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'{{Refimprove|date=September 2007}} Although each installment of the ''[[Final Fantasy]]'' series is generally set in a different fictional world with separate storylines, there are some commonalities when it comes to character design. Certain design themes repeat themselves, as well as specific character names and classes. Within the main series, [[Yoshitaka Amano]] was the character designer for the first six games, [[Tetsuya Nomura]] was the character designer for Final Fantasy VII, VIII, X, XI and XIII, [[Toshiyuki Itahana]] was the character designer for Final Fantasy IX, and [[Akihiko Yoshida]] was the character designer for Final Fantasy XII. == Character design == The protagonists of the [[Tetsuya Nomura|Nomura]]-designed ''Final Fantasy'' games usually have a name alluding to or directly related to meteorological phenomena or celestial bodies—in basic terms, names linked to the sky and weather. Examples include [[Cloud Strife]], [[Squall Leonhart]] (meaning a sudden, sharp increase in wind), [[Rinoa Heartilly|Rinoa]] (meaning "(sun)light"{{Citation needed|date=January 2009}}), [[Tidus]] (Okinawan for "Sun"<ref>Sam Kennedy and Gary Steinman, ed (2001). ''Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine August, 2001''. Ziff Davis Media. pp. 96.</ref>), [[Yuna]] (Okinawan for "Moon" {{Citation needed|date=January 2009}}), [[Lightning (Final Fantasy)|Lightning]], [[Final Fantasy XIII#Characters|Snow]], [[Final Fantasy Versus XIII|Noctis]] (Latin for "of the Night"), and [[Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Crystal Bearers|Layle]] (Arabic for "Night") {{Or|date=July 2009}} [[Image:ff8-rinoa-angelwing.png|right|thumb|150px|[[Rinoa]]'s limit, Angel Wing.]] The series has often featured [[androgyny|androgynous]]<ref>GameSpy: http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/project-sylph/807782p2.html</ref> or [[effeminacy|effeminate]]<ref>Game Informer: http://www.gameinformer.com/News/Story/200702/N07.0228.1154.25773.htm</ref> male main characters. This trend has generally increased as the series evolved.<ref name="uk.ps2.ign.com">IGN: http://uk.ps2.ign.com/articles/441/441293p1.html</ref> These androgynous characters—usually [[adolescence|teenagers]] destined to save the world<ref name="kingdomhearts1">WomenGamers.Com: http://www.womengamers.com/revprev/adv/kingdomhearts.php</ref>—often possess similar physical characteristics, such as skinny builds and spiky hair and the ability to fight with large swords.<ref>Montreal Mirror: http://www.montrealmirror.com/2008/050108/presstart.html</ref> According to some critics, these characters are designed so in order to make the players identify with them.<ref>GameCritics.com: http://www.gamecritics.com/nerd-heroes</ref> Terra Branford, a female character, was used as one of the primary protagonists for Final Fantasy VI. Square Enix has stated that a more rugged looking hero had been considered for ''[[Final Fantasy XII]]'' but had ultimately been scrapped in favor of [[Characters of Final Fantasy XII#Vaan|Vaan]], another effeminate protagonist. The developers cited scenaristic reasons and target demographic considerations to explain their choice.<ref name="uk.ps2.ign.com"/> For ''[[Final Fantasy XIII]]'', Square Enix settled on a female main character, described as a "female version of [[Cloud Strife|Cloud]] from FFVII."<ref>1UP.com: http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3151333</ref> This aspect of ''Final Fantasy'' has also been carried into ''[[Kingdom Hearts (series)|Kingdom Hearts]]'', a crossover series featuring ''Final Fantasy'' and [[The Walt Disney Company|Disney]] characters, with the protagonist [[Characters of Kingdom Hearts#Sora|Sora]].<ref name="kingdomhearts1"/> In some ''Final Fantasy'' titles, some characters appear with real or symbolic wings. [[Kefka Palazzo]] from ''Final Fantasy VI'' gained real wings after he ascended to godhood in his final form. ''Final Fantasy VII'''s villain [[Sephiroth (Final Fantasy VII)|Sephiroth]] ascended to the form of Seraph Sephiroth, in which he had one wing on his right shoulder, as well as 3 pairs of wings where his abdomen should be. The one-sided wing is the source of his nickname as the "One-Winged Angel". Sephiroth has appeared in ''[[Final Fantasy VII Advent Children]]'' and ''[[Kingdom Hearts]]'' with one wing on his right side. Cloud Strife, his antithisis, also appears in ''Kingdom Hearts'' with one wing, although it is non-feathered, resembling a bat's, and comes from his left side. ''Final Fantasy VIII'' used the depiction of two white wings on the back of Rinoa Heartilly's vest. Rinoa also grows literal wings temporarily during her "Angel Wing" [[Limit Break]] during battle. She also transforms a petal that she catches in the wind into a single white feather in the opening sequence of the game. Selphie's limit break "Rapture" removes all opponents from the field by forcing them to grow wings and fly away, causing an instant victory in most non-boss battles. In contrast, the game's antagonist, Ultimecia, sports a pair of feathered black wings, and Seifer Almasy, her "knight", is shown blasting into black feathers at the stroke of Squall Leonhart's final gunblade strike in the opening FMV. ''Final Fantasy IX'' brought back physical wings in the form of ornaments that Eiko Carol wears on her back. Her wings were a gift, and they enlarge in her trance form. Yuna from ''[[Final Fantasy X]]'' wears a wedding dress that has white wings incorporated into its