I feel like the main reason is because Aerith had a lonely childhood as cloud did and therefore understands him more than tifa ‘the popular chick everyone wants to be around’. Tifa who has the choice to exclude who she wants and Aerith who wants to be included as Cloud does. Nothing wrong with Tifa, she’s just acts as any other normal human does but I love Aerith who’s genuinely and unusually kind despite her tragic childhood
That's EXACTLY why people ship cloud and aerith. Since aerith knows what being lonely is like,she can see right through cloud's "tough guy"persona and sees what cloud wants at heart,which is to be accepted and be included,as for aerith,she's pretty similiar,just wanting someone to be able to spend time with and be around with,and cloud being able to provide that. And to add on,the reason why there's more clerith evidence on a consistent basis is because aerith took the inititive to break down clouds (mental) barriers and somewhat show her feelings for him. Tifa DEFINITLY has feelings for cloud,but she never takes an inicitive to have a meaningful conversation with him and deepen their bond.(their relationship is FULL of these moments where something happens,one of them addresses it and the other says "its nothing",ending the conversation because the other doesn't insist to talk to them about it.unlike aerith and cloud's relationship,where aerith almost immediatly notices that something is wrong with cloud and takes the inicitive to help)that's why,even if both cloud and tifa care alot about eachother,a romantic relationship just won't work for them unless it's threeways. TL:DR: your judgement is spot on when talking about why people ship the two.(Sorry for the wall of text,i hope you don't mind!)
@@arwinado I agree. My first experience with final fantasy was playing the remake, though I knew most people liked tifa more than aerith and expected to feel the same. But the second I saw her I was like "I already know I'm going to like this character" and then when I saw her seeing right through cloud I was like "yeah. They belong together."
@@arwinado I also like how that character difference and barrier actually translated into Advent Children! Tifa literally SCOLDS Cloud for showing signs of depression after being through multiple traumatic events, just because she feigns being over them (Mostly getting angry and using hate as a coping mechanism, I do not care for how they tried to redcon that in the remake, Tifa KNEW what Avalanches doing did to people and was fully onboard to fuck with Shinra in that moment. Only when the whole pizza fell she got a sort of wakeup call) she expects him to do the same because he HAS to be the hero SHE needs all the time. She is plenty capable to safe the day herself but relys on Cloud constantly because of a selfish promise SHE wanted from him, because everyone else fawning over her left her already. Kid Tifa was a bitch, she got better with her friendship with Aerith, no question about that. Tifa is an interessting character in of itself and does have her merit and charm. But also deep rooted flaws in her capacety of empathy. When Cloud is not her ideal hero, he gets scolded by her. HE is constantly in front of her attacked and put down, her *childhood friend* who came along to help with a job so she can pay him for a job he already DID. And she doesn't scold the people putting him down or stand up for him, no she scolds him further and puts him on the back burner. Probably why I never could take Tifas crush as serious Love material. She is in love with an idea, not with Cloud and she shows that clearly. He fawned over her as a teen and now cares for her since she is basically all he has left from home. He cares, but she does simply less for him as he does for her. And his feelings are as a grown adult not even romantic anymore. 2 years and seperat beds in the same room, more out and doing things to deal with his own mental state and not be a burden to come back to Advent Children. Tifa talks about fighting WITH him but in the end choses to let him fight a renewed Sephiroth alone. As if he needs that. I am not sure if he needed that or SHE needed to see him like that honestly. Cloud always fought alone, unless Aerith was with him and Barret and the others would have if Tifa hadn't stopped them. This might not translate, I do like Tifa. Just in that regard she is more selfrightous and selfcentered still and thinks she is kind in that way, when she really just continues the problem of leaving Cloud feeling he is always the only one he can count on in a hard situation. Or the dead. But she won't be the first person he goes to talk to about thing. MARLENE IS BETTER AT THIS THAN HER!
@@inichan8786 I agree with basically everything you're saying here and oh my god, in Advent Children when Tifa is talking to Cloud and says, "Us or a memory?" I was like, goddamn that's brutal. Why would you say that to him? He's crushed under the depression of losing Aerith and believing he failed her, is suffering a terminal illness and you're saying "what about me?" How about just being there and supporting him without trying to add onto his already soul-crushing burdens. Edit: I forgot about the part just before what I just mentioned when she says something like, "You think you have it so damn hard?".. Yikes.. The childhood friend part is the only thing I disagree with cause they literally weren't friends but that might be why you bolded it.
Awesome video. What I love about the Clerith fandom is that their love for this pairing (which is canon since 1997) is based on attention to details, logic and pattern recognition. People ship Cloud and Aerith not (only) because they look cute together. They dive deep into the background, psyche and body language of each character.
@Snuggie same! i ship clerith, i just prefer their dynamic and their ship makes the most sense to me personally however the game gives you options for a reason so i also won't deny a possible relationship between cloud and tifa, especially if aerith has the same fate as in the original. i wish more fans were this open minded when it comes to ships, i feel like a lot of people overlook aerith and cloud's interactions in the game simply because they are already so biased towards tifa. there's nothing wrong w prefering a character over another, but we should also enjoy the game as it.
@Snuggie Absolutely, I adore Aerith and Tifa, but it's Cloud and Aerith's dynamic and interactions that I love so much. Yes, Aerith will most likely die again. I accept that and if Cloud and Tifa get together afterwards, that's fine. The main thing I hate is people trying to strip Cloud of his feelings in this, relate it to Zack, or worse claim Tifa is the because Aerith dies, anyway. As if Cloud can't still love and cherish her after she's gone. AC showed that part pretty well. Who Cloud ends up with in the end isn't what matters to me, it's Aerith's impact on him, how she treats and heals him. She accepts all of him, no matter how damaged he is. She cares so much and he obviously cares too. Denying her effect on him and their feelings towards each other feels almost criminal, especially in this Remake. Their bond is so special.
