Your Favorite FFVIII Character

[Vixenish]

I identify best with Rinoa(duh). Strong willed, constantly trying to prove herself and politically motivated.

Oddly, Squall actually gets on my nerves...a lot. His internal dialogues piss me right the hell off. I'm not a fan of anyone so afraid to live that they won't even really try...

 

[Kobato]

Rinoa. Even though she gets hated alot by other fans ;__; so it's so awesome to see two new Rinoa fans here ! <3

She's just so brave and she tries so much to keep up with Selphie, Irvine and the rest even though she's not army trained like they are. She may seem like a damsel, but she only screws up once, after that it's the horrible case of being at the wrong place at the wrong time xD

Even though Squall was a douche to her she still saw something within him and she tried to help him close down his walls that he built up around him after loosing his sis. She's kind, brave, happy, and beautiful <3

I also love everybody else expect Zell. IDK he's annoying AND SHOUTS LIKE THIS ALOT, and Headmaster Cid the coward. >>

Oh and the fact that Rinoa doesn't get along well with her dad, I CAN REEELATE.

 

[Celes Chere]

Tough choice between Quistis, Selphie, Laguna, and Seifer. I also really adore Fujin. xD In the end, I went with Quistis ( though if I could've voted for Selphie along side her I would have ). I feel so bad for her the entire game. She tries her best and her hardest and is always looking out for Squall and the others, but she never really gets appreciated. In fact, her ranking gets removed for such stupid reasons. And then she gets shoved aside even more than she already does when Rinoa comes into Squall's life it's just... depressing. She doesn't get anything handed to her, she's hard working, classy, gorgeous, and despite all of her under recognized talents she is the same character type as Tifa and I like that. I like that she's insecure and questions her feelings. Those are the type of character traits that almost anyone can relate to, I feel a personal connection to her sometimes with her feelings of doubt and self worth. And she never really finds someone she can really confide in... I like that she's a strong female character that doesn't need a man to rely on. She grew more and more as a character on her own without having to be supported. Even though she went through emotional HELL she made the decision for herself to stay strong even though it was really hard for her. She even apologized to Rinoa who didn't fucking deserve it at the time that she did apologize. I think it's great that by the end of the game, we get to see Quistis smiling. That really made the perfect ending for me. ;w;

 

[Alexia Ashford]

I think it'd come down to Quistis, Zell, or Seifer (even though Kingdom Hearts ruined him for me)
I dunno. It's been years since I play the game and to be quite honest not many of the characters stuck with me. I didn't like Rinoa or Squall much at all. And most of the other characters were meh. Just meh.
But I was 15 when I played it soo...

I liked Quistis because she is a strong woman with hidden snark. Though she tends to let people push her aside fairly easily from what I remember.

Seifer.... I dunno... maybe because he had more personality than most of the other people.

And I just liked Zell. He was like second in command when Squall wasn't there and he was okay with that. He did what he could and stayed pretty upbeat without being a complete idiot.
I voted for him because I remember liking him the most when I played. XDDD

 

[Tifabelle]

hmm need to decide between Squall, Seifer, and Zell. Leaning toward Seifer.

 

[Edley]

I would have to say Laguna. A lot of people give Cloud credit for being one of the most complex characters in RPG history, but Laguna has an incredible amount of history for a supporting character. He comes off as a klutzy absent minded type, but once you go through his back story you see how much he's been through and how impactful he is on the narrative as a whole. There's a lot in VIII that is irksome, backwards, and bordering on a young adult novel, but his relationship with Raine, Ellone, and Squall is compelling and heart breaking at the same time.

 

[Ghost X]

Would've picked Edea if she was cool and evil throughout the entire game, but I settled for Squall. I'd like him more if he wasn't emo. Laguna comes in third, Fujin (the exclaiming lady, if I recall correctly) in forth because I think she was funny.

 

[Elisa Maza]

Look at me bouncing back and forth between Quistis and Laguna like a ping-pong ball. x~X

In the end, I think I'll go with Quistis.

