Final Fantasy is one of the most acclaimed role-playing game (RPG) series on the Super Famicom, a home video game console system produced by Nintendo of Japan. Some, but not all, of the episodes in the series have a North American release on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, the local counterpart of the Super Famicom. It is only a matter of course that Final Fantasy gets its own anime release, as does its major competitor, Dragonquest.

The OVA was produced shortly after the release of Final Fantasy V, one of those in the series that was "sunk" in the Pacific. The story is set 200 years after the Final Fantasy V world. (Storywise, the multiple episodes in the Final Fantasy game series have little or no connection with each other.) The Final Fantasy series is typically set in a fantasy world with magic and dragons, but it also contains some degree of advanced scientific development, such as robots and airships. The anime is no exception.

Two hundred years after the victory of the legendary heroes (in the game), a new threat to the world has developed. A mysterious force has been seizing the four crystals that symbolize the four elements (earth, wind, water, and fire), and three of them have already been taken. The respective lands, having lost their crystals and the source of their natural energy, wither, and the people suffer. Linaly and her grandfather must travel to the Temple of Wind and verify the status of the last crystal, for they are traditionally the guardians of the crystal of wind. Linaly's friend, Bartz, for some reason (^_^), tries to accompany her on her quest.

I was a bit surprised to find out that the Final Fantasy anime is more or less a comedy. There are jokes and gags scattered all throughout the 4-part series. Instead of focusing on combat with ordinary monsters, the anime focuses on funny acts by the characters. Linaly, as an inexperienced summoner, can only summon the Chokobo, which in combat is good for only one purpose. (It's not the Chokobo kick from the game.) The only character from the game (nobody lives for 200 years) is Mid, in spirit form, but his tragic death was so miserable that it was almost funny. Some major characters have SM (by SM I do not mean Sailor Moon ^_^) traits. There is an abundance of fan-service in terms of Linaly's panty shots. Bartz's actions sometimes remind me of Dirty Pair. And so on.

The anime is a reasonably good comedy, for fans of the game series or otherwise, but the viewer will find it more enjoyable if he is used to the kind of humor in the show. Just don't expect something serious like Record of Lodoss War. Simply sit back and enjoy yourself.