Cloud Loves Aerith *TRIGGER WARNING!* Clerith-centric topic [FF7 REMAKE SPOILERS]

Listed are some events in the remake that portrays that Cloud Strife loves Aerith Gainsborough including some comparisons to how he deals with other characters. This ultimately proves that they are the One True Pair (OTP). It also includes some Tifa Lockheart Scenes that are relevant to show us the extent of Cloud's feelings.
00:00 Intro
00:05 Accepts to be a bodyguard for one date
00:50 Acts cool to impress Aerith
02:24 Asks Aerith what the flowers are saying
03:45 Dreams of his mother telling him to get an older girlfriend (at Aerith's home)
05:00 His heart skips a beat from Aerith's words
05:40 Curious about Aerith's past love life
08:15 He's too overprotective of Aerith
09:55 His jaw drops at the sight of Aerith in her dress
12:17 He dances for Aerith
14:45 For the first time Cloud takes a mission for himself
17:43 He keeps reminding everyone that Aerith is priority
21:45 Resolution Scene with Tifa
22:25 Resolution Scene with Aerith
25:58 Extra: The Cloud Sprint (Demanding Hojo to give him back Aerith)
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Music used for intro and outro:
Final Fantasy VII Remake - OST: Descendant of the Ancients
Officially named Aerith's Theme: The Cetra
• Video
Cloud's Resolution with Aerith is a Confession Scene:
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Ultimania Cloud Interactions:
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CloudxAerith/stat...
aitaikimochi/stat...
Honey Bee Inn Dance:
www.famitsu.com/news/202004/1...
Aerith501/status/...
afaIsememory/stat...
Ultimania Resolution Scene:
aitaikimochi/stat...
CloudxAerith/stat...
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DISCLAIMER:
Entire footage is from the PS4 game Final Fantasy VII Remake. The credits go to its creators.
Fair Use:
"Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing."

[@PollenAinne]

Guys! Just found out that The Dream Sequence is Cloud's Resolution Scene and not Aerith's. Holy! There are only 3 Resolution Scenes and it is the resolve of the team to go after Aerith... all of them is canon as we all know already, so we have Barret's, Tifa's and Cloud's! So if you go the Aerith route you get Cloud's Resolution Scene! Clerith is CANON! twitter.com/pollenainne/status/1260879379694907399?s=20

[@flowergirlff7505]

Holy crow!! The fact that no matter what- this is cloud's scene makes me ridiculously happy ❤️.

[@Kyle-fn9tz]

Pollen Aerith Dream scene is the canon one cause it’s the only one that appeared in the ending credits

[@PollenAinne]

@@Kyle-fn9tz If you click on the link it states that all 3 members of the team finds their resolve. Also SE said they are not contradictory. The game is meant to be played 3 times, to get all 3 dresses and all 3 resolutions. However, what is surprising is that, the Dream Sequence is not Aerith's Resolution but Cloud's Resolution... meaning all this time, doing Aerith's quest and picking her up in the sewer is for Cloud... not Aerith... it all points to the fact that clerith is the definite canon.

[@baskalina5420]

We won HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA 23 years debate over if this is Cloud scene and aerith apears it means that they are mutual feelings for each other or atleast that is what i am getting at which means they are both in loveeee hahaha i am crying and laughing plz don´t make me go trow her fate again CLOUD.

[@KHMissy]

Yes! Something I've also noticed is even when Cloud interacts with Tifa, the topic is to do with Cloud and Aerith. If you pick Tifa over Aerith in the sewers, the scene at 8:00 plays which is Tifa asking Cloud about his relationship with Aerith. In Tifa's resolution scene, she asks Cloud if the flower he gave her earlier in the game originally came from Aerith. Even when the player makes a conscious decision to pick Tifa, there is still something in that scene that points to Aerith. It is most definitely deliberate!

[@thiagorodrigues556]

Cloud's mom: "you need a girl to tell you when you're being a silly goose" Cloud during the resolution: "so what? you want to stay (at Shinra)?" Aerith: "cmon Cloud, dont be silly" me: HMMMMMMMMM

[@thedarkopz516]

YES #CLERITH

[@ziyinluo8198]

Clerith shipper: Claudia/ Marlene /Cait sith /and me

[@leahjanulgue7200]

@@ziyinluo8198 include, Sephiroth and Vincent Vincent : (Talks to Cloud at Advent Children scene) Cloud is this really about fighting? Sephiroth : (Confronts Cloud on Advent Children where Aerith came first in his mind) Hmmm, where did you get this strength?

[@stavcy]

I just want to mention, before cloud said that, (“so what? you want to stay?”) he kind of looked away disappointedly because she was suggesting it’s not that bad there but he doesn’t want her to stay. 😇

[@CXTRX]

what detail you found,nice work,guy

[@mayl2773]

I just adore the part where he says “learn to talk to her” to the flowers. Cloud is so smitten by Aerith that he’s telling flowers to talk to Aerith to make her happy 😍

[@Firdagniriel]

Same here! The growth of Cloud's character has been made so clear in the remake. That's what guys do when they fall in love

[@seanpoag4170]

After playing the remake, I don't understand how anyone could NOT fall in love with Aerith.

[@ii8cookiesn643]

haha we accidentally made the character that gets fucking merked the best character in the whole series whoopsies 🤪

[@crashpal]

Tifa fans won't

[@itsaerithcookie590]

TwT

[@itsaerithcookie590]

I’m actually name is aerith TnT

[@ultimaweap12]

It's funny, I did a playthrough of Remake on PC while my dad watched. When I got to the part where you have to choose Tifa or Aerith after the Don Corneo trap door, he just sternly said "Help Aerith up." Zero hesitation.

[@lyraphoenix6883]

When Aerith says “You can’t fall in love with me” you can clearly see Cloud’s heart shatter. He tried to grab Aerith’s hand too. His voice just ever so slightly cracks when he says “Do I get a say in all this?” And of course, the resolute look in his eyes when he says “I’m coming for you” makes that scene even sweeter. The cherry on top? When he tells Elmyra how he can feel Aerith calling out to him. These two are so precious.

[@leahjanulgue7200]

Reminds me of Jaime and Landon. Jaime actress is a a voice actress of Aerith.

[@ALostExplorer]

That Aerith even uses the term "fall in love" is just as telling. No other resolution scene comes close to this level of suggested intimacy. That Cloud does not say something like "woah there, let's not get ahead of ourselves" to that statement can imply that he REALLY IS falling for her, even if he won't openly admit it yet.

[@lyraphoenix6883]

Byronic 09 hey man we’re just appreciating this ship. We’re not bashing on Cloti or anything. Calm down.

[@byronic0967]

@@lyraphoenix6883 You know what? You are right. I was totally stepping out of place, my apologies.

[@fellipemuniz1762]

I’m pretty sure she said it not to him but to us.

[@malikbrewster6730]

when i started playing the remake (a week or so after release), i started with the expectations of becoming a tifa fan, like all of my other friends. they told me up and down that cloud and tifa were the endgame, even my own sister, who’s a ff fanatic. but, when aerith gave cloud that flower, and the little exchange between them, i silently whispered to myself: “...Fuck.” because i knew that i was going to fall for her, hard. the bubbly, sassy personality that bowed to no one, the mysteriousness behind her eyes, and the way she and cloud naturally connected just pulled me in. by the time she surprised cloud by wanting to spend more time with him, i hadn’t even realized i had committed myself to the clerith path. I found myself noticing that cloud acted different while aerith wasn’t with him. and by his resolution scene, i was convinced that hr was in love with her, and she was in love with him. And, even after doing some light research, cloud and aerith’s story is all over the original ff7, nothing like how i was told.

[@xmant8842]

Pretty much the exact same thing happened to me

[@user-df8lp9zq8s]

I don't know why Tifa has so many fans . I never understood . Was it because of her body? For my taste, Aerith is more attractive , and her character does not compare with this dull boredom of Tifa . And Cloud is better off with Aerith . I'm waiting for the kiss of Cloud and Aerith in part 2, I hope it will not be optional, so that it will finish off the Cloti fans

[@GeorgiaAndrea]

@@user-df8lp9zq8s Aerith died a little too early in the OG. That was the time when Tifa and Cloud’s relationship started to bloom (kinda). Squaresoft had ideas about both of them having sex in the chocobo stable (which was later scraped) but when fans found out, it blew the FF community like crazy. Tifa was there when they tried to bring pieces of Cloud’s mind together and in AC, they lived together, which to me doesn’t even say much because of how depressed Cloud was and it didn’t even look like they were in a relationship except that they wore matching outfits. So now everyone calls Tifa best girl but Square Enix never answered about the love triangle either. We never got any real answers about Cloud and Aerith except for hints in the games.

[@pixel9719]

Im Remake only I was in a similar position as u. At first when I saw the cover art and posters I told myself “man no way Im gonna date this flat 12 yr old(turned out that shes older than me Im 18) 🤣🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️tifa all the way!!” +I heard that cloti is the canon ship and it’s what the devs want +before I played the remake I had heard that Aerith already has a bf and hes your best buddy. by the end of ch8 I fell for her, her personality is just👌👌personality is what matters in the end, I didn’t know her at the beginning so I just went the cloti route based on looks😅.still even after all that I just didn’t feel good about dating Aerith until ch9, all the clerith interactions gave me anxiety at first.I kept telling myself “bro you can’t date her she has a bf,how could you do this to your bff!!” However I forgot all that when the park scene had happened.she closed the distance between her and cloud! She took the longer route to spend time with us!!! She clearly wants it too, she didn’t even deny the people that kept calling them a “couple”by that point I was like “sorry Zack or the guy that the game haven’t introduced yet🤣your girl doesn’t like you anymore(didn’t know that he had died).that’s my story with Aerith and how I became a Clerith shiper😃

[@celineosthaus8032]

@@user-df8lp9zq8s I agree. Tifa is very dull personality wise and a weak female character, since she wants to live out her fantasy of being rescued by a hero.

[@SuperHaoken]

I will never understand those who say that Cloud doesn't love Aerith?

[@sosis1262]

Becouse crisis core was a mistake

[@TheKuroArisu]

@@sosis1262 No, CC is amazing...but here's a full thread why Cloti is confirmed. Also, people act like you can't fall in love with multiple ppl. Read the very last post on this page: gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/197341-final-fantasy-vii/69120048?page=2

[@PollenAinne]

@@TheKuroArisu CC is amazing? So you are that type who believes it is amazing to strip Aerith of all her character and make her into a wallflower? A girl who wore a ribbon, the color pink for a guy, and cant even decide to sell flowers on her own? Do you know how much Zack removed from other people's character just to make him look relevant? He names Tifa's bar 7th Heaven and CC reduced Tifa to a sexy bartender recruit. He gave Yuffie materia addiction. Is that really the kind of hero that you want? . Let's be honest, the only good take from CC is Zack's last stand, that is the only thing that made that game popular. It's like everyone overlooked everything in that game cuz... Zack died a hero. Well, I am also not against the lore of G-cells and S-cells, those were good additions, but the story of CC by itself sucks. . Not to mention the butchering of Zack's character! A puppy??? Zack was a veteran SOLDIER that Aerith admired. Do you know how awesome his character was in Before Crisis? How he was a great leader who maintained positivity in his team. He was a young SOLDIER who had already seen so much death and have left buried companions. And yet he moved forward with determination without loosing his positive outlook. He was someone Cloud also admired and looked up to, because he was a true warrior, almost like that of a general, even when he was still so young. . And Cloud??? Omg especially Cloud. What did they do to him in CC? In BC Cloud was a young trooper with something to prove. He was always determined to prove to others that he was something. He was never able to accept his failure to get into SOLDIER and sought out to prove to people that he was somebody. He would even let others retreat while he stood alone to fight the enemy, and use himself as wall to protect them. Yes, from the start, Cloud was never some cute dog following Zack around. Even as a kid he got into fights to prove himself. he had a superiority complex. CC is totally way off the story for fanservice purposes. Diluted all the character to make Zack some typical anime protagonist that kids gravitate into. So I'm sorry if I do not agree that CC is amazing.

[@user-ew6yu5yh6z]

Pollen Ainne At last someone said this...Thank goodness!! I totally agree with u. I didn’t play cc but watched full gameplay and I hate every single story involving og characters. They felt out of place and ruined ff7 universe.

[@ScrewyGirl]

Forgive me, but I respectfully disagree with your assessment. Please, don't take this as an attack. I truly enjoy discussing things like this, especially when it comes to FFVII. Regarding Aerith: Of course she wasn't a seasoned fighter. Of course she wasn't the same quirky girl we know and love in FFVII. She was a teenager! She still had character. Sure, life is all about decisions... but it is also about the people we meet and how they shape our character. Every person you meet shapes who you are, so of course Zack was a big part of forming her later personality. Even in the remake, they show her as "loving the steel sky" because the "whole big world" was scary and overwhelming for her. I like to think that Zack inspired her courage... and because he was so protective, perhaps she didn't want to be a burden to anyone... so she learned how to fight in her own way. I'm not saying that is canon... it's just my take on Crisis Core's Aerith. Regarding Zack: We got to see the playful, impulsive Zack Fair, since "Crisis Core's" events started one year before "Before Crisis". In CC, we see the transition from inexperienced to bad-*ss. It shows HOW he became that veteran SOLDIER that Aerith admired. Not only do we experience his victories, we suffer through his tragedies as well. Personally, I love to see stories that show characters as they grow and develop. It gives me a better understanding of the personality. Regarding Cloud: Yes, Cloud got into lots of fights as a kid, but once he joined the infantry, I'm sure he had to reign that in. Crisis Core didn't show Cloud following Zack around like a puppy, so either I missed that part or you are mistaken. It showed him as brave and trying really hard... until he got to Nibelheim. That was where his confidence faltered... mostly because he was ashamed that he wasn't a SOLDIER. It was really interesting to watch an unscathed Cloud, before Hojo got his hands on him... before watching Zack die... Yes, the story for CC was lacking a bit, but I still enjoyed watching it (never played the game).

[@MrRyrywakaka]

Everyone needs an aerith in their life. I had one once, she changed my life for the better. Best year I had in my life

[@hathaway.1166]

Imagine how better the world would be if there’s more Aerith than karens

[@jovitfernangloria4271]

I agree. Many dudes want an affectionate and understanding girl but they rarely exist. Now I know why I'm single.

[@incogniftoar3943]

@@jovitfernangloria4271 don't be too much negative. Even aerith believe fate aren't written, haha!

[@moonmoon2479]

People like that don’t really exist. Not like that anyway.

[@Dream.Pirate]

Thats true everyone needs an Aerith in their life. Glad I made one as my wife.

[@AnthonyPoole246]

One nice attention to detail is how quick Cloud is able to tell Aerith no Tifa's not his girlfriend but when Tifa asks him about Aerith, he doesn't even deny anything going on between him and Aerith!

[@xmant8842]

Omg. How did I never notice that? I love that

[@GeorgiaAndrea]

@@xmant8842 Yes, when the three of them were in the sewers, one thing I noticed is even when you choose Tifa, your conversation will still be about Aerith. It’s a good hint.

[@ivysii8874]

Yes he wasn't able to say anything 😂

[@marksullivan00]

Agreed, I literally haven't seen any romance between Cloud and Tifa ever since the original; but he really cares about her cuz he knows her since childhood. But when he is with Aerith, his whole persona changes ; that should hint that he is in love with Aerith.

