Sephiroth Explained | Final Fantasy VII Analysis

[@dudemcguy1227]

In regards to parts of this video "aging badly" due to the upcoming remake, don't worry about that at all. In fact I think you are doing something quite valuable with these analysis videos by looking at how the characters were originally presented back in 1997. There will be much debate in the future regarding changes the remake does or doesn't do to these characters, so it is valuable to have sources like these for those who are less familiar with FFVII to get a clear picture of what is new vs what has come before.

[@PhoenixEdge]

Who is this guy?

[@dudemcguy1227]

@@PhoenixEdge ;)

[@HollerPlayers]

probably because you didn't actually play the game whoah!

[@nickhall_music]

Timeless

[@EJJones-yr1jr]

This is a little off topic,but think about how powerful the wutai soldiers were,that shinra had to build super soldiers like sephiroth just to win the war.

[@chainclaw07]

Plot twist, they didn't need to but the scientific branch found Jenova and wanted to do mad scientist shit and attributed it to making super soldiers to win wars....

[@psychopompous3207]

The US developed Atomic weapons, not due to the ability of the Japanese in WWII, but rather to bring a swift end to the war, thus saving 1000's of lives. Don't you think any nation would love to so grossly overpower their enemies?

[@spudsT]

You hit upon a point that I'm glad to see articulated - the masterful pacing and build up of Sephiroth in FFVII is a big part of what made the story and his character great. That world-building and later-game introduction to his character is something that has been lost on most - if not all - appearances of his since the original game. This is *especially* true in the remake. The remake's biggest sin for me, is how he's used. The game suffers from bad pacing but, because he's THE big bad guy people love, they introduce him way too soon and squander what made his build up so great in the original. The remake is so fluffed with story content that it sacrifices the original's tight pacing and reveals. The world is fun to explore and feels vibrant and full, but so much story is sacrificed for this. I would have preferred the FFVII remake to have been handled in the same vein as RE2's.

[@AlleywayJack]

100% agree with your verdict on the remake and wider material. Sephiroth's appeal was built off his mystique and the narrative pacing. Although I expected Square would want to show him in Part 1 of the Remake and although its a weird sort of 'sequel' game, I was shocked with the extent to which they undermined the original development of Sephiroth's character.

[@jojolit2628]

To be fair I think the reason they did that is because everybody knows who Sephiroth is at this point it’s been 30 years since the original FF7 came out it’s no different than knowing the Joker or Darth Vader if u don’t follow their respective universes/franchises Him showing up early is Square Enix catering to the New FF fans because not everybody had played the Original FF7 but they know Who Sephiroth&Cloud because their The Poster Boys of Final Fantasy just Like Luke&Vader are the poster boys of Star Wars

[@danielramsey6141]

@@jojolit2628 That’s not Always true, especially in RPGs. Cause it’s not really easy for people (especially young newcomers to the series) to pick and play a 20+ year old game!

[@elizabethchint2391]

This is far from the truth. I feel like a lot of you guys on this topic are hypocrites. You guys will say shit like Sephiroth is only popular because of his appearance and then say he was cool because we never saw him. Sephiroth's cold look and Nibelheim scene are why he's popular to this day. I wasn't happy that they showed him early either but unfortunately due to his popularity and fame the developers decided to show him off early.

[@dudemcguy1227]

In addition to Cloud having the pre-emptive materia, there is another instance where Cait Sith comes equipped with the "Manipulate" materia when he forces his way into your party at the Gold Saucer. Nice little reference to the character and situation just planted there for the player, but not so obvious to give away too much about Cait Sith in that moment.

[@AlleywayJack]

Nice, hadn't picked up on that one before!

[@GoldieTamamo]

This is, IMO, how Reeve Tuesti maintains his connection with Cait Sith, in the first place--he probably has a supply of 'Manipulate' on hand that allows him to stay in touch and use the various Cait Siths as his eyes and ears around Midgar.

