Best Coming Of Age Stories In Final Fantasy

Key Takeaways

Protagonists from the Final Fantasy series undergo significant personal growth journeys leading to maturity.
Characters such as Noctis and Cloud all learn to embrace their responsibilities and face their pasts.
Themes of coming of age and self-discovery are prevalent, with each character experiencing unique challenges.

In the grand tapestry of our beloved Square Enix games, the characters we meet along the way are as diverse as they are memorable. Each one embarks on a unique journey that often sees them grow and mature over time. I’ve always been particularly fond of the way these characters evolve, and today, I’d like to share some insights into eight characters who have undergone remarkable transformations.

In addition to its famous boss fights and captivating narratives, the Final Fantasy series has earned a reputation for its well-developed characters. Many significant figures within this series frequently undergo growth throughout their individual tales, with a common motif being the process of maturing and understanding what it entails to be an adult in the world they inhabit.

Many main characters have experienced this personal journey, yet even lesser-known supporting characters have undergone growth and development throughout the narrative. As the plot unfolds, each character, despite their unique circumstances, has been compelled to mature personally.

1 Noctis

A Young And Spoiled Prince Who Comes To Accept The Weight On His Shoulders

As Final Fantasy 15 begins, Noctis initially appears as a pampered prince who hasn’t outgrown his entitled teenage ways, even though he is on the verge of becoming a king. However, after his father’s death and his kingdom being under attack, Noctis goes through a mental turmoil as he grapples with understanding the upheaval in his world.

Again and again, Gladio and Ignis remind Noctis that during these tough moments, he can’t merely wallow in despair and blame others. Essentially, the storyline of Final Fantasy 15 revolves around Noctis learning the true weight of being a royal, and the significant duties that accompany this status.

2 Tidus

Being Thrust Into The World Of Spira Helps Tidus Mature As A Character

In comparison to other “Final Fantasy” main characters, Tidus stands out as one who begins with a significant level of immaturity. Upon being swept away by Sin into an unfamiliar world, Tidus’ method of dealing with his bewilderment is to make light-hearted jokes, mock the faith of Yevon, and behave in ways that are not only unconventional but also disregard societal expectations.

In Tidus’ world, he was a well-known Blitzball player with enough wealth to behave somewhat selfishly. However, this all transforms upon his journey, known as the Pilgrimage. During his time with the Guardians, Tidus undergoes significant emotional growth and learns to let go of past memories, particularly those related to his father, Jecht. By the game’s end, Tidus comes to terms with Jecht, acknowledging him in a heartfelt manner.

3 Red XIII

Discovering His Father’s Fate Pushes Red XIII To Be A Strong And Brave Warrior

Red XIII may first appear as one of the more serious characters in the Final Fantasy 7 team, but upon reaching Cosmo Canyon, players will realize he’s only 48, equivalent to a teenager in human years. Despite having gone through many hardships, such as Hojo’s experiments, it isn’t until he returns home and encounters his father’s lifeless body that Red XIII decides to embark on a new phase of his life.

Following the revelation that his father bravely waged battle against the treacherous Gi tribe, leading to his tragic demise, Red XIII vows to the moon, expressing his aspiration to someday embody the valor of his father as a distinguished warrior. Initially coming off as reserved and guarded upon meeting Cloud and their companions, Red XIII eventually learns the essence of being a noble and mature representative of his tribe, ultimately proving himself as a trusted member of their collective group.

4 Terra

Terra Embarks On A Journey To Restore Her Agency

In the opening scenes of Final Fantasy 6, Terra finds herself in a rather uncomfortable predicament. Having been manipulated and utilized as a tool of war by Kefka with the aid of the Slave Crown, Terra wakes up without much recollection of her past. As a result, she exhibits little emotion at the start of the game, but as she gradually becomes aware of the gravity of the situation and the impending danger posed by the Empire, her self-assurance blossoms, and her newfound maturity starts to manifest itself.

In contrast to most Final Fantasy heroes who have a somewhat vague objective, Terra’s narrative is deeply personal and revolves around her struggle for self-determination as a human being. Through the storyline, we witness Terra evolving from a helpless young girl into an inspiring role model, ultimately gaining control over her life by the conclusion.

5 Squall

Squall Learns To Overcome The Haunting Memories Of His Childhood

Initially, Squall isn’t particularly friendly towards players. Despite spending numerous years in the SEED garden, he tends to keep his distance from people and frequently expresses dissatisfaction with others. His aloof demeanor is largely due to his past as a child who was abandoned by everyone, even his family, resulting in him growing up as a solitary orphan.

In essence, a significant portion of Final Fantasy 8 revolves around the character development of Squall, who finds himself thrust into tumultuous situations that gradually coax him out of his shell and encourage him to take responsibility for his actions. For instance, the SEED exam compels Squall to work alongside individuals he initially disliked, thereby showing him the simplicity of forming connections. This is merely one instance among many, where Squall learns to transcend his past and embrace his newfound maturity.

6 Hope

Hope Matures Into A Dependable And Confident Party Member By The End Of Final Fantasy 13

At the beginning of Final Fantasy 13, when Hope experiences his mother’s demise, his initial reaction is to assign fault and blame someone for his sorrow. Throughout the game, Snow, a fellow teammate, often becomes Hope’s focus of blame, despite the fact that Snow didn’t deliberately take Hope’s mother’s life in cold blood.

After Snow couldn’t be defeated and the mission suffered as a result, Hope gradually understands that blaming others and seeking revenge won’t bring back his mother. By midway through the story, Hope is compelled to acknowledge that sometimes the world can behave cruelly, causing him to release his juvenile anger and focus on the future instead. The fact that he’s the only party member who doesn’t reconnect with their loved one in the final cutscene, yet accepts this outcome without issue, demonstrates just how much personal growth Hope has undergone since the beginning.

7 Cloud

Cloud Can’t Keep Playing Pretend Forever, As Much As He’d Like To

Cloud might seem like a composed and tough character, but beneath that exterior lies a deeply troubled individual. The devastation of his village, the Mako poisoning, and the loss of Zack have left such a profound impact on him that he has come to believe he was once an elite SOLDIER. However, as the story unfolds in Final Fantasy 7, it is revealed that Cloud never actually joined SOLDIER; instead, he fell short of fulfilling his promise to Tifa long ago.

Due to his mental issues, he assumes a false identity to evade dealing with them. However, his friends inspire him to confront his problems instead of fleeing from them. By the time he battles Sephiroth for the last time, Cloud undergoes such profound personal transformation that he becomes an entirely different person.

8 Clive

Clive Must Let Go Of His Unrelenting Thirst For Revenge To Grow And Develop

In the realm of Final Fantasy 16, I find myself growing alongside the character, Clive, albeit not physically. Even after the passage of time marked by the timeskip, Clive’s emotional growth continues unabated. The tragic demise of his brother, Joshua, propels him into a quest for vengeance, which in turn, makes him struggle to keep his feelings in check. This struggle manifests as outbursts towards others and even himself.

Gradually, Clive’s deep-seated hatred, which often made him impulsive for his years, softens as he shifts his attention towards assisting those in need. This transformation leads to his youthful rage being overtaken by a stronger feeling of courage and righteousness.

2024-11-16 12:34