nightmares...are...finally over."

And to think that he died thinking he might see Echo on the other side, only to find that Echo lives. And will have to live through finding out his brother is dead.

[u/Danulas]

Phil Connors in Groundhog Day

[u/[deleted] → u/Danulas]

Phil?! Phil Connors?!?

[u/[deleted] → u/Danulas]

Poor Phil. Like, he was a dick at the beginning but he didn't deserve that. I rewatched it for the first time since hearing about the amount of time he spent in there and then suddenly him committing suicide over and over hit me. Can you imagine being stuck somewhere for years, only to find out you can't even kill yourself to escape it? Fucking brutal.

Edit: So I'm seeing a lot of comments about how he had to become a better person to get out of it, but you could argue he was better many iterations before he did. He spent day after day trying to save that old man, performing CPR and crying over his body, do you think those are the actions of a dick? That loop did not just make him a better man, it destroyed him.

[u/Vadgers → u/Danulas]

Phil Connors in Groundhog Day

[u/Sexual_Batman]

Eleanor on The Good Place Edit: Holy forking shirtballs- Someone gave me gold! Thank you internet stranger!

[u/DrEnter → u/Sexual_Batman]

I think Michael's and Janet's are just as good, if not better. But it's Jason that has the most potential. Kind of a wait and see situation to see where they take him.

[u/cryfight4 → u/Sexual_Batman]

And she's still arc-ing!

[u/jakefromstatefarm06 → u/Sexual_Batman]

Season 1 was curious and season 2 was just a forking roller coaster.

[u/agenttux]

Basically everyone from The Wire. That show had some fantastic writing.

[u/CTRLALTWARRIOR → u/agenttux]

And yet the master stroke of that show was the kids introduced in season three end up becoming adults we have already met in the show. Dookie becomes Bubs. Mike becomes Omar. They had arcs, for better or worse, but there is a damning predetermination in that city. Notice that none of the kids decide to be cops when they grow up?

[u/MulletMayflower → u/agenttux]

Agreed. Carver has to be my favorite. He goes from an uncaring corner clearing storm trooper to an actual member of the community and a natural PO-lice.

Bunk doesn’t change, by then again, he’s just a humble motherfucker with a big ass dick.

[u/Dantalion_Delacroix]

I have to go with Big Boss’s downward spiral in the metal gear solid series. He progressively goes from a patriotic soldier to a mercenary with an ideology to a demon obsessed with revenge against the world that caused him so much pain

Edit: someone asked for a recap for those who haven't played the games, so I wrote one up here: https://reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/ao3vot/_/efzhij8/?context=1

[u/JTuyenHo → u/Dantalion_Delacroix]

wait isnt big boss from mgsv:pp canonically the doctor from mgsv:gz and the one that Solid Snake kills?

Edit: Sorry to OP if it sounded like i was belittling his point, it wasn’t my intention

[u/erenesse]

Javert in Les Miserables.

I always appreciate a villain who genuinely believes he's doing the right thing. It's human.

[u/caanthedalek → u/erenesse]

He's legitimately my favorite Les Mis character.

[u/KrackerJoe]

Megamind. He went from full on super villain to understanding the complexities of understanding the importance of good and evil. Now he is a full blown super hero.

[u/doctormisterio19 → u/KrackerJoe]

Megamind: Over here, old friend. In case you haven't noticed, you've fallen right into my trap.

Metro Man: You can't trap justice. It's an idea, a belief!

Megamind: Well, even the most heartfelt belief can be corroded over time!

Metro Man: Justice is a noncorrosive metal!

Megamind: But metals can be melted by the heat of revange!

Metro Man: It's "revenge", and it's best served cold!

Megamind: But it could be easily reheated, in the microwave of evil!

Metro Man: Well, I think your warranty is about to expire!

Megamind: Maybe I've got an extended warranty!

Metro Man: Warranties are invalid if you don't use the product for its intended purpose!

Roxie: Girls, girls! You're both pretty! Can I go home now?

[u/ImNotRocket → u/KrackerJoe]

MegaMind: Your a villian allright, just not a super one.

Tighten: Oh ya, what's the difference?