[@cloudstrifejen]

Sephiroth is the result of Hojo's and ShinRa's plan to make the perfect weapon. Humanity's greed and lust for power proved to be their ultimate downfall when Sephiroth went insane and caused chaos and destruction to a dangerous point where the Planet was almost destroyed. That was what we know as fans of the original game. But I've never saw an analysis about who Sephiroth really was as a person before he discovered his true origins. What kind of person is he when he was behind closed doors? Is he socially awkward as Cloud if he was dragged to a social event? I would totally watch that video! There are so many things we don't know about the infamous One-Winged Angel, and I for one, would like to know more. Thanks for uploading such an interesting analysis!

[@dreeeambaby]

this. and we dont know him outside of being "the antagonist" either. there is alot of mystery surrounding his character and who he is as a person, which is crazy because he's so intriguing

[@ChrisJGunter]

Consider this, Sephiroth, Kefka, and Arden all have tragic pasts with generally noble (yet, misguided) ideas. These backstories really resonate. Yes, FF6 doesn't really delve into Kefka's past; but, by proxy (through Celes, Terra, and, to a lesser extent, General Leo) we see the horrible things that these warriors for the Emperor needed to go through...and..for what? Nothing.

[@Gh0zt421]

Even if it is ultimately left ambiguous, the idea that Jenova is using Sephiroth as a puppet has a couple interesting implications. Sephiroth only reappears from the dead after the party comes into contact with Jenova's dormant body in the Shinra HQ lab, which conveniently results in the last living ancient unlocking the black materia, and the world of Gaia being threatened of destruction and assimilation again. Incidentally, after Meteor is summoned, Sephiroth does not speak anymore. Also, it depicts Sephiroth facing a similar identity crisis as Cloud, but failing, which subverts their duality, and settles Cloud as the hero, fighting against an abstract villain. As for the compilation and the remake... whatever.

[@GoldieTamamo]

I think it's a testament to Jenova's skill as a parasite that manipulates and decieves the population it is infesting, that all encounters with Sephiroth from the time we control Cloud, up til the end of the game, are produced either by Jenova parts, or as the result of experimental test-subjects with Jenova cells in them, coordinating. There is literally nothing allowing the physical Sephiroth to act apart from Jenova, as his real body is crystallized in mako, up in the Northern Crater--but this 'thing' can wear his face, and subtly relies on Cloud's existing impressions of Sephiroth as unbeatable, in order to influence the party--to the point where, not even realizing that he's already defeated the living breathing Sephiroth, the Jenova-Sephiroth that is the obstacle between Holy and Meteor, is simply a 'thought' existing in Cloud's head, that allows Jenova to tug at Cloud's strings like a puppet, in order to get what it needs for its own instinctual imperatives--and winning the game involves not merely killing any one particular part of Jenova, but 'cleansing' this unrealistic expectation of Sephiroth that Jenova is using from Cloud's mind, through an inner battle.

[@user-mo7dd1vt1s]

@@GoldieTamamo I have to play three times to get the full story in detail, and now still I am learning seomthing new. This game is really the BEST of all.

[@Archangel-1104]

I used to think Sephiroth was some generic villain cause of Smash Ultimate but playing and watching the og game and playing a bit of remake changed my mind so much.

[@butterman59]

With Sephiroth being announced for smash, be ready for a bunch of random views on this now lol

[@AlleywayJack]

Ha, I did not see that announcement coming!

[@kylep4991]

The theories on Sephiroth overpowering Jenova and Jenova shape-shifting to take the form of his mother. I think both may have happened. they don;t have to have conflicted. Keep up the good work, you're almost to 2.5k subs!

[@Phantomyre]

Well said and projected. I think Remake did well to introduce Sephiroth early and as often as they did since everyone already knows who he is, firstly. Secondly, it makes no sense to draw him out as they once did. It worked once, but it would not have been nearly as effective in Remake this time around. He still feels like a threat, if not more so-- because now we know those flash-backs are of Sephiroth's doing. He is more powerful than before which in and of itself is terrifying. We just don't know how powerful.

