In “Onward,” the younger elf brother is Ian Lightfoot.
Ian is a teenage elf who has grown up without knowing his father, Wilden, who died shortly before Ian was born. On his 16th birthday, Ian receives a magical staff, a Phoenix gem, and a letter explaining how to cast a spell that could briefly bring Wilden back to life.
Ian successfully begins the spell, but Barley interrupts him before it is complete. The result is only the lower half of Wilden, forcing the brothers to search for another Phoenix gem and complete the magic before the spell’s time limit expires. Ian’s lack of confidence becomes a central part of his character arc as he gradually discovers his own courage.
A common mix-up is confusing Ian with Barley, his older brother, or with Wilden, their deceased father. Barley is the enthusiastic, quest-loving sibling, while Ian is the younger brother whose birthday sets the adventure in motion. The film’s story was partly inspired by director Dan Scanlon’s relationship with his older brother after their father’s death.