A Billion Mirror Fragments | The Psychology of Cloud

[@laurajanco2i]

Just a few insights and corrections (this was sooo long I'm sorry, I'm gonna divide it in two parts, since I can't make a video on it myself): Cloud never considered himself as a protector in the first half of the game, exactly because of how much failure he had as a baggage (which his subconscious is aware of), but instead always relied of affirmations, some sort of validation that Aerith, searching for Zack in him, could provide to reinforce his fake persona and idealized self. His facade with Aerith strengthens, because he has never felt adequate, but Aerith sugarcoats him in this false sense of self, while calling him her bodyguard and wanting to be protected by him. That's also how the game highlights the contrast between Aerith and Tifa's characters in Cloud's journey. Aerith seaches for her first love and for the Soldier she sees in front of her, while Tifa sees through his facade and is trying to search for the real Cloud. This brings me to talk about Cloud's actual motivations. His desire to be a Soldier came from his failure of saving Tifa when they fell from the bridge on mount Nibel. His persona too, was made up for the promise to be strong for her and be her hero, after he thought she died by the hands of Sephiroth during the Nibelheim incident and instead was awakened from his comatose state by her at the station in sector 7 (that's the moment he built his persona). Cloud actually didn't want to be a Soldier for just anyone, or to be a protector of people in general...that will change in the latest part of the game where he accepts himself and feels like he now has a purpose and people who are counting on him. Obviously not to say he never cared about people, but he never felt the need of having so many people in his life. He only held his mother and Tifa dear to his heart. Those two people are also the reason why he doesn't give up totally to Jenova's control, it's for them that he doesn't become on of the many Sephiroth copies roaming around. It's his love for the people dear to him that makes him go on. The OG localization gets this wrong (it actually gets many things wrong and should be remade officially, since the Reunion mod is the closest thing we can get to a quality translation without plot holes) and makes Cloud say "I couldn't protect anyone", when he actually doesn't say any of that in the Japanese dialogue, because he didn't care about the opinions of others in the village, after they started to ostracize him and his mother. That's exactly why he got into fights after the mount Nibel incident. Out of self blame for not being able to save Tifa and because of the way people, started treating his family. It's also wrong how the localization said he was never invited into Tifa's group, because it was him, instead, who used to keep to himself by choice after he started distancing himself from Tifa, because of the thought she probably hated him and that's how he gets to the conclusion that all her friends are stupid. Partially for jealousy and partially because he couldn't step up and reach out to her personally out of his own insecurity. Nojima also points out how the only person he has talked to about wanting to be a Soldier was Tifa and how his mother came to know of this by Tifa herself and was surprised Cloud would care so much about someone outside of family.

[@laurajanco2i]

Cloud also didn't have Zack's actual memories, but he created his persona based on the stories Zack told him while he was comatose and while he was being dragged to Midgar. It's Jenova instead who makes Cloud acquire Zack's mannerism and words, while his personality becomes an internalized idea of what a strong Soldier should be like and blocks out all his weaknesses (one of them, which is physical, is his motion sickness). Cloud's identity and sense of self, shatters right at the moment in the Northern Crater, when he asks Tifa to confirm whether or not he was the real Cloud from Nibelheim, but her not being able to put the pieces together, is what drives him to the edge. Cloud even says "no matter what anyone says, it's your opinion that counts", which in the Japanese dialogue becomes "no matter what everyone says, it's you that keeps me..." to allude that it was Tifa who so far has kept him whole and her confirmation was the only thing he needed to be confident about himself. I always think people tend to confine Tifa's importance in Cloud's journey to her just being the one who helps him find his real self, when she was his entire motivation for joining Soldier and for building his fake persona instead. He never wanted to be a hero for the people or for the glory, that was actually Zack, Cloud just wanted for a girl to notice him, he wanted to be strong for her. At the end of the day he was just a normal boy with a bit more than a crush (because who in reality would be so crazy to try joining the military for a girl during his teenager days?). That's also why Tifa is the only one who can put his real self back together, not just because she knows the real events of Nibelheim and knows/loves Cloud, but because Cloud's feelings towards her, are the key to uncover the reason why all of his journey happened in the first place. In one section of the Lifestream scene, for example, one part of Cloud says "a sealed up secret wish...tender feelings...that no one can ever know". Even his personality slightly changes after he gets his real self back and he shows a more innocent side we've never seen before, which by the way is kinda foreshadowed/mirrored by Nanaki's character development, when he accepts his innocence and changes tone (nuance that the localization doesn't grasp), after having learned about his father.

[@BioRoxas]

You've really done your homework! Thank you so much for the localizing insights! I'm going to pin this so others can see and read through this!

[@laurajanco2i]

@@BioRoxas Thank you and sorry again for the length, I hope it wasn't too boring to read.

[@NaviNeku24]

This is why I ship Cloud with Tifa!! Aerith belonged with Zack. The two of them were made for each other. But the only one who truly knew Cloud was Tifa. If Aerith was there throughout the rest of the game (if she didn’t die), she either would’ve done nothing beneficial to Cloud’s identity or would’ve unintentionally enabled him to embrace his false persona. It had to be Tifa. It could ONLY be Tifa. But don’t get me wrong, I love Aerith. She’s my favorite. ❤️ But she belongs to Zack. Those two are peas in a pod.

