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Although there are plenty of visual similarities between the series’ main protagonists, beneath the surface there are some wildly contrasting personalities. Some are driven by vengeance while others are fighting for what they consider to be just and noble causes. Whatever their motivations though, they invariably leave quite the impression on players.

Updated June 23, 2022, by Tom Bowen: With a Crisis Core remake, Final Fantasy XVI and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth all looming large on the horizon like Sephiroth’s Meteor, Final Fantasy fans have an awful lot of things to look forward to over the coming years. Only one of these projects will bring with it a new main protagonist, however, with Clive set to be the series’ first new mainline hero since the arrival of Noctis way back in 2016. Early trailers seem promising, but whether or not he will be as well fleshed out as some of his predecessors remains to be seen. He’ll need to be pretty spectacular to rank among the very best main protagonists in Final Fantasy games though, as there have been some truly fantastic heroes over the years; each of whom has left their mark on both the fandom and the series itself.

13 The Warriors of Light (Final Fantasy)

Age: N/A Birthday: N/A Height: N/A Ultimate Weapon: N/A

Rather than a single main protagonist, the very first Final Fantasy game ended up boasting four. They weren’t actually given canon names in the original release, but were eventually dubbed Setro, Zauver, Flora, and Teol in a book of short stories that was released in Japan some two and a half decades later. Much like Link in a lot of the earlier Zelda games, the four heroes were designed to be blank slates onto which players could project themselves.

Although this does make for some pretty forgettable protagonists, it worked surprisingly well within the confines of the game itself. As well as being more immersive and helping to showcase the series’ revolutionary job system, it also played into the game’s narrative, with four crystals, four fiends, and four elements also playing an important role in the story. Some pretty major changes were made for the game’s 2022 reimagining, Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin, with Chaos-obsessed Jack serving as the main focal point in a newly-designed cast of characters.

12 Luneth (Final Fantasy III)

Age: 14 Birthday: Unknown Height: 4’ 3" (Estimate) Ultimate Weapon: Ragnarok

Like the four Warriors of Light in the series’ very first installment, Luneth wasn’t given a name in the original release of Final Fantasy III, nor did the game have a single main protagonist. This all changed with the game’s 2006 Nintendo DS remake, however, with players starting out with only Luneth and having to recruit the other three members of the game’s four Warriors of Light as they make their way through the early stages of the story.

Were it not for the DS remake, Luneth would be just as forgettable as some of her predecessors, if not more. However, Director Hiromichi Tanaka and his team did a pretty decent job of fleshing out the character and her fellow orphans without having to alter the tone of the story all that much. They are still held back a little by the confines of the original narrative but are a whole lot more interesting than they were in the original release.

11 Vaan (Final Fantasy XII)

Age: 17 Birthday: Unknown Height: 5'7" Ultimate Weapon: Zodiac Spear

Final Fantasy XII is a much better game than a lot of people give it credit for. That said, it’s easy to see why it’s not talked about anywhere near as much as some of its peers, and a big part of this is down to its main protagonist, Vaan. Much like Tidus in Final Fantasy X, there are times when Vaan doesn’t feel like the main protagonist of his own game, though his excuses for fading into the background are a lot flimsier than those of the iconic Blitzball star.

While there are more than a few times when Tidus is overshadowed in Final Fantasy X, this is more a testament to the strength of the characters that surround him than a sign of his own weakness. In the case of Vaan, however, he’s really just a largely forgettable character with motivations that are best described as tired and uncompelling. To his credit, Vaan does have a pretty unique design, though whether or not this is a good thing is definitely a matter for debate.

10 Firion (Final Fantasy II)

Age: 18 Birthday: Unknown Height: 5'11" Ultimate Weapon: Ragnarok

Firion was the first of the series’ main protagonists to be given a name and has a fairly interesting backstory too. His decision to join forces with the rebels is a gallant one for someone so young and the energy that he brings to the cause is invaluable. It’s just a shame that the game’s narrative structure didn’t allow for more character development in this regard, nor did it really spend enough time exploring the loss of both his birth parents and his adoptive ones.

