The Redhead's Lament

[Blinge]

Adol, Crono, Roy (from Fire Emblem)

I can't think of any other male redhead or ginger (ew) main protags.

EDIT:

Tellingly, none from a western dev. Any ideas?

***
^ that's what i'm interested in now.
Western devs overwhelmingly don't' have main/hero protags with red/ginger hair.
I presume this is due to the subtle cultural bias of centuries past. Or maybe something about statistics.

In artistic productions redheads were portrayed in classical times as unkempt rough barbians, but I'd prefer this as at least it contains masculinity.

In the past few hundred years cultural depictions were either:

1. Effeminate
2. a bit of a joke
3. Jewish. (renaissance and later portrayals of Judas Iscariot give him red hair.)

[Sly Cherry Chunks]

Cal Kestis from Jedi Fallen Order.

[FinalBaton]

I guess Secret of Mana d00d has orange hair.

[Blinge]

He's brown haired in the original sprite isn't he?

Cal Kestis from Jedi Fallen Order

Well i'll be damned..

[Steamflogger Boss]

PURGE THE REDS. BETTER DEAD THAN RED.

[Blinge]

You wouldn't say that about another genetic pigmentation

[Steamflogger Boss]

Also uh, not the protag but the kid in God of War. Lots of good NPCs and women, struggling to think of more male protags.

[M.Knight]

There's Mike Jones from StarTropics!

[Mischief Maker]

Jacket from Hotline Miami!

[Mortificator]

[Stevens]

Jacket from Hotline Miami!

Jacket or Beard? Jacket always looked like he was rocking a crew cut.

[GaijinPunch]

Does this count?

[BrianC]

Mikey in the NES/FC Goonies games and Konami Wai Wai World FC, who isn't a redhead in the movie.

[Specineff]

Ryu in the original Street Fighter was depicted as a red head.

Mieu from Phantasy Star III. She's not a protagonist, but stays in your party through all the generations alongside Wren.

[GaijinPunch]

Mieu from Phantasy Star III. She's not a protagonist, but stays in your party through all the generations alongside Wren.

This thread is limited to swingin' dicks, as per the original post.

[Blinge]

Not little backup buddybuddy characters either
Ron Weasley can fuck off.

I don't know if that disqualifies Crack Down.

The Castlevania Chronicles art I wouldn't count either, Red Hair as an arrange mode quirk, not Simon Belmont as per the original vision.

Definitely bonus points for Western devs.

There's Mike Jones from StarTropics!

Cool, never heard of this game!

Jacket from Hotline Miami!

Huh, I'm looking at pictures, can't really tell hair colour.

[BIL]

You want firecrotch? I give you firecrotch! With AND without dick & balls!

JEBUS: DOREADUFU BIO-MONSTA



ABERU



GHOST CHASING DENNIS (BONUS! RED BUSH FOR HETERO & HOMO ALIKE )



TEH SCHEME



No, that's not ADORU on ABERU or TEH SCHEME!

[CIT]

No mention of Iori yet?



Also, Akuma/Gouki.

[Blinge]

Sorry, I'll edit OP.

More than protags I'm looking more for the *main* hero.
Iori exists to be Kyo's rival, right?

[Specineff]

This thread is limited to swingin' dicks, as per the original post.

Oops, blame it on the lack of sleep.

Spike from Ape Escape should count.

Mag Launcher, Evolution series.

Justin, Grandia. (In game his hair looks brown, brilliant red in official art)

[Blinge]

Awww I had been sent Grandia outside the forum and was happier about that but if it looks brown in the game.. then..FEH!!

[BulletMagnet]

I want to say I've glimpsed a fair handful of suitable "Scottish Highland Warrior" styled protags on box art over the years, though they were pretty much always games from genres I didn't play. You could probably also add a couple more anime-styled entries depending on how deep into pinkish or orange territory you're willing to venture.

[Mischief Maker]

If you're willing to extend to Brazillian indie puzzle games:

[WelshMegalodon]

On a machine with EGA or Tandy graphics, the Prince of Persia has red hair.

[KennyMan666]

Erik the Swift from The Lost Vikings has very red hair and beard.

[Specineff]

Can we count Fuuma from World Heroes and Aggressors of Dark Kombat? He's the Ken to Hanzo's Ryu.

Also, Shizumaru Hisame from Samurai Shodown III onwards.

[KennyMan666]

Oh, Specineff mentioning Fuuma made me remember another redheaded Fuuma.


Getsu Fuuma from Famicom title Getsu Fuuma Den.

[BIL]

Yep, Shizumaru was legit Sam Sho III's protagonist. I was also gonna mention KOF Maximum Impact's protagonist Alba, but he and his series are rather second-string.



Also coming to mention Getsu Fuuma (based on the same historical figure as SNK's Fuuma). A headliner and also a bad motherfucker, not many characters I can think of that are pictured graphically slaying their foes on their refractive boxart.


(read R to L, manga-style! you are already dead! *arterial spray*)

Iten Hadou Kagura is a great doujin AST too, easily pro-standard.

[BrianC]

That reminds me the Genpei Touma Den games and Kubiki Quantam Fighter/Jigoku Gokurakumaru also have a main character with red hair (or a wig).

[GaijinPunch]

This is a high caliber discussion.