Fictional Character Analysis: Rufus Shinra

Meet Rufus, my final character critique. He’s the son of the president of the Shinra Electric Power Company, a monopolistic corporation that uses Mako, an energy source derived from the planet’s life source, to power a major city and various parts of the world. At the beginning of this story, Rufus is dwelling in the town of Junon when an emergency is called to him from the company’s headquarters. By the time he arrives, most of the staff, including his father, is already dead.

Immediately, Rufus stands up to assume the position as president of the Shinra Electric Power Company, and continues company operations. He pursues the infiltrator that killed his father in order to discover the legend of the “Promised Land,” which is supposed to hold infinite amounts of Mako deposits. At various times, he comes across the main protagonists of the game as each race the same goal for different reasons.

Rufus Shinra

Basic Information
Name: Rufus Shinra
Series: Final Fantasy VII
Age: 25 (approx)
Height: 5’8” (172 cm)
Occupation: Shinra Electric Power Company President

Personality
Although not explained clearly in the story, Rufus seems to have no love for his father and has schemed to overthrow him for his position. Unlike his father, Rufus uses fear and intimidation to control others, playing on their fears or current situations to manipulate them. Only his inner circle within the company is aware of Rufus’s true intentions, and Rufus will stretch the truth in order to calm the public.

One Good Quote
“I do things differently. I’ll control the world with fear. It takes too much to do it like my old man. A little fear will control the minds of the common people.”

The first video involves two clips, one of which is the main protagonists’ first meeting. Nonchalantly, Rufus feels free to tell the heroes about his plans to take over the company and how he intends to rule over others. He clearly thinks of himself highly and practically unstoppable. Later in the video, viewers sees how he interacts with another upper employee. While Rufus doesn’t punish him, he expects him to make up for his mistakes and achieve something.

This second video is a bit longer, but it shows how far Rufus is willing to go to keep the public under his control through the use of his power and lies. He agrees to executes two innocents (who just so happen to get in his way as well), and he uses an incredible weapon to defeat humongous monsters inadvertently summoned to protect (and destroy) the planet. Rufus shows how clever he is in the last section, where he uses this major weapon to open a barrier halfway across the world. Unfortunately, his plans result in the last of his appearances.

Why Follow Rufus (What I Can Take Away)

• Rufus always knows exactly what he wants, and he’ll do anything to achieve his goals.
• He’s very responsible in his duties to command the company, especially after his father’s death.
• His other employees are held responsible for their actions and results, and therefore Rufus does a decent job at delegating his desires.

Fictional Character Analysis: Ashe Dalmasca

Meet Ashe, my eleventh character to be analyzed. She is the last remaining child of the Dalmascan Royal Family who is wed to Lord Rasler of a neighboring kingdom in a political marriage in order to create an alliance between the two nations. Unfortunately, the Archadian Empire invaded and conquered her husband’s kingdom before moving on to her home of Dalmasca and slaying her father. She escaped her home and retreated underground, and formed a resistance to try and win back Dalmasca’s independence.

With a ragtag group, Ashe takes several steps for her kingdom’s freedom. She obtains proof of her identity in the tombs of her ancestors, requests aid from her uncle and his city, learns more information about the shards of nethicite (basically really powerful weapons) possessed by her and the Archadian Empire, and obtaining two special swords that can destroy or create more nethicite. The younger prince of the Archandian Empire comes to Ashe to create an alliance so that the two kingdoms may flourish in peace instead of war. Eventually, the alliance stops an all-out war just as it begins.

Ashelia B’nargin Dalmasca (aka Ashe)

Basic Information
Name: Ashelia D’nargin Dalmasca
Series: Final Fantasy XII
Age: 19
Height: 5’5” (165 cm)
Occupation: Princess of Dalmasca

Personality
Ashe is fiercely independent, and she’s a driven woman who will stop at nothing to restore her family to its rightful place. She is proud and indignant, but she’s also determined and loyal for the sake of her kingdom’s people. She refuses to become a pawn or a pretty figurehead monarch, and she’s intelligent enough to realize how cautious she must act in her task. However, her strong appearance is often weakened when she sees the spirit of Lord Rasler, he husband, which reminds her of the joyful and easier times of her youth.

