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{{FFVIII character
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{{sideicon|prime=FFVIII}}
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{{infobox character
|smallimage = Seifermenu.PNG
 
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|name=Seifer Almasy
|image = [[File:Ff8-seifer2.jpg|250px]]
 
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|release=FFVIII
|portrait = [[File:Seifermenu.PNG|32px]]
 
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|japanese=サイファー・アルマシー
|name = Seifer Almasy
 
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|romaji=Saifā Arumashī
|kana = サイファー・アルマシー
 
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|image=Ff8-seifer2.jpg
|romaji = Saifā Arumashī
 
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|portrait=[[File:Seifermenu.PNG]]
|hometown = [[Balamb Garden]]
 
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|home=[[Balamb Garden]]
|age = 18
 
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|age=18
|dob = December 22
 
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|dob=December 22
|bloodtype = O
 
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|affiliation=[[SeeD]]
|height = 6' 2"<ref>http://www.final-fantasyviii.com</ref> (188 cm)<!--DO NOT CHANGE HEIGHTS WITHOUT PROOF. Always cite your reference(s)-->
 
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|occupation=Mercenary
|hair = Blond
 
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|race=[[Human]]
|eyes = Cyan
 
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|gender=Male
|weapon = [[Gunblade|Hyperion]]
 
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|height=6' 2"<ref>http://www.final-fantasyviii.com</ref> (188 cm)<!--DO NOT CHANGE HEIGHTS WITHOUT PROOF. Always cite your reference(s)-->
|ultimaweapon =
 
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|hair=Blonde
|limitbreak = [[Fire Cross]]
 
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|eye=Cyan
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|blood=O
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|type=guest
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|limitbreak=[[Fire Cross]]
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|weapon=[[Final Fantasy VIII weapons#Hyperion|Hyperion]]
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|designer=[[Tetsuya Nomura]]
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|japaneseva=Takehito Koyasu
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|englishva=[[wikipedia: Will Friedle|Will Friedle]]
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|gameplay=true
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|boss page=Seifer (boss)
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|other appearances=true
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|dffoo=true
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|ffrk=true
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|theatrhythm=true
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{Q|The way I see it, as long as you come out of the battle alive, you're one step closer to your dream.|Seifer Almasy}}
 
{{Q|The way I see it, as long as you come out of the battle alive, you're one step closer to your dream.|Seifer Almasy}}
'''Seifer Almasy''' ('''Cifer''' in the German version) is a [[Guest|temporary playable character]] and one of the main [[List of Villains|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.
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'''Seifer Almasy''' is a [[Guest|temporary playable character]] and one of the main [[List of antagonists|antagonists]] in ''[[Final Fantasy VIII]]''. He is the rival of the main character [[Squall Leonhart]] and is [[dualism|the mirror image of him]] in many ways.
   
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==Profile==
He wields a [[gunblade]], a weapon original to the ''[[Final Fantasy (Series)|Final Fantasy]]'' franchise.
 
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{{Q|One of the top fighters of the Garden. His temperament kept him from becoming a SeeD member. Uses a gunblade.|[[Libra (ability)|Scan]] describing Seifer as a player character<!--not his boss scan-->}}
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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 (weapon type)|gunblade]] specialist in the [[Garden]]. Even though they both brandish a gunblade, Squall and Seifer's fighting styles are different, with Squall wielding his with two hands, whereas Seifer uses his single-handedly. Seifer's [[Triple Triad (Final Fantasy VIII)|Triple Triad]] card is a mirror of Squall's, both having the same numbers.
   
==Appearance and Personality==
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===Appearance===
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[[File:Ff8-seifer.jpg|150px|left|thumb|A sketch of Seifer Almasy.]]
{{Q|One of the top fighters of the Garden. His temperament kept him from becoming a SeeD member. Uses a gunblade.|[[Libra (Ability)|Scan]] description as a player character}}
 
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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 [[wikipedia:Cross of Saint James|Cross of Saint James]] on the sleeves, black gloves and boots and a silver chain with a tag. The coat hem eventually frays. The cross is Seifer's symbol as much as the [[Wing (term)#Final Fantasy VIII|angel wings]] are [[Rinoa Heartilly|Rinoa's]], and the [[Griever (Final Fantasy VIII)|Griever]] is Squall's.
[[File:Ff8-seifer.jpg|150px|right|A sketch of Seifer Almasy.]]
 
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-like design lined in white, a gray coat with an emblem resembling the symbol of the [[Wikipedia:Cross of Saint James|Cross of Saint James]] on the sleeves, and black gloves and boots. The cross is Seifer's symbol as much as the angel wings are [[Rinoa Heartilly|Rinoa's]] and the [[Griever|lion]] is Squall's. He also wears a silver chain with a tag around his neck.
 
   
As Squall's rival throughout the game, 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 more oval. The color scheme of their clothing is opposite, as well as their coat lengths. Even though they both use a gunblade, their fighting styles are different, with Squall wielding his with two hands, whereas Seifer uses his with one. Even their personalities are in direct opposition; Seifer's friends, [[Raijin]] and [[Fujin]] call themselves a "posse", whereas Squall is more of a loner.
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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 is oval. The color scheme of their clothing is inverse, as well as their coat lengths. 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 down-right.
   
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His choice of attire of a white coat with a red cross may allude to the real world [[wikipedia:Knights Templar|Knights Templar]].
Seifer is quite famous around [[Balamb Garden]], and is known for having great skills in battle, but his stubborn, arrogant, reckless, and unpredictable nature has kept him from completing the [[SeeD]] exam multiple times. Aside from Squall, Seifer is the only gunblade specialist in the [[Garden]]. At the beginning of the game, Seifer once again fails the SeeD field exam after his impatient behavior makes him disobey direct orders. The other members in his squad, Squall Leonhart and [[Zell Dincht]], pass. When they are announced as the only ones who passed the field exam, Seifer is the first among the other students to applaud them.
 
   
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In ''Kingdom Hearts II'', Seifer wears a gray long sleeveless coat with a short blue vest that shows his lower abs, brown baggy trousers with a matching brown tie and black combat boots. He wears a black bonnet hat with a gray stylized kanji of 俺 (oneself, me, I) at the center.
[[File:Seifer_Dream.jpg|thumb|left|Seifer and his dream.]]
 