[@laurajanco2i]

@@NaviNeku24 I'm really glad to hear this from an Aerith fan. I'm always scared to talk about lore in public comments, because most people will immediately think I'm rambling about ships, or that while recognizing Cloud and Tifa as a couple, I'd be diminishing Aerith, which as you explained iwouldn't the case, since she's connected with Zack instead. FF7's relationships aren't to be taken lightly, they're an inherent part of the story, despite many people don't value them as much. Zack and Aerith show us the tragic side of life, a youth that has been swallowed by the harsh reality, they have fought so hard for their dreams and ideals and they left such a poignant sign in each other's and in other people's lifes. Cloud and Tifa's bond instead is in my opinion one of the most beautiful and touching stories ever told in gaming, not only for how relatable and real they are, but for the impact their characters have on each other during their journey, the way they develop alongside each other and overcome struggles together, tackling important issues like mental health and trauma. I always cry during the Lifestream scene because it makes me think about life, insecurity, life choices, pain and regrets, but also love, childhood, dreams and innocence.

[@shadowldrago]

While he wouldn't say it verbatim, Cloud very much believes that his friends are his power. And if they get hurt, he feels like it's his fault. SOLDIER 1st Class.

[@BioRoxas]

Literally was trying to hard not to through in a cheeky Kingdom Hearts clip during some of the end segments haha

[@shadowldrago]

@@BioRoxas You have more restraint than I would.

[@raheemaslam7363]

I wonder if the reason why Cloud is the way he is in KH1-2 is because he’s still using his aloof persona?

[@SiriusLoveGirl]

I appreciate that you didn’t skip over Advent Children!! I think a lot of people write off his characterization in AC as pandering to that fandom vision of emo Cloud, and I can see how ppl might feel that way to a degree, but to me I felt it was realistic that Cloud started to backslide after contracting Geostigma. He even says at the start of the movie when he’s standing at where Zack died, “I said I’d live out both our lives. Easy to make that promise.” Getting a fatal illness makes his other problems become even more magnified, and he feels like he’s failed. He doesn’t want the others to know he’s struggling so he isolates, but if he has no support he regresses. I also love that he says there’s not a thing he doesn’t cherish-he genuinely cherishes everything and everyone he’s fought for and that weight is what was keeping him from flourishing at the beginning of the film, but by the end he’s not letting those feelings fuel his sorrow but his strength! It’s great!! Anyway, stellar video!! I loved watching it (: soldier first class!!

[@BioRoxas]

I found it really insightful to his character overall to see how he ended up in AC. So well said :) thank you for such an insightful comment.

[@jthecryptid]

Cloud does NOT have Zack's memories. What he has is a scrambled memory of the Nibelheim fire where he and Zack switched roles, and STORIES that Zack told him about his SOLDIER missions while Cloud was mako-poisoned. Due to his addled mental state, Cloud turned those stories into false memories to fill in the 5-year memory gap and to fuel his fake idealized SOLDIER persona to protect his ego. LinkOnTheBrink has a really good breakdown of the nature of Cloud's memory issues, and how attributing his dynamic w/Aerith to "he has Zack's memories" takes away his agency, takes away any authenticity with both women, aligns with Sephiroth's "empty puppet" lie. When Tifa found Cloyd in the gutter, his JENOVA cells read her mind and crafted a false persona based on TIFA'S memories of Cloud. Cloud and Tifa were not close friends as children, in fact, they barely knew each other as explained in the Lifestream scene. Tifa remembers that Cloud was a scrappy loner that got into fights with other kids, and that he wanted to become a famous SOLDIER and promised to protect her when he made it in. She didn't understand why he was like that until the Lifestream. Cloud's cold SOLDIER persona is an EXAGGERATION of Tifa's skewed understanding of who Cloud was as a child. He is imitating HIMSELF as another person remembers him, plus his natural inclination to push people away to avoid social difficulties When Aerith says that Cloud reminds her of Zack, she is talking about his clothes, his sword, his SOLDIER title, and body language. The sparked INITIAL interest, but she is VERY clear in the Gold Saucer date that she loves Cloud for who he is. Aerith acknowledges that Cloud's cold exterior is a defense mechanism, "not himself," and she wants to see more of his "real" self, the socially awkward and caring person underneath. The Remake and Rebirth are even clearer on this, where Aerith's assertive, compassionate personality cuts through Cloud's coldness and brings out his softer side. His bond with Tifa,while sweet, is tinged with actions that Cloud does bcs its what Zack/a hero would do (such as giving herthe flower,as explsined in the Materia Ultimania)

[@ishmael.01]

I think Final Fantasy 7 would be an excellent lease for you to make a psychology video, not on any specific character, but rather on the nature of interpersonal relationships, and how those we surround ourselves with work to influence and motivate us. I would love to hear you take a deep dive into the relationships between all of the main cast members. And perhaps even the nature of toxic relationships that is showcased with Cloud’s feelings toward Sephiroth.

