# Talk:Terra Branford

I'm the person who put the Japanese class names on everyone to begin with, including this one, but I'm not sure about this one.

Machinist is proper English and fits.  Sasquatch avoids the English idiom/word snowman.  The hard ones are Tina and Gau.  Maybe Orphan would be better for Gau, though it does lose the concept of wild.  Tina's case is harder because no succinct way of saying it works.  Mage Knight is the best I can come up with.  Note that Rune Knight on Celes is written as English-derived katakana. Interestingly, Samurai is written in katakana, despite the existence of kanji for it (侍) and being hiragana in Final Fantasy V's class system.
--Myria 07:20, 24 Oct 2004 (UTC)

I think magic using soldier is the better translation.  Translating Terra's job to be essentially equivlent to Celes' job makes little sense, since Celes is a general while Terra is actually more of a weapon than anything else.  She certainly does not command any authority in the empire army like the "Rune Knight" Celes. Zpops 22:00, 8 May 2006 (UTC)Zpops
The would senshi doesn't mean knight.  It is usually translated to warrior/soldier/competitor.  So in this case I think that the most correct translation would have to be Magic Soldier.  01:12, 9 May 2006 (UTC)~Mongo

I've always considered FFVI as not really having a main character, due to a number of factors. For one, it is never mandatory to have Terra in your party, and it is quite possible to skip re-recruiting her in the World of Ruin. You don't need her to take on Kefka. I see no justification for her being the main character of the game aside from the fact that she's the first playable character you become familiar with. --Dalkaen 12:39, Jun 18, 2005 (UTC)

