Yuna (Final Fantasy)

1.1. Birth and Upbringing

Yuna was born in the city of Bevelle, a major religious and political center in the world of Spira. At the age of seven, following the start of the "Eternal Calm" initiated by her father, High Summoner Braska, she moved to Besaid Island under the care of Kimahri Ronso. On Besaid, she was raised primarily by Wakka and Lulu, who became her guardians and close companions. It was on this island that she formally became a summoner, dedicating herself to the sacred and perilous pilgrimage to defeat Sin.
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1.2. Family and Lineage

Yuna is the daughter of the revered High Summoner Braska, who defeated Sin ten years prior to the events of Final Fantasy X. Her mother was the sister of Cid, the leader of the Al Bhed tribe. This makes Yuna a unique individual: a half-human, half-Al Bhed hybrid. This mixed heritage is visually represented by her heterochromia, with her left eye being a clear blue like her father's, and her right eye a striking emerald green, characteristic of the Al Bhed. Her lineage places her in a significant, yet sometimes conflicted, position within Spiran society, as the Al Bhed are often ostracized.

1.3. Personality and Beliefs

Yuna is characterized by her profound kindness, strong sense of duty, and unwavering determination. She is deeply empathetic, often putting the needs of others before her own, and has a tendency to shoulder burdens alone, struggling to ask for help. Her polite demeanor is often punctuated by a casual "`-ssu`" or "`-ss`" at the end of her sentences, similar to Tidus. Despite her gentle nature, she possesses an unyielding spirit and a strong moral compass, refusing to compromise her beliefs. In Final Fantasy X-2, two years after the heavy responsibilities of her summoner's journey, Yuna undergoes a significant personal transformation. She actively tries to change herself, adopting a brighter, more cheerful demeanor, often mimicking Rikku's slang and expressions, such as "Mukatsuki" (irritation), in an effort to become more like Tidus. This change reflects her desire to embrace a more carefree life after fulfilling her solemn duty.

2.1. Journey Against Sin

In Final Fantasy X, Yuna embarks on a pilgrimage across Spira to defeat the colossal monster known as Sin. As a summoner, she possesses the unique ability to call forth powerful entities called aeons, which are manifestations of the spirits of individuals known as Fayth. Her journey involves traveling to various temples throughout Spira to acquire new aeons, each representing a step closer to her ultimate goal: summoning the Final Aeon. This final summoning is believed to be the only way to defeat Sin, but it comes at a terrible cost, as it requires the summoner to sacrifice their own life. Yuna is accompanied by a group of guardians, including Tidus, Auron, Wakka, Lulu, Kimahri Ronso, and her cousin Rikku. Throughout this journey, Yuna gradually opens up and develops a deep romantic relationship with Tidus, as they share their pasts and their hopes for the future, particularly their shared dream of seeing Tidus's home, Zanarkand.

2.2. Sacrifice and Hope

The traditional path of a summoner culminates in the summoning of the Final Aeon, which inevitably leads to the summoner's death. Yuna, fully aware of this grim fate, is prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice for the people of Spira. However, upon reaching the place where she is to perform the Final Summoning, Tidus persuades the group to seek an alternative method to defeat Sin, one that does not require Yuna's life. This decision leads them to uncover the truth behind Sin's cyclical rebirth, revealing that the ancient entity Yu Yevon is responsible for its continuous revival. By confronting and defeating Yu Yevon, Yuna and her companions succeed in destroying Sin permanently, ushering in an "eternal Calm" in Spira. This victory, however, comes with a bittersweet separation, as Tidus, being a dream manifestation of the Fayth, disappears after Sin's defeat.

3.1. Life as a Sphere Hunter

Two years after the eternal Calm began and Tidus's disappearance, Yuna, now 19 years old, is no longer bound by the duties of a summoner. Instead, she becomes a sphere hunter, traveling across Spira in a airship to uncover ancient secrets and historical records contained within magical spheres. Her primary motivation for this new lifestyle is a blurry video sphere she discovers, which appears to show a man resembling Tidus imprisoned. Driven by the hope of finding him, Yuna dedicates herself to this quest, exploring Spira's changed landscape and seeking any clues that might lead her to her lost love.

