7 Characters So Corrupt It Chills Your Spine 

One of my favorite FF quotes comes from Judge Bergan, "Too late and to their sorrows do those who misplace their trust in gods learn their fate."

Me as a kid: These characters are so corrupt! Good thing no one is like that in real life! Me as an adult: These characters are tame compared to real life

So glad Bergan made the list. Anastasis was for me the most tragic death in FF.

No. 1: Square Enix former CEO. He is even a boss in NieR: Automata!

I know XIV has lots of corrupted characters but the one I was really thinking of is Valens van Varro from Sorrow of Werlyt questline. Not gonna spoiler here but he was probably the only character who made me thought Asahi wasn't the most sadistic and corrupted one in the game.

Asahi's teeth chattering scene has always stuck with me.

My only problem with your pick of Asahi for FFXIV is I can never remember him without picturing the screenshots of him bending double to sneer at lalafell players 😂

I love antagonists like this They don't beat out the likes of Sephiroth, Seymour or Kefka, but the little guys just show how big the picture really is when you're going up against the world enders

Very interesting list highlighting characters that are not usually discussed, NORG is one of the most intriguing for me because a lot of content surrounding him was cut and I always wondered what they had planned for him

When it comes to ff7, Hojo should definitely be on this list

I spent the entire video waiting for you to talk about Vauthry from XIV, and as soon as I saw that number 7 was Asahi, I'm like, yeah that's a damn good pick too. And someone else also commented Valens, which would also be more than fitting. Considering the laid-back nature of simply playing it and the half-anime-half-realistic art style, I forget that XIV is arguably the darkest game in the series.

I honestly cannot blame Mika, the defeat of Sin was due to a series of MANY lucky events impossible to replicate without the plot armour of a protagonist, and, if you take the novels into consideration, it’s not even over with Sin.

Honestly I'm surprised Emet-Selch was pictured as a corrupt contender in FFXIV given overall story when Vauthry is right there with free meol.

I am surprised thar Maester Mika was on this list instead of Seymour, as well, you know what that monster did.

I remember when I first met Asahi I didn't trust him. Something about him always seemed off and boy oh boy was I rightXD He's such a little shit. I remember when you learn of his devotion/obsession with Zenos I was like "Oh, you're one of those people." lol.

Now, there's a ton of characters who could easily be called corrupt in all of Final Fantasy, and a good chunk of them would be from XIV, but I want to point out someone who is easily mistaken for corrupt (and to some degree, given his circumstances, might still be to a point), but actually isn't as far as the story and narrative is concerned: Lolorito Nanarito. Ok, I know what you're thinking, but hear me out. Despite being a shady little piece of shit, Lolorito actually has the good of Ul'dah as his main concern, because he cleaves closely to the idea of "the good of the people is the good of the nation, and as Ul'dah prospers, so does its people." While he does everything to make sure that his actions make him rich as all hell, and have enough money to simply buy his way through his problems, he does so by at least making sure the people working for and under him do things (nominally) on the up and up. He's a ruthless capitalist and corporate overlord, but he understands that ultimately, it's the people of Ul'dah that are its greatest treasure (and resource). This is highlighted most when it comes to light that it was he who orchestrated the counter-espionage that saw the deadly poison meant to assassinate Nanamo replaced with just a sleeping drug, one that makes the drinker *look* as if they were dead. He also made sure it was us that was implicated, because he knew we could handle the heat, and wouldn't risk anyone else that couldn't deal with the situation. He couldn't use anyone connected to Ul'dah, for risk of them losing their livelihood, nor could he look to outside help that wasn't as proven as us. He knew we were bonafide, dyed-in-the-wool heroes, and that we'd take the hit on the chin and get back up for round two. It was also him that orchestrated our escape from the bloody banquet. While that merchant was sent by Tataru, he wouldn't have ever gotten to that point to pick us up if the Brass Blades weren't given discreet orders to not be in that general area for a time. And who is it that just so happens to have the Brass Blades in his pocket... The part that sealed the deal for me was when he later had a meeting with Nanamo and us, specifically to go over the whole ordeal, and admits his hand in all of it. Straight up comes clean to both of us about what he did and why: he has always had the good of Ul'dah in his heart, and will continue to do so, by any means necessary. Will he continue to work to get rich off his endeavors? Oh, absolutely, and 100% admits to such, with no shame. He knows what he's about, and wants both of you to know it as well, with no misunderstandings.

