Lightning: A Journey of Self-Acceptance (Final Fantasy XIII Character Analysis)

Hey all! For those of you who watch the FFXIII videos, I am working on getting footage up, but in the meantime my second playthrough is bearing its fruit! Here is the first of many character analyses to come. I've really been looking forward to sharing these with you, so I'd really appreciate likes, comments, and any feedback you can offer!
All music is from the FFXIII trilogy soundtracks and is property of Square Enix; every song is credited as it appears via the ribbons in the top left. I put a lot of effort into the audio syncing for this, so I really hope it comes through.
Follow me on Twitch! / wanderingbardgaming
Please like, comment, and subscribe!

[@wanderingbardgaming]

Me realizing I accidentally cropped the end card when editing all the footage. Oh well. Thank you all so, so much for all the positive comments, likes, and subs! I really appreciate it and it's definitely encouraging me to keep making these! I hope to have the Snow Villiers analysis ready sometime next week!

[@juanmanuelcoresorge7579]

And then some people want to think she is only a female Cloud or Squall. What wrong they are. She is unique :D.

[@wanderingbardgaming]

You know I actually heard a story that Squall was very different (an almost Captain America-like figure) in the Japanese version, but they cut most of his dialogue out when translating to English because it made the text boxes crash lol. And for sure, yeah. All of them have qualities to set them apart.

[@JuanLeon-oe6xe]

Some bits of Squall did make that jump (a prottype design, weapon type), but to say Light is entirely that and that alone is a joke. Hell, I'll debate she has more in common with Jotaro Kujo (yes I know), and _I_ am the first one to admit that is a huuuuuge stretch (waiting for the star finger joke, jojo thing you don´t wanna know...). The comparisson with Cloud is entirely stupid and those who keep on it either haven't played either game or are straight up lying.

[@kasam0308]

@@wanderingbardgaming Still, the translation gave Squall a personality trait. That’s something most FF characters lack (Not talking about 13.)

[@neogotham2k395]

This is why Lightning is my favorite because of her character development

[@wanderingbardgaming]

She's up in my top 3 FF characters!

[@Prowler142]

I never noticed the little pat on the head she does to Hope she learned it from L. Amodar. Nice touch.

[@wanderingbardgaming]

Tbh I noticed that very randomly but I got really excited when I did

[@garm352]

Finally! So many people I’ve talked to just hate on the game without getting the point of Clair’s personal story arc as well as those of the others! Thank you for doing this. It’s always great to see content recognizing how much of a journey it is to learning to be vulnerable - it’s something I always deeply related to as I’ve had to grow similarly.

[@wanderingbardgaming]

I love how story (be it in books, games, etc.) can be empowering or relatable that way.

[@skyboy7244]

Nice analysis, really enjoyed it. Nice to see more positive content around FF13

[@wanderingbardgaming]

I hate when people use content to be snarky and negative about things (plus I genuinely like FF13 sooooo)

[@CIELMERLIONN]

Loved this video as soon as you described Lightning's emotional responses in FF13, the majority of the series IS about protagonists that are capable but for the most part emotionally stunted in some capacity, Lightning is no different.

[@retrokeng3455]

The majority of the people that dislike the 13 haven't even played the game.

[@wanderingbardgaming]

TRUUUUUUUE

[@nanafox1571]

Light is super cool she's far from a cloud copy and so the same for squall lightning is always getting involved in people business and she's different in the spin off games too

[@rileysmith117]

Lightning is a character deep down with a good heart. It was hard for her to overcome trauma. The people around her made her better.

[@wanderingbardgaming]

Agreed!

[@AGregtothePast]

Great video. Lightning has been one of my favorite video game characters since 2010 and people have completely misunderstood her as a character, but you nailed it.

[@wanderingbardgaming]

Thanks so much! She's in my top 3 FF characters for sure.

[@BoxandJacquilope]

The FFXIII trilogy means so so much to me! This video was great :) XIII-2 specifically is one of my favorites of all time!

[@lightningff134]

I've been in the ff13 fandom since the beginning and this type of content means so much to us ❤❤❤❤

[@bummiefanart5636]

Lightning is the reason I learned about FF games. My standard is too hight when it comes to main protagonists in video games.

