Okay, so we did a list of the main protagonists of each Final Fantasy game in the last post. It occurs to me that it’s only fair to do a similar post regarding the fairer sex. Why, you might ask? Equality, that’s why! Yay! Democracy!
After all, what good is any self-respecting hero without his leading lady? I’m kidding! Most of the girls on this list are very strong, capable women who are able of standing on their own without needing men in their lives! As snowflakey as that sounds, in this case I’m obliged to agree with the SJWs. So let’s crack on then!
As with the previous post, I will not just be listing the girls in an order I deem fit, rather we’re going to be scoring them in five different categories and the total points each heroine receives will determine the order. Also note, that I’m using the term heroine, rather than love interest, because I feel characters such as Rosa were not important enough to be thought of as the leading lady. Also, despite technically being heroines, Lightning and Terra will not appear on this list. They’ve already had their bite of the apple, so sorry ladies!
The criteria are as follows:
Characterization: one point I failed fo mention in the other list was that a character’s personality isn’t the only thing that matters. It’s rather, how well is it executed and whether or not it fits the narrative or makes sense in certain instances.
Design: Obvious.
Plot Relevance: This is a big one, more so than with the last post. Also the reason I feel Rosa should be passed over, her score would be a 0.
Combat Prowess: Who doesn’t like a lady that can kick ass?
Legacy: A measure of how much of an impact the character has made in the franchise.
With that out of the way, let’s get to it!
#12 MARIA (FINAL FANTASY II)
Let’s be real for a sec here. Does anybody remember Maria? I sure don’t. The only thing that stands out about her in Final Fantasy II is the fact that she’s the only chick on the roster.
I’m not mad at her design, I like the purple hair, but other than that there’s nothing to write home about. As far as characterization and plot relevance goes, not a lot happens here. It’s an overall mediocre score with no real stand outs, but no detraction either.
Characterization: 5
Design: 6
Plot Relevance: 5
Combat Prowess: 6
Legacy: 4
Total: 26
Well, I can’t really say much to be honest. I just think Maria is very forgettable. As with Firion it’s got more to do with the atmosphere and overall design of her game than anything to do with her.
#11 REFIA (FINAL FANTASY III)
We’re going in order here, folks. Refia was not present in the original version of Final Fantasy III, instead being exclusive to the Nintendo DS remake.
Like all the characters in that game, Refia was actually given a personality and backstory this time around. Even though, it only lasted an hour or two, it counts. Her design is meh. I dont hate it, nor do I like it.
Plot relevance has the same issue as the previous game. The nature of those games had blank slates as characters, leaving the player to make decisions and form the story, so I can’t score her high here either. Perhaps her legacy can save her. No? Well, I tried!
Characterization: 5
Design: 5
Plot Relevance: 6
Combat Prowess: 6
Legacy: 5
Total: 27
Refia avoids the bottom slot by virtue of an extra point in legacy. The reason I feel that is because Final Fantasy III introduced features that have become a staple of the series, and Refia was a part of that to a degree. So congrats, Refia, you done good kiddo!
#10 LENNA (FINAL FANTASY V)
Well, it turns out we aren’t going in ascending order after all. We’ve skipped a game and have reached Lenna, Princess of Tycoon.
We’ll forgive you for coming from a kingdom with such a stupid name because you’ve done better than the previous entries on this list by actually having a personality! Granted it’s a fairly generic, sweet, kind-hearted princess personality, but it’s better than nothing. Design-wise, girl… you’re a princess and you’re gonna be wearing that raggedy, orange dress?
In terms of plot, Lenna does have an interesting side story or two, the fact that Faris is her lost sister comes to mind. In fact, I would argue that Faris has an argument to be on this list based on plot relavance, but I digress. Also, Lenna has little to no legacy.
Characterization: 6
Design: 6
Plot Relevance: 6
Combat Prowess: 6
Legacy: 4
Total: 28
Lenna barely edges Refia out to reach top ten. Once again, I think it’s the game, not Lenna. I’m getting tired of reiterating that so, please give me something new to bitch about #9!
