Losing a Loved One: The Reason Cloud Suffers from Geostigma in Advent Children

In Advent Children, we find out that many people have been infected with tainted Lifestream, which has caused them to become afflicted with a new disease termed "Geostigma." Those with Geostigma are weakened, with areas of their bodies bruised and bleeding black ichor. Of the main party, only Cloud Strife becomes infected with Geostigma. Why? … Continue reading Losing a Loved One: The Reason Cloud Suffers from Geostigma in Advent Children →

The Legacy of Cloud and Aeris’s Gold Saucer Date

Cloud and Aeris's date at Gold Saucer is iconic, plot-relevant, and.. optional. It is, of course, possible to date Tifa, Barret, or Yuffie - it all depends on who Cloud achieved the most "affection points" with. But if one of these dates is the "true route," there is no question on which it is. Aeris … Continue reading The Legacy of Cloud and Aeris’s Gold Saucer Date →

Do Cloud and Tifa Ever Get Together After Final Fantasy VII?

Regardless of whether or not fans think Cloud loves Aeris, she dies. That leaves only one love interest left. So surely, the story concludes with Cloud and Tifa canonically becoming a couple, right? At first glance, it seems conclusive enough. After the events of Final Fantasy VII, and with the rival love interest deceased, Cloud's … Continue reading Do Cloud and Tifa Ever Get Together After Final Fantasy VII? →

Dismantling the Zerith Myth: On Aeris’s First Love, Zack Fair

One aspect to Aeris's character, present since the original Final Fantasy VII, is that in the past, there was a young man she loved whom Cloud reminds her of present-day. While most of Aeris's dialogue and character drama is about her journey as an Ancient and her perceived duty as the last Cetra, this is … Continue reading Dismantling the Zerith Myth: On Aeris’s First Love, Zack Fair →

All the times Cloud and Aeris’s relationship is described using the word “heart” (心)

In the myriad of official books, manuals, pamphlets, descriptions, and signage, we see time and time again Cloud's relationship with Aeris being described using the word "heart" (心). From Aeris thawing Cloud's heart to his heartfelt grief at her loss, here's a digital exhibit of the Clerith relationship. Aeris's brightness comes to open Cloud's cold … Continue reading All the times Cloud and Aeris’s relationship is described using the word “heart” (心) →

What the Devs Say About Final Fantasy VII’s Love Triangle: It’s Open-Ended (duh!)

I'm a Clerith fan through and through, but plenty of players saw a different love story than me - they saw a romance story between Cloud and Tifa instead in the original game and subsequent Compilation. The game never spelled out who Cloud "ends up with" or has feelings for present-day, which has led to … Continue reading What the Devs Say About Final Fantasy VII’s Love Triangle: It’s Open-Ended (duh!) →