Also,

I feel so bad for her the entire game. She tries her best and her hardest and is always looking out for Squall and the others, but she never really gets appreciated. In fact, her ranking gets removed for such stupid reasons. And then she gets shoved aside even more than she already does when Rinoa comes into Squall's life it's just... depressing. She doesn't get anything handed to her, she's hard working, classy, gorgeous, and despite all of her under recognized talents she is the same character type as Tifa and I like that. I like that she's insecure and questions her feelings. Those are the type of character traits that almost anyone can relate to, I feel a personal connection to her sometimes with her feelings of doubt and self worth. And she never really finds someone she can really confide in... I like that she's a strong female character that doesn't need a man to rely on. She grew more and more as a character on her own without having to be supported. Even though she went through emotional HELL she made the decision for herself to stay strong even though it was really hard for her. She even apologized to Rinoa who didn't fucking deserve it at the time that she did apologize. I think it's great that by the end of the game, we get to see Quistis smiling. That really made the perfect ending for me. ;w;

Can I marry this post?

 

[Tifabelle]

Ok I actually voted for Zell. :/ Not entirely happy with my choice, lol. idk I guess I don't really LOVE any of the characters, but I like all of them. I felt like if I picked Seifer it would be for the wrong reasons. XD My other choice would have been Squall, and I like him well enough, but sometimes he pisses me off. And I remember the first time I played the game, I didn't like him. I started to like him when I played it a couple more times.

 

[Marle]

Laguna is my obvious choice. He's got everything a classic male lead in FF needs. To me, I think he was the best developed. He was torn between two women, had to make tough decisions, was a hero without running around trying to be one, was cocky and funny and guh. I just love him. He always reminded me a lot of normal!Cloud and Zack and what a perfect combination.

But Laguna is Laguna and his story was more interesting to me than Squall's. I couldn't wait till they'd pass out and I'd get to see more of Laguna. He was a soldier and a father and...he was perfectly flawed. <3 I love how he's terrible around women but still a flirt. It was adorable. And his dedication to his friends. ;O;

Unpopular opinion, I liked Irvine too. And Selphie. Also, didn't mind Rinoa. I think I only disliked Squall... >.>

 

[Zee]

Rinoa for kicking Irvine down the stairs and generally being amusing while everyone else was pissing me off.

 

[ForceStealer]

This is a hard choice for me in that just about none of FFVIII's characters really endear themselves to me. Every time I think I've decided I remember something they did that infuriated me.
Squall has his moments now and then but he's just such a prick for so long, he's much easier to take in Kingdom Hearts, and even Dissidia. (Sorry Tres) Rinoa is incredibly annoying, it's amazing how little I care for that couple the game pushes so hard.

It probably comes down to Quistis or Laguna. But Laguna's an idiot and Quistis...I did like her a lot of the time but now and then she'd do stuff and I'd just be wondering what her problem was. Such as throwing herself at Squall near the beginning and:

She even apologized to Rinoa who didn't fucking deserve it at the time that she did apologize. I think it's great that by the end of the game, we get to see Quistis smiling. That really made the perfect ending for me. ;w;

Yeah, A) There was no reason to apologize to Rinoa. B) She abandons her post on this incredibly crucial mission because she HAS to apologize THIS INSTANT. Ugh.

But due to her being levelheaded most of the time and the lack of stiff competition from the rest of the cast, I'll probably give it to her.

 

[Octo]

Laguna, yeah hes a bumbling idiot, but thats what endears him to me. Plus despite his clumsyness he shows real courage. I just find his attitude refreshing.

 

[Flintlock]

I'm going to have to think about this one before I vote.

I used to think Squall was boring, cold, insensitive, you name it. But I've been playing VIII recently (I'm on disc three at the moment), and I have actually started liking him a lot more.

The things he thinks, or says to himself, particularly in the first two discs, are actually right on the money a lot of the time. Sure, I don't agree that a person should try to be so insular, but apart from that, I found it very difficult to argue with his thoughts.