design. In ''Final Fantasy XI'', Selh'teus gains multicolorid wings upon merging with the soul of Phoenix near the conclusion of the Chains of Promathia storyline. In ''Final Fantasy XII'', Penelo has leather wing-like projections incorporated into her armor. == Recurring characters == === Biggs and Wedge === {| style="float:right" | valign="top" |[[Image:FF7-Biggs.jpg|130x130px|right|thumb|Biggs in ''Final Fantasy VII'']] | valign="top" |[[Image:FF7-Wedge.jpg|128x128px|right|thumb|Wedge in ''Final Fantasy VII'']] |} The names {{nihongo|'''Biggs''' and '''Wedge'''|ビッグス ＆ ウェッジ|Biggusu & Wejji}} are given to two related characters in several ''[[Final Fantasy (series)|Final Fantasy]]'' games. They are speculated to be a homage to the ''[[Star Wars]]'' characters [[Rogue Squadron#Biggs Darklighter|Biggs Darklighter]] and [[Wedge Antilles]] by an online editor.<ref>[http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art9321.asp Final Fantasy, Star Wars, Biggs and Wedge - Playstation 3<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Their first appearance is in ''[[Final Fantasy VI]]'' —with "Biggs" [[Romanization of Japanese|mistranslated]] to "Vicks"— as a pair of [[List of Final Fantasy VI locations#Vector|Vector]] soldiers accompanying [[Terra Branford]] in an attack on [[List of Final Fantasy VI locations#Narshe|Narshe]] to claim an [[Magic in the Final Fantasy series#Summoning Magic|Esper]]. They are playable for a short period, but are soon killed by the Esper. Following their first appearance, Biggs and Wedge have appeared in several games. In ''[[Final Fantasy VII]]'', Biggs and Wedge are members of [[AVALANCHE]], an [[eco-warrior]] organization. They are killed after a failed attempt to stop one of [[List of Final Fantasy VII locations#Eastern continent|Midgar]] city's support pillars from being destroyed by [[Shinra Electric Power Company|Shinra Company]]. ''[[Final Fantasy Tactics]]'' features a form of the names—as "Viggs" and "Wezaleff"—as members of a raiding party, who have no speaking roles and die while descending [[Ivalice|Orbonne Monastery]]. In ''[[Final Fantasy VIII]]'', Biggs and Wedge are Galbadian soldiers who engage in battle with the protagonists twice, (once in Dollet&nbsp;— Disc I, and again in D-District Prison&nbsp;— Disc II) providing [[comic relief]]. They eventually retire from the Galbadian forces in Disc III. [[Image:ff8-bigwedge.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Biggs and Wedge in ''Final Fantasy VIII'']] In ''[[Final Fantasy X]]'' and ''[[Final Fantasy X-2]]'', Biggs and Wedge are guards at the [[Locations in Spira#Luca|Luca]] [[Minigames of Final Fantasy#Blitzball|Blitzball]] stadium, and can be scouted by the player to participate in Blitzball. In ''[[Final Fantasy XII]]'', two Archadian guards named Gibbs and Deweg (variation of Biggs, anagram of Wedge) stand at Nalbina Town, and appear as comic relief in several optional scenes in a sidequest. In the English translation of ''[[Final Fantasy Tactics Advance]]'', Biggs is a former business subordinate of [[List of Final Fantasy Tactics Advance characters#Cid|Cid]]; Biggs and Wedge also appear as random names for character units and hero classes in ''[[Final Fantasy I]]''. In ''[[Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII]]'', Biggs and Wedge are enemies in a sniping [[mini-game]]. Biggs and Wedge are common names in other video games by [[Square Co.]] and [[Square Enix]]. In ''[[Chrono Trigger]]'', Vicks and Wedge, along with a third character named Piett (who likewise shares a name with [[Admiral Piett|a ''Star Wars'' character]]), are sideshow attractions at Norstein Bekkler's Lab at the [[1000 A.D. (Chrono Trigger)|Millennial Fair]]. Biggs retains his original name in the [[Nintendo DS]] re-release of ''Chrono Trigger''. In ''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]'', Biggs and Wedge are storekeepers to armor shops. Lastly, ''[[Chocobo's Dungeon 2]]'' features them as two [[Final Fantasy character classes#Black Mage|Black Mage]] who may assist the player. Biggs and Wedge also appears in ''[[Final Fantasy IV: The After Years]]'' as Red Wings soldiers who die protecting Prince Ceodore from an attack led by the Mysterious Woman. The game reveals that Biggs and Wedge were actually the two soldiers who questioned Cecil about stealing the Water Crystal of Mysidia at the beginning of ''[[Final Fantasy IV]]''. === Boko === A [[chocobo]] named {{nihongo|'''Boko''' or '''Boco'''|ボコ}} appears in several installments of the series. [[Characters of Final Fantasy V#Boko|Boko]] appears in ''[[Final Fantasy V]]'' as [[Characters of Final Fantasy V|Bartz Klauser]]'s mount. Boco also appears in ''[[Final Fantasy Tactics]]'' as a chocobo owned by [[Characters of Final Fantasy Tactics#Wiegraf Folles / Velius|Wiegraf Folles]], which is later encountered lost in a forest and can be saved and recruited by the protagonist [[Characters of Final Fantasy Tactics#Ramza Beoulve|Ramza Beoulve]]. A chicobo (young chocobo) named Boko appears in ''[[Final Fantasy VIII]]'' and can be obtained by [[Squall Leonhart]]; this chicobo possesses its own minigame with ''[[Chocobo World]]''. Boko also appears in Final Fantasy VII as a chocobo in races. A chocobo named [[Characters of Final Fantasy IX#Bobby Corwen|Bobby Corwen]] appears in ''[[Final Fantasy IX]]'' in the [[Black Mage]] Village; his initials in Japanese [[katakana]] characters form "Boko". In ''[[Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII]]'', a pilot in the [[List of Final Fantasy airships#Final