The Complete Evolution of Ramuh

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It's time to discuss the Complete Evolution of Ramuh, one of the most venerable Summons associated with Final Fantasy and the defacto Lightning elemental summoned beast.
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Credits
Writers: Darryl
Editors: Matt

[@seraphus6287]

I'd like to see a breakdown of the evolution of the Ultima. That being everything that has the name Ultima in it: weapons, spells, enemies, summons, villains, lore, etc. The name seems to occur so often in FF that it should get a video.

[@Loyyid]

I second this. Please, if it's possible

[@omaruck5mx]

X3

[@genkaiba15]

Agreed. Nice suggestion.

[@rhynelinker7922]

X4

[@OmegaEnvych]

that might finally make sense out of Ultima in FFXIV... Because we have: Ultima as a massive spell that destroys Praetorium (and barely scratches party in Pandaemonium lol), we have Ultima Weapon (including Proto-Ultima and Arch-Ultima variants) and Ultima The High Seraph that is assumed to be extraetheirian entity that brought Auracite to the Etheirys... And that's just things that have Ultima in their names JUST in XIV =_= We do need comprehensive breakdown.

[@felipefgoliveira]

I know he is a classic, but I will never forget the sensation when I saw Ramuh's summon on FFXV the first time I was mesmerized

[@freakyfro99]

The summons in that game were insaaane. I just wish we had gotten more of them in the game and, while it makes sense with the story, I wish we'd have been able to summon them more. Outside of the story ones I had to go out of my way to get hurt enough to see them 😔

[@rhynelinker7922]

For me it was IX. He's the first summon you get and have to solve a simple puzzle for that's necessary for progression. In that game the first time a summon is used, it always shows the full animation and even though it might look scratchy now, my 9 year old jaw was on the floor.

[@Spike2276]

Other summons in XV: i sleep Ramuh in literally every fight: *R E A L S H I T ? !*

[@madambutterfly1997]

Now all we need is a video on Titan and that'll be all 6 elemental summons

[@fernandozavaletabustos205]

Yeah!!

[@jensz9300]

We should probably redo some due to FF 16 coming out

[@madambutterfly1997]

@@jensz9300 I’m a strong advocate for that, especially considering he did it for Ifrit

[@Madeen1982]

To solidify Ramuh's role as mentor in FF6, he also appeared to Mog in his dreams, teaching him human language and preparing him to join the Returners. I don't think they ever mentioned Ramuh's power to visit people in their dreams in the series again after that.

[@Beryllahawk]

FFXIV Ramuh is great fun in a lot of ways; among the "original" primals he's the only one that's willing to talk first, and the only one with a stated REASON to fight other than "because that's what I was summoned for." The Sylphs bring him forth for protection, just as the other beast tribes did for their primals, but "protection" means something different to that group and it shows in Ramuh's behavior and design. He's a patriarch watching over the whole Shroud, not just intervening for the sylphs, and he has a vested interest in NOT draining the land or destroying everything in sight. I always liked that about him, because it was much more interesting, especially in those early parts of the main story. Eden Ramuh though...yeah I laughed a lot during that fight. I did NOT know where Ixion was from, but the idea of Centaur Ramuh was just so wild, hehe!

[@twelfthknight]

I like the visual interpretations where his beard is treated almost like a billowing storm cloud against a murky sky. Ramuh doesn't have that same obvious elemental personification aspect to his design like Ifrit or Shiva, but by exaggerating the beard a bit they've subtly added that quality.

[@saltyk9869]

I’ve always loved Ifrit, Shiva, and Ramuh. All three have such striking designs. The new cre queen, the flaming demon, and the old wise wizard casting lightning bolts. Something always feels like it’s missing when Ramuh doesn’t join the party. Even if I think it often due to story concepts. Or just him being OP in FF7R’s base game.

[@nobodyspecial115]

His absence from 8 felt much more significant than his absence from 10, maybe because that was the first game he wasn't in and you could feel something missing.