[@BioRoxas]

Oh that's a really good idea! I have a similar idea I want to do for FF16 actually! Looking more so at the interactions and ways that characters process things but that might be really interesting to do for FF7

[@celineosthaus8032]

I would love to see a video on Aerith. The way she gets misunderstood on the daily is pretty sad and I actually find her story quite relatable.

[@nerdychocobo]

I think for an aerith video it would be really useful to have a japanese speaking helper/consultant,, as I heard that even in the original game she got slightly mischaracterised in English due to the lacklustre translation (there's a video series called let's mosey that talks about it)

[@BioRoxas]

Yeah I've been seeing some comments about localization. I would definitely need to take my time on something like that. Maybe like comparing and contrasting the different characterizations?

[@NaviNeku24]

The fact that Cloud begs Hojo for a number. Not a name or a title. A NUMBER. He so desperately wanted to be someone with a meaning to his life. 😭😭😭 Also, SOLDIER First Class. This was such a good video!!!! 😄😄😄 EDIT: Coming back after spoiling Rebirth for myself (I don’t have a PS5 😭😭😭), and HOOOOOO BOY, you have a lot to unpack once you get to Remake Cloud. Cannot wait for that video when that trilogy is complete. 😊

[@BioRoxas]

FOR REAL. That part was so incredibly heart breaking and I am not ready for how it will be portrayed in the Remake Trilogy.

[@RedFlare006]

Soldier first class Cloud's journey really resonated with me as a whole, with the disconnect between your true self and ideal self and the pressure to live up to your ideal self. Also, I like how you mention that his struggle in AC was a relapse of what he went through in the original game, because it's quite realistic that burning your struggles away isn't a one and done thing

[@BioRoxas]

Yeah I'm really glad I went back to AC. I almost left it out and focused only on FF7. It would've felt very unfinished.

[@adonai3676]

This hit way harder than I expected, wow. Shame, self acceptance, internally feeling left out or isolated, all things I struggle with big time and I never really felt a connection to Cloud despite those commonalities that plenty of people deal with. I absolutely adore all the moments when people around Cloud completely cut down his walls and make him fluster. All the human and sensitive moments in FF7 really melt me to my core, and it's quickly becoming my favorite FF the more I delve into it. Thank you so much for the video Bio, be easy! 💜🗝️

[@PetarBladeStrok]

Thank you for making this video! It's so sad that people resort to calling Cloud as a mere edgy character due to Advent Children. In the OG game, he was anything but. A loser who more than anything wanted others to think he's cool. A victim who remained a kid inside his soul and who experienced severe trauma! Amazing video! BTW. Soldier 1st Class. lol

[@simonleech1109]

It baffles to this day when so many people still shit on Cloud with a radically misconstrued perception of who he is that has become common knowledge to the point of mischaracterisation. The man has gone through a shitload of a domino effect of trauma, PTSD, survivor's guilt, depression and terminal illness within a VERY short span of time in someone's life let alone from the adolescence into early adulthood period that Cloud did and having to cope with that crap. Sure, he found himself back at the end of the original and all that but that doesn't mean that he has all the answers and likewise it doesn't mean that he isn't human and that he isn't going to relapse once the dust has settled and that things are quieter and more normal, your environment and the people may be that but your mental and emotional state is a different story. Like, case in point in real life: There're many real life cases of people with depression, mental illness or suicidal tendencies relapsing back into themselves and in dark places even when they are on cloud nine. Everyone has battles to fight and demons that they struggle with, Cloud is no exception in that regard. It's what makes him human, relatable and vulnerable all at once as well it being a very firm and awesome way of showcasing that strength and support comes in many forms and that can empower a person in their darkest hours.

[@ibrahimq981]

It’s amazing how much depth is written into cloud’s character, still believe no other final fantasy character is as good written as him. Noctis is a close second.

[@BioRoxas]

It really is interesting how much depth he has and how the writers were able to get that across through such limited means!

[@gatorssbm]

38:51 is exactly what happened to me, formed an extremely close friendship with someone, it took me a long time to stop acting stop acting aloof and unconcerned but noticed it made em nervous so I started acting a bit softer and a bit more genuine more than I have in a decade because I slowly realized I do have a suppressed care for people. But after 4 months I put my guard down and was being honest about me being nervous (go figure) and I ended up freaking out and drove em away and I just had no idea what happened, it scared the hell out of me not only because I wasnt sure why I did it but I also felt like I lost my main support and without it, it hit me hard making me self doubt so hard. I had so much extreme doubt and scared to open up to people again and it was raw because this was the exact thing I was trying to avoid even if I didnt realize it at the time, then I discovered something extremely important... Basically realized that the person who ran away from me had an avoidant attachment style and I was unknowingly helping them share a more vulnerable side which at the same time as being helpful also makes them more prone to being uncomfortable and they probably did want to consider me more than a friend despite dissappearing a month, its helped me realize we werent so different after all and has helped me recontextualize all my experiences even before I met them. Dont get me wrong it was still a long painful and scary 2 months after that but just learning the truth drove me to better myself in the hopes that if I saw them again I can be fully genuine and maybe even a guide to help them too because its made me realize my own feelings in the process especially after I reconnected for them for months til I decided once again its worth trusting not only other people but more importantly myself and knowing who to trust and how to vet people to avoid stuff like that from ever happening again. Im really happy now that I feel comfortable in my own skin and not even half as afraid of what may happen, once you realize you can get up from the hardest blows despite the messy attempts you ironically can scrape together genuine confidence and I want to use this to help my partner whos helped me figure myself out.

