Cloud Strife and Mental Illness | A Video Essay
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 1 июл 2024
- Pretend Australia didn't get copies early because I wrote this script two months ago and intended for this video to go up before the game was released. oPE
Follow me on Twitter @ CautiousAmber ~!
Cloud in Advent Children is one of the most tragic setups I've ever seen. The world assumed he's 'Emo' and 'Moody' for no good reason. These were people that never played FF7, and only saw him in Kingdom Hearts games, and this darn movie. Cloud has experienced so much heartache and trauma, all while going through numerous harrowing near death experiences. He lost years of his life as an experiment, his childhood hero slaughtered his hometown, and his best friend died for him. And after coping with his fake personality and repressed memories, that, too, gets shattered abruptly as he is then controlled by a monster to help send the planet into a doomed state. Oh, and he could have avoided Aerith's death had he been able to resist Sephiroth's call. And after saving the world as himself with his friends....his reward? Geo Stigma. He's infected and doomed to die, all while even the children he attempts to help are all dying because of Cloud's long battle against Sephiroth, and his actions of opening the way for Sephiroth's true form to return to the earth. Cloud blames himself for the death of his friends, and for dooming the world, his family, and himself. And in truth, as tragic as it is to say it...it's kinda true.
And this is all resting on the shoulders of someone who was already NOT mentally stable, or mentally resolute. It's why I detest people who shit on Cloud for being Emo or 'too sad.' It's like pointing and laughing at a war veteran who lost his legs saving his unit, and is now an unstable wreck. So many people have no idea the shit this poor man has been through, and I hope they come to appreciate him more as the Remake enlightens them. Advent Children Cloud is honestly doing BETTER than I thought he would. Given who Cloud really is, it's a testament to his character growth that he wasn't curled up on the floor as a broken soul. He was wounded, scared, tired, and dying. Yet he still kept trying to help after some emotional pushes from Tifa. Cloud is an amazing interpretation for someone who can never truly get rid of depression, but still finds the strength in himself, and from his friends, to overcome it each time it creeps its ugly head into his life. And it's beautiful.
this should be pinned
People do not appreciate just how fucking weak Cloud is from the get-go. That's why he wasn't allowed in Soldier to begin with.
Dude, you made me tear up..
Anime character go brrr
@@carlycrays2831 Half true actually, it is true that at first glance and with basic tests Cloud was deemed to be a regular human with no special abilities but the story always brushed some details as not important. Before getting injected with Jenova cells and Mako, Cloud was known to be able to have a high jump compared to all recruits ( out of thousands ) : Cloud always had some potential, it was just waiting to be exploited.
Cloud is the only one to have been able to deal a deadly blow to Sepheroth, a feat that none of the 1st class were able to do in FFVII Crisis Core. All of them, Zack included were barely able to have a fight on equal ground with Sephiroth but none of them had the strenght to deal a decisive blow. Only Cloud was able to surpass Sephiroth in strenght right after the guy decapitated Jenova ( when Sephiroth was at his prime as a humanoid ).
By the end of FFVII, Cloud is the only one to have beaten Sephiroth in a 1 v 1, a victory brought by his own hands with the help of no one during that iconic duel in the very heart of the lifestream. Hojo, Sephiroth and Zack were all able to tell that Cloud has something special at some point and that something special is why Sephiroth tries to get him on his side in the Advent Children movie. Cloud has something that not only helped him getting stronger from his weak debut, but also helped him overturn the whole deadly plan that Jenova and Sephiroth tried to accomplish after many years.
I feel like a thing that doesn't get enough notice in Advent Children is that, not only is Cloud suffering from depression, PTSD, and severe survivor's guilt; he's also got an excruciatingly-painful terminal (at least, as far as he knows at the beginning) illness and is also in the process of watching what is for all practical purposes *his child* slowly die from the same excruciatingly-painful terminal disease. It's even harder to care for your mental health when your physical health is suffering.
Cloud: Have you ever tried to forgive yourself?
Vincent: I haven't try
I hate it when people get on Cloud for not being "better" in Advent Children. I mean, this is the first time he has actually had to deal with his mental illness and even more trauma on top of the other stuff.