Agreed. She's definitely more important to the narrative than, say, Umaro, but I think calling her the main character is going a little overboard. – Seancdaug 00:46, Jun 19, 2005 (UTC)
I went ahead and fixed it; if someone disagrees with it, they can just bring it up here. --Dalkaen 15:35, Jun 24, 2005 (UTC)
I disagree quite a bit.  Terra IS the main character.  Just because you're the main character doesn't mean you have to be in party (In FFIX, Zidane didn't have to play Memoria, and in FFX, Tidus could just rot for all but the few beginning battles.)  Also, note that even if you DON'T get Terra, she shows up at the end anyway. Crazyswordsman 23:06, 5 February 2006 (UTC)
My two cents are as such- despite the fact that Final Fantasy VI's storyline has an ensemble cast, Terra herself is one of (if not the) catalyst for the vast majority of the storyline. The narrative works its way around her to a massive extent; from the opening scenes to Figaro to the Resistance to the the Opera House to Vector's Factory and Cid to the recap of the Esper World and the final scenes, Final Fantasy VI places Terra in a position of prominence in the storyline that the game works itself around. Without Terra, the vast majority of the storyline just doesn't come into place. The reason why you can "skip" her in the World of Ruin is because it's a very freeform style of gameplay at that point; it would have been enormously difficult to shoehorn in a method to force the player to recruit her. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Doom127 (talk • contribs) .
Wrote a 13 lines explanation of why Terra isn't the main character, but now I am torn. Terra is indeed a very important character, but I would expand the protagonism to Locke, Celes and maybe Edgar as well. We must rewind to the flashbacks the game gives. If I recall correctly, Kefka kidnapped Terra from her village. But espers did exist before her, and advancements the empire obtained were based in the espers as much as in Terra. So, it may appear that Terra is the main protagonist. However, if you "kill" Terra in her encounter against the esper in Narshe, events would anyway develop. Celes would still want to raise against the empire, Locke would still be working against the empire, Edgar would still be member of the movement, etc. If you remove Locke and Celes, you still have Edgar left. Note that no matter from which character you start, you can still feature a full length game without needing the others.
In any case, I think the beauty of FFVI is that the main character "blends" very well between the other main and lesser characters. You get to learn the background of every character, and realize how important each is to the story. FFVI can be defined as a bunch of RPG clichés (knight who lost his honour, brain washed person trying to remember his past, officer trying to redeem herself, young boy working against the empire, etc) put together, giving every story enough time to develop and melt in a main plot. -- ReyBrujo 06:20, 8 May 2006 (UTC)
It was Geshtal, actually, who found Terra. He had discovered the portal to the Esper world, then his soldiers streamed in and murdered the townspeople. Terra's mother fell down dead at Geshtal's feet with the baby Terra, who was then subsequently raised by Geshtal in Vector. Kefka and Celes were created as results of Geshtal and Cid's experimentation. I understand what you mean about the blending of the ensemble cast though. Oh, and if you kill Terra off, then she can't help the Returners, which means the resistance doesn't take on its mission up the Lete River, which severs the events leading up the floating continent... Daniel Davis 06:59, 8 May 2006 (UTC)
I don't think this is even debatable. She is clearly the main character, but compared to other games in the series her role is not as strong and overbearing due to the large and rich cast.  She is the first character introduced, the game's logo features an image of her riding the magitech armor, and her theme is used as the music in the overworld for the World of Balance. Shaolin Samurai 07:48, 8 May 2006 (UTC)
I don't think there's a fair argument that Terra is the main character.  Terra isn't really a character per se as much as she is an idea or a rallying cry.  The events of the world of balance undeniably revolve around her, but very few of them actually involve her.  Large chunks of the game are about saving Terra, helping Terra, or even finding Terra, and in my opinion, this just makes her the main force of the game.
Here's another way to look at it.  You begin the world of balance with Terra, and the party comes together because of her, but it's mostly in a reactionary way.  Terra does not go out seeking party members, other people recruit on her behalf.  Celes and the world of ruin offers the exact opposite "main character" experience.  The story is not about Celes, the story is about Kefka's destruction of the world.  Celes actively rises up and recruits a party to challenge the dominant force of Kefka.
Historically, the villian of the game has been the driving force, and the main character is the one who rises to challenge the villians actions.  This is the pattern of FF4 (Cecil is the main character, but he's trying to save the world from Golbez (and ultimately Zeromus).  In FF7, Cloud is clearly the main character, but the story is about Sephiroth trying to destroy the world with the meteor.  I could go on, but you get the point.  FF6's brilliance is that it DELAYS the villian's key role until halfway through the game.  The plot device of centering the story on a character before centering it on the villian is very original, and unique.  But it doesn't change the foundation of the series.  The Villian is the focus of the story, and the leader of the band that ultimately defeats the villian (in this case Celes is the best fit) is the main character. Zpops 17:07, 8 May 2006 (UTC)Zpops
And who gets first priority to talk to Kefka?  Terra.  Terra leads the discussion.  It is her in the center, not Celes, assuming you brought the pair of them. Crazyswordsman 03:33, 13 May 2006 (UTC)
"Terra isn't really a character per se as much as she is an idea or a rallying cry." ...This is completely nonsensical. However I have no major issue with the article as it stands. Shaolin Samurai 05:01, 9 May 2006 (UTC)
I meant her primary story importance isn't really based on her character, and I stand by this.  Terra is more important for what she is than who she is.  Also, I feel like the various comments about whether she is or is not the main char should probably be in their own section, instead of in the intro to the article.Zpops 06:51, 9 May 2006 (UTC)
For those of you who think Celes is the main character, the ONLY thing she has going for her is she starts the World of Ruin.  Everything else is against her.  The WoR is only linear for a short time, and most of it has nothing to do with Celes.  And the only reason she was the starting character was because she was the only one without a purpose to fulfull.  Think about it:

Terra was trying to find love.
Locke needed to find a way to revive Rachel.
Edgar needed to get back into the castle.
Sabin is the only other character who could have started.  But they chose Celes, and her entire story was finished on the WoR.
Shadow was either dead or wounded.
Cyan was writing love letters.
Gau was training to face Kefka, and returned to the Veldt.
Setzer lost all hope in fighting.
Mog, well, he was optional anyway in the WoB.
Strago was in the Cult of Kefka, and needed Relm to save her.
Relm was doing her thing for Owzer, or she was wounded.
So most other characters had other loose ends to tie up before fighting Kefka.  Celes had nowhere to go, or no one to find but Locke.  So they had to do something about that, and finished up her story in the Solitary Island.  This has been debated on for YEARS by FFVI fans.  And Terra has the most importance because the entire ending, and the entire WoB, revolves around her. Crazyswordsman 03:31, 13 May 2006 (UTC)