One Good Quote
“This is something that I have to do! For myself and all those who have fallen. I will not be made to hide! I’ll fight alone, if I must.”

From this video, Ashe doesn’t completely realize the path she wants to take in order to free her kingdom. However, she listens to others and their advice, and even when she comes up with a plan, she’s still questioned by her companions. They know that while they have a powerful tool on their side, they have no idea how to wield it. While Ashe is relatively confident in her choices, she knows that she has to be cautious before making a major move. In the scene, we also see the emotional price she’s willing to pay in order for assistance (in this case, her late husband’s wedding ring).

This long cutscene reveal much of the plot, but the main focus for this scene revolves around Ashe’s values. She’s conflicted as to whether she should destroy a powerful tool or use it to her advantage. She hears both sides of the argument from allies and enemies, but ultimately she decides to follow the values of her ancestors by not using these items as a crutch to win her kingdom back. Despite some objections from her enemies, she realizes that she won’t let herself be used as a pawn. Fortunately, she’s supported by a couple of her companions.

Why Follow Ashe (What I Can Take Away)

• Ashe is strong and doesn’t display stereotypical princess or female characteristics.
• Her motives and values are always true and for the best. She’s not out for glory, but she desires to restore independence to her people.
• Despite all the tragedies Ashe has experienced, she remains strong and doesn’t give up.

Fictional Character Analysis: Snow Villiers

Meet Snow, a character from the same world as Lightning. As the founder and regulator of NORA, a small group of ragtime young individuals, Snow doesn’t really have an occupation, but he’s extremely devoted to his fiancé, Serah. Like Lightning, he journeys to save her and fails, but he continues to carry faith that he can save her. He remains by her side as Cocoon soldiers (basically the army) capture both of them.

Eventually, he reunites with Lightning and convinces her to pursue an alternative to stop Cocoon’s main ruler, who wants to destroy the land. (Basically, the government intends to sacrifice everybody in order to appease their creator). In the end, Snow is one of the heroes responsible for saving the entire human race, and ultimately he’s reunited with Serah, his fiancé.

Snow Villiers

Basic Information
Name: Snow Villiers
Series: Final Fantasy XIII
Age: 21
Height: 6’7” (200 cm)
Occupation: NORA Founder and Leader

Personality
Snow likes to call himself a hero, almost arrogantly so. However, his heart and motives are in the right place since he wishes to help those in need (like a Robin Hood of sorts), he doesn’t think before acting. Others observe that he acts “like one of the kids” since he’s flamboyant in nature, and that Snow considers himself “everybody’s pal.” In general, Snow’s hot headed and fearless in the face of danger, and he has little regard for authorities. He hides any guilt he carries by acting optimistic, and this causes some people to misunderstand him.

One Good Quote
“Well, even heroes make mistakes.”

This scene is from early in the story when Snow makes his initial attempt to save Serah. With his group, NORA, Snow and his team frees several people that were on their way to being “purged” (basically exterminated) from Cocoon. When a couple people volunteer to help, the team hands out weapons, and a mother steps forth to help, too. Unfortunately, she doesn’t survive the battle with the soldiers, and Snow witnesses her death. This clip shows Snow’s constant optimism and almost fake consideration for others (especially sense his goal is to reach his fiancé).

In this video, Hope, the young boy of the mother who was killed early in the story, can no longer keep his feelings to himself, and he’s prepared to kill Snow for the death of his mother. The young boy doesn’t think much of Snow, and when pressed, Snow cannot provide any consolation or answers to the grieving boy. Snow is happy and positive on the outside, but he’s really a leader that runs away from problems or unsolved issues.

Why Follow Snow (What I Can Take Away)

• Even when there are problems at hand, Snow always stays optimistic and cheery.
• It takes others to push Snow and accept the mistakes or problems that he has.
• Snow never shies away from being the hero, leader, or the head of a movement when a task needs to get done.