Zidane Tribal - Appearances

Appearances

Zidane is a Genome, created by Garland on the planet Terra to replace Kuja as a more powerful "Angel of Death." Jealous of his successor, Kuja cast Zidane down to Gaia, where he is found and adopted by Baku and his group of thieves, Tantalus. Before the events of the game, he leaves Baku to search for his real home, his only memory being a blue light. Unsuccessful, he returns to Baku and rejoins Tantalus.

At the age of sixteen, he becomes involved in a scheme to kidnap Princess Garnet XVII of Alexandria, organized by Regent Cid in order to distance the princess from her increasingly war-like adoptive mother, Queen Brahne. Zidane first encounters Garnet when she tries to sneak out of the palace, and, at her request, promises to do his best to kidnap her. He takes an instant liking to the princess and does not hesitate to flirt with her throughout the game, much to her bodyguard Adelbert Steiner's dismay. His dagger is the inspiration for Garnet's alias.

Zidane naturally adopts his role as party leader, and his personality draws many characters in the game. Eiko joins the party after becoming infatuated with him, and Amarant follows him out of curiosity. He provides much emotional support for Garnet, Vivi, and Freya. He is only seen uncharacteristically somber at two points in the game: before Garnet is to be crowned Queen of Alexandria, and when the true reason for his existence is revealed. The latter event drives him to briefly abandon the party; however, the group manages to mollify him and he returns.

After the party is rescued from the Iifa Tree by Kuja, Zidane chooses to go back inside the collapsing structure to save his arch rival. For nearly a year it is believed that he did not survive; however, he makes a dramatic reappearance on stage in Alexandria at the end of the game.

Zidane is the hero representing Final Fantasy IX in Dissidia Final Fantasy. Along with the entire cast, Zidane reappears in the prequel Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy. He also appears in Itadaki Street Portable as a playable character. He is also featured in the rhythm game Theatrhythm Final Fantasy as a the main character representing Final Fantasy IX.