Kefka Palazzo

{{Short description|Antagonist in Final Fantasy VI}} {{Redirect|Cefca|the astrophysics research institute|CEFCA}} {{good article}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2023}} {{Infobox character |name = Kefka Palazzo |image = FF6 Kefkaart.png |image_size = 270px |caption = Kefka, as seen in ''[[Final Fantasy VI]]'' (art by [[Yoshitaka Amano]]) |series = [[Final Fantasy]] |firstgame = ''[[Final Fantasy VI]]'' (1994) |designer = [[Yoshitaka Amano]]<ref name=cutscenes/><br>[[Kazuko Shibuya]] ([[sprite (computer graphics)|sprites]])<ref name=cutscenes/> |voice = '''[[English language|EN]]:''' [[Dave Wittenberg]]<br/>'''[[Japanese language|JA]]:''' [[Shigeru Chiba]] |creator = [[Yoshinori Kitase]]<br/>[[Hiroyuki Ito]] |home = Gestahlian Empire }} {{nihongo|'''Kefka Palazzo'''|ケフカ・パラッツォ|Kefuka Parattso|romanized as '''Cefca''' in the Japanese version|lead=yes}} is a fictional character and the main [[antagonist]] of the 1994 [[role-playing video game]] ''[[Final Fantasy VI]]'', developed by [[Square (video game company)|Square]]. [[Yoshitaka Amano]] created his visual design and director [[Yoshinori Kitase]] wrote his scenes. He is one of the most well-known and well-received villains in the ''[[Final Fantasy]]'' series. He was given a featured role in the [[fighting game]] ''[[Dissidia Final Fantasy]]'' and its sequels. He also appears as an enemy [[Boss (video gaming)|boss]] character in games including ''[[Theatrhythm Final Fantasy]]'', ''[[Final Fantasy Artniks]]'', ''[[Final Fantasy XIV]]'', and ''[[Final Fantasy All the Bravest]]''.

Kefka is first introduced as the court mage of Emperor [[Gestahl]]. Over the course of the game, he reveals himself to be a [[Nihilism|nihilistic]] [[Psychopathy|psychopath]], gone mad from the cruel experiments that gave him his magical powers. When Gestahl is poised to seize the source of magic in the world, Kefka betrays him and takes it for himself. With his new godlike powers, Kefka rules the remains of a ruined world with an iron fist.

Kefka is considered one of the most memorable video game villains ever created, with critics and fans noting his intense hatred and maniacal laughter as defining characteristics. He has also been compared to [[Joker (character)|the Joker]] from the [[Batman]] franchise.<ref name="camp"/>

==Conception and creation== Kefka's appearance was designed by [[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="creation"/> Several designs were created for Kefka during the planning stages, each with different outfits, taking inspiration from [[clown]]s seen at circuses.<ref name=cutscenes/> Amano felt the character was akin to [[DC Comics]] villain [[Joker (character)|Joker]], and wanted to illustrate a character that shared Joker's crazy personality, someone that was "completely insane". He found the overall process fun to develop.<ref name=cutscenes/>

Writer [[Yoshinori Kitase]] found the original writing "did not give him much character", and while working on the very first scene developed for the game, Kefka's approach to a castle, Kitase felt it was too boring to do normally. He added a scene off the top of his head where Kefka demanded soldiers dust off his boots in the middle of a desert, meaning for it to imply that there "may be a screw or two missing from this character's head", something he felt was a perfect fit for Kefka and helped define the character's personality for the rest of the story.<ref name="strange"/> In an interview with ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]'', Kitase noted that while he wanted to keep story emphasis balanced across the cast, he found that Kefka was one of two characters whose importance in the story grew larger than originally intended when development began.<ref>{{cite magazine |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130812120226/https://www.edge-online.com/features/the-making-of-final-fantasy-vi/ |url=https://www.edge-online.com/features/the-making-of-final-fantasy-vi/ |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |date=2013-08-05 |accessdate=2023-07-23 |archivedate=2013-08-12 |title=The Making Of: Final Fantasy VI}}</ref> Originally the game was meant to end much earlier with Kefka's defeat and the world saved, but when the developers realized they still had plenty of time, they added a second act where Kefka succeeds in devastating the world, leaving the party members scattered across the remains of the "World of Ruin".<ref name="onemillionpower">{{cite web |url=https://www.onemillionpower.com/25-years-since-the-release-of-final-fantasy-vi-looking-back-at-the-passion/ |title=25 Years Since The Release Of Final Fantasy VI – Looking Back At The Passion |last=Clark |first=Brian |date=2019-04-07 |accessdate=2023-07-23 |website=OneMillionPower}}</ref>

