Bosses in FINAL FANTASY RESONANCE split into three groups: story chapter bosses you cannot avoid, named optional hunts unlocked after the main story, and the demo's secret encounter. Gilgamesh and Sephiroth are the named optional hunts; Shemhazai is the demo's secret 6th boss.
More context
Story chapter bosses teach the Sweeping Stagger mechanic. Optional hunts are where the trophy progress lives. The demo secret boss only shows up after a specific in-demo trigger.
On this page
Story chapter bosses
Every main chapter closes with a Stagger Gauge fight that requires a Sweeping Stagger plan. Examples from the community guide are the Chapter 1 Earth Shrine finale, the Grandshelt Castle encounter in Chapter 2, and the Machinopolis ambush in Chapter 3. None of these are missable; the chapter progression already requires beating them.
Optional hunts
Gilgamesh is a named optional hunt unlocked after the main story and is not a chapter boss. He does not appear in the Chapter 1 demo. The Sephiroth and Ultima Weapon fights are higher-chapter superboss hunts tied to trophy progress; they need a fully built party because each adds tier-defining immunities or stagger mechanics. See the Gilgamesh fight plan for the two-phase walkthrough and Vision roster.
Demo secret boss
The demo's only optional secret boss is Shemhazai, a hidden fight that triggers after specific in-demo requirements are met. The demo contains 6 total bosses once Shemhazai is unlocked; without the trigger you only see 5. See the demo secret boss walkthrough for the trigger steps.
How to pick where to start
Still in Chapter 1 or playing the demo
Open the demo walkthrough first.
Done when: Demo run reaches the first Sanctum of Light.
After the credits
Clear the Colosseum and run Esper trials first, then enter the Chamber of Arms.
Done when: Colosseum is at the Champion tier or higher.
Save the superboss for last
Sephiroth and the Ultima Weapon require a well-built party; do them last.
Done when: Vision roster is at Founder tier before engaging Sephiroth.