Square Enix today is considered one of the most well-known Japanese companies in the video game industry, and its name is most often associated with major RPG series that have marked several generations of players. The company was formed on April 1, 2003, by merging two important Japanese companies, Square and Enix, which brought under the same name some of the most significant franchises in the history of the genre.
The company's most famous series is undoubtedly Final Fantasy, a long-lasting RPG brand that has changed battle systems, worlds, characters, and visual identity over the decades, but has maintained its status as one of the key Japanese franchises. Alongside it stands Dragon Quest, a series particularly important for the Japanese market, where it has almost cult status and is often mentioned as one of the foundations of console RPGs.
The third major pillar of Square Enix is Kingdom Hearts, an action RPG series created in collaboration with Disney, which combines original characters, worlds from Disney films, and elements of Final Fantasy. The company's catalog also includes numerous other well-known franchises, including Mana, SaGa, Star Ocean, Chrono, Front Mission, NieR, and Octopath Traveler.
Over time, Square Enix has outgrown the framework of a classic video game publisher. In addition to developing and publishing games, the company is involved in merchandising, arcade operations, and manga publishing through Gangan Comics. Nevertheless, for most players, its identity remains tied to grand fantasy worlds, long journeys, epic stories, and an RPG legacy that spans decades.
