:Rinoa Heartilly

File:Hanazawa Kana from "Human Lost" at Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo International Film Festival 2019 (49013612766).jpg voiced Rinoa in Japanese in Dissidia Final Fantasy NT.]]

Character artist Tetsuya Nomura found Rinoa the hardest character to design in Final Fantasy VIII.{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/Official_NZ_PlayStation_Magazine_Issue_028_1999-11_ACP_PUblishing_NZ#page/n33/mode/2up/|author=Hill, Jason|title=Fantasy World|magazine=Official NZ PlayStation Magazine|issue=28|date=November 1999|publisher=ACP Publishing (NZ)|access-date=July 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316105844/https://archive.org/stream/Official_NZ_PlayStation_Magazine_Issue_028_1999-11_ACP_PUblishing_NZ#page/n33/mode/2up/|archive-date=March 16, 2016|url-status=live}} Nomura emphasized that he tried to avoid letting the possibilities presented by the recent advancements in full-motion video technology become the entire focus. He believed that these innovations might tempt developers to make their female characters "too beautiful" and focus more on physical appearance than personality. With this concern in mind, Nomura set out to avoid making Rinoa gorgeous and simply make her "cute" instead. To further emphasize this, he wrote a list of vocabulary traits and physical habits for Rinoa's character that he felt conveyed this idea of "cute, not gorgeous", and sent them to scenario writer Kazushige Nojima along with the character's design.{{cite web | author=Knight, Sheila | year=2003 | title=Tetsuya Nomura 20s | url=http://flaregamer.com/b2article.php?p=81&more=1 | work=FLAREgamer | access-date=April 13, 2006 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20120709232759/http://flaregamer.com/b2article.php?p=81&more=1 | archive-date=July 9, 2012 | url-status=live}}

Designers also based Rinoa's appearance on feedback Nojima got after developing Final Fantasy VII. The women on the development team wanted a different design as they were concerned it was not realistic for a female character to fight in a miniskirt.{{cite web|url=https://www.siliconera.com/kazushige-nojima-talks-about-early-internet-criticism-on-ff7-that-influenced-final-fantasy-viii/|title=Kazushige Nojima Talks About Early Internet Criticism On FF7 That Influenced Final Fantasy VIII|website=Siliconera|access-date=May 17, 2020|author=Sato|date=October 9, 2019|archive-date=February 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213230053/https://www.siliconera.com/kazushige-nojima-talks-about-early-internet-criticism-on-ff7-that-influenced-final-fantasy-viii/|url-status=live}} Yoshinori Kitase, the director of Final Fantasy VIII, designed the game's logo, which shows a male and female character embracing. Kitase wanted to make fans curious about why the couple was embracing.{{cite web|last=Coxon |first=Sachi |date=June 5, 2003 |title=Final Fantasy VIII interview |url=http://playstationjapan.tripod.com/ff8iview2.html |publisher=PlayStation Tripod |access-date=January 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121208165153/http://playstationjapan.tripod.com/ff8iview2.html |archive-date=December 8, 2012 |url-status=dead}} The games' Event Director Hiroki Chiba said that his favorite moment in the Final Fantasy franchise was Squall and Rinoa's embrace with Faye Wong's "Eyes On Me" playing. Chiba listened to the song many times to make the scene's action line up precisely.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2016/04/29/final-fantasy-masterminds-reminisce-about-their-favorite-moments.aspx|title=Final Fantasy Masterminds Reminisce About Their Favorite Moments|date=April 29, 2016|magazine=Game Informer|access-date=April 30, 2016|author=Wallace, Kimberley|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430105150/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2016/04/29/final-fantasy-masterminds-reminisce-about-their-favorite-moments.aspx|archive-date=April 30, 2016}}

