Most people think Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children was the first time Square ventured into the world of cinema. They’re wrong. Long before Cloud Strife rode a motorcycle across Midgar’s highways on the silver screen, there was a strange, four-part OVA series that basically functioned as a Final Fantasy legend of the crystals movie experience.
It’s weird. Honestly, it’s really weird.
Released in Japan back in 1994 and eventually making its way to Western VHS tapes via Urban Vision in 1998, this anime isn't just a random spin-off. It is a direct, canonical sequel to Final Fantasy V. Yeah, the one with Bartz and the job system. Set 200 years after Exdeath was wiped from existence, it tries to capture that classic "Warriors of Light" magic but adds a heavy dose of 90s anime tropes, questionable fanservice, and a guy who rides a motorcycle in a fantasy world.
If you've ever wondered why there's a ghost of a child engineer floating around or why the main heroine's primary summon is just a very stressed-out Chocobo, you've come to the right place.
The Plot: 200 Years Later and Everything is Breaking Again
The story kicks off on Planet R. That’s what they call the world of Final Fantasy V here, which is a bit of a retcon but we roll with it. The elemental crystals—Earth, Water, and Fire—have already been snatched up by a new baddie named Ra Devil. He’s operating out of the Black Moon and has a very specific, very gross goal: he wants to achieve godhood by shoving the crystals into a machine and, for some reason, he also needs the brain of the legendary engineer Cid.
Yes, poor Cid is dead in this timeline, and his brain is literally a plot point.
We follow Linaly, a descendant of Bartz Klauser, and her childhood friend Prettz. Prettz is your typical 90s hothead. He carries a massive nodachi, throws spiked bombs, and drives a motorbike that feels like it belongs in Akira more than a fantasy kingdom. Linaly, on the other hand, is a novice summoner. Throughout most of the Final Fantasy legend of the crystals movie run, she’s struggling because she can only summon one thing: a Chocobo.
And not even a cool, battle-ready Chocobo. Just a regular, somewhat confused bird.
📖 Related: Cheapest Pokemon Pack: How to Rip for Under $4 in 2026
The stakes get personal when the Wind Crystal—the last one remaining—actually decides to hide inside Linaly’s body. This makes her the primary target for Ra Devil’s forces and a group of sky pirates led by a woman named Rouge. Eventually, everyone teams up—pirates, soldiers, and teenagers—to prevent Ra Devil from becoming the ultimate being, Deathgyunos.
Why the Animation Matters (The Madhouse Connection)
You can't talk about this OVA without mentioning the studio behind it. This was produced by Madhouse. If you know your anime history, you know that name carries weight. We're talking about the studio that later gave us Ninja Scroll, Perfect Blue, and Trigun.
The direction was handled by Rintaro. This guy is a legend. He directed the 1986 Metropolis and Galaxy Express 999. Because of this pedigree, the Final Fantasy legend of the crystals movie actually looks fantastic for its era. The mechanical designs are chunky and detailed. The monsters look grotesque in a way modern CGI rarely captures.
The character designs by Yoshitaka Amano were translated into a more "standard" anime style, but you can still see his influence in the flowy garments and the ethereal look of the summons.
However, there’s a tonal whiplash you have to be ready for. One minute you're watching a somber scene about the death of a legendary hero, and the next, there’s a lingering "panty shot" of Linaly. It’s a relic of 90s OVA culture that hasn't aged particularly well. It makes the series feel a bit "trashy" compared to the high-prestige feel of modern Square Enix projects.
Connectivity: Is It Really Final Fantasy V-2?
For a long time, Western fans were confused about where this fit. Since Final Fantasy V didn't get an official US release until the Final Fantasy Anthology on PlayStation in 1999, many people saw this anime at Blockbuster without even knowing it was a sequel to a game.
Here are the hard links to the game:
👉 See also: Why the Hello Kitty Island Adventure Meme Refuses to Die
- Linaly is Bartz’s direct descendant.