[@wanderingbardgaming]

Are you saying Lightning sets the standard, or failed the standard, or...

[@mmrata_art8151]

beautiful video! loved your take on the character. I think FF13 character are way underestimated, even in ff13 alone they have such a growth! My personal favourite is Vanille, looks innocent and happy on the outside but actually it's the more mature of them all. Lightning is such a great character, strong appealing but she has insecurities which make her more belivable and in the end she just accepts them and moves on as anyone should. Keep making more man!

[@wanderingbardgaming]

I love Vanille!! And for sure, the character writing is amazing in this game. Will absolutely make more!

[@KyngD469]

I love Lightning

[@firstgenesis8925]

I love the FFXIII trilogy so much and I feel it’s underrated……….I can’t wait for more videos like this for other characters because other channels don’t talk about them much

[@wanderingbardgaming]

Do they not? That is a shame. The character writing in this series is so good

[@firstgenesis8925]

@@wanderingbardgaming yeah only Lightning and Hope have most of the in depth videos out of the main group in this game……there is Sazh one I’ve seen but it’s not much. Hopefully you go through the 13-2 and Lightning Returns characters as well

[@wanderingbardgaming]

I am considering doing XIII-2 but it'll be more difficult since I managed to lose my save data (which sucks because that was the 1st game I ever 100%-ed) so if I have to re-record certain cutscenes it'll get difficult. Did any new characters get introduced in LRFF13 besides Lumina?

[@firstgenesis8925]

@@wanderingbardgaming I don’t think so……other than side characters so that should make it a lot easier to navigate on who you want to do

[@wanderingbardgaming]

@@firstgenesis8925 true!

[@shunkun8668]

Awesome video. Gonna look up your other 13 videos as well. I love this trilogy and it's characters, and FF as a whole

[@SirLoyne]

This is an outstanding and much needed analysis. Well done!

[@wanderingbardgaming]

Thanks so much! I really appreciate it

[@Jamazed]

This was a nice retrospective breakdown to watch. There was always something about Lightning that made me think she had quite a bit of depth that I couldn't quite put my finger on - like I wanted to write her off as being underwhelming due to my overall opinion of the trilogy, but I couldn't help but feel she's one of the better RPG protagonists. The way you presented her character arc helped make sense of my thoughts. If the developers had managed to execute her story in the way you presented without distracting the audience with those gameplay issues and excessive exposition dumps, I'm sure she would have been received as a popular fan favorite.

[@wanderingbardgaming]

Thanks so much!! I'm really glad this video helped. Mmm I see. I did have some thoughts on execution narrative-wise yeah, mainly in LRFF13. But I did enjoy the games

[@Hyle-King-Neithekaos96]

Lightning and lumina! we need a series lol

[@wanderingbardgaming]

If you're asking for a series of analyses, there is a Snow video up too, and a Sazh one on the way here soon!

[@ryanfarrior7502]

So grateful for al you the work you did here! I identify with certain parts of her story so this really helped me!!

[@wanderingbardgaming]

Thanks so much! That means a lot to hear!

[@chaolihai-innit]

Oh shit that was really good ngl. Subbed.

[@wanderingbardgaming]

Thank you!

[@fufzooz]

Light

[@teriosshadow17]

I have to admit, this was pretty insightful video. I used to be someone who used to think Lightning was very mid or okayish kinda character. It's been awhile that i've played FFXIII, but i didn't play the sequels(but watched story through LPs)but after seeing this i've found new appreciation for Lightning's character and found new depth that i missed on her(although, sometimes her story suffered from poor writing at times). Back in 2017, i've used to compare her unfavorably towards Velvet Crowe from Tales of Berseria, who was my favourite female character in JRPG(still is)but then i realized that Lightning is great and unique on her own without needing to compare her to other unique characters because everyone is different. And she certainly isn't female Cloud except maybe a bit on the surface.This was great watch!

