Is it just me, or are there lots of things we don't know about Rinoa? From in-game mysteries, to her father's last name, this page is my guess.. or answer on some of them, because there are lots of things to speculate on. It was formerly known as "muse", which it still is.. Just without the same name. ^^; It has questions, musings, and any other Rinoa mysteries. And hey, if you have anything to contribute, whether it be a new topic or another answer, go ahead and e-mail me about it and I'll try to post it for you ^_~ I'd love it if ya would! (Note that I DO post everything I'm sent that has to do with this section; unless you specifically tell me not to do so. This includes your email, so if you don't feel comfortable with that posted for some reason, make sure you tell me! ^_^) The paragraphs with 'reply at bottom' mean, well, just that.. Someone's replied to this and their comments can be found by scrolling down ^_~

Rinoa's voice
For some reason I picture Rinoa having Danielle Fishel's voice ^_^; ('Topanga Lawrence' from the show Boy Meets World). There's really no reason why, but that's just the kind of voice I'd always thought she'd have. Don't ask me... (reply at bottom)

And, uh.. Rinoa's Actress ^^
Yep, that's right! Rinoa's looks are based on an actual person. Her actress is Mayuko Aoki, and her "action" actress (as the game credits put it) is Hoshimi Asai (same as Selphie). <-- I didn't have anywhere else to put this. ^^
I also remember reading somewhere that Mayuko Aoki is actually a champion ballroom dancer.. Hmm, that's why Rinoa dances so well! ;) (reply at bottom: seems I'm wrong? ^^;)

Who's ring is that on Rinoa's neclace?
I don't mean Squall's! :P The first ring on the chain, who's ring is that? I think it might be something of her mother's, and Rinoa's wearing it to remember her by. (Or, maybe it's Seifer's?! Just kidding ;)) (reply at bottom)

Why...
..Is Rinoa's blood type unknown?
..Does she hate her father?
..Can't she fight by herself?
That's just stuff we don't know... I won't try to come up with something for it.

What happens if you send Rinoa to the missile base instead of with Squall to Balamb Garden at that point in the game? Do you still get an FMV when you go to the second floor deck?
Yeah, you CAN send Rinoa to the missile base! She doesn't refuse. I didn't know that! But I don't know what happens after that yet. I am *trying* to find out ^_^ But since FF8 won't run on my computer anymore :P and that's where all of my saves close to that are, I'm having some trouble.. I don't wanna play the game for eight hours just to find this out, I'm sorry ;_; (reply at bottom)

What happens if you let Rinoa go with Irvine when he first joins your party?
She gets mad at Squall, and latches onto Irvine's arm. ^_^ CUTE scene! But then you hafta have Squall, Quistis, and Zell for a party O_o I usually have Squall Rinoa and Zell, so I got mad.. ^^;

How the heck do you pronounce Rinoa's name?!
Actually, you'd have to ask Squaresoft that ^_^; I pronounce it 'Rin-oh-ah' myself, but my cousin insists that it's 'Rhine-oh-ah'.. But that's sounds weird. Just however you want, I guess! The name's made up, too, 'cause I've checked in lots of baby name books (too much spare time, I guess, heh) and her name is never there ^_^; Of course, you could always pronounce it the way you would say it in Japanese, too; which is probably the technical "right" way anyhow.

YOUR replies!! (my comments in bold ^^)
Samantha (Destiny): The other ring (not Squall's) *swoons at the mention of Squall's name* ehhh...sorry. I do believe it IS Rinoa's mother's ring. I think she wears the ring as a rememberance to her mother a symbol that her mother is still with her, in some way.
(Cool, I was right for once.. lol)

also from Samantha: You know with Rinoa's voice, for some reason, I have NO idea why...I see her as having a Jennifer Love Hewitt voice. Why, I dunno....Danielle Fishel is a good one too, I just see her as having a not too peppy, not really high pitched, but in the middle.
(Yeah.. too high-pitched and it turns into Selphie.. I see Selphie having one of those little hyper high-pitched voices, like Lacey Chabert or something.. Oops, sorry! Nevermind.. ^^;)

Followthemoon2@aol.com: The part about what happens if you don't have her on the balcony scene. Well, there are 2 movies that I can see on my computer, and they are exactly the same except that Rinoa's face isn't there. I think that is what happens.
(Oh, okay. This clears it up a little. There's an FMV, just without Rinoa. Er. I'm sure the one with Rinoa is better ^_~ That look she gives Squall is sooo sweet!))