[@AlleywayJack]

Thanks for the comment. Interesting perspective on Sephiroth, I think it makes sense looking at FF7R as a sequel to FF7 (which it pretty much is), I think the only people who lose out are the first-time players of FF7, who might have bought this game thinking its a 1:1 remake of the 1997 title.

[@karmakaze87]

Thank you! It's driving me crazy why people don't understand why he was drawn out so early, it makes perfect sense to me.

[@WokeandProud]

They still lied about ir being a remake the dishonesty is what angers me.

[@TheMasterd333]

The way that media protrays Cloud and Sephiroth as these sort of eternal rivals and badasses i feel just enhances their actual stories once people play FF7 for the first time. Their actual connection and dynamic is so radically different from what most people probably have in their heads.

[@CSM100MK2]

Love your channel, thanks for another thought-provoking and well-thought analysis.

[@BonnetOnxZu]

Jenova can manipulate anyone with Jenova cell as long as their will is weak. That's is why she has trouble controlling Cloud and Sephiroth at the beginning. The moment Shepiroth discovered his past, his will was weakened and gave Jenova the opportunity to influence her. Same as Cloud, his will was broken and that's how Jenova was able to make him give the black materia to Sephiroth.

[@rolandconstancio9634]

Sephiroth's will is stronger than Jenova's. His cells along with Jenova were put into the Nibelheim survivors. Hojo thought they would all converge on Jenova but he did not realize Sephiroth's will would be strong enough to make all the clones and even the corpse of Jenova migrate to him. He is merely continuing what she started. She hasn't been able to do anything since the Cetra sealed her. He is far more powerful than she is.

[@BonnetOnxZu]

@@rolandconstancio9634 Did you get a chance to check the audiobook? The time frame for that audiobook was between the OG and AC. From what I understand in there, Sephiroth ONLY learned the ability to retain consciousness in the lifestream after OG. During that time he also learned that he can create remnants on the surface (Kadaj and gang). If this is true, it means Sephiroth wasn't conscious the first time he went into the lifestream. Jenova was trapped by the Cetra because it was the only thing they can do to defeat her without sending her into the lifestream. Because once she gets into the lifestream, she will gradually corrupt it and the planet can't heal. Check out the rest of my theory :) It basically revolves around in Jenova becoming the Harbinger and Aerith and Sephiroth resurfaced in the OG time frame to prevent that future. Hope you check it out and let me know what you think :) docs.google.com/document/d/1nuiBWtfiWqY_gCJ8tpEvIglktb0uKMea8LTJWBNjeYA/edit?usp=sharing

[@rolandconstancio9634]

@@BonnetOnxZu Thank you. I will definitely look into your theory:)

[@megashillyshally]

As usual , a great informative video and timely too. Great to hear the fact re: the Preemptive strike Materia being included here. Honestly since I played it and commented regarding it I’ll ocassionally remember it and just appreciate how cool a storytelling device that is.

[@YTC1234]

I think if you want to view hero and villain as mirrors and dualities then it makes more sense that Seph is being manipulated by Jenova. Cloud and Seph both saw themselves as something more than they actually were. Cloud saw himself as Zack, and Seph saw himself as an ancient and a god. But in reality neither was true.

[@ChrisJGunter]

About Pre-emptive strike materia; it was Zach, though, right? I mean, he didn';t have a Buster Sword to even equip that materia. But, I guess, when Zach dropped the sword...he had it then..

[@AlleywayJack]

Yeah that's it, it was equipped to the buster sword Cloud grabbed

[@noorabbas706]

i agree with the OST point - the latter track ive always thought of as sephiroth's true theme. absolutely dreadful and sinister

[@ineedscissors6176]

I'm a simple person, I see redcoat vids, I listen.

