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This topic seemed rather dead (but interesting!) so I thought I would jump in and post something! I shall talk about several main characters! (By the way, sorry for the walls of text! I can't describe these characters fully without giving away the plot! gonk )
Story: A Soldier and His Maus (comic)
MC: Erich Brandt
Erich is a German soldier in the Wehrmacht during World War II. He is 21 years old and was conscripted into the army against his will while he had been taking care of his sickly parents. He was stationed in Poland in 1941 after his training, and there he rescued a striped field mouse whom he named "Blitzen". From that point on, he vowed to keep Blitzen safe, which usually involves him sticking the mouse into his breast pocket! Erich is against killing and is unfamiliar with it, as after he commits his first war-time kill (he kills a Russian soldier about his age in hand-to-hand combat) he is severely traumatized. However, there are several people around him in the unit whom he can go to for advice and guidance. His two friends in the army are Hans Moller and Alfons Schulz. Sergeant Joachim Fuchs and 1st Lieutenant Bruno Schwarz are those who actually try to look out for the others. The unit is forced to march into Ukraine when Major Ernst Amsel takes command of the company. And when they become loosely aligned with an SS-Einsatzgruppen unit led by Major Hermann Jager, Erich sees things that further put him into doubt and develops his opinion on the war in general. Then, after Amsel breaks the alliance with the SS unit, they come upon a village populated mostly Jews, and Amsel orders a cleansing of the site. Erich witnesses Amsel killing an older couple, and he is about to kill their 20 year old daughter and 24 year old son when Erich steps in and intervenes, finally drawing the line. He then ends up killing Amsel in self-defense (an act that he never ever forgives himself for for the rest of his life) and runs away with the brother and sister, now a deserter and a traitor. (Now, Erich also was taught how to speak Russian during training) The older brother, Andriy, immediately distrusts Erich even though he saved his life. Over time, Erich falls in love with the sister, Katrya, even as Andriy speaks out against it. They begin to be hunted down by SS soldiers led by Jager, who found out the details behind Amsel's murder. At one point, Andriy is captured by SS, and Erich and Katrya continue on alone. Over time, Katrya becomes pregnant. When, later on, Jager finally discovers the two and shoots Katrya as she tries to run away, Erich fights him and kills him. Katrya survives and gives birth to a daughter.
In short, Erich is a very kind, caring individual. He loves animals and does not judge people by race or ethnicity. He only kills if he or those close to him are in danger. He grows as a person, matures, over the course of the story, and gains courage through his experiences.
Story: Wind Bird
MC: Nalo
Nalo belongs to a bird-like race known as Chiro. They look like birds in every way except they stand upright like humans and have winged arms with hands (for anyone who knows about Zelda: Wind Waker, this may sound like the Rito. However, the Chiro are much more accurate to birds in appearance, which was something that was lacking with the Rito). Nalo is a Fledgling, meaning he has not yet begun his first steps into adulthood. He is a poor flier, and the other Fledglings (particularly one named Keanu, who constantly bullies him) give him a very hard time about that. His self-confidence at this point is not very high, but he is nonetheless determined to prove himself. His best and only friend on Kailani Island (the island of the Chiro) is Lani, a female Fledgling who's father is the right-hand man of the tribe's Chieftess. Lani is very near and dear to Nalo since she is his only friend. He lives with his mother, since his father left the island with several others before he was born to seek out what lay beyond the horizon, since the Chiro are a very secluded race who keep to themselves. His father never came back but he kept his mother's stories about him close to heart. The one event that Nalo looks forward to the most is his Flight, when Fledglings are appointed to fly to the very top of the island to speak with the wind god Makani whom their race reveres, and take his first steps into adulthood. When that day comes, he barely makes it because Keanu and his lackeys interfere. Lani is also there. They speak with Makani, but something mysterious happens before any of them can receive a blessing. Makani had had a brother, a fellow wind god, who had turned jealous and turned upon Makani. When his heart turned dark with jealousy and rage, he became Akamanu and amassed followers. But Makani banished him from the realm, and the world knew peace. This was millennia ago. Over that time, Akamanu had bid his time, becoming strong enough to commune with others in the physical world. He was able to grab hold of Lani's father, Kapena, and possessed him, planning on using him to break free from his imprisonment. So, when Nalo, Lani, and the others reach Makani, Kapena, possessed by Akamanu, steals Makani's powers. Nalo, not thinking, tries to rush at him, but Kapena easily knocks him back and sends a gust of wind that sends Nalo spiraling through the air. He wakes up on a strange island where he meets a young female Korika (a fox-like bipedal race) named Kaia. Kaia seeks to find her family, who had apparently abandoned her on this island. Nalo, discovering that he is not home, wishes more than anything to return home. With help, the two set off, and Nalo and Kaia become good friends. They meet an old Chiro hermit named Kapono who tells them where the island of Kaia's people resides, and to Nalo he informs him that his father may be out among the ocean somewhere, as Kapono was one of the Chiro who had accompanied him years ago when they left Kailani Island. He also tells them of a prophecy that involves Makani being slain and Akamanu being resurrected. This indeed does occur, which also frees Kapena from Akamanu's influence, and Akamanu flings Makani's lifeless body across the ocean. As fate would have it, Nalo and Kaia, after leaving Kapono's isle, find him. Makani is not truly dead. The blade that brought Akamanu back simply stole Makani's godhood and transferred it to Akamanu which was what Akamanu needed to be strong enough to escape his banishment. So, Makani is mortal at this point and must seek the aid of the gods to have his powers returned to him. Nalo and Kaia are made to accompany him. The first god they go to is the goddess of forest, and is where the Korika reside, and Kaia is reunited with her parents; however, she refuses to stay, feeling that her place is with Nalo for as long as he is trying to get home. One thing that is on Nalo's mind is that Kapono believed that Nalo was the Hero spoken of in the prophecy. This, in truth, is not true, but it nags at Nalo's mind and he doubts himself even more. He still struggles with all of his shortcomings, and never stops thinking about his home and Lani and his mother, whom he misses terribly. However, he does find his father, Wakea, along the way, and from him he learns how to improve his flying, as well as other skills such as hunting, fishing, etc. It is the moment Nalo has needed to grow and to have confidence in himself. After Wakea is brought to Kapono's isle (the two were good friends back in the day), Makani, Nalo, and Kaia continue with the quest. When Makani finally regains his power, they return to Kailani Island and Makani faces off against Akamanu once and for all. In reality, the "Hero" in the prophecy was none other than Makani, and this removes a great weight from Nalo's shoulders. He is reunited with Lani and his mother at last.
In short, Nalo is young and because of his faults he has a hard time believing in himself, even if his love for his mother and his friendship with Lani and Kaia give him the strength to push on. He second-guesses himself often. However, over the course of his journey he gains confidence and courage and becomes more independent. He is an individual who is stronger than he makes himself out to be. The journey back home in itself becomes his rite of passage.
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