Top Ten Video Game Character Themes
I only considered character themes from Bahamut Lagoon, Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy VI to X-2, the Kingdom Hearts series, and the two Tales of Symphonia games because I haven't played many other games with character themes. Those games alone added about 70 songs to my collection of video game music because I had to listen to every single character theme I could think of from those games.
Note: I did not count battle themes like "J-E-N-O-V-A" from Final Fantasy VII or "The Graceful Assassin" from Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories because they play only during those specific battles and do not share leitmotifs with any other songs, so they're more representative of the battle than of the character. I may separately do a Top Ten Battle Themes eventually. (That list would almost certainly contain "J-E-N-O-V-A.")
Also note: I do not know how to talk about music and can't identify instruments well.
Fred's Top Ten Video Game Character Themes
10. TALES OF SYMPHONIA: DAWN OF THE NEW WORLD - "From darkside - Emil"
composed by Motoi Sakuraba and Shinji Tamura
Man, playing this game, I would purposefully neglect to hit A after the characters finished their dialogue because I wanted this badass jazzy piano and edgy electric guitar combo to continue.
(By the way, I just rewatched the ending of this game, and it's boring as fuck. I love the game, but I wish they didn't spend several minutes of the finale talking about metaphysics.)
9. FINAL FANTASY VII - "Barret's Theme"
composed by Nobuo Uematsu
I never thought much of this song before today. I didn't even know that it was Barret's theme, since it only plays once, as the background music of Sector 7 toward the beginning of the game. But the more I listened to it, the more I liked it. It's very catchy and has a nice mixture of pitches.
8. TALES OF SYMPHONIA - "Refill"
composed by Motoi Sakuraba and Shinji Tamura
Raine, known as "Refill" is Japan, has an upbeat variant of her theme that plays more frequently and which I don't particularly like. I'm glad this is her real theme; it's much more beautiful, opening with a woodwind before the piano and plucked strings take over.
7. CHRONO TRIGGER - "Robo's Theme"
composed by Yasunori Mitsuda
Oh man, this one is so catchy. It makes me feel like dancing every time. It's so happy and upbeat but not at all annoying, despite being written for the crappy sound capabilities of the SNES. The opening percussion really fits the character well.
6. FINAL FANTASY VI - "Kefka's Theme"
composed by Nobuo Uematsu
Easily one of the two most iconic character themes on this list. It starts off with a mischievous bounce and light percussion and becomes increasingly dramatic and emphatic, just like that creeper Kefka starts off as a weirdo in a clown costume but later makes it clear that he is serious business.
5. CHRONO TRIGGER - "Frog's Theme"
composed by Yasunori Mitsuda
The other of the two most iconic character themes. The flute (?) is admittedly pretty strident in its original quality, but once you get past that, it is a stellar character theme. Its high whistle is distinct and easily recognizable, and it has associated with it every one of Frog's proudest moments. It's a song about the return of a hero, and it makes all of Frog's major scenes wonderfully epic. It has one of those amazing melodies of which I am always pleased to see new arrangements. Here is the remastered version, and here is the orchestral version to demonstrate the inherent heroism of the piece when not hampered by SNES quality.
4. KINGDOM HEARTS II and 358/2 DAYS - "Riku"
composed by Yoko Shimomura
Yoko Shimomura loves her piano and strings, and so do I. Riku's theme begins with an innocuous and simple piano melody against a background of synth strings (?) before the haunting cello takes the forefront. It is the polar opposite of Sora's theme and has the same dark tones as the Organization-related tracks. It has a great melody, but I chose it primarily for its emotive quality. It evokes the scenes in which it was played and makes you remember what you felt then, even if you don't remember the scenes themselves. Like "Frog's Theme," it has distinct feelings attached to it. It's a song of the regret, solitude, and atonement of a boy who travels alone to make up for the wrongs he has committed. Unfortunately, the loop is extremely short; by the time you're through with what sounds like the introduction, you're about halfway through the song. Why do you do this, Shimomura?
