"Final Fantasy Characters Designed to Be Attractive Due to Key Line"

Tetsuya Nomura, the visionary behind Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts, recently shared his straightforward approach to character design in an interview with Young Jump magazine. His philosophy isn't rooted in profound theories about beauty or the soul but stems from a simple, relatable desire to look good in the game world.

Why Tetsuya Nomura Designs His Heroes to Look Like They Just Stepped Off a Runway

Simple: ‘I Want to be Good-Looking in Games,’ Said Nomura

Tetsuya Nomura's protagonists are known for their striking, model-like appearances, which might seem superficial at first glance. However, Nomura's reasoning is grounded in a personal experience from his high school days. A classmate's offhand comment, "Why do I have to be ugly in the game world too?" resonated with him, shaping his belief that video games should provide an escape where players can identify with visually appealing characters.

Nomura elaborated: "From that experience, I thought, ‘I want to be good-looking in games,’ and that’s how I create my main characters."

This approach isn't just about vanity; it's about fostering empathy. Nomura believes that players are more likely to connect with characters they find attractive. 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."

While Nomura keeps his heroes conventionally attractive, he unleashes his creativity on the villains. Characters like Sephiroth from Final Fantasy VII and the members of Kingdom Hearts' Organization XIII showcase his flair for bold, distinctive designs. Nomura noted, "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, Nomura admitted that his approach to Final Fantasy VII was more unrestrained. Characters like Red XIII and Cait Sith were products of his youthful creativity. He recalled, "At the time, I was still young… so I just decided to make all the characters distinctive. I am very particular about the basis (for character designs) right down to the smallest details, like why this part is this color, and why this is a certain shape. These details become part of the character’s personality, which in the end become part of the game and its story."

So, the next time you're playing a Nomura game and marveling at the hero's runway-ready looks, remember it's all thanks to a friend's simple wish to look cool while saving the world. As Nomura might put it, why be a hero if you can't look good doing it?

Tetsuya Nomura’s Retirement and the Future of Kingdom Hearts

In the same interview, Nomura hinted at his potential retirement as the Kingdom Hearts series approaches its conclusion. He's been integrating new writers to bring fresh perspectives to the series. 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."

For more insights on how Kingdom Hearts IV aims to reboot the series and set the stage for its grand finale, check out our detailed article below!