[Editor's note: Rio McCarthy kicks off July's Monthly Musing theme with Kefka from Final Fantasy III (VI). -- CTZ]
Wow. There's just so much to say about Kefka Palazzo. Ever since I played Final Fantasy III (VI) for the first time many many moons ago, Kefka has been my favorite character in the game, and my top favorite from the entire Final Fantasy series. I've always found myself drawn to the villain characters, especially in RPGs, as they tend to have the most off-beat humor. Kefka is definitely no different.
Being one of the most psychotic characters in a Final Fantasy game, Kefka's flamboyant style and dark humor isn't one for the faint of heart. Granted, his insanity isn't that of his own fault.
Poor Kefka was an orphan who was beaten severely by the orphanage head, and eventually became the first experimental test subject for Magitek infusion. It was an immediate success as he gained many newfound powers. It wasn't long before the degeneration of Kefka's sanity started.
It never fails that the villains usually have the most interesting story lines and are often misunderstood. From his painted up face to his colorful jester outfit, he's pretty much asking for it. Though being the Court Mage of the Gestahlian Empire could be enough to drive anyone nuts.
His amazing one-liners are part of the major reason why I absolutely fell in love with Kefka's character. From every time he gets annoyed to when he "HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATEs" someone or something, it makes me laugh uncontrollably every time. Some of my favorites include:
"Nothing can beat the music of hundreds of voices screaming in unison!"
"I hate hate hate hate hate hate... hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate HATE YOU!"
"Run! Run! Or you'll be well done!"
"This is sickening... You sound like chapters from a self-help booklet! Prepare yourselves!"
Ah, I can never get enough of those. His theme song is also noteworthy, as it totally gets stuck in my head. It's a pretty upbeat, but sinister song simply entitled "Kefka". Though, at the end during the final battle the song "Dancing Mad" plays, which is simply breathtaking. I know if I ever saw Video Games Live or another group perform it live it'd make me spaz just like "One Winged Angel."
But of course, like all villains in a Final Fantasy game, their great reign must come to an end. Saving some of the spoilers, in short Kefka drains the Triad of their power and turns himself into a God. He then builds a gigantic tower, which he dubs "Kefka's Tower," from what was left of the world he destroyed. He rules the World of Ruin from atop his tower and smites anyone who defies him with the Light of Judgment.
As you fight the last battle, these are the words he leaves you with, as do I:
"Life... Dreams... Hope... Where do they come from? And where do they go? Such meaningless things... I'll destroy them all!"
Contest:
9:09 PM on 07.04.2008
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But don't be worried in going into spoiler territory to talk about his evil deeds.
This guy was the evilest person in any Final Fantasy.
YES! :D
A message from Kefka
I HATE HATE HATE that MaMa's boy! That you for chosing me, the greatest person ever. I may kill you!
As for the rest of you.. I HATE HATE HATE HATE HATEHATEHATEHATE HAAAAAAATE all of you!!!!!!
and that laugh is pure brilliance. Sephiroth =lol no. Kefka = Most Epic Win.
Kefka makes Kafka look like an optimist.
Kefka actually wins half-way through the game. How many villains can honestly say they won, even if it wasn't permanent?
just sayin'
p.s. i still love you, rio :)
And everyone in the house is wondering why I'm giggling in front of the computer at midnight. >.>
Nice job, and a nice start for this month's theme. :3
You're talking about the only bad guy that actually succeeded in destroying the world. You didn't even get around to going back at him until over a year later!!
Best villian ever.
--Though, at the end during the final battle the song "Dancing Mad" plays, which is simply breathtaking. I know if I ever saw Video Games Live or another group perform it live it'd make me spaz just like "One Winged Angel." --
*ahem* http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2123332194080245535
His tower was pretty awesome too.
He truly was the overlord of Evil(move over, Skeletor)
I love it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BK7ROzLVl8&feature=related
Nonetheless, a good article that brings back many a memory of my bygone years. I have easily played this game 10 times through in my lifetime, and plan to do so again very soon.
Fine work, Rio!
Have to disagree here. Kefka was lame. Yes, he was evil. Yes, he did f things up for a lot of people. So what?
Why did he do those things? Because he was experimented on? I don't think so. Celes was experimented on as well. She didn't go bat-shit crazy. So you can't use that as an excuse.
The best villians always think that they are doing the right thing. Kefka was just a douche.
kefka is truly one of the all-time best. to this day "kefka" and "dancing mad" are two of my favorite tracks, and he is one of my favorite chararcters, let alone villans.
just like i posted in the FF6/FMA mashup vid, i would murder a billion newborns for SE to do a remake(like ff3/4 on ds) or next-gen update, or sequel, or anime for this game.
i saw dear friends in concert and they played something from FF6 but it wasnt kefka or dancing mad sadly. they did play 1winged angel though, and that was hot.
The best villains always think they're doing the right thing? In whose eyes? Kefka obviously thought he was doing the right thing, or he wouldn't be doing it.
So you want there to be good in every person? I can't agree with that. I think that's why part of why Kefka is so popular; he's unequivocally, impressively, and successfully evil.
Nice writeup, Kefka is deliciously evil.
God damned Mama's boy
I was about to do a monthly musing, but I can't top this! :)
@digtastik: The way I see it, he was ready to be destroyed. He'd ruined the world, knew the heroes were coming for him, and blasted everything with the Light of Judgment one more time to get their attention focused. One of the things he mentions is "Embrace your destruction - it is the fate of all things." -All things- is the operative term here, because once you reach the top of the tower and actually fight him, he's ready to destroy "Life... dreams... hope..." As insane as he is, is it too much of a stretch to think that he's talking about his own? Even in the song, he's cackling, because he is proving himself right: Destruction is the fate of all things. He killed Espers, enslaved the Warring Triad, brought the world to ruin, and now he himself is being destroyed. He was right - and the more you spam Ultima and AtmaWeapon combos, the more you prove him right. Deep in every heart, there is the urge to destroy something.
Additionally, Kefka Palazzo did what no other villain has done: He conquered a planet and ruled over it for an extended period of time. He wasn't just a nihilist; he held absolute power and was master of the world for a full year. Had it not been for Celes, the world would have died - and, assuming you did not save Cid, it could easily be said that Kefka had, for a moment, destroyed hope itself. Yes, Celes attempts suicide, throwing herself off the cliff in a mockery of her opera scene, only to survive because otherwise, the game would end. (Even I wouldn't do that!)
Finally, let me leave you all with this tidbit: Is there anything in Final Fantasy VI that actually states that the world will be restored to balance? Drained as it is of all magic, the world itself could just as easily continue to decay until it is nothing more than a ball of lifeless rock. Sure, Terra's alive, but what's the point of living if the planet will eventually be unable to sustain those lives? Sure, we can all assume "and they lived happily ever after," but there is no proof of that.
Insert Kefka's trademark laugh here.