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| {{For|the concept used in Kabbalah|Sephirot}} | | {{quote2|The [[E. Gadd's Time Machine|machine's]] energy source? This amazing Cobalt Star!|In-Game Text|''[[Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time]]''}} |
| {{Good article}}
| | __NOTOC__ |
| {{DISPLAYTITLE:Sephiroth (''Final Fantasy'')}}
| | [[File:CobaltStarOpening.png|thumb|250px|The '''Cobalt Star''' in one piece.]] |
| {{General VG character
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| |name=Sephiroth
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| |image=[[File:Sephiroth.png|256px]]
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| |caption=Sephiroth in ''[[Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII]]'' <!-- the same outfit as in the original game --> | |
| |series=''[[Final Fantasy]]'' | |
| |firstgame=''[[Final Fantasy VII]]'' (1997)
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| |creator=[[Tetsuya Nomura]]<br />[[Kazushige Nojima]]
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| |artist=Tetsuya Nomura | |
| |voiceactor=[[Lance Bass]] (''Kingdom Hearts'')<br />[[George Newbern]] (all other appearances) | |
| |japanactor=[[Toshiyuki Morikawa]] (most appearances)<br>[[Shin-ichiro Miki]] (''Ehrgeiz'') | |
| |inuniverse={{Final Fantasy character
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| |class=SOLDIER 1st Class
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| |weapon=[[Masamune]]
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| |race=Human-alien hybrid
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| }}}}{{Japanese text}}
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| {{Nihongo|'''Sephiroth'''|セフィロス|Sefirosu|lead=yes}} is a [[Character (arts)|fictional character]] in the [[role-playing video game]] ''[[Final Fantasy VII]]'' developed by [[Square (company)|Square]] (now [[Square Enix]]), where he is the main [[villain]]. Character designer [[Tetsuya Nomura]] conceived and designed Sephiroth as an antagonist to and direct physical opposite of the game's main character, [[Cloud Strife]]. The character was voiced in Japanese by voice actor [[Toshiyuki Morikawa]] and in English by both [[Lance Bass]] in ''[[Kingdom Hearts (video game)|Kingdom Hearts]]'' and [[George Newbern]] in all his subsequent appearances.
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| Sephiroth is revealed in ''Final Fantasy VII'' to be the result of an experiment by the [[megacorporation]] [[Shinra Electric Power Company|Shinra]], in which they injected him with [[Cell (biology)|cells]] from the [[extraterrestrial life]]form [[Jenoba|Jenova]] when he was still a fetus. Upon discovering this, Sephiroth decides to follow what he believes to be his destiny and take control of [[Gaia (Final Fantasy VII)|the Planet]], whilst Cloud and the game's other protagonists attempt to stop him. Sephiroth's role in the story, as well as his background, are expanded in the ''[[Compilation of Final Fantasy VII]]''. Additionally, he appears as a [[Boss (video gaming)|boss character]] in the ''[[Kingdom Hearts]]'' series, and other video games developed by Square. Sephiroth has been well-received within the video game community, and is highly ranked on many lists of the best video game villains and ''Final Fantasy'' characters.
| | The '''Cobalt Star''' is the power source for [[Professor Elvin Gadd|Professor E. Gadd]]'s time machine in ''[[Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time]]''. The Cobalt Star was shattered into multiple '''Cobalt Shards''' by [[Princess Peach]] after she used it to trap [[Elder Princess Shroob]], the leader of the [[Shroob]]s that were invading the [[Mushroom Kingdom]] of the past. However, her sister, the younger [[Princess Shroob]] kidnapped Princess Peach in the castle of the past, which is later turned into the [[Shroob Castle]]. Destroying the star also caused [[Time Hole]]s to appear between the past and present, and with the help of their [[Baby Mario|infant]] [[Baby Luigi|selves]], [[Mario]] and [[Luigi]] go about retrieving the shards and reassembling the Cobalt Star to fix the fabric of time and save Peach from the aliens. Later in the game, at [[Star Hill]], the "spirit of the Cobalt Star", which is the Elder Princess Shroob, sends the heroes to the [[Star Shrine]], where there's another Cobalt Shard. |
| | [[File:Cobaltstarspirit.png|frame|left|The "spirit" of the Cobalt Star]] |
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| ==Appearances==
| | [[Baby Luigi]] and [[Kylie Koopa]] both realize something is suspicious about the Cobalt Star, but the full truth is not revealed until it is too late: all of the Shards are assembled at the Shroob Castle when [[Baby Bowser]] steals the last one from Princess Peach. Baby Bowser is transformed into a [[Shroob Mushroom]], and the Elder Princess Shroob then uses her regained power to break free of her prison and attack the heroes. |
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| ===In ''Final Fantasy VII''===
| | It appears that the Cobalt Star does not exist anymore in the Mario universe, as Elder Princess Shroob states that the star "is no more". Also, the Elder Shroob Princess can create time holes during the final battle, suggesting that she absorbed the Cobalt Star's powers to enhance her own. |
| Sephiroth is the main antagonist in ''Final Fantasy VII'', who first appears after assassinating [[Characters of the Final Fantasy VII series#President Shinra|President Shinra]].<ref name="Sephiroth reappeared"/> As revealed over the course of the game, Sephiroth was once the most powerful member of SOLDIER, Shinra's elite military division, who was celebrated as a heroic veteran of the Shinra-Wutai war.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Final Fantasy VII|developer=Square Co|publisher=SCE America|date={{date|September 7, 1997}} |platform=PlayStation|quote='''Cloud:''' I want to join SOLDIER. I'm going to be the best there is, just like Sephiroth!}}</ref> After the war, however, Sephiroth was sent on a mission to the village of Nibelheim, where he discovered that he was the product of a biological experiment that combined a human fetus with tissue from the extraterrestrial lifeform Jenova.<ref>{{cite video game |quote='''Sephiroth:''' Exactly. And it's Hojo of Shinra that produced these monsters. Mutated living on organisms produced by Mako energy. That's what these monster's really are./'''Cloud:''' Normal members of SOLDIER? You mean you are different? H... hey, Sephiroth!/'''Sephiroth:''' N... no... Was!? Was I created this way too?!|title=Final Fantasy VII|developer=Square Co|publisher=SCE America|date={{date|September 7, 1997}}|platform=PlayStation}}</ref><ref>{{cite video game |quote='''Sephiroth:''' The Jenova Project wanted to produce people with the powers of the Ancients... no, the Cetra. ...I am the one that was produced.|title=Final Fantasy VII|developer=Square Co|publisher=SCE America|date={{date|September 7, 1997}}|platform=PlayStation}}</ref> Learning that Jenova, who he comes to consider his "mother," attempted to take control of the Planet 2000 years previously, Sephiroth decides to follow in her footsteps and become a god who would rule over the Planet.<ref>{{cite video game|quote='''Sephiroth:''' They've come again, mother. With her superior power, knowledge, and magic, Mother was destined to become the ruler of the Planet. But they… Those worthless creatures are stealing the Planet from Mother. But now I'm here with you so don't worry. / '''Cloud:''' What about MY sadness!? My family... friends... The sadness of having my hometown taken away from me!? It's the same as your sadness! / '''Sephiroth:''' Ha, ha, ha... my sadness? What do I have to be sad about? I am the chosen one. I have been chosen to be the leader of this Planet. I have orders to take this planet back from you stupid people for the Cetra. What am I supposed to be sad about?