10 Best Final Fantasy Cosplays Ever

Polygon Cloud Strife - Final Fantasy VII

Here is a cosplay for old-school PS1 Final Fantasy gamers! It's Cloud Strife exactly as he looked in Final Fantasy VII gameplay: boxy polygons, pixels and all. Yes, this is a full-sized costume. Click thumbnail to view full photo.

BONUS! Someone filmed "Pixelated Cloud" imitating various in-game animations.

Sorceress Edea - Final Fantasy VIII

I had a strangely difficult time picking a favorite FF8 cosplay. There was also a good Squall and striking Irvine.

However, there was something about the poise -- not to mention the headgear-- that stood out for me on this version of Sorceress Edea.

Click thumbnail for full photo.

General Beatrix - Final Fantasy IX

Here's a fabulous cosplay of an under-appreciated character: General Beatrix from Final Fantasy 9. Her "Save the Queen" sword is as excellent in its detailing as the costume.

Here's RoseofMay's DA gallery and cosplay.com gallery. Wong's photo of her was taken at Anime Expo '06. Click thumbnail to view full photo.

Sir Auron - Final Fantasy X

I'm sure you've seen some amazing Sir Auron cosplays. So have I. Here's one you may have missed.

~jpmovies @ DeviantArt has a great portfolio of cosplay photos, including an Auron, Lulu, and Yuna photoshoot. (There's also a fantastic Roxas/Axel cosplay pair). Click photos for full-sized views.

Paine - Final Fantasy X-2

You've probably seen this cosplay photo of Paine from FFX-2 appear here and there. Everything about this cosplay is fantastic, from her expression to the costume to the sword.

Have you seen the full photoshoot? Click thumbnail for photo, then browse the rest at upper right of the original photo gallery.

Balthier & Fran - Final Fantasy XII

It's hard enough to manage Balthier's vest, gun, and detatched sleeves. Then you have to find a woman who can pull off the inhuman beauty and stick-on armor of Fran without looking silly in Viera ears. These two managed it.

Click thumbnail for full-sized photos and photoshoot.

Vanille - Final Fantasy XIII

I hesitated to include this one, because we know nothing about the cosplayer, and I'm not 100% sure this is the original photographer's photo stream. So I kept searching. I found some great Lightning, Fang, and Snow cosplayers.

But I kept returning to this solitary Vanille cosplay photo. I love it. Who IS she?! Click thumbnail for full photo.

Shiva Sisters, Styria and Nix - Final Fantasy XIII

I managed to rein in my FFX addiction on this page, but not my Shiva obsession. I think you'll agree that these two make it worth featuring a second Shiva cosplay.

Click thumbnail to view full-sized photo plus complete photoshoot.

Aeris / Aerith - Final Fantasy VII

Adella is an amazing cosplayer, and you've probably seen one photo or another of her uncanny Aeris cosplay. Here's her own website's Aeris cosplay photo album.

In closing, I strongly urge you to this interview with Adella on what it's like to be a cosplayer and how to deal with psycho gamers abusing you for playing a character they don't like. Fans, let's be sane to each other, okay?