{{Short description|Final Fantasy VIII character}} {{good article}} {{Infobox character | name = Edea Kramer | image = File:Edea2.png | alt = | caption = Concept artwork of Edea Kramer for ''[[Final Fantasy VIII]]'', as drawn by [[Tetsuya Nomura]] | series = [[Final Fantasy]] | firstgame = ''[[Final Fantasy VIII]]'' (1999) | creator = [[Tetsuya Nomura]] | designer = | voice = }} {{Nihongo|'''Edea Kramer'''|イデア・クレイマー|Idea Kureimā|lead=yes}} is a character and major [[antagonist]] in ''[[Final Fantasy VIII]]''. Protagonist [[Squall Leonhart|Squall]] is sent to assassinate her, though it is later discovered that the Sorceress [[Ultimecia]] had Edea under mind control. It is also revealed that Edea was the matron for Squall and the other main characters at an orphanage years in the past.
Edea was created by [[Tetsuya Nomura]], who originally intended her to be an antagonist named "Witch" in ''[[Final Fantasy VII]]'' who served the character [[Jenova (Final Fantasy)|Jenova]], one of the game's major antagonists. The design went unused in ''Final Fantasy VII'', but because Nomura liked it, it was featured in ''Final Fantasy VIII''. She has received generally positive reception, being noted as an effective villain and praised for her dress.
==Concept and creation== Edea is one of three character concepts, along with [[Characters of Final Fantasy VIII#Fujin|Fujin]] and [[Characters of Final Fantasy VIII#Raijin|Raijin]], to have been created before ''[[Final Fantasy VIII]]''. Edea's design, created by [[Tetsuya Nomura]], was originally intended to be featured in ''[[Final Fantasy VII]]'' and was known as "Witch". She was meant to be a servant of [[Jenova (Final Fantasy)|Jenova]].<ref name="famitsu">{{cite magazine |url=https://thelifestream.net/weekly-famitsu-issue-no-1224-yoshinori-kitase-interview/ |title=Yoshinori Kitase Interview |magazine=[[Famitsu]] |issue=1224 |access-date=2019-09-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529215104/https://thelifestream.net/weekly-famitsu-issue-no-1224-yoshinori-kitase-interview/ |archive-date=2019-05-29 |url-status=live}}</ref> Nomura based Edea's design on the style of [[Yoshitaka Amano]], who was the character illustrator of ''[[Final Fantasy VI]]'' and previous games.<ref name="sheila">{{cite web | author=Knight, Sheila | year=2003 | title=Tetsuya Nomura 20s | url=http://flaregamer.com/b2article.php?p=81&more=1 | work=FLAREgamer | access-date=August 31, 2021 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20120709232759/http://flaregamer.com/b2article.php?p=81&more=1 | archive-date=July 9, 2012 | url-status=dead}}</ref> This design was not used, but they chose to use this design for her in ''[[Final Fantasy VIII]]'' due to how much Nomura liked her.<ref name="famitsu"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/facts-trivia-you-did-not-know-about-final-fantasy/ |title=15 Things You Didn't Know About Final Fantasy |work=[[Screen Rant]] |last=Baird |first=Scott |date=October 14, 2016 |access-date=August 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901042649/https://screenrant.com/facts-trivia-you-did-not-know-about-final-fantasy/ |archive-date=September 1, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> A scene depicting Edea murdering someone in front of a cheering crowd was met with speculation that Edea was mind controlling the audience, which was later confirmed in the ''Final Fantasy VIII'' Ultimania guide.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/final-fantasy-fan-theories-confirmed-should-be/ |title=Final Fantasy: 10 Wild Fan Theories That Were Confirmed (And 10 That Should Be) |work=[[Screen Rant]] |last=Baird |first=Scott |date=January 13, 2019 |access-date=August 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901050835/https://screenrant.com/final-fantasy-fan-theories-confirmed-should-be/ |archive-date=September 1, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>
==Appearances== Edea first appears in the [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] [[role-playing game]] ''Final Fantasy VIII''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/08/24/final-fantasy-8-remastered-release-date-announced |title=Final Fantasy 8 Remastered Release Date Announced |work=[[IGN]] |last=Bankhurst |first=Adam |date=August 24, 2019 |access-date=September 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190826022805/https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/08/24/final-fantasy-8-remastered-release-date-announced |archive-date=August 26, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Prior to the game's release, she was marketed extensively in promotional material such as trailers, screenshots, box art and game descriptions or summaries as its main villain.<ref name=RPGFan/> She is initially presented as a power-hungry sorceress who seizes control of the government of Galbadia from [[Vinzer Deling|President Deling]]. Edea's motives are unknown, but the mercenary group SeeD dispatches Squall to assassinate her. The mission fails after Edea sends a bolt of ice through Squall's chest. It is later revealed that Edea is married to [[Cid Kramer|Headmaster Cid]], and was the matron to [[Squall Leonhart|Squall]] and the other protagonists who grew up in her orphanage. It is eventually explained that Edea was not acting of her own will, but was possessed by a sorceress from the future named [[Ultimecia]]. When Ultimecia's control is broken, Edea takes the side of SeeD in the struggle and joins Squall's party for a short time. However, Edea accidentally gives her powers to [[Rinoa Heartilly]], one of the Party members and fellow protagonist, making her a sorceress. After Ultimecia is defeated, a younger Edea meets Ultimecia and decides to have her powers absorbed, resulting in a time paradox.