Fantasy VII|Shera]] airship mentions that she is raising a chocobo named Boco. === Chaos === [[Image:Chaos (Final Fantasy Origins - Final Fantasy).png|frame|right|Chaos as he appears in ''[[Final Fantasy Origins]]'']] {{nihongo|'''Chaos'''|カオス|Kaosu}} is the final [[boss (video games)|boss]] in the first ''[[Final Fantasy (video game)|Final Fantasy]]'' game. He is a relatively large, winged demonic figure. His other form, Garland, is also a common recurring character. Chaos first exists as Garland, an evil knight who kidnaps the princess of Cornelia. His plot is foiled by the Warriors of Light, who supposedly kill him while rescuing the princess. Garland is resurrected by the power of the four Orbs, siphoned by the [[Four Fiends|Four Elemental Fiends]] and is sent 2,000 years back in time, turning him into Chaos. From the past, they are sent into the present by Garland to cause mass destruction and will eventually be responsible for his resurrection. This pact creates a time-loop and allows Garland to live forever. The Warriors of Light return to the Chaos Shrine ruins to travel two thousand years into the past, where they meet a Garland who remembers them, and seeks revenge, having defeated them in previous/alternate time-lines. After the Warriors of Light defeat Chaos, they return to their own time with the Garland of a new reality waiting for them. Chaos appears as the god of discord and main antagonist in ''[[Dissidia: Final Fantasy]]'' for the [[PlayStation Portable|PSP]], voiced by [[Norio Wakamoto]] in Japanese and [[Keith David]] in English. Garland is a semi-separate character who is forced by the Great Will to ensure the time-loop cycle, seeing his fate to become Chaos as an aboslute no matter the outcome. [[Image:Chaos-ffxii.JPG|thumb|left|150px|Chaos, as featured in ''[[Final Fantasy XII]]'']] The name "Chaos" appears in other ''Final Fantasy'' titles. In ''Final Fantasy VII'', [[Vincent Valentine|Vincent]]'s fourth and final [[Limit Break]] causes him to take the form of a black, winged demon called Chaos; this concept is explored further in ''[[Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII]]''. In ''[[Final Fantasy IX]]'', [[Characters of Final Fantasy IX#Garland|Garland]] is the lord of planet Terra, the last of his dying world's people. In ''Final Fantasy XII'', Chaos appears as an [[Magic in the Final Fantasy series#Summon Magic|Esper]] within the game, obtained by defeating him first, and bearing the title "Walker of the Wheel". While fighting him, he wields four elemental blades which aid him, but can be destroyed. Also, the flagship of the anti-Imperial Resistance fleet bears the name ''Garland''. In the [[anime]] series ''[[Final Fantasy: Unlimited]]'', Chaos is an otherworldly being that consumes other worlds, feeding on the negative energy of others. {{-}} === Cid === [[Image:Cid (Final Fantasy II).png|right|thumb|90px|Cid from ''Final Fantasy II'']] {{nihongo|'''Cid'''|シド|Shido}} is a character who appears, or is at least mentioned, in all ''Final Fantasy'' installments since the first ''Final Fantasy''. Although he is rarely the same age, and never the same individual in each of the main series, he is usually presented as an owner, creator, and/or pilot of [[Gameplay of Final Fantasy#Airships|airships]] and provides transportation to the main characters and their party members at various points of the game. In the second game, he has a friendly relationship with a woman named [[Characters of Final Fantasy II#Hilda|Hilda]]; he also has a close relationship with a woman of the same name in the ninth and eleventh installments. Cid does not appear in the original Nintendo Entertainment System version of ''Final Fantasy'', but he is retroactively inserted in subsequent versions (from ''Final Fantasy Origins'' onwards), where he is mentioned as the creator of the party's airship. This Cid becomes more involved in [[Dissidia: Final Fantasy]], serving as the game's non-physical narrator and dear friend of Cosmos. In ''Final Fantasy II'', '''Cid''' is a non-playable character and a freelance [[Gameplay of Final Fantasy#Airships|airship]] pilot. Cid reappears in the "Soul of Rebirth" section of the ''Dawn of Souls'' and 20th Anniversary versions, which takes place during the final parts of the main game. Cid also appears in ''Final Fantasy III'' as '''[[Characters of Final Fantasy III#Cid Haze|Cid Haze]]''', a non-playable character. The Super Nintendo installments feature Cid in a greater role. In ''Final Fantasy IV'', '''[[Cid Pollendina]]''' is a [[playable character]], the first playable Cid in the Final Fantasy games. In ''Final Fantasy V'', '''[[Characters of Final Fantasy V#Cid Previa|Cid Previa]]''' is a non-playable character and elderly inventor. In the [[Original Video Animation|original video animation]] sequel to ''Final Fantasy V'', ''[[Final Fantasy: Legend of the Crystals]]'', the late Cid's brain has been stolen by Ra Devil to be used in the villain's plans. Lastly, in ''Final Fantasy VI'', '''[[Characters of Final Fantasy VI#Cid del Norte Marguez|Cid del Norte Marguez]]''' is a non-player character who is a researcher for the Empire and the adoptive grandfather of playable character Celes Chere. <!