The Importance of Death in a Final Fantasy

by Joseph Witham

I often wonder why the stories and plot lines of Final Fantasy are so proclaimed, and celebrated. I have come to many conclusions which I am sure many others who contemplate Final Fantasy have come to some of these conclusions also, but I have come to an interesting conclusion that is most likely seldom thought of, it is a dark subject and one that we tend to stray from. Death, in short this is what makes a hero a hero, a saint a saint, and a sacrifice a sacrifice. Lets look at some examples.

Would so many people today remember J.F.K. as one of the best presidents to lead the US if he had happily lived out the other half of his presidential term, and was still alive today living off of our taxes? Most likely not. Would Evita Perone have been made into a movie if she hadn't of died as such a great women? Would so many people be pleading to make her a saint right away, when sainthood does not usually occur until several centuries after the persons death death? Probably not. Would the soldiers that died in the US revolution be so acclaimed and remembered with such great honor, if they had fought bravely and come out of the war alive? No, those who did live are never talked about today unless they were some great war hero. Wait, lets look at another death that has effected most Final Fantasy fans, Tellah. Would we remember Tellah as great hero in FF4 if he had not killed himself in honor of his daughter and instead he had listened to Cecil and the others and did not cast meteo. No, we would think of him as a grouchy old geezer that was foolishly putting his life on the line just to avenge his daughter.

Square first introduced this story telling technique to the series way back in 1988, with Final Fantasy II for the famicom, which was very early for such in-depth RPG story line. Most other companies were still writing the simple save-the-princess, defeat-the-dragon, restore-the-elements story lines. Take note that I am about to tell much about the plots of any Final Fantasy that had death in it, so if you haven't played one of them and do not want to be spoiled, then only read the paragraphs about the Final Fantasies that you have played.

In Final Fantasy II(Japan), Josef, Minu, and Richard all willingly sacrificed them selves to rescue others. i.e. Josef throwing himself in front of the rock in the Ice Cave.

In Final Fantasy III(Japan), Desh, Dorga and Unne died some how and added great tragedy to the story. i.e. Desh died putting out the flame in the tower of owen so the party could continue their quest

In Final Fantasy IV, Yang, Polam, Porom, Tellah, Cid, and FuSoYa sacrificed them selves for others (even though some of them did not die). i.e. Polam and Porom turned themselves into stone, to stop the wall from squishing the party.

In Final Fantasy V, Galuf used the last of his life energy to destroy the mortal form of Ex-Death

In Final Fantasy VI, now this one we all remember and it may have even made you cry. It was about the best death that Square had ever incorporated up to that point. Rumors floated all over the internet about how to revive him, yes the great General Leo. His death added much to the story and gave the characters as well as the players a great reason to put an end to Kefka. i.e. Terra was often caught contemplating the words of Leo. His death was definitely important to making this such a great Final Fantasy.

In Final Fantasy VII, the MOST controversial death ever put into an RPG or any other game. Aeris' death started one of the greatest revival-internet-rumors ever. It truly effected people, complaints were actually sent to Square, people started looking idiotic in there pleads for her return. Her death made so many cry, how many remember going all the way to Midgar just to be in her flower garden, and listen to her theme music. It was such a great part of the story the best death of an FF character ever. It really drove me forward and really made me want to play the game more and more. We'll never forget her and the great legacy of her sacrifice.

Final Fantasy VIII, I think it is very important that the theme of death is continued in this Final Fantasy it would be a sad thing not to see such a great story-telling element as death in this FF.

As you can see Death has been a part of the lovely theme of Final Fantasy non-stop from FF2-FF7 and hopefully continued for all of FFs existence, I truly believe this is a very important factor in any well-written story. It adds so much suspense, beauty, reasons to go forward, and eventually gives you a fulfilled feeling that the death was in a way, a good thing.