Final Fantasyhas been around for a long time, and seen many types of adaptations. Novels, toys, manga, and even a few movies and a TV show or two. However, it always comes back to the games.Final Fantasyhas proven to be an extremely game-driven franchise, with tons of new entries in the works often. It’s impressive how many spin-offs Square Enix can give to its star franchise, ranging from mobile titles likeBrave ExviusandOpera Omnia, to higher budget console games likeWorld of Final Fantasyand the recentStranger in Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin.
However, while games and merchandise are all well and good,Square Enix always had a propensity for animation. Square Enix recently commissioned a newFinal Fantasytelevision show, the first in quite a while, from the Paris-based animation company Cyber Group Studios. Square Enix is set to adaptFinal Fantasy 9as an animated series for children, according to a report from Kidscreen. This surprise news has had the side effect of making fans wonder about how otherFinal Fantasygames would serve with show adaptations, and it’s certainly possible they would do quite well.
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Final Fantasy 7
The obvious choice is the most popular game in the franchise:Final Fantasy 7. Now that multiple different types of remakes and add-ons to the famous entry are coming out, it’s the perfect time to announce aFF7anime. Or, more specifically, anotherFF7anime.
One of the biggest reasons to say thatFF7is fit for an anime adaptation is that it already had one inLast Order: Final Fantasy 7. This 25-minute OVA is focused on depicting important scenes that were shown inFF7, but only as cinematic flashbacks. Although the changes this OVA made to the source events drew fan ire, Square can deftly sidestep this problem nowadays by keeping things either more faithful, or simply by framing events liketheirFF7 Remakeversions.
Final Fantasy 15
On the topic ofFinal Fantasygames that already got anime adaptations,Final Fantasy 15could benefit a lot from another. The good parts of theBrotherhoodanime involving giving character backstories and motivations could be kept, though a lot of other things would need to be changed. Besides,Final Fantasy 15is an ideal setup for a 26-episode show. Noctis and friends are traveling the world, so there can justifiably be episodes devoted to downtime. Most importantly, anFF15show would represent one final chance for the old team to tell the story that it wanted tothrough15’s cancelled DLC.
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Final Fantasy 5
Final Fantasy 15isn’t the only road trip with a lot of downtime. The potential for a combination of that anime style, with the light-hearted high fantasy adventureFinal Fantasy 9’s adaptation is likely to be,Final Fantasy 5could be the best of both worlds. Already somewhat cartoonish, this show would follow Bartz and his party around the two worlds it takes place in on a quest to save the crystals from the vile Exdeath. It would conform very well to a monster-of-the-week format, with breaks for extended dramatic sequences and more focused arcs. All in all, it would be nice to see thisSNES gem get some more lovein modern times.
Final Fantasy 10
Themore romanticFinal Fantasy 10could certainly spread some love with an animated show. Tidus, Yuna, and their fellow Guardians have a linear journey that’s perfect for an adaptation. With a big recurring side cast, character arcs that run for the whole game, and a whole lot of stops along the way that could work as one or two episode stories,Final Fantasy 10just works as a television show in ways that the other entries might struggle. The prospect of another journey across Spira would be exciting forFinal Fantasy 10fans, a chance be around those iconic characters one more time.
Final Fantasy 14
When aFinal Fantasyfan thinks of personal adventure stories, these days their thoughts might go straight toFinal Fantasy 14. This wildly popular MMO has been spoken of as one of the best writtenFinal Fantasytitles by fans, and adapting even a longer arc from this game to a show format would make sense. Square Enix seemed to think so back in 2019, which is why it partnered with Sony Pictures Television and Hivemind to giveFinal Fantasyits first live-action adaptation.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and probably also theusual problems video game adaptations run into, this show has gone silent, but that frees up space for an animated show to take its place. AnimatingFinal Fantasy14’s many fantastical sights and races would probably be more visually impressive.
Final Fantasy 6
Finally, a show that would get a huge pop from some long-time players isaFinal Fantasy 6adaptation. This game sits in the same vein asFinal Fantasy 9does, being one of the more popular entries in the franchise, but not getting much love in the modern era. It features a huge cast of characters for fans to spend time with. There’s even a built-in narrative point where the first season can stop and make room for a second. Following Terra, Locke, and the rest on their epic quest would be an absolute joy, and hopefully Square Enix can give it and some of the other oldFinal Fantasy’s some love if theFinal Fantasy 9TV show takes off.
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