I figured we needed a thread to discuss FF8’s bad boy because this guy is seriously intriguing. At first, he’s your basic arrogant character- cocky stance, stinging jibes, and with two henchmen to boot! Then after he fails his SeeD exam, we learn about his very idealistic ambition to become the Sorceress’ Knight. Somehow, in his attempt to fulfill his dream, he ends up turning into a psychotic megalomaniac who almost destroys the world. Finally, he falls apart, abandoned by his henchmen, and beaten by his rival at every turn.
Was Seifer really that devastated at failing SeeD? Just how seriously did he take this dream that he ended up doing lots of Bad Things along the way? And how important is his relationship with Squall?
Heh, I sound like a book report. <_< Okay, in a nutshell: what are your opinions or analyses on Seifer Almasy?

Hmmmm.... yeah, Seifer did have that whole bad boy thing goin on, but I think the thing he cared most about was showing up Squall. I don't have too much to say about him, honestly he never really captured my attention like Zell did. :whistle:

I really like Seifer. I realized that now as I'm playing VIII again.

How on earth does one become a sorceress knight, in a school that trains their students to kill sorceresses? Stupid Kitase, he should really stay as a producer...

I really don't understand that aspect. I think his romantic dream is to become SeeD, and then he didn't (which sucks). And then he became Edea's lackey trying to help Rinoa.

But then again, it has been implied that Seifer took SeeD tests prior to the game itself, and yet this was the only time that he took such drastic measures. Perhaps Rinoa needing SeeD people was a factor?

It was a shame that a supposed love triangle between him, Rinoa and Squall wasn't much brought up in the actual game.

Well, my theory is, he has always had a romantic, idealistic dream of being the sorceress knight. Remember when Laguna was an actor in a movie called The Sorceress Knight? He had the same stance that Seifer uses! So Seifer probably saw that movie when he was a kid and it's been imprinted on his mind ever since. He doesn't seem to like being a mercenary that follows orders, as seen from his screw-up at the Dollet exam.

Ohhh, I didn't think of that. Why did he suddenly show up at that mission in Timber? Why did he suddenly want to help? Was it because of Rinoa? Or did he just get tired of feeling like a useless failure?
But I really don't think there was anything serious between Rinoa and Seifer. Maybe infatuation and flirtation on Rinoa's part. As for Seifer, well...he tossed her to Adel so... :lol:

I'm sure it was serious. Seifer was the one who brought Rinoa to the Garden to ask for Cid's help with such a small amount of money, remember?

I think Seifer didn't like the idea Squall, his archrival, was assigned to her in the first place.

Then he met Edea, whom he figured would be the right step for attaining his dream. As said, Seifer is an interesting character for me, but was horribly so underwritten that some players may not even emphatize with him at all. Probably shrug him off as the annoying guy who just doesn't step aside for "the more perfect Squall who obviously better than him in everything".

I like that Romantic Dream Part... :D
Even though it was being the sorceres' knight...

I liked Seifer. I always felt he was Squall's best friend. Squall and Rinoa are a great couple and Seifer would give them his blessing. Seifer was a great character and at the beginning of the game, he was Squall's best friend and then things changed a lot when they were on different sides and by the end of the game things were completely different. Squall and Rinoa are a great couple and the game should've shown Seifer giving them his blessing. I loved all the characters in that game. Squall, Rinoa and Seifer were all great. Squall and Rinoa are a great couple. I wonder who Seifer would be good with. Maybe someone from a different ff game can crossover and be with Seifer. Seifer should be with an innocent, cheerful girl. That would be Seifer's type. Someone a bit younger then him and innocent. Squall, Rinoa and Seifer are all great characters.

Unfortunately, even if Seifer did see that play, he won't remember it. The GFs would most likely have it erased (heck they didn't remember he practically grew up with the rest of the characters).

Aaaand I'm not sure about Seifer and Squall being best friends (Seifer's true friends were Raijin and Fuujin). They kind of gave me the impression of war buddies than anything else.

I always thought that the idea of becoming the Sorceress's Knight was just put into Seifer's mind by Adele in order to manipulate him better. The idea of becoming her Knight would make Seifer feel that he was doing something honorable, as well as making him feel attractive to her, which made it more appealing to him. I don't think Seifer was anything but a pawn to Adele.

Hmmm, you never know, he might have it stored in his subconscious or something

As for Squall and Seifer being best friends, nope, I dun think so. They had a relationship that was too strange to be a friendship. They respected and understood each other but they were rivals since the beginning. I think they're codependent on each other, despite their rivalry.

Aaah. Seifer. My first love (hey, he's the first guy in Final Fantasy that I had a crush on!). :lol:
I totally thought he was the most misunderstood guy in the game and I pitied him for that because he was seen/portrayed as one of the bad guys. It's like

Squall=good
Seifer=bad

Despite what is being portrayed, I still saw him as an important character, probably more important than Squall... to the point that if Final Fantasy 8 would have a new main character instead of Squall, Seifer would definitely pass.
The romantic dream was actually like a reflection of his good side: that he's not all that bad. However, other gamers saw that as wimpy or wussy, and I think that's not it. People with dreams (such as Seifer) know what they want in life and they are usually the most human if they decide to make those dreams a reality.
Probably to make up for the bad-ass attitude of Seifer is the romantic dream thing, which showed us that he is not the enemy here! ;)

Seifer's bullying is probably a cover-up for his vulnerable and sentimental side which he doesn't want anyone to probably see at first glance because it might give off the impression that he's the chicken wuss. ;)

Or maybe he likes to screw people's heads. It's kind of funny he was more into Zell than Squall though. Who would have thought...

Attitudewise, Seifer sorta reminded me of Jecht from FFX. Troublemaker but has a good heart under the rough exterior.

I'm so glad he was laughing with Fuujin and Raijin in the ending, despite the fact the three of them may not be going back to Balaamb Garden.

...I'll miss the Disciplinary Committee... T.T...

Seifer is such an enigma, his personality and surroundings and such conflicting constantly. :lol: Lots of people pointed out the SeeDs were supposed to ensure sorceresses don't come back, but here, Seifer, a prospect to become a SeeD (he never really became one, did he?) helping a sorceress.

And strange, their headmaster married to a sorceress. :ermm: Irony, anyone?

Methinks that Seifer is strong, but just not enough. With him being thought of as a failure - look at him, at times, a delinquent, a failure to become a SeeD, his crush (if that's what it was with Rinoa) liking his rival - he wanted to do something noble, and Adel preyed on those insecurities and dreams.



Usagi, I don't really think that Seifer and Squall were good friends in the beginning or the end. :ermm: Both of them fought and tried to prove to each other the best fiercely, fighting a lot. In the opening sequence, would you do that to a friend and not apologize?

OK, I replayed FFVIII again, and then went to the part Quistis telling them that Seifer was upset that three recently made SeeDs were sent to help the Owls to fight off Galbadian soldiers. He burst out from the disciplinary room and try to take on President Deling *swoons for that reckless nobility* XD. I think he wants to take full responsibilty coz he sure was mad at Zell for blurting info.

Then Edea swoops in and taunts him that he's a person trapped between the thinking of a child and the thinking of a man.

Still hate Rinoa though, just realized she nags a lot.

I'm right there with ya, sweetie. Well I don't really hate her but I do dislike her.

What info did Zell give away again? Been a long time since I've played FF8 :unsure:

Zell told them they were from Garden.

Seifer and Squall were really pissed. XD