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

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

Nomura's Protagonists: Runway Ready for RPG Battles

The striking similarity between Nomura's protagonists and supermodels is no accident. But the reason isn't some deep artistic statement about beauty and the soul. It's far more relatable.

In an interview with Young Jump magazine (translated by AUTOMATON), Nomura traced 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 his belief that video games should offer escapism.

Nomura 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, though. Nomura believes attractive characters foster player connection and empathy. He explained that unconventional designs can create characters too distinct to relate to.

Nomura's Eccentric Designs: Reserved for Villains

While Nomura favors conventionally attractive heroes, he doesn't shy away from bold designs entirely. He reserves his most eccentric creations for antagonists. Sephiroth from Final Fantasy VII, with his towering sword and dramatic flair, is a prime example. The Organization XIII from Kingdom Hearts also showcases Nomura's unrestrained creativity.

He noted: "I don’t think the designs of Organization XIII would be that unique without their personalities. Their inner and outer appearances must align to create that specific character."

Reflecting on Final Fantasy VII, Nomura admitted his earlier designs were less restrained. Characters like Red XIII and Cait Sith were intentionally distinctive. This youthful exuberance, however, contributed to the game's unique charm.

He explained: "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... 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 you see a stylish hero in a Nomura game, remember that seemingly simple high school comment. Why be a hero if you can't look good doing it?

Nomura's Future: Retirement and Kingdom Hearts' Conclusion

The Young Jump interview also hinted at Nomura's potential retirement in the coming years, coinciding with the anticipated conclusion of the Kingdom Hearts series. He's actively incorporating new writers to bring fresh perspectives. Nomura stated, "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."