{{Short description|Fictional character in Final Fantasy VI}} {{good article}} {{Infobox character | name = Celes Chere | image = Celes Chere.png | image_upright = 1.2 | caption = Artwork for Celes in ''[[Final Fantasy Dimensions II]]'' | series = [[Final Fantasy]] | firstgame = ''[[Final Fantasy VI]]'' (1994) | creator = [[Yoshinori Kitase]] | designer = [[Kazuko Shibuya]]<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=[[Famitsu]] |script-title=ja:【『FFVI』25周年】『FF』が成長できたのは、『ドラゴンクエスト』へのライバル心があったから。坂口博信氏、北瀬佳範氏ら開発スタッフに当時の思い出を聞く |url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/201904/27175201.html |date=2019-04-27 |accessdate=2025-08-09 |language=ja}}</ref><br>[[Yoshitaka Amano]] | voice = {{Collapsible list|title=[[English language|English]]|[[Christina Rose]]<ref name="va"/>|Hannah Grace{{efn|Celes' English vocals in ''Final Fantasy VI Pixel Remaster''.}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hannahgrace-tokyovoice.com/ |title=Hannah Grace - Tokyo Voice |website=hannahgrace-tokyovoice.com |access-date=March 11, 2026}}</ref>}}{{Collapsible list|title=[[Japanese language|Japanese]]|[[Houko Kuwashima]]}} }}
{{nihongo|'''Celes Chere'''|セリス・シェール|Serisu Shēru|lead=yes}} is a character and protagonist in the [[video game]] ''[[Final Fantasy VI]]''. She was created by [[Yoshinori Kitase]] and was his favorite character in the game. She struggles with allegiances between the Empire and the rebel group, the Returners before ultimately siding with the latter. She appears in other ''[[Final Fantasy]]'' titles, including the ''[[Theatrhythm Final Fantasy|Theatrhythm]]'' series and ''[[World of Final Fantasy]]''.
She has received generally positive reception, praised by critics for being a good female character. Her attempted suicide, struggles with allegiance, and opera scene are cited as among the most significant aspects of ''Final Fantasy VI''.
==Concept and creation== Celes' character and story, including her attempted suicide and opera performance, were designed by game director [[Yoshinori Kitase]].<ref name="shmup"/><ref name="edge"/> Kitase regarded her as his favorite character in ''Final Fantasy VI''.<ref name="edge">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.edge-online.com/features/the-making-of-final-fantasy-vi/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211080259/http://www.edge-online.com/features/the-making-of-final-fantasy-vi/ |title=The Making Of: Final Fantasy VI |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |date=August 5, 2013 |access-date=August 24, 2019 |archive-date=December 11, 2013}}</ref><ref name="1up">{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=2&cId=3178085 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820125039/http://www.1up.com/features/final-fantasy-kitase-story |title= Final Fantasy: Kitase's Inside Story |work=[[1UP.com]] |last=Parish |first=Jeremy |access-date=August 24, 2019 |archive-date=August 20, 2016}}</ref> Her appearance and in-game sprites were designed by graphic designer [[Kazuko Shibuya]] who also did additional illustrations to use as a basis for her sprites, in particular her appearance during the opera scene, which she felt looked "cute".<ref name="shibuya">{{cite tweet |last=Shibuya |first=Kazuko |user=Skazuko |language=Japanese |title=FF6誕生日〜✨✨28年？😆ついこの前25周年ってワイワイしてたのに早いな〜 開発初期の頃に描いたと思われる落描きセリス見つけた💗 #FF6|number=1510082400378036224|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220724071504/https://twitter.com/Skazuko/status/1510082400378036224 |archivedate=2022-07-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |last=Shibuya |first=Kazuko |user=Skazuko |language=Japanese |title=3/10はセリスの誕生日なんですって。知らなかった〜😌せっかくだから27年前？に描いたオペラのセリスの初稿？というかドレスデザインを考えてた時の個人的お遊びラフをプレゼントするね💗かわいいよね😊 #ff6|number=1369553393153306626 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210601220309/https://twitter.com/Skazuko/status/1369553393153306626 |archivedate=2021-06-01}}</ref> Promotional artwork was handled by artist [[Yoshitaka Amano]], who was given complete creative freedom in ''Final Fantasy VI'', with only brief character outlines as guidelines. His approach was to create "real" and "alive" characters, though with consideration for their representation as small computer [[Sprite (graphics)|sprites]].<ref name="creation2">{{cite book |title=Japan: Final Fantasy |date=August 11, 1994 |publisher=[[NTT Publishing]] |isbn=4-87188-338-8 |pages=108–109 |language=ja |chapter=Interview}}</ref>This alternate design is used in some spinoffs titles such as ''[[Dissidia Final Fantasy Opera Omnia]]''.