There are many parallels between Seifer and Squall. Even though they are rivals, always battling to prove their superiority, they have an unspoken mutual respect for each other's prowess in battle. Both have a facial scar inflicted during their duel in the game's opening sequence; the scars are mirror images of each other, with Seifer's pointing up-left (from his point of view) while Squall's points up-right. Seifer is a stubborn, arrogant, loud and outspoken rebel, while Squall is a silent, strict follower of duty. Both are nigh-equally skilled in using the gunblade; however, Seifer's temper and impatience often leaves him losing to Squall. Seifer's [[Triple Triad]] card is also a mirror of Squall's, both having the same numbers.
 
   
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===Personality===
[[File:FF8ScreenshotSeifer10.jpg|thumb|right|Seifer's perspective.]]
 
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[[File:Seifer Dream.jpg|thumb|Seifer and his dream.]]
Despite his reckless and arrogant nature, Seifer is the head of Balamb Garden's [[Disciplinary Committee]]. The other committee members are Fujin and Raijin, both of whom are loyal to Seifer and consider themselves a "posse". Other members of Balamb Garden consider them a gang more interested in exercising their "disciplinary" powers than actually keeping students in line.
 
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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. Seifer is a loud and outspoken rebel, while Squall is a silent, strict rule follower. Both are nigh-equally skilled in using the gunblade, but Seifer's temper often leaves him losing to Squall. Seifer's friends, [[Raijin (Final Fantasy VIII)|Raijin]] and [[Fujin (Final Fantasy VIII)|Fujin]], call themselves a "posse," whereas Squall is a loner.
   
In spite of Seifer's actions throughout the game, he is not really evil, and is shown to actually care for the party. The most obvious example of this is when he storms out of the detention room at Balamb Garden upon hearing that Squall and company were sent on a mission in which they could end up fighting the whole [[Galbadia]]n Force, possibly with intentions of aiding them. Seifer is twisted by the [[Sorceress (Final Fantasy VIII)|sorceress's]] power, and pursues a warped version of his dream: to be a Sorceress Knight. It could also be argued that he remembers [[Edea Kramer|Edea]]'s true identity, as he is seen referring to her as "Matron" right before the second fight against him at the end of disc 2. In the end, Seifer watches the Balamb Garden fly by with a smile on his face, hinting he has repented his actions.
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Although he is belligerent and rude with delusions of grandeur, Seifer is troubled rather than evil. He is twisted by the [[Sorceress (Final Fantasy VIII)|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. He has been bullying other kids since he was young and is considered a "problem child" by the Garden staff. He defies authority figures and believes that others should defer to taking orders from him. He acts impulsively, and his rash decisions get him into trouble until he feels he can no longer back out.
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Seifer displays some positive traits, as he's the first to clap in congratulation for the new SeeDs despite not making SeeD himself. He also becomes angry upon hearing that only three rookie SeeDs were sent off on an unreasonable mission with a vague time limit, and rushes to help.
 
{{-}}
 
{{-}}
   
 
==Story==
 
==Story==
{{spoilers}}
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{{spoiler}}
 
[[File:FF8ScreenshotSeifer1.jpg|right|thumb|Seifer as a child in Edea's Orphanage.]]
 
[[File:FF8ScreenshotSeifer1.jpg|right|thumb|Seifer as a child in Edea's Orphanage.]]
Seifer was born 18 years prior to the events of ''Final Fantasy VIII''. He was orphaned after his parents were killed in the [[Sorceress War]] and sent to [[Edea's Orphanage]]. From a young age he bullied the other children in the orphanage, especially Zell. As he grew up, he became a student at Balamb Garden, where he studied to become a SeeD. Seifer would later forget his past in the orphanage due to the [[Amnesia (Term)|memory loss]] that using [[Guardian Force]]s causes. ''[[Final Fantasy VIII Ultimania]]'' reveals that when Seifer was a child, a popular movie was released about a sorceress who stood to defend her country, and her knight who protected her. The film was Seifer's favorite, and inspired his dream to become a Sorceress Knight himself. He even copied the battle pose of [[Laguna Loire|the actor who played the Knight]] in the film.
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Seifer is an 18-year-old orphan who was born during the [[Sorceress War]] and sent to [[Edea's Orphanage]]. From a young age, he bullied the other orphans, especially [[Zell Dincht|Zell]]. He was enrolled in Balamb Garden where he studied to become a SeeD. Seifer would forget his past in the orphanage due to the [[Amnesia (term)#Final Fantasy VIII|memory loss]] using [[Guardian Force]]s causes.
   
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''[[Final Fantasy VIII Ultimania]]'' reveals that a famous movie was released about a sorceress who defended her country, and [[Zefer|the knight who protected her]].<ref>{{Refwebsite| page url = https://thelifestream.net/lifestream-projects/translations/6043/ffviii-ultimania-and-related-translations-continue/| page name = Final Fantasy VIII Ultimania — and related — Translations Continue| site url = https://thelifestream.net| site name = TheLifestream| access time = 17:31, December 06, 2018 (UTC)}}</ref> Though not directly stated, it is implied the movie inspired Seifer's dream to become a [[Sorceress (Final Fantasy VIII)#Sorceress' knight|sorceress' knight]] himself, copying the weapon and battle pose of [[Laguna Loire|the actor]] who played the knight in the film.<!--in Dissidia Opera Omnia Seifer also says that he is Laguna's fan and the reason he uses a gunblade-->
At Balamb Garden, Seifer found friendship in Fujin and Raijin, and their posse was rarely seen apart. The friends later became the Balamb Garden Disciplinary Committee, abusing their power to give fellow students punishment and detention. Even though he forgot his past, Seifer became a rival to another student at Balamb Garden, Squall Leonhart, who had coincidentally grown up in Edea's Orphanage. Of all the students at the Garden, only Seifer and Squall chose a gunblade as their specialized weapon, and they would often duel to hone their skills.
 
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At Balamb Garden, Seifer would form the [[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 also grown up in Edea's Orphanage before being enrolled in Balamb Garden, although neither remembers this. Of all the Garden students, only Seifer and Squall chose a gunblade as their specialized weapon.
   
 
[[File:Squal versus Seifer.jpg|left|thumb|Squall and Seifer sparring.]]
 