What players do learn about Firion is that he’s willing to put his life on the line for peace and can handle himself in combat like a seasoned pro rather than the relative rookie that he actually is. Leadership seems to come naturally to him and he has no issues dealing with the extreme pressure that’s placed upon him. Had he featured in a later game he’d likely be far more popular with fans, but the limitations of the era perhaps hold him back just as much as they do Final Fantasy II.

9 Noctis Lucis Caelum (Final Fantasy XV)

Age: 20 / 30 Birthday: August 30th Height: 5'9" Ultimate Weapon: Ultima Blade

Much of Noctis’ strength as a leading man comes from his supporting cast and the bond that they share. The flaws in his personality are softened by the positive traits of his friends, while their needs and deficiencies really allow his own strengths to shine. Without them, he can at times feel a little unbalanced. The bond that he shares with Lunafreya is also a compelling one, although it arguably deserved quite a bit more screen time than it was ultimately given.

For all of his weaknesses though, Noctis is a very likable character and it’s hard not to feel like an honorary member of the gang while watching them cruise around in the Regalia together. His character development is believable too and his willingness to sacrifice himself for the greater good is admirable. He’s a great leader, although far from the best that the series has to offer.

8 Tidus (Final Fantasy X)

Age: 17 Birthday: Unknown Height: 5'9" Ultimate Weapon: Caladbolg

Tidus is an interesting character, particularly when it comes to his origins and his relationship with his father. Throughout the game, players are given glimpses of Tidus’ attempts to make Jecht proud of him and yet nothing he does is ever good enough. Not only does this make him a sympathetic character, but also a relatable one. Except when it comes to his ridiculous laughter, that is. There is nothing even remotely relatable about that.

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Unfortunately for Tidus, he shares the stage with some wonderful characters. Auron, despite not being the main protagonist, has a far more interesting backstory and arguably offers more to the party. Both characters are overshadowed by Yuna though, who is the star of the show in more ways than one. Heavily involved though he may be, Tidus can at times feel more like a supporting character in somebody else’s story rather than the leading man in his own. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing for Final Fantasy X, but it’s not the best look for a main protagonist.

7 Bartz Klauser (Final Fantasy V)

Age: 20 Birthday: Unknown Height: 5'9" Ultimate Weapon: Ragnarok / Brave Blade*

Bartz’s journey borrows a lot from the classic coming of age narrative, but the intricacy of Final Fantasy V’s story allows it to play out in some often unexpected ways. Being responsible for the fate of the world is something that one would expect to weigh heavily on a person’s shoulders and yet Bartz is able to carry this weight with relative ease. It helps, of course, that he’s supported by a strong cast as well as his faithful companion, Boco.

Bartz’s easygoing nature shines through at even the darkest of moments, but that’s not to say that he doesn’t take his role as one of the Warriors of Light seriously. His relationship with Boco shows a compassionate side to his character that’s sometimes missing from the series’ main protagonists. Unfortunately, it is this that at times prevents Bartz from being a truly great leader and he can sometimes be pushed aside by other party members like Lenna and Faris.

6 Zidane Tribal (Final Fantasy IX)

Age: 16 Birthday: September Height: 5'8" Ultimate Weapon: Ultima Weapon

Like Final Fantasy IX itself, Zidane is seen by some as the pariah of the Final Fantasy franchise. He broke the trend of strong and sullen main protagonists that had begun to creep into the series in the preceding games and did so to great effect. His lighthearted nature came as a breath of fresh air and provided a really unique experience, although his womanizing antics were perhaps a step too far for some players at times.

More could have been made of his Genome backstory, although as a character, Zidane is about as fleshed-out as they come. His interactions with the other party members are a joy to behold, as are those with some of the game’s random NPCs. He may lack many of the qualities that make a great leader, but he’s smart, he’s loyal and he bears all of the hallmarks of a wonderful character.

