Femme Fatale Moment

I like to be blunt and give off the most honest negative truth about some this particular character that I adore so much. Rikku isn't the show case of Final Fantasy X, nor is she even close to being a critical part of Final Fantasy X-2. It pains me to say that her significance in the story in the whole FFX mythos had very little impact, except for her race which are the Al Bhed plays a significant role, which gives her a plus. Her fighting skills are mediocre at best, but her tinkering skills are something to brag about since she is very good with the concept of machines (or Machina in the FFX world) and any other gadgets. 

But putting all those aside, Rikku's character base had always been present in the Final Fantasy realm. Young women that are usually close to 'adult' age, jovial, bouncy, full of energy, and is the generic anime girl personality. The 'I'll giggle to death but give my heart out in a fight if I need to' kind of girl. Well, I know that Rikku isn't the most original since she does derive from that genre. But what she lacks in originality, she does make up for in her good looks especially in FFX-2. 

Alright let's be honest with ourselves, Rikku is all about visuals. Even in her early days in FFX with her original Yuffie like outfit. She was always the pretty young girl that had all the energy to last til the next Calm. Despite being such a young girl, she had the flaunting skills to turn heads and believe it or not, there are many who even find her original outfit a lot more attracting than her FFX-2 one. I completely disagree with that notion. Of course this might be just plain perversion speaking, but I think there is something rather flattering about a girl willing to flaunt whatever asset she has that is note worthy to the eyes; Rikku is pretty obvious not lacking in that department when we see her full attire here in FFX-2. So I can admit that the practicality of her outfit is up for debate, one can also say that it is rather distracting to the male opponent, which of course gives her the proper advantage for however she deems necessary to deal with the said opponent: Steal their weapons, cut them up with her daggers, let Paine or Yuna deal with them, or perhaps just a good doe eyes with the sweet convincing smile, no matter. That outfit can open all those doors.

While I have mentioned that Rikku's main abilities are mostly highlighted through her ability to tinker with machines and in the first FFX she had the skill to delve into alchemy. Just like every character in FFX, Rikku had her specialty both as a character and gameplay wise and those were Rikku's forte. In FFX-2 her role and abilities was drastically expanded, but for a much more generic purpose. All three characters of FFX-2 gained the ability for dresspheres which allowed them to be Magic Casters, gun trotters, sword wielding, and skimpy sexy gals of Spira who can morph in mid battle. Rikku gets many different outfits (as well as others) throughout the game. I'll just post some of my favorite ones. All around. It's pretty damn simple to see what each costume represents.

Machina Maw: Yuna, Rikku, and Paine all received the same dress spheres throughout the game with their own twists in regards to style. While for the most part all jobs has the same abilities and qualities for all three girls, they do get a special dress sphere only for them. Rikku gained this Animal like Machina which she rides promiscuously, which of course is all fan service. To be honest, all three gals' 'ultimate' Dress Sphere wasn't the best thing for me. The way to go about to even summon this dress sphere was a pain and not to mention once transformed, the other 2 members retreat and well you are stuck with one unit that acts like three. When not leveled up properly, it dies rather quickly!!! Which is why I never bothered with them as much. I did have more of a habit using Rikku's than anyone else's. 

Songstress: This is one of the class I wasn't that keen on when it comes to the battle ground. It was one of Yuna's most story based Dress Spheres and Rikku used it in a mini game before the ever so 'sing along' 1000 words CG moment. Now again it wasn't so much of a great tool in my opinion, but they are easy on the eyes especially when Yuna and Rikku wore them.

Black mage: Can't  have a Final Fantasy without a Black Magic wielding mage whether they be a job, a class, a special skill, or for this case a Dress Sphere. Although I wasn't at first a big fan of Rikku's choice of outfit with how utterly disheveled the color patterns are, it slowly crept up on me and I couldn't help but realize that the crazy fashion statement does have a flare to it. Of course one cannot take away the usefulness of this Dress Sphere. Magic will always be one of Final Fantasy's greatest asset and having this one mastered with at least one of the girls is a must in FFX-2.

Berserker: Pure visuals as well on Rikku's part. Paine and Yuna had a bit more clothing but the young Al Bhed decided to show a lot more skin this time around. This Dress Sphere is a big time melee hitter and focusing on brute strength. Have to say I like this sphere strictly on Rikku for obvious reasons. 