[@user-df8lp9zq8s]

@@marksullivan00 He liked Tifa as a child . That's all his feelings for her . Nothing else . He is really in love with Aerith

[@foxeh123]

20:00 He could have said "That's where she is" but he says "That's where you are" as if he is already by her side. He just can't stop thinking about her. And he constantly says "I'm coming for you" instead of "we are" it's obviously very personal for him.

[@ars4942]

Y‘all need reasons to know Cloud loved Aerith ?

[@syafiqahamir6579]

Nahh, dont need, he obviously loved her damn much😂💀♥️

[@KingRusso1990]

It was even obvious in the first two Kingdom Hearts games and they were barely in them

[@Gjaurequi]

Nah, but Tifa stans do.

[@worstk1ng]

@@KingRusso1990 yeah I've only played KH and my entire life I thought they were in a relationship lmao

[@itsaerithcookie590]

DONT SHIP ME IM AERITH AND MEH BFF BOY IS NAME CLOUD

[@Raichu_chu]

On the scene where Aerith tells him that his love for her is not real, you’d expect him to get a headache as he does whenever he encounters something that conflicts with his SOLDIER persona. But he doesn’t, meaning he said that completely from his own feelings. Also in the Japanese version, their chapter together is called the flowers of reunion or something which Aerith herself said was for lovers.

[@fiprosha]

She only says that "lovers" give those flowers in the English version though. In Japanese, it's simply a symbol for reunion. But yeah, her chapter definitely comes back to that flower and the reunion between them by giving you that trophy.

[@Supernerd471]

@@fiprosha Yeah but the Japanese don't really have a word for love. At least not in the same sense as the rest of the world.

[@oldschooldeathmetal8417]

@@Supernerd471 probably the only reason why they never explicitly confessed their love for one another...because they can't, at least not in japanese hahaha

[@PollenAinne]

@@oldschooldeathmetal8417 Actually they do, but they dont use it much because the word is pretty heavy. In Japanese, the word love is composed of the symbol heart, mind, and soul. And the Japanese are subtle people, they dont say it lightly. But the word is "aishiteru"

[@oldschooldeathmetal8417]

@@PollenAinne Ok good to know, it's pretty weird though, I understand being subtle but they've been beating around the bush for 23 years now, their feelings for each other are always being hinted at every single time they make an appearence somewhere but we still don't have an actual confession. Maybe it'll happen in the next part of the remake, who knows?

[@ellemeow5045]

I’ve always been a clerith fan since the OG. And now with the remake I’m even more convinced that Cloud and Aerith are soulmates. True funny story: My husband didn’t play the OG, I never really told him much about the story to not spoil him, he only knew minor stuff and that Cloud and Aerith were my OTP. So when he started playing I told him that technically you can “choose” between Aerith and Tifa, but imo Aerith was the only one for Cloud. But he was like no way, I’m choosing Tifa, she is hotter. I was like hmm ok well, play it and we’ll talk about it when you finish it. For the first chapters he was adamant. He said that he loved Tifa, that she was kind, badass, worries about Cloud, etc. And that he wasn’t going to change his mind. But then he met Aerith. By the end of the game he was like “okay, you were right, Cloud and Aerith all the way, it’s clear that Cloud loves her.” He also ended up having Cloud’s resolution scene with Aerith. :D

[@PollenAinne]

Yep, as long as you actually dont get a brainwashing, it is what usually happens. Even some people I know who like Tifa more, they know Cloud loves Aerith from the remake. The remake really makes it all clear.

[@ellemeow5045]

@@PollenAinne Yeah. I was a little surprised that he didn't have Tifa's res scene. But how can you not fall in love with Aerith? And the chemistry Cloud has with her is off the charts, every scene they have together is magic. I love them. Btw thanks for your videos! I've seen them all and they're amazing! Keep it up :D

[@khalidibnal-walid2929]

@@PollenAinne I’m just curious. Have you ever seen this conversation between supposedly “Nomura” and a Clerith fan. Do you know if it is real or a Hoax. Because if that conversation was real, that is bad news for us. If you don’t know what I’m talking about I’ll send you a link.

[@PollenAinne]

@@khalidibnal-walid2929 Zerith is already ruined by part 1. Unless SE wants to make an MC who is rejected and a heroine who has loose morals, zerith will never happen.

[@khalidibnal-walid2929]

@@PollenAinne Lol if I’m being honest I just don’t care about Zack. Cloud and Aerith are like Fei and Elly to me, Rose and Zieg, Alex and Luna, Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask.

[@GadisBaliLivesAbroad]

I think I know why Cloud is so drawn to Aerith. The girl has cheerful personality, flirtatious, and very perceptive. The all things that Cloud needs.

[@Plxvio]

I know rightttt😂 there's like no way you wouldn't fall in love with Aerith or get attached to her😂

[@XxxXxx-yh5gz]

On top of that, she’s hella pretty, omg I’m going to die

[@LodyPolskieNarodowe]

​​​@@XxxXxx-yh5gzbro rrl did respond after 3 years. Doesn't matter but it looks a little weird to me at the first place. But ok ig weird doesn't mean bad after all

[@nicolassabio2470]

​@@LodyPolskieNarodowe I mean, isn't the sequel coming up soon?

[@LodyPolskieNarodowe]

@@nicolassabio2470 I mean yeah but he didn't say anything about new sequel. Just that Aerith is pretty. After 3 years so this is a lil weird.

[@Addam_]

Cloud to Tifa & Co: I don't high-five, dance or talk to the planet. Aerith: I'm about to end this man's whole career.

[@andreoliveira96804]

Case of TIfa, ONWTS "Tifa: Cloud, do you love me? Cloud:...." FF7 remake "Aerith: Cloud, you can't fall in love with me. Cloud: Do I get a say in all this? "Im coming for you" It is obvious.

[@GeorgiaAndrea]

I don’t read every article out there about FF7, but I think I did read somewhere in Ultimania with line like this: ‘two hearts are reunited between Cloud and Tifa’ or something. So why the discrepancy?

[@flowergirlff7505]

@@GeorgiaAndrea I don't know about that line but it's always been Cloud and Aerith. Tifa's relationship with Cloud is pretty bad, she mostly nags him about Aerith and post death nags him to get over Aerith. Cloud hides away from Tifa and goes to Aerith's church as a refuge. It's obvious who brings him the most peace.

[@kayblossom6428]

@@flowergirlff7505 Exactly, Cloud literally calls Aeriths church his place and is scared to tell Tifa that he still goes there. THAT should tell you something. Like why would he be nervous about Tifa finding out that he still goes to Aeriths place.

[@flowergirlff7505]

@@kayblossom6428 it's cause Tifa is so insecure. Even throughout remake she keeps lamenting about Clouds blossoming relationship with Aerith and nagging. Even in her own resolution scene.

[@bladerj]

@@GeorgiaAndreaUSA market is tifa centric, and its too big of a market to outcast them, so tehy are walking on eggs,in remake and rebirth giving tifatarts just enough they believe and buy it, but next game is going to be brutal, cos they set the hints everywhere.

[@phy_]

I get this best friend type vibe from Tifa and Cloud, but with Cloud and Aerith it’s romantic, it’s love. The chapters with just the 2 of them (8 & 9) seal the deal.

[@kimarmstrong2613]

Never a triangle for me he sees tifa as a sister and areith as his soulmate

[@pieniaurinko]

Oh there's a triangle alright, just not with Tifa. Do you know the original? To stay spoiler free here, I'm referring to the reason Aerith says he only thinks he's in love with her.

[@KJames2345]

Zack cared more for his honour in SOLDIER then he did Aerith and Cloud doesn't have Zacks memories of Aerith if that is what you are implying to. Or are you referring to Tseng who has feelings for Aerith, I like how he never aged in the remake at all. lol

[@pieniaurinko]

@@KJames2345 Spoilers it is, then. I just rewatched Advent Children (was worse than I remembered tbf), so I feel pretty confident that yep, there is a connection between Cloud and Zack, as well as between Zack and Aerith. Wether or not Cloud has memories from Zack (I personally don't think so), or Zack & Aerith would have worked out long term is pretty much a moot point. Zack and Cloud were at least good friends, and I think Zack and Aerith were pretty cute together. Uhhh, I didn't even consider Tseng! Interesting that you bring him up though. I quite like him here, not least of which because of his voice actor. Anyway, I guess you could argue that Tseng and Aerith had a connection, though I fail to see the connection between Tseng and Cloud, other than, again, through Zack. Oh, turns out btw that they did have a younger version of Tseng in the game files, but somehow never implemented that for the flashback scene where he would/should have been younger. Probably just because of time or other constraints, but hey, if you're up for it, let's make up some crazy theories about Tseng being ageless! ;D

[@KJames2345]

@@pieniaurinko How could you not know that Tseng had feelings for Aerith..!

[@KJames2345]

@@pieniaurinko You sure it's Cloud and Zack lol try Zack and Angeal

[@liamjapor5145]

Also, Cloud just wouldn't shut up about his money when talking to Tifa and Barrett, then suddenly forgets he was a mercenary looking for a quick buck after spending a few hours with Aerith.

[@p.msukudom5596]

It's just Cloud's self defense mechanism. With aerith It's completely useless.

[@jordanvickers6110]

Little hint everytime areith brings something of importance up with cloud hes subcontiously realizing feelings hes had deep down inside him from before and areith already knows whats going to happen.

[@ReptarTheUgly]

Oh and Zack’s memories and everything he was influenced Cloud to be who he is now... oooohh ahhhhhh

[@ChunYeaJun]

@@ReptarTheUgly Yep. It is Zack's persona.

[@Hungbht2705]

@@ChunYeaJun you again, go back for your cloti team and give us some space, not torture for yours

[@MyKamiFox]

I love Aerith and Cloud, I always did, even way back in 97 when I was in school. Everyone seems to choose Tifa but for me it was instantly Aerith, there's a real energy between them. I love how she constantly has him off guard and, basically, makes him a better person because of it.

[@kriziaeloraf3581]

Why Tifa??there is obviously no chemistry between them...

[@nosound__1236]

I choose tifa

[@nosound__1236]

@@kriziaeloraf3581 there is, they do have, aerith and cloud's chemistry isnt that intersting either

[@nickieevans2635]

@@nosound__1236 I respect your decision, but that doesn’t mean I agree. Can you please explain why you like tifa over aerith. 🤔

[@leahjanulgue7200]

@@nosound__1236 only boobs lovers choose Tifa haha

[@kittykatja5143]

I love his little “learn to talk to her.” It’s a geeky side of Cloud that makes his desire to please and understand Aerith so much more unique.

[@TonyKanameKuran]

The problem is Aerith doesn't want to break the bro code to her (previously deceased) boyfriend Zack.

[@PollenAinne]

​@@TonyKanameKuran Where do you get the idea that there is even a bro code to break? It's Aerith's heart, she's not engaged or married. In fact, she's not even in any relationship. What is this? She's clearly in love with Cloud, so why can't people be happy for her? If it's the "you can't fall in love with me" line again, the devs already stated that she said that because she knew she was going to die (or have an idea) and she didnt want Cloud to suffer the pain of loosing her. That's how much she loves him, that even when she is captured all she is thinking about is him.

[@PollenAinne]

​@@davidluong8370 Yes. So much proof of it in fact. . “At first when I met Cloud, I believed he was similar to Zack. Little actions, the way he spoke… his kindness. But Cloud is Cloud. I, now undoubtedly, love Cloud much more than Zack” ~Aerith FFVII DISMANTLED . “Although in the beginning Aerith felt close to Cloud is because he behaves like Zack, her interest in Cloud himself grows and she is attracted to him.” ~page 31; Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Omega; Square Enix . “Despite his cold behavior in several scenes, Cloud is essentially popular with members of the opposite sex. In addition to FFVII’s heroines Tifa and Aerith both having feelings for him...” ~10th ANNIVERSARY ULTIMANIA

[@eddiewemmerus89]

@@davidluong8370 IMHO It just means Aerith has a type. Just like real human beings do. Most people subconsciously look for characteristic traits that they like in significant others. It does not mean however, that they are longing for the previous person who may have had similar traits.

[@davidluong8370]

@@eddiewemmerus89 Its wild how so many people are willing to gloss over the available material, the creators comments, and Areith's own dialogue to "Ship" their favourite characters smdh

[@JCmeister9]

Even in the original Aerith had the highest affection values toward Cloud when determining who you get to date in Gold Saucer so in my opinion they really were a good match. Cait Sith further confirms this during the events in the Temple of the Ancients when he tries to read their fortune together.

[@JCmeister9]

*Aerith has the highest affection value by default followed by Tifa, then Yuffie, and lastly Barret.

[@alimichalkan8046]

The affection to Aerith is by default if you don’t put an effort with anybody so that says something.

[@1AM1AM]

So I studied Japanese and what I got from Cloud's words at the lab was that he said: I'm taking Aerith back. Makes it sound even more personal and aggressive considering from whom he is rescuing her. But either way it just shows how much Cloud cares for her

[@PollenAinne]

Yeah literally he says to "return Aerith" with the use of force like "making someone do it" it's like to force someone... so it's translated to "I will make you RETURN Aerith" And with context that Cloud is talking about himself because of the shot when he states it then it becomes "I will make you RETURN Aerith [to me]" But it sounds like a bad translation, because translation should never be literal. So you are right "I am taking Aerith back" works best. Although I like the word "return" so if I were to translate it I would probably say "You will return Aerith to me." It just sounds fluffier. lol But I adhere to your translation.

[@truthfully2205]

Okay, so right before the fight with Eligor, in the train graveyard, Aerith has that flashback of herself as a child being abandoned during a game of hide and seek as symbolism of her fear of abandonment. Cloud says, "Oh, that's where you are" at 20:03. And then he goes and rescues her. Cloud seeks her out, he "finds" her. And then she runs out of the container and exclaims "You came for me!" She sounds both surprised and elated. This whole game is just Clerith. Change my mind.

[@giangiannigiannini4836]

"You came for me"...was reffering to cloud and tifa. Not only cloud.

[@ZeldaFan0o0]

Fico Secco wouldnt she say you guys came for me? you is singular

[@giangiannigiannini4836]

@@ZeldaFan0o0 you is also second person plural

[@giangiannigiannini4836]

@@ZeldaFan0o0 i'm team clerith all the way, but in that case she was refering to all the team...i suppose

[@user-df8lp9zq8s]

@@giangiannigiannini4836 When the whisperers took Hojo away, in any case, she first shouted the name Cloud, although Tifa and Barret were also there

[@shook9843]

That little smirk when cloud sees her in the red dress...she's so flattered

[@XXx-bj1ni]

Clerith: a breathe of fresh air. Cloti: rain and sadness. IDK but Clerith gives me the feeling of warmth.

