From Final Fantasy Wiki

Minwu
Artwork from the Dawn of Souls version.
Sprite(s)
A.K.A	Ming-Wu, Mindu, Minh
Kana	ミンウ
Romaji	Min'u
Hometown	Fynn
Zodiac Sign	Capricorn
Blood Type	A
Laterality	Right-handed
Voice actor	None
Final Fantasy II character

"A white mage from the magical land of Mysidia, Minwu draws on his vast knowledge and powerful spellcasting ability to support the enemy forces in their cause. He has also proven a courageous ally, often volunteering to partake in dangerous missions."

—Final Fantasy II 20th Anniversary instruction manual.

Minwu, known officially in Japan as Ming-Wu, is one of the temporarily playable characters from Final Fantasy II, as well as the protagonist of Soul of Rebirth. A White Mage from Mysidia, he is Princess Hilda's right-hand man, who will do anything to help the Wild Rose Rebellion.

Story

"All those who live must some day die. It is our fate."

—Minwu

Minwu has long served the royal family of Fynn as their personal mage and healer. Fleeing Fynn with Princess Hilda and the King during the Empire's attack, he helps set up the rebel base in Altair. When Hilda found Firion and his friends badly beaten in the woods near Fynn, it was Minwu who healed their wounds, sensing "a strong life force" within Firion.

Minwu breaking the Ultima Seal.

After Hilda accepts Firion into the resistance, Minwu escorts them to the Semitt Falls to find Mythril for their cause. They fight their way through the falls, and manage to get the mythril. However, once the party returns to Altair, the King of Fynn's injuries have worsened, so Minwu stays in Altair to see to the King. Eventually, the King dies of his wounds. With his final breath, he tells Minwu to travel to Mysidia to find the ultimate spell. Minwu agrees to his king's last request and sets out straight away.

The party eventually finds Minwu in the Mysidian Tower. Here, he finds a seal blocking the way to the Ultima tome. Knowing that it was his fate, he breaks the seal for the party, at the cost of his own life. Telling the rest of the party not to be sad, he dies there in the tower.

However, this was not the end of his journey. Finding himself in a place similar to the Jade Passage, Minwu travels through this strange place. After encountering the Prince of Kashuan, Scott, as well as Josef and Ricard, he is certain that they are now dead. Together, they all travel through this place, to a place similar to Pandaemonium. At the top, they find the Emperor's light side, and fight it in battle. Upon his defeat, Minwu can finally rest, knowing that the future of the world is in good hands.

Stats and Traits

Artwork by Yoshitaka Amano.

Minwu joins the party knowing several White Magic spells in high level, so the player should train him with a Staff to raise up his magic. He will likely be the best host for the Ultima spell due to his high-leveled spells.

Initial stats

Trivia

• In Final Fantasy IV, the Sage Minwu is mentioned as the person who founded the town of Mysidia.
• The male costumes of the Mystic Knight Job class in Final Fantasy V resemble Minwu's attire.
• The key item Gizamaluke's Bell in Final Fantasy IX has a quote from a White Wizard named Minwu.
• One of the artefacts obtained from an Errand in Final Fantasy Tactics is the Minwu Orb. The description of the Minwu Orb is as follows:

"The soul of Minwu, the First Mage, is said to be sealed within this stone. As such, it is sometimes called the Soul of Minwu. An orb only in name, it is in actuality comma-shaped."

• Similarly, an item in Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift is called Orb of Minwu. It is a usable item, and makes the user immune to almost every Debuff in the game. It is the closest thing the player can get to a Ribbon for some races who lack the means to equip one.
• Minwu makes a small cameo in Dissidia Final Fantasy as a tutor from the in-game manuals.
• Minwu is the first playable mage in the series with an actual name and a storyline, unlike the White Mage, Red Mage, and Black Mage from the original game.
• Minwu is also, to date, the only male White Mage, as Aria Benett, Rosa Farrell, Porom, Dagger, Eiko Carol, and Yuna are all female.

Etymology

The name "Minwu" bears a resemblance to the name Menw, a name which belonged to King Arthur's court magician and counselor who often traveled and accompanied with him on his quests.