So, what I want to know is, what about Riku's character makes him so popular in comparison to Sora?

 

 

 

 

 

his edgyness™

his edgyness™

 

True. But that and his character development over the time in the series. And the special one that wields both light and darkness. OH! And to be able to "consume the darkness and turn it to light." That quote was from the pre-fight from DDD with Ansem and Riku.

He's had the best and most progressive character development over everyone else.

his edgyness™

 

I think you mean his sexiness

 

In all honesty, I have no idea.  I didn't really like him until DDD, when he acted like an adorable little dork that actually started showing character development, instead of a lone wolf, emo lord going on and on about his regret.  But that could be why so many like him, since that type of character is really popular.  His looks probably help too.

I think that what makes Riku such a popular character is that he started out as a sort of jerk, and then, after turning on his friends and then helping them right at the end, his character development from then onward drew massive appeal! With each game, we saw Riku taking steps in redeeming himself for his actions, attempting to conquer the darkness within him. The struggles he had to face, and what he had to do to protect Sora while he slept are things that add to his character, and his arc in DDD was just fantastic, further cementing his badassery in the series! So yeah, the way he's been handled, the character development, the voice actor for him, David Gallagher, and I think the character design as well are all things that have helped make Riku a very popular character in the Kingdom Hearts series!

*ahem*
Riku, by far has to have the best redemption/transformation story in all of the KH series! I loved so much watching his character grow from this little prideful yet fearful kid being easily seduced by darkness with the promise of ultimate power, to the humble yet powerful penitent that he has become who is still keenly aware of his weaknesses and yet uses his experiences to push past his fears and gain strength through that. I find Riku's story to be the most interesting one in KH. He acts as a kind of dark guardian hiding in the shadows watching over his friends. Riku's story has always struck me somehow as being a tragic one. Not sure what that means for KH3 down the road, but it will be fun to find out one day. Also, he just looks cool and sexy as all heck!



I mean COME ON!! LOOK AT ALL THAT MYSTERIOUS SEXINESS! <3 <3 
*ahem* 
Anyway, yeah. I'v always loved the "flawed hero" archtype as it gives the character in question an added sense of realism, depth and relatebility and I think Riku is a classic example of that. I'm looking forward to seeing how his character grows farther in KH3.

 

*ahem*

Riku, by far has to have the best redemption/transformation story in all of the KH series! I loved so much watching his character grow from this little prideful yet fearful kid being easily seduced by darkness with the promise of ultimate power, to the humble yet powerful penitent that he has become who is still keenly aware of his weaknesses and yet uses his experiences to push past his fears and gain strength through that. I find Riku's story to be the most interesting one in KH. He acts as a kind of dark guardian hiding in the shadows watching over his friends. Riku's story has always struck me somehow as being a tragic one. Not sure what that means for KH3 down the road, but it will be fun to find out one day. Also, he just looks cool and sexy as all heck!

 

 

I mean COME ON!! LOOK AT ALL THAT MYSTERIOUS SEXINESS! <3 <3 

*ahem* 

Anyway, yeah. I'v always loved the "flawed hero" archtype as it gives the character in question an added sense of realism, depth and relatebility and I think Riku is a classic example of that. I'm looking forward to seeing how his character grows farther in KH3.

 

 

 

Yeah, I know what you mean! During the KH series, we've seen Riku grow and come to terms with his darkness, and he's become all the better for it, as he now bears the darkness for good, to help his friends against the ongoing battle against Xehanort! He's had the best character development in the series, and it's like you said, flawed characters are always awesome! When he and Terra meet again, I'm sure Terra will be proud of the man Riku has become!

I think Nomura himself once said that Riku is the kind of protagonist kids want to see nowadays and Sora is the kind of protagonist he wanted to see as a child.

I don't know how much truth there is behind it, but I suppose there is enough, seeing as the brooding type is heavily featured in other JRPGs as well.

 

As to what I like about Riku... definitely his transformation. And this is coming from somebody who disliked Riku heavily for the last 10 years until I finally had the chance to play Chain of Memories to really see his change and his redemption arc. (even though they were stretching it a bit thin with yet another redemption arc in Dream Drop Distance). He made mistakes, he faced them and he was sorry for them and does everything to make things right. He's grown from a cocky teenager to a humble young man with a great sense of justice, feeling bad about having left Aqua in the Realm of Darkness even though it wasn't exactly his fault.

He's also grown from this extremely brooding side to listening to his heart, something Sora does very frequently, so even though he felt a huge need to repent for his 'sins', he's also learned to trust himself again and that is another great change for him, especially after an experience like the one he had.

 

We might see Sora and Riku both grow up over the course of the series and Sora's growth shouldn't be underestimated, but Riku goes through a different kind of growth and I doubt my 16 year old self would be able to understand Riku the same way adult me does now.