[@stavcy]

flower girl is a bucket full of sunshine. 🥰

[@jeireliz]

I love Aerith so much to the point where I'll shout whenever I see Cloud and Aerith together.. They look perfect for each other. One that is a silent type and one cheerful

[@rin2579]

Honestly, I never quite understood this whole Clerith/Cloti war. The way I remember the OG, it's always been about Aerith - not only story wise, but also because Aerith was created first, and althought Cloud is the main character, she's the most important one. The game gives you the illusion you can choose (for replay value I'm guessing), but it's clear Aerith was always intended to be the one. The ending and AC made it pretty obvious. Plus, I always thought that Cloud and Tifa shared too much past trauma for a romantic relationship to work between them. Tifa is like the living embodiment of Cloud's past failures and insecurities, it's not really sane, while Aerith symbolizes the chance to a new beginning. Their relationship isn't heavy loaded with guilt nor pain. That doesn't mean Tifa isn't important to Cloud. And I actually like how the remake shapes their relationship, it's a lot warmer than in the OG. But Aerith just cracks him open like a nut, it's very heartwarming to watch. All their interactions feel natural and harmonious. So yeah, I really don't get where that Cloti thing comes from. Maybe because she's the one to survive ? So what, she wins by default ? Kinda sucks, if you ask me

[@IsThisThePrizeIveWaitedFor]

Rin, well said. How is Cloud and Tifa a romantic pairing if he’s always looking for Aerith? But I’m fine with ppl shipping whatever floats their boat. I just don’t get the hostile ones who go out of their way to a Clerith video to invalidate them. It’s bizarre.

[@rin2579]

Ange L Trolls be trolls I guess 🤷‍♀️

[@xZarazWracam]

@@IsThisThePrizeIveWaitedFor they don't have much to support their ship, so they can only try to discredit something else.

[@kpetalis]

I agree, it seems to me that their argument is that Cloud and Tifa always had a thing going on. The basis of this argument is in fact wrong. Cloud isn't in love with Tifa. The whole concept of his true backstory is one of an inferiority complex. He was a pariah, the guy that just wasn't cool or good enough to be a part of the gang that Tifa had around her. He might have had a crush on her when he was little, but really, he only wanted her and the rest of the kids to acknowledge him. All the memories are ones of loneliness. There was never even a mention of romantic love in them, in fact from Tifa's point of view it seemed she didn't even care for him. She started to learn about him when he called her to tell her he was leaving for Midgar. I would go so far as to say she made him make that promise solely because everyone else had already left and she wanted the attention of someone. So, based on all that, where is this love we are talking about? All I am seeing is an one sided teenage crush from Cloud, if even that, simply because he wanted someone to acknowledge his existence. What Cloud needs is to accept that he never was a SOLDIER. To accept who he is with all his flaws and try to make his own path in life without clinging to borrowed power. The entire dream sequence in the OG was a path of self reflection and acceptance of the fact that he was responsible for not having any friends back then because he tried to play the big, brooding hero instead of being his true self and letting the others to decide if they would accept him or not. I stand by what I said above. I don't see any sort of great romantic love between Tifa and Cloud from back in the days, I would go as far as saying that Tifa's clingy behavior is more a way to keep something familiar from her past close, than any real romantic feelings for her part. After all she still doesn't understand how he knows things that he wasn't supposed to know. And really, the creator's interviews of the OG stated that Aerith and Cloud are in love with it's other, I think they called them starcrossed lovers if I'm not mistaken, but regardless for our choices the story led to THAT incident so... After that Cloud wants revenge, never forgetting his love for her but after the Highwind scene it might be said that Tifa made her move and tried to get him. But until the end of the game it is still clear that Cloud hasn't forgotten Aerith and still wants to meet her, you know that sequence after the Sephiroth fight. So, they never said anything that wasn't already presented in game. It's already there if you just pay attention to the story.

[@flowergirlff7505]

@@kpetalis This is the best explanation I've seen. Cloud was freaking 14 when a 13 year old Tifa last saw him (well that she knew of). And she knew nothing about him. He then tells her he's going to be something great, she suddenly starts fantasizing about him. Cloud didn't know much about her either considering they never interacted as kids and she was popular. and I'm supposed to believe that 7 years later they are suddenly in love? I don't think so. Cloud's walls are broken down so quickly as soon as he meets Aerith. He's willing to smile and he actually has more dialogue and shares his feelings. Before that he's cold to everyone. When Aerith is taken away, he finally chooses a mission for himself to get her back. He was even so reluctant to leave her when they reached evergreen park. Cloud never found excuses to stay with anyone else.

[@stavcy]

Aerith is very perceptive of the way Cloud feels and can tell when something hurts him. She can definitely see past his cold exterior. Constantly asking if he’s okay, encouraging him and praising him in front of other people. She is one of the only people (and zack) who ever shown that they really care about Cloud. She made him feel included whilst everyone else never failed to make him feel excluded. Closing the gap between them when they were sitting at the playground, helping him and most importantly *wanting* to help him get to sector 7 instead of making him go alone whilst also taking a longer route just to spend more time with him (in which he knows, and that that rare smile that appeared on Clouds face says it all.) etc etc. She’s so positive, always looking at the brighter picture and being able to see the beauty in the chaos. She is truly the light to his darkness. If I were Cloud, I’d feel so seen, finally. Knowing that I have someone who so openly cares about me, wants to stay with me and is constantly proving me so… that’s what he needed all his life. That one scene, where the gang all catches up with a drink at 7th heaven and Cloud was left alone sitting there while the others conversed, the way they all kinda shooed him away… made me so sad. Also, when Tifa sat a stool away from him (which are pretty separated from each other). I understand if Tifa did that because it was the closest stool, or because she knows Cloud isolates himself. But the thing I love about Aerith is that she understands that Cloud uses Isolation almost as a Defense mechanism, and knows deep down that he just wants to feel included. She knows that even though that was what he was used to, it wasn’t truly what he wanted. It’s like saying you won’t try to talk to the quiet kid because they never talk, when really, maybe they do love to talk but being quiet is an exterior to defend themselves and are just waiting for someone to start a conversation. I just know that if Aerith were there, she’d pick up that damn stool and place it down so that her stool is touching Clouds stool. Or, she would most definitely encourage him to sit down with her and the others in a very positive, welcoming manner. And especially, in a way that doesn’t make it feel pitiful, but more in a genuine “I want you here” way. And even if the conversation had nothing to do with him, she’d still find a way to include him. Aerith knows how it feels to be excluded, to be different. And so does Cloud. They can understand each other on a much deeper level and I believe that if anyone were to help Cloud, it would be Aerith most of all. In ways that no one else could. They are both there to tend and to heal each others inner child. Where is the true Cloud hiding? Aerith would be the one to find him. I am sure of it. Their story is so tragic, but my god, how it’s so pure, so genuine, and so beautiful. (PS. Yes, I am 100% a Clerith shipper and no, I do not hate on Cloti. I love Tifa, and I respect Cloti as a ship. However, I do prefer Clerith more for these reasons, including many more. We all have our different opinions on who we think fits Cloud better romantically, so really there is no need to fight! Also, I find it disrespectful that people call Clerith shippers “blind”, when really, it’s just a matter of understanding where we are coming from. As I, do understand why people might ship Cloti. And I do have to mention, I am so glad that I’m in a place where there’s lots of Clerith shippers, I was beginning to feel as though I was the only one. I was starting to feel so overlooked. )

[@stavcy]

LMFAO, didn’t mean to write so much I do apologize

[@aerithgrowsflowers]

You're good, I read and enjoyed it

[@logan-zy6vt]

@@aerithgrowsflowerssame here i enjoyed the read as well

[@CXTRX]

I like your thought,Cloud is never really apathy but only Aerith can find and resolve that in the way Cloud accepted, not teach(what Tifa does in Sector7) but encourage

[@tokyoroad0824]

Whatever you wrote happened in rebirth 👏🏻

[@mommyslilstinker]

clouds instant “you okay?” upon seeing aerith...Boy Howdy

[@shendy3060]

Barret: *doubts* Tifa: *doubts* Cloud: *accepts* Cloud be like "You two just giving me doubts while doesn't have any solution to topside? Fine. I'm doing it alone!" When the most precious girl/human to the planet is in danger, you still have doubts in mind to save her?

[@oldchannelforayoungstupidf2649]

Except Aerith isn't human...well, she is, but she's also (more importantly) a Cetra.

[@NAJ_P_Jackson]

Best 27 minutes I've spent in KZbin. Claudia: "An older, more mature girl. That could keep you on the straight and narrow, and tells you when you're being a silly goose." Aerith fits the description to a tee. And in her resolution scene she calls him out for being silly. Cloud: "So what, you want to stay?" Aerith: " C'mon Cloud, don't be silly." Cloud and Tifa's interactions were always awkward for me. Most of their dialogues are about Avalanche or fighting Shinra. But Aerith and Cloud's dialogues are more heartfelt. And it only took Aerith one day to break Cloud's stoic wall. The chemistry is there for anyone to see. And the whole "Don't Fall in Love with Me" is a trope in media where it's guaranteed to happen regardless of the caution.

[@PollenAinne]

Thanks and yep you're right the chemistry is sizzling. And in a story, one never tells a person not to fall in love with them and not have that person fall for them. It's a given. This scene also is Cloud's Resolution and not Aerith's. So it is his resolve to love her and get her back. Aside from that, in Japanese he uses words that in a romantic context guys use to propose to girls... kinda cute. lol

[@leahjanulgue7200]

In the original game says Cloud's mom : Cloud, you should have an older girlfriend.. One that will take care of you. I think that's the best for you Cloud : Not interested

[@fiprosha]

@@leahjanulgue7200 I like the German translation most. In that one she says something along the lines of "someone who can break down your reserves/bring you out of your shell". I think that fits Cloud and Aerith's relationship best actually :)

[@meowmeow3778]

@Sora's Sky Says the man with no likes.

[@meowmeow3778]

@Sora's Sky Sorry, I just realized that I became like those people who defend Clerith a lot, one day, I just wish that we would all respect our differences and continue doing whatever we do like nothing happened.

[@gavinlawalata2859]

this guy is clearly in love with this girl. No matter how hard he tried to hide it, all the actions he's done for her has proven his deep feeling towards her. No wonder he badly suffers after her death. poor cloud. Great compilation by the way, Good job dude

[@TonyKanameKuran]

Friend zoned at chapter 14

[@ReptarTheUgly]

.... I’m going to say this everywhere... uhhh Zack has influenced Cloud. End of story.

[@haris1zat65]

@@TonyKanameKuran you clearly didnt understand that scene at all

[@haris1zat65]

@@ReptarTheUgly as a first class soldier not as a lover. Watched the whole video before saying stuff like that

[@magicalgirl4]

@@TonyKanameKuran She pushed him away because she doesn't want him to be hurt by her inevitable fate, she cares about him just as much as he cares about her. It's that easy to understand and if you actually watched the video you would know. @Jaime Ruiz it was also pointed out in this video and many others by the same person that Cloud doesn't have Zack's memories. Cloud took Zack's story of being a SOLDIER and made it his own, that's it. Cloud didn't even know who Aerith was before meeting her so there is no way Zack would have an influence over those feelings

[@lightninghope7265]

I love every single moment that Aerith and Cloud Share. You know, is funny went Tifa ask about Aerith he never answer. But went Aerith ask about Tifa, he tell her that is NOT his girlfriend. One more thing, went Cloud meet Aerith again he pretend that he not remember her. But he does. Because in the bar seven heaven you see the flower went you waiting for that meeting finish you can see the flower and he wonder about Aerith. So he remember Aerith. I see more thinks with videos and playing the game. Thanks for the video. Please do more videos. 🌸🎀☁️🌼🗡🌺

[@lordraoh881]

Great interpretation but please edit your text. I had a hard time reading it.

[@Plxvio]

@Juberth Baton If only Cloud were able to pick them both😂..... Two wives baby!😂❤

[@byronic0967]

Well.... She isn't his girlfriend, so why would he say so? Cloud is not really open with his feelings and who can blame the guy? If a stranger asked me about my crush, I would deny as well

[@dwafdiddledump]

@@byronic0967 and if your childhood friend asks you if there's "something more" going on with the "stranger" and you don't answer her question? and look a little guilty and look away from her? what does that mean, since you're the cloud expert here?

[@byronic0967]

@@dwafdiddledump Never said I am an Cloud expert, just stating my opinion ^^ You don't have to agree with that. To me, it's clear Cloud and Tifas feelings for each other are not only platonic. Even Aerith teases him about that ^^ It's a love triangle and a very strong one looking at all the shipping war comments ^^ The scene in the sewers is also a little different in Japanese original. Tifa doesn't ask if there is anything else going on.

[@CrystalHeartedAngel]

I think Tifa's resolution scene is so pro-clerith and people misjudge it just because we see them hugging close. Because Tifa is straight telling him that she realises it's because of his feelings for Aerith that Cloud is becoming another man and it makes her sad to think she's losing him too. Cloud still likes her but he's resolved that it's about Aerith from now on and so all he can do is hug her to comfort her. They have a good relationship after all but that's all that there is to is really, at least up until this point.

[@melioras_pheonoraptor8936]

Tifa assumed he got the flower from Aerith because she couldn’t see him ever buying flowers on his own, which he didn’t. Even if you say no to Aerith she practically forces you to take it anyway. It has nothing to do with Tifa realising Cloud is becoming a different man, after all she realised that early on in sector 7. It’s no coincidence that Cloud, using his own will, gave Tifa a flower that symbolizes reunion between lovers. Even Aerith knows that he gave the flower to Tifa because when she rescues Marlene she sees it on the counter and smiles. No to mention Aerith teases Cloud about Tifa a couple times in the game. When she asks if Tifa is his girlfriend, even after he denies that she presses on with “but she’s someone special.” In wallmarket when she jokingly said that they need to save Tifa “from a life without this handsome guy (Cloud).” And even her teasing Tifa right outside of the train graveyard couldve been seen as playful banter. Idk but it looks to me like even Aerith ships Cloti. No to mention in Advent Children Cloud and Tifa are both wearing the red string of fate around their arms. Meaning that they’re forever in each others lives. The red string of fate also has heavy romantic connotations towards it. I’ve seen people say Aeriths bow connects cloud and aerith by red string of fate...but i thought her bow was pink. And even so, that would more so make Zack and Aerith connected considering he’s the one who gives it to her.

[@CrystalHeartedAngel]

@@melioras_pheonoraptor8936 you know I honestly don't care who loves who in this love triangle anymore but let me at least correct this. The red string on Tifa's and Cloud's arm in AC is not just between them. Every member of Avalanche wears it, it's their way to show that Aerith is not forgotten despite her death. If you don't believe me you can look it up. Have a good day ^^

[@eternaldarkness2101]

@@melioras_pheonoraptor8936 Sure they are red and not pink bud.

