If you are a fan ofJRPGs, then you know that the genre is filled with some of the most powerful characters in gaming. The beloved protagonists come in all shapes and sizes, from sword-wielding knights to magic-wielding mages and everything in between.
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These heroes are the ones that can take on any enemy, no matter how tough, and come out on top. They have the strength, speed, and skills to overcome any obstacle, and they’re often the ones that you’ll turn to when you need to win a tough battle. So, whether you’re a long-time JRPG fan or just getting started, you’ll want to pay attention to this list.
*** SPOILER ALERT: This article may have spoilers on FINAL FANTASY 7, XENOBLADE CHRONICLES, XENOGEARS, AND SHIN MEGAMI TENSEI 3 & 5. ***
Updated on August 04, 2025 by Chris Harding: This list was updated to include a video (featured below.)
10Cloud Strife - Final Fantasy
Cloud Strife is one of, if not the strongest protagonist of theFinal Fantasyfranchise. His only weakness is insecurity; otherwise, he is a strong, superhuman hero. He has survived many life-threatening events. He got stabbed in the stomach and the heart, fell from a mountain, went through horrible experiments, and is still alive.
His SOLDIER abilities have only evolved further after being exposed to high levels of Mako and injected with Jenova’s cells. Cloud can also usemultiple powerful weapons, cut down buildings, and defeat Sephiroth while wounded.
9Crono - Chrono Trigger
Chrono Triggeris agreat JRPG that definitely deserves a remake. It follows the story of Chrono, one of the strongest protagonists and an irreplaceable member of his party. He has lightning-fast reflexes and a wide range of powerful attacks. Not only can he deal great damage, but he can also heal and revive his teammates.
Of course, as the protagonist, he can wield the strongest weapon, which is said to be forged from dreams, the Dreamseeker Katana. In the original version of the game, his element was heaven. It cannot get stronger than that.
8Sora - Kingdom Hearts
SorafromKingdom Heartsis undeniably one of the strongest JRPG characters and a cornerstone of a remarkable franchise.Armed with the iconic Keyblade, he journeys throughDisneyand Final Fantasy worlds, fighting against darkness.
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Sora’s unwavering optimism, courage, and determination make him a remarkable hero. He has won the hearts of fans worldwide, fueling endless debates about who is stronger - Sora or his close friend Riku.
7Velvet - Tales Of Berseria
Tales of Berseria’sprotagonist,Velvet, deserves a spot on the list of the strongest characters in the series. She is not only the most powerful but also muchdarkerand morecomplexthan others. Her backstory is not happy, and she showcases great character development during the story.
She is a master with theswordand can even transform it into various weapons, from a giant scythe to sharp claws. She can also use a range ofmagicspells that either deal great damage to enemies or heal her teammates.
6Shulk - Xenoblade Chronicles
Shulk,at his strongest, makes for a great JRPG protagonist. He held Zanza’s position as god and had the most powerful Monado in his possession. Lore-wise, his mythical sword would have been able to kill Zanza, and gameplay-wise, it is still one of the most powerful weapons in theXenobladeseries.
Otherwise, he is a great hero and a force to be reckoned with. His sword can change shape, allowing him to adapt to any situation. If that is not enough, Shulk even has the power of foresight, allowing him to see glimpses of the future.
5Adol Christin - Ys Seven
Adol Christin has been the main protagonist of almost all theYsgames. That is not without reason, as he is one of the most powerful and well-liked heroes. Thanks to the franchise’s success, the red-haired young boy has become one of Falcom’s symbols.
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Adol has a wide range of special skills and abilities, making him a force to be reckoned with. He can deal great damage to enemies with his sword, and he can also useelementalpowers.
4Yuri Hyuga - Shadow Hearts
Yuri Huyga is the lead hero of one ofthe most criminally underrated role-playing games. He appears inShadow HeartsandShadow Hearts: Covenant, which takes place in an alternate universe during the First World War. The hero is a powerful Harmonixer, and can fuse his soul with that of monsters he defeats.
At his strongest, he could be compared to a god. Even at his weakest, he has strong fighting skills and can use multiple martial arts. He can also use multiple magic spells to deal damage or heal.
3Fei Fong Wong - Xenogears
Fei Fong Wong is definitely one of the most powerful characters out there, as at his strongest he has godly powers. Not only can he access the divine powers of The Zohar, which allow him to manipulate all possibilities within the Ream of Possibility, but he also can use the powers of The Wave Existence itself.
Fei is one ofthe best JRPG protagonistsand even has a move called “big bang”, which would theoretically be able to do that. Even at his weakest, he has superhuman physical characteristics and can use various magic spells.
2Demi-fiend - Shin Megami Tensei 3
Demi-Fiend was the strongest character fromall of Sega’s franchisesuntilShin Megami Tensei5 was released. He is a being with a human heart but a demon’s body. He is almost untouchable in battle, as he can summon demons to aid him and even instantly kill his enemies.
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Demi-Fiend is a true warrior, with incredible speed and agility and a ton of different abilities and magic spells at his disposal. He has the power to become an abstract and immortal existence and be completely unaffected by the collapse of the multiverse
1Nahobino - Shin Megami Tensei 5
Shin Megami Tensei games are notorious for their strong characters andboss fights. In the fifth game, you play as a young high school boy who fuses with the Proto-fiend Aogami. He transforms into a Nahobino, an extremely powerful being that can fight any demon.
Nahobino has a variety of special powers and abilities, such as summoning demons to do his bidding or using elemental attacks. He can fuse with the two most powerful beings in the game at his strongest, making him aTrue God.