@Snuggie "Cloud was her friend. MOre than a friend, for she had loved him. He was a symbol of everything she held dear. She would protect him. Lifestream White - On the way to a smile". Aerith has created a bond with Cloud that is different from Tifa. I like Tifa but considering the whole story, Aerith is perfect for him, Tifa is very beautiful but Aerith has what Cloud needs, someone who really cares about him and wants to be by his side not for her benefit but for both of them. One thing that Tifa fans don't realize is that the feeling revolves around her, she is important to him, but Cloud is neutral towards Tifa. Do Do you love me? Suddenly, his eyers opened, and he looked at her groggily ... But we've been together for a long time now? Maybe i need more than just time. ... And what about you and me? Cloud didn't answer. Sorry, said Tifa. I don't know why I'm asking these things. Don't be worry, It's... my problem. We could make it ours. Tifa waited for him to say something, but he nerver asnwered... Cas eof Tifa - On the way to a smile Nojima never wrote anything that proves their relationship, because Tifa is a dear friend to Cloud, but not fit to be his loving companion.
When you see Aerith as the main love interest, the story becomes so much more compelling, tragic, touching and beautiful. Cloud and Aerith have a connection like no other. This is easily dismissed because many people can’t see it. But when you pay attention, it’s there. It’s all there. Not even death can keep them apart. They will reunite again when the time is right. ❤
So moral of the story. It's not about how long you knew this person that you should trust, it's about how emotionally connected you are with this person so that you can trust. You could know someone since birth yet don't feel connected to each other and know someone for one day and feel something. Same goes for the other way around.
pretty much , cloud and tifa know each other since childhood, compare that to cloud with aerith the chemistry is so obvious there are the other side of Cloud that only Aerith can comfortably access as we all know that cloud is very introvert and not that social. The emotional connection is very strong between the Aerith and Cloud. It also quite visible how Cloud is more open when he was with Aerith.
This also happened in real life... No wonder ppl who met accidentally are most probably have better and amazing connection than what ppl go through 9 yrs of live-in and getting married so soon yet they broke-up accidentally bcoz lack of promises to each other nor connection or what couple had.
I know what you mean. I went out for a run with an army veteran I'd known for about two weeks (because I made a passing remark about how my fitness had lost a step) and after a quick conversation about PTSD during said run we were best friends instantly and have since been each other's person to vent to while we walk his dog. Last thing I was expecting.
Absolutely! With my fiancé of 6 years, when we started talking, the connection was almost instant. We clicked and couldn't stop wanting to learn more about each other and hang out. It's this chemistry and flame along with what we've built together for years that really developed our love for each other. It seems like a fantasy or fairy tale to some, but when you experience it it's an unforgettable connection that can last a lifetime. He and I are opposites like Cloud and Aerith, so it might be my bias, but Aerith helps make Cloud a better person, a better version of himself. She puts in the effort to show him her wish to be around him no matter how hard he tries to put up his walls, she breaks them down instantly. Aerith is what Cloud needs in his life, the acceptance he's never had and Aerith feels the same way as they've had similar experiences. It's like yin and yang on the surface, but underneath there's so much more that forges the special bond they have.
Cloud has vision of Aerith walking away in the forest and her death. Cloud cries. Aerith: Dont fall in love with me. Cloud's eyes fill up. Their bond was so strong that a vision of someone's death he barely knows at that point makes him cry? That's one powerful bond. Oh and she gave him the flower because it symbolises a lovers reunion. In other words, she knows they've met before in the OG. I used to ship Tifa and Cloud but now... Now I'm firmly Aerith and Cloud. I think hell save her this time. He's had visions of laying her to rest in the lake. He'll know to stay close to her from now on.
Yeah, I totally get people preferring Tifa in the original, as she was around the whole time and all, but in the remake it's just obvious SE favors Aerith. Not even close to being contestable.
I think that writhing the resolution between the two, that wasn’t the Aerith we know in remake, but the spirit of Aeris from og. Warning him not to fall in love with Aerith because it will lead to heartbreak
If you noticed when Cloud and Tifa are together everyone mostly pays attention to Tifa and they treat Cloud like a bad person while when Cloud and Aerith are together people treat Cloud the same way they treat Aerith even treating them like couple especially the people in Wall Market
True. Aerith, and the people in sector 5, all embrace and recognize the goodness of Cloud Strife. Instead of overlooking him. I’m sure Cloud really appreciated that type of environment and made him feel happier :) he is always happier around Aerith. Aerith is a beautiful person inside and out.
The video is well done. Scenes and explanations are organized and flows naturally. As a huge fan of the OG FF7 and now FF7R, I always thought it was clear who Cloud cared about the most in the game. I didn't even realize there was a shipping war until many years after I finished the game. It only makes sense in the story that both Aerith and Cloud compliment and love each other. Why else would Aerith's untimely demise be so painful when it happens in the original game? Other FF games have had character deaths, but none have left such a mark in the gaming world as Aerith's. As other people have mentioned in comments, the developers have stayed away from saying which "ship" is cannon in order to not anger half of the fan base, but I think it is clear who the developers ship based on the interactions between Cloud and Aerith compared to how Cloud interacts with every other character in the game.
I agree and I really hope that something could happen between them in part 2. It would make the story so much more impactful and it’s a shame so many people can’t see the beauty in this relationship. I think it’s pretty obvious that square ship Cloud and Aerith as the scenes are beautiful between them. The part when they both say “so” at the same time says it all and that just shows how much chemistry they have
I mean Tifa wasn't even intended to be a main character in the OG FFVII. It started out with Cloud, Barrett and Aerith and Tifa was just an NPC. Aerith was already written to be a special character to Cloud which is also another reason why she was killed off
The differences are evident, just some people don't want to accept them. Thanks a lot for sharing, makes me happy to see how the game is clear about Cloud and Aerith relationship, even since the OG he really cares about her
this Tifa x Cloud thing is an example of why you should always play, read, watch, things in the publication order. Many people ship Tifa x cloud since they played other games First, or Zack x Aerith, and had either passing or no knowledge of the OG game. I played the OG the year it came out, and the other games as they came out too, and to me, it was just showing that these characters had a life before and after the main events of the story. Aerith to Cloud was so precious, that I can only describe her time with Cloud by using the words of Robert Jordan's ending for the Wheel of Time: "Like the wind she came, like the wind, touched everything and like the wind, was gone".
