Summary
TheFinal Fantasymangaseries brings the game’s rich fantasy world to graphic novels, satisfying fans' craving to learn more about their favorite characters. Each manga entry is connected to the original games, either expanding the lore or offering crucial context from new perspectives. With intricate stories,captivating art, and epic adventures, these manga are a perfect fit for both veteran fans and those new to the franchise!
Ranking these manga within such a widespread fanbase is a complex task, as every fan will have their own interpretations and opinions about each entry. However, its association with the games and the complexity of its plot is the first and foremost factor in determining whether a manga is worth reading or not.
6Saki & Final Fantasy 14
A Saki And FF14 Crossover
Saki and Final Fantasy 14is the eighth spinoff in theSakiseries and anunexpectedly unique crossoverbetween theSakiuniverse and the world ofFinal Fantasy. This manga is a collaboration between Ritz’sSakifranchise and Square Enix, making it an excellent pick for fans of either of the two.
Saki and Final Fantasy 14follows Saki, a student at Kiyosumi High School, who decides to join the Mahjong Club. Alongside her first-year friends, Nodoka and Yuki, Saki learns to play Doman Mahjong — but with a twist! Instead of playing Mahjong traditionally, Saki and her friends learn to do it throughFF14. Saki’s story of competitive Mahjong, its interplay with school life, and its unforeseen connections withFinal Fantasyare what makeSaki and Final Fantasy 14a strong contender on this list.
5Final Fantasy 3 — Legend Of The Eternal Wind
An Older Entry With A Considerably Intense Story And Themes
Most popularFinal Fantasymanga are known for being old.Legend of the Eternal Wind, for example, is aFinal Fantasy 3adaptation, and is one of the older manga in the series, dating back to 1991. It follows the events of the game through the lens of different characters.
In each of the three volumes of the manga,different boss battles from the gameare depicted as dramatized versions of various wars. In the first volume, the Four Warriors of the Light partner up with other characters to take on battles against Land Turtle and the Djinn. The manga eventually gains momentum and features an independent adaptation of events of the game. Unfortunately, due to its age,Legend of the Eternal Winddoes not have English translations and is very hard to come across online.
4Final Fantasy 14: I Will Teach You Professor Lalafell
A Cute Comedy Spinoff That Takes The Intensity Away From The Franchise
For a game that has a manga adaptation as extreme and intense asLegend of the Eternal Wind, readers would thinkFinal Fantasyis all about action and dramatics. However,I Will Teach You Professor Lalafellis anFFmanga adaptation that proves otherwise. It’sa cute, brief, 6-chapter mangathat showcases the most adorable art and premise, and is perfect for a quick casual read — unlike some of the other manga on this list.
I Will Teach You Professor Lalafellfollows the adventures of a noviceFFplayer known as Hyur, who has trouble following the rules of the game. He unexpectedly meets a charming but oddly inexperienced character named Lalafell, who assumes the role of Hyur’s mentor without invitation. The entire premise of this short manga revolves around Lalafell-sensei teaching (or attempting to teach) Hyur the basics ofFinal Fantasy 14.
3Final Fantasy Type-0
A Type-0 Manga With Heavy Themes Of War
Final Fantasy Type-0is a story revolving around war, crystals, and power. It is set in the land of Oriens, a place where each nation is granted supernatural abilities through magical crystals. The entire premise of the manga centers on one nation’s insatiable desire to overpower and conquer other nations to seize their crystals, and in turn, gain more power.
The most tyrannical of the nations, Milites, in its almost malevolent quest for power, is the first nation to break the peace treaty. Their invasion of the other nations causes a rift in the alliance, which eventually ends up in complete anarchy. Left to defend itself against Milites' military assault, the nation of Rubrum, with its crystal of magic Suzaku, relies solely on a group of students to fight for it.
2Final Fantasy 12
An FF12 Manga Revolving Around The History Of Ashelia B’nargin Dalmasca
Set in a world known as Ivalice, and following a princess from the country of Dalmasca, Ashe,Final Fantasy 12portrays resilience in the face of hopelessness and adversity. It stands as yet another one of the older entries on this list, originally published in 2006 and ending in 2009.
The entire story revolves around Princess Ashe’s attempts to undo her misfortune and restore herwar-stricken country. Her status as Dalmasca’s princess, and her completely superficial power in the country’s ruling body, drive her to make certain decisions that are, well, not exactly very rational. With the help of a group of unlikely allies, Ashe forms a resistance group to confront the oppression inflicted on her people by the elite of the country.
1Final Fantasy: Lost Stranger
The Current Most Popular And Well-Known FF Manga
With most of theFinal Fantasymanga on this list being either old or relatively unknown, finding a series that exceeds expectations can feel like a daunting task. However, topping all these manga interms of story, production quality, and popularityis the 2017 hit series,Final Fantasy: Lost Stranger. This manga centers on Sasaki Shogo, a Square Enix employee who dreams of creating aFinal Fantasygame but feels dejected by the reality of working at a major gaming company. His dejection drives him to the verge of giving up his dream, but he is unexpectedly transported into theFinal Fantasyworld itself.
The manga blends classic elements of the franchise with unique twists, making it perfect for fans who crave thrills, adventure, and all thingsFinal Fantasy!
