In no particular order:

Cloud: He's awesome for all the reasons he's not hyped about. He's got a great story and great character arc. Also, he was a real main character before FF leads started being picked out of a hat and matched up with plots on a dart board.

Aeris: I guess she's the stereotypical mystic healer girl, but she fits in so well with FFVII's setting that I can't possibly hate her for being a cliche. I also like her because she comes off like an actual 20-something-year-old girl from a big city. Her limit breaks make her a unique addition to the party. Her death was actually moving back before every gaming website's mandatory and creepy 'Has a video game ever made you cry' thread made it into a huge joke.

Vivi: One of the few characters from FFIX who isn't stupid, predictable or Disney. Great storyline, too. Should have been the main character. I smurfing love his floppy hat.

Runners-up!: Tifa, Balthier and FFVI's cast as a collective