Kefka Palazzo (Kefuka or Cefca in the Japanese version) is the villain in Final Fantasy VI. Kefka is an insane, egomaniacal villain who starts out as a mere lackey but eventually acquires godlike powers. He is perhaps best remembered for his distinct sound effect - a shrill maniacal cackle - and his darkly-comedic passion and dialogue. Those traits, in combination with his appearance, have earned him the nickname "The Psycho Clown" from many fans. Incidentally, Kefka only resembles a clown outside of the SNES original, in which he looks more like a bard.
Kefka's full name is Kefka Palazzo, although as with Leo Cristophe, his full name is not actually mentioned in the game. Kefka's first name is believed to be derived from the name of the author Franz Kafka, and both share an absurdist/nihilistic view of life. There seems to be a nod to the author in the fact that a song, "Metamorphosis," played during Kefka's actual transformation, shares a title with "The Metamorphosis", a novella written by Franz Kafka. "Palazzo" is a common last name among individuals of Italian or Peruvian descent.
Many still remember Kefka fondly due to the fact that he is different from most villains in the series. Instead of being distant and mysterious, he is persistent and taunting. Kefka's popularity as a villain remains second outside of Japan only to Sephiroth.
Kefka remains the only Final Fantasy villain to have been the sole architect of the world's demise from onset to conclusion.
Kefka's full name is Kefka Palazzo, although as with Leo Cristophe, his full name is not actually mentioned in the game. Kefka's first name is believed to be derived from the name of the author Franz Kafka, and both share an absurdist/nihilistic view of life. There seems to be a nod to the author in the fact that a song, "Metamorphosis," played during Kefka's actual transformation, shares a title with "The Metamorphosis", a novella written by Franz Kafka. "Palazzo" is a common last name among individuals of Italian or Peruvian descent.
Many still remember Kefka fondly due to the fact that he is different from most villains in the series. Instead of being distant and mysterious, he is persistent and taunting. Kefka's popularity as a villain remains second outside of Japan only to Sephiroth.
Kefka remains the only Final Fantasy villain to have been the sole architect of the world's demise from onset to conclusion.