Celes' role in the game was limited at first, but this changed later in development.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.siliconera.com/2013/08/06/final-fantasy-vi-took-just-one-year-to-make-says-director-yoshinori-kitase/ |title=Final Fantasy VI Took Just One Year To Make Says Director Yoshinori Kitase |work=Siliconera |author=Ishaan |date=August 6, 2013 |access-date=August 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527104319/https://www.siliconera.com/2013/08/06/final-fantasy-vi-took-just-one-year-to-make-says-director-yoshinori-kitase/ |archive-date=May 27, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> She was a rune knight, able to use an ability called rune; prior to that, the ability had been attached to another character named [[Locke Cole]].<ref name="shmup"/> Celes was originally meant to feature the "conflicted spy" archetype, where she would spy on the protagonists. She was also supposed to be mentally unstable like ''Final Fantasy VI'' antagonist [[Kefka Palazzo|Kefka]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://totscqcc.hp.infoseek.co.jp/vjamp.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215121344/http://totscqcc.hp.infoseek.co.jp/vjamp.htm |title=Ｖジャンプ |work=V Jump |access-date=August 24, 2019 |archive-date=February 15, 2009}}</ref><ref name="shmup">{{cite web|author=blackoak |url=http://shmuplations.com/ff6/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916214016/http://shmuplations.com/ff6/ |title=Final Fantasy VI – 1994 Developer Interview |work=Shmuplations |access-date=August 24, 2019 |archive-date=September 16, 2018}}</ref>
Celes was set as the first character players controlled in the World of Ruin portion of the game to avoid giving [[Terra Branford]]'s story too much emphasis over others.<ref name="shmup"/> In the original release of the game, she was depicted being tortured while restrained, but this was changed in the [[Game Boy Advance]] port of ''Final Fantasy VI'' due to the lack of [[Computer Entertainment Rating Organization]] age ratings when ''Final Fantasy VI'' was originally released.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://archive.rpgamer.com/features/insidegaming/tslatteryint.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209170500/https://archive.rpgamer.com/features/insidegaming/tslatteryint.html |title=Inside Gaming - Interview with Former Square Enix Translator Tom Slattery |work=RPGamer |last=Cunningham |first=Michael A. |access-date=August 24, 2019 |archive-date=December 9, 2018}}</ref> Scenes depicting violence against a restrained person would have raised the rating outside of the target rating Square Enix was looking for. This censorship would carry over to the later ''Pixel Remaster'' re-release.
==Appearances== Celes first appears in ''Final Fantasy VI'' as an Imperial general, and then as one of the game's protagonists.<ref name="1up"/> Celes joined the Returners after being jailed for questioning Kefka's plan to poison the kingdom of Doma. She becomes particularly close to Returners member [[Locke Cole]]. She performs at an opera house in order to catch the attention of the owner of an airship. In the second half of the game, Celes awakens from a coma on a deserted island, having been cared for by Cid, another person from the Empire. She discovers that the world has been sent into ruin by Kefka, that he has obtained godlike power to rule the world, and that his rule is causing all life to slowly wither away. She attempts to care for Cid, though if players do not do an adequate job feeding him, he dies. This causes Celes to fall into despair and attempt to kill herself by jumping off a cliff (although she will survive). Whether he lives or dies, ultimately Celes takes a raft that Cid had made and journeys to find if any of her compatriots had survived. Finding her friends causes her to have hope, and they use a new airship to confront Kefka and end his reign.
