The Book of Mudora

We catch up on a bunch of emails, mostly focused on Zelda but also a few Final Fantasy ones later in the episode. Some topics we discuss include a correction about Nabooru's role in Ocarina of Time, the logistics of the Triforce in Breath of the Wild, and a history of bladed weapons.

We discuss the 2001 film Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, Hironobu Sakaguchi's big bet on photorealistic animation. The bet failed and permanently stained his career, but the movie is actually a fascinating summation of his vision of Final Fantasy. Don't let anyone tell you it's not really a Final Fantasy movie!

Ahead of our full discussions on Age of Imprisonment and Crystal actually playing the game, Monica and Cameron discuss their initial impressions!

Kuja proves that all life will eventually choose destruction.

Zidane returns to the homeland that he forgot.

Vivi finally confronts Kuja for his crimes against all Black Mages.

Zidane deals with heartbreak by going to the Dark City to participate in the card game tournament.

Dagger confronts her mother at the Ancient Tree of Life.

Zidane's party travels to a continent with no mist, and learns the secret of the Black Mages.

The regent of Lindblum learns of Alexandria's weapon supplier, who comes from another continent.

The arcane armies of Alexandria launch an unprovoked attack on Cleyra.

The arcane armies of Alexandria launch an unprovoked attack on Burmecia.

Dagger, the disguised Princess of Alexandria, makes a long journey through the rural countryside to the Regency of Lindblum.

The Tantalus Theater Troupe arrives at Alexandria Castle to kidnap Princess Garnet.

Part 3 of the three mailbags after Final Fantasy VIII! We mostly focus on Zelda emails, discussing such subjects as the origin of the Cobble Kingdom, the relationship between Porky and Ganon, and Farore's variable elemental theming.

Part 2 of the three mailbags after Final Fantasy VIII! We respond to both Final Fantasy and Zelda questions, discussing such subjects as the possibility of a Squall-Rinoa breakup, the presence of the Chaoskampf motif in Zelda, and whether watching video game commercials is a better experience than actually playing the games.

Part 1 of the three mailbags after Final Fantasy VIII! We focus on Final Fantasy questions, discussing such subjects as characterization issues in FF8, the Shinra-Wutai War, and the limitations of stories that are about good guys vs bad guys.

All space and time compresses into a single beautiful moment.

The SeeDs meet the President of Esthar, and develop a plan to confront the Ultimate Sorceress.

The Sorceress' true plan is revealed as Rinoa and Squall cross time and space to stay together.

Sorceress Edea is confronted once and for all, and Rinoa and Squall take a long walk by the sea.

Squall takes control of Balamb Garden, and journeys to a basketball court that stirs up old memories.

The SeeDs split up to defend Garden from an unprecedented attack on multiple fronts.

In the heart of Galbadia, the Sorceress schemes for political power.

The SeeDs take a contract with the Forest Owls, a resistance movement seeking to repel the occupying Galbadian military.

Squall, the top student of the mercenary academy Balamb Garden, takes his final exam to officially become a SeeD.

We answer most of the remaining emails sent during 2024, including Echoes of Wisdom questions, timeline theories, and the history of SaGa.

The party is prepared to lose everything as they enter the final battle for the Planet.

The party ventures to where no humans have gone before, and Aerith's plan reveals itself.

While their allies gather strength, Cloud and Tifa have a productive conversation about their pasts.

After a long journey to the north, Cloud finally gives Sephiroth what he deserves.

Through study and prayer, Aerith comes to understand her role in the destiny of the Planet.

Cloud and Tifa return to their hometown, and find something stranger than they ever imagined.

The party makes pilgrimage to the land of Study of Planet Life, where they learn the full stakes of their quest.

While laying low to avoid Shinra attention, Cloud tells the story of his relationship with Sephiroth.

Ex-SOLDIER Cloud Strife will transgress any social norms to rescue his childhood friend from danger, as he promised her so long ago.

The Shinra Electric Power Company is extracting and burning the lifeblood of the Planet. Desperate for aid, the revolutionary group AVALANCHE hires a mercenary to destroy one of Shinra's reactors.

400 years after the defeat of the Demon King, a brilliant engineer discovers a way to travel back to the past, where she discovers a terrible secret.

In tribute to the podcast Pondering Pootan with Ajishio Taro & Hachimitsu Boy, Crystal discusses Chapter 148 of Eiji Nonaka's manga series Cromartie High School.

The Hero of Light travels with Princess Zelda to discover the secret of the Ancient Stone Tablets.

The Hero of Light travels to the home of Link to find the Book of Mudora.

The Hero of Light travels to the home of the Elder of Hyrule, and bonds with the people of Kakariko Village.

Six years after Link defeated the King of Evil, a guest from another world falls to Hyrule.

The chosen of the Goddesses confront their ancient enemy.

The mighty Princess Zelda, representative of endless perseverance, seeks Lanayru Temple in a land where obligation overpowers reason.

The wise Princess Zelda, representative of decisive action, seeks Eldin Temple in a land of uncertain leadership.

The heroic Princess Zelda, representative of ancient lore and tradition, seeks Faron Temple in a land where fleeting trends rule.

The wanted fugitive Princess Zelda, strengthened by her travels, returns home to clear her name.

The wanted fugitive Princess Zelda involves herself in the political squabbles of Jabul Waters, where the creative differences of the Sea Zora and River Zora leaders obscure larger issues.

The wanted fugitive Princess Zelda seeks aid and answers in Gerudo Town, where the people also struggle with the Rift phenomenon.