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Enacting plots of utter cruelty while maintaining a graceful demeanor have caused many to fear this young man as the Angel of Death.

Dissidia 012 description

A sadistic, narcissistic silver-haired man of a delicate, epicene beauty.

Dissidia Final Fantasy description

Kuja is a warrior of Chaos in Dissidia Final Fantasy and Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy, serving as the antagonist representing Final Fantasy IX. Kuja is a former warrior of Cosmos with porcelain skin and long, silver hair, he has an elegant appearance that belies a cruel, narcissistic, and envious nature. He fights using graceful spells that are as much style as substance.

In Dissidia Final Fantasy, the other antagonists look down on Kuja due to his relative youth and inexperience as a newly summoned warrior, but he considers them "animals" and strives to prove himself their superior. Unable to understand the bond his rival, Zidane, shares with Squall and Bartz, he lays traps to test Zidane's resolve and separate him from his friends, only for Squall to brand him as a "traitor". In Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy, Kuja's storyline is slightly redone, establishing him as an unwilling warrior of Chaos who has been through several cycles of the war. On amicable terms with Zidane, Kuja attempts to aid him and his comrades in the twelfth cycle, but due to Kefka's manipulations, Kuja's mind was implanted with false memories upon his awakening in the thirteenth cycle, causing his animosity towards Zidane to resurface in Dissidia Final Fantasy.

Profile[]

Appearance[]

Kuja's appearance is the same as his original design in Final Fantasy IX, though more refined. Kuja FFIX Art 1 Kuja wears a deep purple bolero jacket held closed by a silver band, with metal pauldrons, white sleeves, and gold lining. His white half-skirt is held by four straps connected to a codpiece. He wears purple fingerless gloves, leggings, and pointed boots. His hair is more silver than lavender as it was in Final Fantasy IX, and retains the feathers. Unique to Dissidia, Kuja is surrounded by five orbs of energy that orbit him in formation and are enchanted with Holy and Flare magic. The orbs do not appear in most cutscenes.

Kuja's first alternate outfit, "Lapis Bolero", has more bluish tones, matching his original concept artwork by Yoshitaka Amano. AmanoKuja His EX Mode form is purple instead of red.

Kuja's second alternate outfit, "Achromatic Bolero", invokes the imagery of an "Angel of Death", Kuja's title in Final Fantasy IX. His outfit and hair are black and white with various gradients. His EX Mode form is dark gray.

Kuja's third alternate outfit, the "Treno Nobleman" DLC, is an original character design by Hideo Minaba, the art director of Final Fantasy IX and the original character designer for both Kuja and Zidane. The costume envisions Kuja as a wealthy citizen of Treno. His hair is purple with hints of white and topped by a large, black tricornered hat. He wears an elaborate outfit consisting of a lacy cropped top with frilled sleeves, a gold bolero jacket with buckled sleeves and a black collar, and leggings in purple, white, and mauve tones. The piece covering his legs is gold and splits in the back like the tails of a tuxedo jacket. He wears pointed-toe gold shoes. Kuja's EX Mode form is gold with light purple fur on his arms and legs.

Kuja's manikin version, Capricious Reaper, is purple.

Personality[]

I finally understand. I've no reason to feel inferior to you or anybody else. The weak are robbed of their freedom from the strong. And it's only natural—that the victor always prevails. Then so I shall be! One defeat matters not! I've no need to cling to vague memories. I shall emerge the victor in the finale!

Kuja

In the twelfth cycle, Kuja's personality is reminiscent to his reformed nature at the end of Final Fantasy IX. As a result of recovering his memories of his homeworld, Kuja is benevolent and cares about Zidane, though still retains a narcissistic, haughty demeanor and theatrical speech patterns. Although he treats the other warriors of Chaos with disdain, especially Kefka, he is on good terms with Cloud, whom he comforts when the latter becomes conflicted about fighting a friend from his world. However, Kuja remains reserved, stating that he and Cloud are "far from being friends". He later breaks Kefka's control over Terra due to feeling sympathy for her plight. Reluctant about directly participating in the conflict due to his memories, Kuja wishes to help Zidane and his friends defeat Chaos before his plans are foiled by Kefka's machinations.

