"Simple Line Makes Final Fantasy Characters Intentionally Hot"

Tetsuya Nomura, the acclaimed designer behind Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts, recently shared insights into his character design philosophy in an interview with Young Jump magazine, translated by AUTOMATON. His approach to crafting visually appealing protagonists stems from a simple yet profound realization during his high school years.

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 characters often resemble supermodels, a deliberate choice rooted in a comment from a high school classmate: "Why do I have to be ugly in the game world too?" This sparked a pivotal thought for Nomura: "From that experience, I thought, ‘I want to be good-looking in games,’ and that’s how I create my main characters."

Nomura's philosophy goes beyond mere aesthetics. He believes that visually appealing characters enhance player empathy. "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," he explained. While he saves his more eccentric designs for villains like Sephiroth from Final Fantasy VII and the members of Kingdom Hearts' Organization XIII, Nomura's protagonists remain strikingly attractive.

"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."

Reflecting on his earlier work, Nomura admitted to a more unrestrained approach with Final Fantasy VII. Characters like Red XIII and Cait Sith showcase his youthful creativity. "At the time, I was still young… so I just decided to make all the characters distinctive," he 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."

In essence, the next time you admire a Nomura-designed hero, remember it's inspired by a friend's 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 nears its conclusion. He's already integrating new writers to bring fresh perspectives to the franchise. "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 how Kingdom Hearts IV aims to reboot the series and set the stage for its grand finale, explore our detailed article below!