Leon S. Kennedy
It was a toss-up between Leon and leading lady Jill Valentine for this spot (she is the master of unlocking, after all), but in the end, Leon’s vulnerability and growth throughout the series won out. He’s determined, yet flawed – relatable traits that we like to see in our fictional best friend. We also like to think he’d enjoy playing darts, but that might be a stretch.
From his first appearance in Resident Evil 2 as a rookie police officer in perhaps the worst precinct in North America, Leon was made to be the antithesis to the brash macho stereotype of Chris Redfield. He has logged several impressive achievements under his belt, not only fighting against the threat of the Umbrella Corporation, but also extracting the president’s daughter from rural Spain and occasionally receiving a chainsaw through the chest for his efforts.
