This is partially an excuse for me to talk about my favorite YouTube series, but I wanted to write about my personal top 10 episodes in the Animation vs. franchise. This includes Animation vs. Minecraft, Animator vs. Animation, and the numerous spin-offs such as Animation vs. Pokemon and Animation vs. Math. I, however, will not include full seasons of AvM (Including the Real-Time version of AvM Season 3) nor the entirety of AvA5, as that seems a bit unfair comparing full stories to one-time episodes. With that out of the way, I'd like to start with a few honorable mentions, some episodes that fell just outside of my top 10.
Honorable Mentions[]
Animation vs. Arcade Games[]
I was close to putting this at #10 on my list, because it is indeed fun and has some strong emotional moments. It also stars my favorite character, Yellow, and has him saving the day as opposed to The Second Coming. However, it comes up just short. There is a lot to enjoy, my favorite parts being the Pac-Man moments, (I was obsessed with it when I was younger for whatever reason) and it is still a great time.
Animation vs. Minecraft (original)[]
I'm prepared to get flack for not putting this in my top 10, but I will say this: I still really enjoy watching it. The OG of the AvM franchise has, to me, been overshadowed by its successors, (Much like how Kung Fu Panda 2 is better than the first one) but it is still a great adventure, and it shows the Stick Gang's unique quirks and personalities that we all have come to know and love, and the Gang embracing Red at the end is so heartwarming. I do like it, but it falls outside my top 10.
Animator vs. Animation 4[]
This episode introduced the world to TSC and the FSF, so this episode will always hold a special place in my heart. Like the previously mentioned episodes, it is also a great time, and watching TSC destroy Alan's social life is pretty funny. It also has some pretty music (which I personally like) and Alan and TSC coming to an agreement and the two of them living in harmony, along with the FSF. Definitely a great episode, but like a fine wine, AvA just got better with age.
With those Honorable Mentions out of the way, time to reveal my top 10!
#11 Animator vs. Animation 3[]
I don't feel like deleting this, but as I was working on my top 10, AvA6 Part 2 dropped, and I wanted to put that in my top 10, so here's the 11th best episode in my opinion, it's AvA3. The reason why I ranked this higher than episodes like AvA4 is because of a couple reasons: fight scenes and nostalgia. The fights between TCO and TDL, (and later on TCO and TDL vs. Alan) are intense and so much fun to watch. It just shows the insane amount of power each of them have. It is also really exciting when TCO freed himself from Alan's prison and began fighting Clippy (Also Alan writing "POW" in 72 point is great, and the fight itself is really cool). This brings me to the second reason why this cracks my top 10: nostalgia. I'm going to date myself here, but I grew up playing Solitaire and Minesweeper, I remember how annoying Clippy was when I played in Word (Yes, I played with Word docs and Excel spreadsheets as a kid. I distinctly recall filling in cells in Excel with some color and erasing them to make letters and words. I was, and still am, a nerd. Sue me) and Solitaire back then looked just like it did in AvA3. I was much better in Solitaire, and I still enjoy it greatly, but seeing it again in the old 8-bit style takes me back to my youth. As for the episode itself, the fights themselves are awesome. TCO pinned TDL down, only to realize they have a common enemy. They teamed up and wrecked Alan's computer, which, as Alan himself admitted, was supposed to be the finale of AvA. I'm grateful that it wasn't, and I'm grateful for this episode. It's a banger.
#10 Animation vs. Minecraft Episode 22 - Parkour[]
I was juggling several options for #10 on my list, among them were Redstone Academy and Animation vs. Arcade Games. Heck, the bottom half of my list was pretty difficult to place, but I decided to go with Parkour as my tenth favorite episode for one main reason: King Orange. Aside from being an exciting game of Parkour, this also reveals the true mastermind of the third season of AvM: King Orange. He is a great antagonist, and while we would not learn his backstory or motives yet, we do see his power and dynamic with Purple. The little details are also great, like when King patted Purple on the head, (foreshadowing the father-son relationship they would have later, as well as showing how Purple sees King) and how every member of the Stick Gang finished with the exact same time. No winners here (Though if there had to be a winner, it would've been Green, 100%). There is also a great fight scene between Green and Purple, and that also shows how powerful King is when he chokeholds the former. Also, seeing the sticks fighting the Piglin Brutes is really exciting, and it has some great music accompanying it (Shout out to Scott Buckley for composing what I think is the best music in AvM, though that would come later). I will say that this episode isn't perfect. What would've happened if some member of the Stick Gang had won thrice before Purple trapped them in the eternal loop? How did Purple lose to Green outside the Bastion but managed to beat TSC and Red (arguably the two best fighters of the Gang) on ALANSPC three episodes later? There are a few loose strings that prevent me from putting this episode higher, but the introduction of King, my second favorite antagonist in all of the Animation vs. franchise, (behind Purple) and some great fight scenes earn it a spot on the top 10.