Other developers involved with ''Final Fantasy VI''{{'}}s production also contributed to his characterization. Artist Kazuko Shibuya aimed to illustrate his "crazy and somewhat childish" demeanor through her work on his pixel art and animations, and considers him her favorite character in the franchise. While the rest of the cast had simple traits that were easy to draw, often easy to define as "cute" or "strong", she felt Kefka wouldn't stand out as much if he went through the same process. She utilized bases of red and green in his design to paint him as "very eccentric", while also wanting to illustrate his dangerous and childish aspects, a character with "no defined limits".<ref name=cutscenes>{{cite AV media |via=[[YouTube]] |language=Japanese |title=Yoshitaka Amano, Kazuko Shibuya - from paper to pixel <nowiki>|</nowiki> 天野喜孝、渋谷員子 - 紙からドットへ |date=August 16, 2021 |accessdate=March 30, 2024 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZT9uca2b2E |author=Cutscenes |time=9:09 }} [https://archive.org/details/yoshitaka-amano-kazuko-shibuya-from-paper-to-pixel-fzt-9uca-2b-2-e-1080pp-1711813943 Alt URL]{{cbignore}}</ref> Translator Ted Woolsey, who handled the North American localization of the game, also contributed lines to the character while working on the title, namely in part to get around Nintendo censors. Several of these have appeared in later interpretations of the character in other games, such as Kefka's statement about making "a monument to non-existence" in ''[[Final Fantasy XIV]]''.<ref>{{cite web |website=USGamer |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200508062510/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/ted-woolsey-localization-translator-profile-nintendo-final-fantasy-6 |url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/ted-woolsey-localization-translator-profile-nintendo-final-fantasy-6 |archivedate=2020-05-08 |date=2020-05-05 |accessdate=2023-07-23 |title=Ted Woolsey Remembers Final Fantasy 6, Evading Nintendo's Censorship Rules, and the Early Days of Localization |first=Nadia |last=Oxford}}</ref>

==Appearances== ===''Final Fantasy VI''=== Kefka first appears as a general to [[Emperor Gestahl]], serving as his court [[Magician (fantasy)|mage]].<ref name="alot"/> Prior to the start of the game, he was the first human to be experimentally infused with the [[Final Fantasy magic|magic]]-like craft "Magitek", which granted him the ability to wield magic, although the imperfect process warped his mind and made him into the nihilistic psychopath he is during the course of the game.<ref name="Vector"/> Through the first half of the game, Kefka leads the charge for the city-state of Vector to conquer the world, one kingdom at a time, using their magic weapons.<ref name="igns"/> Kefka mentally enslaves [[Terra Branford|Terra]] and uses her to lead an attack on the town of Narshe to claim the frozen [[Esper (Final Fantasy)|esper]] Tritoch there.<ref name="alot"/><ref name="Slave Crown"/> When she escapes Imperial control, he pursues Terra to the kingdom of Figaro, setting the castle ablaze as she, [[Locke Cole|Locke]] and [[Characters of Final Fantasy VI#Edgar|King Edgar]] flee.

During a siege on the kingdom of Doma, Kefka grows impatient with fellow Imperial General Leo and poisons the drinking water in the castle of Doma, resulting in mass casualties and a swift victory for the Empire.<ref name="eighteen"/><ref name="hatred"/> After the alliance of Espers and revolutionaries invade and destroy Vector, Gestahl feigns sorrow for the Empire's evils, and to gain the trust of the protagonists, Gestahl has Kefka imprisoned, citing the poisoning of Doma. Kefka later goes to the village of Thamasa to kill the espers congregated there, killing Leo when he tries to intervene.<ref name="eighteen"/><ref name="espers"/> Using the power of the espers, Kefka helps Gestahl raise the espers' homeworld to create the Floating Continent, where they intend to awaken three entities known as the Warring Triad.<ref name="big boss"/> Upon being confronted by the protagonists, Gestahl freezes them except for former Imperial general [[Celes Chere|Celes]], whom he orders to kill her friends to show her loyalty to the Empire. However, she refuses and stabs Kefka instead, driving him into a psychotic rage. Kefka and the Emperor then get in a heated argument regarding the power of the triad—the Emperor only wants enough power to rule the world, while Kefka wants to unleash the Warring Triad's full potential.<ref name="Triad power"/> The Emperor tries and fails to kill Kefka, who retaliates by having the Warring Triad unleash their power to strike Gestahl down and unceremoniously boot him off the Floating Continent to his death.<ref name="big boss"/> Kefka then moves the statues of the Warring Triad out of balance, unleashing enough raw magical energy to reshape the face of the planet, bringing about the second act of the game.<ref name="ruin"/>

