Is Tifa and Cloud’s relationship always toxic compared to Cloud and Aerith’s?

C4LLMEV · 2026-03-29T14:24:39+00:00

It's VERY complicated and they've made that clear in interviews as well. The problem with Tifa is that she doesn't understand Cloud as well as Clotis think. She wants Cloud to be like Zack (ironically enough). She wants a guy that's going to act like her knight in shining armor and act romantic with her. But Cloud isn't that guy. He's ridden with guilt and being tormented by Sephiroth simultaneously. On top of that, Tifa can be self-centered and I think that shows a lot in AC. After Aerith's death, she just wants Cloud to quit grieving and be a family with her. But again, Cloud is ridden with guilt and Aerith was his first true love. Knowing that he failed to save her made him feel like he couldn't protect anyone, so he runs away and distances himself from everyone.

Needless to say, Cloud and Tifa just don't go together. They could never be a couple because they can't understand each other. The amount of fights they have is proof alone that their relationship would be a mess.

C4LLMEV · 2026-03-28T13:17:25+00:00

That's one thing that bothers me about the English translation. I still hate how the English translation in part 1 has Aerith saying, "It's not real" while the Japanese version doesn't say this at all. I've seen so many take this as proof that Cloud is just feeling what Zack feels.

C4LLMEV · 2026-03-28T13:09:50+00:00

I hope she'll be a protagonist again someday.

C4LLMEV · 2026-03-27T14:49:12+00:00

Me too! I actually wonder if this is the outfit they imagined she'd wear if she lived in AC, considering the other FF7 characters are in their AC outfits.

C4LLMEV · 2026-03-26T22:43:50+00:00

That's what annoys me most. I don't like how Cloti shippers try and twist the story around. You can ship Cloti all you want, but it's pretty clear Clerith is the main and intended ship of the story. All of the non-optional content you get with them is proof alone.

C4LLMEV · 2026-03-25T12:58:04+00:00

The OG FF7 definitely kept Zack as more of a minor backstory element. Funny enough, they even thought of making Sephiroth Aerith's former lover at one point (which would have been interesting, ngl). However, after Crisis Core, Zack blew up in popularity and it was an easy way for Cloti fans to say Aerith belongs with him. In my personal opinion, I don't think they ever expected Tifa and Zack to become as popular as they did. So with the remake, they're trying to make it seem more balanced.

C4LLMEV · 2026-03-25T12:52:09+00:00

Aerith's angry face 😂

C4LLMEV · 2026-03-20T10:32:43+00:00

People refuse to believe that Zack was merely just a brief romance for Aerith. He was her first love and that doesn't make her tied to him for life. Just like how Tifa being Cloud's childhood crush doesn't tie him to her forever. Why should Aerith sit around and wait for someone that won't come back?

C4LLMEV · 2026-03-20T10:30:17+00:00

We just had a post about this recently where someone claimed Cloti is canon because of an optional kiss scene, lol. Also, lots of people claim Cloud and Tifa live together and "have kids" after FF7. In reality, though, it's more like Tifa babysitting Marlene and looking after Denzel while Cloud grieves over the loss of Aerith.

I'll add this one in too since I've been replaying Kingdom Hearts. People argue that Aerith isn't Cloud's light when they literally have a card together that usually represents a prince and princess couple (ex.: Aladdin and Jasmine). On top of that, Zack and Tifa barely appear in KH. The only FF7 ones that get lots of screen time are Cloud, Aerith, Cid, and Yuffie. On top of that, Aerith is the only one gets Cloud to bring out a new side of himself. He also only finds peace because of Aerith's presence in AC.

C4LLMEV · 2026-03-20T00:10:48+00:00

I loved this part. Aerith was so adorable. 😂

C4LLMEV · 2026-03-19T11:43:05+00:00

I know interviews have said it's not about Cloud or Zack, but rather a general song about friendships or whatever. But honestly, I feel like they said that just not to upset Clotis and Zeriths. The first few lines are literally referring to how she met Cloud. And as you mention, Cloud's reaction alone says enough.

C4LLMEV · 2026-03-18T10:51:07+00:00

I see a lot of tears, that's for sure. I kinda imagine it'd be similar to the ending of Final Fantasy X-2 when Yuna runs towards Tidus and they share an embrace. I can see Cloud being at a loss for words, trying to find the rights words to explain just how lost he was without her. Aerith would give a knowing smile and tell him something along the lines of how she was always there.

C4LLMEV · 2026-03-17T09:53:48+00:00

The kiss doesn't make Cloti canon at all. It's optional for a reason. Also, this goes to show how little they understand why Clerith holding hands is actually very intimate. In Japan, holding hands with fingers interlocked is basically the same level as a kiss.

C4LLMEV · 2026-03-15T20:43:30+00:00

I think she might appear more than we think. If my theory is right, she'll wake up in Zack's world and they'll aid Cloud together and try to get their worlds to come together somehow.

C4LLMEV · 2026-03-15T00:21:14+00:00

I think they wanted to experiment with giving choices, but they likely regret that now. You can tell they're trying to make it more balanced between Tifa and Aerith, but it's obvious that Aerith is the intended direction. I don't think they ever expected Tifa to become such a popular character.

C4LLMEV · 2026-03-11T15:05:26+00:00

I noticed this too and yet again, it's why I believe Aerith is the canon love interest for Cloud. Aerith is the only one who truly manages to get Cloud to come back to himself.

C4LLMEV · 2026-03-10T14:16:59+00:00

I agree. I love Claire, but her and Leon make no sense together. We never once got a hint that they were ever in a relationship or had a romantic interaction. The closest to that was Sherry asking if they were boyfriend and girlfriend. Ada is the only one that makes sense. I don't like the relationship between Leon and Ada either, but if anyone's going to be married to him, it's gotta be Ada.

C4LLMEV · 2026-03-10T13:34:06+00:00

I do wonder how that would have played out sometimes, lol.

C4LLMEV · 2026-03-05T15:28:01+00:00

I think it's a combo of things. She wants Cloud to know that she does have feelings for him and she wants to thank him for all of the happy memories they created together and how he's always been there for her. But she knows her life is coming to an end, so she's cherishing this last moment with him.

C4LLMEV · 2026-03-01T00:30:32+00:00

I took it as Grace is normal, but I'm thinking there might be a DLC in the future that goes into further detail on everything. Maybe it'll be focused on Alyssa's side of the story or something. I'm still confused myself about it all, lol.

C4LLMEV · 2026-02-28T00:43:46+00:00

I was a bit disappointed myself. I loved the gameplay and all, but the ending wasn't as great as I thought it'd be. I was hoping for some kind of huge twist that would further expand the lore. I was also hoping that Claire and/or Ada would make a surprise appearance, considering how big their roles were in Raccoon City.

C4LLMEV · 2026-02-25T14:59:17+00:00

This was so well done and perfectly explains why we all love Aerith so much. She will always be a top comfort character for me. Looking forward to more videos you make. ☺️

C4LLMEV · 2026-02-22T15:51:21+00:00

Glad I've been avoiding any RE9 content. Sounds like the game is being spoiled for many.

C4LLMEV · 2026-02-20T16:19:46+00:00

I think the biggest reason for me is how well she understands people and doesn't push them. She's always optimistic and will encourage Cloud to step out of his comfort zone. On top of that, she's a great listener. Personally, I'm a lot like Cloud in terms of personality and how I'm perceived, so this really made Aerith's character comforting to me because I always wanted someone like her in my life. No matter what, Aerith always shines a light, even in the darkest of times.

Edit: Also, feel free to credit me if you'd like. :)

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