#9 GARNET TIL ALEXANDROS (FINAL FANTASY IX)
Finally! We get to the part where we have actual characters for me to talk about. Garnet, like Lenna is a princess, unlike Lenna, she actually fits the spoiled little girl archetype. Being sheltered her entire life, has left Garnet a bit selfish and unable to function well in society. This leads her to becoming overwhelmed by the world and Garnet is forced to grow up very quickly. I love this development in a character. Growth is, in my opinion, the most important aspect when discussing a character’s success.
I wish Garnet had as good a design as personality. She looks like Tifa’s annoying, less attractive kid sister. Orange jumpsuit? You’re kidding me, right?
Garnet takes a pretty large role in the story, being the adopted daughter of one of the game’s antagonists. Personal connection to a villain? My favorite snack! The road to discovering Garnet’s true heritage and role in the plot is very good, her tempestuous romance with Zidane is another point in favour. One thing I don’t like is that she never speaks to the final boss, so I have to penalize her some.
As a playable character, Garnet is okay, but just okay. She isn’t bad, being able to summon and use white magic. Unfortunately she’s outclassed as a damage dealer and outclassed as a healer. By kids, if that wasn’t bad enough!
In terms of legacy, Garnet is in the same position as Zidane. Being sandwiched between larger successes has hurt her. I honestly wish it could be higher.
Characterization: 8
Design: 6
Plot Relevance: 8
Combat Prowess: 7
Legacy: 5
Total: 34
With a full 6 points above Lenna, Garnet takes the single digits by storm and, spoiler alert, it’s the biggest jump we’ll see today. Honestly, Garnet is a great character, just outclassed the way she is in battle. I smell a theme here. Lack of a good legacy score will always hold her back.
#8 CELES CHERE (FINAL FANTASY VI)
I’m docking points just because I can’t pronounce your last name! Just jokes. Well we have Terra’s knock off version coming in at the eighth spot. If I’m completely honest, I actually prefer Celes. Final Fantasy VI is known for its large cast, and the developers tried to give equal billing, but Terra ended up seducing Armano and he made her the main character on the casting couch!
I do think that, aside from Terra, Celes does make the best argument for MC and it shows. Being a strong, clever and powerful young woman, Celes is a general, not some opera floozy. There’s a spunk and strength in her that I love! And she’s only eighteen….uhhhhhhhhh. Is everyone sure about that? In any event, I do like Celes’ overall design, but I suppose a one piece bathing suit with a cape was fashion? Questions raised, so many questions.
It bears repeating, Celes makes a good case to be the main hero of her game, even having a personal connection to Kefka as well as a possible love interest. In fact, she’s the first of three mandatory characters in order to beat the game. Add in her past as an Empire general and status as a Magitek knight, and you have a real winner here.
As a fighter, Celes is awesome! As good as Terra really, the fact that they learn opposing spells is a neat little detail. They’re also the only two to learn magic naturally. She’s got great stats all around and is a mainstay on any party!
Now this is where things get rough, her legacy. While her similarity to Terra gets her a good Combat score, it hurts her badly here. She’s been completely upstaged for MC reasons. This is why the having two girls competing for the main hero role hurts. One will win and the other will fall. That’s just life unfortunately.
Characterization: 7
Design: 7
Plot Relevance: 8
Combat Prowess: 8
Legacy: 6
Total: 36
As with Garnet, the only thing really holding Celes down is the lack of a good legacy score. A real shame, because I would have liked to see her a bit higher, she is my favorite from the game.
#7 OERBA DIA VANILLE (FINAL FANTASY XIII)
Its really interesting to see two girls in very similar positions back to back on the list. Vanille is mostly known for her terrible in-battle cries, but let’s ignore those horrible noises and try to find the good.
