The Ultimate Ranking: The Oldest Playable Final Fantasy Characters That Have Stood the Test of Time

Video game characters in the Final Fantasy series often fall within a specific age range, particularly between 20 and 30. Older characters are not commonly seen in this series, reflecting a trend across video games as a whole.

This is understandable, as fantasy role-playing games like Final Fantasy aim to transport players to enchanting realms. It is not the usual idea to imagine older individuals battling monsters. However, Final Fantasy does feature a few exceptional playable characters who defy this norm and prove their capabilities, despite their age. Spoilers ahead.

8 Red 13

Red 13, a lion-like creature from Final Fantasy 7, stands out as the eldest member of the party, reaching a remarkable age of 48 in his species' years. Although his race can live well over a century, this is solidified at the conclusion of the original game.

Following the credits, a glimpse into the future unfolds, revealing a scene where Red 13, accompanied by his offspring, observes the desolate ruins of Midgar. Thus, while he may be relatively youthful within the context of the game, he is perceived as aged in comparison to Cloud and the rest of the group.

7 Cyan

Cyan, an experienced swordsman from Final Fantasy 6, defies his age of 50 by skillfully dismantling his enemies with his exceptional swordsmanship. Despite the heart-wrenching loss of his wife and child during the game, Cyan perseveres as one of the most sorrowful members in the party. Rather than succumbing to despair, he remains resolute in his quest to liberate the world from the Empire, displaying unwavering determination.

6 Banon

Banon, a temporary party member in Final Fantasy 6, hails from the game as well. He serves as the leader of the Returners, a resistance group determined to overthrow the Empire. Once Locke, Terra, Sabin, and Edgar reach his secret base, they embark on an exciting rafting expedition before an unforeseen twist occurs.

In terms of age, Banon is 54, putting him slightly older than Cyan, but not as skilled. Nonetheless, his healing magic proves invaluable during the raft ride, which is the primary duration of his involvement. Subsequently, the party becomes separated and embarks on three different scenarios that players can approach in any sequence, with one option involving Banon.

5 Cidolfus Orlandeau

Cidolfus Orlandeau boasts one of the most unique names among the Cid characters in the series. Hailing from Final Fantasy Tactics, he joins the party at the seasoned age of 56. Similar to Cyan, Cidolfus wields impressive swordsmanship skills, but what sets him apart is his ability to infuse his strikes with potent holy and elemental magic.

Despite his advanced age, Cidolfus remains one of the most formidable members of the team. Much like Obi-Wan Kenobi, he dons brown robes and refuses to back down in the face of an impending evil dynasty's takeover.

4 Tellah

Tellah, a character in Final Fantasy 4, joins the party temporarily like many others in the game, making it a unique feature at the time. Party members come and go for different reasons, and Tellah distinguishes himself by sacrificing his own life to protect his friends through the use of a powerful spell.

Right before his demise, Tellah reaches the age of 60. Another aged mage in the game is Fusoya, whose precise age remains a mystery, though he is believed to be either the same age or even older than Tellah. While Fusoya cannot be officially ranked, his significance definitely deserves acknowledgement.

3 Galuf

Galuf, a character in Final Fantasy 5, is part of a party of four members. While the rest of the party is around twenty years old, Galuf is considered older at the age of 60. However, despite his age, his sprite appearance does not fully reflect it, as his beard still retains its color. On the contrary, the official artwork for the game presents a different portrayal.

Interestingly, many fans view the death of Aerith in Final Fantasy 7 as a surprising and unexpected event. Nevertheless, Galuf's death actually predates hers. Following this, his granddaughter, Krile, takes his place in the party. Notably, Krile is one of the youngest playable characters in the series, being only 14 years old. Fortunately for players, Krile inherits all of Galuf's level and Job experience, ensuring a smooth transition.

2 Strago

Content: Final Fantasy 6 boasts an extensive array of party members, making the addition of another character to the roster unsurprising. Strago, a character in the game, perfectly embodies the appearance of a 70-year-old man. Notably, Strago stands as one of the few surviving mages in the world of Final Fantasy 6 who possesses potent magical abilities without relying on Magicite. Additionally, he shares a familial bond with his 10-year-old granddaughter, Relm, much like Galuf does with Krile.

1 Quina

Quina, a character in Final Fantasy 9, stands out as one of the most peculiar individuals in the entire series. Not only is the race and gender of Quina unknown, but their age, supposedly around 89, remains hidden from plain view. Displaying childlike behavior at times, Quina's constant hunger and limited interpersonal interactions, prior to being discovered by Zidane, contribute to their youthful demeanor. Additionally, as a Blue Mage, Quina possesses the ability to acquire monster magic through ingestion. Similar to Kirby, Quina possesses an insatiable appetite, albeit lacking the same cuddly demeanor.