1. Shinra
   Sephiroth
2. Lightning
   Zack

Sephiroth, the One-Winged Angel, is the villain of Final Fantasy VII and arguably the most iconic Final Fantasy Character. Technically he barely appears in Final Fantasy VII. Most encounters with him are actually Jenova taking his form.

1. Shadow
   Magus
2. Vivi
   Edea

Vivi is an iconic and fan-favorite black mage from Final Fantasy IX. He's a prototype of the other mages, and despite his artificially short lifespan he attempts to use his time to better the world.

1. Gestahl
   Kuja
2. Kefka
   Kain

Kefka is the main villain of Final Fantasy VI. Remarkbably for a FF villain, he succeeds in his goal and destroys most of the world halfway through the game.

1. Jecht
   Laguna
2. Cid
   Locke

Cid was set to be the first man in space, but when this fell through, he became cynical and detached. Working with Cloud gradually lets him open up, and he ultimately becomes a capable team leader.

1. Jecht
   Shinra
2. Auron
   Vayne

Auron was one of Braska's guardians alongside Jecht, and he guards Braska's daughter in her pilgrimage as well. Shrouded in mystery throughout Final Fantasy X, it's eventually revealed that he died after Braska's pilgrimage, but his unsent spirit lingers on.

1. Yeul
   Tifa
2. Rinoa
   Terra

Terra is the main character of Final Fantasy VI. Although she appears as a human initially, she's actually half esper, and she transforms between human and esper form throughout the game.

1. Kuja
   Golbez
2. Yevon
   Seymour

Seymour is a half-human, half-Guado, who becomes a religious and political leader of Spira. He believes he can stop Spira's suffering by becoming the next incarnation of Sin, making him a primary antagonist.

1. Rinoa
   Selphie
2. Garnet
   Tifa

Rinoa is the leader of an anti-government resistance movement in Final Fantasy VIII. Squall is initially assigned to protect her, but their relationship gradually develops into a romance.

1. Lightning
   Iris
2. Fang
   Paine

Fang is one of the main protagonists in Final Fantasy XIII. Originally from Pulse, she and Vanille are fated to become Ragnarok, which will destroy Cocoon. She attempts to fulfill this focus without actually causing the intended destruction.

1. Hope
   Hojo
2. Snow
   Shinra

After his father is killed by Sephiroth, Rufus takes over the Shinra corporation. Throughout Final Fantasy VII, he opposes both Sephiroth and Avalanche.

1. Setzer
   Kuja
2. Cecil
   Jenova

Kuja, the main antagonist of Final Fantasy IX, was a prototype of the ultimate Angel of Death: Zidane. Kuja and Zidane both oppose their creator, but Kuja's means are far more destructive.

1. Zack
   Cloud
2. Noctis
   Kain

Zack was a friend and mentor to Cloud when they were both Shinra soldiers. After Zack's death, Cloud largely adopted his identity. His story is told more fully in the spinoff Crisis Core.

1. Yeul
   Celes
2. Serah
   Rosa

Celes was originally an imperial general in Final Fantasy VI, but she's stripped of her rank and thrown in jail for opposing Kefka. When Locke frees her, she joins his resistance movement and, after Kefka's initial victory, reassembles it.

1. Yeul
   Serah
2. Lightning
   Ashe

Serah, Lightning's sister, is chosen to bring the main characters of Final Fantasy XIII together with Anima, sowing the seeds of Cocoon's destruction. When she succeeds, she's turned to crystal. After being rescued, she partners with Noel to prevent a dystopian future in the sequel.

1. Yuna
   Ashe
2. Garnet
   Vanille

Ashe was the princess of Dalmasca until it was attacked by Archadia. As her kingdom falls, she fakes suicide and joins a resistance group to get revenge.

1. Vaan
   Balthier
2. Sabin
   Noel

Balthier is the charming "leading man" of Final Fantasy XII. Originally an Archadian Judge, he left that role behind to become a sky pirate, only to find himself pulled back into Ivalice's political strife.

1. Vayne
   Sabin
2. Jecht
   Braska

Jecht was Tidus' father and Breska's guardian. In his role as guardian, he became Braska's final aeon and defeated the previous incarnation of Sin, only to become its next incarnation.

1. Relm
   Rikku
2. Selphie
   Garnet

Princess Garnet escapes her family and disguises herself as a commoner, adopting the name Dagger. She eventually returns to the throne to become the new queen.

1. Setzer
   Snow
2. Cecil
   Vaan

Cecil is the protagonist of Final Fantasy IV. Originally a dark knight, he defects from the king, becomes a paladin, and works with Kain to defeat Golbez.

1. Reno
   Freya
2. Irvine
   Zell

Irvine is a sharpshooter, hired to assassinate Edea. When the assassination attempt fails, he remains part of the team, and eventually realizes he's known Squall since childhood.

1. Edea
   Ultimecia
2. Yunalesca
   Jenova

Although Edea appears to be the main antagonist of Final Fantasy VIII, she's being controlled by Ultimecia, a sorceress from the future.

1. Kimahri
   Freya
2. Braska
   Kain

Freya is a dragon warrior in Final Fantasy IX, and an old friend of Zidane's. She gets involved in the central conflict when she defends her country against a black mage attack from Queen Brahne.

1. Kain
   Steiner
2. Vincent
   Shadow

Kain is initially friends with Cecil, but he becomes Golbez's right hand man under mind control. Eventually he returns to Cecil's side and attempts to atone.

1. Setzer
   Seifer
2. Fujin
   Riku

In Final Fantasy VI, Setzer is an arrogant airship pilot and gambler, first getting involved in your quest when he attempts to kidnap a party member. In Kingdom Hearts II, he merely attempts to bribe his way to winning a children's fighting tournament.

1. Paine
   Elena
2. Lulu
   Penelo

Paine joins Yuna and Rikku's Gullwings team after the events of Final Fantasy X. Although initially focused on sphere hunting, she eventually becomes focused on defeating Shuyin, who was responsible for the death of her previous squad.

1. Garland
   Golbez
2. Gestahl
   Gabranth

Golbez is the main antagonist of Final Fantasy IV. He manipulates the main characters in an attempt to control the crystals, but is ultimately revealed to be a victim of mind control himself.

1. Quistis
   Ramza
2. Edgar
   Vaan

Ramza, the protagonist of Final Fantasy Tactics, leaves a comfortable life as a nobleman to become a mercenary. He believes ending the war in Ivalice is more important than his reputation.

1. Laguna
   Caius
2. Vayne
   Rosch

Vayne is the son of the Archadian emperor, and the main antagonist in Final Fantasy XII. He attempts to become ruler of all Ivalice, directly opposing the gods.

1. Lightning
   Elena
2. Quistis
   Jihl

Jihl Nabaat is the commander of PSICOM, the militarized police force of Final Fantasy XIII. When the main characters become l'Cie, she attempts to capture them to protect Cocoon. Primarch Dysley kills her when she fails.

1. Noel
   Zack
2. Noctis
   Snow

Noctis is the protagonist of Final Fantasy XV, and he is the crown prince of Lucis.