[@bigolwyrm418]

Really enjoyed your exploration of both the theories around Sephiroth being either a puppet of JENOVA or mentally overpowering JENOVA and bending the being to his will. One element I do like about the former theory ties into something that stuck out to me in regards to Sephiroth’s defeat, both the solo fight between him and Cloud the accompanying FMV that plays afterwards where it seems like he is cast into the lifestream and seems weirdly at peace. It struck me as odd if he had truly been so lost to his nihilism that he would seem to accept this defeat and this complete shattering of the persona of an invincible God he’s created for himself. However, thinking of him being controlled either overtly or covertly, in a similar manner to Cloud in his pursuit of Sephiroth, by this parasitic life form of JENOVA which has removed him from the natural world and brought him so much pain and crisis of identity, gives me some understanding as to why he would feel a sense of relief in being defeating and going back to the lifestream, literally returning the the amalgamation of the natural and organic world and all living beings that inhabited it. It might be some combination where Sephiroth overpowered JENOVA or thought he had and the parasite was just poking and prodding at his already existing fears, insecurities, delusions, and anger enough to lead him further down the destructive and villainous path he was already leaning towards. He may even have defeated JENOVA and done all of this of his own volition, too far into his God complex and wrath to return to the world he had already felt distanced from with his genetic enhancements and supernatural prowess had already separated him from since birth. Either way, I do like the notion that in defeating him, the party do but him at ease and bring an emotional balance to a broken person while they still have to try to protect and repair the world he has tried to destroy himself.

[@spudsT]

Dude, your work is so solid. Subscribed.

[@johnst.baptiste3664]

Sephiroth is only my #4 villain, but this is another great video. Thank you! And totally agreed about the music!

[@IanMcHelen]

What are your top 3? 🙂

[@johnst.baptiste3664]

@@IanMcHelen Delita, Kuja, and Ultimecia. Kefka comes in at five. These all shift around occasionally, but Delita is always #1.

[@lookhowshegobbledthat]

The remake shade, I love it

[@IanMcHelen]

Is that Delita from Tactics? I haven't played the game.

[@johnst.baptiste3664]

@@IanMcHelen Yes. I find him to be terribly complex. It's up to the player to decide if he is a villain or a victim. It's all about one's point of view.

[@mettatonneoex]

In the FF7R Cloud can get a weapon called the Twin Stinger. "Forged from two Swords" just thought that was a very good tie in to 6:30. It's very fitting when Cloud kills of "Fate" Sephiroth

[@lawrencebaker1811]

It's crazy that Jenova is so powerful that her cells created a being capable of controlling her wholly. Always found it very interesting.

[@TheOtherSideBooks]

Just in time for the remake!

[@michaelwilson5114]

Just glad he didn't go crazy with the hair gel like Seymour XD

[@knack3381]

9:08 iirc tifa mentions that sephiroth killed her dad during a flashback at the second mako reactor that you blow up

[@LagunaShirogane]

I came here to not only see about Sephiroth's character analysis but see into Kadaj as well. Kadaj is such an interesting character as well. Introduced in FF7's sequel movie Final Fantasy VII Advent Children along side his siblings Yazoo and Loz. Kadaj represented and embodied Sephiroth's insanity, cruelty, and madness but also had his child-like tendencies and was the core of Sephiroth's being due to the fact that he "transformed" into Sephiroth by the end of the film. I know this video was on Sephiroth from the FF7 base game and not on the side stories or sequels. Sephiroth receives alot of spotlight due to his immense popularity but Kadaj is just as interesting in his own way and his relations to Sephiroth himself and he's the only one of the trio to wield a katana (a souba) and was the strongest of the three.

[@monkeydjimmy5169]