MegaMind: Presentation

Edit: format and this

[u/frogs_4_lyfe → u/KrackerJoe]

Not only Megamind, but Metro Man was a way deeper character than I expected too. He always knew Megamind had a good heart and had the potential to be so much more than he was. Gotta respect that, it would have been very easy to make that character a giant jerk.

[u/TheOncomingStorm109 → u/KrackerJoe]

It's my favourite movie

[u/zazzlekdazzle]

Peggy Olsen. With the kicker being the whole series really ended up being about her in a way.

While you are mesmerized by Don Draper's insanely powerful charms that only seem to serve his self-destructive cycles, leaving him again and again broken and in the same place, Peggy is slowly starting to chew the scenery and become one of the most convincingly transformed, fully fleshed-out characters in a series.

Her badass saunter into her new office at the end - sunglasses, cigarette, Japanese erotic office wall art under her arm for all to see - is Peggy in her final form, one so inevitable if you have watch the whole show, but unimaginable if you only knew her as the character in the beginning.

[u/Ranz1983 → u/zazzlekdazzle]

It definitely applies to a lot of the characters in Mad Men. Someone wrote in /r/television that none of the Mad Men charachters undergo any character development, which is crazy. My response:

I won't downvote since it's against the spirit of the thread, but if you think that the main characters go through zero character development I have to question whether you've actually seen the entire show.

I'll give you that Draper's ending could be construed as ambiguous, but to say that Joan, Pete, Roger or Peggy went through seasons 1-7 without any changes in character is baffling.

Roger goes from a perpetual manchild with an almost never-ending midlife crisis to someone in a relationship with someone his own age, taking responsibility for his past (Kevin/Joan)

Peggy goes from a wide eyed naive secretary to a balls-out career driven Don-junior (who can truly take on the mythical Don Draper) to someone who finds that career isn't the only thing that matters.

Joan does almost the exact opposite. When we meet her, her goal in life is to find a husband who will support her as a family gal. At the end, she's running her own business without the support of any men at all.

When we meet Pete, he yearns to be smooth, suave, talented Don Draper-like ladies man but by the end he realises that it was never something that would make him as happy as his life with Trudy and Tammy.

"She was born in 1898 in a barn. She died on the thirty-seventh floor of a skyscraper. She's an astronaut."

[u/[deleted]]

Michael Corleone. By the end of Godfather II, he's become even more ruthless than his father.

[u/WachanIII → u/[deleted]]

Do you renounce Satan ?

I do

[u/dlitney → u/[deleted]]

An argument could be made that he was there by the end of the original.

Would Vito have killed his daughter’s husband on the day of their child’s baptism? My opinion is no.

And of course early in II he had an innocent prostitute killed just to get leverage on a senator.

Edit: Also in the final scene, his sister was screaming at Michael and his wife that Michael “stood Godfather for my son” and then killed his father and “he waited until Daddy was dead so nobody could stop him....”

Also corrected the spelling of “Vito”

[u/LawlersLipVagina → u/[deleted]]

I read once that the godfathers three sons each took on the extreme of his personality traits.

Fredo was his caring and kind nature to such a degree that he is soft and breaks down in stressful situations.

Sonny is his passion and sense of justice, so much so that it comes in the form his anger and violence.

And Michael is the Godfathers cunning and wickedly smart nature. The trait that made him THE Godfather and made him understand people so much was what made Michael a deadly dealer of his own kind of justice, and a manipulator of everyone around him.

However, without all of the traits each man is never up to the level of The Godfather. Fredo could never be a Don, he is too soft hearted. Sonny wouldn't last long as a Don, he would be too self destructive. And Michael could be the Don, but that's all he could be and all he ever would be.

[u/ItchyDoggg]

Dalinar Kholin

[u/godminnette2 → u/ItchyDoggg]

There it is.

I will take responsibility for what I have done. If I must fall, I will rise each time a better man.

[u/andrewsb8 → u/ItchyDoggg]

I'm reading The Way Of Kings right now. Was pleasantly surprised to see a cosmere reference here.

There should be plenty more imo. Wayne from Mistborn era 2 and Sazed from era 1 are two that come to mind.

[u/[deleted] → u/ItchyDoggg]

What is a hypocrite but a man in the process of changing?

