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Genbu from FFXIV concept art

Concept artwork for Final Fantasy XIV.

Genbu (玄武(げんぶ), Genbu?, lit. Black Tortoise), also known as Gen-Bu, Xuan Wa, or the Black Tortoise, is a recurring creature in the Final Fantasy series, first appearing in The Final Fantasy Legend. One of the Four Symbols, it is a powerful tortoise creature.

Appearances[]

Final Fantasy XI[]

Adamantoise 3 (FFXI)

Genbu appears as an adamantoise notorious monster encountered in Ru'Aun Gardens, and is one of the Shijin. It can potentially drop the unique equipment Arctic Wind, Genbu's Shield, and Genbu's Kabuto, and defeating him rewards the Seal of Genbu, which when combined with the seals of the other Shijin allows players to summon Kirin in the Shrine of Ru'Avitau. Kirin will summon a weaker version of Genbu during its encounter. Xuan Wa appears as a stronger version of Genbu summoned by the Qilin in the voidwatch recreation of the Kirin encounter.

Final Fantasy XIV[]

Genbu from Final Fantasy XIV

Genbu appears as one of the Four Lords, auspices of great power that serve as guardians of the Ruby Sea. The eldest of the Lords, he serves as the Warrior of Light's guide in purifying the other Lords of their aramitama so they could renew their seal on the fallen auspice Koryu. Genbu is encountered as the final boss of Hells' Lid Hells' Lid, and later fights alongside the Warrior of Light in Tortoise in Time Tortoise in Time.

Final Fantasy Type-0[]

The Black Tortoise is the national symbol of the Lorican Alliance, keepers of the Black Tortoise Crystal.

The Final Fantasy Legend[]

FFL Gen-Bu

Gen-Bu appears as one of the Four Fiends that serve Ashura. It is fought as the game's first boss encounter in the Town of Hero. After defeating Ashura, Gen-Bu is revived by the Creator and fights the player's party on the first floor of the Tower.

Final Fantasy Legend II[]

FFLII Adamant

Gen-Bu appears as a potential transformation for the party's monster units.

Final Fantasy Dimensions II[]

Genbu dimensions II

Genbu appears as an Eidolon who chose to live in the human world in the land of Ajima to defend humanity. He serves as the loyal bodyguard of Suzaku and as the Holy Beast of the north. Together with Suzaku, Seiryu, and Genbu, they make up the "Four Holy Beast" Eidolons.

Etymology[]

The Black Tortoise or Black Turtle is one of the Four Symbols of the Chinese constellations. Despite its English name, it is usually depicted as a turtle entwined together with a snake. According to Wu Xing, the Taoist five-elemental system, it represents the water-element, the direction north, and the winter season. Thus it is sometimes called the Black Tortoise of the North. It is known as Xuan Wu in Chinese, Hyeonmu in Korean, Genbu in Japanese, and Huyền Vũ in Vietnamese.

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