3. FINAL FANTASY IX - "Jesters of the Moon" (Zorn and Thorn)
composed by Nobuo Uematsu
This song is great. It's predominantly piano with some nifty percussion and just the right amount of attitude for a pair of nasty evil henchmen who are weirder and sneakier than Kefka, and it is very pleasing to the ear.
2. KINGDOM HEARTS 358/2 DAYS - "Xion"
composed by Yoko Shimomura
The song is very tinkly, reminiscent of stars or crystal slivers winking as they scatter into the dark, but it's often a low, almost somber tinkle. Accompanying the xylophone (?) are strings that are deep and beautiful but also warm, unlike the ominous strings of "Riku" and other Organization-related songs. It seems to me that the echoing bits reflect Xion's nature even more so than they would any another Nobody. There's also a bit of Kairi's leitmotif in here.
1. FINAL FANTASY VIII - "The Oath" (Squall)
composed by Nobuo Uematsu
"The Oath" isn't generally hailed as one of the best tracks on the Final Fantasy VIII soundtrack. Few people seem to love it as much as I do, and I admit that in many ways, "Xion" and "Jesters of the Moon" are better written. But "The Oath" remains my favorite because of what it means to Squall. It plays twice during the course of Final Fantasy VIII, both crucial moments for Squall's growth from a stony and infantile little bitch into a leader who cares for his comrades and who stands above them but entreats them, as equals, to lend him their strength so that they can protect their home together. Those scenes are so touching and make me want to give Squall a great big hug for actually exhibiting feelings beyond disinterest and irritation. Also, the fake strings are really nice. (Note: "The Oath" is not really a character theme, but I regard it as one because it, like "Riku" and "Frog's Theme," evokes the character and gives a sense of Squall's growth as it is happening.)
Runners-Up
FINAL FANTASY VII - "Red XIII's Theme"
composed by Nobuo Uematsu
FINAL FANTASY VII - "Cid's Theme"
composed by Nobuo Uematsu
FINAL FANTASY VIII - "SUCCESSION OF WITCHES" (Edea)
composed by Nobuo Uematsu
FINAL FANTASY IX - "Vivi's Theme
composed by Nobuo Uematsu
FINAL FANTASY IX - "Freya's Theme"
composed by Nobuo Uematsu
FINAL FANTASY IX - "Kuja's Theme"
composed by Nobuo Uematsu
FINAL FANTASY X - "Auron's Theme"
composed by Nobuo Uematsu
TALES OF SYMPHONIA - "Genius"
composed by Motoi Sakuraba and Shinji Tamura
TALES OF SYMPHONIA - "Shihna"
composed by Motoi Sakuraba and Shinji Tamura
Related Music
FINAL FANTASY VII ADVENT CHILDREN - "Cloud Smiles"
composed by Nobuo Uematsu
It's not really a character theme, and it's not from a video game but from the movie spin-off of a video game, which means it has the advantage of far better sound quality and structure, seeing as how it does not have to loop and can therefore reach a proper emotive climax instead of several mini-climaxes. In other words, it's probably the best sounding song on this list. It is not one of my favorite tracks from Advent Children, though it is nice. It qualified for mention because the Final Fantasy Wiki names it as Cloud's character theme.
KINGDOM HEARTS II FINAL MIX - "The Other Promise" (arrangement of "Roxas")
composed by Yoko Shimomura
"The Other Promise" turns "Roxas," which is mediocre in comparison, into a battle theme of the piano and strings typical of Organization music that quickly becomes very dramatic, expressing Roxas' defiant sorrow as he fights for something that is already lost. I would talk about how the song also enhances the sadness of the player who has to fight this battle and who feels it so much deeper than the player character who doesn't know shit, but that is pure speculation on my part because Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix was only released in Japan and I therefore have not fought this battle why Square Enix why. (Note: The more loudly you listen to this, the better. It's one of those songs whose epic quality increases with the volume.)
PHOENIX WRIGHT - "Naruhodou Ryuuichi ~ Objection!"