To add some more, I quote a Next Generation's article about Final Fantasy XIII: For the first time ever in the series, the main character is a girl. (Final Fantasy VI starred a girl who was considered by some to be the hero, though the consensus is that the game had no defined "main character.") [1] -- ReyBrujo 00:53, 25 May 2006 (UTC)

Okay, this is ridiculous. Of course Terra is the main character. While it is true that the game was very non-linear that you didn't really have to have any specific person in your party for the vast majority of the game, you can't ignore that the game's main plot points revolve around Terra. She's the "Magitek-riding Witch" that the Returners and the Empire are looking for, she's the sole survivor of the magical Esper race that the Empire draws its power from. She's the one who gives the cliched love speeches that are typical with main characters. The fact is while you can skip Terra in the 2nd half of the game as far as your part goes, you can't avoid her all together. If if you don't get her back in the World of Ruin, she ALWAYS shows up at the end of the game to give Kefka that speech on life, love, etc. Terra is the main character!--Sima Yi 20:39, 30 July 2006 (UTC)
I think that the blurb at the start of the article is not the place for this argument.  Maybe there should be a section in the article where this should be discussed.  Until anyone is willing to write this section, I'm cleaning the begining up, to look more professional, and to be more in line with the other FFVI character entries.Zpops 17:54, 1 August 2006 (UTC)
I should probably say that Yoshitaka Amano thinks Terra is the main character.  If James Arnold Taylor's pronounciation of Tidus is notable, the fact that Amano thinks Terra is the main character certainly is.  It is sourced from the same interview I have already on this article. Sir Crazyswordsman 18:50, 26 August 2006 (UTC)
I am sure that I have read that Square wanted to put focus on several characters unlike so much on one singular main character. I think I've read Square staff officals say that neither Terra, Locke nor any other character is the main character. I will try and find my internet sources. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 83.226.234.12 (talk • contribs)  at 21:18, 18 February 2007

TekMissile owns you! —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 69.128.155.91 (talk • contribs) .

Maybe her birthdate, but a Libra?  Who cares! —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 207.127.128.2 (talk • contribs) 18:00, 2006 January 23.

Like the FFVII and FFX characters, I'd like to see the FFVI characters brought up to good status.  Right now, I'm looking for places to add references to.  I'd like help with several things:

Proofreading and revising the prose
Adding images (specifically, the Amano art or a game sprite of Terra as an Esper (or both), and a CG picture from the Anthology release).
Helping me word the quotes exactly as they appear.
Thanks for any input and support! Crazyswordsman 04:32, 12 April 2006 (UTC)

So I can reference it.  Thanks! Crazyswordsman 07:41, 28 April 2006 (UTC)

"Terra...We must part now.  We espers will disappear from this world...forever.  But if the human part of you is very strongly attached to something or someone...You will probably be able to remain in this world as a human being..." -Js2756 15:09, 28 April 2006 (UTC)

Amano in particular made some comments about Terra.  I can get the interview for you if you need it.  Also, we need to find a source about the changing of the hair color. Sir Crazyswordsman 14:13, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

Why the reworked sections in the article? ie: removal of morph/ability --ZeWrestler  Talk 17:10, 10 August 2006 (UTC)

The ability section does nothing to help the article. To someone who hasn't played the game, they wouldn't need to know her abilities and to someone who's already played/playing, they would already know. Besides, most of her abilities are incorporated into the story anyway. The blurb about the main character debate in the header was also handled very neutrally, suitable to the article because the debate is notable but refrains from reporting anything but the facts. Also the trivia section needed to die anyway. Trivia section =/= featured article status. Axem Titanium 19:12, 12 August 2006 (UTC)
The main character debate absolutely should not be in the blurb.  It makes the blurb look unprofessional, and breaks cohesion with the other FFVI character articles.  I also disagree on the ability section, and triva, since both are 1) useful information and 2) comparable to corresponding sections for other FFVI characters.  I am reverting the edits again, and repeat my earlier suggestion that anyone who wants to include the main character debate should create a new section in the article.  As it stands, the debate in the blurb looks like a spillover from the discussion page, and is unprofessional. Zpops 04:27, 13 August 2006 (UTC)

