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iArchetype

 

Like most characters in the history of the Final Fantasy series, Vivi is part of a long legacy of character archetypes. Archetypes define a model of a character that's used time and time again across games. They're visible through similarities in characters' visual design, personality, story, abilities, class and more. In the Final Fantasy series, archetypes create a chain that connects the otherwise dissimilar games in the series to one another.

In my fansite dedicated to another Final Fantasy character — namely Terra Branford of Final Fantasy VI — I defined a particular archetype and concluded Vivi, as well as Terra, exemplified it. To recap:

quote Terra's archetype would best be described as the homeless amnesiac with mysterious abilities. Not knowing his or her past or who she or he is, this archetype at first seems lost, confused, and perhaps even a bit weak. Everything may frighten him or her. Everything might seem new. She or he carries a gift the other characters don't have -- and generally a very powerful and rare one, at that. The character eventually recovers his or her past and is empowered by the discovery, emerging far more powerful and confidant than when he or she set out on the adventure.12 quote

Vivi embodies this archetype perfectly. At the start of the game, Vivi is homeless and alone, without memory of his past — beyond "awakening" and for a time being under the care of a Qu named Quan. Vivi isn't quite sure what exactly he is, and begins to question whether or not he's even human. He's confused and meek, letting others, like Puck, take advantage of him. Likewise, he's easily frightened and seems perpetually afraid; his fear disables him, such as when he finds himself incapable of attacking a monster in the Evil Forest, as a result allowing the monster to kidnap Garnet. However, he possesses a strange, powerful ability — the ability to use black magic — which no one else seems to have. As he journeys, he discovers the truth about his existence and his special power, and with that discovery, develops into a strong individual who believes in himself and whom others look up to.

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