:Rikku

Rikku first appeared in Final Fantasy X. Tetsuya Nomura designed her as a 15-year-old Al Bhed girl. She is Cid's daughter and Brother's younger sister. After the game's release, the video game press reported that she might get her own game, code-named "Rikku Version",{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/square-plans-ffx-spin-offs/1100-2868102/ |title=Square plans FFX spin-offs |work=IGN |last=Sato |first=Ike |date=May 17, 2006 |access-date=August 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190605220803/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/square-plans-ffx-spin-offs/1100-2868102/ |archive-date=June 5, 2019 |url-status=live}} but was later confirmed to not be in the works. Rikku, along with Yuna, were the leads of Final Fantasy X-2 and were the only characters from Final Fantasy X to appear.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/news/26766/more-final-fantasy-x-2-details/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607145223/http://www.gamepro.com/article/news/26766/more-final-fantasy-x-2-details/ |title=More Final Fantasy X-2 Details |magazine=GamePro |author=Fennec Fox |date=October 23, 2000 |access-date=August 31, 2019 |archive-date=June 7, 2011}} Developers chose her in order to create a game that centered on women.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/exclusive-interview-final-fantasy-x-2/ |title=Exclusive interview: Final Fantasy X-2 |work=GamesRadar+ |date=March 9, 2004 |access-date=August 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530000453/https://www.gamesradar.com/exclusive-interview-final-fantasy-x-2/ |archive-date=May 30, 2019 |url-status=live}} Tetsu Tsukamoto, the designer of Final Fantasy X-2{{'}}s "alternate" costumes, explained that Rikku's outfit was the product of a cultural change in Spira, the world Rikku inhabits. The staff also wished to make that cast seem more physically active.{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/11/25/final-fantasy-x-2-developer-interview |title=Final Fantasy X-2 Developer Interview |work=IGN |last=Dunham |first=Jeremy |date=November 24, 2003 |access-date=August 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831173717/https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/11/25/final-fantasy-x-2-developer-interview |archive-date=August 31, 2019 |url-status=live}}

Rikku is voiced by Tara Strong in English and by Marika Matsumoto in Japanese. Strong was offered an audition by Final Fantasy X casting director Jack Fletcher. Before her audition, the Fletcher gave Strong recordings of the Japanese version of Rikku and a description of the character.{{cite web |url=https://flaregamer.com/b2article.php?p=134&more=1 |title=Interview with Tara Strong: The Voice of Rikku |work=Flare Gamer |last=Knight |first=Sheila |date=August 17, 2008 |access-date=August 31, 2019}} Many of Strong's lines ended with "you know" in order to match the English dub with the character's mouth movements, particularly to end the sentence with a vowel sound. They decided to make this a vocal tic for her.{{cite web |url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/true-tales-from-localization-hell |title=True Tales from Localization Hell |work=USGamer |last=Mackey |first=Bob |date=August 2, 2016 |access-date=August 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190821060842/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/true-tales-from-localization-hell |archive-date=August 21, 2019 |url-status=live}}

Rikku first appears in Final Fantasy X as one of its protagonists. She helps Tidus when he first arrives as a stranger in Spira, but then she disappears during an attack from the monster Sin.{{cite video game|title=Final Fantasy X |developer=Square Co |publisher=Square EA |date=December 20, 2001 |platform=PlayStation 2|quote= Rikku: We're Al Bhed. Can't you tell? Wait, you're not an Al Bhed-hater, are you? / Tidus: I don't even know what an Al Bhed is.}} Upon meeting Tidus again at the Moonflow, she becomes the last character to join her cousin Yuna's entourage of guardians. Rikku's attitude is somewhat childish but is mostly quite cheerful and positive. She does occasionally suffer from instances of anxiety. This feeling originates from being attacked by a fiend on a beach when she was young; her brother then tried to destroy it with a Thunder spell, but he missed and electrocuted her instead. Cid's sister married Braska, which makes Braska Rikku's uncle. This relationship also makes Rikku Yuna's cousin. Rikku wishes to prevent Yuna from going through with her summoner pilgrimage as she will die in the process of defeating Sin.{{cite video game|title=Final Fantasy X|developer=Square Co.|level=Macalania|quote=Rikku: Hey, do I look like Yunie, you think? / Tidus: Huh? / Rikku: Well, my dad's sister is Yunie's mother, you get it?|platform=PlayStation 2}}{{cite video game|title=Final Fantasy X |developer=Square Co |publisher=Square EA |date=December 20, 2001 |platform=PlayStation 2|level=Bikanel Island - Home|quote=Rikku: Summoners journey to get the Final Aeon. Yuna told you, didn't she? With the Final Aeon, she can beat Sin. But then...but then... If she calls it, the Final Aeon's going to kill her! Even if she defeats Sin, it will kill Yunie too, you know! / Tidus: Was I the only one who didn't know...? [...] I can't let her die! I'll find her!}} Rikku returns in Final Fantasy X-2 once again as a protagonist, now 17 years old. She is also the one who convinces Yuna to leave the land of Besaid and go on a journey along with their new friend Paine. Rikku convinces Yuna by showing her a mysterious sphere featuring a person resembling Yuna's lost love, Tidus.{{cite video game|title=Final Fantasy X-2 |developer=Square Co |publisher=Square Enix |date=March 13, 2003|platform=PlayStation 2 |quote=Yuna [voiceover]: It all began when I saw this sphere of you. At least, it looked like you. I couldn't say for sure. I thought I might find more spheres like it if I joined the Gullwings. So I did. Oh, in case you're wondering, the Gullwings are sphere hunters, and sphere hunters are, well...this! We fly all over Spira. I'm really enjoying myself.}}