wow. I love the connection you made. I see why a lot of people ship Zerith, since they probably played crisis core first. It’s sad though, because now they will forever ignore the beautiful ship Clerith is and probably think it’s a crime for Aerith to move on and find happiness in a guy she has perfect connection and compatibility with. Unless you like both. Cloud and Aerith both understood each other in ways no one else could & made each-other so happy in the time they spent with one another. They both found each other suddenly and unexpectedly and healed + saved each other in more ways than just one. Especially all in the short amount of time they got to know each other for. If you really pay attention to it, to them, you will see it.
it's so funny how different fans react to this. i've seen lots of people who said that they'll be pissed if square DOES change her future. and it's not that they disliked aerith or anything, they just really loved the original the way it was. 🤷🏻♀️
@@karikim6905 what is in my mind is that, why does cloud have a similar materia that aerith has? Remember when he fell from the roof of the church, Aerith said, she got one too. What if Cloud uses holy? Ö:Ö
Not only Tifa refused to save Aerith, but she refused to save Aerith from a MUCH more dangerous place than Tifa's. Tifa being a prisoner of Don Corneo isn't as threatening as Aerith being a prisoner of Shinra and Hojo, and Tifa knows that pretty well. She is a member of Avalanche, she knows fully well of what Shinra is capable of doing with an Ancient like Aerith (crazy experiments, make her reproduce with other soldiers, etc). On the other hand, maybe Tifa didn't even need help to deal with Corneo's men, but Aerith still insisted on saving her because that is the right thing to do. There is no room for jealousy when you gotta save somebody.
The part that annoyed me so much about one of the scenes is where Cloud said "She is calling out to me, I can feel it" and Tifa jumps like "We all can, we have to help her she is our friend", I was like SERIOUSLY? Aerith only communicated with Cloud but MAGICALLY NOW you can feel her too? When some hours ago you didnt even want to help her in first place. Ufff I got so mad.
I'm kinda thinking, maybe the Aerith he talked to in the Resolution is not the Aerith from this timeline but that girl who died from the OG FF7 and warns him.
@@worstk1ng she talks like she's been through some shit. Also, she turns into the pyre flies at the end of the scene and that only happens if its a ghost or someone's died
@@worstk1ng This Aerith from the resolution is the same one from the entire game. The same one who knew Cloud was a Soldier even before he tells her, the one who knew Sephiroth was alive, the one who knew who Marlene was even before Tifa told her. There aren't two Aeriths, there is just one. And this one was knowledge of the stuff from the OG FF7.
There's also an interesting scene in the Colosseum just before fighting the Hell House. A spectator yells "Aerith, I love you! Marry me!" as they enter the ring and Cloud looks surprised, glancing slightly to the side (seemly towards the spectator based on their arrangement to one another during the scene) in response, and then scowls. Hmm… Why’s Cloud so pressed by those words directed at Aerith from a random dude, I wonder?
@@lexaurelio2446also when you’re playing, when the cutscene ends just before you pick between the two girls, his head and body is kind of automatically pointed and facing towards Aerith. Picking Aerith in this scene is heavily hinted as what CLOUD wants to do, but they left it up to whatever the PLAYER wants to do.
I'm in love with Aerith since the first scene then I see the voice actress for Aerith and now I have two girls I'm in love. Please Square don't make my cry again.
And yet many said tifa and cloud are meant to be lmao, I personally think the chemistry between Aerith and Cloud is much stronger and so sweet and cute
Well done. Most of these I caught earlier, but now feel like an idiot for the ones I overlooked! The...ha, "social distancing" at the bar compared to at the playground - where even Cloud lowers his leg when Aerith opens up to him. Totally emblematic of him opening up to her and taking down his constructed barriers. There are a few translations out there of certain scenes, including the resolution scene. I can't prove it, but apparently the original Japanese text of "I'm coming for you" is said using romantic context, roughly meaning: I'm coming to take you back to my side. You've already caught that it's not just the obvious, I'm coming to save you from Shinra. Wonder if she'll be open to that now that the future is up for grabs. She did say she's good at giving up on things, which I took to maybe be part of why she pushed him away as well.
Bingo, you hit the nail right on the head. She wants to protect Cloud from a broken heart. But she is also protecting herself because she does have some sense of her fate and feels like what she wants with Cloud may not be possible. So to spare them both, she does what she does best, and gives up. But just like when Cloud told her that she doesn't seem like a quitter to him, he told her that he gets to decide if he wants to love her and he is coming for her. This actually makes her happy just like it did when he strengthened her resolve days earlier in the flowers. This was a brilliantly done video!
@@jasonbradley7516 to your last point, there's a Japanese fan translation of the scene out there and her last line is something like: "It's frustrating, but I'm glad". Slightly different than the English version but an important subtlety. Still, the urge to give up remains to the end: "I miss it, the steel sky" (simplicity, predictability, accepting fate). Kind of interesting that if they've changed destiny and risk changing themselves, think how Cloud would ultimately change if she lives: none of that advent children Cloud nonsense! Interesting also, how "you can't fall in love with me" came before they went through destiny's crossroads too - does she think it's possible now? Combined with all her crazy abilities in Remake, Aerith has a lot of potential for new stuff in the next installment, that's for sure.
This was really well done! Thank you! I’m curious about the comparisons between the missions in sector 7 vs sector 5. This is just my general impression but it feels like Aerith (and the rest of sector 5) say thank you to Cloud more whereas in sector 7, people are more snarky about it. I’m no video editor so I don’t know how to extract those clips from gameplay but I definitely think the vibe between the two places/missions are different, especially with how the two girls broker them with the residents. I should add that I do love Tifa's character and don't think she's a bad character. She has more complexities in FF7R, and I believe many other Clerith fans feel the same way. However, I don't think she and Cloud are a good fit. They both deserve better and that means not being together as romantic interests.
