17 Most Inspirational Fictional Characters

There are millions of fictional characters across books, movies, TV shows, manga, anime, comic books, etc. but which ones are regarded as the most inspirational? Is it Uzumaki Naruto from Naruto Shippuden? Or is it Elizabeth Bennett from Pride and Prejudice? Join me in this article as I reveal the 17 most inspirational fictional characters.

A fictional character is an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction which could be a play, film, or story. There is no fictional work without a character, in fact, this character is the essence of that work as it is the major thing that brings that work to life and makes it have meaning in the first place.

It is these fictional characters that we are able to relate to when we see a movie or read a book. And although you’ve seen a lot of movies and read loads of books, there is still a character that you love above all else and this could be because of how much they inspire you.  

Many people have learned valuable life lessons from their inspirational fictional characters which they must have had since childhood. This character could be Hermione from the Harry Potter Series and Rose from Titanic but for me, it is Tom Sawyer from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer a novel by Mark Twain, and Uzumaki Naruto from Naruto Shippuden.  

There are various categories under which every fictional character falls. These categories include smartest, strongest, fastest, popular, and so on. However, we will leave all of these and only focus on just the most inspirational fictional characters. Without any further ado, let’s see who these characters are.

 inspirational fictional characters

Most Inspirational Fictional Characters

The following are the most iconic and inspirational fictional characters of all time:

  • Katniss Everdeen
  • Eudoria Holmes
  • Captain America
  • Hermione Granger
  • Gandalf the Grey
  • Matilda Wormwood
  • Forest Gump
  • Atticus Finch
  • Jane Eyre
  • Iron Man
  • Elizabeth Bennet
  • Leisel Meminger
  • Uzumaki Naruto
  • Lucy Pevensie
  • Chris Gader
  • Po Ping
  • Janie Crawford

1.     Katniss Everdeen

Katniss Everdeen is a female protagonist from the Hunger Games trilogy. She is a character that is made to be fierce, strong, and a protector of her world. She is an inspirational fictional character that encourages readers to break all barriers to achieve what they want.

2.     Eudoria Holmes

You must have heard the name “Holmes” used with Sherlock Holmes but don’t know how it relates to Eudoria, well, here it is. Eudoria Holmes is the mother of the three geniuses Sherlock, Mycroft, and their sister Enola whom their mother is focused on uplifting since her sons are already at the peak in their respective fields.

Eudoria Holmes teaches her daughter how to fight, and solve puzzles, and prepares her to fight her battles alone and stand strong in a world full of men.

3.     Captain America

If you don’t know Katniss Everdeen and Eudoria Holmes, then you must know Captain America. He is marvel’s favorite and one of the most popular characters. Captain America is everyone’s favorite because of how inspiring, brave, and courageous he is. This character, laden with loads of illnesses, goes on to join the US Army because of the love he has for his country and protecting others.

4.     Hermione Granger

We can’t talk about the most inspirational female characters of all time and not add Hermione Granger to the list. She is everyone’s favorite character from the Harry Potter series known to be smart, pretty, sassy, and the coolest bookworm ever. Hermione always knows the magic tricks before everyone in her class.

She is motivated, ambitious, and has an opinion of her own without allowing others to suppress her. Hermione stays true to herself and fights for what she believes in which is what I think everyone loves about her the most.

5.     Gandalf the Grey

I would actually find it unbelievable if one were to say they haven’t heard of the character Gandalf the Grey. He is a strong wizard in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, a truly wonderful and inspiring character that guided the ring bearer up to the last moment.

Gandalf possesses knowledge about nearly everything and everyone and even though he is extremely powerful, he doesn’t allow it to get into his head. He stays true to his motives and fights for those who need him.

6.     Matilda Wormwood

Matilda Wormwood is a protagonist in Matilda, a popular children’s novel written by English writer Roald Dahl. This is one of the most inspirational female characters among kids. Matilda is another rebellious character like Katniss Everdeen and Eudoria Holmes that never allow people to put her down and fights against an unjust system.

