Gau (Final Fantasy)

Gau
Final Fantasy character
Concept artwork of Gau by Yoshitaka Amano for Final Fantasy VI
First game	Final Fantasy VI (1994)
Created by	Yoshinori Kitase[1]
Designed by	Yoshitaka Amano[2] Kazuko Shibuya (sprites)[3]
Voiced by	Tomo Muranaka[4]

Gau (Japanese: ガウ) /ɡaʊ/ is a character introduced in the 1994 role-playing video game Final Fantasy VI by Square Enix. A feral child, Gau was raised by animals in the game's Veldt location after his father abandoned him as an infant, and later develops a familial bond with the characters Cyan and Sabin after they offer him food. Unlike other characters in the game, he fights specifically using enemy movesets the player can learn through using him against enemy encounters on the Veldt, though this renders him unable to be controlled for the duration of the fight. He has since appeared in other games related to the Final Fantasy franchise, including Dissidia Final Fantasy Opera Omnia, where he is voiced by Tomo Muranaka.

Gau received mixed reception upon release, particularly for being very difficult to use as a character in terms of gameplay, and the amount of time investment on the parts of players to get the most out of him. He has also been seen as too narratively disconnected from the game's main plot, however he has also received praise for his often comedic portrayal alongside his tragic backstory. He was also praised for his role in Cyan and Sabin's characterization, acting as a surrogate son to the former and brother to the latter, as well as the sense of family he brought to the group with his character's personal quest.