What annoyed me, in fact, was everyone else trying to change him all the time. The constant encouragement to open up, the constant patronising ("we're here for you Squall, we all like you" - paraphrased), the questioning of his decisions (particularly regarding Rinoa during the battle of the Gardens), and so on. Some people are just quiet by nature, and it's not nice to badger them about it the whole time. When Squall finally does open up (after Rinoa goes into her coma), he just starts bumbling about "I want to hear your voice, call out my name!", whereas just an hour or so earlier he was pointing out to Rinoa that everyone was trying to set them up - and the way he said it suggested he wasn't interested at all. The change was too sudden to be believable.

So yeah, Squall has gone up a lot in my estimations, but I think I'd like to play to the end (again - I think this would be my third completion) before coming to a decision.

What I can say right now, though, is that I don't be voting for Rinoa, or Quistis, or Zell, or Irvine. If not Squall or Selphie, it'll be one of the supporting characters - and if Raijin and Fujin are included in the poll, why can't I vote for NORG?

 

[Vixenish]

Because NORGs backstory was never fully fleshed out so he can suck it. (In all honesty Raijin and FUJIN were more in the game, you see them throughout it. NORG was there for like, five minutes If I did him I'd also have to do Vinzer)

I thought his sudden turn around actually made a lot of sense. IRL a lot of guys won't give a shit about something because they just assume it'll always be there, but the instant it's gone, even momentarily, it's absolutely devastating to them.

Also I'm pretty sure that how he said it depended on a choice that you made.

 

[Flintlock]

I was joking about NORG But he did have a bit more back story than Raijin and Fujin. The other Shumis talk about him, and Cid explains how he funded Garden. What did Raijin and Fujin do before the game started? Why are they so loyal to Seifer? And why do they talk to stupidly? I have no clue.

 

[Masamune]

Where's the Other option?

 

[Vixenish]

I was joking about NORG But he did have a bit more back story than Raijin and Fujin. The other Shumis talk about him, and Cid explains how he funded Garden. What did Raijin and Fujin do before the game started? Why are they so loyal to Seifer? And why do they talk to stupidly? I have no clue.

...I had a really long reply to this, and when I went to post it the forum made me log back in. Sooooo annoying!

Backstory was the wrong word, sorry...But all of those questions except the speech impediment are actually answered in game. Before the start of the game they were students of garden. They ran the disciplinary committee with Seifer, which is how they met him. They state during the battle between Balamb and Galbadia gardens that they are loyal to him because of their friendship with him. I don't really think you need another reason. You also follow them throughout the course of the game, and see the shift in the dynamics of their friendship with Seifer.


You actually see NORG for about five minutes, and the only part of his backstory you get is the bit that pertains to Gardens backstory. What he did to the other Shumi, or why he was so bad is never explained. Once you fight him he goes into a cocoon and transforms into something, but you never find out what. Nor do you know where he goes. I would have enjoyed a sidequest that gave you more details about his transformation. The Moombas are what happens when a Shumi is awesome, but NORG wasn't, so what does he look like now?

 

[Flintlock]

Backstory was the wrong word, sorry...But all of those questions except the speech impediment are actually answered in game. Before the start of the game they were students of garden. They ran the disciplinary committee with Seifer, which is how they met him. They state during the battle between Balamb and Galbadia gardens that they are loyal to him because of their friendship with him. I don't really think you need another reason. You also follow them throughout the course of the game, and see the shift in the dynamics of their friendship with Seifer.

I know that that much is mentioned in the game, but I still don't think it is a satisfactory explanation.

Yes, Raijin and Fujin were in Balamb Garden before the game, but how did they get there? They weren't at Edea's orphanage, so they must have had some other route.

What exactly did the disciplinary committee do, and why did Cid (or whoever) make such poor choices when deciding who should be on it? I suppose that's just personal opinion, but it was clear long before the start of the game that Seifer was a troublemaker.

What made them so loyal to Seifer? I have friends who I consider myself "loyal" to, but I don't think I would stick by them, and to a large extent, do their dirty work, if they so blatantly turned evil.

You do find out about the shift in dynamics in their friendship with Seifer, but only indirectly: after Squall and co graduate, do you actually see Raijin, Fujin and Seifer in the same place, talking to each other? I don't think you do.