In his original storyline for Dissidia Final Fantasy, Kuja suffers from a superiority-inferiority complex (similar to how he is depicted early on in Final Fantasy IX), as the other antagonists belittle him for his youth and inexperience as a newly summoned warrior for Chaos. This is slightly retconned in Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy (as Kuja has participated in previous cycles), where Kuja is demeaned by the other warriors of Chaos for his youth and for being manipulated by false memories upon his awakening. In spite of learning of his fake memories, Kuja attempts to outshine them to prove himself superior. As his hatred for Zidane is due to Kefka implanting false memories to ensure Kuja is a more "cooperative" warrior for Chaos in the thirteenth cycle, Kuja becomes arrogant, cruel, and sadistic, as he seems to enjoy Zidane's suffering. After being defeated by Zidane in "Shade Impulse", Kuja becomes disheartened in his role in the conflict and resigns himself to his fate, believing that "the world has disowned [him]" and asks Zidane to kill him. Thanks to Zidane's compassion, the two reconcile, with Kuja regaining his benevolence towards Zidane before he vanishes.

Story[]

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow. (Skip section)

12th cycle[]

Kuja 012

Caught in his scheme, Kuja prepares to fight Zidane and his companions.

Having been through several cycles of war and recovered all of his memories, Kuja has grown tired of serving Chaos and is initially unwilling to fight, where he was sided with Cosmos instead. He is on good terms with Zidane, who has also recovered his memories. On the Prima Vista, Kuja comforts Cloud, who is tormented at the thought of fighting a friend from his world. Kefka overhears the two, and decides to interfere with Kuja's memories, displeased with his stance towards the war.

After hearing of the plan Cosmos has conceived concerning the Crystals, Kuja begins to work against Chaos and meets up with Zidane. Kuja poses as a warrior of Cosmos, convincing Zidane to gather his trusted friends and have Kuja meet with them again once he scouts a clear road to Chaos. Their plan is to defeat Chaos without having to fight their way through his other servants.

Kefka confronts Kuja and asks what he is plotting, but Kuja wants Kefka to leave him alone. Kuja later meets Terra and considers making her his slave, but decides against it due to sympathizing with her predicament and breaks Kefka's spell over her. An enraged Kefka alerts the Emperor and Ultimecia of Kuja's treachery. The three find Kuja meeting with Zidane, Bartz, and a suspicious Squall, who was already doubting Kuja's allegiance. Kefka summons manikins to reveal Kuja's ties to Chaos, and makes the heroes believe the meeting was a trap by Kuja to gather them behind enemy lines. Caught in his scheme, Kuja was revealed as a "traitor" by Squall and goes along with the act and reluctantly attacks them, but allows them to escape.

The Emperor and Ultimecia berate Kuja for his efforts and warn him to not make enemies within their ranks, but Kefka keeps up the act and plays as though he thinks Kuja was only pretending to betray them. Unable to avoid participating in the conflict now, a depressed Kuja tells Kefka that he could keep forcing him to fight and snidely inquires about Terra, mocking Kefka for losing his slave. Wanting payback for Kuja's hand in helping Terra break free, Kefka goads Kuja to fight Lightning in order to prove himself. Kuja reluctantly does so and separates her from her allies, but is defeated and begins to fade away. Kefka mocks Kuja for his failure and implants false memories in his mind, causing him to desire Zidane's suffering and develop a deep inferiority complex so he will be a more cooperative warrior in the next cycle.

13th cycle[]

Kuja fights Squall

Kuja appears before Squall to capture him.

After being taunted by Ultimecia that his memories are fake, Kuja resolves to prove his worth to her, and begins scheming to defeat Zidane while motivated by the false memories. Kuja begrudgingly allies with Kefka, who suggests using one of Zidane's friends as bait. After his scheme to capture Squall fails, he sees that the loner would be a poor choice to use as a trap. Sometime afterwards, Kuja almost gets into a fight with Garland after the latter criticizes him for outsmarting himself. Kuja leaves once Jecht attempts to join in. Kuja then plans to capture Zidane using a fake Crystal, and plants it in Kefka's Tower for him to find. Bartz falls into the trap instead, and Kefka taunts Kuja about his failure. Though Kuja is irritated, he follows Kefka's suggestion and turns to Exdeath, who weaves a second fake Crystal for Bartz to find as a trap.

