Tetsuya Nomura's Character Design Philosophy: A Simple Reason Behind the Stunning Aesthetics

Tetsuya Nomura, the visionary behind the character designs in Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts, recently revealed the surprisingly simple inspiration behind his consistently attractive protagonists. In an interview with Young Jump magazine (translated by AUTOMATON), 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 casual remark resonated deeply, shaping Nomura's belief that video games should offer an escape, including an aesthetically pleasing one.

Nomura's core design principle? "I want to be good-looking in games," he stated, explaining his approach to creating his main characters. This isn't mere vanity, however. He believes visual appeal fosters player connection and empathy. Unconventional designs, he argues, can create characters too distinct for players to readily relate to.

This doesn't mean Nomura avoids eccentric designs entirely. He reserves his wilder experiments for antagonists. The flamboyant Sephiroth from Final Fantasy VII, and the striking members of Kingdom Hearts' Organization XIII, exemplify Nomura's unrestrained creativity when designing villains. He emphasizes the synergy between a character's inner personality and outward appearance as crucial to their impact.

"Yes, I like Organization XIII," he commented. "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 admits a more unrestrained approach in his youth. Characters like Red XIII and Cait Sith, with their distinctive and unconventional designs, highlight this early creative freedom. However, even then, he paid meticulous attention to detail, believing these elements contribute to a character's personality and the overall narrative.

"At the time, I was still young… so I just decided to make all the characters distinctive," Nomura reminisced. "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 striking appearance of a Nomura-designed hero, remember the simple yet profound influence of a high school classmate'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?

Tetsuya Nomura's Potential Retirement and the Future of Kingdom Hearts

The same interview also touched upon Nomura's potential retirement in the coming years, as the Kingdom Hearts series approaches its conclusion. He revealed his intention to incorporate new writers into the creative process, introducing fresh perspectives. Nomura stated, "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."