[[File:Squal versus Seifer.jpg|left|thumb|Squall and Seifer sparring.]]
Even though Seifer had great potential to become a SeeD, his behavior made him fail the exams needed to become one, and he was labeled a "problem child". Seifer also developed a "romantic dream" about becoming a Sorceress Knight and has borrowed several books from the Balamb Garden related to the subject. About a year before the events of ''Final Fantasy VIII'', Seifer started a romantic relationship with [[Rinoa Heartilly]], a girl working in a resistance group to free the occupied nation of [[Timber]].
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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's "romantic dream" is to become a sorceress' knight and he has borrowed books from the Balamb Garden [[Library#Final Fantasy VIII|library]] related to the subject. When he was seventeen, Seifer dated [[Rinoa Heartilly]], a girl working in a resistance group to free the occupied nation of [[Timber]]. By the age of eighteen, Seifer is in instructor [[Quistis Trepe]]'s class but has little respect for his young teacher, and openly defies her.
   
At the beginning of ''Final Fantasy VIII'', Seifer and Squall are shown having a fierce duel in a rocky field near Balamb Garden. Neither one seems to be giving an inch, but Seifer casts a Fire spell during the duel, sending Squall to the ground. Seifer strikes at Squall's face, giving him a bloody scar, but as Seifer lets his guard down Squall strikes back, leaving a mirrored scar on Seifer's face.
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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, Squall and Zell Dincht with Seifer as their leader, are put into one group to form a squadron of SeeD for a [[Siege of Dollet|military operation]] against the Galbadian Army. [[Selphie Tilmitt]] later joins the group, but because of Seifer's disobedience during the engagement, he fails his SeeD exam once more. He grudgingly applauds Squall, Zell and Selphie, all of whom pass.
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For the SeeD field examination on that day, Squall and Zell, 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 his command. Unlike the others Seifer does not wear the cadet uniform for the mission, and during the [[SeeD Assault Boat|boat]] trip to [[Dollet]] acts indifferent and bored when [[Xu]] explains their objective, dissatisfied his squad was not given a more critical task than securing the central square.
   
[[File:FF8ScreenshotSeifer6.jpg|right|thumb|Seifer attempts to kill President Vinzer Deling.]]
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[[File:FF8ScreenshotSeifer5.jpg|thumb|Seifer and his squad arrive.]]
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Upon entering Dollet, Seifer leads his team to their post on the central square, and upon clearing it of enemy soldiers becomes frustrated with the following idleness. They spy the [[Galbadia]]ns heading to the mountains toward a radio tower, and, acting on impulse, decides to abandon their assigned position, with Squall and Zell following behind. Seifer goes on ahead, leaving Squall and Zell behind when [[Selphie Tilmitt]] catches up with them, bearing a message to the squad leader.
While Seifer is sent to be disciplined for his actions during the exam, Squall, Zell and Selphie are assigned a new mission, their first as SeeD mercenaries: to aid a resistance faction known as the [[Forest Owls]] in their mission to free the occupied nation of Timber. In this resistance faction, Rinoa, Seifer's former love interest, is a member.
 
   
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Seifer single-handedly clears the radio tower of soldiers before taking the elevator to the top, where the squad finds [[Biggs and Wedge (Final Fantasy VIII)|Biggs and Wedge]] 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. He 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.
Having heard of this, Seifer breaks out of the discipline room, injuring many people in the process, and embarks to assist them by holding the [[Vinzer Deling|President of Galbadia]] hostage during a broadcast from the [[Timber|Timber TV Station]]. Backed into a corner and watched on by Squall, Zell, Selphie and [[Quistis Trepe]]; who had been sent to retrieve him, Seifer attempts to retreat and is saved by [[Ultimecia]] who appears in the body of Edea Kramer. Appealing to Seifer's darker side, Ultimecia successfully convinces him to follow her. Seifer is officially announced executed by the Galbadian government and a saddened Rinoa reveals her past with Seifer to Squall.
 
   
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Everyone makes it back to the beach to withdraw in time, and upon arriving in Balamb Harbor, Seifer complains about his squad members' incompetence to Fujin and Raijin who had arrived to greet him. Seifer takes the [[SeeD Personal Carrier Vehicle]] back to the Garden, leaving Squall and Zell to walk their way back. 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.
Seifer is believed dead until he shows up in [[Deling City]], standing at the side of Ultimecia having become the sorceress's protective Knight. Squall, with their new ally, [[Irvine Kinneas]], had been assigned to assassinate the sorceress by shooting her, but Irvine, remembering his past at the orphanage (he had not forgotten his memories due to the fact he had never used Guardian Forces, though at the time he was unaware of Ultimecia's [[Enthrall|possession]] of Edea), refuses to shoot Edea and disguises it as merely nerves.
 
   
[[File:FF8ScreenshotSeifer2.jpg|left|thumb|Seifer tortures Squall for information on SeeD's intended purpose.]]
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[[File:FF8ScreenshotSeifer6.jpg|left|thumb|Seifer takes the President Vinzer Deling hostage.]]
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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, whom Seifer had introduced to SeeD to hire them, is a member of said faction. Having heard of this mission, Seifer breaks out of the discipline room injuring many in the process, and embarks to assist the Forest Owls by holding the [[Vinzer Deling|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—Seifer's former teacher who had been sent to retrieve him—Seifer is saved by [[Edea Kramer|Sorceress Edea]]. Appealing to Seifer's darker side, she convinces him to follow her. Seifer is announced executed by the Galbadian government, and Rinoa reveals her past with Seifer to Squall and his party.
Squall convinces Irvine to shoot, but Ultimecia blocks the shot with a spell. Squall is forced to break into the sorceress's parade and fight her one-on-one; Seifer stops him and, claiming his new status as hero and Knight of the sorceress, fights Squall. After Seifer's defeat, Squall fights Ultimecia, but is defeated when Ultimecia casts Edea's [[Limit Break]], Ice Strike, which pierces Squall's shoulder.
 
