Who's the REAL FFV Main Character

ineffectual toenail · 08-08-2009, 08:37 AM

I know this thread doesn't make much sense but... come on. Unanswered questions drive me nuts.
The question is, who's the real FFV main character? Lenna/Reina or Bartz/Butz?
It could be lLenna cause of all that King Tycoon crap, but it can be Bartz ...just because.(i don't know, it just looks like it...)
I want to see your honest opinions, guys.
Thanks! ^_^

Zeemis · 08-18-2009, 12:20 PM

I think a lot of people ask this question, "Who is the main character of FFV?"
To be honest, it always felt as if you were playing a sequel more so than a first game when you play through Final Fantasy V. You learn a lot about past events which really makes it seem like you skipped the first game, even if there isn't a second.
Because it seems like a sequel, I'd have to go with Galuf being the main character.

Neg · 08-18-2009, 02:19 PM

I say Galuf.

Kinda like Vaan and Baltheir in XII, in a way.

Agent0042 · 08-18-2009, 10:13 PM

Well, the big problem with Galuf being the main character is, spoiler. And those that have played the game know what the spoiler is. I really feel like the game has no main character.

Neg · 08-18-2009, 10:16 PM

Other people have spoiler and been the main character.

Spoiler!

I'm trying to think of an example. But Heavy Rain comes to mind. Any of the main characters can die and the story continues.

Chrono Trigger!

Agent0042 · 08-18-2009, 10:24 PM

Fair enough, but there are other arguments against Galuf. I think the main one being that for a good portion of the game, you barely know anything about him and he serves largely as comic relief. Nothing personal against him-- he's my favorite character of the game, but I'm still not convinced that he's the main character.

Neg · 08-18-2009, 10:27 PM

That'd be a fair enough point if we learned a great deal about Bartz. It's been so long since I played V. Do we?

Agent0042 · 08-18-2009, 10:51 PM

It's rather hard to say, given that in FFV, they don't really seem to delve all that deep into the personalities or history of any of the characters. We know that Bartz's father was one of the original Dawn Warriors and that Bartz is now following in his footsteps. Final Fantasy Wiki notes that in several instances, Bartz [Hidden link. Register to see links.]. We know through flashbacks that Bartz lost his mother at an earlier age and though Bartz's father made her swear secrecy about the true nature of his work, Bartz sometimes overheard conversations. And another important aspect of Bartz's personality is a fear of heights, which is demonstrated throughout the game.

Neg · 08-18-2009, 11:00 PM

Interesting. I seem to recall the events ultimately surrounding Galuf making up a more prominant part of the story.

I'm not saying that's always the best criteria for defining which character is the "main character," in a game, but it certainly helps when the first character you encounter doesn't end up playing the most central role. As previously mentioned, Vaan comes to mind.

Like you said, we don't learn a GREAT deal about any of them. I much prefer games where you're having trouble devining the main character because many of them play a significant and well defined role, in the plot. VI springs to mind, instantly.

aander91 · 09-27-2009, 09:28 PM

Dissidia has Bartz as the icon for 5, so he must have been the originally intended main character.

Averic · 09-30-2009, 08:32 AM

FFV is game where the characters are not the main focus, but rather the world and the struggle against evil.

I think the idea of a main hero only emerged with Cloud, and since then they have been hero driven stories (FFX is the strongest example, while FFXII went back to the world and not character story style)

Not many of the FF's actually have a main hero, FF1-6 dont really have one, the strongest candiate being Cecil in FF4 but ive seen many cases argued that he has his plot with golbez but the other stories from each character are equally important, meaning hes not the main character at all.

FF7-10 are the character driven stories, while XI and XII are more about the world and how you explore it to get your story. So really this main character thing is blown out of proportion.

Playing Dissidia can show you this, as really only Cloud to Tidus have any real substance to their fights with the main bad guy, the others have the story built up mostly from nothing, or focus fully on the chaos fight element. the whole Frionel and the wild rose thing was clearly the grabbing at straws.

Agent0042 · 09-30-2009, 02:14 PM

Froniel - Firion = Final Fantasy II?

Captain Dolce · 10-02-2009, 12:22 PM

I actually would think that Lenna at least is one of the main candidates. Her relationship with Faris and the fact that she is basically what gets the game started in the first place makes her very important. She's also the one who knows the stuff about the crystals and whatnot.

Averic · 10-18-2009, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agent0042

Froniel - Firion = Final Fantasy II?

Yeah thats what I meant, sorry I played the Japanese version first, and that name just stuck with me, always forget hes Firion in the english versions

OldSkoolFF · 11-03-2009, 02:21 PM

Bartz for the win!!

08-08-2009, 08:37 AM	#1
ineffectual toenail Onion Kid Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 29	Who's the REAL FFV Main Character I know this thread doesn't make much sense but... come on. Unanswered questions drive me nuts. The question is, who's the real FFV main character? Lenna/Reina or Bartz/Butz? It could be lLenna cause of all that King Tycoon crap, but it can be Bartz ...just because.(i don't know, it just looks like it...) I want to see your honest opinions, guys. Thanks! ^_^

08-18-2009, 02:19 PM	#3
Neg Silent Shriner #2 Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 17,324	I say Galuf. Kinda like Vaan and Baltheir in XII, in a way. __________________ [Hidden link. Register to see links.]\|[Hidden link. Register to see links.]\|[Hidden link. Register to see links.]\|[Hidden link. Register to see links.]\|[Hidden link. Register to see links.]

