Favorite Harvest Moon Character!

[Juxapose]

I want to make a thread where we discuss our favorite characters, No, I don't mean a list of characters, but highlighting a particular character, and a full detailed reason why this character is one of your favorites. From how you felt when you first met, your impressions on their personality, how did they grow on you, and how did they make your Harvest Moon experience enjoyable. I want to talk a bit about my favorite characters, and there's a LOT of characters to talk about. Lets get started with the first characters I met in the Harvest Moon world.

(Note: This applies to any character, not just marriage candidates. I know that most of us favor the marriage candidates, but don't forget the love for the other villagers.)

Character #1: Popuri



Anyone who knows me well knows I love Popuri. But even though I do, I still like the other bachelorettes (except Maria for some reason) So, what makes Popuri special? Lets go back to my first experience in the Harvest Moon story.

Anyone who knows me well knows I started in Harvest Moon: 64 era. My first experience with Harvest Moon was pretty much a solitary one. I had all the upgrades to the farm, had a bunch of money, won all the festivals including the horse and dog race, and everything looks like it checks out. My ending was good, but I had one problem, I made no friends in the game.

Of all the bachelorettes in the game, Popuri was the only one who is not at white heart. I did the Blue Mist flower quest with her before completing the main storyline of the game, and she rose to blue heart level. I decided to make more of an effort to be social in the game, then Popuri and my character became close.

Even though all the characters are interesting in some way, Popuri and her family were the most interesting in my opinion. Basil is a traveling botanist, and is out of the village half the year. Lillia's mood changes based on if her husband is home or not. You can really see the bond this family has towards one another. 

Popuri has a bad reputation with other Harvest Moon: 64 players. People often called her "Stupid" because she "Waters the sidewalk" or "Names her baby Mint". I see something different in Popuri. It's true that Popuri is not the brightest bulb in the bunch, but when it comes to crops, she is a genius. She has a love for plants, especially flowers. Just keep her away from hillsides, lest she sees her next birthday. >.<

What I find cute about Popuri is her innocent bubbly nature. She's happy, cheerful, confident, and has the cutest blush out of the group of girls. Her knowledge and love for crops makes her a fine addition to the farm. Not to mention she is attractive for a game sprite. So I made her my character's wife, and she can't stop but put a smile on me when I play. 

Sadly, Popuri was changed in Harvest Moon: BTN. Popuri became rather snobby, uninteresting, and a bit conceited. They do improve her personality a bit over the years, but she will never be the same as the original Popuri from Harvest Moon: 64.

[Simfarmguru]

Gill

Why is a bit complicated.  See, I liked Jin at first for looks a lone(yes, very shallow) but when I started the ToT storyline, I discovered a new side to Gill.  He went from the Mayor's Snobby Son, to someone who clearly cared about the island and the Harvest Goddess herself.  I was truly touched and decided to pursue him instead.  His dates were quite enjoyable, letting me see someone who cared a little more each time.  In the end, Mr. Snobby won me over.  I still think he's a sweetheart.  Though why they paired him with Luna is utterly beyond my comprehension...

[Juxapose]

#2 Grey The Harvest Moon 64 Grey, not the crappy reimagined Back to Nature Grey. 



Grey is one of the coolest characters of the Harvest Moon: 64 era, and he's my best friend in-game. But I ask myself. . . Why? Grey is cold, mean, anti-social, and he is after my favorite girl Popuri. After a long think with myself, I have my answer.

Going back to my first experience with Grey, I completely misunderstood him. I judged him because I never liked cold and unfeeling people. But after getting into the game a bit more, I found out a lot about this cold rancher. Grey loves horses, but sustained an injury which disables him to do so. Not being able to accomplish his dream to be a horse racer has placed a chip on his shoulder.

If you get to know him, he is a lot warmer and kind, just like his sister Ann. I also sense a lot of strength from him, both inner and out. Grey loves eggs, and is willing to teach you a neat recipe with them. Because of his distant personality, you don't learn too much. But he has a love for animals and plantlife as well. His love for animals give me the impression that if he was never injured, he would be more like Ann. You cannot change what happened, but you can at least feel his pain.

Besides, we have the same taste in women, that must mean something.

During one game file in Harvest Moon: 64, I allowed Grey to Marry Popuri, but I also took the liberty to take Ann as my wife that file. That way, me, Popuri, Gray, and Ann were one big happy family!

