As with practically all Final Fantasy games, FF8 was chockablock full of angst and melodrama and deep emotional pain and conversations between emotionally stunted teenagers. And as with all FFs, there needs to be a comedy relief in here somewhere. I wouldn't say that it was relegated to just one character in FF8 necessarily, as almost everyone had their silly moments except Squall, but Zell in particular stood out to me. Zell's energy and enthusiasm and confidence always made me smile.

There's that and how he looked fairly normal for a teenager all things considered. Particularly compared to "I can never have enough belts" Squall and CowboyIrvine. And he hoverboards! And he tries to call Squall out on being a brickwall of emotion!

All those things contributed to me liking him, but then add that to the fact that Zell frigging rocks in battle and I am there. Spamming his limit break is one of the great joys of life, especially when you chain up such absurd damage that Lionheart can't compare. Also I enjoyed seeing how long I could get a chain going of combo loops.

Having him as my secondary brawler beside Squall and having him more than hold his own really endeared him to me. He's useful, he's energetic, lighthearted, confident, not afraid to be goofy or emotional... he's just great all around if you ask me.

AND THERE YOU HAVE IT.