Kuja learns that the Emperor is luring Firion into a trap, and goes to see Cecil, Terra, Cloud, Tidus and the Onion Knight. Annoyed with the Emperor and wishing to sabotage his plans, Kuja warns them about Firion, and Tidus and Cloud run to help him. Kuja remains and fights Terra, growing irate with her and Cecil's declarations of devotion and belief to their dreams. He wounds Terra when his counters cause her to hesitate, but Cecil steps in and defeats Kuja, and he retreats.

Kuja fights Zidane

Kuja engages Zidane in a final battle.

When Bartz reunites with Zidane and shows him the fake Crystal he found, Zidane is transported away to Chaos's shrine, where Kuja appears before him. Kuja taunts Zidane with the prospect of being alone and his inability to protect his friends, and leaves Zidane in his solitude. Garland lectures Kuja once again about his recklessness and about fate, telling him they all share the same destiny as warriors summoned by Chaos. Garland's revelations make Kuja realize the other warriors of Chaos are not as superior to him as they think and resolves to prove himself as the victor in his "finale."

Confronting Zidane in the Crystal World, Kuja questions Zidane's choice to continue believing in his friends, and Zidane asks if Kuja has friends of his own. Outraged at being associated with the other warriors of Chaos, Kuja attacks Zidane and is defeated, allowing Zidane to claim his Crystal. As Kuja begins to fade away, Zidane asks Kuja why he refuses to believe in others, which Kuja responds he does not see the point because people are still alone in the end. Zidane tries to explain the true meaning of friendship, but Kuja refuses to listen and vows to be the one who triumphs in the end.

Zidane hand Kuja

Zidane offers Kuja his help.

Following Cosmos's death, Zidane finds Kuja reciting poetry in the Crystal World, who has resigned to his fate of death once Chaos destroys World B. Zidane refuses to give up hope, and Kuja attacks him. Defeated again, Kuja asks Zidane to kill him, but Zidane instead offers Kuja his help. Kuja expresses shock at Zidane being willing to help him despite everything he did to him earlier, with Zidane reassuring him that he can "take a beating". Nevertheless, accepting his fate, Kuja gently brushes Zidane away, believing he will never come to understand him, and tells Zidane to go. As Kuja vanishes in blue flames, Zidane believes he and Kuja will return to the same place once the war is over.

Spoilers end here.

Gameplay[]

Kuja is described as a Graceful Glider. He is the only character able to Glide through the air outside of EX Mode to aid in his mobility, and he can move while using most of his attacks, making him very mobile. This is critical to Kuja's Bravery attacks, which are two-part attacks where the second part of the attack changes effect depending on Kuja's distance from the opponent. This gives Kuja a great deal of versatility when attacking, able to Wall Rush or Chase opponents as needed. Both his Bravery and HP attacks work best at mid-range, but he has some close-range options as well. A major downside is that many of Kuja's attacks have a fair ending lag, leaving him vulnerable if he misses or is blocked, further complicated by all of his Bravery attacks (with one exception) being blockable.

Boss[]

In Dissidia, Kuja is fought in "Destiny Odyssey VIII" and "IX", "Shade Impulse", "Distant Glory", and "Inward Chaos".

In Dissidia 012, he is fought during "A New Threat", "Resolve for Seclusion", "Trust", and "Conclusion of the Cycle" chapters of Story Mode.

Attacks[]

Bravery Attacks[]

