Biggs (Final Fantasy VII)

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Biggs
(ビッグス, Biggusu?)
Other appearances	Recurring appearance
Biographical information
Home	Midgar (Sector 7 Undercity)
Age	25
Affiliation	Avalanche
Occupation	Fighter
Physical description
Race	Human
Gender	Male
Hair color	Dark brown (Final Fantasy VII) Black (Final Fantasy VII Remake)
Eye color	Gray (Final Fantasy VII) Light brown (Final Fantasy VII Remake)
Gameplay details
Type	Non-player character
Behind the scenes information
Designer	Tetsuya Nomura
Japanese voice actor	Shuhei Sakaguchi
English voice actor	Gideon Emery

Biggs is a supporting character in the Final Fantasy VII series, with a minor supporting role in Final Fantasy VII and a major supporting role in Final Fantasy VII Remake. He is a core member of Barret’s independent Avalanche cell along with Wedge and Jessie.

Biggs is the strategist of Barret's Avalanche cell, responsible for planning out their missions. He is calm and rational in contrast to Barret's volatility, and is very close to Wedge and Jessie. He is affectionate with children. Not one to fight on the front lines often, he takes on more of a support role in Avalanche.

History

Before Final Fantasy VII

Biggs was born in 1982 and grew up with Wedge and Jessie, presumably in Sector 7. Prior to joining Avalanche, he was a teacher at the Leaf House orphanage in the Sector 5 Undercity. He was Ms. Folia's predecessor and taught her everything she knows, and the students looked up to him.

Biggs was a member of Barret's independent Avalanche cell.

Original continuity

In December of 0007, during "No. 1 Reactor Bombing", Avalanche infiltrated Mako Reactor 1. Biggs participated in the bombing mission along with Barret, Wedge, Jessie, and the hired mercenary Cloud Strife. They escaped the reactor before it exploded, split up, and regrouped at the Sector 8 station. Once there, Biggs and the others boarded a train headed for their home in the Sector 7 slums.

On the train, Biggs wondered if Cloud was killed because he was unable to regroup with them. Barret reassured him that there was no way. He if the others thought Cloud would join Avalanche, but Barret dismissed his question. Shortly after, Cloud jumped into their train car which excited Biggs, Wedge, and Jessie. Before migrating to the next train car, Biggs assured Cloud they'd do better next time. When Cloud spoke to him next, he mentioned that the train's security mode hadn't been switched on yet, but that would change by the next day. He then decided to nap until they reached the slums.

Once the train arrived at the slums, Biggs and the others disembarked and headed to their hideout at the Seventh Heaven bar. During "At the Hideout in the Slums", they celebrated their mission's success with food and drinks. Biggs asked Cloud to have a drink with him and was overjoyed when he accepted, playfully taunting him about his hardened SOLDIER attitude, as well as himself. Following a meeting held by Barret and attended by Avalanche, Cloud spoke with everyone and watched Barret aggressively push Biggs while displaying his strength.

During "To the No. 5 Reactor", Biggs and the others embarked on a train to Sector 5 to bomb Mako Reactor 5. When their fake IDs were scanned, they were forced to act quick and thus disguised themselves using Shinra Electric Power Company employee uniforms. Biggs watched Barret, Tifa, and Cloud jump from the train, but remained onboard. Biggs, Wedge, and Jessie later regrouped with them in the reactor and secured them a route to the objective: the reactor core. Cloud regrouped with Biggs last, who announced that they'd be pulling out of the mission there and returning to the hideout. He told Cloud they were counting on him to blow up the reactor and left.

During "Prevent the Fall of the Plate", Biggs defended the Sector 7 pillar against Shinra's attack, but was injured. When Cloud found him Biggs asked how he felt toward the planet. If Cloud expressed that he cared, Biggs thanked him, told him not to worry about him, and urged him to aid Barret in the fight above. He was among the casualties of the Sector 7 plate collapse.