[@lordhawkeye]

Agreed

[@Nanobot1989]

I think we were all confused over Quetz being in. But he wasn’t bad I kinda liked him.

[@nobodyspecial115]

@@Nanobot1989 yeah nothing against him, but it's much like a stepparent at first. You don't dislike them for who they are but for the shoes they're trying to fill.

[@butWhy502]

If I remember right, Quetz replaced Ramuh in 8 because they were attempting to make all the GF’s in that game more bestial. Though somehow Shiva and Siren were still included.

[@AMHarbinger]

Ramuh may not be the most powerful or important summon, but he's always there and you can always count on him.

[@Spike2276]

Given that he's in the holy trinity with Shiva and Ifrit, i could see Ramuh being a big deal in a future game. I mean, i doubt a few years ago anyone would have said "Yes! I want a game where Ifrit is the most powerful summon and the main character!"

[@SadMoribund]

@@Spike2276 To be fair 16 is not the first game where Ifrit is considered strongest/most integral summon to the story

[@terrencehenderson227]

As one of a very small hand of Ramuh Cosplayers, we thank you. Its about time he got his video! Ramuh is the best. THo I say Rama" lolol

[@Mark_GL]

My fav is IX's for nostalgia, but XVI's was the coolest Ramuh we'll ever get.

[@Spike2276]

Idk, i liked his bald sage look in XV more than XVI

[@ryanselle3778]

I like how Ramuh was used as an npc, but I think Ixion is my fav lightning summon

[@felipefgoliveira]

Ixion deserves more space on the series

[@one_eyeddd473]

Yea..didn't ramu ride ixion In ff7? I love the world boss fight of ixion in 14....feels like a proper world boss

[@darksuns7384]

Why? Ixion was complete trash in FF10. Gets one shotted by literally everything in late game.

[@iamthehobo]

I really like that ff3 version with the blue robe, the cool beard, and what looks like sunglasses. It's muscle car lightning Grandpa.

[@CosilHeiir]

Ramuh always has a special place in my heart, as ff6 was my first game, and not only was he an important cgaracter, the place you find him also left quite a mark, not only the dark city but also a really tall tower, just climbing it was a journey in itself

[@AncestorEmpireGaming]

Ramuh in FFXV: He has the high ground He has unlimited power He is THE SENATE

[@georgehouliaras7239]

Such a nice guy. From helping us in FF6 with Terra all the way to FF16 still helping us. He truly is a wisest of all summons.

[@chocopuddingcup83]

Ramuh has always been my favorite summon because of the lightning and his looking like an old wizard.

[@nunothedude]

Grandpa innit

[@Khajar]

Amazing video as usual, guys!! Ramuh has always been my favorite summon, ever since I first played FFV, around 20 years ago. The wise old wizard design is so iconic, you can't go wrong with it. No wonder they never changed it much.

[@aurelcorstan5242]

I love getting Ramuh in FF9. It really hammers home the idea that he is an ancient wise man and only gives his powers to those who are worthy/capable of obtaining it.

[@alexperez9619]

Finally! We needed to hear more about this summon

[@nickellis6530]

The Lord of Lightning Vs The Balrog...

[@Edowin-jz2sj]

He's definitely one of my favorites. I would love to see more games incorporate both Ramuh and Ixion together - I didn't know about the FFXIV centaur version and never realized that FFXV Ramuh had Ixion on his staff. I'd also like to see a connection with Odin explored as Ramuh and Odin have always been the most human-like of the Summons and Odin has had an interesting relationship with the lightning element over the years (weak to it in FFIV, embodied it in FFXIII).

[@ElTaitronAnim]

Good overview, Ramuh has had some really neat designs. Although considering Quetzacoatl in FF8 was at least mentioned, I really think Ixion from 10 should have been too, especially considering that later Ramuh appearances (14 and 15) alluded to it.

[@AtariSwitch]

It's weird that you say 7's design was very close to the original Amano artwork "perhaps moreso than any previous design" when 5's Ramuh looks *exactly* like the drawing. The artwork is also used to represent 5's Ramuh in Dissidia.