|title=Final Fantasy VII|developer=Square Co|publisher=SCE America|date={{date|September 7, 1997}}|platform=PlayStation}}</ref> He burns down the entire village and kills many, but is assumed dead after a confrontation with Cloud inside a nearby Mako reactor.<ref name="10thbio"/><ref>{{cite video game|title=[[Final Fantasy VII]]|developer=[[Square (company)|Square]] |publisher=SCE America |date=September 7, 1997 |platform=PlayStation |quote='''Aeris:''' What happened to Sephiroth? / '''Cloud:''' In terms of skill, I couldn't have killed him. / '''Tifa:''' Official records state Sephiroth is dead. I read it in the newspaper. / '''Aeris:''' Shinra, Inc. owns the newspaper, so you can't rely on that information. / '''Cloud:''' ......I want to know the truth. I want to know what happened then. I challenged Sephiroth and lived. Why didn't he kill me?}}</ref> However, a few years later, Sephiroth appears once again, determined to continue with his mission.<ref name="Sephiroth reappeared">{{cite video game|title=Final Fantasy VII|developer=Square Co|publisher=SCE America|date={{date|September 7, 1997}} |platform=PlayStation|quote='''Cloud:''' Did you see him? Did you see Sephiroth? / '''Palmer:''' Yeah, I saw him!! I saw him with my own eyes! / '''Cloud:''' You really saw him? / '''Palmer:''' Uh! Would I lie to you at a time like this!? And I heard his voice too! Um, he was saying something about not letting us have the Promised Land.}}</ref>
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| His plan to become a god is based upon his belief that he can merge with the Planet's [[Mako (Final Fantasy VII)|Lifestream]], taking control of it, and thus the Planet itself. In order to do so, he must summon Meteor, a destructive meteorite entity from outer space that can catastrophically damage the Planet. At this point, the Lifestream will flow to attempt to heal the injury, thus allowing Sephiroth to merge with the exposed Lifestream.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Final Fantasy VII|developer=Square Co|publisher=SCE America|date={{date|September 7, 1997}} |platform=PlayStation|quote='''Aeris:''' How do you intend to become one with the Planet? / '''Sephiroth:''' It's simple. Once the Planet is hurt, it gathers Spirit Energy to heal the injury. The amount of energy gathered depends on the size of the injury. ...What would happen if there was an injury that threatened the very life of the Planet? Think how much energy would be gathered! Ha ha ha. And at the center of that injury, will be me. All that boundless energy will be mine. By merging with all the energy of the Planet, I will become a new life form, a new existence. Melding with the Planet... I will cease to exist as I am now. Only to be reborn as a 'God' to rule over every soul. / '''Aeris:''' An injury powerful enough to destroy the Planet? Injure... the Planet? / '''Sephiroth:''' Behold that mural. The Ultimate Destructive Magic... Meteor.}}</ref> Despite appearing multiple times throughout the game, it is revealed that Sephiroth's physical body is actually sealed in the Northern Crater, and that the manifestations seen by Cloud and his allies were people imbued with Jenova cells taking his form, controlled by the wounded Sephiroth in the Planet core.<ref>{{cite video game|quote='''Cloud:''' Jenova's cells... ...hmm. So that's what this is all about. The Jenova Reunion... / '''Tifa:''' Not Sephiroth!? You mean all this time it wasn't Sephiroth we've been after? / '''Cloud:''' I'll explain later. Right now, the only thing I'm thinking about is beating Sephiroth. / '''Tifa:''' But Sephiroth is...... / '''Cloud:''' He's here. The real Sephiroth is just beyond here. It's both incredibly wicked and cruel... But it's releasing a powerfully strong will from deep within this planet's wound.|title=[[Final Fantasy VII]]|developer=[[Square (company)|Square]] |publisher=SCE America|date={{date|September 7, 1997}}|platform=PlayStation}}</ref> In the game's last battle, Sephiroth takes two forms; {{Nihongo|Bizarro Sephiroth|リバース・セフィロス| Rebirth Sephiroth}} and {{Nihongo|Safer Sephiroth|セーファ・セフィロス|Sepher Sephiroth}}. After his defeat, Sephiroth reappears in Cloud's mind, but is once again defeated.<ref name="10thbio"/>
| | ==Cobalt Shard locations== |
| | [[File:Cobalt Shard.PNG|thumb|A '''Cobalt Shard'''.]] |
| | Below is a list of where the six Cobalt Shards of the Cobalt Star are located. |
| | *At [[Baby Bowser's Castle]]. |
| | *In the possession of [[Swiggler]] in the [[Vim Factory]]. |
| | *Inside of [[Petey Piranha]] in the [[Gritzy Caves]]. |
| | *At the [[Star Shrine]]. |
| | *In the possession of [[Toadbert]] and then [[Elder Shrooboid]] at the Star Shrine. |
| | *In the possession of [[Princess Peach]] at [[Shroob Castle]]. |
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| ===In ''Compilation of Final Fantasy VII''=== | | ==Names in other languages== |
| He makes several cameo appearances in the ''Final Fantasy VII'' prequel, ''[[Before Crisis: Final Fantasy VII]]'', in which he supports Shinra in their battle against the [[Eco-terrorism|eco-terrorist]] organization [[AVALANCHE]]. The incident at Nibelheim is also featured in the game.<ref name="10thbio"/> The [[Original video animation|OVA]] ''[[Last Order: Final Fantasy VII]]'' also depicts the Nibelheim incident.<ref name="lastorder">{{cite video|people=|date=September 2005 |title=Last Order: Final Fantasy VII|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0489134/|format=|medium=DVD|publisher=Square Enix|location=|time=|quote=}}</ref> Sephiroth also appears in ''Advent Children'', a [[computer-generated imagery|CGI]] film set two years after ''Final Fantasy VII''. In the film, Kadaj, Loz, and Yazoo, the "Remnants" of Sephiroth, try to reincarnate him. Although Kadaj eventually succeeds, Cloud once again defeats Sephiroth, whose body changes back to Kadaj's upon his defeat.<ref>{{cite video|people = [[Tetsuya Nomura]] (Director)|date = September 2005|title = [[Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children]] |medium = [[DVD]] |publisher = [[Square Enix]]|time = }}</ref> Sephiroth is also the focus of the ''[[On the Way to a Smile]]'' novella "Case of the Lifestream — Black and White". Set after the end of ''Final Fantasy VII'' but prior to the events of ''Advent Children'', the story deals with Aerith and Sephiroth's journeys through the Lifestream, and Sephiroth's creation of [[Geostigma]], a disease that infects anyone who came into contact with the tainted Lifestream.<ref name="smile">{{Cite book | year=2009 | title=On the Way to a Smile: Final Fantasy VII | language=Japanese | publisher=Square-Enix | isbn=4-7575-2462-5}}</ref> He makes a very brief appearance in ''[[Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII]]'', a game set one year after ''Advent Children'', in which his biological mother, [[Lucrecia Crescent]] discusses the experiments which gave birth to him.<ref name="10thbio"/>
| | ===Cobalt Star=== |
| | {{foreign names |
| | |Jap=コバルトスター |
| | |JapR=Kobaruto sutā |
| | |JapM=Cobalt Star |
| | |Spa=Estrella Cobalto |
| | |SpaM=Cobalt Star |
| | |Fra=Étoile cobalt |
| | |FraM=Cobalt star |
| | |Ger=Kobaltstern |
| | |GerM=Cobalt star}} |
