Are you thinking about playing Final Fantasy XV anytime soon? Narrative-wise, the video game is one of the most expansive installments in the Final Fantasy series, as its story has been fleshed out and extended in several projects that come in various forms of media. For instance, there’s a movie titled Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV that serves as a prequel to the video game. So if you want to know the events that lead to the story in the video game, it’s recommended that you should watch the film first.
What is Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV about?
Directed by Takeshi Nozue and scripted by Takashi Hasegawa from a story by Kazushige Nojima and Saori Itamuro, Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV is an animated action, adventure movie that runs parallel with the events at the beginning of Final Fantasy XV video game. It focuses on King Regis Lucis Caelum CXIII, the father of the video game’s main character Noctis. The other main protagonists of the film are members of the titular Kingsglaive, an elite combat corps that share Regis’ magical powers and protect the kingdom of Lucis and its “Crystal” from the invading empire of Niflheim.
Faced with continued detrimental conflict, Regis accepts a truce with Niflheim, and part of that peace treaty is that his son must marry Lady Lunafreya Nox Fleuret of the imperial province of Tenebrae. However, the pact turns out to be a ruse for Niflheim to invade, and Kingsglaive soldier Nyx Ulric is caught up with Regis and Lunafreya in a battle to secure the future of Lucis.
Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV cast
Below is the list of the voice cast members for both the Japanese (JP) and English (EN) versions of the movie:
- Gō Ayano (JP) / Aaron Paul (EN) as Nyx Ulric: Assigned as the protector of Lunafreya, Nyx is a member of the Kingsglaive guard with a strong affinity with the king’s magical powers. His likeness is based on French model Johan Akan, while his motion actor is Neil Newbon.
- Shioli Kutsuna (JP) / Lena Headey (EN) as Lunafreya Nox Fleuret: He is an Oracle capable of communing with the world’s deities and a former princess of Tenebrae, Lunafreya is engaged to marry Noctis as part of the peace treaty between Lucis and Niflheim. The character’s likeness is based on Russian model Sonya Maltceva, while her motion actress is Amanda Piery.
- Tsutomu Isobe (JP) / Sean Bean (EN) as Regis Lucis Caelum CXIII: He is the King of Lucis and the father to Noctis Lucis Caelum, who is the main protagonist of Final Fantasy XV video game. His likeness is based on British actor Jon Campling, who also performed motion capture for the character.
- Shōzō Iizuka (JP) / David Gant (EN) as Iedolas Aldercapt. He is the emperor of Niflheim and the main figure behind its expansion. In addition to providing the English voice of the character, Gant also provided motion capture for the character.
- Keiji Fujiwara (JP) / Darin De Paul (EN) as Ardyn Izunia. The chancellor of Niflheim and the right hand of Aldercapt, Ardyn is a powerful political figure within the empire. His likeness is based on actor Edward Saxby, while his motion actor is Jon Campling.
- Kōichi Yamadera (JP) / Adrian Bouchet (EN) as Titus Drautos: He acts as the commander of the Kingsglaive, but is later revealed to be General Glauca, the high commander of Niflheim’s military forces. Aside from providing the English voice for the character, Bouchet also serves as the character’s motion actor and physical model.
- Yūichi Nakamura (JP) / Trevor Devall (EN) as Ravus Nox Fleuret: He is Lunafreya’s older brother and a former prince of Tenebrae, but is now the deputy high commander of Niflheim’s military. David Nutley performed the motion capture for the character.
- Mitsuaki Kanuka (JP) / Liam Mulvey (EN) as Libertus Ostium: Libertus is Nyx’s childhood friend and a fellow member of the Kingsglaive. Mulvey also served as the physical model and motion actor for the character.
- Tomokazu Seki (JP) / Todd Haberkorn (EN) as Luche Lazarus: Known for his intelligence, Luche is a trusted member of the Kingsglaive. Greg Blackford is the character’s physical model and motion capture performer.
- Ayumi Fujimura (JP) / Alexa Kahn (EN) as Crowe Altius: Crowe is a Kingsglaive member and powerful mage. Despite being an orphan, she considers the Kingsglaive her family as she shares a close sibling-like relationship with Libertus. Andrea Tivadar was the model and motion capture performer for the character.
Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV trailer
Haven’t seen Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV yet? You can watch the trailer for the movie below:
Where to watch the movie Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV online
Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV made its theatrical debut in Japan on July 9th, 2016, and had a limited theatrical run in North America in August of that year. That same month, the digital version of the film was released on streaming and download services for the first time.
But as of May 29th, 2023, Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV is not available for streaming on any online platform in the U.S. But digital copies of the movie can be bought or rented on Apple TV, Amazon Video, Google Play, Vudu, and Microsoft Store from $3.99 to $12.99.
Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV previously streamed on Netflix U.S., but it is no longer part of the platform’s library as of this writing.
Is Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV worth watching?
If you are a fan of the Final Fantasy video game series, then you will likely enjoy the film, as it provides some backstory to the events of the Final Fantasy XV game and features some of the same characters. However, if you are not a fan of the Final Fantasy series, then you may not find the film to be very enjoyable. Although the movie’s CGI and animation are superb, it is a bit slow-paced and the plot can be a bit confusing at times. Overall, Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV is a decent film, but it’s not a must-see for everyone.
What makes up the Final Fantasy XV Universe?
The Final Fantasy XV Universe is a sub-franchise of the Final Fantasy series that was first revealed at the Uncovered: Final Fantasy XV event in March 2016. Its purpose is to expand the story and world of Final Fantasy XV to other forms of media, such as films, anime series, and mobile games.
In addition to the main video game Final Fantasy XV and the prequel movie Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV, the Final Fantasy XV Universe also consists of the following:
- Brotherhood: Final Fantasy XV, an anime series
- A King’s Tale, a mobile game
- Final Fantasy XV: Episode Ardyn, a DLC episode
- Final Fantasy XV: Episode Prompto, a DLC episode
- Final Fantasy XV: Episode Ignis, a DLC episode
- Final Fantasy XV: Comrades, a multiplayer DLC
- Final Fantasy XV: The Dawn of the Future, a novel
The Final Fantasy XV Universe has been praised for its ambitious scope and its attempt to tell a cohesive story across multiple media. But it has also been criticized for its lack of focus and its inconsistent quality.