Today's topic is...
Not Kefka [Final Fantasy VI]
...
Because it's actually Setzer Gabbiani [Final Fantasy VI]
(Sorry. That's something Setzer would do, right?)
Our dear Mr. Gabbiani is the owner of the world's only airship, The Blackjack, thus he has more than a little command over the his mobility options. But because of this freedom, he's become a bit too freewheeling.
Before the events of the game, Setzer had a very spoilery relationship with a spoiler, the events surrounding which are very spoilery, so you can find out on your own time (but it's sad. Spoilers). Because of this, on the rebound he set his sights on an Opera Star named Maria. However, the Returners, seeing the value of the world's only airship in their quest, decide to trick Setzer by replacing the actress. Ultimately, Setzer is tricked Harvey Dent style with a two headed coin and joins the team.
The thing about Setzer is that he never quite takes himself or anyone else seriously unless things get crazy intense. When the world becomes the World of Ruin, for instance, he becomes more rundown and less motivated.
What a drag, right? Let's think about the happy times! I really like the idea earlier of FF6 being a show full of recurring themes interwoven together, like Les Miserables in style (honestly, that kind of epic interweaving composition could work for any of the Final Fantasy musicals...) but because FF6 is a little more eclectic and fantastical than the dark postmodernistic worlds of FF7 and 8, we can have a more diverse range of styles, such as jazz, which I think works perfectly for Setzer. Honestly, when I think Setzer, the first song that comes to mind is this...
Pretty Setzer-y, huh? Just that kind of easy jazz captures the early kind of glossy, glitzy, and overall freebootin' attitude he sees life with. Sailing the skies on his own.
More importantly, however, his insistence for singing easy jazz and smooth listening songs make it seem like he's covering something up. As though his tendency to glide through life is a facade put up to hide some tragic past (sure enough, what do you think is the case?). So, I really like the idea that Setzer's music has a really easy feel early on because with a little added insight, it exhibits both parts of his personality.
After the Cataclysm, of course, things get a little darker overall... but that's something for another day.
