How To Write Romance (feat. Final Fantasy 7)

[@lieberte]

As someone who doesn't care much about romance usually yet is still drawn to Cloud and Aerith's romantic relationship this is a refreshing video.

[@MerriwetherDesigns]

Yeah, most romance arcs in fiction are kind of a distraction from the plot, but that's not hte case with Cloud and Aerith in the Remake Trilogy.

[@IzzyChannel1]

I’m not usually too interested in romance, but Cloud and Aerith are my roman empire. I also like Tifa, but even after watching/playing other compilation material set further in the future I just can’t see Cloud and Tifa working it out. They don’t communicate well and Cloud is so broken over Aeriths death that he goes to ( live out what he thinks are his last days in ) Aeriths church, established as “their place” now in Rebirth. She’s the one that got away, the one that always has the biggest place in Clouds heart. And for me that is peak romance.

[@SarahDorn613]

It's so refreshing to watch an analysis on this made by someone with emotional intelligence. Thank you ❤

[@Anon51129]

9:46 when Barret said he could hear the planet, Cloud said, "Get help." But when Aerith said she could hear the flowers, Cloud scolded the flowers for her, saying "Learn to talk to her." I thought aw, Cloud. Amazing character development. At first, he said he might not believe her, but he changed his mind and listened to what she has to say. Aerith really brought out the best in him. Another example showing the difference between Cloud's relationships with the girls is that Tifa tried to high-five Cloud once in Remake but never tried again, while Aerith attempted many times until she finally got Cloud to high-five her. In Rebirth, Cloud high-fives people he connects with. Aerith didn't give up on Cloud and helped him become a better person and better at connecting with others. Thank you for this video.💓

[@necropig]

Morning cup of tea with some clerith analysis

[@drschwartz7109]

Nailed it! These two had the same effect on me and I completely agree this is the perfect example of good romance writing. But they do have some sort of conflict, and although it doesn't generate an argument, it creates tension between them, and that's Aerith's feelings for Zack and how insecure it makes Cloud (as we see in Gongaga). This is resolved during their GS date, when Cloud knows for sure she does want him and not Zack, a pivotal moment in their relationship. Also the fact that Aerith knows he's not being completely himself... But they don't get to resolve that, unfortunately (yet).

[@MerriwetherDesigns]

True. Their personalities are so uniquely complimentary that it’s hard to find moments where they’re just not on the same page. Even in Gongaga, when there’s a good moment for conflict, Aerith is just honest with Cloud and it keeps things below a certain level of intensity.

[@SuperRamos619]

Aerith was able to cut through Cloud's bullshit and interact with the real Cloud. While. Both Cloud and Tifa were always trying to maintain what their relationship in the past was, as children. Cloud never stopped pretending to be what he envisioned a member of SOLDIER is, and Tifa kept trying make sure their childhood connection would not dissappear, because it was the last thing she has left after Nibelheim. They dont face each other as their true selves until Tifa rescues Cloud in the Lifestream, bery late into the game.

[@MerriwetherDesigns]

And after that cloud is too depressed to emotionally connect with people. I don’t even think he’s totally ok in dirge of Cerberus, a year after advent children

[@houstonscott4362]

All of this is just WRONG. Tifa isn’t trying to maintain what her relationship was in the past NOR is Cloud. She already knows something is up with Cloud for starters so she’s keeping an eye on him. He’s an important connection to her because GASP, she loves him. And it was established before he went to join soldier that he had feelings for her. Calling what Cloud is going through as BS is actually insane but have at it champ. Lol

[@FailroadExpress]

Great analysis. I was trying to figure out the right way to explain Cloud and Aerith’s relationship and this is it.

[@MerriwetherDesigns]

Hey, I saw your video about which Aerith that was in the ending cinematic! Loved the vid, man. One important moment you missed with the Lifestream theme music cue is that there's a moment where Cloud doses off in the Golden saucer and temporarily dips into his other body and sees aerith and marlene. The lifestream cue also plays for a moment then, so I think that proves that either we're seeing lifestream Aerith at the end of the game, or we're seeing the Aerith that Cloud manages to save before being pushed back into the main world (I think sephiroth did the switch because we've seen sephiroth push Zack into a space between worlds).

