Who is the main character?

[animenologist offline]

Of course Code Lyoko has a main character, it just doesn't have A main character. The entire gang are the main characters, and none of them steals all the focus from the other characters. If you are basing this on the importance of the character in the overall plotline, you're looking at the wrong criteria for a main character. I can think of multiple stories where the removal of an element would lead to a loss of story but that doesn't make them THE main character, and I still stand by the reasoning that focus makes the main character, not importance, of which the entire gang shares equally.

[Mewberries151]

Of course Code Lyoko has a main character, it just doesn't have A main character. The entire gang are the main characters, and none of them steals all the focus from the other characters. If you are basing this on the importance of the character in the overall plotline, you're looking at the wrong criteria for a main character. I can think of multiple stories where the removal of an element would lead to a loss of story but that doesn't make them THE main character, and I still stand by the reasoning that focus makes the main character, not importance, of which the entire gang shares equally.

That's pretty much the same opinion I hold too. This show has always stressed the importance of friendship and, most importantly, teamwork. Having a designated "main character" would just overshadow that message. Thus the focus and importance is given equally to all of the show's protagonists. Deja vu...TVT deja vu at that... ^^;

[animenologist offline]

The most important characters are Aelita and XANA, for the reason stated earlier: they are the focal points of the plot of the show.

The main characters are the five members of Team Lyoko.

There is no one leader of Team Lyoko, but decisions and policy generally tend to be made by Jeremy, Aelita or Yumi. Jeremy's decisions are often modified or overruled by Yumi as a voice of reason and/or by Aelita as a voice of conscience.

At least, that's the way I see it. And I thought about this a *lot* at TVTome...

Having read what you actually said in TVTome about the matter and basing it solely on the events of Season 1, I would agree with you that there was no one leader. But with the recent events of Season 2, Jeremie has come out in a definitive leading role, as most of the decision making falls under him.

His claim to authority is that he is the closest to the master of supercomputer than the rest of the gang. The only one who comes close would be Aelita, but it has been shown multiple times that Jeremie is more knowledgeable of its inner workings than she is.

Multiple times, Jeremie has said nobody should go to Lyoko unless he says so. If Aelita and Yumi had the same weight of authority as Jeremie, then in St. Valentines Day, Aelita and Yumi should have been enough to go to Lyoko on their own or just even to tell Jeremie, that they will go to Lyoko. But instead, they asked him, in which Jeremie agreed since all his necessary concerns were taken care of.

In The Chips are Down, it was Jeremie who made the decision to kick Ulrich out of the group as well as the subsequent decision to head to Lyoko without him. In Temptation, under his own authority, Jeremie launched a return trip to the past against the wishes of the entire gang. Other than being slightly peeved and suspicious of his behavior, they didn't do much in terms of action. In Contact, Ulrich had to ask Jeremie what course of action he needed to take, instead of doing something on his own, or even asking Aelita what they should do, since she was right there. This happens again in Revelation where Jeremie told Ulrich he needed to get back to the tower and isolate it.

Jeremie controls the supercomputer, he understands indepth what needs to be done for the situation. He's the gangs source of knowledge, the one who sends the gang on missions, and tells them where they need to go. The gang needs direction, they ask him. He's the one who rallies the troops, the guy who calls them into action, and he did make that nice speech at the end of The Key.

Though for the most part, his leadership is to get them into action and tell them what needs to be done. Other than that, the gang is given a good deal of flexibility on who gets it done and how they get it done. If they're in Carthage, Jeremie tells them where the key is, and the rest decides who gets it and how. In many cases, certain members will make sudden decisions that require urgent attention, like how suddenly one member decides to stay behind, while the rest of the group moves ahead. Jeremie leads them to the tower and the rest of the gang decides how they get rid of the opposition and get Aelita safely there. The group is very tightly-knit together. Even though most major decision making falls under Jeremie, they know what needs to be done and how to get it done, that it doesn't take a full leadership role telling them everything to have the group function properly.

I will say, Aelita has quite a bit more leniency to Jeremie's authority than the others. She is closest to Jeremie, and capable of charming him and Jeremie is much more susceptible to persuassion coming from her. She is also competent in the ways of the supercomputer for the most part and doesn't require Jeremie to get her to Lyoko. Last, once virtualized, she needs to be in a tower, in proper positiion to be taken out. That means once she gets in, she is only coming out under her own volition. Jeremie probably was screaming to pull her out forcefully in Deja Vu, Missing Link, and Ultimatum.

