No Promises to Keep Analysis | All Scenes Breakdown | FF7 Rebirth 

The "random heart" is Nanaki teasing Cloud about Aerith 🥰🥰

What I find interesting is that in the final scene when Aerith is crying and Cloud appears, depending on the character you are dating the theme song is their theme of that specific character, if you are with other characters and the music sounds disjointed because no promises to keep ends with Aerith's theme, when you are with Aerith in this scene her theme song plays as if it completely fits with the scene. while the rest do not.

Thanks so much for this breakdown! The fact that we get SEVERAL close-ups of Cloud looking intensely at Aerith (let's be real he has hearts in his eyes) AND him initiating physical contact with her TWICE (something antis claim he never does and that it's "always" Aerith initiating with him which "clearly" proves he doesn't actually like her) in every version of this is so telling. But I love what you can glean from the differences as well. I like to see his moments with Nanaki as them being like "look at our girl" especially with the way she's framed between them before the scene switches back to shared territory. And with Yuffie and Cait at separate moments he's like "you will NOT disrupt her performance in any way!". With the second different scene with the "others" he's just stood there gawking at her the whole time, too. Then with Barret... I feel like his gondola scene really helps contextualize this. Knowing that in just a few minutes Barret is going to be confronting Cloud about "who do you like? Don't waste time about this, tell her BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE" really makes his happy/proud actions during this scene - ESPECIALLY when he forcefully pats Cloud on the back - come across like he's trying to tell Cloud something. Namely, "this song is about you, you lucky idiot! Make a move already!" There's also the dichotomy in how in Aerith's version of this, Cloud catches the yellow flower petal and clutches it to his chest (to HIS HEART), while later on in the story when Zack gets a yellow petal, he only briefly holds it before letting it go. That's some obvious and god-tier symbolism. Truly Cloud will "never let you/me go" as stated in Hollow and as wished by Aerith here in NPTK, while Zack is ready to let her go and step aside after hearing Marlene's explanation. Beautiful.

Cloud is the one who is the most focused and serious (in a good way) in all the versions. It's clear that he knows how important this moment is for Aerith. And if something is important to her, it becomes the same for him.

In a similar way to how Aerith’s role in Rebirth's story diminishes somewhat in the second act, only for the final act of the game to be wholly about Cloud and Aerith and their intertwined destines, Rosa can be played by someone else, but the finale always belongs to Aerith. Aerith is always Rosa.

One more clue that Aerith is the canon date is that when Aerith finishes singing she makes a few petals fly and one of them falls into Cloud's hand and this only happens if she is your date, in the rest she continues making the petals fly but different things happen, it is only in Aerith's date that this action has narrative continuity.

The Tifa version felt so wrong, like those romance movie tropes where the guy is with the wrong girl and is head over heels in love with the female lead.

Red actually drew the heart behind him with his tail. 😄

No way, I thought that look Cloud had during the "know that you'll find me" part was exclusive to Aerith's 😮. He couldn't take his eyes off her.

The expression with Cloud in Tifa’s scene after grabbing her hand was … I wanna uncertainty, like he’s unsure. It was like conflict in his eyes as he looks down for a brief moment…. Now I don’t know the intentions of that scene but it certainly tells a story. As you mentioned, I would think they would have cloud smiling softly instead or some sort of upturn of the lip. I love your Channel and your analysis on the scenes of each date! Looking forward to many more videos! Also, I had Aerith for my date and it was so cinematic throughout her date 😭 I loved it. All up to the very end.

If we to interpretate Cloud's expression in Tifa's date as somber, my explanation would be is he must be thinking if this song is for Zack, and he is already thinking of asking Tifa if she talked to Aerith (since he remembered that Zack is dead). So Cloud must be very conflicted.

Yuffie singing and spinning is sending me and make me giggle! It's a gorgeous comparison of all variations - I like the small differences - but must admit, the boys? Always make me chuckle ;-; But Cloud and Aerith one...Oh boy. Oh boy boy boy, I will die on that hill of him being in awe of her, and her pouring her heart into the whole song about him, about the future . ;-;

At this point in the story Cloud is still in SHAMBLES from being jealous of Zack and having entrusted Tifa at her request to tell Aerith of his demise. Hearing her sing about someone she wishes would find her... his face says it all. In the Tifa date he looks pained and I wholeheartedly believe it's because he is on the rebound since he thinks Aerith still likes Zack. In the Aerith date, the misunderstanding is cleared, in Tifa's date the misunderstanding is deepened, and in the other dates it's never addressed. Aerith's date makes the most sense, Tifa's date makes Cloud look reaally bad, but very human as someone who settles for someone they don't fully like because they think the person they actually like has someone else in their heart. It's also worth noting that in every date but Aerith's Tifa looks bad since she begged Cloud to let her tell Aerith, but this isn't revealed to have happened in any date other than Aerith and Tifa's, and it only shows Tifa telling Aerith that Zack and Cloud were friends... nothing more. In Tifa's case she lies and says she hasn't gotten a chance to tell her, which might be true since again, we only saw her tell Aerith that they were friends but not everything else, which could be for self preservation or uncertainty given that she knows his account of events isn't what she remembers. Which ultimately makes her motives suspect and Cloud's actions disingenuous on their date. While Aerith also technically lies, she did it in a way to convey that the conversation wasn't anything important (the fact that Cloud and Zack were friends) because at that moment she wanted to be with Cloud genuinely and he finally put his walls down and accepted her feelings and made a move himself. Tifa doesn't look bad because she did what she said she would do, and Cloud and Aerith resolved their misunderstanding.