In Hoshi o Meguru Otome, Biggs appeared as a spirit in the lifestream. When Aerith thought of Cloud and Tifa, Jessie's spirit responded to the mention of their names, which caused Biggs and Wedge to appear. The three of them were happy to hear that Cloud officially joined Avalanche and that they were fighting a greater threat than Shinra. They told Aerith they were fated to never be absorbed into the lifestream due to the lives they took in life. As Biggs, Wedge, and Jessie left, Aerith called to them and told them their deaths helped save people by delaying Shinra, allowing more of Sector 7's residents, including Marlene, to evacuate in time.

Remake continuity

Biggs and Jessie in Sector 1.

During "The Destruction of Mako Reactor 1", Biggs helped maneuver the reactor during the bombing mission, opening sealed doors along the way. He told Jessie he was glad to have Cloud's professional help. He stayed behind with Wedge and stood watch as Cloud, Barret, and Jessie descended into mako storage. After the reactor exploded in "Fateful Encounters", Biggs escaped with everyone through the tunnels and commented on his bad odor, anxious to return home and shower. As they traversed the tunnels, he offered encouraging words to the group and comforted a guilt-ridden Jessie, who thought the massive explosion was her doing. Later, they took a train in route to the Sector 7 slums and Biggs, who was still shaken by the explosion, checked up on Cloud and asked if he was okay. Upon returning to the slums, he celebrated their victory and went home.

Biggs celebrates Avalanche's successful bombing with Barret, Wedge, and Jessie.

During "Home Sweet Slum", Cloud and Tifa visited Biggs and Wedge at the Beginner's Hall. Biggs persuaded Cloud to help the neighborhood watch and told Cloud he couldn't pay him in gil, offering to modify his weapon. Biggs sent Cloud to kill monsters on Scrap Boulevard, promised to spread word about Cloud's mercenary work, and wished him good hunting. When Cloud returned, Biggs had spread the word, asked about Cloud's modified sword, and received a positive response. As Cloud and Tifa left, he stopped Wedge from joining them, saying he'd be a "third wheel". Later that day, Biggs attended a meeting at Seventh Heaven with his Avalanche friends and celebrated their victory over some drinks.

During "Mad Dash", Biggs, accompanied by Wedge, joined Jessie and Cloud on a mission topside out of concern for her, providing the motorcycles as the trains were not running. He rode with Wedge and provided support fire as Shinra soldiers, and later Roche, pursued them. Once they reached the upper plate, they stopped at Jessie's house for some pizza made by her mother while Cloud stole Jessie's father's Shinra ID card, and then set off for the S7-6 Annex. On the way there, Biggs told Cloud about Jessie's past and was surprised that Cloud showed interest, but warned him to refrain from mentioning their chat. He planned out their infiltration on the S7-6 Annex, providing cover fire while Cloud distracted and fought the Shinra security guards.

Biggs, Wedge, and Cloud later fended off the Shinra mechs unleashed upon them before another Avalanche cell arrived and rescued Wedge. Biggs informed Cloud about the different Avalanche cells, how Barret's cell was deemed "too extreme" and they were therefore on the outs, and of the supposed deal the other cells cut with Wutai. Biggs, Wedge, Jessie, and Cloud regrouped and returned to the slums via parachutes secured by Jessie's father. As they descended, Biggs and Jessie, who were sharing a chute, praised Cloud. They went slightly off-course, but once landing Biggs went home and started sweeping outside to relieve stress, unable to stop worrying about the next mission. When Cloud visited him and told him to rest, Biggs thanked him.

Cloud is surprised to find Biggs.

