Preservation in modernity
DUELLUM offers something new and exciting to the subseries with the inclusion of modern outfits for the cast. Players are granted a sneak peek at Kuja's attire in the seventh season, "Bridging the Distance," where he appears in a solo scene with his eyes cropped out of view for added mystique.
Kuja's fit for Tokyo encompasses an ombre blouse fastened with ribbons, charcoal jeans, and a pair of dress shoes. He retains his cosmetics and his nails, though still painted, are clipped short as in FINAL FANTASY IX. The trademark feathers on his head are also altered to resemble regular strands of hair. In observance of Eastern sensibilities, he covers his legs, but unbuttons his blouse at just the right level to bare a section of his toned midriff in true Terran fashion. Moreover, the design on his shoes resembles the buckles of his boots from his original look.
Perhaps the most fascinating element of Kuja's modern outfit is his belt! In lieu of traditional leather, he weaves a long ribbon through the loops of his jeans and ties it off at the front. Unlike Zidane, who wears the extra length of belt behind him, Kuja's sash is not visible from the back. Their belts may be references to their tails in that, while Zidane exposes his freely, Kuja hides his own by removing the semblance of one as it's the only strip of fabric that doesn't flow freely on his person.
There are numerous references to Kuja's body language from FINAL FANTASY IX. Here are some examples:
Kuja makes his very first appearance as an anonymous contact (Otherworldly Reaper) in the fourth season, "A Planet in Peril." Here are my meandering thoughts on his FINE with Sephiroth and Garland, as well as my opinion on his kit prior to release.