[@the_well-known_stranger2275]

This was a great video and an excellent character exploration of Cloud Strife

[@MrTwentington]

I love all these videos- to commit the sin of being sincere online for a second- I find it really helpful for self reflection even. But I truly love Cloud as a main character and all he goes through as well as what I think he can mean for other people. I also don’t know how sleepezi was involved in this without it becoming 4 hours long with a 2 hour segment of Norse mythology based off a split second in remake (I love his videos this is jokes) SOLDIER 1st class

[@BioRoxas]

I'm so glad! That has been my main motivation for these videos is to use these well known characters to give some insight into our own lives. Haha He looked over my script to make sure things were consistent!

[@Asher8328]

Cloud is one of the most human characters I've ever seen in fiction. I don't feel like he gets anywhere near his due in that regard, which I find really disappointing. Soldier First Class.

[@wmen48]

While not wanting to be that guy... kids nowadays. In 97 he was the poster boy for awkwardness and mental illness. Back then it was seen...We introvertic ppl also saw him as a soulmate. Later they make CC and change the tone of the game. And Cloud stands out a lot. While the game was bleak and nihilistic the way Cloud acted was understandable. All of a sudden tone of the game went to mixing comedy with tragedy. Thats why I heavily dislike Zack. I get hes a paladin archetype inspiring others around him and wanting to be a hero. But the way he does it is so kidish cool. And when you put Cloud next to him Cloud seems like Debbie Downer while he should be a normal albeit sick person.

[@wildeyedduck]

I know you just finished this video, but I’d like to see “The Psychology of Zack Fair” up next, if you think it could be done.

[@BioRoxas]

Definitely! I'm trying to figure out a good balance of diving into certain franchises but also getting to main characters in other games.

[@coldpea]

SOLDIER First Class! Really enjoyed this read into Cloud’s character! Struggling with your sense of self is something I feel a lot of us can relate to, at least I personally can relate. It’s great seeing the themes of deconstruction and self-discovery being present through Cloud as well as the FF7 series, and you did a fantastic job of exploring this!

[@BioRoxas]

I'm so glad you found it relatable :)

[@gibbs615]

The fact is Cloud has always been a man with a lot of problems ever since childhood. Then Hojo experimented on him made it worse and then Cloud started pretending to be something he's not. Then the Jenova cells inside him drove him to search for Sephiroth which was a sham for the damn reunion theory of summoning Meteor. Tifa should've just told him the whole truth about everything since she first found him that day.

[@Immunity1080]

Great video. Cloud is one of the GOATs and your breakdown of him was just justice

[@Natsunoyo_1808]

I know cloud for 14 years now and that through kh and ff, but now i realize i never really understood him. I feel bad and relieved right now that i finally get to know him for what he is and nothing else. Now that i see this picture of him, i like him even more. It's amazing to have such a charakter i can related so much and it feels great to finally understand that he finally find the strengh to relay on his friends. i never saw him as a weak boy and i still don't. i think he was strong throughout his whole journey. he might broke down, but he found strengh in wanting to protect his friends and move forward because of this. he is strong in any way possible. Thank you for this amazing video and thank you for finally showing me who cloud really is. not only in this video but also in the video psychology of sora you opened my eyes to charakters i thought i knew so well because i knew them almost my whole life. I'm so looking forward to all the others videos that might join this series. You really can be proud of those videos, there are masterpieces

[@chiri-theoden4264]

omg seeing Sleepezi was a consultant makes me so excited. By far my favorite FF theorist. Love seeing two of my favorite creators working together! This Psychology of: series has been soooo cool, Bio! I get so excited seeing who you're going to cover when a new video pops up. Thanks for putting the effort you do into making these!

[@BioRoxas]

Thank you so much for the kind words!! I hope you look forward to future projects :) Roxas is locked in for the next KH one. Haven't decided on the next character outside of KH ^^

[@HeroOfLight13]

Stellar analysis as always, and a great reaffirmation of why I like and relate to Cloud so much as a character. Tho part of me is really curious about what his backstory in KH must have been to make him that much different than his FF counterpart lol.

[@BioRoxas]

I kind of want to make a follow-up about Cloud in Kingdom Hearts!

[@NiktrickSpade]

SOLDIER 1st class! Great video, really enjoyed your dive into Cloud. I'm really happy that you went over Advent Children as a part of Cloud's characterization arc, I really liked how he grows and learns to accept the external help and support. It just seemed to me that once he has his character rebuilt by the end of OG, he finally gives space and has the time to feel his emotions that were repressed by the mask up to that moment, and it takes time to feel them out... I mean, it felt like a rather realistic depiction of going through all these emotions.