Vanille is a naive, bright and optimistic “young” woman. I like that she has been given a reason to have those qualities. Its her form of coping with the harsh environment she was raised in and as a way for her to atone for the harm her actions have brought to others. Despite all of this, Vanille has a strong will and resolve, and is also shown to have her moments of weakness. So while it is difficult to like her, calling her failed character is a mistake.
I do enjoy the tribal elements of her design as well as the little details, such as the bearskin skirt and l’Cie brand. I do however feel like it’s got a bit of a sexualized youth to it. Think Betty Boop. You creeped out yet? Cause I am!
Vanille certainly takes a central role in the story. Fun Fact: she was actually considered for the role of main protagonist at one point. Unfortunately, this point occurred late into production, so promotional material featuring Lightning in that role had already been released, leading to the idea being scrapped. I don’t have to go into details about the story, that little anecdote should tell you how big a part of that Vanille was. She did drop in prominence during the sequels which loses her some points.
In battle, Vanille is great. She’s an excellent mage, being only bested by Hope, but having higher survivability. Her legacy is low, for similar reasons as Celes.
Characterization: 7
Design: 7
Plot Relevance: 9
Combat Prowess: 8
Legacy: 6
Total: 37
What is with these girls and awful legacy scores?! Get a grip ladies! Honestly, it seems as though legacy is going to be the deciding factor in the top tiers. Vanille had very good scores coming into the final round, but kind of choked.
#6 ASHELIA B’NARGIN DALMASCA (FINAL FANTASY XII)
Lightning’s older sister comes in sixth. Sure she’s another princess, but becomes queen! Ashe always strikes me more as a queen than a princess. I love that!
Ashe is a strong lady, with an immovable will and desire to take control of her destiny. She was doing Khaleesi things before Khaleesi did! What I like is that Ashe shows her moments of weakness which steps her above similar characters such as Lightning. Her desire for power is something that we don’t often see in our protagonists and Ashe’s comes near close to destroying her.
Her design is a bit overdone if your ask me. Too much! Tights fine, thigh highs, fine, skirt fine, shorts, also fine. All of them together? Lord please no!
On a brighter note, I do consider Ashe the main hero of Final Fantasy XII. She outstrips Vaan in terms of relevance big time. The plot revolves around her and her destiny. Where Noctis fails because of his destiny being tied to his bloodline, Ashe actually succeeds, showing how the execution can change the effectiveness of the same concept. Yet again, legacy is a problem. Final Fantasy XII, has often been considered a throwaway game, released to keep fans occupied while the big game, XIII was still in development.
Characterization: 8
Design: 7
Plot Relevance: 9
Combat: 7
Legacy: 7
Total: 38
Ashe gets above average scores all around, her plot and character being higher. This gives her a great edge over the rest of the competition, but not quite enough to break into the top five.
#5 RINOA HEARTILY (FINAL FANTASY VIII)
We’ve reached the top 5 folks! Starting us off with be the shooting star that is Rinoa! Like Squall, Rinoa will always have a special place in my heart because theirs was the first Final Fantasy I played.
As a character, Rinoa is a spunky, spirited young woman with a tendency to open her mouth only to insert her foot. That being said, as the game progresses she does fall into a bit of a slump for plot reasons, and we don’t get the opportunity to see her recover, costing her a few points. What gains her those points back is her authentic romance with Squall. I’ve always maintained that true love is being able to irritate your way into someone’s heart and Rinoa gets this right.
Her design is good, if a bit similar to another brunette we will see shortly. I love the elements of bright blue which compliment her personality so well.
As far as the plot, Rinoa is equally as important a player as Squall. She is certainly among the central foci, and exemplifies several themes within the game itself. I’m trying very hard not to give too many details, because I’d like to do a post on that at a later stage. Suffice to say Rinoa matters. In battle, well the nature of the game is such that each character is fairly good, but Rinoa stands out by having one of the most exploitable Limit Breaks in the game, more on that in another post.
I’d rate her legacy on the same level as Ashe, it’s definitely there, but just can’t compete with what’s still to come.
