No. 30 to 21.

Alright, here we go, down the home stretch. Today, we begin the top quarter of the list, as well as three of the nine Final Fantasy VII characters in the top 30 (spoiler alert). Here’s the next ten characters in this countdown (now with 200% more black guys):

30. Barret Wallace (Final Fantasy VII)

“It's cuz of that !@#$ 'pizza' that everyone down here is suffering.”

He pities the fool who won’t join AVALANCHE. Barret was born in the town of Corel. He helped Shinra build a Mako reactor when his wife falls ill. When the original AVALANCHE takes over the town, Barret tries to help the Turks take it back. Shinra destroy the town because they believe they were helping AVALANCHE. Barret and his friend Dyne returned to the town and were gunned down by Shinra. Barret tried to save Dyne when he fell off a cliff, but their hands were shot off. Afterwards, Barret found Dyne’s daughter Marlene and adopted her as his daughter.

29. Celes Chere (Final Fantasy VI)

"You're awfully short for a soldier..."

Don’t you just hate, hate, hate, hate, HATE it when your trusted general stabs you and sides with your enemies? Kefka does. Celes was one of The Empire’s generals, as well as a Magitek Knight. However, after speaking out against Kefka’s poisoning of Doma, she’s sentenced to death. Luckily, Locke comes along and saves her before that can happen. Celes is one of the only three characters that must be recruited in the World of Ruin (among Edgar and Setzer). She looks up to Cid as a father (and later grandfather) since he’s known her since she was a child.

28. Rydia (Final Fantasy IV)

“This battle is ours as much as anyone's. Cecil said so himself. And having some Eidolons along can't hurt, can it?”

I know parents say their kids grow up so fast, but this is ridiculous. After Cecil and Kain accidentally kill her mother and burn down Mist, Rydia summons Titan to defeat them. However, she only succeeded in separating the two and injuring herself. Cecil takes her to the nearby town of Kaipo to rest, where Baron Soldiers attempt to capture the girl. When Cecil defeats them, Rydia finally trusts Cecil. Later, she is swept off a ship en route to Baron by Leviathan, who takes her to Feymarch. Here, time moves rapidly, so when she leaves she’s all grown up.

27. Aerith Gainsborough (Final Fantasy VII)

"I never blamed you. Not once. You came for me...that's all that matters."

The last of her species, AND a love interest? Surely they won’t kill her? Within three weeks of her birth Aerith and her mother were kidnapped and experimented on by Professor Hojo. Seven years later, the two of them escaped, but Aerith’s mother was wounded and only got her as far as a train station. Elmyra adopted her as a daughter at the request of her mother. At age fifteen she began dating Zack, but two years later he disappeared. She teamed up with AVALANCHE four years later. Her death is one of the most shocking video game scenes ever.

26. Oerba Yun Fang (Final Fantasy XIII)

"Don't even think of trying to help us, or bring us back, or whatever stupid plan you might come up with. Don't you dare. You worry about yourselves, you hear me?"

Hmm, she looks pretty good for a five hundred and twenty one year old. Too bad she’s a lesbian. Fang is quite possibly the Final Fantasy franchise’s oldest playable woman, even if physically she’s only twenty one. This was caused by Fang and Vanille’s crystallisation after Fang attempted to destroy Cacoon. Five hundred years later, the two awoke, with Fang having no memories of her purpose. While trying to figure out what their purpose is, the two of them accidentally cause the crystallisation of Dajh and Serah. Fang has been described as “stronger than Lightning and more stubborn than Snow”.

25. Rinoa Heartilly (Final Fantasy VIII)

"I like it like this. I liked having my mom hold me. My dad, too, back when we got along. But now... Squall, you're the one who gives me the most comfort. Comfort and happiness... and annoyance and disappointment, too!"

“Squall, I love you”. “Whatever”. Rinoa is a member of freedom fighter group the Forest Owls, who rebel against the Galbadian military (which Rinoa’s father is a commander in). She first meets Squall and the group at the SeeD inauguration party, where she somehow convinced Squall to dance. While there, she convinced Cid Kramer to let them use three SeeDs to aid their cause: Squall, Selphie and Zell. One year before the events of the game she had a romantic relationship with Seifer, however the end of the game sees her with Squall (what’s it with her and gunblade users?)

24. Sazh Katzroy (Final Fantasy XIII)

"I need to protect the future for my son, even if it means... even if it means putting my life on the line. Heads or tails. Life or death."

