Seifer Almasy

Seifer Almasy is a temporary playable character and one of the main antagonists in Final Fantasy VIII. He is the rival of the main character Squall Leonhart and is the mirror image of him in many ways.

Appearance and Personality
Seifer has short blond hair, blue-green eyes, and a scar across his forehead and nose received from Squall as retaliation during a duel. Seifer wears a blue vest with a cross design lined in white, a gray coat with an emblem resembling the symbol of the on the sleeves, black gloves and boots and a silver chain with a tag. The cross is Seifer's symbol as much as the angel wings are Rinoa's and the Griever is Squall's.

As Squall's rival Seifer's appearance is directly opposite in many ways. His hair color is light, as opposed to Squall's brown. His chin is square whereas Squall's is oval. The color scheme of their clothing is opposite, as well as their coat lengths. Even though they both brandish a gunblade, their fighting styles are different, with Squall wielding his with two hands, whereas Seifer uses his single-handedly. Seifer's friends, Raijin and Fujin, call themselves a "posse", whereas Squall is a loner.

Seifer is famous around Balamb Garden for being skillful in battle, but his stubborn, arrogant, reckless, and unpredictable nature has kept him from completing the SeeD exam. Aside from Squall, Seifer is the only gunblade specialist in the Garden.

There are many parallels between Seifer and Squall. Even though they are rivals battling to prove their superiority, they have an unspoken respect for each other's prowess. Both have a facial scar inflicted during a duel; the scars are mirror images with Seifer's pointing up-left (from his point of view) while Squall's points up-right. Seifer is a loud and outspoken rebel, while Squall is a silent, strict follower of duty. Both are nigh-equally skilled in using the gunblade, but Seifer's temper often leaves him losing to Squall. Seifer's Triple Triad card is a mirror of Squall's, both having the same numbers.

Although he is belligerent and rude, Seifer is troubled rather than bad. He is twisted by the sorceress's power, and pursues a warped version of his dream, although the degree to which he is controlled or influenced by her power is left ambiguous.

Story
Seifer is an 18-year-old orphan who was born during in the Sorceress War and sent to Edea's Orphanage. From a young age he bullied the other orphans, especially Zell. He enrolled at Balamb Garden where he studied to become a SeeD. Seifer would forget his past in the orphanage due to the memory loss using Guardian Forces causes.

Final Fantasy VIII Ultimania reveals that when Seifer was a child, a popular movie was released about a sorceress who defended her country, and the knight who protected her. The film was Seifer's favorite, and inspired his dream to become a Sorceress Knight himself, copying the battle pose of the actor who played the knight in the film.

At Balamb Garden, Seifer would form the Balamb Garden Disciplinary Committee with his friends Fujin and Raijin, abusing their power to give fellow students punishment and detention. Seifer became a rival to Squall Leonhart, who had coincidentally grown up in Edea's Orphanage, although neither remembers this. Of all the Garden students only Seifer and Squall chose a gunblade as their specialized weapon, and it can be presumed the two would often duel to hone their skills.

Even though Seifer had great potential to become a SeeD, his behavior made him fail the exams, and he was labeled a "problem child". Seifer developed a "romantic dream" about becoming a Sorceress Knight and borrowed several books from the Balamb Garden library related to the subject. When he was 17 Seifer started a romantic relationship with Rinoa Heartilly, a girl working in a resistance group to free the occupied nation of Timber. At 18 years of age Seifer is in instructor Quistis Trepe's class but has little respect for his young teacher, and openly defies her.

On the morning of a SeeD exam Seifer and Squall duel on a rocky field near Balamb Garden and Seifer casts a Fire spell sending Squall to the ground. He strikes at Squall's face, giving him a bloody scar. As Seifer lets his guard down, Squall retaliates, leaving a mirrored scar on Seifer's face. For the SeeD field examination on that day, Squall and Zell Dincht, with Seifer as their leader, form Squad B in the Siege of Dollet. Seifer begrudges having Squall and Zell in his team and declares that the Squad B rule is to follow the captain's command, himself being the captain. Unlike the other cadets Seifer does not wear the the cadet uniform for the mission, and during the boat trip to Dollet Seifer acts indifferent and bored when Xu explains their objective, dissatisfied his squad was not given a more important task than securing the central square.

