Ardyn Izunia

Ardyn Izunia (Japanese: アーデン・イズニア, Hepburn: Āden Izunia) is a character from the Final Fantasy franchise. The chancellor of the empire of Niflheim, he first appears in the 2016 animated film Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV. Ardyn plays a significant role as the main antagonist of the video game Final Fantasy XV, where he is portrayed as a character driven by his hatred of the royal line of Lucis, a kingdom which is invaded and occupied by Niflheim. He plots vengeance against its protagonist, Noctis Lucis Caelum due to his status as the heir to the Lucian throne. The 2019 downloadable content (DLC) expansion Episode Ardyn and its tie-in animated special Final Fantasy XV: Episode Ardyn – Prologue explores the villain's original identity as Ardyn Lucis Caelum (アーデン・ルシス・チェラム, Āden Rushisu Cheramu), an ancestor of Noctis and a kindly healer who contracted a supernatural disease from his patients that renders him immortal, though irreversibly corrupted by its dark power.

"Ardyn" redirects here. For the historian, see Sylvia Ardyn Boone.
Ardyn Izunia
Final Fantasy character
3D Render of Ardyn Izunia
First appearanceKingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV (2016)
First gameFinal Fantasy XV (2016)
Designed byRoberto Ferrari
Voiced byEnglish
Darin De Paul
Japanese
Keiji Fujiwara

Originally designed by Italian artist Roberto Ferrari for Final Fantasy Versus XIII, the precursor to Final Fantasy XV, his design stood out from the other cast members, with one notable feature being the fedora he wore. He is presented as an unusual villain as he actively helps Noctis through his quest early in the game's story, even though it ultimately serves his desire for revenge. During the second half of the game Ardyn is written to be more antagonistic and actively takes pleasure in tormenting Noctis and his associates. with everything in his life serving his quest for revenge and his wish to torment Noctis. The origins of his sadistic personality is further explored in the Episode Ardyn DLC chapter. He is voiced in Japanese by Keiji Fujiwara and in English by Darin De Paul.

Critical reception to Ardyn's character was generally positive. While many critics appreciated his antagonism of Noctis in the main storyline of Final Fantasy XV, some felt that he is not presented as an effective villain. The exploration of his origin story in Episode Ardyn and its tie-in special is also generally well received.

Development
Copy of the original concept art by Roberto Ferrari. The character was initially named Arden.

Ardyn was originally created in 2010 after the developers of Final Fantasy Versus XIII, a Final Fantasy spin-off title which was canceled and repurposed into Final Fantasy XV, made the decision to cut Safay Roth, a villainous Niflheim officer present in the original story.[1] Ardyn was first unveiled in the E3 2013 trailer for Final Fantasy XV where he is on the steps of the rainy Citadel with Iedolas Aldercapt, holding an umbrella, although this scene is not included in the final game. In a Famitsu interview, the origin of "Izunia" was explained thusly: "Ardyn doesn't remember much about whose surname it is. By absorbing the memories of various people, while accumulating vast knowledge he gets confused and forgets details that relate to himself".[2] Ardyn was originally designed by Roberto Ferrari in December 2010, and the character's visual look remained nearly unchanged throughout development. He is described by the staff as "an interesting and strange character", with a unique personality and using his attire to express it, comparing it to the outfit of Kefka Palazzo, the main antagonist of Final Fantasy VI.[3][4]

According to Lead Scenario Developer Saori Itamuro, Ardyn sought to rise to power in Niflheim to bring him closer to the line of Lucis, and Noctis Lucis Caelum in particular, in spite of the fact that he has no interest in imperial politics. Ardyn is bent on destroying Noctis as king, and does not want him dead until then. As a result, he leads Noctis while tormenting him, entangling Noctis in a web of contradictions.[5] Ardyn often helps the party and his "assistance" is meant to convey the impression that he is not a typical Final Fantasy villain: Ardyn is uninterested in material conquest, but harbors a deep-seated hatred for the royal line of Lucis, and assists Noctis to inflict more torment to him.[6] Ardyn also appears as the main villain in Episode Ignis, but the developers refrained from giving him too much lore there so they can fully explain it in Episode Ardyn.[7]

