Final Fantasy Characters: Designed for Attractiveness

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.

Why Nomura's Heroes Look Like Supermodels

Nomura's protagonists consistently possess a conventionally attractive aesthetic. But the reason isn't some deep artistic statement about beauty reflecting the soul; it's far more relatable. In a Young Jump interview (translated by AUTOMATON), Nomura traced his approach back to high school, citing a classmate's insightful question: "Why do I have to be ugly in the game world too?" This resonated deeply, shaping his belief that video games should offer an escape, including an escape from the mundane realities of appearance.

He explained his design philosophy succinctly: "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 merely vanity; Nomura believes visual appeal fosters player connection and empathy. He argues that unconventional designs can create characters too distinct for players to easily relate to.

However, Nomura doesn't shy away from eccentric designs entirely. He reserves his boldest, most outlandish creations for antagonists. Sephiroth from Final Fantasy VII, with his towering sword and dramatic flair, exemplifies this approach. Similarly, Kingdom Hearts' Organization XIII showcases Nomura's unrestrained creativity, where character personality and visual design are intrinsically linked.

"Yes, I like Organization XIII," Nomura 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."

Reflecting on Final Fantasy VII, Nomura admitted to a more unrestrained approach in his early career. Characters like Red XIII and Cait Sith, with their distinctive and less conventional designs, highlight this youthful creative freedom. However, even then, Nomura's attention to detail, from color choices to shapes, reveals a focus on imbuing personality into his creations.

"At the time, I was still young… so I just decided to make all the characters distinctive," Nomura remembered. "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 you encounter a strikingly attractive hero in a Nomura game, remember the simple origin of this design philosophy: a high school classmate's desire to look cool while saving the world.

Nomura's Potential Retirement and the Future of Kingdom Hearts

The interview also touched upon 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, stating, "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."