Seriously? Isn’t the hair a little stereotypical? Sazh was taking his son Dajh to see a Sanctum fal’Cie, when Dajh wandered away and was turned into a l’Cie. Unknown to him, the cause of this was Fang and Vanille, his future allies. When trying to find a way to save him, he meets Lightning in Bodhum and the two agree to help each other reach the Pulse fal’Cie Anima. When they reach it, they find Snow, Hope and Vanille there already. When he and Lightning try to use force to save Serah and Dajh, the fal’Cie makes them all l’Cie.

23. Fran (Final Fantasy XII)

"I have discarded Wood and village. I won my freedom. Yet my past has been cut away forever. No longer can my ears hear the Green Word. This solitude, you want, Mjrn?"

How old is this woman? I probably won’t find out by asking her directly. Fran is Final Fantasy XII’s most mysterious character, with the least backstory revealed. She left her home of the Eruyt Forest over 50 years ago. Sometime after that, she met Balthier. That’s about all anyone knows of her history. This is probably because she’s a viera, making her a bit unsocial among other races. She is very sensitive around mist, which once caused her to go crazy and violently attack several enemies by herself, prompting Balthier to say one of my favourite lines in Final Fantasy.

22. Red XIII (Final Fantasy VII)

“I am Nanaki, son of Seto... I am afraid of nothing... it's all right, all right. I'm Nanaki, the son of brave Seto... I'm not afraid of Sephiroth...”

Who says all playable characters have to stand on their hind legs? Red XIII (also known as Nanaki) is a member of an unnamed species from Cosmo Canyon. He was kidnapped by Turks about a year before the events of the game, before being experimented on by Professor Hojo. However, he was saved by Cloud and his team before Hojo could interbreed him with Aerith (who’s also of a rare species). Because of his long lifespan, he realises that throughout the course of his life he will encounter many losses. However, Vincent agrees to meet him every year in Midgar.

21. Tidus (Final Fantasy X)

"Listen to my story. This... may be our last chance."

Does Tidus really count as a character? He isn’t even real. The star player of the Zanarkand Abes blitzball team may seem carefree and happy on the outside, but on the inside he has deep contempt for his father Jecht. During a tournament in his father’s name, Tidus is taken from Zanarkand to Spira by a monster named Sin. While in Spira, he learns many disturbing things, like Sin is Jecht, he and his Zanarkand are merely dreams, and Yuna will die if she summons the Final Aeon. All this evolves Tidus from an arrogant teenager to a sensible adult.

There you have it, numbers 30 to 21. Next week, the characters who just missed out on the top 10. See you then.

No. 60 to 51, or, the completion of the bottom half.

Alright, here we are at the halfway mark . . . or is it halfway at the end of this post? In any case, today we round out the bottom half of this list. For those of you who haven’t been paying attention, I’m gonna do a recap of the Honourable Mentions and numbers 100 to 61 before getting into today’s characters.

Honourable mentions
Angeal Hewley (CC)	Brother (X)	Jenova (VII)	Chocobo (Various)
Tellah (IV)	Paddra Nsu-Yeul (XIII-2)	Edward Chris Von Muir (IV)	Barthandelus (XIII)
Luneth (III)	Gippal (X-2)	Al-Cid Margrace (XII)	Penelo (XII)
The list so far . . .
100. Emperor Mateus (II)	90. Leo Cristophe (VI)	80. Rufus Shinra (VII)	70. Firion (II)
99. Agrias Oaks (Tactics)	89. Odin (Various)	79. Wakka (X)	69. Adelbert Steiner (IX)
98. Rosa Joanna Farrell (IV)	88. Selphie Tilmitt (VIII)	78. Shiva (Various)	68. Bahamut (Various)
97. Cait Sith (VII)	87. Cid (X)	77. Amarant Coral (IX)	67. Cidolfus Demen Bunansa (XII)
96. Barthello (X)	86. Rude (VII)	76. Bartz Klauser (V)	66. Irvine Kinneas (VIII)
95. Garland (IX)	85. Ultros (VI)	75. Sabin Rene Figaro (VI)	65. Faris Scherwiz (V)
94. Hope Estheim (XIII)	84. Cid Fabool IX (IX)	74. Cidolfus Orlandeau (Tactics)	64. Vaan (XII)
93. Ultimecia (VIII)	83. Cid Raines (XIII)	73. Genesis Rhapsodos (CC)	63. Quistis Trepe (VIII)
92. Anima (X)	82. Golbez (IV)	72. Caius Ballad (XIII-2)	62. Edge Geraldine (IV)
91. Eiko Carol (IX)	81. Mog (Various)	71. Garland (I)	61. Cyan Garamonde (VI)

And with that done, here’s the next ten characters.