Following the release of the game, Square Enix created a questionnare in regards of the series cast. Ardyn received favorable response by the audience which resulted in him obtaining his own DLC chapter when the team decided to stop making other chapters centered on the leads.[8] Director Hajime Tabata stated that Episode Ardyn will properly explore the character's past and wanted players to look forward to it.[9] As a result, Ardyn behaves differently. The handling of the character was a coordination between the Final Fantasy XV developers and studio Satellite. Ardyn's relationships with Somnus and Aera were meant to be the focal point of the narrative but the limits of the production did not let them provide what they originally intended. Calling him the "nemesis" of the original narrative, Square wanted to give an opposite take of the villain and thus he is featured as a saviour and his eventual transformation. They wanted to show develop a rivalry with Somnus who was created to look like Noctis. Both characters have their different methods to help others which contrast each other. On the other hand, their childhood was created to be more innocent. Meanwhile, Ardyn's love interest, Aera, is intended to give the impression that Ardyn is reminded of her when he confronts and murders the heroine Lunafreya Nox Fleuret out of spite.[6] In the final match between Ardyn and Noctis, attention was given to the detail that Ardyn antagonized the latter's father, Regis, and thus the animation could be changed if Regis' sword was wielded. The final battle was inspired by Kingsglaive.[7]

Casting

Ardyn's reddish hair color is a reference to the fact that his Japanese voice actor, Keiji Fujiwara, had previously voiced red-haired characters Reno from Final Fantasy VII and Axel from the Kingdom Hearts series.[10] Fujiwara often told the staff he liked Ardyn's character, and the staff noted his enthusiasim with playing the character. Cast director Koyamauchi enjoyed listening to Fujiwara's performance, claiming he made an outstanding antagonist. Fujiwara was often surprised that that he managed to give his character a sense of tension, most notably when he laughs loudly as it exceeded the staff's impressions as well as the fanbase. On the other hand, when the DLC was made Fujiwara was requested to do the opposite of his previous work as in such chapter Ardyn was written to be a hero.[7]

Ardyn is voiced in English by Darin De Paul.[11] As Paul was used to playing deeper-voiced characters, he almost did not audition for the role, but changed his mind as he "got [the] character". He did a single take for the voice, which landed him the role.[12] Paul said Ardyn was a departure from his previous roles. At first he was really nervous about it. During the audition, he thought the role would be more suitable for fellow cast member Matt Mercer based on his experience. However, he was convinced by his wife to take the audition. The writer said that he knew the character better than they did, which floored surprised the actor. Nevertheless, Paul enjoyed working in the game because he found Ardyn to be a fun character to play.[13] He was particularly impressed with the game's writing and how it manages to humanize Ardyn in spite of his "sincere insincerity" and "oily" nature.[14]

For the DLC chapter, De Paul was excited to see another side of Ardyn's persona.[12] He was surprised when seeing him in the prologue and wanted the audience to have the same reaction as it adds new content not seen in the game. He referred to Ardyn as "very wonderful complex character" while also highlighting the confidence he displays alongside his "devilish" side.The idea of playing Ardyn in the DLC gave him joy due to him being instead featured as a hero, contrasting his original persona. Nevertheless, he felt that Ardyn was still enjoyable as a villain with his quirks that contrast his childish and serious tones helping him to be more appealing.[15]

Appearances

Final Fantasy XV

Ardyn is initially introduced as the Imperial Chancellor of Niflheim and regarded as both its main political force running the empire and benefactor of its advances in Magitek technology.[16] His true name is eventually revealed as Ardyn Lucis Caelum, a healer who "cured" his patients of the Starscourge by taking it into his own body. His growing symptoms caused him to be ostracised by his brother Somnus and rejected by the Crystal, an event compounded by the death of his lover Aera Mirus Fleuret during his fight with Somnus.[17][18][19][20] In the present day, he orchestrated the events that lead to Niflheim's invasion of Insomnia, and guides Noctis in forming Covenants with the Astrals so he can kill him once he becomes the True King.[21][22][23] Ardyn reveals his villainous nature by fatally wounding Lunafreya after she summons Leviathan, then harassing Noctis first by tricking him into attacking Prompto, and revealing the truth of their kinship when Noctis reaches the Crystal.[17][24] After ten years, Ardyn faces Noctis in single-combat in the ruins of Insomnia. Noctis destroys first Ardyn's body and then his spirit, completing his role and purging Eos of the Starscourge.[25][26]