Dissidia Bravery attacks
Move Type CP (Mastered) AP Priority Effect Damage type Obtained Image
Strike Energy
(ground)
Ground 30 (15) 180 Melee Low Chase (Close follow-up)
Wall Rush (Far follow-up)
Magical Initial DFF Strike Energy
Sling energy orbs at the opponent. If close, rise into the air swinging orbs to hit multiple times. If further away, create three explosions around the opponent that knocks them back.
Remote Flare
(ground)
Ground 30 (15) 180 Special Absorb
Wall Rush
Magical Initial DFF Remote Flare
Surround the opponent with five exploding flares.
Snatch Blow
(ground)
Ground 30 (15) 180 Melee Low Chase (Far follow-up)
Wall Rush (Close follow-up)
Magical Level 3 DFF Snatch Blow
Strike the opponent from a distance and reel them in. If close, create a large flare sphere that hits the opponent multiple times and explode to knock them back. If further away, follow up with a barrage of holy orbs from all directions.
Snatch Shot
(ground)
Ground 30 (15) 180 Ranged Low Chase (Close follow-up)
Wall Rush (Far follow-up)
Magical Level 12 DFF Snatch Shot
Fire two balls that drag the opponent closer. If close, rise into the air swinging orbs to hit multiple times. If further away, create three explosions around the opponent that knocks them back.
Burst Energy
(ground)
Ground 30 (15) 180 Ranged Low (First strike)
Melee Low (Follow-up)
Chase (Far follow-up)
Wall Rush (Close follow-up)
Magical Level 29 DFF Burst Energy
Rise or fall through the air and create a quick flare explosion in front of self. If close, create a large flare sphere that hits the opponent multiple times and explode to knock them back. If further away, follow up with a barrage of holy orbs from all directions.
Ring Holy
(ground)
Ground 20 (10) 120 Ranged Low None Magical Level 33 DFF Ring Holy
Fire three rings of holy energy that slowly track the opponent.
Snatch Shot
(midair)
Aerial 30 (15) 180 Ranged Low Chase (Close follow-up)
Wall Rush (Far follow-up)
Magical Level 12 DFF Snatch Shot
Fire two balls that drag the opponent closer. If close, rise into the air swinging orbs to hit multiple times. If further away, create three explosions around the opponent that knocks them back.
Ring Holy
(midair)
Aerial 20 (10) 120 Ranged Low None Magical Initial DFF Ring Holy
Fire three rings of holy energy that slowly track the opponent.
Strike Energy
(midair)
Aerial 30 (15) 180 Melee Low Chase (Close follow-up)
Wall Rush (Far follow-up)
Magical Level 6 DFF Strike Energy
Sling energy orbs at the opponent. If close, rise into the air swinging orbs to hit multiple times. If further away, create three explosions around the opponent that knocks them back.
Burst Energy
(midair)
Aerial 30 (15) 180 Ranged Low (First strike)
Melee Low (Follow-up)
Chase (Far follow-up)
Wall Rush (Close follow-up)
Magical Level 16 DFF Burst Energy
Rise or fall through the air and create a quick flare explosion in front of self. If close, create a large flare sphere that hits the opponent multiple times and explode to knock them back. If further away, follow up with a barrage of holy orbs from all directions.
Snatch Blow
(midair)
Aerial 30 (15) 180 Melee Low Chase (Far follow-up)
Wall Rush (Close follow-up)
Magical Level 20 DFF Snatch Blow
Strike the opponent from a distance and reel them in. If close, create a large flare sphere that hits the opponent multiple times and explode to knock them back. If further away, follow up with a barrage of holy orbs from all directions.
Remote Flare
(midair)
Aerial 30 (15) 180 Special Absorb
Wall Rush
Magical Level 33 DFF Remote Flare
Surround the opponent with five exploding flares.
Dissidia 012 Bravery attacks
Move Type CP (Mastered) AP Priority Effect Damage type Obtained Image
Strike Energy
(ground)
Ground 30 (15) 100 Melee Low Chase (Close follow-up)
Wall Rush (Far follow-up)
Magical Initial DFF Strike Energy
Sling energy orbs at the opponent. If close to the opponent, rise into the air swinging orbs to hit multiple times. If further away, create three explosions around the opponent that knocks them back.
Remote Flare
(ground)
Ground 30 (15) 100 Special Absorb
Wall Rush
Magical Initial DFF Remote Flare
Surrounds the opponent with five exploding flares.
Snatch Blow
(ground)
Ground 30 (15) 100 Melee Low Chase (Far follow-up)
Wall Rush (Close follow-up)
Magical Level 3 DFF Snatch Blow
Fire holy orbs to strike opponents from a distance and reel them in. If close to the opponent, create a large flare sphere to strike multiple times and explode to knock them back. If further away, follow up with a barrage of holy orbs from all directions.
Snatch Shot
(ground)
Ground 30 (15) 100 Ranged Low Chase (Close follow-up)
Wall Rush (Far follow-up)
Magical Level 12 DFF Snatch Shot
Fire two fireballs at the opponent. If close to the opponent, rise into the air swinging orbs to hit multiple times. If further away, create three explosions around the opponent that knocks them back.
Burst Energy
(ground)
Ground 30 (15) 100 Ranged Low Chase (Far follow-up)
Wall Rush (Close follow-up)
Magical Level 29 DFF Burst Energy
Rise or fall through the air and creates a quick flare explosion in front of Kuja. If close to the opponent, create a large flare sphere to strike multiple times and explode to knock them back. If further away, follow up with a barrage of holy orbs from all directions.
Ring Holy
(ground)
Ground 20 (10) 100 Ranged Low None Magical Level 33 DFF Ring Holy
Fire three rings of holy energy that slowly track the opponent.
Snatch Shot
(midair)
Aerial 30 (15) 100 Ranged Low Chase (Close follow-up)
Wall Rush (Far follow-up)
Magical Initial DFF Snatch Shot
Fire two fireballs at the opponent. If close to the opponent after a fireball hits, rise into the air swinging orbs to hit multiple times. If further away, create three explosions around the opponent that knocks them back.
Ring Holy
(midair)
Aerial 20 (10) 100 Ranged Low None Magical Initial DFF Ring Holy
Fire three rings of holy energy that slowly track the opponent.
Strike Energy
(midair)
Aerial 30 (15) 100 Melee Low Chase (Close follow-up)
Wall Rush (Far follow-up)
Magical Level 6 DFF Strike Energy
Sling energy orbs at the opponent. If close to the opponent, rise into the air swinging orbs to hit multiple times. If further away, create three explosions around the opponent that knocks them back.
Burst Energy
(midair)
Aerial 30 (15) 100 Ranged Low Chase (Far follow-up)
Wall Rush (Close follow-up)
Magical Level 16 DFF Burst Energy
Rise or fall through the air and create a quick flare explosion in front of Kuja. If close to the opponent, create a large flare sphere to strike multiple times and explode to knock them back. If further away, follow up with a barrage of holy orbs from all directions.
Snatch Blow
(midair)
Aerial 30 (15) 100 Melee Low Chase (Far follow-up)
Wall Rush (Close follow-up)
Magical Level 20 DFF Snatch Blow
Fire holy orbs to strike opponents from a distance and reel them in. If close to the opponent, create a large flare sphere to strike multiple times and explode to knock them back. If further away, follow up with a barrage of holy orbs from all directions.
Remote Flare
(midair)
Aerial 30 (15) 100 Special Absorb
Wall Rush
Magical Level 33 DFF Remote Flare
Surrounds the opponent with five exploding flares.


