I think you hit on some interesting parts here. I think Squall and Seifer could have been friends in a different life. They very much balance each other out, and it is funny how friends and enemies are similar to the thin line between love and hate. Squall shows this when Seifer is believed to have been killed. He recognizes that as much as Seifer sees him as a rival, he kind of liked the guy, and even enjoyed the rivalry they shared to a certain extent. Seifer seems to feel the same. He discussed the mission with Squall and clapped for Squall's graduation. This shows that he respects the talent and understand Squall at a basic level, even if he was mocking Squall to a certain extend by clapping. Quistis has a similar feeling when the relationships between Squall and Seifer are compared. She decided to take Ellones place, and tried to be the kids big sis. She reprimanded Seifer constantly, while showering affection on Squall. Obviously this would rub Seifer the wrong way. But with Seifer being the delinquent and Quistis taking the older sister role, I also see an alternative reality where Seifer and Quistis could have been romantically involved the way Seifer and Squall could have been great friends. Going further into Seifers relationship or lack of relationship with the cast is also interesting. Squall grounds himself in reality while appearing apathetic, while Seifer embraces fantasy while visible showing what he is feeling. Seifer sees the treatment Squall gets and hates it, but fails to recognize that he received a lot of the same treatment. It is apparent that Squall's treatment rubs Seifer the wrong way, and he feels most of the treatment Squall gets is unearned, and he hates that Squall seems to not care he is receiving it. It is also likely that Seifer dislikes that Rinoa, Ellone, Cid, and Matron treat Squall in high regard. Unfortunately Seifer didn't know the truth. Ellone is basically Squall's sister, Rinoa actually had affection for him, and Matron/Cid treated Squall differently to the other children since he told them of the future. A lot of this blooms into an almost one sided rivalry. Seifer wanted to be recognized, and he holds a minor inferiority complex. Seifer's feelings for Squall don't turn to complete hatred until Squall is chosen for Rinoas mission, and Squall goes against the Matron that Seifer wanted to recognized by. He decides he has become irredeemable when Rinoa sides with Squall, and Squall sides against Matron. Once it comes to fruition that Matron was being controlled, and Squall was on the right side, Seifer's mental deteriorated as he recognizes he has lost both Rinoa and the Mother/Family he held dear. Seifer could have been redeemed many times during the conflicts of the game had people chose to reach out to him the way they reached out to, and tried to understand Squall. In conclusion, I believe Seifer going down the wrong road is largely caused by the ones he wanted to acknowledge him, instead reprimanded him. While Squall received acknowledgment while appearing to not care. Seifer likely wore his feelings on his sleeve in hopes of being recognized, as the ones he cared for always desired to understand Squall and see him show more emotion. I imagine as an orphan it would be devastating to put yourself out there and be ignored and or reprimanded, while the same people want your rival to act more like you... It is all very tragic, but poetic considering the themes shown in the game.

Mine too. Main or secondary characters. I absolutely love Quistis

It's so sad, she sacrificed her own feelings for the well-being of her friends... 😔

Does she actually say Big sister? Who am I fooling?

@@iwillfollow24 quite certain she said something along that line

That’s supposed to happen don’t worry about it

I think the problem was that in FF8, it didn't really tackle character arcs that well. Squall and Rinoa really take center fold and Edea being the matron to the main cast's parental figure for a short time is the bond between them all. Quistis starts off as your teacher and instructor, but following the botched mission she loses her position and respect in Balamb Garden, she has to mask her affections with Squall and loses it when Rinoa takes the stage... She never really has a resolution to her troubles beyond sharing in desire of protecting Balamb Garden.

Maybe that's the point. Taking on a sort of 'background leader' in that she was an instructor, and despite what happens through the game, people will still naturally look to her for advice. With that in mind, maybe the group as a whole is her 'romantic partner'. I'm sure there's a joke in there somewhere about gangbangs. I'm just saying, characters evolve. Squall, evolves to learn to be happy. Maybe Quistis evolves into not NEEDING a partner.

@@johndoe9627 I think you are right, BUT I still feel it is unfair and sad for the character. I like her and wanted to see a happy ending for her.

@@sergiophenix Yup. I get what you mean. I just meant, maybe she is now happy, having realised she doesn't NEED anyone. Though, at the ages of these characters, i think it would be nice if she got together with someone.

Thanks, I appreciate it man :)

You're not alone!

