The 15 Most Popular Final Fantasy Characters (2023)

The Final Fantasy characters we love the most!

Final Fantasy has been around for as long as we can remember, and while it has taken a toll on recent games, this iconic franchise holds a special place in our hearts. Let's take a step back and appreciate some of our favorite characters.

Now, when I say popular, I don't just mean everyone's favorite. We talk about good, bad and ugly popularity.

15. Cecil Harvey (Final Fantasy IV)

For starters, we turned our resident Dark Knight into the FFIV Paladin. The game follows the story of our main protagonist, Cecil, who leads a military group to steal crystals for his king, but ends up realizing that he is working for the wrong side. He and his team discover that the stolen crystals offer the people of the moon a way to conquer Earth.

For a game with a relatively simple and straightforward story, Square has done a fantastic job of bringing unique character traits to generic archetypes. Cecil is especially loved for being a character who grows into someone who acts on his beliefs instead of blind loyalty. What makes her redemption story so unique is that it wasn't just an internal struggle, but someone whose actions had very real consequences.

You will witness the culmination of his development as he must overcome his own past by defeating his own Dark Knight. The best part is that he doesn't succeed by fighting, but by holding his ground and not raising his sword. For a game released in the 90s, it was something very powerful and meaningful. Cecil and FFIV really were ahead of their time.

14. Vivi Ornitier (Final Fantasy IX)

Vivi is FFIX's lovable dark mage whose popularity rivals even that of the main protagonist. She is one of many black magicians mass-produced for use as a weapon of war. However, Vivi was separated and adopted by a Qu. Her curiosity led him to venture around the world until he joined the main characters' quest to find the lost princess.

While it's basically the rule of the internet that all cute characters must be loved to death, it also has some of the best character development in the game. At first, you'll just see him as a naive, unassuming character who only moves clumsily, but he slowly gains more confidence as the games progress. The height of his character's arc is when he begins to question his very existence, especially when he learns about the nature of his species. FFIX is basically about existentialism, and this becomes apparent as Vivi starts to develop her own sense of morality and identity.

Also help this clueless little guy cast the deadliest spell on any enemy in sight.

13. Balthier (Final Fantasy XII)

One of the most debated issues in FFXII is who the game's main character really is. Well, Balthier makes it pretty clear who the true hero of this story is. He is a sky pirate who commands the party's airship and helps the hero start a resistance against the Archadian Empire.

Educated and astute, he doesn't just talk when he says he's the protagonist. For most of the game, he is the one acting. Everyone likes him because he's smart and strategic in everything he does, unlike the usual ruthless heroes we're used to seeing. It's hard not to love him when he's practically stealing the spotlight with his cocky attitude and general sass (especially when you hear Gideon Emery put it).

In the game, he is the son of Cidolfus Demen Bunansa, a scientist responsible for most of the Archadian Empire's war technology, and has since left to become an air pirate. Despite helping the princess, he manages to loot as much treasure as possible in this adventure. He's little more than just a thief, as he chooses to stay behind with his partner to prevent a giant airship from crashing into a city.

12. Terra Brandford (Final Fantasy VI)

FFVI definitely has some of the most memorable and unique characters in the series, but Terra gets special attention as a main character. The game is about a rebel group trying to stop the Gestahlian Empire from taking over the world. Magic is the key to their success, and at the center of it is Terra, a half-human, half-spherical amnesiac.

Firstly, there is no doubt that it has one of the best designs in the entire franchise. Whimsical and feminine, but also relatively practical and non-sexualized, its design is unique and appropriate for its story. What also makes him so popular is the depth and variety of emotions he brings throughout the game. Terra has incredible development as she struggles with the notion of being a semi-powerful magical being and a former Imperial slave. This amnesiac girl easily won everyone's hearts as she learned more about herself and the concept of love.

Don't think that her pursuit of "love" also makes her a romance-obsessed girl! In a startling discovery, she finds it not in a man, but in caring for orphans. She became the benchmark of strong, compassionate women for future Final Fantasy games.

11. Squall Leonhart (Final Fantasy VIII)

Next is our eccentric protagonist from FFVIII. Squall is a teenager who grew up in a military academy to become a skilled mercenary. He and his party were assigned to support a resistance group. Eventually, it becomes a mission to stop a sorceress from the future from compressing time and space and effectively destroying life on the planet. At the same time, he also learns to be more open as his feelings for Rinoa develop.

A lot of people tend to dismiss Final Fantasy's new characters as scared pretty boys, and Squall has to be the worst offender of that trope. It's hard not to be popular when you impersonate just about every dark, brooding teenager of your era. That, along with his iconic "whatever" quotes and some ellipsis, made him stick in everyone's minds. He also has a cool design, a cool weapon, and grew up in a military academy. It all adds up to a badass textbook that everyone loves.

Ironically, despite all the traits that make him attractive, his best moments are when he starts to leave you behind. Being an orphan with almost no memories definitely gives him a reason to be so isolated, but that all changed when he met Rinoa. He really didn't care about anything anymore, but he did everything he could to help the love of his life. He even asks to be sent back in time to rescue her.

