#thank you pokemon for giving me another insane husbando

[encyclopika]

5 Fave Male Characters

Thank you for the tag, @pandoramusicbox09​...I needed a distraction for a hot minute and this works wonderfully.

I feel like I’ve seen one of these from everyone I know, BUT if you wanna do it and haven’t been tagged yet, pretend like I tagged you (and tag me back and everything, I got you, fam). 

1. Cal Leandros from the Nightlife Series

They don’t all have to be from animes, right? Because this is MY MAN right here. Caliban Leandros. I don’t know where to start with this kid...he’s half human, half Auphe (aka worst little homicidal gremlins the world’s ever seen) and he fights monsters with his big bro Niko in the streets of NYC. Cal is unapologetic, vulgar, and has more attitude than any other character that exists and I love him, okay? The thing that really drew me to this series of books (the Nightlife series as it’s dubbed, by Rob Thurman) is that Cal narrates them completely in his own voice, shitty opinions and everything. He’s hilarious, he’s fun, he’s tough as nails, and gives you as much information as he has at the moment to keep you aware of the situation. But many times, he doesn’t know what’s going on either, and it’s a wonderful ride of a dark urban fantasy through the eyes of a guy just trying to make it without getting killed by werewolves, boggles, and worse by his own Auphe kind. Gah, just read the books, it’s amazing, I can’t recommend it enough.  

2. Tenya Iida from My Hero Academia

Okay, we back to anime. See everyone posting Izuku, and while he’s GREAT, and I’ll let ya get back to it, let me tell you about Iida. I scream “BEST BOI” whenever he’s on screen chopping away, because, well, just look at him! He is doing THE MOST at all times. He is so animated! He is a big soft boi. He is an insanely good friend to everyone and cares about things running (haha pun) smoothly. He must uphold order! It’s funny for me to put him right after Cal because they’re polar opposites in this regard. But I can’t help loving Iida so much because like, he has the biggest heart and so much drive to be the best hero he can be in his own right. I don’t remember ever hearing Iida lament about hero rankings or if they’re important to him, he just wants to do the job and do it well, and GOSH, YES, BABY, YOU WILL! 

3. Drew/Shuu from Pokemon

Okay. Okay okay, we going back like ten years with this one, but let me tell you, WORTH IT. And not just because I shipped the hell out of Contestshipping, but just because I enjoyed this little snot during his whole run. He was what rivals in the Pokemon series were meant to do - antagonize the heroes, but never side with villains. Drew was such a multifaceted rival, after we just got done with Gary, and although he acted a lot like Gary, it was DIFFERENT. For all of us with eyes, you could tell he liked May right from the get-go, but that didn’t stop him from motivating her to do better in his own ways. He was also kind of a badass? He was never afraid of Team Rocket or Harley...shit, my man is taking a Razor Wind to the face up there for his Absol. Guy had ambition. So after all that build-up, when May FINALLY defeats him? It’s SO GOOD. And he isn’t a jerk about it! He wants her to have that win and then invites her to Johto with him, because AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH. I’ll forever die on that ship.

4. Bolin from The Legend of Korra

Again, another big soft boy who is doing THE MOST and TRYING HIS HARDEST. I always felt Bolin got the short end of the stick, seasons 1 to 3 of Korra; just felt my man was there for comic relief and THAT’S IT. And honestly, I don’t think I’m wrong. But I’m not here to rant. Despite being relegated to the background in many cases, Bolin continued to be such an asset to the Krew, and goddamnit, the way he Earth bends is pretty incredible? I think I posted something about it ages ago, but seriously, his style is way different than other Earth benders - he’s way more fluid and quick on his toes. It’s kind of incredible, so explains the GIF I chose. But really, Bolin is such a teddy bear, big friend who will beat up the guy that made you cry or just take you out to dinner, whatever you need, he is there. I just enjoyed everything about him...made the first season debacle watchable tbh. 

5. Shield Hero - Naofumi Iwatani - from Rise of the Shield Hero

Mmmhmmmm...I clearly love big softies or total assholes. There is no in-between. Okay, just kidding, all the assholes are soft on the inside, and that goes for Naofumi. This poor bastard really goes through the ringer and even though he grows an attitude out of no where about it, I can’t help but be like “big same, me too”. I love how what happened to him doesn’t really keep him down for long and he’s like “if this is my life now, then I’ll make it a good one” and he really does. No joke, some of my favorite episodes are of just him, Raphtalia, and the big chicken doing stuff “around town” and selling shit or collecting stuff from the overworld. I love seeing my man getting his bread. I can’t wait for season 2 of this anime...Naofumi is definitely one of the more interesting isekai heroes and a husbando.