I noticed that the third listed quote is attributed to Vicks, but refenced from FINAL FANTASY VI.  IIRC, that name was only used when the game was under the Final Fantasy III name.  What ought to be done 'bout this? T.J. Fuller, Jr. 15:19, 5 March 2007 (UTC)

Not least because of the new games that she was in. (And let's not forget FF games are the favs of most otakus everywhere.) 
Also I think I'm going to work on this article, just not right now. --194.145.185.229 (talk) 17:40, 17 January 2012 (UTC)

This review is transcluded from Talk:Terra Branford/GA1. The edit link for this section can be used to add comments to the review.
Reviewer: TarkusAB (talk · contribs) 18:02, 31 July 2017 (UTC)
Review coming shortly. TarkusABtalk 18:02, 31 July 2017 (UTC)
Lead

Pretty short given the length of the article. Could probably use a rewrite.
Nothing about her development mentioned
Could borrow some more bits from reception since it is such a large part of the article
The Japanese characters should be footnoted for readability.
Appearances

Generally speaking my issue with this section is that it's written as if the reader is familiar with the subject. Keep in mind those who are unfamiliar with the lore. I've highlighted some instances below that need some attention.
recently unearthed frozen Esper - Can we put a brief explanation here as to what an Esper is (especially since she is half-esper herself)?
annihilated together with Terra's armor. - "with HER armor"
 Done --TheSandDoctor (talk) 03:32, 14 August 2017 (UTC)
She wakes in Arvis' home - who is Arvis? If not important, just say she woke up later and leave him out. I've played this game before but it has been a few years, and I don't remember this guy.
a horde of moogles - what's a moogle? a horde of them? they sound dangerous! :)
During the World of Ruin - "World of Ruin" makes no sense to someone who hasn't played the game...maybe try "Now in a post-apocalyptic world,"
 Done --TheSandDoctor (talk) 03:32, 14 August 2017 (UTC)
Terra is the heroine... - Rewrote: Terra is the heroine representing Final Fantasy VI in Dissidia: Final Fantasy, a crossover fighting game featuring characters from the series. She was redesigned by Tetsuya Nomura and sports both blonde hair in her default appearance and green hair in her alternate appearance.
 Done --TheSandDoctor (talk) 03:35, 14 August 2017 (UTC)
Some claims in Other Appearances section have no sources.
appearing as a slaved enemy - an enslaved enemy
 Done --TheSandDoctor (talk) 03:32, 14 August 2017 (UTC)
Development

Terra was written as a "very passive" character in the first half of the game, in order to show growth as the story progresses. - don't need quotes around very passive, just say passive and growth in what way? growth to a more decisive character?
it would be "going too far" - How about "it would be excessive"
 Done --TheSandDoctor (talk) 03:32, 14 August 2017 (UTC)
American playtesters "hated the name Tina, almost to a person!" - Maybe I'm just not getting it, but the "almost to a person" phrase makes no sense. I'm having trouble understanding what that means. Does it make sense to you?
The third paragraph here has three quotes that could be merged into prose. The one I mentioned above this bullet plus "disappointment or confusion" and "were meant for a broader audience than the one which buys and plays Japanese imports"
Same issue in the fourth paragraph, the quotes here can be reworded to flow with prose better and not be quotes.
Gameplaywise - I don't think this is a word. Maybe it needs a hyphen.
 Done --TheSandDoctor (talk) 03:32, 14 August 2017 (UTC)
Reception