That's also a good point. Maybe that impression comes from the fact that all the side quests in sector seven are buisness themed and have nothing to do with social interaction,while in comparision, in sector 5, all the side quests are community based (namely,the quest in which you have to get flowers to cheer up children from an orphanage,or a quest where you go into a "super secret no-adults-allowed"hideout made by some kids in which monsters appeared and they want cloud to fight them since he's the only one in the "adults we find cool" group and then they all idolise him and carry mini buster swords on their back.)While the adults are suspicious of cloud,but trust aerith that she wouldn't bring him there if he was a bad guy. After the quests both the children and adults like him since he helped with various things in the community and the kids like him cause he "made their day"for a lack of better word. Maybe it's also because of context:if i remember correctly,tifa never told the people of sector 7 that cloud was her "childhood friend" that she finally saw again after 7 years. So the people of sector 7 just see cloud as this rando with a social arkwardness problem as big as that giant ass sword on his back. Compare this to sector 5: aerith tells them that cloud is her bodyguard and he is there to protect her. Or maybe it's how tifa and aerith "supervise"cloud for a lack of better word. Tifa only really scolds cloud and tells him to "be nice" without letting him say anything while aerith...i guess she helped him become "nicer" more naturally or something? I'm not sure myself. Sorry for the long wall of text,there was just alot i wanted to say!
Thanks for summarizing! I think you've hit the mark! You're right, Aerith let's him be nice in his own way and about the nature of the quests being different i.e. jobs/money vs community-oriented
I acknowledge your effort and explanation you put up in the make of this video. I'm a fan of Tifa, but like said, it's evident can't be helped. I can't deny. -converted.
You've shown a lot of what I've been saying & more and you did a great job while at it! Keep up the good work! A good game has parallel scenes between the main character and different characters in order to make the story consistent, purposeful, powerful, & believable and so you need to link those parallel scenes together & compare & contrast them in order to understand each character's true intention and who the love interest of the main character actually is. Another parallel is while Aerith offered the "lovers reunited" flower for free to Cloud because she's falling in love with him & no matter which choice you choose Cloud will end up accepting the flower & Aerith will carefully place it over his heart, Cloud only gave Tifa the flower because she said she had never seen/had one before. When Cloud later looks at the flower that Tifa had placed in a vase, Cloud doesn't think about Tifa and instead says out loud "The real deal, huh?" and then "What was up with that girl anyway?" (meaning Aerith). When Aerith is contained in the Shinra building & Leslie asks what the same type of flower Aerith gave to Cloud means, Cloud remembers & is about to tell Leslie but then becomes extremely sad & pained because he remembers Aerith was the one who told him it means Lovers Reunited, she gave him his flower, she's trapped in the Shinra building, and you can see how much he misses her and how much it pains him that she's far away and he hasn't been able to rescue her yet. It worries & pains both Aerith and Cloud when they're separated, they can only heal a considerable amount when they can spend time close to each other, & like you showed, they confessed their feelings for each other in the resolution scene that focuses on both of them and where they both make & say their resolutions and so is the true resolution scene.
I haven't played the original and just completed FF7 Remake. All the time when Aerith was not with Cloud, I missed her presence while playing the game. And I am so happy that they didn't kill the wonderful soul that is Aerith this time. Totally hopeful for a good ending even if they don't end up together I hope Aerith survives till the end.
Oh my goodness, oh my goodness. I always knew there was so much more that was left unsaid amongst all the characters, even when I first played the OG game on and off many years ago... Shed so many tears for this game back then. Thank you for making and sharing this video.
What I really observed on both Tifa and Aerith is their real difference on handling Cloud's edgy and cold personality. For Tifa, Cloud is her childhood friend... and that's the most ultimate feeling Cloud had for her. They are too independent to each other, to the point that they needed no more any assistance or help, as they are really strong on their own and can protect themselves on their own, except on some circumstances that help is really needed (example, the near fall of Cloud after battle to Rufus). But on how they deal with each other's feelings, they are awkwardly not close. Although Tifa is happy on Cloud's return after 5 years of separation, but they still not really close on what we really expect. But inspite of their even personality, Tifa is still a lady with feelings, and she had it to Cloud, but only unrealized to the latter. For Aerith, Cloud is a total stranger, but she recognized him when he landed on her flower bed. In an unexplainable way, these two had this magical compatibility, and their complete far contrast personality is what makes them like that: Cloud as a quiet, cold and awkward person, and Aerith as a jolly, enegertic and charming person. Aerith handled Cloud naturally as a person (no special care needed), and that natural charm of hers made Cloud slowly broke out of his cold shell, and go along with her along their journey, to the point that Cloud learned to socialize. Yeah, Aerith is also strong on her own, but her existence is vulnerable to the Shinra, so when she's already handled by them (not exactly kidnapped, 'coz Tseng didn't use any force to take her actually), Cloud is eager to save her even it is actually too risky as it seems. A romance may not be really evident between Cloud and the ladies, but when it comes to compatibility and handling his character, Aerith had those. But since part 1 is focused on Cloud's visions and his identiy crisis, ships are not really mentioned to both on them, but it added a spice to the story. Waiting for the part 2. 🙂
Clerith shipper since 1997 here and dang did I get hated on for it tifa x cloud was insanely popular in north America, I’m so happy to see this video and the remake because now you can see the facial expressions as well as the mood of the scenes the clear differences between characters. Anyone who denies Aerith and Cloud’s love for each other is honestly just biased asf don’t even get me started on the oh but it’s just Zach in him that aerith likes argument. I hate people treating aerith as if she’s Zachs property. People can move on aerith deserves to be allowed to move on too and love who she pleases.
Thank you! So beautiful! Devs really wanted to make the difference between Aerith and the others so clear. Not to bash them but to make it even more clear. And that Cloud started to loosen up a bit because of Aerith
Wow you actually found a lot of really telling clips, i genuinely think it doesnt even come off as biased most those scenes undeniably show how special Aerith is tbh Good job finding all this!
Clerith forever. They were always meant to be. And no matter what delusions Cloti fans have, it is officially stated that Cloud and Aerith were always meant to be starcrossed lovers.