He looks so conflicted when he holds Tifa's hand. I love all the differences between each and yet, the similarities are all Cloud being in awe of Aerith. I got Aerith in both dates, so it's great to see the other choices without having to boot up the game. Great video!

Literally every FFVII fan knows Aerith's date was the canon date in the OG. I don't understand why would anyone think it would be different in Rebirth.

Absolutely loved this analysis. To us interpreting, the smallest things are the biggest! Thank you for catching when she says, "...you'll..." and then it shows Cloud's facial expression! Big clues in FF lyrics. I think Cloud was feeling guilt when he held Tifa's hand knowing he might like Aerith too, or felt bad cuz he knows Aerith loves him, or Zack uncertainties added on top of those things. I think Red's heart tail ❤ says a lot bout writers' intent. Loved Vincent's face...if you know his story. Also at the forgotten city, Vincent holds the door open for Cloud & says, "She needs you, go." Cloud's gunna FIND her, take her HAND and never let her GOOO! 🎵

The Barret variation is so peak, I really felt his connection to Aerith in Remake/Rebirth. Nanaki being excited for Aerith is the cutest though

Thank you so much for this Clerith content ❤ it's such good food for my heart and soul

Thank you for another awesome video. Love the breakdowns. They put so many subtle clues, and you spot them all out. Look forward to more videos 😊

It doesn’t matter who your date is Cloud will always look at Aerith mesmerized by her beauty even before she starts singing so it’s not only about her amazing vocals.

Do you think Cloud will reflect on this and other moments from Rebirth in the next game? Foolish and blind to everything This time for sure I'll see the truth hidden inside your tears

You are the best thing in this fandom.

Fantasic work as usual! I love that even while he was holding hands with Tifa, his eyes never left Aerith ❤

I kind of like how in the yuffie and barret ones, cloud seems (at least imo) a little bothered that yuffie was taking away from aerith's moment and that barret was kind of taking him out of the moment. Aerith's version is definitely my favorite. And one parallel one seen people point out is when the petal floated to cloud, he held onto it and pulled it close to his heart. But later when zack catches a petal of aerith's flowers, he lets it go and drift into the wind

BROOOOOO YOU CAUGHT THAT LOOK HE GAVE WHILE HOLDING TIFA'S HAND. OUR BOY CLOUD IS NOT INTO IT. HAHAHAHA

This basically shows how memorized Cloud was by Aerith in this song. Despite all different versions they were still trying to make this a pure Cloud and Aerith moment. Him holding the petal to his heart and them looking at each other..pure love moment ❤ The Tifa hand hold at the end in her part, Cloud kinda gives a look like almost regret ? Like it doesn’t feel right cause even when they grabs hands his eyes NEVER leave Aerith.

Once again the details in these scenes are so amazing! The facial expressions, body language, camera angles.. it's so good 😊 also I just want to point out that at the last scene Aerith's theme is playing if Aerith is your date. Other dates have Tifa's theme, Yuffie's theme or On our way with the boys. But Aerith's theme makes most sense because it is HER moment ---> canon date confirmed? ❤😂

Wow. The number of people still in denial regarding the canon ship of this story is baffling. The developers have tried their hardest to make it VERY clear who the protagonist's main girl is. I think anyone who refuses to see this is either- 1. Fanatically biased 2. In denial 3. Doesn't know the plot 4. Or is just straight out dumb.

Goodness, I thought I was done being emotional with this song but my eyes had to get all teary. Superb analysis, I only experienced the scene one way in my playthrough and haven't yet replayed the game.. so I really appreciate the breakdown of all the routes the player can take.

Nanaki is basically Cloud's wingman 😂

The others are cool and fun to see upon multiple playthroughs to see more of the characters in the party and how they would react but the fact that aerith’s song plays in every single one (also how she’s the one to find dio before the date, also her being rosa in most of the dates) convinced me that she’s the intended date, like it just makes the most sense with how that whole gold saucer section is so aerith-focused. And that powerful scene of her singing hits the best when it seems like a moment between her and cloud (especially since I think the song is about him but that’s a different discussion)

Aerith’s little grin gets me every time she does it. Fantastic job the animators did with that one. It’s just so endearing

Aerith's version, she gets to spend more time looking at him, and she gets to sneak him a flower petal mid performance. It's just that bit more proactive from her.

I think that Aerith here is aware of her fate and is singing about 'until we meet again' and 'know that you'll find me' in future tense because those are her hopes for after everything goes down in the end of the game. Because if not, the only person she lost so far romantically is Zack and I fully agree with you that its about Cloud.

