Final Fantasy: Unlimited

Final Fantasy: Unlimited
	File:Final Fantay Unlimited Box.jpg
Genre	Fantasy
Anime
Directed by	Mahiro Maeda
Studio	GONZO

Final Fantasy: Unlimited (ファイナルファンタジーアンリミテッド Fainaru Fantajī Anrimitad) is an animated Japanese television series based on Square Co., Ltd.'s popular Final Fantasy role-playing game franchise. It was released in Japan in October 2001 and while it was originally scheduled for 52 weekly episodes, low ratings resulted in the series to be cut to 25 episodes. Final Fantasy: Unlimited was intended to bring in a new audience base and attract new interest in the Final Fantasy realm.

Final Fantasy: Unlimited incorporates both 2D animation and 3D graphics, and takes elements from every Final Fantasy game with easter eggs, some obvious, others obscure. It was licensed for North America and the British Isles by ADV Films, and 7 volumes of videos were released on DVD. A related book titled Final Fantasy: Unlimited After, containing a 32 page manga and 120 page script, was released in 2002 by DigiCube. In 2003, the series soundtrack Final Fantasy: Unlimited After 2 was released.

Overview

Final Fantasy: Unlimited incorporates characteristics of the Final Fantasy games. Summoning is used in the series and is performed by using a demon gun called MaGun. By using three cartridges of Soil as ammunition, different summons can be created depending on the types of soil used.

The Ghost Train is used by the protagonists to ride into the inner world, Wonderland. Although Elizabeth, the Ghost Train, is the main mode of transportation, the airship Sylvia is also a method of transportation, as well as keeping the Final Fantasy tradition. These were created by the character Cid, and is another example of a recurring Final Fantasy theme. Mascots from the series such as the Chocobo, Moogle and Cactuar are also included.

Story and characters

Template:Spoilers

For a list characters in the series, see List of Final Fantasy: Unlimited characters

The story revolves around two children, Ai and Yu, in their travels in the hostile Wonderland in search for their lost parents. The early episodes follow them and their companion Lisa as they use the Wonderland "Ghost Train", Elizabeth, to travel from place to place. Their travels allow them to learn about Wonderland and meet many mysterious friends: Kaze, the mysterious Magun-user that saves the group from danger time and time again; Chocobi, a Chocobo that was attracted by Yu's Chocobo Pinion, who warns the party when the subway is about to depart thanks to the Izabelle clock-collar around his neck; Fabula, the guide, appearing in the prelude and epilogue of each episode, who also gave Ai a PoshePocket; and Cid, the mechanical genius that worked for the underground organization (the Comodeen), whose logo the party recognized on Elizabeth & Izabel.

Along the way, they learn that much of Wonderland were the remains of original other worlds that has been destroyed by "Chaos", an unknown entity that seems to be related to the Earl Tyrant (antagonist), the ruler of the Wonderland, who is under the protection of the four Lords of Gaudium. Finally they encounter a Claw of Omega in the inter-dimensional subway tunnel. As told by a new friend, Lou Lupus, Omega was shattered into pieces yet is still alive and has destroyed her home world and other worlds.

As the story unfolds, the later episodes feature the protagonists joined the Comodeen in the submarine Jane, trapped in Lord Pist's Ocean Puzzle and completing task after task to escape. However, interspersed in the generic episodes are more story-driven ones, generally revolving around the evil Earl Tyrant, and the agendas of the two mysterious and powerful enemies, Black Wind (Kaze) and White Cloud (Makenshi).

Theme songs

Opening

"Over the Fantasy" by Kana Ueda

Ending

"VIVID" by Fairy Fore
"Romancing Train" by Move
"Over the Fantasy" by Kana Ueda--Episode 25

External links