Tetsuya Nomura, the mind behind Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts character designs, recently revealed the surprisingly simple reason behind his consistently attractive protagonists. In an interview with Young Jump magazine, Nomura traced his design philosophy back to a high school classmate's insightful question: "Why do I have to be ugly in the game world too?"
This seemingly casual remark profoundly impacted Nomura, leading him to prioritize aesthetic appeal in his hero designs. He believes that visually appealing characters foster player connection and empathy. "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," he explained.
This isn't to say Nomura avoids unconventional designs entirely. He reserves his more eccentric creations for antagonists, citing the synergy between a villain's personality and appearance. Sephiroth from Final Fantasy VII and Organization XIII from Kingdom Hearts serve as prime examples of this approach. "I don’t think the designs of Organization XIII would be that unique without their personalities," Nomura stated.
Reflecting on his earlier work in Final Fantasy VII, Nomura admitted to a more unrestrained creative process in his youth, resulting in characters like Red XIII and Cait Sith. However, he emphasizes the importance of meticulous detail in his designs, connecting even the smallest aesthetic choices to a character's personality and the overall narrative.
In essence, the next time you encounter a strikingly attractive hero in a Nomura game, remember that their appearance stems from a desire to make the gaming experience more relatable and enjoyable, a simple wish to look good while saving the world.
Nomura's Potential Retirement and the Future of Kingdom Hearts
The interview also touched upon Nomura's potential retirement in the coming years, as the Kingdom Hearts series approaches its conclusion. He indicated that he's integrating new writers into the process to inject fresh perspectives. Nomura stated that Kingdom Hearts IV is designed to set the stage for the series' grand finale.