@@carlycrays2831 And I hate when people believe that's a valid excuse, let alone a good argument.
Sorry, but no. You can't pull a plot-device new illness out of nowhere, use it as an excuse to regress a character and expect the audience to follow along.
You may argue "that's not how mental health works". That is true. But unfortunately, that means nothing next to the fact that "that's not how narrative and character development work".
If you really want to use mental illness as a valid cause for legitimate character regression, you have to try harder than a plot device and using children for emotional manipulation.
Say it louder for people in the back: ITS EVEN HARDER TO CARE FOR YOUR MENTAL HEALTH WHEN YOUR PHYSICAL HEALTH IS SUFFERING
@@jessicatatum7769 It also works in reverse, it's harder to care for your physical health when your mental health is suffering.
It's a dirty crossroad that never ends.
I feel like Sephiroth is the physical embodiment of Cloud's mental illness, metaphorically speaking.
Wow ok I can see that
Think it was Kitase that said Sephiroth represents Cloud's darkness whereas Tifa represents Cloud's light. Sephiroth is motivated through his delusions that he's the chosen one, like Cloud found strength and confidence through his delusion that he was SOLDIER.
Tifa had similar, but not the same, experiences as Cloud with Nibelheim but you can see how Tifa fared much better mentally from it, she actually tried to move on with her life and she kept a positive and caring demeanour towards others, whereas Cloud hides behind the facade of the cold, badass mercenary, Tifa can actually bring that kind hearted personality to the surface. Game's just so well written I s2g.
That's the beauty of Sephiroth's villainy.
On top of the fact that he's not necessarily a wannabe god just cause, but the end result and consequence of the world he lives in, namely Shinra's world (plus his god complex had been conditioned by Shinra's upbringing, having it being hammered that he was not normal and different, even superior to others, and the discovery of his origins just recontextualized it for him.
Sephiroth becomes the physical representation of Cloud's laundry list of issues. And as anyone with crippling depression, and a massive guilt and inferiority complex will tell you, those demons don't just simply go away even after an extensive therapy treatment. It's a regular treatment and process BECAUSE those voices will rear their ugly heads when you least expect it, especially when you're at your lowest. Again and again.
They will never be a memory.
@@reyonXIII Hey. Everything alright?
@@CloudyWolf713 I am, for the most part. Not fully, but enough to understand this oft understated layer of Cloud's character, and what Sephiroth actually is to the story. I find any comparison to Kefka is unfair, because judging Sephiroth by Kefka's standards undercuts what he is: the voice in the minds of those who have anxiety attacks and such, and feelings of inadequacy in general.
I think Cloud Strife is the most relatable FF protagonist to date. At the beginning of the game, you don’t care about the crew who hired you... you just want to play and blow stuff up, the mindset of what the player wants. Cloud boasts on being in SOLDIER like the player boasts of being an warrior... both of which is not true. Cloud like the player is a pretty mundane guy, but just because you’re mundane doesn’t mean you have no significance. If you take your chances like Cloud did you can do pretty awesome things, like defeating Sephiroth.
That's a pretty good way to look at it. Imma graduate highschool so I can beat Sephiroth at my local 7/11.
Reeeeeeallllllllll big stretch but okay
@@piggregious4986 your comment fucking killed me 🤣😂💀
that why i love cloud out of all the other ff protagonist hes not special
@@piggregious4986 well you could. If you have FFVII for switch. Or smash brothers.
don't forget cloud also lost five years of his life,so his mindset was still of a teenager.zack's conversations is what kept him somewhat balance.
That's what makes the Remake so fun, especially playing as an adult. He's so obviously a kid that it's funny.
@@carlycrays2831 seeing him interact with kids is even better, especially when he sort of warms up to them
@@magicalgirl4 Yeah, that part was really well done. It was adorable to see Cloud warm up to the kids, but it was also very apparent just how, well, young he is.
People who say he's just a generic brooding edgelord have clearly never played the game
He is not a brooding person. He is a person suffering who masks it by a sarcastic personality.
