Final Fantasy IX Archetype Analysis
Initial Release Date: July 7, 2000
North America Release Date: November 14, 2000
PMAI Archetypes
The ruler PMAI archetype can be observed in two actual rulers in this game’s world, Regent Cid and Queen Brahne. Cid is an example of a balanced ruler. He willingly takes charge, puts others ahead of himself, leads well in times of war, and excels at devising plans of action. He also has a good understanding of people’s strengths and weaknesses, even his own, and can plan around them. On the other hand, Brahne is an example of an imbalanced ruler. She only seeks power for herself, and uses the black mages and her own military as disposable pawns in her schemes.
The creator PMAI archetype can be seen, again in Cid, but also in Quina. Cid in an example of a balanced creator. This can be seen in his innovative airship designs, his resourcefulness, and the cleverness he uses when making plans. Meanwhile, Quina is an example of an imbalanced creator. S/he only ever thinks about eating more food to perfect his/her culinary skills, and is frequently shown to be a self-indulgent glutten.
Character Archetypes
Hero: Zidane is this game’s hero. He’s usually permanently assigned to the first character slot when available, often portrayed as the leader, and eventually revealed to be linked to every plot point through his mysterious past. There are situations where he risks his life to save people, and he learns abilities that let him take damage in place of others. Additionally, he undergoes a psychological transformation from a mischievous flirt to a leader who genuinely cares about the well-being of everyone, even his enemies.
Companion: Dagger is the most prevalent companion. She is dedicated to following Zidane's, despite whatever negative ideas he believes about himself further in the game. She also helps give purpose to his quests, while helping him overcome the flaws in his personality.
Mentor: Cid is the character that most embodies this role. He is a character that the party often turns to when they need guidance. But by the last section of disc three, the party is able to function on their own without his advice.
Shadow: While not the game’s final boss, nor the character that initially put the game’s events into motion, Kuja is this game's shadow character. Despite having a near identical origin to Zidane, he’s constantly shown to be his opposite. Where Zidane wishes to save, Kuja wishes to destroy. Where Zidane believes that his friends are his strength, Kuja sees relationships as a weakness. Not only does he try to individually become more powerful than everyone else, he also exploits Zidane’s relationships to get him to do his bidding.
Trickster: The most notable tricksters are Zorn and Thorn, jesters who are in alignment with Kuja. I mention both, as they are practically one character, and tricksters usually come in pairs. While they act as servants to Queen Brahne, their true agenda is to steal the summoning abilities from Dagger and Eiko for Kuja’s use. Their successful acquisition of Dagger’s summons plays a large part in giving the game’s enemies the upper hand throughout most of the game.
Shape-Shifter: Garland is the closest I could find to a shape-shifter. By revealing that Zidane was created to destroy Gaia, he’s the only character that truly makes the hero question himself and whether or not he deserves his companions. He also turns against Zidane when he finds that he won’t follow through with his purpose, before ultimately helping him defeat Kuja.
Resources:
Final Fantasy IX. (n.d.). Retrieved August 08, 2017, from http://www.ign.com/games/final-fantasy-ix/ps-12190
Final Fantasy IX [Video Game]. (2000). Tokyo: Squaresoft