Characterization: 8
Design: 8
Plot Relevance: 8
Combat: 8
Legacy: 7
Total: 39
Rinoa definitely gets the job done with very well rounded stats, but doesn’t really have any stand outs. It’s getting tight on the way to the top but let’s SOLDIER on. Wait, wrong game!
#4 RYDIA (FINAL FANTASY IV)
Yes, I’ve done it. It’s the correct answer. I’ve already stated the reason I feel that Rydia takes the role of heroine over Rosa in the opening paragraph of this post and I’ll stand by that.
Weird, I feel a mystical, space-time connection between Rydia and the number four. Too on the nose? Deal with It! I’m trying very hard to come up with jokes because Rydia is no joke!
Our lady in green starts the game as a five year old girl forced to watch her mother die and eventually learn to trust the men who killed her. Sounds pretty heavy. Rydia later returns as an adult having achieved greater power and skill. Her personality also grows along with it. She’s one of the top two characters from Final Fantasy IV.
Make no mistake, Rydia’s design is badass! The green colors, the cape, the boots I love it all. It really is a perfect balance of simplicity and intricacy. I personally feel her After Years design more, but both are great.
Plot relevance is really what makes Rydia stand out. She is a central character to the plot of the original game, but she has a fantastic argument for MC in the sequel. We won’t talk about that here though.
In battle, she’s very very good. Rydia is the only Black Mage and Summoner hybrid in the game and is essential to any party. She also has access to the hardest hitting move in the game which earns her a ton of points!
We finally have a girl with a good legacy score! It took some time, but we got there folks! Rydia is the first named Summoner in the series and her popularity is probably what led to characters like Garnett, Eiko and Yuna to get their roles. Furthermore the summoner is one of the most iconic classes in Final Fantasy, so big ups to you, Rydia!
Characterization: 7
Design: 9
Plot Relevance: 8
Combat: 8
Legacy: 8
Total: 40
Rydia is a great character and well deserving of her placement! While she is only a point ahead of Rinoa, I still feel like she had a lot more going for her. I didn’t really take The After Years into account, because I wanted to rate characters on their base games. If I had, the gap would have been larger.
#3 YUNA (FINAL FANTASY X)
And now, the medal winners!
Yuna, oh Yuna! One look at that picture is enough to make me fall in love, the same way I did as a fourteen year old. She’s sweet, but also a bit naive and possesses a stubborn streak in her. Being a biracial girl who grew up in her father’s shadow is a character trait we see Yuna express, while also giving hints to the iron resolve she has developed, willing to sacrifice herself for the good of her people. Her romance with Tidus is one of the most famous in gaming because of its authenticity. Seeing her find the strength to overcome tradition is inspirational!
In terms of design, Yuna is amongst the best. She’s just so pretty, and the outfit she wears compliments her character so well. I love the Asian elements as well as the effect we see during her dance sequence.
Yuna is one of the biggest presences in Final Fantasy X, we see the plot revolve around her. More importantly, Yuna is the driving force moving the plot, rather than a passive piece of it.
In battle… well the mechanics of her game really allow characters to blend in the end game, so Yuna’s role as the healer can be relegated to anyone. Her unique role as a Summoner is a bonus, but let’s face it, her Overdrive sucks. Also, aside from calling out the Aeons to eat a big hit, did anyone really use them? So her combat is a bit of a let down.
Whatever she loses in combat, she earns back in legacy! There can be no doubt that Yuna is one of the greatest Final Fantasy heroines of all time! Her popularity hasn’t diminished a smidge over the years and she will always be loved and remembered.
Characterization: 9
Design: 9
Plot Relevance: 9
Combat: 7
Legacy: 9
Total: 43
The medalists truly separate themselves from the rest of the field. Yuna takes the bronze with a 3 point lead over her fellow Summoner, Rydia. Well, I can’t say I’m surprised.
#2 AERITH GAINSBOROUGH (FINAL FANTASY VII)
Well, I think everyone knew Aerith was gonna rank high on the list.
