Summary
Final Fantasyis a series known for its iconic heroes, many of whom fight against insurmountable odds to save the world time and time again. However, their struggles would be nowhere near as compelling if the villains they face didn’t push them to their limits.
Some ofthe bestFinal Fantasyvillainsboast incredible backstories and intimidating presences that make them downright unforgettable. In certain cases, fate deals these villains a bad hand, since they could’ve easily been heroes in an alternate timeline.
8Sephiroth
A Better Childhood And Open Communication Could’ve Led This SOLDIER To Fight For A Good Cause
One of the most iconic video game villains of all time, Sephiroth’s long silver hair and ridiculous blade made him a legend from his very first appearance. His descent into madness is hard to digest, with him realizing that he was nothing more thana lab experiment made from JENOVA cells by Shinra.
While he wasn’t an outright villain early on, he failed to process his emotions and broke down, causing him to burn Nibelheim and its innocent people to the ground. It sparked his rise to infamy as he established himself as a horrid villain who could’ve still fought for the side of good if Shinra hadn’t used him as a tool.
7Ardyn Izunia
His Selfless Attempts To Absorb The Starscourge From Others Ended Up Corrupting Him
InFinal Fantasy 15,Ardyn is a charismatic villainwho wants the world to die with the threat of the Starscourge. To prevent this from happening, Noctis and his allies must stop him in a final fight in Insomnia - one that has major consequences.
Episode Ardyndoes a great job of elaborating on his character, presenting him as a sympathetic figure who genuinely looked out for people who were affected by the Starscourge. However, the corruption of this disease made him unfit to sit on the throne as his brother schemed against him, with the death of his loved one further plunging a once-good Ardyn into despair and turning him into a villain.
6Seifer Almasy
His Rivalry Overcame His Common Sense And Made Him An Easy Target To Brainwash
Seifer Almasy is one of the most hated characters in the series.He took his rivalry with Squall way too seriouslyand failed to see the bigger picture when he was being mind-controlled by Ultimecia.
However, he didn’t lose his grasp on his morality and eventually redeemed himself by saving the heroes in the game’s final act. If Seifer had developed a moral compass sooner, then it’s very much possible that he could’ve buried the hatchet with Squall and accompanied him on his quest to save the world.
5Kuja
Things Could’ve Unfolded Differently For This Genome If Garland Hadn’t Used Him Like A Tool
Though initially portrayed as a villain, Kuja ended up being used as a tool for other nefarious figures to get their way. He was a Genome created by Garland, who ultimately dubbed him a flawed creation and decided to create Zidane, giving him the memories he needed to unlock the power of Trance.
This didn’t sit right with Kuja, who hated being overlooked and eventually developed a deep resentment towards the world and everything in it. If he had enjoyed a better childhood, then it’s possible that Kuja would’ve fought to save Gaia instead of destroying it.
4Golbez
Cecil’s Brother Was Brainwashed By Zemus To Serve As A Thorn In The Heroes' Side
Golbez is a powerful antagonist who stands in the way of the heroes and causes irreparable harm time and time again. However, with the threat of Zemus and the Lunarians uncovered, it’s revealed thatGolbez was actually being brainwashedby these heinous figures.
He is revealed as Cecil’s brother, with the duo reconciling their differences before they team up to stop Zemus before he destroys Earth. If Golbez had overpowered Zemus' mind-control powers, he could’ve easily fought for the side of good.
3Garland
A Noble Knight Who Somehow Lost His Way Because Of His Thirst For Power
A legendary villain who needs no introduction, Garland is perhaps the only character in the series who actually was a hero in anotherFinal Fantasygame. While his presence inFinal Fantasy 9makes him irredeemable as a villain, the same can’t be said for his first legendary appearance.
Garland was once a noble knight corrupted by power who eventually became Chaos after being defeated and sent back in time. He could’ve walked a different path had he just abstained from his thirst for power, andStranger of Paradise’s unique exploration of his origins further cements this.
2Edea Kramer
Became Ultimecia’s Tool For The Majority Of The Game, Despite Serving As A Mother To The Heroes
Edea is yet anotherFinal Fantasyvillain who was being manipulated behind the scenes. Ultimecia had her claws wrapped around her brain, forcing her to turn against the very children she served as a matriarch for.
Eventually, she is freed of this brainwashing andeven accompanies the partywhen they head to Esthar City. If she had somehow avoided Ultimecia’s magic, she could’ve united the heroes and made them aware of their shared past well before the reveal actually happens.
1Gilgamesh
An Iconic Bumbling Antagonist With Heroic Tendencies Who Was Simply Fighting For The Wrong Side
One of the most jovial and belovedFinal Fantasyparty members of all time, Gilgamesh’s legacy speaks for itself. He stands against the heroes inFinal Fantasy 5, but it’s clear that this lackey is nowhere near as evil as his master, Exdeath.
This can be seen in the final stretch of the game, where a banished Gilgamesh comes back to save the heroes and helps them intheir quest to take on Exdeathbefore he can destroy the merged world. The popular theory is that this version of Gilgamesh traveled across multiple worlds, making appearances in numerousFinal Fantasygames along the way.
