Tetsuya Nomura's Character Design Philosophy: A Simple Reason for Striking Looks
Tetsuya Nomura, the renowned designer behind Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts characters, recently revealed the surprisingly straightforward reason behind his consistently attractive protagonist designs. In an interview with Young Jump magazine, Nomura traced his aesthetic choices back to a high school classmate's insightful question: "Why do I have to be ugly in the game world too?"
This seemingly simple comment resonated deeply with Nomura, shaping his design philosophy. He explained, "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 merely vanity, however. Nomura believes visual appeal fosters player connection and empathy. He stated that unconventional designs can create characters too distinct for players to relate to.
Nomura's penchant for eccentric designs is reserved for antagonists. Sephiroth from Final Fantasy VII, and the Organization XIII from Kingdom Hearts, exemplify this approach, where bold aesthetics complement their personalities. He noted, "I don’t think the designs of Organization XIII would be that unique without their personalities."
Reflecting on his earlier work in Final Fantasy VII, Nomura admitted to a more unrestrained creative process. Characters like Red XIII and Cait Sith showcase this youthful exuberance, proving that sometimes, bold choices pay off. He emphasized the importance of detail, stating that these elements contribute to a character's personality and the overall narrative.
In essence, Nomura's striking hero designs stem from a desire to provide players with visually appealing characters they can connect with, a philosophy born from a simple, relatable high school observation.
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 mentioned integrating new writers to introduce fresh perspectives and indicated that Kingdom Hearts IV is designed to set the stage for the series' finale.