Imbued with the power of the statues, Kefka becomes the God of Magic in the ruined world he created, using the statues to forge a massive tower of random debris to serve as his headquarters.<ref name="eighteen"/> Kefka smites the millions who refuse to worship him with his "Light of Judgment", a beam of incinerating light capable of cutting fissures into the planet's surface,<ref name="big boss"/> although he implies before fighting the Returners that he largely used the Light of Judgment on everyone for his own amusement regardless of whether they worshipped him or not.<ref name="Fun in destruction">[[Square (video game company)|Square Co., Ltd.]] ''Final Fantasy VI (in [[English language|English]])''. (Square Soft). Super NES. (October 11, 1994 (NA)) "'''Unidentified Returner:''' We won't let you harm another living being! // '''Kefka:''' Hee-hee-hee! But what's the fun in destruction if there are no "precious" lives lost?</ref> Confronted by the protagonists at the game's conclusion, Kefka reveals his nihilistic motivations: when the protagonists reject his claims, Kefka goes berserk and proclaims his desire to eradicate everything.<ref name="destroy"/><ref name="powerself"/> Upon the defeat of his minions, Kefka reveals his godlike form and, after uttering one final nihilistic vision of life, dreams and hope,<ref name="meaningless"/> attacks the protagonists before he is ultimately slain, causing the power of magic to vanish.<ref name="big boss"/>

===Other games=== Kefka is the villain representing ''Final Fantasy VI'' in ''[[Dissidia Final Fantasy]]'', where the gods Cosmos and Chaos are fighting a cosmic war for control, with Kefka on the side of Chaos.<ref name="spies"/> As revealed in its prequel ''[[Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy|Dissidia 012]]'', Kefka controlled Terra while she was a warrior of Chaos until [[Kuja (Final Fantasy)|Kuja]] weakens his spell, allowing Terra to escape and become a warrior of Cosmos with the aid of [[Vaan (Final Fantasy)|Vaan]].<ref name="Dissidia012"/> During the events of ''Dissidia'', Kefka allies himself with the Cloud of Darkness to bring Terra back to their side so he can use her Esper powers to fulfill his destructive desires. However, mastering her powers, Terra defeats Kefka to obtain her crystal. After Cosmos's death, Kefka breaks his ties to the other villains and starts his own scheme to become the ruler of the ruined world before being ultimately dispatched for good. For his appearance in ''[[Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy]]'', Kefka received a considerable amount of work and changes according to producer [[Tetsuya Nomura]] and planning director Mitsunori Takahashi,<ref name="changes"/> while translator Tom Slattery, enjoyed writing new dialogue for Kefka.<ref name="dised"/> Additionally, director Takahashi Mitsunori said he felt that developing Kefka's attacks such as "reverse magic" felt similar to development of the recurring minor character Gilgamesh's attacks, and that the staff enjoyed brainstorming the moves.<ref name="gilga"/> Kefka's Japanese voice actor, [[Shigeru Chiba]], ad-libbed many lines, including shouting seafood words like "Pike!" and "Yellowtail!"<ref name="dissideas"/> Kefka returns again in the third title, ''[[Dissidia Final Fantasy NT|Dissidia NT]]'', fighting as a champion of Spiritus.

Kefka makes cameo appearances in ''[[Itadaki Street Portable]]'', ''[[Theatrhythm Final Fantasy]]'', and ''Final Fantasy: All the Bravest'' as an antagonist.<ref name="big boss"/><ref name="bravest"/><ref name="rhythm"/> He also appears as a huntable villain in a [[Gree (Japanese social network)|GREE]] social network card game called ''Final Fantasy Artniks'', where players must share information to find and defeat Kefka to earn rewards.<ref name="million"/> In ''[[Final Fantasy XIV]]'', Kefka appears as one of Omega's creations in the final phase of Sigmascape — the second part of the Omega raid series featured as part of the ''[[Final Fantasy XIV: Stormblood|Stormblood]]'' expansion. His boss encounter draws heavily on themes and enemies from ''Final Fantasy VI'', with his God of Magic form as an additional phase in Savage mode. Kefka is also set to appear in the ''[[Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail|Dawntrail]]'' expansion as the main focus of the Dancing Mad (Ultimate) raid.

==Promotion and reception== [[File:Angelkefka.png|right|thumb|Kefka as the God of Magic has been compared to depictions of [[Lucifer]].]] In 2006, Kefka was made into a toy in the Final Fantasy Master Creatures line.<ref name="amazon"/> The figure is {{convert| 6 | in | cm | order = flip}} tall from the bottom of the base, representing his final form from the game's conclusion.<ref name="amazon"/> A [[munny]] doll of Kefka in his human form was also created by Tomopop.<ref name="munny"/> An album of the music from ''[[Final Fantasy VI]]'' entitled "Kefka's Domain" was released on July 1, 1994.<ref name="domain"/> A figurine was created of Kefka for Square Enix's "Final Fantasy Creatures Kai Volume 5" in 2012.<ref name="figurine"/>