08-18-2009, 10:13 PM	#4
Agent0042 Try taking this on! My Flare Sword! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: State Secret (Not Really) Posts: 14,720	Well, the big problem with Galuf being the main character is, spoiler. And those that have played the game know what the spoiler is. I really feel like the game has no main character. __________________ Signature image by Jeff, thanks! [Hidden link. Register to see links.] is active -- currently doing Battle/Chase Themes! ~~~ [Hidden link. Register to see links.] also now active! Mallboro, Smelliest Mall in the World - Playing [Hidden link. Register to see links.] and [Hidden link. Register to see links.] ~~~ Join the [Hidden link. Register to see links.]

08-18-2009, 10:16 PM	#5
Neg Silent Shriner #2 Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 17,324	Other people have spoiler and been the main character. Spoiler! I'm trying to think of an example. But Heavy Rain comes to mind. Any of the main characters can die and the story continues. Chrono Trigger!

10-02-2009, 12:22 PM	#13
Captain Dolce Yarr! Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: pirate butts~ Posts: 2,992	I actually would think that Lenna at least is one of the main candidates. Her relationship with Faris and the fact that she is basically what gets the game started in the first place makes her very important. She's also the one who knows the stuff about the crystals and whatnot. __________________ Pew pew.

08-18-2009, 12:20 PM	#2
Zeemis Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 2	I think a lot of people ask this question, "Who is the main character of FFV?" To be honest, it always felt as if you were playing a sequel more so than a first game when you play through Final Fantasy V. You learn a lot about past events which really makes it seem like you skipped the first game, even if there isn't a second. Because it seems like a sequel, I'd have to go with Galuf being the main character.

08-18-2009, 10:24 PM	#6
Agent0042 Try taking this on! My Flare Sword! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: State Secret (Not Really) Posts: 14,720	Fair enough, but there are other arguments against Galuf. I think the main one being that for a good portion of the game, you barely know anything about him and he serves largely as comic relief. Nothing personal against him-- he's my favorite character of the game, but I'm still not convinced that he's the main character.

08-18-2009, 10:27 PM	#7
Neg Silent Shriner #2 Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 17,324	That'd be a fair enough point if we learned a great deal about Bartz. It's been so long since I played V. Do we?

08-18-2009, 10:51 PM	#8
Agent0042 Try taking this on! My Flare Sword! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: State Secret (Not Really) Posts: 14,720	It's rather hard to say, given that in FFV, they don't really seem to delve all that deep into the personalities or history of any of the characters. We know that Bartz's father was one of the original Dawn Warriors and that Bartz is now following in his footsteps. Final Fantasy Wiki notes that in several instances, Bartz [Hidden link. Register to see links.]. We know through flashbacks that Bartz lost his mother at an earlier age and though Bartz's father made her swear secrecy about the true nature of his work, Bartz sometimes overheard conversations. And another important aspect of Bartz's personality is a fear of heights, which is demonstrated throughout the game.

08-18-2009, 11:00 PM	#9
Neg Silent Shriner #2 Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 17,324	Interesting. I seem to recall the events ultimately surrounding Galuf making up a more prominant part of the story. I'm not saying that's always the best criteria for defining which character is the "main character," in a game, but it certainly helps when the first character you encounter doesn't end up playing the most central role. As previously mentioned, Vaan comes to mind. Like you said, we don't learn a GREAT deal about any of them. I much prefer games where you're having trouble devining the main character because many of them play a significant and well defined role, in the plot. VI springs to mind, instantly.

09-27-2009, 09:28 PM	#10
aander91 Onion Kid Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 23	Dissidia has Bartz as the icon for 5, so he must have been the originally intended main character.

09-30-2009, 08:32 AM	#11
Averic Onion Kid Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 16	FFV is game where the characters are not the main focus, but rather the world and the struggle against evil. I think the idea of a main hero only emerged with Cloud, and since then they have been hero driven stories (FFX is the strongest example, while FFXII went back to the world and not character story style) Not many of the FF's actually have a main hero, FF1-6 dont really have one, the strongest candiate being Cecil in FF4 but ive seen many cases argued that he has his plot with golbez but the other stories from each character are equally important, meaning hes not the main character at all. FF7-10 are the character driven stories, while XI and XII are more about the world and how you explore it to get your story. So really this main character thing is blown out of proportion. Playing Dissidia can show you this, as really only Cloud to Tidus have any real substance to their fights with the main bad guy, the others have the story built up mostly from nothing, or focus fully on the chaos fight element. the whole Frionel and the wild rose thing was clearly the grabbing at straws.

09-30-2009, 02:14 PM	#12
Agent0042 Try taking this on! My Flare Sword! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: State Secret (Not Really) Posts: 14,720	Froniel - Firion = Final Fantasy II?

11-03-2009, 02:21 PM	#15
OldSkoolFF Onion Kid Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 14	Bartz for the win!!

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