[Simfarmguru]

I would like to note, I do love both Gray and Popuri, especially as a couple, but I didn't get into it since Jux beat me to Popuri and Gray was a little too easy. Gray is actually VERY much like my hubbie, and I honestly have quite a bit of Popuri, so I suppose my fondness comes naturally.

[awinkos]

OMG. I literally wrote a 1116 word paper on why I love Skye, from DS Cute, only to realize that that story is so deeply personally I can't post it online at all. >.< I don't feel stupid though, I've never actually communicated my feeling about Skye and why I'm so attached to him on paper before. (Or out loud for that matter. I should probably show it to somebody. Lol) I was going through some very rough real life problems, and Skye came along just at the right time. Lol- I love him so much, I still name my computers after him. I even named my male pawn in Dragon's Dogma after him. (Lol- don't ask.)




I truly love Skye, years and years after the fact, he is still a very important person to me, for my real life. (I know he's fake, but just the idea of him was important and uplifting to me.)

All the same Phantom Skye is truly my favorite Harvest Moon Character in my favorite Harvest Moon game. He is also one of the most important fictional characters of all time to me, inside and outside of the Harvest Moon genre.

(I think this is like my 9th post on this forum...and I must have had this account for a good...5 years? Maybe? Is that right? 5?)

Thanks for the newsletter to remind me about this place. (The topic of Skye makes me talkative I guess.)

[Butterscotch]

I can understand that. Harvest Moon has helped me through some tough times myself. 

anyway, since Jux already covered Gray and Popuri, I'll talk about my favorite bachelor:
Soseki

artist

I had mixed feelings when I first saw his artwork. I liked the idea of an older bachelor, since we don't get that option too often, but looks-wise, Soseki isn't really the type I usually go for. But as I started learning more about the game, he began to grow on me and became one of my top choices for a husband, but I honestly wasn't sure until he moved in.

He instantly charmed me. At first he seems like a very confident, smooth guy, but as you get to know him, his insecurities come through. It's very endearing to see him open up. 

[Juxapose]

@awiknos - There is no shame in having feelings over a fictional character, as long as you know that the characters are fictional and they will never be able to replace a real person.

Now that we have a confession from one of our own, Allow me to confesss my Harvest Moon Love:

#3 Muffy



Muffy is another one of those girls with a bad reputation within the Harvest Moon community. I often heard her being called a "slut" or a "tramp". I admit, there's good reason for some people to feel this way. But regardless of what others believe, I love Muffy. 

Muffy is pretty much a one of a kind Harvest Moon character. She's the only girl in the series who is more "Adultlike" (If that makes any sense) features than the other girls in any game in the series. She has cleavage, a well developed body, long blonde hair, green eyes, and a flirty personality to boot. She is the first and only character to use the word "sexy" in her dialogue. The other thing that makes her stand out from the bunch is the idea that she is the first and only girl in the Harvest Moon series who actually pursues a relationship.

But even with all these reasons, I don't love Muffy for any of the above reasons. Yeah, I am a guy, and what guy doesn't like blondes wearing a red cocktail dress and heels? What I love Muffy for is her personality. Putting aside the whole "Flirty girl" and "Gold digger" part of her persona, Muffy is a girl who has lots of struggles. She is the oldest female character of the Harvest Moon series, and she has become desperate for a family. In a way, I can relate to her.

During a good portion of my adult life, I was doing the same thing that Muffy was doing, looking for someone to settle down with and start a family. Like Muffy, I ended up with many failed relationships. This is evident if you don't marry her, and you are forced to watch the many cut-scenes where Muffy breaks up with guys over and over. For me, this is hard to watch since I went through this myself.

Muffy has a positive and spirited personality, something I can admire about her. Even though she ends up getting used over and over, he never gives up that search for the right one. I am glad that the game allows you to be the one for her. 

The game series Harvest Moon: A Wonderful life allows you to spend the most time being married than most games. And I spent more time being married to Muffy than any other character in the series. Because of this, I have learned a bit more about her than other girls. Did you know that Muffy has poor circulation, and she doesn't do well in Winter?

