Why Leon Kennedy Now Feels Like the Face of Resident Evil — Even Though He Isn’t

Fans debate who the real main character of the Resident Evil series is. While many point to Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine – the original heroes – a large number of fans strongly believe it’s Leon S. Kennedy.

Leon Kennedy made his debut in Resident Evil 2 as a new police officer facing the terrifying Raccoon City outbreak on his very first day. Though young and lacking experience, he’s dedicated to helping people, and he continued to grow and improve in subsequent games.

It’s interesting to note that when the original Resident Evil 2 launched in 1998, opinions on Leon were very divided – people either liked him or didn’t, though most agreed his gameplay experience was stronger than Claire’s. However, it wasn’t until Resident Evil 4 that Leon became the popular and relatable hero he’s known as today, completely changing how players perceived him.

Fans are completely devoted to Leon, especially now that he’s become so prominent. While he wasn’t always the lead, Capcom has clearly positioned him as the central figure of the Resident Evil franchise, and the latest game, Resident Evil Requiem, is a perfect example of his popularity.

10. His One Liners are Quotable

You Always Remember What Makes You Laugh

Okay, so after surviving everything in Resident Evil 2, Leon’s way more skilled when we see him again. But honestly, dealing with all the craziness in Resident Evil 4, he cracks a lot of jokes. Seriously, playing through RE4 – and every game he’s in after that – it feels like Leon has a one-liner ready for absolutely anything that happens. It’s his way of coping, I guess, and it’s pretty entertaining!

Some truly classic lines, like the memorable “Where’s everybody going? Bingo?” and “Your right hand comes off?”, became the basis for fan-created memes for years to come. Even in the more serious game, Requiem, he delivers several witty one-liners that help break the tension.

We tend to remember things that make us happy, and Leon has consistently made players smile, no matter what game they’re playing.

Even early in the Resident Evil 2 Remake, before Leon develops his signature sarcastic wit, his reactions and exclamations—like when he’s running from the Giant Alligator—feel surprisingly fresh and are genuinely funny. He’s a very memorable character with lots of great lines, making the game enjoyable throughout.

9. He Was Featured in the Guinness Book of World Records

One of Gaming’s Most Iconic Characters

The Guinness Book of World Records is a really fascinating collection. What many people don’t know is that they also publish special Gamer’s Editions, focused entirely on video game records and chosen by fans. One popular feature is a ranking of the Top 50 Video Game Characters of All Time, decided by votes from players around the globe.

The 2011 Guinness Book of World Records included a list of the greatest video game characters, and Leon S. Kennedy ranked 36th. Jill Valentine also made the list, appearing shortly after him. Interestingly, Leon was considered more iconic than one of Resident Evil‘s main characters, which really highlights his popularity.

This list featured characters from all sorts of video games, spanning every genre. The inclusion of Leon alongside iconic figures like Mario demonstrates his broad influence on the gaming world, extending beyond just the Resident Evil series.

8. He’s in Fortnite

Epic Only Features Popular Characters

Usually, a character appearing in Fortnite isn’t a major sign of their popularity. However, Epic Games generally only includes the most well-known characters and content from other franchises. In the case of Resident Evil, that means Chris, Jill, Leon, and Claire are featured. Recently, only Grace Ashcroft was added as a skin after the release of Requiem.

Epic Games only adds characters they’re confident will be popular, and they expected Leon to be a huge hit.

Look, I get why Leon’s always in Resident Evil. It’s not just because everyone loves him – though they do! If Capcom was only going by popularity, we’d probably be seeing Rebecca or H.U.N.K. skins too. But honestly, Leon’s become the face of the series. Chris and Jill started it all, they were the originals, but if you think of Resident Evil now, Leon’s the first guy who pops into almost everyone’s head.

Hopefully, the character outfits will be available for purchase again soon. I really want to unlock a special dance for Leon!

7. Darkside Chronicles Centers Around Him

He’s Got Main Games and Spinoff Games

Leon is a central character throughout the main Resident Evil series, and he’s also appeared in several spin-off games. One notable example is The Darkside Chronicles, which revisits events from Resident Evil 2 and Code Veronica, and introduces a new story called Operation Javier. This story finally reveals the background of Jack Krauser, who was previously only known as a boss in Resident Evil 4, allowing players to learn about his history with Leon.

It’s pretty funny how Leon is in both the main games and all the extra content! The content itself is great, but he really dominates everything.

Leon Kennedy is appearing in so many spin-offs and side stories that fans are starting to see him as the lead character of the Resident Evil series. While that isn’t officially true, it’s easy to understand why – he seems to be involved in absolutely everything that happens and shows up everywhere you go in the Resident Evil universe.

If you compared Leon’s appearances in games to those of other characters, he’d clearly be the one featured the most.

6. He’s Even in the Comics

Yes, RE has Comics

Like most popular games, Resident Evil has inspired spin-off books, movies, and comics designed to tell more of the story and offer fresh perspectives. However, the Resident Evil comics have mostly retold the games starring Leon Kennedy – with the exception of the original story from the Spencer Mansion Incident – and added extra details to existing plots.