[@Shibamanda]

In Mobius and Dimensions II, Lightning element doesn't exist as a standalone element and things traditionally associated with Lightning are relegated to Wind so I feel like it's not really a change to Ramuh as much as a change to the concept of the elements since as the video pointed out, he's still very clearly got lightning in the art. The Light element card in Mobius is a really cool and interesting factoid though! I imagine probably due to the whole Divine Judgment angle of the characterization! Thanks for your work putting together the video!

[@RealPhoenixFlight]

I remember playing XV one day and seeing Ramuh for the first time, my mother quickly picked up that he was holding a staff with Ixion on it, and little details like that just make my game Edit: I love seeing the Revenant Wings representation

[@lynxfresh5214]

Ramuh aka what happens when Merlin takes one too many shots of "aftershock" during a thunderous time at the pub/bar.

[@GuyWithAnAmazingHat]

The only other mention of a similar name to Ramuh is "The Star of Ra Mu" from 1975 mecha anime Raideen. Raideen is an ancient giant mecha god whose power source comes from the Star of Ra Mu and he happens to be a lightning god with lightning attacks.

[@Firestar1992]

I’m glad you included Centaur Ramuh. Lol the amusing thing about Eden is that none of the summons looked the same as they had in ARR. Like two-headed Leviathan and Car Titan.

[@stephendavis6267]

I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for Ramuh because he was an absolute bro when I summoned an Astral in FFXV. No matter where I was, or what I was doing, Ramuh ALWAYS was the summon who showed up.

[@dannyglam2132]

Love the evolution videos! Would love to see a video on FFXII summons

[@SundayTopper]

I'm still of the opinion that, Rumah was a mindflayer that turned to good. He literally has used 'Mindblast' as a skill. :P

[@robertdegroot2292]

I really enjoy all of your videos I honestly put them on when I go to sleep it brings me calm

[@ragnarok9594]

I like to imagine the games where a beast took the spot as a lightning summon was just Raamuh letting his pets have fun while he took a vacation cause it amuses me. 😂😂😂

[@pedroluisroman1263]

This video was crazy! Thank you!

[@bluestrife28]

I remember when I first played X, and I wasn’t on the internet much or anything (it was 2002) so when Yuna created that disk of lightning I was SO expecting Ramuh to step out, Ixion was a huge surprise but awesome as well. And I really don’t think any party up until X could get so OP as in the original version of III if you did the work.

[@AT7outof10]

Always fun to see what they do to his facial hair with every iteration.

[@Skaman007]

You didn't mentioned that DFFNT's Ramuh's beard looks like a skull. Awesome video as always!

[@gorimbaud]

The reason Ramuh wasn't lighting-elemental in Mobius ius that there _wasn't_ a lightning element in Mobius. Wind and light would've been the closest you'd get, and either beats the way they gave Ixion the water element.

[@Big_Man_Enjoyer]

Hooray for thunder grampa

[@zachwise476]

I been waiting for you to do this old man

[@DarttheLegend]

Ramuh is Rama, the Hindu god, same as Shiva. Ramuh is also pronounced the same as Rama it’s just the English language sucks at portraying phonetics through text.

[@GuyWithAnAmazingHat]

Ifrit is Islamic not Hindu though, and Ramuh is Ramuu in Japanese, the translation is not wrong

[@Forever_Zero]

I think my favorite Ramuh is the FFXV version, the combination of the design, the attack animation and the Ixion staff makes for a perfect combo

[@cowboyknyt]

Could the wings on the fusion of Ramuh and Ixion be a reference to the 3rd lightning summon of Quetzalcoatl from FFVIII as the winged serprnt?

