No matter what happens,
I must hold onto my pride.
Leading Character 02
JP CV: Kazuhiko Inoue
ENG CV: Josh Gilman
Research Information
From: Banora
Age: Mid 20s (First Appearance)
Hair Color/Eye Color: Black/Blue
Weapon: Sword, Buster Sword
Hobbies: Gardening, Landscape Photography
Background and Status Overview
A 1st Class SOLDIER in the SOLDIER Division of the Shinra Company. He comes from a poor family in the village of Banora. His stepfather, a laborer, has already passed away, and his mother, Gillian, lives by herself in their hometown. He and Genesis, who are from the same village, are childhood friends and can be considered close friends. When his [Angeal’s] close friend aimed at becoming a SOLDIER, Angeal followed suit and chose the same path himself.
Angeal’s birth was related to the top-secret bio-experiments conducted by Shinra, and the effects of these experiments would eventually greatly transform in his body. He is agonized to learn that he has become a being that can no longer be called human, and at one point he even antagonizes his sworn younger brother Zack, but he eventually rediscovers his pride as a SOLDIER and acts according to his own will to protect the world.
Appearance and Internal Traits
A man of honor and sincerity. Although he is a 1st Class SOLDIER who is permitted to wear personal clothing, he even wears the supplied SOLDIER’s uniform. Because of his personality, he is idolized by many younger SOLDIERs and deeply trusted by his superiors. The reason he volunteered as a SOLDIER was largely influenced by his close friend Genesis, but it also had to do with his ideal of wielding a sword for the weak and fighting against anything that torments the world. This is still Angeal’s philosophy in the present, and he expresses and repeatedly explains these ideas to his younger colleagues, including Zack, with the expression, “hold onto your dreams and pride”.
Main Relationships
He has close relationships with Sephiroth and Genesis, who are also SOLDIERs, and Zack, his younger colleague. He also actually met Aerith and recognized her as Zack’s emotional support.
Zack
A younger colleague he takes care of, who he refers to as “the puppy.” He is a rash and troublesome being, but [Angeal] likes him for his genuineness.
Genesis
His close friend from the same town [as him]. Their relationship continued after they both became SOLDIERs, but they became adversaries in the story.
Sephiroth
A 1st Class SOLDIER and one of Angeal’s friends. Although they are technically adversaries over the course of the story, their friendship remained the same.
Aerith
The girl (not explicitly described in the story) who he anticipated would be a support to his younger colleague, Zack.
in 『FF VII』 Series
The Sword Inherited From Angeal
Although Angeal does not appear in any other [game in the] FF series, his weapon, the Buster Sword, is inherited after his death by Zack and then again by Cloud, who plays an important role in the story. It was acquired by Angeal’s stepfather in exchange for a large loan, and represents his father’s desire to provide an excellent weapon for his son.
←This weapon was the initial equipment of Cloud, the protagonist of FFVII.
→ In AC, it is thrust into the wastelands to serve as Zack’s gravestone.
Angeal Hewley
Highlight Selection
[1] A SOLDIER mentor — Prologue
Angeal accompanies Zack, his younger colleague, in his training. He has harsh words for Zack, who tends to let his guard down.
[2] The importance of dreams and pride — Prologue
Angeal tells Zack to have “dreams and pride”. It is also what he tells himself.
[3] A prayer with the sword — Chapter 1
Before a battle, he prays with his buster sword against his forehead, as if to thank his stepfather or to confirm his own honor.
[4] The time to use the Buster Sword — Chapter 1
He does not hesitate to draw his Buster Sword, which he usually does not use, to save his fellow soldier, Zack, when he’s in a pinch.
[5] Thinking of his close friend — Chapter 2
Genesis is his close friend who rebelled against Shinra. Angeal will also be temporarily working with him…
[6] The Figure With One White Wing — Chapter 3
A mysterious project related to his birth. The effects of it are that Angeal takes on a strange form with one white wing.
[7] An escape from straying — Chapter 4
Angeal’s heart was straying, having lost sight of his dreams and pride. However, he quickly shakes off his doubts and regains his pride as a SOLDIER. This would lead to a reconciliation with Zack.
[8] The End He Seeks — Chapter 5
Angeal points his sword at Zack in an abandoned building in Modeoheim. He intends to follow his destiny all the way to the end by being defeated by his younger colleague who he was looking after.