   
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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 during her welcoming parade. Despite having been saddened by the news of his death, Rinoa acts indifferent when informed Seifer is alive but that he may soon be killed by Squall. 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, declaring his new status as hero and sorceress' knight. 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 quickly transported to the torture room by none other than Seifer who tortures Squall for the truth about SeeD. Squall, who does not understand the question, only further enrages Seifer who turns the electrical torture instrument to full, which leaves Squall unconscious and incapacitated. While Squall later escapes with his friends, Seifer, now head of the Galbadian Army, invades and takes over control of [[Galbadia Garden]] under Ultimecia's orders. Enabling the Garden to be airborne he embarks on the search for a girl named [[Ellone]] whom his sorceress wishes to find. Eventually, whether the encounter was accidental during the search or intentional is unknown, he manages to intercept a similarly airborne Balamb Garden over the [[Centra]] continent near the ruins of Edea's Orphanage.
 
   
[[File:FF8ScreenshotSeifer8.jpg|right|thumb|Seifer defeats Odin.]]
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[[File:FF8ScreenshotSeifer2.jpg|thumb|Seifer tortures Squall for information on SeeD's intended purpose.]]
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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.
With Seifer as commanding officer the Galbadia Garden launches a [[Battle of the Gardens|full assault on Balamb Garden]]. The Balamb students and SeeDs turn the battle and make their way inside Galbadia Garden, where Squall and his party encounter Seifer. He is defeated once again, and is left unconscious and disgraced on the floor. Despite Seifer's determined efforts Squall's party defeats Ultimecia within Edea's body, which results in Ultimecia leaving Edea's body to possess Rinoa's body and ordering Seifer to raise the [[Lunatic Pandora]] from the sea.
 
   
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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 [[Battle of the Gardens|full assault on Balamb Garden]]. The Balamb students and SeeDs turn the battle and infiltrate Galbadia Garden. Squall and his party confront Seifer, who is defeated and left unconscious and disgraced on the floor.
Under the orders of Ultimecia, Seifer embarks on a new quest to resurrect 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]], starting the [[Lunar Cry]] and bringing into motion Ultimecia's plan for [[Time Compression]]. Squall and his party move to prevent this, invading the construct with an [[Ragnarok (Final Fantasy VIII)|Estharian airship]] and battling their way deeper into the Lunatic Pandora. The many toils had begun to take their toll on Seifer, as his hair is unkempt and his coat is blackened and falling apart. Fujin and Raijin, who up until now had followed Seifer loyally, beg him to stop following this path and go back to being their friend.
 
   
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Squall's party defeats Edea who relinquishes her [[sorceress power]] to Rinoa, who, being [[Enthrallment|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. Edea is no longer a sorceress, yet Seifer continues to follow Ultimecia's orders. Ultimecia wishes to destroy the [[Final Fantasy VIII world|world]] via [[time compression]], but it is unknown if Seifer knows of her actual goals.
[[File:FF8ScreenshotSeifer7.jpg|left|thumb|Seifer tries his hand at fishing.]]
 
Seifer claims it is too late to go back, and wishes them a good life, before he fights Squall one last time. During this fight, if the player has obtained [[Odin#Final Fantasy VIII|Odin]], Seifer manages to bisect him when he is summoned in battle, and [[Gilgamesh#Final Fantasy VIII|Gilgamesh]] takes his place, and knocks Seifer down. Despite his defeat, Seifer manages to capture Rinoa and offer her to Ultimecia in the body of her new host, [[Adel|Sorceress Adel]], whom she had just resurrected.
 
   
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Under Ultimecia's orders, Seifer has the G-Forces resurrect 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 (Final Fantasy VIII)|Lunar Cry]] that [[Siege of Esthar|decimates Esthar City]] and brings [[Adel|Sorceress Adel's]] tomb down from the orbit to be a new host for Ultimecia. G-Forces recover Ellone from the [[Lunar Base]] escape pod crash site, and Seifer holds her hostage inside the Pandora for Ultimecia's use while waiting for Adel to recover.
After Ultimecia is bested inside Adel's body by Squall's group, she casts time compression, allowing Squall to reach her era. After Squall and his party reach the future era and defeat Ultimecia, Seifer is seen in the ending as an entirely different person. He is fishing together with Fujin and Raijin, and smiles toward Balamb Garden as it flies by through the sky.
 
{{-}}
 
{{endspoiler}}
 
   
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Squall and his party invade the construct with an [[Ragnarok (Final Fantasy VIII)|Estharian airship]]. The toils have taken their toll on Seifer, 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, and release Ellone.
==In Battle==
 
{{Main|Seifer (Boss)}}
 
Originating as a temporary player character Seifer is later fought against four times in the game primarily as a mini-boss.
 
   
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[[File:FF8ScreenshotSeifer8.jpg|left|thumb|Seifer defeats Odin.]]
===[[List of Final Fantasy VIII Weapons|Weapon]]===
 
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Seifer claims it is too late to go back and wishes them a good life as Fujin and Raijin 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 (Final Fantasy VIII)|Odin]], Seifer bisects him when he is summoned and [[Gilgamesh (Final Fantasy VIII)|Gilgamesh]] takes his place, knocking Seifer down.
[[File:FF8 Hyperion Render.png|100px|right|Seifer's gunblade, Hyperion.]]
 
Aside from Squall, Seifer is one of other students at Balamb Garden to wield a gunblade. His particular model bears the name Hyperion, features a pistol handle based on the Beretta M9, rather than the revolver handles favored by Squall. The Hyperion might be decidedly lighter than Squall's [[Revolver]], as Seifer holds it with one hand as opposed to Squall holding his primarily with two.
 
   
  +
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 Squall's group defeats Ultimecia within Adel's body, Ellone helps Ultimecia cast time compression allowing Squall to [[Time travel|reach her era]] and beat her. Seifer returns to [[Balamb Town]] 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.
While Seifer is useable, as his weapon is a gunblade, pressing the trigger button when he strikes will boost his damage.
 
 
===[[Limit Break]]===
 
{{main|Fire Cross}}
 
[[File:Fire Cross.jpg|thumb|right|Seifer starts his Limit Break with Fire spells.]]
 
Seifer's Limit Break is called 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. Every Fire Cross Limit starts with him casting a [[Fire (Ability)|Fire]] spell at his target in similar fashion as seen in the game's opening [[Full Motion Video|FMV]].
 
 
Unlike the rest of the player characters, Seifer can use his Limit Break without having to be in [[critical]] health; the chance it becomes available is at 84% or lower from his max HP.
 