Good video! I also want to talk about Cloud & Aerith relationship from the perspective of FF7 story plot, which people tend to forget... FF7 main themes mainly consists of two aspects; 1. Cloud must save the fate of planet(Fantasy) 2. Cloud must face his sorrow and the truth about himself; admit himself as he is and was (Reality). Aerith has the most important role on helping Cloud encouraging to accept himself. Although he is ashamed of himself, she becomes the only person who understands and admits "TRUE Cloud " . Most importantly, she prefers Cloud to Zack, who Cloud thinks is ”more cool than himself”. Pls imagine how Cloud feels when she has chosen him rather than Zack who is his role model. This becomes the source of the power to help him recovery. Again this is the heroin's role on FF7 original theme. I know Zack is sexy and cool, but people should understand Aerith cannnot choose Zack because it contradicts FF7 original theme. FF7 is the story about Cloud growing up. That's why LOVE relationship between Cloud and Aerith is logically inevitable. Sadly, Cloud notices how Aerith considers about him after she died, which is well described on Hollow song.
i think what makes this more interesting of a dynamic then even the original game is that (NOT NECCESARILY A SPOILER BUT WILL SPACE IT OUT JUST IN CASE) It's clear that Aerith is privy to at least some of the events of the original game. Like she knows what will most likely happen even if destiny changes. So despite what could be considered her romantic feelings for cloud, she's doing all she can to help cloud basically be more open and happy almost in preperation for when she's gone. When she says 'don't fall in love with me' some people seem to (incorrectly IMO) think she means that what he feels for her 'isn't real' due to his connection to zack or possibly due to his flashes of the OG timeline. but i think it's her trying to keep Cloud from falling in love with her because when he loses her she knows of the tormented wanderer he becomes after her death.
I'm pretty sure that misconception is only from people who never heard of "bad traslation" or people looking for excuses to make their ship seem more believeable.(that his feelings arent real cause of zack is the misconception that i am refering to)
Yea, it's definitely ship Bias. 100%, which is sad because the story was meant to be multi-faceted... Zack was Zack, he had his Arc. This is primarily, Cloud's story. OG is what was able to bring about all of the expanded games and lore due to its large success. So you have people that played CC first or even saw AC first that come into the world that was created with inherent bias/not seeing full picture as intended. With Remake, they have really done an incredible job with the subtext/character interactions, etc to really drive things home. And I do kind of find the ship wars annoying and people fighting back and forth about what book said what... Just play the %$& game and see for yourself/be open to how the game is telling the story.
I wholly agree with the thesis of this video. But I want to point out some subtle FFX ommagges, both in the Aerith resolution. First is the line where Aerith tells cloud "Don't fall in love to me." Lulu says the same thing to Tidis about Yuna. Second is when Cloud tries to grab Areith by the hand, a similar thing happens at the end of X, when Yuna runs to embrace Tidus, and instead, she winds up falling through him.
That’s really interesting because wasn’t there a picture in the shinra building with a grown up version of someone from FFX? Then the directors were like “yeah it’s possible the two are connected” or something along those lines. Some fans speculate that the two franchises worlds are the same. And the floaty things Yuna summons are like the lifestream.
Actually, the resolution scene is Cloud's resolution scene. Check the chapter 14 description. Since Cloud is the MC, his scene is in the credits. It was also pretty much implied that all scenes are canon.
@@RMS129 in the ultimenica, it is stated (second hand knowledge, so it may be incorrect) that the events in X predate the events of VII and that Shin Ra's ancestors found the SHINRA Electric Power Corporation after the Al Bhed discover space flight and relocate to Midgar.
Don't think it would be a bad thing at all if they take some of the romance piece from FFX. That one in my opinion had the greatest ending of all. FF7 had the greatest tragedy... So if they are somehow able to weave the spirit of both into Remake, that would really be something! Also, I see some interesting parallels between Aerith and Yuna... With Aerith having more of a tragic and added life experience. But they both have this heavy duty that isn't fair for them to shoulder... But they do anyway. Yuna got her bittersweet happy ending, being able to experience love fully, and Aerith unfortunately never even got that.
correction: that isn't aerith's resolution scene considering the point of resolution scenes was the gang's resolve to save aerith, meaning that was cloud's. so :^) even better.
one thing though, i understand why people think tifa stalling the rescue for aerith is sorta sus, but while i think she was indeed hesitant on rescuing aerith ( mayhaps due to subconcious jealousy ) i think the scene with elmyra was due to tifa trying to not let cloud stress her any further. and that elmyra was the reason cloud and the gang couldn't just rescue her on the spot like aerith and cloud did for tifa. otherwise, good analysis.
@@bubbietea agree. It came more from a place of elmyra is to aerith to how Tifa feels with Marlene. Think Tifa trying best to respect Elmyra's wishes as the authoritative voice. But still has a need to save aerith due to their friendship and Aerith's selflessness for Marlene. But Cloud does have the most resolve of all to go after Aerith. He really butts heads with Elmyra about it. Lol. Which is sweet too because Elmyra also knows thst Cloud's heart is at least in the right place about her I think... but is also a realist in brash actions can make things even worse.
Great stuff, it really all makes sense. Since the first day after I finished the Remake, I've been preaching that Aerith is fully aware what happened in their previous lifetime/universe, so she is naturally in love with him from the start, just trying to hide it really hard to spare him the pain of losing her again (which is confirmed in their resolution scene). She slips up a couple of times during the game giving subtle hints of that, and observant player will notice. Cloud on the other hand is in reverse situation, he is slowly regaining the memories through his flashbacks. Once he does, it will be the true clerith reunion. SE did an amazing job with the writing.
I first saw a clip of aerith and Cloud moments and became a stan, but then I switched back to Tifa and Cloud because other scenes, but now you pointed these things out and I am back Aerith... I am just gonna equally love the ships
First of all, I wanted to thank you for all this. This reflection has been incredible. I don't usually tend to watch videos of more than 10 minutes, but this video was special, despite having lasted 19 minutes it fell short, I wanted more, you really have done a great job in the way you present the topic, the visual contrast, the text, the tranquility of your voice and much more, thank you very much. PD: When I was about to subscribe I read the description of this video and I can't believe this is your first video with how well it is done, and how you don't have much more subscribers, you really deserve them. Hope we can see more of you in the future!