[Ransomed_Heart offline]

After reading all three pages of this, I have to say I agree pretty much with animeologist and Mewberries. There is no one "main" character, the show is focused on all of them repectively. That is actually a smart plan for the series creators because it gives their entire audience someone to relate to, rather than just one main character.

I also don't think there is one solid leader. Jeremie, Yumi, and Aelita do tend to take leadership/decision making roles, but Odd and Ulrich step up and do their part too. We have seen them make perfectly valid decisions with both Yumi and Jeremie absent. They are a team, and that dynamic works well for them because there is no one leader, then make decisions based on whose will work best for them at that point in time. Jeremie has the advantage of knowledge and giant supercomputer to help him, which explains why he has taken on a more leadership role.

[Mewberries151]

After reading all three pages of this, I have to say I agree pretty much with animeologist and Mewberries. There is no one "main" character, the show is focused on all of them repectively. That is actually a smart plan for the series creators because it gives their entire audience someone to relate to, rather than just one main character.

I also don't think there is one solid leader. Jeremie, Yumi, and Aelita do tend to take leadership/decision making roles, but Odd and Ulrich step up and do their part too. We have seen them make perfectly valid decisions with both Yumi and Jeremie absent. They are a team, and that dynamic works well for them because there is no one leader, then make decisions based on whose will work best for them at that point in time. Jeremie has the advantage of knowledge and giant supercomputer to help him, which explains why he has taken on a more leadership role.

That's a really good point! They've all had there turns at playing leader, especially in season 2. Ulrich took the initiative in episodes like "The Chips Are Down" and "Ultimatum", and Odd was also taking matters into his own hands in episodes like "Tip Top Shape" and "Is Anybody Out There". I think even in season 2, the position of "leader" is still a "turn-based" thing, with each character taking the lead when they're the best ones for the situation.

[Pyro-Lord offline]

I voted for Aelita, but I really think that the whole group is, plus X.A.N.A. and Franz Hopper.

[animenologist offline]

Being the leader doesn't mean having led at just one point, it depends on consistent decision making of the groups actions as well as an exercising of ones authority. Though everyone have at times led or made decisions, most plans and missions are decided by Jeremie.

How about this for an anology. A general is considered the leader of his army. He makes the plans and most of the strategic decisions as well as try to rally his troops. But in battle, the decisions are made by a field leader over his troop depending on who is felt most knowledgeable (during the Vietnam war, field leader status went to the one who has spent most time in battle, not the highest rank). Same idea here, Jeremie tells them their mission, priorities, and rallies them for battle, but come the actual fighting, someone closer to the battle chooses how to get the job done according to the goals spelled out by the general.

[MY85 offline]

Multiple times, Jeremie has said nobody should go to Lyoko unless he says so. If Aelita and Yumi had the same weight of authority as Jeremie, then in St. Valentines Day, Aelita and Yumi should have been enough to go to Lyoko on their own or just even to tell Jeremie, that they will go to Lyoko. But instead, they asked him, in which Jeremie agreed since all his necessary concerns were taken care of.

As for Aelita asking Jeremie to go to Lyoko on Saint Valentine's Day, it was the posessed Aelita who asked it to Jeremie just to trick him, not human Aelita Hopper. But if XANA posessing humans can program the computer, how can't XANA create a timer device just to make the scanner work and go with Aelita's body to Lyoko? (Sorry for off-topic) Just wanted to say it was the posessed Aelita who asked Jeremie that on said episode.

Jeremie probably was screaming to pull her out forcefully in Deja Vu, Missing Link, and Ultimatum.

As for what I've seen of Missing Link, Jeremie had a real good reason to stop Aelita's transfer process of DNA material with Yumi. It would had made the Scyphozoa's job easier, right?

As for how I see the characthers...

Aelita, along with Franz Hopper and the Carthage project started in 1974 are the main reason of this show's existence. Jeremie's the leader among his 3 friends. He can most likely listen to Aelita's ides since she has probably better knowledge about Lyoko itself. Yumi knows a few about computer programming. On Season 2, she has imporved a bit her skills on certain subject.

There should be an episode showing how Odd and Ulrich would handle the situation without Jeremie, Aelita and Yumi on a XANA attack that requieres an RTTP without Aelita inside Lyoko... I can see it as a two-part episode, most liekly to my sight.