[@ShuiroHotaru]

@@melioras_pheonoraptor8936 I'm sorry, but there is a lot of misunderstanding in what you said, let me try to explain it. The Reunion Flower was always about Cloud and Aerith, Aerith gave it to Cloud and in the Japanese script there's nothing about lovers in that scene she just say it means "Reunion". Cloud gave it to Tifa mostly because she saw the flower and liked it. Plus when he was asked "what did you do with the flower" Cloud lie to Aerith by saying he doesn't remember who he gave it to... Why ? When you complete Chapter 8 (the first chapter with Aerith) you earned a trophy call "Reunion" or "Reunited" or "The Flower ment Reunion" or "The Reunion Flower" depending on the langage. And there's the all quest with Leslie and his girlfriend's necklace being the same flower, mirroring Cloud and Aerith separation. Aerith is the kind who likes to tease, especially Cloud, but it's pretty clear when you see Cloud's resolution scene with her, that she wants to protect him from the unbearable pain he would feel after her death if he fell in love with her, by saying "please don't fall in love with me". So, let's admit for a moment that you're right and Aerith "ships" Cloud and Tifa together (which I don't think she is but I'm playing with your rules here) the reason would be pretty clear to me. She would prefer to have her heart broken and see him with Tifa, that for him to relive the pain he felt when she died. If it's not love, I don't know what is. And about Advent Children... You should pay attention to the others characters next time because they ALL wear the red ruban on their arm... It represents Aerith, it's a tribute to her. So that's a completely failed argument x)

[@marksullivan00]

Tifa is obviously jealous thats why, in the sewers scene when you pick Tifa, she asks Cloud about Aerith, about if they are having a relationship between them, but when you pick Aerith, she literally doesnt say a thing about Tifa, and just tells Cloud we have to go back to Sector 7

[@mcarthurlasam4367]

Really great video. I wanna support the points you made. 1. I also think he accepted the deal. Aerith made it clear that payment for Cloud's services when he demands a lot for his services was a date. He even mentioned as you were crossing the rooftops that he's gonna be doing a little bit of bodyguard work, even if he knew there was no amount of money mentioned as payment, just the date. He never disagreed, and it wasn't all about the money for him. He even took on a job of monster hunting for 3 Gil! (Toad King job) 4. This one also happened in the original game (Storytelling in Kalm), so no room for doubt here. It's a dream, so the only thing that would've differed was that his uniform was different (You know.). His mother would've acknowledged him either way, and her preferred type of girlfriend for Cloud was the same. It can hardly be called a coincidence. 7. This one is also true. Remember when they were just heading for the Colosseum, Cloud was extremely confident. He already knew he shouldn't expect a fair fight, but he said he was definitely sure he would win it all. But when he realized Aerith wanted to be his teammate, he starts worrying. Her safety was top priority, even during the Hell House fight where he stopped her before the 2nd phase began. 8. This sealed the deal. It was also kinda sad that we didn't see any Avalanche member look for Cloud after he fell from the reactor. Just like when the gang initially kicked Cloud out of the 2nd bombing mission, Tifa chose to spend time with Avalanche instead of Cloud. After he fell, you would presume TIfa would look for him, but you see her going to Corneo's mansion instead. That kinda shows Tifa's priorities. [Not hating on Tifa, as years spent with Avalanche vs days spent with Cloud, it was easy to choose sides. Just my observation.] 10. Remember his words back at Seventh Heaven? "No contract, no obligations". Yet here he is, determined to bring her back, even if no money was to be rewarded to him. Though I'm pretty sure she would reward him anyways [ with more dates XD ]. 12. The main reason why she told him not to fall in love with her was to spare him from pain later on if ever anything happened. Do note that Aerith already received some sort of foreshadowing of the future events [ the original game], and we knew Cloud got really attached to her, more than just party members. You can actually see Cloud's feelings lightly slip, like in the bonire in Cosmo Canyon, where he assures Aerith she is not alone, for he is there for her. As a bonus to our ship, Here is a link of the Advent Children ending (not the Complete one). Thanks to Adlley Hattori for posting this. Enjoy ~~ May this bring you as much joy as it did to me when I found it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hqKtaYxug8lsgac Team Clerith here. Keep safe everyone, and see you in part 2 of the Remake!

[@HieuNguyen-ld4ed]

Love your bonus 😍😍

[@Plxvio]

I'm just hoping when the remake part 2 comes out.... We'll able to see Aerith and Cloud flirts each other again😭 If Aerith is still alive or somehow survived

[@leahjanulgue7200]

Cloud kissed Aerith hand *officially confirms and canon*

[@LovesTwilightSaga1]

.

[@megtaro853]

I read FF7R ultimania and they mentioned how cloud felt when he held tifa in the cut scene. So basically he wanted to act like a grown man like barret who held her naturally after the plate crushed down. it means no romantic way. I can see cloud cares about tifa a lot but as a childhood friend. as he's always been very conscious about saving and protecting people around him. They also mentioned cloud is trying to be cool in front of aerith in the book, haha. can see that he's reacting more emotional when he was with aerith too. I'm playing OG because I forgot so many details and I was surprised cloud literally laughing with her on the roof top just after he met aerith in the church. Thank you very much for sharing this video.

[@byronic0967]

So hugging Tifa like an adult has nothing to do with romantic feelings, but trying to play cool in front of someone does? 🤦‍♀️

[@magicalgirl4]

@@byronic0967 He's trying to act cool in front of Aerith to impress her

[@byronic0967]

@@magicalgirl4 And why do you think he wants to comfort Tifa like an adult? He wants to be there for her. That has much more meaning compared to acting cool in front of someone.

[@magicalgirl4]

@@byronic0967 Yeah it is meaningful, I never said it wasn't. And even though he tries to impress Aerith earlier on you can see that his interactions with her in the dream sequence become meaningful too - he says with no hesitation that he's going to save her (overall in this scene is being way more honest than he normally would, so he's not just trying to put up a facade) and tries to reach out to her when she pulls away, it's like he wanted to hold her. Both resolution scenes are powerful, not one is lesser than the other

[@byronic0967]

@@magicalgirl4 I agree. The scenes are all powerful in different ways. Since the original post here claimed Cloud and Tifass hug didn't hold any romantic meaning, it seemed you agreed to that. Hence, my response.

[@beanclay4154]

It is nearly impossible to not fall for Aerith

[@IlIDOOMGUYIlI]

Yeah... even Sephiroth fell for Aerith..... with a big ass sword

[@mrcool7599]

I don't like Aerith she is to pushy for me

[@TheRikkuShak]

@@mrcool7599 omg I wish I could give u a hug haha. I cant believe that people worship her so much. I never played the original and I went into the remake wanting to love aerith, I was sure I would adore her... but she gets on my nerves so much. The scene in the church for example she pushes cloud to save her, even though they are strangers, and then she's pissed when you step on her flowers. She's generally very very demanding and i am sure if the narrative wasn't so pro aerith and she was a side char that people would not really like her that much.

[@mrcool7599]

@@TheRikkuShak Thanks I feel the same about her Tifa for life

[@Hungbht2705]

​@@TheRikkuShak I know what you're talking but just a minute here, she doesn't push cloud to save her, but cloud choice, he couldn't just leave her alone there right, if not he can just walking away.Also she didn't piss cloud at all. Her relationship with cloud is quite complicated, you really need to read the original version to understand her type of feeling. It's because this is the continue of the "advent children" film, she comes back from the past, and she know everything to him so someone new will feel like that, but the og story she and him really having a thing, not like "family of friends" type from tifa, that something everyone missed

[@mainframegames]

i just hope that Aerith dont die in this remake

[@thedarkopz516]

#CLERITH #AerithLiveMatter

[@HausofHoneyy]

Well since they basically changed their fate who knows what’s gonna happen

[@olympic-gradelurker]

another thing I noticed if you get the Cloud/Tifa cutscene is that after he gives in and embraces her, she says "Cloud, you're hurting me." I see that as foreshadowing in that any romantic relationship between the two is doomed to fail. Cloud can't give her what she wants. She will be always be second fiddle to Aerith and Cloud will just end up hurting her.

[@sosis1262]

Her big boobs blocking Cloud's arms to reach out full hugs lol hahahh

[@byronic0967]

Oh my gosh, you see THAT as a foreshadowing of a doomed relationship? Cloud hasn't hugged someone like this in years plus he is super strong. The devs wanted to show that Cloud was still adjusting and learning. Would have been totally out of character if he were just really casual about it.

[@rektified4508]

Even nomura said he wanted to portray her as someone who is emotionally hurt

[@__silver__]

With a double-barreled shotgun that size I'd imagine hugging wouldn't be as easy

[@KJames2345]

Yeah! Cloud don't hug her too tightly now! just let them bazookas breathe.. a little bro!! Cloud wouldn't of embraced Tifa if he never saw Barret do it in the previous chapter.

[@alissondasilva473]

If her death is still going to happen, at least I want many more moments like this, to show that they love each other and that they are truly together in a future moment in the game...

[@PollenAinne]

I just don't know what will happen to Cloud after all this moments if Aerith dies. Especially having visions of Aerith's death... If AC was bad... this will be worse...

[@alissondasilva473]

@@PollenAinne I know that her death is a key point in the original game, but i am little disappointed because Aerith is a character full of potential to be discarded in the middle of story, she should have been in the last battle alongside Cloud as in the last one chapter of Remake, and this is what i wish for the future, that somehow Aerith will live, stop the meteor and make Advent Children not need to exist...

[@farizdwifathan7513]

@@alissondasilva473 the ending of the remake to me is pretty clear. After seeing the ultimania stating that kadaj,loz,yazoo is not going to exist in future The nonexistence of them also means the nonexistence of AC And we know that cloud suffers severe pain for losing her in Ac So ultimately this time around cloud won't feel pain for losing aerith no more As to what happens to them, i am sure that they are going to be reunited in the end of the game, this is the ending that they wanted to have Whether they reunite in death or not is the real question that needs answer this time around So dont worry , cloud won't suffer the lost of his loved ones any more, in fact even if he died this time around it will still make him happy as he can reunite with aerith eternally

[@leahjanulgue7200]

@@farizdwifathan7513 Cloud never dies, he was just transported to Promise Land.

[@Alexandroidd]

@@alissondasilva473 she wasn't just discarded, the developers knew exactly what they were doing with FF7 story. And one of the main, maybe THE main focus of the FF7 story is Loss. It keeps happening to all the characters, cloud probably moreso than anyone. One of the game directors mother died during concept design of ff7 and he wanted to capture that feeling of loss in the game by having the player deal with losing such an important character at a pivotal story moment. It sucks but it sure was effective, probably one of the most memorable moments in gaming history. Maybe this time around things will be different, time will tell.

[@glamrockr150]

Tifa is always walking around cloud halfnaked.seeing her in that purple dress is nothing new to him.kekekeke

[@PollenAinne]

lol. You have a point.

[@sharingisbeautiful2981]

Ohhh yes allright 😅🤣🤣

[@Xantheus07]

You missed the fireworks at 10:05 that the developers letting you know thats the moment Cloud fell in love with Aerith.

[@PollenAinne]

That is a great interpretation. And if it's the developers letting us know... there is an entire the colosseum event with them being called every single synonym of couple possible, with as much adjectives they can think off. They basically shoved clerith into our throats. LOL.

[@andelbabysss]

Yes indeed

[@nhantranhoang4582]

i think Cloud has fallen for Aerith way back when he found out that she was waiting for him when he sneaked out.

[@josehernandezmartinez8719]

There is no doubt, that Aerith is helping get Cloud out of his shell.

[@notdante1151]

Video tittle: Why Cloud Love Aerith? Me: Who wouldn't love Aerith?

[@potatoking4227]

People who think she's clingy but don't understand why she is.

[@lunarisu8010]

The Clotis

[@lunarisu8010]

@@potatoking4227 *Aerith rejected Zack already.* *The woman loved Cloud more than her first love Zack* Zerith logic : Aerith and Zack love each other. Either you Aerith like it or not, Zack still your boyfriend. *Cloud has been telling Tifa she is not enough for him, in short Cloud is not romantically interested in Tifa.* *Tifa : Even though we've been together for quite sometime.* *Cloud : I'm sorry Tifa, that's not enough.* *Case of Tifa* Cloti logic : Cloud and Tifa are much in love with each other. *Tifa asking Cloud if he really loves her. Cloud didn't replied but replied yes when Tifa changed to subject to Marlene.* Cloti logic : Cloud loves Tifa unconditionally *Aerith : Is Tifa your Girlfriend?* *Cloud : No!* *Aerith : So is she someone's special?* *Cloud : No not like that. It's just that I didn't know how to explain* Cloti logic : Either Cloud said no, Tifa is still Cloud's girlfriend. So shut up Cloud we forced you to accept Tifa as your girlfriend. *Cloud left Tifa and went to living in Aerith's church.* Cloti logic : Cloud distance from Tifa is called love. *Cloud : I'm beginning to understand.. An answer from the planet. The Promised land, I think I can meet her there.* Cloti logic : There is no such thing as Promised land, either you like it you will end up with Tifa and making babies with her. We forced you to love Tifa. *Tetsuya Nomura : Cloud has undying feelings for Aerith. Aerith is already engraved in Cloud's heart forever.* Cloti logic : Someday Tifa will replace Aerith and become Cloud lover because Cloud will forget about Aerith because she's dead. *Cloud express his feelings for Aerith in the song called Hollow and how he vowed to never let her go again.* Cloti : That song is for Tifa. Zerith : Aerith sing that song for Zack. *Nojima confirms in his interview that Cloud and Tifa are not compatible. They need Marlene and Denzel to work things for them.* *Tifa will always be jealous and Aerith is better.* Cloti logic : we won't accept that because Cloud belongs to Tifa. Cloud and Tifa are match together. *Tetsuya Nomura : I don't have a clue of Cloud and Tifa's relationship after the highwind scene.* Cloti : Cloud and Tifa are having sex under the highwind scene. *this is the worst part* Cloti logic : We don't care about your feelings Cloud. We worship Tifa as a Goddess. We don't care about your happy ending as long as Tifa has her happy ending with you. So shut up Cloud and forced yourself to love Tifa. Zerith logic : Aerith, even though we know you said a multiple times that you love Cloud, you belong to Zack because you two are both dead. There is no way you can reunited with Cloud. So shut up and love Zack. *Cloud : When we are at the Gondola, I'm sure Aerith knows the real me, which I look away from.* Cloti & Zerith Logic : Aerith never get a chance to meet the real Cloud because he was Zack. Square Enix officially released *Maiden who travels the planet* written by Benny Matsumaya. Cloti and Zerith logic : Maiden who travel the planet is not canon even though it's officially released by Square Enix because it doesn't make sense to our ship Cloti and Zerith. 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄 Umm okay whatever.

[@potatoking4227]

@@lunarisu8010 people who still think aerith loves zack know that she's moved on but just completely ignore it. cloud telling tifa she is not enough for him is just clotis being delusional. clotis think that when tifa asks if he loves marlene, and replies, they say he's referring to tifa. when aerith asks if tifa is his girlfriend and quickly denied anything. clotis just ignore the fact that tifa asked cloud about aerith and he ignored tifa. also even tifa can tell there is something going on between cloud and aerith. it wasn't until the end of advent children that they thought cloti was canon. because it seems like cloud has moved on. about hollow, that's just clotis being in denial.

[@lunarisu8010]

@@potatoking4227 hahahah. I find it funny.

[@akabkb6692]

As obvious as I thought the signs were in the original game, so far, it's mind-boggling at this point to not think they had something between them -- this game is spelling it out even more.

[@vicmon1858]

I'm totally agree with "First mission he gave to himself!" is save Aerith. and also in my country there's so many people who still believe that cloud have Zack memories and don't accept his love to Aerith they still think it's because of Zack memory, I'm so sick to explain a thing.They just want to trust that....

[@juminsalim4146]

VICMON either they love tifa or zack too much that they got blinded. Its alright, they totally missed the best chemistry and romance in the game.

[@leahjanulgue7200]

Zack has nothing to do with Cloud loving Aerith. Cloud was just having a fake persona just like Zack to impress everyone especially Aerith for thinking he was a soldier.

[@lethalg391]

@@leahjanulgue7200 Sadly, people won't stop believing in the misconception because that statement is their main argument lol even though it's false. People just wants to keep lying to themselves. Really pathetic.

[@sosis1262]

There are a lot of Tifas in the world but only 1 Aerith

[@Plxvio]

But damn If I were Cloud.... I will probably pick Aerith and Tifa as my two wives😂

[@starchannel123]

TheMemes123 wtf?

[@Rhetzelle]

u mean the other way round?

