When discussion comes up about the most famous JRPG's of the 90's, Chrono Trigger always makes an appearance. The game served a major role in popularizing the genre in the West along with other SNES greats. Nearly everything about it is "classic," and developers have been referencing Chrono Trigger as an inspiration for years. The game is about as iconic as a JRPG can get in a franchise that isn't Final Fantasy.
But what makes Chrono Trigger so great? Its combat makes active-time battles more dynamic by having positioning matter in fights. The music is some of the greatest on the console, with countless incredible tunes. Although it doesn't have the deepest lore, the story puts real weight behind every decision the player makes, as every time period could be altered by their choices. However, it really shines because of how fleshed out its main cast of characters is. This list will serve to rank the main party based on the ironclad reasoning known as "a gut feeling."
7 Crono
Crono is the game's silent protagonist. Akira Toriyama, the creator of Dragon Ball, designed the characters in Chrono Trigger, and that's incredibly clear with Crono. He's one step away from being a Goku clone in some pieces of art. He hardly has much of a personality, being the blank slate on which the player projects themselves. However, in a game with such vibrant characters, Crono's biggest weakness is that he's just another anime swordsman. He's combat capable, sure, but he's the least exciting character in the game. It's clear based on later appearances and mentions that he has his own personality, but it hardly shows. He's just not very interesting.
6 Marle
Marle, later revealed to be Princess Nadia, is a healer with a crossbow and a sassy personality. She's strong-willed except when the game keeps her out of the party. Once the story moves past her own subplots, she's hardly a factor. She has problems with her father, as all independent princesses usually do. She is also the canon love-interest for Crono. In terms of combat, it's great to keep Marle around because hardly anyone else can heal as well as her. Her character is tropey and her role in combat is pretty standard, but it's important to remember these things are tropes now because they had to have been established at some point. At the end of the day, Marle is just kinda boring.
5 Robo
Robo is a robot. He's from the distant future and is repaired by Lucca when the party gets shot far forward in time. He doesn't remember his purpose and adventures with Crono to pay them back for their kindness. He debates many existential questions after learning the truth of his past.
Aside from having an absolute banger of a character theme, Robo is just a solid character all around. He has a touching backstory, good combat capabilities, great dual techs, and no weaknesses. He also works incredibly well within the already great battle system. He's an interesting addition as a party member in a genre that rarely stepped beyond traditional fantasy (at the time). His friendship with Lucca especially is one of the best inter-party relationships the game has. The fact he's this low shows how great the cast is overall.
4 Magus
Magus is one of the first editions of the "villain becomes a playable ally" in JRPG's. Throughout much of the story, Magus is an enigma. He's the person that cursed Glenn to become Frog, and is a powerful sorcerer. He wields a cool scythe and commands a great army. His battle theme and his duel with Frog are some of the highlights of an already incredible game. On top of all of that, he has his own tragic backstory and his motivation for wrong-doing is more morally gray than would be expected of JRPG villains at the time. His goals align with the party and, if he is sparred, he will join their efforts. He's a complex character, and very few villains in Square's library of games come close to being as interesting as Magus.
3 Ayla
Ayla isn't as complex as someone like Magus, and not as emotionally compelling as someone like Robo. However, Ayla is a character loaded with personality in everything she does. She has distinct speech patterns, movements, combat skills, and her place in the lore explains all of that. She has the potential to be the highest damage dealer in the entire game, and her ability to steal items is invaluable. She's driven entirely by a strong moral core that compels her to help Crono and his party defeat the ever-powerful Lavos. It's a mystery why she never uses the club she's supposed to have according to FMW, but that's okay. Sometimes a character is just fun to have, and Ayla is definitely a unique party member in that respect.
2 Frog
Aside from Magus, Frog has probably the most fleshed out backstory of the entire main cast. Formerly the squire Glenn, he watches his closest friend die and is cursed to live life as a very big Frog. However, this didn't keep Frog down. He embraced his new form, making the best of a bad situation and used his newfound abilities to become stronger. His new goal: kill Magus.
The story has Frog overcome his own self-doubt and guilt to eventually face the Fiendlord who cursed him years ago. As stated before, if the player challenges Magus to a 1-v-1 with just Frog, it is one of the most powerful moments in the entire game. That all aside, he's also just a capable fighter and a great party member to bring along. Plus, his speech patterns in the English SNES version are just endearing and fun.
1 Lucca
Why is Lucca the best? Well, in terms of influence over the narrative, she serves a major role. While Crono is the silent protagonist, her place at his side makes her the person doing most of the talking early on. She's loaded with her own guilt and self-doubt, and her scientific pursuits are an escape for her. She's devoted to helping her friends and family in any way she can, even though her inventions often backfire. As for a combatant, her magical capabilities are only rivaled by Magus, and she also possesses solid utility in battle as well. She has a few weaknesses in combat, but those can be overlooked. When asked who the best girl in Chrono Trigger is, the answer is and always will be Lucca. There is no equal.
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