For the Kingdom Hearts series, some parts of Squall's design were changed to reference Rinoa's, most notably the wings in his jacket. Nomura stated that the reason Rinoa did not appear in the franchise was because he did not have a clear understanding of Rinoa's personality.{{cite book|title=Kingdom Hearts Ultimania|page=530|publisher=Square Enix|year=2002}} Rinoa's first voiced appearance was in Dissidia Final Fantasy NT, with Kana Hanazawa providing her voice in Japanese, and Skyler Davenport performing the English version.{{cite web |url=https://s.famitsu.com/matome/dff/news80.html |title=【速報】『FFVIII』のリノア（声：花澤香菜）が『ディシディア ファイナルファンタジー』に参戦！！ |publisher=Famitsu |date=July 10, 2018 |access-date=July 10, 2018 |archive-date=July 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725201718/https://www.famitsu.com/matome/dff/news80.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://square-enix-games.com/en_GB/news/dissidia-final-fantasy-nt-gives-rinoa-a-voice-and-introduces-a-new-level|publisher=Square Enix|access-date=Jun 18, 2020|title=DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY NT Gives Rinoa a voice and introduces a new level!|author=Square Enix Team|date=August 13, 2018|archive-date=June 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619113234/https://square-enix-games.com/en_GB/news/dissidia-final-fantasy-nt-gives-rinoa-a-voice-and-introduces-a-new-level|url-status=live}}

Rinoa Heartilly is the 17-year-old daughter of General Caraway, a high-ranking officer in the Galbadian army, and Julia Heartilly, a famous singer.{{cite book | year=1999 | editor=Square Electronic Arts | title=Final Fantasy VIII North American instruction manual | pages=6–9 | publisher=Square Electronic Arts | id=SLUS-00892GH}}{{cite video game|quote=Kiros: "Heard she recently got married." / Raine: "Oh yeah! To some army general, right? General Caraway or something?" / Kiros: "I'm not too sure." / Raine: "I read in a magazine that her true love went off to war and never came back. General Caraway comforted her while she was feeling down. That's how they got to know each other."|title=Final Fantasy VIII|publisher=Square Co.|year=1998|developer=Square Co.}}{{cite video game|quote=Squall: "Where's Rinoa?" / General Caraway: "She has not receive the type of training you all have, and may become a burden. It's for the best that she stays out of this operation." / Selphie: "So you're Rinoa's father?" / General Caraway: "I can't remember the last time she called me that." / Zell: "So the father's a top military officer, and the daughter's a member of an anti-government faction!? That's bad... Really BAD!" / General Caraway: "Yes, indeed. It's a serious problem. But it doesn't concern you. It's our problem.|title=Final Fantasy VIII|publisher=Square Co.|year=1998|developer=Square Co.}} Over the course of the game, she falls in love with the protagonist, Squall Leonhart.{{cite web | author=Lundigran, Jeff | date=September 11, 1999 | title=Final Fantasy VIII Review | url=http://psx.ign.com/articles/153/153847p1.html | publisher=IGN | access-date=March 15, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211123532/http://psx.ign.com/articles/153/153847p1.html | archive-date=February 11, 2009 | url-status=live}}{{cite web | author=Liu, Johnny | date=September 1999 | title=Final Fantasy VIII Review | url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/oldsite/games/sony/rpg/final_fantasy_8.htm | publisher=Game Revolution | access-date=March 15, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060504032035/https://www.gamerevolution.com/oldsite/games/sony/rpg/final_fantasy_8.htm | archive-date=May 4, 2006 | url-status=dead}} Rinoa is a member of the "Forest Owls", a tiny resistance faction seeking to liberate the small nation of Timber from Galbadian occupation.{{cite video game|quote=Zone: "Just stand anywhere you want. This is a full-scale operation. Our resistance, 'The Forest Owls', will be forever known in the pages of Timber's independence! Exciting, huh? It all started when we got a hold of top-secret info from Galbadia.|title=Final Fantasy VIII|publisher=Square Co.|year=1998|developer=Square Co.}} She is called the "princess" of the group.{{cite video game|quote=Zone: "Just take it easy. Here, let me introduce you. Looks like you already met Watts. I guess it's just our princess then.|title=Final Fantasy VIII|publisher=Square Co.|year=1998|developer=Square Co.}} Rinoa first meets Squall at the SeeD inauguration ball at Balamb Garden. During the dance, she manages to charm the usually antisocial Squall into dancing with her.{{cite video game|quote=Rinoa: SeeD members dance quite well, don't they? / Squall: Approach your target inconspicuously at a dance party... There may be missions requiring this sort of subterfuge. It's expected of SeeD to learn various skills.|title=Final Fantasy VIII|publisher=Square Co.|year=1998|developer=Square Co.}} She then hires Squall and his mercenary friends Zell Dincht and Selphie Tilmitt to fight for the Forest Owls. After failing to assassinate Sorceress Edea for her crimes against Timber, the Forest Owls escape the sorceress and Rinoa decides to stay with the group.{{cite video game|title=Final Fantasy VIII |developer=Square Co |publisher=Square EA |date=September 9, 1999|platform=PlayStation|quote=Squall: Our next mission... This is no ordinary mission. It's a direct order from both Balamb and Galbadia Garden. We're to [...] assassinate the sorceress.}}{{cite video game|title=Final Fantasy VIII |developer=Square Co |publisher=Square EA |date=September 9, 1999|platform=PlayStation}}

