Final Fantasy VIII had a lot to prove following the overwhelming success of Final Fantasy VII. While it did not live up to FF7’s heights, it is still beloved by the Final Fantasy community and appreciated by the average gamer – so much so, it had a remastered version released on Sept. 3, 2019.

Most of the main cast are orphans and SeeD operatives, an organization of mercenaries for hire who do a variety of tasks for clients. All SeeD mercenaries graduate from training schools called Gardens; most of the main cast comes from Balamb Garden.

If one has not been able to grab a copy of Final Fantasy VIII Remastered, they can catch up on everything they need to know about the main cast before they jump in. With that said, here are all the main characters of Final Fantasy VIII and their basic information!

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10 Squall Leonhart

Squall Leonhart, the main protagonist of FF8, was born on August 23 and is 17 years old. According to the Final Fantasy Wiki, his height varies between 5’8” and 5’10” (173-177 cm) depending on the official source. His signature weapon is the Gunblade, a FF series’ mainstay weapon. His Limit Break is Renzokuken.

Squall is an “aloof SeeD mercenary.” Despite his appearance and demeanor, Squall actually lacks “courage and strength,” wishing he possessed those qualities. His story starts when he assists Rinoa Heartilly, his future love interest, in a field exam mission with the Forest Owls.

9 Rinoa Heartilly

Rinoa Heartilly is 17 years old and was born on March 3. She stands at 5’3” or 5’4” (160-163 cm) depending on the official source one reads. Rinoa’s weapon is called the Blaster Edge, a weapon that fires a bladed weapon that acts like a boomerang. She also has a dog called Angelo that assists her or the party. Her Limit Break is Wishing Star.

Rinoa is the daughter of Fury Caraway, who is the military commander of the Galbadia. Galbadia is trying to conquer neighboring nations, such as Timber. She disagrees with this and joins the Forest Owls, “a group of freedom fighters rebelling against the Galbadian government,” according to the Wiki. Even though Rinoa lacks combat experience, she tries her best to contribute to the party while fulfilling her own goals.

8 Zell Dincht

Zell Dincht is 17 years old and was born on March 17. His height varies between 5’5” and 5’6” (165-168 cm) depending on the official source. Zell’s gameplay is more oriented toward the monk class. His fighting style focuses on punches and kicks, and he is considered unmatched in that regard. Zell’s weapons are gloves, and his Limit Break is Duel.

Like Squall, Zell is a SeeD mercenary but way more energetic than his colleague. He is energetic, outgoing, boisterous and even overconfident. The excitable SeeD operative gets involved in the plot when he is assigned to Squad B with Squall to aid the Forest Owls. He is known by his grin, unique hairstyle and the black tribal tattoo on the left side of his face.

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7 Selphie Tilmitt

Selphie Tilmitt is 17 years old and was born on July 16. Her height varies between 5’1 ½ and 5’2” (156-157 cm) depending on the official source. Her main weapons are oversized nunchaku, and her Limit Break is Slot.

Selphie is also a SeeD operative, but she transferred to Balamb Garden to complete her field exam. Like Zell, she gets involved in the plot of the story when she is assigned to Squad A for the Forest Owls mission. Selphie is a hardworking and active individual, being involved in many school activities including the Garden Festival.

6 Quistis Trepe

Quistis Trepe is 18 years old and was born on October 4. She stands at 5’6” or 5’7” (168-172 cm) depending on the official source. Quistis utilizes a whip in battle, and she uses Blue Magic for her Limit Break. She can learn enemy abilities depending on the item she has equipped.

Quistis is a prodigy and graduate of Balamb Garden, her expertise and intelligence earning her an Instructor role at her alma mater at the age of 17; she graduated at age 15. Because of her impressive record, she has a fan club. Quistis also has a sisterly affection for Squall and looks out for him. She gets involved in the plot because she supervises Squad B, which includes Squall, Zell and Seifer Almasy.

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5 Irvine Kinneas

Irvine Kinneas is 17 years old and was born on November 24. His height varies between 6’0” and 6’1” (183-185 cm) depending on the official source. Irvine’s gameplay is like that of a Ranger class, but he is an expert gunman. His Limit Break is Shot.

Irvine is a graduate of the Galbadia Garden and is the last permanent member to join the main cast. A connoisseur of women, Irvine loves interacting with ladies when he is not on a mission. He is known as the best marksman to graduate from Galbadia, and he assists the group on the assassination mission against Edea Kramer.

4 Seifer Almasy

Seifer Almasy is 18 years old and was born on December 22. He stands at 6’2” (188 cm) and considered the rival of Squall. He was even the one who gave Squall his signature facial scar. Seifer is a temporary playable character during the Squad B field exam.

He also has ties to many main party members. He bullied Zell when they were younger. Seifer dated Rinoa and “openly defies” Quistis because he does not respect her as an Instructor. Seifer is one of the main antagonists of the game, and the player fights him multiple times.

3 Cid Kramer

Cid Kramer is 40 years old. Because he is an NPC, he does not have a listed age or birthday. Kramer founded SeeD and the Garden system. He is currently the headmaster of Balamb Garden and is very busy, though he wishes he could be involved in other activities that involve the students.

A famous quote on the Wiki demonstrates the Headmaster’s care for the SeeD operatives: “I don't want you all to become machines. I want you all to be able to think and act for yourselves.” Kramer and his wife, Edea, serve an important role in the background story of the world.

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2 Adel

adel from final fantasy 8 xiii

Adel has no listed birthday, age or height, which adds to the mystery of her origins. She is a minor antagonist in the game, known for her tyrannical rule of the Esthar kingdom. Adel even ordered the kidnapping of many young girls so she can find her next heir. As a Sorceress, if she does not pass on her magic to another female, it dies with her.

Adel took a particular interest in a young girl named Ellone, who is the daughter of another playable character, Laguna Loire. Characters like Laguna are part of the Estharian Resistance that rebel against Adel’s rule.

1 Ultimecia

Sorceress Ultimecia has no listed birthday, age or height. She is the main antagonist of Final Fantasy VIII. The game showcased how powerful she is as a Sorceress, capable of using various magical abilities including mind control. She is also able to persuade others and tap into a character's inner desires, manipulating them into assisting her with her plans.

According to the wiki, her plans “is to compress all time and space, in essence making herself one with existence as a whole to become "a living god." The player fights her multiple times throughout the game, complete with a long boss battle. Don’t worry, we won’t tell you when you fight her…

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