Best Character Designs in Final Fantasy, Ranked

Summary

• Lightning from Final Fantasy 13 is iconic due to her character design standing out in an otherwise divisive game.
• Kefka Palazzo from Final Fantasy 6 looks the part of a mad jester with an intimidating presence in his chaotic evil design.
• Cloud Strife from Final Fantasy 7 is iconic mainly for his spiky blonde hair and backstory, emphasizing his character design.

Final Fantasy is a series known for its amazing character designs that fans love. No matter how the franchise’s quality has dipped or swerved during its run, one thing that fans can unanimously agree on is that the art design has always been top-notch.

This makes some of the most notable heroes and villains in Final Fantasy all the more iconic. Their silhouette and garb are more than enough for players to identify these characters, showing the impact they’ve had on the gaming community.

Spoiler Warning: Some character and plot details are touched upon in several entries on the list.

8

Lightning (Final Fantasy 13)

Her Character Design Stands Out in a Divisive Game

• Appears in: Final Fantasy 13, Final Fantasy 13: Lightning Returns

The Final Fantasy 13 trilogy has its detractors, but fans can’t help but agree that the protagonist from two of the three games is as iconic as they come. Despite the unfair comparisons to Cloud, Lightning’s brooding personality and strong will turned her into an easy protagonist for players to like, after a point.

Her original look is great, although players love the variety of outfits she can wear in Lightning Returns. She is a strong and powerful female character in gaming, something that Final Fantasy was in dire need of after conforming to gender roles for the majority of its run.

7

Kefka Palazzo (Final Fantasy 6)

The Mad Jester Certainly Looks the Part

• Appears in: Final Fantasy 6

Kefka could’ve looked completely ridiculous, but Yoshitaka Amano ensured that this mad clown would look the part without losing his intimidating presence. From the very start of the game, it’s clear that this wild and unhinged character would serve as a major thorn in players’ sides.

He is the very definition of chaotic evil, something that is embodied in his character design. He betrays everyone standing in the way of him acquiring power, going so far as to become a pseudo-god who must be pulled down a peg after the heroes reunite in the World of Ruin.

6

Cloud Strife (Final Fantasy 7)

His Spiky Blonde Hair is Iconic

• Appears in: Final Fantasy 7, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7, Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

Cloud Strife is one of the most iconic characters in video games, mostly due to his role as the protagonist of Final Fantasy 7. His hairstyle is iconic, although the traditional Soldier garb he wears may not be as eye-catching as some other outfits that characters in this series wear.

Thankfully, the remakes do a great job of giving his outfit some identity, while Advent Children boasts the best Cloud look by far. However, in terms of the base game’s character design, Cloud is more iconic for his hair and his backstory than the rest of his character design, which is not a bad thing in the slightest.

5

Yuna (Final Fantasy 10)

Her Heterochromia and Mystical Outfit Highlight Her Role as a Sacrificial Summoner

• Appears in: Final Fantasy 10, Final Fantasy 10-2

Meant to embody the look and innocence of a shrine maiden, Yuna is one of the most beloved Final Fantasy characters whose personality can be discerned from a single look at her character design.

She is as noble and duty-bound as they come, which is why it was important for Tidus to be a part of her journey so that she could amass the strength to fight against fate. Her heterochromia makes for a nice detail to set her apart, and the peppy take on her default outfit in Final Fantasy 10-2 conveys a light-hearted side of her personality that was bound to develop in a world that isn’t facing a tragedy anymore.

4

Tifa Lockhart (Final Fantasy 7 Remake)

Boasts an Iconic Look That Turned Her into One of the Franchise’s Most Iconic Characters

• Appears in: Final Fantasy 7, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7, Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

While the accusations of her design being structured for male audiences are definitely true, there’s no denying that Tifa is one of the most iconic video game characters of all time, mainly because of her character design.

It conveys a sense of power and beauty that makes her one of the most exotic party members in the series. Her outfit is perfect for hand-to-hand combat, turning her into a blur of fists as she shines on the battlefield.

3

Vivi Ornitier (Final Fantasy 9)

The Quintessential Black Mage with Classic Character Design and a Tragic Story

• Appears in: Final Fantasy 9

What could’ve seemed like lazy character design turned into one of the best visual storytelling devices in the series. In a world where Black Mages are artificial creations, a sentient Vivi decides to seek answers about his origins and receives some tragic answers for all his troubles.

He meets more Black Mages who look like him, eventually happening upon a village that informs him of his cruelly short lifespan. Despite lacking any facial features, Vivi’s sadness and resilience can be felt in this moment as he refuses to let this stop him from saving the world, even if his days were numbered.

2

Squall Leonhart (Final Fantasy 8)

A Badass Jacket and a Ton of Belts Help This Character Stand Out as a Notable Protagonist

• Appears in: Final Fantasy 8

As much as fans may be split down the middle when it comes to Squall, fans can’t deny that his character design is over-the-top in the best way possible. Players familiar with Tetsuya Nomura’s character design know that he loves lathering his characters in belts and chains, and Squall is one of the most prominent examples of this.

Players may have their opinions, but Squall is a living personification of Nomura’s character design. Given Nomura’s legendary presence in the video game industry, it’s easy to see why this statement goes a long way in elevating Squall’s iconic design.

1

Sephiroth (Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth)

His Silver Hair and Massive Sword Make Him the Most Iconic Villain in the Series by a Country Mile

• Appears in: Final Fantasy 7, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7, Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

To this day, Sephiroth’s flowing silver locks and stupidly long sword will instill a sense of terror and awe in players. His look alone, coupled with his sinister gaze, helped Sephiroth become one of the most iconic video game villains of all time.

Later iterations of this character gave him a wing in his powered-up state, personifying his One-Winged Angel theme. It’s easy to see why Sephiroth has such an immense screen presence based on his character design alone, and fans were rightfully frustrated to see his appearances used so liberally in the remakes that he loses his mystique from the original game.