Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts creator, Tetsuya Nomura, recently revealed the surprisingly simple reason behind his consistently attractive character designs. This article delves into his design philosophy and its impact on the JRPG landscape.
Nomura's Protagonists: Runway Ready for a JRPG?
Tetsuya Nomura's protagonists consistently resemble supermodels, a striking contrast to the fantastical worlds and dramatic storylines they inhabit. But why this emphasis on conventional attractiveness? It's not a deep philosophical statement about beauty or edginess. The answer is far more relatable.
According to a Young Jump interview (translated by AUTOMATON), Nomura's design philosophy stems from a high school classmate's insightful question: "Why do I have to be ugly in the game world too?" This seemingly casual comment profoundly impacted Nomura, resonating with his belief that video games offer a form of escapism.
He explained, "From that experience, I thought, ‘I want to be good-looking in games,’ and that’s how I create my main characters."
This isn't merely vanity. Nomura believes visual appeal fosters player connection and empathy. He stated, "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."
Nomura's Eccentric Designs: Reserved for the Villains
This doesn't mean Nomura avoids unconventional designs entirely. He strategically reserves his boldest, most outlandish creations for antagonists. Sephiroth from Final Fantasy VII, with his towering sword and dramatic flair, perfectly exemplifies this approach. Similarly, Kingdom Hearts' Organization XIII showcases Nomura's unrestrained creativity.
He noted, "Yes, I like Organization XIII. 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 Final Fantasy VII's character designs, Nomura admitted a more unrestrained approach in his earlier work. Characters like Red XIII and Cait Sith, with their distinct and unusual appearances, highlight this youthful creative freedom. This early experimentation, however, ultimately contributed to the game's unique charm.
He recalled, "At the time, I was still young… so I just decided to make all the characters distinctive. 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 encounter a strikingly attractive hero in a Nomura game, remember the simple desire of a high school classmate to look cool while saving the world. As Nomura might say, why be a hero if you can't look good doing it?
Nomura's Potential Retirement and the Future of Kingdom Hearts
The Young Jump interview also touched upon Nomura's potential retirement in the coming years, coinciding with the Kingdom Hearts series nearing its conclusion. He's actively incorporating new writers to inject fresh perspectives. Nomura stated, "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."
