Top 10 FF Character Themes: #8, Beatrix's Themes

I start off Number 8 with a very simple question: Does anybody who has completed Final Fantasy IX dislike Beatrix? I emphasise the word "completed" as if you're only halfway through and she's merrily blasting you down to 1 HP while calling you an insect, then no doubt you're not her biggest fan.

I say themes, because it does appear in two songs on the Final Fantasy IX soundtrack, and I'm including them both because I want to show you how the same song can have such different meanings. Here's the first one, Rose of May:


Neither fast nor slow in tempo, this is a purely piano piece that stays with you. Everybody I've spoken to says the song makes them feel differently. Some say it is a sad song, others say it is more stoic or proud, and others still say it is calm and peaceful. As for your humble narrator, it makes me think of courage, but it is rather sad too, I feel.

An interesting piece of trivia for this song is that it is often called "Loss of Me", amusingly results from a bit of Engrish. It's actually a really fitting title for Beatrix, given who she is and her storyline.


This is another song which has multiple translations, Something to Protect or sometimes Protecting my Devotion. Sad is not a word you could to describe it! It's upbeat, it's fun, it's energetic... it's in direct contrast with the intense fight to save Alexandria that is raging. But then, it's not meant to reflect the action.

This song belts out when the Steiner-Beatrix tag team is unleashed upon the Mistodons and also the Final Fantasy playing audience. Badass, touching and downright hilarious all in one go, as the duo face overwhelming odds and realise how they feel about each other. That is what this song is trying to say, and it says it with aplomb. Cracking stuff.


This is katethegreat19. I'm not going to say anything about this, because my words will not do her creation any justice at all. Just listen.


Going back to my original question, how can you not like Beatrix? In a game series that has seen some rather weak female characters in the past, she is strong, confident and capable. Yet rather than play to another cliché, the tough tomboy, she's also loving, compassionate and so feminine. I'm obviously not in a position to comment, but I imagine she has been a real role model for some of the female gamers who grew up on Final Fantasy.

Her story, the choice between doing your duty and doing what you think is right is also a fantastic one. I am sure this was intentional, but General Beatrix's story can draw direct comparison with that of General Leo in FFVI. Unlike Leo's unfortunate end, we can see Beatrix grow as a character and learn to like the enemy General who repeatedly stomped us into the dirt.

8. Beatrix
9. Snow
10. Bartz