Rikku appears in the game Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call as a playable character. Her appearance resembles a chibi-esque version of her Final Fantasy X-2 character.{{cite web|url=https://www.siliconera.com/yrp-ready-perform-theatrhythm-final-fantasy-curtain-call/|publisher=Siliconera|access-date=May 8, 2020|author=Siliconera Staff|date=December 19, 2013|title=YRP Is Ready To Perform In Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call|archive-date=December 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203064616/https://www.siliconera.com/yrp-ready-perform-theatrhythm-final-fantasy-curtain-call/|url-status=live}} She also appears alongside Yuna and Paine in Kingdom Hearts II as a miniature fairy version of herself wearing modified versions of her X-2 attire.{{cite web|url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/video-games/Kingdom-Hearts-II/Rikku/|access-date=May 8, 2020|title=Rikku|publisher=Behind the Voice Actors|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920202544/https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/video-games/Kingdom-Hearts-II/Rikku/|archive-date=September 20, 2019|url-status=live}} The game Itadaki Street Special features a miniature Rikku also in her X-2 outfit, along with Yuna and Paine.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/move-into-itadaki-street-this-christmas/1100-6109695/|publisher=GameSpot|access-date=May 8, 2020|title=Move into Itadaki Street this Christmas|author=Niizumi, Hirohiko|date=October 5, 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717025826/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/move-into-itadaki-street-this-christmas/1100-6109695/|archive-date=July 17, 2019|url-status=live}} Rikku also appears as a character in the game World of Final Fantasy.{{cite web|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2016/10/first-look-rikku-world-final-fantasy|publisher=Gematsu|access-date=May 8, 2020|date=October 11, 2016|author=Romano, Sal|title=First look at Rikku in World of Final Fantasy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216163504/https://gematsu.com/2016/10/first-look-rikku-world-final-fantasy|archive-date=December 16, 2019|url-status=live}}

Rikku, along with characters Paine and Yuna, received a series of singles performed by Marika Matsumoto in a collection called "Final Fantasy X-2 Vocal Collection - Rikku".{{cite web |url=https://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/ffx-2-rikku/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040619122418/https://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/ffx-2-rikku/index.html |title=Final Fantasy X-2 Vocal Collection - Rikku |work=RPGFan |last=Gann |first=Patrick |access-date=August 31, 2019 |archive-date=June 19, 2004}} The three characters also had figurines produced by Play Arts. They were the first figurines Play Arts produced in-house.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2015/04/24/the-artistry-of-play-arts.aspx |title=The Artistry Of Play Arts |magazine=Game Informer |last=Miller |first=Matt |date=April 24, 2015 |access-date=August 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829015016/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2015/04/24/the-artistry-of-play-arts.aspx |archive-date=August 29, 2019 |url-status=live}}

File:Rikku X2.png. Her design change was the subject of discussion for her designers and critics.|alt=]]