[simplylyoko91 offline]

normally, i would say that aelita is the main character but when you look at it, the whole group sorta counterbalances each other. i mean Ulrich and Yumi are half serious, half silly so put'em together and you've got two pretty good people. Odd's a total goofball and if you made Jeremy any more serious, you'd ruin the show, so put those two with each other and you get the same result as with UxY. Aelita is pretty much all of them and you unite the whole team in order to fight of the evil force, which happens to be XANA. So i say there's main characters not charachter.

[TaskForceLyoko offline]

...Same idea here, Jeremie tells them their mission, priorities, and rallies them for battle, but come the actual fighting, someone closer to the battle chooses how to get the job done according to the goals spelled out by the general.

Actually, this would make Jeremie the guy-in-charge, not a leader.

[Akito offline]

...Same idea here, Jeremie tells them their mission, priorities, and rallies them for battle, but come the actual fighting, someone closer to the battle chooses how to get the job done according to the goals spelled out by the general.

Actually, this would make Jeremie the guy-in-charge, not a leader.

Doesn't "guy-in-charge" pretty much mean the same thing as leader?

[Mewberries151]

...Same idea here, Jeremie tells them their mission, priorities, and rallies them for battle, but come the actual fighting, someone closer to the battle chooses how to get the job done according to the goals spelled out by the general.

Actually, this would make Jeremie the guy-in-charge, not a leader.

Doesn't "guy-in-charge" pretty much mean the same thing as leader?

Sort of...I think a better description might have been that Jeremie is a "Tactician".

[TaskForceLyoko offline]

Doesn't "guy-in-charge" pretty much mean the same thing as leader?

No. While to most it sounds like a matter of semantics, there is a huge difference between the guy-in-charge and a leader. Ever hear the terms "natural leader" or "born leader"? Garbage. I'll wager that 99% of the folks who use those terms have never met a great leader, and wouldn't know a good leader if one walked up and smacked them on the back of their heads. Without writing an essay on the esoterics of the matter, I'll just throw out a few points:

The team follows Jeremie's directions and orders because he is their friend.
Jeremie can not make decisions under the hammer.

Neither one of these are traits of a leader. There's more but like I said, no essay.

Sort of...I think a better description might have been that Jeremie is a "Tactician".

Jeremie isn't much of a tactician either. Of course, he is still a twelve year old kid.

[Godaiger offline]

I'll have to say that they're all the main characters.

[SamBlob offline]

Multiple times, Jeremie has said nobody should go to Lyoko unless he says so. If Aelita and Yumi had the same weight of authority as Jeremie, then in St. Valentines Day, Aelita and Yumi should have been enough to go to Lyoko on their own or just even to tell Jeremie, that they will go to Lyoko. But instead, they asked him, in which Jeremie agreed since all his necessary concerns were taken care of.

As for Aelita asking Jeremie to go to Lyoko on Saint Valentine's Day, it was the posessed Aelita who asked it to Jeremie just to trick him, not human Aelita Hopper. But if XANA posessing humans can program the computer, how can't XANA create a timer device just to make the scanner work and go with Aelita's body to Lyoko? (Sorry for off-topic) Just wanted to say it was the posessed Aelita who asked Jeremie that on said episode.

Jeremie probably was screaming to pull her out forcefully in Deja Vu, Missing Link, and Ultimatum.

As for what I've seen of Missing Link, Jeremie had a real good reason to stop Aelita's transfer process of DNA material with Yumi. It would had made the Scyphozoa's job easier, right?

As for how I see the characthers...

Aelita, along with Franz Hopper and the Carthage project started in 1974 are the main reason of this show's existence. Jeremie's the leader among his 3 friends. He can most likely listen to Aelita's ides since she has probably better knowledge about Lyoko itself. Yumi knows a few about computer programming. On Season 2, she has imporved a bit her skills on certain subject.

There should be an episode showing how Odd and Ulrich would handle the situation without Jeremie, Aelita and Yumi on a XANA attack that requieres an RTTP without Aelita inside Lyoko... I can see it as a two-part episode, most liekly to my sight.

Who are you quoting? I did not say any of that...

Doesn't "guy-in-charge" pretty much mean the same thing as leader?