[@BioRoxas]

I totally agree! I really like how AC added on and complimented Cloud's character so well!

[@Xykel-]

Soldier, First Class! I greatly appreciate the time and effort you put into these. Cloud and Sora are my favorite characters in fiction and to see such accurate interpretations of them in this way feels, i dont know, validating in a way. Lots of people dont really grasp the inner turmoil that these characters experience and write them off as kind of one note caricatures of themselves. Thank you so much for diving into who they really are for us to acknowledge.

[@BioRoxas]

Ahh I'm so happy you say that. I think people try to simplify things too much to the point they don't have the same meaning as they were intended to. I'm glad it feels accurate and resonates with you with these videos :>

[@simosa.sokariz]

Soldier first class! I think I need to get the lore but this was great!

[@dcalexiv]

Soldier 1st Class, great work this was amazing

[@east6272]

Soldier first class Good stuff bro loved the content and your voice sounds great

[@BigWheel1995]

One small thing I found interesting was how he managed to cling to the buster sword even after falling into the livestream and washing up in Mideel, even though he was completely dissociated from his body he somehow managed to hold on to that sword.

[@maliaspoto992]

SOLDIER: First Class. I think you nailed it on the head, calling Cloud's true self a protector. My favorite line from Advent Children is when Sephiroth says, "Tell me what is most precious to you, so I can take it away." And Cloud says, "You just don't get it. I pity you. There's nothing in this world that's not precious to me." *That* is character growth. From the lone, cold Soldier who didn't care about Avalanche or that the world was dying to this man laying down his life for everyone. Thanks for putting the "Cloud is just emo" idea to rest. It really bothers me when people miss out on this character's depth

[@BioRoxas]

YES!! Exactly! I wish I would've highlighted that a bit more but Cloud's whole outlook fundamentally shifts so much and you really can see his growth throughout the franchise

[@Gustavo-Guma776]

Now I'm even MORE curious at how Remake's trillogy will build and develop Cloud Also, something in that Intermission battle theme really captivated you, huh... Not a bad thing tho. It's a good song

[@BioRoxas]

Dude I can’t get enough of that song haha

[@pusheenarmy_commander1857]

I'm not gonna trauma dump but I relate to Cloud strongly for a number of reasons and have since I first picked up FFVII, and I just wanted to say this video is amazing. It's so insightful and true that I'm having to take it in parts so I can process it all, and the things its helping me realize about myself. (And so I can discuss them with my therapist.) Thank you for this.

[@seraphicchill1676]

SOLDIER 1st class I've been loving these videos, and hope you can continue to enjoy, create, and share them to those interested and those who can be helped by them.

[@arey4414]

How about making the psychology of Sephiroth or Noctis(FFXV)? I think it's quite a fascinating topic I guess..

[@BioRoxas]

Definitely noctis :) I never really thought about Sephiroth but that would be an interesting topic!

[@MystiC860]

This was a great analysis. I appreciate the video!

[@TheTrippySoul]

Frightfully relatable

[@currentoutrage36]

Thank you for this

[@komaytoprime]

SOLDIER 1st Class! I just finished Remake and I've been playing Rebirth, so I'm so glad I found this video. Great analysis!

[@joe_dns4625]

Nice work man. Great video. You got me in the feels at the end.

[@Ailera_713]

Oh this was a lot of fun to watch/listen to, and I would absolutely ADORE seeing you delve into Lightning; she deserves some attention thrown her way to help show her as herself. Do you have plans to do other KH characters as well, like Roxas, Xion or even any of the Foretellers?

[@BioRoxas]

I cannot wait to talk about Lightning! I just recently finished the FF XIII trilogy and I *need* to talk about it haha Roxas will be next for KH characters o7

[@Ailera_713]

@@BioRoxas I’m sure it goes without saying, but the novels are equally good for lore, especially the first one; it touches on a bit of her mentality about Snow and how she interacts with the Guardian Corps, among other things. I love reading over them and picking out new details, so maybe they’d prove useful?

[@Ueslx.600]

I’m long time ago. I did play the demo for Final Fantasy seven remake. I played final seven rebirth and then I played final seven crisis. Good games good games. I love Zack and cloud.

[@CyberLocky]

Great video been researching all about the series and theres so much misinformation about Cloud its crazy

[@mr.selfdestruction]

best analysis of cloud ive watched

[@Jeatkid]

SOLDIER, First Class. That was a fun watch. FF7 is such a fun trip.