Upon arriving to Dollet Seifer leads his squad to their post on the central square, and upon clearing it of enemy soldiers becomes frustrated with the following idleness. They spy the Galbadians heading to the mountains toward a radio tower, and in an impulse decision orders his squad to abandon their assigned position and follow them. Seifer goes on ahead leaving Squall and Zell behind, when Selphie Tilmitt catches up with the two, bearing a message to the squad leader. Seifer single-handedly clears the radio tower of soldiers and then takes the elevator to the top, where the squad finds Biggs and Wedge in the process of activating the tower. Selphie delivers the withdrawal order to Seifer, announcing they only have 30 minutes until the boats will leave. Seifer is furious they are ordered to withdraw when there are still enemy forces around, but is unwilling to be left behind and again abandons his team to make his way back to the beach on his own, leaving Squall, Zell and Selphie to fight the X-ATM092 sent to pursue them.

Everyone makes it back to the beach to withdraw in time, and upon arriving in Balamb Harbor Seifer complains about his squad members' inefficiency to Fujin and Raijin who had arrived to greet him, and takes the SeeD Personal Carrier Vehicle back to the Garden leaving Squall and Zell to walk their way back. Later that day the exam results are announced, but because of Seifer's disobedience during the engagement he fails and grudgingly applauds Squall, Zell and Selphie, all of whom pass.

While Seifer is sent to be disciplined for his actions Squall, Zell and Selphie are assigned their first SeeD mission: to aid the resistance faction Forest Owls free the occupied nation of Timber. Rinoa, Seifer's former love interest, is a member of said faction. Having heard of this, Seifer breaks out of the discipline room injuring many in the process, and embarks to assist the Forest Owls by holding the President of Galbadia hostage during a broadcast from the Timber TV Station. Backed into a corner and watched on by Squall, Zell, Selphie and Quistis Trepe — Seifer's former teacher who had been sent to retrieve him — Seifer is saved by Sorceress Edea. Appealing to Seifer's darker side, she convinces him to follow her. Seifer is announced executed by the Galbadian government and a saddened Rinoa reveals her past with Seifer to Squall.

Seifer is believed dead until he shows up in Deling City, standing at Edea's side having become her Sorceress Knight. Squall, with their new ally, Galbadia Garden sniper Irvine Kinneas, had been assigned to assassinate the sorceress. Edea blocks Irvine's shot with a spell and Squall breaks into the sorceress's parade to fight her one-on-one. Seifer stops him and, claiming his new status as hero and Sorceress Knight, fights Squall. After Seifer's defeat, Squall fights Edea who casts Ice Strike, piercing Squall's shoulder and rendering him unconscious.

When Squall comes to in Galbadia's D-District Prison, he is transported to the torture room by Seifer who interrogates him for the truth about SeeD. Edea wants to know why the SeeD persecute sorceresses, but Squall, who knows SeeD only as a general mercenary force, does not understand the question. While Squall later escapes with his friends, Seifer, now head of the Galbadian Army (formerly headed by Fury Caraway), takes over Galbadia Garden under Edea's orders. Enabling the Garden's mobile functions he embarks on a search for a girl named Ellone whom his sorceress wishes to find.

Galbadia Garden intercepts a similarly airborne Balamb Garden over the Centra continent near the ruins of Edea's Orphanage. With Seifer as commanding officer Galbadia Garden launches a full assault on Balamb Garden. The Balamb students and SeeD turn the battle and infiltrate Galbadia Garden. Squall and his party confront Seifer, who is defeated and left unconscious and disgraced on the floor. Squall's party defeats Edea who relinquishes her sorceress power to Rinoa, who, being possessed, revives Seifer and orders him to raise the Lunatic Pandora. During the entire ordeal Edea had been possessed by a sorceress from the future, Ultimecia, but it is unknown at what point Seifer learned of this fact. Regardless, Edea is no longer a sorceress and Seifer begins to follow Ultimecia's orders. Ultimecia wishes to destroy the world via time compression, but it is unknown if Seifer knows of her true goals.

