I still remember when you said to me,
“Do your best!” Thanks, Zack.
Leading Character 05
JP CV: Takahiro Sakurai
ENG CV: Steve Burton
Research Information
Birthplace: Nibelheim
Age: Mid-teens (first appearance)
Hair Color/Eye Color: Blond/Blue
Family: Mother
Weapons: Automatic Rifle/Buster Sword
Background and Status Overview
A soldier affiliated with Shinra, he is from Nibelheim, in the remote countryside. His father passed away when he was very young and he lived with his mother in his hometown. He was a lonely boy who didn’t have many people he could call friends, but like other boys, he admired the hero Sephiroth greatly.
He came to Midgar in his mid-teens to become a SOLDIER, hoping to become as strong as Sephiroth and protect his childhood friend, Tifa, whom he had feelings for, but because he was deemed unsuitable, he was recruited as a civilian soldier. Feeling that he does not want to be viewed as that kind of inadequate person, he has not been able to return to his hometown until now. Although he has not abandoned his dream of becoming a SOLDIER, he continues to spend his days in anguish, unable to think of a way to change his current situation.
Appearance and Internal Traits
He is a young man with blond hair and handsome features, but his personality is very introverted. During his childhood in Nibelheim, he comforted himself by believing that he was a special existence because he did not fit in with the other children his age. His shyness did not change once he started living in Midgar, and his inferiority complex about being from the countryside seemed to make him even more timid. However, after meeting and building a friendship with Zack, who is also from the countryside, [Cloud] is influenced by [Zack’s] positive mindset and gradually begins to behave more cheerfully.
Main Relationships
He does not have many interactions with the main characters, and only with the three listed below. However, his encounter with Zack and the friendship that develops through their missions are important events in the FFVII series, as well as in this story. It is also worth noting his relationship with Sephiroth, who will soon become his greatest enemy. However, his relationship with Aerith, who becomes an important companion in FFVII, is not in this work.
Zack
A friendly person who is a SOLDIER with his own goals. Their friendship deepens through their missions.
Sephiroth
He is an admired hero and a reliable ally on the investigation mission in Nibelheim, but soon becomes an unforgivable enemy who pillages his hometown.
Tseng
The person who is in command of the investigation mission in Modeoheim. [Cloud] is not that closely acquainted with him, but he recognizes him as one of his superiors.
in 『FF VII』 Series
The Protagonist who Lost His True Self
Cloud has appeared in all of the FFVII series of [games]. In the story of FFVII, he was portrayed as a person who was convinced he was a SOLDIER. While under the influence of Jenova Cells, he formed a new personality that imitated Zack, an ideal being. However, he eventually returns to his true self and confronts Sephiroth, who is putting the Planet in [a state of] crisis.
← Cloud thinks he was a SOLDIER, but his memory is influenced by Zack’s.
→ He is also the protagonist of AC. He fights again with the revived Sephiroth.
Cloud Strife
Highlight Selection
[1] Meeting Zack — Chapter 5
Despite having just met, Cloud and Zack immediately hit it off, probably due to their shared rural backgrounds.
[2] Supporting Zack — Chapter 5
Although he cooperated with Zack to capture Hollander, who was hiding in the Modeoheim mako reactor…
[3] Prone to motion sickness — Chapter 6
Cloud meets Zack again in Junon. However, he is unable to even move due to severe motion sickness.
[4] The two are happy to meet again — Chapter 7
On an investigation mission to a rural mako reactor, Cloud will once again work with Zack. The two are happy to unexpectedly meet each other again and bump each other’s right arm to confirm their friendship.
[5] A face hidden in a mask — Chapter 8
Since he left his hometown to become a SOLDIER, he cannot show his face to the residents of Nibelheim. Even in front of Tifa, he works with his mask on…
[6] An under-skilled soldier — Chapter 8
In order to protect Tifa, he confronts the Genesis Copy who appears at the Nibel mako reactor, but he can’t get a hit in.
[7] My own weakness — Chapter 8
Instead of protecting Tifa, Cloud laments that she saved him instead and mutters that he is not a SOLDIER.
[8] An attack of fury — Chapter 8
Sephiroth pillaged his hometown and wounded Tifa. Cloud’s fury is directed at the most powerful SOLDIER.