Is this guy corrupt? "...declaring he had diplomatic immunity." Say no more.

Great list! Norg was one that I forgot about, but totally deserving for this list. As for the last entry in this list, Asahi.....I cannot help but cringe in the worst way at sight of him. To Hell with that dude!

You took Burke from Alien 2, nice choice! Thumbs up for you guys.

Forgot the Honourable Mentions: Yosuke Matsuda and Takeshi Kiryu. Our two favourite NFT peddlers :P

When i was a kid, NORG always seems out of context in the history. Recently, in a recent time playing, i realised how his presence made a lot of sense.

1 character per title or FF7 would have like half the entries. Shinra, Hojo, Hijidinger, Scarlet...

I’ve seen people say Asahi has the single most punchable face on Hydaelyn.

I did NOT expect nr1. But once I gave it an extra thought, it make sooo much sense.

Where is Barthendelus? He is corrupt up to a point that he controlled literal gods. He is so corrupt that even though he cannot destroy Fal'Cies, he sought help by using L'Cies to control Fal'Cies

Fantastic stuff, and great premise as well.

You know who else is corrupt? Chaos. Let's mug him.

Great list --- Didn't expect NORG to make it. I would personally put FF9's Queen Brahne on this list as well, I think.

Square does corruption so well... They do, flawed, well. Love their story telling, character and world building too.

Don’t forget how much the Shumis hate NORG too. They said he was so horrible he physically transformed to look like “what was in his heart” and ended up looking super deformed and gross for a Shumi

Great list!!

I'm a little surprised the Suzaku commandant from Type 0, Suzuhito, wasn't included. That dude was more corrupt than even the positioned villains of the story. Went out of his way to fuck over Class Zero just out of jealousy.

So true! I played all the FF games, but Asahi quickly became my most hated character in all of FF. lol I think he's the only unrelatable villain in FFXIV.

and yet this corrupt to the core characters is the finest example of us, humanity. how ironic.

FFXIV has a lot of big bads to choose from, I'd argue for Valens van Varro. He was seriously menacing. But your points on Asahi were the reasons why Fandaniel chose his body.

For me it's Dycedarg Beoulve

I really like these serene themse songs you got playing in the background, would you be so kind as to link me to where I can find these ? 🙂 Great video BTW!

oh my Asahi is next level.. and Von Barro, my god even Hojo would admire him

To be honest, I would've of liked to have seen more of President Shinra. To me, sadly due to the nature of FFXV Iedolas barely counts as a character.

Maybe do a list of most tragic villains?

Asahi represents the worst kinds of people imo. The kinds of people who aren't only evil, but wait until they have some form of a shield to start acting as such.

I struggle to find a genuinely evil person in FFIX. All.of the major antagonists are either corrupted versions of themselves who redeem themselves in the end, or they have genuine goals and worldviews they fight to promote.

You weren’t kidding, I immediately got angry seeing that name 15:21

I'm surprised High Confessor Funeral or Dycedrag were not discussed

is funny that after president shinra you put emperor gesthal, i compare them a lot as character and in there organizations

Delighted that Bergan and Asahi were on this list. Mostly happy about Asahi because Maxima was in a lot of those scenes and I could look at him instead of being angry at Asahi.

I noticed you said Via Infinito. Wasn't that Via Purifico?

I love how the entire FF community can agree on one thing: that Judge Bergan sucks

Entire shinra inc. board is so full of insane characters, that president shinra seems most reasonable person.