Under Ultimecia's orders Seifer resurrects the Esthar weapon Lunatic Pandora from the depths of the ocean. Restoring the device to active status he directs the pillar to be placed upon Tears' Point, precipitating the Lunar Cry. Squall and his party invade the construct with an Estharian airship. The toils have taken their toll on Seifer at this point, as his hair is unkempt and his coat is blackened and falling apart. As the G-Forces begin to question their loyalty to Seifer, Fujin and Raijin, who up until now had followed him loyally, beg him to stop.

Seifer claims it is too late to go back, and wishes them a good life as they depart and leave him to his own devices. Squall asks if he's still going to continue "with this knight thing" to which Seifer replies he's retired and now considers himself a young revolutionary, saying he's going to make it to the goal since he's come so far with no interest in sharing it with Squall. The two engage in battle and if Squall has obtained Odin, Seifer bisects him when he is summoned in battle, and Gilgamesh takes his place, knocking Seifer down.

Despite his defeat, Seifer captures Rinoa and offers her to Ultimecia in the body of her new host, Sorceress Adel. Seifer flees the scene as Squall's party intervenes. After Ultimecia is bested within Adel's body by Squall's group, she casts time compression allowing Squall to reach her era and defeat her. Seifer returns to Balamb with Fujin and Raijin where they spend a day fishing together. Raijin catches a fish and Seifer throws down his fishing rod in frustration, but Fujin kicks Raijin into the sea. Seifer laughs before looking up at the passing Balamb Garden with a smile on his face, implying he has put his hatred of them to rest and moved on.

Battle
Originating as a temporary player character, Seifer is later fought against four times as a boss. Seifer is playable for the first portion of the Siege of Dollet during the SeeD exam. All the magic the player draws into his junction is passed onto Selphie after he leaves.

Seifer has an affinity to Fire, as every time he uses his Limit Break he starts off by casting a fire spell at his target in similar fashion as seen in the game's opening FMV, although it is merely part of the animation and non-elemental, and thus not the same as casting Fire with the Magic command. Fire spells are also drawn from Seifer during the encounters with him as a boss.

Weapon
Seifer wields a gunblade. His particular model is Hyperion, featuring a pistol handle based on the Beretta M9, rather than the revolver handles favored by Squall. The Hyperion might be lighter than Squall's Revolver, as Seifer holds it with one hand.

While Seifer is a playable character, pressing the trigger button when he strikes will boost his damage.

Limit Break


Seifer's Limit Break is Fire Cross. While there are three skills Seifer can use, only the first, No Mercy, can be used by the player. The other two, Demon Slice and Bloodfest, are used during battles against the player.

Unlike the other player characters, Seifer can use his Limit Break without having to be in HP Critical; the chance it becomes available is at 84% or lower from his max HP.

Boss
Seifer is fought as a boss four times in the story. He uses Fire-based attacks and gains new Limit Breaks every time he is encountered. If the party has Odin a cutscene will occur the last time Seifer is faced. Seifer is the only enemy in the game who has the rare spell Aura available for drawing.

Pocket Station Memorycard Icons
An icon sprite of Seifer appears in the Pocket Station memorycard file manager.

Dissidia Final Fantasy
Seifer is mentioned in the Museum under Odin's entry, where it is mentioned Seifer countered the Zantetsuken and bisected Odin. Several references to Seifer also exist in Dissidia Final Fantasy; Squall fights with a faster, one-handed style similar to Seifer, and begins his EX Burst by striking his opponent in an upside-down cross, similar to Seifer's Bloodfest Limit Break. Seifer appears as the name of a Ghost card, a Level 100 Ultimecia bearing the Green Gem and GF Eden battlegen items.

Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy
Seifer is mentioned in the Mognet letter sent by Mohnny, who describes him as one of the disciplinary committee who wears a gray coat and swings his gunblade. The mail is sent the next day in conjunction with the previous letter about Balamb Garden.(see here)


 * Attack of the Disciplinary Committee

The player may reply either "Just run!", "Hide and see what happens!" and "Stand your ground!" The option asks "Wanna help" on top.

