In the grand scheme of things, Cindy Aurum is a relatively minor character in Final Fantasy. Going by Cidney in Japan, this mechanic was introduced in Final Fantasy XV and quickly caught the eye of players through her western-inspired aesthetic and upbeat personality. As Square Enix’s JRPG primarily revolves around male characters, Cindy serves as one of the game’s standout women.
Cindy might be only an NPC, but she is responsible for servicing and upgrading Noctus’ Regalia, a car that is a vital component of Final Fantasy XV’s blueprint. It could be argued the entire adventure would not be possible without Cindy’s talents as a mechanic. Consequently, the character deserves all of the fan art in the world.
10 Classic Cindy
Art by xdtopsu01.
From her trademark yellow jacket to her short blond hair, Cindy almost comes across as a 1950s-esque pin-up model. Obviously, the character has too much personality to be reduced to only her looks, but Cindy’s design is undeniably different from many of the female characters in Final Fantasy’s history.
Xdtopsu01’s Cindy is a striking work of art that would not look of place on the cover of a comic. The coloring is especially fantastic and vibrant, with the clothes juxtapositioning well with Cindy’s lipstick and green eyes.
9 Wrench & Bubblegum
Art by MonoriRogue.
Providing an up-close and personal look at Final Fantasy XV’s mechanic, MonoriRogue’s artwork stands out through its use of perspective, lighting, and attention to detail. The grime splattered across Cindy’s face is a particularly delightful touch as it reflects the character’s hands-on profession.
Even if she might take a backseat to the main four boys, Cindy is still an active character. Her role as a mechanic defines her existence within Final Fantasy XV’s universe, so it makes sense to highlight that aspect.
8 Picturesque
Art by LimetownStudios.
LimetownStudios clearly knows their stuff when it comes to coloring, and this tribute to Final Fantasy’s Southern Belle is nothing short of spectacular in that area. Almost glowing, Cindy is naturally the highlight of the piece, with her jacket and hair being especially notable.
As great as Cindy is, the background should also not be ignored. Along with the buildings and hills providing some depth to the image, the cloudy sky gives off a sense of movement that is impressive.
7 A Gift From Above
Art by JuneJenssen.
Cindy’s design does have an element of fanservice to it that cannot be denied, but the character’s enthusiastic and confident personality goes a long way in justifying her outfit. Cars are Cindy’s life and passion, so she just wears what is comfortable and does not interfere with her job.
JuneJenssen’s Cindy has such a euphoric smile on her face that one has to assume a particularly stunning vehicle has just rolled into Hammerhead garage. Cindy is so happy, she might as well be floating up to the heavens.
6 On The Job
Art by DanteWontDie.
How can a video game character be so photogenic? Cindy’s screentime in Final Fantasy XV might be on the short side, but she sticks out from the crowd and leaves an instant impression. While 2016’s JRPG does take a page or two from western games, the majority of the characters are still drawn to match Final Fantasy’s typical aesthetic.
Cindy’s simple and (somewhat) realistic wardrobe is a departure for the license. DanteWon’tDie’s Cindy artwork captures the source material’s essence while still wholly doing its own thing.
5 A Tireless Worker
Art by atutcha.
Generally speaking, Final Fantasy characters stick to one main outfit, even if gear can be swapped. Not only do their costumes echo their personalities, but they are used to market them to the general public. Cindy is inseparable from her well-worn jacket in Final Fantasy XV; however, fans are free to shake things up as they please.
Dressed in a straightforward tank top and covered in grease, atutcha’s Cindy comes across as someone who has been working tirelessly but happily all day. Even without her jacket, the real Cindy still shines through.
4 Peace
Art by EvaS0L0.
When drawn correctly, there are few features more captivating than eyes. In Final Fantasy XV, Cindy has olive-green eyes, which is somewhat the case in EvaSoLo’s rendition. Although they are still close to the real deal, this artwork intensities the “olive” in Cindy’s eye to give her an almost hypnotic stare.
As the rest of the piece uses slightly washed-out colors, the eyes end up popping out of the screen with an intensity that demands a viewer’s undying attention.
3 The Head Mechanic
Art by Unsomnus.
Cindy is not a complicated person, despite having a rather tragic upbringing. She is defined by her profession as a mechanic, a career path she absolutely loves. Cindy brings a sense of enthusiasm to most of her scenes, which is one of the reasons she left such a positive mark on the Final Fantasy community.
Unsomnus’s Cindy might be presented in a completely different art style to the game, but the author still managed to convey her uplifting energy and unflinching optimism.
2 Comic Worthy
Art by Abylaikhan.
Abylaikhan takes Cid Sophiar’s granddaughter and imagines what she might look like in a comic book or on the cover of a manga. Through a mixture of bold colors, the painting and character come alive on the screen.
The linework is also great throughout the image, as all of the different sections blend together seamlessly to create a wonderful, complete image.
1 Piercing Eyes
Art by GuD0c.
Cindy is simultaneously all about work and inherently fun. The Hammerhead garage might mean everything to the master mechanic, but her passion for cars and bubbly personality means that it rarely feels like just a job for the character.
GuD0c showcases both of these aspects of the character using a single expression. The scuff marks on Cindy’s face fit her personality, while her eyes and smile have an almost mischievous quality to them. It must be time to get back to work.
NEXT: Final Fantasy 7: 10 Cloud Fan Art That Remind Us How Handsome He Is