The introduction of the very first canon LGBTQIA+ character inFinal Fantasy 16makes the newest entry in the long-running series a great choice to play for Pride Month. Its influence isn’t limited to just one game, though. As wonderful as it is to see this type of representation expressed as open canon in one of thebest RPG seriesof all time, this specific example of gay representation is a step towards a more inclusive gaming culture.
While LGBTQIA+ content is nothing new from the last few years in more independent games or even titles published by Square Enix likeLife is Strange, inclusion in a flagship franchise likeFinal Fantasy 16is still important to note. Imperial Prince Dion Lesage inFinal Fantasy 16dramatically shakes things up for the franchise, and that’s by breaking the mold in a meaningful way that is also tactful and not strictly tied to the overall plot.
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Dion’s Representation in a Sea of Final Fantasy’s Queer-Coded Characters
What makes Dion such a unique character in theFinal Fantasyseries is that this is the first time that the games have gone further than simply coding a character as queer. For example, Fang and Vanille are often considered to be among the first characters to have been shown to be in a same-sex romantic relationship all the way back inFinal Fantasy 13’s first foray into actionfor the series. However, these two characters are more often to be considered coded as gay, since their relationship is never officially stated to be purely romantic throughout the game or from any official material surrounding it.
Aside from LGBTQIA+ coding like Fang and Vanille, any form of representation in past games has usually been used more as a joke, rather than an honest attempt at representation or inclusion. This is what makes the inclusion of Dion as a canonically gay character without any coding or outdated humor such a standout among theFinal Fantasyseries. It is a huge step forward for representation, especially considering that Dion himself takes on the archetypal shining knight/dragoon role, which is astaple forFinal Fantasyheroes.
Considering that the majority of the queer-coded characters across theFinal Fantasyseries that weren’t heroes were often villains, it is great to have one who is undoubtedly a hero. With or without his presence as a positive representation, Dion is already one of the best characters inFinal Fantasy 16for being one of Square Enix’s much beloved best boys. Sacrificing nothing for his convictions and dedicating himself to the people of Sanbreque in a way that his father,the tyrant Emperor Sylvestre Lesage, fails to do, Dion is the best option for an ally among the Empire.
Final Fantasy 16’s LGBTQIA+ Representation is More Than a Kiss
While the inclusion ofDion Lesage inFF16and his LGBTQIA+ status is great, the limited scope of his relationship with his partner Terence is such that it doesn’t mean much to the story. This is a common critique against the overall representation of queer characters in many other games and media, where the moments of representation are often so few and far between that one could edit them out of the story without losing anything of substance.
However, what’s great is that while their relationship isn’t necessary to the story, neither is Clive and Jill’s effectively. And just as they get their own dedicated storyline for romance, so too do Dion and Terence outside the main plot. Dion sends Terence to adopt the Medicine Girl, showing that Dion had hopes for one life but dedication to another.