While at the Fishermans Horizon, she shares a moment with Squall during a concert performed by other members of her group.{{cite video game|quote=Rinoa: "Fine... I guess I'll have to bug you for the rest of the night. And I'm gonna keep chanting 'concert, concert, concert' and drive you nuts. Is that what you want?" / Squall: "...Oh man..." / Rinoa: "I'm getting to you already, huh? Looks like you have no choice!|publisher=Square Co.|year=1998|title=Final Fantasy VIII|developer=Square Co.}} Later on, the evil Sorceress Ultimecia possesses Rinoa after losing control of Edea, which causes Rinoa to fall into a coma-like state.{{cite video game|quote=Zell: "Is the princess still asleep?" / Quistis: "She might wake up with a kiss from the prince." / Squall: "Is that why you came all the way out here? To tell me that?" / Quistis: "You're going to Esthar, right? We're coming, too.|publisher=Square Co.|year=1998|developer=Square Co.|title=Final Fantasy VIII}} Ultimecia then uses Rinoa to release Sorceress Adel from her orbital prison.{{cite video game|quote=Rinoa: "But Edea's still... I can't guarantee anything, either, if Ultimecia possesses me again... You saw me. She controlled me in outer space and made me break Adel's seal. What might happen next time? What will I end up doing? Will I end up fighting everyone? ...Scary thought, isn't it?" "|title=Final Fantasy VIII|publisher=Square Co.|year=1998|developer=Square Co.}} Ultimecia then possesses Adel and leaves Rinoa to die. Squall rescues her and the two share another personal moment on the Ragnarok spaceship.{{cite video game|quote=Squall: "Why are you holding onto me like this?" / Rinoa: "You don't like this, Squall?" / Squall: "Just not used to it."|title=Final Fantasy VIII|publisher=Square Co.|year=1998|developer=Square Co.}}{{cite game|title=Final Fantasy VIII|developer=Square Co|quote=Rinoa: "I don't want the future. I want the present to stand still. I want to stay here with you..." / Squall: (Rinoa...) / Squall: (I don't know what to do... This is just another crossroad in my life. But, for the first time, I don't know which way to go. I've come this far because I've...fallen for you. ......Rinoa...... Now...am I just supposed to let you go?" / Voice: "Respond, Ragnarok!"|publisher=Square Co.|year=1998}} Rinoa discovers that she now has Edea's magical powers from her time possessed by Ultimecia, making her a Sorceress as well.{{cite video game|quote=Voice: "Rinoa? The sorceress!?" She's on the ship!?" / Squall: (So... It's true? Rinoa is a sorceress?) / Rinoa: "I've...become a sorceress. I can't stay with you anymore, Squall." |title=Final Fantasy VIII|publisher=Square Co.|year=1998|developer=Square Co.}} Fearful of sorceresses, the Esthar government imprisons her but Squall convinces himself to rescue her.{{cite video game|quote=Squall: (A fool, huh?) "...Maybe." (What am I doing...? I may never get to hear Rinoa's voice ever again... What the hell am I doing? What can I do? ...Of course...) / Quistis: "Have you decided?" / Zell: "Heading to Esthar, right?" / Squall: "Pandora whatever and Sorceress Adel are out of my hands. I don't even know where to look for Sis. The only think I know is Rinoa. The only thing I want to do for sure right now is for Rinoa. We're going to get Rinoa back!"|title=Final Fantasy VIII|publisher=Square Co.|year=1998|developer=Square Co.}} During the game's ending, she reunites with Squall and kisses him on the Balamb Garden balcony for the first time.