10. Punishment (Final Fantasy VI)

Kefka is the mad general of the Gestahlian Empire and its main antagonist in FFVI. In the first half of the game, he tries to conquer the world, one kingdom at a time. He doesn't care how he does it or who he kills (even if it's his own men). His utter disregard for human life escalates to the point where he causes the mass genocide of Espers and the destruction of the planet. Evil in its purest and sadistic form, Kefka is considered one of the best villains in video games.

He is a psychotic, loud and ill-tempered nihilist who just wants the world to burn in the most destructive and over the top ways. All of this is the result of years of experimentation that finally put it to the test. Torture and mass murder is his thing. He even likes it like it's just a game to him, which makes you wonder what the hell the kids were playing back then.

Still don't understand how cruel this guy is? We're talking about "putting poison in water to kill an entire kingdom while composing poems about the screams of the dying", cruel. And that was before he became a god and turned the planet into a world of wastelands, burning forests and polluted waters.

9. Tifa Lockhart (Final Fantasy VII)

Even if you haven't played a single Final Fantasy game, you've no doubt come across her name as one of the toughest women in gaming. Tifa is one of the main actresses of FFVII and a childhood friend of the main character. She is also a member of the eco-terrorist group AVALANCHE and the one who recruits Cloud, the main hero. Together, they try to stop the super soldier Sephiroth from summoning a meteorite that will destroy the planet.

As much as we'd like to believe that humans are better, we can't deny that their design is one of the main reasons for their popularity. More than her sex appeal, she is also an impressive martial artist who can knock out a monster twice her size with her fists alone. It helps that she also literally has the third highest power stat in the game. It's no wonder she's often found on the same list of strong, independent women alongside the likes of Lara Croft and Samus.

Despite her appearance, Tifa is actually much more reserved and acts as an emotional support at the party. Her empathy goes so far that he stays behind to care for our seemingly brain-dead hero and help him regain his memories.

8. Tidus (Final Fantasy X)

FFX's success and overall positive reception became a gateway for the game's protagonist to shine. In the game, he is the goofy, high-energy blitzball player lost in the world of Spira. He offers to protect summoner Yuna on her journey to defeat Sin, the beast that terrorizes the land.

In terms of personality, he is very different from the last three main actors, and this sometimes negatively affects his popularity. You'll see a lot of people complaining about how boring he is or how weird his outfit is. It really doesn't help that he was forced back to life after such a memorable death. Other than that, he really matures and develops really well by the end of the game.

Tidus has his scary moments, namely a forced laugh scene with Yuna. While he is well aware that Yuna is expected to lay down her life for peace, he is also trying to find ways to keep her alive. They finally realize that their roles are reversed and that if they defeat the big boss, he himself will disappear. His maturity and overall development over the course of the game is really why people are starting to appreciate him more and more.

7. Yuna (Final Fantasy X)

If you ask other people I'm sure they'll say that Yuna was a much better lead in FFX than Tidus was. There's no denying that the story was as much hers as it was his. In the first game, she is a summoner who goes on a pilgrimage to gather powerful beings called Aeons. They are expected to use these ages to defeat Sin and bring about lasting peace.

In a world of... questionable fashion choices, her summoner outfit was a creative and well-designed version of the kimono beloved by fans both in Japan and abroad. At first glance, she appears soft-spoken and shy, but hides a strong need to bring peace, even at the cost of her life. Seeing her come into her own outside of religion and the depth of emotion she has during the pilgrimage is what we really love about her.

While some people might see this as a step backwards, leading the first group of girls in FFX-2 definitely puts them in the spotlight. Folks, call it fanservice or whatever, but there's no denying she looks great (plus she's 19, let her experiment with her clothes!).

In the end, it's really admirable to see someone who is forced to marry or accept death just to bring peace. Defeating the beast that has plagued the planet for a thousand years may be his greatest achievement, but his most iconic scene is that final moment when Tidus disappears.

6. Aerith Gainsborough (Final Fantasy VII)

Everyone knows her, the flower girl whose death shook the gaming world. Two decades later, Healer remains one of the most recognizable and recognizable faces in gaming, even to those who haven't played it. He is one of the most important characters in the FFVII universe. Aerith is the last of an ancient, magical race that harnessed the planet's life force to cultivate the land. This made her a target for the Shinra Electric Company, who wanted to exploit her power.

Their character, gameplay, and (obviously) story make them really relevant even after all these years. Anyone who's played knows that she's more than just a throwaway character who brings adult players to tears, she's also an important and extremely useful member of the party. His high magic, healing, and stat boosting abilities are unrivaled by anyone else in the game. Plus, her bubbly nature only made her more adorable.

His iconic moment was when he prayed to invoke Holy, a powerful spell to stop the oncoming meteor. A second later, our villain charges from who knows where and stabs them with a 6 foot sword. This effectively became one of the most memorable moments in gaming history. Even in death, his spirit uses the planet's life force to prevent the destructive alien force from reaching the planet.