No. While to most it sounds like a matter of semantics, there is a huge difference between the guy-in-charge and a leader. Ever hear the terms "natural leader" or "born leader"? Garbage. I'll wager that 99% of the folks who use those terms have never met a great leader, and wouldn't know a good leader if one walked up and smacked them on the back of their heads.

Whether a born leader, a good leader or a bad leader, the guy calling the shots *is* the leader, right up until the moment he is overthrown or otherwised relieved of his leadership.

Without writing an essay on the esoterics of the matter, I'll just throw out a few points:

The team follows Jeremie's directions and orders because he is their friend.
Jeremie can not make decisions under the hammer.

Neither one of these are traits of a leader. There's more but like I said, no essay.

And what, exactly, leads you to think that Jeremy cannot make decisions under fire?

[TaskForceLyoko offline]

Whether a born leader, a good leader or a bad leader, the guy calling the shots *is* the leader, right up until the moment he is overthrown or otherwised relieved of his leadership.

Only to the ignorant. The title "leader" is thrown around too casually these days to give everyone a feel-good attaboy, but the truth is very few are actually leading. Ordering, commanding, calling the shots is not leadership. A position of authority does not make one a leader, only the one-in-charge. Did you even read what I wrote?

And what, exactly, leads you to think that Jeremy cannot make decisions under fire?

Screaming "Do something!" or similar when they are in a crisis is not what I call decision making. Screaming "Oh No! The Scipizoa!" and doing nothing more is not decision making. Saying "Hurry up!" and nothing more when the team is fighting for their life is not decision making. Need I say more.

[YDV offline]

Okay, #1 there IS no leader. I thought that was generally accepted a LONG time ago. But if there was, it'd probably either be Jeremie or Yumi (Jeremie because.. duh.. and Yumi because she's older and sometimes gives advice/tells them what to do etc)

[MY85 offline]

Who are you quoting? I did not say any of that...

S**t. My bad. When I qouted the thing, I quote it from animenologist's post and probably ended up quoting you as a mistake. It happens, about quoting the wrong person. And that day... nevermind, my mind wasn't clear that day.

[SamBlob offline]

Whether a born leader, a good leader or a bad leader, the guy calling the shots *is* the leader, right up until the moment he is overthrown or otherwised relieved of his leadership.

Only to the ignorant. The title "leader" is thrown around too casually these days to give everyone a feel-good attaboy, but the truth is very few are actually leading. Ordering, commanding, calling the shots is not leadership. A position of authority does not make one a leader, only the one-in-charge. Did you even read what I wrote?

I read what you wrote. I simply do not agree with it.

"leader noun 1 a person or thing that leads. 2 one who has the principal part in something; the head of a group etc." - The Oxford Paparback Dictionary - Fourth Edition, Oxford University Press, 1994 ISBN 0-19-208812-4

Your argument springs from the first definition, mine from the second. If you wish to argue this point further, argue with the Oxford University Press. Good luck.

And what, exactly, leads you to think that Jeremy cannot make decisions under fire?

Screaming "Do something!" or similar when they are in a crisis is not what I call decision making. Screaming "Oh No! The Scipizoa!" and doing nothing more is not decision making. Saying "Hurry up!" and nothing more when the team is fighting for their life is not decision making. Need I say more.

No. This is where I need to say more.

Saying "There are rocks to your right; lose them in there" (from "Big Bug") is decision making. Jumping into the sewer to avoid the hornets ("Swarming Attack") is decision making (and the tough kind too, wherein one makes an unpopular but necessary decision). Sending everyone in to Lyoko in "Routine" was decision making, although that one proved to be near-disastrous. Going into XANA's alternate reality to rescue the team in "Ghost Channel" is not only decision making but personal bravery. I was going to mention Jeremy saving Yumi from the YumiClone in "Image Problem" and saving Aelita from drowning in "Deja Vu" but those are not really examples of decision making or leadership, just of personal bravery.

Probably the biggest single acknowledgement of Jeremy's leadership is in "Zero Gravity Zone" where Ulrich reluctantly leaves the soccer game on Jeremy's request to go to the Science Block and rescue Mrs. Hertz.

[TaskForceLyoko offline]

I read what you wrote. I simply do not agree with it.