Advent Children portray him like that...the real Cloud we see is the one from Remake and the original
That one was Squall until later on the story it wasn't that case
Or are unable to understand what is going on. I've never understood people shitting on him and to be honest to a lesser degree, sephiroth, the latter is literally a biological experiment and plaything for everyone around him till he finally snaps. And even then
@@morriganrenfield8240 The amount of people who know nothing about a subject and then confidently will state something completely wrong while not caring that they are wrong even when people tell them that are wrong is horrifying to me. That's not to say that FF7 is the greatest game of all time but it's very good especially for the era that it comes from.
Hell, it's still better than most games that come out today story wise and gameplay based. The only thing that didn't last was the graphics. The cutscene where Cloud is traveling to fight Sephiroth still looks okay but the rest of the game is pixelated as hell. I haven't played the HD version on Switch but Tifa's final heaven has texture swaps so that kinda fixes most of the graphical problems. That website has a different version of the game called New Threat that adds a lot of bosses and changes the level up system to force more traditional roles on the characters. At save points you trade enemies killed for Sources that allow you to turn Barret into an amazing tank/paladin and other characters into magic build, etc. The normal level up just raises HP/MP.
Love seeing people talking about Cloud because that boy is so traumatized and dissociative and nobody seems to wanna acknowledge it that much.
As a person who experienced it myself, it's easier to see it if you've been through it. Most people won't be able to understand so it's expected
It’s not surprising AC cloud has ptsd and depression. His last moment with aerith, he has a psychotic episode and tries to murder her :( he knows that he would never have been able to protect her even if he wanted to. Right before aerith dies, Sephiroth once again tries to utilize cloud in killing her and when cloud breaks away, sephiroth finishes the job himself. The OG game never really gives cloud a break to properly mourn and process what happened with aerith, so advent children tackles the aftermath.
The part where cloud says "I'm not fit to help anyone. Not my family. Not my friends. Nobody." brings me to tears every time.
Number one reason that I love Cloud: He tries to be edgy and fails lol
Thats what makesem unique
Not exactly
he’s just socially awkward
Cloud is the dork that fumbles in being a badass, and just comes off as an ass at his worst and a shy little bro at best. He's as clumsy about it as Red XIII trying to just stand on two legs.
I'm glad the Remake captured THAT aspect of his character.
Watching the Kotaku series called “let’s mosey” made me really appreciate how a lot of that nuance gets lost in translation due to the limitations of localizing the game. But in Japanese he comes across as more goofy, youthful, and playful than he does in the English translation.
One thing that REALLY stuck with me in Advent Children was how they emphasized the fact that Cloud was pushing his loved ones away. His phone is full of voice messages from his friends and Marlene finally straight up yells at him that he's not paying attention to them. And when they all fight together at the climax and give Cloud literal 'friendship boosts' up to finish the job, it really makes you look back at this group, who are pretty much the physical embodiment of the term 'rag-tag', and see how tight they must've been. I REALLY hope the future parts of the remake spend time with character interaction and building their dynamic and trust so we can see them react to their personal struggles and growth, and maybe even see how they reach out to help, ESPECIALLY with Cloud, cause this poor boy needs all the emotional support he can get
Cloud Crisis Core: Animated, happy and always with a bit of courage
Cloud FF7: Not interested
Insane amounts of PTSD will do that
Ff7 cloud is also like brainwashed to a degree. Or his memories got switched
@@bobincognito Yeah is S-Cell will do that.
Cloud : "schizophrenic man living life the way he thinks his dead best friend would, who also saw his girlfriend die at the hand of the man who slaughtered his entire hometown."
People who see Cloud once : "hes so edgy, man."
Edit : Cloud was definitely way too soft to enter soldier, because from the way that Cloud yeeted Sephiroth in Nibelheim _before the mako treatment,_ it makes sense the game ends with Cloud going 1v1 against Sephiroth.
Cloud is a little softie but will annihilate those who hurt his loved ones
It isn't just that he is soft, but just pretty fragile and weak.