#9 Animator vs. Animation 9 - Wanted[]
I tell you, Alan and his team only get better as time goes on. This might get usurped in favor of the next chapters in this series, but as of this writing, (November 1, 2023) the continuation of AvA6 has yet to be released, so until then, AvA6 Part 1 earns the spot in my top 10. (Funnily enough, AvA6 Part 2 released days after I wrote this) The main reasons for this: awesome fight scenes, an epic reveal and a cliffhanger that grabs me. I cannot comprehend how Alan and his team can make such incredible fight scenes that involve simple stick figures. Either way, I'm glad they can. Even when the Stick Gang is sparring with each other, and then Alan, it's so much fun to watch them fight. It's not just them, either. The Mercenaries are themselves awesome in their own right, and I love how each of them has unique skills that make them powerful. I'm pretty sure even one of them could take down TSC in a 1v1, so they are quite intense and strong in their own right. (My favorite is Hazard, or as I call him, Men, like the bathroom sign) Even TCO was begging for help dealing with them. That's how you know these Mercenaries are a force to be reckoned with. I also appreciate the continuity, with TSC not remembering his powers, and the attention to detail, with TSC giving his friends weapons that match their fighting skills (Blue gets a ranged weapon, Red a powerful mace, Green, a spear and Yellow, an RPG. I appreciate that level of detail). Lastly, the big reveal of victim, being seemingly the big boss and overarching antagonist of the story, is epic. (I say "seemingly" because of the possibility of The Dark Lord surviving and pulling the strings. My personal head cannon until proven otherwise) This episode got me to watch the first two AvA episodes. I never really cared for them until after seeing AvA6. Props to you, Alan and team, for getting me even more invested than I already was. Great episode to start another great series. I'm looking forward to seeing more.
#8 Animation vs. Minecraft Episode 16 - Note Block Battle[]
I'm a sucker for some great music. That's the main reason why this episode is on my top 10. The music is just so catchy and, like Red near the beginning, makes me want to bob my head, jamming out with Green. The Battle of the Bands is such fun and the music is also a banger. Shout out to AaronGrooves for composing such great music. I have a lot of respect for composers because the only thing I can orchestrate is a symphony of well-coordinated pieces on a chessboard, and even then, it can be a cacophony at times (I've lost a lot, I'll admit it). With that aside, this episode is awesome. The music is great, and the concept is pretty hilarious. A Battle of the Bands, with Green competing against Blue, Yellow, Red, and a chicken, all on drugs. There's a sentence I've never said or written before. Kudos to Green for playing on par with his friends, even without Blue's potion of Musicality. What I like most about this episode is probably the music, but the battle itself is so fun. Green literally used an enchanted trident to create an electric guitar. That's how you know it's a banger of an episode. And TSC's appearance and his own electric guitar solo is epic, silencing and 1-upping Green. Props to you, TSC, for putting Green in his place (He can be a bit of a show-off at times). Anyway, there is practically nothing here I dislike. The music is great, the battle is fun and exciting, and TSC's solo at the end all earn it a spot at #8 in my list (Though the music carries it a lot).
#7 Animation vs. Minecraft Episode 5 - Note Blocks[]
To no one's surprise, Note Blocks cracked my top 10. It was only a matter of time, considering how I've raved about the music in this series (and I shall continue to do so, I guarantee you that). This has the best music in AvM Season 1. It might also have the only music in AvM Season 1. No matter, the music the FSF make is a bop, and it really fleshed out Green's character as well, showing how he got his ability for music. I like how Green played a beat, which Yellow recreated with Redstone. He also showed Blue and Red how to play well, and the four of them make a banger of a song. It shows that Green may be the "guy who's good at everything," but still needs help from his friends. As I said, I love the music. It's really fun. Shout out to AaronGrooves once again for composing it. I applaud, it's quite impressive. And then there's TSC killing their fun by muting the song on the computer. To be fair, if my friends starting playing loud music at 3:00 in the morning, I might do the same thing and hope that they don't crank the volume to the max in response (Like what Blue did, which I find hilarious). This episode may be shorter than most others, but for the music, and a hilarious ending, it captures the 6th spot on my list, and while it couldn't crack the top 5, it's a banger nonetheless.
