Article: Recurring Characters of Final Fantasy - Part I

[Night Fury]

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There are many recurring character archetypes throughout the Final Fantasy series, but one that seems to really divide people is that archetype I like to refer to as the ‘upbeat bratty teenager’. You probably have one in mind right about now. Who is it? Is it Selphie Tilmitt? Or perhaps it’s the annoying ninja thief of Final Fantasy VII, Yuffie Kisaragi. Whoever it is, you’re picturing her right now.

These characters are usually quite a bit younger than the rest of the cast, which of course makes them stick out like a sore thumb amongst the team. In Final Fantasy IX, Eiko Carrol, the game's token ‘upbeat bratty teenager’ is 6 – wait, she’s 6?! She’s not even close to being a teenager. Well, that shoots my theory in the foot, I may as well pack up and go home on this one. Basically, she’s still very significantly younger than the rest of the cast though, with Garnet/Dagger being 16 years old at the time of the game's plot. Also, you know that Final Fantasy IX was released in 2000, which would make Eiko 20 years old now! (Garnet/Dagger is 30!) Did I make you feel old? I almost can’t get over the fact that there is a 6 year old girl fighting monsters and saving the world in Final Fantasy IX.

Final Fantasy VI’s Relm Arrowny was 10 years old in the game, which is still far-fetched but more believable. She also falls under the upbeat bratty teenager archetype (despite not being a teenager) – she might actually be the brattiest of all the recurring brats in Final Fantasy, but as with the rest of them, she has a lot of heart too.

Relm is constantly scolding the other characters and coming out with some great sassy remarks – who can forget this gem? “Who is this puffed up aerobics instructor, anyway?” (To Sabin) Despite this, she still has a childlike innocence and great enthusiasm which pushes the party to succeed.

This enthusiasm is something else that all the brats have in common, they are optimistic and view the world with a glass that is very much full. Final Fantasy X’s Rikku takes optimism to the next level with her desire to be able to change the world. It is Rikku who first wants to change the pilgrimage to save Yuna, and it is only Rikku who is able to say out loud Yuna’s fate should they continue as they are.

The brats always seem to be pretty central to the story, but none more so than Final Fantasy XIII’s ‘brat’, Vanille. While she’s probably not to be considered bratty like Yuffie, Eiko, or Relm, she certainly holds that positive, innocent, upbeat-ness that they do all seem to share, and Vanille is massively important to the plot. She, along with Fang, sacrifices herself at the end of the game to become the crystal pillar to save Cocoon. Never has a character of this archetype had such importance.

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While we’re on the subject of Vanille, there is something else our young teens have in common… They can be pretty vocal. You know what I’m talking about, those strange squeaks and yelps when Vanille is fighting. Even Rikku has a few… arousing noises at her disposal in Final Fantasy X. What is with that?

So love or loathe the brats, they’re a pretty integral part of the Final Fantasy cookie cutter party. They might be made less of a brat in some games, and be given more importance in others, but they are a really big part of the Final Fantasy experience, undoubtedly. I personally love this character, in each of her incarnations. She adds a bit of zest to the game in the dark moments, and as with the later titles, she becomes a very special part of the team – often being the light in the plot’s darkness and leading the hero’s in the right direction, or in the case of Vanille, becoming the ultimate hero.

[Dat Matt]

The Bratty teenager archetype usually spawns my favourite characters. Yuffie, Relm, Eiko, Penelo there is usually one in every game and make it to my end game party, They are more energetic than the likes of the strong and silent male characters, so I click with them better.

[Formalhaut]

I actually quite like this archetype! I quite like Rikku and Penelo; Rikku for her optimism and humor, and Penelo for not being as annoying as Vaan and being quite level-headed (though hardly features to the story, unfortunately).

Also, good article! I look forward to the next one!

[Loony BoB]

I also like this archetype. Vanille, Selphie and Rikku are characters I always enjoyed having around (if only they suited my playing style I'd have used them even more). I don't feel Penelo fits the type, and I actually found Yuffie and Eiko a little annoying. I think Eiko is a bit young to fit the type, too, though.

For me it's more about how upbeat they are and how carefree they are. Yuffie could be quite negative compared to the likes of Rikku and Vanille. Or maybe that's just the way I felt at the time. Hard to say!

I feel it's important for FF games to have these kind of characters. Quite often the mood is low and you need someone like these girls (the closest to it for a guy would probably be... Vaan? Gau?) to motivate the party... and the player.

[metagloria]

Selphie

Others, not so much. I like Rikku, for the reasons mentioned - she's a notch above the bratty teen because she's very intelligent and integral to the story. Penelo and Vanille don't feel that bratty. Relm and Eiko are just annoying.