Kefka I'd argue is the manifestation of the worst corruptions of the Empire. A revenant created by their mad science tendencies and crimes against the natueal order of FF6's world. It's what makes his betrayal of the Empire so appropriate. They played with powers they didn't understand, destroyed a man to birth a monster and said monster destroyed them in turn. Kafka's character development is also pretty intereting cause we watch him degenerate into a nihilistic monster as the game goes on.

Do you think that Maester Mika's spirit is still haunting the world of Spira as a fiend, or something (since he never was "sended'')?

Wonder what ever happened to NORG 🤔

I would argue that Hojo is a better pick than President Shinra. His scheme was on a far grander scale and if you stop and think about it he technically is the true big bad of the FF7 universe (Jenova not withstanding) What he did to Vincent and Lucretia alone is horrifying enough without piling on everything else, and all to satisfy his own ego. Of course because it's me and anyone who knows me knows I adore 11 and so wanna give an honorary mention to Ulric. Former Captain of the Mythril Musketeers of Bastok, he basically sets all the events of XI into motion for the most classic of reasons - dude couldn't handle Cornelia having feelings for Raogrim (who was a Galka so undoubtedly Racism only intensified the jealousy) and asshat ends up killing both of them, after which he and the other survivors of the northern expedition all suffer horrific, mysterious deaths and are never seen again except for Raogrim who ends up being turned into the Shadow Lord by Odin and basically conquers humanity.

Instead of featuring 12. I would have gone with the church of Tactics. Or anyone who held a zodiac stone. There's a few specific ones but I won't name for spoilers.

Isn’t President Shinra, in reality, Emperor Shinra?

You should totally do a video just on XIV's villains, if not one for Emet-Selch by himself!

The only corrupt people in Final Fantasy are all the shopkeepers charging us money for their equipment. Think I'm crazy? WE'RE TRYING TO SAVE THE FREAKING WORLD AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE US AN ARM AND A LEG TO USE A FREAKING HELMET!!!

Interesting on a few of them, considering that the games mostly focused on the final story, it gives one much to look back on. Lastly FFT was the best at the most corruption and schemers.

You should add square on this list

one of the corrupt character from the Final Fantasy series in my opinion is that of Cid Aulstyne from ff-type 0 because he usurped the original ruler of the militesi Empire and radicalized it, and was the how ultimately started the war against the other crystal-states

i was hoping for Vinzer Delling, but NORG was probably the better choice there

Doctor Lugae from FF4 is also terrifying

Hojo is a character I never want to be in the same area as. Just showing hojo rubbing his body against Aerith cage is making me want to run.

No Hojo? Surprising.

Somnus should have made the list.

Lore 👈 Origins 👈 Golbez 👈 GOLBEZ 👈 All 👈

Teledji Adeledji is the OG Asahi

Dycedarg Beoulve deserves to be on this list.

NORG? Not the President of Galbadia?

Hojo wasn’t corrupt just morally bankrupt.

Maester Mika? I see where you are coming from but he didn't remain unsent for personal gain, it was to prevent others carrying the burden. As warped as his actions seemed it was to maintain the glimmer of hope for the people of Spira. If you need someone from FFX I'd have gone with Wen Kinco... However As @cookiemonstasharp9543 said Queen Brahne for FFIX is worse than any from FFX

It's a shame that I'll never fully experience 14's story since I can't stand MMOs

Disagree with Mika being on this list. Mika did what he had to in order to salvage the only hope he knew. He was convinced there was no other way. His deeds were regrettable but his only crime was being wrong.

Asahi is such a good pick. What a deplorable, unredeemable, sycophant. Relishing in political immunity, selfish to the core and hoping to squeeze.out any power he has over people, and the pain it brings them. Wonderfully voice acted, too. What a brilliant 'love to hate' villain!

dude can you make "The Criminal Genius Villains" video.

Definitely Hojo from Final Fantasy VII is the creepiest of them all.

