Lightning Final Fantasy (FF13) - Figures

Lightning is the main protagonist from the thirteenth mainline entry into the iconic Final Fantasy series, Final Fantasy XIII. This game was developed and published by Square Enix and first released for the PlayStation 3 in December 2009. Like many other games in the Final Fantasy franchise, Final Fantasy XIII is a role-playing game that blends elements of both science and high fantasy to create wonderful, imaginative worlds for the player to explore. Its protagonist, Lightning, is the first female protagonist in a mainline Final Fantasy game since Terra from Final Fantasy VI (originally marketed as Final Fantasy III in America). As the first female protagonist in a modern Final Fantasy game, there have been various kinds of figures that recreate her attractive design and appealing character. Out of the handful of figures available to fans, some of the most popular include the “Play Arts Kai Final Fantasy Dissidia: Lightning”, the “Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII Play Arts Kai - Lightning”, and the “Final Fantasy Trading Arts Kai Mini - Lightning”.

Play Arts Kai Final Fantasy Dissidia: Lightning Figure

This figure from Square Enix’s Play Arts Kai series takes Lightning’s design from Final Fantasy Dissidia and turns it into a detailed, poseable figure. Many aspects of her design are recreated here, like her pink, wavy hair, long, red cape, and red bag hanging on her hip. The points of articulation in Lightning’s knees, elbows, shoulders, ankles, and other parts of her body allow users to recreate many iconic series from the game. Extra parts like her Blazefire Saber add even more customization as well.

Product Name: Play Arts Kai Final Fantasy Dissidia: Lightning
Series: Final Fantasy Dissidia
Manufacturer: Square Enix
Specifications: Painted and articulated PVC action figure
Dimensions (Approx.): 95 x 45 x 250 mm

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII Play Arts Kai - Lightning Figure

This figure, also from the Play Arts Kai line, recreates Lightning as she appears in Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII, the second sequel to the original game. She wears her Equilibrium outfit, which looks like a black suit of armor with two white capes on each side of her waist. Like the previous figure, this item is also fully articulated and comes with extra parts for an incredible amount of versatility. Lightning comes equipped with both her Crimson Blade and Twilight Lotus, completing her knightly appearance.

Product Name: Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII Play Arts Kai - Lightning
Manufacturer: Square Enix
Specifications: Painted and articulated PVC action figure
Dimensions (approx.): 150 x 100 x 250 mm
Included Parts:
Twilight Lotus, Crimson Blade, 3 additional hands, Play Arts Kai exclusive stand.

Final Fantasy Trading Arts Kai Mini - Lightning Figure

This figure takes Lightning’s design and gives it a unique, chibi-style design, complete with a large head and a small body. Although it may not be as articulated as other figures, this item makes up for it in the amount of included extra parts. These parts include several facial expression plates, text plates, several different weapons, and a second body that is riding the Eidolon, Odin. Its smaller size and price also make it quite accessible to any fan, as it does not require a significant financial commitment.

Product Name: Final Fantasy Trading Arts Kai Mini - Lightning
Manufacturer: Square Enix
Specifications: Painted and articulated PVC and ABS figure with extra parts and stand
Dimensions (Approx.): 44 x 36 x 64 mm
Contents: Body, stand, 3 dialogue plates, Blazefire Saber, additional hand with Gestalt swords attached, alternate body atop Odin, 3 faces (2 premade expressions, 1 blank)

About Lightning

Lightning, who is also known as Claire Farron, is the main protagonist of Final Fantasy XIII and the character the player controls throughout the game.

Background

After becoming an orphan at the age of fifteen, Lightning took it upon herself to raise her younger sister Serah. When she graduated from high school, Lightning joined the Guardian Corps, which is tasked with protecting the people of Cocoon. Due to this job, she began spending less and less time with her sister, causing the distance between them to grow with time. Lightning comes to greatly regret this, especially after she learns that Serah was branded a Pulse l’Cie and turned into a crystal after fulfilling her Focus. Following Serah’s last request, Lightning sets out to save Cocoon but is turned into a Pulse l’Cie herself.

Special Abilities

As a trained member of the Guardian Corps, Lightning is quite skilled in combat. Her weapon of choice is the gunblade, which allows for both close-quarter and ranged combat. After being turned into a l’Cie, she gains the ability to use magic and shows exceptional proficiency with Thunder magic.

Other Important Final Fantasy XIII Characters

Throughout Lightning’s adventures in Final Fantasy XIII, many different characters can join her party. Two such characters are Snow Villiers and Oerba Dia Vanille.

Snow Villiers

Snow is introduced as the leader of NORA, a resistance group located in Bodhum. He is also engaged to Lightning’s sister, Serah, despite Lightning disapproving of their relationship. Although Lightning believes that Serah died after she was crystalized, Snow remains optimistic and joins Lightning to help fulfill Serah’s final wishes to save Cocoon. After turning into a l’Cie, he gains the ability to use ice magic and summon the Eidolon Shiva.

Oerba Dia Vanille

Although much of the story is told from Lightning’s perspective, the narration is done mostly by Vanille. She and Fang are originally from a village named Oerba, but become a l’Cies and given the task of destroying Cocoon hundreds of years before the events of Final Fantasy XIII take place. When they reawaken, they find that Serah has turned into a l’Cie as well. Vanille felt responsible for Serah’s fate, as she believed that Serah was branded because Vanille and Fang had not fulfilled their Focus.