[@Lolasam_moon]

Almost gave me a heart attack with the intro. I used to ship both CA and CT. But Re Trilogy and AC showed me that CT just doesn't work. They still fail to communicate with each other well.

[@MerriwetherDesigns]

I do get up to a bit of trolling now and then...

[@user-iw1xu6le1y]

You explained the dynamic between their relationships so beautifully.

[@fiprosha]

You know. While watching this, I was already writing this comment in my mind, wondering how to thank you for creating a video that finally does the romance between Aerith and Cloud justice. But... I just watched 19:04 and I can't believe you actually made me laugh out loud twice. Love your humour. Also though: Thank you so much for actually understanding the relationship between these two. People can ship whoever they want, but the amount of people acting like Cloud and Tifa are peak romance while Cloud and Aerith are meant to be "platonic" (like... what?) is just so baffling. To me, their relationship is one of the best in all of video game history and their lovestory is both beautiful and tragic. It's great to finally see them get some recognition! (I can also proudly say that I am quite sure my Naruto fanfic ship features all 5 of these points for good romance.)

[@simondoe2772]

Fantastic video! 💯 Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth was my favorite piece of media this year as well. I love how FF7 isn't just generic "will they, won't they" romance like Twilight. Instead, FF7 deeply explores the psychology of the characters and we learn deep themes and thought-provoking life lessons from Cloud, Aerith, Tifa and the cast. FF7 and it's Remake Trilogy is a Masterpiece of character writing and I greatly appreciate you for giving these amazing games the credit that they deserve.

[@MerriwetherDesigns]

My favorite romances are the “they want to but they have bigger fish to fry”, & Cloud / Aerith have that in spades

[@simonepiranio1380]

I love that jrpgs are improving on this, both final fantasy and Xenoblade 3 did a great job with how they handled romance

[@MerriwetherDesigns]

I've been meaning to get around to XB3, I'll have to add it to my backlog.

[@NWard1210]

That’s a sub from me - excellent analysis, I’ll be watching for more! ❤

[@ummwhat3527]

Came here expecting an analysis for the love triangle- but i'll never say no to a Cloud and Aerith relationship analysis. Glad to see another person shares the same thoughts/love as i have about them also as much as I love Cloud and Tifa's "complicated" relationship i never felt any chemistry between them and can't really see them romantic (btw i never watched Naruto but please don't compare them to Sasuke x Sakura😭)

[@MerriwetherDesigns]

Only a loose comparison between their temperaments. Cloud actually likes aerith so thats where the comparison ends 😂

[@marie-costa]

Great video, I loved your analysis ❤

[@MerriwetherDesigns]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jaredjuliogomendoza4156]

Great analysis Keep it up!

[@MerriwetherDesigns]

Glad you liked it!

[@angel_in-black]

I’m a Tifa, Cloud shipper, but I’ll say this. People say Zack and Aerith’s relationship was beautiful and they belong together. I’m constantly asking myself, did we watch the same relationship?!?! Yea it was fine, but it was…average?! Like you could tell they both liked each other but they never seemed that close and it felt like nothing compared to what kind of relationship Cloud has with both Tifa and Aerith. Like Zack was so cocky and “attempting” to be charming, he just decided Aerith was going to be his girlfriend when they first met and Aerith with not having much social experience just blindly went along with it. I never really ever felt like they were made for each other or cute together. Just a basic relationship you’d see in any other form of media or school you go to. But then when Cloud and Aerith start talking, you instantly feel sparks fly between them. With Cloud, you see the cracks in his armor form when he talks to both Tifa and Aerith and you feel the attraction Aerith has for him unlike with Zack. She goes on and on about how she reminds him of Zack and I’m constantly asks why? They were nothing alike! Zack was cocky, talkative, and outgoing. The Cloud she talked to was dark, brooding, and angsty. They were only similar in how they dressed and their “backstories”. I just don’t understand why Aerith misses him so much when he disappears out of her life, like she herself said this is the final time she’s reaching out, seems like she was able to move on ok, but then she’s all do you know Zack? He was my first love! Just never felt “love”.