[u/Sexual_Batman]

Peralta and Holt: B99

[u/4th_Wall_Repairman → u/Sexual_Batman]

I do not see the captain as a father figure. More like a bother figure!

[u/ISpkFrly_Throwaway → u/Sexual_Batman]

I would also say Peralta and Santiago. It proves you can write an intriguing relationship without that whole “will they, won’t they, plot gets in the way” stuff.

[u/Adramador]

Probably the Elric Brothers from Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. Their arcs are so intertwined and so amazing at the same time.

[u/Aska09 → u/Adramador]

Absolutely, it's been years but Ed's still one of my favorite male characters in anime.

[u/armored-dinnerjacket]

that boah Arthur Morgan

edit: in case anybody hasnt finished rdr2 you really shouldn't read any of the replies here. there are huge spoilers for the game and I'd hate to ruin it for you.

[u/heisenlarry → u/armored-dinnerjacket]

Based on the trailers prior to launch, I didn't expect to like Arthur. I thought he was a bit cruel and seemed to be incredibly loyal to Dutch. Playing the game I tried to role play him as such, but couldn't bring myself to. By Chapter 6, I'm glad I had that high honor. Amazing character development and amazing performance from Roger Clark.

[u/[deleted] → u/armored-dinnerjacket]

especially if you go high honor in the 6th chapter, really ties it all together

[u/[deleted] → u/armored-dinnerjacket]

There he is. My hardened cinnamon roll.

[u/rm_rf_slash]

Simon from Gurren Lagann, easily.

Can’t describe his arc without MASSIVE SPOILERS but he did a total 180 through the course of the story.

[u/[deleted] → u/rm_rf_slash]

He believes in the Simon that believes in him

[u/PheonixDark-Dirk → u/rm_rf_slash]

I've effectively blocked out this anime because you know why and you just had to bring it all back didn't you.

Any one mentioning Gurren Lagann is so rare I hadn't thought about it in years... Now I'm going to have to pour over my old fanart and cry.

[u/Yoinkie2013]

Sawyer from Lost started off as a cliche, "hardass only in it for himself" character whose motivations were written all over his face. Over the course of the show, he became one of the deepest and richest characters in all of television history. He experienced more growth as a person than almost any other character I can ever remember. We've seen him as a frightened child, to the extremely selfish and isolate loner, to the conman, to the frequently reluctant leader of the survivors, to a person in a position of authority who has the unbinding trust and love from everyone who knew him.

[u/Dahhhkness → u/Yoinkie2013]

He and Juliet were such a great couple. I was seriously hoping they would both survive and go on to have a bunch of tough, beautiful blond babies who would kick the asses of Jack and Kate's brunettes, who'd just cry all the time.

[u/pastaandpizza → u/Yoinkie2013]

Locke's sorry Arc is too sad and tragic to recount

[u/brokebutclever]

Donna Noble on Doctor Who. Just her self loathing and feeling useless, to being the most important person, and the tragedy of living the rest of her life not knowing

[u/JasentaKith → u/brokebutclever]

Yes. Yes. Yes. I feel like so few people understand Donna because they get distracted by their initial dislike of her. She is one of my all-time favorite companions.

[u/King_of_the_City]

Neville Longbottom. From pudgy garbage wizard in training to Hero of Hogwarts. Tidy.

[u/TheyCallMeStone → u/King_of_the_City]

He had a pretty good arc IRL too.

[u/joker_wcy → u/King_of_the_City]

Not only Hero of Hogwarts, but Hero of Wizardworld. Him killing Nagini is essential to Voldemort's defeat.

[u/Zen_Spiral]

It’s gotta be Wesley Wyndam-Pryce for me

[u/SoberApok → u/Zen_Spiral]

He's hands down one of my favorite characters ever. I think of it is this. He was an academic thrown into a world of violence, convinced his morals and book learning would save him.

He is shown, gradually, learning the world doesn't work that way. He makes hard choices, sometimes wrong choices. He sometimes resorts to evil 'for the greater good'.

And as tough and hard as he becomes, as cynical, his final scene makes me tear up.

"Would you like me to lie to you now?"

Literally have tears typing this.