Edea appears as a playable character in ''[[Final Fantasy Record Keeper]]'', while one of Ultimecia's designs in ''[[Dissidia Final Fantasy]]'' is based on Edea's.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://toucharcade.com/2015/06/26/final-fantasy-record-keeper-how-to-unlock-squall-and-irvine/ |title='Final Fantasy: Record Keeper' – How to Unlock Squall and Irvine |work=[[Touch Arcade]] |last=Ford |first=Eric |date=June 26, 2015 |access-date=September 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904070235/https://toucharcade.com/2015/06/26/final-fantasy-record-keeper-how-to-unlock-squall-and-irvine/ |archive-date=September 4, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.siliconera.com/2010/12/20/see-lagunas-another-form-and-squalls-third-form-in-dissidia-012duodecim/ |title=See Laguna's Another Form And Squall's Third Form In Dissidia 012[duodecim] |author=Spencer |date=December 20, 2010 |access-date=May 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529215058/https://www.siliconera.com/2010/12/20/see-lagunas-another-form-and-squalls-third-form-in-dissidia-012duodecim/ |archive-date=May 29, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>
==Reception== [[File:Otakon 2007 Edea.jpg|thumb|upright|A [[cosplay]]er wearing a replica of Edea's costume]] Edea has received generally positive reception since ''Final Fantasy VIII''. Meghan Marie of ''[[Game Informer]]'' and Brittany Vincent of ''Game Revolution'' regarded her as one of their favorite video game characters and favorite character designs.<ref name="gi">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2011/09/29/cosblog-66.aspx |title=CosBlog # 66: Sorceress Edea by Hopie Chan |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |last=Marie |first=Meagan |date=September 29, 2011 |access-date=September 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901052937/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2011/09/29/cosblog-66.aspx |archive-date=September 1, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/features/347365-dissidia-final-fantasy-arcade-paying-tribute-one-series-coolest-villains |title=Dissidia: Final Fantasy Arcade Is Paying Tribute to One of the Series' Coolest Villains |work=Game Revolution |last=Vincent |first=Brittany |date=September 5, 2017 |access-date=May 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531030921/https://www.gamerevolution.com/features/347365-dissidia-final-fantasy-arcade-paying-tribute-one-series-coolest-villains |archive-date=May 31, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Chris Hodges of ''[[Screen Rant]]'' identified her as one of the most interesting characters in the ''[[Final Fantasy]]'' series.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/final-fantasy-mistakes-fans-noticed/ |title=25 Ridiculous Mistakes In Final Fantasy Only True Fans Noticed |work=[[Screen Rant]] |last=Hodges |first=Chris |date=February 3, 2019 |access-date=August 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901043433/https://screenrant.com/final-fantasy-mistakes-fans-noticed/ |archive-date=September 1, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Her outfit was praised by publications including ''[[Complex (website)|Complex]]'' and ''[[IGN]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/06/08/top-25-games-of-all-time-11-15 |title=Top 25 Games of All Time: #11-15 |work=[[IGN]] |date=June 7, 2000 |access-date=May 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529215101/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/06/08/top-25-games-of-all-time-11-15 |archive-date=May 29, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="complex"/> Writers Brittany Vincent and Foster Kamer also ranked her as the 20th coolest video game villain, praising her for how the game shifts her from antagonist to likable ally.<ref name="complex">{{cite web |url=https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2012/11/coolest-video-game-villains-of-all-time/final-fantasy-viii-edea |title=The 50 Coolest Video Game Villains of All Time |work=[[Complex (website)|Complex]] |last=Kamer |first=Foster |date=November 1, 2012 |access-date=May 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529215058/https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2012/11/coolest-video-game-villains-of-all-time/final-fantasy-viii-edea |archive-date=May 29, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Laura Burrows of ''IGN'' complimented her attractiveness and discussed how her true personality does not take away from how powerful and vicious she was when she was possessed.