The main character

[Ness]

I'd say that Terra is meant to be the primary protagonist for two reasons:

1) Her picture adorns the front of the box art...or at least I'm 99% sure that's meant to be her (not a lot of women in the game used Magitek armor).

2) The overworld theme is Terra's Theme. Though I feel it would lend a certain gravitas to the game if Kefka's theme was the overworld music...but I digress.

Overall, I agree with the above post. I would definitely say that Six is more of an antagonist-driven story, and Kefka fits the bill quite nicely in that regard. This is one of those "Aeris/Aerith" debates, it's basically pointless and doesn't change the game experience in any way/shape/form.

 

[Busta]

Terra is the one I think has to be the main character in this one. I mean I can make arguments for others like Locke and maybe Celes, but overall I see the story revolve more around Terra than any other.

She's the first character you're introduced to, Kefka's after the secret about Terra's parents and their powers (at least one of her parents' powers), and her magicite ability gives the rest of the party the ability to use Espers to learn magic for themselves.

Like I said, I also see Locke taking a main lead in the game, but Terra seems more critical to the main plot and Kefka.

 

[Terra Branford]

Ness:
Yes, Terra is on the cover of all the FF6 ports and in all languages releases.

God these discussions seem kinda pointless to me ... >>; Doesn't it say on the box?

Terra Branford methinks. Why? 'cause for half of the game it's centered on her. True enough of any FF, VI switched the most but that was part of the charm to it. Everyone was explored and had their past discovered etc.

As for Shadow fan on page 1, you CAN save him XP If you wait until below 10 seconds left he jumps onto the airship and you all fly away happily.

It doesn't say on the box, but I thought it was pretty obvious from the start. I could see people saying Celes, but anyone else?

The game did show us some of each character's past, but Terra's was the most explored. Her theme, as pointed out, is the overworld theme and plays at different points in the game, a lot. Most of the story revolves around her,

Spoiler

you cannot continue the story without Terra from the start to the end. Terra helps you communicate with the Espers, heads the team to Thamasa to help find the Espers to establish (fake peace) peace for the Empire, you get to learn who and what she is moreso than others, like the parts with her parents and her flashbacks.

You are even forced as a team, to go a rescue Terra and after that, more Terra story. And then finally, if you choose to leave Terra behind in Mobliz and try to defeat Kefka, she comes anyways and saves your butt from death (same fate as Shadow.).

If you cannot defeat the game without Terra, then that means she's the main character. What other characters can you leave behind yet shows up to help? None....

And finally, Terra being the main Representative for FF6 in Dissidia should tell it all. I'm sure other FF6 characters will appear in the next prequel, but in the end, she is the main Representative for Final Fantasy 6.

Also, Shadow (Spoilers ahead!)

Spoiler

cannot be saved in the end. When you defeat Kefka.....he lets himself die, or rather, stays behind to be smashed into a pancake.

 

[Tom Badguy]

Since Cyan is my favorite character from VI, he would be my main character. I like his abilities and his story is pretty crippling. Also, when I first played this game as a kid I thought he looked like Zorro with armor. So if have a nostalgic memory for this character.

 

[DKnight]

This story does not just have one character. It has two main characters. one for each section. the thing is that neither of the two is terra. Terra plays the role of the key character that is the catalyst for story progression. the story is about what happens too the other characters because she exists. it is about their reactions to what happens to her. this is why she is also the feature character when it comes to cover art and representation in other game.

The main character of the first section of the game would have to be Locke. He is just a regular thief until he is pushed into this adventure because of terra's presence. He gathers heroes and finds our next main character, Celes, who takes over in the second part of the game.
She becomes the one to gather the heroes of the story. the entire plot of the second half revolves around her adventure.

Spoiler

including her special scenes involving her love interest, locke.

 

[squaredgirl]

I voted on this ages ago and never got around to actually explaining my vote! Oopsies!

Anyway, I feel that Terra/Tina is the main character of Final Fantasy VI because I think she is the character who develops the most over the course of the game, she learns the most about herself, others and how to live her life. Although other characters do change and grow it's Terra who I think does this the most. She also comparitively has the most screen time and I've always been under the impression that the first character you play is the main character of the game... But FFXII messed that up for me slightly!

 

[chrisburr]

Final Fantasy 6 does not have a single Main Character, all are treated equal, no one main one which is one of the many reasons the game is one of the best.

However, if there HAD to be a single main character out of this list

I would say Terra since she is the first character you get and start the game with.

Celes would be second since you start the WOR with her

Locke third