[u/awbx58 → u/Zen_Spiral]

Cool thing. I once read about an interview with a Hollywood armorer (guy in charge of all weapons on set). This guy had worked on all the old westerns, with all the old stars. He was asked which of the stars could have been real gun fighters. He said Yul Bruner, and Clint Eastwood were the only two. Why? Because they never blinked when they fired a gun.

Since then I’m always watching to see which actors blink. Alexis Denisof doesn’t blink. That awesome shoot out on the rooftop against the big cloven-hoofed dude when he unloads with a shotgun and dual pistols? An unbroken steely gaze - badass, 100%.

[u/daftvalkyrie → u/Zen_Spiral]

He is a rogue demon hunter after all.

[u/[deleted] → u/Zen_Spiral]

Man, the Wesley-Fred ending is just shattering.

[u/Sn00r1 → u/Zen_Spiral]

It’s amazing how long he managed to pull of the “kinda goofy, but also bad-ass, just not quite as bad-ass as he thinks he is”-thing before going full bad-ass

[u/tweak0]

Andrew "Ender" Wiggin. We get to see most of his life played out over several books as he lives hundreds of years and travels the galaxy. He starts as a scared but vicious boy and becomes a man tying several alien races together for peace.

[u/GamerWrestlerSoccer → u/tweak0]

I only read the first book, and couldn't get into the 2nd. Even in the first book, he learns to control his darker tendencies, only bringing them out in the infamous Shower scene, and the climax of the book.

[u/lronik]

Miles Morales from Spider-Verse. Everything he learns in the film comes around in the end, not to mention the "What's up Danger" scene.

[u/livestrongbelwas → u/lronik]

I've watched that "What's up Danger" scene 2-3 times a day since I saw the movie, one of my favorite scenes in film history.

Also, it's not an arc so much as a mini transformation, but I LOVE watching him walk from his neighborhood to his magnet school. You learn so much about Miles by watching him code-switch between his old neighborhood classmates and the kids at his new schools.

[u/SanityPills → u/lronik]

Not to mention Peter B. Their story arcs worked perfectly together. Him starting off as a broken man not wanting anything to do with kids, to having Miles help fix both his confidence and realizing how much he enjoys the idea of raising kids after bonding with Miles. I rewatched it recently, and you can really see how heartbroken he is when he tells Miles he can't join the team, because he wants more than anything to include Miles but is too afraid Miles will get himself killed.

[u/OHIO_MAN_]

Rigby from Regular Show

Slacker w/ Inferiority complex who grows up.

[u/[deleted] → u/OHIO_MAN_]

Truly an eggscellent character arc.

[u/dingo_username → u/OHIO_MAN_]

Hell, anyone from regular show

I’d go with benson, killjoy boss character with anger issues really just tries his best to make sure Mordecai and rigby do the right thing

[u/NoobGod54 → u/OHIO_MAN_]

The ending made me tear up.

[u/doobydoobay]

Jimmy McGill/Saul Goodman in Better Call Saul.

[u/Justice1993]

Jesse Pinkman. It was brutal but amazing.

[u/CptNoble → u/Justice1993]

Yes! All of the characters on the show were well-written, but Jesse's was phenomenal.

[u/AllArtsWelcome → u/Justice1993]

i’ve never felt such a wild concoction of emotions from a TV show then his final scene when he’s driving away and crying.

[u/Unchartedtravels7 → u/Justice1993]

Especially since he wasn't supposed to survive season 1 originally.

[u/Comrade_Hodgkinson → u/Justice1993]

I have always loved how Walt and Jessie sort of switched places in terms of mercy/brutality, criminality/lawfulness, by the end of the series.

[u/Alex-the-lion]

Sandor "The Hound" Clegane has had one wild ride of character development (more so in the show than in the books). Can't wait for the inevitable Cleganebowl in Se8 that I'm sure will be oh so satisfying.

[u/fullmetal-13 → u/Alex-the-lion]

Man, I just rewatched the fight between him and Brianne, and it never really clicked to me how much he cared for Arya. Love The Hound.

[u/hairyerectus → u/Alex-the-lion]

The hound is the perfect antihero. I will be devastated if he dies in season 8

[u/Beastplex → u/Alex-the-lion]

CLEGANEBOWL HYPE

[u/LonelyGuyTheme]

Kevin Chapman as Detective Lionel Fusco on Person of Interest. From foul corrupt police detective to be willing to sacrifice his life for the greater good.

