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Cloud Strife
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==Concept== In contrast to ''[[Final Fantasy VI]]'', which featured multiple "main characters", Square's staff decided in the beginning of ''Final Fantasy VII''{{'s}} development that the game would follow a single identifiable protagonist.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://shmuplations.com/ff7/|title=Final Fantasy VII – 1997 Developer Interviews|publisher=Shumplations|access-date=April 13, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923162806/http://shmuplations.com/ff7/|archive-date=September 23, 2016}}</ref> In [[Hironobu Sakaguchi]]'s first plot treatment, a prototype for Cloud's character belonged to an organization attempting to destroy [[New York City]]'s "Mako Reactors".<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/a/final-fantasy-7|title=Final Fantasy 7: An oral history|last=Leone|first=Matt|date=January 9, 2017|website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|publisher=[[Vox Media]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170109201832/http://www.polygon.com/a/final-fantasy-7|archive-date=January 9, 2017|access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref> Kitase and Nomura discussed that Cloud would be the lead of three protagonists,<ref name="egm">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.ff7citadel.com/press/int_egm.shtml|title=Interview with Yoshinori Kitase and Tetsuya Nomura from Electronic Gaming Monthly, issue #196, October 2005.|date=October 2005|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|publisher=Final Fantasy VII Citadel|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011164522/http://ff7citadel.com/press/int_egm.shtml|archive-date=October 11, 2007|access-date=October 9, 2007}}</ref> but Nomura did not receive character profiles or a completed scenario in advance.<ref name="8-13" /> Left to imagine the stories behind the characters he designed, Nomura shared these details in discussions with staff or in separately penned notes.<ref name="8-13" /> Frustrated by the continued popularity of ''[[Final Fantasy IV]]''{{'s}} characters despite the release of two sequels, Nomura made it his goal to create a memorable cast.<ref name="egm" /> The contrast between Cloud, a "young, passionate boy", and Sephiroth, a "more mature and cool" individual, struck Amano as "intriguing", though not unusual as a pairing.<ref name="Polygon"/> When designing Cloud and Sephiroth, Nomura imagined a rivalry mirroring that of [[Miyamoto Musashi]] and [[Sasaki Kojirō]], with Cloud and Sephiroth representing Musashi and Kojirō, respectively.<ref name="VIIinterviews">{{cite web|author=blackoak|url=http://shmuplations.com/ff7/ |title=Final Fantasy VII – 1997 Developer Interviews |website=Shmuplations |access-date=January 13, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923162806/http://shmuplations.com/ff7/ |archive-date=September 23, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> Kitase and Nojima developed Cloud's backstory and his relationship to Sephiroth.<ref>{{cite web | title = FFVII Not Being Remade – Nomura. | url = http://ps3.ign.com/articles/793/793956p1.html | publisher = Ziff Davis | website = IGN | date = June 4, 2008 | access-date = July 5, 2008 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080512062755/http://ps3.ign.com/articles/793/793956p1.html | archive-date = May 12, 2008 | df = mdy-all}}</ref> While drafting the game's scenario, Nojima saw a standing animation created by event planner [[Motomu Toriyama]] that depicted "Cloud showing off".<ref name="8-13" /> The animation impressed Nojima and inspired the idea that Cloud had developed a false persona.<ref name="8-13" /> This later led Nojima to create [[Zack (Final Fantasy VII)|Zack Fair]], a SOLDIER whom Cloud aspired to be like, to expand on the mystery of Cloud's past.<ref name=":7" /> Nojima left the unfolding of events regarding Cloud's identity unwritten,<ref name=":7">{{Cite journal|date=May 31, 2012|script-title=ja:デイレクターが語る『FFVII』|journal=Shūkan Famitsū|language=ja|publisher=Enterbrain|issue=1224|pages=54–55}}</ref> and Kitase was unaware of the significance of Zack's addition until [[playtest]]ing.<ref name="8-13" /> Kitase reviewed Nojima's scenario and felt that Cloud, who was neither single-minded nor righteous, offered a fresh take on a protagonist.<ref name="8-13" /> The love triangle between Cloud, [[Tifa Lockhart]], and [[Aerith Gainsborough]] was also viewed as novel for the series.<ref name="8-13" /> Nojima likened Cloud and Tifa's relationship to one of friends since nursery school, and compared Aerith to a transfer student arriving mid-term.<ref name="8-13" /> In early scripts, Sephiroth would have deceived Cloud into thinking that he had created him, and he had the ability to exert control over Cloud's movements.<ref name=":8">{{Cite book|title=Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Ω|publisher=Square Enix|year=2005|isbn=4-7575-1520-0|editor=Studio BentStuff|pages=528–529|language=ja}}</ref> As in the finished game, Cloud would discover that Shinra's experiments and his own insecurities had made him susceptible to Sephiroth's manipulation.