 
===Stats===
 
{|class="table" width="643px" style="text-align:center"
 
|-class="FFVIIIa"
 
!width="12.5%"|LV
 
!width="12.5%"|HP
 
!width="12.5%"|Str
 
!width="12.5%"|Vit
 
!width="12.5%"|Mag
 
!width="12.5%"|Spr
 
!width="12.5%"|Spd
 
!width="12.5%"|Luck
 
|-
 
!class="FFVIIIb"|1
 
|275
 
|3
 
|2
 
|2
 
|5
 
|15
 
|12
 
|-
 
!class="FFVIIIb"|10
 
|812
 
|10
 
|8
 
|9
 
|10
 
|18
 
|13
 
|-
 
!class="FFVIIIb"|20
 
|1400
 
|17
 
|14
 
|15
 
|16
 
|21
 
|13
 
|-
 
!class="FFVIIIb"|30
 
|1980
 
|23
 
|19
 
|21
 
|20
 
|24
 
|14
 
|-
 
!class="FFVIIIb"|40
 
|2553
 
|29
 
|24
 
|26
 
|25
 
|27
 
|15
 
|-
 
!class="FFVIIIb"|50
 
|3117
 
|34
 
|28
 
|30
 
|28
 
|30
 
|16
 
|-
 
!class="FFVIIIb"|60
 
|3674
 
|38
 
|32
 
|34
 
|32
 
|33
 
|16
 
|-
 
!class="FFVIIIb"|70
 
|4223
 
|41
 
|34
 
|38
 
|34
 
|36
 
|17
 
|-
 
!class="FFVIIIb"|80
 
|4765
 
|44
 
|37
 
|41
 
|36
 
|39
 
|18
 
|-
 
!class="FFVIIIb"|90
 
|5298
 
|46
 
|38
 
|43
 
|37
 
|42
 
|18
 
|-
 
!class="FFVIIIb"|100
 
|5823
 
|48
 
|39
 
|45
 
|38
 
|45
 
|19
 
|}
 
 
==[[Triple Triad]]==
 
{{FFVIII Card
 
| name = Seifer
 
| image = [[File:TTSeifer.png]]
 
| level = 10 (Player Card)
 
| element = None
 
| refineM = 1
 
| result = 3 Diamond Armors
 
| drop = N/A
 
| card = N/A
 
| win = [[Cid Kramer|Cid]] in Balamb Garden or Edea's Orphanage.<br/>CC Group in the ''Ragnarok'' airship on disc 4.
 
}}
 
 
==Other Appearances==
 
===''[[Pocket Station]] Memorycard Icons''===
 
[[File:Seifersprite.jpg|40px|right|Seifer.]]
 
An icon sprite of Seifer appears in the [[Pocket Station]] memorycard file manager.
 
 
===''[[Dissidia Final Fantasy]]''===
 
Seifer is mentioned in the [[Museum (Dissidia)|Museum]] under Odin's entry, where it is mentioned that Seifer was able to counter the [[Zantetsuken (Ability)|Zantetsuken]] and bisect Odin instead. Several references to Seifer also exist in ''Dissidia Final Fantasy''; [[Squall Leonhart/Dissidia|Squall]] fights with a faster, one-handed style similar to Seifer, and begins his [[EX Mode|EX Burst]] by striking his opponent in an upside down cross, similar to Seifer's Bloodfest Limit Break. Seifer also appears as the name of a [[Friend Card#Friend Card Passwords|Ghost card]], a Level 100 [[Ultimecia/Dissidia|Ultimecia]] bearing the Green Gem and GF Eden [[battlegen]] items.
 
 
===''[[Theatrhythm Final Fantasy]]''===
 
[[File:Theatrhythm Seifer.png|right|100px|Seifer in ''Theatrhythm''.]]
 
Seifer appears as a sub-character in ''Theatrhythm'', obtained by collecting Gray [[Crystal (Term)#Theatrhythm Final Fantasy|Crystal Shards]] from Dark Note bosses.
 
 
{|class="table" width="643px" style="text-align:center"
 
|-class="TFFa"
 
!Level
 
![[HP#Theatrhythm Final Fantasy|HP]]
 
!CP
 
![[Strength#Theatrhythm Final Fantasy|Strength]]
 
![[Magic Power#Theatrhythm Final Fantasy|Magic]]
 
!Agility
 
![[Luck (Stat)#Theatrhythm Final Fantasy|Luck]]
 
|-
 
!class="TFFb"|1
 
|241
 
|6
 
|17
 
|16
 
|14
 
|15
 
|-
 
!class="TFFb"|10
 
|961
 
|11
 
|38
 
|37
 
|32
 
|35
 
|-
 
!class="TFFb"|20
 
|1760
 
|17
 
|61
 
|59
 
|52
 
|57
 
|-
 
|}
 
 
{{-}}
 
{{-}}
  +
{{endspoiler}}
   
  +
==Gameplay==
===''[[Final Fantasy Brigade]]''===
 
[[File:Firaga Brigade.png|thumb|right|Seifer using [[Firaga]].]]
+
[[File:Seifer-ffviii-battle.png|right|100px|Character model.]]
  +
{{main|/Gameplay|t1=Seifer Almasy gameplay}}
  +
Seifer appears first as a temporarily playable party member. He wields the [[Final Fantasy VIII weapons#Hyperion|Hyperion]] [[Final Fantasy VIII weapons#Gunblades|gunblade]], and like Squall, pressing {{button|ps|r1}} as he hits will boost his damage by 50%. His [[Limit Break (Final Fantasy VIII)|Limit Break]] is [[Fire Cross]], and he is the only character who can use it normally without being [[HP Critical]]. Only his first Fire Cross ability, No Mercy, can be used by the player when he is a playable character.
   
  +
Seifer is also fought four times as a [[Seifer (boss)|boss]]. He uses [[Final Fantasy VIII elements#Fire|Fire]]-based attacks, and Fire [[Magic (Final Fantasy VIII)|spells]] can be drawn from him, as well as the rare [[Aura (Final Fantasy VIII)|Aura]] spell. If the party has [[Odin (Final Fantasy VIII)|Odin]] a cutscene will occur the last time Seifer is faced.
Seifer appears as a [[Legend (Brigade)|Legend]] in ''Final Fantasy Brigade''.
 
