This week's FF character of the week is Gilgamesh, who makes appearences in quite a few Final Fantasies.

Name: Gilgamesh

Game: Final Fantasy Dawn of Souls, Final Fantasy V, Final Fantasy VI Advance, Final Fantasy VIII, Final Fantasy IX, Final Fantasy XI, Final Fantasy XII

Class: Lieutenant to Ex-Death (V)

Other Classifications: Esper (VI), Guardian Force (VIII), Thief (IX), Pirate (XI), Mark (XII)

Attack: Zantetsuken (VIII), Masamune (VIII), Excalibur (VIII), Excalipur (VIII), Ultimate Illusion (XII)

Gilgamesh originally appeared in Final Fantasy V, as the right hand to Ex-Death (the main bad guy of the game). Although he is not very bright (as hinted throughout the game), he is a very fierce warrior. You first face him on a a big bridge, hence his own battle theme "Clash on the Big Bridge". Later on in the game, he fights you again with what he believes is the Excalibur, but is actually a phony sword called Excalipoor (later named Excalipur). Due to this foolish move, Ex-Death exiled him to the Rift. Near the end of the game, Gilgamesh becomes friends with the party and helps you defeat Necrophobia.

Gilgamesh returned to the series in Final Fantasy VIII as a Guardian Force. During the final battle with Seifer, Odin appears but is defeated by Seifer. Odin's sword is flung into the heavens and apparently pierces the Rift that contains Gilgamesh. With Odin's sword, the Zantetsuken, he takes out Seifer. Gilgamesh then replaces Odin as a Guardian Force.

In Final Fantasy IX, Gilgamesh was apparently a "Master Treasure Hunter", but is nothing more than a common thief. He goes under the alias Alleyway Jack, and awards Zidane the S Rank Medal. He also makes an appearence in Final Fantasy XI as a king of pirates, however this form is more human, and shares nothing similar to his previous incarnations.

In Final Fantasy XII, Gilgamesh is a mark that has to be claimed. In the game, he is after the Masamune to complete his sword collection. His collection includes many swords from various FF games, such as:

- Cloud's Buster Sword from FF7

- Squall's Gunblade from FF8

- Zidane's Orichalcon from FF9

- Tidus's Brotherhood from FF10

- Odin's Zantetsuken

- Excalibur from FF5

- Excalipur from FF5

- Loto's Wyrm Hero Blade from Dragon Quest

He uses these swords during the battle with him in the game. Also when fighting him, a remixed version of "Clash on the Big Bridge" plays, and coincidentally enough, you first meet him on a bridge in FF12. His attack is "Ultimate Illusion", which is synonymous to "Final Fantasy". The Clan Primer in FF12 states Gilgamesh as "An ancient Man of Mystery, traveling the Dimensions with his lone companion, Enkidu, in search of a legendary Sword. It is said he confronts all Adventurers he meets and challenges them for their Weapons. Each of his six arms bears a weapon of great fame, yet there is no evidence that any are the genuine Article. Petitioned as a Mark by a Swordsman bereft of his beloved Blade."

Gilgamesh was also in Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls as a boss in the bonus dungeon, and is also a new Esper for Final Fantasy VI Advanced.

-Omi