Kingdom Hearts series

Aerith and Cloud are famous lovebirds in FF7

Affectionate couple (lovebirds)

Cloud and Aerith were childhood friends

① Cloud, Cid, and the others got separated while escaping

—Regarding Cloud, I'd also like to learn about his background settings. Is he from Hollow Bastion？

[Nomura]: In the setting of Kingdom Hearts, it can be said that is like this。

—If that's so, then when Cid fled Hollow Bastion with the other members, was Cloud left behind?

[Nomura]: They simply got separated in the confusion; he wasn't left behind (laughs). Cid and the others must have escaped amid the confusion.

—Then, is what Cloud is searching for, after all, Aerith?

[Nomura]: How should I put this? If it's Aerith, then there's a clear answer to be seen in the game's ending. Or rather, it was deliberately designed so that it can be interpreted that way. Cloud is a very popular character, so I didn't want to be too definitive. Because players are deeply emotionally invested in the characters, I wanted to leave some room for thought.

② Cid fled to Traverse Town with the young Aerith, Leon, and Yuffie

③ After parting with everyone, he returned to his hometown

A taciturn 23-year-old swordsman skilled with a greatsword. He has been pursuing Sephiroth, trying to resolve the darkness within his heart. Although he had long parted ways with Leon and the others, with Sora's help, he recovered his lost self and returned to his hometown, but he still often sits alone deep in thought.

The heroine who supports Cloud's heart

A woman living in Hollow Bastion, quiet in demeanor and strong in heart. She is the heroine who supports Cloud’s heart in Final Fantasy VII。

Cloud rescuing Aerith

The two worrying about each other

A member of the Radiant Garden Restoration Committee that Leon represents. Worried about Cloud's safety. Aerith, whom Cloud also worries about。

Aerith deeply worries about the important Cloud

The person Cloud is looking for seems to be Aerith

① It was deliberately designed so the answer could be seen in the ending

—Regarding Cloud, I'd also like to learn about his background settings. Is he from Hollow Bastion?

[Nomura]: In the setting of Kingdom Hearts, you could say that's the case.

—If that's so, then when Cid fled Hollow Bastion with the other members, was Cloud left behind?

[Nomura]: They simply got separated in the confusion; he wasn't left behind (laughs). Cid and the others must have escaped amid the confusion.

—Then, is what Cloud is searching for, after all, Aerith?

[Nomura]: How should I put this? If it's Aerith, then there is a clear answer in the game's ending. Or rather, there it was designed intentionally so that it could be understood that way. After all, Cloud is a very popular character, so I don't want to be too definitive. Because players have a deep emotional attachment to the characters, I wanted to leave some room for thought.

② Someone very important to Cloud

③ There will be an answer in the ending, but it cannot be asserted definitively

——So is the person Cloud is searching for Aerith after all?

【Nomura】: Who knows? If it's Aerith, then in the ending there appears an answer . Can that part also be understood that way? Cloud is a hugely popular character, so for my part, I'm reluctant to assert that things are definitely that way ; because everyone's feelings on the matter are strong, I wanted to leave room for people to think it over

④Ending animation

Ending In the ED, they are all couples or couples plus their supporters.

⑤ Judging from the ending, it seems to be Aerith

Who is the person Cloud is searching for?

In the FM version, Cloud and Sephiroth are each searching and asking around for the other's whereabouts. However, the person Cloud speaks of may not be just one person. Judging from a scene in the ending, he appears to be looking for Aerith, but it is also possible he was looking for someone else。

⑥ The relationship between the two may be answered near the ending

Q: What was the idea behind bringing Aerith back into the game?

[Nomura]: Yes, she died in FF7, but that has nothing to do with her position in FF7 or the role she played. FF7 and Kingdom Hearts are unrelated. I consider them different stories. But if you play Kingdom Hearts near the ending, some questions about the relationship between Cloud and Aerith in FF7 may be answered. It's a bit like a side story — an extra bonus I wanted to give to players.

⑦ The two's ending is an answer in a parallel world

Cloud's description:

This is the FF7 protagonist to whom I devoted a great deal of thought. When using the power of darkness, a single wing appears, as an homage to his eternal rival Sephiroth. I think the ending scene between him and Aerith is an answer that could only be realized because it takes place in a parallel world。By the way, the FF characters in the Kingdom Hearts version are Square's works, so fans can rest assured.

Aerith's description:

Back during FF7, some words that were not of her own intention ended up becoming things she said, and by the time they were to be corrected and fixed, it was already too late. This character was originally planned to be replaced midway by Aya from PE, but because of requests from staff in charge of FF7, Aerith's appearance this time was realized, and as a result her story with Cloud continued to expand. The development of a character's story is sometimes born from dialogues like these.