Final Fantasyis known not just for its sweeping worlds and epic stories, but also for its unforgettable fashion. From skirts made of belts to bright orange overalls and intricate armor, each character’s look is as iconic as their role in the narrative. These outfits don’t just serve a purpose; they tell a story, reflecting personalities, classes, and arcs with every stitch and buckle.
And then there’s the hair. Spiked, windswept, gravity-defying, or perfectly layered, Final Fantasy hairstyles are as fantastical as the magic systems. While ‘fantasy’ usually refers to the monsterz and spells, it’s clear that physics bends just as much for the sake of flawless fashion.
10Red XIII
Final Fantasy 7
Despite not being human, Red XIII earns his place among the iconic hairstyles of Final Fantasy. A proud, lion-like creature with deep intelligence and a fiery spirit, Red XIII sports a mane that runs from his forehead down his spine and fades out at the tail, similar to a hyena’s build, but far more majestic.
What sets Red XIII apartis his unmistakable mohawk. Coarse and wild though his fur may be, the strip of mane along the top of his head defies the elements with a perfectly styled crest, despite the lack of opposable thumbs. Whether he’s sprinting across battlefields, facing off against Shinra, or delivering sage advice, that mohawk stays standing: proud, fierce, and unmistakably stylish.
9Ultimecia
Final Fantasy 8
Ultimecia is the primary antagonist in Final Fantasy 8, a powerful sorceress from the distant future with a plan to compress time and erase all of humanity. While she claims her motives stem from the persecution sorceresses have faced throughout history, it’s hard not to suspect she’s just trying to eliminate the competition… for both power and hairspray.
Her fashion is as dramatic as her goals, but it’s her hair that truly steals the show. Ultimecia’s hairstyle rivals Queen Amidala’s from Star Wars in sheer complexity and flair. Two silver locks hang freely, framing her face, while the rest of her hair is styled into massive horn-like shapes, aided by an elaborate headdress. It’s not just a style, it’s a declaration. When Ultimecia walks into a room, she doesn’t just demand your attention; she demands your fear, your respect, and maybe your entire timeline.
8Cloud Strife
Cloud isone of the most iconic characters inthe entire Final Fantasy series, instantly recognizable by his spiky blonde hair and brooding black attire. Coming from the strict ranks of Shinra’s elite SOLDIER unit, he probably picked up the habit of meticulous grooming early on, just with a little more… flair.
In Final Fantasy 7, Cloud’s hair is at its most chaotic. Thick, gravity-defying clumps shoot out in every direction like a hyper-stylized hedgehog. It’s less ‘military regulation’ and more ‘anime legend.’ Thankfully, by the time Advent Children rolled around, Cloud seems to have calmed a bit. His iconic spikes are still intact, but the overall look is sleeker, more refined, like someone finally convinced him to use conditioner. Still, no matter the era, Cloud’s hair remains a high-maintenance masterpiece and a symbol of JRPG style at its most extra.
7Marche Radiuju
Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
Marchewas just a boy trying to fit inafter moving to a new town, until a mysterious book transported him and his friends to the magical world of Ivalice. Faced with monsters, magic, and moral dilemmas, Marche must have decided that such an epic journey required equally epic hair.
At the center of his style is a mighty ahoge, that charming anime staple where a single clump of hair defies gravity. But Marche doesn’t stop at one. His front-facing ahoge juts out so far that it resembles an antenna more than actual hair, like it’s tuned in to Ivalice’s magical frequency. And just when you think the drama ends there, a second ahoge emerges in the form of a long strand at the back of his head. It curves down and loops into a perfect fishhook, proving that even in another world, anime hair physics remain undefeated.
6Emperor Mateus
Final Fantasy 2
The Emperor rules the Palamecian Empire, with ambitions to conquer the world using a demon army. To achieve such grand plans, he knows the power of striking fear into his enemies at first glance.
