Why Final Fantasy Characters Are Designed to be Attractive

Tetsuya Nomura, the mastermind behind Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts character designs, recently revealed the surprisingly simple reason behind his characters' striking good looks. This article delves into his unconventional design philosophy.

Why Nomura's Heroes Look Like Supermodels

Nomura's protagonists consistently resemble high-fashion models, a stark contrast to the perilous worlds they inhabit. But the reason isn't some profound artistic statement. It's far more relatable.

In an interview with Young Jump magazine (translated by AUTOMATON), Nomura traced his approach 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 offer an escape from reality.

He explained, "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. Nomura believes visual appeal fosters player connection and empathy. He stated, "If you go out of your way to make them unconventional, you will end up with a character who is too distinct and hard to empathize with."

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, perfectly exemplifies this. Similarly, Kingdom Hearts' Organization XIII showcases Nomura's unrestrained creativity.

He commented, "Yes, I like Organization XIII... 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 his earlier work in Final Fantasy VII, Nomura admitted a more unrestrained approach. Characters like Red XIII and Cait Sith, with their unique and memorable designs, demonstrate his youthful creative freedom.

He reminisced, "At the time, I was still young… so I just decided to make all the characters distinctive... 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 handsome hero in a Nomura game, remember that seemingly simple high school comment. As Nomura might say, why be a hero if you can't look good doing it?

Nomura's Potential Retirement and the Future of Kingdom Hearts

The Young Jump interview also touched upon Nomura's potential retirement in the coming years, coinciding with the Kingdom Hearts series nearing its conclusion. He's actively incorporating new writers to inject 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."