You’re going to be asking a lot of questions throughout Final Fantasy 7. What is Cloud’s relationship to Sephiroth? Who the heck is Zack!? What in the name of Jenova is Cait Sith!? We answer those questions and more as we dive into explaining every major character in Final Fantasy 7.
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Cloud Strife
Cloud’s journey begins as a former member of SOLDIER, a prestigious military organization. His initial memories are clouded (hah) however, creating a mystery around his identity. Cloud must stop Shinra from bleeding the planet dry, and he kind of starts with small acts of terrorism… but we ignore that because Shinra is trying to kill the planet after all.
His iconic buster sword is recognized by many, even those who have never played Final Fantasy 7. I know it’s a video game, but I can’t be the only one wondering how small-armed Cloud can wield such a monster, can I? Being the main character of the game, you will spend the most time with Cloud, making a lot of friends and developing deep relationships.
Tifa Lockheart
Childhood friends with Cloud Strife, Tifa’s story is interwoven with Cloud, adding emotional depth and friendship to the story. As the owner of the Seventh Heaven bar in Midgar’s slums, she navigates the challenges of the world with a smile on her face.
Tifa serves as the emotional core of the group, providing unwavering support and loyalty to her party, A childhood crush for many, and an adult obsession for some, Tifa is an unforgettable part of Final Fantasy 7.
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Aerith Gainsborough
Aerith radiates grace and positivity at every point in the story. It feels like she feels responsible for team morale and strives to keep it up. She is truly genuine in her relationships with Cloud and the rest.
As a kid, if you didn’t have a crush on Tifa, you had a crush on Aerith… You also had your heart broken about 2/3’s through the game. If you know, you know, but we don’t have to mention it.
Her playful banter and cheerful demeanour serve as a beacon of hope for both the other characters in the game and for the players, providing moments of levity in an otherwise grim and desolate world.
Barrett Wallace
Barrett Wallace, a towering figure with a gun for a right hand, presents a rugged exterior that masks a dedication to the planet’s well-being and a profound sense of responsibility. With a brash and colourful personality, his dialogue is refreshing to the game’s narrative.
The nature of Barret’s character is further revealed through his role as the adoptive father of Marlene, where his loving parenting stands in stark contrast to his militant demeanour. Seriously… this dude would give you two middle fingers if he hadn’t traded a hand for a hand cannon!
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Sephiroth
A former hero turned antagonist, Sephiroth’s descent into darkness is rooted in his discovery of unsettling truths about his origins and the sinister experiments conducted by Shinra. Possessing unparalleled strength and wielding the iconic Masamune, a katana that’s 6-8 ft long, he becomes a symbol of malevolence.
Sephiroth’s legacy extends beyond his role as a villain; his complex character, tragic backstory, and ominous charisma make him one of gaming’s most iconic antagonists. Now we get to the heart of the matter: how is Sephiroth connected to Cloud?! Sephiroth and Cloud share a connection through the influence of Jenova.
Sephiroth, believing Jenova is his mother, manipulates Cloud, who has been infused with Jenova’s cells. The connection centres around the Nibelheim incident, where Sephiroth’s actions and the traumatic events shape Cloud’s false memories. Are you still with me? Because we’re not done.
Sephiroth’s ultimate goal is to use Jenova’s cells to summon Meteor and become a god-like being by merging with the planet’s life energy. Crack the world open like a big ol’ coconut, drink up the insides, and become a god. That right there is the simple version because the game refuses to give it to you straight.
Yuffie Kisaragi
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Hailing from the hidden village of Wutai, Yuffie’s mischievous demeanour and the quest for material form the basis of her initial encounters with the party. Yuffie is the first of two optional characters in the original Final Fantasy 7, but received her own DLC for the remake. Yuffie seems like a happy-go-lucky carefree type of gal, but she’s also a deadly ninja with a massive Shuriken so… be careful.
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Vincent Valentine
We already have a ninja in the party, why not a gunslinging vampire? Just kidding… it’s way worse than that. Vincent Valentine is the product of intensive testing done by the Shinra Corporation. The results leave him sleeping in a coffin and being able to transform into monster form.
His quest is one of the darker things in the game, besides you know who getting you know what’d , but if we pretend hard, it never happened… right? Vincent has been revealed to be in Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth, and it will be very interesting to see how much they explore his backstory.
Red XIII (Nanaki)
What we have here is a cat-dog that is wiser than the rest of the party combined. Red XIII is a member of a species called the Cetra Beast, which is a rare and ancient creature. His real name is Nanaki, and he is the last of his kind, which is pretty sad.
Professor Hojo had Red XIII captured and you will eventually make your way to rescuing this fuzzy guy. He joins the party and will fight unarmed, which makes sense. I was serious about him being wise though, as he will drop wisdom on you every chance he gets.
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Cait Sith
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Probably one of the weirdest Final Fantasy characters of all time, we have Cait Sith. Try to stay with me on this because if you don’t know about him, you’re in for a ride. Cait Sith is a cat… on top of a giant stuffed robot-moogle… that he controls with a megaphone.
There’s more though so hang on, light spoilers ahead. It’s revealed that Cait Sith has been working undercover for the Shinra cooperation. He answers to a man named Reeve Tuesti, who works for Shinra of course. There’s more to the plot, but I think that’s all you need to know about him. I can’t be the only one excited to see how they handle his story in Rebirth, right?
Zack Fair
Zack serves as a mentor and friend to Cloud Strife. His legacy carried on through Cloud, Zack’s memories become a crucial element in shaping Cloud’s identity and motivating him throughout the game. The flashback sequences that unveil Zack’s story add depth to Clouds, and the story as a whole.
Zack, though tragically short-lived, was pretty important to Final Fantasy 7’s narrative despite barely being in the game. Let’s hope Zack has more screen time in Rebirth. Did we miss any characters you thought were important enough to be on this list? Who else should talk about? Let us know in the comments below!
