I'm nearly finished the game and, the more I ponder about it, the more I find thematic similarities between it and Utena.  A coming-to-age story featuring emotional depth? Rebelling against established norms and constitutions? The philosophical debate between a more comforting illusion vs the painful reality?  Why, it's basically Utena! Well... no it's not, since what I pointed out are actually very vaguely defined and common plot elements in anime, manga, games etc. But whatever, comparing the two is not what this thread if for! It's time to discuss Final Fantasy x (and, begrudgingly, other installments).

So can I just start with how obviously childbirth-inspired Anima's design is? Let's take a look.
http://images.akamai.steamusercontent.c … 915C554B2/ (link because the image is too big to fit)

The jaws (?) on the side are, presumably, what's left of the vagina after birthing this abomination. And what a decidedly monstrous and awesome-looking baby it is! However the design also serves as a metaphor for the ongoing themes of Final Fantasy X and, spoilers, [a comment on Seymour character, as well as his relationship to his mother. As you know, Anima is the fayth of Seymour's mom and a failed Final Aeon. She goaded him into the pilgrimage to stop sin - pratically forced him into it against his will. Seymor was made prematurely (at ten years old) to face the emotional trauma and grief of having his mother stripped from him, which likely tied into his preoccupation with becoming Sin, death and the afterlife.

So when you summon Anima, the animation has Yuna tug her out with a chain and hook out of a sort of portal, symbolising the painful transition from a comfortable childhood into adulthood in order to meet the harsh societal expectations (especially that of a Summoner). Out of the womb and just jutting itself from the vagina, so to speak. But why is it Anima, Seymour's mom, who is being forced out? My theory is that when she was goading Seymour, she too was acting childish. She was expecting a ten year old to have the emotional maturity to face the Summoner's task and not absolutely fall on his feet. She even admits that it is her fault that Seymour became the way he is and y'know...I kinda agree with her. ]

Last edited by SaigonAlice (12-15-2016 07:09:47 PM)