- Mid, the grandson of Cid, appears as a ghost to guide the heroes. He’s the one who explains the grim fate of Cid’s brain.
- Queen Lenna is still around (or a descendant with the same name/title) ruling Tycoon.
- Planet R features the same geography, specifically the ruins of Tycoon Castle.
Despite these links, there are huge inconsistencies. In the game, Cid and Mid were very much alive and well at the end. The anime suggests Cid died from exhaustion shortly after the final battle and was then immediately grave-robbed. It's a dark turn for a franchise that usually keeps its "Cid" characters somewhat immortal.
Also, the "Wind Drake" appearing in the anime as a deity is a bit of a stretch compared to the game's lore, where they were just noble, nearly-extinct animals. But hey, 200 years is a long time for history to turn into myth.
The Voice Cast: A 90s Time Capsule
If you watch the English dub, you’re hearing some serious voice acting royalty from the early days of anime localization.
- Matt K. Miller (Prettz): You might recognize him as Tenchi from Tenchi Muyo!.
- Sherry Lynn (Linaly): She was everywhere in the 90s, from Ghost in the Shell to Achi-chi-chi.
- John DeMita (Valkus): A veteran who later voiced characters in Princess Mononoke and even appeared in Final Fantasy X as Luzzu and Barthello.
The dub is... "energetic." It’s got that specific 90s charm where every line is delivered with 110% intensity, regardless of whether the character is fighting a god or ordering a sandwich. It’s part of the experience. Honestly, it wouldn't feel like the Final Fantasy legend of the crystals movie without a little bit of over-acting.
Reception and Why You Can't Find It Easily
When it first hit the shelves, reviews were mixed. GamePro and Animerica at the time praised the visuals but felt the story was too thin. It didn't have the epic, world-spanning feel of the games. It felt like a Saturday morning cartoon with a higher budget and more skin.
Today, it's essentially "abandonware."
Urban Vision lost the rights years ago. It has never seen a formal DVD or Blu-ray release in North America. If you want to watch it, you’re looking at hunting down old VHS tapes on eBay or finding fan-digitized versions on YouTube or Archive.org.
✨ Don't miss: Why the Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Boss Fights Feel So Different
Square Enix seems to have moved on. They don't mention it in anniversary retrospectives. It’s like the "Star Wars Holiday Special" of the Final Fantasy world—not quite that bad, but definitely something they aren't rushing to remaster.
Final Verdict: Is It Worth Your Time?
If you are a die-hard Final Fantasy V fan, yes. Absolutely. It’s a fascinating look at how Square thought about sequels before they started making FFX-2 or the Compilation of FFVII.
It’s a weird piece of history. It’s messy, it’s beautiful, and it’s very "90s."
You won't get a deep, emotional narrative like Final Fantasy XVI. You won't get the cinematic polish of Kingsglaive. But you will see a giant Chocobo save the world while a kid on a motorcycle yells about crystals. Sometimes, that’s exactly what you need.
How to Experience It Today
If you're looking to dive into this weird corner of the franchise, here is the best way to handle it. Don't go in expecting a masterpiece. Treat it as a historical curiosity.
- Hunt for the Fan Remasters: Since there is no official digital release, some dedicated fans have taken the Japanese LaserDisc footage (which is the highest quality available) and synced it with the English VHS audio. This is the "definitive" way to watch it in 1080p.
- Play FF5 First: The emotional beats—especially involving Mid and the legacy of the original Warriors of Light—land much harder if you've actually finished the game.
- Check the Soundtrack: Masahiko Sato’s score is actually quite good. It’s different from Uematsu’s work but fits the darker, more industrial vibe of the OVA perfectly.
This anime remains a testament to a time when Final Fantasy was still figuring out what it wanted to be outside of a game console. It’s a flawed, beautiful, and bizarre experiment that paved the way for everything that came after.