[@Alovon]

SOLDIER First Class! Very curious to see how Cloud's psyche state changes from here in the Remake/Rebirth Continuity. Especially with changes to his character already visible in Remake and some notable character-progression divergences in Rebirth (Not to mention changes at the end of Rebirth and other things too) SPOILERS FOR REBIRTH AHEAD Sephiroth's machinations with his timeline changing shenanigans from Remake have very much seemingly butterflied into Cloud's character development, which is an interesting factor as it's hard to tell if the changes/accelerations/regressions in his character development versus where he was in the Original is all intentional, partially intentional, or completely unintentional on Sephiroth's part (As Sephiroth very much still seems to want Cloud as a genuine Ally based on just offering him to join him at the end of Remake or at the very least a Puppet) Like, Cloud remembering Zack as a person rather than blanking him out is a massive acceleration to his character development, much less *meeting* Zack when at the Edge of Creation when confronting Sephiroth. And while some may argue Cloud is hallucinating Aerith being alive (I personally feel he isn't and is rather "Between" a world she lived and a world she died), even if the gang tell him Aerith is dead, Sephiroth and Aerith both told him about the "Many Worlds" situation Gaia is in, so he should have the capacity to recognize that if Aerith is dead in the world he's physically present in, she could be alive in another,. And even ontop of that, Cloud is fully aware that his mental state is not in the right space, not just spontaneously remembering Zack and acting like he knew him the whole time. He recognized he forgot about Zack, and while his retroactive assertion on Zack and his relation in SOLDIER/Shinra is still inaccurate. It's actually far more accurate than it's *ever* been (Zack and Cloud both being at Nibelheim, Zack dying at some point, Cloud being the one who stopped Sephiroth at Nibelheim, And now Cloud being aware after all that he forgot Zack due to some form of Mako-related Trauma). Cloud associates this with The Degradation that SOLDIERs in the remake continuity experience rather than Jenova Cells/Sephiroth's Influence and/or Mako Poisoning mind you, but that in itself, that acknowledgement of his mental faculties being not in-place is big for potentially building up a front to fight back and hold on against Psychological attacks from Sephiroth as instead of him crumbling apart, Sephiroth spilling the beans on what happened to him and Zack would instead give Cloud the answers to the questions he is internally seeking which he is far more receptive too as seen with this talks with Tifa. Those major developments pretty much rips away Sephiroth's method of destroying of Cloud's sense of self that we saw at Northern Crater, as him already being aware of Zack, aware his memory is dodgy, aware SOLDIERs have something negative happening to them (Ditto seeing Roche and Broden become Sephiroth Clones indicating that Sephiroth's/Jenova's Influence may be part of being a SOLDIER to him, even if it may be a subconscious realization to him to that level), would severely limit the effectiveness of the Nibelheim hallucination he did in the OG at Northern Crater and make it more difficult to erode Cloud's Sense of self as while his Sense of Self is still currently in the "False" SOLDIER Persona, said persona is a lot closer to his real self than it was in the OG.

[@eazybuxafew]

Solider first class. Man what a listen. 🙏🏾

[@SoraHear-t]

I love these deep analysis, I would love to see you do a video on characters like Clive, from 16 and Noctis from 15!

[@johnbzn6508]

My older brother loves this character, cloud

[@ansemthetrueseekerofdarkne2730]

Funny how both Cloud and Shadow have the same level and type of mischaracterization.

[@angel_in-black]

Cloud is the only fictional character besides Spider-Man that I relate to. No, I was never kidnapped and experimented on or grow up without a dad or see my best friend die in front of me, but I DO know what it feels like to always feel not good enough or wanted and have a constant desire to improve yourself not only for yourself but in the eyes of those you know. But when you finally find a ray of hope that could do that for you(Solider for Cloud, self help techniques and the gym for me), even they say you’re not good enough. You lose your self confidence, you lose your sense of how you view yourself, and with enough time for it to change you, you end up not knowing yourself at all, not to mention believing what others say about you. Without telling my life story, like Cloud I’ve gone through a lot to realize we are not our pasts, the titles others choose for us don’t define us, and we should never try and be something we’re not. Put simply as evident from Cloud’s belief(even if it’s wrong)that he’s a first class soldier, we can accomplish anything if we believe we can and all we need is to develop the right mind setting and with him also coming to grips with his past failures and acknowledging that despite feeling inferior he still overpowered Sephiroth(THE main solider)without any outside help. Put simply, we are who WE choose to be and while it can be hard to believe in yourself sometimes, you may accomplish a lot more than you think. Cloud was always considered weak and sometimes still is after all he’s done, but he’s saved the lives of countless ppl, the planet, and defeated a strong powerful evil force several times. It also never hurts to make friends that are different from you(I have). You may discover that it helps to gain a new perspective. Aerith, Tifa, Barret, etc were not like Cloud at all yet they all helped him through his trials and get to where he is now. Your friends give you strength too. Cloud is a great example to me of, with a little hope we all can bloom and push ourselves past our limits IF we let ourselves believe we can accomplish anything and it doesn’t matter what shortcomings we have or others say we have, no one defies who you are, except you!

[@BioRoxas]

I'm glad resonating with Cloud's character could guide you through what sounds to be a really tough time in your life :) Hope things continue to be brighter for you!

[@dekaynine6347]

Awesome video, u should do one for Zack

[@JETPLASTIC]

Good video. Though "a billion mirror fragments" is actually a part of a reference to Xenogears

[@BioRoxas]

Yeah someone else pointed out to me that it was an easter egg!

[@Xander0826]

Soldier First Class. This was an amazing video Bio, you put so much work into it and it really shows.