[@skarloey1214]

That's actually a really cool idea

[@ooze1982]

I always enjoy these type of videos 😊

[@ineptznonz]

if you took a shot for every time they said "venerable summon" in this video you'd be hammered

[@dragonofice096]

Ramuh the old wise man with a lighting twist

[@_Five_Knights_]

I deem Ramuh my favourite, mostly because I deem Electric/Lightning elementals as my favourite, aswell as him being... technically the first summon you meet in FF15 if you don't count Carbuncle? 15 was my first Final Fantasy, and sure I love Shiva aswell from the game, but Ramuh for some reason stuck more for me and he's by far my fave summon in Final Fantasy. I think thats why I also got incredibly attached to Cid in 16 aswell as the Ramuh in that game, because both were developed so WELL AND THE DESIGNS! Needless to say, yep! Ramuh my beloved LMAO

[@horizonkage]

I also have a purple staff, as long as my body with a rounded tip. Could I be the evolution of Ramuh?

[@zakirstocks9514]

Ramuh definitely bares the resemblance to Merlin, who looked like he had *One Too Many Aftershocks* at the pub/bar.

[@ArcadeTheatre]

I've always liked Ramuh's wise and sagely personality.

[@heonthehedgehog]

RIGHT ON TIME

[@venomdealer22none48]

I always thought ramuh was based off Merlin from the King Arthur legend. Mainly cause of the old man design and being a powerful mage

[@sinsemilla9876]

Add some background to the mythology Square has tapped over their long series, Ff7/9 - Gaia theory, Kefka has some Bach in the theme, Gilgamesh..

[@bdhuffman42]

Definitely a Zeus reference

[@Ktjnn]

Why does the FF3 sprite look like he has some crazy goggles on?

[@marcelocuello1]

When deciding which summoned beasts would appear in FFIII, I had a strong desire to make fire, ice, thunder, and earth humanoid. I immediately thought of Ifrit the Fire, Shiva the Ice, and Titan the Earth, but I couldn't think of anyone who fit the "Thunder" category. (snip) I got all the books I could find that would be helpful, including myths, legends, fairy dictionaries, monster dictionaries, etc., and searched for the corresponding ``person.'' ``Ramuu: He controls lightning, and very rarely appears in public as an old man.'' I can't even remember the title of the book now, Of all the books I had gathered, this one sentence was the only one that was enough for me. This is the reason why Ramu, a person with many mysteries, was chosen as a thunder summoned beast. (Many people will ask me this question later, so I looked for the book I used as a reference, but I couldn't find it at my office or at home.) (“Weekly Famitsu” December 30, 2021 issue, page 80) i use google translator, source page wikiwiki.

[@Rramuh]

It’s my favorite summon!!!!

[@dylanmorgan2023]

I'd love to see an evolution of tonberry video!

[@CaliMisfit]

You should do a FF14 video that covers every head nod or mention to other FFs: story wise, character, music, levels summons and bosses

[@fernandozavaletabustos205]

I hope Titan shows up next!

[@clinjlin]

As for FFBE, there’s also a unit called “Sage of Thunder Sakura” that bonds one of the main character Sakura with Ramuh. So technically despite serving as Esper/Summon, Ramuh is also part of the playable unit as well. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5SwkmuEmNhqe6ssi=RR-71ne4Ooodfr55

[@JoJoZaka]

I love Cid 💘

[@ggEmolicious]

I never realized that the shb version of ramuh was merged with Ixion, I just always thought, "it's a centaur ramuh lulz" 😅

[@Pesola]

omfg, for a long time I have been wondering what kind of drugs Yoshi-P was taking making when making Fulmination Ramuh. Ofc the gorse part is Ixion, I feel like a fool now.

[@danielgarland2398]

Hey under Terra's Theme it says TPR. What does that mean?

[@jamyroc1]

Glad to see ffbe: wotv on this

[@madambutterfly1997]

The Lord of Levin

[@ReaverPrime]

I can't be the only one that sees the Fables version of Ramuh as a Quintesson from Transformers.

[@fallen12star]

I'm somewhat surprised that you didn't cover this: Ramuh, if the "uh" is pronounced as "uh" and not "oooo", is Rama, Avatar of Vishnu and hero who was a champion of Indra.