HP Attacks[]

Dissidia HP attacks
Move Type CP (Mastered) AP Priority Effect Damage type Obtained Image
Seraphic Star
(ground)
Ground 40 (20) 180 Ranged High Absorb Magical Initial Dissidia Kuja Ultima
Toss a sphere of holy magic that builds up energy and then explodes.
Flare Star
(ground)
Ground 40 (20) 180 Ranged High Wall Rush Magical Level 24 Dissidia Kuja Flare Star
Create a quick explosion in front of self, then send five orbs that converge and explode, knocking the opponent upwards.
Ultima
(ground)
Ground 40 (20) 300 Ranged High None Magical Level 32 DFF Kuja Ultima
Create a barrage of magical orbs that rain down on the opponent. Kuja can move during the attack.
Flare Star
(midair)
Aerial 40 (20) 180 Ranged High Wall Rush Magical Initial Dissidia Kuja Flare Star
Create a quick explosion in front of self, then send five orbs that converge and explode, knocking the opponent upwards.
Seraphic Star
(midair)
Aerial 40 (20) 180 Ranged High Absorb Magical Level 9 Dissidia Kuja Ultima
Toss a sphere of holy magic that builds up energy and then explodes.
Ultima
(midair)
Aerial 40 (20) 300 Ranged High None Magical Level 44 DFF Kuja Ultima
Create a barrage of magical orbs that rain down on the opponent. Kuja can move during the attack.
Dissidia 012 HP attacks
Move Type CP (Mastered) AP Priority Effect Damage type Obtained Image
Seraphic Star
(ground)
Ground 30 (15) 130 Ranged High Absorb Magical Initial Dissidia Kuja Ultima
Toss a sphere of holy magic that builds up energy and then explodes. Kuja can move during the attack.
Flare Star
(ground)
Ground 30 (15) 130 Ranged High Wall Rush Magical Level 24 Dissidia Kuja Flare Star
Create a quick explosion in front of self, then send five orbs that converge and explode, knocking the opponent upwards.
Ultima
(ground)
Ground 30 (15) 130 Ranged High None Magical Level 32 DFF Kuja Ultima
Create a barrage of magical orbs that rain down on the opponent. Kuja can move during the attack.
Flare Star
(midair)
Aerial 30 (15) 130 Ranged High Wall Rush Magical Initial Dissidia Kuja Flare Star
Create a quick explosion in front of self, then send five orbs that converge and explode, knocking the opponent upwards.
Seraphic Star
(midair)
Aerial 30 (15) 130 Ranged High Absorb Magical Level 9 Dissidia Kuja Ultima
Toss a sphere of holy magic that builds up energy and explodes. Kuja can move during the attack.
Force Symphony Aerial 30 (15) 130 Ranged High None N/A Level 20 D012FF - Kuja's Force Symphony
Conjure a ring of holy energy that can fire up to six large flare orbs downward while Square is held. Kuja can move during the attack.
Ultima
(midair)
Aerial 30 (15) 130 Ranged High None Magical Level 44 DFF Kuja Ultima
Create a barrage of magical orbs that rain down on the opponent. Kuja can move during the attack.


