Cloud and Aerith Cast as Final Fantasy IX’s Zidane and Garnet in Ever Crisis

In your dearest memories, could you have imagined something like this?

Square Enix’s mobile phone game Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis has featured more than a few goodies for Clerith fans, and this one might be the best yet. This month (November 2023), the game is hosting a Final Fantasy IX collaboration event, and select Final Fantasy VII characters are donning costumes inspired by the FFIX cast.

It’s no surprise that the protagonist is dressed as the protagonist. Cloud Strife pays tribute to Zidane Tribal in outfit and weapon. Likewise, our heroine Aeris Gainsborough is dressed in a gown that takes its vibe from the orange jumpsuit of Princess Garnet, i.e. Dagger. When brandishing their weapons, the pair even pose as Garnet and Zidane.

Zidane and Garnet, of course, represent the official romantic couple of Final Fantasy IX, so seeing Cloud and Aeris officially “cosplaying” them is beyond cute.

The event is minimal in terms of story. In it, a handful of FF7 cast members are sucked into a portal and emerge in a new world draped in their FF9 costumes. Sephiroth and Lucia (a new character from The First Soldier) together appear as Kuja and Vivi. Cloud and Aeris, who were on their “date” in Evergreen Park, emerge as Zidane and Garnet. And Tifa, who was infiltrating Don Corneo’s mansion on her secret mission to gain intel, comes out inspired by fellow monk Amarant.

Check out their field models above, and more information on their costumes and weapons below!