-- Unsourced image removed: [[Image:Dr. Cid.png|100px|thumb|left|Dr. Cid in ''Final Fantasy XII'']] --> In ''Final Fantasy VII'', '''[[Cid Highwind]]''' is a spear-wielding main character and an airship pilot. He also appears in the game's prequel ''[[Before Crisis: Final Fantasy VII]]'' and the sequels ''[[Final Fantasy VII Advent Children]]'' and ''[[Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII]]''. This version also appears in ''[[Kingdom Hearts]]'' and ''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]'' with an alternate version of Highwind. A memory version appears in ''[[Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories]]'' and its PS2 remake. In ''Final Fantasy VIII'', '''[[Characters of Final Fantasy VIII#Cid Kramer|Cid Kramer]]''' is a non-playable character and the headmaster of Balamb Garden, which, at one point in the game, turns into an airship. He is the husband of Edea Kramer, who appears initially as the antagonist of the game. In ''Final Fantasy IX'', '''[[Characters of Final Fantasy IX#Cid Fabool|Cid Fabool]]''' is the ruler of Lindblum and is playable in a small sequence on Disc 3. He is also married to Hilda. Appropriately, his full name was "Cid Fabool the 9th". He designed two airships that the party uses throughout the game (both of which are named after his wife), and plays an important political and personal role in relation to various other characters in the game. In the epilogue, he and Hilda adopt Eiko, much to Eiko's delight. In ''Final Fantasy X'' and ''Final Fantasy X-2'', '''[[Characters of Final Fantasy X#Cid|Cid]]''' is the leader of the [[Al Bhed]] tribe, the father of [[Rikku]] and Brother, and [[Yuna]]'s uncle. He is the pilot of the first game's only airship, but he was not the creator of the machine; rather, he led the Al Bhed in restoring a broken airship that had sunk to the bottom of the sea. In ''Final Fantasy XI'', Cid is featured prominently in the world of [[Vana'diel]] as a non-playable character. He is the chief engineer of [[Vana'diel#The Republic of Bastok|Bastok]] who created the airships. ''[[Final Fantasy XII]]'' is notable for being both the first FF with more than one Cid, and the first in which Cid is a villain. '''[[Characters of Final Fantasy XII#Doctor Cidolfus Demen Bunansa|Doctor Cidolfus Demen Bunansa]]''' is a [[non-playable character]] as an enemy [[Boss (video games)|boss]] (also a first for the series). He is the father of the sky pirate, Balthier, a playable character. There is also a character by the name of Al-Cid Margrace, who is the heir of Rozarria and friend of Larsa. It should be noted, though, that the former is the more prominent "Cid" of the game, while the latter shares less significance to the story. '''[[Final Fantasy XIII]]'' Continues the protryal a villianous Cid in the form of Cid Rayner, who is the youngest Cid to appear in the main game series. The name Cid also appears in ''Final Fantasy'' games outside the main series. In ''[[Final Fantasy Tactics]]'', '''[[Characters of Final Fantasy Tactics#Cidolfas Orlandu|Cidolfas Orlandu]]''' is a playable character, a powerful general described as the only man that [[Ramza Beoulve]]'s father, Balbanes, could truly trust. His stat growth, in comparison to other characters in the game, is immense and often disproportionate. Meanwhile, an optional side task that can be taken by members of Ramza's party involves raising a sunken ship named the ''Highwind.'' In ''Final Fantasy Tactics Advance'', '''[[Characters of Final Fantasy Tactics Advance#Cid Randell|Cid Randell]]''' is the leader of the Judges who uphold law in the game's world Ivalice, and can be acquired as a player character. In the spin-off, ''[[Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift]]'', there is a different playable character named '''Cid''', who belongs to the race of Revgaji (the first clearly non-human Cid in the series) and is the leader of the Clan Gully. Al-Cid from ''Final Fantasy XII'' also returned in ''Final Fantasy Tactics A2''. Cid also appears in ''[[Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within]]'' (as Dr. Sid), ''[[Final Fantasy: Unlimited]]'' (as the first youthful Cid in the entire series), ''[[Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King]]'' (as Mogcid), ''[[Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Crystal Bearers]]'' (as Professor Cid), ''[[Chocobo Racing]]'', ''[[Chocobo's Dungeon 2]]'', ''[[Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales]]'', ''[[Treasure of the Rudras]]'', and ''[[Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime]]'' (as Ducktor Cid). Cid will take the main role in a Final Fantasy game for the first time with [[Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo's Dungeon|Final Fantasy Fables: Cid and Chocobo's Dungeon DS+]] for the Nintendo DS, a remake of the Wii title announced in July 2008. {{-}} === Gilgamesh === [[Image:Gilgamesh12.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Gilgamesh in ''Final Fantasy XII'', wielding Cloud Strife's Buster Sword. The [[kanji]] 偽 ''nise'' on the sword means "imitation" or "fake."]] {{nihongo|'''Gilgamesh'''|ギルガメッシュ|Girugamesshu}}<ref>[http://www.ffcompendium.com/h/espmon/gilgamesh.shtml Final Fantasy Summons: Gilgamesh<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Gilgamesh Gilgamesh - The Final Fantasy Wiki has more Final Fantasy information than Cid could research<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> is a character first introduced in ''[[Final Fantasy V]]''. He is characterized by having grey complexion, flamboyantly colorful battle armor, and multiple (usually six) arms wielding multiple weapons at once. He has a fierce façade, but this masks his own childlike personality. The name "Gilgamesh" comes from the [[Sumerian mythology|Sumerian]] king [[Gilgamesh]], the main character in the [[Epic of Gilgamesh]]. Unlike other recurring character names, the Gilgamesh who reappears in other installments of the Final Fantasy series seems to be the same person, hinted at through appearance and occasionally bits of dialogue. [[Characters of Final Fantasy V#Gilgamesh|Gilgamesh]]'s first appearance is in ''Final Fantasy V'' as a major villain, who the party encounters several times. He is one of the first engaging villains in the series. One theory as to how Gilgamesh is the same person in each game involves the fact that, late in Final Fantasy V, he was exiled to the Void by Exdeath, which may have caused him to wander aimlessly through the rift and stumble into other dimensions, possibly searching for his beast-man companion, Enkidu, and the legendary blade, Excalibur. Gilgamesh reappears in ''[[Final Fantasy VI]]'' as one of four new Espers that have been added to the [[Game Boy Advance]] version of ''Final Fantasy VI.'' He appears if the player bets the rare sword Excalipur in the Dragon Neck Colosseum. He will randomly use one out of four attacks if summoned, each with different levels of power: Excalipur (weakest, 1 dmg), Excalibur, Masamune(pierces def), Enkidu (strongest). In ''[[Final Fantasy VIII]]'', Gilgamesh is a randomly visiting [[Magic in the Final Fantasy series#Summon Magic|Guardian Force]] who replaces [[Odin]] late in the game, if the player has already acquired Odin. He is depicted as an inter-dimensional traveler on a journey to collect swords (he refers to Odin's Zantetsuken as "the fourth one" upon retrieving it). In ''[[Final Fantasy IX]]'', Gilgamesh is a four-armed self-proclaimed great treasure hunter known as Alleyway Jack; the player encounters this four-armed man multiple times during the journey, until Zidane receives a letter from him, revealing his true identity. In ''[[Final Fantasy XI]]'', the leader of the Tenshodo pirating organization in Norg is a man named Gilgamesh. Players will run into him while attempting missions from the first expansion pack, ''[[Final Fantasy XI: Rise of the Zilart|Rise of the Zilart]]''. Gilgamesh is also the name of one of Final Fantasy XI's world servers. Gilgamesh shows up in the ''[[Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls|Dawn of Souls]]'' remake of ''[[Final Fantasy (video game)|Final Fantasy I]]'', as a warrior boss exploring the undersea ruins of Lifespring Grotto, a secret dungeon available after defeating Kraken and getting the Water Crystal. In ''[[Final Fantasy XII]]'', Gilgamesh returns as an optional boss under the Mark "Ancient Man of Mystery", accompanied by his animal companion [[Enkidu]]. He is fought two times, wielding a collection of signature swords from the ''Final Fantasy'' series; [[Cloud Strife|Cloud's]] Buster Sword from ''Final Fantasy VII'', [[Squall Leonhart|Squall's]] Gunblade from ''Final Fantasy VIII'', [[Zidane Tribal|Zidane's]] "off-hand" dagger from ''Final Fantasy IX'' (though it is lengthened to be a sword), [[Tidus|Tidus's]] Brotherhood from ''Final Fantasy X'', Odin's Zantetsuken sword(completely redesigned with unique handle and skull carving), two Tournesol swords from the game itself, and Loto's Sword from the Dragon Quest series (called the Wyrmhero Blade). However, these swords are generally fake since all have distinct differences to the original ones, and the kanji symbol on the Buster sword reads replica. For instance, the original Buster Sword contains no [[kanji]] character as shown in the picture above, and the one Gilgamesh wields has two extra materia holes further along the blade. Also, the original Revolver Gunblade displayed an image of a lionlike creature, whereas Gilgamesh's version features a picture of a chocobo. In contrast, a few Gilgamesh has legitimately acquired, such as the Zantetsuken from Odin in Final Fantasy VIII. It is also likely that one of the Tournesols is genuine due to it being an exact match to the one crafted in the game. He later returns in the sequel to ''Final Fantasy XII'', ''[[Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings]]'' as an optional boss, summoning numerous Enkidu to his aid. Upon defeating him, Gilgamesh becomes an allied Esper who can be summoned in battle. The Final Fantasy XII incarnation of Gilgamesh is voiced by veteran voice actor [[John DiMaggio]] in English language versions of the games. Gilgamesh has been shown in both villain and hero positions. Through the actions of Final Fantasy V, he is shown to be good-natured, such as when he is seen to act sad when hearing of Galuf's death, as well as sacrificing himself for the party when fighting Necrophobia. However, his arrogance, occasional stupidity, and thirst for battle have generally pitted him against the party, usually leading to a difficult boss battle. Gilgamesh is commonly known to carry the powerful Genji equipment set, consistently composed of the Genji Gauntlet, Genji Shield, Genji Helm, and Genji Armor. During Square Enix's Private Party, DKΣ3713, it was rumored that Gilgamesh would be an optional boss in ''[[Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep]]''. This rumor has yet to be confirmed or denied. ==== Incorrect Appearances ==== In the [[Game Boy Advance]] remake of ''Final Fantasy IV'', Gilgamesh's name appears on a turtle similar to [http://www.ffcompendium.com/h/espmon/adamant.shtml Adamantoise]. This is a mistranslation of the monster's actual name Gilgame, a [[portmanteau]] of "Gil", the currency of Final Fantasy, and "kame", the Japanese word for {{nihongo|''turtle''|亀|kame}}. However, the