3.2. The Gullwings and New Companions

Yuna joins the sphere-hunting group known as the {{lang|ja|カモメ団|Kamome Dan|Gullwings}}, a name that literally translates to "Seagulls." This group includes her cousin Rikku and the enigmatic Paine, along with Rikku's relatives, the Al Bhed members Brother and Buddy, who pilot their airship, the Celsius. In the international version of Final Fantasy X-2, the Gullwings initially disband before the game's opening, with Yuna returning to Besaid Island. However, the trio soon reunites to investigate a newly discovered tower. During their adventures, Yuna discovers that the man in the sphere is actually Shuyin, a spirit consumed by a thousand-year-old desire for revenge against Spira for the death of his lover, Lenne. Yuna, possessing a sphere containing Lenne's spirit and her singing ability, resolves to stop Shuyin's destructive plan. With the help of Paine's former comrades, the Gullwings defeat Shuyin, allowing him to depart to the afterlife with Lenne's spirit. Depending on the player's progress and choices throughout the game, the Fayth may intervene and revive Tidus, allowing for a reunion between him and Yuna. However, a later audio drama, released with the HD Remastered version of the games, depicts Yuna as a member of the Yevoners, a group based on Besaid, and suggests she breaks up with Tidus, declaring her love for someone else, before preparing to fight a revived Sin once more.

4.1. Roles in Other Game Series

Yuna is a recurring character in the Dissidia series, which features an ensemble cast of characters from across the Final Fantasy universe. In Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy, she is summoned by the goddess Cosmos to participate in a war against her rival, Chaos. She appears in her Final Fantasy X form, with slight adjustments to fit the game's aesthetic. Retaining her memories from Final Fantasy X, Yuna attempts to persuade Tidus to join her side, but he is wounded by The Emperor while trying to protect her. Yuna is later killed by the mannequins alongside other Cosmos warriors in the narrative of 012. The game also features alternative designs for Yuna, including one based on Yoshitaka Amano's illustrations and her wedding dress from Final Fantasy X. Her Final Fantasy X-2 regular form was later made available as downloadable content. She also appears in Dissidia NT as a warrior summoned by Materia, Cosmos's heir apparent, to fight against Spiritus. However, Yuna is one of many characters who are summoned far from the main conflict and arrive after the war's conclusion.

Outside of the Final Fantasy series, Yuna appears in Kingdom Hearts II as a small pixie, alongside Paine and Rikku. Initially bribed by Maleficent to spy on Leon's resistance group in Radiant Garden, the pixies eventually switch their allegiance after being abandoned by Maleficent and learning of Sora's cause. They are portrayed as "treasure fanatics." Yuna is also featured in the board game-style video game Itadaki Street Special, appearing alongside Auron and Tidus, and in this game, she has two forms: her summoner attire and her "Gunner" dressphere outfit. Additionally, she represents Final Fantasy X in the rhythm game Theatrhythm Final Fantasy. She also makes guest appearances as a general in the Hanjuku Hero series, specifically in Hanjuku Hero Tai 3D and Seven Hanjuku Heroes. In Hanjuku Hero Tai 3D, a boss battle surprisingly features the official CG illustration of Tidus and Yuna as its background. In Seven Hanjuku Heroes, the character Katriinu cosplays as a "former summoner dual-gun wielder," a clear reference to Yuna. Multiple figures and figurines of Yuna were produced by various manufacturers, including a 2001 figure by Square.

5.1. Concept and Development Process

The initial concept for Yuna was developed by producer Yoshinori Kitase, who based her on an early draft idea for Final Fantasy X that explored a world where people died at the age of seventeen. The design goal was to create a character who possessed a strong will and determination, without necessarily being physically powerful. The relationship between Yuna and Tidus was always intended to be a central pillar of the plot, though Kitase later found other subplots, such as Jecht's arc, to be more emotionally impactful.