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| He is one of the main characters in the ''Final Fantasy VII'' prequel game ''[[Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII]]'', in which he and the protagonist [[Zack Fair]] go in the search of two missing SOLDIERs, [[Genesis Rhapsodos]] and Angeal Hewley,<ref>{{cite video game|title=[[Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII]]|developer=[[Square Enix]]|Publisher=SCE America |date=2008-08-24 |platform=[[PlayStation Portable]] |quote='''Tseng:''' Genesis and Angeal. Those two were Sephiroth's only friends.}}</ref><ref>{{cite video game|title=[[Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII]]|developer=[[Square Enix]]|Publisher=SCE America|quote='''Sephiroth:''' Angeal has been sighted./'''Zack:''' So it's search and destroy?/'''Sephiroth:'''The army is mobilizing, but there's still time. You and I will find them before they do, and... / '''Zack:''' And WHAT?/'''Sephiroth:''' fail to eliminate them. |date=2008-08-24 |platform=[[PlayStation Portable]] }}</ref> This game also depicts the Nibelheim incident, where Sephiroth appears as a boss.<ref>{{cite video game|title=[[Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII]]|developer=[[Square Enix]]|Publisher=SCE America|level=Hojo's Laboratory|date=2008-08-24 |platform=[[PlayStation Portable]] }}</ref> Executive producer [[Yoshinori Kitase]] was pleased with Sephiroth's role in ''Crisis Core'', feeling that he was given a "much more human side."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://psp.ign.com/articles/869/869858p2.html|title=Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII UK Interview |publisher=IGN|first=Dave|last=McCarthy|date={{Date|April 28, 2008}} |accessdate={{date|September 14, 2008}}}}</ref>
| | ===Cobalt Shards=== |
| | | {{foreign names |
| ===Other appearances===
| | |Jap=コバルトスターのカケラ |
| His first appearance outside ''Final Fantasy VII'' was as a selectable character in the [[fighting game]] ''[[Ehrgeiz]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps/action/ehrgeiz/hints.html?tag=tabs;cheats| title=Ehrgeiz Hints & Cheats| accessdate=August 15, 2009| publisher=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref> A redesigned Sephiroth also appears in the North American and European versions of ''[[Kingdom Hearts (video game)|Kingdom Hearts]]'' as an optional boss character in Olympus Coliseum.<ref name="KH-StrategyGuide">{{cite book| last= Birlew| first= Dan| year = 2003| title = Kingdom Hearts Official Strategy Guide| publisher = [[BradyGames]] Publishing| isbn= 0-7440-0198-6}}</ref><ref name="animefringe"/> [[Lance Bass]] voiced Sephiroth in this game, while in subsequent titles he was replaced by [[George Newbern]]. In the Japanese re-release of the game, ''Final Mix'', an additional scene was added in which Sephiroth fights Cloud, although the result of the fight is not revealed. Sephiroth was not included in the sequel ''[[Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories]]'', as director Tetsuya Nomura could not give him a storyline related to Cloud, and he feared negative fan response if Sephiroth did not have a notable role in the story.<ref>{{cite book |title=Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories Ultimania |isbn=978-4-7575-1344-0 |language=Japanese | publisher=Square-Enix |pages=}}</ref> His third appearance outside ''Final Fantasy VII'' is as another optional boss in ''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]'', where he is first encountered by the series' protagonist, [[Sora (Kingdom Hearts)|Sora]], and then Cloud, who is pursuing him.<ref>'''Sora:''' Oh, Cloud! / '''Donald:''' Whatcha doing? / '''Cloud:''' I'll get him. This time, we settle it. Me, and the one who embodies all the darkness in me. / '''Donald Duck:''' I thought you looked kinda different, Cloud. / '''Cloud:''' If I do, it's his fault. / '''Sora:''' Whose? / '''Cloud:''' Sephiroth. Tell me if you see him. / '''Sora:''' Okay. What's he look like? / '''Cloud:''' Silver hair. Carries a long sword. / '''Sora:''' Sure. Well, be seeing you, Cloud. / '''Cloud:''' Be careful. He messes with your head, makes you think darkness is the only way. {{cite video game|title=[[Kingdom Hearts II]]|developer=Square Enix|publisher=Square Enix U.S.A., Buena Vista Games |date=2006-03-28 |platform=PlayStation 2 }}</ref> When Sephiroth battles Cloud, both of them disappear, with Sora believing that they went somewhere else to continue their fight.<ref>'''Goofy:''' Where'd they go? Do ya think they made it back to their own world? / '''Sora:''' They went somewhere else... Cloud went to fight a great battle--to defeat the darkness inside him. {{cite video game|title=[[Kingdom Hearts II]]|developer=Square Enix|publisher=Square Enix U.S.A., Buena Vista Games |date=2006-03-28 |platform=PlayStation 2 }}</ref> Nomura said that in this game, Sephiroth represents Cloud's dark side, in contrast to [[Tifa Lockhart]], who represents his light side.<ref>{{cite book |title=Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories Ultimania |year=2005|isbn=978-4-7575-1621-2 |language=Japanese | publisher=Square-Enix |pages=}}</ref> Although Sephiroth does not appear in the prequel ''[[Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep]]'', he is mentioned as a hero that [[Zack Fair]] aspires to be. The staff, however, did not know if they would portray him as a being of darkness as shown in other titles.<ref name="bbs">{{cite book |script-title=ja:キングダム ハーツ バース バイ スリープ アルティマニア|year=2010 |isbn=978-4-7575-2788-1 |language=Japanese | publisher=Square-Enix |pages=}}</ref> Sephiroth's fourth outside appearance is in the ''[[Itadaki Street]]'' games ''Special'' and ''Portable'', where he appears as an unlockable playable character.<ref>{{cite video game |publisher=[[Square Enix]] |developer=[[Paon]] |title=[[Itadaki Street#Dragon Quest & Final Fantasy in Itadaki Street Special|Itadaki Street Special]] |platform=PlayStation 2 |date=December 22, 2004 |language=Japanese}}</ref><ref>{{cite video game |title=[[Itadaki Street#Dragon Quest & Final Fantasy in Itadaki Street Portable|Itadaki Street Portable]] |developer=[[Paon]] |publisher=[[Square Enix]] |date=May 26, 2006 |platform=[[PlayStation Portable]]}}</ref> Due to Sephiroth's many appearances as a boss in the ''Kingdom Hearts'' series, Square Enix is not sure whether he will return in ''[[Kingdom Hearts III]]'' as it would be redundant.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gematsu.com/2017/07/kingdom-hearts-iii-development-team-still-debating-whether-include-sephiroth-secret-boss-battle|title=
| | |JapR=Kobaruto sutā no kakera |
| Kingdom Hearts III development team still debating whether to include Sephiroth secret boss battle|publisher=Gematsu|date=July 19, 2017|accessdate=July 19, 2017}}</ref>
| | |JapM=Cobalt Star Piece |
| | | |Fra=Fragment stellaire |
| Sephiroth was also the representative villain of ''Final Fantasy VII'' in ''[[Dissidia Final Fantasy]]''. He is featured in his ''Final Fantasy VII'' guise, while an alternative outfit features the "Safer Sephiroth" form.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6170645.html |title=Final Fantasy XIII, Dissidia rock Square Enix Party |accessdate=May 12, 2007 |author1=Torres, Ricardo |author2=Thorsen, Tor |lastauthoramp=yes |date=May 12, 2007 |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070514085702/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6170645.html |archivedate=May 14, 2007 }}</ref> His fight against Cloud in the game was based on their fights from ''Final Fantasy VII'' and ''Advent Children''.<ref>{{Cite book | year=2009 | title=Dissidia Final Fantasy Ultimania| language=Japanese | publisher=Square-Enix | isbn= 978-4-7575-2488-0 | page=530}}</ref> Along with the rest of the ''Final Fantasy VII'' figures in ''Dissidia'', Sephiroth appears in the prequel ''[[Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy]]''.