error was corrected in the European version, and the monster's name is properly translated as "Gil Turtle". This turtle also makes an appearance in ''Final Fantasy XII'' and ''Final Fantasy Tactics A2'' as the mark "Gil Snapper". === Mog === Moogles with the simple name '''Mog''' have appeared various times. Mog was a playable moogle character in ''[[Final Fantasy VI]]''. His special technique was to cause various effects by dancing. He was temporarily playable in one of the opening battles of the game, along with many other moogles, and can be recruited again later by saving him from a thief, and later, regardless of the player's actions during the thief event. The dancing ability associated with Mog can be seen on display in ''[[Final Fantasy XII]]'' in Old Archades, where the player can see a band of dancing moogles. Other appearances include ''[[Final Fantasy IX]]''; where a female moogle named Mog serves as Eiko Carol's guardian, though she proves not to be a moogle after all, and ''[[Final Fantasy VII]]'', where he appeared along with a Chocobo as a summon and not just as a summon, but as a name for all moogles, being that in FF7 all moogles are referred to as mogs. Two moogles also appeared in ''[[Final Fantasy VII]]'' as a game in the Gold Saucer, and ''[[Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles]]'' as a chalice holder in single-player mode. Mog also appears as a Chocobo's rival moogle in ''[[Chocobo Racing]]''. None of these appearances are the same individual, though often they have characteristics in common. A Moogle called [[Characters of Final Fantasy Tactics Advance#Montblanc|Montblanc]] first appeared in [[Final Fantasy Tactics Advance]] as the leader of a clan Marche joined. Montblanc returns in ''[[Final Fantasy XII]]'' and ''[[Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift]]'' as the leader of Clan Centurio. In [[Final Fantasy XII]], the "Stuffed Animal" Look is replaced for a much more friendly rabbit look. A moogle named Mog also appears in ''[[Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo's Dungeon]]''. === Ultima and Omega === Ultima and Omega are recurring names that have appeared in the Final Fantasy series. They often appear as optional bosses towards the end of the game, as they are far more formidable than an average monster. Ultima Weapon appeared in [[Final Fantasy VI]] and again in [[Final Fantasy VII]] (Under the name Ultimate Weapon) as a main storyline boss. In [[Final Fantasy VIII]], they appear as extra bosses and in [[Final Fantasy X]], they both reside in the the Omega Ruins, the most difficult dungeon in the game, where Ultima exists as Omega's shadow. In [[Final Fantasy XI]], both Omega and Ultima appear as bosses in the ''Chains of Promenthia'' story line in and again as Proto-Omega and Proto-Ultima as bosses of the Limbus areas. In [[Final Fantasy XII]], Ultima appears as an Esper in addition to lending its name to a sword called the Ultima Blade, whereas Omega appears as an optional boss in the form of a giant Mimic named "Omega Mark XII". == Recurring species and races == === Chocobo === {{Main|Chocobo}} A {{nihongo|'''Chocobo'''|チョコボ|Chokobo}} is a large, normally flightless [[galliformes|galliforme]]/[[ratite]] [[bird]] capable of being ridden and is a staple of the ''Final Fantasy'' series. The [[onomatopoeia]] for a chocobo's call is {{nihongo|"Kweh"|クエ|Kue}}. "Kweh" is sometimes replaced with "Wark" in English translations. Most chocobos dwell in forests. While timid in the wild, and vicious if threatened, they tame rather easily and make good transports. Chocobos have occasionally been sighted as lightly armored war mounts in which case they can assist their riders with beak and claw. In Final Fantasy Tactics chocobo can be used as playable characters (though only in battle). Most often chocobo can be caught in the wild and ridden without fear of [[random encounter]]s, escaping after the player dismounts. Overall, the species is a very versatile and useful bird, which comes in handy as [[horse]]s are untamed or non-existent in ''[[Final Fantasy]]'' games. While ordinary Chocobos are yellow, certain rare breeds are of different colors and have special abilities, such as crossing mountains or flight. An even rarer, more extreme variant is the ''Fat Chocobo'' (or ''Chubby Chocobo''), which resembles a morbidly obese yellow chocobo. The Chocobo signature theme is an immediately recognizable upbeat ditty that is present in one form or another in all ''Final Fantasy'' games{{Clarify|post-text|What is meant by "all Final Fantasy games"?|date=December 2009}} since ''[[Final Fantasy II]]''. Chocobos have a [[Spin-off (media)|spin-off]] series dedicated to them. Chocobos are also a common sight in other [[Squaresoft]] and [[Square Enix]] games, notably in the ''[[Mana (series)|Mana]]'' series. === Moogle === <!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Moogle FFXI.