I have come across my first problem - how do you take the characters seriously when they have such cute little sprites?

Wasn't a problem for me... or maybe I'm just old school. At any rate, FFIV has one of the most angsty and dramatic stories in the entire damned series, so I'd be very surprised if you don't end up taking the characters at least a little bit seriously!

As for the icon, I see it at Fandom Wank every once in awhile... may want to browse there.