Kefka is considered one of the most well received and enduringly popular villains in video games by critics and fans.<ref name="toptenvillians"/><ref name="writin"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/videogames/a453360/guinness-world-records-counts-down-top-50-video-game-villains/|title=Bowser voted top of 50 video game villains|website=[[Digital Spy]]|date=24 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.destructoid.com/dissidia-final-fantasy-arcade-adds-fan-favorite-kefka-to-the-mix/ |title=Dissidia Final Fantasy arcade adds fan favorite Kefka to the mix |work=[[Destructoid]] |last=Carter |first=Chris |date=June 27, 2016 |accessdate=June 12, 2023}}</ref> He has earned a place on numerous "all time" lists from a wide variety of publications including ''[[Nintendo Power]]'',<ref name="carnage"/><ref name="power"/> [[UGO.com]],<ref name="nihilism"/> [[IGN]],<ref name="madness"/><ref name="readerschoice"/><ref name="eighteen"/> [[GamePro]],<ref name="diabolical"/> [[GameSpy]], [[Den of Geek]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/games/best-final-fantasy-characters/|last=Byrd|first=Matthew|title=15 Best Final Fantasy Characters|date=July 29, 2023|access-date=November 12, 2023}}</ref> and many more.<ref name="spies"/> [[GamesRadar]] named him the most "outrageously [[camp (style)|camp]]" villain, stating that when compared to Kefka, ''[[Final Fantasy VII]]'' antagonist [[Sephiroth (Final Fantasy)|Sephiroth]] seems as "interesting as a dead accountant painted brown".<ref name="camp"/> They also compared him to the [[Joker (character)|Joker]] from ''[[Batman]]'', praising him for both his villainous ambition and his laugh.<ref name="camp"/> [[Digital Spy]] recognized him for being responsible for one of the most surprising moments in the ''Final Fantasy'' series—destroying the world.<ref name="destruction"/>

Analyses of Kefka focused on his nihilism and unsympathetic portrayal. [[Konami]] video game developer Tomm Hulett described Kefka as a pure villain, stating that "unlike most Japanese stories, Kefka did not have shades of gray. He didn't have a tragic past that turned him into a sadistic clown that you felt sorry for him over. He didn't have some greater purpose that he lost sight of. Yet, at the same time, he wasn't 'evil for evil's sake'. There was something twisted and nasty inside him that MADE him that way... and you could feel it... but you also knew there wasn't any good in there".<ref name="memory"/> That he is a central villain of the entire game also serves to intensify a players negative fixation on him.<ref name="memory"/> In a review of ''Final Fantasy VI Advance'', [[IGN]] wrote "it's the game's maniacal nihilist Kefka that really stands out. The most evil and destructive villain in the entire ''Final Fantasy'' franchise, Kefka's brutality and ruthlessness is unmatched and he has to be seen to be believed".<ref name="igns"/> [[IGN]] also noted his ability to "tap into primal, instinctive fears", including fears of clowns.<ref name="madness"/> [[CNet]] in their own review described him as "the unrivaled star of the show...he's the kind of villain that you will love to hate", comparing him to [[Jack Nicholson]]'s portrayal of the Joker and calling his laugh one of the greatest sound effects in any video game.<ref name="cnet"/> [[Kotaku]] has called Kefka the greatest video game villain of all time, and attempted to explain players' lasting fascination by noting that he inspires such hatred that when his evil plans are finally thwarted, the sense of joy from victory is so much the greater.<ref name="hatred"/> [[GameSpy]] compared Kefka's final form as a representation of [[Lucifer]], highlighted by his powerful "Fallen Angel" attack.<ref name="lucifer"/>{{efn|The source mistakenly referred to the attack by the name "Fallen Angel". The correct name for the attack as it appeared in the SNES version of the game is "Fallen One". Subsequent re-releases and ports of the game have used the name "Heartless Angel" instead.}} Another theory posited by [[GameSpot]] is that the intense reaction to Kefka stems from the fact that he is one of the few villains in ''[[Final Fantasy]]'', or any game, that succeeds at his master plan before he is defeated.<ref name="writin"/>

