The Twilight and Harry Potter series have both had quite an impact on people young and old, all over the world. The Twilight series is seen through the eyes of a disaster-prone young woman who has fallen in love with a vampire. The Harry Potter series is seen from the perspective of a teenage, orphaned wizard who is fighting for his survival.
Both of the series feature action, romance, comedy, and drama. Both show that even in a fantasy world, teenagers are still teenagers. While the character may face slightly different foes than those everyday teenagers face, the relationships they build and the inner conflicts they face ring true for many of their fans, which is part of their appeal.
However, there are major differences between the two series. Twilight is essentially a girls’ series, being built almost totally on the idea of romance and the idea that eventually love conquers all, even though one of the partners is a vampire.It also centers on Bella and her growth as a young woman.  Few boys would admit to being a fan.
The Harry Potter series, on the other hand, has universal appeal, even though Harry is its main focus. It is easier to relate to one of its many characters. Whether you can relate to goofy Ron Weasley, brainy Hermione Granger, or heroic Harry Potter, there is something for almost everyone to enjoy in the series. The variety of characters is an excellent feature of the series, and contrasts with Twilight’s three main characters, which can bore readers and leave them longing for more diversity.
Harry Potter is also able to reach a broader audience. While both deal with teenage angst and romance, Harry Potter moves past these simple themes to embrace other subject matter.
It carries the classic good versus evil motif into a fantastical world of magic powers and supernatural forces, filled with villains readers love to hate and even a good dose of humor at times.
Another reason why the Harry Potter series is better is the fact that it’s a lot less whiney. In the second book of the Twilight series, the main character, Bella Swan, gets whiney after her boyfriend Edward Cullen leaves town. Although it’s understandable that she’d be upset, but to do nothing but cry, sleep, and feel sorry for herself for several months is a bit on the extreme side.
Though the story is more focused on fantasy, the characters of the Harry Potter books, seem to be more down to earth. For the most part, they seem to have more realistic reactions to the situations they are put in.
In terms of plot, there’s no contest between the Twilight and Harry Potter series. Both Harry Potter and Bella have a central goal, but not only is Potter’s goal more heroic and worth while, but the twists and turns in the plot create more complexity and interest than is found in Twilight.
Both authors have sold millions of copies of their books, but the Harry Potter books seem to give a more responsible message to the teenagers of today. When Bella Swan is devastated after Edward Cullen leaves, she makes no effort to get over him, wanting to do nothing but mope.
I don’t think that’s the best kind of message to send to heartbroken teenage girls reading the series.  It tells them that it’s okay to mope, do nothing to get over the guy, and ignore all your friends, which is definitely not the best way to cope with a situation.
In the Harry Potter books, Harry is often upset, angry, or feeling down about something, but he always finds a way to push through and get things done. It teaches young readers that even when bad things happen to, or around you, you can’t just give up. It teaches them that you have to keep trying when the going gets tough.
Harry Potter inspires ambition and bravery, but Bella inspires female readers to find their identities in romantic relationships. 