[@onceafetus169]

@TheMemes123 what

[@gambishdasidelinestory9462]

I’m new to final fantasy.. literally never played a game watched the movie anything, I just happened to come across someone playing final fantasy 7 remake …. And my first impression of tifa and cloud was like she liked him but he saw her as like a sister, very least a friend. He hasn’t seen her in years and he was focused on the money, no physical touch outside of rescuing her and he NEVER smiled around her As soon as I saw him with Aerith, he smiled 2+ times, jaw dropped seeing her in the dress and if u guys noticed when it was him tifa and Aerith he always said “you okay?” Not are you guys okay At tifas apartment he has a nightmare at Aerith house he dreams about a girlfriend I dnt care how much a guy believes in a girls physical strength, if you see the girl you LOVE going into a dangerous place you would at the very LEAST follow her .. but no it took Aerith to convince him to go help Tifa….. I am team Aerith Someone made a great observation few weeks ago … everything up until Cloud’s resolution, he was following everyone and basically taking orders and following their path, he went on Jessie’s mission, Tifa persuaded him to do jobs in her sector, Aerith persuaded him to do jobs and be her bodyguard, following avalanche, even rescuIng tifa in Wall Market Aerith had to persuade and physically pull him…. But when Aerith gets captured he decided to decide his own path for the first time and we see that with how determined he is to save her that 1. He was ready to defy Aerith’s mum about saving Aerith and 2.he is even the leader of the save Aerith mission … there was so much resolve in his eyes when he told he he is coming for her

[@stavcy]

He even laughed with her a few times, during chapter 8 when you do side quests with her. It’s really adorable.

[@gambishdasidelinestory9462]

@@stavcy do you remember which side quests?

[@gambishdasidelinestory9462]

@@DarkRahnne yeah, that is what I thought as well, if tifa did not ask about the flower he wouldn’t have given it to her. In the remake their is nothing romantic between them, the only time they touch is when he is saving her.the scenes with cloud and Tifa are very flat, in the sense that it is the same atmosphere throughout but with cloud and tifa you go through different emotions/expressions, you laugh, you smile, you grin you say aww at their cute scenes….. what I want to know and see is what cloud was going to do when he tried to grab Aerith’s hand when she was fading away in his resolution scene Tifa is good for cloud but not the best for cloud. People miss it during the game but Aerith actually made cloud laugh and I was so shocked

[@gambishdasidelinestory9462]

@@DarkRahnne yeah, especially his determination to save her. He only had one focus after that resolution scene and that was to save Aerith. Someone made a good point about them two. Aerith lifts cloud up while Cloud grounds he, those are nice contrasting but complimenting elements

[@mi.gmgirl6070]

@@DarkRahnne Go after FFVII Remake Material Ultimania Plus. Chapter 8 and 9 He's in love with Aerith Chapter 3 explains why he gave Tifa a flower, I laughed how ironic it was, Cloti theory and zerith said for years it turned against them...

[@ClubKhangeroo]

When Cloud said "Learn to talk to her" I totally thought he was telling that to himself. Makes more sense that he was talking to the flowers haha

[@PollenAinne]

Yeah he was rebuking the flowers. Aint he cute? lol

[@user-ro6sw6gb4u]

Cloud never fall for tifa He sees tifa as childhood bestfriend Cloud almost do everything for aerith only, and their interactions all of you can see it the truth

[@gluckskatze3229]

Tifas jealousy is just unbearable. Like she said: "How do you two know each other?" and "And there all that is to it? Sure there isn't something else going on?" She seems to me, that Tifa really Want Cloud and not love him in the real-love-kinda-way. You know what i mean? I mean, i don't understand the whole Tifa and Cloud thing. When i watch a Romance Movie for example, i can sense which couple are really resonating with each other. And while i watched the FF7 Remake Lets play, i really felt that deep connection somehow between Cloud and Aerith, (at least it builds up at that tiny little sparks they make without even thinking about it). I don't know, why the others see it the other way around. Cloud and Aerith seems to me: They are in love with each other. And the love is growing as the game goes on. I love your videos about that topic, because it really explains everything so well.

[@Plxvio]

Yoooo If I were Cloud... I would pick Aerith and Tifa as my two wives or girlfriends😂😂

[@byronic0967]

I see the same with Tifa. Beautiful character development, so many cute scenes. They saved each other more than once, they are a Team and have each other's back.

[@lunarisu8010]

@@Plxvio Cloud is not harem. His not interested in Tifa anymore. He may have a crush on her when he was young but the present Cloud is obsessed with Aerith. His missing her like crazy.

[@Plxvio]

@@lunarisu8010 Bruh I know, Like I said... If I "WERE" Cloud I'd probably keep them both. It's not like I'm assuming or wanting Cloud to be harem, It is just in my own perspective lol you got it?

[@lunarisu8010]

@@Plxvio Whatever you say but Cloud is not interested in Tifa.

[@Blubableful]

HOW CAN PEOPLE NOT SHIP THIS?!

[@kriziaeloraf3581]

because they are too caught up in that optional random train rolling scene with Cloud and Tifa

[@marksullivan00]

cloti morons

[@proconnn]

Cuz of Zack fans (no hate on Zack, that man a real one)

[@Quintepalix]

Is it just me or am I the only one who gets teary-eyed everytime these two grow closer together on screen? It like they have the most WHOLESOME chemistry together but it's so... sad... knowing she's going to die... Dammit, I'm tearing up even as I type this haha PS: That "I'm coming for you" scene just makes me bloody cry :(

[@moraelity]

Honestly same. I picked up this game since it was free with playstation plus and I instantly fell in love with their dynamic, and you can tell as the story progresses how much he cares for her. And in the dream scene, you can tell he just realised he did love her

[@xmant8842]

@@moraelity same. I had started the game expecting to love tifa, but after meeting aerith, I immediately knew she was going to be best girl amd best love interest

[@brileonn]

You're not the only one! I've loved Aerith for years and soo many scenes in the remake had me tearing up, whether it was something sad or cute or happy lol. The scenes with Cloud and Aerith together were the most enjoyable part of the game imo

[@xmant8842]

@@brileonn Same

[@natedogmarik2554]

That scene "you cant fall in love with me" literally I just hear aerith screaming she doesnt wanna say it. But she says it not as oh I know your feelings aren't yours. They are clouds. Cloud is not zack and their personalities are no where near even close to each other(play crisis core), and also cloud doesnt have Zacks memories he just replaced zack fair soldier first class with himself, because he is ZACK'S LIVING LEGACY. Also cloud is kind of clucked up with his death so he forced zack out of his mind and literally became a living legacy. Anyways, aerith says that because she knows if she dies cloud will be hurt bad and probably would get even more f'd up but you can see it in her eyes she really fricking loves him and knows he's not going to listen, her smile literally says it all

[@leonbuster7690]

I know, right? That's what pains me so badly, right to the core. Even for a newcomer like me, it becomes so obvious that Cloud loves Aerith, when you actually spend the time and effort to analyze all of the interactions between the two.

[@aikoizumi2947]

Knowing Cloud, body language is very very important cause he couldn't express himself well, even Aerith is aware of it :3

[@rowenachang2302]

The moments leading up to Evergreen Park is one of my faves. Right after Cloud wakes up from his dream about his mother, we get to see an up close view of his eyes reflected from the room's light, and I said "Damn Cloud, you have really beautiful eyes." Then Aerith also becomes enraptured by his eyes on the slide

[@stealthassassins]

this made me super happy, glad to know there's plenty of people who know the truth about all of this and aren't brainwashed. it's a great feeling, i can't wait of what's to come with the sequels, and they moment Cloud and Aerith re-unite or just get some sort of happy ending with eachother forever

[@Rhomagus]

Every time I hear the, "I'm readyyyy" lines from little Aerith and her excitement at the acknowledgment that her friends came for her shoots an arrow through my heart.

[@NAJ_P_Jackson]

Yeah well it's revealed in the train graveyard that despite her optimistic exterior she still has the fear of abandonment from the people she cared about so it makes sense that she would be overjoyed to find people willing to go the distance for her.

[@MrEmerald73]

Cloud totally loves Aerith you can tell. His whole closed off personality shifts. He opens up because of her and it makes him come out of his shell. He shows a interest in mostly everything she says no matter how weird. He cares for Tifa like a sister kinda. I just don't feel or see the fire like there is with Aerith. He just puts forth that's above and beyond extra effort for her and is lazer focused on getting her back.

[@moammaraleemrajai609]

Cloud and Aerith for this remake

[@XXx-bj1ni]

Idk about you guys but Cloud caring how he would respond to Aerith and how he analyzes her expressions is definitely something.

[@reblokha]

My boyfriend plays the Remake right now. I asked him, what he thinks about the Aerith/Cloud/Tifa love triangle as someone who didn't play the OG and can judge about all this from a male POV. His response was the following: "Tifa is friendzoned. Cloud likes Tifa, but in a way a guy would care for a friend. " Me: "What about the hugging, etc..?" - "Hormones. He still loves Aerith though."

[@PollenAinne]

Exactly what my brother said. He was too young to play the OG was not interested to play it cuz of the graphics. Some people were saying Aerith was like a sister so I asked him if he thinks Aerith and Cloud have a platonic relationship (I didnt even ask about Tifa), and he said. "Not really, he likes her for sure. But if we're really talking about scenes that can be made platonic, almost every Tifa scene so far can be."

[@neoexodeath]

I have a similar story. I was playing REMAKE and my wife, who knows nothing about Final Fantasy or video games in general watched me play one day on Ch 9, where Aerith, Cloud, and Tifa all meet in Corneo's basement. Out of nowhere, my wife said she thought Cloud should hook up with Aerith, not Tifa. I was pleasantly surprised by her comment - I have always thought that the Cloud and Aerith pairing was the most natural one since OG. Just wanted to share that.

[@gabrieltejada1697]

Wait correct me if I’m wrong but I thought the main reason Cloud liked Aerith was due to the memories from Zack (his friend) being implanted into him which is also the reason Cloud thinks he was a first class soldier while in reality he became a regular shinra trooper.

[@muhammadshalahuddin6886]

@@gabrieltejada1697 if zacks feeling to aerith is really implanted in clouds, then why didnt cloud get some kind of feelings toward zack parents when they met in gongaga? As far as i know, zack didnt have any hatred toward his parents. I think this should prove that "feelings" Didnt get implanted and the implanted memory are only those times where zack and cloud were both present together. Well thats just my 2 cents tho

[@noodleliness]

@@gabrieltejada1697 This is widely misunderstood by a lot of people. Zack told a lot of stories to Cloud while he was unconscious and about Nilbelheim incident and being mercenary together if they made it out as well, so Cloud took those stories as his own and built his memories as that without Zack (that he is Zack) in it. Memories cannot contain emotion or feeling, so feelings for Aerith cannot be injected into Cloud mind unlike stories. Plus Zack never actually told Cloud that he loved Aerith at the end, plus if Zack did and those feelings followed into Cloud's mind, Cloud would be more direct to Aerith in the first place.

[@Izlandzadi14]

The abruptness of that ending made me laugh "You came for me!" "yup" *credits*

[@huyduong7767]

That first part about the bodyguard thing, i dunno if you know but if aerith is in your party and she falls unconscious cloud’d say “and you call yourself a bodyguard”

[@Khittope]

What does he mean by that? Like a joke play with her? I've never had her fall? Except the training in shinra building.

[@Legacy0901]

@@Khittope he's talking to himself, getting mad that he allowed Aerith to get hurt

[@gunghocg]

I also notice he says “i’ll protect you” and only says that to aerith when she’s in your party. And you know its aerith because she’s always the one who answers back with “i can protect myself” smthng like dat..

[@eshyun2144]

I love FF7, I love each and every character in it and because of you I now love Clerith even more. Aerith will save Cloud from feeling hollow. Cloud will save Aerith from fate. The real deal :D

[@PollenAinne]

Yes that they will!

[@rovin9547]

Clerith's names are symbolically linked, some can even say heavenly. Aerith = Air Cloud = Clouds

[@giangiannigiannini4836]

Aerith=earth

[@timonalexandr151]

Cloud and Aerith = Heaven and Earth.

[@sudeepkamble5078]

I hope Cloud and Aerith meet each other this time.

[@Zero-fx8pc]

Never paid that much attention to Tifa resolution but she does look sad for the flower thing, she legit thought Cloud brought that flower to her and by the way he gave it to her it seemed that way. In this scene she realized she was right when she suspected Aerith and Cloud having something more than friendship going on.

[@PollenAinne]

Exactly. Cloud was so smooth in giving it to her, that he swept away her doubts on why he had such a thing when it was so unlike him. Guess it was a disappointment when she learned it was given by another girl. The flower also symbolized reunion, telling her that the girl gave it to him as a memento to meet again in the future. And they did meet again.

[@matthewsanchez5891]

Pollen Ainne can also be that Cloud gave the flower to Tifa to symbolize reunion with her as well. Especially in the context that it’s Tifa who will reunite with the real Cloud once he’s been saved from the Lifestream. Sorry to say this but Aerith and Cloud just won’t happen. Doesn’t make any sense and this video seems more like you shippers desperately trying to make something that isn’t there. Cloud doesn’t have romantic feelings for anyone right now, it’s because he doesn’t even know who he is. But he will figure it out eventually, sadly that doesn’t happen until after Aerith dies.

[@Zero-fx8pc]

Matthew Sanchez At the end of the original he still wants to meet her in the lifestream and that is after he regains his memory, it’s pretty clear he has feelings for her. Sure nothing will happen since she is dead and he is alive but saying that he didn’t liked her is just being in denial. The fact that he suffered her death more than Zack’s say a lot about how he felt, he grieves some random chick he just meet more than his best friend? His grieve is like 75% Aerith and 25% Zack. And yes the flower symbolizes reunion as a whole, the same context that applies to Aerith here applies to Tifa, both of them are his love interest just not one or the other. The "reunion" between Aerith and Cloud can only be understood by those who played the original, since this is a alternate timeline we know they meet but they don’t know. In the end is left to interpretation if he ended with Tifa or alone, neither answer is wrong unless square enix straight up say that he married X girl.

[@jet44444]

Tifas resolution to me felt like it was Tifa coming to terms with how Cloud feels about Aerith. Cloud also doesn’t seem to deny anything like he did when Aerith asked if Tifa was his gf.

[@magicalgirl4]

@@matthewsanchez5891 The devs literally said Cloud and Aerith are star-crossed lovers :/

[@tirapoljansiricharoen5270]

For those who still think Aerith can’t move on from Zack in this Remake, I personally see the last line in resolution scene with Aerith got localized pretty poorly because it left out subtle meaning from the original. And with the line telling Cloud not to fall for her, it can easily mislead people to believe that she still misses Zack. In English she just plainly thanks Cloud for willingly coming to get her. In Japanese dialogue she says “kuyashii kedo ureshii” which literally means “it’s frustrating (that you’re so stubborn after I warn you not to fall for me and still insist on coming to save me), but that truly makes me happy anyway”.

