Ben Tennyson

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Ben Tennyson
Ben 10 character
Ben Tennyson as depicted in (from left to right) Ben 10 (2005), Ben 10: Alien Force & Ben 10: Ultimate Alien, Ben 10: Omniverse, and Ben 10 (2016)
First appearance	"And Then There Were 10" (2005)
Last appearance	"Alien X-Tinction" (2021)
Created by	Joe Kelly Joe Casey Duncan Rouleau Steven T. Seagle
Voiced by	Tara Strong (young) (2005–2008; 2012–2021) Yuri Lowenthal (teenager) (2008–2014; 2021)
Portrayed by	Graham Phillips (Race Against Time) Ryan Kelley (Alien Swarm)
In-universe information
Full name	Benjamin Kirby Tennyson
Species	Human
Family	Gwen Tennyson (cousin) Max Tennyson (grandfather) Sandra Tennyson (mother) Carl Tennyson (father)
Nationality	American

Benjamin Kirby "Ben" Tennyson, commonly known as Ben 10, is a superhero and the titular protagonist of the Ben 10 franchise. Created by Man of Action and produced by Cartoon Network Studios, he first appeared in the 2005 animated series Ben 10. Since then, he has been featured in multiple animated series, films, video games, and other media.

Ben Tennyson begins the franchise in the original series as an ordinary 10-year-old boy on a summer vacation with his family when he discovers the Omnitrix, a watch-like alien device that attaches to his wrist and allows him to transform into various alien species. With the support of his cousin Gwen and grandfather Max, he battles a wide range of villains, including Vilgax, Dr. Animo, and Kevin 11. Over time, Ben grows more skilled with the Omnitrix and embraces his role as a hero.

In Alien Force, set five years after the original series, a now 15-year-old Ben Tennyson has retired from heroics until the sudden disappearance of Max, prompting him to re-equip the Omnitrix. Joined by his cousin Gwen and reformed rival Kevin, Ben battles the Highbreed, an alien race attempting to invade Earth. The team successfully prevents the invasion and locates Max, but Ben struggles with the weight of his responsibilities. As past enemies resurface, including his archenemy Vilgax and the villainous Albedo, Ben ultimately relinquishes the Omnitrix , replacing it with the more advanced Ultimatrix.

In Ultimate Alien, beginning a year after the events of Alien Force, a now 16-year-old Ben faces new challenges as his secret identity is publicly exposed, making him a worldwide celebrity. Still supported by Gwen and Kevin, the group navigate through multiple obstacles including stardom and the "evolutionary feature" of the Ultimatrix along with the threats posed by Aggregor and later a corrupted Kevin. After defeating the demonic entity, Dagon, Ben is awarded the completed Omnitrix.

Omniverse introduces a dual narrative structure, featuring flashbacks to an 11-year-old Ben while focusing primarily on Ben's adventures as a 16-year-old hero. This series retroactively bridges the gap between the original series and Alien Force through the use of flashbacks. The main storyline starts with Ben's exploits with the new Omnitrix after Ultimate Alien. He partners with fresh plumber recruit, Rook Blonko, after Gwen and Kevin depart for college. Together, Ben and Rook explore the hidden alien city of Undertown, confronting a mix of old and new villains. The series delves into the concept of the multiverse, exploring alternate realities and different wielders of the Omnitrix.

In the 2016 series, the franchise underwent a reboot, reintroducing Ben as a 10-year-old in a contemporary setting. The reboot returns to a traditional setting of Ben on summer vacation adventures with Gwen and Max, while featuring updated technology, new villains, and an overhauled animation style. Additionally, the series brings back classic continuity characters like Kevin Levin. Over the course of the series, Ben's Omnitrix undergoes several cosmetic changes, and he battles an extensive array of villains. Ultimately, he aids his future self, assists the younger Generator Rex and fights alongside alternate versions of himself to defeat the villainous Alien X who is revealed to be a corrupt future version of himself.