[@DudeitsCorey3]

Please do Titan next!

[@jcw180]

lovely

[@thelonesage3146]

Ramuh waa always cool.

[@TrillyThough]

They hit oil on the first try with his design. No need to overly tinker. Just build on an already strong design foundation.

[@Spike2276]

They could have gone for something grander. Some sort of thunderbird looking creature, or maybe even a creature similar in design to Monster Hunter's Amatsu. But instead they settled on lightning Gandalf, and it couldn't be more perfect. Something about a big ol' wizard with a massive staff calling down a single lightning bolt is just so...right. They could have easily taken an easier "cool" route with the lightning summon, but instead they chose the really inspired Ramuh we have today, Square really knew what they were doing.

[@italoalmeidapaulo7270]

Ramuh on Final fantasy XV it’s something else

[@zeexiii]

But FF XV unfortunately was nothing.

[@LapisDollhouse]

I really hope we can get an evolution of dancers or astrologians

[@NutInMyCrosshair]

Ramuh has been my username on runescape for almost two decades. I've been waiting for this video for a while so when people ask "what is ramuh" I can link them, I love this (and ramuh, obviously)

[@phoenixofdartmouth]

Thought i had while listening, woulda been awesome in 16 is odin battled ramuh instead of bahamut and give ixion to ramuh as a mount

[@lovethatdarkness]

Was waiting for Wizard Grandpa

[@TurnOntheBrightLights.]

Ultima next? :)

[@Kwisatz-Chaderach]

Hes pretty cool

[@BaalFridge]

I was sad when FFX replaced him with Ixion, but in retrospect, he wouldn't have fit in with the themes of the aeons.

[@justaguy5761]

The FF3 Ramuh looks like Master Roshi from DBZ

[@jeffdaigle5487]

Did he cover opera omnia?

[@cronoluminara6911]

Always love lightning daddy

[@jmr90000]

I'd love for FF16 to come out on PC so I can watch the ends of these videos again lol

[@thrillhouse4151]

My friend called Ramuh Narendra Mohdi the other day and it made me bag up laughing. I’ve been calling em “Rama” for like almost 30 years, like I don’t think the H would be there at the end of it if it were going for the phonetic U sound but whatever.

[@Soulasiangod]

Ramuh with horse legs and wings seem to merge ff7 ff8 and ff10 lighten summons togather. i think ramuh should look like thid from now on.

[@Stequal2]

Is this the last of the big 3? Elder brother Ramuh

[@gamervictor6761]

29:52 "Ramuh's staff contained a large crystal" errr, Brave Exvius's Ramuh also has a large crystal at the tip of the staff, so it's not a significant change, in fact it barely changed if at all! Someone must've been a bit sleepy when writing the script...

[@matthewminaya838]

Ramuh should ride on Ixion in at least one game

[@Spike2276]

I kinda feel like that would steal Odin's thunder (pun intended). It's kind of his whole thing that he is the knight riding a horse.

[@Spike2276]

Now that Echoes of the Fallen has been out for a while i think Omega also deserves it's video. I imagine it won't be quite as long just because of how strangely consistent Omega tends to be in between games, with very few of it's incarnations deviating heavily from War Mech's original design.

[@shitpistol2880]

I always check out of these videos when you start talking about some indecipherable visual noise of a mobile game. Are those games popular enough to bother with? Am I out of touch in this regard or would anyone else prefer versions that covered just console releases?

[@nunothedude]

Grandpa Thunder

[@TianaSidhe]

You misspelled HCBailly.

[@cubbyberry]

Has your channel ever have shown to have any influence on what the creators of the FF series do or are you more so an observer from the outside?

[@walteranurantha5014]

When's complete evolution of Chocobos?🐤

[@Spike2276]

Kweh!

[@bahamut1169]

So he's like tarzan

[@LordMellington1668]

"Quetzacosol"?

[@timsy5141]

Ixion on Ramuh's staff in FF7 Remake is yet another link between FF7 and FFX! So cool!