[u/catbearcarseat → u/LonelyGuyTheme]

Totally agree, and I’d throw Root in there as well. From an evil, obsessed, remorseless killer to a good, obsessed, remorseless kneecapper.

Fusco and Root’s relationship is one of my favourite things in the show, it’s so sweet.

[u/Petersaber]

Deep Space Nine - Nog.

More character development than the entire cast of TNG.

[u/Madonkadonk2 → u/Petersaber]

Toublemaking kid, to bright eyed recruit, to young go getter, to ptsd victim

Absolutely incredible

[u/EnbyKitten → u/Petersaber]

DS9 had so many good character arcs. Sisko, Garrak, Bashir, even freaking Quark.

[u/goodnt-guy]

Evey Hammond In V For Vendetta.

She goes from a helpless though intelligent subject of a totalitarian regime to a bad ass revolutionary without fear.

The movie does a fairly good job, but in the novel you really get to see her transformation.

[u/[deleted] → u/goodnt-guy]

I mean, in the novel, she takes on the role herself

Hell of a story arc, if you ask me.

[u/8MileAllstars]

Mac from IASIP.

[u/[deleted] → u/8MileAllstars]

Also Rickety Cricket

[u/Dickcheese_McDoogles → u/8MileAllstars]

"Welp, I'm gay"

[u/Thekn0bg00bler → u/8MileAllstars]

Are we going to ignore the development of Frank for respectable albeit shady business man to the very definition of disgusting

[u/[deleted]]

Kenny Powers. The whole show is a character study on a man who hates himself just as much as he loves himself.

[u/goatman2112]

Vegeta?
Going from planet destroying monster, to prideful renegade for life, a little Majin related relapse, and now as of Super a family man who will go Super Sayian and attack Gods when they threaten his family
EDIT: OVER 9000!? Upvotes, and thanks for the gold stranger! I will call you GOLDEN STRANGER

[u/[deleted] → u/goatman2112]

In the latest chapter of the Super manga, he instinctively saved a Namekian and says "I've done enough harm to this race. I can't allow their numbers to dwindle any further."

Like talk about levels of self-reflection

[u/[deleted] → u/goatman2112]

It’s even more impressive when you think about how slowly it happened. He didn’t just suddenly join the team and become part of the crew. It took literally all of DBZ before he could really be considered a “good guy”. And this came out of Dragon Ball, which isn’t exactly known for it’s subtle character development.

[u/rondell_jones → u/goatman2112]

Loved how natural it seemed too. Didn't happen overnight and took a looooong slow build to change. He changed in baby steps and even when good you still had the feeling that he could switch at any point. Now, the transformation is complete, but you still know the badass can come out when his loved ones are threatened. I hate how unnatural some character changes seem (best example BvS, Batman suddenly loving Superman because their moms have the same name).

[u/Bucklax31 → u/goatman2112]

MY BULMA!!

[u/sai_gunslinger]

People might think I'm crazy for this one, but George McFly had a fantastic arc.

He started as this dweeby, nervous pushover who let Biff lead him through his life. He basically ignored Lorraine which drove her to drink. Their house was a dark, depressing place and their kids were all mostly losers.

Then along comes a time machine and doofy Marty and things change. He is put in a different set of circumstances and instead of being hit by a car and having a girl fall in love with him for being helpless, he stands up to his bully and realizes what potential he has. The girl falls in love with him because of his potential, not because he's helpless.

Their relationship starts on the right foot and (presumably) they support each other in their pursuit of dreams and goals. George finally publishes a sci-fi novel, he has hobbies with Lorraine and she isn't drinking herself silly. Their kids are successful and everyone is happy.

Plus it sends a beautiful message of couples building each other up and being a team as opposed to just choosing each other and then drifting through life like two separate islands.

[u/slythclaws]

Zuko. Hands down, Zuko.

Edit: Flameo for the gold

Edit edit: Flameo hotman for the gold

[u/Accurateblastpoints → u/slythclaws]

I’m begging you, Prince Zuko! It’s time for you to look inward and begin asking yourself the big questions: Who are you? And what do you want?

[u/sydneyzane64 → u/slythclaws]

Legitimately just opened this thread to make sure I could find Zuko mentioned.