As a wife, Muffy is more or less a pretty face running around the farm. But after she gains an interest in farming herself, I knew that I chose the best wife for my character. But Muffy is not perfect, especially the one time I caught her going to Carter's tent at 1am in the morning (Flora was not in the tent either). Call me an over-analyst, but I truly believe that Muffy was being unfaithful that one time. She never did it again, which begs the question: Did the game did this on purpose, or was this an odd programming mistake?

If this was an intentional easter egg (Can this even be looked at as an easter egg?) this gives Muffy a more human characteristic, the ability to make mistakes. Muffy's past is a bit rough, and I am sure that she doesn't have 100% faith in her marriage. Having a back-up "friend" is something I could see a real life person doing. My guess that having a cutscene where Muffy gets busted is a bit much for kids, so we are left to use our imaginations.I'm pretty sure this was a programming mistake. But assuming it wasn't, I still would forgive Muffy as long as she doesn't do it again. And oddly, she never did. 


As I Played Harvest Moon: AWL, I found Celia attractive, and married Lumina in AWL SE. But Muffy was the better wife in my opinion. She has a truly detailed personality, light hearted and spirited character, beautiful and confident. And that's why she is one of my favorite characters.

[Butterscotch]

I love Muffy too; I married her in HM:DS. She's totally adorable in that game. Her yellow heart event in HM:DS is still my all-time favorite.

[Juxapose]

Time for 

#4 - Daryl

Yeah, I know, I'm good friends with this raving lunatic from Forget-Me-Not Valley. Why am I friends with him? Allow me to explain.

Harvest Moon: AWL games are fun, but they can have long periods of boredom. Day after day you have nothing to do other than watch the time go by. You can fish, give gifts to villagers, ride your pony, and a bunch of things. But they get old real quickly. Then here comes Daryl to save the day!

Daryl is the comic relief of the games. His obsession with my cattle is just plain hilarious. I just bust out laughing when he claims that cow burp causes global warming. The cows hate him, and they try their hardest to trample him; sending him running back to his wacky Frankenstein looking doom castle. 

His battle with Mukumuku is also so much fun. Trying to catch that cute Yeti creature thing just brightens my day. Moi just makes his story so much fun and hilarious. Daryl may be a scientist, but he's the dumbest one I have ever seen.

Of course, I can't stop writing until I mention his recent kidnapping of a mermaid. He claims that he rescued Leia, but why lock her in the basement? I must admit, he has nice taste in women, but has a funny way to love them. I must admit, this guy has a lot of guts to do what he does. I truly believe that he was using Leia for his science experiments. Did he fall for Leia afterwards? I don't know. But I must thank him for finding us a cute marriage candidate.

I made friends with Daryl so I can see what trouble he can get into. His events do come rather early, and I wish I can see more. But on the plus side, Muffy wanted her child to be smart. What better way to make my child smart than befriending a scientist?

[Butterscotch]

I really like Daryl myself. I was kind of disappointed that he wasn't a marriage candidate.

...what?

[Juxapose]

Moving on with #5 - Elli

 

I have a special rule for Elli. If you don't like Elli, you have no soul. I am not saying that you have to love her, but who can honestly say that they hate this cute little baker/nurse.

Unlike the other characters of the 64/BTN era, I actually like both Elli's. They both have a special place in me, separately though. Both Elli's have a common personality; sweet, gentle, proud, hardworking, and demure. Each Elli has made the game they live in to be a joy to play in.

The Harvest Moon: 64 Elli is a happy cheerful baker. I never saw anything special about her at first, but then you get hit with that Grandma's death scene. It was very tragic, and Elli was hit the hardest. But spending time in the game with Elli allowed me to see a human characteristic I rarely see in any game, let alone Harvest Moon. Vulnerability. While in most Harvest Moon games have characters with incomplete families, Elli is one of the few who mourns for her family, including her parents who are never seen in any game. Seeing how she reacts to losing her grandmother and the dialogue she says reminds me of how I felt when my mother passed. The experience on getting her spirit back is something I will never forget for the rest of my life.

I never married the N64 Elli in any file. Elli is one of the better candidates, but Popuri wins me over every time. I do try to set her up with Jeff so she always have a family of her own. But 64 Elli is another one of my best friends in the game.

BTN Elli is a slightly different story. This Elli is kind, courteous, and works hard as a nurse. Every now and then, she shows that she misses her parents during festivals. She takes great care of her younger brother Stu, even though he always pesters her. I especially love the scene where she gives you that bandage. 