60. Quina Quen (Final Fantasy IX)

"Aiya! What big stone! Why you all watch stone? Is stone edible? Or is for barbecue? No answer... I think I lick it."

QUINA! NO! That isn’t food. Quina is a member of the Qu tribe, and seemingly has no gender. Its first appearance was in the Alexandria Castle, but isn’t recruitable until after the Festival of the Hunt, in the Qu Marsh (as an optional character). It travels with the party to Cleyra, but when the rest of the party teleport to the Red Rose, Quina stays behind. Quina is believed dead when Cleyra is destroyed; however Quina manages to get back to the Qu Marsh. Quina is the least involved in the quest, more interested in finding new things to eat.

59. Delita Heiral (Final Fantasy Tactics)

"'Tis your birth and faith that wrong you... not I."

The best friend of the main character of the game. Surely he can’t be evil. Delita and his sister Tietra were born to farmer parents, but were adopted by Barbaneth when his parents caught the Black Death. He made friends with Ramza and attended the Royal Military Akademy with him. Throughout the game, Delita is shown to be easily manipulated. After the death of his sister, Delita decides to be the manipulator for once. He becomes an Order of the Southern Sky knight and answers to the Church of Glabados, but plans to betray both to get what he wants.

58. Seymour Guado (Final Fantasy X)

"I have saved him. He was a man who craved power. And great power he had, but he feared losing it. Trembling at unseen enemies, he spent his days scheming petty schemes. Chased by his fears, never knowing rest. You see... Now he has no worries. He has been granted sleep eternal. Death is a sweet slumber. All the pain of life is gently swept away... Ah, yes. Don't you see... if all life were to end in Spira, all suffering would end. Don't you see? Do you not agree?"

You don’t have to be the final boss to be the most evil person in the game. Seymour was born to Guado leader Jyscal and a human woman in an effort to foster a better relationship between the two. However, he was viewed as an abomination, and he and his mother fled to Baaj temple. Seymour’s mother becomes the Fayth for the aeon Anima hoping Seymour would use it to defeat Sin and be accepted by the world. This only increased his bitterness. He devised a plan to destroy Spira in order to save it from the suffering Sin brings.

57. Edea Kramer (Final Fantasy VIII)

"You must fight to the end! Even though it may bring tragedy to others!"

“Don’t kill me Squall, I’m being possessed”. “Whatever”. Edea is the matron of Edea’s Orphanage and the wife of Cid Kramer. Thirteen years before the main plot of the game, Edea meets Ultimecia and a teenage Squall. Ultimecia passes on her powers to Edea, and Squall tells her about SeeD and the Gardens. Eventually, she separated from her husband, but not before establishing SeeD. During the course of the game, Edea is possessed by Ultimecia. However, once the party defeats her Edea’s sorceress powers and are passed on to Rinoa. She joins the party for a brief time after this.

56. Gabranth (Final Fantasy XII)

"Silence! All was stripped from me. Only hatred for the brother who fled our homeland remains mine!"

This guy must have been the evil left twin. Gabranth (real name Noah Fon Ronsenburg) is the twin brother of Basch Fon Ronsenburg. The two lived with their mother in Landis until it was invaded by The Empire. Basch fled to Dalmasca, and Noah took his mother to Archadia. He took his mother’s maiden name (Gabranth) and joined the military. He rose through the ranks, and soon became a Judge Magister. His main job was to gather and spread information for The Emperor. About two years before the events of the game, Gabranth murdered King Raminas pretending to be Basch.

55. Cid Pollendina (Final Fantasy IV)

“He ordered me to make an airship, but I don't want it used as a weapon!”

Here he is, the OTHER playable Cid. Cid is the airship engineer of Baron, and long time friend of Cecil’s. Upon hearing of Cecil’s dismissal, he’s very apologetic. He was working on a new airship, “The Enterprise”, when he realised the king was acting strangely. When the king asked if he could see The Enterprise, Cid refused, afraid of what the king might do with it. Cid was arrested, but soon released by Cecil and his team. From this point on, he frequently helps Cecil, especially with airships. In “The After Years”, despite his old age, he refuses to retire.

