Misplaced Pages

Final Fantasy: Unlimited
Title card of the series
ファイナルファンタジー:アンリミテッド (Fainaru Fantajī: Anrimiteddo)
Genre	Adventure, fantasy, romance
Created by	Square Akitoshi Kawazu (series concept)
Anime television series
Directed by	Mahiro Maeda Kenichi Takeuchi (assistant)
Produced by	Makiko Iwata Takeshi Sasamura Shinji Nakashima Yuma Sakata
Written by	Atsuhiro Tomioka
Music by	Akifumi Tada Shirō Hamaguchi
Studio	Gonzo
Licensed by	AUS: Madman Entertainment NA: ADV Films UK: ADV Films UK
Original network	TV Tokyo
English network	NA: Anime Network SEA: Animax Asia US: Syfy ZA: Animax
Original run	2 October 2001 – 26 March 2002
Episodes	25 (List of episodes)

Final Fantasy: Unlimited (FF:U) is an anime television series based on Square Enix's popular Final Fantasy role-playing video game franchise. Produced by Gonzo, avex mode, TV Tokyo, Dentsu and GDH, the series was directed by Mahiro Maeda, with Atsuhiro Tomioka writing the scripts, Kazuto Nakazawa and Camel 7 designing the characters and Shirō Hamaguchi and Akifumi Tada composing the music. The TV series incorporates both 2D animation and 3D graphics, and takes elements from the Final Fantasy games. It was licensed for North America and the United Kingdom by ADV Films were released on Blu-ray. Square Enix game designer Akitoshi Kawazu served as base concept planning and was intended to be the director for the planned video game series.

Due to a combination of low ratings and the financial failure of Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, the anime series's planned 52-episode run was cut to 25, leaving the story unfinished. The continuation of the story has been released in a variety of other media including printed and web novel series, manga, radio dramas, and video games.

Plot

FF:U follows the story of Ai and Yu Hayakawa, 12-year-old twins who travel into Wonderland, a mysterious parallel dimension, in search of their missing parents. Other main characters include Lisa Pacifist, a 22-year-old woman whom Ai and Yu encounter in the Subway as she becomes their protector while helping them search for their parents in Wonderland. The series is divided into two major sections, defined by the main method of transport the protagonists are utilizing. The first section of the series sees the group using the Ghost Train to reach a part of Wonderland, crossing paths with Kaze as he has no memory of his past save Makenshi, who aids the Lords of Gaudium who attack them. The group also encounter fragments of a destructive being named Omega, which is after the Ghost Train's power source to become whole. Meanwhile, the story from the antagonist's view is periodically revealed with Earl Tyrant's discussion with his lords. Earl is the embodiment of Chaos and is seeking the fragments of Omega to possess a power equal to the Unlimited, beings of immense power like Kaze and Makenshi who could destroy him.

The second section of the series sees the protagonists join up with the rebel faction, the Comodeen, and board the submarine, Jane, which is bound for Telos, the only place in Wonderland that has a natural deposit of the gravity-defying Flying Water. Both parties sought the substance: the Comodeen to power their airship Silvia to reach Earl's flying fortress Gaudium and the Earl's forces using the substance to contain Omega's power. The series climaxes when the Earl himself makes a move on the Comodeen, destroying Jane and capturing the protagonists in his true form: Chaos Tyrant. It was then that the Earl's right-hand man, Oscha, reveals that Ai and Yu were spawned from Chaos in the aftermath of Kaze and Makenshi's sending their adoptive parents to Wonderland. With only Omega's heart, Clear, remaining and fused with his Flying Water suit into a crystal, the Earl intended to absorb the Hayakawa twins as well to increase Chaos's power from their experiences. Luckily, Lou Lupus and Moogle come to their friends' aid as the Earl killed the former. Confronted with Chaos Tyrant, Kaze and Makenshi sacrifice themselves to destroy the Earl, thus ending his reign of terror over Wonderland while Lisa and the Hayakawa family were found by the Comodeen. They are also two mysterious figures that the group encounter, "Black Wind" (黒き風, Kuroki Kaze) and Makenshi (魔剣士), beings of incredible power who each lost their world before coming to Wonderland.

