So here's the criteria for this list: The have to be kick-ass, and they have to be kids. Either officially under 16 or just slightly older, or, if they have no official age, childish enough to guess they're little kids. Deciding that Final Fantasy will get its own lists (or they would probably dominate) I opted to only look at the current generation games. Two honorable mentions, that got me a little ambivalent, as they are re-released for PS3 this year.
Honorable mention 1: Rikku from Final Fantasy X. At age 15, she is rather a peppy little kid with fun gadgets like bombs, she steals your stuff when you're not looking, and she has crazy pupils in her eyes.
Honorable mention 2: Sora, from Kingdom Hearts. Oh, how I long for the re-release of this. His age is not anywhere I could find, but I'd peg him for like, 12. Some people I know call him whiny, but I'd say he's not as whiny as people say. And, hey, he's fighting with a GIANT KEY! That alone gives him a couple of points.
Ok, so here's the actual list:
5: Allegretto from Eternal Sonata. His age is not clearly stated, that I know of, but he looks and acts young enough to be a kick-ass kid, with his tag-along would-be baby brother Beat.
4: Yuki from Enchanted Arms. Slightly antagonistic would-be villain turned ally. I'm not sure of her age, either. I want to say it's stated in-game that she is 14, but this might be something I dreamed up. I also have the feeling it's stated in the booklet, but I can't seem to find it. Anywho, little girl in a cowboy hat and with a pair of guns? Can't go wrong.
3: Lymle from Star Ocean: The Last Hope. 15 year-old looking like 10, she has some serious magic in her hands. She summons a FIRE BEAST for heavens sake. She's a bit apologetic, and her English voice is.... weird .... but, hey. FIRE BEAST!
2: Hope from Final Fantasy XIII. Yes, I know. Everyone hates him. He's a whiny kid. But he has a story arch set apart from the other main characters. He starts out a scared, whiny 14-year-old kid who falls on his ass at every other turn, and he ends up a cool, collected, strong healer. I take Hopes healing over Vanille's any day. And he grows up.... rather fine.... for the next game.
1: Cooke and Mack from Lost Odyssey I have no idea how old Cooke or Mack are, but they are cool. One of the things that make them so cool is that they are a team. If they ever set out on their own, they'd probably make it fine, once they grow a couple of inches. Mack can really dole it out if need arises, and Cooke is great with the magic.
