Final Fantasy VII Rebirth’s moogles feared for soulless gaze, accused of catfishing 

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Final Fantasy VII Rebirth moogle

Moogles are cute and fluffy creatures that are a staple of the Final Fantasy series. However, Japanese players have been taking to social media to express their shock at moogles’ physical appearance in the recently released Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. 

Moogles are white or pink cat-like creatures with small batwings on their backs and a pom-pom antenna on their heads. They are generally friendly and talkative, adorably adding the word “kupo” to their sentences, and often help the player out either as a summon in battle or by supplying items. In FFIX and FFXVI, they are depicted as mail carriers. Some moogle characters like Stilzskin and Montblanc have appeared in numerous FF titles and become well-loved by fans.  

Final Fantasy XIV delivery moogle
The moogle delivery service in Final Fantasy XIV.

The basic design of moogles has been tweaked at various points over the years, with FFXII’s moogles having rabbit-like ears, for example. However, their appearance in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth seems to be too much of a departure from the beloved series mascot’s usual design. Their “creepy” and “scary” look has attracted unfavorable comparisons with Final Fantasy XIV and XVI’s more conventional-looking cute moogles. 

Post translation: Moogles look super creepy even when they’re in a bright place. 
Post translation: I think we will never see moogles as cute as FFXVI’s again as they even surpass FFXIV’s moogles. (Comparison is with a moogle from FFVII Rebirth).  
Post translation: I was so used to seeing FFXIV’s moogles that seeing Rebirth’s moogles just felt super weird. 
Post translation: I took screenshots to show how Cloud plays FFVII Rebirth’s moogle catching game with a serious expression on his face, and then looks like the world’s ending when he captures the moogle. 

Rebirth’s moogle design even attracted comparisons to people who look different to their profile pictures on dating sites and apps. 

https://twitter.com/luncer_s/status/1764553704416674001?s=20
Post translation: The moogle I promised to meet online. 
The moogle that showed up. 
Final Fantasy VII Remake moogle summon
Final Fantasy VII Remake’s Moogle and Chocobo summon.

Moogles also appeared in Final Fantasy VII Remake, the first part of the Final Fantasy VII remake trilogy, as a summon and a merchant. Although similar in design to Rebirth’s and also attracting some criticism, they did not have the dead-eyed stare that seems to be freaking out some Rebirth players. Many English-speaking Rebirth players have also had similar reactions to the new game’s moogles.  

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is available now on PS5. 

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Verity Townsend
Verity Townsend

Automaton West Editor and translator. She has a soft spot for old-school Sierra adventure games and Final Fantasy VIII (yes, 8!). Can often be found hunting down weird forgotten games and finding out everything about them. Frequently muses about characters and lines from Metal Gear Solid and Disco Elysium. Aims to keep Automaton fresh and interesting with a wide variety of articles.

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  1. To be honest it’s more of the shape of it’s head and the mouth that is disturbing to players as a whole including i’s body betting spread out to look more human. Moogles are supposed to be small and compact not wide and spread out in design.