5 Squall Leonhart (Final Fantasy VIII)

Age: 17 Birthday: August 23rd Height: 5'10" Ultimate Weapon: Lion Heart

It’s not so much the changes in Squall’s circumstances that make him so likable, but instead the way that he responds to them. When players first meet him, he is a cold-hearted mercenary focused on climbing to the top of the SeeD hierarchy. As time passes, however, Squall’s focus shifts from doing what is right for himself, to simply doing what is right. That he is able to make these distinctions at just the age of 17 is incredibly impressive; as too are his leadership skills.

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Ironically, perhaps, Squall still becomes the Commander of Balamb Garden. This comes, though, as the result of his innate leadership skills rather than any kind of desire for power or progress. While not the most talkative character, Squall really is a natural-born leader and the perfect person to drive the charge against Ultimecia’s tyranny.

4 Lightning Farron (Final Fantasy XIII)

Age: 21 Birthday: Unknown Height: 5'7" Ultimate Weapon: Omega Weapon

Final Fantasy XIII has a lot of problems. It is unforgivably linear, its story is weak and its characters are, for the most part, incredibly one-dimensional. Lightning is a lot of things, but one-dimensional certainly isn’t one of them. She shines brightly like a light in the darkness and is one of the game’s few redeeming qualities. Getting to play as her sister in the game’s sequel only serves to highlight how fantastic she really is.

Unlike many other protagonists in the series, Lightning’s personal story is not particularly complicated. There are some sub-plots draped throughout it, but her primary goal is to save her sister. Her drive and determination when it comes to achieving this are unwavering and it’s perhaps this that makes her so likable. Lightning is a character with a real personality, even if it is largely wasted on the characters that surround her.

3 Cecil Harvey (Final Fantasy IV)

Age: 20 Birthday: Unknown Height: 5'10" Ultimate Weapon: Lightbringer

Cecil’s story is one of perseverance that’s punctuated by shocking twists and somber turns. His relationship with Kain is complicated, but, at the same time, remains relatable – especially for those with siblings. On the subject of siblings, his interactions with Golbez are also incredibly memorable and provide ample opportunities for Cecil’s determination to shine through.

The character’s transformation from Dark Knight to Paladin is emblematic of his personal growth throughout the game. He’s not the only one either, although it’s arguably through Cecil’s leadership that other party members are able to develop as characters. Together they face many trials, but, with Cecil at the helm, they inevitably persevere. Given how shallow most of the series’ main protagonists had been prior to Final Fantasy IV; this is all the more impressive.

2 Terra Branford (Final Fantasy VI)

Age: 18 Birthday: October 18th Height: 5'3" Ultimate Weapon: Apocalypse

When players first meet Terra, she is an Empire pawn with no agency whatsoever. By the time the curtain falls, however, everything has changed. The shocking discovery that she is half Esper tears her life apart just as the cataclysm does the planet. That it comes so soon after breaking free of the Empire’s influence creates an identity crisis that very nearly consumes her. If not for her strength, it almost certainly would have.

Although Terra may come up short when it comes to personality, she is a symbol behind which the other party members can rally. She brings them all together, but it is her plight and that of her people that drives them all forwards. Her innate magical abilities make her a force to be reckoned with and her kindhearted nature a very likable character. Of course, it certainly helps that she is supported by one of the largest parties in the history of the series, but she’d arguably be just as captivating even if there were fewer characters around her; if not more so.

1 Cloud Strife (Final Fantasy VII)

Age: 21 Birthday: August 11th Height: 5'8" Ultimate Weapon: Ultima Weapon

Cloud is not only the most recognizable protagonist in the series’ long history but also the most complex. He has a tragic and complicated past that is filled with pain and suffering and this is explored brilliantly in Final Fantasy VII. As the threads that hold together his backstory unwind, players embark on a wonderful journey of discovery and the knowledge that Cloud is learning everything alongside players makes it all the more enjoyable.

From his very first appearance, there is an air of mystery about Cloud which further strengthens the myth of the legendary soldier that he and the supporting cast propagates. By the time he realizes who he really is, Cloud has grown into a true leader who’s now motivated by righteousness rather than personal gain. Add to this his intimate connection with Sephiroth and it’s easy to see why he’s such a fan favorite.

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