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Final Fantasy fans debate Rebirth's moogle redesign

Kupo!

Close up of moogle from Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth with white headband and love hearts
Image credit: Square Enix / Eurogamer

Final Fantasy fans are arguing over the redesigned moogles in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.

Moogles are, of course, the adorable little white flying creatures that are regulars in the series, with each game having a slightly tweaked design.

In Rebirth, though, they're quite different: elongated bodies, round eyes, and... teeth.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Review - FF7 Rebirth Spoiler free review new gameplayWatch on YouTube

Fans have been horrified and the memes are everywhere.

This meme, for instance, has dubbed the new lead moogle as Miguel with a nefarious past.

Japanese players described the new moogle design as a catfish.

Others have suggested the Rebirth moogle looks like Matthew McConaughey, of all people. It must be the teeth.

The discourse has reached such a peak that even Square Enix itself has stepped in. "We love all of our moogles and will not stand for this, kupo!" reads a post from the publisher on social media platform X.

So where did this redesign come from? It actually featured back in Final Fantasy 7 Remake as part of the Chocobo Moogle summon.

A moogle riding on the back of a chocobo in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth summon animation
Yes, this screenshot is from Rebirth but the animation is the same ok?! | Image credit: Square Enix / Eurogamer

Plus there's Yuffie's poncho and this little kid from the slums.

Close up of Yuffie from Final Fantasy 7 Remake in a moogle poncho
Image credit: Square Enix
Kid dressed up in a moogle outfit in Final Fantasy 7 Remake slums
Image credit: Square Enix / Eurogamer

The redesign was also in prequel remaster Crisis Core Final Fantasy 7 Reunion, likely to match the style of Remake.

What have they done to him
byu/halefish inFinalFantasy

Personally I quite like the new moogle design. It may not have the big nose and narrowed eyes of the classic design, but this moogle is still a fuzzy little guy I'd gladly give a hug to.

The redesign has got fans debating their favourites though. Many have pointed to Nektar, the moogle in last year's Final Fantasy 16. Others prefer the moogle design from Kingdom Hearts.

Which moogle design do you prefer?

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth was released last week - it's overstuffed but a lovable and playful reimagining of a classic as I wrote in our review.

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