who is the protagonist of resident evil

The question "Who is the protagonist of Resident Evil?" appears deceptively simple. For a franchise spanning over two dozen core games, numerous films, and a vast expanded universe, the answer is not a singular name but a reflection of the series' own evolution. The identity of the main protagonist shifts, bifurcates, and converges, mirroring the narrative journey from claustrophobic survival horror to globe-trotting action spectacle. To crown one character as the sole hero is to misunderstand Resident Evil's legacy, which is built upon the dual pillars of two iconic figures: Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine, and later expanded by a compelling ensemble cast.

The Birth of Survival Horror: Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield

The original 1996 game established a foundational duality. Players could choose between two S.T.A.R.S. members: Jill Valentine, the master of unlocking, or Chris Redfield, the combat specialist. This choice did not create parallel universes but rather two perspectives on the same nightmare within the Spencer Mansion. Jill, often considered the "easier" scenario due to her lockpick and extra inventory slot, became many players' first experience. Chris, with his greater vitality and reliance on a partner for lockpicking, presented a more challenging route. Together, they defined the protagonist not as an invincible hero, but as an under-equipped professional struggling to survive. Their shared goal was escape and exposure of Umbrella's atrocities, forging an inseparable partnership at the heart of the series' origins. They were co-protagonists, their narratives intertwined and equally vital to the saga's inception.

The Shift to Action and the Rise of Leon S. Kennedy

With the critically acclaimed *Resident Evil 4*, the series underwent a seismic shift in tone and gameplay. This revolution was led by a new protagonist: Leon S. Kennedy. The rookie cop from *Resident Evil 2* returned as a hardened, quipping government agent. Leon's campaign redefined the protagonist's role from vulnerable survivor to capable action hero, tasked not just with survival but with the active mission of rescuing the President's daughter. His success made him the face of the franchise's action-oriented era, starring in *RE4* and *RE6*. Meanwhile, Chris Redfield evolved in parallel, his narrative in *Resident Evil 5* transforming him into a muscular bioterrorism soldier leading a team, further cementing the move away from pure horror. During this period, the concept of a single protagonist fragmented; the franchise began operating with multiple "main" characters headlining their own entries, each catering to different facets of the expanding lore.

The Ensemble Era and Narrative Convergence

As the storylines grew more complex, the idea of a lone protagonist became untenable. *Resident Evil 6* epitomized this by featuring four interwoven campaigns led by Leon, Chris, returning veteran Jake Muller, and Ada Wong. The narrative burden was distributed, presenting a world where bioterrorism was too vast for one hero to counter. Similarly, *Resident Evil: Revelations* focused on Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield, filling gaps in their stories, while spin-offs introduced new perspectives like Ethan Winters. This ensemble approach allowed the series to explore its world more broadly, though it sometimes risked diluting narrative focus. The protagonist became a collective: the united efforts of the B.S.A.A., past S.T.A.R.S. members, and rogue agents all working against a common, pervasive threat.

The New Blood: Ethan Winters and the Return to Roots

The franchise's soft reboot with *Resident Evil 7: Biohazard* introduced a true everyman: Ethan Winters. A civilian with no special training, Ethan's perspective forcibly returned players to the visceral fear and vulnerability of the early games. His first-person journey was a deliberate departure from the super-soldier feats of Chris or Leon. Intriguingly, *Resident Evil Village* then fused this new perspective with the legacy cast, as Chris Redfield appears as a pivotal, if initially antagonistic, figure in Ethan's story. Ethan's saga culminates in a powerful act of self-sacrifice to save his family, a profoundly personal motivation that contrasted sharply with the global stakes of earlier entries. Through Ethan, the series reconnected with the core emotional drive of a protagonist: a desperate fight for personal salvation.

Conclusion: A Legacy of Shared Protagonism

Therefore, the protagonist of Resident Evil is not a "who" but a "what." It is the enduring concept of resilience in the face of unnatural horror. Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield are the foundational protagonists, representing the series' survival-horror heart. Leon S. Kennedy became the charismatic face of its action-oriented evolution. The ensemble casts of later games represent the necessary scaling of heroism to match a global pandemic. Finally, Ethan Winters embodied a return to relatable, vulnerable humanity. The true protagonist is the ongoing battle itself—a battle fought across decades by a rotating roster of heroes, each leaving their mark on the fight against bioterrorism. The legacy is shared, and the saga is richer for having multiple hearts beating at its core, each defining what it means to be a protagonist in their own unique, terrifying chapter of the endless nightmare.

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