Professor Hojo [FF7]

Hojo is the archetypal mad scientist who does not care about the well-being of others when he puts his hypotheses and theories to the test. He is arrogant and condescending, referring to people as "test subjects" and not bothering to learn their names unless, like Sephiroth, they prove exceptional. Hojo's only desire is the pursuit of science and understanding of the planet, willing to go to any lengths to further his knowledge.

Hojo performs many horrific experiments on unwilling human subjects with no regard for their welfare, and eventually even experiments on himself. He is secretive and conniving, withholding critical details even from Shinra's board of directors. When his actions put the city of Midgar at risk, Hojo considers it just another price to pay in pursuit of science. Even when the entire planet is in peril, he does not seem to fully comprehend this, narrowly focusing on the scientific implications. Hojo admits to hating himself for his ignorance, having foreseen Sephiroth's power surpass the science he believes in and for underestimating Cloud as a viable test subject. In Hoshi o Meguru Otome, Hojo has no regrets over his actions and cares about nothing other than seeing his greatest experiment be completed.

Hojo's appearances in Dirge of Cerberus -Final Fantasy VII- focus on his megalomania and enjoyment in seeing others suffer, laughing maniacally at sights of death and carnage, and gloating about how both Vincent and the Tsviets were mere pawns in his plan. Several flashbacks focus on Vincent confronting Hojo about the ethics of the Jenova Project; the first time Hojo dismisses him, saying he and Lucrecia are scientists and know what they are doing. Hojo displays a conflicting attitude towards his assistant, as after he found her trying to infuse Vincent with Chaos, he praised her on using a "fine specimen", saying, "Once a scientist, always a scientist". However, he also dismissed her theory as "utter nonsense". When Lucrecia returned after breaking off from Vincent, he condescendingly stated that she came to her senses by choosing him. Whether Hojo was in love with Lucrecia is unknown, but it is implied he admired her solely for her appearance and intelligence. Given his penchant for experimentation, it is likely he married her to create a being with superior intelligence and abilities.

Hojo is a complete sociopath who has next to no motivations for anything he does other than he wants to see what will happen next. He deals with threats on his life as trivial and deaths and suffering of billions as less than nothing. He has destroyed numerous lives and even Sephiroth has shown a severe distaste for him. Rufus and other Shinra executives are apparently unnerved by him and only view his research as worth putting up with him. He is prone to laughing fits and views his early career as a scientist with disgust compared to what he knows by the end of the game.

Most of his research partners have wound up running for their lives, dead or worse with their research stolen and claimed by Hojo as his own. Though having a son, wife, several beautiful "consorts", comrades and research partners he has never displayed any sign of sentimentality, empathy, remorse or compassion. He too shares these similar qualities with another scientist Fuhito who praised him as his hero.