Rumple and Regina were big parts of Once Upon A Time, and while both of them had great character arcs, only one could be considered the best.

Regina Mills and Rumplestiltskin each went through massive character arcs from the premiere to the series finale. Each began the show as villains with different intentions toward the Dark Curse. For Regina, the Dark Curse was about revenge against Snow White for causing Daniel's death. For Rumple, it was a step closer to finding his son after so many years apart. They were two of the most intelligent and clever characters on the show, and it was better to have them on the side of good than as villains. But, it took time before they could be looked at as heroes.

Their dynamic with each other, as mentor/mentee, long time friends, and occasionally enemies brought plenty of excitement to the series. It was often amusing to watch them be in an alliance or oppose each other. However, they also had massive relationships with many other main characters in the series, and watching those relationships change is a significant way of tracking Regina and Rumple's development.

10 Regina: Evil Queen

When discussing Regina's entire arc over seven seasons, the Evil Queen is a vital part. She was not the best of Regina, but the Evil Queen was born out of a younger, kinder, Regina. After Daniel's death, Regina blamed a young Snow White for his demise.

Forced to marry Snow's father, Regina grew bitter and angry, eventually transforming into the Evil Queen who was out for revenge. Regina performed horrifying acts as the Evil Queen, but this side of Regina, compared to who she was in the series finale, proved how much Regina had grown and changed.

9 Rumple: Dark One

Milah and others considered Rumple, a weak man for injuring himself to prevent participating in the Ogre Wars. Rumple wanted to be home for the birth of his son. Rumple was a coward before becoming the Dark One. However, obtaining the darkness was not intended.

Gaining the Dagger and killing the Dark One turned Rumple into the next Dark One. As the Dark One, Rumple ended the Ogre Wars. Rumple became attached to the power and confidence he felt with the darkness, especially since it gave him the ability to do what Rumple couldn't otherwise.

8 Regina: Changing For Henry

Regina and Henry did not have the healthiest relationship. Regina had lied to Henry his entire life and was determined to hold on to him. Henry conflicted with Regina being his mother, the woman who raised him, and her past as the Evil Queen.

Seeing how close Henry was getting to Emma, Snow, and Charming, Regina understood what she needed to do. Regina began to change for Henry as a way to show him she was capable of being good. As time goes on, Henry and Regina become closer.

7 Rumple: Relationship With His Son

Rumple and Baelfire share a complicated relationship. Later known as Neal Cassidy, Baelfire had prepared an escape from the Enchanted Forest for himself and Rumple in the land without magic. But, when it was time to go, Rumple could not commit to leaving with Baelfire and abandoned him to leave the Enchanted Forest by himself.

Although Rumple felt guilty and horrified about his decision immediately afterward, Rumple could not undo his choice. Rumple spends over a century searching for a way to reunite with Baelfire. It takes time after they meet again, but Baelfire and Rumple reconcile just before Neal's death.

6 Regina: Friendship With Emma

Regina and Emma did not get off on the best foot. Henry brought Emma back to Storybrooke, determined to break Regina's Dark Curse. Henry's way of discussing Regina did not settle Emma, so she decided to stay in town. After the curse broke, they still had difficultly getting along.

However, when they decided to agree to co-parent Henry and Regina teaching Emma how to control her magic, the two began to bond. They worked well together to protect Storybrooke from incoming villains, and their friendship helped Regina ease into changing.

5 Rumple: Belle

Rumple and Belle may not have had the best relationship, but she did play a major role in Rumple's transformation. Playing on The Beauty and the Beast, Belle saw beyond the Dark One and to what Rumple could be. Belle is the reason Rumple could open himself to love. However, she also played an integral part in the conflict Rumple kept running in to.

Belle wanted the man behind the beast, but Rumple insisted that he was both, and she needed to accept that. In the end, Rumple revealed his plan to stop being the Dark One and spend the rest of Belle's life with her. After Belle's death, Rumple decided he was ready to die and wanted to be rid of his powers, as they no longer were significant to him.

4 Regina: Relationship With Snow

Snow White played one of the most massive roles in Regina's life. Snow knew Regina before she became the Evil Queen, and was just a kind woman who saved Snow from a horse. However, Snow White's desire to help Regina only caused a tragedy, and Regina wanted to avenge Daniel.

After the curse broke and Regina took steps to become a better person, Regina and Snow's relationship began to heal slowly. They became family, and Regina even took Snow to see Daniel's gravestone in the Underworld. In the series finale, Snow proudly crowns Regina as the "Good Queen" in the same spot Regina once declared her vengeance.

3 Rumple: Giving Up The Dagger

Rumple clutched onto the Dark One Dagger for a long time, refusing to give up the power it gave him. So, when Rumple finally decided to be rid of it, that was a major step forward. Unfortunately, his attempt to destroy the Dagger didn't work, and he was stuck with it for years afterward.

After Belle's death, Rumple got back to work, determined to get rid of the dagger the right way so he could join Belle in the afterlife.

2 Regina: Redemption

Regina's redemption has plenty of layers. The main one shows Regina moving forward from her Evil Queen days and choosing to be good. She decides to work with Snow, Charming, and Emma instead of against them. Regina has a much more powerful and positive influence by choosing to change, and she is later recognized as one of Storybrooke's heroes. The final moments of the series have Regina be unanimously chosen as the "Good Queen" to lead Storybrooke. Her crown is given to her by Snow White, one of Regina's most integral and dynamic relationships.

However, another vital part of Regina's redemption occurred during season six. In a flashback to the Enchanted Forest, Regina casts a spell to be shown the person she hates the most, expecting to be lead to Snow White. Yet, Regina was in for a surprise. Instead of being brought to her nemesis, Regina was shown a mirror, revealing that the person Regina hated the most was herself. In the same episode, Regina chooses to love and accept herself.

1 Rumple: Final Sacrifice

Rumple felt he needed to succeed in his mission before he died. But, when faced with his worse counterpart, Rumple chooses to sacrifice himself, knowing he may not see Belle on the other side. But, Rumple's sacrifice had an outstanding addition.

Knowing that Wish Realm Hook's heart was cursed not to get too close to his daughter Alice, Rumple did him one last favor. In Rumple's sacrifice, he gave Wish Realm Hook his heart, giving him the chance to be close to Alice. In the end, Rumple's death did lead him back to Belle.

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