<ref name="Pre-TGS Flying Get">{{cite web|url=http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2010/09/15/flying_get/ |title=This Week's Pre-TGS Flying Get |publisher=Andriasang |author=Gantayat, Anoop |date=September 14, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100916212600/http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2010/09/15/flying_get/ |archivedate=September 16, 2010 }}</ref> This game also includes a sightly altered ''Final Fantasy VII'' form for Sephiroth, as well as his ''Kingdom Hearts'' form.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://andriasang.com/comup2/dissidia_fourth_form_costumes/|title=Sephiroth and Laguna Costumes Hit Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy Next Week|publisher=Andriasang|accessdate=June 23, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Check Out Tifa in Dissidia Final Fantasy | url=http://psp.ign.com/articles/113/1130545p1.html |date=October 26, 2010 |publisher=IGN |author=Gantayat, Anoop | accessdate=June 14, 2012}}</ref> Sephiroth is set to return as a playable character opposite Cloud in the third entry, ''[[Dissidia Final Fantasy NT]]''. He is featured in the rhythm game ''[[Theatrhythm Final Fantasy]]'' as an unlockable character, representing ''Final Fantasy VII''.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.siliconera.com/2011/12/26/theatrhythm-final-fantasys-second-tier-stars/ |title=Theatrhythm: Final Fantasy’s Second Tier Stars|publisher=Siliconera|date=December 26, 2011 |accessdate=June 30, 2012}}</ref> He also appears in the [[Puzzle video game|puzzle]] [[Platform game|platformer]] video game ''[[LittleBigPlanet]]'', and its sequel ''[[LittleBigPlanet 2]]'' as a character model; [[Media Molecule]]'s [[Alex Evans (video game developer)|Alex Evans]] felt "honored" that Sephiroth was allowed to appear in the games.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/10/08/tgs-08-sackboy-solid-snake-and-sephiroth-to-join-littlebigplanet/|title=TGS 08: Sackboy Old Snake and Sephiroth to join LittleBigPlanet|publisher=PlayStation.Blog|date=October 8, 2008|accessdate=October 15, 2008|first=Jeff|last=Rubenstein}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2011/07/13/ffvii_lbp2_pack/ |title=Final Fantasy VII LittleBigPlanet 2 Costume Pack Hits Tomorrow |publisher=Andriasang |date=July 13, 2011 |accessdate=July 13, 2011 |first=Anoop |last=Gantayat |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714232425/http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2011/07/13/ffvii_lbp2_pack/ |archivedate=July 14, 2011 }}</ref>
| | |FraM=Starry shard |
| | | |Spa=Fragmento de la Estrella Cobalto |
| ==Concept and creation==
| | |SpaM=Cobalt Star's fragment |
| [[Image:Sasaki kojiro 2.gif|thumb|left|The legendary rivalry of swordsmen [[Miyamoto Musashi]] (left) and [[Sasaki Kojirō]] served as inspiration for the dichotomy between Cloud and Sephiroth respectively.]]
| | |Ger=Kobalt-Sternsplitter |
| Sephiroth was designed by ''Final Fantasy VII''{{'}}s character designer [[Tetsuya Nomura]]. His name came from the [[Kabbalah]], in which the ten [[sephirot]] on the [[Tree of life]] represent the ten attributes through which God reveal himself.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stars.ign.com/objects/142/14211782_biography.html |title=Sephiroth Biography |publisher=IGN |accessdate=January 29, 2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080206202026/http://stars.ign.com/objects/142/14211782_biography.html |archivedate=February 6, 2008 }}</ref> His character existed from the earliest stages of development, as originally, Nomura thought that the game's plot would deal exclusively with [[Cloud Strife]] pursuing Sephiroth, who was always the game's main antagonist.<ref name="designs">{{cite web|author=Knight, Sheila|year=2003|title=Tetsuya Nomura 20s|url= http://flaregamer.com/b2article.php?p=81&more=1|publisher=FLAREgamer| accessdate=April 13, 2006}}</ref> Nomura wanted Sephiroth to appear early in the game, and then have the plot dealing with the protagonists following him, so that gamers would not meet the final boss until extremely late in the game.<ref name="10thinter"/> Sephiroth was initially going to be [[Aerith Gainsborough]]'s sibling, as indicated by their similar hairstyles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://andriasang.com/con11g/ffvii15/|title=Nomura, Kitase and Nojima Discuss Final Fantasy VII's Development|publisher=Andriasang|accessdate=May 21, 2012}}</ref> Later, however, he was changed to Aeris's past love, whom she would remember upon meeting Cloud. This character was then changed to [[Zack Fair]], however, and Sephiroth’s prior relationship with Aerith was dropped. In early drafts of the game, Sephiroth's personality was already brutal and cruel, with a strong willed and calm ego. He was to suffer from [[Gaia (Final Fantasy VII)#Mako|Mako]] addiction, resulting in a semi-conscious state as a result of high level exposure to Mako energy.<ref>{{Cite book | year=2005 | editor=Studio BentStuff | title=Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Ω | language=Japanese | publisher=Square-Enix | isbn=4-7575-1520-0 | page=525}}</ref> Sephiroth was also intended to manipulate Cloud into believing that he was a creation of Sephiroth's will, but this aspect of the story was later abandoned. In another excised scene, when Sephiroth's physical body is first seen in the Northern Crater, it was to be female.<ref>{{Cite book | year=2005 | editor=Studio BentStuff | title=Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Ω | language=Japanese | publisher=Square-Enix | isbn=4-7575-1520-0 | page=528}}</ref>
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| Sephiroth has long platinum hair and bright cyan eyes with cat-like pupils, and is depicted in a black coat decorated with metallic [[pauldron]]s. Since appearing as Safer Sephiroth in the final battle of the game, Sephiroth has had a single black wing on his back, referencing his theme music "One Winged Angel".<ref name="10thbio">{{cite book |title=Final Fantasy VII 10th Anniversary Ultimania (Revised Edition) |year=2009 |isbn=978-4-7575-2560-3 |language=Japanese | publisher=Square-Enix |pages=76–81}}</ref> When ''[[Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII]]'' was released, the staff stated that the reason the wing was black was to suggest evil.<ref>{{cite book |title=Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII 10th Ultimania |year=2007|isbn=978-4-7575-2126-1 |language=Japanese | publisher=Square-Enix |pages=}}</ref> Nomura has stated that Sephiroth was made to be a complete contrast to the game's main protagonist, Cloud, who was originally designed to have slicked-back, black hair with no spikes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://retro.ign.com/articles/870/870770p1.html|title=IGN Presents: The History of Final Fantasy VII|publisher=IGN|first=Rus|last=McLaughlin|date=April 30, 2008|accessdate=September 14, 2008}}</ref> His weapon, the "Masamune", which has been featured in numerous ''Final Fantasy'' titles, is an elongated [[nodachi]] that he learned to use during his days in SOLDIER.<ref>''Final Fantasy VII instruction manual''</ref> The Masamune is named after the famous Japanese swordsmith [[Masamune|Goro Nyudo Masamune]], whose blades are considered national treasures in Japan today.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gametrailers.com/video/part-xiii-final-fantasy/27455 |title=Final Fantasy Retrospective Part XIII |publisher=[[GameTrailers]] |date=November 2, 2007 |accessdate=December 22, 2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090519001839/http://www.gametrailers.com/video/part-xiii-final-fantasy/27455 |archivedate=May 19, 2009 }}</ref> When designing Cloud and Sephiroth, Nomura was influenced by his view of their rivalry mirroring the legendary animosity between [[Miyamoto Musashi]] and [[Sasaki Kojirō]], with Cloud and Sephiroth being Musashi and Kojirō respectively. Sephiroth's look was defined as "''kakkoii''", a Japanese term combining good looks with coolness.<ref name="VIIinterviews">{{cite web|url=http://shmuplations.com/ff7/ |title=Final Fantasy VII – 1997 Developer Interviews |website=Shmuplations |accessdate=January 13, 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923162806/http://shmuplations.com/ff7/ |archivedate=September 23, 2016 |deadurl=no |df= }}</ref>
