The latest issue of V-Jump reveals a new playable Final Fantasy XIII character who deviates from the JRPG norm. Sazh Kalzroy (that's his name) likes the color green, uses two pistol-like weapons, loves Chocobos ... and he's black. One of the last memorable black characters in a JRPG we can recall is Barret from Final Fantasy VII, way back in 1997. We considered Fran from FF XII ... but she was more of a bunny. There's also Vivi from FF IX, although we're not sure if a black mage counts.
It'll be interesting to see how Kalzroy is portrayed in the game. We're also wondering if we'll see a lot more diversity from NPC characters inhabiting the world of FF XIII, or if Kalzroy will be the only black man on the planet. You can check out the full V-Jump scan here.
[Thanks, Copland]
Reader Comments (125)
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 11:22AM LaughingTarget said
Since Japan isn't beneath using stereotypes, he'll be the only black man on the planet and be a compilation of every stereotype found in 1970s blaxposition theater movies.
Reply
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 12:13PM (Unverified) said
Slap me some five brotha.
Allllriiight.
*over-cool walk*
Reply
Allllriiight.
*over-cool walk*
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 12:48PM Zoot Suit Jedi Grammar Hammer En said
Isn't that blaxploitation?
Reply
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 1:23PM SheppyReturns said
Yes, because Western Developers are much better on this front. So sayeth the Cooooal train, baybee.
I take it you never played Daikatana and had to suffer through Superfly Johnson?
Reply
I take it you never played Daikatana and had to suffer through Superfly Johnson?
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 1:38PM (Unverified) said
@ laughing target
Hey you have a Gurren Lagann avatar! Awesome! I just finished watching a few days ago. Episodes 1-15 dragged on like a bitch. But it gets good after that. I just wish they developed the characters a little more.
Reply
Hey you have a Gurren Lagann avatar! Awesome! I just finished watching a few days ago. Episodes 1-15 dragged on like a bitch. But it gets good after that. I just wish they developed the characters a little more.
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 2:26PM LaughingTarget said
I found the character development to be just fine where it mattered. Kamina was an awesome character and had the perfect amount of punch at you know what episode. Also, the pacing was perfect. It was the anime equivalent of Spore, but not full of DRM and suck.
Reply
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 2:26PM LaughingTarget said
Sheppy - I never played Daikatana because John Romero is a tool.
Reply
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 4:40PM doom saber said
Just like how American is above it with classic char designs like Afro Thunder in Ready 2 Rumble *sacarsm*
Reply
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 11:22AM (Unverified) said
Well at least he doesn't look like Denis Rodman.
Reply
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 12:44PM doreo said
I figure every battle will go out like this...
*Attack*
Ugh Dynomite!!!!
*Guard*
Ugh Don't stop till you get enough!
*Victory Chant*
Just Beat It, Beat It, Beat It, Beat It
No One Wants To Be Defeated
Showin' How Funky Strong Is Your Fight
It Doesn't Matter Who's Wrong Or Who's Right
Know what I wonder, does he hold his pistols sideways when he shoots?
Reply
*Attack*
Ugh Dynomite!!!!
*Guard*
Ugh Don't stop till you get enough!
*Victory Chant*
Just Beat It, Beat It, Beat It, Beat It
No One Wants To Be Defeated
Showin' How Funky Strong Is Your Fight
It Doesn't Matter Who's Wrong Or Who's Right
Know what I wonder, does he hold his pistols sideways when he shoots?
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 12:22PM (Unverified) said
The sheriff in Megaton was black. That town was the bomb, yo!
Reply
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 2:01PM dbvii said
@JJ Rooster
A black sheriff?!
Why not? It worked in Blazing Saddles
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdEgHcDw2V0
Reply
A black sheriff?!
Why not? It worked in Blazing Saddles
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdEgHcDw2V0
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 11:47AM (Unverified) said
I want to correct you, but I'm hoping someone much wittier will come along and do a better job.
Reply
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 11:33AM Shagittarius said
Who's the black private dick
That's a sex machine to all the chicks?
Sazh!
Ya damn right!
Reply
That's a sex machine to all the chicks?
Sazh!
Ya damn right!
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 11:39AM (Unverified) said
I hope he has an 30's and 70's accent with some Hip Hop words to spice things over in there....yo.
Reply
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 11:33AM (Unverified) said
At least they didn't give him White hair or something =/.
Reply
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 11:36AM (Unverified) said
He looks freaking cool though, reminds me of with Ultimate Chimera, that's with the little Yellow Bird =D.
Reply
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 11:37AM LaughingTarget said
When I see that, I think of the Crunchy Chicks from Fable and how I would eat them to be...EVIL!
Reply
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 12:25PM (Unverified) said
The comments here seemed to be doing a pretty good job too.
Reply
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 12:25PM (Unverified) said
As long as the black guy isn't also a zombie, he might be OK with it.
Reply
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 11:45AM (Unverified) said
Hmmmm
*photoshops out afro, replaces with short shaved hair*
*photoshops out beard*
*places him in a black suit*
Holy crap, it's Obama!
:P
Reply
*photoshops out afro, replaces with short shaved hair*
*photoshops out beard*
*places him in a black suit*
Holy crap, it's Obama!
:P
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 11:47AM (Unverified) said
Are you saying that all Black People look alike?
Although Well they are all black...You are safe for now.
Reply
Although Well they are all black...You are safe for now.
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