The biblical tale of Cain killing his brother Abel is often used as an allegory for sibling rivalry or fratricide. In FF16, the tragic events at Phoenix Gate between Clive and Joshua are hinted at during the preceding boss fight - the dragoon adopts the iconic pose of FF4’s Kain.

What do you think of this new video format?

I'm attempting to get my TikTok account off and running at tiktok.com/@m_j_gallagher for some Final Fantasy myth content. All follows greatly appreciated.

The two-headed Typhon and octopus-like Ultros are recurring fiends in the Final Fantasy series, with the latter also called Orthros. In Greek myth, Typhon is a serpent-limbed monster and Orthros is a two-headed dog, suggesting their names were mixed up in FFVI’s development.

In FFXVI, Clive can buy drinks for himself - or even a round for the whole hall - at the hideaway's Tub & Crown from the barkeeper, Maeve. The girl's name is an anglicisation of Medb, a figure in the Ulster Cycle of Irish myth, which can be translated as ‘she who intoxicates’.

A famous Viking legend has Thor, God of Thunder, disguise himself as a bride to enter the hall of the giant Thrym and reclaim his stolen hammer. In FFVII, Cloud has to dress up in a frock to enter Don Corneo's mansion and rescue Tifa - who Corneo has chosen as a bride. #FinalFantasymythology

It’s always a great mail day when you get something from @mjgallagher.bsky.social! Proud to support his literary endeavors and can’t wait for this new book to drop down the road!

Chocobos and moogles are iconic creatures in the Final Fantasy series. FFXVI features both races, naming Clive’s mount Ambrosia and the pompom-headed huntmaster Nektar. In classical myth, ambrosia and nectar are the food and drink of the gods, associated with eternal life.

It is a genuine privilege to have my latest book, Mythos: Final Fantasy XVI, listed among the course reading material of a UCLA class. 'Gaming as the Avatar: Video Games and the Religions of India' from instructor Spencer Pennington will be running in the Fall Quarter of 2026.

With the Odyssey movie releasing this weekend, now’s as good a time as any to reaffirm that large portions of the epic will feature in my forthcoming book ‘Final Fantasy VII and the Trojan War’, with heavy focus on parallels in Crisis Core. Due out in 2027. #FinalFantasymythology

Kickstarter rewards for Myths & Traditions That Inspired Final Fantasy Tactics arrived :) The paper grain quality is so nice and the artworks are amazing 😍

M. J. Gallagher (Final Fantasy mythology)@mjgallagher.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Phase one of the Kickstarter rewards is underway for Myths & Traditions That Inspired Final Fantasy Tactics. Artwork by @chibipanda.bsky.social and @kingcael.bsky.social

Amongst the heat I forgot to post the amazing goodies I got from @mjgallagher.bsky.social the very talented M. J. Gallagher has another book coming out 👀 Thank you for my goodies and the very lovely note 🥺

@mjgallagher.bsky.social Mr. Gallagher writes excellent books about the intersection of Final Fantasy and mythology.

M. J. Gallagher (Final Fantasy mythology)@mjgallagher.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Mythos: Final Fantasy XVI (Volume One) is OUT NOW! Artwork by the extraordinary Tylor Hepner The book is available multiple formats worldwide. Here are a few common links: USA - amazon.com/dp/1919504001 UK - amazon.co.uk/dp/1919504001 Canada - amazon.ca/dp/1919504001

In Norse myth, the chief deity Odin often wanders among men in disguise. One such disguise is believed to be a boatman named Hárbard (Greybeard). This is reflected in FFXVI, where the silver-haired Harbard is an "extension" of Barnabas, the Dominant of Odin. Learn more in Mythos: Final Fantasy XVI

M. J. Gallagher (Final Fantasy mythology)@mjgallagher.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Mythos: Final Fantasy XVI (Volume One) is OUT NOW! Artwork by the extraordinary Tylor Hepner The book is available multiple formats worldwide. Here are a few common links: USA - amazon.com/dp/1919504001 UK - amazon.co.uk/dp/1919504001 Canada - amazon.ca/dp/1919504001

Not one word of this is a lie

It is here and it is glorious!

Ramza✨ #FinalFantasyTactics

Two very common themes in ancient mythology are that male gods conspire to overthrow their fathers, and supreme deities typically sire multiple illegitimate sons. A blend of this is seen in Final Fantasy VII's Rufus, Lazard, and Evan, with the former two actively working against President Shinra.

Chief Verdot, that silhouette at the bottom is your gun holster, right? Right…?

I’m not typically one for prayer, but I humbly ask the Square Enix gods to deliver us these characters in FFVII Revelation. Amen.

Okay, hear me out…

In Greek mythology, the Moirai are three goddesses responsible for determining the destiny of all. They are also known as the Fates. FFVII Remake’s Whispers serve the same function, enforcing the Planet’s desired destiny. In the German script, the Whispers are even called Moiren.

The Japanese name for Red XIII's father in FFVII is セト, which is most often translated as Set, not Seto. In ancient Egyptian art, the Set animal is an imaginary doglike beast that represents Set, the warrior god of deserts. Seto himself is a quadruped guardian of Cosmo Canyon.

Fun fact: Owning any of these books automatically makes you 10% cooler. Don’t miss out.

M. J. Gallagher (Final Fantasy mythology)@mjgallagher.bsky.social · 3mo ago

- A VERY WARM WELCOME TO ALL NEW FOLLOWERS - I write books about Final Fantasy games, generally exploring the mythological and religious influences that helped shape their narratives. To date, this includes: ✅ FFVII (inc. Remake) ✅ FFXVI ✅ FF Tactics More book details and links below ⬇️

You know how it’s insinuated in Final Fantasy Tactics that Cloud is transported to Ivalice during the period in FFVII that his mind is overwhelmed by mako poisoning…? Do you reckon he’ll instead regain consciousness in Zack’s reality during FFVII Revelation?

"No winning words about death to me, shining Odysseus! By god, I'd rather slave on earth for another man—some dirt-poor tenant farmer who scrapes to keep alive—than rule down here over all the breathless dead." - Achilles in the afterlife (The Odyssey, Book 11)

It is officially 22nd June in the UK and I can now legally celebrate the anniversary of Final Fantasy XVI, one of my favourite games in the whole world. A huge thank you to Maehiro-san, Yoshi P, Koji Fox, Ben Starr, and the whole team for making it a truly special experience.

In Final Fantasy XVI, the Mothercrystals are named after body parts of a legendary dragon called the First Wyrm. The primordial mother goddess in Babylonian myth is Tiamat, who takes a draconic form and whose corpse shapes the known world. Tiamat is a common dragon name in FF.

Phase one of the Kickstarter rewards is underway for Myths & Traditions That Inspired Final Fantasy Tactics. Artwork by @chibipanda.bsky.social and @kingcael.bsky.social

M. J. Gallagher (Final Fantasy mythology)@mjgallagher.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Myths & Traditions That Inspired Final Fantasy Tactics is currently in production and due for release in mid-2027. Artwork by the mesmerising Chibi Panda You can still support the project and pre-order a unique first edition copy here - www.kickstarter.com/projects/mjg...

In FF Tactics, the siblings Rapha and Marach can use their mantras to channel the power of Sky and Nether, respectively. This alludes to the Gemini Zodiac myth, in which Pollox shares his immortality with his twin, Castor, to spend alternate days in heaven and the underworld.