you’ve got the option to recognize a Nomura work just by looking at it.

Here are some of the most iconic ones.

The result was Parasite Eve, a sequel to the novel of the same name.

Split image of Lara Croft, Dante (rebooted design) and Lightning from Final Fantasy 13.

It featured Aya Brea, a rookie cop whose night at the opera goes horribly wrong.

Aya is one of Nomura’s less-appreciated characters.

Her design and presentation in The 3rd Birthday drew much criticism due to her perceived weakness.

Split image of Aigis from Persona 3 Reload, Noctis from Final Fantasy 15, and Natalia from Tales of the Abyss.

The 2000s was a decade that was decidedly Nomura-esque: its media was edgy, gritty and in-your-face.

Ridiculously epic games call for music of the same style.

Here are the best soundtracks from games to rock out to.

Split image of Cloud, Noctis and Lightning from the Final Fantasy series.

Neku is mistrustful and misanthropic: he prefers to shut the world out and listen to his nu-metal.

This was exemplified by the constant presence of headphones over his ears.

The sequel shows a happier, more mature Neku.

The big reveal of Cloud Strife in his dress on stage at the Honeybee Inn in Final Fantasy 7 Remake.

FF7 has spawned the Compilation of Final Fantasy 7, which includes a long-requested trilogy of full remakes.

These special attacks help further the characterization of your party.

The long red coat and rapier are as iconic to Crisis Core as theBuster Swordis to Final Fantasy 7.

Cloud as he appears in Ehrgeiz, Sephiroth as the one winged angel facing down bowsers in smash ultimate, and clive in tekken 8, left to right.

Parasite Eve is a legendary RPG from Square, originally launched in 1998. As NYC police officer Aya Brea, you must fight to stop Eve, a mutant with plans to destroy the world as you know it.

She must battle against the authorities of Cocoon, and help save her sister in the process.

Though she divides the fanbase, Lightning is one of the most iconic heroes in the Final Fantasy series.

They’re not as bad as you might remember them being.

Aya holding a gun, bloodstained, in The 3rd Birthday.

Lightning is not cartoonish, and she doesn’t ask for much suspension of disbelief.

Her design is where Tetsuya Nomura’s years of experience as a character artist came in handy.

5Sora

Kingdom Hearts Series

Kingdom Hearts is one of the PS2’s best-remembered titles.

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Parasite Eve is a legendary RPG from Square, originally launched in 1998. As NYC police officer Aya Brea, you must fight to stop Eve, a mutant with plans to destroy the world as you know it.

This crossover ethos is best exemplified in the character design of Sora.

Not every JRPG has a feel-good ending.

After the halfway mark of the story, he matures: physically as well as emotionally.

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Tidus is a brilliant tragic hero, his entire existence hinging on a plot twist.

In 1997, though, things were very different.

Sephiroth was the villain who encouraged designers to make more compelling antagonists for their games.

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An action RPG initially launched on Nintendo DS, The World Ends With You puts you in the midst of Tokyo’s famous Shibuya district. In it, you play the role of Neku Sakuraba, forced to take part in a dangerous game in an alternate reality.

He is beautiful and intimidating, both facets exacerbated by his backstory.

The fact that Nomura himself keeps bringing him back is a testament to Sephiroth’s enduring popularity.

Sephiroth introduced an entire new fanbase to JRPGs.

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Cloud Strife is one of the greatest video game characters of all time.

You’ll never guess who Jack has it against.

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Tifa Lockhart leaning on the bar in FF7 Remake.

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Originally launching in 1997 for the PlayStation, Final Fantasy 7 is widely regarded as one of the most influential RPGs of all time. It follows Cloud, a mercenary and former SOLDIER, who joins a band of eco-terrorists - only to end up in a battle for the future of the planet. FF7 has spawned the Compilation of Final Fantasy 7, which includes a long-requested trilogy of full remakes.

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Genesis reading in LOVELESS FFVII Crisis Core.

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A remake of the PSP action role-playing game, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion is a remastered prequel to the events of Final Fantasy 7. Zack Fair, a young recruit to SOLDIER, must investigate the disappearance of his mentor, Angeal — only to become swept up in a much bigger battle.

Lightning in mid-combat in Final Fantasy 13.

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Final Fantasy 13 is the first in a trilogy of RPGs from Square Enix, focused on the character of Lightning. She must battle against the authorities of Cocoon, and help save her sister in the process.

Sora glaring at Riku in Kingdom Hearts.

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Tidus stands knee-deep in the water in Final Fantasy 10.

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Final Fantasy 10 is a JRPG from Square Enix, initially launched on PlayStation 2 in 2001. It follows Tidus, a mysterious young man from Zanarkand, as he joins the summoner Yuna on her pilgrimage throughout the world of Spira.

Sephiroth raising the Masamune above his head, looking into the camera in Final Fantasy 7 rebirth.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Chapter 1 Cloud watches as Nibelhiem burns down.

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