The three main Final Fantasy titles that launched on the PlayStation 1 are generally considered to be the cream of the crop of the franchise. Though Final Fantasy 7 is usually praised as the top-dog, Final Fantasy 8 and Final Fantasy 9 often fight it out for second place and there never seems to be a clear winner as both are awesome.
Final Fantasy 9 was a refreshing change for fans, both of its predecessors opted for a more modern/futuristic setting, but Final Fantasy 9 took things back to basics with a more classic fantasy setting. Additionally, this title offered players a more diverse cast of characters with multiple races and larger-than-life personalities and deep personal issues. One of these characters who has gone on to become a fan-favorite is Vivi Ornitier, the adorable little Black Mage. Be warned, there are spoilers ahead.
10 Vivi's Design
The character Vivi was designed by Toshiyuki Itahana, who took much inspiration from the look of the classic appearance of Final Fantasy's Black Mages; featuring a dark aura over his skin, large yellow eyes, and a pointed wizard-type hat. However, Vivi differs from previous Black Mage designs by wearing a jacket instead of a robe.
Vivi stands out from the many other Black Mages in Final Fantasy 9 with his small stature and clothing that varies in both style and color. Additionally, the other Black Mages have more pointed hats, whereas Vivi's is well-worn and droopy.
9 Origins Of Vivi's Name
Vivi's name is quite interesting in that it answers his existential question from the game with its Spanish translation, meaning "to live", loosely translating the little Black Mage's name to "I lived". However, the Italian equivalent sees the resulting translation as "you live". Vivi's name might also allude to the voodoo symbol known as a "Vévé", which is used in black magic to summon spirits and would explain Vivi's affinity with Black Magic.
In the North American instruction manual, Vivi's surname is listed as "Ornitier", but it was later changed to "Orunitia" in some official media sources. The more common version of his surname among fans is Ornitier and it seems that Square Enix is sticking with that now according to the official website.
8 Vivi's Age
Vivi is portrayed as a small child in Final Fantasy 9, not just in size, but also in his lack of understanding of the world and innocent personality. Many official sources list Vivi as being nine years of age, but fans have discovered from using the timeline dates of the comprehensive book about the game, Final Fantasy IX Ultimania, that Vivi is more accurately only a few months old, most likely six months of age.
This makes Vivi the youngest ever playable character in the whole Final Fantasy franchise and also makes the faux-marriage to Quina even more eye-brow raising.
7 Vivi's Partnership With Steiner
Vivi and Steiner have an interesting relationship in the game as not only is Steiner the first to convince him to use his magic, but Steiner also takes a liking to the little guy and refers to him as "Master Vivi" as a sign of respect.
This connection between the two also allows them to share a unique partnership during a battle; if both Vivi and Steiner are in the active party, Steiner is able to use Vivi's learned magic to increase the damage that he deals, as well as making his attacks elemental.
6 Vivi Has A Short Life Span
As the story unfolds, the characters come across the Black Mage Village where other awakened Black Mages live; no longer mindless puppets, they have sought a life of peace away from Alexandria. It is here that Vivi learns that the Black Mages only have a very short life span, with them dying after only a year.
This news, coupled with Vivi's fresh understanding of death, traumatizes the young Black Mage and it is something he struggles with throughout the game. Black Mage No. 288 tries to comfort Vivi with the hope that he might not be restricted by the same life span as he is a prototype build, unlike the other Black Mages. Regrettably, this isn't the case and we discover at the game's conclusion that Vivi has died.
5 Guest Appearances In Other Final Fantasy Titles
Given Vivi's popularity among fans, it's no surprise that the little guy went on to appear in other Final Fantasy titles for players to enjoy. He features as a playable character in both Theatrhythm Final Fantasy games and Dissidia Final Fantasy Opera Omnia, as well as appearing as a non-playable character in Dissidia Final Fantasy. Vivi is also a non-player character in the adorable World of Final Fantasy.
Other games that Vivi has appeared in include: Final Fantasy Brave Exvius, Final Fantasy Record Keeper, Final Fantasy Dimensions II, as well as many others. Vivi is sometimes used as a summon, whereas in others he simply cameos.
4 Vivi's Adoptive Family
Vivi joins up with the rest of the characters at the very beginning of the game and they become his adoptive family, but Vivi had a "relation" before them. After being created in Dali, Vivi was being transported in a cargo ship when he fell out and landed in a forest. Shortly afterward, Vivi is found by a Qu named Quan.
Quan decides to keep Vivi in order to fatten him up before eating him, but several months pass by without Vivi growing at all. Quan teaches Vivi about the world and makes the young Black Mage curious about the world around him. After Quan dies, Vivi decides to head out and experience the world, first seeking to see a local show in Treno. Vivi never finds out that Quan planned to eat him and looks back on his time with the Qu fondly, referring to Quan as "Grandpa".
3 Guest Appearances In Other Franchises
As well as appearing in several titles from the Final Fantasy franchise, Vivi has also cropped up in other gaming franchises. Vivi appears as a supporting character in Kingdom Hearts II, where his hat takes on a new design that features a strange face complete with zip mouth. He also appears as a costume in the mobile game Kingdom Hearts Mobile.
Additionally, Vivi featured as a playable character in Itadaki Street and also appeared in Puzzle & Dragons as part of a special collaboration event.
2 Vivi Has Several Sons
Vivi helps the crew dispatch Trance Kuja in the climactic final boss battle but is noticeably missing in the next scene when everyone gathers together to watch the theater show in Alexandria. Puck, Vivi's first "friend", rushes up to what appears to be Vivi only for the Black Mage to tell him that he is not Vivi, but is actually Vivi's son. There are then multiple children seen, all of which we are led to believe are sons of Vivi.
It's hard to figure out how Vivi had any children as the lifa tree is gone as well as Mist, a key ingredient for creating Black Mages. Maybe that strange wedding with Quina was of some use after all.
1 Vivi's Famous Quote
Vivi is best known for his thought-provoking quote that appears in the game's opening sequence, "How do you prove that you exist...? Maybe we don't exist..." coupled with the word "Sorrow". This quote expresses Vivi's existential crisis about his creation, short life span, and place in the world that echoes throughout the whole of the game. This theme culminates in a monologue at the end of the game where Vivi seemingly expresses that he is at peace with his previous inner-turmoil and players come to the realization that Vivi has died.
The Japanese translation of this quote is actually more accurate and more profound, with it being: "If you can't show proof that you're living/alive, it might as well be the same thing as being dead."
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