Final Fantasy Characters Are Hot on Purpose Because of a Simple Line

Tetsuya Nomura, the creative mind behind Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts, recently revealed the surprisingly simple reason behind his characters' striking good looks. This article delves into his design philosophy and its impact on the JRPG landscape.

Nomura's Protagonists: Runway Ready for Role-Playing

Why are Nomura's heroes consistently attractive? It's not some profound statement on beauty or edginess. The answer is far more relatable. In a Young Jump interview (translated by AUTOMATON), Nomura traced his approach back to high school, where a classmate's insightful question—"Why do I have to be ugly in the game world too?"— profoundly impacted him. This resonated with his belief that video games offer a form of escapism. His design philosophy, he stated, simply boils down to: "I want to be good-looking in games."

This isn't mere vanity. Nomura believes visual appeal fosters player connection and empathy. Unconventional designs, he explains, can create characters too distinct for players to relate to.

However, Nomura doesn't shy away from eccentric designs entirely. He reserves his boldest, most outlandish creations for villains. Sephiroth from Final Fantasy VII, with his towering sword and dramatic flair, is a prime example. The same holds true for Kingdom Hearts' Organization XIII. Nomura notes that these characters' unique personalities are intrinsically linked to their striking appearances.

"Yes, I like Organization XIII," he stated. "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 to a more unrestrained approach in his younger years. Characters like Red XIII and Cait Sith, with their distinctive designs, demonstrate this early creative freedom. This youthful energy, however, proved beneficial to the game.

"At the time, I was still young… so I just decided to make all the characters distinctive," Nomura reflected. "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-like features, remember the simple desire of a high school classmate to look cool while saving the world. As Nomura might say, why be a hero if you can't look good doing it?

Nomura's Potential Retirement and the Future of Kingdom Hearts

The Young Jump interview also touched upon Nomura's potential retirement in the coming years, as the Kingdom Hearts series approaches its conclusion. He's actively integrating new writers to bring fresh perspectives to the franchise. 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."