54. Setzer Gabbiani (Final Fantasy VI)

“A two-headed coin..? How low can you get? I love it!”

Wonder if he bet on himself being on the list? Setzer is Final Fantasy’s resident Gambler, with no other character as an exclusive Gambler. Before the game, he flew airships with a girl named Darill. She promised him her airship if she couldn’t fly it anymore. Setzer said he would never do that, so when Darill died in an airship crash, Setzer stored her airship in a cave under the sea. Towards the start of the game, he’s infatuated with an opera singer named Maria, and plans to marry her. However, he kidnaps Celes (who was standing in for her).

53. Reno (Final Fantasy VII)

“Don't misunderstand. We have no intention of joining you. But for now, we'll agree not to bother each other. That's all.”

Yo, why are you still not playable? Reno is one of the top members of the Turks, being third in command until Veld left which bumped his position up to second. In Final Fantasy VII he can be fought several times, most of them because he’s trying to detain Cloud’s party. By the end of the game Reno simply can’t be bothered fighting them anymore. In Advent Children, Reno has actually switched sides, helping Cloud and friends in the fight against the Sephiroth remnants. He and Rude take out Yazoo and Loz for a while by blowing up a freeway.

Please note: Reno is the highest character on this list to never be playable in ANY game.

52. Gilgamesh (Final Fantasy V)

"Enough expository banter! Now we fight like men! And ladies! And ladies who dress like men! For Gilgamesh... it is morphing time!"

Where do you keep coming from? Gilgamesh is Final Fantasy’s most recurring comic relief boss, appearing in many Final Fantasy games. He debuted in Final Fantasy V. He first appears guarding Bartz, Lenna and Faris, but was easily beaten by Galuf. They were then ambushed by Gilgamesh during their escape. After two more losses to the party (including one with Enkidu and one with a fake Excalibur) Exdeath banishes him to The Void. He’s fought one more time in The Void, before he protects the party from Necrophobe. Gilgamesh now uses The Void to go between the Final Fantasy universes.

51. Edgar Roni Figaro (Final Fantasy VI)

“First of all, your beauty has captivated me! Second... I'm dying to know if I'm your type... I guess your ...abilities... would be a distant third.”

Hmm, ladies’ man who has a lot of gadgets? Not creepy at all. Edgar is the king of Figaro and twin brother of Sabin, taking the role from his father who was poisoned by the Gestahlian Empire. Before he died, he asked that both his sons rule together, however Sabin left because of the lack of care that his father died. Edgar became friends with the Empire, but also secretly became friends with the Returners, to help them bring the Empire down. True to character, when Locke comes to him with Terra, his first instinct is to hit on her.

And now we’ve arrived at the halfway mark. Next week we continue down the list with the characters who just made it into the top half. Until then, seeya.

No. 70 to 61.

Last week, we crossed the one quarter mark of the list. This week, we have the highest ranked character from one game, and the highest ranked recurring character. Well, let’s get into it:

70. Firion (Final Fantasy II)

“I...never had a specific objective I could call my own...like winning against my father, or fighting alongside my brother. I just wanted to bring an end to the conflict. It's like the Emperor said. I'm only a tool without a will of my own.”

You know, most characters only use one type of weapon. Firion is the main character of Final Fantasy II, and the original NES version of the game uses the same sprite as Fighter from the previous game. Being from an early game, Firion hasn’t got a lot of back story. He lived in Salamand with adoptive parents after his parents’ death. When the Palamecian Empire attacked the town, his new parents were killed and he’s taken to Fynn with Maria, Guy and Leon. They escape captivity, and all but Leon join the Wild Rose Rebellion (Leon disappearing during the escape).

Please note: Of the two characters from Final Fantasy II to make this list, Firion ranked the highest.

69. Adelbert Steiner (Final Fantasy IX)

"I thought of relinquishing my knighthood many times after Alexandria was destroyed... But there are still things I must protect. Seeing this sky convinced me."

I thought the character wielding a sword was meant to be the main character? Steiner is the captain of the Knights of Pluto, and rival of Beatrix. He loyally protects Garnet, and throughout the game tries to bring her back to Alexandria. He distrusts Zidane on the grounds that he kidnapped her, though he respects Vivi. When the party gains control of the cargo ship, Steiner tries to take it to Alexandria, but Garnet instead takes it to Lindblum. When Cid wouldn’t help them, Steiner and Garnet sneak back to Alexandria. While there, he realises that Queen Brahne is evil.