7.     Forest Gump

Forrest Gump is one of the greatest fictional characters of all time and has been referenced in many books, plays, and films. Although a character of low IQ, Forrest Gump easily proves that having a smart brain is not the only thing that is required to succeed in life but rather one needs to put in the work and dedication to achieve a great result.

This inspiring fictional character also proves that there are few people with genuine and good intentions toward others.

8.     Atticus Finch

Atticus Finch is one of the most inspirational and motivational fictional characters ever! The character is portrayed in Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus Finch is an honest kid that grew up to become a brave man that upholds moral standards and principles even when they run against those of the society he lives in.

He believes in racial equality and serves as an example for everyone, encouraging us to constantly stand for what is right.

9.     Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre is the protagonist in Charlotte Bronte’s novel Jane Eyre and is one of the most inspiring fictional characters. This character comes face to face with difficult and challenging life circumstances but does not falter nor give in to the pressures but kept following her heart by doing what is right till the end.

10.  Iron Man

Just like Captain America, Iron Man or Tony Stark is another of marvel’s most loved fictional characters. His transformation from a billionaire playboy into becoming the founder of the Avengers, saving many lives, creating the Iron Man suit, and contributing to the success of many battles fought by the Avengers will bring you to tears.

11.  Elizabeth Bennet

Elizabeth Bennet is a protagonist in Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice. Elizabeth is a lively and intelligent young lady that can read others like a book. One of her most inspiring factors is how she does not allow society’s norms to cower her beliefs. Elizabeth Bennet is one of England’s most beloved characters and is very popular in British literature.

12.  Leisel Meminger

Leisel Meminger is the protagonist in Markus Zusak’s Book Thief and one of the most inspiring fictional characters. The character goes through many traumatic experiences such as the death of her brother and a country at war which shaped her character. Even with all of these challenges, Leisel is still kind, daring, and loyal and shows compassion and forgiveness to her bullies.

13.  Uzumaki Naruto

Thought I’d skip Naruto. Impossible.

Uzumaki Naruto is one of the strongest, most popular, most-loved, and above all, most inspiring anime characters ever! His most powerful Jutsu is the “talk no jutsu” whereby he gives a pep talk to his enemy and changes them to become better people rather than killing them off and this works every single time, well, he is just that kind of guy.

Naruto grew up without parents, the villagers hates him, practically lived like an outcast, and he was born without powers, unlike regular ninjas in the village. But he works hard and pulls through against all odds to become the village’s Hokage and the most powerful ninja in the entire series. Even with all the challenges he faced, Naruto never once gave up on his ninja way which is to never lose and protect everyone around him even if it means sacrificing his own life.

Uzumaki Naruto is a character that inspires you to never give up and with hard work and dedication you can achieve anything.

14.  Lucy Pevensie

Lucy is a daring and inspiring fictional character from Narnia a popular fantasy film. Her character inspires children and adults alike to be courageous, perceptive, loyal, brave, trusting, and forgiving.

15.  Chris Gader

Chris Gader is the main character in the movie The Pursuit of Happiness. Chris had his life planned out but just like in every dream there must be a failure which is what this character encounters and it tears his whole world apart. His wife left him with their son and he has to fight all hardships to care for his son.

However, Chris Gader was able to get back on his feet through hard work and perseverance eventually making things right.

16.  Po Ping

Po is the main protagonist of the Kung Fu Panda series, a popular animated kung-fu film. The transformation of Po Ping from a lazy panda to a kung fu master who saves his country is a truly inspirational one. The character inspires everyone to be relentless.

17.  Janie Crawford

Janie Crawford is an inspirational fictional character from Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston. Janie is a character that inspires one never to give up because after facing heartache, bad marriages, disappointment, and many other life challenges, she never gave up but instead jumps right back into the game of life without skipping a beat.

This wraps up our journey on the 17 most inspirational fictional characters. Which of these characters inspires you the most?

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