Ardyn had an extra scene added to the main game during the 1.23 patch at the beginning of Chapter 5, where he and Noctis's party briefly interact inside the assault craft shortly after they reluctantly accept his assistance in delivering them out of the Disc of Cauthess. Similarly, the Royal and Windows Editions expand his role in Chapter 14, where he greets Noctis and his party as they arrive at Insomnia's ruins, and generates a grotesque mockery of the Wall that Regis Lucis Caelum CXIII had maintained before his death. Prior to his final confrontation with Noctis, the latter's party is attacked by the Lucii, embodiments of past Lucian monarchs who originally serve as the guardians of Insomnia but were corrupted by Ardyn.

Episode Ardyn reveals that Ardyn was liberated by Niflheim forces about thirty years before the events of Final Fantasy XV, after being imprisoned for two millennia. Ardyn agrees to join Niflheim and aids its Research Chief Verstael Besithia's efforts into weaponizing the dark magical energy generated by the Starscourge. He embraces his dark powers after he unintentionally corrupts the revived Astral Ifrit, gradually loses his sanity, and takes on the "Izunia" name at some point in time.[27] Ardyn launches an assault on Insomnia on the day of Regis' coronation, nearly killing the newly crowned king to force Somnus to manifest in his spirit form. Ardyn overpowers Somnus before Bahamut, leader of the Astrals, intervenes and reveals Ardyn's destined role as the embodiment of the Starscourge and his prophesied death at the True King's hand.[27] Depending on the player's choice, Ardyn either submits to his fate in exchange for his revenge against Noctis's family,[28] or rebels and is tortured into submission by Bahamut through an apparition which takes the form of Aera.[27][28] Upon his return to reality, Ardyn vows to kill the True King in defiance of the Astrals.[27]

Episode Ignis reveals an alternate ending for the game's story where the title character successfully defeats Ardyn uses Noctis' Ring of The Lucii without being blinded. Ignis later discovers a cure for the Starscourge through his research, which means that Noctis no longer needs to sacrifice himself to purge the disease from Eos.[18]

Other appearances

Ardyn makes a brief appearance in Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV. He arrives in the Citadel and presents himself before Regis Lucis Caelum CXIII to discuss the terms of a truce, where he proposes the union by marriage between Noctis and Lunafreya as one of its key terms. He arrives with Iedolas on an airship and watches on as several dignitaries during an event to celebrate the truce, which is revealed to be a ruse for Niflheim forces to invade Insomnia and defeat its defenders.

Ardyn makes a cameo appearance in Assassin's Creed: Origins as part of a franchise crossover between Square Enix and Ubisoft in 2017.[29]

Ardyn was added as a playable character for the crossover mobile title Dissidia Final Fantasy: Opera Omnia in 2019, and the fighting game Dissidia Final Fantasy NT in 2018.[30][31]

In the 2019 novel Final Fantasy XV: The Dawn of the Future, a defiant Ardyn rebels against Bahamut, prompting the leader of the Astrals to plan the destruction of Eos. Eventually Noctis and a resurrected Lunafreya convince him to perform the ritual of Providence in Noctis's place, allowing him to kill Bahamut, erase the Starscourge, and make peace with Somnus and Aera.[32]