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Classic Moogle appearance as in ''Final Fantasy XI'']] --> [[Image:Moogles in FF III.jpg|thumb|Moogles in their first ''Final Fantasy'' appearance on the Famicom's Final Fantasy III]] {{nihongo|'''Moogles'''|モーグリ|Mōguri}} are small [[creature]]s that appear throughout several [[Square Enix]] game series, including the ''[[Final Fantasy]]'' series, the ''[[Mana (series)|Seiken Densetsu]]'' series, the [[Chocobo]] game series, and the ''[[Kingdom Hearts]]'' series. The Japanese name is a [[portmanteau]] of the Japanese words ''mogura'' (mole) and ''kōmori'' (bat). Moogles have small, black eyes(often closed) and red, pink, black, or purple bat-like wings. A single black [[antenna (biology)|antenna]] sticks up from their heads, with a small colorful ball (usually red, yellow or pink) at the end called a "pompom". Their ears are usually shaped like a cat's and their fur is white or light pink. However, in ''Crystal Chronicles'' they have a different body shape, lacking a distinct head and torso, while in ''Tactics Advance'' and ''Final Fantasy XII'' they have longer, rabbit-like ears and beige to gray fur. When they first appeared, in ''Final Fantasy III'', Moogles generally ended their sentences with the word "nya", the Japanese equivalent of a cat's "meow". In the later games, they use the word "kupo" instead; some games briefly mention a Moogle language formed out of various permutations of "kupo". In the ''Final Fantasy III'' [[Final Fantasy III (Nintendo DS)|Nintendo DS remake]], the word "nya" was replaced with "kupo". Moogles run an in-game message delivery service in ''Final Fantasy IX'' and ''Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles''. In the ''Final Fantasy III'' remake, the Moogles' message delivery service allows to send real e-mails to other players' games using the [[Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection|Nintendo DS Wi-Fi function]]. In ''Final Fantasy XI'', a Moogle is assigned to each player to take care of their house and change their [[Final Fantasy XI character classes|jobs]] (Hence it is called a ''Mog House''.), and "Festive" Moogles run the holiday events in the game. In ''Final Fantasy XII'', the Moogles are known to be skillful in mechanics and engineering; they were the first pioneers of [[airship]] construction. Several Moogle characters of the ''Final Fantasy'' series are named Mog, including a [[Mog (Final Fantasy VI)|playable character]] in ''Final Fantasy VI'', a character from an arcade game in ''Final Fantasy VII'', a form of the [[Final Fantasy magic#Summoning Magic|Eidolon]] Madeen in ''Final Fantasy IX'', and the single player's companion in ''Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles''. In the spin-offs ''[[Chocobo no Fushigina Dungeon]]'', ''[[Chocobo's Dungeon 2]]'', and ''[[Chocobo Racing]]'', a Moogle named Mog is friend with the main character Chocobo. Moogles appear as [[Final Fantasy magic#Summoning Magic|summoned creatures]] in ''Final Fantasy VII'' where a Moogle appears riding a [[Chocobo]], in ''Final Fantasy VIII'' with a young Moogle called MiniMog, and in ''Final Fantasy Tactics''. Eiko in ''Final Fantasy IX'' had a Moogle guardian named Mog; she later became the Summon Madeen or Guardian Mog in the English version. Other notable Moogles include Stiltzkin from ''Final Fantasy IX'' and ''Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles'', and Montblanc from ''Final Fantasy Tactics Advance'' and ''Final Fantasy XII''. In ''Final Fantasy Tactics Advance'' and ''Final Fantasy Tactics A2'', the Moogles have a variety of different jobs to master in the clan. Some of the "Base Jobs" include Thief, Animist and Black Mage. After you master a certain amount of abilities, new jobs are available for the Moogles. Other Moogle Jobs include Juggler, Tinker, Time Mage, Fusilier, Flintlock, Chocobo Knight, and Moogle Knight. There is one special Moogle Job in ''Final Fantasy Tactics Advanced 2'' called ''Bard''. The Bard is named Hurdy. Hurdy is able to use a series of different instruments to give ''buffs'' and ''debuffs'' to allies or foes, heal health, or make himself invisible. Moogles first appear in the ''Final Fantasy'' series in ''Final Fantasy III'' and are present in all subsequent numbered installments except ''Final Fantasy IV'', in addition to ''Final Fantasy Tactics'', ''Final Fantasy Tactics Advance'', ''Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles'', and ''Final Fantasy: Unlimited''. They were used as Save Points in ''Final Fantasy IX''. Moogles appear only as stuffed dolls in ''Final Fantasy VII Advent Children'', ''Dirge of Cerberus'', ''Final Fantasy X'' and ''Final Fantasy X-2'', in addition to Yuna's version of the Mascot dressphere being a moogle in ''Final Fantasy X-2''. Moogles make an appearance in the ''Seiken Densetsu'' series as a race and/or as a status condition in ''[[Final Fantasy Adventure]]'', ''[[Secret of Mana]]'', and ''[[Seiken Densetsu 3]]'', and are mentioned in ''[[Sword of Mana]]''. They make an appearance in the Chocobo series in ''Chocobo no Fushigina Dungeon'', ''Chocobo's Dungeon 2'', ''Chocobo Racing'', and ''[[Chocobo Land: A Game of Dice]]''. They also appear in all four games of the ''[[Kingdom Hearts (series)|Kingdom Hearts]]'' series, which includes Moogles named after many famous characters from the series. Finally, a Moogle appears in ''[[Egg Monster Heroes]]'', while one is an unlockable character in ''[[Mario Hoops 3-on-3]]''. === Monsters === <!-- I completed a rough merge; it needs to be smoothed out a bit. --> Certain fictional monsters reappear frequently throughout the series, including Goblins, [[Oni (Japanese folklore)|Oni/Ogres/Gigas/Giants]], Bombs, Behemoths, Tonberries, Malboros, and Cactuars ("Sabotenders" in the Japanese version, after "saboten", the Japanese word for [[cactus]]). Summoned monsters—such as [[Bahamut (Final Fantasy)|Bahamut]]—as well as the elemental monsters—Shiva (ice) and [[Ifrit#Ifrit in Square Enix projects|Ifrit]] (fire)—have appeared in almost every title in the series. The lightning elemental has been represented by a variety of creatures, principally Ramuh but also Quetzalcoatl and Ixion. In ''Final Fantasy Tactics Advance'', the elemental monsters represent spells cast by Summoners (either the player's own, or those of rivals). In ''Final Fantasy XII'' the traditional summon monsters were changed but still made a cameo of sorts as the names of Archadian airships. 