Adorkable: Rudolph is bashful, shy and humble, and his stuffy, pouty voice seen in numerous adaptations (with the exception of the Max Fleischer short) only adds to it. Rudolph's Adorkable nature is also present in the original story and non Rankin/Bass adaptations (most notable in Rudolph's Lessons For Life, 1998 movie, and the 1948 short). Even the original 1949 song performed by Gene Autry reflected on Rudolph's timid and shy personality (such as being slower paced and mainly performed on a trumpet and a xylophone).
First Installment Wins: While the original story has become a Christmas staple with the general public, thanks to a hit song from 1949, and gained 4 animated adaptations. The official sequel to the story called Rudolph Shines Again from 1954 has faded into obscurity, with May's third Rudolph story Rudolph to the Rescue (originally titled Rudolph's Second Christmas) being extra obscure due to getting published posthumously in 1992.
Moe: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer himself, in the original story as well as every animatedadaptation and other material starring the titular character. He's very shy, timid, and awkward but a very caring and kindhearted young buck. This is a major reason for why Rudolph is still beloved by generations of people around the world. Especially the 1996 Montgomery Ward adaptationRudolph's Lessons For Life where Rudolph is cheerful and upbeat. When Santa tells Rudolph about his difficult time delivering presents on Christmas Eve. Rudolph's excitement is empathized with his red nose glowing brighter and brighter causing him to tell Santa that he would love to help him on his journey.
Rudolph was a book long before it became a song, and even longer before the Rankin & Bass special aired. The original book, "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer" was published in 1939 as Christmas marketing for Montgomery Ward, a US-based department store. The Johnny Marks song didn't come about until a decade later, in 1949, with the Rankin & Bass special not appearing until 1964. The Rankin & Bass version has little to do with the original story, as the animators didn't have a copy of the book & only had the song lyrics to go by. That said, anyone born after 1960 probably thinks Rudolph was always part of the Santa story.
The Rankin & Bass special wasn't even the first animated telling of the tale. That honor belongs to Max Fleischer in 1948, even before the song was written. The Fleischer short was re-issued in 1951 with the song added to the soundtrack. On top of that, DC Comics issued multiple annuals retelling the story in the late '50s and early '60s.
The Woobie: Rudolph due to being ostracized by the other reindeer due to his red nose. He's first seen crying next to a tree including a page where his tears actually fall between the book's text.
Rudolph's Lessons For Life where Rudolph is cheerful and upbeat. When Santa tells Rudolph about his difficult time delivering presents on Christmas Eve. Rudolph's excitement is empathized with his red nose glowing brighter and brighter causing him to tell Santa that he would love to help him on his journey.