#6 Animator vs. Animation 10 - The Box[]
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Alan and his team get better with age. It was a close toss-up between where to put The Box, as I was debating whether this should be in the top 5 or not. In the end, I decided to put The Box on the outside looking in, though still a respectable spot in the top 10. I love the callbacks and references to the original AvA, 17 years after it first appeared on the internet. I applaud returning to the roots, and the fight between TCO and victim is fun to watch. victim himself seems like a big threat considering he was able to put TCO on the defensive. Imagine how powerful he would be if the Mercenaries were with him. Imagine if the Mercenaries got buffed with the Box's help. Now I'm wondering, does victim still have the increased strength and speed he got or does it only work within the box? I'd imagine answers will be revealed, though not until 2024. probably. What really shocked me during my first viewing was when TSC saw his powers for the first time, and he just looked at his hands like, "Was that me? Did I do that? How?" I was going a little crazy when I first saw that, the big reveal, and it's not just him. victim and the Mercs were also stunned upon finding this revelation, and victim gave a vibe of, "Wait, what? Who is this guy?" He seemed more surprised than he'd been before, like TCO wasn't a threat to him, but TSC? Yeah, the orange one gets the lockdown treatment. Another thing that grabbed me about this episode is how Yellow has the potential to play a crucial role. Yellow is my favorite character, so seeing him get some attention (as opposed to the group or just TSC himself) is really exciting to me. I am also one of those weird people who is invested in victim's incentives. I personally find it intriguing, the desire for revenge after almost two decades, at least that is what it is at this point. There is still time for further development, to show more of his motives, much like King Orange in the episode bearing his name, but as of now, it seems to be revenge, and honestly, I'm down for it. I can see strong potential for some more epic fight scenes, and if things go haywire, the Mercs getting The Box treatment, becoming even more powerful. I see nothing wrong with it, which is probably why I could never be a movie reviewer (Not that I care). I'm simply enjoying this series, and I'm looking forward to seeing what is next.
#5 Animation vs. Minecraft Episode 25 - The Ultimate Weapon[]
The top 5 were pretty much locked in when I started this list. There was no way I could NOT have put this in the top 5. I think the reasons why this episode is so great are pretty obvious, but I'm going to list why I personally love this episode. Don't worry, there are two main aspects of it. First, the fight scenes. I'd say aside from The King, this episode has the best fight scenes in the entirety of AvM, and that's saying a lot considering how many there are. In this episode alone, there's TSC and Red vs. Purple, Yellow, Green, and Blue vs. King Orange, and to top it all off, the orange clash between TSC and King, complete with their own Minecraft blocks. I like how the episode switches between the two fight scenes, with Purple, Red, and TSC on one side and Green, Yellow, Blue, and King on the other. The Real-Time version of AvM Season 3 plays them both at the same time, and I would give this episode more points for that, but it would not be fair consider the Real-Time equivalent since other episodes don't have that luxury. However, that does not take away anything from how awesome these fights are overall. And finally, there is King vs. TSC. One can feel the intensity between these two. They are ruthless, and their methods of attacking each other are spectacular (TSC Ender Pearling behind King and then uppercutting him with obsidian is epic and clever). I also like the "light vs. dark" theme they have, with TSC attacking with very light gray iron blocks countering King using jet black obsidian. Attention to detail wins. This episode also shows King's true colors. He never cared about Purple, which would eventually lead to the latter's redemption (which led to King's later on). This is also the second time the main quintet get separated, each with their own adventure to go through, and each of them recruiting some help to fight King. Aside from the fight scenes being absolutely epic, the score goes even harder. Scott Buckley and AaronGrooves did an incredible job amplifying the music, Pigstep, and I love it. It goes so perfectly with the epic fight going on between the two orange sticks, like a clash of the titans, before the disc gets popped out of the jukebox. It even fits well with the other main fights, on ALANSPC and in King's "throne room." Heck, it goes well with anything (It's on Scott Buckley's YouTube channel. Some great music to jam out with). Between the epic music and epic fights, (But mostly the fights, not gonna lie) this episode had to be in my top five.
#4 Animator vs. Animation 8 - The Showdown[]
I might have to update this top 10 list after AvA6 Part 2 dropped. Let me finish my top 10 first, and then I'll make the changes necessary. Until then, AvA5 makes its first appearance on my list at the #4 spot. Like The Ultimate Weapon, this is as high as it is for its insane fight scenes. This episode has three of Alan's stick figures battling it out in a battle that rivals something one could find in a movie. TCO vs. TDL fighting across the internet is awesome, especially how TCO used the video he was in to attack TDL. That's video-ception, right there. Googling "Do a barrel roll" is so fun, and the entire fight is the stuff of legends. I don't know how else to describe the battle between these two titans, and somehow, it got even better when Yellow created a cursor for Alan himself to join the fight. Seeing him and TCO work together is another layer to a cake I want to eat again and again. But what I love most about this movie is the reveal of TSC's powers. How he got them, I do not know, (I suspect he was born with them) but now, after several years, he knows about them, and his decimation of the Virabots and ultimately TDL is awesome. Supremely awesome. And then there is when he and his friends hugged at the end of it all. I love it, and then TCO bowing to the shock of the Gang, two layers of frosting on the cake. I don't know what else I can say about this episode. Practically everything I love about it boils down to the fights, though the shot of the big five hugging gets a thumbs-up from me. I would say they are the best in the AvA series until Alan and his team somehow 1-up themselves in AvA6 (I'm assuming, mostly because they only get better with age). Until then, this episode gets the crown for best fights in AvA, (Not AvM, that has its own champion) and some of the best fight scenes in the entirety of Alan's library. Though it fell just short of the podium, no shame in having a spot this high.