Rinoa appears in Square's and Sony's PlayStation 2 technology demo. Originally a pre-rendered video, the demo recreated the ballroom dance scene in real-time.{{cite web |last=Scammell |first=David |url=http://www.videogamer.com/features/article/a_look_back_at_some_of_playstations_historical_reveal_events.html |title=A look back at some of PlayStation's historical reveal events |publisher=VideoGamer.com |date=February 20, 2013 |access-date=July 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714111240/http://www.videogamer.com/features/article/a_look_back_at_some_of_playstations_historical_reveal_events.html |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |url-status=dead}} She appears in several other games, such as the 2012 rhythm video game Theatrhythm Final Fantasy and in the role-playing video game Puzzle & Dragons as part of a Final Fantasy collaboration.{{cite web |author=Drake, Audrey |url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2012/12/19/theatrhythm-final-fantasy-ios-review |title=Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Review |publisher=IGN UK |date=December 19, 2012 |access-date=July 5, 2014 |archive-date=March 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308232850/https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/12/19/theatrhythm-final-fantasy-ios-review |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://www.siliconera.com/zidane-vivi-and-other-final-fantasy-characters-join-puzzle-dragons/|publisher=Siliconera|access-date=June 18, 2020|title=Zidane, Vivi, And Other Final Fantasy Characters Join Puzzle & Dragons|author=Sato|date=April 10, 2015|archive-date=June 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619153950/https://www.siliconera.com/zidane-vivi-and-other-final-fantasy-characters-join-puzzle-dragons/|url-status=live}} Her outfits are available for players to put on their characters in the video game Gunslinger Stratos 2.{{cite web|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2014/09/final-fantasy-costumes-coming-gunslinger-stratos-2|title=Final Fantasy costumes coming to Gunslinger Stratos 2|website=Gematsu|access-date=May 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216201931/https://gematsu.com/2014/09/final-fantasy-costumes-coming-gunslinger-stratos-2|archive-date=December 16, 2019|url-status=live|author=Romano, Sal|date=September 19, 2014}} Rinoa, accompanied by her pet dog Angelo, appears as a playable character in Dissidia Final Fantasy NT.{{cite web|url=https://www.videogamer.com/news/dissidia-final-fantasy-nt-adds-rinoa-heartilly|publisher=Video Gamer|access-date=June 18, 2020|title=Dissidia Final Fantasy NT adds Rinoa Heartilly|author=Harradence, Mike|date=August 17, 2018|archive-date=June 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621031413/https://www.videogamer.com/news/dissidia-final-fantasy-nt-adds-rinoa-heartilly|url-status=live}} Rinoa and Angelo are also available for recruitment in the free-to-play mobile game Dissidia Opera Omnia.{{cite web|url=https://www.siliconera.com/the-rinoa-dissidia-final-fantasy-opera-omnia-global-debut-has-arrived/|publisher=Siliconera|access-date=June 18, 2020|date=June 28, 2019|title=The Rinoa Dissidia Final Fantasy Opera Omnia Global Debut Has Arrived|author=Lada, Jenni|archive-date=June 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621095401/https://www.siliconera.com/the-rinoa-dissidia-final-fantasy-opera-omnia-global-debut-has-arrived/|url-status=live}}

Rinoa Heartilly has been mostly well received by video game critics and the general public. Japanese fans voted Rinoa as the tenth favorite female Final Fantasy character in an official Square Enix survey in 2013.{{cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2013-01-17/square-enix-poll/favorite-female-final-fantasy-character |title=Square Enix Poll: Favorite Female Final Fantasy Character |author=Hodgkins, Crystalyn|publisher=Anime News Network |date=January 17, 2013 |access-date=January 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130121014816/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2013-01-17/square-enix-poll/favorite-female-final-fantasy-character |archive-date=January 21, 2013 |url-status=live}} In 2020 NHK conducted an All-Final Fantasy Grand Poll of Japanese players, with Rinoa ranked as the thirty fifth greatest Final Fantasy character by Japanese respondents.{{cite web |url=https://www.siliconera.com/japans-favorite-final-fantasy-game-according-to-nhks-grand-poll-is-final-fantasy-x/ |title=Japan's Favorite Final Fantasy Game According to NHK's Grand Poll Is… Final Fantasy X |work=Siliconera |last=Wong |first=Alistair |date=February 29, 2020 |access-date=August 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200311005829/https://www.siliconera.com/japans-favorite-final-fantasy-game-according-to-nhks-grand-poll-is-final-fantasy-x/ |archive-date=March 11, 2020 |url-status=live}} David Smith at IGN UK regarded her as one of the franchises' most memorable characters.{{cite web |url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2002/01/23/top-25-games-of-all-time-complete-list |title=Top 25 Games of All Time: Complete List |publisher=IGN UK |date=January 22, 2002 |author=IGN Staff |access-date=July 5, 2014 |archive-date=March 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308232823/https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/01/23/top-25-games-of-all-time-complete-list |url-status=live }}

