What Are the Anti-Religious Themes in Final Fantasy?

Transcript

MatPat uploads video. Final Fantasy fan becomes defensive. MatPat uses disclaimer. Final Fantasy fan pauses the video to read it. Final Fantasy fan uses rage comment. MatPat puts up flame shield. Rage comment has no effect. MatPat uses evidence. Doubt is terminated. Hello Internet. Welcome to Game Theory, the show that, to put it bluntly, takes you... Read More

Key Insights

• ⛪ Final Fantasy X criticizes organized religion through the corrupt church of Yevon.
• ✊ Final Fantasy Tactics explores religious corruption through manipulating ancient legends for power.
• 😒 Final Fantasy VI uses Christian imagery in the final battle to symbolize Kefka's ascent to godhood.
• 👹 Japanese cultural views on religion influence the portrayal of organized religion in Final Fantasy games.
• ❓ Final Fantasy Legend introduces themes of Hinduism and Buddhism with the character of Ashura.
• 🎮 Through gameplay, Final Fantasy games educate players on diverse religious concepts.
• 🎮 The exploration of themes like corruption and deification in Final Fantasy games adds depth to gameplay.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does Final Fantasy X critique organized religion?

A large part of the plot revolves around the church of Yevon, a religion honoring a corrupt ruler who asked innocent civilians to kill themselves to give him power. He then took the form of Sin, a giant whale monster that attacks populated areas to stop technological progress, so the world built a religion that rejects industrialization to keep Sin away. During the game you repeatedly see church leaders killing each other to rise through the ranks.

Q: What is Sin, and how is it tied to the religion of Yevon?

Sin is the giant whale-like monster that destroys heavily populated areas to prevent them from advancing in technology. It is the form taken by Yevon, the corrupt ruler the church is named after, using the sacrifice of the civilians he manipulated. The recurring antagonist, described as basically the pope, aims to end the cycle of death caused by Sin by becoming Sin and killing everyone.

Q: What is the central theme of Final Fantasy Tactics related to religious corruption?

The Glabados Church uses an ancient legend to fuel a war between two factions competing for the throne, distracting everyone from its real goal of resurrecting its savior, St. Ajora. In the end your team kills the resurrected saint, your character is branded a heretic, and anyone who tries to reveal the truth is burned at the stake to keep it hidden.

Q: What Christ imagery does Final Fantasy Tactics use?

MatPat points out that St. Ajora was a prophet who predicted the coming of Paradise, which angered the dominant church of Fara. The Pharist priests had Ajora declared a heretic and executed at the Golgollada Gallows. He parallels this to Jesus, who predicted Heaven, was declared a heretic by the Pharisees, and was crucified at Calvary, also known as Golgotha.

Q: How does Final Fantasy VI address the concept of God?

By the final battle, the villain Kefka has destroyed the world, become the source of all magic, and kills survivors with his Light of Judgment from atop a high tower. The four-part fight follows the journey of Dante's Inferno, moving from Hell to Purgatory to Heaven, where Kefka appears as an angel and becomes the embodiment of the Christian God. The third round features 'Lady' and 'Rest,' figures inspired by Michelangelo's Pieta, and in the Japanese version 'Lady' is named 'Maria.'

Q: What does MatPat mean when he says the games advocate 'deicide'?

Deicide means god killing. MatPat's thesis is that Final Fantasy is not only against organized religion but often takes a stand against the idea of God Himself. He supports this with examples like killing the resurrected saint St. Ajora in Final Fantasy Tactics and defeating Kefka, who has become the embodiment of God, in Final Fantasy VI.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• MatPat analyzes Final Fantasy games for their anti-religious themes and symbolism.

• Final Fantasy X critiques organized religion through a corrupt church that hinders progress.

• Other games in the series, like Final Fantasy Tactics and Final Fantasy VI, also explore themes of religious corruption and deification.