FRIONIEL Your standard virtuous JRPG "Hero" archetype, and a precursor to characters like Butz/Bartz, Locke, Zidane, Tidus, etc. Unlike his later counterparts, Frioniel isn't an alien, a clone, a basket case, or a dream, and doesn't have any skeletons in his closet, because this was before gimmicks like that were necessary. "Frioniel" appears to be his actual name, but it was changed to "Firion" in the American releases because of space restrictions. I dubbed him "Freon," after the ozone-damaging chlorofluorocarbon.

MARIA The "kind-hearted, frail-of-body-yet-strong-of-will female lead" who reappears in later games as Rosa, Lenna, Terra, Celes, Aeris, Rinoa, Dagger, Yuna, etc. I don't think there's much else to be said about Maria other than that she boasts one of the most enticing 8-bit racks in existence, for whatever the hell that's worth.

GUY The "gentle giant" archetype. See also: Sabin, Barrett, and Kimarhi. His special powers include retard strength and the ability to communicate with beavers.

LIONHEART Maria's older brother is a double prototype. Lionheart is both the first instance of the Dark Knight class in Final Fantasy and the first "bad good guy" character, followed by the likes of Kain, Shadow, Vincent, Amarant, etc. He's the last of the four main characters, although he disappears after the first battle and doesn't the your party until the end of the game. He has been renamed "Leon" in the official American releases, which isn't nearly as striking as "Lionheart." I personally like to call him "RASTA."

MINH Princess Hilda's right hand man and White Mage extraordinaire. Minh is the first ally to join your party and, thanks to his extensive White Magic grimoire, the closest thing you get to a genuinely useful one. Hard to say which later characters in the series resemble him, since most (all) future White Mages are female. Also known as Minhwa in other translations.

JOSEF The mayor of the wintry village of Salamando is both a "barehanded fighter" and a "middle-aged/geezer hardass" character, which makes him a prototype of Yang, Galuf, Sabin, Strago, Tifa, Zell, Amarant, Steiner, and a whole lot of Cids. He lends the party his Ice Sled, which they are then forced to lug around for the entire game because there's no Fat Chocobo to hold onto unneeded story items.

GORDON A "spoony, weakling loser prince" kind of person; Gordon reappears as Edward in Final Fantasy IV and is then rarely seen again because nobody really likes this kind of character. Gordon is the former prince of the decimated kingdom of Kashuon, and eventually steps up to lead the rebellion at Hilda's side.

LAYLA This free-spirited pirate chick is your "sassy beauty with a mean streak" character, who later appears in the guises of Faris, Yuffie, Lulu, and Paine. Like several of her descendents, she ends up joining after a failed attempt at kidnapping and robbing the party. Layla also sports 8-bit cleavage, but by the time you come across her the novelty has already worn off.

RICHARD Even if he can't Jump, the last of the Dragoons in the world of Final Fantasy II is the very first Dragoon in a Final Fantasy game. How's that for some impressive credentials? Richard comes across as a "noble warrior with an air of tragedy" kind of person, like Cyan, Freya, and Auron. He has the ability to communicate with and ride the Hiryuu, a type of dragon that usually gets translated as "wyvern" or "wind drake" in American releases.

The Villains