Wizards of Waverly Place - Characters & Cast

Initially, Alex's motivation is driven by convenience, fun, and a desire to beat her rival, Gigi, and later, to navigate romantic relationships. As the series progresses, her primary motivation shifts to protecting her family and friends. She realizes that her powers are not just for her own benefit but are a part of a larger family dynamic that she ultimately wants to preserve.

Alex begins the series as a talented but lazy and rebellious teenager who frequently uses magic for selfish reasons and to avoid responsibility. Her arc is the most significant in the series. Initially appearing as the least likely to win the Wizard Competition due to her poor work ethic, she slowly reveals a deep-seated loyalty to her family and a powerful, instinctual grasp of magic. Across the seasons, she learns the consequences of her actions, develops a stronger moral compass, and proves that her love for her family outweighs her desire for power. Her victory in the finale is not due to superior knowledge, but to an act of self-sacrifice for her brother, signifying her transformation from a self-centered slacker to a responsible, yet still free-spirited, family wizard.

Justin is motivated by a deep desire to achieve and be recognized for his hard work and intelligence. He wants to be the family wizard because he believes he has earned it through dedication and study. Over time, his motivation evolves to include not just personal success, but the well-being of the wizarding world and the preservation of his family's honor.

Justin starts as the quintessential older brother: intelligent, responsible, and a stickler for the rules. He is the frontrunner for the Wizard Competition for most of the series, having mastered thousands of spells. His arc involves learning that being the best isn't just about knowing the rules, but about having integrity and understanding the spirit behind them. He often disapproves of Alex's methods but also frequently relies on her creativity to get out of trouble. In the finale, he wins the competition but chooses to cede the victory to Alex, recognizing her act of sacrifice. This decision demonstrates his ultimate growth: he values his relationship with his sister over the title he worked his entire life for. His reward—becoming the headmaster of WizTech—validates his knowledge and newfound wisdom, allowing him to become a mentor to future generations.

Max is primarily motivated by simple pleasures, especially food. He is less concerned with the wizard competition than his siblings for much of the show. His motivation is to enjoy life and have fun, often using magic in bizarre and humorous ways. As he gets older, he shows a desire to be taken more seriously, but is ultimately content with a non-magical future that allows him to be in charge of something he loves: the family business.

Max begins the series as the youngest, most carefree, and often dim-witted sibling, serving primarily as comic relief. His magic is unpredictable, and he shows little interest in the rigors of the competition. His character arc is less about magical proficiency and more about finding his own identity outside the shadow of his more powerful siblings. In Season 4, he is temporarily turned into a girl, "Maxine," which forces him to mature slightly. Ultimately, Max loses his powers in the competition, but his genuine happiness at the prospect of inheriting the family's sub shop shows his growth. He finds his own version of success and purpose in the mortal world, demonstrating that there is more to life than magic.

Jerry's central motivation is to prepare his children for the Wizard Competition while also teaching them not to become overly dependent on magic. He wants to ensure that the two who lose their powers will be able to lead happy, normal lives. He is also motivated by a desire to prevent the kind of familial fallout that occurred between him and his own siblings after their competition.

Jerry is the patriarch of the Russo family and the children's wizardry teacher. His arc is largely explored through his backstory. It's revealed that he was the original winner of his own generation's wizard competition but chose to give up his powers to marry Theresa, a mortal. This past decision informs his entire approach to teaching his children; he is strict about the rules but also deeply understands the sacrifice involved. His development throughout the series is about coming to terms with his children's different paths and learning to trust that the family values he and Theresa instilled in them will guide them to the right outcome, regardless of who wins the competition.