How to Train Your Dragon - Characters & Cast

Initially, his motivation is to kill a dragon to prove his worth as a Viking and gain his father's acceptance. This shifts to protecting Toothless and, ultimately, to bridging the gap between humans and dragons to create a world of peace and coexistence.

Hiccup begins as an insecure outcast, desperate for the approval of his father and tribe by conforming to their dragon-killing ways. His inability to kill Toothless sparks a journey of self-discovery. Through his bond with the dragon, he learns that his perceived weaknesses—empathy, intelligence, and sensitivity—are actually his greatest strengths. He transitions from a boy trying to fit in to a confident young leader who forges a new path for his entire culture, proving that true strength lies in understanding, not violence.

His primary motivation is to protect his village from the dragon threat, a duty he pursues relentlessly. He is also driven by a deep, if poorly expressed, love for Hiccup and a desire for his son to become a strong Viking like himself.

Stoick starts as a stubborn, traditional Viking leader who embodies his village's prejudice against dragons and is frustrated by his son's failure to meet his expectations. He is initially blind to Hiccup's true talents. His arc is one of transformation, driven by his son's actions. He eventually witnesses the truth about dragons and Hiccup's courage, leading him to shed his prejudice, apologize to his son, and embrace a new era of peace. His proud declaration, "He is my son!", marks the completion of his arc from a rigid traditionalist to a proud, accepting father.

Her initial motivation is to be the best dragon-slayer of her generation and uphold Viking traditions. This changes to helping Hiccup protect Toothless and convince the village that dragons are not their enemies after she learns the truth.

Astrid is initially the model young Viking: strong, skilled, and competitive, embodying all the values Hiccup lacks. She is skeptical and jealous of Hiccup's sudden success in dragon training. Her arc begins when she discovers Toothless. After a terrifying but ultimately breathtaking flight, her fear turns to wonder and acceptance. She becomes Hiccup's first and most crucial ally, supporting his cause and helping him stand against tradition. Her journey is from a staunch traditionalist to a forward-thinking partner.

His initial motivation is survival. After bonding with Hiccup, his motivation becomes protecting his new friend at all costs and, by extension, helping bridge the divide between their two species.

Toothless begins as a feared, almost mythical creature—the deadly Night Fury. Injured and trapped, he is initially hostile and mistrustful of Hiccup. Through Hiccup's patience and kindness, Toothless's character unfolds, revealing him to be intelligent, playful, and fiercely loyal, much like a cat or a dog. His arc is one of learning to trust a human, forming a bond so powerful it shatters centuries of conflict. He becomes the ultimate symbol of the dragons' true nature, shifting from a feared monster to a beloved friend.