Explanation on the R=U theory?

[PhoenixAsh]

True, if we ignore the text then the idea seems a little less likely...but I could ignore alot of things in FFVIII and just as easily say that Quina = Ultimecia.

Yeah I know, I tried to phrase my point better to avoid that response... guess I failed . I know the text IS relevant, I just wanted to highlight that ignoring the text, the summoning of Griever from Squall's mind isn't actually that logical. Because the text is there (and it IS vague), it can be taken for granted that the mind explanation is completely reasonable, which arguably isn't the case.

Oh and those things on Adel's back look a lot like wings to me. I just wondered if that was an avenue worth venturing down, guess not .


finalfantasyguy4ever: licence answered most of your points, but to add:
"if ulti was rhinoa why would she attack rhinoa in the final batttle it would be like her attacking her self"

Yes it would. The assumption being that she doesn't recognise herself. Rinoa can not die unless you get a game over, so there is no way for a paradox to arise.

Hmmm, just a thought but maybe receiving soceress powers changes the person's appearance in different ways, varying from soceress to soceress.

For example - Adel is massive in height and muscular compared to Ulti who maintains a human form (until her final transformation) but simply gains black wings.

I think that it is generally taken for granted that something along those lines occurs. It doesn't exactly 'support' R=U, but it does at least help it seem less abstract an idea as Ultimecia had to start off normal looking (and arguably with a different name), R=U merely posits that the normal person was in fact Rinoa.


EDIT: Three whole posts since I started typing! I can see why the theory gets stick, and I have to say it appealed to me far more a couple of years ago, when I preferred stories a little darker. Now I quite like a happy ending . I'm mainly defending the theory now because I am yet to be convinced that it is made unlikely by the game, and I think it gets an unfair amount of stick. I would however agree that it is very unlikely given Ultimania. Arguments in this thread against it have certainly been stronger (or at least better phrased) than ones I remember from past threads though.