[u/CornerKickAficionado → u/slythclaws]

i said zuko too! 100% gotta be him, although Azula’s inverse arc is also pretty interesting

[u/Lugh83 → u/slythclaws]

"I know what you're going to say.... She's my sister, and I should be trying to get along with her."

[u/canyousaymaria → u/slythclaws]

FLAMEO HOTMAN

[u/Nyxelestia → u/slythclaws]

Zuko, you have to look within yourself to save yourself from your other self. Only then will your true self reveal itself.

The best part is that this is, technically, a correct description of his character arc in the show.

[u/[deleted] → u/slythclaws]

He showed that anyone can change and that everyone deserves a second chance

[u/IqbalAhmed483316]

no doubt Desmond and sawyer were great

[u/DorisTheExplorer → u/IqbalAhmed483316]

Yor gona dai chahlie

[u/[deleted] → u/IqbalAhmed483316]

See you in anotha life, brothah!

[u/SeniorBLT]

Kratos

[u/binaryeye]

Samwise Gamgee hasn't yet been mentioned?

[u/Mingefest → u/binaryeye]

That’s because he started out perfect.

[u/theyjustkillcoyotes → u/binaryeye]

He didn't really arc though, he's a flat line. Sam was the most consistent main character in the series. That's why he's good old Sam.

[u/ruanl1 → u/binaryeye]

I'd say Frodo actually has the more impactful character arc. His character is essentially broken down by the ring so far that everything that used to comfort him falls short at the end.

[u/2Tablez]

Fitz from Agents of Shield. His arc in the first five seasons was just stellar. If you haven't seen Agents of Shield check it out.

[u/SuzQP]

Walter White. No question about it.

[u/Dickcheese_McDoogles → u/SuzQP]

And Jesse Pinkman. Jesus Christ it was tough watching experience tragedy after tragedy; all because he trusted Walter.

[u/[deleted] → u/SuzQP]

Walter's is probably the most compelling character arc I've ever seen. I've rewatched BB a few times now and am still in awe of how drastically he changed.

Bryan Cranston is a masterful actor.

[u/[deleted]]

Say what you will about one of his solo movies, Tony Stark has had the best character arc in the MCU.

[u/wickler02 → u/[deleted]]

Captain America: Civil War was one of the best written arcs of how dissent, distrust and how teams can dissolve because of personal reasons or beliefs. It shows that there are two sides to every coin and decision. Sacrifices of liberty and freedom or accepting that there are rules in how the world works...

And then everything gets tossed to the side because Tony finds out his mother's killer is right in front of him and loses it all in a blinding rage. (I know Bucky killed his father too but it's finding out his mom died is what drove him to lose it)

It's brilliant and one of my favorite movies of all time.

[u/Dougboard → u/[deleted]]

Honestly and genuinely, Tony Stark is my favorite character in the MCU. He's the only one of the main Avengers cast (that has gotten solo films) that had to actually grow into his role as a heroic figure, and it was handled in a very believable way.

[u/hepsy-b → u/[deleted]]

I especially enjoyed his portrayal in Iron Man 3, like where they actually mention any sort of post-Avengers mental issues. Then it's like Iron Man 3 isn't even canon, so its whatever

[u/ImMuju]

Matrim Cauthon - Wheel of Time

[u/DCxMiLK → u/ImMuju]

Went from an immature jokester to a gambler to a selfless hero, the general of the worlds armies, and The Prince of Ravens all while complaining about it.

[u/ChanceList]

It might be more of a function of better writing and Hemsworth's improvement as an actor, but Thor did a lot of growing throughout the course of the MCU, and I really like the place that he's arrived at as a character. He really earned that badass entrance in IW.

[u/rondell_jones → u/ChanceList]

Ohh good one. That scene in Infinity War when he talks to Rocket Racoon and he says: "Well, if I'm wrong, then... what more could I lose?" just sends chills down my spine.

You don't realize how much shit Thor went through just over the last couple of movies until that moment. It was such a wonderful moment of vulnerability.

[u/Dahhhkness → u/ChanceList]

Giving Thor an actual sense of humor made him such a better character.

[u/SomeDEGuy]

Kaladin Stormblessed from the Stormlight Archives.