Rikku has received generally positive reception since appearing in Final Fantasy X and X-2. Final Fantasy fans voted her the 13th best female Final Fantasy character.{{cite web |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2013-01-17/square-enix-poll/favorite-female-final-fantasy-character |title=Square Enix Poll: Favorite Female Final Fantasy Character |work=Anime News Network |last=Hodgkins |first=Crystalyn |date=January 17, 2013 |access-date=August 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531063613/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2013-01-17/square-enix-poll/favorite-female-final-fantasy-character |archive-date=May 31, 2019 |url-status=live}} Famitsu readers ranked her as one of the best video game characters.{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/news/snake-beats-mario-coolest-video |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518204748/http://www.1up.com/news/snake-beats-mario-coolest-video |title=Snake Beats Mario, Is Coolest Video Game Character Ever |work=1UP.com |last=Gifford |first=Kevin |date=February 10, 2010 |access-date=August 31, 2019 |archive-date=May 18, 2013 |url-status=live}} She has been identified as one of the most attractive female characters in and outside of the series by IGN, Play, UGO, and G4TV readers.{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/08/06/babes-of-final-fantasy-xii |title=Babes of Final Fantasy XII |work=IGN |date=August 6, 2004 |access-date=August 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190604110556/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/08/06/babes-of-final-fantasy-xii |archive-date=June 4, 2019 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=http://www.play-mag.co.uk/features/top-10-hottest-blondes-in-games/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101005170912/http://www.play-mag.co.uk/features/top-10-hottest-blondes-in-games/ |title= Top 10 hottest blondes in games |work=Play |last=Mackenzie |first=Gavin |access-date=August 31, 2019 |archive-date=October 5, 2010}}{{cite web |url=http://www.g4tv.com/videogamevixens/episodes/4207/Biggest_Guns_Best_Bounce_and_Viewers_Choice_Baddest_Good_Girl.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050620011208/http://www.g4tv.com/videogamevixens/episodes/4207/Biggest_Guns_Best_Bounce_and_Viewers_Choice_Baddest_Good_Girl.html |title=Biggest Guns, Best Bounce and Viewers' Choice Baddest Good Girl |work=G4TV |access-date=August 31, 2019 |archive-date=June 20, 2005}}{{cite web|url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/537/537250p1.html |title=G-Phoria Winners: Full List |work=IGN |date=August 9, 2004 |access-date=March 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120407221915/http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/537/537250p1.html|archive-date=2012-04-07}}{{cite web |url=http://www.ugo.com/games/video-game-hotties-rikku-ffx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100224023940/http://www.ugo.com/games/video-game-hotties-rikku-ffx |title=Top 50 Videogame Hotties |work=UGO |date=November 25, 2008 |access-date=August 31, 2019 |archive-date=February 24, 2010}} Complex identified her outfit as the main reason to play Final Fantasy X-2.{{cite web |url=https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2012/06/the-top-25-beach-ready-bikini-babes-in-video-games/15 |title=25 Beach-Ready Bikini Babes in Video Games |work=Complex |date=June 29, 2012 |access-date=August 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190605220909/https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2012/06/the-top-25-beach-ready-bikini-babes-in-video-games/15 |archive-date=June 5, 2019 |url-status=live}} Houston Press expressed disappointment that the story of Final Fantasy X focused so much on Tidus, noting how much more interesting the relationship between Rikku and Yuna was.{{cite web |url=https://www.houstonpress.com/arts/the-useless-blond-boys-of-final-fantasy-11071367 |title=A Lot of Male Protagonists in Final Fantasy are Dead Weight |work=Houston Press |last=Rouner |first=Jef |date=December 11, 2018 |access-date=August 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190605220817/https://www.houstonpress.com/arts/the-useless-blond-boys-of-final-fantasy-11071367 |archive-date=June 5, 2019 |url-status=live}} Game Informer identified her as a character they would like to be around due to an abundance of positive energy.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2013/04/26/the-best-rpg-characters-to-hang-out-with.aspx |title=The Best RPG Characters To Hang Out With |magazine=Game Informer |last=Wallace |first=Kimberley |date=April 26, 2013 |access-date=August 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824083421/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2013/04/26/the-best-rpg-characters-to-hang-out-with.aspx |archive-date=August 24, 2019 |url-status=live}} Digitally Downloaded enjoyed her character as well, noting she was their ideal rogue and praised her for her uplifting attitude.{{cite web |url=http://www.digitallydownloaded.net/2015/06/the-friday-ten-dream-jrpg-team.html |title=The Friday Ten: The dream JRPG team |work=Digitally Downloaded |last=Sainsbury |first=Matt |date=June 26, 2015 |access-date=August 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530231255/http://www.digitallydownloaded.net/2015/06/the-friday-ten-dream-jrpg-team.html |archive-date=May 30, 2019 |url-status=live}} They also found her a highlight of Final Fantasy X and hoped to see her in Dissidia Final Fantasy.{{cite web |url=http://www.digitallydownloaded.net/2018/02/the-friday-ten-ten-characters-from.html |title=The Friday Ten: Ten characters from Final Fantasy that should be added to Dissidia |work=Digitally Downloaded |last=Sainsbury |first=Matt |date=February 2, 2018 |access-date=August 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527104324/http://www.digitallydownloaded.net/2018/02/the-friday-ten-ten-characters-from.html |archive-date=May 27, 2019 |url-status=live}}

