Final Fantasy Characters Are Hot on Purpose Because of a Simple Line

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 unconventional character design philosophy.

Why Nomura's Heroes Look Like Supermodels

Nomura's protagonists consistently boast supermodel-level attractiveness. But the reason isn't some deep artistic statement about beauty reflecting the soul, or a deliberate attempt at edginess. It's far more relatable.

In an interview with Young Jump magazine (translated by AUTOMATON), Nomura traced his design philosophy 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 stated: "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 explained, "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 wild creativity for antagonists. Sephiroth from Final Fantasy VII, with his towering sword and dramatic flair, exemplifies this. Similarly, Kingdom Hearts' Organization XIII showcases Nomura's unrestrained design energy.

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."

Looking back at Final Fantasy VII, Nomura admits a more unrestrained approach in his younger years. Characters like Red XIII and Cait Sith, with their distinctive designs, highlight this early creative freedom. He reflected: "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 attractive hero in a Nomura game, remember the high school comment that sparked this design philosophy: looking good while saving the world.

Nomura's Potential Retirement and the Future of Kingdom Hearts

The Young Jump interview also hinted at Nomura's potential retirement in the coming years, as the Kingdom Hearts series approaches its conclusion. He's actively incorporating new writers to bring 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."