Cloud never gets enough credit for how aggro he is. Sephiroth had a psychological edge on everyone which possibly made them hesitate or be more cautious. Every iteration of Cloud has him acting first. In the remake when Cloud sees Sephiroth in Midgar and is obviously terrified he attacks him anyway. In Advent Children, Cloud was on the offensive even if he was outnumbered. He gave no fucks. The motorcycle chase scene was Cloud chasing 3 very powerful guys and he still beat 2 of them. FF7 Original had weak Cloud showing ZERO hesitation when killing Sephiroth and that is probably why he succeeded where others didn't. Then later the game is Cloud CHASING Sephiroth, the most powerful soldier ever who ruined his life and Cloud is still going offense.
Well, his visions aren't made by his own mind,,, unlike people with real schizo, he was being messed up all the time by sephiroth's influence... and he was able to use some of jenova's influence to make other people that also were under this influence go along with this farse, FFVII is indeed a very deep and hard to understand game at first
A soft boi, but his rage mode can kill demigods
Everyone thinks Cloud is the progenitor of the Emo badass protagonist when he's actually closer to a deconstruction of that trope.
I wouldn't go that far... I'd say more the "emo badass protagonist" is to Cloud what the 90's Anti-Hero trope is to Watchmen; the people who try to make it are trying to recreate the magic of it, but completely miss the point of what made those things special in the first place.
Surprisingly, FF8 is closer to a person that is cool just because and even Squall has an excuse of being emotionally stunted because of abandonment issues. That entire game is partially him learning to open up.
His being cool is not entirely false because he has the capabilities to operate solo and it is partially because of this that people look up to him. But Squall is still quite psychological, if not like Cloud.
You gave such a perfect and realistic analysis of Cloud Strife. When you talk about how he was as a boy with early hints of mental health issues, right away, you made me picture a boy we've all probably seen at some point in our childhood. It felt so spot on. Very well done.
Thank you!! It means so much that I was able to communicate that effectively. It's such a major part of why I adore this character. Thanks for watching~!
From the perspective of a person who was that kind of boy. Yeah, Cloud’s journey is pretty similar to mine. Not being able to interact with others as a “normal people” is sad, even to this day I struggle to connect with others. Is easier to just isolate my self, act like I dont need friends, family, or people to care. Maybe I wasn’t able to find the right crew, but even with company, I prefer loneliness. Movies and show treat us as psychopaths (was called one a couple of times) but in reality we only need to be able to feel loved just as other human beings. Sorry for overwhelmed you with my feelings 🙏🏻, I can’t just... act like I don’t feel them and need to express them
@@AlejandroRodriguez-mr9ox Then again, you have people like Sephiroth who really are psychopaths. Some of us really are that bad, but not all of us.
Part of Cloud's journey isn't just to prove himself, but to move past that mask he, and so many of us, put on.
@@carlycrays2831 I agree, thank you for your sincerity. Part of the reason I am still living is because I have family and a couple of friends. I believe one day, I will overcome this challenges, remove the masks and be at peace with everyone, even the ghosts of the past. I wish you a good life, wherever you’re and whoever you are
I instantly thought of my 9-year-old nephew. Despite the swearing, FF7 is my and my sisters all the time favorite game and thought it's fine our kids play it if interested and he loves it. He adores Cloud and was so excited (like we all did) when Sephiroth was announced in Smash.
When fans say Cloud has Zack memories I get frustrated because it does Cloud a disservice and removes his agency. Cloud has no implanted memories. Cloud and Zack act nothing alike other than showboating. If anything Cloud acts more like Sephiroth and his own idea of what he thinks cool is. Sephiroth (before going nuts) is reserved, even-tempered, strategic, and will show off a little with a smirk. Sephiroth and Cloud were both outsiders as children who developed a superiority complex as a coping mechanism and maybe that's why they hit it off in Nibelheim. The remake is throwing in a plot element that perhaps all Soldiers end up going crazy and it's inevitable with the cellular degradation. This adds another really interesting layer I can't wait for.
Cloud was my first video game crush because of his journey. The dorkier Cloud gets the more awesome he is. The remake is doing a great job with Cloud so far and his body language tells a huge story. Even cool Cloud recoils EVERY TIME a girl gets too close to him. It's so endearing.
oh I get frustrated over it too! either people say Cloud has Zack's memories as if they're implanted or he 'stole' them, when it's very clearly an unconscious trauma response!! Cloud isn't purposely deceiving anyone, he truly doesn't realize what's going on because of the horror he endured.