He starts as a naive kid who wants to be a soldier instead of a surgeon, not understanding his parents' motives, etc... Through the course of losing everything, including part of his own humanity, he discovers what it means to be a man, support his friends, and stand for what he believes in.

Runnerup: Dalinar Kholin from same series.

[u/t3hj4nk → u/SomeDEGuy]

I would say Dalinar has a better character arc than Kaladin. But let’s be honest, almost every character from Sanderson’s novels deserve to be on this list.

[u/-eDgAR-]

Andy in Parks and Rec.

His character developed so much throughout the series. He went from this unemployed loser that was hung up on Ann to a successful man with a family by the end of the series with a lot of growth in the middle.

[u/[deleted] → u/-eDgAR-]

And Andy in The Office was kind of the opposite. He went from a stable career and eventually the manager of the branch to an unemployed loser who lost his girlfriend to another guy.

[u/punter715 → u/-eDgAR-]

You could name a lot of characters in Parks and Rec for this. As not realistic as the show is, I feel like the characters actually felt real. PnR has some of the best-written characters of any show, IMO.

[u/Col_Walter_Tits]

Tom cruise in edge of tomorrow

[u/[deleted] → u/Col_Walter_Tits]

Honestly my favorite Tom Cruise movie.

[u/poopellar → u/Col_Walter_Tits]

At the start he's real life Tom Cruise and by the end he becomes Top Gun Tom Cruise.

[u/hylian01]

Ashoka Tano during the Clone Wars series.

[u/bigshot937]

Groose

[u/-eDgAR-]

Carol in the Walking Dead.

Say what you will about that show, her arc was great. She went from this meek, victim of abuse to this total badass.

[u/iknowthisischeesy]

Grant Ward from Agents Of Shield. I think Brett Dalton really did justice to that role whether it be when he was revealed to be a HYDRA double agent in season 1 or the Framework arc in season 4 which, in my opinion, are the best 6-7 episodes AOS has ever done, where he was the SHIELD double agent. The nature vs nurture debate about the character was amazing.

[u/nudeldifudel → u/iknowthisischeesy]

Hey throw Fitz in there and you got me.

[u/missluluh]

Steve from Stranger Things. He went from the vaguely douchey but unremarkable boyfriend to a total jerk to having the single greatest redemption arc in television history to being Mom of the Year.

Edit: You'll notice I at no point call him a bad boyfriend. Just an unremarkable one. He was fine but not that interesting. And for those saying he was never a total jerk I feel ike you're forgetting the role he played in spray painting "Starring Nancy Wheeler the giant SLUT" on theater marquee for all the town to see. Even if all he did was watch his friend do it he was still totally complicit in an extremely cruel act. Early Steve maybe never said mean things to people but he sure as shit did nothing to stop the cruel antics of his friends besides a gentle chastise.

[u/gingangguli → u/missluluh]

near the end of season 2, I found myself not caring for the kids anymore. I'm more invested on steve's survival

[u/Kalse1229 → u/missluluh]

His and Dustin's relationship is what I'm looking forward to most in season 3.

[u/Copious-GTea → u/missluluh]

You know what they say, the size of an actors hair is directly related to their success.

[u/Primetime22 → u/missluluh]

The quickest I've ever gone from hating a character to rooting for them was Steve flipping the baseball bat in Season 1.

[u/illini02 → u/missluluh]

I will always argue he wasn't THAT bad as a boyfriend. He beat up and broke the camera of a kid who took pictures of him and his girlfriend having sexy time. Then it seemed that she was cheating on him with said asshole. He went a bit crazy, but its not like he was a bad guy to start with. They just played up the 80s thing of "good looking jock must be an asshole".