68. Bahamut (Various)

“I see you have defeated Leviathan, but that could have been done without the power of light. I, Bahamut, shall test you.”

What’s a fantasy game without a powerful dragon? Bahamut is perhaps the most common summon throughout the Final Fantasy franchise. He debuted in the original game, though not as a summon. If the player brought him a rat tail, he’d upgrade their job classes. In Final Fantasy III, he kidnapped the player and Desch, who worked together to escape his nest. In Final Fantasy IV, he is the God of the Eidolon. In Final Fantasy IX, Kuja uses it to attack Alexandria, but is ultimately beaten by Alexander. In Final Fantasy X, his Fayth appears to Tidus and Yuna frequently.

Please note: Of the four frequently recurring characters from the series, Bahamut ranked the highest.

67. Cidolfus Demen Bunansa (Final Fantasy XII)

"Behold the Manufacted Nethicite... the fruit of our power and knowledge! See what the Stone of Man is capable of! Witness its power with your own eyes! Famfrit! To me!"

Finally, Square Enix added a mad scientist to their list of villains. Cidolfus Bunansa (better known as Dr. Cid) is the father of leading man Balthier. Six years prior to the game, while on an expedition to Jagd Difohr, he met Occuria Venat, who taught him about nethicite. He taught Cid how to create artificial nethicite, which Cid used to make many things, including airships and weapons. Sometimes, Venat would appear to Cid, but no-one else, so people began to assume he was crazy. Not wanting to see his father’s sanity deteriorating anymore, Balthier left and became a sky pirate.

66. Irvine Kinneas (Final Fantasy VIII)

“Sharpshooters are loners by nature... We hone our instincts, pour our whole being in a single bullet. The pressure of the moment... An instant of tension... That's what... I have to face alone...”

“Hey Squall, I just hit a sparrow at hundred feet.” “Whatever.” Irvine was one of the orphans at Edea’s orphanage with most of the other playable cast, and is also an expert on firearms. He was hired to help Squall’s team assassinate Edea, however he recognised her and hesitated before firing, a shot the sorceress blocked easily. The rest of the party get arrested, but Irvine avoids it, and later teams up with Rinoa (who was released) to save the others. Since he doesn’t use the Guardian Forces, he didn’t lose his memories and remembered his time in the orphanage.

65. Faris Scherwiz (Final Fantasy V)

"I'm just not cut out for a princess, I'm afraid. Pirating's much more my style."

Didn’t Aerosmith have a song about this lady? Born Sarisa Scherwil Tycoon, princess of Tycoon, she became lost at sea as a child and was found by pirates. Being so young, she couldn’t pronounce her name properly, she was given the name Faris. Because women aren’t treated as equals, she was disguised as a boy. At the age of fifteen, the ship was attack by Syldra, whom Faris managed to tame and have pull the ship. As a result, she became the captain of the ship. Five years later, she catches Bartz, Lenna and Galuf trying to steal her ship.

64. Vaan (Final Fantasy XII)

"One of these days I'll fly an airship of my own. I'll be a sky pirate, free to go where I will."

And now, we have Captain Basch fon, oops, I mean we have Vaan. Vaan is the main character of Final Fantasy XII (though not the leading man), who seeks revenge on the Empire for his brother Reks’ death. The death of his brother meant that he had no family left other than his adoptive sister and love interest Penelo (his parents were killed five years prior to the game; Penelo’s were killed two years later). After his brother’s death, he lived with Penelo and some other orphaned children in Lowtown, dreaming of the day he could become a sky pirate.

63. Quistis Trepe (Final Fantasy VIII)

“You know, the boys often choke on this test when I come with them. I guess my charm makes them nervous.”

“Squall! Seifer! Stop that at once”. “Whatever”. Quistis grew up in Edea’s Orphanage alongside most of the main cast. Growing up, she constantly broke up fights between Squall and Seifer. At age ten she was adopted, but came back because “it didn’t work out”. She became the youngest member of SeeD at age fifteen, and at age seventeen received her instructors licence. After Ellone left, Quistis attempted to fill in for her as Squall’s sister. Quistis is highly admired at the orphanage, and she even has her own fanclub (who call themselves “Trepies”. Someone was watching too much Star Trek).