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| Director [[Yoshinori Kitase]] believes Sephiroth's role in ''Final Fantasy VII'' to be one of the main reasons why the game became so popular.<ref name="10thinter">{{cite book |title=Final Fantasy VII 10th Anniversary Ultimania (Revised Edition) |year=2009 |isbn=978-4-7575-2560-3 |language=Japanese | publisher=Square-Enix |pages=8–13}}</ref> Nomura has called Sephiroth "the ultimate antagonist in the ''Final Fantasy VII'' saga. There can't be anyone else," and regards him as an enemy from a previous generation, in contrast to his "[[Kadaj, Loz, and Yazoo|Remnants]]" who appear in ''[[Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children]]''.<ref name="making">{{cite video| people = [[Tetsuya Nomura]] (Director)| date = April 25, 2006 | title = Final Fantasy VII Advent Children Distance: The Making of Advent Children| medium = [[DVD]]| publisher = [[Square Enix]]| time =|quote=}}</ref>
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| For ''Advent Children'', the film sequel to ''Final Fantasy VII'', script writer [[Kazushige Nojima]] thought that the film's plot would be less entertaining without Sephiroth. His revival in the film was introduced in the early stages of development, but the official decision as to how to bring him back was not reached until later. Nomura originally planned to have him appear from the start, but as it took the staff two years to develop his design, the idea of his presence throughout the film was scrapped, and it was decided instead to have him only appear on screen for a short time. Sephiroth was designed for the film in such a way so as to emphasize his other-worldliness, such as the fact that he never blinks or is seen breathing, and his voice remains always monotone and calm. In the film, the staff stated that his strength had considerably increased, to the point that he had "ascended to a new level of existence." Despite initially encountering problems as to who would voice him, Nomura said that once [[Toshiyuki Morikawa]] auditioned for the role, they knew they had their actor. Morikawa was instructed by the staff to speak all of Sephiroth's dialogue as if he felt superior to every other character in the film. The voice director and Morikawa agreed to make Sephiroth's voice sound calm to the point that he believes he ''cannot'' lose to Cloud, suggesting to Morikawa that he may reappear at some point in the future.<ref name="japvoice">{{Cite book | year=2006 | editor=SoftBank | title=Final Fantasy VII Advent Children: Reunion Files | language=Japanese, English | publisher=Square-Enix | isbn= 4-7973-3498-3| page=}}</ref>
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| ==Musical themes==
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| {{listen
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| | filename = FF7 ac angel.ogg
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| | title = "Advent: One-Winged Angel"
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| | description = The revised "One-Winged Angel" theme in ''Advent Children''.
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| }}
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| In ''Final Fantasy VII'', Sephiroth is the focus of three pieces of music written by series composer [[Nobuo Uematsu]]. His primary theme is {{nihongo|"Those Chosen by the Planet"|星に選ばれし者|Hoshi ni Erabareshi Mono}}, a piece utilizing bells, low drums, and a deep chorus, which accompanies Sephiroth's appearances throughout the game. In the final battle, {{nihongo|"Birth of a God"|神の誕生|Kami no Tanjō}} plays while the player combats Sephiroth's first form, "Bizarro Sephiroth" (also known as "Reverse Sephiroth"). The most well-known piece is {{nihongo|"One-Winged Angel"|片翼の天使| Katayoku no Tenshi|lit. "An Angel With a Wing on One Side"}} which is played during the final confrontation with Sephiroth. It contains [[Latin]] lyrics taken from sections of the [[Carmina Burana]]. In an interview featured on [[G4 (U.S. TV channel)|G4]]'s ''[[Game Makers]]'' (formerly ''[[Icons (TV series)|Icons]]''), Uematsu revealed that this piece was designed to be a fusion of the musical styles of Russian composer [[Igor Stravinsky]] and rock musician [[Jimi Hendrix]].<ref name="making"/> The song revolves around his character, as this was what Uematsu was thinking about when writing it.<ref name="North, Dale">{{cite web |title= Destrucoid interview: Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu |url=http://www.destructoid.com/destructoid-interview-final-fantasy-composer-nobuo-uematsu-128986.phtml |publisher=Destructoid |author=North, Dale |date= April 17, 2009|accessdate= April 22, 2009}}</ref> Two official [[Cover version|covers]] have been done of this song. The first is a different orchestration found in ''Kingdom Hearts'', the second is found in ''Advent Children'', which plays throughout the battle between Cloud and Sephiroth, and features the [[progressive metal]] stylings of Nobuo Uematsu's former band [[The Black Mages]], as well as orchestral elements and new lyrics. There is also a fourth version titled "Vengeance on the World" that plays in ''Crisis Core''.<ref name="SquareSoundAdvent">{{cite web|title=Final Fantasy VII Advent Children Original Soundtrack|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080712234931/http://www.squaresound.com/final-fantasy-vii-advent-children-original-soundtrack-p45.html|archivedate=July 12, 2008|url= http://www.squaresound.com/final-fantasy-vii-advent-children-original-soundtrack-p45.html |publisher=SquareSound|accessdate=November 20, 2007}}</ref>
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| ==Cultural impact==
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| ===Merchandise===
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| Sephiroth has served as basis for several types of merchandise. These include the "Extra Knights" action figures first published by [[Bandai]] in Japan in 1997.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0031R741M/|title=Final Fantasy VII 7 Legendary Soldier Sephiroth Extra Knights Figure|publisher=[[Amazon.com]]|accessdate=December 27, 2009}}</ref> A different model was released as part of the ''Play Arts'' collection, following the release of ''Advent Children''. At the 2008 [[San Diego Comic-Con International]], Kanji Tashiro, Square Enix's manager of merchandise, said that this figure was one of their best-selling items.<ref name="interviewmerch">{{cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interview/2008-08-03/square-enix-national-manager-of-merchandise-kanji-tashiro |title=Interview: Square Enix's National Manager of Merchandise, Kanji Tashiro |publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|accessdate=July 5, 2008 |date=August 3, 2008}}</ref> With the release of the movie Sephiroth was also included in a series of promotional material, primarily consisting of posters. Kotobukiya has included the character in numerous merchandise, including a series of cold casts based on his appearance in both the original game and the film sequel. As a result of promotional campaigns organized in Japan by Square Enix and [[Coca-Cola]], a version of Sephiroth drawn in a [[super deformed]] style was featured in the first two volumes of a promotional collection.