''Digitally Downloaded.net'' Editor in Chief Matt Sainsbury argued that while the character was "certainly psychopathic" and villainous, Kefka was not "insane". He added that while Kefka's behavior painted him as a dangerous character "we need to hate and want to stop because, in simply existing, he poses a threat to all decent people around him", his behavior felt completely rational to Sainsbury because Kefka operated off a different moral core than others, and considered this fascinating. Sainsbury cited philosopher [[Michel Foucault]]'s studies on madness, in which it was argued that in civilization's need to find an "other" to oppose, something separate from "decent" society, insanity was a common go-to. However Sainsbury felt Kefka's behavior came from his "nihilistic understanding on the purpose of life": creations exist simply to be someday destroyed and forgotten, and that the meaning of existence is non-existence. While Kefka's logic runs contrary to most people, Sainsbury described it as still rational and considered thought within the subject of philosophical debate. Additionally he pointed out under philosopher [[Niccolò Machiavelli]]'s view of the world, many of Kefka's actions were justified. While the character commits atrocities, he is still effective and his actions need to be considered within the scope of the war the Empire he serves is fighting, and within that frame of reference helped make Kefka a more fleshed out and nuanced villain.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.digitallydownloaded.net/2018/01/final-fantasy-vi-and-kefka-most-nuanced.html |first=Matt |last=Sainsbury |accessdate=2024-01-22 |website=Digitally Downloaded.net |title=Final Fantasy VI and Kefka – the most nuanced and interesting villain in classical JRPGs|date=5 January 2018 }}</ref> Patrick Dugan of ''[[Escapist Magazine]]'' called Kefka "an androgynous, perverted, wicked little clown [..] Somewhere between [[Shakespeare]]'s [[Falstaff]] and [[Stephen King|King]]'s ''[[Pennywise|It]]''". He further described him as one of the most memorable ''Final Fantasy'' villains for how present he was in the game and his personality, feeling he was a necessity in the game's story as a representative of "science run amok [...] an Anti-Christ with a surreal laugh", and that his defeat gave the game's closure far greater significance.<ref>{{cite web |last=Dugan |first=Patrick |title=A Fine Fantasy |website=Escapist Magazine |date=2005-12-20 |accessdate=2023-06-10 |url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/a-fine-fantasy/}}</ref>

The audio design for Kefka has been praised, including his iconic laugh and his signature musical themes, ''Kefka'' and ''Dancing Mad'', by [[Nobuo Uematsu]]. Music professor William Cheng called his laugh "quasi-musical" and commended the sound engineers for imbuing character and personality into a limited [[sound effect]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Cheng |first=William |title=Sound Play: Video Games and the Musical Imagination |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2014 |isbn=9780199969968}}</ref> Music researcher Jessica Kizzire tracked Kefka's character arc and ascent to godhood through his musical themes.<ref name="Uematsu-book">{{Cite book |title=The Music of Nobuo Uematsu in the Final Fantasy Series |publisher=Intellect Books |year=2022 |isbn=9781789385564 |editor-last=Anatone |editor-first=Richard}}</ref> The repetition of ''Kefka'' in key moments of the game add new layers of meaning to the track. Uematsu included musical allusions to ''Kefka'' in his themes for Sephiroth and Ultimecia, the villains of ''Final Fantasy VII'' and ''VIII'', respectively.<ref name="Uematsu-book"/>