I like this song a lot. Taking into account melody, sound quality, instrumentation, and everything else, it is, overall, among the best songs here. But I don't know if it is actually a character theme, and I have only heard this orchestral version.
Note: I did not count battle themes like "J-E-N-O-V-A" from Final Fantasy VII or "The Graceful Assassin" from Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories because they play only during those specific battles and do not share leitmotifs with any other songs, so they're more representative of the battle than of the character. I may separately do a Top Ten Battle Themes eventually. (That list would almost certainly contain "J-E-N-O-V-A.")
Also note: I do not know how to talk about music and can't identify instruments well.
Fred's Top Ten Video Game Character Themes
10. TALES OF SYMPHONIA: DAWN OF THE NEW WORLD - "From darkside - Emil"
composed by Motoi Sakuraba and Shinji Tamura
Man, playing this game, I would purposefully neglect to hit A after the characters finished their dialogue because I wanted this badass jazzy piano and edgy electric guitar combo to continue.
(By the way, I just rewatched the ending of this game, and it's boring as fuck. I love the game, but I wish they didn't spend several minutes of the finale talking about metaphysics.)
9. FINAL FANTASY VII - "Barret's Theme"
composed by Nobuo Uematsu
I never thought much of this song before today. I didn't even know that it was Barret's theme, since it only plays once, as the background music of Sector 7 toward the beginning of the game. But the more I listened to it, the more I liked it. It's very catchy and has a nice mixture of pitches.
8. TALES OF SYMPHONIA - "Refill"
composed by Motoi Sakuraba and Shinji Tamura
Raine, known as "Refill" is Japan, has an upbeat variant of her theme that plays more frequently and which I don't particularly like. I'm glad this is her real theme; it's much more beautiful, opening with a woodwind before the piano and plucked strings take over.
7. CHRONO TRIGGER - "Robo's Theme"
composed by Yasunori Mitsuda
Oh man, this one is so catchy. It makes me feel like dancing every time. It's so happy and upbeat but not at all annoying, despite being written for the crappy sound capabilities of the SNES. The opening percussion really fits the character well.
6. FINAL FANTASY VI - "Kefka's Theme"
composed by Nobuo Uematsu
Easily one of the two most iconic character themes on this list. It starts off with a mischievous bounce and light percussion and becomes increasingly dramatic and emphatic, just like that creeper Kefka starts off as a weirdo in a clown costume but later makes it clear that he is serious business.
5. CHRONO TRIGGER - "Frog's Theme"
composed by Yasunori Mitsuda
The other of the two most iconic character themes. The flute (?) is admittedly pretty strident in its original quality, but once you get past that, it is a stellar character theme. Its high whistle is distinct and easily recognizable, and it has associated with it every one of Frog's proudest moments. It's a song about the return of a hero, and it makes all of Frog's major scenes wonderfully epic. It has one of those amazing melodies of which I am always pleased to see new arrangements. Here is the remastered version, and here is the orchestral version to demonstrate the inherent heroism of the piece when not hampered by SNES quality.
4. KINGDOM HEARTS II and 358/2 DAYS - "Riku"
composed by Yoko Shimomura
Yoko Shimomura loves her piano and strings, and so do I. Riku's theme begins with an innocuous and simple piano melody against a background of synth strings (?) before the haunting cello takes the forefront. It is the polar opposite of Sora's theme and has the same dark tones as the Organization-related tracks. It has a great melody, but I chose it primarily for its emotive quality. It evokes the scenes in which it was played and makes you remember what you felt then, even if you don't remember the scenes themselves. Like "Frog's Theme," it has distinct feelings attached to it. It's a song of the regret, solitude, and atonement of a boy who travels alone to make up for the wrongs he has committed. Unfortunately, the loop is extremely short; by the time you're through with what sounds like the introduction, you're about halfway through the song. Why do you do this, Shimomura?
3. FINAL FANTASY IX - "Jesters of the Moon" (Zorn and Thorn)
composed by Nobuo Uematsu
This song is great. It's predominantly piano with some nifty percussion and just the right amount of attitude for a pair of nasty evil henchmen who are weirder and sneakier than Kefka, and it is very pleasing to the ear.