As a Clerith shipper, I'm happy to watch this video 😭😭😭

I want to comment on your videos more because it’s fantastic content and probably the best FFVII rebirth breakdowns I’ve seen. Barrett exuberates such dad energy and he’s probably my fav character period in the series now after this game.

Wait… did you even mention that this sequence borrows many angles shot for shot of “Never Enough” in the film “The Greatest Showman”? Also that the singer for that song and “No Promises to Keep” is the same singer, Loren Allred?

all of barret lines in this theather scene are foreshadowing

Oh man this was an amazing analysis! I’ve been wondering which scenes were the same and where there was variation so thank you for that! Cloud’s expressions are the best! Can’t even keep his mouth closed, he’s so in awe of her. 🤭 And I swear he legit forgets he’s on a date until the others remind him of their presence! Urgh so many thoughts on the different party members. I was totally here for the Aerti moments! I honestly love all the cuts! Especially Yuffie and Barret with the humor! And I wanted to cry when Cloud kneels down to pet Red. That was so sweet. Also not sure what was up with the heart but I’ll take it! I love Cloti handhold! I thought it was so sweet and moving but Cloud’s face kind of ruins it! I missed it on my first watch through it is agree his face is a look of hesitation, like he felt moved enough to take her hand and then starts questioning his actions. I think this questioning and eventual resolve fits in very well with their GS date, especially with his face right before they kiss. Also you say CloudTea?!?

Thank you for this video & analysis!!

I heared the persona background music i love persona to , it's like my 9th fav game 12:14 Barret is a g 😂😂

So no matter how i play, he'll always remains mesmerized? Got it!

Tbh it is a such a sad story. The devs made Aerith AS his love interest and than decided she is dying. After that they didn't want Cloud to be without a girlfriend because the ending was so depressing with double meaning, so they created Tifa. Taking into account that in the midgar parachute segment, they wanted all the party members dying except Cloud plus two we chosen in the party. So basicaly their first idea was Aerith(only love of Cloud) dying and most of the party. That ending would be cold af.

This is just my opinion so i'm just gonna say it, when Aerith is done singing and she is in tears, if you choose the Aerith route thats when they should of had their kiss. Have Cloud go to her and comfort her give her a hug maybe then they look at each other and not being able to resist seal it with a kiss making the whole scene at 14:05 and the song way more impactful then it already was. Tho it be a simulation world it would show their true intentions toward one another before going back to the real world. It actually could of made the GS date on the wheel more romantic knowing what just happened in Loveless.

Aerith loml

Wow Tifa only stands in for Yuffie to wake up Cid when she is on the stage. They should have even the scene

From my point of view, this game was mostly about Cloud and Aerith. He is still experiencing a personality conflict caused by Jenova cells. I really think the third game will focus more on Tifa and how important she is to the real Cloud. However, in the end, we won't get any canon ships resolved by the developers.

Lol he is fucking smiling when HE grabs Tifa's hand.

In defense of the Tifa scene.. think you are down playing what occurred just a tad. It's true Cloud's body is aimed towards Aerith's direction and (for the most part) he is eyeing her. However when Tifa locks hands, there fingers interlock.. that's a gesture that invokes a deeper connection/bond. I did like Clouds eye fluttering when Tifa grabbed his hand. I personally like to believe he is wowed by both women, Tifa and Aerith. This might be a nod to the players that because Cloud is uncertain maybe we can help him decide in the future. That's at least how I'm feeling when watching the scene again. It also could be the timid Cloud coming out, we must remember that he isn't a lady's man so all this physical touch even if it's hand holding might suprise him. Set to set the record straight I prefer Cloud to be with Aerith however that scene with Tifa and Cloud was very good and if I were in that camp, I'd be happy with how it was handled.

Another unhinged Aerith simp…, and comment section full of simps thinking a relationship with any character is more important than the actual story as a whole….

Wow I did not know the Aerith shippers where this delusional. Cloud is not in love with anyone at this point.. He might like both Tifa and Aerith but he has a larger connection with tifa due to their past. The way he treats Aerith in the entire game up until this point shows that he finds her somewhat annoying.. multiple times he has said rude things to her. The only time he seems to really care about her is at her death. Also it has already been confirmed that the lyrics to no promises where mistranslated and the song is not about cloud.. it is a farewell song aimed towards ALL of her comrades not just cloud and not even about Zack. People keep on making it seem like Cloud can't take a hint.. the man isn't stupid.. He knows that all the lady's in this game love him, why would he be jealous of Zack who isn't even alive in his mind at that point.

Tifa brings out the best in Cloud as a man, he opens up to her and doesn't hold back from being a man towards her. He tends to flirt with her and initiates holding her when possible. But their history is fraught with unrequited words and feelings which Sephiroth is using to get to Cloud to distrust her and even try to kill her in the Corel reactor. All this is a lot for Cloud as he fills his hollow heart with rage. Regardless Tifa is the kind of woman his mother wanted him to be with but she goes beyond that by being a melee fighter like him, so even in battle she has a strong bond with Cloud and the deepest relationship with him as a character and as a man and woman.