Editorial Index < Chrono Cross Top Ten: Part 3

The following is part 3(last) of an editorial pertaining to the top 10 favorite characters of the Square classic, Chrono Cross. The list was essentially constructed by voting within the Chrono Shock staff and might not reflect the majority of Chrono Cross’s fans’ opinions. However small the Chrono Shock staff is, it is a microcosm for the Chrono Cross community in general. As such, the following order should be somewhat accurate to the general consensus as to the favorite characters in Chrono Cross. Enjoy the list!

Number 3: Orlha
Imagine if Stone Cold Steve Austin had been in Coyote Ugly, and that pretty much summarizes Orlha. She’s an ass-kicking beer-guzzling bartender from Guldove with a somewhat relevant story. Orlha lost her twin sister, with whom she was deeply attached and as such, has an immediate connection to Serge, who himself is supposedly dead. Orlha digs the silent type and eventually tags along with Serge and crew. Due to her relatively small role in the game, her story isn’t given much detail. There is some sort of closure if one obtains her level 7 tech, but after that, there really isn’t much left to Orlha as a character. So what exactly is her appeal? Mainly, to quote the Rolling Stones, her “T & A”. Almost all of the guys like her for her looks while the girls find her pretty yet strong. And people say they aren’t superficial.

Number 2: Kid
Kid is the spunky Aussie chick with the greatest abs in video game history. The leader of the Radical Dreamers is on a mission to acquire the Frozen Flame from Viper Manor, for as yet unknown purposes. Kid is a fairly decent character in battle, but her story far exceeds her usefulness in battle, seeing as how she is quite integral to the tale Fate regales.
She innocuously meets Serge at his “grave” and from then on, the 2 form an undeniable bond, one that transcends Fate itself. Given her key role in the game, Kid hardly ever falters from her strength and determination to get what she wants. Even when she’s knocked out, the girl later comes back to fight alongside the silent hero and company (all 473298472398 of them). One of the more resilient characters in the game, Kid constantly fights for what she wants (must be all those crunches she must do that keeps her going).
The sassy thief knows she was destined to challenge Fate, and that’s something inherently appealing to anyone. To know that one’s path in life isn’t necessarily a cart on one road towed by a blind horse attempting to snack on an ungraspable carrot is what attracts a lot of people to Kid. However, other characters also pertain to the latter, but what distinguishes Kid from the other characters is her bluntness towards everyone. Much like Karsh, whatever Kid thinks, she pretty much says. Who can forget the line, “I’ll kick your arse so hard you’ll kiss the moons!”? That quote in and of itself pretty much defines Kid. It defines her rebellious nature in that she will tell anyone that, her abrasiveness for saying it, and her spunk for having the mettle to back up such a statement. Of course, much like Orlha before her, another reason many like Kid is her good looks. Although just bytes and coding combined, Kid has got a body to make Britney Spears blush.

Number 1: Glenn
One of the more versatile characters in the game due to his overall great abilities in battle, Glenn not only excelled as a fighter and a mage, but he has one of the deeper stories found within Chrono Cross. Being the son of a legend ain’t easy, as they say, because Glenn happens to the son of one of the original Acacia Dragoons, the distinguished Garai. Heralding the title of Garai’s son is difficult enough in the swords-wielding world, but also Glenn happens to be the perennially ignored younger brother of the great Dario.
Having lost both his father and brother in mysterious fashions, he must bear a solitary burden of living up to his family’s reputation. Dario and Garai, both Acacia Dragoons, both powerful swordsmen, both widely respected. As great a swordsman as Glenn is, he still has quite the repute to live up to.
As such, the spiky-haired kid must make a name for himself, and therefore constantly trains. He wishes to become the best one day, and knows with his roots and his name (having been named after another legendary swordsman from a previous era and game, ye Olde English-speaking swordsamphibian Frog), that he has quite a legacy to live up to. Can he achieve his goal? How key of a role does he play in the game Fate creates?
What is it about Glenn that makes him the number 1 favorite character in Chrono Cross? It is because many can relate to his plights. However powerful he is, he is constantly overlooked. He is a pitiable figure, having lost more family members than LaToya Jackson, yet he continues his struggle. He exudes a charisma one cannot negate, and all the chicks dig him so the fellas respect that. Astounding abilities in battle, charisma up the wazoo with a resiliency that rivals a B movie hero, Glenn truly can justify his position as favorite Chrono Cross character.