Every X-Men: The Animated Series Main Hero Ranked By Likability

Cyclops has always been famous for being one of the most upright X-Men on the show, but also one of the most rigid. In some ways, the latter benefits him as a leader, as it's a sign of the assertiveness that keeps him from backing down from his decisions. However, that can sometimes lead to stubbornness — at least in Wolverine's view — especially when it comes to choices like leaving Morph and Beast behind in battle.

As one of the two people giving orders on the team, it's understandable that sometimes Scott can rub people the wrong way. He's also not always comfortable expressing his emotions, making him a tough person to know in combat situations. Still, he's a genuinely good person who really does care deeply about others, but sometimes you have to dig a little to bring that side of him to the surface. A particularly great example of Scott's compassion can be seen in "No Mutant Is an Island," where the X-Man serves as a mentor figure and protector to a group of mutant children being manipulated by Zebediah Killgrave, aka the Purple Man.

A strong friend to Rogue and Gambit, in particular, Ororo Munroe is a bold and fearless person you can follow unquestioningly, rain or shine. When an innocent person is in danger, you know Storm will step in to protect them without hesitation. She also has a penchant for connecting with young people, as seen when she first introduces Jubilee to the X-Men.

That said, as her powers seem closely tied to her emotional state (much like in the comics), Storm may feel the need to close a part of herself off to prevent environmental havoc. For that reason, she may not always be the easiest to connect with. She can also sometimes be a little quick to use her more frightening powers, as seen when she summons wind and lighting while showing Jubilee around the X-Mansion. While some may also criticize Storm for being an often absent leader to the Morlocks (e.g. when they fight the Reavers, Lady Deathstrike, and the Spirit Drinker), she can't fully be blamed for it, as her claustrophobia makes staying in the sewers for extended periods very difficult. Moreover, she strives tirelessly to save Leech's life in "Have Yourself a Morlock Little X-Mas" and reinstates Callisto's leadership afterward, clearly having reevaluated her former rival. 

Who's the X-Men's smoothest talker who can pull off talking in the third person without sounding like Doctor Doom? That'd be Remy LeBeau, alias Gambit, a natural charmer who has impeccable aim when it comes to throwing playing cards. He has great comedic chemistry with just about everyone in the cast but particularly gets along with Rogue, with whom he always shares funny banter. For an ex-thief, he can also be surprisingly selfless, such as in "Sanctuary, Part 2," when he volunteers to stay behind fighting the Acolytes so his fellow X-Men can escape.

Because Gambit sometimes flirts with and invites other women out to dinner on the show, it's unclear whether his relationship with Rogue has fairly loose terms or if he's doing something he shouldn't, especially since his comic counterpart wrestled with infidelity. Romance generally isn't his strong suit, as he's been known to treat it as a game, making him sometimes oblivious to when Rogue needs a little compassion and personal space (as seen in "The Cure"). Gambit can also have a short fuse. For instance, he doesn't mince words if he's not a fan of your cooking, as seen by his and Jean's kitchen battles in "Have Yourself a Morlock Little X-Mas." You're more likely to survive his exploding temper than his kinetically-charged playing cards, but you're still probably better off alternating dinner duties with him rather than sharing them. 

She can wreck a tank with a punch, but Rogue's still one of the most approachable members on the team, thanks to her friendliness and strong sense of humor. When a friend's in trouble, she'll fight tooth and nail for them, and chances are pretty high that she'll win thanks to her flight and super-strength. While Rogue's inability to control her absorption powers has made her more aloof in other media (including "X-Men Evolution" and even certain points in the comics), that's rarely the case in "X-Men: The Animated Series," where she's typically highly social and gregarious. If anything, these traits helped her get closer to certain people by giving her a deeper understanding of them, such as with Archangel in "Come the Apocalypse" and "Obsession." Just don't cross her, as you might end up getting thrown out of a car (which is exactly what happens to Gambit in "The Cure"). She'll make sure you'll survive, though.

As far as likability goes, the "XTAS" version of the Beast easily ranks at the top. A gentle soul with a quote for just about any situation, Henry "Hank" McCoy is trustworthy and principled, as strong and relatable a chaperone to Jubilee as he is to Wolverine on days when Logan's Weapon X memories (real and otherwise) threaten to overwhelm him. Even when dealing with the bigotry of others, Hank doesn't let it phase him, preferring to not waste mental energy on it and delving into his latest book instead. While the Beast from the comics has sometimes lost his way, making questionable choices that on one occasion actually put his entire timeline in danger, Beast from the show by and large displays a strong moral compass. Perhaps comic book Hank would benefit from a little counseling from his '90s TV self, Hank to Hank ... or rather, Beast to Beast.