Japan ranks their favorite male characters from the Final Fantasy series

The official Final Fantasy forums recently held a vote to determine the top male characters among users.

The results are in, with the top five having been through a rollercoaster race to the finish. Early on Zack and Cloud fought head to head, but Zack’s lead widened in the second half. At one point Cloud ran the risk of being outpaced by Zidane, who eventually passed both Tidus and Squall. After a fierce battle, the top five had finally assembled.

Beyond that are the remainder of the characters counted with a total of 73 names that made the cut. Those with duplicate rankings held the same amount of votes, and are thus counted as a tied ranking.

The next poll will focus on the female characters of Final Fantasy. Read on for the results of the male character assessment.

1. Zack (FFVII)
2. Cloud (FFVII)
3. Zidane (FFIX)
4. Tidus (FFX)
5. Squall (FFVIII)
6. Bartz (FFV)
7. Kain (FFIV)
8. Sephiroth (FFVII)
9. Cecil (FFIV)
10. Vincent (FFVII)
11. Noel (FFXIII-2)
12. Reno (FFVII)
13. Edgar (FFVI)
13. Lock (FFVI)
15. Balthier (FFXII)
15. Laguna (FFVIII)
17. Auron (FFX)
17. Hope (FFXIII)
19. Noctis (FF Versus XIII)
19. Reeve (FFVII)
21. Edge (FFIV)
21. Kuja (FFIX)
23. Irvine (FFVIII)
23. Gilbart (FFIV)
25. Vaan (FFXII)
25. Onion Knight (FFIII)
25. Galuf (FFV)
25. Golbez (FFIV)
25. Zell (FFVIII)
25. Vivi (FFIX)
25. Mash (Sabin) (FFVI)
32. Warrior of Light (FF)
32. Ace (FF Type-0)
32. Kurasame (FF Type-0)
32. Sazh (FFXIII)
32. Cid (Entire Series)
32. Steiner (FFIX)
32. Firion (FFII)
32. Ming-Wu (FFII)
32. Rufus Shinra (FFVII)