Characters

Production and release

FF:U was directed by Mahiro Maeda of GONZO and produced by TV Tokyo's Keisuke Iwata, and Square Enix's Kensuke Tanaka. Square Enix game designer Akitoshi Kawazu served as base concept planning. A series of video games were intended with Kawazu as director. Due to a combination of low ratings and the financial failure of Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, the anime series's planned 52-episode run was cut to 25, leaving the story unfinished. FF:U aired on TV Tokyo's Network 6 on weekly on Tuesday 6:30PM starting on October 2, 2001. Japan released the series for home media via DVD and divided it into nine separate releases, known as "Phases". ADV Films picked up the series for North America and United Kingdom on May 1, 2003. The North American complete boxset re-arranges the series into five discs of five episodes each, titled "Phase 1" through "Phase 5". A European complete boxset retains the seven discs as released singularly. Both were released by A.D.V. Films. A promotional DVD titled Final Fantasy: Unlimited Prologue Phase.0 was released containing the history of Final Fantasy, the production history of FF:U and interviews with the cast. It was released on January 30, 2002.

Music

FF:U was composed by Nobuo Uematsu, Shirō Hamaguchi, and Akifumi Tada. The series has an opening theme and three ending themes. The opening theme for the series is "Over the FANTASY" (Composed by Nobuo Uematsu, Arranged by Takahiro Ando, Lyrics by Yuko Ebine) performed by Kana Ueda. The first theme is "VIVID" (Lyrics and Composition by Takashi Genouzono, Arrangements by Fairy Fore and Masao Akashi) performed by Fairy Fore and was used for episodes 1-13. For episodes 14-24 the ending theme was "Romancing Train" (Composition and arrangements by t-kimura, lyrics by motsu) performed by move. The third ending theme was "Over the FANTASY" and was used on the final episode of the series.

Avex mode released the singles for the opening and endings. The "VIVID" single was released on November 7, 2001. The "Over the FANTASY" single was released on December 5, 2001. The single for "Romance Train" was released on February 6, 2002. Two soundtracks were produced by Avex mode. The first is Final Fantasy: Unlimited Music Adventure Verse.1 and was released December 19, 2001. The second titled Final Fantasy: Unlimited Music Adventure Verse.2 was released on April 17, 2002.

All music and arrangements were made by Shiro Hamaguchi unless where otherwise specified.

Related media

Printed

A novel titled, Final Fantasy: Unlimited – Sou no Kizuna was released on March 28, 2002, by Kadokawa Shoten. The novel was written by Sho Katigiri, illustrated by Kazuto Nakazawa, and supervised by Squaresoft. It explores a side story that is set in the time of the television series. A 96-page artbook titled Final Fantasy: Unlimited – Kaze to Kumo Noita Sekai was published by Kadokawa Shoten and released on April 22, 2002. A book titled FF:U After – Gakai no Sho was released on May 15, 2002 by DigiCube. The book contains a 32-page manga drawn by Hiroyuki Yamashita and a 120-page script written by Atsuhiro Tomioka. It covers the twins' return to their own world, the revelation of Lisa's past, and introduces a new villain under Gaudium: Soljashy. A serial web novel titled FF:U After Spiral was written by Sho Katigiri, supervised by Atsuhiro Tomioka, and was published on the official Japanese FF:U website. The series has a total of seven chapters and one spin-off chapter were released and take place after the events of FF:U After.

Audio

A serial audio drama titled FF:U Voice Theater – fābura no ikai e no sasoi was available for those who subscribed to TV Tokyo's Anime-X service via mobile phones on i-mode's distribution service. A total of 10 episodes were released monthly beginning on January 15, 2002. It was conducted by Yoshitomo Yonetani with Kikuko Inoue returning as Fabula's voice actress. The series was compiled and released on September 30 the same year in CD-ROM for Windows 95, 98, Me, 2000, XP, and iMac G3. Two drama CDs were released by Avex mode. The first drama CD titled FF:U Before - Aura Inochi Tsugu Mono was given to customers for a limited time as a gift for those who purchased the DVD Boxset. It tells a story in the form of a flashback of the destruction of Kaze and Makenshi's worlds. A radio drama titled FF:U After 2 – Risa tachi kira reta kusari was released on December 26, 2002 and deals with Comodeen's final attack on Gaudium and brings a conclusion to the conflict between Lisa and Soljashy.

Video games

Two video games have been released. The first, titled FF:U with U, is an RPG video game adaptation for Japanese mobile phones on i-mode's distribution service developed by Index was released on August 20, 2002. The game contains the same plot as the anime. Points were accumulated by playing through the game's scenarios and used to purchase more characters. Ringtones based on the music of FF:U could be purchased through the game as microtransactions. The second game, titled FF:U on PC Meikyū – Kuroki Yume Noki Oku, is a visual novel and card game set in the FF:U universe. Published by Amada Printing, it was released May 16, 2003. Unlimited Saga was in production around the same time as the anime and originally connected to the setting of the anime series, but these plans were shelved during production. Kawazu later said that many of the similarities were coincidental due to his work on both projects.