[@wanderingbardgaming]

Thanks so much! I was definitely a Lightning apologist from the get-go (though I do think the sequels do more to flesh out and finish her arc for sure). Ironically enough, she isn't my favorite female JRPG character either; mine is Aerith from FFVII (who is the exact opposite of Lightning lol). It is hard for sure because the temptation is always there to compare characters when both have similar concepts, but one of those concepts is executed better. I do agree though that recognizing the merits of each character is quite valuable.

[@heavy.m.6549]

I

[@wanderingbardgaming]

I certainly plan to keep making it!

[@Jay-et2ov]

Really great analysis and I agree with you on all fronts. Lightning is an interesting case study and I love where she ends up by the end of it all. FFXIII is full of great characters who get lost in all the vitriol and hate that these games get so I’m glad someone is taking the time to dissect them and spell out for everyone why they’re such a great cast. 😊

[@wanderingbardgaming]

I agree the character writing in this trilogy is stellar. I'm really glad you enjoyed the video!

[@danschultz999]

Thanks so much for this 🙂

[@Speedy-nq9ro]

This was brilliantly done, Lightning is my favourite character and I could really feel the passion behind this whole video and I’m so happy to see XIII is still being talked about even now you’ve got yourself a sub can’t wait to binge your other XIII videos.

[@wanderingbardgaming]

Thank you so much!! Lightning is easily Top 3 FF characters for me (and I maintain that she, along with FF13 in general, are underrated.) I'm so glad you enjoyed watching this!

[@Speedy-nq9ro]

@@wanderingbardgaming No bother keep it up! Very much agree which is a shame but I’m happy both Lightning and XIII has its fans in Japan at least

[@usul573]

Yeah at the end of it all you could say she's at peace, or that she's ready to fully live her life. It's hard to imagine she still wouldn't have abilities and could fight like some sort of superhero or guardian of humanity, or you could just imagine she lives a nice life in the world. It's an upbeat and nice note to end on though and the writer wanted to leave exactly who she was going to meet ambiguous and left it like that.

[@wanderingbardgaming]

I think they had a collection of short stories for the new world; they seem to indicate that Lightning is choosing a peaceful life in the new world

[@robbrenica]

Great character analysis! No, she's not just a female version of Cloud, she's THE female version of Cloud and then some

[@Hiiroarana79]

The ending to Neon Genesis Evagelion 3.0+1.0 and the ending to Lighting Returns feel similar it theme. The main characters creating a new world devoid of extraordinary beings in order for humans to exist as themselves

[@wanderingbardgaming]

Oh? I’m not much of an anime guy, but my twin brother is. I may ask him about it!

[@spartacuscreator]

Underrated

[@declanchan4121]

Fantastic job! What inspired you to make a topic like this?

[@wanderingbardgaming]

Aww thanks! So I actually did spend a few years learning how to write fantasy stories and spending time with writers (still have a bunch of friends from that community actually). I was never much of a writer but I still have a lot of passion/interest in breaking down stories and characters, so I wanted to bring that to this channel

[@ClaireYunFarronXIII]

Fun fact! When she's not voicing our favourite Final Fantasy girls, Lightning's Japanese voice actress creates music. She's got an amazing voice. Here's one of her songs. It's called Gravity. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYe6fmqeppyGedEsi=Hc5c1trcykXdtqN_

[@wanderingbardgaming]

Ooh that’s beautiful!

[@Gwen1661]

I'm someone who always adored the first two games but had a hard time getting into Lightning Returns due to its gameplay mechanics just not being my favourite. The combat is fine, but the time-gated thing is just not for me (same reason why I cannot enjoy Majora's Mask). So, suffice to say LR is the game i know and remember the least, and the one I sat down to think about the least compared to 13-1 and 2. Your breakdown of Lightning was incredible and I came to have somehow a new appreciation for her because of your breakdown parts of her in Lightning Returns. I also never truly caught on with 13-2 starting because the Goddess was basically out of commission and that's why Lightning got yeeted to the future. So I actually don't hate that it rewrites the ending of the first game as much as I used to when I was a teen.

[@wanderingbardgaming]

XD ironically enough Majora's Mask is one of my favorite Zelda games. I had a lot of thoughts about the time clock (I put them in my LRFF13 Retrospective way back when) but I did enjoy it; I appreciated the choice and thought it did a lot for the game. But it's definitely not for everyone.