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| Products not connected to the release of the games or film have also been produced. These include a figuren as part of the ''Final Fantasy Trading Arts Vol. 1'' series,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001G527EK/|title=Final Fantasy Trading Arts Figures Sets of 4 (Cloud Strife, Rinoa Heartilly, Sephiroth & Yuna)|publisher=[[Amazon.com]]|accessdate=December 27, 2009}}</ref> a set as part of the ''Square Minimum Collection'' alongside Cloud, and a rare figure of "Safer Sephiroth" as part of the ''Final Fantasy Creatures'' series (Chromium). "Reverse Sephiroth" was also released as a normal figure in volume 2. A figure based on his appearances in the ''Kingdom Hearts'' games was released in the second series of the ''Play Arts Kingdom Hearts'' sub-line.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0025ZPRA6/|title=Disney Square-Enix Kingdom Hearts 2 Play Arts Action Figure Sephiroth (Arena)|publisher=[[Amazon.com]]|accessdate=December 27, 2009}}</ref> Some replica weapon companies have produced replicas of Sephiroth's sword, the Masamune, as a {{convert|6|ft|m|adj=mid|-long}} [[katana]] with a stainless steel unsharpened blade.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VF77DW/|title=Sephiroth Masamune Wooden Sword|publisher=[[Amazon.com]]|accessdate=December 28, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000TK7JO6/|title=HUGE 68 inch Sephiroth Masamune Sword|publisher=[[Amazon.com]]|accessdate=December 28, 2009}}</ref> Other types of merchandise includes collectible cards, keychains, lighters, phonecards and plush toys.
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| ===Reception===
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| On multiple occasions, numerous gaming magazines have chosen Sephiroth as one of the best villains from both the ''Final Fantasy'' series in specific and in all of video games in general. [[GameSpy]] placed him eighth in their 2014 list of top villains in games, commenting on how difficult it is to defeat him in ''Final Fantasy VII''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespy.com/articles/493/493861p1.html|title=Top 10 Villains in Games|author=Schwartzman, Cary|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070709073540/http://www.gamespy.com/articles/493/493861p1.html|archivedate=July 9, 2007|publisher=[[GameSpy]] |date=October 2, 2001|accessdate=December 29, 2009}}</ref> In 2005, Sephiroth was the winner in a [[GameFAQs]] character battle involving only villains.<ref name="gamefaqs2">{{cite web | title=Spring 2005: Got Villains? |url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/contest/spr05 |publisher=[[GameFAQs]] |accessdate=November 3, 2006}}</ref> [[IGN]] listed him at number two in its 2006 list of most memorable villains, as well as the fourth top video game villain.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/694/694399p1.html|title=Top 10 Tuesday: Most Memorable Villains |publisher=IGN| date=March 7, 2006 |accessdate=January 29, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/videogame-villains/4.html|title=4. Sephiroth|publisher=IGN|accessdate=May 28, 2010|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309055344/http://www.ign.com/videogame-villains/4.html|archivedate=March 9, 2012}}</ref> He has been named the number one villain in an episode of [[G4 (U.S. TV channel)|G4]]'s ''[[Filter (TV series)|Filter]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tv.com/shows/filter/top-10-villains-453857/ |title=Top 10 Villains |publisher=[[TV.com]] |accessdate=January 29, 2008}}</ref> ''[[PC World]]'' placed him second in their 2008 list of most diabolical video game villains of all time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/210911/47_most_diabolical_video-game_villains_all_time?pp=4|title=The 47 Most Diabolical Video-Game Villains of All Time|publisher=''[[PC World]]'' |date=April 2, 2008|accessdate=December 29, 2009}}</ref> That same year, Sephiroth was listed at the top of IGN's list of ''Final Fantasy VII'' top characters, with Dave Smith calling him the "heavyweight champion of ''Final Fantasy'' villains," and praising his appearance and backstory.<ref name="top">{{cite web |url=http://stars.ign.com/articles/861/861824p11.html|title=Final Fantasy VII: Top 10 Characters |author=Smith, David|publisher=IGN |date=March 28, 2008 |accessdate=March 1, 2009 }}</ref> He would take the same spot in the list of top 25 ''Final Fantasy'' characters by the same site.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stars.ign.com/articles/874/874708p5.html|date=May 16, 2008|title=Top 25 Final Fantasy Characters|author=Smith, David|publisher=IGN |accessdate=December 22, 2008 }}</ref> In IGN's ''Final Fantasy'' reader's choice, also written by Smith, Sephiroth was placed fourth, with commentary focusing on his activities in the game's plot.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stars.ign.com/articles/875/875562p7.html|title=Final Fantasy Reader's Choice|author=Smith, David|publisher=IGN |accessdate=December 22, 2009 }}</ref> In a retrospective on ''Final Fantasy'' antagonists, [[GamesRadar]] listed Sephiroth as their top pick, citing his developed motives and acts of evil.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/f/the-five-most-murderous-final-fantasy-villains/a-20100303103843488018/p-2 |title=The Five Most Murderous Final Fantasy Villains |accessdate=2010-03-07 |last=Elston |first=Brett |author2=Christian Nutt |work=GamesRadar |publisher=Future US. |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615190418/http://www.gamesradar.com/f/the-five-most-murderous-final-fantasy-villains/a-20100303103843488018/p-2 |archivedate=June 15, 2011 }}</ref> GamesRadar also put Sephiroth in their 2013 list of the best villains in video game history at number six.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/top-100-villains-video-games/|title=100 best villains in video games|publisher=GamesRadar |author=GamesRadar Staff|date=May 17, 2013}}</ref>
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| In 2007, Sephiroth was named the 14th best character of all time in ''[[Dengeki PlayStation]]''{{'}}s retrospective awards feature about the original [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]].<ref name="dengeki-awards">{{cite web | author=Gantayat, Anoop | date=November 22, 2007 | title=Nomura Talks FFXIII | url=http://ps3.ign.com/articles/837/837350p1.html | publisher=IGN | accessdate=November 22, 2007}}</ref> [[UGO Networks|UGO.com]] placed Sephiroth 25th on their 2009 list of top Japanese RPG characters, calling him "one of the most visually striking villains of all time" while praising how different he is from previous ''Final Fantasy'' villains.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ugo.com/games/japanese-rpg-characters/?cur=sephiroth |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080703013509/http://www.ugo.com/games/japanese-rpg-characters/?cur=sephiroth |archivedate=2008-07-03 |title=Sephiroth - Top 25 Japanese RPG Characters |work= |publisher=[[UGO Networks]] |accessdate=December 2, 2009}}</ref> In 2010, ''[[Famitsu]]'' readers voted Sephiroth as the 21st most popular video game character.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/news/snake-beats-mario-coolest-video |title=Snake Beats Mario, Is Coolest Video Game Character Ever |author=Glifford, Kevin |publisher=[[1UP.com]] |accessdate=2010-03-10 |date=2010-02-10 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://archive.is/20131014181754/http://www.1up.com/news/snake-beats-mario-coolest-video |archivedate=2013-10-14 |df= }}</ref> Sephiroth was also featured alongside Cloud in [[ScrewAttack]]'s list of [[ScrewAttack's Top 10|top ten "coolest" characters]], although they preferred Cloud.