Quistis clearly shows signs that she has romantic feelings for Squall, rather than just sisterly affection. And Rinoa, (despite me really liking her character) just felt like she was shoved in as the "love sick doo doo head" for Squall. If Square had decided to make the remastered version with the fan theory that Rinoa is Ultemicia then it would have been a much more grounded reason to ship her with Squall, but as the game's story remains in tact, it makes no sense since Quistis had also shown her being worried for Squall's well being and emotions, much like Rinoa in the final game

@@mariobros388This is why 8 needs a remake

Yeah you're right, she does lack a more definite conclusion than the others. I think I always pictured her returning to instructing because we see her talking to Headmaster Cid in the home-movie ending, and Balamb Garden is where she naturally 'fits' to my mind. But yeah, she's the only one that doesn't end up with a significant other too!

The "Girl with the Pigtail" was interested in Zell. It actually does leave Quistis as the odd one out in that regard. hahah.

Somehow I see her channeling her affection to a repentant Seifer instead after the events of FF8.

In fan fiction Quistis is often shipped with Seifer.

I always thought quistis and Xu had a romantic thing going on

Thanks man, glad you enjoy it!

Yeah, my opinion of Tidus has also improved over time, funny how that happens! Your 'Big 4' all sit within my Top 10 too... but I do change my mind every so often depending on what I'm playing :)

Nice! Interesting how both Quistis and Selphie exhibit magical proficiency in their limit breaks, I'd never considered that before... but I guess Edea absorbing Ultimecia's powers in the end-game/past makes a lot more sense if she knows the orphan girls are susceptible to them.

@@AlleywayJack Selphie however is assumed to have junctioned with a Guardian Force she cannot remember or recall; likely alluding to how she has random magical spells and skills that seem alien. She could very well be junctioned to one this entire time in the party which explains her ability to cast magic even without any other junctions through her slots ability. Quistis though? It's never explained how she is able to channel blue magic through the use of items. Every other character utilizes some aspect of physical grit or item. Zell and martial arts, Irvine and special ammo, Squall and his gunblade arts, and Rinoa using special training with Angelo for her skills. (Angel wing when she assumes her role as a sorceress)

Thanks :)

I keep Quistis in my party as much as possible she’s my favourite party member

Quistis is only a yr older than Squall and the rest of the Orphanage Gang

Nah you get a hall pass for Kuja I deadass thought he was a girl

I didn’t see them together before, but ever since I read perfect fanfic for seifer and quistis pairing, I can only see them as a perfect couple. Seifer being self-centered and wanting to rule everyone is a result of his immaturity. If he had a feeling for someone to motivate him to be a better man, he can totally be a different person. Rinoa and Seifer were similar in a lot of ways, but someone like rinoa would only encourage Seifer to be immature and act selfish. Quistis, however, probably learns how to push his buttons and raise him to be a decent grownup man.

I think they are really perfect for each other, Quistis thinks she loves Squall but nah, and Seifer... wait did Seifer and Rinoa a thing? I forgot I have to play it agaiun haha

I can definitely see those two working out for some reason. I think they counter-balance quite well; and opposites attract.

Alleyway Jack I don’t know why they did not show how beautiful Quistis is, for example, or why Seifer from a powerful character turns in kinda of pathetic. They would complete each other but steal the attention from Rinoa/Squall.

@@claudiapagliara2591 Yeah the game does focus prominently on the romance of Squall/Rinoa rather than being an 'ensemble' of stories like earlier games. It's still my favourite game, but there's definitely a part of me that would love to see the others explored or developed a little more.

Alleyway Jack I like Rinoa... but her romance with Squall sometimes is too much. She’s too PERFECT: no real conflicts... looks like she wants him at any cost... Sometimes Squall does not look like spontaneously interested in her, despite of the fact she’s hot, charming and friendly. Quistis has been described in the game as extremely beautiful but then this side has been ignored. She’s got a fanclub... she has a top model look but then they give her a horrible uniform and those freaky glasses...

Thanks for the feedback, appreciate it and it's something I'm aware I need to work on somehow 👍

@@AlleywayJack As a counterpoint, I actually deeply enjoy the style of your videos. It might come across as rather muted, I appreciate how much you simply let the content and analysis speak for itself. Your takes don't need dressing up with flash or flair, your videos simply are what they are. Love your FFVIII content, wish I saw this game discussed in this manner more often

@@AlleywayJack also, your videos are a great example of unintentional ASMR. I could fall asleep listening to your videos, and I mean that in the best way possible.

@@AlleywayJack Don't worry, you're fine. Some people go way over the top acting hyper and making forced jokes, and it's just annoying. Some of us have an attention span and like things this way.