Yes his S-Cells would create a false persona, it is a trait of a Jenovan specimen. Lol.
Although Cloud has been through a lot and it certainly took a toll on his mental health, I don’t think he is weak at all. If anything, it takes enormous resilience and strength to deal with the huge amount of things that happened to him (Isolated childhood, growing up without a father, Mako poisoning, witnessing several people he loved get killed, PTSD, a disintegrating sense of self, etc...) and still be able to live his life, be empathetic and kick some ass when needed. That’s hero material.
Take Sephiroth in comparison, he is supposed to be ‘strong’ but in reality he was completely shattered by things that happen to him and were somehow similar to what Cloud went through. Both their cores were attained, but Cloud only never gave up and was willing to know the truth about his past even if it meant finding out horrible things. Except Sephiroth never had the strength to endure it, he became a vicious victim ultimately devoided of empathy.
His mental struggles only make him more relatable, more human. Besides, I think when men are caring and sweet, it only makes them more manly to be honest. It makes them complete individuals, so this whole ‘emo’ labels we hear sometimes about him are just ridiculous.
I think they did an amazing job with this character, even if many don’t get Cloud Strife at all.
I don't think Nomura's use of the word weak (and by extension, my own use of it) is meant to be any sort of criticize or negative attribute. Moreso, using the word and acknowledging that Cloud has more internal struggles than the average hero (thus a weakness) makes his actions that much mORE heroic. We don't need to ignore our own shortcomings. There's nothing wrong with acknowledging faults or giving language to those struggles -- admitting we need help, even if it's only in the form of accepting understanding and love from others.
I love how the remake shows how clearly clouds presentation of himself is a facade
God, I relate to Cloud so much. The thing I love about this game is that the males are allowed to show emotions that are often deemed as "too feminine". Not just with Cloud, but with Barret too. In the original game, he breaks down when Jessie Wedge and Biggs die, he's worried sick about his daughter the whole game, and right before the fight against Sephiroth I believe he says something about how he's shaking due to all the emotions he's feeling. Cloud is a great representation of mental health. I also suffer from depression, and I have a disability that makes me feel weak. But hey, Cloud started out as a pretty weak guy too who wasn't seen as good enough. And he became a hero. And that's fucking awesome to me.
The entire reaction many people have about Cloud being 'edgy' or 'emo' goes to show the stigma many people still have. I really appreciate characters like Cloud a lot because we desperately need them. I just know many creators avoid such personas because of the reaction of people and fearing to have their stories to be dismissed. And Barret is such a fantastic character as a loving father and a human being that is caring and has emotions. These characters are better role models than I have found in many other stories.
Cloud has owned something I don't give easily; my respect
That's a very cringe thing to say
@@mechadracula3193 you're a very cringe thing to exist, let people do there thing
@@totallynotkhobsessed their* moron. You just lost my respect, and I don't give that easily. I am very epic and important, and I do NOT give my respect easily. You have to EARN my respect and if you do that is EPIC.
@@mechadracula3193 bro just stop like maaan no one cares like just enjoy the vid
@@totallynotkhobsessed it is cringe.
stop watching too much fantasy and stop being cringe.
Brilliant video. Something else to think about: Cloud had geostigma during the AC movie which, at the time, was an incurable illness and a slow death sentence. So Cloud's characterization during the movie was him dealing with PTSD while also attempting to come to terms with his own imminent death.
