Final Fantasy Characters: Their Allure Explained

Tetsuya Nomura, the creative force behind Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts, recently revealed the surprisingly simple reason behind his characters' striking good looks. This article delves into his unconventional design philosophy.

Nomura's Protagonists: Runway Ready for JRPG Battles

The Secret: "I Want to Look Good in Games"

Tetsuya Nomura's protagonists consistently resemble supermodels, a stark contrast to the perilous worlds they inhabit. But why this emphasis on conventional attractiveness? It's not a deep philosophical statement about beauty reflecting the soul, nor is it a deliberate attempt at edginess. The answer is far more relatable.

In a Young Jump interview (translated by AUTOMATON), Nomura traces his design philosophy back to high school. A classmate's simple question, "Why do I have to be ugly in the game world too?", profoundly impacted him. This resonated with Nomura's belief that video games offer an escape from reality.

He stated: "From that experience, I thought, ‘I want to be good-looking in games,’ and that’s how I create my main characters."

This isn't mere vanity. Nomura believes visual appeal fosters player connection and empathy. He explained, "If you go out of your way to make them unconventional, you will end up with a character who is too distinct and hard to empathize with."

However, Nomura doesn't shy away from eccentric designs; he reserves them for his antagonists. Sephiroth from Final Fantasy VII, with his towering sword and dramatic flair, is a prime example. The Organization XIII in Kingdom Hearts showcases Nomura's unrestrained creativity.

He commented: "Yes, I like Organization XIII. I don’t think the designs of Organization XIII would be that unique without their personalities. That’s because I feel that it’s only when their inner and outer appearances come together that they become that kind of character."

Looking back at Final Fantasy VII, Nomura admits his younger self was less restrained. Red XIII and Cait Sith, with their unique designs, demonstrate this early creative freedom. This youthful exuberance, however, proved beneficial to the game.

Nomura reflected: "At the time, I was still young… so I just decided to make all the characters distinctive. I am very particular about the basis (for character designs) right down to the smallest details, like why this part is this color, and why this is a certain shape. These details become part of the character’s personality, which in the end become part of the game and its story."

In essence, the next time a Nomura protagonist graces your screen with model-esque features, remember the high school comment that sparked this unique design philosophy. As Nomura might say, why save the world if you can't look good doing it?

Nomura's Potential Retirement and the Future of Kingdom Hearts

The Young Jump interview also hinted at Nomura's potential retirement in the coming years, coinciding with the Kingdom Hearts series nearing its conclusion. He's incorporating new writers to bring fresh perspectives. Nomura shared, "I only have a few years left until I retire, and it’s looking like: will I retire or will I finish the series first? However, I'm making Kingdom Hearts IV with the intention of it being a story that leads to the conclusion."