<ref name=":8" /> Cloud would have also somehow injured Tifa prior to the game's events, leaving her with memory loss of the event and a large scar on her back.<ref name="profile2"/> Kitase rejected a proposed scene written by [[Masato Kato]] involving Cloud and Tifa walking out of a [[Chocobo]] stable the morning before the final battle, with Tifa following only after checking around.<ref name="8-13">{{cite book | title=Final Fantasy VII 10th Anniversary Ultimania | year=2009 | isbn=978-4-7575-2560-3 | language=ja | publisher=Square Enix | pages=8–13 | edition=Revised}}</ref> Kitase found it "too intense" and Nojima described the proposal as "extreme"; however, Kitase maintained a toned-down scene written by Kato depicting the night before, which has Tifa speak a risqué line of dialogue before a [[Fade (lighting)|fade to black]].<ref name="8-13" /> According to Nojima, none of the staff expected that the scene, despite "the line in question", "would be something so important".<ref name="8-13" /> Nojima wanted to write scenes in such a way that players themselves could decide what Cloud was thinking.<ref>{{cite AV media |year=2002 |title=Beyond Final Fantasy |medium=DVD |publisher=Square |language=ja, en |minutes=14 |chapter=The Creators: Event}}</ref> Nojima used Cloud's foggy memories as a device to provide details about the world that would be unknown to the player but considered common knowledge to its inhabitants.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.glitterberri.com/final-fantasy-vii/nojima-interview/|title = Nojima Interview|date = June 1, 2011|access-date = January 9, 2016|website = GlitterBerri's Game Translations|url-status = live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160126195855/http://www.glitterberri.com/final-fantasy-vii/nojima-interview/|archive-date = January 26, 2016|df = mdy-all}}</ref> To emphasize Cloud's personality, event planners repeated elements they found interesting, such as Toriyama's standing animation and Cloud's use of the phrase "not interested".<ref name="8-13" /> In retrospective, Nomura and ''[[Final Fantasy VII Remake]]'' co-director Naoki Hamaguchi have described Cloud as a "dorky character".<ref name=":9">{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2018/02/07/final-fantasy-vii-remake-changed-clouds-design-nomura-says-closest-original/|title=Final Fantasy VII Remake Changed Cloud's Design, Nomura Says It Is Closest To The Original|date=February 7, 2018|publisher=Siliconera|access-date=March 13, 2018|archive-date=November 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113181635/https://www.siliconera.com/2018/02/07/final-fantasy-vii-remake-changed-clouds-design-nomura-says-closest-original/|url-status=live}}</ref> According to Nomura, although post-''Final Fantasy VII'' titles featuring Cloud have emphasized his "cool side", "in the original game, Cloud had many comical or lame moments".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dualshockers.com/tetsuya-nomura-new-details-final-fantasy-vii-remake/|title=Tetsuya Nomura Reveals New Details on Final Fantasy VII Remake|last=Agossah|first=Iyane|date=March 4, 2020|website=DualShockers|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406001900/https://www.dualshockers.com/tetsuya-nomura-new-details-final-fantasy-vii-remake/|archive-date=April 6, 2020|access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref> Nomura believes that the reason Cloud became popular with audiences is due to the impact his personality made on Nojima's scenario.<ref name="famitsutribute" /> ===Designs=== [[File:CloudStrifeearlysketch.png|thumb|Early sketches of Cloud's design by Tetsuya Nomura|left]] In addition to testing models ported from Square's [[Final Fantasy VI: The Interactive CG Game|1995 SIGGRAPH demo]], Nomura and several other artists created new characters, including an early design of Cloud.<ref name=":4" /> Sakaguchi, impressed with Nomura's illustrations and detailed handwritten notes for ''[[Final Fantasy V]]'' and ''VI'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.siliconera.com/final-fantasy-v-turning-point-tetsuya-nomuras-career/|title=How Final Fantasy V Was A Turning Point In Tetsuya Nomura's Career|last=Sato|date=March 13, 2014|website=Siliconera|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111145848/https://www.siliconera.com/final-fantasy-v-turning-point-tetsuya-nomuras-career/|archive-date=January 11, 2020|access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref> tasked him with designing ''Final Fantasy VII''{{'s}} main characters.<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=May 10, 2012|script-title=ja:「ファイナルファンタジー」25周年 — ファイナルファンタジーVII|magazine=[[Famitsu]]|publisher=[[Enterbrain]]|issue=1224}}</ref> Nomura's notes listed Cloud's [[Character class|job]] as {{nihongo|magic swordsman|魔法剣士|mahō kenshi}}.<ref name="profile2">{{Cite book|title=Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Ω|publisher=Square Enix|year=2005|isbn=4-7575-1520-0|editor=Studio BentStuff|page=518|language=ja}}</ref> Cloud's design underwent several revisions.