Yes!! I could have sworn I wrote a bit about that but I guess it didn't make it into the final video 😭
Watching this video now after playing FF7R, it's crazy to see Cloud's "new" persona be a mix of himself and Zack. Cloud puts up the front of a cold mercenary, but once he starts caring about the others in Avalanche, he seems to show a lot more cracks in his mask and bits of his real self shine through. At the very least, he becomes more friendly, awkward and easily flustered. I feel it's also worth noting that Tifa is very much his anchor. Whenever Tifa is involved, he is extremely protective, physically comfortable, and surprisingly smooth (though that last part could be the Zack in him). Whereas around literally anyone else, Cloud is on edge, sharp-tongued and always keeps his distance playing it off as "a Soldier thing". I'm not sure where I'm going with this, but I absolutely love Cloud's characterization in Remake.
oh me too!! I was absolutely blown away by how perfectly the Remake captured all of the little glimpses of his 'true' personality while maintaining that tough SOLDIER exterior. I'm beyond excited to see how that continues in part 2.
hes a good dancer too
There is no zack in him 😂
Cant believe People still think he's the possessed by the ghost of zack 🤣
@@nyb537 oh no, I just meant that he uses a lot of the image of Zack, not that he is Zack.
@@a.z.pantera5577 it's just the way you put ( that last part could be the zack in him)
Edit nothing cloud does is anything like zack imo if anything to me he's more Sephiroth before his mummy issues
Cloud makes me cry, he's such a tragic character and deserved NONE of what happened to him, and I hate how people only ever call him emo thanks to KH and Advent Children... While some of the stuff in AC might feel a little asspull-y, as you said, Cloud's characterization definitely is not; it's 100% realistic that he'd have a relapse once everything calmed down and he had time for the full weight of everything he went through to truly hit him. Depression is no joke, and I love how the movie ends with him realizing he's not alone, and that he has people to help him when he's not okay, and he smiles for the first time in a while 🥺❤️ (his smile has an entire damn song dedicated to it, which is how you _know_ it's important; it's my favorite FF7 song :') I can't wait to see how the remake continues to handle him and his nuances and journey; it's gonna break my heart, I just know it 💔
I’d like to see an update to this video once the remake is out in full. I feel that the the remake shows Cloud is still struggling with failure. He did not defeat Sephiroth. Sephiroth even taunts Cloud about how he always fails. It’s also interesting that Sephiroth mentions Cloud can’t even save himself. I love how the remake is handling Cloud’s character so far.
I'm definitely planning on a follow-up, even though that might be years away 😔💦
also if you don't mind, how did you find this video? it's gotten a very sudden influx in views/comments and I appreciate them!! But I'm not sure why. 💦
@@CautiousAmber the algorithm chose you
@@CautiousAmber This video was also recommended to me just today. I loved it! It's a great analysis of the many iterations of Cloud throughout the years (I especially liked your defense of his characterization in Advent Children). And the video was taken to the next level by your personal story, and the ways you were able to relate to the character. It really resonated with me, and I'm sure others who have had their own battles with mental health. I'd love to hear what you thought of Cloud in Remake part one! I thought they did an amazing job with him 😁
@@CautiousAmber Saw this on my recommendations list. I've been watching a lot of ff7 videos lately and Cloud + Mental Illness? My wheelhouse!
@@CautiousAmber Got the recommendation today too. Algorithm's funny like that.
Depression and PTSD “illnesses that by nature robs one of their children identity” holy shit.
I have a new appreciation for Advent Children now. I also had a problem with how they represented Cloud. Amazing. Very well done.
The history I understand as child : Cloud born autistic, children bullied him and people accused him of things. He, in order to gain respect, tried to be a first class soldier like his hero, Sephiroth. Horrible, horrible things happened, and he ended schizophrenic, amnesic and depressed. He was one of my comfort characters as a child.
You don't have any idea what a Jenova specimen is do you? Cloud a schizo lol that is a good one.
Bruh, he wasn't autistic, he was just a normal kid, the children bullies him because he doesn't have a father.
I always say these type of videos are sadly needed, because people are so freaking surface level when it comes to observing and analyzing characters like Cloud. The biggest offense to Clouds character is the reception people saw Cloud as after viewing Advent children. Just labeling him as emo and blah blah blah.
This turned out great! You can really feel how much Cloud means to you, and the re framing of Cloud's character in AC as another low point with this mental health struggles is really eye opening. Hope you can make more videos like this soon!