[@BioRoxas]

Ahh thank you so much Xander ;-;

[@Jinx_Soulplexus]

now this is what i'm talking about... good stuff

[@BioRoxas]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it :)

[@Jinx_Soulplexus]

i'm going to re watch it again to get a deeper dive

[@NathanGamerPlays]

very awesome quality video bio- roxas i really got more into the final fantasy franchise despite being it too long for me to understand and overall being complicated but still and incredible franchise non the less!!

[@DarkWolf-ky4fv]

Solder first class here! Absolutely love this video

[@davesinsanestudio8072]

Wait, so that's how people were able to upload all of AC on youtube? They just flipped it?

[@Chordata7]

Yes this has been a thing since 2007.

[@davesinsanestudio8072]

@@Chordata7 wow

[@BioRoxas]

I tried just flipping it. I had to add a color tone, flip and nest it in front of a blurred background to get around it. It took a day and a half of messing with to get past ;-;

[@davesinsanestudio8072]

@@BioRoxas aaaaaaaa

[@Eerondeimon]

MAAAAAAAN this video hit me deep. I most definitely can relate! Soldier First class!

[@tempestwolf067]

That's Not "the Real Cloud" but I Really Liked Your Approach to the Faceted and Reflective Nature of Cloud's Psyche. Thanks For the vid.

[@Gwen1661]

I would LOVE to see a video like this but for Lightning (or any other of the 13 cast, they're all layered), especially if they're gonna be as detailed and high-quality as this

[@BioRoxas]

I plan to!! ^_^ I am really excited to take a look into Lightning

[@joshualaborde5854]

SOLDIER First Class. Excellent video man. Remake got me into the VII series and I'm so excited for Rebirth. Been trying to absorb all the lore content about the original before going into the next installment and this definitely helped! But that said... psychology of Roxas when? You gotta do your namesake at some point right? 😅

[@BioRoxas]

Oooh good luck!! I can't wait for Rebirth! Roxas is up next :>

[@anthonyguerrero4612]

Soldier 1st Class. Great vid.

[@keyshaunjones12]

Woahhh never expected this one Im dialed in

[@BioRoxas]

I hope you enjoyed it :>

[@zero1994LP]

My Headcanon To Advent Children: Cloud shifts back to his preCD3 self was because of Geostigma. That's also the reason why the shift forward was much easier. I myself fall easily back in depressions when something bad happens.

[@Metro4466]

I think the fact Cloud actually beat up Aerith continuously while she was on the ground is something majorly overlooked. He never got to say sorry, why did he do it? How does person get so... thinking about the scene still gives me shivers

[@BioRoxas]

That scene really is so chilling. I am not ready for it in the remake haha

[@peanutmuttplays104]

At last some good Cloud Strife character analysis.

[@Snefro1338]

for real. this is a good one. diggin' deeper , he is more than just a mako junkie or a failed experiment. or an impostor for that matter. edit: #soldierfirstclass

[@estrellasazules9877]

Me, who has been following your psychology videos with the KH characters: This could be interesting. But it has spoilers, I'd better see some videos of the story, I was already curious about the story between Cloud and Sephiroth anyway Me now, crying over how horribly broken he is mentally: that video better do justice to Cloud, KH doesn't do him any! Congratulations, you made my interest in FF (at least VII) go from 20 to 1000, damn you Nomura and your characters more broken than the rearview mirror of my sister's car(?) Btw, SOLDIER 1st class

[@maloskain]

Do you think there's anything to the placement of the dialogue options? What I mean is that early on it seems like option A is cool aloof and option B (that you have to move the cursor to select) is his real self. After a certain point it seems like the top option is his real self, whereas you have to move the cursor to select the cool aloof option.

[@BioRoxas]

Huh.. That's a really interesting observation!

[@gel6689]

A Cloud video from Bio-Roxas.... i'm eating good tonight

[@Sing4DLaughter]

Babyseal sent me, great stuff!

[@BioRoxas]

Ahh what a good dude ;-;

[@Ladyrhan]

Soldier first class! Cloud is so incredibly human and I think that rubs people the wrong way. He's so easy to relate to and it can scare you off if you're not open to unpacking your own fears. Advent Children is such a good example of relapsing and the reality of mental illnesses, so thabk you so much for talking about it. Like you said, we're used to the hero being victorious and never having an issue again. But life doesn't work that way. Trauma's favorite past time is rearing its ugly head when you're least ready for it and it can knock you back down the ladder HARD. Relapsing into old habits feels safe because they're familiar. And that self blame, oooh that's the monster that bites so hard at your heels that you don't have time to catch your breath. And I know that monster well. I'm discovering a lot about myself that's helping take some of that blame off but it's still an uphill battle and I still disappear off the face of the earth every once in a while because I spiral myself into thinking that nobody really wants to be around such a failure of a person. Cloud Strife is genuinely one of the best written characters in fiction because he's so nonfiction. I see so much of me in him and I really hope that one day I can figure out who the hell I am like he did.

[@tj.0902]

great video!!!!

