Tetsuya Nomura, the creative mind behind Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts, recently shared his straightforward reasoning for designing his characters to be visually appealing. His approach to character design stems from a simple yet impactful comment made by a high school classmate. Dive into Nomura's philosophy and how it shapes the iconic looks of his protagonists.
Why Tetsuya Nomura Designs His Heroes to Look Like They Just Stepped Off a Runway
Simple: ‘I Want to be Good-Looking in Games,’ Said Nomura
Tetsuya Nomura's characters, often resembling supermodels amidst their epic battles and existential dilemmas, have a clear purpose behind their striking appearances. It's not about a deeper philosophical statement on beauty or an attempt to be edgy. Instead, Nomura's design choices are rooted in a desire for escapism—a sentiment sparked by a casual remark from a high school friend: "Why do I have to be ugly in the game world too?" This comment resonated with Nomura, reinforcing his belief that video games should offer players an escape into a world where they can be their best selves.
In an interview with Young Jump magazine, translated by AUTOMATON, Nomura elaborated on this philosophy: "From that experience, I thought, ‘I want to be good-looking in games,’ and that’s how I create my main characters."
Nomura's approach isn't just about vanity; it's also about fostering a connection between players and characters. He believes that visually appealing characters are easier to empathize with, stating, "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."
While Nomura prioritizes attractiveness for his heroes, he reserves more eccentric designs for his villains. Characters like Sephiroth from Final Fantasy VII and the members of Kingdom Hearts' Organization XIII showcase his willingness to experiment with bold and outlandish looks for antagonists. Nomura explained, "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 his earlier work, Nomura admitted that his designs for Final Fantasy VII were more unrestrained. Characters like Red XIII and Cait Sith exemplify the creative freedom he enjoyed in his youth. "At the time, I was still young… so I just decided to make all the characters distinctive," he recalled. "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 admire the runway-ready heroes in a Nomura game, remember that it all stems from a desire to look good while saving the world—a sentiment that resonates with many players seeking escapism in their gaming experiences.
Tetsuya Nomura’s Retirement and the Future of Kingdom Hearts
In the same interview, Nomura hinted at his impending retirement as the Kingdom Hearts series approaches its conclusion. He has been integrating new writers to bring fresh perspectives to the series, stating, "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."
For more insights into how Kingdom Hearts IV aims to set the stage for its grand finale, explore our detailed article below!
