Zidane Tribal

Zidane Tribal (ジタン・トライバル) is a fictional thief in the Final Fantasy series, and the protagonist of Final Fantasy IX.

Concept and creation
Zidane, along with other characters, was designed after the creation of Final Fantasy IX's plot, unlike its predecessors, Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy VIII, which had its protagonists created before the story. Both Zidane and Vivi's size and age were less than that of the characters from the above-mentioned other titles. He was one of the original three characters revealed, along with Vivi and Steiner. His appearance was originally designed by Yoshitaka Amano, and his womanizing personality was designed by Hiroyuki Ito. Series creator Hironobu Sakaguchi described him as a person who "likes girls and doesn't care for much", lacking any objective and being carefree, but a key character nonetheless. Zidane has shoulder-length blonde hair and a prehensile monkey-like tail, as witnessed in game when Zidane hangs from his tail to evade Steiner. He can either use two daggers or a single swallow-blade as weapons. In trance form Zidane's hair becomes longer, and his clothing is replaced with fur. Zidane is identified as a thief and has the unique ability to steal items from enemies. He was redesigned by Tetsuya Nomura in the video game Dissidia Final Fantasy. He is voiced by Romi Park and Bryce Papenbrook in the Japanese and English versions of Dissidia respectively.

Appearances
Zidane is a Genome, created by Garland on the planet Terra to replace Kuja as a more powerful "Angel of Death". Jealous of his successor, Kuja casts Zidane down to Gaia, where he is found and adopted by Baku and his group of thieves, Tantalus. Before the events of the game, he leaves Baku to search for his real home, his only memory being a blue light. Unsuccessful, he returns to Baku and rejoins Tantalus.

At the age of sixteen, he becomes involved in a scheme to kidnap Princess Garnet the XVII of Alexandria, organised by Regent Cid in order to distance the princess from her increasingly war-like adoptive mother, Queen Brahne. Zidane first encounters Garnet when she tries to sneak out of the palace, and, at her request, promises to do his best to kidnap her. He takes an instant liking to the princess and does not hesitate to flirt with her throughout the game, much to her bodyguard, Aldebert Steiner's dismay. His dagger is the inspiration for Garnet's alias.

Zidane naturally adopts his role as party leader, and his personality draws many characters in the game. Eiko joins the party after becoming infatuated with him, and Amarant follows him out of curiosity. He provides much emotional support for Garnet, Vivi, and Freya. He is only seen uncharacteristically somber at two points in the game: before Garnet is to be crowned Queen of Alexandria, and when the true reason for his existence is revealed. The latter event drives him to briefly abandon the party; however, the group manages to mollify him and he returns.

After the party is rescued from the Iifa Tree by Kuja, Zidane chooses to go back inside the collapsing structure to save his arch rival. For many years it is believed that he did not survive; however, he makes a dramatic reappearance on stage in Alexandria at the end of the game.

Zidane is the hero representing Final Fantasy IX in Dissidia: Final Fantasy. Along with the entire cast, Zidane has been confirmed to appear in the sequel Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy. He also appears in Itadaki Street Portable as a playable character.

Reception and promotion
Zidane was featured amongst three other protagonists of the video game Dissidia Final Fantasy as figurines, including Cloud Strife, Squall Leonhart, and Tidus to celebrate the Final Fantasy series' 20th anniversary.

Michel S. Beaulieu, co-author of the book "Final Fantasy and Philosophy: The Ultimate Walkthrough" described Zidane as a revolutionary, fighting against the upper class, represented by Queen Brahne. Mia Consalvo, an author for the book "The video game theory reader", described his appearance as feminized, referencing his small stature, long hair, clothing with laces, and lack of obvious muscles. She questioned whether heterosexual players may identify less with a character like this, and whether homosexual players may. She added that his relationship with female protagonist Garnet saves him from being considered "abnormal", and that the ultimate goal is for the players to relate to Zidane as best as possible. She added that no matter how the players proceed, Zidane always hooks up with Garnet, and players are encouraged to insert themselves into the character. Because of this, she questions how females and homosexuals would feel about their relationship, which she states would destroy the immersion. GamesRadar listed the relationship between Zidane and Garnet as one of the worst, citing the fact that they were creeped out by their appearance, as well as the lack of chemistry between them. They also listed him as one of the best Final Fantasy heroes, describing him as a breath of fresh air compared to the "uptight anti-heroes" Squall Leonhart and Cloud Strife.

IGN editor Ryan Clements described Zidane as a "laid back, flirtatious character and one full of energy and enthusiasm", unlike other protagonists found in Dissidia Final Fantasy. He adds that seeing his "short blades spin in a dizzying frenzy is definitely a sight to behold." GameSpot editor Andrew Vestal called Zidane's "instinctive womanizing" as an amusing trait of his. IGN editor David Smith called him charming, adding that he breaks the streak of "reluctant Final Fantasy heroes", by "injecting a touch of redder blood back into the series". GameCritics editor Erin Bell called Zidane the "strangest looking Final Fantasy hero to date", citing his "nondescript features and monkey tail". However, she did describe him as a hero that is easy for one to understand and sympathize with.