The next day, Biggs departed early and secured the group an entrance into Mako Reactor 5. He waited for the others at the rendezvous point during "Light the Way", and upon their arrival, was surprised to see Tifa and Cloud accompanying Barret, who ordered a report. He told him that topside was "going nuts" after some "terrorists jumped off a train", and therefore confidently said he had no problem securing them a route into the reactor. Biggs dodged Barret's attempt at a hug and asked where Wedge and Jessie were, relieved to hear they weren't in bad shape. He thanked Cloud for stepping up, praised the group for diverting Shinra's forces to Sector 4, and gave them grappling guns. At Tifa's request, he left to ensure the area around the reactor was clear to avoid any potential casualties.

Cloud finds Biggs badly injured.

Biggs, alongside Wedge, helped defend the Sector 7 pillar against Shinra's attack during "Fight for Survival". He saw that Cloud showed up and vowed to clear a path for him before he "stole the show". When Cloud found a badly injured Biggs surrounded by Whispers, Biggs was happy to know Cloud and Wedge made it, but was less optimistic about his own chances. He warned Cloud it was dangerous further up the pillar and asked him to promise their fight would not be for nothing, and told him that he had "some fight left in him". He added that Cloud was a good man for comforting him and encouraged him to visit the Leaf House orphanage in the Sector 5 slums. Cloud told him Biggs would have to do that himself, and Biggs remarked that Cloud and the children had a lot in common. Biggs affectionately placed his hand on Cloud's head, wished him good luck, told him their future was in his hands, and succumbed to his injuries.

Biggs recovering.

After Cloud's party defeated the Whispers and escaped Midgar in "Destiny's Crossroads", Biggs awakened at the Leaf House orphanage, having survived the Sector 7 plate collapse. He recuperated in a bed with his wounds bandaged.

Characteristics

Appearance

Close-up.

Biggs is a 25-year-old man with a lean build. He has tan skin, gray eyes (light brown in Remake), short, swept-back dark brown hair (black in Remake), and light stubble. He wears a red bandana, an olive shirt, a leather harness, a black belt and a brown belt, a pouch on his hip, dark green cargo shorts, armored boots, and brown fingerless gloves. In Remake, he also wears a black undershirt, black knee pads, and a gold earring on his right ear. His weapon is a handgun.

Personality

Biggs is calm, rational, and kindhearted. Like Wedge and Jessie, he is upbeat and playful. He maintains a collected and confident attitude, taking pride in his role in Avalanche. Compared to Barret, Biggs approaches situations rationally, preferring to plan out their objectives rather than rush in blindly. He is selfless and kind, caring deeply for his friends and always encouraging them. Biggs is prone to overthinking and becomes easily stressed, feeling guilt for his actions and jumping to conclusions out of concern for his friends. Neat and tidy by nature, he prefers cleanliness, as shown when he complains about his stench while escaping Mako Reactor 1 and when sweeping after returning to the slums following Jessie's mission; he cleans to alleviate stress.

Biggs confidently and defiantly opposes Shinra.

Biggs is selfless and caring. Prior to joining Avalanche, he taught at the Leaf House orphanage in the Sector 5 slums, admired by teachers and students alike. As a resident of the Sector 7 slums, he dedicates free time to the neighborhood watch, protecting the denizens of the slums from beasts and teaching them self defense. He also shows concern for Jessie and Wedge.

Biggs grew up with Jessie and Wedge and respects his leader, Barret. When he met Cloud, he was initially hesitant towards him and thought of him as cold. Biggs befriends Cloud after he shows a genuine interest in Jessie's backstory and an understanding of them. He comes to view Cloud as a younger brother figure. During Shinra's attack on the Sector 7 pillar, a badly injured Biggs tells Cloud that he reminds him of his students, affectionately placing his hand on his head. He finds comfort in Cloud's promise that their fight wouldn't be for nothing.

Abilities

Biggs strategizes Avalanche's missions. He is capable of hacking doors, as seen at Mako Reactor 1. He wields firearms effortlessly and is an accurate shot. He is skilled with weapon modification, offering to improve Cloud's sword. He is an admired teacher, remembered fondly by co-workers and pupils alike.