BTN Elli hasn't touched me like 64 Elli did. But she still is the best candidate out of the five girls. So I made her my wife in every Harvest Moon BTN and FoMT file I ever made. 

[Butterscotch]

Elli is such a sweetheart. I like Popuri better, but since she and Gray are my OTP, I usually marry Elli in HM:64. 

Second favorite bachelor: Vaughn


Ah, Vaughn. Yes, I am a Vaughn fangirl. ^^;
The gruff anti-social guy who likes animals and is actually kind-hearted when you get to know him. It's a character type we've seen many times and will likely see again. 

Although he's considered a regular bachelor, Vaughn is pretty difficult to marry. He's only in town two days a week and is usually out of town for the romantic festivals. It took me several (in-game) years to marry him. But it was so rewarding. Vaughn starts off rude and anti-social and he gradually opens up to you. He doesn't truly, completely open up to you until you propose to him. His reaction to your proposal is so sweet.

"But you make me happy. Guess I'm done wandering. I found what i was looking for."

D'awww, Vaughn. ;_;
It's still my favorite proposal. Yes, even beating out Soseki's reverse proposal.  

Once you're married, Vaughn pretty much entirely drops the gruff act and is just a total sweetheart from then on. 

[Mage the Observer]

I apologize for my lack of pretty pictures, but I'm a writer, not an artist.

My favorite character is HM64's Karen. You have a girl of sophisticated tastes and big dreams, trapped in a world too small for her ambitions. She's an alcoholic, but it's not treated as ham-fistedly as it is in her later incarnations. Karen's depressed, lonely, and possibly abused. She needs an outlet, but doesn't trust anyone enough to reach out to them.

As a result, she turns to alcohol. This isn't helped by the fact that her family's business is a vineyard, or that alcoholism already runs in her blood.

Speaking of the business, you can't help but feel that she's frustrated by the decline their family's business has gone through. She knows what the vineyard was like in her grandmother's day, and her anger towards her father could definitely come, at least partially, from a sense of despair. Seeing a business mismanaged into the ground is never pleasant.

Ultimately, there's one thing I remember about Karen more than anything else. I remember a girl on the beach, looking out at the ocean in the middle of winter.

And I can't help but want to hold her close and keep her warm.

[Juxapose]

Honorable Mention

Celia

Celia is not a favorite character of mine, but I do have someplace special for this girl. Back in the day when Harvest Moon: AWL came out, Celia was one of my pics for marriage. She works in a farm, she's incredibly cute, plus she has a gentle, cheerful and proud personality. Not to mention that I have a thing for brunettes with long hair. So why didn't I marry her? Because in the game, she was rather boring. And there is so much potential for storytelling for this girl. You never see her parents, and Vesta is pretty much her guardian. Knowing why she is living with Vesta and not her family could give her the much need backstory she needed. In the game, she seemed empty, being happy for what seems like no reason. She has no worries, no story, and no history. You hear some lame story about how Vesta set her up on a marriage to someone we never get to see. I never get to learn anything about her.

Muffy and Lumina on the other hand have better storylines and personalities than Celia. Even though I hate Nami, her backstory is much better than Celia's. I sense so much life and character from the other three candidates, that I feel disappointed by Celia's lack of character.

But if I can say one thing, I'll say this. Celia's lack of backstory makes for many interesting fanfics. One of the fics I wrote years ago which I will publish later will feature her. Even though I am not a fan of Celia, I found it a lot of fun to fill up Celia's missing backstory, and make her a perfect candidate in my own creative mind. In a way, I have completed Celia in the form of a Fanfiction. So even though I married Muffy and spent the game's length married to her, I have written a story where the main character spends the game's length with Celia.

I don't know if Celia's backstory is an example of laziness, or an intentional blank canvas where you can open a can of worms of your own. I am not a fan of Celia, but she does have that charm I like for storytelling.

[Butterscotch]

Favorite Villager: Mako!



As soon as I saw Mako's official artwork I said to myself "I am going to befriend this person." I was a little surprised when I actually got the game. I expected Mako to be one of those rude characters who is actually a nice guy deep down, but he's actually really friendly right off the bat, especially if you live in Konohana. He's not nearly as rough around the edges as he looks and is far more intelligent and well-spoken than I had guessed. He's just my absolute favorite character in the game. <3