I just subscribed to your channel because after that informative video I just watched, it was mandatory that I had to 😃😆. Thank you for providing the Clerith community this insightful piece of work. I do respect that anyone can have their ship as however they want, but there's a difference between wanting something specific for the main character and looking at what the main character really wants. I'm new to the FF7 fandom (FFX was my first FF, which I love too) but been able to enjoy Cloud's story and the more than obvious love that Cloud and Aerith have for each other has been beautiful. I wish more people could understand his character more. I do understand that many misconceptions and mistranslations have been around the fandom a lot, along with the hatred and lack of tolerance, but I really wish they could take a moment to look at the evidence that's been provided. That even though there hasn't been an official statement from them about which ship is canon (and the neccesity to keep things at peace for the sake of the love triangle) we need to learn how to read between the lines because I think that they're making Cloud's feelings really obvious in the Remake, which I absolutely adore because this is how it's supposed to be, narratively speaking. Thank you for this video and I hope to see more Clerith analysis videos like this from you because we sure need them so people can see the beauty of their relationship. 💗
To me it always felt as if Square made Tifa look second best in the game (original and remake), even in advent children when Cloud saw Aerith's soul (with Zack behind her) it still felt as if Cloud was so happy to see her, like two lovers reuniting. Like some sort of forbidden love (since Zack loves Aerith and Tifa has always liked Cloud) I don't mean to cause conflict between shippers since I ship both pairing myself. But to me, even as a stranger at first to the game, it felt like Cloud was more interested in Aerith than Tifa.
I personally agree. Even if i am biased towards clerith,i tried my best to give cloti a chance. After doing my own research and looking at the scenes myself,i concluded that tifa and cloud are better off in a brother/sister like relation ship rather than a romantic one.(i will only go into detail if you want me to do so,since you probably already heard all the arguments debunking cloti atleast once by now)
girl same. watched the movie blind- no prior knowledge of the game, the lore, not even the characters, but I could still discern Cloud's feelings for Aerith. I thought it was pretty obvious. I ship both too because I love both girls, and don't mind either. but Cloud's love for Aerith is just that transparent.
Honestly it’s because Cloud rarely sees Aerith in Advent Children while he literally lives with Tifa and thus sees her every hour, every minute and second of the day
@@iam4026 And he still wasn't happy and lived in Aerith's church for months, and only said "I'm not alone anymore" at the very end of the movie when Aerith reassures him that they are always looking after him and everything's alright, that just means he felt alone throughout this whole time even though Tifa and his friends are with him, Cloud loves his friends and I cannot deny that but his love for Aerith is much more
You put a lot of work in this - I always felt they had a special connection but could never articulate why. This helps shine some light. Thank you! ✨💫🙌
Remake is really building on the relationships that started in OG and as a secret sequel is evolving them. In the OG I didn't ship either girl and Aerith even annoyed me at first but her impact on the story and Cloud couldn't be ignored. I always interpreted it as Cloud had a crush on Tifa growing up, his memories got messed up and he forgot that crush. Tifa crushed on the "idea" of the hero she imagined Cloud might be and tried to make him fit that box and was too shy to let on her feelings. Aerith also crushed on Cloud and was pretty forward about it which pushed Cloud away. It wasn't until he saw Aerith die in front of him that he developed such strong feelings of what could have been and the trauma and guilt associated with it. He never stopped beating himself up for missing his chance. In the end, he wanted to "meet her" and I always read Tifa squinting her eyes as pain then resignation. She is losing to a memory. The trend continued in Advent Children where Cloud was ghosting Tifa just to sleep in Aerith's church to feel "close" to her. Tifa gave Cloud the most loving smile at the end and Cloud is like "yeah cool" oh shit is that ghost Aerith? "jaw drops". In remake it's very interesting. Aerith isn't pushing for a relationship because she thinks she'll die and Cloud is going to have a rough time coping with it. She still cares about him and comforts, supports, listens, and is the only girl ball-busting him while the others are 100% compliments. Tifa is more flirty and straight-up questions Cloud about Aerith where in OG she wouldn't have said anything. It's hard to know what Aerith really thinks about Cloud. Is it still romantic on her end? Does she mean what she says about not falling in love or is it more of a sacrifice of her own wants for Cloud to be ok. So the only solution is for Cloud to take Sephiroth's hand and defy destiny together.
Everyone i have met in my life are like Barret, Tifa and the others towards me so if i met someone like aerith i would so also help her like Cloud want to help Aerith.
Absolutely choosing aerith than tiffa !! omg !! aerith is so beautiful, cute & very considerate girl !! I can't believe it !! the story of cloud & aerith makes me this emotional !! d*mn !! poor aerith & poor cloud !! why don't just they be together !! it's so heart breaking !! :(
i think why tifa ask him in the sewer because cloud is type a guy who didn't care shit except her ( well cloud even didn't understand tifa's feelings sometimes ) so when he actually understand another person and especially a girl of course tifa know something is " going " on remember this the guy who nearly chopped johnny's head and kill shinra guards with no sign of emphaty so when he actually did understand and care about someone ofc that girl is special
It's heavily hinted that Aerith knows some or all of the destined future, like when rushing to stop the plate from falling, she clearly knew it had to fall. It's unclear, however, if this is because of her abilities as a Cetra, or because of this theory: At the beginning of FF7O, she had her eyes open. At the end of FF7O, she closed her eyes. Then, at the beginning of FF7R, she opened her eyes. The theory is that all of FF7 was a vision of hers, and the Remake is the true timeline. This explains why she hints at having so much knowledge, which seems too extensive for being a Cetra so cover. Also, in the Remake's intro, she stands up and runs away immediately after 8 Winged Angel starts playing (Sephiroth's theme). It's unclear exactly how, but it almost seems like Sephiroth became aware of her vision, and she sensed this. However, this also doesn't quite work, as Sephiroth should have no way to do this, and he also is far more powerful in the Remake than in the OG. This lends itself to another theory, which states that Meteor destroyed all of humanity at the end of the OG. Either Aerith, Sephiroth, or both didn't like this outcome (naturally, the both lost), and took control of themselves in the past (or, possibly, OG Aerith simply gave Remake Aerith the knowledge of what happened). This explains why Aerith sensed Sephiroth (8-Winged-Angel) in the intro; he sent himself back in time right after her, and she noticed. I like this theory better, and it also explains who Cloud talked to in his Resolution scene; OG Aerith, visiting his dreams through the lifestream. She had a much more somber attitude, as well as advanced knowledge of the future, both of which would come from living through the OG. Now, the reason both Aerith and Sephiroth wanted to destroy the Whisperers at the end of Remake was because that granted them the ability to change the future, and therefore achieve a better outcome for themselves. Aerith wanted to save humanity, and possibly herself (something she previously believed impossible), while Sephiroth wanted to destroy the things that made his defeat a certainty. What do you guys think? Which do you prefer?