<ref name=":6" /> Nomura's first draft of Cloud featured slicked-back black hair to contrast with the long silver hair of the game's primary antagonist, Sephiroth,<ref>{{cite web | author=McLaughlin, Rus | date=April 30, 2008 | title=IGN Presents: The History of Final Fantasy VII | url=http://retro.ign.com/articles/870/870770p1.html | publisher=Ziff Davis | website=IGN | access-date=August 15, 2010 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080917074604/http://retro.ign.com/articles/870/870770p1.html | archive-date=September 17, 2008 | df=mdy-all}}</ref> and to minimize the model's [[polygon]] count.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|date=May 31, 2012|script-title=ja:デザイナーが語る『FFVII』|journal=Shūkan Famitsū|language=ja|publisher=Enterbrain|issue=1224|pages=56–57}}</ref> However, to make Cloud stand out more and emphasize his role as the game's lead protagonist, Nomura altered Cloud's design to give him spiky blond hair.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://flaregamer.com/b2article.php?p=81&more=1 | title = Tetsuya Nomura's 20s | publisher = Flare Gamer | access-date = February 26, 2016 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120709232759/http://flaregamer.com/b2article.php?p=81&more=1 | archive-date = July 9, 2012 | df = mdy-all}}</ref> Nomura also made Cloud taller than he appeared in the SGI Onyx demo,<ref name=":4" /> while a discarded iteration drawn "more on the realistic side" depicted Cloud with a taller head and body and more muscular physique.<ref name=":6">{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2017/03/09/nomura-final-fantasy-vii-remake-kingdom-hearts-iii-clouds-design-never/|title=Nomura On Final Fantasy VII Remake, Kingdom Hearts III, And Cloud's Design That Never Was|publisher=Siliconera|date=March 9, 2017|access-date=March 13, 2018|archive-date=April 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422114724/https://www.siliconera.com/2017/03/09/nomura-final-fantasy-vii-remake-kingdom-hearts-iii-clouds-design-never/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Yoshitaka Amano]], who handled character illustrations for previous ''Final Fantasy'' titles, painted promotional images for the game by taking Nomura's "drawings and put[ting his] own spin on them".<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ly7Rd4OOB8I|title=The Art of Final Fantasy VII: An Interview with Yoshitaka Amano|date=January 9, 2017|publisher=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|time=1:19|access-date=May 2, 2020|archive-date=June 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613073203/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ly7Rd4OOB8I&gl=US&hl=en|url-status=live}}</ref> According to Amano, because of the hardware limitations of the [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]], the platform Square had settled on for ''Final Fantasy VII'', characters could not be rendered realistically.<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ly7Rd4OOB8I|title=The Art of Final Fantasy VII: An Interview with Yoshitaka Amano|date=January 9, 2017|publisher=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|time=1:28|access-date=May 2, 2020|archive-date=June 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613073203/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ly7Rd4OOB8I&gl=US&hl=en|url-status=live}}</ref> Amano thought that Cloud's baggy pants, which taper at the bottom, reflected a "very ... Japanese style", resembling the silhouette of a ''[[hakama]]''.<ref name="Polygon">{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ly7Rd4OOB8I|title=The Art of Final Fantasy VII: An Interview with Yoshitaka Amano|date=January 9, 2017|publisher=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|time=2:21|access-date=May 2, 2020|archive-date=June 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613073203/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ly7Rd4OOB8I&gl=US&hl=en|url-status=live}}</ref> Early renditions of Cloud's weapon, the {{nihongo|Buster Sword|バスターソード|Basutā Sōdo}}, depicted a smaller, thinner blade.<ref name="famitsutribute" /> Variations included additions such as a small chain connected to the pommel, magnets securing the blade to Cloud's back,<ref name="profile2"/> and a more detailed design resembling a "Western-style sword".<ref name=":6" /> The Buster Sword's blade grew in subsequent illustrations,<ref name=":1" /> and Nomura called it "the Giant Kitchen Knife", envisioning it as unrefined steel.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book | title = Final Fantasy VII Advent Children: Reunion Files | publisher = Square Enix | year = 2006 | isbn = 4-7973-3498-3 | editor-last = SoftBank | page = 7 | language = ja, en}}</ref> Square's staff conceived of a [[minigame]] involving Cloud driving a motorcycle at the start of the game's development,<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Famitsu|issue=1224|title=Yoshinori Kitase Interview}}</ref> and Nomura's illustrations included Cloud riding a {{nihongo|"Hardy-Daytona"|ハーディ=デイトナ|Hādi-Deitona}}, a Shinra motorcycle based on a real-life motorbike, the [[Yamaha VMAX]].<ref>{{cite magazine |title=The Final Fantasy |magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] |date=12 December 1997 |issue=194 (January 1998) |page=98 |url=https://archive.org/details/Computer_and_Video_Games_Issue_194_1998-01_EMAP_Images_GB/page/n113}}</ref> ===Further development=== ====''Advent Children'' characterization==== [[Image:Cloudac1.jpg|thumb|350px|Cloud was redesigned for the 2005 film ''[[Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children]]'' and had his Buster Sword replaced with the pictured Fusion Swords and bike Fenrir.]] For ''Advent Children'', Nomura agreed to direct the project largely because of his attachment to Cloud's character.