62. Edge Geraldine (Final Fantasy IV)

“You think our rage... a weakness? Then let me show you how wrong you are!”

Okay, who wants to be the one to tell him the girl he likes is only seven? Edge is a ninja prince from the Kingdom of Eblan. Some time before the game (or at least his debut) the people of the kingdom had to be evacuated to the nearby Cave of Eblan. When his parents disappear, Edge suspects Rubicante, one of the four fiends. When Edge confronts Rubicante, he is easily defeated. Cecil’s party meet him after the battle and ask him to join them, an offer he refuses at first, but agrees to join after Rydia starts to cry.

61. Cyan Garamonde (Final Fantasy VI)

“I shall go with thee! We must not abandon this world to Kefka!”

Thou shall bow down to the samurai of Doma Castle. Cyan is a powerful warrior from Doma. When he’s introduced in the game, Doma is under attack from the Gestahlian Empire. He easily dispatches the commander of a group of soldiers that attacks the castle, but then Kefka dumps some poison into a river that runs through the castle, killing nearly everyone. Enraged, he attacks the Empire’s camp, where he meets Sabin and Shadow. After they escape the camp, the trio end up on the Phantom Train, which Cyan sees his wife and child leave on when he gets off.

And that’s it for this week. Next week, we finish the bottom half of the list. Who else missed out on making the top half of the list? Find out next week. Until then, seeya.

No 90 to 81

Last week, we found out who just barely slipped into the list. Today, we continue down the list to those who were a little more secure in their position. Today, we see numbers 90 to 81. Here goes.

90. Leo Cristophe (Final Fantasy VI)

"I knew you were being used as some sort of biological weapon. And because I didn't do anything about it, I'm no better than Kefka."

I didn’t know there were honourable men in the Gestahlian Empire. General Leo Cristophe is a temporarily playable character (and by temporary, I mean one battle). When the party first meets him, he tells a soldier to delay their attacks to minimise casualties, and tries to prevent Kefka from poisoning Doma. However, he’s called away to meet with Gestahl and Kefka goes ahead with his plan. He accompanies Terra, Locke, Shadow and Celes on a mission to make peace with the Espers. When he discovers this was just a plan from Gestahl to get more magicite, he dies fighting Kefka.

89. Odin (Various)

"Mine obsidian blade shall split atwain the threads of thy future, whilst its crimson fuller shalt channel the lifeblood of thy past. Now wail as thy soul is bestrewn across the plains of Valhalla!"

Heads will roll. Odin is a summon in the Final Fantasy series, appearing in many games. Typically, he will instantly kill the enemy he’s summoned against, unless it’s a boss. Like most summons, he doesn’t often have a huge impact on the plot. In Final Fantasy IV, the king of Baron becomes Odin after his death. In Final Fantasy VIII, he appears during a battle with Seifer and attacks, however Seifer defeats him and his sword is acquired by Gilgamesh. In Final Fantasy XIII and XIII-2, he’s Lightning eidolon, and in Gestalt Mode turns into Sleipnir for Lightning to ride.

88. Selphie Tilmitt (Final Fantasy VIII)

"...I... I did it, everyone...! I know the stage got destroyed, but I performed... My dream band... I was able to carry out my dream..."

“Hey Squall, wanna join the Garden Festival Committee?” “Whatever.” Selphie, like most of the main cast, is one of the orphans from Edea’s Orphanage. When the orphanage shut down, Selphie was the only one to go to Trabia Garden. Despite this Garden not using Guardian Forces, she stumbled across one and began using it. She used it for a while, but eventually she lost it and forgot all about it (the cost of using Guardian Forces). When she finished her training, she transferred to Balamb Garden. She passes the SeeD exam alongside Squall and Zell, and another student named Nida.

87. Cid (Final Fantasy X)

“If she continues this fool pilgrimage, she will die! Sure as if you killed her yourself. No haired-brained law or teaching can send my little niece to her death! When I save her, I'll make her give up being a summoner quicker than a desert melts ice!”

Anyone who beats the crap out of Tidus and loves blowing things up is okay in my books. Cid is the leader of the Al Bhed, Rikku’s father and Yuna’s uncle. When the Al Bhed were scattered across Spira, he was the one to bring them together and build Home. When Braska married his sister, he disowned her, but after Yuna’s birth and her death, he significantly relented. During Final Fantasy X, he sends the Al Bhed to kidnap summoners so that they don’t get killed at the end of their pilgrimage, instead looking into another way to defeat Sin.

