I guess either Final Fantasy IV, VI, or Chrono Trigger. Earthbound is another great one, but it's too different from the others to "represent" them.
FFIV basically kickstarted the major storytelling in JRPGs, FFVI perfected it, and Chrono Trigger is just great.
FFIV basically kickstarted the major storytelling in JRPGs, FFVI perfected it, and Chrono Trigger is just great.