[@brileonn]

When they say "so..." in the park at the same time IT KILLS ME THEY'RE SO CUTE 😭

[@lordconstrux799]

There is never a dull moment with Cloud and Aerith! I really hope there is more interaction time between the two, it puts me at ease. Lol

[@Plxvio]

IKR! I'm hoping there IS more in remake part 2

[@haris1zat65]

The resolution scene gets me every time. Dont get me wrong, i legit adore Tifa cause she's a total badass and an amazing character but her resolution doesnt add up to the next scene with Elmyra. Cloud straight up says ""she's calling to me" right after hugging Tifa? Does that make sense in any way possible? While the resolution with Aerith shows more feeling in it considering its Cloud who's dreaming about it and would totally fit the next scene. Idk maybe its just me who thought about this

[@xZarazWracam]

Aerith's scene happens shortly before they talk with Elmyra - she says "it's almost morning". Tifa's scene happenes earlier during the night.

[@haris1zat65]

@@xZarazWracam really? Where does it say? Im not angry btw just wanna know haha

[@fiprosha]

@@haris1zat65 I think there is a theory that all three scenes are canon, because the chapter description hints at all three (Tifa, Barret, Cloud) having a resolution of some sort that night. And if you look at Barret's scene, the lighting is different from Tifa's scene and they talk about "going to get rest". In Tifa's scene, they talk about "having a light sleep / not being able to sleep" and in Aerith's scene, it's stated by Aerith that it's morning again :) So Barret's would be before going to bed, Tifa's in the middle of the night, and Aerith's right before dawn.

[@flowergirlff7505]

@@fiprosha Agreed:) Except I'm just going to point out that it's Cloud's scene, which has Aerith in it-cause he loves her.

[@dantesparda4493]

Remember that that is Cloud's resolution route, not Aerith's. Even I thought to myself that it really fits well with the scene of Cloud & Aerith and going to the discussion with Elmyra.

[@andelbabysss]

Cloud is inlove with aerith.. clearly

[@adelicious3925]

Number 9 remembers me about the scene where Barret asked him to dance with Tifa being there and he said he doesn't dance. But then this happened. I think Cloud makes a lot of exception for aerith. He definitely got out of his comfort zone without much resistance for her. But its just mho

[@PollenAinne]

I agree. Cloud makes a lot of exceptions for Aerith. It's love. lol

[@adelicious3925]

@@PollenAinne right. I don't know why people ship Cloud with Tifa. Probably because of the OG. And I don't against it at all. But the remake, they do have a lot of attaction to each other.

[@mcarthurlasam4367]

TLDR: I wish for a happy ending for this couple. Haha. After re watching Cloud's dream with his mother, I am inclined to believe that, even if Claudia has not met Aerith yet, she would've preferred any good girl for Cloud, as long as it was not Tifa. Claudia: "I've never been so proud. The man you've become...women must be hounding you day and night! You know, there's all kinds of temptation in the big city. I'd feel a lot better if I knew you found a good girl...one who made sure you didn't get into trouble. An older, more mature girl, that could keep you on the straight and narrow, and tell you when you're being a silly goose. That's the perfect type for you, I'd say." "I'd feel a lot better if I knew you found a good girl..." This line, if she preferred TIfa, she could've easily added "like TIfa." and that would've been it. But no, she elaborated her preferences further and heavily implying it was never Tifa. I mean, saying she prefers an older girl already crosses out TIfa 101%, so there should really be no debate or doubt here. "...one who made sure you didn't get into trouble" Recalling Cloud's childhood where he got in trouble because he tried to help Tifa but both ended up falling and Cloud got blamed for the incident..her mother probably was the only one who still understood Cloud and never blamed him for any of it. Her tone suggested that Tifa got Cloud into trouble, and it wasn't really Cloud's fault. When he visited his mom during his mission in Nibelheim, even with Cloud admitting not being a SOLDIER still, she was still very proud of him. Note also that Tifa never knew until the Lifestream Event that Cloud was there at Nibelheim too. Cloud probably told his mom not to tell anyone he was there, and she never even told TIfa, even though Tifa was really wishing to see Cloud. I'm guessing during Cloud's time in Shinra away from Nibelheim, there wasn't enough interaction between Tifa and Claudia for her to give favor to Tifa. It took 7 days of waiting befire Sephiroth went mad, and in all those times, her mom kept her word and didn't tell or hint TIfa. Well, with Tifa's personality, she probably didn't open up and dreaming of a blond knight in shining armor (literally Cloud) to Claudia. In that note, all her preferences were basically pointed anywhere BUT Tifa, and Aerith was literally fitting the bill perfectly. Makes good sense that the two girls are really different in personality., with Aerith being truly her preferred type for Cloud. (well, I mean, Madame M being older, made Cloud fall into Cloud 9 with a hand massage, but that's besides the point XD ) Well, as we all know, it really all comes down to who Cloud wants. But the fact that he dreams of this after meeting Aerith, he probably misses his mom and sublty tells her in his dreams that he found the one. In the original game, he said "Not interested", but here we just see him fall silent and wake up. If Square Enix ever made impossible wish lists come true... 1. Cloud brings Aerith to his home and introduce her to his mom [and Cloud also proves himself to Elmyra, not only as an ex-SOLDIER, but a local florist] 2. Strife Flower Delivery Service all the way! Cloud would probably be grunting "I'm not cut out for this crap" but would be loving every moment of it. Just my thoughts..sorry for the long comment. I was probably reading into it too much. I just really love this ship. I mean, I joined this ship to cherish Clerith, not disregard Zerith and Clotis...as long as they don't throw fallacies like the "CLOSE childhood friend" and the "Cloud is Zack" kinda stuff. Haha.. Still waiting patiently for part 4! XD Keep up the good work!

[@PerfectEclipse]

Thank you for sharing your perspectives. I never considered reading more into Claudia's dialogue regarding Tifa, but now considering all your points I think you are completely right in your analysis. Yet another small hint of who Square deems to be Cloud's true love. Let's hope they dare to finally make it clear instead of hinted at in the coming games :)

[@PollenAinne]

Wow. Really good analysis. Sorry for the long wait. Will go back to part IV soon.

[@LovesTwilightSaga1]

Wow. Good analysis

[@user-tq3zr9wj8i]

The real fan of this series will know that cloud loves aerith

[@Rhetzelle]

also real fans will know Cloud Loves Tifa romantically and Aerith as a close friend

[@user-df8lp9zq8s]

@@Rhetzelle Aerith is the last member of the gang that can be called just a friend . In the end, he confessed his love to her in a dream . And what kind of friendship is that? Friendship, this is just Cloud and Tifa. Maybe Tifa wants more than just friendship , maybe she will get it, but only through the corpse of Aerith .As a love interest, Aerith is always on the 1st place . Even the original says it. Does Aerith have more love points by default than everyone else?What it says . I'm ready to bet with you that if Aerith survives in the remake, the developers will not even give the opportunity to be with Tifa, because its impossible . And if Aerith dies, then how much he would like to be together with Aerith , its impossible . Romance with Tifa has always and everywhere been built on the death of Aerith . Although it cant always be called romance ...

[@detected1989]

@@user-df8lp9zq8s I know Cleriths always omit the part “it’s not true” :)). Cleriths automatically erase all the hugs, hand holdings and Tifa saving Clous scenes, which were intentionally created by the creators :)

[@daeith1233]

@@detected1989 She said that bc of her fate, not bc it wasn't true, look like Cloti fans like to forget the Ultimania, even Tifa thinks there is something between them, and in her scene, Cloud just held her, as the way Barett did before, to conform her :')

[@user-df8lp9zq8s]

@@detected1989 I don't know who you're telling what to . Personally, I remember every touch of Cloud and Tifa. All of them occurred when Tifa was in danger . And the hugging scene, as Ultimania says, he doesn't even think about anything romantic there . She hugged him herself. But when Aerith touches Cloud's shoulder, his heart jumps .These are also the words of Ultimania. When Aerith in the dream scene tries to protect Cloud , telling him not to fall in love , he HIMSELF tries to grab her hand. Do you feel the difference?

[@shincy25]

Indeed, Cloud does not inherit Zack's memories, he never know about Aerith in first place. He just regained conscious from mako poison and mistaken his impression of Zack into his identity.

[@byronic0967]

That's wrong. He plain out thinks he was Zack, taking his place in his memories, thinking that sword is really his.

[@breadloaf1925]

@@byronic0967 I'm guessing you haven't played the OG, Cloud already state that he created *his own memories* to fill in the years gap, he created the memories based on what he had seen in his life, "I've heard the stories from Zack" he didn't get his memories, he based his persona on what Zack told him about Soldiers and in the end of CC, Zack gave Cloud his sword.

[@byronic0967]

@@breadloaf1925 He still thinks he is Zack in some sense. He doesn't remember Zack gave the sword to him, he doesn't remember him at all. Yes, he creates his own memories from Zacks experience.

[@nashiihaazka1328]

@@byronic0967 so from the beginning after meeting Tifa is Zack's?? Also every flirty moment they spent together is also Zack? Whoa Zack is really a ladies man. Lol if he really think he's Zack, why doesn't he tell people his name as Zack tho? Actually, what did Cloud do that make people think he is Zack?? Their personalities are completely different no? The way they talk and interact with others are too different as well

[@byronic0967]

@@nashiihaazka1328I didn't really explain well what I mean. I mean that in his memories of Zack, he is taking his place. So he thinks he was first class soldier etc. His own memories get mixed up with Zacks. I think this has to do with the mako poisening and the Jenova cells. Tbh it wasn't really well explained in the OG, so I am very interested to see how they will handle it in the remake. And no, I don't believe he thinks he is Zack now, like a completely different person. More like he adds to his persona some Zack fragments if that makes any sense. But these are all theories of course. What speaks against this theory however, is that Cloud doesn't remember Aerith or Zacks parents for example. So MAYBE not all memories were shared.... or Cloud just took the stuff Zack told him about on their journey and twisted it to fit his own story because of his own memory loss.

[@caionoronha6010]

I really want Aerith to be saved and have a romance with Cloud 🥺

[@PerfectEclipse]

I am so grateful that you've taken it upon your shoulders help set it all straight with regards to Clerith and Cloti. For me it has always been super obvious whom his love is, across all media he and Aerith appear in, and across all books and more. They are always connected.

[@secretadmiration2947]

I read this in the internet and want to share it here :) Cloud and Aerith are the main hero and heroine of the video game Final Fantasy VII. At the opening of the game, Cloud is a cold-hearted mercenary who only accepts missions to help save the planet from the group AVALANCHE for money. This coldness towards all the members of AVALANCHE is not part of his false memories borrowed from Zack but is part of the real Cloud[1]. During one mission, he falls into Aerith's church in the slums and the two strike up a conversation. Aerith is a Cetra/Ancient, the last in a race of planet protectors and had been pursued by megacorporation ShinRA her entire youth. When they appear at the church to try to capture her again, Aerith recruits Cloud to help her escape. Instead of the usual gil, Cloud accepts Aerith's offer of the payment of one date for his help and forms an agreement to be her bodyguard. After meeting Aerith, Cloud's cold outlook begins to change[2]. He escorts her home and consistently expresses concern for keeping her out of dangerous situations such as going into the Wall Street market. The player can also choose to tell Aerith that Tifa is not Cloud's girlfriend and opt to take her along to Sector 7. Cloud and Aerith have a first date in the park[3], where they talk about Cloud's SOLDIER status and Aerith's first love, who was also in SOLDIER. Cloud remarks that he might have known him and asks Aerith his name, but Aerith responds that it doesn't matter as she was never in a serious relationship with him.[4] During the scene where they escape the church, Cloud and Aerith laugh together. This is the only time Cloud laughs in the game[5] Cloud and Aerith become close quickly[6]. When Aerith is agrees to go with ShinRA so that Barret's daughter Marlene can escape, Cloud decides to rescue her with or without the assistance of AVALANCHE. When talking to Marlene about Aerith before leaving on the rescue mission, Marlene has already noticed Aerith's attraction to Cloud. When she says to Cloud that she thinks Aerith likes him, Cloud can say 'Let's hope so'. Supplementary materials have shown this is the response canon to the storyline[7]. No matter what route the player takes into the building, Barret is impressed that Cloud will fight for someone else and Tifa becomes jealous. The rescue attempt results in Cloud and the others getting captured. When the group are in cells next to Aerith's, the player can talk to Aerith. Cloud reminds Aerith about his promise to protect her as her bodyguard, which causes Tifa to become jealous again. After escaping from ShinRA and discovering Sephiroth is still alive, the group all leave Midgar to begin the quest.

[@secretadmiration2947]

When in Cosmo Canyon, the group all gathers around a campfire. When Cloud speaks to Aerith, she comments how she is alone as a Cetra. Cloud comments 'But I'm...we're here for you, right?' There are several times during the game when Cloud expresses the desire to do something or be with Aerith in an individual way, excluding the rest of the group. When crossing the ocean Aerith mentions wanting to go on an airship like she saw in Midgar and the player can promise to take her on one someday. This is referenced in Aerith's 'Change Disc' image, where she is standing before an airship. Later Cait Sith, a fortune telling robot controlled by Reeve, joins the party. He predicts Cloud will gain what he seeks but will lose something dear to him. The 'something dear' is Aerith [8] On the surface Cait Sith's fortunes appear unreliable but he actually has an innate ability and predicts many things within the game [9] Later on Cait Sith predicts that Cloud and Aerith's 'star show a great future' when Aerith asks how compatible they are. Ultimania quotes state that Cait Sith is not only predicting the future of a relationship but a marriage, so the prediction becomes sadder once Aerith is killed [10] Within the game there is a Dating Mechanic which determines who Cloud goes on a date with when the group returns to the Gold Saucer theme park. The game begins with Tifa with 30 points and Aerith on 50. Aerith has the extra points due to being introduced later, but the date with Aerith is still considered the normal outcome[11] and the date is referenced in the game Itadaki Street Special[12][13] and during the BRA BRA concert[14][15], as well as other sources[16], canonising it. During the date scene, Aerith tells Cloud that it bothered her that he had similarities to her first love, but that she realises he is different and wants to get to know the real him. Supplementary material[17] and Itadaki Street confirm that this means she has seen that Cloud is confusing his identity but has also seen through to the real him. Cloud suffers mental manipulation from Sephiroth and almost hurts Aerith when Sephiroth tries to take the Black Materia. Aerith visits Cloud in a dream to let him know that he should look after himself and let her handle saving the Planet[18]. He tries to go after her and wakes in Gongaga. Cloud fears hurting Aerith again but the group persuades him to settle up with Sephiroth so they pursue Aerith to the Forgotten City. When Sephiroth kills Aerith before Cloud's eyes, Cloud's heart breaks and he tells Sephiroth that his plan to destroy the Planet means nothing now that Aerith is gone. Cloud later promises Aerith that he alone will take care of the rest when he discovers she was trying to save the Planet using a spell called Holy, and Tifa interrupts that they all will help finish the job. At the end of the game, Cloud realises he can find Aerith in the Promised Land and resolves to see her again after reaching for her hand during the fight with Sephiroth.

