Minwu’s Secret Origin Revealed After 37 Years
Final Fantasy II Designer Reveals Minwu’s True Origin
More than 37 years have passed since Final Fantasy II first launched in 1988. Now, Akitoshi Kawazu, one of the game’s original designers, has unofficially revealed Minwu‘s true inspiration. This revelation was shared through a post on X and has become a widespread topic among Japanese fans. Kawazu disclosed that the inspiration for Minwu was not Middle Eastern culture. This was the long-standing fan belief. Instead, the character’s roots lie in a real historical figure from ancient China.
Wu Qi: The Chinese General Behind Minwu
In his recent X post, Kawazu explained the secret. He stated that the name Minwu, if written in Kanji, translates to 呉明 (Wu Min). This name is modeled after Wu Qi (吳起). Wu Qi was a prominent general and philosopher during China’s Warring States period. He is celebrated as a military strategist. His strategic genius is often compared to that of Sun Tzu.
This explanation greatly surprised many Final Fantasy fans. For years, the community believed Minwu was inspired by Middle Eastern culture. This belief stemmed from his distinct design. This design included his notable turban and darker complexion. Kawazu‘s revelation completely overturned this popular assumption. He confirmed the character was influenced by genuine Chinese culture.
Shared Loyalty and Connected Destinies
Despite the visual differences, Kawazu pointed out a shared trait. Both Minwu and General Wu Qi share a similar sense of intense loyalty. Minwu is fiercely loyal to Princess Hilda and the King of Fynn. Similarly, Wu Qi was a loyal minister to King Dao of the State of Chu. Furthermore, both characters’ fates reflect one another. Fans can witness this mirrored destiny within the narrative of Final Fantasy II.
This connection is even more intriguing because of the character’s name in game. Minwu’s name is typically written in Katakana as ミンウ. This transcription does not convey its Kanji origins. Therefore, fans were previously unaware that the name “Min Wu” (or “Wu Min” in Japanese order) contained a deep cultural meaning.
The Character’s Return in Dissidia Duellum
This surprising disclosure comes as Square Enix brings Minwu back into the spotlight. The character is set to appear in the new mobile game, Dissidia Duellum Final Fantasy. This revival has prompted older and newer fans to discuss the classic, enigmatic character once more. Minwu has been absent from the main series for decades.
This simple message from Akitoshi Kawazu on X offers a new perspective. It shows that Square Enix’s pioneering works still hold hidden details and inspirations. This reveal not only helps fans better understand the character. It also reflects the depth of design by the franchise’s original creative team.
Dissidia Duellum Final Fantasy is a 3v3 team-based battle that focuses on fighting massive bosses on an intense battlefield, with the story of the game taking place in “modern-day Tokyo”, where a giant crystal appears in the middle of the city, becoming a part of people’s daily lives. But they hide their identities. This led people to dub them Ghosts.