Even as Tina (Terra outside Japan) does not form a couple with any character in Final Fantasy VI, "Tina and Edgar" and "Tina and Locke" were voted as the fourth and seventh "best couple" in the Final Fantasy series, respectively, in a popularity poll published by V Jump in 1995 - Just call her Terra to keep it simple. Rewrote: Even as Terra does not form a couple with any character in Final Fantasy VI, "Terra and Edgar" and "Terra and Locke" were voted...
 Done --TheSandDoctor (talk) 03:32, 14 August 2017 (UTC)
poll by Square Enix, Tina was voted - Use "Terra" here
 Done --TheSandDoctor (talk) 03:32, 14 August 2017 (UTC)
Ryan Clements called her one of the most recognizable and well-loved characters to join the army of Cosmos. - ..well-loved characters in the series. (or game depending on which he is talking about)
In 2013, Gus Turner... - I feel this whole sentence could be rewritten to eliminate the direct quoting.
The largest issue I noticed in my reading is many parts are written as if the reader is familiar with the lore. Also, there are many quotes that could be worked into prose and flow better with a little bit of tinkering. Unless the specific words and phrasing used by the source are key to understanding the meaning, merge into prose. Once the issues above are addressed, I'll take another look. TarkusABtalk 19:01, 31 July 2017 (UTC)

@Judgesurreal777: Hey there, it's been over a week since I reviewed the article and I haven't heard from you. Do you plan on addressing these issues anytime soon? If I don't hear back in the next week (by the 15th), I will fail the nomination. TarkusABtalk 11:57, 8 August 2017 (UTC)
@TarkusAB: Sorry I just got busy with life stuff, I will address the items you have noted soon, in the next few days but starting tonight. Judgesurreal777 (talk) 20:10, 12 August 2017 (UTC)
@Judgesurreal777: ??? TarkusABtalk 21:17, 17 August 2017 (UTC)
Sorry but I'll have to fail this one. I've waited three weeks and only received a brief response. I don't know when you'll return and I am embarking on a Wikibreak. There's enough comments here that if you go through and make the changes and renominate, I think it will pass with little issue. TheSandDoctor already provided some assistance fixing it up. TarkusABtalk 20:56, 19 August 2017 (UTC)
So sorry for not getting to it, I've been really busy lately and I appreciate your review. It is excellent, and I will get to it at some point. Enjoy your wikibreak! Judgesurreal777 (talk) 22:20, 24 August 2017 (UTC)

This review is transcluded from Talk:Terra Branford/GA2. The edit link for this section can be used to add comments to the review.
Reviewer: Blue Pumpkin Pie (talk · contribs) 22:59, 10 June 2020 (UTC)

So everything that the previous review still applies. everything is well written and well-sourced. there are two sections that I think need improvement. 
The "other appearance" I believe needs to be better sourced for every appearance. 
I'm not sure not all of it is complete. 
There are things mentioned like her being mentioned in "Final Fantasy XIII-2" and that's confusing. 
As for her Final Fantasy 6 appearance, I do think the dialogue is a bit superfluous, and it could be cleaned up a bit. It's an Appearance section, not a plot section. So we just need to understand what her role was and what key actions or backstories were revealed about her.
Lastly, please reformat the dates to being consistent. some of these sources are just digits, some is day-month-year. and some are month-day-year.Blue Pumpkin Pie Chat Contribs 13:25, 16 June 2020 (UTC)

OK @Blue Pumpkin Pie:, I expanded sourced and replaced the other appearances section, it is all sourced now and has her many appearances in it. I also standardized the references. But for her appearances, what do you want me to do? Remove the references from the section? Cut some of it? It’s all told through her perspective on events, I’m just not clear on what you want done. Judgesurreal777 (talk) 18:09, 16 June 2020 (UTC)
I guess what i'm trying to say that the tone of Final Fantasy 6 can be more "neutral" and less "poetic". There's plenty of room for it to be written in plain simple English, without the need to add flowery language.
Terra is the first introduced character, a mentally-enslaved Imperial super-soldier gifted with devastating magic.
Terra is the first playable character introduced in Final Fantasy IV. Her story begins as a mentally-enslaved super-soldier with destructive magic abilities.

