Top 10 Greatest Final Fantasy Characters

Don't forget Cloud did, in fact, have military training. He never made it to Soldier but remained a security guard for Shinra Inc. The way I broke it down being in the military: Cloud is your typical "MP" (military police), whereas Zack is your Special Forces component infused with super-soldier serum like "Captain America." People say Zack made Cloud. I would say that is not entirely accurate. In the short movie "The Last Order," you can't deny Cloud's courage to face Sephiroth one-on-one, knowing he would lose. Cloud gets impaled and still manages to toss Sephiroth into the Mako reactor. That has to show something, no?

Aerith (or Aeris) is a feminine and realistic character you'll enjoy because she's the best female character of all time in Final Fantasy history. She's peaceful, harmonious, angelic, and easy to love. Then suddenly, she perishes by the evil Sephiroth. But that's what made Final Fantasy VII an amazingly marvelous story. So thank you to the creator of Final Fantasy VII for creating Aerith as a character! I'm from New Zealand on Friday, May 17th, 2014!

Aerith is a strong girl. She doesn't have the best looks (those belong to Tifa), but she has a lovable personality. Just as you start to like her a lot (and as you start to plan her healing usefulness in battle), Sephiroth happens. So not only have you been traumatized, but you've also lost your main healer. What a jerk you are, Sephiroth.

A proper villain with a proper story arc. The backstory of Sephiroth could make a good game itself.

Sephiroth is already more iconic than Cloud. He left a mark on the Final Fantasy games so shocking, nothing Cloud ever did could top it!

Flawless and ever-growing. All hail Sephiroth. Now kneel before your lord.

The mixture of beauty and her caring personality really appeals to me. She is not as childish, naive, or helpless as other characters in Final Fantasy. Also, she is able to take care of herself without seeming too emotionally reserved or cold. Additionally, she is capable of criticizing her friends and teammates without being aggressive.

I really don't get how Cloud is #1, but the man who made Cloud everything he is ranked #5, even below Aerith. Zack is a hero among heroes in the Final Fantasy world. He was easygoing, determined, and kind-hearted. After being kidnapped, he carried Cloud to freedom for 10 months, trying to make it back to Midgar to see Aerith again. He even entrusted his Buster Sword to Cloud and named him his living legacy. I feel like his death was the saddest in any of the games. He fearlessly sacrificed himself for his friends and the people he loved, and Aerith never even knew the lengths he endured to make it back to her. The fact that his honor or legacy is barely ever mentioned again (because Cloud lost his memories of Zack) is tragic and makes him an even more appealing character. I encourage all Final Fantasy fans to play Final Fantasy Crisis Core (which takes place before the events of FF7) and to watch the movie Final Fantasy: Advent Children. You'll really understand why FF7's entire layout depends on Zack's life and his selfless sacrifice.

He's cool. All that inner moodiness, angst, and uncertainty about things are pretty believable in a 17-year-old. He's just a confused kid trying to make sense of an entire school full of people relying on him the way they do. He doesn't realize that his skill with the Gunblade and his outward stoic appearance make him a figure people like Rinoa want to depend on. I like how he grows into a mature and reliable person through his friends and Rinoa. He's a natural badass. Also, childhood abandonment issues and literally revisiting his own past and seeing the events that will cause Matron to start Garden... wow. Great lead protagonist.

Of course, the characters from VII are going to be high on the list due to this being a popularity contest. The fact is, though, Kefka is a far more intriguing villain than Sephiroth. Honestly, I think he's my favorite character in any of the games. So interesting.

The villain who WINS, destroying the entire world while laughing his ass off.

10/10 theme/final boss theme and battle

10/10 cackle

15/10 wacky chaotic evil character

What? What is Sephiroth doing in 2nd place? Kefka is the best villain in the FF franchise, and he's at the 17th place! He needs to get higher!

Vincent Valentine is my favorite fictional character ever. He's such an emo cinnamon roll, and he's adorable and a cutie pie, and by far the hottest.

He even became the main character of his own game.

Vincent Valentine should at least be in the top 3!

She has an amazing character arc. She learns a lot about not just listening to religion. It gives the game a strong meaning.

A girl who can kick ass and look good doing it.

Great in random encounters, plus Temper is incredible for boss fights.

Also, he is very cute.

Scrolling down the list, fearing to see in which undeservedly filthy position everyone's favorite thi---treasure hunter has ranked.

She is a good character. Why is she not in the top ten?

She's a character with a lot of fun!

She'd be fun to meet in real life.

How is Cecil not in the top 3? He is far better than any of the characters in the top 10. This list is just FF7 biased.

One of the first main characters with an intriguing backstory. Cecil is awesome.

Tidus has probably the most depth of any character 1-10. He becomes mature and a man before your eyes. He knows what it means to make the ultimate sacrifice to save the ones he loves and cares for. He becomes a powerful character that starts off weak and inexperienced in battle, and he is the most relatable of any character in the series. His psychological problems are similar to what most of us face, and even though it's a vice to Tidus, he stands his ground and keeps fighting. Tidus never gives up in the face of despair, making him the quintessential character you would want to take into any battle.

How can Vivi be behind the generic black mage? He's literally the generic black mage with a personality. Plus, he's amazing, and his story is so sad and touching.

He is probably one of the most pressured Final Fantasy characters. He's got a lot on his plate. Even though no one in real life can probably truly relate to his pressure, he's still probably the most relatable FF character out there. He's also almost ridiculously powerful. Ignoring the plot, they manage to make his insanely strong powers work.

Hands down! Best character for DLC in Tekken 7! And great character design in Final Fantasy XV. I main him in Tekken 7. He's a good, perfect pairing for Lightning Farron. No lies, no BS, this character is worth maining in Tekken 7! He costs $7.99 in the USA. He's DLC #3, and you get Hammerhead for the stage. It's a great one! I have him on my PS4. Great music for the Tekken 7 jukebox! I listen to it on SoundCloud! I wanted him for Smash Bros when the game was in development. I wish they could switch the voice to English instead of Japanese.

The textbook definition of cool.