#3 Animation vs. Math[]
I would be surprised if anyone ranked this episode this high, not because it's bad, but because I expect people to put other episodes above it. I, however, love this episode, so much so it takes the Bronze medal. What do I love about it? It boils down to one simple thing: I LOVE math. I am one of the small percentage of people that enjoys doing math. To be blunt, it has always come easy for me, up until Algebra and Calculus, but it's still my most beloved and best school subject. Therefore, seeing TSC learn about math is such a joy for me, partially because I am familiar with most of what is going on (Having taken Calculus I through Calculus III will do that a person). I find it super cool to watch an TSC goes from basic arithmetic to advanced Calculus in the matter of minutes, and the fight scenes are, as always, epic. I also find it funny how Euler's Identity changes form multiple times, from the cosine and sine punch to the summation (The symbol that looks like a crushed E or an M sideways) symbol. And then, there's Numberzilla, with his integrand sword. That is a genius level of creativity that I absolutely love. Some more creativity I caught: whenever TSC and Euler's Identity clashed swords, the number decreased by one each time due to the hilts being opposite signs, the negative sign is used to flip TSC, and TSC multiplies his speed. Someday, schools are going to play this episode in math class, and it will be more effective at teaching kids than the American public school system (I can say that because I'm an American). Another thing I love about this episode is how TSC defeated Numberzilla, by increasing the radius of the circle tenfold and then blasting it with a sinewave. That is sincerely epic. The fight scenes are awesome, the creativity is really cool, and I have a love for math. These factors (pun intended) put this at the positive square root of nine spot on my list. Boy am I looking forward to unveiling my top two.
#2 Animation vs. Minecraft Episode 29 - Note Block Universe[]
The gap between #2 and #3 is astronomical, like #2 is in a whole different stratosphere compared to #3. AvMath is 9/10, and NBU is 14/10. That's how good it is. These top two have been locked in since I started making this top 10 list, and I have been looking forward to writing about this episode for a while, and boy here it is. First of all, the music. I love this music, it's easily the second best in the entire AvM franchise behind... my #1 on this list. AaronGrooves and Scott Buckley went all out, and I can really tell the different vibe between their pieces. AaronGrooves is far more lighthearted and goofy, (and the beatboxing llamas are 10/10 awesomeness) and Scott Buckley is more serious and heartfelt, and I love both of them (Though, I must admit, I do enjoy listening to Scott's half more). The music is a banger, and it's hard to top it, and yet Alan and his team did with the story. Everything involving Purple I love, from Green chasing him down to his story to his redemption just breaks and mends my heart in all the best ways. Purple's story... oh my gosh it is incredible, and the music compliments it so well. Scott Buckley, hats off to you. In a matter of minutes, Purple went from a traitor and antagonist to a broken soul that my heart breaks for. He went from a backstabber to relatable in five minutes, and his story is why I love him so much. I can relate to certain aspects of him, his loneliness and brokenness mostly, because I have been there, isolated and broken (Much like Purple, I am in a better place now, thankfully) and Green's pursuit of him reminds me of my Christian faith. And then... there's Purple breaking down, falling to his knees in tears, only to receive something he desperately needed: acceptance. Green embracing him and forgiving him, despite getting betrayed twice, is so heartwarming and I cannot get enough, and Purple hugging him back, crying once more, just shows how broken he truly was. Him agreeing to change for the better completes his arc (Though, I must admit, Green waving Purple's halo aside is such a subtle metaphor and I love it) and his retaliation against King is just icing on the cake. Purple's story and redemption arc, catapulting him to one of my favorite characters in the entire series, coupled with the incredible music all the way through (I can see Purple and Green whenever I listen to it, even when I'm not watching) guarantee it the silver spot in my list. There's nothing I dislike about it, but I love every bit of it. Incredible work, Alan and team. How could you top this? Wait a minute...
