When it comes to video game characters, artists spend lots of time ensuring they have the best possible design, even down to their hair color. Some of the most popular characters have had blonde hair with this choice either being purely for aesthetic purposes or for a larger character trait.
Blonde video game characters have performed lots of roles over the years, including saving the galaxy from an alien threat, using an oversized sword to protect the planet from destruction, and working a 24/7 job in a mayor’s office. These characters have very different life experiences and overall outward appearances, but they are joined together by their shared hair color.
10 Formidable Champion: Cynthia (Pokemon)
The exalted Champion of the Sinnoh region, Cynthia is most remembered by many fans of the Pokemon series for her challenging final battle and her signature Pokemon, Garchomp. She’s a powerhouse of a Pokemon trainer and also one who cares deeply for Pokemon, as she helps you to cure the Psyducks sitting outside of Solaceon Town of their headaches.
In terms of design, Cynthia’s look is striking as her black attire contrasts her knee-length blonde hair, complete with black and yellow hair clips. Blonde hair apparently runs in the family, as one of her supposed ancestors in Pokemon Legends: Arceus, Volo, also has blonde hair that covers one side of his face.
9 Brightest In The Galaxy: Rosalina (Super Mario)
First appearing in Super Mario Galaxy, Rosalina resides in the Comet Observatory with her companions, the Lumas. She has one of the saddest backstories in the Super Mario series, as she had to come to terms with the loss of her mother after trying to help a Luma find its own mom. Rosalina and the Lumas eventually consider each other family after all they’ve been through.
Rosalina’s design fits her starry motif well, as she wears a star brooch with matching earrings, similar to her star-like family. Her hair is also the color of starlight, adding to the celestial theme.
8 Skater Boy: Beat (The World Ends With You)
Daisukenojo “Beat” Bito is a Player (and briefly Reaper) who finds himself in the Reapers’ Game alongside his sister, Rhyme, after a fatal accident, forfeiting her memories of him as his entry fee. In Week 3 of The World Ends With You, Beat teams up with Neku Sakuraba in a bid to win the Reapers’ Game and bring himself and his sister back to life.
The lively Beat uses his skateboard to fight off the Noise and has a skater-like design that goes perfectly with the game’s teenage perspective and use of fashion subcultures. Beat also appears in NEO: The World Ends With You and was instantly recognizable thanks to his bright blonde hair, despite attempts by the game’s developers to hide his identity in the early parts of the sequel.
7 I’m Really Feeling It: Shulk (Xenoblade Chronicles)
A mechanic from Colony 9, Shulk dedicated himself to studying the power of the Monado, a mysterious blade that has the ability to destroy Mechon - mechanical creatures largely untouchable by normal weapons. After the Mechon attack his Colony, Shulk sets out on a journey to take revenge on the creatures that invaded his home.
The newfound wielder of the Monado, Shulk uses his ability to see into the future to protect his companions on their journey across the Bionis. Shulk’s gentle appearance, with blonde, fluffy hair, is a perfect fit for him as he has no prior fighting experience. He only decides to leave the Colony to fight the Mechon after losing a close friend.
6 Blondes Have More Fun: Heather Mason (Silent Hill 3)
The protagonist of Silent Hill 3, Heather Mason is the reincarnation of Cheryl Mason and Alessa Gillespie. She was adopted by Harry Mason, the main character of the original Silent Hill, after the events of that game, where Alessa hands Harry a baby.
Attempting to hide from the cult members seeking to kidnap her, Heather hid her identity, changing her name from Cheryl to Heather and dyeing her hair blonde. Heather travels to Silent Hill to confront Claudia Wolf and stop her from resurrecting the cult’s god. After succeeding, Heather decides to go by Cheryl again; however, she’s less inclined to let her natural hair color grow back, saying “Don’t you think blondes have more fun?”.
5 Ruff Day At Work?: Isabelle (Animal Crossing)
Introduced in Animal Crossing: New Leaf, Isabelle shot up in popularity, becoming one of the series’ mascots alongside Tom Nook. In New Leaf and New Horizons, Isabelle resides in the Town Hall or Resident Services, holding the position of secretary and helping you keep your citizens happy.
This cheerful dog has a positive outlook on life that goes hand in hand with her adorable design - a blonde coat and hairstyle shaped like a bag of Bells. Although not a fighter, Isabelle’s popularity resulted in her being revealed as a Super Smash Bros character - bringing a pawsome touch to the roster.
4 It Suits Her: Samus Aran (Metroid)
Samus Aran is the protagonist of the Metroid series and a bounty hunter who protects the galaxy from a nefarious group of Space Pirates. Samus is one of video games’ earliest heroes, a position that is well deserved as her character has stayed relevant in video game pop culture since the 80's.
Samus’ true identity is kept hidden throughout the original game, only to be revealed in a secret ending. In fact, Samus mostly appears throughout the series wearing her Power Suit that conceals her identity, including her long blonde hair.
3 More Than Just A Nobody: Roxas (Kingdom Hearts)
Roxas first appeared in Kingdom Hearts 2, seemingly living a normal life in Twilight Town alongside his friends Hayner, Pence, and Olette. It’s soon revealed that Roxas is Sora’s Nobody, the town is made of data, and Roxas must find Sora and reunite with him.
As Sora’s Nobody, Roxas is similar to the series’ main protagonist in many ways. They have the same blue eyes and the ability to wield the Keyblade, but Roxas’ blonde hair is the complete opposite of Sora’s, showing that he isn’t just your usual Nobody.
2 Hair Like A Chocobo’s Nest: Cloud Strife (Final Fantasy 7)
The protagonist of Final Fantasy 7, Cloud Strife left his hometown of Nibelheim to pursue his dream of becoming a Soldier. After a run-in with Sephiroth and fleeing Shinra, Cloud reunited with his childhood friend Tifa Lockhart and joined the resistance group Avalanche, who intend to protect the planet from Shinra.
In development, Cloud was originally designed with black hair that was slicked back (similar to Zack Fair), although his character went through many different design phases before Tetsuya Nomura settled on Cloud’s recognizable blonde spiky hair. Cloud’s low poly hairstyle got a high-definition upgrade in Final Fantasy 7: Remake, where Square Enix stuck to its original appearance and translated it into more realistic-style graphics.
1 Locks Of Legend: Link (The Legend Of Zelda)
As the goddess’ chosen hero, Link is the wielder of the Triforce of Courage and Ganon’s sworn enemy, as well as Zelda’s loyal knight. Link never wavers in his quest to stop evil from prevailing, often using the Master Sword to cut down monsters and protect the land.
Link’s design is one of the most identifiable in video game history as his look has remained mostly consistent over the years, with blonde hair and a green hat and tunic - except in Breath of the Wild, where he swaps the iconic green for blue and loses the pointy hat.