The Final Fantasy series is a veteran name among fans of JRPGs, known for its epic storylines and loveable characters. Its legendary status as a franchise is propped up by all of the unforgettable moments where good meets evil, light meets darkness, or a sports ball player meets a world-ending entity.
There are a plethora of memories, some that likely come to mind just from hearing the mention of a single title. Most of those moments can't even be shrunk down to a single line of text either, but many lines of dialogue still remain that stand out enough that they remind the players of exactly what that game was really about. There are so many to choose from, so here are the choice picks from the series' main series of games (MMOs excluded).
I: "I, Garland, Will Knock You All Down!!"
The first is a quote held forever in infamy. It isn't necessarily a mistranslation and in fact, it is more of an example of one of the many overly literal translations from the older Final Fantasy games when JRPGs were still just reaching the west. It is meant to be more of an intimidating line said right before battle, but instead, it comes across as humorous.
Aside from its legacy, it still represents the very first villain of the entire series, Garland, who remains an intimidating force of toppling power to this day. He as well as Final Fantasy I have been reimagined several different times with us learning more and more about what makes him tick, but this quote still remains as a tribute to his sheer toppling prowess.
II: "The Password Is "Wild Rose". Remember It Well."
The Wild Rose represents Final Fantasy II as a whole and as such, the moment of learning the passphrase should be a no-brainer for anyone thinking back. The theme of the game is rebelling against the emperor, and the image that the resistance uses to represent itself is a red rose.
The password is used to identify and communicate with members of the resistance and it becomes a part of the legacy of the protagonist, Firion, after he joins the movement. The rose suits the character well as he is known as bother a lover and a fighter. He is a hopeless romantic who strives to protect his people.
III: "Light And Darkness... One Cannot Exist Without The Other."
From Final Fantasy III (DS) this line is spoken by a Warrior of Darkness before the final boss and definitely has one of the more enigmatic meanings. The Warriors of Light are a common thread in the series as they represent the chosen ones destined to save the world from darkness.
But what if there was another side? This meeting tells the heroes that there is indeed a parallel world where exists an opposite struggle between light and darkness where four warriors of darkness face down the light to resist the onset of the void. This brings to mind a whole host of speculation as to what their world would look like and how different their adventure would be. Unfortunately, just as quickly as the four appear, they depart, leaving you to ponder this underexplored concept.
IV: "You Spoony Bard!"
There are many quotes from Final Fantasy IV that deserve being remembered as this is undoubtedly where the series began to establish its reputation as a story-driven series with complex characters. However, the humorously archaic use of the word "spoony" is definitely the main reason why you would remember this particular one.
Here, the old sage Tellah is wrought with righteous rage after finding the miscreant whom his daughter ran away with and seeks to give him a piece of his mind (and his staff.) What comes next is only one tragedy in a game filled to the brim with them.
V: "Enough Expository Banter. Now We Fight Like Men. And Ladies. And Ladies Who Dress Like Men."
A much-needed comedic break between two of the much more dour entries in the series, Final Fantasy V is full of whacky antics and characters with lovable personalities. Gilgamesh is one such character that is forever lauded as a fan favorite from this game onwards, making numerous appearances in both main and side games alike, a legacy that is similar to another comedic character, Ultros.
Your party clashes with the swordmaster more than once throughout the game, and on the first such occasion, you're treated to a very kickass theme on a very kickass bridge that is more than worthy of being memorable on its own merit.
VI: "Why Do People Insist On Creating Things That Will Inevitably Be Destroyed?"
Anyone who has played Final Fantasy VI is well aware that Kefka is an insane clown who very much loves to flame, but what can be said about him that can't be said about internet trolls? Hopefully that he has a single goal in life to accumulate power and use it for nothing other than destruction and eradicating life.
His speech at the end of the game is memorable on its own, but the context of it and what exactly he is about to become only makes it even more terrifying to experience (Alongside the unforgettable soundtrack that accompanies it).