She later appears as a playable character in the ''[[Theatrhythm Final Fantasy]]'' series, ''[[Final Fantasy Tactics S]]'', ''[[Final Fantasy Brave Exvius]]'' and ''[[Final Fantasy: Record Keeper]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.siliconera.com/2012/12/13/how-much-theatrhythm-final-fantasy-costs-if-you-buy-everything/ |title=How Much Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Costs… If You Buy Everything |work=Siliconera |author=Spencer |date=December 13, 2012 |access-date=September 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527104317/https://www.siliconera.com/2012/12/13/how-much-theatrhythm-final-fantasy-costs-if-you-buy-everything/ |archive-date=May 27, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2014/9/16/6079697/theatrhythm-final-fantasy-curtain-call-review-3ds |title=Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call review: dancing mad |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |last=Corriea |first=Alexa Ray |date=September 16, 2014 |access-date=September 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525135644/https://www.polygon.com/2014/9/16/6079697/theatrhythm-final-fantasy-curtain-call-review-3ds |archive-date=May 25, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.siliconera.com/2014/04/01/final-fantasy-vi-heroes-summoned-like-espers-final-fantasy-tactics-s/ |title=Final Fantasy VI Heroes Summoned Like Espers For Final Fantasy Tactics S |work=Siliconera |author=Spencer |date=April 1, 2014 |access-date=September 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723010727/http://www.siliconera.com/2014/04/01/final-fantasy-vi-heroes-summoned-like-espers-final-fantasy-tactics-s/ |archive-date=July 23, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://toucharcade.com/2015/05/05/final-fantasy-record-keeper-how-to-unlock-celes/ |title='Final Fantasy: Record Keeper' – How to Unlock Celes |work=Touch Arcade |last=Ford |first=Eric |date=May 5, 2015 |access-date=September 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190601213119/https://toucharcade.com/2015/05/05/final-fantasy-record-keeper-how-to-unlock-celes/ |archive-date=June 1, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> She appears as a supporting character in ''[[World of Final Fantasy]]'', where she received her first voice roles from [[Houko Kuwashima]] and [[Christina Rose]] in Japanese and English respectively.<ref name="va">{{cite web |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Final-Fantasy/Celes-Chere/ |title=<nowiki>Celes Chere Voice - Final Fantasy franchise | Behind The Voice Actors</nowiki> |work=Behind the Voice Actors |access-date=October 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904080736/https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Final-Fantasy/Celes-Chere/ |archive-date=September 4, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/person/christina-rose |title=Christina Rose |work=[[Metacritic]] |date=30 August 2019 |access-date=September 22, 2019 |archive-date=24 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224163424/https://www.metacritic.com/person/christina-rose/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rpgfan.com/features/Final-Fantasy-30th-Anniversary/Final-Fantasy-Spin-Off-Spotlight/World-of-Final-Fantasy.html |title=World of Final Fantasy |work=RPG Fan |last=Hagues |first=Alana |date=January 12, 2018 |access-date=August 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527104321/http://www.rpgfan.com/features/Final-Fantasy-30th-Anniversary/Final-Fantasy-Spin-Off-Spotlight/World-of-Final-Fantasy.html |archive-date=May 27, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>
==Reception== Celes Chere has received generally positive reception following her appearance in ''Final Fantasy VI''. She has been regarded as one of the best characters in ''[[Final Fantasy]]'', with some of the strongest moments being her opera performance, her growth from being a soldier in the Empire, and her relationship with Cid.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/05/14/top-25-final-fantasy-characters-day-iii?page=2 |title=Top 25 Final Fantasy Characters - Day III |work=[[IGN]] |last=Nix |first=Marc |date=May 14, 2008 |access-date=August 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530123339/https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/05/14/top-25-final-fantasy-characters-day-iii?page=2 |archive-date=May 30, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/12/30/the-best-characters-of-final-fantasy |title=The Best Characters of Final Fantasy |work=[[IGN]] |last1=Clements |first1=Ryan |last2=Moriarty |first2=Colin |date=December 30, 2011 |access-date=August 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526052036/https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/12/30/the-best-characters-of-final-fantasy |archive-date=May 26, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> She is particularly popular as a female character, both in ''[[Final Fantasy]]'' and in video games as a whole, for similar reasons.