Reception

Reviewer	Score
Anime News Network	B(DVD 1, Phase 1) D+(DVD 2, Phase 2)
Mania.com	D(complete collection)
Play	C+
T.H.E.M.

The series was ranked 18 by popular vote for Top 20 Anime in Japan for November 2001. Outside Japan, the series had received mixed reviews. Play magazine reviewer David Halverson was disappointed that the series was aimed at a younger audience. Allen Divers of Anime News Network (ANN) ranked the series an overall score "B"; although he considered the plot "somewhat" formulaic, he felt that the series has an ambition and that manages to be visually engaging. Sandra Scholes of Active Anime praised the series, saying that the characters were created with care and consideration for the fans who have followed Final Fantasy series from the start. Ken Hargon of ANN criticized the series for being unappealing and not living up to the Final Fantasy series nor any other anime. Carlos Ross of T.H.E.M. ranked the series three stars stating that "the style is firmly entrenched in Saturday morning", but considered better than Final Fantasy: Legend of the Crystals. Paul Gaudette of Mania.com gave the series a "D" rating, saying that despite not having to do with its namesake, he called Final Fantasy Unlimited somewhat enjoyable in the beginning while noticing that the show was written for a younger audience.

Notes

1. Japanese: FF:U ～ファイナルファンタジー:アンリミテッド ～, Hepburn: FF:U ~Fainaru Fantajī: Anrimiteddo~
2. FF:U ～ファイナルファンタジー：アンリミテッド～ MUSIC ADVENTURE Verse. 1
3. FF:U ～ファイナルファンタジー：アンリミテッド～ MUSIC ADVENTURE Verse. 2
4. ファイナルファンタジー:アンリミテッド―双の絆, lit. "Final Fantasy Unlimited – The Bond of Two Souls"
5. ファイナル ファンタジー・アンリミテッド －風と雲のいた世界－, lit. "Final Fantasy: Unlimited – The World with Wind and Clouds"
6. FF:U After ~外界の章~, lit."FF:U After – Chapters of the Outside World"
7. FF:U ヴォイスシアター「ファーブラの異界への誘い」, lit."FF:U Voice Theater – Fabula's Invitation to the Other World"
8. FF:U Before ～アウラ いのちつぐもの～, lit. "FF:U Before – The Life of Aura"
9. FF:U After 2-リサ た ちきられたクサリ-, lit. "Lisa bests Kusari"
10. FF:U on PC 迷宮 くろきゆめのきおく, lit.FF:U on PC Labyrinth - Black Dream Memories