EX Mode[]

Kuja's EX Mode is his Trance form from Final Fantasy IX. He gains the abilities "Hyper Glide" and "Auto Magic"; Hyper Glide allows him to maintain altitude longer when gliding, letting him remain in the air almost indefinitely, while Auto Magic leaves Flare orbs in the air when Kuja jumps, staggering opponents, and surrounds him with Holy orbs while gliding to knock opponents into the air. This lets Kuja damage opponents simply by moving around them. The Holy orbs have Melee Low attack priority, allowing them to reflect or nullify lesser attacks, but the Flare orbs are Ranged Low priority and so will only reflect projectiles.

Kuja's EX Burst is Final Requiem. The player must repeatedly press Circle to fill the gauge as Kuja performs several Flare Star attacks. If successfully filled, he'll perform Seraphic Star by zigzagging around his opponent and ends the EX Burst with a powerful Ultima spell.

Kuja's EX Burst operation is similar to his rival, Zidane, but the former's limit/power bar is divided at varying lengths, unlike the latter, whose power bar is divided evenly.


Equipment[]

Kuja can equip Daggers, Rods, Staves, Bangles, Hats, Hairpins, Clothing, and Robes. In Dissidia 012, Kuja can also equip Poles, Headbands, and Chestplates.

Exclusive weapons[]

Dissidia exclusive weapons
Name Level Stats Effects Obtained
Punisher 53 HP +185
ATK +35
DEF +1
EX Force Absorption +15%. Trade: 15460 gil, Wizard's Rod, Ruby x3, Resilience Shard x2
Whale Whisker 95 HP +290
ATK +62
DEF +1
EX Force Absorption +20%. Trade: 29570 gil, Punisher, Lapis Lazuli x5, Resilience Crystal x3
Terra's Legacy 100 HP +307
ATK +67
DEF +1
EX Force Absorption +30%.
Back to the Wall Effect.
Trade: 31920 gil, Whale Whisker, God of Destruction x5, Resilience Orb x5
Dissidia 012 exclusive weapons
Name Level Stats Effects Obtained
Punisher 30 HP +376
BRV -84
ATK +40
DEF +2
EX Force Absorption +3%. Trade: 61000 gil, Wizard's Rod, Scarletite x1, Reaper's Desire x5
Whale Whisker 90 HP +287
BRV -70
ATK +63
DEF +1
EX Force Absorption +5%. Trade: 158,000 gil, Punisher, Electrum x1, Reaper's Dream x5
Terra's Legacy 100 HP +327
BRV -80
ATK +68
DEF +1
EX Force Absorption +10%.
Back to the Wall Effect.
Trade: 182,800 gil, Whale Whisker, God of Destruction x1, Reaper's Hopes x5

Gallery[]

Behind the scenes[]

Voice[]

Kuja was voiced in Japanese by Akira Ishida and in English by JD Cullum. He shares his Japanese voice actor with Kazusa Futahito from Final Fantasy Type-0, Makenshi from Final Fantasy: Unlimited, and Zexion and Ienzo from the Kingdom Hearts series.