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.destructoid.com/guess-the-fan-favorite-female-final-fantasy-character-242654.phtml |title=Guess the fan favorite female Final Fantasy character |work=[[Destructoid]] |last=North |first=Dale |date=January 18, 2013 |access-date=August 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214001003/https://www.destructoid.com/guess-the-fan-favorite-female-final-fantasy-character-242654.phtml |archive-date=February 14, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="nintendojo"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/the-top-20-best-jrpg-warrior-heroines- |title=The Top 20 Best JRPG Warrior Heroines! |work=[[Gamasutra]] |last=Boyd |first=Robert |date=January 5, 2012 |access-date=August 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527104317/https://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/RobertBoyd/20120105/90862/The_Top_20_Best_JRPG_Warrior_Heroines.php |archive-date=May 27, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/2019/03/08/celebrating-fantastic-female-characters-in-rpgs |title=Celebrating Fantastic Female Characters In RPGs |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |last=Wallace |first=Kimberley |date=March 8, 2019 |access-date=August 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190821213750/https://www.gameinformer.com/rpg-grind-time/2019/03/08/celebrating-fantastic-female-characters-in-rpgs |archive-date=August 21, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/20-most-inspirational-female-characters-games/ |title=The 25 most inspirational female characters in games |work=[[GamesRadar+]] |last1=Reed |first1=Ashley |last2=Hartup |first2=Andy |date=March 8, 2018 |access-date=August 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527104333/https://www.gamesradar.com/20-most-inspirational-female-characters-games/ |archive-date=May 27, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Nintendojo'' writer Joshua Johnston praised her for her quest to reunite the cast in the second half of ''Final Fantasy VI'' as her standout moment.<ref name="nintendojo"/> Meanwhile, writer Laura J. Peterson in a discussion with ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]'' praised how her emotions illustrated her character's internal conflict, and made her a "wonderful character who was integral to both the story and the gameplay."<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |issue=121 |page=62 |title=Top Girls |date=March 2003}}</ref>
Celes was recognized in particular for certain moments in ''Final Fantasy VI'', including her aria and attempted suicide. ''[[Kotaku]]'' writer Richard Eisenbeis discussed how the aria combined with Celes' attempted suicide drove him to tears, while fellow ''Kotaku'' writer Peter Tiervas discussed how Celes' despair and hope during the second portion mirror the players' and how impactful her suicide attempt was years after witnessing it.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/the-moment-that-changed-how-i-viewed-music-in-games-1581910553 |title=The Moment That Changed How I Viewed Music in Games |work=[[Kotaku]] |last=Eisenbeis |first=Richard |date=May 27, 2014 |access-date=August 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527104317/https://kotaku.com/the-moment-that-changed-how-i-viewed-music-in-games-1581910553 |archive-date=May 27, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/the-world-of-ruin-in-ffvi-is-about-searching-for-hope-i-1821589274 |title=The World of Ruin In FFVI Is About Searching For Hope In Desperate Times |work=[[Kotaku]] |last=Tieryas |first=Peter |date=December 30, 2017 |access-date=August 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527104320/https://kotaku.com/the-world-of-ruin-in-ffvi-is-about-searching-for-hope-i-1821589274 |archive-date=May 27, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Alana Hagues for ''RPGFan'' discussed how she saw herself in Celes due to going through similar trials and tribulations, particularly Celes losing her allies, the loss of a family member, and her attempted suicide.