The Shadow Dragon (こくりゅう, コクリュウ, or 黒龍/黒竜, Kokuryū?, lit. Black Dragon), also known as the Shadow or Kokuryu, is a recurring creature in the Final Fantasy series. It is most frequently a serpentine dragon that is associated with Golbez.
Appearances[]
Final Fantasy IV[]
The Shadow Dragon is an enemy summoned by Golbez. After locating the underworld Crystals in the Dwarven Castle, and defeating the Calcobrena, Golbez interrupts Cecil and his party who are forced to battle him. Golbez paralyzes the party and calls forth the Shadow Dragon. All members of the party are defeated by the Shadow Dragon's Black Fang attack, except for Cecil. A now adult Rydia arrives and summons the Mist Dragon. Rydia's Eidolon defeats the Shadow Dragon, allowing Cecil and his friends to deal with Golbez. Golbez still manages to escape with the Dwarves' Crystal.
Final Fantasy IV: The After Years[]
The Shadow Dragon is an enemy encountered in the Subterrane. It is a moderately dangerous foe, as it will alternate between using Doom and regular attacks, and will counter all magic attacks with Death.
Final Fantasy XI[]
The Shadow Dragon is a variant of dragon that appears in Xarcabard. While not a notorious monster, only one exists at any given time and takes longer to reappear than other monsters. It is a "placeholder" for a more powerful dragon, Biast, which has a chance to appear after the Shadow Dragon is defeated.
In addition to the Shadow Dragon, the Kokuryu is a high level fish that can be caught in Abyssea - Vunkerl, said to be a legendary serpent of prehistoric
times.
Final Fantasy XIV[]
The Shadow Dragon is the corrupted form of Azdaja, Vrtra's elder sister and great wyrm of the first brood. During the war of Meracydia with the Allagan Empire, a large voidgate was thrown open by Xande from which a host of voidsent came from. Azdaja flew in to save Tiamat and fended off against hordes of monsters until her strength gaven in from her wounds. She was then held captive by the voidsent mage Golbez encased in an icy prison inside the moon that otherwise protected her from the corruption of darkness within the void, though she was made food for his four archfiends. When Vrtra finally arrives to attempt to save her, Golbez undoes her seal, allowing the darkness to ravage her aetherically-diluted body and consume her. Before her transformation, Golbez adds an additional spell that bent the dragon to his will and ordered her to attack her brother and forces the dark dragon to fight at his side.
Dissidia Final Fantasy/Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy[]
When entering his EX Mode, Golbez summons and fuses with the Shadow Dragon; its face can been seen on the left shoulder pad of Golbez and its tail can been seen on his right shoulder. It can use its signature Black Fang attack, and it performs Binding Cold as part of his EX Burst.
In Dissidia 012, Golbez's new attire has him without armor, so the Shadow Dragon is completely fused with his skin like a tattoo, head and tail included.
Dissidia Final Fantasy NT[]
The Shadow Dragon is Golbez's primary weapon, casting various elemental spells similar to its original depiction in Final Fantasy IV. Variations can be purchased in the Shop to change the color of its scales. If Golbez sustains enough HP damage, the Shadow Dragon will be destroyed, forcing Golbez to cast spells on his own. This also changes his Twin Meteor attack to summon only one meteor and his EX Skill to Shadow Dragon, which will restore it upon use.
Pictlogica Final Fantasy[]
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Final Fantasy Record Keeper[]
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Final Fantasy Brave Exvius[]
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Kokuryu, also known as the Shadow Dragon, appears as an esper obtained by defeating it in Raven Falls Basin. In addition, the Shadow Dragon from Final Fantasy IV appears as a boss encountered during the "Tower of Zot" events; the event originally appeared as a global-exclusive, but was later rereleased in both global and Japan with updated sprites.
Notably, the Final Fantasy IV Shadow Dragon uses 黒龍 as its Japanese name, rather than the こくりゅう used in its home game, though both are read as kokuryū.
Non-Final Fantasy guest appearances[]
Lord of Vermilion II[]
The Final Fantasy IV Shadow Dragon appears as a card along with other characters from Final Fantasy IV.
Etymology[]
{etym|Dragon}}