He wears dignified gold armor paired with royal purple and rose robes, topped with a striking horned crown. This crown rests atop a halo of blonde hair: a proud mullet, thanks to his royal barber. The back flows long and regal, while the hair on the crown is meticulously spiked to accentuate his crown’s imposing presence. This fierce hairstyle perfectly matches his ruthless ambition and commands respect wherever he goes.
5Ignis Scientia
Final Fantasy 15
As Royal Advisor to Noctis, Ignis prides himself on poise, professionalism, and presentation, even in the middle of monster-infested wilderness. Clad in a sharply tailored suit and a silk, purple-leopard-print shirt, he looks more like he’s headed to a high-end boardroom than a battlefield. Whether he’s planning battle strategy or cooking gourmet meals at camp, Ignis maintains his polished image down to the last detail.
That includes his hair, which he meticulously styles every morning. Most of it is slicked back with precision, but it’s his gravity-defying fan of spiked bangs that really stands out. Somehow, they remain perfectly in place throughout everything, from the sweltering humidity of the Vesperpool to the explosive chaos of a royal summon. Clearly, Ignis is using top-shelf hair products because not even the fall of the Lucian crown could shake those bangs loose.
4Wakka
Final Fantasy 10
Blitzball team captain and guardian to summoner Yuna, Wakka brings a laid-back island vibe to the party, and his wardrobe reflects it. He sports a breezy orange vest, yellow chaps layered over black pants, and open-toed sandals made for beachside brawls. Naturally, his signature blitzball armor stays on at all times. You never know when a pickup game might break out.
But the true highlight of Wakka’s look is his bright, ginger hair. Spiked high and swept back with impressive precision, his bangs defy gravity and are perfectly framed by a bold blue headband. While Ignis may have tried his hand at a similar fan-shaped fringe, Wakka was the original, and he takes it to the next level by letting his spiked bangs grow longer. Hair gel, headband, and hustle? That’s Wakka.
3Kuja
Final Fantasy 9
Hailing from Final Fantasy 9, Kuja is the game’s suave and manipulative antagonist, known for his theatrical flair and otherworldly fashion sense. His long, silver hair flows down his back, perfectly complementing his flowing white robes and confident strut.
The most striking part of Kuja’s look, though, is his gravity-defying bangs. Styled to resemble a cluster of delicate feathers, they fan out from his forehead in dramatic fashion. At first glance, it’s easy to assume they’re ornamental pieces clipped in and dyed to match his hair. But when Kuja enters Trance and his hair turns a brilliant red, the feathers change too, revealing they’ve been part of his hair all along. It’s a level of styling commitment that only a villain with stage presence and magical power could maintain.
2Cloud Of Darkness
Dissidia Final Fantasy
The Cloud of Darkness first debuted in Final Fantasy 3 as an eldritch-like monster that is the personification of the Void. Since then, the Cloud of Darkness has made several subsequent appearances, including in Dissidia Final Fantasy. There, she was a Warrior of Chaos and the antagonist representing Final Fantasy 3.
While the Cloud of Darkness traditionally appeared as green, humanoid woman flying out of a dark cloud, she took on a much more human appearance in Dissidia, with a cape that would make Dracula jealous and long, white hair that flies around her head in a halo, giving her the illusion of perpetual movement. How her hair never snags or mattes while also literally defying gravity must be thanks to the Cloud of Darkness’s powerful magic.
1Seymour Guado
Gravity-defying hair is practically a rite of passage in the Final Fantasy multiverse, and Seymour is no exception. A high-ranking maester of Yevon and key antagonist in Final Fantasy 10, Seymour believes salvation lies in destruction. It’s a dark goal, but he commits to it with style.
Seymour’s fashion sense is as dramatic as his ideology: a flowing, open-chested robe, ornate accessories, and a towering staff fit for a villainous priest. But the crown jewel? That hair. The back is kept short(ish) and tidy, while the front erupts into two massive, horn-like spikes that cascade behind him. Razor-sharp bangs complete the look, jutting down his face like lightning bolts. Unlike Ultimecia’s headpiece-assisted horns, Seymour’s sculptural mane stands tall on sheer willpower, industrial-strength gel, and maybe a few divine favors.
