Summary
- Final Fantasy characters have dwindled in importance in Kingdom Hearts, giving way to original characters.
- Final Fantasy characters from various games make cameo appearances in Kingdom Hearts, though not as prominently as before.
- Key Final Fantasy characters like Setzer, Vivi, and Auron have made appearances in Kingdom Hearts, with varying levels of significance.
In the early 2000s, the announcement of “Kingdom Hearts” seemed absurd when it was featured in magazines, as people found it hard to believe that Final Fantasy characters would interact with Disney characters. Yet, the game’s success has proven its initial skepticism wrong. Previously, Final Fantasy characters played a significant role in the series, but now, they have taken a backseat, allowing original characters such as Sora and Riku to shine more prominently. The anticipation for “Kingdom Hearts 4” remains high, even though there has been no official news about its release yet.
As we all wait with bated breath for the upcoming announcement, let’s take a look at some of the most notable characters from the Final Fantasy series. We’ll focus solely on main characters, so you won’t find mentions of recurring names like Biggs, Wedge, or Wantz, or creatures like Moogles. Each character has a unique presence in the games, and we’ll be focusing on their most significant appearances.
To keep things simple, we’ll avoid delving into the retellings from Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories and Kingdom Hearts: Re:Coded. Instead, we’ll rank each character based on their appearances game by game. For those who prefer to maintain the element of surprise, be warned: This overview is a spoiler alert for any Final Fantasy character cameos!
5. Final Fantasy 6
A Big Party Shrunken
- Setzer: First Appearance Kingdom Hearts 2
In the primary series of games, Final Fantasy 6, boasts one of the most extensive casts of playable characters. Regrettably, in the game Kingdom Hearts, this rich roster is significantly underrepresented, with only one character, Setzer, making an appearance. Interestingly, Setzer isn’t initially presented as a main character, but rather as a gambler who also operates an airship that the party requires.
In the game “Kingdom Hearts 2”, Setzer was initially introduced during Roxas’ debut and could be battled in the tournament. However, after this one appearance, he did not show up again in that game or any other titles. Given that the tournament featured younger characters, it might have been more fitting to include Gau or Relm in its place.
4. Final Fantasy 9
A Mage Stands Alone
- Vivi: First Appearance Kingdom Hearts 2
Similar to how Final Fantasy 6 is not extensively portrayed in the series, Final Fantasy 9 also doesn’t have many characters appearing prominently. The only character from it that shows up is Vivi, who took part in Roxas’ tournament together with Setzer and others. Unlike the usual Black Mage abilities we’re accustomed to seeing, Vivi didn’t showcase his magical prowess during this fight; instead, it was a more physical battle using foam bats.
It might have been more logical to involve Eiko too, so they could interact with each other. Perhaps in a future game, Vivi could reappear alongside other characters from “Final Fantasy 9” and demonstrate his full potential.
3. Final Fantasy 8
Hiding In Plain Sight
- Fuu: First Appearance Kingdom Hearts 2
- Raijin: First Appearance Kingdom Hearts 2
- Seifer: First Appearance Kingdom Hearts 2
- Selphie: First Appearance Kingdom Hearts
- Squall (Leon): First Appearance Kingdom Hearts
In its initial outing, Final Fantasy 8 introduced us to Sora on Destiny Islands. Among his childhood companions was Selphie, who was portrayed as a younger version of herself in the game. Interestingly, Selphie makes a brief appearance alongside Kairi in a cutscene from Kingdom Hearts 2. Additionally, we encountered Squall in the first game, but he went by the alias Leon.
In Traverse Town, he joined forces with Aerith, Yuffie, Cid, and even Squall, who showed up during the Re Mind DLC for Kingdom Hearts 3. Previously, in Kingdom Hearts 2, Fuu, Raijin, and Seifer made an appearance, portraying their youthful selves within Roxas’ crusade. Similar to Setzer, they were opponents in the tournament, but were notably more talkative.
2. Final Fantasy 10
A Close Second To Seven
- Auron: First Appearance Kingdom Hearts 2
- Paine: First Appearance Kingdom Hearts 2
- Riku: First Appearance Kingdom Hearts 2
- Tidus: First Appearance Kingdom Hearts
- Wakka: First Appearance Kingdom Hearts
- Yuna: First Appearance Kingdom Hearts 2
In terms of the playable characters, Final Fantasy 10 has a notable presence throughout the series. Characters such as Selphie, Tidus, and Wakka were initially depicted as younger versions on Destiny Islands in the first game, where they interacted with Sora in some battles. Unlike Selphie, however, Tidus and Wakka did not grow older and reappear again in subsequent games.
In Kingdom Hearts 2, I took on a role reminiscent of Cloud’s from the first game, getting duped into working for Hades, the villain from Hercules’ tale. However, after realizing my mistake, I switched sides and teamed up with Sora temporarily as a party member. Even Yuna, Rikku, and Paine were present in the sequel, but their appearance was quite peculiar. They transformed into tiny fairies and provided support during some scenes set in Radiant Garden, assisting me behind the scenes.
1. Final Fantasy 7
Seven Characters For The Seventh Entry
- Aerith: First Appearance Kingdom Hearts
- Cid: First Appearance Kingdom Hearts
- Cloud: First Appearance Kingdom Hearts
- Sephiroth: First Appearance Kingdom Hearts
- Tifa: First Appearance Kingdom Hearts 2
- Yuffie: First Appearance Kingdom Hearts
- Zack: First Appearance Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep
In the realm of Final Fantasy 7, one could easily say it’s a fan favorite, which is why it holds a significant place in Kingdom Hearts. Characters like Aerith, Yuffie, and Cid were incorporated into Traverse Town where they formed a resistance against the Heartless in the initial game. As the story unfolds, Sora encounters Cloud in Olympus Coliseum, a world inspired by Hercules’s tales. Later on, Sephiroth, who was initially hidden, becomes an optional boss that can be unlocked during the gameplay.
In “Kingdom Hearts 2”, familiar faces reappear with Tifa joining the cast, on a quest to find Cloud. Many characters undergo a redesign, reflecting their looks from the film “Final Fantasy 7: Advent Children”. Zack makes his appearance in Olympus Coliseum, but he is depicted as a younger version of himself during the storyline of “Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep”. Lastly, Aerith, Yuffie, and Cid show up in “Kingdom Hearts 3”, albeit briefly during the DLC storyline called “Re Mind”.
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2025-05-22 12:48