Natalie Flores from Paste Magazine praised her character arc as Rinoa starts as a pacifist heroine and becomes motivated to aid SeeD to defeat Edea and Ultimecia.{{cite web|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2019/06/final-fantasy-viii-squall-and-rinoa.html|title=In Praise of Final Fantasy VIII's Squall and Rinoa, the Most Misunderstood Characters in the Whole Series|author=Flores, Natalie|publisher=Paste Magazine|date=June 24, 2019|access-date=March 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701172937/https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2019/06/final-fantasy-viii-squall-and-rinoa.html|archive-date=July 1, 2019|url-status=live}} Mike Gorby, writing for Goomba Stomp, observed that Rinoa subverts gender stereotypes and roles expected of a typical female character and compared her favorably to Squall as he found her more realistic.{{cite web|url=https://goombastomp.com/rinoa-heartilly-cheerfully-subverts-gender-roles-final-fantasy-viii/|title=Rinoa Heartilly Cheerfully Subverts Gender Roles in 'Final Fantasy VIII'|author=Worby, Mike|publisher=Goomba Stomp|date=September 8, 2019|access-date=March 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217201936/https://goombastomp.com/rinoa-heartilly-cheerfully-subverts-gender-roles-final-fantasy-viii/|archive-date=December 17, 2019|url-status=live}} When Game Revolution{{'}}s Johnny Liu expressed the wish that the game had voice acting, he specifically mentioned Rinoa. She has been noted due to her beauty by multiple video game publications.{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/Computer_and_Video_Games_Issue_210_1999-05_EMAP_Images_GB#page/n7/mode/1up/ |title=Eyes on Me|magazine=Computer and Video Games|page=8 |issue =210 |date=May 1999 |publisher=EMAP Images (UK) |access-date=July 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315151320/https://archive.org/stream/Computer_and_Video_Games_Issue_210_1999-05_EMAP_Images_GB#page/n7/mode/1up/ |archive-date=March 15, 2016 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/ugly-polygon-babes-of-yesteryear/?page=2 |title=Page 2 - Ugly polygon "babes" of yesteryear |publisher=GamesRadar |access-date=July 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216131722/http://www.gamesradar.com/ugly-polygon-babes-of-yesteryear/?page=2 |archive-date=December 16, 2013 |url-status=dead |author=Reparaz, Mikel |date=June 23, 2012}} IGN{{'}}s Justin Kaehler and Naomi Cheung remembered the "hot" Rinoa as one of the game's main strengths.{{cite web|last=Kaehler |first=Justin |url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2004/09/21/ign-babes-feature-naomi-cheungs-top-10-videogames |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140707115023/http://uk.ign.com/articles/2004/09/21/ign-babes-feature-naomi-cheungs-top-10-videogames |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 7, 2014 |title=IGN Babes Feature: Naomi Cheung's Top 10 Videogames - IGN |publisher=IGN UK |date=September 21, 2004 |access-date=July 5, 2014}} GamesRadar described her as "rough around the polygonal edges", but also "feminine enough to make fanboys latch on for years to come".{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/game-babes-a-history/?page=4 |title=Page 4 - Game babes: A history |publisher=GamesRadar|author=Elston, Brett |date=December 14, 2007 |access-date=July 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120907161317/http://www.gamesradar.com/game-babes-a-history/?page=4 |archive-date=September 7, 2012 |url-status=dead}}