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/04/03/top-50-chicks-behaving-badly-round-4?page%7B%7B=%7D%7D4&page=4 |title=Top 50 Chicks Behaving Badly: Round 4 |work=[[IGN]] |last=Laura |first=Burrows |date=April 3, 2008 |access-date=May 30, 2019 |archive-date=June 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603124458/https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/04/03/top-50-chicks-behaving-badly-round-4?page%7B%7B=%7D%7D4&page=4 |url-status=live }}</ref> Matthew Walden of ''[[GameSpot]]'' noted the difficulty of finding a villain with a gentler side than her, comparing her non-possessed form to [[Mother Teresa]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/17-video-game-villains-who-had-hidden-hearts-of-go/2900-92/17/ |title=17 Video Game Villains Who Had Hidden Hearts of Gold |work=[[GameSpot]] |last=Walden |first=Matthew |date=August 13, 2015 |access-date=May 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529221059/https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/17-video-game-villains-who-had-hidden-hearts-of-go/2900-92/17/ |archive-date=May 29, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>
Chad Concelmo of ''[[Destructoid]]'' included her in their list of "asshole" wizards in video games, due to how difficult an encounter with her turned out.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.destructoid.com/the-ten-biggest-asshole-videogame-wizards-ever--212828.phtml |title=The ten biggest asshole videogame wizards EVER! |work=[[Destructoid]] |last=Concelmo |first=Chad |date=October 5, 2011 |access-date=August 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424163015/http://www.destructoid.com/the-ten-biggest-asshole-videogame-wizards-ever--212828.phtml |archive-date=April 24, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> Robert Steinman of ''RPGFan'' regarded her as an especially frightening villain, discussing how the twist regarding her true story as one of the strangest in the series.<ref name=RPGFan>{{cite web |url=https://www.rpgfan.com/features/Final-Fantasy-30th-Anniversary/Final-Fantasy-Rogues-Gallery/index.html |title=Final Fantasy Rogues Gallery: The Best of the Worst, and Necron |work=RPGFan |last=Steinman |first=Robert |date=November 24, 2017 |access-date=September 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529215057/https://www.rpgfan.com/features/Final-Fantasy-30th-Anniversary/Final-Fantasy-Rogues-Gallery/index.html |archive-date=May 29, 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref> He also drew a comparison between Edea's theme and the theme of [[Disney]] villain [[Maleficent]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rpgfan.com/reviews/finalfantasy8-psn/index.html |title=Final Fantasy VIII |work=RPGFan |last=Steinman |first=Robert |date=May 28, 2010 |access-date=September 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901051522/https://www.rpgfan.com/reviews/finalfantasy8-psn/index.html |archive-date=September 1, 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Paolo Papi of ''Blasting News'' included Edea in his list of characters who are both sexy and deadly, discussing her use of her sexuality to "beguile her enemies".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://us.blastingnews.com/gaming/2017/08/sexy-and-deadly-video-games-most-alluring-female-bosses-001937735.html |title=Sexy and deadly: Video game's most alluring female bosses |work=Blasting News |last=Papi |first=Paolo |date=August 17, 2017 |access-date=May 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529221058/https://us.blastingnews.com/gaming/2017/08/sexy-and-deadly-video-games-most-alluring-female-bosses-001937735.html |archive-date=May 29, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Chris Greening]] of ''Video Game Music Online'' discussed how various themes are used throughout the game to demonstrate how Edea's character grows; he cited "The Sacrifice" and "Premonition" as identifying of Edea's dark side, while "The Successor" represents her true nature.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vgmonline.net/ff8-2/ |title=Final Fantasy VIII Original Soundtrack |work=Video Game Music Online |last=Greening |first=Chris |date=August 1, 2012 |access-date=August 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190604110558/http://www.vgmonline.net/ff8-2/ |archive-date=June 4, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> {{clear}}
==References== {{reflist|2}}
{{Final Fantasy}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kramer, Edea}} [[Category:Characters designed by Tetsuya Nomura]] [[Category:Female characters in video games]] [[Category:Fictional ambassadors]] [[Category:Fictional characters who use magic]] [[Category:Final Fantasy VIII characters]] [[Category:Video game bosses]] [[Category:Video game characters introduced in 1999]] [[Category:Fictional characters with ice or cold abilities]]
[[ja:ファイナルファンタジーVIII#サブパーティキャラクター]]