In the highly anticipated sequel to Pixar’s Inside Out, Lance Slashblade, a character from Riley’s past, has been causing quite a stir among video game fans, particularly those of the popular Final Fantasy franchise. Lance is an almost forgotten memory in Riley’s life but plays a significant role in her journey through her emotions. He is voiced by Stash from The Kolors in the Italian version of the film, and his appearance and behavior are reminiscent of Cloud Strife from the Final Fantasy video game series.
Lance’s design emulates that of sixth-generation consoles such as Sega Dreamcast, PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube, and Xbox. His model features fewer polygons than other characters, lower resolution textures, grainy graphics, jerky movements, and he gets stuck on obstacles while navigating his environment. These stylistic choices are not by accident; they serve as a homage to Final Fantasy VII protagonist Cloud Strife. The PS5 title Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is currently gaining traction among audiences and critics as part of a remake trilogy that has rekindled interest in this beloved series.
Yong Yea voices Lance Slashblade in the original Disney feature film edition. Yong Yea is an established voice actor who has worked on several video games and anime series. His performance adds authenticity to the character and strengthens the connection with the iconic Cloud Strife of Final Fantasy VII. Overall, Lance Slashblade serves as a nod to the iconic video game era of the early 2000s and highlights Pixar’s commitment to honoring their influences in their work.