<ref name="twointerview">{{cite web | title = Interview with Kazushige Nojima and Tetsuya Nomura from FLAREgamer. | url = http://flaregamer.com/b2article.php?p=109&more=1 | publisher=FLAREgamer | date = October 10, 2005 | access-date = July 5, 2008}}</ref> Although Nomura stated that Cloud was a more positive character in ''Final Fantasy VII'' than in ''Advent Children'', he did not believe that such an "'upbeat' image of him is what stuck in the minds of the fans", and the script was written to explain why Cloud returned to a state of mind "consistent with the fans' view of him".<ref>{{Cite book | title = Final Fantasy VII Advent Children: Reunion Files | publisher = Square Enix | year = 2006 | isbn = 4-7973-3498-3 | editor-last = SoftBank | page = 6 | language = ja, en}}</ref> Nomura describes Cloud's life as peaceful but, hurt by the losses he experienced during the original game, one which he grew scared of losing.<ref>{{cite AV media |year=2005 |title=Distance |medium=DVD featurette |publisher=Square Enix |language=ja |minutes=22}}</ref> Blaming himself for things outside of his control, Cloud, Nomura elaborated, needed to overcome himself.<ref>{{cite AV media |year=2005 |title=Distance |medium=DVD featurette |publisher=Square Enix |language=ja |minutes=27}}</ref> In contrast to other heroes, who Nomura sees as typically possessing character defects amounting only to quirks, he believed Cloud's weakness to be humanizing.<ref>{{cite AV media |year=2005 |title=Distance |medium=DVD featurette |publisher=Square Enix |language=ja |minutes=28}}</ref> Nojima viewed the theme of the story as one of forgiveness, which he believed required hardship; by taking up his sword and fighting, Cloud struggles to achieve it.<ref>{{cite AV media |year=2005 |title=Distance |medium=DVD featurette |publisher=Square Enix |language=ja |minutes=26}}</ref> Nojima sought to establish Cloud's withdrawn personality by depicting him as having a cell phone, but never answering any calls. He originally intended for Aerith's name to be the last one displayed in the backlog of ignored messages that appear as Cloud's cell phone sinks into the water, but altered the scene because it "sounded too creepy".<ref>{{Cite book|title=Final Fantasy VII Advent Children: Reunion Files|publisher=Square Enix|year=2006|isbn=4-7973-3498-3|editor-last=SoftBank|page=8|language=ja, en}}</ref> The wolf which Cloud imagines "represents the deepest part of Cloud's psyche" and "appears in response to some burden that Cloud is carrying deep in his heart",<ref name="86Wolf">{{Cite book | year=2006 | editor=SoftBank | title=Final Fantasy VII Advent Children: Reunion Files | language=ja, en | publisher=Square Enix | isbn= 4-7973-3498-3 | page=86}}</ref> vanishing at the film's end. Nomura cites one of the film's final scenes, in which Cloud smiles, as his favorite, highlighting the lack of dialogue and Cloud's embarrassment.<ref name="smile">{{cite AV media |year=2005 |title=Distance |medium=DVD featurette |publisher=Square Enix |language=ja |minutes=29}}</ref> The scene influenced composer [[Nobuo Uematsu]]'s score, who grew excited after coming across it in his review of the script, commenting on the difficulty players who had finished ''Final Fantasy VII'' would have had imagining Cloud's smile.<ref name="smile" /> Nomura sought to make Cloud's design distinctly different from the other characters.<ref name=":1" /> About thirty different designs were made for Cloud's face, and his hair was altered to give it a more realistic look and illustrate that two years had passed since the game's conclusion.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book | title = Final Fantasy VII Advent Children: Reunion Files | publisher = Square Enix | year = 2006 | isbn = 4-7973-3498-3 | editor-last = SoftBank | page = 16 | language = ja, en}}</ref> The staff attempted rendering Cloud based on the game's original illustrations, but concluded that doing so left his eyes unrealistically big, which "looked gross".<ref>{{Cite book | title = Final Fantasy VII Advent Children: Reunion Files | publisher = Square Enix | year = 2006 | isbn = 4-7973-3498-3 | editor-last = SoftBank | page = 73 | language = ja, en}}</ref> Further revisions were made to Cloud's face after completion of the pilot film, which featured a more realistic style.<ref>{{Cite book | title = Final Fantasy VII Advent Children: Reunion Files | publisher = Square Enix | year = 2006 | isbn = 4-7973-3498-3 | editor-last = SoftBank | page = 75 | language = ja, en}}</ref> In contrast to his hair, Cloud's clothes were difficult to make in the film.<ref name="prologue">{{cite book |title=Final Fantasy VII Advent Children Prologue |year=2005 |isbn=4-08-779339-7 |language=ja | publisher=Square Enix}}</ref> After deciding to give Cloud a simple costume consistent with the concept of "clothes designed for action", the staff began with the idea of a black robe, eventually parring it down to a "long apron" shifted to one side.