<ref name="cool">{{cite web|url=http://www.gametrailers.com/player/16889.html |title=Top Ten Coolest Characters |publisher=[[GameTrailers]] |author1=Craig, Stuttering |author2=Tom, Handsome |date=February 7, 2007 |series=''[[ScrewAttack's Top 10]]'' |accessdate=December 20, 2007 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071220022621/http://www.gametrailers.com/player/16889.html |archivedate=December 20, 2007 |df= }}</ref> In the ''[[Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition]]'' from 2011, he was voted as the 32nd best video game character of all time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/68759/TOP_50_VIDEO_GAME_CHARACTERS_OF_ALL_TIME_ANNOUNCED_inGUINNESS_WORLD_RECORDS_2011_GAMERrsquoS_EDITION.php |title=Top 50 video game characters of all time announced in Guinness World Records 2011 Gamer's Edition |publisher=[[Gamasutra]] |date=February 16, 2011 |accessdate=July 9, 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/6CjrtgZP4?url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/68759/TOP_50_VIDEO_GAME_CHARACTERS_OF_ALL_TIME_ANNOUNCED_inGUINNESS_WORLD_RECORDS_2011_GAMERrsquoS_EDITION.php |archivedate=December 7, 2012 |df= }}</ref> In 2011, ''[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]'' ranked him as the 13th greatest video game character, calling him "just insanely cool" and adding "Cloud may be the hero but the real star of ''FFVII'' was undoubtedly its dashing villain, Sephiroth".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.empireonline.com/features/50-greatest-video-game-characters/Default.asp?film=10 |title=The 50 Greatest Video Game Characters - 10. Sephiroth |work=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]|accessdate=August 2, 2013|first1=James |last1=Dyer |first2=David |last2=McComb |first3=Alastair |last3=Plumb |first4=David |last4=Scarborough |date=May 26, 2010}}</ref> ''[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]'' had him ranked as the 35th "coolest" video game villain ever in 2012,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/video-games/2012/11/coolest-video-game-villains-of-all-time/final-fantasy-vii-sephiroth |title=35. Sephiroth — The 50 Coolest Video Game Villains of All Time |publisher=Complex |date=2012-11-01 |accessdate=2013-07-21}}</ref> as well as the seventh "most badass" video game character and the third greatest ''Final Fantasy'' character of all time in 2013.<ref>Drea Avellan, [http://www.complex.com/video-games/2013/01/the-50-most-badass-video-game-characters-of-all-time/ The 50 Most Badass Video Game Characters Of All Time], Complex.com, February 1, 2013.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/video-games/2013/10/greatest-final-fantasy-characters-all-time/sephiroth |title=Sephiroth — The 20 Greatest Final Fantasy Characters of All Time |publisher=Complex |date=2013-10-08 |accessdate=2013-11-22}}</ref>
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| A reader's choice poll organized by [[GameSpot]] placed Sephiroth as the best boss of all time, as he received five times more votes than [[Bowser (character)|Bowser]], who finished in second place; most of the comments noted the difficulty of the final fight against Sephiroth, as well as its distinctive elements when compared to other games.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/features/6086260/p-7.html |title=Top Ten Boss Fights |publisher=GameSpot |accessdate=April 28, 2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208050432/http://www.gamespot.com/features/6086260/p-7.html |archivedate=December 8, 2008 }}</ref> In 2005, ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' listed him as number one in their list of top video game bosses.<ref>{{cite book | year=2005 | editor= of EGM magazine | title=Electronic Gaming Monthly, October 2005 | pages=72–73 | publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]}}</ref> ''[[Game Informer]]'' ranked the "top-notch" fight against Sephiroth in ''Final Fantasy VII'' at third place on their 2008 list of top boss battles.<ref>{{cite book| title=Game Informer: Issue 181| chapter=The Top Ten Boss Fights|date=May 2008| page=20}}</ref> ''[[PlayStation Official Magazine - UK|PlayStation Official Magazine]]'' included him on their 2012 list of ten best boss fights ever, commenting that "after potentially 100 hours of chasing the murdering swine, you finally catch up with Cloud’s nemesis Sephiroth, and it’s one of the most epic battles in [[PlayStation]] history."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialplaystationmagazine.co.uk/2012/05/25/the-10-best-playstation-boss-fights-ever/6/#gallery-top |title=The 10 best PlayStation boss fights ever - Page 6 of 10 | PS3 Features |publisher=Official PlayStation Magazine |date=2012-05-25 |accessdate=2013-11-22 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529085318/http://www.officialplaystationmagazine.co.uk/2012/05/25/the-10-best-playstation-boss-fights-ever/6/ |archivedate=May 29, 2014 }}</ref>
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| The scene in which Sephiroth kills Aerith during ''Final Fantasy VII'' has also prompted much commentary. For example, when comparing him with Cloud, ScrewAttack noted that with this scene, Sephiroth was established as "the biggest bastard."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gametrailers.com/player/36111.html |title=ScrewAttack Top 10 OMGWTF Moments |publisher=[[GameTrailers]] |date=2008-07-11 |accessdate=2008-07-30 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080729185045/http://www.gametrailers.com/player/36111.html |archivedate=July 29, 2008 }}</ref> GamesRadar simply called him "the biggest cock blocker in the gaming world," as writer Shane Patterson found Aerith's character to be appealing, and due to the fact Sephiroth killed her, players were unable to use her anymore.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/f/top-7-blue-ball-moments/a-2008042893318897054/p-5 |title=Top 7... Blue Ball moments |publisher=[[GamesRadar]] |author=Patterson, Shane |accessdate=February 7, 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615185419/http://www.gamesradar.com/f/top-7-blue-ball-moments/a-2008042893318897054/p-5 |archivedate=June 15, 2011 }}</ref> Also referring to the scene as a shocking moment, GameSpot suggested that the [[Full motion video|FMV sequence]] of Sephiroth appearing in front of the Nibelheim fire "might be one of the most recognizable cutscenes ever to grace video games."<ref>{{cite web|last=Gouskos |first=Carrie |title=Lucky Seven |url=http://uk.gamespot.com/features/6155700/index.html |accessdate=February 7, 2010 |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090307053200/http://uk.gamespot.com/features/6155700/index.html |archivedate=March 7, 2009 }}</ref> GamesRadar's article "Non-playable characters we wish were playable" featured Sephiroth as a character that they wished would have been playable in ''Final Fantasy VII'' so they "could relive skewering Aerith like an annoyingly dainty, needlessly chaste salmon over and over."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/f/non-playable-characters-we-wish-were-playable/a-20081203115053234058/p-2 |title=Non-playable characters we wish were playable |publisher=[[GamesRadar]] |author=Meikleham, Dave |accessdate=February 7, 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615185535/http://www.gamesradar.com/f/non-playable-characters-we-wish-were-playable/a-20081203115053234058/p-2 |archivedate=June 15, 2011 }}</ref> IGN put Sephiroth in the 2009 articles "Big Boss of the Day" and "Baddie Brawl", with the latter comparing him with [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Liquid Snake|Liquid Snake]] from ''[[Metal Gear Solid]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stars.ign.com/articles/103/1034215p1.html|title=Big Boss of the Day: Sephiroth|author=Scheeden, Jeese|date=October 12, 2009|publisher=IGN |accessdate=February 18, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://stars.ign.com/articles/104/1042735p1.html|title=Big Baddie Brawl: Sephiroth vs. Liquid Snake|author=Scheeden, Jeese|date=November 11, 2009|publisher=IGN |accessdate=February 18, 2010 }}</ref> [[Lisa Foiles]] of ''[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]]'' included Sephiroth on her 2014 list of top five katana wielders.<ref>{{cite web|author=Top 5 Katana Wielders |url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/top-5-with-lisa-foiles/9182-Top-5-Katana-Wielders |title=Top 5 Katana Wielders | Top 5 with Lisa Foiles Video Gallery | The Escapist |publisher=Escapistmagazine.com |accessdate=2014-06-19}}</ref>