People will probably gonna *hate me* for saying this but it *ALWAYS* felt to me that JENOVA was in control Now people may start saying stuff like : BUT Sephiroth *claimed* he controls JENOVA and why we fight both JENOVA and Sephiroth in the end of OG Why this and why that Okay but have you ever and I mean EVER asked your self for once was Sephiroth really in control? The devs even stated that in FF7 AC JENOVA is the one who controlling him *WHY* would Sephiroth wanna destroy the planet and seal it away within the cosmos and move on to another planet? Doesn't it sound *ugly specific* to be wanted by someone like Sephiroth? Especially since he wanted to retire after his mission in Nibelheim Ever since he stepped into Nibelheim he wasn't himself How did he received knowledge that ONLY JENOVA had and it wasn't even written in books? It's not like in the *RABtoons Nutshell* where he read a game of thrones book and he gone mad Why didn't he destroy Shinra like Genesis tried? Why keep insisting on completing a *goal* his mother had and was trying to fulfill????? Why insisting to do this all in the name of JENOVA? Guys! Enough is enough, I had enough with this bullsh*t okay? We *do not talk about a human manipulating another human being but a alien God like thing that destroyies EVERYTHING IN ITS PATH* *NEITHER Sephiroth is God like because he was born with JENOVA cells, Jesus was the son of God but did that made him god* ? *NO IT DID NOT so WHY the actual FACK is this sooooooooo difficult to accept or process* ? I get people like Sephiroth and want him to stay the villain cause he is : Sexy White hair guys Bad boy Loooooooooong........... Sword lol Even I find him sexy some times but for f*ck sake even I can tell the difference between a God like alien killing monster and a soldier who has a part of its power Or is it that we are afraid of something be more superior then humanity? I have come across with *plenty of people like that* ,closed minded Anyways though

[@exia7777]

I like this comment

[@monkeydjimmy5169]

@@exia7777 Well you are probably the only one who i got the attention so *thank you* xd

[@exia7777]

@@monkeydjimmy5169 you're welcome

[@christatum3045]

Actually Jesus IS God. "In the Beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God....And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us."

[@Saben.C-Spoon]

Finally some Those Chosen By The Planet love. I think you cant really have One Winged Angel without TCBP and visa versa.

[@AlleywayJack]

Absolutely! They complement each other well and add great atmosphere to the building of Sephiroth's character :)

[@bluebike8508]

Wow! Great work man! I never heard of this theory of Jenova shaping herself for Sephiroth himself, very interesting, yet suspicious :p But recently I was wondering about the fact that Sephiroth went crazy for the very first time seeing experimental monsters but simultaneously being physically close to Jenova's body for the first time. Does she has something to do with him going crazy in the first place - like she drives Cloud crazy? Also liked your point on the Godlike Sephiroth, i read something interesting long ago about the symbolic appearance of the one winged angel. He only has one wing, meaning he didn't really achieve to become a god.The wing's appereance is some sort of biological-mecanical mix which shows the impur nature of his elevation and in deed the "god" is stoped by mere humans.Sephiroth is fooling himself as a human, as an ancient, and as a god? But the most I think this Jenova/Sephiroth thing through the most I think the oposition between the two theories isn't working despite good arguments for both side. Because if Jenova is really using Sephiroth as a puppet why would she die to protect him at the end of the game? And the idea of Sephiroth just using Jenova, overpowering and taking control by force at her expense doesn't fit the very narrative reasons that construct the character motivations in the first place - recognizing her as his mother, wanting to avenge her, empathizing and respecting her.Even in the advent children movie at the end when Sephiroth appears he says something like I want to travel the universe like mother did in the past- that is still recognizing her as an important figure, a role-model, wanting to walk in her trails.Same for the Kadaj gang being very fanatic to Jenova. At this stage I think the Jenova and Sephiroth cooperating/ Mother and son "loving" each other is maybe the one that raises the least contradictions. Whats great about this discussion is that we are about to have new elements soon to clarify it. Have a good remake!

[@bluebike8508]

@Cardboard Calamity yeah I really consider the Jenova being in control theory to be a relevant one.But in the same time Jenova Dying to protect Sephiroth in the crater doesn't make sense in that case.Although you can argue that she wasn't planning to die and thought she would kill us. There is also the fact that Sephiroth is actually stronger than her physically and spiritually as the boss fights shows it (stronger constitution, magic...)Could Jenova control a creature far beyond her power?