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rpgfan.com/features/Final-Fantasy-30th-Anniversary/Final-Fantasy-Spin-Off-Spotlight/World-of-Final-Fantasy.html |title=Final Fantasy VI Memories |last1=Salbato |first1=Mike |last2=Sollosi |first2=Michael |last3=Hagues |first3=Alana |last4=Fenner |first4=Robert |date=December 5, 2017 |access-date=August 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527104321/http://www.rpgfan.com/features/Final-Fantasy-30th-Anniversary/Final-Fantasy-Spin-Off-Spotlight/World-of-Final-Fantasy.html |archive-date=May 27, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> The relationship between her and Locke was praised as one of the most beautiful subtle romances in video games by Stew Shearer for ''[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://v1.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/video-games/goodoldreviews/12900-Good-Old-Editorial-How-Final-Fantasy-VI-Conquered-Character-Recr |title=How Final Fantasy VI Conquered Character Recruitment |work=[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]] |last=Shearer |first=Stew |date=January 24, 2015 |access-date=August 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527104323/https://v1.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/video-games/goodoldreviews/12900-Good-Old-Editorial-How-Final-Fantasy-VI-Conquered-Character-Recr |archive-date=May 27, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> She has been requested for inclusion in the ''[[Dissidia Final Fantasy]]'' fighting game series as a playable character by staff of websites including ''Hardcore Gamer'', ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'', and ''Digitally Downloaded'', the latter calling her their favorite character in ''Final Fantasy VI''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hardcoregamer.com/2018/02/03/ten-characters-who-deserve-a-spot-in-dissidia-final-fantasy-nt/288785/ |title=Ten Characters who Deserve a Spot in Dissidia Final Fantasy NT |work=Hardcore Gamer |last=Dunsmore |first=Kevin |date=February 3, 2018 |access-date=August 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527104321/https://www.hardcoregamer.com/2018/02/03/ten-characters-who-deserve-a-spot-in-dissidia-final-fantasy-nt/288785/ |archive-date=May 27, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://egmnow.com/dissidia-final-fantasy-nt-review/ |title=Dissidia Final Fantasy NT review |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |last=Patterson |first=Mollie L. |date=February 7, 2018 |access-date=August 24, 2019 |archive-date=February 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224163601/https://egmnow.com/dissidia-final-fantasy-nt-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitallydownloaded.net/2018/02/the-friday-ten-ten-characters-from.html |title=The Friday Ten: Ten characters from Final Fantasy that should be added to Dissidia |work=Digitally Downloaded |author=Matt S. |date=2 February 2018 |access-date=August 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527104324/http://www.digitallydownloaded.net/2018/02/the-friday-ten-ten-characters-from.html |archive-date=May 27, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Her Amano-designed outfit was featured among the best ''Final Fantasy'' outfits by Maddy Myers for ''[[Paste Magazine]]'', while Todd Harper for ''Paste Magazine'' preferred the Amano design over her in-game artwork.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/lists/2014/02/the-best-outfits-of-final-fantasy.html |title=The 15 Best Outfits of Final Fantasy |work=[[Paste Magazine]] |last1=Myers |first1=Maddy |last2=Harper |first2=Todd |date=February 10, 2014 |access-date=August 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527104328/https://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/lists/2014/02/the-best-outfits-of-final-fantasy.html |archive-date=May 27, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Chad Concelmo for ''[[Destructoid]]'' also praised her outfit, noting that the bright yellows in it work well with her fair skin.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.destructoid.com/the-gamer-s-red-carpet-final-fantasy-162272.phtml |title=The Gamer's Red Carpet: Final Fantasy |work=[[Destructoid]] |last=Concelmo |first=Chad |date=March 3, 2010 |access-date=August 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190220162849/https://www.destructoid.com/the-gamer-s-red-carpet-final-fantasy-162272.phtml |archive-date=February 20, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>