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| However, some game editors have criticized Sephiroth's character. For example, IGN's Smith has stated that "Sephiroth was certainly a good-looking fellow, but his motivations were about as clear as mud."<ref name="SmithIGN">{{cite web|url=http://psx.ign.com/articles/162/162190p1.html |title=Final Fantasy IX review |publisher=IGN |author=Smith, David |date=November 22, 2000 |accessdate=November 20, 2007 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212170216/http://psx.ign.com/articles/162/162190p1.html |archivedate=February 12, 2009 |df= }}</ref> When comparing Sephiroth with the ''[[Final Fantasy VI]]'' villain, [[Kefka Palazzo]], GamesRadar commented that he "seems as interesting as a dead accountant painted brown."<ref>{{cite web|title=The Top 7... Outrageous Camp Bad Guys |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/f/the-top-7-outrageously-camp-bad-guys/a-20081107102214515048/p-4 |publisher=[[GamesRadar]] |accessdate=2009-01-05 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615185531/http://www.gamesradar.com/f/the-top-7-outrageously-camp-bad-guys/a-20081107102214515048/p-4 |archivedate=June 15, 2011 }}</ref> [[1UP.com]] took a humorous approach to Sephiroth's several appearances after apparent deaths and in other games, ranking him third in their "They Is Risen" feature, which covered the ten most notorious video game resurrections. The publication noted that if the character continued to be used, Square Enix would eventually "run out of ways to remix ''One-Winged Angel''."<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=0&cId=3158550| title=They is Risen: Top 10 Videogame Deaths That Didn't Stick|first=Scott|last=Sharkey| publisher=[[1UP.com]]| date=April 8, 2007| accessdate=April 25, 2008}}</ref> GameSpy editor Ryan Scott called Sephiroth the "King of Overrated Characters" during GameSpy's villain feature for ''Dissidia Final Fantasy'', arguing that gamers were impressed by him only because of his design and by how he killed Aerith during ''Final Fantasy VII''.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://psp.gamespy.com/playstation-portable/final-fantasy-dissidia/1011672p1.html| title=The Villains of Dissidia Final Fantasy: Sephiroth| publisher=[[GameSpy]]|date=August 6, 2009| accessdate=August 29, 2009}}</ref> On the other hand, AnimeFringe called him "the most notorious villain in the entire Final Fantasy series" and "quintessential [[bishōnen]] in the eyes of many fans -- male and female," comparing him with Kefka and praising his complexity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animefringe.com/magazine/2005/12/feature/01-1.php |publisher=AnimeFringe |title=The Legacy of Final Fantasy VII |author1=Crocker, Janet |author2=Smith, Lesley |author3=Henderson, Tim |author4=Arnold, Adam |date=December 2005 |page=1 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080611160506/http://www.animefringe.com/magazine/2005/12/feature/01-1.php |archivedate=June 11, 2008 |accessdate=August 18, 2010 |deadurl=yes |df= }}</ref>
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| Critics have also commented on Sephiroth's role in other games. In relation to ''Crisis Core'', IGN AU stated that "even Sephiroth gets his moments in the sun," praising the depth in his backstory, which would later make his boss battle more entertaining.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://psp.ign.com/articles/882/882855p3.html|title=Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII AU Review|publisher=IGN AU |author=Kolan, Patrick |accessdate=August 26, 2010 }}</ref> IGN UK agreed, stating that his character was granted "a more human dimension" and enjoying some of the events from before his transformation into a villain.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://psp.ign.com/articles/881/881540p1.html|title=Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII UK Review|publisher=IGN UK |date=June 13, 2008|author=McCarthy, Dave |accessdate=August 26, 2010 }}</ref> His boss battle was also shown in 1UP.com's "25 More of the Most Badass Boss Fights Ever" in which the staff praised how the original battle from ''Final Fantasy VII'' was expanded in the title.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3178169| title=25 More of the Most Badass Boss Fights Ever| publisher=[[1UP.com]]|accessdate=March 29, 2010}}</ref> A feature published by GamerHelp included Sephiroth's ''Kingdom Hearts''{{'}}s fight in a feature titled "The Hardest Bosses of All Time", noting that regardless of the player's skill "walking away from this match unscathed" is not possible, to the point of saying that the fight was more difficult than the entirety of ''Final Fantasy VII''.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.gamerhelp.com/article_viewer.cfm?article_id=127580| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080125233459/http://www.gamerhelp.com/article_viewer.cfm?article_id=127580| archivedate=2008-01-25| title=The Hardest Bosses of All Time| publisher=GamerHelp| accessdate=April 28, 2008}}</ref> AnimeFringe stated that only advanced gamers would be able to defeat ''Kingdom Hearts''{{'}}s Sephiroth because the player has no backup and that his "devastating attacks can kill in seconds."<ref name="animefringe">{{cite web|url=http://www.animefringe.com/magazine/2005/12/feature/01-2.php|publisher=AnimeFringe|title= The Legacy of Final Fantasy VII|author1=Crocker, Janet |author2=Smith, Lesley |author3=Henderson, Tim |author4=Arnold, Adam | date=December 2005|page=2|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080613190811/http://www.animefringe.com/magazine/2005/12/feature/01-2.php|archivedate=June 13, 2008|accessdate = August 18, 2010}}</ref> In 2013, ''Complex'' ranked Sephiroth in ''Kingdom Hearts'' and ''Kingdom Hearts II'' as respectively the seventh and fifth hardest boss fights in video games; in addition, Safer Sephiroth from ''Final Fantasy VII'' placed 12th.<ref>Elijah Watson, [http://www.complex.com/video-games/2013/07/50-hardest-video-game-bosses-how-beat-them/hearts The 50 Hardest Video Game Bosses (And How To Beat Them)], Complex.com, July 1, 2013.</ref>
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| ==See also==
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| {{Portal|Final Fantasy}}
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| *[[List of Final Fantasy VII characters|List of ''Final Fantasy VII'' characters]] {{Clear}}
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| ==References==
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| {{Reflist|30em}}
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| ==External links==
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| {{wikiquote|Final Fantasy VII#Sephiroth|Sephiroth}}
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| {{Commons category|Sephiroth}}
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| *[[:finalfantasy:Sephiroth|Sephiroth]] on the ''Final Fantasy'' Wiki
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| {{FFVII}}
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| [[Category:Characters designed by Tetsuya Nomura]]
| | ==Trivia== |
| [[Category:Extraterrestrial–human hybrids in video games]] | | *When the Cobalt Star Shard goes near the Junior Shrooboid, the sound that a [[Shroob UFO]] makes is heard. |
| [[Category:Fictional assassins]]
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| [[Category:Fictional samurai]]
| | {{MLPIT}} |
| [[Category:Fictional super soldiers]] | | [[Category:Artifacts]] |
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| [[Category:Fictional swordsmen]] | | [[Category:Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time Items]] |
| [[Category:Fictional mass murderers]]
| | [[de:Kobalt-Stern]] |
| [[Category:Final Fantasy VII characters]]
| | [[it:Stella Cobalto]] |
| [[Category:Final Fantasy characters]]
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| [[Category:Genetically engineered characters in video games]]
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| [[Category:Male characters in video games]] | |
| [[Category:Military personnel characters in video games]]
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| [[Category:Science fantasy video game characters]]
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| [[Category:Video game bosses]]
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| [[Category:Video game characters in film]]
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| [[Category:Video game characters in literature]]
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| [[Category:Video game characters introduced in 1997]]
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| [[Category:Video game characters with superhuman strength]] | |