Theatrhythm Final Fantasy


Seifer is a sub-character in Theatrhythm Final Fantasy, obtained by collecting Gray Crystal Shards from Dark Note bosses.

Seifer is almost identical to Squall in terms of statistics, though he has slightly better Agility, and his abilities are more defensive, contrary to Squall's, who is more suited for Offense, mirroring each other.

Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call
Seifer returns as an unlockable playable character, representing Final Fantasy VIII. He must now be unlocked by collecting Purple Crystal Shards. Seifer is once again identical to Squall, but is now more suited for Offense, mirroring Squall is who now suited for Defense.

Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade


Seifer appears as a summonable Legend in Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade. He is depicted in his default Final Fantasy VIII outfit. His abilities are Bloodfest, Demon Slice, Firaga and Zantetsuken Reverse.

Final Fantasy All the Bravest


Seifer is an exclusive character only available from the Premium Character Shop as a random downloadable content, he uses the No Mercy ability during battle.

Final Fantasy Trading Card Game
Seifer appears in the trading card game of Final Fantasy and is represented by four cards. They are all Lightning-elemental.

Kingdom Hearts series


A younger version of Seifer appears in Kingdom Hearts II. He is the leader of the Twilight Town Disciplinary Committee, together with Fuu and Rai, and is idolized by Vivi for his strength. Seifer is known for being a top Struggle fighter, who also likes street brawls. Seifer calls Roxas "chicken wuss", which he calls Zell in Final Fantasy VIII.

In DiZ's simulated Twilight Town, he is a rival of Roxas and his friends, while in the real Twilight Town, Hayner is his main rival since Roxas does not exist. He is antagonistic toward Sora, but after he saves Seifer's gang from the Nobodies, Seifer gives him the Struggle Trophy, an unspoken sign of respect. Although his rival Squall (under the name of Leon) appears in the series the two never meet, though they retain their trademark scars.

Seifer is voiced by Takehito Koyasu in the Japanese version and by Will Friedle in the English version.

Etymology
Seifer's last name, Almasy, is from the common family name Almásy (pronounced ). It means "related to or from [the land] of apples". His first name could be based on the Semitic root s-y-f, seen in Arabic سيف (seif), Hebrew סיף (sayif), and Maltese sejf meaning "sword" or "saber". Even the word "Almasy" may be based on the Arabic word (which has the same pronunciation) ألماسي, which means "Made from Diamond". This is also likely the reason refining Seifer's Triple Triad card yields Diamond Armors. "Seifer" is also a variant of the name Siegfried (meaning victor); a common German first name.

Cifer, Seifer's German name, comes from, a type of encryption normally hard to read or understand without the original producer's clues. The spelling was most likely changed because Seife is the German word for "soap", thus Seifer can be understood as an "soaper".

Trivia

 * Seifer uses a power similar to magic, though in-game information confirms he does not use real magic, but -based attacks.
 * The red cross usually worn by Seifer is a variant of the Cruz de Santiago, the emblem of an ancient Spanish order designated to protect the European pilgrims from the Muslims of the Iberian Peninsula.
 * Seifer is the second-eldest character from the "orphanage gang", the eldest being Quistis.
 * Although Seifer forms a posse with Fujin and Raijin, the player never gets to fight all three of them in the same battle.
 * Seifer uses the more traditional meaning of "romantic", which can cause some confusion over the meaning of his "romantic dream".
 * During the parade, Seifer is usually seen on the float with Edea during the FMVs, however, he appears to have momentarily vanished for one scene.
 * Without even knowing it, the brief time he was an item with Rinoa, Seifer was living his "romantic dream" since Rinoa had the potential to become (and later became) a sorceress.
 * On May 30th, 2012, official website for Final Fantasy 25th Anniversary, in the character section dedicated to Final Fantasy VIII, Seifer's katakana was correct while his English name was translated to "Sephiroth". As of May 31st, 2012, Square Enix corrected the error.