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

Tetsuya Nomura, the mind behind Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts character designs, recently revealed the surprisingly simple reason behind his consistently attractive protagonists. This isn't some deep artistic statement; it's far more relatable.

Why Tetsuya Nomura's Heroes Look Like Supermodels

A High School Truth Bomb Shaped JRPG History

Tetsuya Nomura's characters are famously attractive, often appearing as if they’ve just stepped off a runway. But why? It's not about some profound philosophical statement on beauty or an attempt at edginess. The answer is surprisingly straightforward.

In a recent 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.

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 appealing characters foster 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, this doesn't mean Nomura avoids eccentric designs entirely. He reserves his wilder experiments for villains. Sephiroth from Final Fantasy VII, with his towering sword and dramatic flair, is a prime example. The Organization XIII in Kingdom Hearts showcases this wild creativity.

"Yes, I like Organization XIII," he said. "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 his early designs were more unrestrained. Characters like Red XIII and Cait Sith were far from subtle. Yet, this youthful energy served the game well.

"At the time, I was still young… so I just decided to make all the characters distinctive," Nomura recalled. "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 see a strikingly attractive hero in a Nomura game, remember that simple high school comment—a desire to look good while saving the world. As Nomura might say, why be a hero if you can't look good doing it?

Tetsuya Nomura's Future and Kingdom Hearts' Conclusion

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 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." For more on Kingdom Hearts IV and its role in the series finale, see our related article.