
When video game developer Square Enix gave the largest preview to date of its upcoming role-playing game Final Fantasy XV, it rubbed some fans the wrong way. Just about every installment since the series switched to having set characters has featured female adventurers, but the company announced that the playable cast of Final Fantasy XV is entirely male.
While details are still scarce about the separate but concurrently in-development game Mevius Final Fantasy, newly released screenshots of the smartphone title also feature only a male character. With a Y-chromosome suddenly seeming like a necessary bit of adventuring equipment, does this mean Final Fantasy has consciously decided to turn its back on the many female fans who’ve helped it achieve the success it enjoys today?
Probably not, since while it’s not certain whether or not Mevius Final Fantasy will allow female gamers to create a character in their own likenesses, it’s absolutely certain that the game is planning to provide a generous serving of extra-lean beefcake.
As a bit of background, here’s one of the most commonly seen images of the Final Fantasy XV party.
Yep, that sure is a lot of testosterone, in the sense that they’re all dudes. But with their slender builds, preppy threads, and smooth, model-quality faces, it seems pretty obvious that letting future fangirls drool over them is at least as big a priority for the designers as letting males imagine themselves in the heroes’ designer shoes. Putting just the boys in the spotlight isn’t by any means a new tactic for games and anime targeting female fans in Japan, either, as proven by the predominantly male casts of shows with mainly female fanbases such as Free! and Prince of Tennis.
▼ Female characters get about as much screen time as shirts do in Free!
Some might hold that, in the case of interactive entertainment like games, attractive bodies of the opposite sex are a less-than-attractive substitute for self-insertion potential . One could also make the argument that since the last major Final Fantasy release, Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII, had a woman as its only playable character (plus put in extra effort to largely eliminate possible upskirt camera angles), Square Enix has already proven its commitment to equal time for guys and gals on ceter stage.
For that matter, it’s entirely possible that playable female characters will be included in the final version of Mevius Final Fantasy, as the game is still in the very early stages and lacks a firm release date.
What it does have, though, is firm abs…
… and taut buttocks.
The still unnamed character for the iOS/Android game is a swordsman with bronzed skin, J-pop boy band-style hair, and pouting lips.
▼ The skeletons make it look like we’re on a battlefield, but the hero’s pose says we’re in Vanity Fair’s photo studio.
Unlike previous mobile games in the Final Fantasy franchise, Mevius isn’t being handed off to a secondary group at Square Enix. Instead, it’s being helmed by core development team members who work on the main, numbered installments of the series. The company has made numerous comments promising an extremely high level of polish in the finished product. As such, a 3-D world map doesn’t seem at all out of the question, which would translate into hours of watching the character’s sinuously muscled back flex and sway as he runs along.
The developers haven’t just been working on making their Adonis look his best, though. Concept art for the game’s scenery also seems to be coming along nicely.
▼ Is there a side quest where you get to save Bambi’s mom?
As for the game’s combat system, producer Yoshinori Kitase says his team is aiming for “experiences that can only be had on a smartphone.” More concrete details about the play mechanics, though, like whether or not the hero ever wears anything more modest than the “naked except for an apron” look he’s rocking here, are yet to be released.
Still, given the involvement of Square’s top talent and seeming commitment to making Mevius a complete Final Fantasy title, it’s a good bet the final version will include series mainstays such as airships, chocobos, and a job system.
▼ Judging from Blondie’s apparent lack of underpants, we’re guessing his class is “commando.”
Related: Mevius Final Fantasy official website
Sources: Inside Games via Jin
Top image: Square Enix
Insert images: Wikia, Anime Wallpaper Stock, Square Enix













Final Fantasy XV might end up having playable female characters after all
“Too sexy!” New Final Fantasy’s hunky male lead has his revealing costume toned down
Final Fantasy XV is getting its own anime series and CG movie 【Videos】
Final Fantasy characters become giant plushies, take over Tokyo’s Shibuya Station 【Photos】
East Japan Railway announces plans to abolish magnetic-strip tickets
New Square Enix Cafe reveals Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Nier, and Fullmetal Alchemist menu items
Anne Hathaway creates PR frenzy in Japan after mentioning Tottori in Devil Wears Prada interview
Shakey’s Japan creates matcha mochi, Kyoto fish, and Kansai Chili Con Carne pizzas
7-Eleven Japan reinvents convenience store fruit sandwiches with new salty pink sakura peach variety
Trigun Legacy Cafe coming to two Japanese cities this summer to salute series’ original form
Starbucks adds new Fruit Gummy sweets to stores in Japan
Family Mart commits “reverse fraud” in new Giant All-Star Festival, and we couldn’t be happier
7-Eleven Japan releases a chocolate chip sandwich… that tastes like ice cream
Pump yourself up with Yokohama’s new extravagant Cool Fuel ice cream
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
Japanese convenience store shows us how to dress for the rainy season
Ghibli’s No Face continues to demonstrate his generous character growth by dispensing soy sauce
Japanese rice cooker recipe gives us a tasty new way to enjoy vegetables and wieners
Kyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform
Tokyo’s Pokémon Cafe reopens this month with brand-new sweets and Pikachu show
New Tokyo sweets shop offers 648 different mochi ice cream dumpling combinations
Colour Hunting: The hot new street photography trend changing how we see Japan
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
This is the best any ‘Final Fantasy’ game has ever looked
Nissin joins up with Final Fantasy XV for awesome “Cup Noodle XV” promotion【Video】
Final Fantasy XV Trailer Reveals English Voice Cast
Who is Final Fantasy VII Remake’s best female character? Japanese fans vote【Survey】
Final Fantasy gets new vinyl music collection with Final Fantasy IV-Song of Heroes
Final Fantasy XV team’s “location hunt” video looks suspiciously like awesome adventure vacation
Final Fantasy director says what he doesn’t want to be part of video game series going forward
Final Fantasy VII remake gets delayed, but bad news comes with a promise
Final Fantasy VII gets new combat engine, oh and it’s now a multi-part series, too 【Video】
Don’t be fooled by the rocks they got, the Final Fantasy team needs more from around the block