[@verussadap]

Great analysis ! Edit: 'SOLDIER 1st Class' lol

[@soraniostaur3839]

God I wish you would've talked about Advent Children longer

[@BioRoxas]

I think it was a ten minute section! A good 25% chunk of the video but it really does have a goldmine of information about Cloud

[@soraniostaur3839]

@@BioRoxas Genuinely! I've been having a tough time emotionally for the past few weeks and you kinda just put into perspective why I love Cloud so much.

[@OrganizationXIII]

28:25 Awww I want to hug cloud ❤

[@OldManSakaki]

Great Video

[@UltraManager]

The idea is that the real Cloud was strip away from his identity. And then attempt to reconnect with people while pretending to be someone he is not. Then, slowly the cracks started to show. Tifa was the only person close to Cloud, and out of the lies that Cloud found himself into. She decided by out of respect for her friend to let him be who he choose to be. And at the end she drag him out of his shattered state of mind. To help him to be a man of his own term. No more a puppet to Hojo, Sephiroth or even to his former past. If it wasn't from Tifa. Cloud would have been a broken man with no purpose of his own. Tifa love him so much and care for him that much. Even though many would have move on and leave him behind.. She came back anyway. And now Cloud is the real person he can finally be.

[@jthecryptid]

23:44 Mako is made up of the memories of every living being that ever existed on the Planet, from the tiniest of viruses to the largest multicellular animals. When you are exposed to mako, your brain is overwhelmed and overwritten by the memories of everything that ever lived, while also forcing some of your own memories into the Lifestream. Mako poisoning causes memory lose, ego death, and coma.

[@blackdragon227]

Have you watched the TFS FF7 Machinebridged? I'm curious as to what you'd think of their version of Cloud

[@BioRoxas]

I don't believe I have! I'll have to check it out

[@Pluwulf]

Didn't cloud even say to Sephiroth when asked what he cares about most so it can be taken away. Only for Cloud to yell back that there isn't anything he doesn't care about?

[@Magnymbus]

SOLDIER, First Class. 👍🏻 & ✔️

[@TracingVibes]

Soldier 1st Class. This really struck a chord with me. Props on a good job. Also what's the remix that played at 35:59?

[@yodizzle]

SOLDIER FIRST CLASS!!! BRAVO BRAVO BRAVO!!!!!!

[@yodizzle]

ALSO this is incredible! Thank you for all of your hard work!!! I'm so curious to know how you think Rebirth Cloud compares and contrasts to the original one so far.

[@BioRoxas]

I can’t wait to dive into him ^^ I want to wait for the whole trilogy I think

[@willsword8100]

Donut Lord never misses.

[@OrganizationXIII]

I can’t see Verum Rex and kingdom hearts 4 topping this story !

[@climber6500]

Good video. I disagree with the Advent Children section as I dislike it and the entire Compilation, but I enjoyed the first part.

[@RizzyGyatt]

SOLDIER, First Class

[@quinnhouk5369]

Woooooooo nice one

[@kingslayerkoshy]

Soldier 1st class.

[@ObviousHUN]

Cloud *does not have Zacks memoires* Seriously so many people get this wrong it is boggles the mind. Cloud acts how he *envisioned* how a First Class Soldier should act, and possibly he saw Zack from the outside as "cool". Also he only internalised some of the things Zack said to him while in a comatose state. If he really acted like Zack, he would be more carefree, and a literal puppy... no Cold Shoulder act

[@BioRoxas]

Does he not? I could've sworn that it is said that he knows things he shouldn't...

[@ObviousHUN]

@@BioRoxas If he did have Zacks memories, it stands to reason he would think himself as "Zack". He likely explained the Reactor inspection in great detail, although most likely Jenova cells helped him picture the details more vividly. Edit: Remembers thing he shouldn't (Nibelhiem incident as Tifa for a long time thought he wasn' there) He does not remember things he should, because most of the stuff if he did remember, would contradict, his patchworked psyche.

[@JohnRambo1947-July-6th]

Soldier 1st class!!!

[@LanzTheMaster]

What is Cloud doing?

[@hanikamu81]

soldier, first class 🫡 no but seriously, fantastic video as always. As someone who does reeeally resonate with Cloud, especially now more than ever, you had me tearing up at the end. P.s.- stop picking deeply relatable characters to do these analyses on omg i cant take another “theyre just like me fr” moment LMAO

[@BioRoxas]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it :) YEAH I feel all of these characters have been waaaay too close to home for myself hahaha I've had other professionals and lore people fact checking just to make sure I'm not just projecting myself onto these characters XD Cause they've been waaay too relatable

[@hanikamu81]

@@BioRoxas That’s what I love about Nomura’s works. He really has a way of creating such real and relatable characters! And personally I think everyone is allowed a little projecting onto characters, as a treat lol

[@--...--...--...]

What is the song that starts at 11:13? I can't find it on the OST

[@KilleRoy_NL]

Soldier 1st class, lesgoo

[@simplycity592]

Tifa is the only one who understands cloud ❤❤❤

[@justlearning1881]

yes

[@resolutedreamer]

soldier first class!