Final Fantasy creative director Tetsuya Nomura says the lasting popularity of Sephiroth continues to influence how other developers approach character design, with many frequently asking him to create characters inspired by the iconic villain.
Nomura discussed the character during an interview connected to the Magic The Gathering collaboration featuring Final Fantasy characters. When asked why he chose to illustrate Sephiroth for the project, Nomura reflected on the character’s enduring legacy and how often he is asked to revisit that type of design.
“I work on so many projects and games, and everyone comes to me asking ‘Hey, can you make me a character like Sephiroth?’” Nomura said during the interview.
The designer explained that the constant requests highlight how widely beloved the character remains, even decades after his original appearance in Final Fantasy VII. According to Nomura, Sephiroth’s appeal spans multiple generations of fans who continue to discover the series.
“It makes me think that everyone must really love him! In that sense, he’s a character that is approachable to both old and new fans, and the fact that so many people keep coming to me asking for ‘Sephiroth! Sephiroth!’ must mean people love him,” Nomura said.
The interview also touched on Nomura’s ongoing work with the Final Fantasy VII Remake project. While discussing his decision to revisit Sephiroth for the Magic The Gathering collaboration, Nomura noted that the character remains closely tied to his current work.
“We’re still in the middle of developing the FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE series, so there is a brand-new FINAL FANTASY VII actively in progress. But if I wasn’t working on that, it would’ve been a ‘long time no see, Sephiroth’ type of feeling,” he explained.
Sephiroth first appeared in the original Final Fantasy VII, released in 1997, and quickly became one of the most recognizable antagonists in video game history. The character continues to play a major role in the ongoing Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy, which is currently approaching its third and final installment.