5.2. Evolution of Visual Design

Yuna's character was designed by the prolific artist Tetsuya Nomura. Initially, art director Yusuke Naora proposed a "tropical" design to complement the game's exotic Asian setting, but Nomura ultimately opted for a more traditional Japanese aesthetic. For Final Fantasy X, Nomura based Yuna's design on the hakama, a type of traditional Japanese clothing, and the furisode, a long-sleeved kimono. He chose the furisode specifically because Yuna was to perform the "sending" dance, and he wanted her outfit to have a flowing quality. Her design also incorporates a hibiscus flower motif, which references her name. The theme of "sun and night," also present in the names of Yuna and Tidus, was extended to her accessories. A notable detail in her Final Fantasy X outfit is the open back, a remnant of a scrapped concept where visible tattoos would represent a character's skills and abilities. In the game, she also wears a wedding dress during a significant scene in Bevelle Temple. Her height is 63 in ^{(161 cm)} in Final Fantasy X and 64 in ^{(162 cm)} in Final Fantasy X-2. In Final Fantasy X, she primarily wields a staff, while in Final Fantasy X-2, she adopts dual pistols. A bonus scene on the DVD shows Yuna training in her traditional attire underwater, practicing her swimming and diving skills under Wakka's guidance. Her celestial weapon is called "Nirvana."

The positive fan reception of Final Fantasy X motivated the developers to continue Yuna's story and those of other characters in Final Fantasy X-2. The costume designer, Tetsu Tsukamoto, stated that Yuna's radical design changes between the two games were meant to reflect a significant cultural shift in Spira. Producer Yoshinori Kitase added that they aimed to make Final Fantasy X-2 feel distinct from its predecessor, leading to changes in the clothing of Yuna, Rikku, and other characters to make them appear more active. This design direction was established even before the story and setting were fully developed. Given that Yuna, Rikku, and Paine now inhabit a more carefree world, the designers wanted them to "dress up," a concept that became integral to the gameplay's dressphere system. Scenario writer Kazushige Nojima described Yuna's new outfit as a "natural reaction to the heavy stuff she wore in Final Fantasy X." Her singing performance in Final Fantasy X-2 was also used to embody the pop music feel that the game incorporated. Final Fantasy X director Motomu Toriyama explained that Yuna's altered personality in X-2 was a result of her no longer bearing the immense responsibility of being a summoner. He noted that while she might appear as a completely different person, "deep in her heart, she is the same old Yuna." In Final Fantasy X-2, her outfit consists of a tank top and hot pants, featuring a metal accessory on her chest resembling the team symbol of the Blitzball team "Zanarkand Abes." She also wields dual pistols known as "Tiny Bee," adopting a gunner style as part of her "Gunner" dressphere. Her hairstyle and clothing in X-2 were consciously designed to evoke Tidus. Despite the significant changes, she retains her original earrings and necklace, and her hair extensions are styled in a way that recalls her previous priestess-like hair ties, maintaining subtle links to her past.

5.3. Origin of Name

The name "Yuna" has a specific linguistic and cultural origin that ties into her character design. While it has been widely circulated that her name means "moon" in the Okinawan language, this is a misconception. The Okinawan word for "moon" is "tsuki" or "shino." Instead, "Yuna" (ゆうな^Japanese) in Okinawan refers to the Okinawan hibiscus (Oohama Bou or Yamaasa), a flower that typically blooms in the evening. In Japanese (Wago), "Yuna" (夕菜_Yūna^Japanese) can also mean "evening vegetable" or "side dish," symbolizing family warmth, abundance, and blessings, making it a favored name for girls.

Character designer Tetsuya Nomura confirmed that Yuna's clothing and necklace designs incorporate the motif of the Oohama Bou flower. He also stated that her name was indeed derived from an Okinawan term, but specifically one that represents "evening" or "night" (as in "morning and evening," or "asane yūna"), contrasting with Tidus's name, which means "sun" in Okinawan. This "sun and night" motif extends to their accessories, creating a thematic connection between the two characters.