References

1. "アフレコインタビュー＆前田総監督と米たにコンダクターの対談をご紹介！". TV Tokyo (in Japanese). September 28, 2001. Archived from the original on February 10, 2003. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
2. "新番組「FF：U～ファイナルファンタジー：アンリミテッド」が10月2日スタート！". Dengeki Online (in Japanese). September 28, 2001. Archived from the original on April 14, 2021. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
3. "FF:U 河津秋敏さん". TV Tokyo (in Japanese). Archived from the original on February 1, 2003. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
4. "FF:TSW Interview Series - Hironobu Sakaguchi". Anime Dream. October 2, 2001. Archived from the original on March 2, 2004. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
5. Clements, Jonathan; McCarthy, Helen (March 19, 2013). "Final Fantasy". The Anime Encyclopedia, 3rd Revised Edition: A Century of Japanese Animation. Stone Bridge Press. ISBN 978-1-6117-2018-1.
6. "また爆死か？『FFXV』アニメ化&映画化に「チャレンジャーすぎる」の声 歴代の映像作品を振り返りながら命運を予測!!". Excite.co.jp (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2020-09-18. Retrieved 2020-08-26.
7. "エイベックスのアニメがテレ東系列で続々OA". ASCII.jp (in Japanese). Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
8. ^ "Anime Information - Final Fantasy: Unlimited". Avex mode (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 3, 2003. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
9. "ADV Films Acquires Three Anime Series". AnimationMagazine.net (in Japanese). May 1, 2003. Archived from the original on November 3, 2019. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
10. ^ "ファイナルファンタジー:アンリミテッド 各話あ已すじ". TV Tokyo (in Japanese). Archived from the original on February 10, 2003. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
11. "FAIRY FORE Discography". Avex Net. Archived from the original on November 8, 2001. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
12. "オーバー・ザ・ファンタジー". Billboard Japan. Archived from the original on April 19, 2021. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
13. "Romancing Train". Archived from the original on November 11, 2017. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
14. ^ "FF:U ～ファイナルファンタジー：アンリミテッド～ MUSIC ADVENTURE Verse. 1". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on July 8, 2019. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
15. ^ "FF:U ～ファイナルファンタジー：アンリミテッド～ MUSIC ADVENTURE Verse. 2". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on July 4, 2019. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
16. "ファイナルファンタジー：アンリミテッド 双の絆" (in Japanese). Kadokawa Shoten. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 3, 2013.
17. "ファイナル ファンタジー・アンリミテッド －風と雲のいた世界－" (in Japanese). Kadokawa Shoten. Archived from the original on April 16, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
18. "FF:U After ～外界の章～" (in Japanese). DigiCube. Archived from the original on June 24, 2003. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
19. "FF:U Official Fan Site After Project". FF:U Official fan site (in Japanese). Archived from the original on June 12, 2004. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
20. "iモードで、ファーブラ(井上喜久子さん)の声を聴こう!!". TV Tokyo (in Japanese). Archived from the original on January 18, 2002. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
21. "FF:U ヴォイスシアター「ファーブラの異界への誘い」". Anilove.jp (in Japanese). Archived from the original on February 22, 2002.
22. "FF:Uヴォイスシアター". TV Tokyo (in Japanese). Archived from the original on August 6, 2002. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
23. "ドラマCD「FF:U After 2 －リサ たちきられたくさ り－」" (in Japanese). JBook. Archived from the original on September 18, 2020. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
24. "インデックス、iモードサイト「FF:U with U」提供開始" (in Japanese). August 20, 2002. Archived from the original on February 22, 2012. Retrieved October 22, 2007.
25. "インデックス、FFアニメのiモードサイトを運営開始!「ファイナルファンタジー：アンリミテッド ウィズ ユー」" (in Japanese). August 20, 2002. Archived from the original on June 28, 2013. Retrieved 2013-12-02.
26. "FF:U on PC". Amada-printing.co.jp (in Japanese). 2003. Archived from the original on August 2, 2003. Retrieved April 12, 2010.
27. 『サガ』シリーズ生誕25周年記念冊子 サガ カレイドスコープ. Famitsu (in Japanese). No. January 2015. Enterbrain. 2014-12-25. p. 48.
28. 新作『SAGA2015（仮称）』発表記念。河津秋敏氏が振り返る『サガ』シリーズ25年の思い出. Dengeki Online (in Japanese). 2015-01-22. Archived from the original on 2018-07-21. Retrieved 2018-09-12.
29. ^ Divers, Allen (December 8, 2003). "Final Fantasy: Unlimited DVD 1: Phase 1 + Artbox". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on June 25, 2012. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
30. ^ Hargon, Ken (March 24, 2004). "Final Fantasy: Unlimited DVD 2: Phase 2". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on June 25, 2012. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
31. ^ Gaudette, Paul (March 31, 2010). "Final Fantasy Unlimited: Complete Collection". Mania. Archived from the original on October 24, 2012. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
32. ^ Halverson, David (December 2003). "Final Fantasy Unlimited: Final Fantasy, only fruity". Play. No. 24. Fusion publishing. p. 108. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
33. ^ Ross, Carlos. "Final Fantasy: Unlimited". T.H.E.M. Archived from the original on August 4, 2011. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
34. "Top Anime in Japan". Anime News Network. December 17, 2001. Archived from the original on January 27, 2014. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
35. Scholes, Sandra (December 8, 2003). "Final Fantasy: Unlimited DVD 1: Phase 1". Active Anime. Archived from the original on January 17, 2012. Retrieved December 30, 2012.