[@Clemehl]

Am I becoming a daddy? I remember I used to love Squall, Auron and Lightning when I was younger, as well as getting really irritated by Zell, Wakka and Snow (well, I kind of liked Snow already). The former was those serious protagonists while now I saw them in some of needlessly edgy characters (that are well written anyway). The latter, I used to saw them as goofy uninteresting character, while now I aspire to be those positive and cheerful entity that lift the party up. Maybe it is the story of life: we are very centric when we grow up, and aspire to get different and people have to deal with it. Once we grow up, we find up support is also important and friendship isn't only that cheesy thing. Being that cheerful guy is way tougher than brooding, because, well... we have all hard life and keeping a cheerful demeanor isn't easy but we need to in order to continue. After all, we don't smile because we are happy, but we smile to get happy. As the joy we spread is enough to get our life happier.

[@wanderingbardgaming]

I definitely see what you're saying about how joy is harder to hold on to as you get older. I think what I like about both characters is that they had to grow into better versions of themselves. I wouldn't say that Lightning was needlessly edgy; she was scarred and emotionally stunted, and had to mature into someone who could acknowledge and process her emotions. And Snow had to learn to hold himself accountable and face harsh reality without losing himself to darkness (which he got close to doing). Ultimately Lightning and Snow helped bring out the best in each other.

[@ckneji1720]

The most well written protag in FF universe.

[@wanderingbardgaming]

She's up there for sure! In fairness to other FF protagonists, most of them don't get three games to have their story told. But I do adore Lightning's writing

[@Janfey]

I wish i could play this game. I have tried, but i can’t make it work on my pc. It just crashes right away when launching. Tried all the fixes i could find on the internet, but no luck.

[@wanderingbardgaming]

Oh? That's a shame. Have you tried making a forum post, with your computer specs? You'd be surprised how active the community forums on Steam are for this game; they were good to me when I started playing.

[@comet392]

The character deveopment is the mail reason the story in the game is great unlike the 2 sequals.

[@wanderingbardgaming]

I agree the story is weaker in XIII-2 and LRFF13, but I don’t think either are bad games or stories

[@comet392]

@@wanderingbardgaming And the gameplay in the third seqal was completely off. At least the second kept most of the original gameplay besides lacking the original team of three i believe.

[@sketchyann609]

God bless you.. Jesus is coming so soon.. please accept him as your lord and savior. Thank you for your video. The XIII trilogy are my favorite final fantasy games and I hope to play them in eternity as well..

[@LinkinMark1994]

How can you say it’s your favorite when the third game makes such a mockery of God?

[@sketchyann609]

@@LinkinMark1994 Well, it’s not actually talking about God and Jesus. It talks about a false god. I realized that and besides that the gameplay is fun and I love the characters. They’re not going against the Christian God. They’re going against an evil false one. God bless you and I’m glad I could answer your question.

[@IlMemetor72]

@@LinkinMark1994 because it has it's own universe??

[@Crest_Expert]

Great video!! Subbed as well 👍 Also what is the theme that plays right at the start of the video?

[@wanderingbardgaming]

Thanks so much! The theme is an excerpt from a long piece called " Humanity's Tale;" it's near the end of the LRFF13 soundtrack

[@Crest_Expert]

@@wanderingbardgaming No problem! And thanks so much 😊

[@zaskiaalsakila7248]

I only think Lightning is the only SE char to grow boobs expand the chest size slider on the third game... Other than that i still love her art design, shes still my hot big sis waifu for me...

[@wanderingbardgaming]

Those are admittedly not the qualities I generally look at when evaluating characters. I do think Lightning is quite beautiful though

[@elia0162]

Nice video,ff13-2 definitely the worst story and weakest game of the trilogy it doesn't have anything beside some lighting development and sone absurd time trvael plot

[@wanderingbardgaming]

Thank you! Re: FF13-2, I don't fully agree. I do think it has the weakest story, but I liked the time travel (especially since I'd just played Chrono Trigger beforehand) and thought FF13-2 improved a lot gameplay-wise over 13