5.4. Voice Acting and Performance

Yuna has been brought to life by several talented voice actors across different adaptations. In the Japanese versions of the games, Yuna is voiced by Mayuko Aoki. For the English adaptations, Hedy Burress provides the character's voice. Burress recalled her efforts to convey Yuna's sense of duty, respect, and honor while preserving the character's inherent gentleness and femininity. She expressed a desire for her performance to transport audiences into the game's world. A 2003 audio CD, Final Fantasy X-2 Vocal Collections, features performances by Mayuko Aoki, Marika Matsumoto, and Megumi Toyoguchi, the voice actresses for Yuna, Rikku, and Paine, respectively. In the 2023 kabuki play adaptation of Final Fantasy X, Yuna was portrayed by Yonekichi Nakamura.

6.1. Critical and Public Reaction

Yuna has generally received positive reviews from critics and fans alike. She has frequently been described as one of the most beloved and best Final Fantasy characters by various magazines. In official Square Enix polls, Yuna was voted the third most favorite female Final Fantasy character in 2013 and the most popular Final Fantasy heroine in 2014. Readers of Game Informer recognized her relationship with Tidus as the best of 2001. In a 2010 ASCII Media Works poll where Japanese fans voted on video game or manga characters they would name their children after, Yuna ranked second in the female category.

Reviewers praised Yuna's character development and narrative arc in Final Fantasy X, particularly her journey and her relationship with Tidus. Hedy Burress's English voice acting in Final Fantasy X-2 was noted for its improvement compared to the first game, with some critics stating that it brought the character fully to life. Jeremy Dunham of IGN lauded the clothing designs in X-2, describing them as a blend of "proven and recognizable Final Fantasy styles" with a "revealing neo-modern fashion sense," singling out her warrior costume.

However, Yuna's portrayal in Final Fantasy X-2 also received mixed reception, largely due to her radical redesign and altered personality. Some critics and players expressed dissatisfaction with her more revealing attire and her role as a pop singer, with some backlash leading to debates on whether X-2 truly felt like a "proper" Final Fantasy game. The book Packaging Girlhood: Rescuing Our Daughters from Marketers' Schemes described Yuna's X-2 appearance as resembling a "sexy MTV video star," suggesting it conveyed a message that "being brave, strong, and ready to fight can only last so long - the next adventure is fashion, boyfriends, and sex." While some critics acknowledged that her caring nature remained intact, they still found her costumes too skimpy. Comparisons were drawn to characters like Natalie Cook from Charlie's Angels and Lara Croft from Tomb Raider, due to her attire and gun-wielding skills. Eurogamer noted Burress's improved performance but felt Yuna's characterization in X-2 could come across as "cheesy," especially with her J-pop inspired singing, drawing comparisons to the Spice Girls. GameSpy praised Burress's improvement despite poor lip syncing, but felt that the strong narrative potential of Yuna's quest for Tidus was lost as the game focused on unappealing sidequests. Gaming Age negatively compared the Gullwings to Charlie's Angels, finding them unbearable, particularly when Yuna began singing. Furthermore, Yuna's characterization in the audio drama Will was criticized for undoing her character arc and reverting her to her original persona, which some felt undermined her growth.

6.2. Popularity and Symbolism

Despite the mixed reception for her Final Fantasy X-2 redesign, Yuna has maintained enduring popularity among fans and remains a significant symbol within the Final Fantasy franchise. She embodies themes of sacrifice, resilience, and the pursuit of hope in the face of overwhelming despair. Her journey in Final Fantasy X represents a selfless dedication to saving her world, while her subsequent quest in Final Fantasy X-2 symbolizes personal liberation and the search for individual happiness after fulfilling a grand destiny. Yuna's evolution from a reserved, dutiful summoner to a more assertive and independent sphere hunter resonates with many players, solidifying her status as an iconic and emotionally resonant character in video game history.