Some critics focused on the relationship between Rinoa and Squall. IGN noted that their first dance together was both cute and awkward.{{cite web |last=Drake |first=Audrey |url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2012/05/25/getting-in-the-groove-of-theatrhythm-final-fantasy-part-3 |title=Getting in the Groove of Theatrhythm Final Fantasy, Part 3 |publisher=IGN UK |date=May 25, 2012 |access-date=July 5, 2014 |archive-date=March 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308232728/https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/05/25/getting-in-the-groove-of-theatrhythm-final-fantasy-part-3 |url-status=live }} Aneni Soren of RPGamer wrote a feature article about the "great" relationship between Squall and Rinoa.{{cite web |url=https://archive.rpgamer.com/editor/1999/q4/112499as.html |title=RPGamer Editorials - Squall and Rinoa |publisher=RPGamer |author=Soren, Aneni |access-date=July 29, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714212426/http://www.rpgamer.com/editor/1999/q4/112499as.html |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |url-status=live}} Jenni Lada of TechnologyTell ranked Final Fantasy VIII as the third most romantic Final Fantasy game.{{cite web|url=http://www.technologytell.com/gaming/53588/5-most-romantic-final-fantasy-games/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714230509/http://www.technologytell.com/gaming/53588/5-most-romantic-final-fantasy-games/|author=Lada, Jenni|title=5 Most romantic Final Fantasy games |work=TechnologyTell |date=February 3, 2010 |access-date=July 5, 2014|archive-date=July 14, 2014}} IGN{{'}}s Ryan Clements called Final Fantasy VIII "one of the best examples of the innocent relationship" based on how subtle it was.{{cite web |last=Clements |first=Ryan |url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2010/05/14/why-i-dig-digital-japanese-love |title=Why I Dig Digital Japanese Love |publisher=IGN UK |date=May 14, 2010 |access-date=July 5, 2014 |archive-date=March 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308232707/https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/05/14/why-i-dig-digital-japanese-love |url-status=live }} IGN UK also ranked the pair as one of the best romances in Final Fantasy and gaming in general.{{cite web|url=http://uk.ign.com/top/rpgs/97 |title=Final Fantasy VIII - #97 RPG - IGN |publisher=IGN UK |access-date=July 5, 2014|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102063911/https://www.ign.com/lists/rpgs/97|archive-date=January 2, 2017}}{{cite web |last=Boyes |first=Emma |url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2012/02/14/the-greatest-video-game-couples |title=The Greatest Video Game Couples |publisher=IGN UK |date=February 14, 2012 |access-date=July 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212051625/https://uk.ign.com/articles/2012/02/14/the-greatest-video-game-couples |archive-date=December 12, 2019 |url-status=live}} RPGFan found their relationship complicated to like as despite Rinoa's being easygoing with Squall on their first meetings with the protagonist, the fact that she previously dated the antagonistic Seifer made it complicated to take Rinoa properly and instead cannot find himself able to flirt with Rinoa back.{{cite web|url=https://www.rpgfan.com/feature/its-complicated-how-final-fantasy-viii-xiii-explore-the-complexities-of-relationships/|title=It's Complicated: How Final Fantasy VIII & XIII Explore the Complexities of Relationships|website=RPGFan|access-date=June 18, 2024|date=November 23, 2022}}

On the other hand, Charlie Barratt of GamesRadar listed her as an example of "lazy character cliches".{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/the-top-7-lazy-character-cliches/?page=2 |title=Page 2 - The Top 7... Lazy Character Clichés |publisher=GamesRadar|access-date=July 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714201856/http://www.gamesradar.com/the-top-7-lazy-character-cliches/?page=2 |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |url-status=live |date=July 22, 2008|author=Barratt, Charlie}} Ashley Reed of GamesRadar criticized the over-reliance of Rinoa's character on the damsel in distress cliche, alongside other traits that made the character unlikable.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/game-characters-youd-rather-leave-dead/|title=7 characters you're totally not interested in saving|author=Reed, Ashley|publisher=GamesRadar|date=March 2, 2015|access-date=March 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326133312/https://www.gamesradar.com/game-characters-youd-rather-leave-dead/|archive-date=March 26, 2020|url-status=live}} Brett Elston, also from GamesRadar, believed her character was too stereotypical. Elston opined that the couple's relationship was a "most forced, uninteresting romance" comparing them to the main cast from the film Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones.{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/the-top-7-you-love-em-we-hate-em/ |title=The Top 7... You love 'em, we hate 'em |publisher=GamesRadar |date= March 2, 2007 |author= GamesRadar US|access-date=July 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714152349/http://www.gamesradar.com/the-top-7-you-love-em-we-hate-em/ |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |url-status=live}} IGN{{'}}s Jeff Lundigran criticized that they did not express their feelings until late in the game and that players expected more romance from the game's promotional images. Reflecting on the divisive reception received, Flores from Paste Magazine called them the most misunderstood characters in the Final Fantasy series.