<ref name=":3" /> Cloud's weaponry was based on the joking observation that because his sword in the original game was already enormously tall, in the sequel, he should use sheer numbers.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book | title = Final Fantasy VII Advent Children: Reunion Files | publisher = Square Enix | year = 2006 | isbn = 4-7973-3498-3 | editor-last = SoftBank | page = 68 | language = ja, en}}</ref> Referred to as {{nihongo|"The Fusion Swords"|合体剣|Gattai Ken}} during the film's development,<ref>{{Cite book | title = Final Fantasy VII Advent Children: Reunion Files | publisher = Square Enix | year = 2006 | isbn = 4-7973-3498-3 | editor-last = SoftBank | page = 78 | language = ja, en}}</ref> early storyboard concepts included Cloud carrying six swords on his back,<ref name=":2" /> although the idea was later modified to six interlocking swords. While the idea was not "logically thought out" and the staff did not think that they could "make it work physically", it was believed to provide "an interesting accent to the story".<ref name="reunion">{{Cite book | title = Final Fantasy VII Advent Children: Reunion Files | publisher = Square Enix | year = 2006 | isbn = 4-7973-3498-3 | page = 77 | language = ja, en | editor = SoftBank}}</ref> Cloud's new motorcycle, {{nihongo|Fenrir|フェンリル|Fenriru}}, was designed by Takayuki Takeya, who was asked by the staff to design an upgraded version of Cloud's "Hardy-Daytona" motorcycle from ''Final Fantasy VII''. The bike got bigger as development continued, with Takeya feeling its heaviness provided an impact that worked well within the film.<ref name="making">{{cite video | people = Tetsuya Nomura (Director) | date = April 25, 2006 | title = Final Fantasy VII Advent Children Distance: The Making of Advent Children | medium = DVD | publisher=Square Enix}}</ref> In the original game, Cloud's strongest technique was the {{nihongo|Omnislash|超究武神覇斬|Choukyūbushinhazan| lit. "Super-ultimate War-god Commanding Slash"}}. For his fight against Sephiroth in the film, Nomura proposed a new move, the {{nihongo|Omnislash Ver. 5|超究武神覇斬ver.5|Choukyūbushinhazan ver.5}}, a faster version of the original Omnislash. The staff laughed at the name of Cloud's move during the making of it, as Nomura was inspired by a sports move from ''[[Final Fantasy X]]'', whose protagonist, [[Tidus]], explained the addition of a more specific name would make people more excited.<ref>{{cite AV media|title=FF7AC 特別限定BOX ADVENT PIECE:LIMITED|year=2005|medium=[[DVD]]}} Studio: [[Square Enix]].</ref> Themes expanded upon in the [[director's cut]] ''Advent Children Complete'' include Cloud's development with links to other ''Final Fantasy VII'' media in which he appeared.<ref name="JSblood">{{cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/22/tgs07-advent-children-gets-dirty-on-blu-ray/ |date=September 22, 2007 |last=Yoon |first=Andrew |title=TGS07: Advent Children gets dirty on Blu-ray |work=[[Joystiq]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |access-date=August 22, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629204519/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/22/tgs07-advent-children-gets-dirty-on-blu-ray/ |archive-date=June 29, 2011}}</ref> To further focus on Cloud's [[character arc|growth]], Square decided to give him more scenes when he interacts with children. Additionally, the fight between Cloud and Sephiroth was expanded by several minutes, and includes a scene in which Sephiroth impales Cloud on his sword and holds him in the air, mirroring the scene in the game where he performs the same action. The decision to feature Cloud suffering from blood loss in the fight was made to make his pain feel realistic.<ref name="famitsu">{{cite magazine |magazine=[[Famitsu]] |publisher=[[Enterbrain]] |title=Final Fantasy VII Advent Children Complete |language=ja |date=March 2009 |pages=29–30}}</ref> ====''Remake'' handling==== In the making of the fighting game ''[[Dissidia Final Fantasy|Dissidia: Final Fantasy]]'', Nomura stated that Cloud's appearance was slightly slimmer than in ''Final Fantasy VII'' because of the detail the 3D of the [[PlayStation Portable]] could give him. While also retaining his original design and his ''Advent Children'' appearance, Cloud was given a more distinct look based on his ''Final Fantasy VII'' persona.<ref name="smash"/> Cloud's initial redesign for ''Final Fantasy VII Remake'' was initially more different than the original, but was later altered to more closely resemble Nomura's original design.<ref name=":9" /> Early on in ''Final Fantasy VII'', Cloud crossdresses to find Tifa, and Nomura noted this event was popular with the fans and reassured that the remake would keep this part. On the other hand, the character designer stated that their final design was not decided yet.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gamerant.com/final-fantasy-7-remake-feature-cross-dress-315/|title=Final Fantasy 7 Remake Will Feature the Cross-Dressing Scene|date=December 8, 2015|publisher=GameRant|access-date=March 12, 2018|archive-date=June 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625075730/https://gamerant.com/final-fantasy-7-remake-feature-cross-dress-315/|url-status=live}}</ref> Kazushige Nojima worked on making Cloud's interactions with Tifa and [[Barret Wallace]] natural. Despite fear of the possible result, Nojima also wanted players to connect with the character once again.