is a fictional character and a major antagonist in Final Fantasy VIII. Protagonist Squall is sent to assassinate her, though it is later discovered that the Sorceress Ultimecia had Edea under mind control. It is also revealed that Edea was the matron for Squall and the other main characters at an orphanage years in the past. Edea was created by Tetsuya Nomura, who originally intended her to be an antagonist named "Witch" in Final Fantasy VII who served the character Jenova, one of its antagonists. The design went unused in Final Fantasy VII, but because Nomura liked it, it was featured in Final Fantasy VIII. She has received generally positive reception, being noted as an effective villain and praised for her dress. Concept and creation Edea is one of three character concepts, along with Fujin and Raijin, to have been created before Final Fantasy VIII. Edea's design, created by Tetsuya Nomura, was originally intended to be featured in Final Fantasy VII and was known as "Witch". She was meant to be a servant of Jenova. Nomura based Edea's design on the style of Yoshitaka Amano, who was the character illustrator of Final Fantasy VI and previous games. This design was not used, but they chose to use this design for her in Final Fantasy VIII due to how much Nomura liked her. A scene depicting Edea murdering someone in front of a cheering crowd was met with speculation that Edea was mind controlling the audience, which was later confirmed in the Final Fantasy VIII Ultimania guide. Appearances Edea first appears in the PlayStation role-playing game Final Fantasy VIII. Prior to the game's release, she was marketed extensively in promotional material such as trailers, screenshots, box art and game descriptions or summaries as its main villain. She is initially presented as a power-hungry sorceress who seizes control of the government of Galbadia from President Deling. Edea's motives are unknown, but the mercenary group SeeD dispatches Squall to assassinate her. The mission fails after Edea sends a bolt of ice through Squall's chest. It is later revealed that Edea is the wife of Headmaster Cid, and was the matron to Squall and the other protagonists who grew up in her orphanage. It is eventually explained that Edea was not acting of her own will, but was possessed by a sorceress from the future named Ultimecia. When Ultimecia's control is broken, Edea takes