Film & TV is a medium that is constantly revolving around critiques and reviews. It’s an inescapable thing; everyone you watch, you form an opinion around, naturally. And in most cases, you have favorite characters whose personalities are typically likable. However, sometimes the media creates such perfectly curated and unique characters that manage to appeal to everyone, and if they happen not to appeal to you, you become the outlier. Whether it be animated, reality, fictional, horror, or comedy film & TV, these characters manage to leave a mark on the hearts of all their viewers. Some manage to take the hearts of the world in five-minute cameos, others make three-hour movies worthwhile, and yes, some even make it worth it to watch 20 seasons worth of TV. Alas, here are my top characters who prove that perfection does exist, at least fictionally.
Rogu from American Dad
When I imagine perfection, the first thing that comes to mind is Roger’s tumor turned alien child, Rogu. Rogu encompasses perfect comedic timing, killer jokes, and freshness to a series that is already so established in its own media genre. American Dad is the show you watch when you want to watch a character’s progress and growth, which is what makes Rogu, someone who entered the show when it was already well off, that much more perfect and uniquely amazing. Unlike many side characters, he doesn’t need to have episodes focused on him or have to do extreme actions to get the audience’s attention; his vocal delivery and nonchalant attitude speak for themselves. There is not a moment when Rogu is on my screen where I’m not sucked into whatever it is he’s doing. Arguably, however, my favorite Rogu moment is actually a combination of moments when he says his iconic catchphrase: “You just got Rogu’d.”
Winton from Bluey
Going even deeper into cartoon animation, I introduce you all to Winton, the English Bulldog from Bluey. Unlike Rogu, Winton comes from the recently popularized children’s TV show, so he’s a bit of an underrated gem in the media, although just as perfect. Because the show works to show off the flaws we as humans have or had as children, almost all the characters in the show have something about them that makes them imperfect, which is not a negative at all. However, in Winton’s case, he’s luckily a beautiful case of being in the show for a minimal amount of time, and yet still leaving an everlasting impact on audiences. Be it that this is an animated series, you can often see Winton in the background of episodes, making himself seem weird to humor his friends or those around him, making him a classic case of a jokester. However, I find what makes him perfect is that his character highlights how animals that are seen as dangerous, like English Bulldogs, are actually quite calm and joyous instead of “rabid.” A beautiful learning lesson in a character who could’ve easily been stereotyped.
Tiana from The Princess and the Frog
Arguably the best Disney princess, argued by me, Tiana is who I imagine when I think of someone so pure, generous, and kind; she’s nothing short of someone with a beautifully perfect soul. Throughout the film, we see Tiana come in contact with extreme ups and downs, literally turning into a frog, and yet she still manages to remain calm in situations where it’d be almost encouraged to have a fit of anger. But on top of that, Tiana is not one to dim others’ lights, letting her family, friends, and partners along the way have their shining moments, even putting herself at the forefront to make sure they have their moments. She’s the main character, and yet she seemingly is the exact opposite of such, fighting to make sure all voices are heard and everyone is represented. Tiana is nothing short of a beautifully crafted character that every child must grow up with and every adult should learn from, the ultimate case of perfection.
Though this list only encompasses animated characters, that isn’t to say other forms of film & TV don’t hit the nail on the coffin when it comes to perfection. If you were to place Atticus Finch (To Kill A Mockingbird), Peeta Mellark (The Hunger Games Series), Hermione Granger (Harry Potter Series), and Hamlet (Hamlet), in the running for a perfect person award, it’s hard to determine who would win. Throw in these animated characters, and you would have a battle for ultimate greatness, but also a great cast list for a new show or movie.