Eyes on Final Fantasy Forums > Final Fantasy: The Quickening > Final Fantasy VIII > Explanation on the R=U theory?

[Sir Bahamut]

I disagree. Even without the Ultimania the theory is not at all strongly suggested by the game to be true. All the so-called "hints" used are very shaky, and if they don't have much more reasonable alternate explanations offered by the game itself, they simply don't stand strongly enough to constitute a plausible case. I believe the FAQ referred to shows this.

The thing with R=U, you see, is like you say; people think it's an attractive way of making the game better. So instead of starting with what the game tells us and inferring that R=U, people start with the conclusion that R=U and work backwards to try and show where it is implied. This is how ALL the 'hints' came to be, I can guarantee you. Unfortunately, this is very bad logic, and so the theory falls too short of being plausible. The Ultimania Guide was just the final nail in the coffin really...

[Jimmy Dark Aeons Slayer]

Until someone can explain me with a fair and reasonable explanation about the change of the speech between Rinoa and Ultimecia i will never believe the nonsense that is R=U. Nobody could explain it in the other thread of R=U and nobody can explain it now and that´s the bottom line!

[Sir Bahamut]

Well, I would say the bottom line is that it isn't actually suggested by the game so there's no need to discuss it to begin with. But if brought up, that is certainly a major problem of the theory...

[Lilliputian Hitcher]

Was the speech impairment in the original Japanese? I thought she just randomly added the word 'Fufu' to her sentences or something.

[Sir Bahamut]

That's a good question, so I decided to dig up all the japanese-translated quotes I have by Ultimecia:

1. Ultimecia: Your feelings, I shall summon the most powerful of things [from them]! The more strongly you feel, that will be what shall torment you. Fufu.

2. Ultimecia: Fufu. Are your memories fading to nothing? This is not the dreadfulness of the true GF. The GF's true ferocity, let me instruct you [in it]! That power, show it to them! Griever!

3. Ultimecia: The introductions are over! Now, I shall junction myself to Griever!

Unfortunately, she doesn't say any words beginning with strong c's (like compression or curse) so it's hard to deduce anything from this. And "fufu" merely signifies laughter, so that's not anything to be considered...

[Jimmy Dark Aeons Slayer]

Well you have to observe that it´s hard to give a different type of conotation in japonese so the point is still valid.

[PhoenixAsh]

Okay the speech change thing. I really don't see why its a problem. Generally changing environment results in slight change in the way people talk, or accent. I've seen it more than once in people who've gone abroad for any significant period of time. Such a change is actually addressed directly by some Guados in FFX.

To say that it isn't hinted at is unfair. Some of Edea and Rinoa's lines in Edea's house show very strong foreshadowing,as if I remember correctly, does a scene where you see white feathers turn black, though I can't remember much about that. Though if the writers didn't intend R=U at all, these lose most of their force. Griever on the other hand is quite a big pointer. It's a symbol that only really connects to Squall and Rinoa, and I still think the intimidation explanation is just pointless.

The game does leave holes in its plotline that people fill in or work out. Squall's parents and history being a fairly simple example. The gap between the 'present' and Ultimecia's time is not hugely delved into, and it is not uncommon in stories involving time-travel for persons to meet themselves. It is creative filling yes, and Ultimania is a massive problem, but to completely dismiss R=U without it is in my opinion unjustified.

Oh, and I forgot about the fact that GFs induce memory loss in my earlier explanation of why Rinoa couldn't remember Squall and co.

[Lilliputian Hitcher]

Originally Posted by PhoenixAsh

To say that it isn't hinted at is unfair. Some of Edea and Rinoa's lines in Edea's house show very strong foreshadowing,as if I remember correctly, does a scene where you see white feathers turn black, though I can't remember much about that.

Except none of these scenes explicity express the notion that Ultimecia is Rinoa. It's only looking at these scenes with this thought already in mind that one starts to draw parallels.

Originally Posted by PhoenixAsh

Griever on the other hand is quite a big pointer. It's a symbol that only really connects to Squall and Rinoa, and I still think the intimidation explanation is just pointless.

In the original Japanese version, it is stated that Ultimecia drew Griever from Squall's thoughts. It wasn't to intimidate him; she was just using what was already within his mind to create a powerful opponent.

Originally Posted by PhoenixAsh

The game does leave holes in its plotline that people fill in or work out. Squall's parents and history being a fairly simple example.

Unlike the R=U theory, there are several specific moments that undeniably link Squall to Laguna.

Originally Posted by PhoenixAsh

The gap between the 'present' and Ultimecia's time is not hugely delved into, and it is not uncommon in stories involving time-travel for persons to meet themselves.

Laguna states within the game that the gap is too big for such a thing to happen.