If you have read this far, I greatly appreciate it. Thank you, and feel free to guess what my #1 is. :)
#1 Animation vs. Minecraft Episode 30 - The King[]
I doubt I can do this episode justice, but I will try. This is honestly one of the greatest YouTube videos on the entire platform, the half-hour long finale to AvM Season 3. This episode has it all, but I will try to dissect its greatest features. First of all, the story. King's backstory is legitimately heartbreaking, which I find all the more shocking because we are introduced to Gold and then, about five minutes later, is his unfortunate death. The fact that my heart breaks for a stick figure that has been nothing but antagonistic toward the main quintet of characters is the definition of incredible writing. Also, Gold's dynamic with his father is strong enough to cause that heartbreak, which is astounding because, like I said, he is only alive with his dad for five minutes. How does one even make such a strong connection between a viewer and two characters in five minutes? I have no idea, but Alan and his team did it, and they did it in such a way that one is invested in King's journey to get his revenge against Minecraft, even though he has been shown as nothing but evil and power-hungry since his debut eight episodes prior. This is simply incredible. From King's drive throughout the flashback to him meeting Purple, everything about it is done expertly. And then, there's the current events half of the episode. The fight scenes are easily the best in all of Alan's video library, and it's practically impossible to beat King vs. Herobrine, and later on, the MegaStick. Heck, all of the fight scenes with King vs. The Stick Gang and friends are done expertly, and one can see the months of blood, sweat, and tears that went into this episode, all culminating in Purple's last stand. This is such a powerful scene, King finally realizing how much Purple meant to him, so much so that King lost his life to save someone he betrayed is intense (And the music perfectly captures it, but I shall get to that shortly, don't you worry). The Stick Gang saving the world in the final climax is legitimately intense and King and Purple embracing in the void is so heartwarming, and is one of my favorite moments in the series. My heart breaks for Purple, (He and I are similar, in some aspects, and I can relate to him a lot) in all the best ways. The aftermath is also so beautiful, with King asking for, and receiving, forgiveness, and Purple getting something he always wanted is... perfect. I like to think Purple has two families, his new dad, King, and the Stick Gang, his brothers from another mother (Like how people call close friends "Bro." Or maybe that's just an American thing, I don't know). The final scene, with Blue cooking a meal for himself and his friends, the callback to how it all started, is a perfect ending, and seeing King and Purple on the fence says so much to me, but above all, it says, "Healing." Two sticks with shattered hearts are healing each other's wounds, and I love it. I cannot get enough. And then, there's one of my favorite aspects of this episode which I think is also heavily underrated: The score. The music is incredible, I love it. My favorite parts being the calm moments that bookend this episode. On Scott Buckley's video of the score, my favorite pieces are "One perfect day," "Dreams and reconciliations," and "Resolution." "One perfect day" gets me choked up at times, partially because I know what's going to happen next (And how perfect days always come to an end) and because the music itself is so beautiful. That said, Dreams and reconciliations made me tear up. I'll admit it, I started crying, (I started crying watching the episode, too. This is so rare for me but props to this episode for making me cry) but picturing King and Purple embrace in my mind is so powerful to me. The middle parts of the music, where it's intense, dramatic, and powerful, is also top-tier, especially "Purple's last stand" and "A world collapsing." You can tell Scott Buckley poured his heart and soul into this score. Heck, everyone working on this episode poured their hearts and souls into this episode. It is Alan's greatest masterpiece, and the eight months of production it took were worth it to make this. If YouTube had a Hall of Fame, this would be a first-ballot entry. This is the greatest video I've ever seen on YouTube, and it's not even close. Alan and everyone who worked on this episode, thank you. This episode is as close to perfect as possible, and I applaud you for it. I doubt it can ever be topped, but if anyone can, it's you guys. Bring on AvA6!
Top 10 Alan Becker Characters[]
My personal list for my top 10 Characters in Alan Becker's animations. Spoiler alert: They are all stick figures.
#10 victim[]
victim still has a chance to rise up the ranks, with AvA6 still in progress at the time of this writing, but as for now, he just barely cracks the top 10. He ranks at the bottom because, as of now, I don't know much about him that makes me want to put him higher. His backstory is still a mystery, and he doesn't have much screen time compared to others. I do love a powerful antagonist, and as far as I can tell, he will be a legit threat to TCO and the Stick Gang, and his quest for revenge is something that I find captivating (Though I will admit, it is a little one-note, especially compared to his fellow antagonists). I'm curious to see how his story will play out, but as of now, he just lacks the power that other antagonists have. King Orange has his iconic staff and black hole beam, and The Dark Lord has his virus powers. Both of them threatened to destroy entire worlds, and one of them actually succeeded. victim to me does not hold a candle to these two. Even with his enhanced strength, speed, and all the other abilities from The Box I do think that he would lose in a fight to either one of them, assuming everyone involved in the fight is at full strength. Now with AvA6 still going, this breakdown has a chance to age worse than milk in the Sahara Desert. I hope it does, because there is strong potential for an epic backstory for him, but since this is being written before AvA6 Part 3, I can't rank victim higher than 10.