{{sec-stub|Final Fantasy Brigade}}
 
   
  +
As with other characters in the game, a [[Triple Triad (Final Fantasy VIII)|Triple Triad]] [[Final Fantasy VIII Triple Triad cards#Seifer|card]] based on Seifer can be obtained.
{{Gallery
 
|File:Bloodfest Brigade.gif|Bloodfest
 
|File:Zantetsuken Reverse Brigade.gif|Zantetsuken Reverse
 
}}
 
{{-}}
 
   
  +
==Other appearances==
===''[[Final Fantasy Trading Card Game]]''===
 
  +
{{main|/Other appearances|t1=Seifer Almasy other appearances}}
Seifer appears in the Trading Card Game of ''Final Fantasy'' and is represented by four cards. They are all Lightning-elemental.
 
  +
Seifer has made appearances in the following games in the [[Final Fantasy series|''Final Fantasy'' series]]:
  +
*''[[/Other appearances#PocketStation memorycard icons|PocketStation memorycard icons]]'' as an icon.
  +
*''[[/Other appearances#Dissidia Final Fantasy|Dissidia Final Fantasy]]'' as a cameo.
  +
*''[[/Other appearances#Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy|Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy]]'' as a cameo.
  +
*''[[/Opera Omnia|Dissidia Final Fantasy Opera Omnia]]'' as a playable character.
  +
*''[[/Theatrhythm|Theatrhythm Final Fantasy]]'' as a playable character.
  +
*''[[/Theatrhythm|Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call]]'' as a playable character.
  +
*''[[/Other appearances#Pictlogica Final Fantasy|Pictlogica Final Fantasy]]'' as a playable character.
  +
*''[[/Other appearances#Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade|Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade]]'' as a summonable [[Legend (Airborne Brigade)|Legend]].
  +
*''[[/Other appearances#Final Fantasy Artniks|Final Fantasy Artniks]]'' as a series of [[Final Fantasy Artniks cards|cards]].
  +
*''[[/Other appearances#Final Fantasy All the Bravest|Final Fantasy All the Bravest]]'' as a playable character.
  +
*''[[/Record Keeper|Final Fantasy Record Keeper]]'' as a playable character.
  +
*''[[/Other appearances#Final Fantasy Trading Card Game|Final Fantasy Trading Card Game]]'' as a series of [[Final Fantasy Trading Card Game cards|cards]].
  +
*''[[/Other appearances#Triple Triad|Triple Triad]]'' as a card.
   
  +
==Non-''Final Fantasy'' guest appearances==
{{Gallery
 
  +
{{main|/Other appearances#Guest appearances|t1=Seifer Almasy non-Final Fantasy appearances}}
|File:Seifer TCG.png|TCG card featuring his promotional CG art.
 
  +
Seifer has made key guest appearances in the following non-''Final Fantasy'' games:
|File:Seifer2 TCG.png|TCG card featuring his artwork by Tetsuya Nomura.
 
  +
*''[[Seifer Almasy/Other appearances#Kingdom Hearts|Kingdom Hearts]]'' as a supporting character.
|File:Seifer4 TCG.png|TCG card featuring his ''Theatrhythm'' art.
 
|File:Seifer3_TCG.png|TCG card featuring his Yoshitaka Amano art.
 
}}
 
{{-}}
 
   
  +
<gallery>
==Non-Final Fantasy Appearances==
 
===''[[Kingdom Hearts|Kingdom Hearts II]]''===
+
Mobile seifer.png|Appearance in ''Kingdom Hearts Mobile''.
[[File:Kh2-seifer-a.png|right|130px|Seifer in ''Kingdom Hearts II''.]]
+
SeiferKH2.png|Seifer render in ''Kingdom Hearts II''.
  +
</gallery>
{{SeeKHWiki|Seifer}}
 
A younger version of Seifer makes an appearance in ''Kingdom Hearts II''. He is the leader of the Twilight Town Disciplinary Committee, together with [[Fujin|Fuu]] and [[Raijin|Rai]], and is idolized by [[Vivi Ornitier|Vivi]] for his strength. Seifer is known for being a top Struggle fighter, but also likes street brawls.
 
   
  +
==Other media==
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 also 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 as well, the two never meet, though they retain their trademark scars.
 
  +
[[File:GS2_Seifer.png|70px|right]]
 
  +
A costume based on Seifer was released for the game ''[[wikipedia:Gunslinger Stratos 2|Gunslinger Stratos 2]]'' in November 2014. Coincidentally, the character Aaron Burroughs shares Seifer's Japanese voice actor, Takehito Koyasu.
Seifer is voiced by Takehito Koyasu in the Japanese version and by Will Friedle in the English version.
 
 
<center>{{Gallery
 
|File:SeiferKH2.png|Appearance in ''Kingdom Hearts II''.
 
|File:Mobile seifer.png|Appearance in ''Kingdom Hearts Mobile''.
 
}}</center>
 
 
{{-}}
 
{{-}}
   
 
==Gallery==
 
==Gallery==
<center>
+
<gallery>
  +
Seifer FFVIII Art.jpg|Concept art by [[Tetsuya Nomura]].
{{Gallery
 
|File:Ff8 amano12.jpg|Artwork by [[Yoshitaka Amano]].
+
Ff8 amano12.jpg|Artwork by [[Yoshitaka Amano]].
|File:Ff8 amano11.jpg|Artwork by [[Yoshitaka Amano]].
+
Ff8 amano11.jpg|Artwork by Yoshitaka Amano.
|File:AmanoSeifer1.jpg|Artwork by [[Yoshitaka Amano]].
+
AmanoSeifer1.jpg|Artwork by Yoshitaka Amano.
|File:Seiferblack.jpg|Promotional artwork.
+
Seiferblack.jpg|Promotional artwork.
  +
FFVIII Promo Art 2.jpg|Promotional artwork.
|File:BW Seifer.jpg|Seifer with the Hyperion in the intro credits.
 
|File:Wal VIII 07 clean.jpg|Seifer in-game.
+
BW Seifer.jpg|Seifer with the Hyperion in the intro credits.
  +
Wal VIII 07 clean.jpg|Artwork.
|File:Seifer parade.jpg|Seifer render.
 
  +
Seifer parade.jpg|Seifer in a parade.
|File:Battle of the Gardens Seifer.jpg|Seifer leads the attack on [[Balamb Garden]].
 
  +
Seifer_Sorceress_Knight.png|Seifer in a parade.
|File:Seifer smile.jpg|Seifer smiles as Balamb Garden flies over him during the ending.
 