Reception

Ardyn has received a generally positive reception from critics and players. Ardyn ranked No. 63 in the Top 75 of NHK's "All-Final Fantasy Grand Poll of Japanese players" in 2020, which tallied over 468,000 votes.[33] Philip Kollar from Wired described Ardyn as a "particularly dandy-looking envoy from Niflheim who bears more than a passing resemblance to Tom Baker's Doctor Who".[34] RPGamer commmented while the game lacks an outstanding supporting character, Ardyn is an exception due to his mysterious characterization and manages to develop into a creepy villain the more time he featured in the story.[35] Joe Anderstron from Digital Spy had mixed feelings with regards to his role in Final Fantasy XV based on what Kingslave foreshadows but found him interesting.[36] Salvatore Pane, writing for Paste Magazine said Ardyn killing Lunafreya had a major impact in the narrative due the amount of grief the characters, specifically Noctics, suffer as a result for the first time in the entire game.[37] On the other hand, while GamesPresso called the death scene a tragic moment, it was just concept ultimately executed poorly as a result of the murder victim having little engagement or impact with players.[38] Ash Parrish in an article published by Kotaku disliked Ardyn as a villain, instead finding Lunafreya's brother Ravus Nox Fleuret to be a more fitting enemy to Noctis due to the former's tragic story and relationship with Lunafreya which is caused by Regis rather previous kings from several generations before Noctis existed.[39] Kotaku and Polygon highly praised the ending, with Peter Tieryas from Kotaku enjoying the darker atmosphere the older protagonist brings when fighting Ardyn.[40][41] VG247 compared it to the final showdown between Cloud Strife and Sephiroth from Final Fantasy VII due to the focus on their rivalry and how in one quick time event the player has to sacrifice Noctis to destroy Ardyn's soul with more tragic and emotive focus in the process.[42]

Ardyn's role in The Dawn of the Future resulted in divided opinions about whether or not it is superior to the original game. Anime UK praised the character writing, particularly Ardyn and Aranea, but faulted its alternate take on events which continued to leave gaps in the original game's narrative. Ardyn's was "easily the low point of the novel, because Jun Eishima's already sparse prose is relegated either to describing very long action sequences that work infinitely better as cutscenes and gameplay, or to hashing out Ardyn's tragic backstory, which doesn't amount to much by the end of the book."[43][44] RPGFan's Peter Triezenberg found Ardyn and Lunafreya's chapters lacking.[45]

In regards to the DLCs featuring Ardyn, Triezenberg felt the alternate storyline featured in the DLC provided some good character development for Ignis, Noctis and Ardyn. Mike Fahey from Kotaku praised Ardyn's portrayal as the setting's overarching antagonist, citing Episode Ardyn and its anime tie-in as highlights for his character development and making his vendetta against Noctis's family "fully justified". RPG Site's George Foster was very positive, saying the DLC "manages to turn a previously interesting, but oftentimes one-note villain, into a sympathetic figure". Hirun Cryer from USGamer was less positive, faulting Ardyn's overarching characterisation and saying Episode Ardyn's narrative undermined the work done during the anime tie-in.[46][47][48] USGamer enjoyed Ardybn's handling in the DLC as it provides a proper focus to the character, while finding its gameplay more enjoyable than the previous DLC'S, Prompto.[48] Destructoid stated that while Ardyn was kept as a mysterious and interesting villain in Final Fantasy XV, the DLC manages to properly explore his past especially how he destroys the Kingdom of Insomnia and found that his immortality is well translated to gameplay.[49] Eurogamer Italy said Episode Ardyn prioritises fan service at the expense of narrative coherence.[50] Fanbyte called the DLC "How to Build a Bad Guy" based on the development and depth Ardyn receives through this chapter. He was compared to the figure of an Antichrist due to how he was cursed despite being an immortal to the point of calling him "twisted" and noted it made the final fight between him and Noctis easier to understand.[51]

HobbyConsolas also enjoyed the crossover from Assassin's Creed involving the usage of Ardyn.[52] Darin De Paul's performance as Ardyn was also praised by RPGFan for properly portraying his suffering in the DLC which was also noted by the site to have emotive scenes for the title character.[53] Digital Spy in general liked Paul's works comparing Ardyn to Samuel Hayden from Doom.[54]

References
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