Good theory. But we have to remember the painting made by Aerith, when she was in the Shinra building. The elements present in this painting depict future events, Meteor, lifestream, Cetras, Flower of the meeting.
I'm inclined to agree that the OG FF7 is a vision Aerith saw, and the Remake is how the events are actually playing out. I also am theorizing that Sephiroth is the Sephiroth from after his second defeat by Cloud in Advent Children. Reason being his One-Wing, which did not exist at all in the OG game. (The One-Wing in question was actually his right arm in his final form.) Only after Advent Children was released do we see Sephiroth with a single black wing from his back. Sephiroth's physical body is still encased in mako deep in the Lifestream. His Jenova cells still give him the ability to influence the Lifestream, and he has all the time in the world to experiment. That's probably how he's interfering with the Remake timeline, and why he has an obsession with Cloud (even more than the OG Sephiroth) this time around. Unless someone physically removes Sephiroth from his Lifestream bath, his threat could potentially go on forever.
tifa is is perfect girl to be your right hand " man " in a war and a great friend , Aerith is the perfect girl to live with you forever , for me tifa just said " i know u have problems but i had problems too , just move on " aerith is like " Tell me your problems maybe i could help , I'll be here for you " . and the thing i didnt get it is why tf tifa is Jealous? like bruh , she Make cloud feel bad nearly all the time and she didn't even want to encourage him . what i see is she really disapointed because cloud really change . cloud always excluded no one would listen or open to him or even just understandhis so when aerith are open and really understand his feeling ofc he'll break his ice . i hope Aerith would live with Cloud not with zack . she just really fit with cloud
I'm 100% sure that Zack wont be a problem. You just need to compare CC and FF7OG. All Zack and Aerith's moments are copies from Clerith moments. The develoment of their crush (Zack and Aerith) its pretty small and no original. So in contrast we have FF7OG with all the original scenes. I know that people love to think that Zack is important as Cloud but he isnt Cloud is the MC and Cloud loves Aerith. Im pretty sure that FF7Remake its a way to give finally Cloud a happy ending.
@stavcy yeah, me neither like Aerith said so many times during OG, and now she said again in Remake, that she moved on from him. She is worried about him because she didn know anything about him? ( in OG at least, CC changed that but meh) yes she is worried because that's her character she is a good person and she cares about everyone. Zack was her first love and almost first friend so yeah Zack meant something to her but she moved on. People just don't want to accept it and just ignore her wishes. I'm 100% sure that Aerith and Zack won't be endgame, they will have a meeting chat and a cute scene? Yes I'm sure but they won't be together again.
After watching this video.. I really pity Tifa actually. Jealousy is hard thing to deal with but also....................after much thinking... Tifa needs a male version of Aerith in her life. Cloud and Tifa are too similar in how closed they are, they'll never be able to pull out each-others deeper / vulnerable sides (unless Cloud starts doing what Aerith did with him, towards Tifa). Totally obvious Cloud would fall for Aerith. Anyone would!! But ye... Send a male-Aerith for Tifa too please! Give her a happy ending!!!! *cries*
A very good, observant and objective comparison. I like this kinda analysis as it shows the obvious (yet often missed) difference on how special their relationship is. Aerith is a positive influence to Cloud
(Warning : Long response!) Okay, I really enjoyed this video and I 100% agree that Cloud and Aerith are in love with each other. But I want to point out a few things in your video that I think make for slightly weak evidence. -So, the first point you make about the eyes, I think is a little unfair to Tifa. In this scenario, Tifa is afraid of Cloud's eyes because he just nearly murders Johnny for something he "might" do: talk. She's not literally afraid of his eyes, but the cold look of them. Whereas Aerith and Cloud for the most part had a fairly lovely day. However, your point of how he explains they are mako infused however, still stands strong and solid. He's very matter-of-fact with Tifa and much more sweet, even a little embarrassed with Aerith. (so cute!) -In terms of saving the girls, (like 12 minutes in) I don't think that's a perfectly equal comparison. Cloud knows Tifa purposefully chose the mission (and confidently, too! "You've seen how much ass I can kick." ) whereas Tseng makes it clear on the plate that their actions put Aerith into Shinra's custody. Plus it was understood Tifa would be coming back to the bar whereas Aerith wasn't going to be released. Plus-Plus, Shinra is known for being dangerous, even more so since Cloud knows "that son of a bitch" Hojo. However, once again, you do make a great point in Tifa's reaction - or hesitancy. Even outside the Shinra tower, Tifa comments that she wonders if the mission is a lost cause. -Lastly, naturally Cloud wouldn't have a lot of dialogue in Barret and Tifa's resolution scenes. As they are BARRET and TIFA's resolution scenes. But the content of Cloud's resolution scene alone makes it obvious that Cloud cares for Aerith romantically. But I don't mean to just point out things I don't agree with. There are some solid comparisons here. I never noticed the difference how Tifa and Aerith respond to Cloud during his struggle with the numbered experiments nor did I notice the jealousy exchange in the train graveyard. And something I recently noticed is that during the promise scene between Cloud and Tifa, Cloud raises his leg and sort of turns away from Tifa. Which contrasts how Cloud puts down his leg and shifts towards Aerith during their break at the park.
I agree except for your first point. Aerith has also seen how cold Cloud can be, Tifa was scared because Cloud was about to kill Johnny, Aerith saw how Cloud was an instant away from killing Reno in the church if it wasn't for the whispers, still she sees his eyes in a different way.
@@LuisSR01 That's a really good point!! Damn, Aerith is just too perfect. Sorry, I just always try to play devil's advocate to make sure I'm treating both sides of the argument fairly. But no matter what I do... Aerith and Cloud just seem the ideal pair, lol!
@@lexaurelio2446 it’s almost.. tifa sees what cloud can potentially become (and scared) while aerith see potential in cloud (and hopeful). Its 2 people caring, but from 2 different perspective, and cloudy boy needs someone that believes in him
No because literally maturing is realizing cloud and aerith are soulmates 🤧 this is literally speaking about maturing n shit and looking at true love and happiness yes I like Tifa but now that I'm older and read about it I love aerith and clerith together more and yes I still like tifa
I absolutely Love your video. It is very easy to see the differences in behaviors in just these few scenes. I am praying that at the end o the story it will have another ending, a happier ending. I hope that these two characters, who have both suffered so much loneliness, will finially get to be together. I guess i am really hoping for a fairy tale, rather than a tragedy. It would even be great if they are together in the Lifestream, as long as we get to see it in a scene.