She made to participate in an armored assault on the town of Narshe, slaughtering most of the town's militia in pursuit of a recently unearthed magical creature known as Espers.
She is forced to exterminate militia of the town of Narshe in pursuit of a recently unearthed magical creature known as Espers.

Upon encountering the creature, her Imperial contingent is annihilated together with her armor. She wakes in a man named Arvis' home, now freed of her slave crown and suffering amnesia.
Upon encountering the creature, her Imperial masters/party/crew is annihilated. She wakes in the home of a man named Arvis, now freed from the control of the Empire and suffering and Amnesia.

Pursued into the depths of Narshe's mines by local forces, the thief Locke and a horde of moogles eventually rescue her.
Rescue from who? this sentence doesn't give me context. its very vague.

After events in Figaro kingdom and another Imperial assault on Narshe to claim the Esper, she learns she is the daughter of an Esper father and human mother, explaining her magical abilities.
As the story progressed, she learns she is the daughter of an Esper father and human mother, explaining her magical abilities.
I can do a full break down of how we can simplify all of this, but this is just a general idea of how we can use plain simple English and just go straight to the point.Blue Pumpkin Pie Chat Contribs 19:33, 16 June 2020 (UTC)
Ok I understand now, I re-wrote it to be in a more encyclopedic tone. Let me know if I missed anything, but with that I believe I have done all your GA fixes @Blue Pumpkin Pie:! Judgesurreal777 (talk) 20:07, 16 June 2020 (UTC)
It's definitely an improvement. I personally dont see any flaws, so i'll go ahead and Pass it.Blue Pumpkin Pie Chat Contribs 22:02, 16 June 2020 (UTC)

Fantastic! Can you update the template? @Blue Pumpkin Pie: Judgesurreal777 (talk) 22:28, 16 June 2020 (UTC)
Thanks much @Blue Pumpkin Pie:, I look forward to the review of Rikku :) Judgesurreal777 (talk) 23:37, 16 June 2020 (UTC)

I know she hasn't been officially 100 percent confirmed to be aroace, but anyone familiar with the concept could see her arc and be like, "yup, that's what she is". It's really blatant without explicitly stating that she is aroace, much as Pyra and Mythra are very blatantly DID representation without stating it. Alena 33 (talk) 18:31, 15 February 2023 (UTC)

She is a woman, obviously. lol ~2025-32161-29 (talk) 19:28, 8 November 2025 (UTC)


### Terra Branford
It says she was 18. But if she was taken 20 years prior, at age 1, should would be 21, not 18. I mean, it's basic math. ~2025-32161-29 (talk) 19:26, 8 November 2025 (UTC)

Also, it says she was mentally enslaved by the Empire to wage war. Any proof of this? It is not in the game. ~2025-32161-29 (talk) 19:29, 8 November 2025 (UTC)
There was no assault on Narshe! How did you get everything wrong here?! ~2025-32161-29 (talk) 19:32, 8 November 2025 (UTC)
Nothing says she was 18, the game literally starts with it shown she's wearing a slave crown and attacking Narshe. What are you on about?--Kung Fu Man (talk) 22:09, 8 November 2025 (UTC)
Do you not need proof she is 18? Like I said, 20+1=21. Not 18.
They were not attacking Narshe. They were trying to sneak in. That is why only 2 soldiers were sent, and not thousands.
Narshe was neutral. The Empire never waged war with Narshe.
How dare you insult ME, when you have never played the game! ~2025-32161-29 (talk) 17:14, 9 November 2025 (UTC)
The game itself, in both translations and the original Japanese, refers to it as an attack. And besides, two trained soldiers and a "witch" in Magitek armor storming in through the town gates and wrecking anyone who tries to stop them is not exactly what I'd call 'sneaky'. Sneaking is what Sabin does in the Empire camp outside of Doma. Vicks/Biggs and Wedge (and Terra) are about as sneaky as a hippo in a shopping mall. NekoKatsun (nyaa) 22:45, 17 November 2025 (UTC)