[@secretadmiration2947]

In the Advent Children movie, Cloud is afflicted with geostigma. He goes to stay in Aerith's church partly out of guilt for being unable to save Denzel but also because of his self-loathing over failing to save Aerith. Seeing Cloud is living in the church provokes more jealousy from Tifa, which becomes a lecture when Cloud wants to avoid the Forgotten City (because of memories of Aerith) about being lost in his memories rather than living his life. However, it is only when Aerith uses her Cetra powers to let Cloud know she never blamed him for not being able to save her that he is able to move on, and Cloud smiles genuinely when he sees her at the end of the film. In the manual to Dirge of Cerberus, Cloud's allies are listed. Aerith is described as 'A girl with the blood of the Ancients flowing through her veins who is engraved in Cloud’s heart for the rest of his life' (Japanese literal translation) and 'A girl with the blood of the Ancients who Cloud would never forget'. Tifa is listed as Cloud's friend despite the game being set after Final Fantasy VII. Cloud and Aerith both appear in the Kingdom Hearts series. Cloud appears to be looking for Aerith in Kingdom Hearts as they are reunited in the credits and Nomura states that the ending was made so that players could interpret it that way[19]. An optional route in Kingdom Hearts 2 has Cloud looking for Sephiroth and Tifa looking for Cloud. The canon storyline features Cloud promising to return to Aerith once he has settled his business with Sephiroth. In the Kingdom Hearts 2.8 credits there is a romance section featuring Disney couples, and Cloud and Aerith appear in the middle of the credits, showing they are the primary couple of Final Fantasy VII [20]. In World of Final Fantasy, Terra chastises Cloud for chasing Sephiroth. Cloud remarks that Sephiroth 'took someone away from me forever', and Terra responds 'this isn't any way to honour your love for her'[21]. In the spin off compilation game Crisis Core, the player controls Zack, who has a romantic relationship with Aerith. However at the end of the game Aerith's last letter implies she is moving on and won't wait for Zack any longer. In a crossover event, only the item 'Aerith's ribbon' gives Cloud a limit break[22].

[@secretadmiration2947]

Cloud/Aerith and Cloud/Tifa are two sides of a long-standing ship war in FFVII fandom commonly known as the Love Triangle Debate (LTD). Debates about which of the two ships can be considered canon are common. Fans consider Cloud and Aerith to be canon due to the Aerith being presented as the intended love interest in various media[41][42][43][44], and scenes with Tifa being optional. While the player can get the High Affection Highwind scene with Tifa if their affection points for her are high enough, this route has never been confirmed as canon and it is commonly argued that Cloud and Tifa not sharing a room[45] and not being married[46] in Advent Children is a sign that they have not become a couple post Final Fantasy VII. In addition, Case of Tifa shows Tifa having to ask Cloud if he loves her and getting no response, and then later asking 'What about you and me?' and also getting no response. In the novella Tifa receives no positive responses from Cloud about the nature of their relationship and he ultimately leaves 7th Heaven at the end. While it is also argued that the High Affection scene implies Cloud and Tifa were intimate that night, interviews in the 10th anniversary ultimania omega suggests the scene was toned down explicitly to remove that implication [47] A common fan theory is that any of Cloud's interest in Aerith came from his belief that he was Zack early on in the game. However, this is inaccurate. Cloud does not believe he is Zack, rather he took stories from Zack and mixed them up with his own life due to the confusion and trauma of his mako poisoning. If he believed he was Zack or literally had Zack's memories he would either introduce himself as Zack, believe he was from Gongaga, recognise Aerith or Zack's parents or believe he had a girlfriend waiting in the Midgar slums, but Cloud does not believe any of these things. The game script also shows what Cloud had adopted were stories from Zack about SOLDIER[48] and that he was there for much of the Nibelheim incident, just in the capacity of a guard not a member of SOLDIER. Ultimanias also show that aspects of Cloud's personality - his coldness and cockiness - are not from Zack, who is happy go lucky, but rather are part of Cloud's playacting as a member of SOLDIER. A second theory is that Aerith only loves Cloud because he reminds her of Zack. However, the game's script has Aerith state multiple times that she and Zack are the past and were never serious[49], and in the Japanese version they weren't even properly dating[50]. The original script also refutes this idea in English and Japanese - if you get the date with Aerith, which is the normal outcome, she states that it bothered her they were alike but that things are different now and it is the real Cloud she wants to spend time with. Supplementary materials like guidebooks have also reinforced this notion[51] several[52] times. The Crisis Core Ultimania and other supplementary material also speak of Aerith and Zack as being a 'young' or 'juvenile' love, just like Cloud's crush on Tifa, and that it was a sudden crush[53]. Aerith also states being unhappy with aspects of her relationship with Zack, both in the original game script where she just assumes he moved on and never called her again since he was a ladies' man, and in supplementary materials [54]. Other supplementary material shows Aerith was right to think this way - it shows she recognised Zack did not want to make their relationship exclusive and that he wasn't planning to stay with her when on the run from Shinra in the original game's dialogue. The novella Maiden of the Planet has Aerith explicitly reject Zack in favour of Cloud

[@flowergirlff7505]

Well done. This was super thorough- thanks!

[@BreaB15]

Damn, your analysis and use of supplemental references is pristine. It wasn’t until this year I even knew the story behind FF7. I only played a demo of the OG decades ago and I never read or researched anything about the story until the Remake was released this year. I had an unbiased opinion going into it. Based on their depictions in other games, magazines, etc. I always assumed Aerith was Cloud’s only love interest. I didn’t know anything about Tifa or her character until recently. Even within the KH series, which I’m a hardcore fan of, I figured Cloud and Aerith were an item. I don’t think I reached that conclusion for any old reason. For someone who is new to the story and characters it’s interesting that so many resources unrelated to the main game shaped my perspective of assuming Cloud and Aerith were a canon couple.

[@drauncj]

Here's the thing about this: It's not exactly obvious (which is why there can be debate at all some 20 years later), but Cloud's relationship with Aerith is a central driving narrative in the story, and his relationship with Tifa serves more as helping him recover who he is/was in the wake of losing her. Tifa is integral in Cloud's conscience and his drive, but even years later (Advent Children) he hasnt' let go, or truly let her in. It's strongly suggested (perhaps even stated outright) that Cloud liked Tifa when they were kids, but a true romance never blossomed. Maybe Cloud was at least a little infatuated with her before, but Cloud seemed to really, really care for Aerith. Let's not forget; in the PS1's original dialogue files, Aerith's entries were always above Tifa's at player-choice instances, Aerith starts out with the most "dating points" (invisible number value that calculates who Cloud will see in the Gold Saucer), and in the final cutscene, Cloud says "I think I can meet her there," to Tifa. Let's also not forget that the developers had Aerith die for the point of artistic expression, as one of the lead developers had recently lost someone dear. There are the narrative reasons for the Ancient to be the one to die (summon Holy, invoke Lifestream, etc.), but it speaks so much louder when that person was Cloud's most important person. (Side note: Cait Sith's fortune to Cloud before insisting on joining the party is, in Japanese, "you will lose the most precious thing" as opposed to "you will lose something dear" in English) So one might ask why player choice was ever involved to begin with if there was a "right" answer? I believe it was to give more opportunities to flesh out the characters, and in the earlier days of gaming, provide a reason to replay a deep and vast JRPG (these games weren't as prominent in the west back then). Aerith and Tifa's scenes were sort of given to the player as a reward for their investment in one person or the other, Yuffie's for not, and Barret's to berate the player for keeping their heart closed to everyone. I think it was genius, and truth be told, I've always loved Cloud and Tifa's relationship-indeed preferred it. But that doesn't stop Aerith from being the right answer. Take player choice out of the equation, and the story goes Cloud and Aerith. It's a done deal, my friends. So instead of having this debate, let's just accept that Cloud loved Aerith (or at least experienced something closer to love with her than with Tifa), and hope that Cloud can find true companionship with Tifa someday-whatever that may mean.

[@mommyslilstinker]

best comment

[@curiouserr4782]

In ur perspective, Cloud loves Aerith. As u can see, Aerith loves Zack, and can replace him with Cloud so does Cloud. I wanna say is what u think as love at a certain moment (Aerith & Zack) then Aerith & Cloud might not the the truth love for life haha

[@rogersenra3147]

Very good answer to this subject. I agree on almost everything you said here. There is only one thing: You wrote this: -> " Let's also not forget that the developers had Aerith die for the point of artistic expression, as one of the lead developers had recently lost someone dear." - I have done some research on this part and it was a sort of Urban Legend: I found this article ( continuitynod.com/2018/07/31/aeriths-death/ ) where they state this: -> "I believe part of the under-appreciation for this event derives from the myth that Aerith’s death was a reference to Producer Hironobu Sakaguchi’s mother. Some have claimed that she died during the production of Final Fantasy VII and the Lifestream was a way of her son saying that life does not end with death. A sweet notion, but Sakaguchi’s mother died in 1988. This myth of a maternal influence was the result of a misinterpretation of what he said in an interview with PlayStation Underground in 1997. It was character designer Tetsuya Nomura who suggested killing Aerith, primarily due to how exhausted he was by the way death had been portrayed by the Final Fantasy games up to that point. He and Yoshinori Kitase, the game’s director, wanted Aerith’s death to be realistic - both depressing and final. Aerith may have been a main character but she was not given a heroic or sacrificial death. Her life was stolen."

[@drauncj]

@@rogersenra3147 Ah, that's right. You know, at some point along the way I knew this, but with all the new content out there now, I must've forgotten the myth part. Thanks for bringing it up and not rubbing it in =]

[@kwstas1290]

THIS!! This is what i've been saying for years. If you take away all the optional scenes of the OG FFVII it's crystal clear that the "intended" couple of the game is Cloud and Aerith. Cloud and Tifa, unlike Cloud and Aerith, don't have a single non-optional romantic scene in the original game. They only have their childhood promise which is not 100% romantic and both of them are 14 years old in that scene.

[@dantesparda4493]

With this game out and this video. I am so happy that now this misconception of Cloud having Zack's memories argument is over. The exact perspective shown in this video is 100% accurate to mine as well. SPOILER Aerith knows the fate of everyone. She knows she will be taken away by Sephiroth (badass mofo but fxck him for doing that shet) and wants Cloud to make sure he doesn't get too attached to her... unfortunately... Cloud wants to be attached to her.

[@lethalg391]

Sadly, the misconception is still common, especially since new players are arriving. Some of the opposing ships are also spreading this misconception around. Luckily, there are still smart people around to correct them. It will always be around as it is a common basis for Zerith/Cloti arguments, even though it's false and has been debunked millions of times. Shows how some people are just desperate.

[@PollenAinne]

@@lethalg391 Yep, it's the best way to undermine Cloud's feelings for Aerith unfortunately, especially with the Dream Scene were his feelings are as clear as day. The zacloud fallacy is like the ultimate defense. It is sad.

[@xZarazWracam]

as soon as the "Cloud is Zack" card is played, you know they have ran out of arguments and are desperate. It's basically admiting defeat at this point. It has always been like that.

[@dantesparda4493]

@@xZarazWracam Bruh that comment u just said is the EPITOME of denial when I start telling people that Cloud actually has real feelings for Aerith and they just use that excuse to shut me down LOL

[@flowergirlff7505]

This made me so happy! I felt so many people were trying to push CLOTI in FF7 Remake and I was wondering if I was alone in shipping Clerith forever. Thank you! Cloud softens up so much once he meets Aerith. :)

[@kriziaeloraf3581]

They were pushing it cuz they think Aerith is not over Zack and really wants her to be reunited with him just like what they show in AC

[@jojolit2628]

Ur not alone I ship Cloud&Aerith

[@user-df8lp9zq8s]

@@kriziaeloraf3581 What do they show in AC? There's just the dead went in one direction, the living in the other. We know that Aerith is much more in love with Cloud . In one of the books, she says this personally to Zack in Lifestream . I hope they will meet in the remake and people will finally understand that she is already in love with Cloud, and this love is stronger than with Zack

[@seokjinssmeraldo4747]

I wrote the following on the Cloud's dream/resolution scene in another video, so I'll share it here with some additional comments: I think that scene virtually confirms that Cloud has fallen in love with Aerith. Zack can't be brought into this equation because he is neither shown or mentioned, not even implied. This is purely an Aerith and Cloud connection materialized in Cloud's dream or his subconscious. Based on the dialogue, developers created this scene to show obvious romantic undertones within their relationship, making it more clear than the original. The "but whatever happens, you can't fall in love with me" is a common phrase found in romantic tropes, especially used by one character to dissuade another character for developing romantic feelings towards the former; and of course, we as the audience know that said character does the exact opposite. It is already too late for Cloud. I think devs are trying to flesh out the story a lot more with the goal to make Aerith’s death more impactful for Cloud. Losing someone close to you, especially one you love or cherish, is the most painful kind of loss. At this point, it’s implied he has become attached to her. Of course, she meant something to him, which is why he was left so broken when she was gone. People keep bringing in Zack as an influence on his feelings for Aerith, but I don’t think it’s Zack’s memories or personality that’s influencing Cloud - it seems they’re his own true feelings, which was why he was so flustered and asked if he had any say in this. Again, Zack isn't mentioned, shown, or implied anywhere. I think Cloud didn't understand his feelings for her then until she pointed it out and turned him down. It's like she was unraveling parts of him he didn't know he had, and because this scene was in his dream, it can be implied that it's his subconsciousness that's warning him against these feelings considering the fact that he's seen glimpses of her future (her death). Also, he didn’t deny his feelings, and even tried to catch her arm when she removed her hand from his face. Again, these actions fall under romantic undertones; it's as if to show he was trying to hold onto her, even though she let go of him first. I am certain Aerith already knew what would happen to her, so she is trying to protect his heart and spare him the pain of losing her. She too has probably come to terms about her feelings for Cloud, and that is that she fell for him too. Considering how she's portrayed, that seems to be very logical for Aerith to do. Throughout the game, Cloud and Aerith's scenes have romantic undertones, which is why she is a contender for his heart within the story. Of course, the player is given choices to see how Cloud's relationship is developed between his two romantic interests, but it's undeniable that Cloud has strong feelings for Aerith no matter the choice the player makes. Imagine what could have happened if she didn’t die, and how much their relationship would’ve developed because she was already breaking through his walls, changing him, allowing him to become more empathetic towards others. This is why losing her hurt him so much because she had so much impact on him. Aerith is a literal angel and we must protect her at all cost. 😭

[@PollenAinne]

Thank you. Aerith is basically a part of Cloud he never knew he needed. But since she appeared in his life, he never wanted to let her go. I hope he gets a chance to keep her or at least meet her again.

[@destriranigs273]

As someone who never played the OG (and never knew the war ship until then), I could say from this remake that Cloud's cared for Aerith so much. Not because we, the player, chose it, but that's how the story goes. As for Tifa, she's like his bestfriend, a person he trusted to fight side by side. Yes Cloud cared for her too, but not in the same way as Aerith. Tifa clearly loves Cloud (it's kinda sad) but even Tifa could see how things going between Cloud and Aerith. She showed her jeaolusy several times

[@PollenAinne]

I'm hoping Tifa will not be jealous and instead supportive. I also want the best for Tifa, and Cloud is just not it. lol

[@mirandagoldstine8548]

@@PollenAinne Agreed. She needs to find someone she can find commonalities with.

[@fabuloussecretstandopawaaa9340]

If I were Zack I would be so happy that the 2 closest persons to me fell in love

[@marksullivan00]

Indeed.

[@hiitsme3829]

You would be happy that the one you love is with another person

[@user-df8lp9zq8s]

@@hiitsme3829 Zack has been in a relationship many times, and it doesn't seem to me that Aerith is any special to him, even in CC it is absolutely not visible, lol

[@hiitsme3829]

@@user-df8lp9zq8s well I don't agree with u

[@thisisabot377]

@@hiitsme3829 You can be both sad and happy. Sad that the person you love is moving on without you and happy that they found someone else to be happy with. That's what it means to really love someone (instead of selfishly trying to hoard their love for yourself) and Zack loves both Cloud and Aerith so much, he would never be anything less than happy for them. Don't project your bitterness onto him just because it goes against your ship 🤣 he's not that kind of person

[@ZhangtheGreat]

If anyone is triggered by a ship, they need to learn to grow up. Getting angry because someone else doesn't feel that the same two fictional characters you've pictured together should be together is straight up pathetic.