[@MerriwetherDesigns]

At least they finally put that ship to rest in Rebirth. Some people are denying it by saying Marlene is too young to understand love, or coping by saying that Marlene meant that Zack just needs to meet up with Aerith again so she'll come back to him... right. Even Zack is taking it better than his fans are, since he's clearly putting Aerith and Cloud first and wants to save her, by saving Cloud. Zack and Aerith had potential, but they barely knew each other when you really get down to it.

[@angel_in-black]

@ I personally think they’re giving Cloud and Tifa’s relationship more “depth” and yes some of it confuses me, I think she lets go of “crazy Cloud moment” a bit too loosely, but it’s cool if you don’t like them. Yea Zack and Aerith were just two ppl who were attracted to each other, but never found that moment that really ignited their passion between them. When Cloud and Aerith are on screen together, you feel the fire burning.

[@mediamanmichael8879]

That Sakura and Sasuke dig was well appreciated. One of the worst "romance" writing in recent memory for me... Sasuke couldn't have Naruto so got himself an alibi wife :)

[@omaremilianolopez-cruztorr938]

I see a bright future in this channel.

[@omaremilianolopez-cruztorr938]

Keep going brotha.

[@MerriwetherDesigns]

yes sir!

[@HopeIsADrug11037]

this is so goated

[@martinaguiluz4063]

Good analysis man. Although I prefer this pairing, I'm completely ok with players choosing Tifa for the romance route. The Remake series does a really good job teasing the players with these two characters. I have a question though, considering how Rebirth ends, how do you think Cloud and Aerith's relationship will "develop" (I say this with quotation marks because of the state Aerith is at the end of the game. We're not sure if she's alive in some way or dead) in the final part of this project?

[@MerriwetherDesigns]

That's a good one. What's different this time around (compared to OG) is that Cloud and Aerith got that dream date & the confession church scene. This time around, Cloud knows that Aerith loves him, and that might be what gave him the strength to resist the black whispers and even (seemingly) shatter destiny & save Aerith for a moment. My guess is that things are going to escalate between them since there's one more outstanding plot thread, and that is the fact that Cloud & Aerith are still sleeping/in a coma in Zacks timeline. I think when Cloud goes catatonic, he's going to wake up with Aerith, and we're probably going to get to see them have their first full conversation since she confessed to him in the church, which will be really interesting, possibly heartbreaking. That's just my guess since we don't know what happened to the Cloud & Aerith that are with Zack...

[@martinaguiluz4063]

@MerriwetherDesigns Interesting theory. I was thinking of something entirely different to be honest. Since Sephiroth started rambling about a reunion of "worlds" I believe that in the 3rd part, the other worlds (the one where Zack is and the other one that was probably created when Cloud saved Aerith) would somehow merge with the one Cloud and the others are currently in. That could be a neat way to bring Aerith back to the party and that could also be how we get a playable Zack (because I think almost all of his scenes in Rebirth are just a tease of him being playable at the end). But IDK, we'll see in a few years.

[@MerriwetherDesigns]

@@martinaguiluz4063 The wait will be painful, but worth it.

[@jstormy8168]

I love the reflection of cloud and Aerith as characters and how it makes a fantasized romance, but it’s not idealized because both know it’s not the one they need. Still I enjoy both CA and CT cause both hit all 5 of your points.

[@MerriwetherDesigns]

Cloud and Tifa definitely have the 5 building blocks, but to add to th point I made in the video, they never quite seal the deal and get together, even after advent children, whereas it’s clear (at least from the remake games) that; if Aerith survived the events of FF7, Cloud would have started a relationship with her, since there would be fewer obstacles. Tifa seems to have trouble reaching Cloud when he’s depressive or is self-isolating while Aerith is able to cut through that and connect to him.