I feel, cloud and aeirth work and are soul mates because they both, in their own way were outcast that both dealt with their hand differently. Cloud put up the wall to mask who he truly is- shy vulnerable boy that wants to be accepted, but that never truly happened. Aerith being who she is, became the opposite, tragic past yet held onto that purity and wanting to be empathetic to others. Cloud has a lot of empathy but is too afraid of putting it down..but aerith knew the perfect balance. She saw cloud. Barret, Tina and the gang, have their own goals and missions, and that’s where the divide starts to happen…and that world is more cold, while aerith brought colour and warmth.
Sad all the people who are thinking they dont care for this remake, and haven't even played it. SO F****** GOOOOOOD I didn't think I'd care for this at first... But this is a pretty dope video. Thanks for it!
A tad late here on me to see this vid, but I will say that its easily apparent that Tifa/Cloud has more to do with people you were once close with but became estranged. Cloud's faith in Tifa 'being alright' has a lot to do with how he remembers her as a strong-willed, self-empowered and well-adjusted girl. He puts trust in her headstrong personality, but fails to see the vulnerable side of her. Tifa who saw Cloud as that special friend she was attached to and relied on, saw the changes in him and became afraid of those changes. It was clear that the two's estranged relationship heavily relied on the ghost familiarity of their past and not their present; easily blind yet able to put faith in what they had before. Though Tifa/Cloud was special in their own right, Aerith/Cloud really signifies something interesting. Aerith, in many respects is more emotionally perceptive and easily exudes the fragile girl on face-value among others. But her emotional intelligence easily allowed Cloud to be open to her because she addresses everything that is the present him. That perceptiveness also came with a balanced look of everyone's needs, where, despite Tifa being more extraverted and relatable among her peers, Aerith's surprisingly Introverted traits enable more room for emotional intimacy with her and Cloud. Its obvious too that Aerith was a true definition of 'not like other girls' in the world riddled in Shinra and the society they live in. She was an outlier among the commerce-induced society or the dregs of the slums. Not because of her heritage, but her depth and perception to be able to reach out to Cloud's loneliness. I'm not starting a war here, but I personally felt that Tifa/Cloud could have been more cherished between them if Tifa was more willing to make time for Cloud and for Cloud to be able to see past her tough exterior and see her vulnerable heart. Cloud easily opened up to Aerith because she was the one to make the first step to making that emotional connection to Cloud while calling out on his Tsundere moments. Cloud's part in that relationship was that he could easily see the vulnerable sides to Aerith that made him more soft around her.
I fully agree. Tifa and Cloud's relationship in terms of communication feels like pulling out teeth. They avoid subjects and pretend nothing is wrong. It's definitely because of being apart that their relationship is so strained. It's something I've always acknowledged. I'm sure she probably assumes he's okay with being on his own and alone when that is so far from the truth. He's used to assuming she can handle herself. But with Aerith, she's a breath of fresh air in this world. She's so expressive and emotionally intelligent, assertive, caring, and playful. He's not used to someone initiating contact and including him so much. He's used to isolation and rejection, which Aerith can absolutely relate to. She knows what it's like to mask the loneliness and recognizes it in Cloud. She's open to showing her vulnerable side, so how can he not react the way he does? She's so much of what he needed in his life.
Yes that is so true and they are my ship ever since the original ff7 because aerith has the most influence in cloud while i was playing it back in 2007
*"The eyes are the windows to the soul"* Tifa: I suppose it's.. yeah.. your eyes, they used to be less... (scary) Aerith: Wow.. your eyes. It might not necessarily be fair to compare their reactions but the contrast is undeniable and I think intentional.
I just don’t get it… Clerith is so beautiful to me. They were both deeply wounded people, and their meeting was fate. They connected so quickly and created this special bond unlike others. They were there for one another emotionally when no one else fully was, when no one else could fully understand them. To open up about tough topics and feel ok about being vulnerable. To find comfort in one another + give each other a sense of belonging. They accepted and believed in each other. A lot of CloTis ridicule us by claiming that the high-five meant nothing, but if you pay attention to Cloud and also his connection to Aerith VS other people, you’ll understand why it was in fact such a sweet and important thing to recognize. Their connection is just like this whole new, unexpected yet totally awesome thing. They made each other so genuinely happy in the time spent with each other. Cloud was always different around Aerith and the Cloud I see with her is my favourite side to him. She represents a light in his life. The other ships are fine too, but Clerith has always represented something deeper then the other ships. To me, at least. I interpreted it as Tifa and Zack being above all there to add more depth to Cloud and Aeriths pasts.
I love this video, thank you very much for very clear and nice explanation.It's pity that i'm a PC player so i haven't play this game althought i heard some news about porting FF7R to PC. Well. i just hope that in PC version there will be some mod or DLC that give us alternate endings, so that those who love Cloud - Aerith and those who love Cloud - Tifa can have their own journey and ending.Nice work, keep it up : )
There is something happening where I feel tifa hurt cloud at some point. I dunno what but that’s the reason for not reciprocating…as if, they were close, something tifa did to cloud, that really hurt him…tifa can still like cloud, but I don’t think was perceptive to know what she did to hurt him…I feel tifa at some point abandoned cloud.
Tifa ignored Cloud as kids and only became interested when he told her was leaving to become a SOLDIER. Despite her thinking, they were never close as children- only neighbours. She never really spoke to him before the well scene. Then she developed feelings for him. But you can see in remake that she excludes him at the Avalanche celebration party.
Okay... I can't finish this Video in the office, I missed her too much I'm gonna cry. Now I know who my waifu is, and it's not a made up stories I made tens of years ago... this is NSFW video for me 😢💔
I really like Tifa and I totall shipped her and cloud so I didnt really liked the presence of Aerith but after watching this video.....I somehow like her more because she is more thoughful of others but then I again I realy really ship aerith and zack . but thanks for making thing video. It made me look at them from your perspective. gosh im blind. i like watching the movie and clips of it available on youtube but I really do wish there was a novel or something so atleast i wouldnt be guessing who loves who @.@