External links

• Official page at GONZO (archived from the original)
• Official fan site (archived from the original)
• Final Fantasy: Unlimited at IMDb
• Final Fantasy: Unlimited at the Final Fantasy Compendium
• Fan translation of Final Fantasy: Unlimited continuations

v t e Gonzo
Television series	Gate Keepers (2000) Vandread (2000) Samurai Girl: Real Bout High School (2001) Final Fantasy: Unlimited (2001–2002) Hellsing (2001–2002) Vandread: The Second Stage (2001) Full Metal Panic! (2002) Tai Master of Characters (2002) Saikano (2002) Kiddy Grade (2002–2003) Gravion (2002) Digigirl Pop! STRAWBERRY&POP MIX FLAVOR (2003) Kaleido Star (2003–2004) Last Exile (2003) Gad Guard (2003) Peacemaker Kurogane (2003–2004) Chrono Crusade (2003–2004) Gravion Zwei (2004) Gantz (2004) Burst Angel (2004) Samurai 7 (2004) Desert Punk (2004–2005) Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo (2004–2005) Basilisk (2005) Speed Grapher (2005) Trinity Blood (2005) Transformers: Cybertron (2005) G.I. Joe: Sigma 6 (2005–2007) Solty Rei (2005–2006) Black Cat (2005–2006) Glass Fleet (2006) Witchblade (2006) Yoshimune (2006) Welcome to the N.H.K. (2006) Red Garden (2006–2007) Pumpkin Scissors (2006–2007) Marginal Prince (2006) Ani*Kuri15 (animated sequence) (2007–2008) Master of Epic: The Animation Age (2007) Afro Samurai (2007) Getsumento Heiki Mina (2007) Romeo × Juliet (2007) Bokurano (2007) Kaze no Stigma (2007) My Bride Is a Mermaid (2007) Dragonaut: The Resonance (2007–2008) Rosario + Vampire (2008) The Tower of Druaga: The Aegis of Uruk (2008) S · A: Special A (2008) Blassreiter (2008) Strike Witches (2008) Rosario + Vampire Capu2 (2008) Linebarrels of Iron (2008–2009) The Tower of Druaga: The Sword of Uruk (2009) Saki (2009) Shangri-La (2009) Slap-up Party: Arad Senki (2009) Nyanpire (2011) Last Exile: Fam, The Silver Wing (2011–2012) Ozuma (2012) Leviathan: The Last Defense (2013) Dog & Scissors (2013) A Town Where You Live (2013) Blade & Soul (2014) Seiyu's Life! (2015) Aokana - Four Rhythms Across the Blue (2016) Akiba's Trip: The Animation (2017) 18if (2017) Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits (2018) Space Battleship Tiramisu (2018) Hinomaru Sumo (2018–2019) Conception (2018) Try Knights (2019) Phantasy Star Online 2: Episode Oracle (2019–2020)
Films	Origin: Spirits of the Past (2006) Brave Story (2006) Kiddy Grade -Ignition- (2007) Kiddy Grade -Maelstrom- (2007) Kiddy Grade -Truth Dawn- (2007) Afro Samurai: The Movie (2007) Afro Samurai: Resurrection (2009) Bayonetta: Bloody Fate (2013) Full Metal Panic! Director's Cut (2017–2018)
OVAs/ONAs	Blue Submarine No. 6 (1998–2000) Melty Lancer THE ANIMATION (1999–2000) Zaion: I Wish You Were Here (2001) Vandread Integral (2001) Gate Keepers 21 (2002–2003) Yukikaze (2002–2005) Vandread Turbulence (2002) Kaleido Star: New Wings Extra Stage (2004) Legend of Phoenix ~Layla Hamilton Monogatari~ (2005) Good da yo! Goood!! (2006) Burst Angel - Episode Zero: Infinity (2007) Strike Witches (2007) Red Garden: Dead Girls (2007) My Bride Is a Mermaid (2008–2009) Copihan (2011) A Town Where You Live (2014) Calamity of a Zombie Girl (2018) Saint Seiya: Saintia Shō (2018–2019) Hori-san to Miyamura-kun (2018–2021, #4–5) 7 Seeds (2019) Hero of Robots (2019)
Video games	Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete (1996) Silhouette Mirage (1997) Lunar 2: Eternal Blue Complete (1998) Radiant Silvergun (1998) Gensō Suikogaiden (1999–2001) SkyGunner (2001) Suikoden III (2002) Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner (2003) BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger (2009) Infinite Space (2009) Super Street Fighter IV (2010) BlazBlue: Continuum Shift (2010)
Category

• 2001 anime television series debuts
• 2002 Japanese television series endings
• Action anime and manga
• Anime and manga set in China
• ADV Films
• Anime television series based on video games
• Fantasy anime and manga
• Gonzo (company)
• Television series about parallel universes
• TV Tokyo original programming
• Works based on Final Fantasy