Religious/Spiritual influences on characters of Final Fantasy X
Final Fantasy X (2001) is set in the fantasy world of Spira, in which a giant monster named Sin is terrorizing the world. The only way to stop Sin is by following the teachings of Yevon, an organized religion created by people in order to support sacrifices to Sin for a period of Calm, and to stop people from using machina (machines) and convincing them technology is the reason for Sin's rampage.
Sin
This is the backdrop for Final Fantasy X. This is an abridged version of the history suitable for people unfamiliar with the game, as the politics and war behind the game take place 1000 years prior and would be irrelevant to study and time consuming to discuss. I do however intend to look further into two different cultures in the world of Spira and how they are influenced by the Yevon.
The symbol for Yevon
The teachings of Yevon are the in world religion created by people, in order to control their faith. The Yevon faith is laced with inspiration from Shintoism (practice and temples), Buddhism (iconography) and Catholicism (hierarchical structure).
Al Bhed
Seymour (half human, half Guado) and Guado
The most spiritually connected subjects of Yevon are the Guado, who are charged with protecting certain holy lands. On the opposite spectrum are the Al Bhed; a culture of people who are considered as heretics for disobeying the teachings of Yemen, and use Machina to better their lives and survive. Because of this, they are feared and hated. It is important to note however, no culture here is right or wrong, good or bad, but rather have different views of faith and so disagree strongly causing this animosity between them.
Visually; Al Bhed are shown with industrial clothes, tight fitting with many cautionary pieces of clothing (e.g. goggles on eyes, respirators, thick gloves, etc) this reflects their image as mechanics and shows practicality in clothes. They reside mostly in the dessert, which the goggles may also be representing, but their main material of use and environmental substance is metal, and is well reflected in their clothes.
Home (Al Bhed mainlands)
Guado are much more natural in wear and look. They resemble elves with veins and hair similar to flora and wood. they have long thin nails, adding to a sense of natural fragility. Their clothes are looser and held together by fabrics (compared to Al Bhed's braces and buckles) and are brightly coloured. Their appearance co-insides with their stature of being protectors of holy earth on Spira, and also a reflection of their mainland, which is within a forest.
Guadosalam (Guado mainlands)
Cliches are not uncommon in any media, especially in fantasy. Inspiration is often drawn from the same places in this genre. As shown, the Al Bhed are modeled after mechanics and the Guado are elf like wooden creatures. But there's a breath of fresh air to the designs, and that separates them from other similar roles found in fantasy/sci-fi. They are also very serious in design, which is a nice change from stereotypical and caricatured roles. I find they compliment each other well, especially the difference between the natural, loose, and eccentric hair of the Guado, to tight, metal, alien looking but non-threatening outfits of the Al Bhed.
Results as compared to Critical Framework:
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