  +
Battle of the Gardens Seifer.jpg|Seifer leads the G-Forces.
|File:RealTT109.png|[[Triple Triad]] card.
 
  +
FF8ScreenshotSeifer7.jpg|Seifer tries his hand at fishing.
}}</center>
 
  +
Seifer smile.jpg|Seifer smiles.
  +
RealTT109.png|[[Triple Triad (Final Fantasy VIII)|Triple Triad]] card.
  +
Seifer Victory Pose.gif|[[Final Fantasy VIII battle poses|Victory pose]].
  +
</gallery>
   
 
==Etymology==
 
==Etymology==
  +
{{Etym|Seifer}}
Seifer's last name ''Almasy'' is from the common {{w|Hungarian language|Hungarian}} family name ''Almásy'' (pronounced {{IPA|[ɒlmaːʃi]}}). 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" possibly 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 card yields [[List of Final Fantasy VIII Items#Diamond Armor|Diamond Armors]]. "Seifer" is also a variant of the name Siegfried (meaning victor); a common German first name.
 
   
  +
{{Etym|Almasy}} [[Refine|Refining]] Seifer's Triple Triad card yields [[Final Fantasy VIII items#Diamond Armor|Diamond Armor]].
''Cifer'', Seifer's German name, comes from {{w|Cipher}}, a type of encryption that is 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 [[wikipedia:Agent noun|agent noun]] "soaper".
 
  +
  +
Cifer, Seifer's German name, comes from [[wikipedia:Cipher|Cipher]], a type of encryption ordinarily 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 [[wikipedia:agent noun|agent noun]] "soaper."
   
 
==Trivia==
 
==Trivia==
 
<!--Do not put the "trivia" that Seifer might be Cid and Edea's son here! There is no proof and speculation is frowned upon.-->
 
<!--Do not put the "trivia" that Seifer might be Cid and Edea's son here! There is no proof and speculation is frowned upon.-->
  +
*The red cross usually worn by Seifer is a variant of the ''Cruz de Santiago'' ([[wikipedia:Cross of Saint James|Cross of Saint James]]), the emblem of an ancient Spanish order designated to protect the European pilgrims from the Muslims of the Iberian Peninsula.
*Seifer uses a power similar to [[Magic (Term)|magic]], though in-game information confirms he does not use real magic, but chi-based attacks.
 
  +
*Seifer is the second-eldest character from the "orphanage gang," the eldest being Quistis.
*The red cross usually worn by Seifer, is a variant of the ''Cruz de Santiago'' ([[Wikipedia:Cross of Saint James|Cross of Saint James]]), the emblem of an ancient Spanish order designated to protect the European pilgrims from the Muslims of the Iberian Peninsula.
 
  +
*Although Seifer forms a posse with Fujin and Raijin, the player never gets to fight all three of them in the same battle.
*Seifer is the second-eldest character from the "orphanage gang", the eldest being Quistis.
 
  +
*Seifer uses the more traditional meaning of "romantic," which can cause some confusion over the meaning of his "romantic dream." [[wikipedia:Romanticism|Romanticism]] was an artistic, literary, musical and intellectual movement characterized by its emphasis on emotion and individualism as well as glorification of all the past and nature.
*Although Seifer forms a mighty posse with Fujin and Raijin, the player never gets to actually fight all three of them in the same battle.
 
  +
*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.
*Seifer uses the more traditional meaning of "romantic", which can cause some confusion over the meaning of his "romantic dream".
 
  +
*On May 30th, 2012, [http://www.finalfantasy.jp/ 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.
*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.
 
*A point of interest is that without even knowing it, the brief time he was an item with Rinoa, Seifer was actually living his romantic dream since Rinoa had the potential to become (and later became) a sorceress.
 
*On May 30th, 2012, [http://www.finalfantasy.jp/ 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.
 
*In ''Kingdom Hearts II'', Seifer calls Roxas "chicken wuss", which he calls Zell in ''Final Fantasy VIII''.
 
   
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
{{Reflist}}
 
{{Reflist}}
   
  +
{{navbox characters FFVIII}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Almasy, Seifer}}
 
  +
{{FFVIII}}
 
{{Theatrhythm}}
 
   
 
[[de:Cifer Almasy]]
 
[[de:Cifer Almasy]]
[[it:Seifer Almasy]]
 
 
[[es:Seifer Almasy]]
 
[[es:Seifer Almasy]]
  +
[[fr:Seifer Almasy]]
  +
[[it:Seifer Almasy]]
 
[[pl:Seifer Almasy]]
 
[[pl:Seifer Almasy]]
 
[[ru:Сейфер Алмази]]
 
[[ru:Сейфер Алмази]]
[[Category:Final Fantasy VIII Player Characters]]
+
[[Category:Characters in Final Fantasy VIII]]
[[Category:Final Fantasy Brigade Legends]]
+
[[Category:Antagonists]]
[[Category:Villains]]
+
[[Category:Guest characters]]
[[Category:Guest Characters|Almasy, Seifer]]
 

Revision as of 15:16, 22 September 2019

Template:Sideicon

The way I see it, as long as you come out of the battle alive, you're one step closer to your dream.

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.

Profile

One of the top fighters of the Garden. His temperament kept him from becoming a SeeD member. Uses a gunblade.

Scan describing Seifer as a player character

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. Even though they both brandish a gunblade, Squall and Seifer's fighting styles are different, with Squall wielding his with two hands, whereas Seifer uses his single-handedly. Seifer's Triple Triad card is a mirror of Squall's, both having the same numbers.

Appearance

Ff8-seifer

A sketch of Seifer Almasy.

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 Cross of Saint James on the sleeves, black gloves and boots and a silver chain with a tag. The coat hem eventually frays. 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 is oval. The color scheme of their clothing is inverse, as well as their coat lengths. 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 down-right.

His choice of attire of a white coat with a red cross may allude to the real world Knights Templar.

In Kingdom Hearts II, Seifer wears a gray long sleeveless coat with a short blue vest that shows his lower abs, brown baggy trousers with a matching brown tie and black combat boots. He wears a black bonnet hat with a gray stylized kanji of 俺 (oneself, me, I) at the center.

Personality

Seifer Dream

Seifer and his dream.