VII: "Out Of My Way, I'm Going To See My Mother."
What makes this quote fantastic is just how relatable it is despite it coming from the lips of one of the series' most iconic villains. This being a flashback of previous events in the Final Fantasy VII story showing the origin of Cloud and Sephiroth's rivalry, it cements him not just as an antagonist, but as a character who can be understood.
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It was obvious that the trenchcoat-wearing villain was going off the deep end, but when the score begins to pick up and he says these words, you know that he's lost it, prompting you to follow after him to see what exactly he is about to do.
VIII: "...Whatever."
Squall is a man of few words, and he practically wears his favorite one on his sleeve. Funny as it may be how many times this word will crop up, it does its job quite well at portraying Squall as an angst-filled character who simply does not want to be bothered. He much prefers the company of his own thoughts, choosing to monologue to himself in between letting lose a snarky one-liner or two.
While people still debate on whether or not "Whatever" is the exact phrase that his lines should have been translated to, most westerners can understand the intent behind the catchphrase and sympathize with the melancholic protagonist as he uses it through Final Fantasy VIII.
IX: "How Do You Prove That You Exist? Maybe We Don't Exist."
This quote doesn't actually appear as a line of dialogue but instead exists as part of the intro sequences to the game. It is a profound question that serves to represent the character's existential dilemma that goes on in the mind of Final Fantasy IX's most beloved character, Vivi.
His existential journey alongside the others has ended up as one of the most memorable parts of the game. His story touches on several deep concepts that ultimately converge into a cathartic experience that many younger players carried with them throughout life. It's difficult to put into words Vivi's legacy so if you have not, you should experience it for yourself.
X: “Listen To My Story, This May Be Our Last Chance.”
It's a toss-up between Tidus' somber quotes and Tidus' much more abundant silly quotes for what is more memorable from Final Fantasy X. This dynamic exemplifies the game's story quite well as it is chock full of both happy and sad moments that make this one of the most popular games in the series.
This quote is the first line of dialogue in the game, spoken directly towards you shortly after beginning a new game. Players who have beaten the game will likely think back on it, and new players will be wondering exactly what is meant by the cryptic words and scenic shots as they get into the game.
XII: "I'm Captain Basch!"
If you are unfamiliar with this quote or Final Fantasy XII, you will be woefully disappointed to be told that this is actually NOT Captain Basch fon Ronsenburg of Dalmasca but instead the main character, Vaan.
His genius idea of getting the attention of the local authorities is to run around town spreading the word that the presumed dead Captain Basch was in fact very much alive. The plan worked out in the end as the party got the attention they sought while spreading the word. However, this has always stood out as a goofy and possibly confusing moment for the already underappreciated character.
XIII: "Moms Are Tough."
There is nothing better than seeing a mother wielding a firearm to remind you of the strength of motherly love. Hope's mother, Nora, volunteers herself to take up arms in the middle of a warzone for the sake of the scared children, and later on, she ends up saving Snow, repeating the phrase to remind him that she is willing to do what needs to be done.
These moments with her are felt and remembered by the characters long after the story of Final Fantasy XIII leads them out of Cocoon and into the heart of Gran Pulse. It would be quite easy to be told that a character's parent is worthy of respect, but actually showing us those moments definitely goes the extra mile for memorability's sake.
XV: "Off My Chair, Jester. The King Sits There."
Final Fantasy XV is a long journey in both distance and time. At the beginning of the story, Noctis is a snarky young man with a lot on his plate as royalty who only has his friends to rely on. By the end of the game, Noctis has grown confident and has since become a man worthy of accepting his title after all the hardships he and the others around him have faced in both past and present.
In a single line remembered by many, he makes it clear, both to the antagonist Ardyn and the audience, that he is ready to ascend the throne. Of course, even as Noctis aged mentally and physically, it reminds you that even as an adult he never lost that snarky attitude that made him who he was.