Sheila: under the article section on your site you made a big mistake on the part about Rinoa's actress- Rinoa was not made to look like Mayuko Aoki. The only reason why Rinoa had an actress (just like everyone else did) was to capture movements for fmvs. So Mayuko Aoki was the person who did the dance sequence as Rinoa- they had people do the motions for the fmvs and then put the game characters to them. And also, Mayuko Aoki is NOT a professional dancer. the only reason why you thought that is because she has the same name as a famous dancer in Japan. That's all it. ~Sheila
I really thank you for clearing that up :) although I don't appreciate being talked to as if I don't know anything. I never said Rinoa WAS Mayuko Aoki (as in that Rinoa looks exactly like her, or anything), and I DO know what the actors are for. Yes, I made a mistake and jumped at a conclusion and should've worded myself better - Rinoa's movements were based on Mayuko Aoki but not necessarily her looks. Thanks for your concern and correction, although I see NO reason why you should have to treat me as if I'm inferior to you. I asked for contributions, but not for people to treat me like an idiot.
Oh, and by the way, I read that part about Mayuko Aoki being a ballroom dancer elsewhere (although I don't know the name of the site or URL, and yes, that is my fault - I just decided to add it in while adding the name of the actress because I had happened to remember it) so please don't be jumping to conclusions about what I think. And if you find me rude, that's just as well, because you weren't exactly "friendly" either.

Ashley: i believe that the ring on her necklace is her mother's wedding ring, or engagment ring, her mom gave it to RInoa when she was about to die.
i think the way you pronnounce Rinoa's name is the correct way.
when you send RInoa to the missle base, everything the same happens, except when Selphie's groups returns in the Bgrgrg whatever, and everyone except Squall leaves,their whole conversation will be different. RInoa says that when she was about to die, she really missed Squall. Squall then has to chose - i missed you to, - why, - or something like,....... i missed you too, a little, i guess. Rinoa replys.- i can't believe you said that! and punches him, - why?. - ohhh, Squall. a little? i guess i can let you off with that.
hope that helped. aShLeY
Wow, thanks! :D It does! (I must be missing something.. I don't know how everybody knows this stuff.. *^^*) She REALLY punches him?! I gotta see this >:D That just sounds so funny.

Emily: I suspect that Rinoa smiles the way she does because she's adhering to traditional feminine behaviors common in Japanese culture. In Japan, it is considered enormously rude to bare your teeth in a smile -- it upsets the "wa," or the positive force of harmony that holds social situations together. Many Japanese zaibatsu actually hire 'smile coaches' to train their employees to smile winningly at American business contacts. This sort of deference is increasingly being viewed as silly and old-fashioned in modern Japan, but Rinoa seems a very classically Japanese heroine in so many ways, I think it may be plausible. I had to write an enormous paper on this for Japanese Studies (I minored in sociology, with attention to Asian cultures), which is why I happened to know it off the top of my head. Sadly enough.
And I'm glad you don't think Rinoa looks like Tifa and Garnet. She *definitely* doesn't. She's way cuter and much more Asian-looking. Not that there's anything wrong with the way Tifa and Garnet look... and now some people are saying that all those girls and Yuna look alike, which is just ridiculous. I look forward to reading your opinions on the subject. Thanks, Emily.
Hmm, so that's why Rinoa never shows her teeth! Wow, thank you very much ^_^ As for ym opinion on Garnet and Tifa and Rinoa.. Well.. You'll have to wait for that *^^* And although I didn't post it along with the message, thank you very much for the complements! ^o^ I really appreciate that!