Tetsuya Nomura, the creative force behind Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts, recently revealed the surprisingly simple reason behind his characters' striking good looks. This article delves into his unconventional design philosophy.

Why Nomura's Heroes Look Like Supermodels

Nomura's protagonists consistently boast supermodel-esque features, a stylistic choice that's less about artistic expression and more about a relatable desire. In an interview with Young Jump magazine (translated by AUTOMATON), Nomura traced his design philosophy back to high school, citing a classmate's insightful question: "Why do I have to be ugly in the game world too?"

This seemingly simple remark profoundly impacted Nomura, solidifying his belief that video games should offer an escape, including an escape from the mundane realities of appearance. He confessed, "From that experience, I thought, ‘I want to be good-looking in games,’ and that’s how I create my main characters."

This isn't mere vanity, however. Nomura argues that visually appealing characters foster player connection and empathy. He explains, "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."

Nomura's Eccentric Designs: A Villain's Privilege

This doesn't mean Nomura shuns unconventional designs entirely. He reserves his most daring, outlandish creations for antagonists. Sephiroth from Final Fantasy VII, with his towering sword and dramatic flair, serves as a prime example. Similarly, Kingdom Hearts' Organization XIII showcases Nomura's unrestrained creativity. He notes, "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 in Final Fantasy VII, Nomura acknowledges a more unrestrained approach. Characters like Red XIII and Cait Sith, with their distinctive and arguably less conventionally attractive designs, demonstrate a youthful exuberance in character creation. He recalls, "At the time, I was still young… so I just decided to make all the characters distinctive." He emphasizes the meticulous detail in his designs, asserting that even minor details contribute to a character's personality and the overall narrative.

In essence, the next time a Nomura hero graces your screen with model-esque features, remember the simple origin: a high school friend's desire to look cool while saving the world. As Nomura might say, why be a hero if you can't look good doing it?

Nomura's Potential Retirement and the Future of Kingdom Hearts

The Young Jump interview also touched upon Nomura's potential retirement in the coming years, as the Kingdom Hearts series approaches its conclusion. He's actively integrating new writers to inject fresh perspectives, 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."