Kuja is one of three characters, the others being Zidane and the Warrior of Light, to have more than one intro quote when fighting his rival in Dissidia.

Allusions[]

  • The poem Kuja recites at the beginning of his "Shade Impulse" scene with Zidane is the poem he states before Bahamut attacks Alexandria in Final Fantasy IX. Zidane's offer to assist Kuja mirrors Kuja's final moments in Final Fantasy IX.
  • If a character other than Zidane faces Kuja in Shade Impulse, Kuja says, "I have nothing left to fear! But I refuse to die alone... You will all join me!" This paraphrases Kuja's dialogue when defeated while in his Trance form in Final Fantasy IX, "I won't have to be afraid anymore... but I'm not gonna die alone. You're all coming with me!"
    • Upon defeat, he says "I had nothing more to lose... I only wish I could have realized what it truly means to live...", referencing his remorseful final words in the ending to Final Fantasy IX.
  • As with Zidane, two planets fuse during Kuja's EX Burst, alluding to Terra assimilating Gaia. Opposite to Zidane, the red planet (Terra) emerges as the dominant planet in the fusion.
  • Kuja's Bravery attacks are themed after the spells Holy and Flare, spells he casts as Trance Kuja. His HP attacks are attacks he uses in Final Fantasy IX—Seraphic Star's appearance of a burst of white energy is based on the appearance of the Holy spell in Final Fantasy IX (in fact, Seraphic Star is named "Holy Star" in the Japanese version), Flare Star is one of Kuja's signature attacks, and Ultima is the spell Trance Kuja uses when defeated.
    • In the arcade reboot, the orbs of light controlled by Kuja are changed to Holy and Flare orbs, and the orbs themselves partially resemble the planets of Gaia and Terra respectively.
  • Kuja's ultimate weapon, Terra's Legacy, refers to his home planet in Final Fantasy IX. His second strongest weapon, Whale Whisker, is the name of the strongest rod that can be used by Princess Garnet. Kuja's third weapon, the Punisher, is from Final Fantasy VI, and is a rod used by Banon.
  • Kuja's pose when ending his EX Burst is similar to the pose he takes in Final Fantasy IX when he destroys Terra.
  • In his victory pose, Kuja floats to the ground in a pose identical to his original artwork by Yoshitaka Amano, then assumes a pose identical to his Dissidia artwork.
  • When fighting Squall, he says, "Can you survive without a cause?" alluding to how Kuja would go insane upon learning of his own mortality from Garland.
  • At the beginning of Dissidia's "Destiny Odyssey IX", Ultimecia goads Kuja by saying he is "no more than a vessel, a flawed one at that," and Kuja's response is to accuse her of lying. This roughly parallels Kuja's conversation with Garland in Final Fantasy IX, where Garland tells Kuja he is a mortal and Kuja refuses to believe him at first. Kuja is a Genome, beings made by Garland to be vessels for Terra's dormant souls.
  • In Dissidia 012's "Light to All", when Garland tells Kuja about his fake memories, Kuja recites "The weak are robbed of their freedom from the strong. And it's only natural that the victor always prevails," paraphrasing his line in Final Fantasy IX, "The weak lose their freedom to the strong. Such is the way of the strong. And it is the providence of nature that only the strong survive."
  • If fighting as Kuja against Garland, the latter will remark, "I sense you are haunted by your fate." This refers to Kuja learning of his mortality in Final Fantasy IX and is driven into an insane rage.
  • In Dissidia 012, if fighting as Kuja against Shantotto, the latter will remark "You hide your tail, but I still see you quail." This alludes to the conversation between Zidane and Garland in Final Fantasy IX, where Garland explains that Kuja, like Zidane, has a tail but conceals it.
  • In "Destiny Odyssey II"/Chapter 7 in "Light to All", Kuja beginning to fight with Garland could be a reference to his plans to fight Final Fantasy IX Garland, but was unable to do so.
  • When Kuja faces Yuna, he says "I'll rip you away from your dear friends." This alludes to when he had Zorn and Thorn extract the eidolons from Garnet.

Citations[]

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