With the recent reports that Rockstar is planning for a 2024 release of the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6, there are so many things fans want from it, including a dynamite protagonist. The side missions, storyline, open world, and gameplay are all important but who the gamer is controlling is a big deal.
While fans loved Grand Theft Auto III, going with a silent protagonist was questionable. Niko Bellic and the trio from GTA V are all great in their own right but there’s something special about CJ from Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. The complex character is iconic and has a valid argument as the franchise’s best main character.
He Can Throw Out A Savage Diss
“Are You A Professional Moron Or Just A Gifted Amateur?”
Grand Theft Auto is a franchise that has always been known for its dark humor. The games can always find comedy amongst the things like violence and betrayal. CJ did this as well as any protagonist in the series, even in small moments that have nothing to do with the main storyline.
For example, this specific line can happen at almost any moment in the game. If a car hits CJ while he’s driving, this is one of the responses that he can give and it’s the perfect kind of diss. He calls out the person but also doesn’t insult them in a way that feels overly offensive like these games have in other cases.
He’s Multi-Faceted
“Do I Look Like A Gangster? I’m A Businessman.”
One of the coolest things about San Andreas was that it added the ability to do things like purchase properties. That made it so CJ wasn’t a run-of-the-mill criminal. There was more to him and that is made evident by this line that he can throw out from time to time.
CJ might literally be a member of a gang but he’s far from simply being a gangster. He is a businessman and while later protagonists have also been able to buy properties and expand their portfolios, it can be difficult to top the original, which is just part of what makes CJ great.
He Stands Up To Corruption
“Officer, Untie Me This Instant!”
There’s no doubt that the main characters in these games do horrible things. Part of the appeal of this franchise is committing crimes, doing violent things, and having free rein to do whatever you want. Since the game doesn’t shy away from that, it makes the known criminals more likable than those who are lying about who they are.
This is what makes Officer Tenpenny the best villain in the franchise. As a police officer, he is meant to uphold the law but he’s more corrupt than anyone. When he handcuffs CJ early on in the game and lets you know that he’s going to be a jerk, CJ shouts at him to stop this. He knows it won’t get him anywhere but he’s not going to remain quiet about it.
His Sarcasm Is Top Notch
“Lady, I’m A God Fearin’, Peace Lovin’ Man Of The People!”
Once again, the comedic aspect of the Grand Theft Auto series rears its head when it comes to CJ. This is another quote that he dishes out randomly whenever certain things are happening casually in the game and not as part of any specific mission or storyline.
If your antics upset a woman on the street, she might yell in fear or even say something to you. CJ responds with this line that shows off his sarcastic side. CJ might be many things but no matter how you play the game, there’s no way that he is a man who loves peace. That sarcasm is part of why he’s so likable.
He Has Lines That Play On GTA Criticisms
“Don’t Blame Me, Blame Society.”
Ever since the franchise really blew up with Grand Theft Auto III in 2001, it has come under fire. The violent and sometimes sexual nature of the games have made it so there are groups out there who blame it for crimes that happen out in the real world.
GTA has only used this to fuel a lot of what it has done. The series is unapologetically itself and CJ’s line here plays into this. He commits some horrible acts and when you do one of them on the side and people get mad, this is a potential response. CJ blaming society for his actions is a clever callback to how the controversial GTA franchise is viewed.
He References Some Of The Game’s Coolest Concepts
“I’m A Well-Dressed Maniac.”
Along with buying properties, San Andreas made major waves for adding so many little things you could do throughout the game. You were able to gain and lose weight, get haircuts, and purchase clothes, giving you a deep wardrobe if that’s the kind of thing you’re interested in.
It added to the role-playing elements of the franchise and deepened the game in a great way. CJ mentions that when he does something wild and it’s a very GTA thing to do. He could talk about his level of violence or just that he’s a maniac but adding in the well-dressed part is the cherry on top.
His Home Is Important To Him
“Grove Street. Home. At Least It Used To Be Until I F***ed Everything Up.”
The setting hasn’t always been that important to the protagonist of these games. Claude didn’t say anything, Niko wasn’t from Liberty City, and Tommy didn’t have a major connection to Vice City, just to name a few. That isn’t the case with CJ.
As soon as he gives his introduction speech, CJ makes it clear that Grove Street is his home. There’s also some backstory here in just a single line about how he did something that makes him feel guilty. It’s that kind of layered writing that helped make CJ so complex. Plus, the connection to Grove Street made players feel something while defending it.
He Has An Iconic Line
“Ah, S**t, Here We Go Again.”
Of course, no quote from San Andreas is more famous than this one. It feels like the kind of thing that would’ve been forgotten to time as it doesn’t hold any real resonance to the story. It’s just CJ addressing that things are about to get rough once again.
It is certainly fitting given where the storyline goes but it has become iconic due to a barrage of memes about it. People use it for almost any pop culture meme that makes them feel the way they once did in the past. It has become synonymous with CJ.