The Final Fantasy franchise has many amazing characters, but among them all, it's the main protagonists who are made to take the spotlight. More often than not, they will leave a lasting impression on players, with the likes of Cloud Strife, Cecil Harvey, and even the infamous Lightning Farron still remembered to this day, having made certain games popular through their unique abilities and personalities.
But because of how recognized they are, they've taken away a good chunk of the spotlight from other characters who also deserve it. One of the best examples is the lead of the underrated Final Fantasy 9, someone who has proven himself capable of reaching the status of the greats, but hasn't: Zidane Tribal.
While many mostly remember the character for his monkey tail and being a flirtatious thief, he is so much more than that. He has many other qualities, ones that should have made him a protagonist who stands equal with or surpasses those of all the other popular Final Fantasy games.
A good example is that, when compared to the other leads, he puts the most trust in those around him. This may not seem like much, and can even be seen as a negative aspect, but his complete faith in the other characters in Final Fantasy 9 does a lot in terms of growth and creating a memorable plot.
For instance, there is a situation where he gives the leading lady, Dagger, a decision to either steer the airship to return to her kingdom or continue running away in the hopes of figuring out her role in life. While it's clear he'd prefer the latter option, due to being on the run as a wanted criminal, presenting her with a key choice shows how he's a good leader who believes everyone can make the right call, which in turn allows the rest of the party some time in the spotlight.
Zidane also feels like the most empathetic and compassionate among all the other Final Fantasy characters and isn't afraid to show it, which is another thing that the rest of the protagonists don't do as well. Because of his natural ability to understand and show emotion, he gives the world around him more hope, which makes it easier for others to develop their own personalities and have their own growth.
Also, Zidane's own personality is a breath of fresh air compared to the likes of the more gloomy popular protagonists such as Cloud Strife and Squall Leonhart. His wit and charisma ensure that every scene he's in is eventful or at least interesting to watch, which makes me wonder why he doesn't have as many fans as he should.
Square Enix made something special with Zidane Tribal, as he's an easily likable character who can drive the plot forward in both a fun and serious manner. Hopefully, the potential Final Fantasy 9 remake can give him the spotlight he deserves after being overshadowed for so long, as he's too good to be remembered solely as the "thief with a monkey tail and dual blades".
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