Squall Leonhart (Japanese: スコール・レオンハート Hepburn: Sukōru Reonhāto) is a fictional character and the primary protagonist of Final Fantasy VIII, a role-playing video game by Square (now Square Enix). He was designed by Tetsuya Nomura, with input from game director Yoshinori Kitase. Squall has appeared in several other games, including Chocobo Racing, Itadaki Street Special, and the Kingdom Hearts series, as Leon (レオン Reon). His weapon, a gunblade, also appears in other works.