Not all reactions to the character were positive. Writer James Labolokie from Nintendo felt that Celes relied too much on Cid and Locke to qualify as a character who breaks boundaries.<ref name="nintendojo">{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendojo.com/features/round-tables/round-table-our-favorite-heroines |title=Round Table: Our Favorite Heroines |work=Nintendojo |date=November 6, 2010 |access-date=August 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526053544/http://www.nintendojo.com/features/round-tables/round-table-our-favorite-heroines |archive-date=May 26, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Jef Rouner for the ''[[Houston Press]]'' was similarly critical of how she was depicted, noting that despite her and Terra's importance and strength, they were frequently "bound and dominated" by men and require their aide.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.houstonpress.com/arts/from-celes-to-lara-croft-the-evolution-of-sexual-assault-in-gaming-6385841 |title=From Celes to Lara Croft: The Evolution of Sexual Assault in Gaming |work=[[Houston Press]] |last=Rouner |first=Jef |date=March 15, 2013 |access-date=August 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531142702/https://www.houstonpress.com/arts/from-celes-to-lara-croft-the-evolution-of-sexual-assault-in-gaming-6385841 |archive-date=May 31, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Patrick Holleman observed that much of her personality is implied in what she does not say and that the opera scene, which he described as one of the game's "cleverest" due to its use of symbolism, gives players the only real insight into her character in the first half of the game. Holleman argued that she is not a brilliant or rounded character because she suffers from a lack of characterization, particularly in the first half of the game, and attributed the developers' decision to have players start with Celes in the World of Ruin to her lack of character and identity.<ref>{{cite book |first1=Patrick|last1=Holleman|title=Reverse Design: Final Fantasy VI|year=2018 |publisher=CRC Press |isbn=97804-2-983-443-1}}</ref>
The book ''The Legend of Final Fantasy VI'' by Pierre Maugein offers an in-depth analysis of her character. In it, Celes is described as holding an important role in the story not only due to her direct connection to the Empire but also her role as a proud warrior and woman, further describing her as "a battle-hardened character with an unwavering idea of her place, yet she never loses sight of who she is, regardless of the circumstances." In addition, he stated that her past trauma made her fragile emotionally and that moments of weakness, aloofness, or desertion were always tied to someone close to her. While this made her seem unsociable in the first part of the game, he further noted her interactions with Locke as she realized she was not the only one who had to fight. Maugein states that while this may be seen as a stifling of her independence, it instead relates more to her love for Locke, despite her initial doubt that he may only see her as a way to right his inability to save a past loved one. This gives her a goal to fight for a world where she can be loved, and her mingling of "humanism with a rational perspective" gives her purpose as the foundation for the group and its setting, particularly in the World of Ruin.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Legend of Final Fantasy VI |date=2018 |first=Pierre |last=Maugein |publisher=Third Editions |isbn=9782377840472 |pages=76–77}}</ref>
Dr. Kathryn Hemmann, in an article for ''[[Kill Screen]]'' described her as representing "posthuman themes" and "optimism" alongside Terra. She discussed how Celes' "lithe and slender form, when juxtaposed against her sword and the geopolitical conflict," evokes the "beautiful fighting girl" archetype of late-20th century Japanese pop culture, whose "female-coded compassion is often portrayed as the solution to an otherwise unwinnable war." Celes' magic was read by Hemmann as a form of posthumanism and "otherness", an otherness that dissipates and becomes normalized when the rest of the cast develops the ability to do magic. She lastly added that "Terra and Celes are not characters to be consumed, but identities to be embraced and managed", feeling they represented in many ways the discussions of bioethics prominent in the 1990s and that "humanity, in all its forms, can bravely continue on into an optimistic future".<ref>{{cite web |website=Kill Screen |last=Hemmann |first=Kathryn |url=https://killscreen.com/previously/articles/magic-gender-final-fantasy-vi/ |title=Magic and Gender in Final Fantasy VI |date=August 16, 2016 |accessdate=June 15, 2023 |archive-date=July 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708082016/https://killscreen.com/previously/articles/magic-gender-final-fantasy-vi/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==References== {{reflist|2}}
;;Notes {{notelist}}
== External links == * {{Commons category-inline|}} {{Final Fantasy}}
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