Other appearances

See also: Biggs and Wedge

The inclusion of a duo of characters named Biggs and Wedge is a recurring tradition in the Final Fantasy series. The Final Fantasy VII iteration of Biggs is only the second instance of this tradition, which started with Final Fantasy VI.

The Final Fantasy VII Biggs has made appearances in Mobius Final Fantasy, as well as in the Final Fantasy Trading Card Game as a fire-element card along with Wedge.

Biggs.

Biggs's card.

Behind the scenes

Development

Biggs was drawn by Tetsuya Nomura for Final Fantasy VII, and redesigned by Roberto Ferrari for Final Fantasy VII Remake.

Biggs, along with Jessie and Wedge, was given more character depth for Final Fantasy VII Remake, at the direction of Nomura. The entire team were conscious about adding depth to the characters leading into the battle at Sector 7. Writer Kazushige Nojima used the same personalities he had imagined for the characters when originally creating them, bringing out a side that always existed but wasn't fully portrayed.

A number of players have remarked that Biggs's appearance in Final Fantasy VII Remake resembles the actor Charlie Sheen, especially from the movie Platoon wearing a similar olive shirt, brown swept-back hair, and red bandana. One of his lines later in the game,"'Nough for a platoon or two", may or may not be a reference.

Ff7-biggs.jpg

Tetsuya Nomura concept art for Final Fantasy VII.

Sketch.

Roberto Ferrari concept art for Final Fantasy VII Remake.

Biggs's disguise in Final Fantasy VII.

Biggs with Jessie in the 2015 Final Fantasy VII Remake trailer.

Biggs's pistol artwork for Final Fantasy VII Remake.

Biggs's pistol artwork for Final Fantasy VII Remake.

Voice

In Final Fantasy VII Remake, Biggs is voiced by Gideon Emery, who previously voiced Balthier in Final Fantasy XII. The recording process was different when compared with Final Fantasy XII, as he did not have the animation ready when recording, and was not focused on fitting English lines to Japanese flaps; instead, he had a little animated reference, and his main focus was timing and not being a frame over. Emery felt leaving the "comfortable leading man lane" felt fresh, and enjoyed the wisecracks between Biggs, Jessie, and Wedge.

Etymology

[view · edit · purge]Biggs and Wedge are a recurring running gag in the Final Fantasy series. They almost always appear as a duo, and are named after Star Wars characters, Biggs Darklighter and Wedge Antilles, Luke Skywalker's Red Squadron wingmen in Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope.

Notes

Annotations

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References

Video games

• Square Co., Ltd. (1997). Final Fantasy VII [Game]. Square Co., Ltd.. PlayStation.
• Square Enix (2020). Final Fantasy VII Remake [Game]. Square Enix. PlayStation 4.

Bibliography

• Benny Matsuyama (2005). Hoshi o Meguru Otome [Book]. Square Enix. ISBN 978-4-8936-6678-9.
• Studio BentStuff (2020). Final Fantasy VII Remake Ultimania [Book]. SE-Mook. ISBN 978-4-7575-6586-9.

Websites

• Makoeyes987 (n.d.) . "Complete Timeline of the Compilation of FFVII". The Lifestream. Archived from the original on 10:36, January 22, 2019 (UTC).
• Steve Watts (n.d.) . "Final Fantasy 7 Remake Cast Gives Voice To A Classic". GameSpot. Archived from the original on July 14, 2020.
• Corey Plante and Jen Glennon (n.d.) . "FF7 Remake transforms the horniest Final Fantasy into a full-on thirst trap". Inverse. Archived from the original on July 26, 2020.
• Patrick Shanley, Josh Wigler (n.d.) . "Inside the 'Final Fantasy VII Remake' Team's "Familiar Yet New" Adaptation of a Classic". Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on July 14, 2020.
• Zachary Ryan (n.d.) . "How FF7 Remake's Developers Reintroduced a Classic Game". IGN. Archived from the original on July 14, 2020.