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. Seifer is a loud and outspoken rebel, while Squall is a silent, strict rule follower. Both are nigh-equally skilled in using the gunblade, but Seifer's temper often leaves him losing to Squall. Seifer's friends, Raijin and Fujin, call themselves a "posse," whereas Squall is a loner.

Although he is belligerent and rude with delusions of grandeur, Seifer is troubled rather than evil. 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. He has been bullying other kids since he was young and is considered a "problem child" by the Garden staff. He defies authority figures and believes that others should defer to taking orders from him. He acts impulsively, and his rash decisions get him into trouble until he feels he can no longer back out.

Seifer displays some positive traits, as he's the first to clap in congratulation for the new SeeDs despite not making SeeD himself. He also becomes angry upon hearing that only three rookie SeeDs were sent off on an unreasonable mission with a vague time limit, and rushes to help.

Story

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow. (Skip section)
FF8ScreenshotSeifer1

Seifer as a child in Edea's Orphanage.

Seifer is an 18-year-old orphan who was born during the Sorceress War and sent to Edea's Orphanage. From a young age, he bullied the other orphans, especially Zell. He was enrolled in 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 a famous movie was released about a sorceress who defended her country, and the knight who protected her.[2] Though not directly stated, it is implied the movie inspired Seifer's dream to become a sorceress' knight himself, copying the weapon and battle pose of the actor who played the knight in the film.

At Balamb Garden, Seifer would form the 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 also grown up in Edea's Orphanage before being enrolled in Balamb Garden, although neither remembers this. Of all the Garden students, only Seifer and Squall chose a gunblade as their specialized weapon.

Squal versus Seifer

Squall and Seifer sparring.

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's "romantic dream" is to become a sorceress' knight and he has borrowed books from the Balamb Garden library related to the subject. When he was seventeen, Seifer dated Rinoa Heartilly, a girl working in a resistance group to free the occupied nation of Timber. By the age of eighteen, 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, 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 his command. Unlike the others Seifer does not wear the cadet uniform for the mission, and during the boat trip to Dollet acts indifferent and bored when Xu explains their objective, dissatisfied his squad was not given a more critical task than securing the central square.

FF8ScreenshotSeifer5

Seifer and his squad arrive.

Upon entering Dollet, Seifer leads his team 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, acting on impulse, decides to abandon their assigned position, with Squall and Zell following behind. Seifer goes on ahead, leaving Squall and Zell behind when Selphie Tilmitt catches up with them, bearing a message to the squad leader.

Seifer single-handedly clears the radio tower of soldiers before taking the elevator to the top, where the squad finds Biggs and Wedge 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. He 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' incompetence to Fujin and Raijin who had arrived to greet him. Seifer takes the SeeD Personal Carrier Vehicle back to the Garden, leaving Squall and Zell to walk their way back. 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.

FF8ScreenshotSeifer6

Seifer takes the President Vinzer Deling hostage.

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, whom Seifer had introduced to SeeD to hire them, is a member of said faction. Having heard of this mission, 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—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 Rinoa reveals her past with Seifer to Squall and his party.

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 during her welcoming parade. Despite having been saddened by the news of his death, Rinoa acts indifferent when informed Seifer is alive but that he may soon be killed by Squall. 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, declaring his new status as hero and sorceress' knight. After Seifer's defeat, Squall fights Edea who casts Ice Strike, piercing Squall's shoulder and rendering him unconscious.

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Seifer tortures Squall for information on SeeD's intended purpose.

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 SeeDs 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. Edea is no longer a sorceress, yet Seifer continues to follow Ultimecia's orders. Ultimecia wishes to destroy the world via time compression, but it is unknown if Seifer knows of her actual goals.

Under Ultimecia's orders, Seifer has the G-Forces resurrect 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 that decimates Esthar City and brings Sorceress Adel's tomb down from the orbit to be a new host for Ultimecia. G-Forces recover Ellone from the Lunar Base escape pod crash site, and Seifer holds her hostage inside the Pandora for Ultimecia's use while waiting for Adel to recover.

Squall and his party invade the construct with an Estharian airship. The toils have taken their toll on Seifer, 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, and release Ellone.

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Seifer defeats Odin.

Seifer claims it is too late to go back and wishes them a good life as Fujin and Raijin 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 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 Squall's group defeats Ultimecia within Adel's body, Ellone helps Ultimecia cast time compression allowing Squall to reach her era and beat her. Seifer returns to Balamb Town 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.

Spoilers end here.

Gameplay

Character model.

Seifer appears first as a temporarily playable party member. He wields the Hyperion gunblade, and like Squall, pressing R1 as he hits will boost his damage by 50%. His Limit Break is Fire Cross, and he is the only character who can use it normally without being HP Critical. Only his first Fire Cross ability, No Mercy, can be used by the player when he is a playable character.

Seifer is also fought four times as a boss. He uses Fire-based attacks, and Fire spells can be drawn from him, as well as the rare Aura spell. If the party has Odin a cutscene will occur the last time Seifer is faced.

As with other characters in the game, a Triple Triad card based on Seifer can be obtained.

Other appearances

Seifer has made appearances in the following games in the Final Fantasy series:

Non-Final Fantasy guest appearances

Seifer has made key guest appearances in the following non-Final Fantasy games:

Other media

GS2 Seifer

A costume based on Seifer was released for the game Gunslinger Stratos 2 in November 2014. Coincidentally, the character Aaron Burroughs shares Seifer's Japanese voice actor, Takehito Koyasu.

Gallery

Etymology

Seifer 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". "Seifer" is also a variant of the name Siegfried (meaning victory and peace); a German first name.

Almasy may derive from the common Hungarian family name Almásy (pronounced [ɒlmaːʃi]). It means "related to or from [the land] of apples". The word "Almasy" is the English transliteration of the Persian word الماسی (which has the same pronunciation), which means "of or pertaining to diamond". Refining Seifer's Triple Triad card yields Diamond Armor.

Cifer, Seifer's German name, comes from Cipher, a type of encryption ordinarily 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 agent noun "soaper."

Trivia

  • The red cross usually worn by Seifer is a variant of the Cruz de Santiago (Cross of Saint James), 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." Romanticism was an artistic, literary, musical and intellectual movement characterized by its emphasis on emotion and individualism as well as glorification of all the past and nature.
  • 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.
  • 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.

References