86. Rude (Final Fantasy VII)

“Hey, partner, this thing got any bite to it?” “Shin-Ra technology at its finest.” “Oh, so you made this?” “If nothing else it's ... flashy.” “Oh good...” “You love it, I know.” “Looks like today we're clocking out early.”

Shinra technology would suck without him. Rude is one of the Turks and a dedicated employee of Shinra. He is often seen with Reno and, in contrast with Reno’s laid back and talkative manner, is quiet and serious. He can be fought several times in Final Fantasy VII, though the only time he must be fought is in Rocket Town while loading the Huge Materia onto a rocket. In Advent Children, Rude and Reno fight Loz and Yazoo, who are searching for Jenova’s head. He is rarely seen without a pair of sunglasses on, and even has a backup pair.

85. Ultros (Final Fantasy VI)

“Silence Knave! You are in the presence of octopus royalty! A lowborn thug like you could never defeat me!”

Why do comic relief bosses have more than four limbs? Ultros is an octopus who hinders the player party in numerous games, but isn’t technically evil. He debuts in Final Fantasy VI. The party first meet him on the Lethe River, where he tries to eat the party. He then tries to crush Celes at the opera house, but is foiled. He next appears in the Esper Caves, trying to steal the statues representing the Warring Triad. In his final battle, he brings his friend “Mr. Typhon”. In the World of Ruin, he’s the receptionist at the Dragon’s Neck Colosseum.

84. Cid Fabool IX (Final Fantasy IX)

"I'm delighted to see you again, Garnet. You have truly <gwok> become a fine lady."

Getting turned into insects and frogs? I think I've read this fairy tale. Cid continues Square Enix’s tradition of having someone named Cid who has a connection with airships. Despite his wife turning him into an Oglop, he remains the leader of Lindblum. It’s because of him that the Tantalus Theatre group kidnap Princess Garnet, because of Queen Brahne’s odd behaviour. When Zidane tries to turn him back into a human, he accidentally turns him into a frog, though he does eventually regain his human form. At the end of the game, Cid and Hilda adopt Eiko as their daughter.

83. Cid Raines (Final Fantasy XIII)

"The public fears what it doesn't know... Strike down the phantoms before their eyes, and they sleep like babes."

I didn't know Cid could be evil. Cid is a Sanctum officer whose job is to capture, and publicly execute l’Cie. When Snow is captured in Lake Bresha, he greets him very friendly and tells him that he wants to overthrow Sanctum so he can hand over the rule to the people. He manages to get Snow to help him, since he believed that Cid intended to save Cocoon. He reveals that he’s a l’Cie, and his Focus is to help the party to Cocoon’s destruction. When the party defeats him, Cid crystallises after giving them some words of encouragement.

82. Golbez (Final Fantasy IV)

"Oh, you care for this one, do you? Then let me take her along as well. To hold in trust until we are graced with the chance to meet again."

He wears black armour, he’s from outer space and he’s related to the main character. If you can hear him breathing in the next room, he’s Darth Vader. Golbez is a major villain in Final Fantasy IV and Cecil’s older brother. Born Theodor Harvey, he wasn’t aware of his Lunarian heritage. After his father was killed and his mother died giving birth to Cecil, a voice (Zemus) told Theodor that Cecil was to blame. Believing the voice, Theodor left Cecil outside of Baron. He changed his name to Golbez and allowed himself to be controlled by Zemus, ashamed of himself.

81. Mog (Various)

“I'm your boss, kupo! You're gonna join us, kupo!”

Aww, how adorable. Mog is a common name for a Moogle in the Final Fantasy games, typically one with a high level of importance in the game. In Final Fantasy VI, Mog is a playable character, and the only Moogle who can speak English. He first helps Locke defend Terra from The Empire, then becomes a party member who recruits Umaro in the World of Ruin. Mog in Final Fantasy IX, unlike VI, is the only Moogle who can’t speak English. Initially a coward, Mog is later revealed as the Holy Eidolon Madeen. In Final Fantasy XIII-2, he’s Serah’s bowsword.

Well, that’s it for this week. Next week, we get into numbers 80 to 71, which means this thing will be over a quarter over. Until then, seeya.