#9 The Dark Lord[]
This is not a knock against The Dark Lord, but there is a very large gap between him and victim. Like I said, I love a powerful antagonist, and The Dark Lord is the definition of that. What puts him above victim for me is simple: we fans know a lot more about him. We know his history, his relationship with The Chosen One, and he is a far bigger threat compared to victim, considering he sought to destroy the internet as opposed to going for revenge against one guy. He also caused untold amounts of chaos even before then, when he and his "big brother" Chosen went on a rampage, and his threat level is immediately shown when he threw fireballs at Chosen. He is no normal stick figure, he is a formidable threat to the strongest stick figure at the time, and he doesn't need buffs like amplified speed or invisibility. He can also hold his own against Chosen without nerfing the latter's powers, something other villains can't do (Sorry, victim, but there is still a chance you can prove me wrong). His battle with Chosen, and later Alan, in The Showdown is (as of this writing, before AvA6 Part 3) the best in AvA, and his defeat is insane, which required TSC to go god-mode just to destroy him (I am in the camp claiming that The Dark Lord is dead. I know this isn't confirmed, but it makes the most sense to me). The Dark Lord is victim just cranked up to 100, there is really no competition between these two. When it comes to their backstory, their threat level, their weaponry, almost everything, The Dark Lord has the edge on victim. Does he have the edge on other characters? No, not in my opinion (And I am prepared to get flack for this. These are my opinions). I am drawn to a good protagonist as well. That's the job of the protagonist, essentially. Nonetheless, The Dark Lord is an amazing character. Here's hoping he makes a return. That would be the plot twist of all plot twists.
#8 The Chosen One[]
What does The Chosen One have that his lower-ranked peers have? An arc, and a pretty good one at that. His story is quite captivating, and considering it is still ongoing, there are more opportunity for some epic moments from him. As mentioned earlier, his battle with The Dark Lord is probably the best in AvA so far, though I would not be surprised to see it usurped by a fight involving victim. The reason being, Alan and his team gets better with age. As for The Chosen One himself, I love his arc. He was an antagonist, a slave, a friend, a martyr, and finally, a hero. I wonder what caused him to change. I guess over the years, he realized the pain and chaos he was causing. Whatever the cause may be, he finished his arc, and did so in an incredible way. Despite bad flashbacks of an old life, he chose to put that behind him and start fresh with Alan, the two nodding at each other being the cherry on top. Imagine telling him during his enslavement that he would be protecting Alan over a decade later. Or, perhaps, imagine telling someone in 2007 that The Chosen One would return and defend the one who is enslaving him, multiple times. Props to Alan and team for writing him so well. He is also ridiculously overpowered, easily #1 in the terms of power... for a while. He has since been overtaken by The Second Coming, The Dark Lord with his virus powers, and King Orange with his black hole staff (In my opinion). Still, superpowers are superpowers, and he is still the Stick Gang's hero after defeating the original Virabot. Nonetheless, he is still a great character with a great arc and great powers. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens to him next in AvA6 Part 3 and beyond.
#7 Green[]
Sorry, DJ Welch from AvG, your Green boy is, in my opinion, my least favorite of the Stick Gang. Don't get me wrong, he's a great character, it's just his peers that I like more. I really like Green, one of the main protagonists of the series, which is good because protagonists are supposed to be likable. He has a lot of great moments, but what brings him down for me is he is probably the biggest showboat of the main five. His arrogance and show-off nature rubs me the wrong way at times, though it is funny when the others blow up his builds. Aside from that, Green is great, and as mentioned before, he has a lot of great moments, in the shorts and the Actual Shorts alike. I do like how Green is the punching bag of the Actual Shorts. That is funny. But for the AvA and AvM shorts themselves, he has some iconic moments featuring him, my favorite being when he was the literal shoulder for Purple to cry on in Note Block Universe. It's so heartwarming to see his heart shine through, even for a guy who backstabbed him twice before. His acceptance of Purple will always make me smile, and I will talk more about Purple, no doubt about that. Green can also make sick music. I love all the Note Block episodes, mostly for the music, which Green is an expert at. Other memorable Green moments are his deaths in PvP, which is just hilarious and surprising at the same time and his competitiveness in practically every competition he competes in (As a competitive person, I can relate). All in all, Green's a great character, even if he can be a bit arrogant at times, and I will always love him for accepting Purple as a friend.
#6 Blue[]
The archer of the Gang nails the sixth spot in my list. The reason why Blue ranks higher than Green is, simply put, Blue does not have Green's arrogance or the same desire to win, despite him perpetually being second fiddle when it comes to build battles. Aside from that, Blue is a really compassionate and friendly guy, and him jumping into lava to save the baby Piglin is a truly memorable moment to kick off AvM Season 3. Even during the mad dash at the end of AvM Season 3, Blue had to be forcefully retained from rescuing the other Piglins in the tribe. Blue wanted to save them, but ultimately couldn't, at least, not yet. I also find it ironic that, despite being the pacifist of the team, he has a crazy high kill count, though that is more so because of his weapon of choice. He is exceptional with a bow and arrow, and that range comes in handy, especially when combating a horde of spiders. I also love his chemistry with Yellow. One can really tell how close the two primary-colored sticks are, and while Yellow is undoubtedly Blue's best friend, he still has a large heart for almost anyone he meets. I mean, he met a Piglin and became its friend within seconds, and I love that about him. Also, his addiction for Netherwart is hilarious. I love when he first tries it, and realizes, "Hey, this is really dang good!" and then he just devours it like candy (This is a great foil for Green, who doesn't like the Netherwart nor Blue's love for it. Fireworks - An Actual Short for proof). While Blue does not have the highs that Green has, I will admit that, but he does not have the lows, either. I think Blue is a lot more consistent, because there's hardly a moment with Blue I dislike. That gives him the edge to Green, though not the rest of the Gang, nor a couple more I shall reveal. Sorry, Blue, but you have fallen just outside the top 5, but you're still a great character, and a great guy.
