First time post, but I enjoy what you're going for. Final Fantasy IV was my first foray into the FF series, outside of a few hours spent on Final Fantasy one. FFIV is in my top 10 games of all time list (probably at #6 or 7) and I have multiple fond memories of it. I still recall allowing someone to borrow my game and having my save erased. That was a dark, dark day. I could wax poetic for long minutes about the memorable moments in the series, but I will stick to the topic at hand.

1. Kain - I even called myself Kain for a short time in my youth. As I was 10-12 years old at my first playing, Kain was my first exposure to a back stabbing/complicated type character. I felt terrible for him being manipulated by Golbez, and also for the unrequited love he felt for Rosa. "Dragoon" instantly became a class that I looked for in other games (Thank you Ogre Battle) and his use of Spears and Jump was incredible. I loved his damage output, and distinctly remember surviving the one boss before the Masamune/Murasame (not sure which one) and my entire party was wiped out by his AoE attack (I think Tidal Wave or something) and Kain landed the killing blow. Good lord what a moment.

2. Rydia - I will admit to having a little crush on her. I thought her green outfit was sexy, and I loved that she was a summoner/caller. That was my first exposure to summons or to someone who controlled monsters and I loved it. Plus, after some hard grinding she really had powerful magic abilities. I didn't really like that she was sexually harassed by Edge the whole time, but at my then age I didn't quite get it. I thought it was cool how she saved everyone, and was concerned when she was swallowed up by the earthquake.

3. Edge - While reading other peoples posts, I was shocked to see Edge ranked so low. Edge, as a ninja, was incredibly cool to me. I loved his Throw ability and absolutely thought it was badass he swung his sword twice (or used two swords, I can't remember). Hell, I could be remembering that wrong, but that sticks out in my head. His ninjitsu abilities were really cool to me at the time, and I don't recall him being a weak character. I think, specifically, because at the time I didnt' really pay attention to damage output, but more on just how I felt about the characters. I always thought Edge was cool.

4. Palum/Porum - It's weird that I'd put these characters here, as I generally didn't love them or hate them; it's more for the fact that they sacrificed themselves for the greater good. I remember having tears in my eyes when they turned to stone, thus saving the heroes from a grisly fate. I had problems comprehending what I saw on my screen and forever will have that segment of gaming burnt into my memory. They had some decent abilities, and I recall they had a solid mix of white/black magic. As a pair they annoyed me, but the sacrifice stands the test of time.

5. Tellah - I loved Tellah, although at first I chalked him up as an annoying old guy. In the end, he remembered the spell he needed to aid the party. Tellah was hella powerful and that was something I greatly respected. His involvement with stupid Edward made for an interesting storyline, and his wisdom really grew on me. I wished Tellah would have been around longer; and Meteo was just the coolest spell in the game.

6. Cecil - I've always been the type of person to not gravitate towards a main character, so I had an initial disliking for Cecil. During my 2nd play through, I really started to like the character. His transformation from Dark Knight to Paladin is one of the coolest moments in gaming history, as I recall playing it and thinking, "Am I really going to just sit here and let him kill me!?" It was genious and ahead of it's time. Cecil would become a real badass at the end of the game, but early Paladin was WEAK. I also don't like Rosa, so I didn't care too much for their relationship. I had such a big love for Kain that Cecil was like the crappy one.

7. Yang - I didn't have a long of strong feelings regarding Yang one way or the other. He was cool, but I'm pretty sure beat his wife up. He sacrificed himself for the greater good, and had some pretty bitchin attacks. Plus, he had claw weapons. My memories of Yang mainly dealt with me speaking in a kung fu/asian accent.

8. Cid - Cid was funny, albeit kinda weak; and also part of some of the cooler parts of the game. I loved his protective nature and how he pushed Edge around. I felt that made Edge kind of become a better person, despite his sex cravings for Rydia. Cid didn't do a lot for me in the game, but he did nothing to bother me. Hammers are cool.

9. Rosa - Rosa felt weak and pointless to me up until the very end of the game. I seemed to feel that she was playing both Kain and Cecil; but again the Kain love went too far. I hated Rosa's attacks, and only really cared about her once she got the Holy spell. I have no fond memories of this trick unfortunately. I think playing through now, I may feel differently about her; but I'm going off of memories.

10. Edward - I mean...yeah. I don't have a lot to say about him. I really wish he had a larger part to play in the game, because he felt fruity and weak.

11. FuSoYa - I don't count him, even though he was super powerful.