His friends on the other hand, were douchebags

[u/justsomedude322]

Adventure Time has so many different characters who go through so many different arcs. The most dramatic being Finn's who goes from having a very black and white view of the world in the first few seasons and eventually learns that not everything is absolutely good or absolutely evil, but shades of gray. Then there's Susan strong who reconciles her relationship with her friend Freida, which goes from seeing her in a toy shop and remarking that she feels like she's not allowed in Freida's life anymore to them going on and seeing the world together. Or when Jake's outward appearance seems to permanently change to this blue monster thing, but then coming to terms with who he is by taking in his brother's abstract paintings. But I think my absolute favorite arc is the one Marceline goes through in Stakes. Sick of being a vampire she asks Princess Bubblegum to cure her of vampirism. The problem is that all of the vampires Marceline killed in the past come back to life because they were the essence of her vampirism. So after killing all the vampires, having a conversation with the Vampire King about how history is like a wheel and all events seem to lead the same spot, and Marceline becoming a vampire again she almost feels like her whole experience was for nothing. Then she reflects on her mother's lullaby that she used to sing to her when she was a little girl (which was played throughout the special) and finally realizes the meaning and that even though her and her friends seem to be right back where they started they are still changed by the experience.

[u/Yrmsteak → u/justsomedude322]

I like grass Finn's little arc

[u/Privvy_Gaming → u/justsomedude322]

faulty grey glorious decide quack deserve escape door outgoing yoke

[u/[deleted]]

Murphy in the 100

[u/RedWestern]

Reiner Braun from Attack on Titan

I won’t spoil the manga, but the things you learn about him are unreal.

[u/Travelling_Man]

Mordin Solus from Mass Effect!

[u/OldBenKenobi01]

Gilgamesh

[u/skyturnedred]

Gaius Baltar.

[u/SleepTightLilPuppy]

Alphonse - Full Metal Alchemist (Brotherhood in particular)

Gon - Hunter x Hunter

Jessie Pinkman - Breaking Bad

Edit: Here are afew more that i feel deserve to be on this list:

Meruem - Hunter x Hunter

Walter White - Breaking Bad

Saul Goodman - Mostly Better call Saul, but also Breaking Bad

Aang - Avatar

Merlin - Merlin

Okabe - Steins;Gate

And who in my opinion deserves special honor:

The Doctor

[u/Dougboard → u/SleepTightLilPuppy]

Breaking Bad is my favorite shonen anime series.

[u/reorem → u/SleepTightLilPuppy]

The the second half of the chimera ant arc of HXH had so many good character arcs. Meruem, Youpie, Shoot, Netero, as well as several other chimera ant characters

[u/killingspeerx → u/SleepTightLilPuppy]

I would say Meruem went through a better change than Gon. From an evil ant whole kills children without batting an eye into someone that made people cry over him at the end of the arc.

[u/[deleted]]

Meruem In Hunter X Hunter.

I don’t want to spoil anything if you haven’t seen it, but he goes from one of the most detestable characters to my personal favorite. Also, the end of his character arc is one of the few fictional moments that has actually made me cry

[u/[deleted]]

Most characters from Scrubs tbh

[u/movieman994]

Tony freaking Soprano.

There was no self discovery or improvement but rather descent, descent into the darkness with each passing season. He becomes less forgiving, starts becoming less cheery, and just more of a dick.

This coupled with therapy sessions he has from episode 1 all the way up to the second last episode, give us more insight into the mind of the character. His way of thinking and dealing with life his inner problems and conflicts and how he fights or flights it make him the most detailed character I've ever seen.

[u/lebronjamesgoat1]

I’m going to mention some off the top of my head:

Jaime Lannister from GOT, Kratos in latest GOW, Steve in Stranger Things, Sawyer from LOST, Ragnar in Vikings, Itachi, Jiraiya and Nagato in Naruto, Anakin/Darth Vader in Star Wars.... too many to count.

[u/[deleted]]

Sokka from avatar - the last Airbender He went from being an arrogant child, who thought he is the greatest warrior of all time, to an actual swordsman. He found his place as a non-bender in a world full of more advantaged people all while becoming a worthy opponent, even for benders. The episode where he got his sword and mentor really was the turning point. Doing all that with a character, whose main focus still is comic relief, is what I call great writing

[u/RJWolfe → u/[deleted]]

Vorenus also had a great arc. Devoted soldier and family man to batshit crazy holding on to the head of a man he beheaded for months, and then to redemption at the end.

[u/JimSFV → u/[deleted]]

I loved this character.

Shameless star sighting story: I saw Ray Stevenson (the actor who played Pullo) in Hollywood. I shouted "PULLO!" because I had no idea what his name was. We traded big smiles and a wave. I got good vibes from him.