==References== {{Reflist|refs= <ref name="alot">{{cite web| url=http://m.ign.com/articles/2007/12/18/gaming-to-anime-final-fantasy-vi |title=Gaming to Anime: Final Fantasy VI |publisher=IGN|author=Ramsey Isler |date=December 17, 2007|access-date=March 14, 2013}}</ref>  <ref name="amazon">{{cite web|title=Square-Enix Final Fantasy Master Creatures Cefca Palazzo Figure |website=Amazon |access-date=March 14, 2013 |url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000I63SPA}}</ref> <ref name="big boss">{{cite web|url=http://m.ign.com/articles/2009/10/30/big-boss-of-the-day-final-fantasys-kefka |title=Big Boss of the Day: Final Fantasy's Kefka |author= Yoshinori Kitase|publisher=IGN |date=October 30, 2009 |access-date=March 14, 2013}}</ref> <ref name="bravest">{{cite web|url=http://m.ign.com/articles/2013/01/18/final-fantasy-all-the-bravest-review |title= Final Fantasy All The Bravest Review |author=Justin Davis|publisher=IGN |date=January 18, 2013|access-date=March 19, 2013}}</ref> <ref name="camp">{{cite web |author=David Houghton|title=The Top 7... Outrageous Camp Bad Guys |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/the-top-7-outrageously-camp-bad-guys/ |publisher=[[GamesRadar]] |date= November 17, 2008 |access-date=March 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626221135/http://www.gamesradar.com/the-top-7-outrageously-camp-bad-guys/?page=4 |archive-date=June 26, 2015}}</ref> <ref name="carnage">{{cite magazine |last=Staff |date=May 1995 |title=Nintendo Power Awards |magazine=[[Nintendo Power]] |volume=72|page=52}}</ref> <ref name="changes">{{cite web|author=Anoop Gantayat|title=Nomura and Takahashi on Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy|url=http://andriasang.com/comssv/nomura_takahashi_dissidia/|publisher=andraisang|date=December 21, 2010|access-date=March 17, 2013|archive-date=25 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121225034014/http://andriasang.com/comssv/nomura_takahashi_dissidia/|url-status=dead}}</ref> <ref name="cnet">{{cite web|author=Greg Mueller| date=February 13, 2007|url= http://reviews.cnet.com/game-boy-advance-games/final-fantasy-vi-advance/4505-9975_7-31641780.html |title=Final Fantasy VI Advance (Game Boy Advance) |publisher=[[CNet]]| access-date= March 14, 2013}}</ref> <ref name="creation">{{cite book |title=Japan: Final Fantasy |date=August 11, 1994 |publisher=[[NTT Publishing]] |language=ja|isbn=4-87188-338-8 |chapter=Interview |pages=108–109}}</ref> <ref name="destroy">{{cite video game|quote='''Kefka:''' I will destroy everything... I will create a monument to non-existence! / '''Unidentified party member:''' Life will go on! There will always be people, and dreams! / '''Kefka:''' No! I will hunt them down. I will destroy it all! Destroy! Destroy! Destroy!!|developer=[[Square (video game company)|Square Co., Ltd.]] |publisher=Square Soft|date=October 11, 1994 | platform=[[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super NES]] |title=Final Fantasy VI (in [[English language|English]])}}</ref> <ref name="destruction">{{cite web|author=Matthew Reynolds|url=http://m.digitalspy.com/gaming/news/a435078/final-fantasy-retrospective-a-look-back-at-25-years-of-the-rpg-series.html|title=Final Fantasy retrospective: A look back at 25 years of the RPG series|publisher=[[GameSpy]]|date=November 4, 2012|access-date=March 17, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029221927/http://m.digitalspy.com/gaming/news/a435078/final-fantasy-retrospective-a-look-back-at-25-years-of-the-rpg-series.html|archive-date=October 29, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> <ref name="diabolical">{{cite web |author=GamePro Staff |url=http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/210911/47_most_diabolical_video-game_villains_all_time/ |title=The 47 Most Diabolical Video-Game Villains of All Time |publisher=[[GamePro]] |date=April 2, 2008 |access-date=March 14, 2013 |archive-date=9 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100309051449/http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/210911/47_most_diabolical_video-game_villains_all_time/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> <ref name="dised">{{cite web|url=http://www.rpgamer.com/features/insidegaming/tslatteryint.html|title=Inside Gaming - Interview with Former Square Enix Translator Tom Slattery|author=Michael A. Cunningham|work=RPGamer|date=January 1, 2011|access-date=March 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104181530/http://www.rpgamer.com/features/insidegaming/tslatteryint.html|archive-date=November 4, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> <ref name="Dissidia012">{{cite web|url=http://andriasang.com/comu4v/dissidia_gilgamesh_update/|title=Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy: Gilgamesh and More Another Forms|publisher=Andriasang|author=Anoop Gantayat|date=February 25, 2011|access-date=March 14, 2013|archive-date=25 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121225041129/http://andriasang.com/comu4v/dissidia_gilgamesh_update/|url-status=dead}}</ref> <ref name="dissideas">{{cite web|url=http://thelifestream.net/lifestream-projects/translations-lifestream-projects/1756/chapter-ex-director-section-ii-part-6-interview-with-tetsuya-nomura-p696-699/|title=Chapter EX Director Section II Part 6- Interview with Tetsuya Nomura|pages=696–699 |author=Makoeyes98|publisher=thelifestream.net|access-date=March 14, 2013|date=February 12, 2009}}</ref> <ref name="domain">{{cite web|author=Damian