Which GTA character had the best redemption arc of all time?

Grand Theft Auto isn’t exactly known for characters doing the right thing. It’s chaos, crime, and car chases. But every now and then, a character surprises us. They grow. They reflect.

They try (keyword: try) to make things right. So out of all the thugs, hustlers, and psychos in the franchise… who had the best redemption arc?

1. Franklin Clinton

Franklin had one of the cleanest glow-ups in GTA history. He started out repo’ing cars for a shady dealership and running with fools like Lamar. But by the end of GTA V, he’s buying mansions, rubbing shoulders with FIB agents, and making grown-man decisions. He doesn’t get dragged into drama — he chooses to take control.

Whether you pick “Deathwish” or not, Franklin stays cool-headed, loyal, and low-key moral. Not bad for a guy who started out jacking rides in South Los Santos.

2. Michael De Santa

Michael’s arc is more like trying to redeem himself. The man fakes his death, sells out his old crew, and ends up in witness protection. But under all that entitlement and midlife crisis energy, Michael wants a second chance. He tries to fix his family, quit crime, and even picks up yoga (lol). Sure, he gets pulled back in, but his redemption isn’t about being perfect — it’s about trying. And he does make peace with his past by the end… mostly.

3. Niko Bellic

Niko had the potential for the realest redemption. He came to Liberty City to escape war crimes, start fresh, and maybe find peace. But the American Dream smacks him in the face with betrayal, blood, and heartbreak. Niko wants redemption — he’s just never given the space to fully achieve it. That makes his story tragic, powerful, and painfully relatable.

4. Carl “CJ” Johnson

Carl “CJ” Johnson’s whole arc in San Andreas is about stepping up.

After returning to Los Santos to bury his mom, CJ gets sucked back into gang life — but he’s not the same hot-headed kid he was. He learns the game, handles betrayal (Big Smoke, we’re looking at you), and fights to protect his people. CJ stays loyal, focused, and finishes strong. He didn’t sell out, he leveled up. That’s growth.If we’re talking actual growth and staying on the right track? Franklin takes the W. He levels up without selling out and keeps his integrity intact. Michael and Niko’s arcs are iconic, but messy AF. Franklin? He plays the game smart, stays loyal, and walks away better than he started. That’s rare in GTA.