Top 10 Final Fantasy Characters

Something new and exciting for us here at Qweerty, this list is the first of many exciting Top 10s and gaming trivia pieces. Final Fantasy is one of the longest running video game series of all time and with dozens of games under their belt and the sixteenth mainline installment coming out sometime in the next two years, this juggernaut of a franchise is nowhere close to winding down. To celebrate, we will be looking at the Top 10 characters in the franchise. These characters were selected based on their impact within the game’s narrative, their popularity among fans, and their legacies in the wider lore of the series. This list will have a strict rule of one character per mainline entry. With all that out of way, here is our list of the Top 10 Final Fantasy characters.

10. Cid (Various Games)

Cid is an oddball of character in the series. Appearing in almost every game, Cid usually takes on the role of supporting character, though he has featured as a party member in both Final Fantasy IV and Final Fantasy VII. Twice he served as a misguided villain in Final Fantasy VI and Final Fantasy XIII, and he even served as the main secondary antagonist in Final Fantasy XII. Due to the wide differences between these characters, Cid is hard to pin down, but his role as a franchise staple earns him the number 10 spot on our list.

9. Faris (Final Fantasy V)

An androgynous pirate captain with a heart of gold, it is no surprise that Faris remains one of the most popular characters from the criminally underrated Final Fantasy V. While the other party members of the game are initially surprised to learn that Faris is a woman, the reveal of her gender does not detract from the sheer badassery of her character. With the help of her crew and her pet dragon, Faris serves as an irreplaceable member of the group. The lack of attention the fandom seems to give to Final Fantasy V is what keeps her lower on this list, but for those who are curious about the title, sometimes referred to as “The Saturday Morning Cartoon” of the series, we cannot recommend it enough.

8. Zidane (Final Fantasy IX)

Final Fantasy IX served as a celebration of the earlier roots of the series, high fantasy, after the sci-fi settings of Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy VIII. Zidane offered a fresh take on Final Fantasy protagonists as he is much more emotional and livelier than either Cloud or Squall. No brooding to be found here. He continuously encourages his teammates to try their best to achieve their goals and dreams. I dare not spoil anything related to the story of Final Fantasy IX, so you’ll just have to experience the emotional roller coaster for yourself.

7. Cecil (Final Fantasy IV)

Final Fantasy IV is an often-overlooked game in the series. It was the first to have named characters with distinct job classes/roles, and it was arguably the first to have a fully fleshed out dramatic story. Cecil, the protagonist of IV, literally faces a dark embodiment of himself after being forced to confront the evils he has committed in the name of his king. Due to his ability to face his own inner demons and come out on top, he has earned the number 7 spot on our list.

6. Ardyn (Final Fantasy XV)

It would be dishonest to describe the releases of Final Fantasy XV and its various DLCs as anything but a hot mess. Say what you will about the game’s story, but it did give us some truly engaging and entertaining characters. Ardyn, the main antagonist, is one such personality we meet. His background is truly tragic and harrowing and players can find themselves understanding why he takes the actions he does throughout the game. For being the first truly tragic villain in the series, as well as an entertaining troll, he has earned his ranking on our list.

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5. Laguna (Final Fantasy VIII)

Now I know what some of you may be thinking, where’s Squall? How could you not choose him as the representative for Final Fantasy VIII. Allow me to explain. Laguna puts more of the game’s events in motion than almost any other character. Additionally, he is the leader of a secondary party we sometimes get to interact with. Late in the game his role is pivotal for Squall and his comrades to achieve their goals. Lastly, the romance between him and a certain character can arguably be seen as the driving force behind all of the game’s events.

4. Lightning (Final Fantasy XIII)

Sometimes mockingly described as the “female Cloud,” Lightning has become a divisive figure in the fandom. Most of this is due to the polarizing release of Final Fantasy XIII and its sequels. It’s a shame really because while she may appear cold and unfeeling on the outside, the trilogy in which she is featured reveals why she acts this way. The games can arguably be viewed as trips into her psyche where her emotional pain and turmoil is fully fleshed out and explored. She saves the world, indeed the entire universe, on multiple occasions, so it would a be crime to leave her off such a list. She even modeled for Louis Vuitton

Image: Square Enix and Louis Vuitton via The Mary Sue

3. Tifa (Final Fantasy VII)

This was perhaps the hardest choice on this list, Tifa or Cloud? Both are memorable characters from arguably the most popular entry in the series, both are capable warriors with compelling backgrounds, and both are fondly remembered by their fans. In the end we chose Tifa due to her role in Final Fantasy VII as Cloud’s emotional support. Without Tifa there would have been no way to save Cloud from himself. Her fighting style and memorable appearances in supporting games, novels, and movies surrounding VII will ensure her legacy continues to live on.

2. Yuna (Final Fantasy X)

While players may take on the role of Tidus in Final Fantasy X, there is no doubt that it is Yuna’s game. It is her story, her struggle, and her triumph when placed in a seemingly impossible situation. Having to rise up and challenge the only way of life you’ve ever known is no easy task, but Yuna accomplishes it. Her genuine connections with the various members of your party and her inspirational role in the game’s sequel ensures she will be forever associated with the name Final Fantasy.

1. Celes (Final Fantasy VI)

I know this entry is a surprising one but hear me out. Final Fantasy VI is arguably the best game in the series, or at least that’s usually the debate discussed within the fandom. The last of the 2D games, VI features the largest party at 14 playable characters. Due to this large roster, the developers have stated they never intended for any sole person to be considered the main protagonist. As a result of representing the game in the spin-off Dissidia series, Terra is often seen as the game’s main heroine, however for those who have played VI, it can be argued that this isn’t the case.

Celes begins as a leading general of the Gestahlian Empire (the game’s main villainous faction). She is one of only a few humans with the ability to wield magic as a result of experimentations performed on her body. As she learns the truth behind the empire and its goals, she fully defects, becoming a traitor in the eyes of everyone she has ever known. She soon joins the Returners, the rebel faction, and forms an important friendship with Locke, another of the game’s playable roster. When the world is destroyed halfway through the game, Celes becomes the central figure who travels across the once lush world to gather information on her friends and convince them to stand up to Kefka’s destruction. Without Celes the world would have remained a volatile wasteland. For her courage and impact, she has rightfully been crowned at the top spot of our list.

Top 10 Final Fantasy Characters

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