"leader noun 1 a person or thing that leads. 2 one who has the principal part in something; the head of a group etc." - The Oxford Paparback Dictionary - Fourth Edition, Oxford University Press, 1994 ISBN 0-19-208812-4

Nice textbook answer. Incompetent "leading" is not being a leader. Simply being the head of a group is not being a leader. Accepting that as leadership is the problem with most "leaders" and society. That's the difference between theory and reality. I deal with reality and its consequences.

Saying "There are rocks to your right; lose them in there" (from "Big Bug") is decision making.

That was not decision under fire, unless you're changing the criteria now. That was giving the team information from his overwatch position. It was still up to the team to figure out what to do.

Jumping into the sewer to avoid the hornets ("Swarming Attack") is decision making (and the tough kind too, wherein one makes an unpopular but necessary decision).

Haven't seen this one, but sounds more like he was taking the only option, regardless of popularity. Smelly sewer or death? Tough decision, huh?

Sending everyone in to Lyoko in "Routine" was decision making, although that one proved to be near-disastrous.

That wasn't decision under fire. That was an order under frustration made with no common sense. You consider that good decision making or leadership?

Going into XANA's alternate reality to rescue the team in "Ghost Channel" is not only decision making but personal bravery.

That was taking the only option again, and not decision under fire. Do you even understand what decison under fire means?

Probably the biggest single acknowledgement of Jeremy's leadership is in "Zero Gravity Zone" where Ulrich reluctantly leaves the soccer game on Jeremy's request to go to the Science Block and rescue Mrs. Hertz.

Once again, that was not decison under fire, or even decison making. Or leadership. He guilt-tripped Ulrich into doing that, and Ulrich did it because Jeremie was his friend. So if that was the biggest single acknowledgement of Jeremie's leadership, you've made my case for me.

[Taelia offline]

I believe Jeremie is a capable leader. He just needs to take deep breaths and relax. Maybe get some sleepy-bye . ^_^

[Darkness Incarnate offline]

Umm isn't Aeltia lord of lyoko, lol.........

[YDV offline]

...TFL... are you saying that Jeremie isn't competant enough to lead the team, or that he's not the leader? That's just what I'm picking up.

And if that is the case, how could you say that? It's so obvious! (Do you like, hate him or something? Because it really sounds like it.)

I must ask, if Jeremie's not the leader... who is? I seriously doubt anyone is halfway as qualified. They all go go him when they have a problem dealing with XANA or Lyoko. and ask his counsel first. The only time this was really challenged was during the episode in which XANA intended to blow up the nuclear power plant, and Yumi thought it was a better idea to just go to the police. Then they voted. This is, of course, the more democratic approach, but it also shows how they work together and trust each other. If Jeremie was the absolute leader, he would've said NO, I know what's best, and we're doing it MY way. That, and he's just generally a nice guy. ^^;

In terms of importance, though, the most important character is undoubtedly Aelita. Without her, they couldn't do a thing about XANA, since she has the "keys" to Lyoko and thus can deactivate towers.

And, like everyone else said, there is no "main character." As well, there used to be no one leader, but since Saison Deux, it's been leaning further and further towards being Jeremie.

And... Darkness Incarnate... technically Aelita IS the "Lady of Lyoko" (you wouldn't call her a "lord") because she holds one of the keys. And because that was precisely the wat Hopper intended it. That doesn't mean she's the leader of the team, though. Anyway, I digress..

[TB3]

I'm inclined to say Jeremie is the leader, but's that's because he's in a position where he's better qualified to advise the time - if Yumi for example was working the computer she'd be doing the same role, but probably not as well.

What intrigues me is who in the team takes the lead in Lyoko. In Season 1 I'd be pretty certain it would be Ulrich, but in Season 2 I'm leaning more towards Yumi - that said even Odd has taken command, usually if it's just him and Aelita, and when he took the role of a sargeant or corporal to the monsters in Marabounta.

That said Aelita is also developing a more agressive position in Lyoko, perhaps leaning more towards recklessness in some cases.

Trying to apply ranks to the group doesn't work for me - it means trying to put them in a heirarchy that doesn't exist in the group. Assigning roles however is easier;

JEREMIE: Intelligence Gathering, Communications, Strategy
AELITA: Guide. Tech Operative, Combat Reserve, Rogue Agent (on occasion)
ULRICH: Tactician, Melee Combatant
YUMI: Field Commander, Melee Combatant
ODD: Decoy, Artillery Support, Commando

Do these work?

[Taelia offline]

Whoa! Cool listing!