Samurai: Surprisingly I wasn't too impressed with what Samurais can do in FFX-2 even thought they are always one of my favorite jobs/classes to use. In FFX-2 they didn't offer the same potency that they usually do. Now don't get me wrong they still hit hard, but not as much as they should in my opinion. But I personally like Rikku's attire because it is a homage to one of my favorite Final Fantasy character and that is Auron from FFX.

Lady Luck: This particular dress sphere is all about the visuals. I don't remember a lot of the skills they provide but all I know is that it was rather provocative. They provided the player this luck dice skill that whatever number one gets through the roll of the dice would equal the set damage. You could probably tell what kind of affect that may have. Sometimes good and sometimes bad. Also this Dress Sphere is a homage to Setzer from FFVI.

Warrior: This is after all Paine's default costume.  As any Final Fantasy game, the warrior class focuses on heavy melee that are either crippling or exploits elemental weakness through various skills (Thunderblade, firebrand, etc.). The bonus the warrior gives also revolves highly on Rikku being in front lines and being able to take hits as well as reciprocate.

Now these aren't the full list of Rikku's Dresses. I just posted some of my favorite ones to further illustrate that she has the abilities to be a lot more than her usual thief class. Although that part of Rikku wasn't explored too much outside of the gameplay since Rikku stayed in thief dress sphere pretty much the whole game, We do know that Rikku has some skill with hand to hand combat. The scene in the beginning with the YRP intro of her disarming and beating the poor guard that 'tried' to stop her is evidence of her prowess. It's just a shame, or rather enticing (depending on which side of the spectrum one sees it as) that her physical appearance doesn't exactly show what she is capable of no matter what dress sphere she chooses to wear.

Rikku's choice of weapon are a pair of unique crimson blade daggers. It's clear to see through 
their shape that they are highly lethal from the means of cutting and stabbing, however the hilt themselves serves a rather unique purpose. The circular frame surrounding Rikku's hands could easily be used as sharp knuckles. One that could do major harm if intended to. Although I never personally saw her use it that way in the game, however it is more than safe to assume that is more than an efficient way to use it. 

Outside the battlefield, Rikku's personality had always been caring and a rather curious one. She is almost like Yuna in a sense but less of a pushover. In a way that would make sense since Rikku and Yuna are cousins. For the most part Rikku's main intention had always been crystal clear in both games she appeared in and that is the welfare of Yuna first, her people and with that is her wish to make sure Spira finds peace. She shows that through her consistent willingness to put others before her and all in the while always trying to make sure that everyone's mood is a bit lightened up. Rikku is after all the more lax  vibe of the group whether we are speaking about FFX or FFX-2.


Rikku's constant happy go lucky mood isn't always her. Sometimes it's actually a facade, a shield to keep her true feelings hidden from those around. Rikku's anguish for Yuna eventually finishing her pilgrimage and dying had always been something that was weighing on her ever since she found out that her cousin is  going through it, and that was shown quite clearly during scene when the Al Bhed's main base in Bikanel Desert was being destroyed by the Guado. Her despair for seeing her people also suffer in that very moment showed Rikku's more emotional side as she expresses to Tidus what the Pilgrimage actually does to a Summoner. It's a damn shame that the side of Rikku that is heartfelt like that moment in FFX was never again revealed in FFX-2. Still, knowing that she has that side, knowing that inside all that ball of energy and glee is still a young woman trying her best to control what she can and deal with what she can't. A strong barrier for such a small frame.  Which of course all that vibrant energy and attitude can be considered immaturity; which I won't defend the part that there wasn't very much development in her maturity between FFX and FFX-2, however, Rikku obviously had shown some adult moments. Unfortunately enough she had conveyed more of that side of her in FFX than FFX-2 when she was 2 years younger. 


So Rikku, the young Al Bhed from Final Fantasy X universe doesn't have the best spotlight, yes I can agree to that. Her stardom for ass kicking is brief, her show of her abilities are hidden behind some of her peers in FF Mythos, that and she doesn't exactly defend herself well for those looking for a more mature character. However for me it's her confidence, her strong emotional side (discreet as it may be), the fact that she is also confident in the sense that her body is good enough to flaunt (which, boy, Do I think she is hott as hell. But I also like to think that she isn't a minor anymore in the Final Fantasy aging requirements), and not to mention that at some point of Final fantasy X, she had a crucial role. So haters hate about her, I know. I've heard all of it. But for those who concur to my idea, let's gawk at some of her most ideal pictures, shall we?!