2. KINGDOM HEARTS 358/2 DAYS - "Xion"
composed by Yoko Shimomura
The song is very tinkly, reminiscent of stars or crystal slivers winking as they scatter into the dark, but it's often a low, almost somber tinkle. Accompanying the xylophone (?) are strings that are deep and beautiful but also warm, unlike the ominous strings of "Riku" and other Organization-related songs. It seems to me that the echoing bits reflect Xion's nature even more so than they would any another Nobody. There's also a bit of Kairi's leitmotif in here.
1. FINAL FANTASY VIII - "The Oath" (Squall)
composed by Nobuo Uematsu
"The Oath" isn't generally hailed as one of the best tracks on the Final Fantasy VIII soundtrack. Few people seem to love it as much as I do, and I admit that in many ways, "Xion" and "Jesters of the Moon" are better written. But "The Oath" remains my favorite because of what it means to Squall. It plays twice during the course of Final Fantasy VIII, both crucial moments for Squall's growth from a stony and infantile little bitch into a leader who cares for his comrades and who stands above them but entreats them, as equals, to lend him their strength so that they can protect their home together. Those scenes are so touching and make me want to give Squall a great big hug for actually exhibiting feelings beyond disinterest and irritation. Also, the fake strings are really nice. (Note: "The Oath" is not really a character theme, but I regard it as one because it, like "Riku" and "Frog's Theme," evokes the character and gives a sense of Squall's growth as it is happening.)
Runners-Up
FINAL FANTASY VII - "Red XIII's Theme"
composed by Nobuo Uematsu
FINAL FANTASY VII - "Cid's Theme"
composed by Nobuo Uematsu
FINAL FANTASY VIII - "SUCCESSION OF WITCHES" (Edea)
composed by Nobuo Uematsu
FINAL FANTASY IX - "Vivi's Theme
composed by Nobuo Uematsu
FINAL FANTASY IX - "Freya's Theme"
composed by Nobuo Uematsu
FINAL FANTASY IX - "Kuja's Theme"
composed by Nobuo Uematsu
FINAL FANTASY X - "Auron's Theme"
composed by Nobuo Uematsu
TALES OF SYMPHONIA - "Genius"
composed by Motoi Sakuraba and Shinji Tamura
TALES OF SYMPHONIA - "Shihna"
composed by Motoi Sakuraba and Shinji Tamura
Related Music
FINAL FANTASY VII ADVENT CHILDREN - "Cloud Smiles"
composed by Nobuo Uematsu
It's not really a character theme, and it's not from a video game but from the movie spin-off of a video game, which means it has the advantage of far better sound quality and structure, seeing as how it does not have to loop and can therefore reach a proper emotive climax instead of several mini-climaxes. In other words, it's probably the best sounding song on this list. It is not one of my favorite tracks from Advent Children, though it is nice. It qualified for mention because the Final Fantasy Wiki names it as Cloud's character theme.
KINGDOM HEARTS II FINAL MIX - "The Other Promise" (arrangement of "Roxas")
composed by Yoko Shimomura
"The Other Promise" turns "Roxas," which is mediocre in comparison, into a battle theme of the piano and strings typical of Organization music that quickly becomes very dramatic, expressing Roxas' defiant sorrow as he fights for something that is already lost. I would talk about how the song also enhances the sadness of the player who has to fight this battle and who feels it so much deeper than the player character who doesn't know shit, but that is pure speculation on my part because Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix was only released in Japan and I therefore have not fought this battle why Square Enix why. (Note: The more loudly you listen to this, the better. It's one of those songs whose epic quality increases with the volume.)
PHOENIX WRIGHT - "Naruhodou Ryuuichi ~ Objection!"
I like this song a lot. Taking into account melody, sound quality, instrumentation, and everything else, it is, overall, among the best songs here. But I don't know if it is actually a character theme, and I have only heard this orchestral version.