I hope that after XVI tue series expands on the M rating aspects even further these types of dark characters are usually amongst the most interesting aspects of Final Fantasy besides most of us FF fans are far from being kids anymore and the light and childish aspects of the series are not as interesting as darker themes for us in my experience

Rin FFX is number 1

Ashai might have been terrible, he gets a very miniscule redemption, kind of, but Valens van Varro is by far the most corrupted in my opinion, even worse then fandaniel

Not to nitpick or be overly political, but President Shinra is not a master of capitalism. He's a master of corpocracy. This is when a company seizes control of government. People confuse this all the time.

I can't believe you didn't cover Hojo. He has a Crisis in his Core. There was nothing Before this Crisis and the Crisis is (for)Ever. His experiments were an Intergrade meant as a Dirge (of cerberus) for the world rather than Advent Children heralding the Rebirth of the cetra, and in turn a Remake of humanity. ...I'll see myself out.

Asahi is an extremely well-written character, even when he was all Mister Nice Guy in his very first appearance, I was immediately like "This dude is full of 💩", and I was proven right a few moments later. His love for Zenos and hatred for everyone else even goes beyond death when... (Endwalker spoilers) ... ... ... ...when he punishes Amon for betraying Zenos while using Asahi's body. Dude's just crazy beyond measure and you love to hate him. Also kudos to Matt McCooey, who does a fantastic job as Asahi's voice actor and makes him even more hateable.

President Shinra was innocent. Shinra 2024 ❤

I know that FF16 isn’t out yet but one character who could corrupt is the emperor of the holy empire of Sanbreque, Sylvester

aint all of these spoilers? why only point it out for xiv? xD

Not gonna lie, I honestly expected Valens representing XIV since dear lord, he's such a sick and corrupt villain that blows Asahi out of the water. Or Vauthry. Asahi might have a very punchable face, but Valens is so, so, so much worse. Vauthry also is terrible, but at least he's a fun villain who chewed up the scenery in every cutscene he was in.

Algorithm

Titus 1: 15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled (corrupted) and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled (corrupted). Proverbs 30:12 There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness. Proverbs 21:2 A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart. Proverbs 16:2 All a man's ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD. Ezekiel 24:6 Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the bloody city, to the pot whose scum is therein, and whose scum is not gone out of it! bring it out piece by piece; let no lot fall upon it. Romans 1:28-32 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. Romans 1:18-23 God's Wrath against Sin For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

I would pick Hojo over Shinra. That man is the worst.

Anything you say in this video was conveyed better in the original. Remake screams "they just made me for the ESG" like who the fuck needed to know more about Jesse (the champagne socialist) Biggs and Wedge? I would have much preferred the game not fucking ending in Midgar. Aeriths death was god damn poetic. Now its a meme. Sephiroth AND CLOUD used to have fully fleshed back stories. Now he's just a spooky flashback and Cloud cant blame his bedside manner on amnesia. You wanna add to my list go ahead, you get the point. Oh, and ANDREA RODEO. YUCK.

Wait.. FF XV had a story?

I’m glad I am not the only person who sees shinra as the main. Big bad lol

Inspired by true facts. 👀 Money is power, power corrupts. You know the drill. Also, some of these villains were straight up psychopaths. 🤷‍♀️ (not misunderstood)

You forget about the true number one. Square Enix themselves.

Too bad Aldercapt barely even features in the game at all.

donald trumps as far as the eye can see....

Not gonna lie I hate the story of both 12 and tactics. I find heavy political stories insanely boring. I found the story of the Tactics advanced games much better.

Yeah but NONE of those actions make Shinra corrupt - they make him a ruthless dishonest murdering lying evil bastard - but he is not corrupt. People really need to learn what the words they are using mean.

Nice list. However, I'm very surprised you didn't mention Queen Brahne from ff9. That lady was willing to sacrifice her own daughter's life for the military power of Bahamut. Not to mention teaming up with Kuja for the sake of war to fuel his human soul stealing agenda. And she wasn't a main antagonist either. Just a total evil b**** the whole game.