Naoki Hamaguchi, the game director of Final Fantasy 7, recently disclosed his astonishment upon learning that Sephiroth would feature as a downloadable character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Even the Final Fantasy 7 development team was clueless about this addition and only discovered the news alongside the public.

Sephiroth's unexpected introduction as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate occurred during The Game Awards in December 2020. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Nintendo and Square Enix managed to surprise fans worldwide with the One-Winged Angel's appearance in the Fighters' Pass Volume 2 DLC. In the reveal trailer, Sephiroth dramatically defeats Galeem, a light-based deity, evoking shock and excitement among fans globally.

As anticipation for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth mounted, the development team engaged with fans on social media, addressing queries about the upcoming Square Enix title. During an episode of the Kinda Funny Gamescast on February 26, Naoki Hamaguchi clarified that neither he nor his team had any prior knowledge of Sephiroth's involvement in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. This revelation came as a complete surprise to them.

Naoki Hamaguchi: Unaware of Sephiroth's Smash Bros. Inclusion

Hamaguchi emphasized that he learned about Sephiroth's inclusion simultaneously with the rest of the world. While discussing the development of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, he touched on the game's intricacies and animations but remained tight-lipped about the forthcoming installment in the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy.

Although the development of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has concluded, Sephiroth's impact lingers in the industry. Whether the iconic villain will make a return in a future Super Smash Bros. iteration remains uncertain.