Our girl does pretty well when it comes to her personality. She’s one the spunkiest girls we’ve ever seen. While upbeat, she’s got a pretty flirtatious side to her which is awesome to see. Not everything is flowers and churches though. Aerith has a deep side to her as well. She’s perceptive and has a great sense of resolve which is incredible to see in such a happy person. Unlike Vanille, Aerith manages to pull this off without coming across as annoying.
Her design is cute, it’s pink, it’s iconic. That being said, I’m not really feeling it, but I will score it well because it’s so iconic.
Aerith’s role in the story is huge! Before and even after That Event. Her impact on the history and role in the lore of Final Fantasy VII is indisputable. Having said that, although she’s a good player, That Event means she isn’t playable for the second half of the game, which will cost her some. In the Remake, she’s excellent so she earns some points back.
It’s impossible to overstate just how big of a legacy Aerith has. Her impact has been massive. It begs the question though, if we ignore That Event, would it be as big? My guess is no, but would still be very high, because Aerith is a successful character in almost every category and well deserving of second place.
Characterization: 9
Design: 8
Plot Relevance: 9
Combat: 8
Legacy: 10
Total: 44
Well, Aerith does great. Litote of the century! I’ve gone and given her the 10 for legacy, because while I did put forward the argument of That Event, it did happen so there’s no point hypothesizing. Because she’s not the main character, I couldn’t give her a 10 for plot, even though I wanted to. All the same Aerith has excellent scores which secure the number 2 spot, behind only…
#1 TIFA LOCKHART (FINAL FANTASY VII)
Yes, that’s right! I gave Tifa the gold. I honestly went back and forth between her and Aerith about ten times while writing this, but after crunching the numbers over and over, Tifa seemed to come out on top more than Aerith. You’ll see what I mean in a minute.
As a character, Tifa has a motherly, caring side to her, often serving as a source of comfort and encouragement to her friends. She is somewhat shy and reserved, but all that goes out the window when it’s time to fight. Our girl has a nasty streak in her, as well as hot temper. Yes, at times she can be flooded with doubt, but these moments are as numerous as her upbeat ones. She does have a sense of humor, not to the degree of some others, but overall, I find Tifa to be as well executed as anyone else on this list!
Let’s talk about her design… it’s known for having two very special things. Her fists! I’m talking about her fists! Oh, who am I kidding? Tifa has the best rock of any video game character. Aside from the girls, her overall design is fantastic! Simple, yet effective. Her clothes might seem plain at first sight, but if you look at the details, such as the suspenders or the red of gloves and boots it’s a winner! Add in what her figure brings to it and it’s perfect!
In a fight, you would do well to have Tifa alongside you. I’ve always used her in my playthroughs and have never been disappointed, she’s got a big arsenal of gimmicks that can help her, but in the Remake is where she truly shines. She’s the best damn party member in the game, which definitely earns her a bonus.
With regards to the plot, Tifa is definitely a big player. I wouldn’t say she’s the single most important character, but she isn’t a throwaway, even being elected party leader at some stage. As for legacy? She’s a massive presence in Final Fantasy media! She’s often amongst the first choices for spin offs and ranks highly on every popularity poll I’ve seen. We cannot overstate how big of an impact her character model has had on video games. Tifa introduced the sexier, edgy designs we’ve become accustomed to in our games over the years. Aside from her looks, her tough personality and style have also become a prevalent theme of a strong female character.
Characterization: 8.5
Design: 10
Plot Relevance: 8
Combat: 9
Legacy: 9
Total: 44.5
Like I said earlier, it truly could have gone either way between gold and silver. Aerith had the edge on legacy and plot, while Tifa had design and combat. I even dropped Tifa’s character score slightly, but she still took the higher total. Well, either way I’m happy because both VII girls were truly amazing and this argument is about as legendary as the Cloti-Clerith debate which has been running for over twenty years and will likely continue for another twenty. In any event well done to both of them!
If you made it this far, thank you for reading and don’t forget to let me know your thoughts down below and give me any changes you would make!
Mechatronic Burst Gaming 