Final Fantasy: 10 Female Characters Who Were Actually Well Written (2024)

The Final Fantasy franchise is one of gaming's oldest and one of the best-respected for its writing. Its titles have long been at the vanguard for quality writing in video games. More than their plots or themes, Final Fantasy games are well-remembered for their rounded, likable, and compelling characters, including women.

Final Fantasy has long given fans well-written and entertaining women with flaws and virtues equal to their male counterparts. Across many years of mainline games, however, some Final Fantasy women have stood out to fans as exceptionally well-written. This encompasses many protagonists and some of Final Fantasy's most entertaining villains as well.

10 Rinoa Heartilly Learns From Her Mistakes

Final Fantasy VIII

Final Fantasy VIII is a divisive game among Final Fantasy fans. This extends to many of its characters, including Rinoa Heartilly. Rinoa's detractors point out her immature early characterization and frequent captivity as weaknesses in her writing. However, she has her fans, more than her fellow protagonist Squall Leonhart.

Many Final Fantasy VIII enjoy Rinoa for her significant character development. She goes from an immature and careless girl to someone who appreciates the severity of the situation and makes some of the most rational and cold-blooded decisions in the game. Others enjoy her very active role in courting Squall, different from many Final Fantasy women.

9 Lightning Farron Regains Her Compassion

Final Fantasy XIII

10 Most Emotional Final Fantasy Deaths, Ranked

Lightning Farron is Final Fantasy XIII's main protagonist and a significant focus character throughout the trilogy. Befitting Final Fantasy XIII's status as one of the darkest stories in the franchise, Lightning matches it as one of its most flawed protagonists. She's brusque, cold, and sometimes distant from her closest loved ones.

Lightning breaks the mold for women in Final Fantasy XIII from her earliest appearance. Even her later character development, becoming more openly compassionate and trusting, is more organic growth rather than making her fit an ideal. Lighting's aloof nature has made her contentious among many Final Fantasy fans, but she has plenty of supporters for her writing.

8 Anabella Rosfield Earns The Audience's Hate

Final Fantasy XVI

Read CBR's review of Final Fantasy XVI

Anabella Rosfield, unlike many of Final Fantasy's most compelling female characters, isn't a party member or protagonist. She's Clive Rosfield's mother and an overarching antagonist in Final Fantasy XVI. Anabella isn't a sympathetic or likable character. Instead, she's a chillingly loathable member of the cast, perfectly written to make the audience hate her.

Anabella's depiction as an abusive parent helps ground Final Fantasy XVI's fantastical story in very understandable human emotions. At the same time, Anabella isn't a one-note wicked mother stereotype. Although her disdain for Clive is obvious, Final Fantasy XVI leaves her relationship with her other sons and any potential sympathetic qualities from them ambiguous.

7 Rydia Feeds Into Her Game's Themes

Final Fantasy IV

Final Fantasy IV is an early title from before the franchise found its storytelling footing. However, many fans can agree that, despite its simplistic plot, it has surprisingly effective themes and character arcs. Rydia is a crucial part of these arcs, both for herself and for protagonist Cecil Harvey.

Rydia is a young summoner whom Cecil inadvertently orphans early into the game. Cecil takes her in with no other option, almost losing her again as he adventures. When Rydia returns, her eventual forgiveness of Cecil helps reinforce Final Fantasy IV's themes of redemption and the importance of motive.

6 Ultimecia Causes Her Own Downfall

Final Fantasy VIII

The Final Fantasy Series Needs To End Its Anthology Structure

Ultimecia is one of Final Fantasy's earliest female antagonists. She ranks among the most powerful villains in the entire Final Fantasy franchise. However, she stands out for her impressive writing. Ultimecia is a sorceress who seeks to compress and rule all of space-time, both to avenge the persecution of sorceresses and prevent her inevitable death at SeeD's hands.

These actions drive the entire plot of Final Fantasy VIII. However, in an ironic twist, it's only because of Ultimecia's actions that sorceresses become distrusted and SeeD forms. Ultimecia's story is a cruel bait-and-switch from destiny and one of the most celebrated things about Final Fantasy VIII's convoluted plot.

5 Celes Chere Becomes The Hero

Final Fantasy VI

Final Fantasy VI is an ensemble piece with no one protagonist. As the viewpoint character for the game's second half with significant thematic relevance, Celes Chere comes closer than most. She's a former imperial magitek knight who becomes imprisoned for treason, regretting her vicious actions during the war.

Celes goes from an embittered former soldier to the World of Ruin's greatest hope over the course of Final Fantasy VI. She contrasts both antagonist Kefka and fellow viewpoint character Terra with her growth. Celes' story adds a huge amount to Final Fantasy VI's story and contributes to its reputation as one of the best Final Fantasy games.

4 Aerith Gainsborough Does A Lot With A Little

Final Fantasy VII

Aerith Gainsborough is one of the most iconic characters in Final Fantasy history, not just because she's a vital part of the beloved Final Fantasy VII. The game's plot relies on Aerith's status as the Cetra and her capabilities, but that's not all she has to offer. Aerith is beloved by fans for her caring and kind-hearted personality that hides steel underneath.

It's difficult to fit Aerith into a box in Final Fantasy VII. She goes out of her way to help people one minute and threatens to maim enemies the next. She also has many unique dynamics with Final Fantasy VII party members. It's telling that Aerith manages to be so beloved despite only being present in the game's first half.

3 Tifa Lockhart Is Iconic For Her Role

Final Fantasy VII

10 Most Likable Final Fantasy Protagonists

Tifa Lockhart's visual design has made her one of the most infamous Final Fantasy characters ever, with fans and detractors alike. However, her role in Final Fantasy VII goes far beyond mere fanservice and romance. Tifa is an integral part of Final Fantasy VII's story, with many of her decisions changing the plot irrevocably.

Tifa's characterization in Final Fantasy VII avoids obvious stereotypes or equally blatant attempts to invert them. She's a brawler and one of AVALANCHE's strongest members, but also a compassionate, shy, and sensitive character. Rather than fitting into one story role, Tifa moves between a leader, a carer, and a supporter, always with her own agency.

2 Terra Branford Remembers Her Humanity

Final Fantasy VI

Terra Branford is the other character who stands out as a potential protagonist for Final Fantasy VI. She's the focal character for the game's first half and a major plot point in the second. Terra is a woman with amnesia who has formerly served as one of the Empire's most lethal magitek soldiers, having been bred as a part-human and part-esper weapon.

Terra undergoes a lengthy character arc throughout Final Fantasy VI. She comes to resent and fear her immense magical powers for the harm she's caused. Later, she develops a more positive balance with her abilities and emotions after she discovers more compassionate work in the World of Ruin.

1 Yuna Becomes The Protagonist

Final Fantasy X

Although Tidus is Final Fantasy X's main player character, the summoner Yuna shares significant protagonist duties with him. Her actions drive much of the plot, particularly toward the end. Yuna has some of the strongest character moments and development in Final Fantasy X, a game acclaimed for its storytelling.

Yuna brings about Final Fantasy X's dramatic ending as she refuses to participate in Spira's endless cycle that gives the people false hope. This also plays a part in the game's clever reversal where, after an entire game of Tidus trying to not sacrifice Yuna, Yuna has to sacrifice him instead.