Thank you so much !! I've had so many different opinions on Advent Children over the years,,,, many thoughts ,,, head full,,
Feel like he's a prime example of the power of the mind and belief, he was never a soldier but his memory distortion made him fully believe it to the point where he walked, talked and fought like one.
the fact that Cloud is so weak inside and yet becomes so important to several people is a story which I think can give all of us hope
It's quite sad that I just came across this video from over 3 years ago, and it's even sadder that in 2024 Cloud is still constantly misunderstood and mischaracterised! I really hope Rebirth makes crystal clear just what a fantastic character and hero Cloud really is instead of people just calling him emo which he never was!!
I wish more authors write protagonist like Cloud because as a kid I identify with him the most. In the game he was cool and mature and detached but from time to time showed his childish side (him doing fistbump, playing arcade games, participating in chocobo races). He is like a child that was forced to grow up fast which I identify with the most. I had dreams and want to do what a child wants to do but my surroundings, and the people in it wanted me to grow into an adult faster. I had to shut away my emotions, and my dreams.
Video: **is about Cloud**
Spoilers: Star Wars, Harry Potter
Cloud is my favorite character, and you've laid out the reasons why so clearly because it's a progression I also took in my life. I never underwent mako therapy, but I was an extremely sensitive, heart on my sleeve kid who dealt with anxiety, indecisiveness, and lots of failure. From my teens to maybe the age of 28 or 29, like Cloud, bravado and performative cockiness helped me cope through a lot. It wasn't until the last few years I've started to be real with myself, and try to stoke real self-esteem and healthy coping mechanisms that I can be honest with myself and others. I always wanted to be like the Zacks of the world, but some of us just are Clouds, doing our level best and embracing who we actually are. This was a great video, thank you!
At a time when the phrase "brave and stunning" is either a lie or a joke, your honesty here is actually brave, and leaves me genuinely stunned.
Don't ever end up like me. Always resist the urge to embrace who you are at your worst, even if it's the only path to comfort. There's no way to say this simply without being cheesy and edgy, but: People with your ability to find the good in anything are the light that keeps shadows like me from fading. Thanks.
the closer to the light the greater the shadow
I hope that things will be brighter for you in life.
@@mauroalvarenga7002 Kind of like matter and antimatter in a way?
@ i dunno, just seen that in kingdom hearts :D
You have single handedly healed my disappointment in Cloud's character in Advent Children. I felt the same way you did, that there was a... reset to his character arc. You said it perfectly, that we'd seen earnest, quirky Cloud. Who was this, but a reset to his "I'm just a failure" point? And that's it exactly, that in the quiet aftermath, those Bad Thoughts came back.
I had a solid Depression period in my late 20s-early 30s (got diagnosed and everything) that comes back to haunt me even now on the eve of my 40s. I won't go into it, but suffice to say, it lends perspective to Cloud's state in Advent Children, especially in AC Complete. I have those quiet moments where the Bad Thoughts come up. I have *loud* moments where the Bad Thoughts come up. Now, this character decision makes sense, and I feel like a movie wasn't nearly enough space to explore.
Anyway, thank you. Here's to Rebirth in 2024. Let's see where this train takes us.
Thank you so much for this comment! I'll always have complicated feelings on Advent Children but I'm glad I could offer a different perspective on it. I'm hopeful that Remake/Rebirth/etc will find ways to show the various mental journeys that Cloud goes through, perhaps providing the additional space that Advent Children needed to connect all the pieces together.
You really understand Cloud. Thank you so much for this. This video made me cry, I love it so much. FF7 is very dear to me, and I’m glad that I get to be even a small part of the Remake (I voice Roche in the English dub), so seeing somebody truly understand Cloud better than most is always a delight to see.
Oh my gosh, tHANK YOU!!!! I never imagined anyone involved with VII would ever see this. The Remake dub is so incredible, I really can't express how much joy I felt hearing all of these characters brought to life in such a fantastic way. The chapter with Roche was one of my very favorite gaming moments of the entire year. Really hoping to see more of him!!! 🙏🙏🥰😭🥺
@@CautiousAmber Thank you!! I’m so glad that you enjoyed it!! I hope you are able to keep making great content, because this was really something magical.
I can not commend you enough for the work you’ve created in this video. I was moved beyond words - as an ongoing sufferers of several mental illnesses, Cloud has been somebody I relate to constantly. Your understanding and passion leapt from the screen. Especially during these tough times we’re going through. This, is the video I needed right now. This was incredible. You have earned my subscription tenfold. I look forward to seeing what you do next.