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gematsu.com/2019/11/final-fantasy-vii-remake-details-turks-avalanche-cloud-abilities-chocobo-aerith-and-barret-visuals|title=Final Fantasy VII Remake details Turks, Avalanche, Cloud abilities, Chocobo & Moogle summon, more; Aerith and Barret visuals|date=November 25, 2019|publisher=Gameatsu|access-date=November 25, 2019|archive-date=November 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191127215933/https://gematsu.com/2019/11/final-fantasy-vii-remake-details-turks-avalanche-cloud-abilities-chocobo-aerith-and-barret-visuals|url-status=live}}</ref> Kitase further claimed that in the remake they aimed to make Cloud more inexperienced and informal than in ''Advent Children'', due to him not being fully mature.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://futurefive.co.nz/story/final-fantasy-vii-remake-preview-developer-interview|title=Final Fantasy VII remake preview & developer interview|work=FutureFive New Zealand |publisher=Future Five|access-date=May 2, 2020|archive-date=July 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703174341/https://futurefive.co.nz/story/final-fantasy-vii-remake-preview-developer-interview|url-status=live |last1=Price |first1=Darren }}</ref> Co-director Naoki Hamaguchi noted that since the original game offered the option for the player to decide Cloud's interest in a female character, he wanted the remake to retain this in the form of an intimate conversation when splitting from the main team.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nerdist.com/article/final-fantasy-vii-remake-interview-yoshinori-kitase-naoki-hamaguchi/|title=FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE Creators Explain Episodic Release|publisher=Nerdist|access-date=April 14, 2020|archive-date=April 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200413205848/https://nerdist.com/article/final-fantasy-vii-remake-interview-yoshinori-kitase-naoki-hamaguchi/|url-status=live}}</ref> The theme song "Hollow" is meant to reflect Cloud's state of mind, with Nomura placing high emphasis on the rock music and male vocals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.frontlinejp.net/2020/04/17/ffvii-remake-interview-with-nomura-tetsuya-and-kitase-yoshinori/|title=FFVII Remake: Interview with Nomura Tetsuya and Kitase Yoshinori|website=Frontline|date=April 17, 2020|access-date=April 21, 2020|archive-date=July 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701202906/https://www.frontlinejp.net/2020/04/17/ffvii-remake-interview-with-nomura-tetsuya-and-kitase-yoshinori/|url-status=live}}</ref> ===Voice actors=== {{multiple image | footer = Takahiro Sakurai (left) is the Japanese voice actor for Cloud Strife in the majority of ''Final Fantasy'' media and other appearances. Cody Christian (right) provides the English voice of Cloud in the ''Final Fantasy VII Remake'' series. | image1 = Sakurai Takahiro from "GODZILLA The Planet Eater" at Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo International Film Festival 2018 (31747117738).jpg | alt1 = Takahiro Sakurai | caption1 = | image2 = Cody Christian by Gage Skidmore.jpg | alt2 = Cody Christian | caption2 = | perrow = 2 | total_width = 320 }} The original ''Final Fantasy VII'' did not have voice acting. For the ''Ehrgeiz'' fighting game, [[Kenyu Horiuchi]] voiced Cloud in the arcade version and [[Nozomu Sasaki]] voiced him in the home console version.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Final-Fantasy/Cloud-Strife/|title=Cloud Strife|publisher=Behind the Voice Actors|access-date=January 31, 2020|archive-date=August 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803235910/https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Final-Fantasy/Cloud-Strife/|url-status=live}}</ref> Since ''Kingdom Hearts'', [[Takahiro Sakurai]] has been the Japanese voice of Cloud, with Teruaki Sugawara, the voice director at Square, recommending him to Nomura based on prior experience.<ref name="rf">{{Cite book | year=2006 | editor=SoftBank | title=Final Fantasy VII Advent Children: Reunion Files | language=ja, en | publisher=Square Enix | isbn= 4-7973-3498-3 | page=12}}</ref> Nomura had originally asked Sakurai to play the protagonist of ''[[The Bouncer (video game)|The Bouncer]]'', Sion Barzahd, but found that his voice best suited Cloud after hearing him speak.<ref name="rf" /> Sakurai received the script without any accompanying visuals, and first arrived for recording under the impression that he would be voicing a character other than Cloud.<ref name="InteSakurai" /> For ''Advent Children'', Nomura wanted to contrast Cloud and [[Vincent Valentine]]'s voices because of their similar personalities.<ref name="nother">{{Cite book | year=2006 | editor=SoftBank | title=Final Fantasy VII Advent Children: Reunion Files | language=ja, en | publisher=Square Enix | isbn= 4-7973-3498-3 | page=49}}</ref> As a sequel to the highly popular ''Final Fantasy VII'', Sakurai felt greater pressure performing the role than he did when he voiced Cloud for ''Kingdom Hearts''. Sakurai received comments from colleagues revealing their love of the game, some of them jokingly threatening that they would not forgive him if he did not meet their expectations.