Game Informer was critical of the sexualization of Rikku, noting her as being underage.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/blogs/editors/b/giadam_blog/archive/2011/01/01/baldur-s-gate-ii-best-rpg-ever.aspx |title=Baldur's Gate II: Best RPG Ever |magazine=Game Informer |last=Biessener |first=Adam |date=January 1, 2011 |access-date=August 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190830142930/https://www.gameinformer.com/index.php/blogs/editors/b/giadam_blog/archive/2011/01/01/baldur-s-gate-ii-best-rpg-ever.aspx |archive-date=August 30, 2019 |url-status=live}} Digitally Downloaded noted that her outfit in Final Fantasy X-2 was fan service. They also noted, however, that it was story-related as it demonstrated the liberation of her society from restrictive rules between games.{{cite web |url=http://www.digitallydownloaded.net/2015/06/final-fantasy-x-2-more-than-pretty-face.html |title=Final Fantasy X-2: More than a pretty face? |work=Digitally Downloaded |last=Sainsbury |first=Matt |date=June 4, 2015 |access-date=August 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831000331/http://www.digitallydownloaded.net/2015/06/final-fantasy-x-2-more-than-pretty-face.html |archive-date=August 31, 2019 |url-status=live}} Despite enjoying her "bubbly personality" in the face of hardships, they felt that there was not much depth to her character, and that people were too focused on her outfit.{{cite web |url=http://www.digitallydownloaded.net/2016/09/all-female-protagonist-september-bitchy.html |title=All-female protagonist September: Bitchy or ditzy, the Final Fantasy Scale |work=Digitally Downloaded |last=Mayhew |first=Lindsay |date=September 13, 2016 |access-date=August 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529104936/http://www.digitallydownloaded.net/2016/09/all-female-protagonist-september-bitchy.html |archive-date=May 29, 2019 |url-status=live}} CNET felt Rikku was a highly underrated character, though noting that she was mostly known for her outfit and "being scared" than her engineering prowess.{{cite web |url=https://www.cnet.com/pictures/photos-the-8-most-underrated-videogame-characters-ever/4/ |title=The 8 Most Underrated Videogame Characters Ever |work=CNET |last=Lanxson |first=Nate |date=February 12, 2009 |access-date=August 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190605233302/https://www.cnet.com/pictures/photos-the-8-most-underrated-videogame-characters-ever/4/ |archive-date=June 5, 2019 |url-status=live}}

Tara Strong was awarded "Outstanding Achievement in Character Performance — Female" for her portrayal of Rikku by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences.{{cite press release |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/academy-of-interactive-arts-and-sciences-aias-announces-winners-of-7th-annual-interactive-achievement-awards-58841802.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101122842/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/academy-of-interactive-arts-and-sciences-aias-announces-winners-of-7th-annual-interactive-achievement-awards-58841802.html |title= Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences (AIAS) Announces Winners of 7th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards |work=PR Newswire |access-date=August 31, 2019 |archive-date=November 1, 2013}} Game Informer identified Rikku as one of Strong's most notable roles.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2015/09/23/a-look-at-the-voices-behind-gaming-s-iconic-characters.aspx |title=A Look At The Voices Behind Gaming's Iconic Characters |magazine=Game Informer |last=Shea |first=Brian |date=September 23, 2015 |access-date=August 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828124241/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2015/09/23/a-look-at-the-voices-behind-gaming-s-iconic-characters.aspx |archive-date=August 28, 2019 |url-status=live}}

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{{Final Fantasy X and X-2}}

{{Final Fantasy series}}

Category:Characters designed by Tetsuya Nomura

Category:Female characters in video games

Category:Fictional bodyguards in video games

Category:Fictional bounty hunters

Category:Fictional explorers in video games

Category:Fictional fairies

Category:Fictional chemists

Category:Fictional female engineers

Category:Fictional mechanics

Category:Fictional knife-fighters

Category:Fictional mecha pilots

Category:Fictional thieves

Category:Final Fantasy X characters

Category:Teenage characters in video games

Category:Video game characters introduced in 2001