Thomas|access-date=March 14, 2013|title=Kefka's Domain: The complete soundtrack from the Final Fantasy III video game|publisher=RPGFan|date=January 1, 1994|url=http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/ff3kefka/index.html|archive-date=January 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116213158/http://rpgfan.com/soundtracks/ff3kefka/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> <ref name="eighteen">{{cite web|url=http://uk.ign.com/videogame-villains/18.html |title=The Top 100 Video Game Villain: Kefka is number 18 |publisher=IGN |access-date=March 14, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120604005124/http://uk.ign.com/videogame-villains/18.html |archive-date=June 4, 2012}}</ref> <ref name="espers">{{cite video game|quote='''Kefka:''' G'ha, ha, ha! Emperor's orders! I'm to bring the Magicite remains of these Espers to his excellency! Behold! A Magicite mother lode!! |title=Final Fantasy III |developer=[[Square (video game company)|Square Co., Ltd.]] |publisher=Square Soft|date=October 11, 1994 |platform=Super NES}}</ref> <ref name="figurine">{{cite web|author=Rio McCarthy|date=August 30, 2012|title=Final Fantasy's Kefka shows his devious face!|publisher=TomoPop|access-date=March 14, 2013|url=http://www.tomopop.com/final-fantasy-s-kefka-shows-his-devious-face--26741.phtml|archive-date=June 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606220247/http://www.tomopop.com/final-fantasy-s-kefka-shows-his-devious-face--26741.phtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> <ref name="gilga">{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2011/02/22/a-few-more-details-about-gilgamesh-dissidia-012duodecims-scramble-fighter/ |title= A Few More Details About Gilgamesh, Dissidia 012|author=Spencer|work=Siliconera|date=February 22, 2011 |access-date=March 14, 2013}}</ref> <ref name="hatred">{{cite web|author= Jason Cipriano| date=March 14, 2013|title=Why Final Fantasy VI's Kefka is the Best Video Game Villain of All Time|url=https://kotaku.com/why-final-fantasy-vis-kefka-is-the-best-video-game-vill-5976002|work=[[Kotaku]]|access-date=March 2, 2013}}</ref> <ref name="igns">{{cite web|author=Jeremy Dunham| date=February 15, 2007| url=http://m.ign.com/articles/2007/02/15/final-fantasy-vi-advance-review|title=Final Fantasy VI Advance Review| publisher= IGN|access-date=March 14, 2013}}</ref>  <ref name="lucifer">{{cite web| author= GameSpy Staff|date=October 16, 2009| title=GameSpy's Favorite Videogame Bosses|url=http://uk.ds.gamespy.com/articles/103/1036220p1.html |work=[[GameSpy]]|access-date=March 14, 2013}}</ref> <ref name="madness">{{cite web |author= Dave Smith |date=May 15, 2008|url=http://m.ign.com/articles/2008/05/16/top-25-final-fantasy-characters-day-iv |title=Top 25 Final Fantasy Characters - Day IV |publisher=IGN |access-date=March 14, 2013}}</ref> <ref name="meaningless">{{cite video game|quote='''Kefka:''' Life... Dreams... Hope... Where do they come from? And where do they go...? Such meaningless things... I'll destroy them all!! (laughs)|developer=[[Square (video game company)|Square Co., Ltd.]] |publisher=[[Square Enix]]|title= Final Fantasy VI Advanced (in [[English language|English]]) |date= November 30, 2006}}</ref> <ref name="memory">{{cite web|author=Tom Hulett|date=October 9, 2006|url=http://www.1up.com/do/blogEntry?bId=7525376&publicUserId=5477956|title=Why FFVI is so freaking great. (updated)|publisher=[[1UP.com]]|access-date=March 14, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013223458/http://www.1up.com/do/blogEntry?bId=7525376&publicUserId=5477956|archive-date=October 13, 2012}}</ref> <ref name="million">{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2013/01/11/final-fantasy-artniks-has-1-million-users-i-wonder-how-many-killed-sephiroth/|title=Final Fantasy Artniks Has 1 Million Users, I Wonder How Many Killed Sephiroth |author=Spencer |publisher=Siliconera |access-date=March 31, 2013 |date=January 11, 2013}}</ref> <ref name="munny">{{cite web|author=K. Thor Jensen|url=http://m.joystiq.com/2008/07/10/today-in-joystiq-july-10-2008/?post=1&icid=joystiq_kefka_art|title=Today in Joystiq|date=July 10, 2008|publisher=joystiq|access-date=March 17, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606230901/http://m.joystiq.com/2008/07/10/today-in-joystiq-july-10-2008/?post=1&icid=joystiq_kefka_art|archive-date=June 6, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> <ref name="nihilism">{{cite web|author=K. Thor Jensen |url=http://www.ugo.com/games/japanese-rpg-characters?page=5 |title=Top 25 Japanese RPG Characters |work=[[UGO.com]] |publisher=[[UGO Networks]] |access-date=December 31, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029212224/http://www.ugo.com/games/japanese-rpg-characters?page=5 |archive-date=October 29, 2013}}</ref> <ref name="power">{{cite magazine|date=January 2010 |magazine=[[Nintendo Power]] |title=250 Reasons to Love Nintendo |issue=250 |location=[[South San Francisco, California]] |page=42 |publisher=[[Future US]] |url=http://www.nintendopower.com/images/NP250_250Feature.pdf |access-date=March 14, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091229051334/http://nintendopower.com/images/NP250_250Feature.pdf |archive-date=December 29, 2009}}</ref> <ref name="powerself">{{cite video game|title=Final Fantasy VI (in [[English language|English]])|developer=[[Square (video game company)|Square Co., Ltd.]] |publisher=Square Soft|date=October 11, 1994 | platform=[[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super NES]]|quote='''Kefka:''' I've tapped into the ultimate power. Observe...! / ... /'''Kefka:''' This is sickening... You sound like chapters from a self-help booklet! Prepare yourselves!