[@Killer_Kris7]

@Cardboard Calamity Sephiroth controls Jenova tho

[@user-ms5gt1kd6p]

I would argue that elements of sci-fi have always been present in the FF series and did not start being explored any more in FF7 than it had previously. I'm more familiar with those originally localized for the US but in FF1 we have elements of time travel and in FF4 we play as a man who turns out to be half-alien in his Lunarian heritage and to initiate the final conflict we have to summon an ancient spaceship from where it sleeps in the ocean and fly it to the moon. IMO the only thing that stands out more in FF7 is that we actually have characters referred to as scientists.

[@rinnypooh]

Ngl... The real reason why I like Sephiroth is because he gives off Sesshomaru vibes from Inuyasha.

[@siennahartle9069]

Tall ✔️ Pretty White Hair ✔️ Daddy Issues ✔️ They’re basically the same character

[@dreeeambaby]

Yes!

[@rinnypooh]

@@siennahartle9069 lowkey tho-

[@Coreisus]

Ardyn seemed like he just wanted Noctis to end his suffering. He helps the party throughout the whole game, then at the end he's saying stuff like it's all preordained and he's just waiting.

[@IWFDI]

Sepiroth is imo the most popular, because for at least 90% of all players FF7 was one of the, if not the first JRPG they played and it was one of the first where the antagonist had an motive rather being the evil incarnate with the motive to rule, being evil for evil sake or destroy everything. And he's one of the first really cool locking bad guys, that plays a huge role imo too. I love Ardyn however because his motives are the same as every revenge story but in this case we are the target of this revenge. So often we root for the one seeking revenge. Sephiroth is not controlled by Jenova. The man in the black coat, that Cloud follows is the Jenova thing from Hojos lab in Midgar that Sephiroth controls from the crater. He helps Jenova perhaps because that is a trait in his genes. Just like the time that he controlled Cloud to give him the black materia.

[@bryanthomas4907]

I enjoyed FF7 tremendously but I didnt really connect with him. It was nice seeing him display a much lighter disposition and being encouraging to Zack/Cloud in the past.

[@marcclark9840]

Idk I like how Sephiroth is portrayed in Remake. Square did a good job foreshadowing Cloud and Sephiroth's relationship.

[@Floridamangaming729]

yea I never really understood him. like i didn't really understand why he just went crazy all of a sudden. Its like he's possessed bu jeneva or something. Just Because you come to that realization doesnt mean your go insane necessarily. like it would screw you up but that bad? I dunno.

[@EternalDaze846]

Love your analyses. Thanks a lot. Very well thought through and analytical. You deserve many more subscribers.

[@AlleywayJack]

Thanks :)

[@MilesMariae]

would love to see a video on Cor from FFXV... no videos on him out there but he is an awesome character.

[@bryanc7094]

I really prefer the pre Nomurafication versions of Sephiroth and the characters Are you considering the compilation canon?

[@AlleywayJack]

I generally think of the 1997 release as a standalone, mainly because when I play it I can't really picture Genesis or Denzel etc existing in that world. However, I still acknowledge the compilation exists, I just consider it for what it is, which is characters and stories that were (mostly) developed or altered after the fact. I can't comment on the Remake as I'm not far into it (no spoilers please ;) ), but again, I can already see how different the retelling is from the original.

[@JEREMCEE]

One of the best villains ever

[@creepycrawler632]

On what forum did you read that post suggesting Sephiroth is dead? I've had a similar theory and discussed it in places. The context being an isolated Final Fantasy 7 without any adjacent supplemental materia. Even if the body in the Northern Crater is the original Sephiroth's body, it's hard to distinguish where the line between Sephiroth and JENOVA ends and where it begins. In that way Sephiroth becomes more tragic by failing the Hero's Journey. Likewise, the notion of a Half-Human Half-Ancient(Cetra) being the one pitted against the extraterrestrial Lovecraftian entity when humanity hid away and left The Cetra to fight JENOVA alone would be cast in a much different light.

[@AlleywayJack]

Afraid I can't remember where I read that now, I don't think it was Reddit. Quite possibly GameFAQs, The Lifestream or a dedicated JRPG/FF forum. May well have been one of your posts ha.