[@JohnSoapy]

Not really the point but that first clip hurt my soul. I always loved the idea of Jon and Dany together, but the execution was horrible almost from the start smh

[@ВладимирКутценко]

I think despite who you ship Cloti or Clerith, you can enjoy romance in Ff 7😂

[@revwantstobattle]

A video on Why Sasuke X Sakura doesn't work would be great.

[@georgplatzer8213]

Bro still cant get over Sasuke x Sakura :D

[@MerriwetherDesigns]

gotta put some respect on the worst relationship in shonen 😂😂😂

[@georgplatzer8213]

hey at least the important relationship is good (Naruto and Hinata) ☺☺😆

[@Marcustheseer]

I love the game but I always thought the triangle romance was dum,cloud and tifa fit and have a history,but what does aerith see in a pessemistic emotionaly walled of cloud? Tifas reason is there history but aerith doesnt have anny reason she fits the little sister role allot better

[@MerriwetherDesigns]

Cloud doesn't do any of that with aerith, so she gets to see his actual personality when they're alone. That's why she likes him. Tifa is the one Cloud blocks out all of the time.

[@noviscal]

Tifa ignored Cloud as a kid. And in Rebirth they both say multiple times they weren't close/didn't know each other well. And in Remake Tifa even says she didn't see Cloud as a kind kid. Cloud and Tifa have history, but it's negative history (for Cloud at least). And the devs even talked about Aerith being able to see through Clouds act since first meeting, and that she saw into his true existence. I think you're just biased lol

[@DevilHunter1994]

@@noviscal Tifa didn't Ignore Cloud. She wanted him to be a part of the group, but Cloud distanced himself because he didn't want to hang around Tifa's friends. Tifa assumed Cloud simply wanted his space, and didn't like getting involved with bigger groups, so she left him alone, thinking that is what he wanted. Tifa and Cloud actually were close when they were very young, up until around the ages of six, or seven. This was confirmed in the canon novel, Traces of Two Pasts. Cloud and Tifa would go over each other's houses all the time when they were young, and they didn't think twice about it. It was just natural for them. But at some point, likely when Tifa started making new friends, Cloud started to distance himself more and more. He likely did this out of a sense of jealously, and the two just naturally grew apart. Everything we know so far though indicates that it was actually Cloud, and not Tifa, who created the bulk of the distance between them. Also, the reason Cloud has a reputation as a trouble maker is because, after Tifa had her accident, Cloud, who was frustrated with his own weakness, would pick fights with the other kids as a way to make himself even just a little bit stronger. This is told to us in the OG. Cloud admits that the way he behaved back then was wrong, and that while he initially saw the other boys in the village as stupid, and childish, the truth is that he was the one who was the most childish.

[@詩姫-m1c]

@@DevilHunter1994Bro I don’t know where you got that info but that’s a lot deviate from actual story.

[@DevilHunter1994]

@@詩姫-m1c I have two sources. My info came from a canon novel written by Nojima himself, and from dialoge in the OG, during the Lifestream sequence. So I know my information is accurate.

[@DevilHunter1994]