}}</ref> <ref name="readerschoice">{{cite web|author=Phil Pirrello |date= May 20, 2008|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/05/21/final-fantasy-readers-choice?page=3| title=Final Fantasy Reader's Choice|publisher= IGN |access-date=March 14, 2013}}</ref> <ref name="rhythm">{{cite web |author=JC Fletcher |date=July 2, 2012 |url=http://m.joystiq.com/2012/07/02/theatrhythm-final-fantasy-review-more-fun-to-play-than-to-say/ |title=Theatrhythm Final Fantasy review: More fun to play than to say |publisher=joystiq |access-date=March 17, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130202307/http://m.joystiq.com/2012/07/02/theatrhythm-final-fantasy-review-more-fun-to-play-than-to-say/ |archive-date=November 30, 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> <ref name="Triad power">{{cite video game|developer= [[Square Enix]]|date=January 15, 2014 |publisher=Square Enix |title=Final Fantasy VI (in [[English language|English]]) |quote='''Kefka:''' Gods, you were born to fight! Now is the time! I implore you...show me your power! // ''(Kefka attempts to get between the statues only to be knocked back, before eventually forcing himself in)'' // '''Kefka:''' Let me in here! Grrr...! // ''(the statues then begin glowing ominously, only to end, causing Kefka to look around in irritation)'' // '''Kefka:''' Now listen to me! No more playing games! I command you... Show me your power! // '''Gestahl:''' Kefka, stop! If you revive them, they'll destroy the very world we want to rule! There's no value in that! // '''Kefka:''' Shut up! // '''Gestahl:''' Kefka! Are you mad!? // '''Kefka:''' Mad...? Emperor Gestahl, what are you saying? This is the perfect chance to show them the power of the Warring Triad!}}</ref> <ref name="ruin">{{cite video game|developer= [[Square (video game company)|Square Co., Ltd.]]|date=October 11, 1994 |publisher=Square Soft |title=Final Fantasy VI (in [[English language|English]]) |quote='''Celes:''' Oh, that's really smart, Kefka! Disturb their delicate balance, and they'll go haywire...!}}</ref> <ref name="Slave Crown">{{cite video game|title=Final Fantasy III |developer=[[Square (video game company)|Square Co., Ltd.]] |publisher=Square Soft |date=October 11, 1994 |platform=Super NES |quote='''Wedge:''' Not to worry. The Slave Crown on her head robs her of all conscious thought. She'll follow our orders.}}</ref> <ref name="spies">{{cite web|author=Ryan Scott|url=http://uk.psp.gamespy.com/playstation-portable/final-fantasy-dissidia/1009222p1.html |title=The Villains of Dissidia Final Fantasy: Kefka Palazzo|date=July 30, 2009|publisher= [[GameSpy]] |access-date=March 14, 2013}}</ref> <ref name="strange">{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/blogEntry?bId=9002538&publicUserId=6049935 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117195314/http://www.1up.com/do/blogEntry?bId=9002538&publicUserId=6049935 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 17, 2012 |title=The Making of Dissidia Final Fantasy - Final Words from the Producer |author=Yoshinori Kitase |author-link=Yoshinori Kitase |website=[[1UP.com]] |access-date=March 14, 2013 |date=August 27, 2009}}</ref> <ref name="toptenvillians">{{cite web|author=GameSpot Staff |url=http://www.gamespot.com/features/vgs/universal/tenspot_villainsreader/p2_01.html |title=TenSpot Reader's Choice: Top Ten Video Game Villains |work=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=March 14, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107034158/http://www.gamespot.com/features/vgs/universal/tenspot_villainsreader/p2_01.html |archive-date=November 7, 2012}}</ref> <ref name="Vector">{{cite video game|quote='''Vector citizen:''' Here's one for you... That guy Kefka? He was Cid's first experimental Magitek knight. But the process wasn't perfect yet. Something snapped in Kefka that day... |developer=[[Square (video game company)|Square Co., Ltd.]] |publisher=Square Soft |title=Final Fantasy VI (in [[English language|English]]) |date =October 11, 1994}}</ref> <ref name="writin">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/tenspot-readers-choice-top-ten-boss-fights/1100-6086260/|title= TenSpot Reader's Choice: Top Ten Boss Fights|author=Gamespot Staff|publisher= [[GameSpot]]|date=January 12, 2004 |access-date= March 14, 2013}}</ref> }} ==Notes== {{notelist}}

== External links == * {{Commons category-inline|}} {{Final Fantasy series|FF=FFVI}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Palazzo, Kefka}} [[Category:Dictator characters in video games]] [[Category:Evil clowns]] [[Category:Fictional characters who committed sedition or treason]] [[Category:Fictional commanders]] [[Category:Fictional criminals in video games]] [[Category:Fictional gods]] [[Category:Fictional human test subjects]] [[Category:Fictional murderers of children]] [[Category:Fictional mass murderers]] [[Category:Fictional regicides]] [[Category:Fictional super soldiers]] [[Category:Fictional war criminals]] [[Category:Final Fantasy VI characters]] [[Category:Genetically engineered characters in video games]] [[Category:Mad scientist characters in video games]] [[Category:Male characters in video games]] [[Category:Video game bosses]] [[Category:Video game characters introduced in 1994]] [[Category:Fictional characters who use magic]]