[@GeeDimitrakis94]

Excellent analysis, great work!

[@AlleywayJack]

Thanks :)

[@firstlast5140]

More so than anything, it's Sephiroth's look and weapon that make him so beloved and iconic. Personally, it doesn't come close for me with any other antagonist of the series yet. I kind of wish you mentioned the differences of his two looks, though. With his original appearance (and remake) compared to the Advent Children version. In his original appearance, he has his green mako eyes that make him look more animeish. With Advent Children (and Crisis Core), he doesn't have the green, mako eye animeish look, instead having a more realistic appearance. While I love them both, I think I like the more realistic, Advent Children look a bit more. It's most notable to me in the Advent Children concept art of Sephiroth's face. Basically, I feel Sephiroth's change of appearance is more subtle than Cloud's. I feel it's similar to the extent of dog breeds and cat breeds, lol. Dog breeds being more upfront noticeably different while cat breeds are more subtle.

[@grandmoffyoda]

Hey! Like the effort you put into your videos. One comment is your style is very in depth and full of nuance. More so than many other places. However, your pacing tends to be one dimensional, maybe mix up the tempo just a little, some may find it monotonous. Keep up the vids though!

[@isthatwhatemptymeans8222]

Impressive. Subscribed right away.

[@ineedscissors6176]

hey RC I have a question: have you ever played Nier: Automata? I finally got around to playing it and my god, I am blown away. figure it'd be something you'd dig.

[@AlleywayJack]

Actually a friend recommended it to me recently and shared their Steam library so I could play it... but I noticed it was lagging during the opening aircraft bit, so I've been messing around trying to optimise my settings.

[@busydad4858]

So the Nibelheim and the Northern Crater Sephiroth is the “real” Sephiroth, whereas the “duplicated” Sephiroth that we are chasing throughout Disc 1 and early on Disc 2 (up until the summoning of Meteor) is actually Jenova taking Sephiroth’s form? Is that right? (If so, who is truly the villain behind the grand plan with Meteor and attempting to assume divine status?) I’ve never entirely understood the deeper workings of this….

[@AlleywayJack]

Yeah it's interesting. It's generally regarded as Sephiroth controlling everything from the Northern crater but I did enjoy that other Jenova theory when I heard it :)

[@WokeandProud]

It's more like Sephiroth projecting his consciousness into the clones with Jenova cells in them.

[@bryanc7094]

I always preferred the version of Sephiroth we had in the 90s who barely smiled which said a lot about his character without any words, Nomura ruined any of this subtle characterization though for his fanfiction🤦🏾‍♂️

[@cognitivedissident2881]

The remake isn't the same and they cater a lot to fan fiction in it.

[@Killer_Kris7]

Oh yeah sure. Everyone who worked on the OG are now fanfic writers. Sure makes total sense. Shut the hell up

[@cognitivedissident2881]

@@Killer_Kris7 Fan fiction has ruined the narrative. Now the story has become convoluted and panders to much.

[@heavenlyamethyst]

@@cognitivedissident2881 i fail to see where there was any loss of subtlety in Sephiroth's character. something tells me that OP paid no attention to the story in the original game and the story that led to his silent, yet menacing nature.

[@elizabethchint6485]

You clearly didn't play the original Sephiroth cared for his comrades and would be seen laughing prior and after he went insane. He had his cold moments but he was not a complete edgelord.

[@kentheengineer592]

sethiroth is a playable character for a limited time in ff7 so what do you mean when you say non playable companion too cloud

[@renardbennett75]

You can’t select his attacks and he acts on his own. Effectively, he’s non playable despite being part of the party.

[@bromanultra6364]

Great analysis

[@HKWHH]

Thanks

[@popbitzblast3649]

Watching this whole playing the remake currently because I’ve never played any of the games beforehand and need a lottttt of context lol

[@gmunoz8595]

Dude, all your videos deserve 1M+ views. Look in to KZbin SEO.

[@AlleywayJack]

Thanks man. Yeah I've been meaning to figure out the SEO stuff lol.