<ref name="InteSakurai" /> During recording, Sakurai was told that "[n]o matter what kind of odds are stacked against him, Cloud won't be shaken".<ref>{{Cite book|title=Final Fantasy VII Advent Children: Reunion Files|publisher=Square Enix|year=2006|isbn=4-7973-3498-3|editor-last=SoftBank|page=13|language=ja, en}}</ref> Sakurai says that while he recorded most of his work individually, he performed alongside [[Ayumi Ito]], who voiced Tifa, for a few scenes. These recordings left him feeling "deflated", as the "exchanges he has with Tifa can be pretty painful", with Sakurai commenting that Cloud—whom he empathized with as his voice actor—has a hard time dealing with straight talk.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Final Fantasy VII Advent Children: Reunion Files|publisher=Square Enix|year=2006|isbn=4-7973-3498-3|editor-last=SoftBank|pages=13–14|language=ja, en}}</ref> Sakurai says that there were scenes that took over a year to complete, with precise directions being given requiring multiple takes.<ref>{{cite AV media |year=2005 |title=Distance |medium=DVD featurette |publisher=Square Enix |language=ja |minutes=20}}</ref> According to Sakurai, Cloud's silence conveys more about him than when he speaks. While possessing heroic characteristics, Sakurai describes Cloud's outlook as negative, and says that he is delicate in some respects.<ref name="InteSakurai" /> A fan of ''VII'', Sakurai had believed Cloud to be a colder character based on his original impression of him, but later came to view him as more sentimental.<ref name="rf" /> After the final product was released, Sakurai was anxious to hear the fans' response, whether positive or negative, and says that most of the feedback he received praised him.<ref name="InteSakurai" /> While recording ''Crisis Core'', Sakurai felt that Cloud, though still introverted, acted more like a normal teenager, and modified his approach accordingly. Cloud's scream over Zack's death left a major impression on Sakurai, who says that he worked hard to convey the emotional tone of the ending.<ref name="InteSakurai" /> Sakurai has come to regard Cloud as an important role, commenting that Cloud reminds him of his own past, and that, as a ''Final Fantasy VII'' fan himself, he is happy to contribute.<ref name="InteSakurai">{{cite book | title=Final Fantasy VII 10th Anniversary Ultimania | year=2009 | isbn=978-4-7575-2560-3 | language=ja | publisher=Square Enix | edition=Revised}}</ref> For the remake of ''Final Fantasy VII'', Sakurai found Cloud more difficult to portray than his previous performances. He re-recorded his lines multiple times, and credited the voice director with guiding him.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dengekionline.com/articles/26223/|title=櫻井孝宏にとってのクラウドとは?『FFVIIリメイク』クラウド役・櫻井孝宏さんインタビュー|website=Dengeki Online|date=February 13, 2020|access-date=May 10, 2020|archive-date=April 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200402224457/https://dengekionline.com/articles/26223/|url-status=live}}</ref> Nomura elaborated that the remake's interpretation of Cloud has a distinct personality; he attempts to act cool, but often fails to do so and instead comes across as awkward, which Nomura asked Sakurai to reflect in his acting. Another challenge for the developers was finding a suitable voice for the teenage Cloud seen during flashbacks. To better match Cloud's rural upbringing, they decided to hire a child from a rural area rather than an established actor, and ultimately went with 13-year-old Yukihiro Aizawa.<ref>{{cite tweet|number=1248572634146586624|user=theatreacademy|date=April 10, 2020|access-date=2020-05-02 |language=ja |title=本日発売!!PS4ゲームソフト「ファイナルファンタジーVIIリメイク」ムギ役 #中村文徳 エアリス幼少役 #田中千空 マリン役 #梅崎音羽 ベティ役 #鎌田英怜奈 ティファ(8才/13才) #三本采香 クラウド(13才) #相澤幸優 皆さん、是非遊んチェックしてみてください!!#FF7R #FF7リメイク |trans-title="Released today !! PS4 game software" Final Fantasy VII Remake "Wheat playing # Fuminori Nakamura Aris's childhood role # Chizora Tanaka Marine role # Otowa Umezaki Betty role # Hidefa Kamada Tifa (8 years old / 13 years old) # Kusaka Sanbon Cloud (13 years old) # Yukyuu Aizawa Everyone, please check it out! !! # FF7R # FF7 Remake"}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Agossah |first=Iyane |date=March 4, 2020 |title=Tetsuya Nomura Reveals New Details on Final Fantasy VII Remake |url=https://www.dualshockers.com/tetsuya-nomura-new-details-final-fantasy-vii-remake/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406001900/https://www.dualshockers.com/tetsuya-nomura-new-details-final-fantasy-vii-remake/ |archive-date=April 6, 2020 |access-date=May 2, 2020 |website=DualShockers}}</ref> In most English adaptations, Cloud is voiced by [[Steve Burton (actor)|Steve Burton]], who was first hired to voice Cloud after a Square employee saw his role in the 2001 film ''[[The Last Castle]]''.<ref name="nt">{{cite web|url=http://www.novacrystallis.com/2018/01/dissidia-final-fantasy-nt-english-voice-cast-talk-roles-experiences-final-fantasy/|title=Dissidia Final Fantasy NT English voice cast talk about their roles and experiences with Final Fantasy|date=January 24, 2018|publisher=Nova Crystallis|access-date=March 13, 2018|archive-date=March 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314174406/http://www.novacrystallis.com/2018/01/dissidia-final-fantasy-nt-english-voice-cast-talk-roles-experiences-final-fantasy/|url-status=live}}</ref> Burton's work as Cloud in ''Advent Children'' served as his first feature-length role, an experience he enjoyed.