5. Auron (Final Fantasy X)

There really is something to be said for not even being the protagonist or even the deuteragonist, but you'll still become everyone's favorite character in the game. Auron is a former warrior monk and a mentor of sorts to the FFX team. He is also the one who takes our protagonist to the world of Spira to save the planet.

For all his samurai presence, Auron exudes coolness and badass, and he doesn't even have to try that hard. He has a no-nonsense, no-nonsense demeanor with some of the best dialogue in the game. It also helps to have incredible amounts of HP and Attack right from the start of the game. He can practically cause tornadoes with the power of his sword. The fact that he is actually a dead ghost looking after his friends' children is also what makes him such a remarkable character.

Renowned for being the greatest Guardian that ever lived, his loyalty and devotion are demonstrated when, through sheer force of will, he manages to remain in the mortal realm. For most of the game, he is the one who keeps everyone on the right path until they defeat the beast that plagues Spira.

4. Sefirot (Final Fantasy VII)

Of course, a great series like FFVII deserves a villain as good as Sephiroth. Prior to the game, he was a well-known soldier and war hero who freaks out when he discovers his true origins. This sends him on a killing spree and he plans to summon a powerful destructive force called Meteor to harm the planet. He will then attempt to use this to absorb the planet's life force and become a god.

Maybe it's that disgustingly long sword, maybe it's his dramatic theme song, or maybe his seductively flowing hair, but his name keeps popping up on everyone's favorite villain lists. But actually, it's not just about aesthetics. Despite being a former hero, he eventually moves on, leaving a trail of death and destruction in his wake. The way his actions were portrayed throughout the game makes him truly endearing.

Sephiroth's fierce and menacing presence was captured incredibly well in FFVII. From finding an impaled Midgar Zolom, an incredibly difficult mini-boss, to burning down an entire city and nearly all of its inhabitants, the game makes it abundantly clear just how powerful and relentless it is. There is also, of course, the biggest crime of all, which is killing our best member of the group, Aerith.

3. Bombardment (Final Fantasy XIII)

The FFXIII series went through a difficult time and much criticism. Lightning, the main protagonist of FXIII, has also become the target of fandom backlash. She begins as a soldier who goes rogue trying to save her sister, who is being branded by the gods, effectively making her a target for social cleansing.

Lightning was designed to look a lot like a female cloud attempt, so that might have something to do with how popular it is. People either love them or hate them to death. She has her quirks, namely her character design is very good and the gameplay. However, it was criticized for being cold, boring, and superficial, particularly for a character who owns three games. If the hate is mostly just a follower or a legitimate dislike for the character/game, I'll leave that up to you.

However, one thing we can all agree on is that she is a tough, strong leader who would fight through literally anything. She's been through so much in the last three games that it's honestly really hard to sum it up. However, her true strength of character shines through when he finally severs the ties between human souls and the gods and creates a free new world.

2. Night Light Sky (Final Fantasy XV)

Second comes the main protagonist of FFXV. Although the game is relatively new, we all got hooked and excited to meet Noctis a decade ago. He is the crown prince of the kingdom of Lucis and the crystal's chosen savior. He initially goes to Altissia with his friends to marry Lunafreya as part of a peace treaty, but it escalates into an invasion of the Lucis capital, Insomnia. He and his retinue then set out to collect the weapons of previous kings and win the gods' mercy to defeat the Niflheim empire.

In hindsight, Noctis seems like another brooding and anxious protagonist, like some that have come before. What we got was an idiotic, socially awkward prince who plays video games and fishes way too much. But, if we're honest, many people love the result. Of course, some still want the darker, edgier Noct of 2006, but a significant number of people say he's a more relatable person now.

You can call this game a glorious journey, but Noct and his brothers have a lot of action ahead of them. Outside of the main story, he fought a literal monster the size of a mountain and ancient demons. In the main story, he fought some of your favorite Final Fantasy summons (which count as gods in FFXV) and saved the planet from eternal darkness.

1. Cloud Fight (Final Fantasy VII)

Strong and similar characters have come and gone, but Cloud remains the most popular Final Fantasy character. Some may have marketing and hype to back them up, but Cloud has veteran support and sentimentality on its side. He is the hero and face of FFVII (and for a time the face of Final Fantasy). The game is about his journey to stop Sephiroth from summoning the meteor that threatens the planet.

I firmly believe that Cloud's popularity is the result of all the right parties coming together at the right time. FFVII was a groundbreaking game at the time, featuring fun and unique gameplay for the time. He was also a well-developed character with a complex backstory and an attention-grabbing design. Also, the previous trend was towards dark and mysterious characters. There are also all the gameplay elements associated with it, such as its signature move, the omnislash, and the most powerful summon in the game, the Knights of the Round.

However, we cannot market everything. He went through emotional trauma, experimentation and an identity crisis that gave him a wide range of emotions in the various games and movies. It's about fighting a super soldier who is summoning an alien force to destroy the planet.

Is he the best FF character out there? Probably not. But here's a guy whose game contains an anime, a movie, prequels, sequels, and a slew of other games, so his name will keep popping up every time we talk about Final Fantasy.

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