Lightning (Final Fantasy)

Lightning
Final Fantasy character
Lightning in Final Fantasy XIII
First game	Final Fantasy XIII (2009)
Created by	Motomu Toriyama
Designed by	Tetsuya Nomura Isamu Kamikokuryo (XIII-2)
Voiced by (English)	Ali Hillis
Voiced by (Japanese)	Maaya Sakamoto
Fictional profile
Weapon	Blazefire Saber (Gunblade)
Special attack	Army of One, Legion of One, Zantetsuken
Home	Cocoon

Lightning (ライトニング, Raitoningu^?) is a fictional character from Square Enix's Final Fantasy series. She first appeared as a playable character and protagonist in the role-playing video game Final Fantasy XIII, in which she features as a resident of the artificial world of Cocoon. After her sister Serah is declared an enemy of Cocoon, Lightning attempts to save her: she and others are then chosen by the fal'Cie, a divided race of demigods who rule the worlds of Gran Pulse and Cocoon, to destroy Cocoon. Lightning reappears as a supporting character in Final Fantasy XIII-2, acting as protector of the Goddess Etro. She is the sole playable character in Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII, wherein she sets out to save her world, which is destined to end in thirteen days. She has featured in other Final Fantasy games, most notably the crossover game Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy.

Lightning was created by Motomu Toriyama, the director and scenario writer of XIII, and designed by Tetsuya Nomura, a regular character artist for the Final Fantasy series. Their idea was to create a strong female protagonist who was adept at combat and less feminine than previous Final Fantasy heroines. Aspects of her early design and personality were later altered, or transferred to other characters. After XIII, Lightning's design was revised several times to reflect her role and development in each game, particularly in Lightning Returns. Her name in Japanese, Éclair Farron (エクレール・ファロン, Ekurēru Faron^?), was originally a placeholder. Because of its similarity to the name of a pastry, her first name was changed to "Claire" in other countries.