[@oncextwice6059]

Agree. Bizzare that the video creator even need to put up the warning in his/her title in the first place. :/ fr people need to chill out

[@ZhangtheGreat]

@@oncextwice6059 I'm not surprised by the warning. This is one of the most heated shipping wars in pop culture history. It's died down in recent years, but at its peak, it fractured the FF7 fanbase: www.gameskinny.com/fa2pe/6-infamous-ship-wars-that-almost-broke-their-video-game-fandoms/2

[@PollenAinne]

@@oncextwice6059 Sorry. As a person who left this fandom years before from being bullied and harassed, I claim my rights to trigger warnings. lol

[@GeorgiaAndrea]

@@PollenAinne wow you didn’t have to leave sis. I went straight head-on with Clotis on FB and nobody could stop me hahaha

[@PollenAinne]

@@GeorgiaAndrea I was a little kid back then. lol

[@TNMUSlC]

a man that willing to risk his life even without thinking a second. it shows that he loves her so much. he will go through hell and back for her.

[@fearlesscheshirecat1411]

I’ve never played the original, but as far as I can tell so far with the Remake Cloud only has feelings for Aerith. Cloud and Tifa have this weird Brother/sister vibe

[@xZarazWracam]

Fantastic compilation. The Remake clearly emphasises their romantic development even more than the original. And Aerith's Dream Scene explanation by Nojima is also an indirect official confirmation that Cloud loved her in the OG FFVII. I like how you included the little detail where Cloud's posture changes during their conversation in the playground. Character's body language in this game is incredibly well done and tells it's own story about their affection.

[@PollenAinne]

Yeah, I didn't want to place too much comment on the most romantic moment of the game. A lot of people are already labeling the Dream Sequence as a confession, so I hope everyone gets it.

[@breadloaf1925]

*This pretty much sums it up:* Note: These are taken from the OG, spin offs, AC, interviews and FF7 Reading materials from square themselves. So it's all facts. -Aerith brings the real Cloud to the surface when he has a memory of his mother telling him to have an “older girlfriend.” -Aerith melts Cloud’s “frosty exterior” & helps Tifa and him “rediscover his past.” -Real Cloud states he remembers Aerith “a lot.” -Real Cloud wants to meet Aerith in the Promised Land, something Cloud also desires in Final Fantasy Tactics and other countless cameos/spinoffs. -Real Cloud’s heart breaks at Aerith’s grave (Tifa gets jealous). -Zack isn’t in the officially described love triangle. Therefore, Cloud feeling bad about Zack’s death isn’t the same as Cloud feeling bad about Aerith’s death. -Real Cloud is shown seeking Aerith in numerous cameos. - *Aerith states on her Gold Saucer date with Cloud that she initially liked Cloud because of Zack, but has now grown to like Cloud for Cloud.* - *Aerith said her and Zack were never serious, that he was a “real lady’s man,” and that she wants to move forward with her life.* - *Aerith rejects Zack in the lifestream, stating she will only call him if she gets “really lonely.”* -Aerith states she prefers Cloud’s personality over Zack’s. -Cloud never transformed 100% into Zack, he never got his memory or feelings just his persona of soldier. - *Aerith moved on, so should you* - *in DoC, Aerith is stated to be engraved in Cloud's heart for the rest of his life.* -Terra in WoFF states Aerith is the woman Cloud loves. -Cloud is stated to be Aerith’s “lover.” Why would SE make Aerith out to be a liar? -Tifa is forever listed as Cloud’s “childhood friend.” She is never upgraded to “wife” or “girlfriend.” -The Highwind scene has 2 versions. Variable evidence is inherently weaker evidence. -The Cloud and Aerith Gold Saucer date is stated to be the “normally occurring” date. Nowhere is it stated which Highwind scene is the “normally occurring” version. -Aerith automatically starts off with more love points than Tifa. If you make anti-Tifa choices, Aerith forever remains in 1st place. -Tifa says her and Cloud aren’t a “real” family. -Marlene and Nojima say Cloud and Tifa don’t work out. -Tifa admits to not knowing if Cloud loves her. -Cloud believes Aerith brought him Denzel. -Barret returns to living with the Seventh Heaven “family of friends.” -Cloud and Tifa have no romantic moments post-AC/C. -Cloud rides his motorcycle through flower fields stated to represent Aerith at the end of AC/C. -Aerith was created before Tifa. - *Cloud and Aerith are the original couple.* - Cloud and Aerith are the face of FF7 -Crisis Core is a retcon. (*) -Cloud was designed by Sqaresoft to fall in love with Aerith so her death would be that much more painful. -Cloud and Aerith are described as a classic star-crossed love story. -Nomura described their love story as a "Love that can't ever be" which he stated it means Lovers seperated from life and death. -Cloud reunited with Aerith in the promised land in the ending of FF7 Event in FF Mobius. Nojima also hinted Cloud to be reunited with Aerith in the original post credit scene of AC. -"Drowned by fireworks" (The OST during Clouds and Aerith's date) is described as a romantic moment between the main hero and heroine stated by Nobuo Uematsu himself. -Final fantasy Spinoff "Itadaki Street" referenced Aerith's feelings towards Cloud multiple times and even her being jealous. One event included them actually married. - *Clerith, Noctluna, Snow/Serah, Lenne/Shuyin, were all described/stated as 「恋人(Lovers)* in multiple FF writings. - FF Record Keeper features the scene Cloud and Aerith confronting Cait Sith in Golden Saucer insinuating the canon date scene is Aerith. - *Cloud: "Meeting her again, that's my dream"* - Nomura: "FF7 is seperate from Kingdom hearts, but if you play KH until the end, some of the questions about Cloud and Aerith relationship might be answered" In Kh2 Credit scene, Cloud and Aerith is seen reuniting alongside other Disney couples. *Nomura is making a statement.* - Aerith theme is played during Record Keeper's Valentine's day medley alongside Eyes on me and etc. - FF Couples from (VII,VIII,IX,X,XII) are displayed while Nobuo Uematsu discussed the final fantasy main theme. Aerith is shown as FF7's - *Cloud's crush on Tifa is described as Ephemeral (lasting for a very short time) from the Ultimania* - *In the JP version of Cloud's resolution, Cloud said "Mukae ni iku" which literally means picking someone up/taking them somewhere in a romantic context.* - "Episode Tifa” [Case of Tifa] - *first off, there’s the premise that things won’t go well between Tifa and Cloud, and that even without geostigma or Sephiroth this might be the same.“~Nojima; On the Way to a Smile interview; Square Enix* *Nojima being savage against Cloud and Tifa* And many more.... Does that cover it? Haven't included much from the Remake. I found an artwork which really explains it well twitter.com/_nohmask_/status/1270022222153781250?s=19 And twitter.com/NohM94/status/1289584090958589952?s=19 Found most of this on Tumblr.

[@breadloaf1925]

Oh and one of the best facts: "For Cloud is her *beloved* ,the very symbol of someone important to her, someone she wants to protect." - On the way to Smile (Case of Lifestream White) which is the canon prequel to AC. Released after CC Written by Nojima himself In the original Japan version it is "Koibito" which heavily means Lovers in their culture. "Koibito" doesn't imply platonic but *actual romantic feelings* They are not only described as Lovers in this book but 2 other ff7 Reading materials.

[@acidtown6451]

Also nobuo himself try to explained about 'the words drowned by firework' song(the gold saucer cloud & aerith date) is "The song that goes along with the date scene between 'the hero and heroine' ". kzbin.info/www/bejne/m52yqqVsiNFkpZI Try to look more vid on that channel that have proof SE supported them even on ads/cameo/interview.

[@breadloaf1925]

@@acidtown6451 Thanks, I'll add it.

[@xZarazWracam]

*chef's kiss*

[@Plxvio]

Bruhhh my anxiety or depression will really decrease if I find out they ended up together in the next FF7 Remake in the future😭 Just sayin lol

[@sherryq2916]

I always ship Cloud and Aerith. Tifa is a good girl, she maybe a good wife, but I feel they don’t have the chemistry together just like old friends or maybe old couples? I feel Cloud is not happy to be with Tifa. On the contrary, Aerith always have ways to make Cloud to be better himself.

[@Jammineyeonline]

To me both these lady's contributed to get him back together. Am more of a tifa fan. But i can't deny how important aerith was.

[@MrGoatFish10]

I agree! Cloud and aerith!

[@xoxohsmfan]

I knew about final fantasy when i learned about KIndom hearts and my friend couldn't stop gushing how she love cloud. I recalled she mentioned how she like tifa and cloud together too. This is my first time playing final fantasy and learning about cloud story, i couldnt see the chem btw him and tifa and i tried pairing him up with jessie but it didnt felt right... but when aerith came along... i knew it .. she was the right ship for him 😍

[@TheZachary86]

Cloud is not happy with tifa? That’s not until he gets his memories back. Tifa is perfect for cloud.

[@leahjanulgue7200]

@@TheZachary86 Nope his still not happen with Tifa. Tifa even ask Cloud why is she not enough for him. *Case of Tifa*

[@DivineDissident]

This game is something else. Ive never experienced these kind of emotions with any other game ever. The remake is so well done, better than I could have imagined.

[@abookamongsthemanypj7140]

Even in Advent Children, Aerith is long gone but there still aren't any scenes between Cloud and Tifa that show a romantic/affectionate relationship. She is always referred to as Cloud's childhood friend.

[@moggleinthebox7435]

I was cloti fan before. And i've always debated my theory with clerith. i was always thought cloti is canon since i finished OG when i was young and watched ACC+ played CC I've always think tifa is the best! Tifa is cloud's childhood friend,Tifa is cloud first crush, Tifa is always supported cloud, Tifa is who fixed cloud memories and got real cloud back, Tifa has romantic scene with cloud before the last fight with sephiroth. Aerith just loved cloud becuase of zack personality in him and blablablah about this ship But when i older and played Doc and FF7R and re-played OG manytimes. I tried to open up my mind and research about ff7 info more and more and analyzed more. So I realized that cloud is love aerith and aerith is love the real cloud for sure. As i tried to imagine that i'm cloud lol read all dialogue clearly, novel, ultimania book bc i want to know the true story to prove that my theory is right. I don't want to close my mind and shipped cloti like a blind fanboy. And It was hurt when i see the truth, tifa is still my fav char forever but i can say cloud is truthly love aerith and care tifa like friendzone. because after defeated sephitorth cloud still hope and want to go to promise land to see aerith even his mamories and his personal back already. Even he infacted in AC he still back and stay in aerith church.And the ending song of FF7R as cloud POV the lyric of this song is for aerith for sure. I can't find any feeling about tifa in this song, his body language and eyes contacted with aerith in ff7r and etc ( so many to write it lol) Tbh,In this remake i played all scene and played over 4 times why i can't feel romantic between cloud and tifa even they hugged scene. Why i felt its like cloud just care about her bc she is his childhood nothing more as i seen dialogue and body language.... But aerith and cloud scene is such a romantic, adorable, warmheart. And aerith loved cloud, the real cloud not zack's imprinted for sure i can say that as i played all of ff7 series except BC Even i realized that im still love tifa.All of my past about cloti is like i wasn't accpet the truth story. Didn't open up my mind like hater. Just want my fav char is the best with her love. How silly and selfish i am lol I Just want to tell my opinion as who was cloti fan and respect for all shipped. Cloud is love aerith and tifa is like old childhood friend....poor tifa...😭 I hope in this remake will have many ending where tifa will be with cloud as a lover. Anyway, this vid is great job. You understand what is the story telling. But it can't change my mind to become clerith fan😆 tifa is still my love even she not be with cloud lol Ps. Im sorry If i typed something weird. Bc english is not my main language.😅

[@PollenAinne]

Thank you for sharing. I also do not dislike Tifa. But I think she deserves someone who will only look at her and love her without any baggage. Someone who can really understand her and be the hero of her dreams. I want her to be happy too... but I just don't think Cloud can be that hero. And Tifa will always be important to Cloud regardless.

[@akmalrodzi4633]

he loves them both, but maybe his heart truly loves is Aerith

[@S.V-22]

Tifa will look amazing with flirty Zack 😍 can you imagine .... really they complement each other a lot ...

[@zahranarjili8099]

Poooor Tifa 😔😔😔I can undrestand her filling😪

[@PollenAinne]

@@S.V-22 Oh u have no idea. They are my head canon! Zack to me is the hero Tifa imagined that Cloud never was. Zack is dashing and charming and can sweep her off her feet. The only problem is that he is such a ladies man. If Tifa can cure him of that, their relationship would be so wonderful. They are actually another version of Cloud and Aerith. The will be similar to Tidus and Yuna or Zidane and Garnet. Zack's optimism can really do so much for Tifa who is pessimistic in nature. And Tifa being grounded and good in business will help Zack create his dreams. Like Zack has so much dreams but he doesn't know how to plan. Tifa is a planner and can make Zack's dreams real. I love them.

[@la_moondrops5799]

Oh my... My thumb got tired of giving likes to the comments. #Clerithforever

[@PollenAinne]

lol! Thanks.

[@bigtoekoh]

Keep on fighting the good fight! Cloud & Aerith Always

[@bellag.1213]

i love this video it literally DESERVES more views,, claerith is canon don’t try hitting me w/ that “iTs ZaCk-“

[@breadloaf1925]

Exactly, Cloud doesn't get Zack's memories and feelings, Nojima already denied that and Zack was never supposed to be in the equation at all. The devs were just using Zack's death to add a tragic background for both Aerith and Cloud. Their relationship in CC was made to make his death more tragic. They never intended to made Zerith. But people took it the wrong way.

[@ReptarTheUgly]

Clears throat* it’s Zack Also she’s going to die... so he can love her all he wants. He’ll never be with her, and will need to learn to live with that loss. Hopefully the characters are treated better than they were in advent children and they really bring home Tifa x Cloud. I personally don’t give a shit about ships but I will always go against what the majority want.

[@leahjanulgue7200]

@@ReptarTheUgly *Cough* ahem.. Do you know there is a reunion between Cloud and Aerith?

[@gunawanhidayat7263]

@@ReptarTheUgly .please remember that this is a REMAKE, not REMASTERED, which means the story will change, maybe include the canon too

[@thewatcher3240]

@@ReptarTheUgly the funniest thing is about your comment "i always go against what the majority wants" is that Clerith isnt even shipped by many its always Cloti. Tho Clerith is the most proper one.

[@mondaysman5253]

I used to prefer tifa but goddamn aerith has grown on me immensely in the remake (and for the people who think she "belongs" to zack: knowing him, he'll probably be a clerith shipper if he does come back alive lol)

[@stavcy]

this is what I’ve been saying! Zack would totally be #Clerith when he realizes how happy they are together

[@casualgamer3040]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jX7UiIeXgZZkbLssi=Ej0u5PCi5D3bKCEa I like cloud , u guys think cloud knowing that his BEST friend girlfriend is aerith and cloud will steal his Best friend Girlfriend ? Knowning in the end when he met zack , he know zack is still alive somewhere , knowing that , you really think cloud is a jackass to steal his Bestfriend GF ? I dare you to downplay our Cloud