Shinryu



Shinryu, also translated as Lord Dragon or Nova Dragon, is a recurring boss in the Final Fantasy series and one of the hardest superbosses. It is associated with the powerful weapon Ragnarok, and sometimes drops it after being defeated. It is sometimes presented as a counterpart to another superboss, Omega. Shinryu has appeared as a summon, but he cannot be summoned by the player.

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Shinryu is a mysterious entity with a crystalline body and known as a traveler of dimensions. He is linked to both the Interdimensional Rift and The Void, where he resides. Shinryu is often seen along Omega, another powerful superboss. It has been said Omega was created to destroy Shinryu, although the true nature between the two is unknown.

Shinryu tends to be found in treasure chests that guard the most powerful weapons in the game and prefers using a multitude of elemental attacks.

In the Dissidia Final Fantasy series Shinryu is the one behind the events by striking a deal with Cid of the Lufaine with the sole purpose of becoming stronger. In the secret scenario in Dissidia Final Fantasy Shinryu talks to the player and reveals he gained amusement from the war he had orchestrated. He decides to take revenge on Cid and sparks the post-apocalyptic scenario known as Confessions of the Creator. As Shinryu decided to side with Chaos Dissidia Final Fantasy is the only time the recurring entity is an outright antagonist. In Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy Shinryu evolved into Shinryu Verus and departs to the Void once the player defeats Feral Chaos.

Final Fantasy


Shinryu appears with the same appearance as in Final Fantasy V in the Dawn of Souls, 20th Anniversary, and iOS and Android versions of the game. It appears as one of the last two bosses in the Lifespring Grotto along with Omega.

Final Fantasy IV: The After Years
Shinryu is an optional boss in the Depths of the True Moon. It is known in the English versions as Lord Dragon in the WiiWare release, and Nova Dragon in the Final Fantasy IV: The Complete Collection release. It drops the Ragnarok after its defeat.

Final Fantasy V


Shinryu is a monster-in-a-box found in the Interdimensional Rift. It is tied with Omega for the game's most difficult boss. Its attacks are Water-elemental, and it offers the Ragnarok when defeated, which is the game's most powerful sword. In Final Fantasy V Advance, there is an even stronger version called Neo Shinryu who guards an even better sword, the Ultima Weapon.

A book found in the Interdimensional Rift mentions Shinryu arriving in the wake of Omega, and being sealed in the Void after the Sealed Weapons failed to destroy them.

Final Fantasy IX


Nova Dragon is seen in a cutscene leading an army of dragons from Memoria, and must be defeated to enter the final area. Shinryu's character file in Dissidia Final Fantasy lists this as one of the character's appearances since it derives from the same Japanese name.

Final Fantasy X


Shinryu is an Original Creation monster in the Monster Arena. It is a palette-swap of Evrae. It is fought underwater, thus, only Tidus, Wakka and Rikku may face it. To fight it, the player must capture at least two Splashers, two Achelous, and two Maelspikes from the flooded portion of Gagazet Cavern.

Final Fantasy XI


Shinryu is an evolved form of the other world's version of Promathia, serving as a Notorious Monster fought in a special battle within Abyssea - Empyreal Paradox. To fight him the player must defeat the boss of every Abyssea area and defeat all six Caturae. Notable drops include the Twilight Helm and Mail set, which when paired are the only items to grant a player the "Auto-Reraise" effect.

Final Fantasy Type-0


Shinryu Celestia appears in Final Fantasy Type-0 as a form assumed by the l'Cie Celestia.

Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales
Shinryu is one of the five promotional cards that can be obtained in Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales. In the Japanese and American versions, Shinryu must be downloaded from a download station. In the European version, the player simply has to enter the code Down, X, R, Right, A, B on the Download Pop-Up Card screen.

Dissidia Final Fantasy


Shinryu is a special summon only used by Chaos and cannot be summoned by the player. Unlike other summons in the game, Shinryu can be summoned multiple times in the same battle and utilizes several powerful effects borrowed from other summons.

Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy
Shinryu returns as a summon that can only be used by Chaos and Feral Chaos. It has the same function it has in Dissidia Final Fantasy.

Theatrhythm Final Fantasy
Shinryu appears as a superboss in the game.

Final Fantasy All the Bravest
Shinryu returns as a boss in Final Fantasy All the Bravest.

Final Fantasy Trading Card Game
Shinryu in his Final Fantasy Trading Card Game appearance has a card in Final Fantasy Trading Card Game.

Etymology
Shinryu is the Japanese name for Shénlóng, an important ancient dragon in Chinese mythology. It is said to preside over storms and rain, and can bring disastrous drought, thunderstorms and general bad weather if it feels neglected.