'The series borrows four creature types directly from the original version of [[Dungeons and Dragons]]: [[Beholder]]s, [[Illithid|Mindflayers]], [[Otyugh]]s and [[Sahuagin]]. Other monsters are based on creatures in the real world, such as wolves, wasps, piranhas, and others have amplified, deadlier versions appearing throughout the series. Other creatures are not necessarily harmful and may provide benefits to the player, such as the Magic Pot. Several entries in the series provide backstories on the origins and motives behind monsters. The backstory of the fiends and monsters given in-game (depending on the series) was first established in ''[[Final Fantasy VII]]'', where monsters are animals and some humans who have been exposed to a high degree of Mako. In ''[[Final Fantasy VIII]]'', monsters are sent to the game world from one of its moons via a burst of energy from the moon called the "Lunar Cry".<ref>'''Controller:''' The lunar world is a world of monsters. Didn't you learn that in school? As you can see, the monsters are gathering at one point. History's starting to repeat itself. The Lunar Cry is starting. (''[[Final Fantasy VIII]]'')</ref> In ''[[Final Fantasy IX]]'', monsters are spawned from the Mist, which is made up of the souls of the dead unable to pass on.<ref>'''Steiner:''' Surely even you must know something about the Mist! The vicious monsters it spawns! (''[[Final Fantasy IX]]'')</ref><ref>'''Garland:''' The Mist you see comprises the stagnant souls of Gaia. (''[[Final Fantasy IX]]'')</ref> In ''[[Final Fantasy X]]'' and ''[[Final Fantasy X-2]]'' these hostile monsters are better known as '''fiends''', which are monsters manifested from the restless spirits of the dead and driven by malice to devour those alive.<ref>'''Lulu:''' The dead need guidance. Filled with grief over their own death, they refuse to face their fate. They yearn to live on, and resent those still alive. You see, they envy the living. And in time, that envy turns to anger, even hate. Should these souls remain in Spira, they become fiends that prey on the living. Sad, isn't it? The sending takes them to the Farplane, where they may rest in peace. (''[[Final Fantasy X]]'')</ref> In FFX-2, these Fiends are classified by type.<ref name=FFX-2Type>Final Fantasy X-2 Guide, 315</ref> In ''[[Final Fantasy XII]]'', the monsters have differing origins; however, most of the more powerful variants (namely the particularly powerful 'Rare Game') are the result of a mutation caused by an overdose of any exposure to the Mist.<ref>'''Sage Knowledge 09: Mist:''' Naturally occurring energy, found in almost all regions of the world, affecting all living things, the climate, and even the land itself... The highest concentrations of Mist can even do damage, leading to over-rapid changes in the environment, and violent behavior among animals and those more sensitive to the Mist's effects. (''[[Final Fantasy XII]]'')</ref><ref>'''Sage Knowledge 63: Nabreus Deadlands:''' [D]ense Mist has given rise to all manner of bizarre flora and fauna of an invariably vicious temperament. (''[[Final Fantasy XII]]'')</ref> == Notes == {{Reflist}} == References == * {{cite book|author=Birlew, Dan|year=2000|title=FINAL FANTASY IX Official Strategy Guide|pages= |publisher=Brady Publishing | isbn=0744000416}} * {{cite book|author=Birlew, Dan|year=2001|title=Final Fantasy X Official Strategy Guide |pages= |publisher=BradyGAMES Publishing | isbn=0744001404}} * {{cite book|author=Birlew, Dan|year=2003|title=Final Fantasy X-2 Official Strategy Guide |pages= |publisher=BradyGAMES Publishing | isbn=0744002850}} * {{cite book|title=History of Zoroastrianism, Vol. I|last=Boyce|first=Mary|location=Leiden|publisher=Brill|year=1975|pages=}} * {{cite book|author=Cassady, David|year=1997|title=Official FINAL FANTASY VII Strategy Guide|pages= |publisher=Brady Publishing | isbn=1-56686-714-2}} * {{cite book|author=Cassady, David|year=1999|title=Official FINAL FANTASY VIII Strategy Guide|pages= |publisher=Brady Publishing | isbn=1-56686-903-X}} * {{cite web |author= Ong, Alicia |url=http://www.scribd.com/doc/3302245/Religions-Behind-Final-Fantasy |title=The Religions Behind Final Fantasy | date= March 22, 2001 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070317015750/http://shl.stanford.edu/Game_archive/StudentPapers/BySubject/A-I/F/FinalFanstasy/Ong_Alicia.pdf |archivedate=2007-03-17}} * {{cite book|author=Schmidt, Ken|year=2006|title=Final Fantasy III Official Strategy Guide |pages= |publisher=BradyGAMES Publishing | isbn=0744008484}} * {{cite web |author= Spoors, Glen |url=http://members.upnaway.com/~waldemar/Research/PhD%20(Submitted%20to%20Library).doc |title=Meaning and Emotion in Squaresoft’s Final Fantasy X: Re-Theorising “Realism” and “Identification” in Video Games | date= January 2005 |page=96 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070928043924/http://www.upnaway.com.au/~waldemar/Research/PhD+(Submitted+to+Library).doc |archivedate=2007-09-28}} {{Final Fantasy series}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Character Design Of Final Fantasy}} [[Category:Final Fantasy characters]] [[Category:Kingdom Hearts characters]] [[Category:Running gags]] [[ja:飛空艇]] [[th:โจโคโบะ]]'