[@nickkarpin545]

Please can we get a Jenova episode.

[@AlleywayJack]

I have one here, discussing Jenova as a concept rather than a character: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3nSZmalpZetiJYsi=wcJKP9uhc0dDKLB0

[@CatzDaLegit]

Remake analysis when

[@AlleywayJack]

When I've finished playing it :)

[@sy2pie]

For me, it was the build up to him. The mystery. The gravity of his power which you get slow examples of throughout the game. The remake obviously craps all over this with him prancing around from the very beginning, which just goes to show what a piss poor job they did with the remake. It lacks that artistic storytelling.

[@AlleywayJack]

Yeah it was my major issue with it. They seemed to go on the assumption that 1. Everyone knows who Sephiroth is anyway so who cares if we see him right away, and 2. We need to show him in Remake Part 1 or fans will be disappointed. Even though the game is a 'sequel' retelling I agree they undermined the key strengths of his character there.

[@moneyseeker8886]

Nice video

[@wicked-witch-of-the-west]

You have mentioned all these other bad guys and there really was no need at all. Sephiroth is The Bad Guy

[@mao4324]

Sephiroth is the shit.

[@DeadpoolX9]

Cloud is a terrible Guts ripoff but Sephiroth is actually a very good Griffith counterpart.

[@Killer_Kris7]

Wow couldn't be farther from the truth. Cloud and Sephiroth was fuckinf based off of samurai's. Not your petty Guts and Griffith trash

[@DeadpoolX9]

@@Killer_Kris7 and who do you think inspired Guts and Griffith? Guts is directly inspired by samurai whereas Griffith is more of a crusader. To deny the influence of Berserk on FFVII and Nomura as a whole is the kinda shit ID like to impale you with Masamune for.

[@HHTwice]

@Order Power so is every other form of fiction and subject matter that apes off the source material then, do you even think before letting your mouth run?

[@HHTwice]

@Order Power I'm glad you think so, it's not really for brainlet so your opinion makes sense

[@redruby9564]

Don't you dare compare poor Sephiroth to that Basterd Griffith...that shit made me Cringe...

[@GudetamaSit]

Out of interest, do you script these videos? On one hand they're really structured, so it's hard to believe you don't. Still, the way you talk about stuff academically but fairly casually makes me think you bullet point a few trains of thought, expand on that for a bit in the moment, then edit the video to suit.

[@AlleywayJack]

Yeah that's it. I bullet point thoughts and arrange into sections like 'design' or 'themes' for structure, then talk around each bit. The editing takes a while!

[@perfectcell5613]

that theory is retarded its 100% proven its Sephiroth in control he needs a combo of his S sells and her J sells to res in AC and its definitely him not jenova the reunion is him merging with the J sells to become seraph Sephiroth all the clues of who is really in control is in the game its self the first time he took over a jenova part is on the ship he was only able to control her body but not connect minds which is why he doesn't remember you but as you get closer and he gets stronger the connection is solidified and he starts talks crap things only the real Sephiroth could know same with AC btw he mentions the stab wound and the pain from the reactor when he was first killed by Cloud also in the original version super nova was suppose to be a hit ko so no its not a illusion he really is a dimi god at that point infact he might of been so strong already his plan with meteor was kind of redundant but oh welli mean even if he dies he just needs a little J cell juice and he is good to go well that and a S cell host but he can use memories to make remnants so meh easy and the only reason he was so weak in AC that it took all that to come back is because he was defeated in the life stream at the end of ff7 just killing him isn't enough you need to scatter his memories to and even then he had a back up also just so you know at nibelhime all those black capes just floating those are suppose to be dismembered jenova parts it was censored though like i said play the game again and look closely you'll see there is little to no doubt Sephiroth is in control

[@WokeandProud]

My only problem with the remake is that it not a remake it's an obvious time traveling sequel with Sephiroth trying to change the past abd stop his defeat they should have specified this by calling ot a sequel I despise false advertising avd whike I absolutely adored the remake the lies of SI ruin it for me be honest with your customers.