text: is a video game character in the Final Fantasy series and the main protagonist of Final Fantasy IX. He was conceived and written by Hironobu Sakaguchi, while his appearance was designed by Yoshitaka Amano and re-interpreted by Toshiyuki Itahana. Like other members of the Final Fantasy IX cast, but unlike characters of previous Final Fantasy games, Zidane was designed after the plot for the game was written. Presented as a charming, puckish character, Zidane has an outgoing, self-confident and womanizing personality whose mixture of lechery and devil-may-care attitude helps put danger into perspective.
  Zidane has appeared in the Dissidia Final Fantasy spin-off series, and in smaller roles in various spin-off Final Fantasy and crossover games. While some sources have criticized Final Fantasy IX's art style and the visual design of its characters, Zidane is mostly well received, particularly in Japan where he is rated as one of the most popular Final Fantasy characters in fan polls. Various sources have commented on Zidane's characterization being a departure from prior Final Fantasy protagonists who are known for being moody as well as his relationship with Garnet, while criticism was focused on his inconsistent character arc.