Well, these are my opinions (Explanations below)
Favorite characters: Well, they have been my favorites for a very long time. In Heather's case, it's because of the great character development she had over the seasons and Cody because he's a character I can really relate to (not in everything, obviously), like that desire to be recognized in and sometimes pretending to be someone else just to 'fit in.' Heather, on the other hand, is a character with a lot of complexity (by TD standards) who was shown in many different facets, being perfect in every single one of them. It's no wonder she is one of the most iconic characters in the series.
Would be friends irl: As much as I like Cody and Noah in terms of personality, Cody can be VERY weird sometimes, and Noah is so sarcastic that it could get exhausting after a while. Bridgette is, generally speaking, the most normal character in the show. I think she’s someone I would get along with pretty well if she existed in real life, since she is empathetic and doesn't have such over-the-top reactions like the rest of the Gen 1 cast/ I think I could have also added Leshawna at this point, she really was a great friend in season 1.
Favorite design: I was planning to make this list exclusively about the Gen 1 cast, but I can't ignore Axel's design. I think she has the best design in the entire show, despite being relatively simple. She is very pretty and one of my favorite characters from her generation; I might make a list for them later. If it weren't for her, Courtney would take this spot, as I really like her design too.
Least favorite character: Sierra. I know some people like her for the comedic relief, and while some of those moments make me laugh too, there are several "jokes" involving her that just make me really uncomfortable. As for the rest, she is a character I just don't like overall (not to mention her actions, if I were to list every single one, I'd never finish). I don't hate her; she’s just my least favorite from Gen 1.
Least favorite design: I don't dislike him, but Geoff's design never really grew on me.
Most relatable: Noah. Definitely. If I were in the World of TD, I would have the exact same reactions and behaviors as him. This is probably also why I didn't pick him as a real-life friend, imagine two sarcastic people interacting, especially one being Noah, lmao.
Would love irl: Bridgette. Same point as before, I love her so much.
Would hate irl: Sierra. I think this one explains itself. If Sierra's actions are already bad on the show, they would be 100x worse in real life.
Underrated character: I feel like many people overlook Sadie's character development in Island. While it's not a massive arc, she shows real growth when she has to play without her best friend, showing different sides to her and some potential. It's a shame she was eliminated right when she was starting to stand out, and also the fact that she always gets overlooked compared to Katie.
Overrated character: I love Noah and he's one of my favorites, but nowadays I consider him highly overrated (even more than Cody) in general. This doesn't mean he's bad at all, but sometimes people give him more credit than he deserves (like Noah winning every fictional competition when my man is the laziest human being alive).
Used to like but now dislike: Duncan used to seem so cool to me when I was a kid. Now, several of his actions rub me the wrong way and have slightly ruined my perception of him, even his Island version. I don't hate him, I just don't like him.
Used to dislike but warmed up to: Owen is the ultimate example (for me) of subtle growth. In the first season, I disliked how he was a bit perverted and his naked/fart jokes. I feel like as the show progressed, those things gradually decreased. I genuinely like Owen in World Tour and especially in Ridonculous Race. Although the fart jokes are still there (which I don't mind that much), he improved and the other stuff mostly disappeared, which I really appreciate. Plus, they added certain traits to his characterization (like his kindness and genuine friendship with Noah) that I really liked. The writers made a great decision toning down the worst aspects of his character (I wish they did the same with Cody).
Want another season with: I didn't expand much on my favorite character section because I wanted to dive deeper into this point. Cody is one of my favorite characters, but that doesn't mean I'm going to ignore his worst traits. While he had a relatively important role in Season 3, the character never really got the chance to shine on his own, always being tangled up in Gwen's or Sierra's plotlines. I feel like Cody deserves a season where he shines by himself and gets proper character development (considering Season 3 reverted his growth from Island). I'm not asking for him to be a finalist or anything, but it would be nice to have the chance to see his character show real growth and get a satisfying closure.
Favorite writing: As I said, Heather is my favorite character because of her organic growth across all the seasons she was in. While I wouldn't mind (actually, I'd love) seeing her in a new season, I feel like she already reached the peak of her character in World Tour. I love her way too much.