#5 Red[]
Red is the first to crack my top five. The reason being, I personally think he has the biggest heart of the main five, and I love him for that reason. Yes, he is reckless, he is aggressive, he is the definition of "Shoot first, ask questions later," but underneath that hard outer shell is a genuine, soft heart that deeply cares for his friends, (even if he is a bit shy at times) and his pets. That's another thing I love about Red, his undying love for animals. One shot with him that I love is during the episode Lucky Blocks, where after spawning in a bunch of cats, Red is about as excited as a little kid at Christmas. The same thing happened after he got a pet dog. It's not just animals, though. His love and thoughtfulness for his friends is also apparent, like when he gave Endie his umbrella so that he could go out in the rain. As mentioned earlier, yes, Red is the most reckless of the main five, and is usually the first to get into fights when his friends are threatened. I see this as selfless as well, considering he puts himself in danger to keep his friends safe. Notably at the end of The Box, he was the first to attack victim's workers when he saw them as a threat. To put it simply, while he does have his moments of recklessness that have gotten him killed, it can be argued that they are out of love for the others. He faced The Dark Lord alone, he saw Purple moping at the end of The Witch and convinced the others to help, and he faced off against Agent. While a couple of these were poor decisions, I argue that they were made out of love for his friends and the desire to keep them safe, just doing it the opposite way that TSC would've done. While TSC would avoid a threat, like moving a king in chess out of check, (the attack of an enemy piece) Red is the type to find any way to capture the checking (attacking) piece. Regardless of how he does it, or how others see it, one thing is clear: Red has a big heart, he is a loyal and genuine friend, and I love him for this fact. It's why I have him in the top 5.
#4 King Orange[]
Remember what I said about my love for powerful antagonists? Well, that's pretty much the reason why I have King at #4. It's not just his threat level to the main heroes, though. It's his tragic backstory that is the epitome of great writing. You know you're an incredible antagonist when you get the audience to root for you even after being antagonistic to the main heroes (Looking at you, DJ Welch from AvG Reacts). The connection he has with his son Gold is so real and authentic, which is amazing considering Gold died in the first five minutes of The King. His drive to get revenge is captivating and understandable. And then, there's what happened chronologically after that. His rise to power, his fierce battles that only get increasingly more epic, and finally, his redemption. With the anniversary of the episode bearing his name, (as of writing this section, December 3, 2023) I decided to rewatch it to commemorate the occasion. Oh boy, King's redemption made me cry... again. (I never cry at movies. Hats off to you, Alan and team) Seeing him realize what he was doing and work to correct his wrongs is powerful and moving, and seeing him hug Purple and accept him as a son is one of my favorite moments in any Alan Becker episode, and seeing the two of them on the fence mending their wounds is also a powerful statement. That shot says to me, "Healing is possible, and it is happening in me." And then there's him as an antagonist. The fact that he is already a powerful threat with his command block staff and only becomes even more powerful is intense and captivating. I would say he is the biggest threat the Stick Gang has ever faced, and that includes The Dark Lord. victim has a chance to top it, but unless he makes a black hole that sucks in entire worlds, it'll be hard to do. Everything about him works in my opinion. His writing, his motivation, his power, and ultimately his redemption, I cannot get enough of this guy. Here's hoping we see more of him and his son in future AvM or even AvA episodes or Actual Shorts.
#3 The Second Coming[]
Back-to-back orange characters take the fourth and third spots, with the main character taking the Bronze metal overall. As the main character, it's hard to dislike The Second Coming, and is overall a solid option in the tier list of characters from this franchise. I like his protective nature, especially toward his friends, and his love for his friends. Like Red, his love is genuine, but he is also not afraid to fight. I suppose what I like about him the most is his involvement in some of the best action sequences in the franchise. His duel with King in The Ultimate Weapon and his powers awakened in The Showdown are legendary for this show. They are awesome. I also like his inability to get any sleep. I find that aspect about TSC really funny, how he just can't seem to catch some Z's at times, though considering what he has dreamed about, maybe that is for the best. Then again, he got dreams supporting good causes, so there is a case to be made to let him sleep. There isn't too much to say about TSC, other than his awakened powers, which I'm hoping make a comeback in AvA6. I think they will, but we'll have to wait and see. Nonetheless, he is just a great guy, a great friend, someone who wants to keep his friends safe and could never bring himself to harm them. He's a great main character, someone easy to root for and a great guy.