You actually see NORG for about five minutes, and the only part of his backstory you get is the bit that pertains to Gardens backstory. What he did to the other Shumi, or why he was so bad is never explained. Once you fight him he goes into a cocoon and transforms into something, but you never find out what. Nor do you know where he goes. I would have enjoyed a sidequest that gave you more details about his transformation. The Moombas are what happens when a Shumi is awesome, but NORG wasn't, so what does he look like now?

All of what you say here is true, but honestly, I just said NORG at random in the post that started this whole discussion I could equally have said "why can't I vote for Ellone?" Now you can't tell me that she didn't get any backstory or game time!

EDIT: Did Ellone get added to the poll after I made this post? If not, I just missed her.

 

[Alessa Gillespie]

fuujin is my favorite because fuck everyone else

only good things can come from characters who loudly say one or two word sentences

 

[Vixenish]

Yes, Raijin and Fujin were in Balamb Garden before the game, but how did they get there? They weren't at Edea's orphanage, so they must have had some other route.

How did any student join garden that wasn't from Edeas orphanage? How did Zell join it? He was adopted before Garden started, and yet still ended up at Balamb Garden? Why? Is it the only school in the games world?

What exactly did the disciplinary committee do, and why did Cid (or whoever) make such poor choices when deciding who should be on it? I suppose that's just personal opinion, but it was clear long before the start of the game that Seifer was a troublemaker.

They were basically hall monitors. No one ever says for sure why, but it could have been in the hopes that a little responsibility would help him shape up.

What made them so loyal to Seifer? I have friends who I consider myself "loyal" to, but I don't think I would stick by them, and to a large extent, do their dirty work, if they so blatantly turned evil.

I think it's a little different when you have no family, and only two people you really call friends. With how long they were all together and the lack of other social fallbacks they may as well have been brothers/sister. Would you do it for your siblings?

There's also been a whole bunch of research around authority and how it affects us as humans. Read up on Milgrams shock test if you aren't already familiar with it. Pretty amazing how far we'll go just because someone seems to be in charge.

You do find out about the shift in dynamics in their friendship with Seifer, but only indirectly: after Squall and co graduate, do you actually see Raijin, Fujin and Seifer in the same place, talking to each other? I don't think you do.

It's been a while, but I believe at the end of the game you do, right before you face Edea for the last time...then in the FMV you see them all together fishing.

All of what you say here is true, but honestly, I just said NORG at random in the post that started this whole discussion I could equally have said "why can't I vote for Ellone?" Now you can't tell me that she didn't get any backstory or game time!
EDIT: Did Ellone get added to the poll after I made this post? If not, I just missed her.

No she didn't. I don't have the ability to edit the poll. I just tried to add an other option for Masa and can't seem to do it.

You could have said Vinzer Deling, or General Caraway or Ma Dincht or Ward or Zone or the White Seed though...and what about the GFs?

Really I just tried to pick characters that you saw a lot of throughout the game, that were integral to the sorceress storyline. I don't think I missed any of those. Except Ultimecia. She probably should have been there.

 

[Flintlock]

If my brother started working as a knight for some sorceress (or whatever the real world equivalent is - dictator?), I wouldn't help him. Same if he committed a serious crime, like murdering someone. I'd tell him to go to the police himself, but if he didn't, I'd probably turn him in. That's just how I am. I know a lot of people would act differently.

By the way, your choice of which characters to include in the poll was good If you'd added Ultimecia, as you said, I think it would have been perfect. Though I don't think many people would have voted for her, because she's a pretty poor "big bad", in my opinion.

 

[Kikki]

I voted for Irvine but that was only because Raine wasn't an option . When I first played the game I really didn't like Laguna that much. But after seeing him in 012 then playing through VIII again I ended up liking him a whole lot more.

 

[Vixenish]

I would as well, but my brother and I aren't trained mercenaries...when money is enough to get a person to kill it's kinda hard to see them ever caring about who they kill really. Which is something I don't think 8 went into enough. The idea of killing for money really is just messed up imo.

 

[Danseru-kun]

I haven't played FFVIII (any main FF too) but I voted for Rinoa. I love Squall's psyche and teenage issues but the way Rinoa forced him to waltz is just plain awesome.