<ref name=":5">{{cite web | title = Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children DVD Interview – Steve Burton (voice of Cloud) | url = http://dvd.ign.com/dor/objects/761530/final-fantasy-vii-advent-children/videos/ff7_steve_burton_040706.html | work = IGN | publisher = Ziff Davis | date = April 7, 2006 | access-date = August 1, 2010 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090811003443/http://dvd.ign.com/dor/objects/761530/final-fantasy-vii-advent-children/videos/ff7_steve_burton_040706.html | archive-date = August 11, 2009 | df = mdy-all}}</ref> Calling the character a rare opportunity for him as an actor, Burton describes Cloud as having a "heaviness about him".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/videos/misc/76452/steve-burton-on-kingdom-hearts-ii.jhtml|title=Steve Burton on Kingdom Hearts II|date=February 24, 2006|website=MTV|publisher=Viacom|access-date=March 5, 2016}}{{dead link|date=June 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Burton says he is surprised when fans recognize him for his work as Cloud, whom he has referred to as "[one of the] coolest characters there is", and considers himself lucky to have voiced him.<ref name=":5"/> Although Burton expressed his desire to voice Cloud for the remake of ''Final Fantasy VII'', he was replaced by [[Cody Christian]]; Burton thanked Square for his work, and wished Christian luck.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gamingbolt.com/final-fantasy-7-remake-update-steve-burton-involved-doing-voice-acting-for-cloud-strife|title=Final Fantasy 7 Remake Update: Steve Burton Involved, Doing Voice Acting For Cloud Strife|date=May 7, 2017|website=MTV|publisher=GamingBolt|access-date=March 12, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203062941/https://gamingbolt.com/final-fantasy-7-remake-update-steve-burton-involved-doing-voice-acting-for-cloud-strife|archive-date=February 3, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://gamingbolt.com/final-fantasy-7-remake-cloud-strife-will-have-a-new-voice-actor|title=Final Fantasy 7 Remake – Cloud Strife Will Have A New Voice Actor|publisher=Gaming Bolt|access-date=June 14, 2019|date=June 13, 2019|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308222848/https://gamingbolt.com/final-fantasy-7-remake-cloud-strife-will-have-a-new-voice-actor|url-status=live}}</ref> Christian said that he was honored to portray what he described as an iconic character, and vowed to give his best performance.<ref>{{cite tweet |author=Cody Christian|user=ReallyCody|number=1138532929242447872 |date=June 11, 2019 |title=Honored and humbled to be able to announce my participation in the @FinalFantasy VII remake as the voice of Cloud Strife. I vow to give nothing shy of 100% and my absolute best to ensure this iconic character's depth and complexity resonates. Thank you all for the support. ❤️|access-date=January 4, 2020}}</ref> He also commented on Burton's previous work, stating, "Steve, you paved the way. You made this character what it is and have contributed in shaping a legacy".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/2019/06/15/final-fantasy-vii-remake-cloud-voice-cast/|title=Final Fantasy VII Remake Has A Completely New Voice Cast|date=June 17, 2019 |publisher=Comic Book|access-date=January 5, 2020|archive-date=September 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190929190511/https://comicbook.com/gaming/2019/06/15/final-fantasy-vii-remake-cloud-voice-cast/|url-status=live}}</ref> Christian used Burton's works as an inspiration for his portrayal of the character.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/final-fantasy-vii-remake-star-cody-christian-talks-paving-new-way-iconic-character-1289672|title='Final Fantasy VII' Remake Star on "Paving New Way" for Iconic Character|publisher=Hollywood Reporter|access-date=April 3, 2020|archive-date=April 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200421221741/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/final-fantasy-vii-remake-star-cody-christian-talks-paving-new-way-iconic-character-1289672|url-status=live}}</ref> Teenage Cloud was voiced in English by [[Major Dodson]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Final-Fantasy/Cloud-Strife/|title=Cloud Strife|publisher=Behind the Voice Actors|access-date=May 2, 2020|archive-date=August 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803235910/https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Final-Fantasy/Cloud-Strife/|url-status=live}}</ref> For the next installment, Christian said that the character differed from ''Remake'' as he aimed to explore more his sensitive side like his past or intimate relationships he is often involved.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.siliconera.com/interview-how-cody-christian-humanized-cloud-in-ffvii-rebirth/ |title=How Cody Christian Humanized Cloud in FFVII Rebirth|date=March 14, 2024 |access-date=April 4, 2024}}</ref>
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