I think you're giving Aerith a bit too much credit when it comes to how she helps Cloud develop. Don't get me wrong, she does help him grow, and the two certainly share a level of intimacy, but she's not the one that prompts the start of the change within Cloud. Cloud had already started to change, before he really started to get to know Aerith in chapter 8. I would say the changes already started to show in him as early as chapter 4. Tifa had told him at the end of chapter 3 that the way he was acting was scaring her, and I think this is what gave Cloud the initial push to start changing his ways, and at least try to open himself up a little more. He starts to let down his guard around the Avalanche Trio, who very quickly see through his cool act, and make it a point to try and get to know him. He forms an early friendship with the three of them, as he's accepted by them as someone who could be trusted. During this event, Cloud also remembers the promise he made to Tifa as children, which sparks another shift in him, causing him to become a more caring individual overall. Tifa notes this change in him during their talk at the end of chapter 4, saying that it feels like Cloud is starting to lose his hard edge. Barret notices the change in him as well, during the events of chapters 5, 6, and 7. As chapter 7 is coming to a close, Barret tells Cloud that they're all going to make it home, and that Cloud should give Marlene a big smile when they get back. The fact that Barret now trusts Cloud around his daughter, which was not true when they first returned to Sector 7, speaks volumes about how far Cloud has already come by this point. So it's not just Aerith inspiring this ongoing change with him. She certainly has a part to play in it, but so do all the other people in Cloud's life. Tifa, Barret, Biggs, Wedge, Jessie, and Marle were already helping him to become a better person, be more honest, and break out of his shell. Aerith then furthered the work that had already started. Also, what you said about Cloud acting differently around Aerith, also applies to Tifa. Just look at how he acts when Barret owes him payment for a job, then compare that to how he acts when Tifa owes him money for a job. When it comes to Barret, Cloud has no patience. He wants his money immediately, and tells Barret as such, not putting up with any excuses, or bullshit. On the other hand, when Tifa is the one to explain that Avalanche doesn't have the money to pay him, suddenly his entire attitude changes, and his hardass mercenary act crumbles immediately. Rather than demand what he's owed, Cloud becomes much less agressive, agrees to give Tifa more time to get the money for him, doesn't set any kind of deadline for when he will recieve the payment, and even works another job with her to help gather the money, at no extra cost, showing that helping Tifa out was always more important to him than just getting paid. Tifa was his reason for being here. The money was just the excuse he used, so that he wouldn't look like too much of a pushover. Their relationship continues to grow throughout Rebirth as well, with the two becoming more and more open with one another as the game progresses. Their relationship starts off rocky, thanks to Sephiroth using his influence over Cloud to artificially create distance between the two, but the two keep trying to talk things out, because they both value their relationship, and don't want to lose it. By chapter 9, Cloud is being open and honest with Tifa about fears that he hasn't shared with anyone else, including Aerith, and Tifa is ready and waiting to listen to him, and help calm those fears. Cloud later returns the favor when the group is at the Mt. Nibel Mako Reactor, supporting Tifa while she's struggling with the trauma caused by her father's death. There's also their Golden Saucer date, where Cloud is able to get out of an awkward situation, and close the distance with Tifa even further, by dropping his cool guy act for a minute and just doing what he wants to do, not caring about how dorky he might look in the process. The irony of Tifa and Cloud's relationship is that it starts out awkward because Cloud thinks that Tifa just wants him to be the calm, cool, and collected hero. He tries to be that for her, because her opinion matters to him, and it never works out for him, because that's just not who Cloud is. As Cloud spends more time with Tifa though, and the two start to become closer, it becomes clear that she never really needed him to put on any kind of act. She's most comfortable around Cloud when he's just being himself, and I think Cloud is finally starting to realize that their interactions go a lot better when he isn't putting on an act. Tifa loves Cloud for who he is, not the persona he puts on. I won't deny that Cloud needs someone like Aerith in his life. I also won't deny that he and Aerith clearly share a romantic connection that is very well written. Honestly, I thnk most of what you say regarding Cloud and Aerith's relationship is pretty spot on, but Cloud also clearly needs Tifa in his life as well, and they also share a very real romantic conection that is also very well written. Cloud is in love with both women for different reasons, and they both help to ground, and support him in their own ways. Also, I interpreted the Tifa hug scene in Remake a bit differently. As I saw it, Cloud was trying to remain calm, collected, and strong for Tifa because, again, he thinks that's what she wants from him. It's not that he isn't feeling anything during the scene, but rather that he's trying to keep his feelings under control. His true feelings do end up showing though, specifically in the way that he hugs her. Cloud hates seeing Tifa so miserable, and so badly wants Tifa to stop crying that when he hugs her, he ends up going overboard and losing control, hugging her so tightly that it physically hurts.

[@cathelerein]

Amazing video!! FF7 Rebirth was my favorite media of the year too, and its not even close!! waiting for the last game to release will be hard 🥹

[@MerriwetherDesigns]

part 3 better win GOTY