A popular fan theory about the game was that the overarching antagonist of Final Fantasy VIII, Ultimecia, is Rinoa from the future. Reed also included the theory of Rinoa being Ultimecia on the list of top nine lingering plotlines in video games.{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/9-fan-theories-transform-one-character-another/ |title=9 theories that transform two characters into the same person|author=Reed, Ashley |publisher=GamesRadar |date=July 1, 2014 |access-date=July 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715043245/http://www.gamesradar.com/9-fan-theories-transform-one-character-another/ |archive-date=July 15, 2014 |url-status=live}} According to Glenn Morrow of RPGamer, most of the arguments in favor of it have potential but also opined that the theory is "in no way" plausible.{{cite web |url=https://archive.rpgamer.com/editor/2005/q2/041805gm.html |title=Editorials - Rinoa And Ultimecia: Sorceress of the Past and the Future? |publisher=RPGamer |author=Morrow, Glenn|access-date=July 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714142717/http://www.rpgamer.com/editor/2005/q2/041805gm.html |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |url-status=live}} Kitase debunked this theory when interviewed during the PAX West 2017 event, conceding that while there are similarities, such as both being sorceresses, they are not the same person.{{cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/is-squall-really-dead-final-fantasy-producer-addresses-1800007113|title=Is Squall Really Dead? Final Fantasy Producer Addresses The Series' Biggest Fan Theories|author=Schreier, Jason|publisher=Kotaku|date=May 9, 2017|access-date=March 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200310042630/https://kotaku.com/is-squall-really-dead-final-fantasy-producer-addresses-1800007113|archive-date=March 10, 2020|url-status=live}}

According to Official PlayStation Magazine, "the Final Fantasy VIII characters have certainly been embraced by the Japanese gaming public. At the Tokyo Game Show [1999], there were hundreds of people dressed up as Final Fantasy VIII characters", including Rinoa. Scenario writer Kazushige Nojima said that "it is scary to think about the impact that a game can give to the society". Art director Yusuke Naora also said that "I sometimes really admire them for the time, energy, and money they spent on the costumes". Rinoa, an English post-metal group active from 2007 to 2010, was named after the Final Fantasy character.{{Cite news |title=Exposure, The Best New Music: Rinoa |last=Robertson |first=Oli |work=Rock Sound |location=London |date=August 2008 |issue=112 |page=36 |issn=1465-0185 |quote=Naming yourself after a princess from first-wave manga heaven, Final Fantasy VIII, may form a set of preconceived judgments in the potential listeners' mind...}} The 2010 film Scott Pilgrim vs. the World includes a dream sequence referencing a similar scene involving Squall and Rinoa at the end of the game.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/every-scott-pilgrim-vs-the-world-videogame-reference/ |title=Every Scott Pilgrim vs The World videogame reference |publisher=GamesRadar |date=November 9, 2010|access-date=July 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140718215117/http://www.gamesradar.com/every-scott-pilgrim-vs-the-world-videogame-reference/?page=2|archive-date=July 18, 2014|author=Antista, Chris}} In 2011, American beauty YouTuber Michelle Phan made a tutorial on how to recreate Rinoa Heartilly's make-up.{{cite web |author=Ashcraft, Brian |url=http://kotaku.com/5856962/watch-this-lady-transform-final-fantasy-viiis-rinoa-before-your-eyes/ |title=Watch This Lady Transform Final Fantasy VIII's Rinoa Before Your Eyes |publisher=Kotaku |date=November 7, 2011 |access-date=2014-07-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714202407/http://kotaku.com/5856962/watch-this-lady-transform-final-fantasy-viiis-rinoa-before-your-eyes/ |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |url-status=live}}

• Characters of Final Fantasy VIII

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{{Commons category}}

• {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516111838/http://na.square-enix.com/games/ff8/rinoa.html|date=May 16, 2011 |title=Rinoa's Profile on the official Square Enix Website}}

{{Final Fantasy series|FF=FFVIII}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Heartilly, Rinoa}}

Category:Characters designed by Tetsuya Nomura

Category:Female characters in video games

Category:Fictional students

Category:Fictional characters who use magic

Category:Final Fantasy VIII characters

Category:Video game characters introduced in 1999

Category:Video game characters who use magic