Character design of Final Fantasy

Although each installment of the Final Fantasy series is generally set in a different fictional world with separate storylines, there are several commonalities when it comes to character design, as certain design themes repeat themselves, as well as specific character names and classes. Within the main series, Yoshitaka Amano was the character designer for Final Fantasy, Final Fantasy II, Final Fantasy III, Final Fantasy IV, Final Fantasy V and Final Fantasy VI, Tetsuya Nomura was the character designer for Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy VIII, Final Fantasy X, Final Fantasy XI and Final Fantasy XIII, Yoshitaka Amano created and did the concept art for the characters while Toshiyuki Itahana was the final character designer for Final Fantasy IX, and Akihiko Yoshida was the character designer for Final Fantasy XII.

Visual character design

The series has often featured male characters with slightly effeminate characteristics, as well as female characters with slightly tomboyish, but still feminine, characteristics. This trend has generally increased as the series evolved. These characters are usually teenagers, which some critics have interpreted as an effort on the part of the designers to ensure the players identify with them. At the same time, some female characters have been increasingly designed to wear very revealing outfits. Square Enix has stated that a more rugged looking hero had been considered for Final Fantasy XII but had ultimately been scrapped in favor of Vaan, another effeminate protagonist. The developers cited scenaristic reasons and target demographic considerations to explain their choice. For Final Fantasy XIII, Square Enix settled on a female main character, described as a "female version of Cloud from FFVII." This aspect of Final Fantasy can also be seen in Sora, the protagonist of Kingdom Hearts, a crossover series featuring Final Fantasy and Disney characters.

Weapons (album)

Weapons is the fifth and final studio album by the Welsh alternative rock band Lostprophets, released through Epic on 2 April 2012. It's the first and only record featuring Luke Johnson on drums, after being with two other drummers previously, Mike Chiplin and Ilan Rubin (the latter of whom features in archive recordings included on the "deluxe edition" of Weapons, as well as the hidden track "Weapon" on all versions of the album).

Just like their third studio album it features Latin on the front, which reads deus velox nex. When translated it reads Gods swift violent death. This has been confirmed by guitarist, Mike Lewis.

Writing and recording history

The band started writing new material after finishing The Betrayed Tour. The album is produced by Ken Andrews at Hollywood. Several songs were debuted before it official release date. "Bring Em' Down" was played live in the warm up shows for the 2011 V Festival, and was aired as the first single from Weapons on Zane Lowe's Hottest Record on 6 February 2012. "We Bring an Arsenal" made its debut on 25 February 2012. The song "Better Off Dead" received its first radio play by BBC Radio 1's Zane Lowe as his "Hottest Record in the World". As of 6 January 2012 it was made available for download from the band's official website.

Weapons (Icelandic band)

Weapons are an indie/pop indie/punk band from Iceland. Weapons music could be described as melody driven “in your face” indie rock that sounds like an army of punks storming through your city. They take pride in their craftsmanship and their primary weapons are their wide range of songs filled with great melodies and excitement.

Band members

Band biography

As so many great bands Weapons was born out of pure boredom. Óli Dóri, Hreinn and Moni, three guys who all wanted to do something exciting, formed a band and the plan was to do something different from what was going on at the time in Reykjavík. The guys officially christened the trio Weapons in 2005 and the group spent most of that year writing and rehearsing material in a loft in Reykjavík. With similar tastes in music the three began to develop the style and sound of their new band. When the trio gets together something is always bound to happen as the three have a connection that makes them unique. In 2006 the trio started to become a staple of Reykjavík's live scene. They pour their hearts out at every show and it’s a riveting experience to watch them in action. Having performed at all the major and minor festivals in Iceland they´ve gained a devoted following and a valuable experience which shines out on stage. In the summer 2007 the trio recorded their first LP, "A Ditch in Time". They hooked up with NY producer Gordon Raphael (The Strokes, Regina Spektor) who joined forces in the finishing of their first born LP. "A Ditch in Time" was released in Iceland in 2009 receiving positive reviews for its true blend of early rock & roll music and punk rock with modern emphasis.

Firebird

Firebird and fire bird may refer to:

Automobiles

Birds

In print

Films

Firebird (band)

Firebird was a British blues-rock power trio founded by Bill Steer in 1999. The music style, reminiscent of 60s rock bands such as Cream, is a radical departure from Steer's previous work with grindcore pioneers Napalm Death and death metal band Carcass.

History

Firebird came together in 1999, when Steer teamed up with Cathedral bassist Leo Smee and Spiritual Beggars drummer Ludwig Witt. This line-up recorded both Firebird (2000) and Deluxe (2001). Both bassist and drummer departed due to commitments with their primary bands before a 2001 European tour, that saw Steer teaming up with Blind Dog bassist Tobias Nilsson and Quill drummer George Atlagic. In 2002 Steer announced yet another line-up consisting of drummer Atlagic and Quill and Spiritual Beggars bassist Roger Nilsson. This line-up recorded 2003's No. 3. Since then many line-up changes occurred but significantly Steer reunited with Witt on 2006's Hot Wings and have remained the core of the line up ever since recording two more albums, 2009's Grand Union and 2010's Double Diamond.

Firebird (Pirotta picture book)

Firebird is a 2010 award winning picture book written by Saviour Pirotta illustrated by Catherine Hyde. It was published by Templar Publishing in the United Kingdom and by Candlewick Press in the United States. Firebird won an Aesop Accolade from the American Folklore Society and a Best Book Award from the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio.

History

Hyde, an artist based in Cornwall, had already illustrated a first book for Templar Publishing called The Princess' Blankets and written by poet Carol Ann Duffy. 2010 was the centenary of Stravinsky's Firebird Ballet and the publishers wanted to celebrate with a picture book retelling of the story. Hyde was asked to produce some sketches which served as the inspiration for Pirotta's version. The story is based on Tsarevitch Ivan, the Firebird and the Gray Wolf, a famous Russian folktale that was one of the inspirations for the ballet. Pirotta's version is shortened and has a different ending from the original. Pirotta sets the firebird free, in tribute to activists in his country of origin who were canvassing the government to stop recreational hunting and bird trapping.