The animated series Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness was followed by a comic book adaptation called Infinite Darkness: The Beginning. This comic acts as a backstory to the show and primarily focuses on Leon Kennedy. While Claire Redfield is a key character in the series, she doesn’t appear at all in the comics – not even as a referenced character.

As a big Resident Evil fan, I’ve noticed something interesting. While Leon Kennedy might not always be the star in the video games, he’s definitely the main character in the comics! It’s cool to see him take center stage there.

5. Leon’s Character is Memorable Overall

An Everyman Newcomer We Can Relate To

Whether you’re familiar with the original games or the recent remake, Leon Kennedy was designed to be an ordinary person thrown into an extraordinary situation. He’s a rookie, just like many of us would be, trying his best to survive and help others. The goal is for players to easily connect with and relate to his character.

Originally, Leon was delayed getting to Raccoon City because of a hangover – he’d been upset after a breakup and slept in, which surprisingly might have saved his life. In the remake, Capcom decided to make Leon more of a hero. Marvin called to warn him that Raccoon City was too dangerous and told him to stay away, but Leon insisted on going to help anyway.

Both of these consistent traits are clearly visible in Leon’s character, and honestly, in most people we know. He’s a relatable character, mirroring aspects of ourselves and others, which is why players and developers often felt a strong connection with him – a deeper bond than with any other character.

This is just one instance, but no matter which game you play, Leon was always designed to be relatable to the player.

4. He’s in Every Single CGI Movie

And Most Live Action Ones

Every Resident Evil CGI movie has included Leon Kennedy in some capacity, beginning with Resident Evil: Degeneration almost 20 years ago. It’s amazing to think CGI has been around long enough for that first film to be nearly two decades old, and the technology has only gotten better since then.

The visual quality of each Resident Evil movie has gotten better, and Leon’s character has become more detailed. It feels like Capcom was deliberately highlighting their advancements with every new game, and they’ve really positioned Leon as the main star of the series.

Regarding the official storyline of Resident Evil, the CGI movies are considered part of the established canon – everything Leon does in them genuinely happened within the game’s universe. This is in contrast to the films directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, which significantly deviate from the core story. These CGI movies essentially expand the Resident Evil universe, and Leon Kennedy is a central figure in each one.

Honestly, the CGI Resident Evil movies are the only ones worth watching. They’re the best we’ve gotten from that series.

3. Capcom Made Him Hot

Everyone Say Thank You, Women

Let’s be real, Leon’s popularity is definitely connected to how attractive he is. Capcom intentionally designed him to be appealing, with the women on the development team specifically focusing on making him look good. And it worked incredibly well – he’s become the ideal ‘hot uncle’ figure. A quick look at TikTok shows just how much fans, both old and new, are drawn to him.

Leon’s attractive design proved to be a huge success for Requiem, driving record-breaking popularity. It’s become a real phenomenon – I’ve even discovered multiple new ways to express admiration in Japanese just from reading the fan comments!

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I’ve always found Leon attractive, but giving him a bit of stubble and a more muscular build really broadened his appeal – it wasn’t just me noticing, but it brought a lot of new fans to the series.

Really, just look at him. Who wouldn’t want that to be the main face of their IP?

2. Leon Has Direct Ties to the Raccoon City Incident

He Even Had Suspicions Early

When choosing a central character for Resident Evil games, it makes the most sense to use someone connected to the original Raccoon City disaster. Leon Kennedy fits perfectly – he had a history with the city even before the outbreak began, and was familiar with the area before his first day on the job.

Leon deliberately asked for a posting in Raccoon City after hearing about strange murders in the Arklay Mountains, believing something bigger was happening. Sadly, his suspicions were correct.

Because Leon Kennedy is so closely tied to Raccoon City, he brings a lot of established backstory to the game. This also makes it easier for players to accept even the more over-the-top moments, like the motorcycle chase in Requiem. While it was entertaining, it wasn’t entirely realistic – I had to simply enjoy it for the spectacle because it was Leon performing the stunt. If another character had done it, it wouldn’t have felt right.

Established characters are really important, particularly in a game like Requiem where we’re seeing one hero pass the baton to another. However, I don’t believe Leon Kennedy will be retiring from the series anytime soon.

1. Every Game He’s in Explodes in Popularity

The Numbers Don’t Lie

Whenever Leon Kennedy appears in a Resident Evil game, it consistently becomes a massive commercial success for Capcom. Titles like Resident Evil 2, 4, 6, and the recent Resident Evil Requiem have all achieved incredibly high sales – selling millions of copies worldwide.

Leon Kennedy appears in more than half of the best-selling Resident Evil games, and the game Requiem continues that popular trend.

Honestly, the numbers don’t lie – everyone loves Leon S. Kennedy! It’s clear Capcom feels the same way, and I totally get it. He’s easily one of the most popular characters with the fans, and it would be silly to ignore that. I’m glad they still prioritized Grace’s story in Requiem, but it’s awesome that Leon keeps being a central figure.

It’s easy to see why Leon is so closely associated with the Resident Evil series – he’s become a major draw for fans and helps drive sales. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him appear in future games, either to ensure their success or simply to maintain his popularity with players.

2026-03-19 00:42