#2 Yellow[]
I have been flip-flopping, struggling where to put my top two picks, and by the slimmest of margins, I've opted to put Yellow second. This might be an odd choice as my Silver medalist, but he's one of my personal favorites. Why he ranks above the other Stick Gang members is simple: He and I share a common defining trait, intelligence (Not to brag). I just relate to Yellow for being the brains of the group, and I too consider myself smart, considering I have a love for math and numbers, (always have since my youth) I play chess and have been for years, and I'm a sucker for puzzle games, like Sudoku. I will admit, I cannot work Redstone for the life of me, Yellow and I have smarts in different areas, but we share intelligence, albeit in different areas. Yellow also has a sense of humor on him, which is funny to watch (especially seeing Alan get jumpscared by a voiceless stick figure in New Wallpaper) and I do love his natural curiosity, even if it has led to chaos a couple of times. Like his peers, he also cares for his friends greatly, even giving them gifts specifically designed for them after discovering the Orb. It also looks like he will have a critical role in future installments of AvA6, and seeing that for the first time hyped me up. I am looking forward to seeing him get singled out compared to his friends, and I'm excited to see where they go with it. If I was any character at all, Yellow would be a strong choice, and the obvious candidate among the main five. It's his intelligence that I relate to greatly, and that is the main reason he ranks so high on my list, but his sense of humor and pranks also contributes to his silver medal placement.
#1 Purple[]
As stated earlier, I struggled where to put my man Purple. All I knew was that he was getting either second or first, but the dust has settled and Purple has emerged with the gold. Wait... Purple and Gold are both King Orange's kids... I did not realize that until this writing. Anyway, there are character arcs, and then there is a character roller coaster, or a character sine wave (The up-and-down wavy line seen from TSC's sine hammers in AvMath). This one character is probably the most fleshed out in the entire franchise. He was neutral, bad, good, bad, the antagonist in AvLoL, good, bad, and finally, redeemed. Can anyone name a character that has switched sides more than this guy? And it was all for one heartbreaking reason: to make his father proud. Oh my gosh, seeing his backstory makes my heart break, even now, mostly because it resonates with me. I haven't lost both parents yet, thankfully, but I can say this with certainty: I have experienced the pain of loneliness and heartbreak (Being introverted with Asperger's doesn't help with that). Purple is probably the most relatable character to me because of his pain and his tragic backstory, but also because of his redemption. He found a friend in Green who accept him for who he is, and I too have found friends who do the same for me. I'm so grateful for them, and I'm grateful for this reminder from a stick figure. I was once like him, running from people who could help me, but eventually, he and I were so broken so we stopped running. It reminds me of my faith, in a way, and how I tried to run from the One who truly cares. I'm thankful God caught up to me, put me on a better path, and now both me and Purple have people in our lives, strong family and friends, who are helping with our brokenness, and I wouldn't trade them for the world. I'd like to think Purple is the same way, especially after seeing him breaking down in Green's arms. There is hardly anything I don't like about Purple. His arc, his backstory, his redemption, and his newfound relationship with his adoptive father. It's so beautiful to see, and I'm hoping Purple (and King!) makes some more appearances in future AvM episodes, Actual Shorts, and maybe even AvA episodes. Purple, thanks for being another reminder about what I've gone through, and a reminder about the healing God has provided--and still provides--for me. You are well deserving of the #1 spot on my list.
AvM Shorts Ranked from First to Worst[]
- #1 Episode 30: The King
- #2 Episode 29: Note Block Universe
- #3 Episode 25: The Ultimate Weapon
- #4 Episode 5: Note Blocks
- #5 Episode 16: Note Block Battle
- #6 Episode 22: Parkour
- #7 Episode 15: Redstone Academy
- #8 Episode 27: Monster School
- #9 Episode 19: Lucky Blocks
- #10 Episode 26: The Warden
- #11 Episode 14: Cave Spider Roller Coaster
- #12 Episode 28: The Raid
- #13 Episode 32: The Chef
- #14 Episode 31: Ultimate Minecart Race
- #15 Episode 13: The Dolphin Kingdom
- #16 Episode 18: Texture Pack
- #17 Episode 6: Command Blocks
- #18 Episode 21: The Witch
- #19 Episode 7: PVP
- #20 Episode 17: Build Battle
- #21 Episode 23: Titan Ravager
- #22 Episode 24: Lush Caves
- #23 Episode 20: The Piglin War
- #24 Episode 3: The Roller Coaster
- #25 Episode 10: The End
- #26 Episode 9: Villagers
- #27 Episode 8: The Nether
- #28 Episode 12: TNT Land
- #29 Episode 11: Skyblock
- #30 Episode 2: The Building Contest
- #31 Episode 4: Potions
- #32 Episode 1: The Rediscovery