Thank you! It means so much to me that you connected with this video. I've adored Cloud for years and wanted so desperately to convey the personal and complex reasons why i felt that way. Glad other people feel the same.
"No man is a failure who has friends.
Thanks for the wings."
--Clarence, It's a Wonderful Life
Oof way to hit me where it hurts
I love how he represents dissociation and PTSD. As someone with autism and a dissociative disorder caused by PTSD, I noticed a lot of similarities between him and I. The headache moments that cause him to hallucinate or dissociate. His states of dissociation when he’s reminded of who he actually is I really appreciate. They didn’t demonise his issues or make him look weak. They made it look like a challenging way to live compared to making him out to be someone crazy that a lot of games/movies do by accident.
This video is hitting a little hard for me now that I've been diagnosed with both anxiety and depression. I won't go into the details here, but the last six months have been hard (I'm doing better now that I've gotten stronger meds). But i have to say, Cloud is massively relatable. In Advent Children, he's internalizing all of his emotions, just like what I was doing before finally admitting I had a problem. And I know everyone likes to call Cloud the emo guy, but he was clearly going through survivor's guilt and PTSD in the movie. Not to mention the helplessness of watching his adoptive son, Denzel, slowly dying of Geostigma. God that's such a painful thing to go through. Cloud is spectacularly human and frail, but also strong and full of love and compassion. he's still one of my all-time favorite video game protagonists.
Thank you so much for this analysis, I see a lot of myself in Cloud and really empathize with his character and internal struggle. It's a breath of fresh air to see anyone praise Advent Children for anything instead of parroting the tired "movie bad cuz cloud emo" argument. Although I kinda wish you touched more on Cloud's circumstances in AC to explain why he would be struggling with depression post VII. Living with a terminal illness and also the guilt from not remembering his best friend existed after promising he wouldn't ever forget the sacrifice Zack made for him.
I did mourn not seeing sassy Cloud in better graphics but I did love how they showed Clouds complex relationships with the rest of the cast in Advent Children. Cloud is living with Tifa yet he leaves without telling her, doesn't answer his phone, finally processing the death of Zack, and is squatting in the church of their dead friend who Cloud may still be in love with. Tifa even finally gives Cloud an ultimatum of obsessing over his guilt regarding Aerith and their current family. That scene was Gongaga all over again where Cloud is scared of what might happen by going to the Forbidden City. It felt VERY true to the character and none of Cloud's choices betrayed what we learned of him in the original.
Bonus is that remake is bringing sassy Cloud back with a vengeance!
simply beautiful
love how you showed cloud human side
I have to say that I saw this on my recommended page and I am just-- let's say I cried watching this because it makes my heart so happy to have a video that really expresses in a way I didn't know how to word about the realness of Cloud and the overall of everyone in FF7 as eloquently as you did! Going through therapy and going through my own struggles, I focus a lot more on mental health and it's importance with everyone and everything! Seeing the complex mentality of who should the hero, is truly struggling a lot on their own moreso than the Cloud And Sephiroth Aesthetic ™️ . Even when I first saw it when it came out in 1997 when I was 8, that game changed my life (thanks to my older sister!). It first built a safe world for me to dive in when my reality was bad (parents fighting, divorce, etc), and it gave me imaginary friends when I struggled wanting to feel in a safe place. I am thankful for my artistic family at least inspiring me and I tried my hardest finally when FF7 came into my life. I tried to draw the characters as much as I could, and my sister encouraged that! She even has a drawing I did with red and black sharpie on a piece of 10 x 10 cardboard I drew in 1998! I am thankful my sister is also nerdy and built a safe place filled with video games and anime, because it helped me grow into the person I am today. Thank you for letting me share my story about why this video and my personal story means a lot! Especially with the AMV searching, fanfic writing, roleplaying, cosplaying FF7 nerd as well ❤ You have gained a supporter!❤❤ Definitely will share and follow!😊 Happy New Years!
I hardly comment on things but,I came across this video after finishing the remake and I love seeing you acknowledging Cloud's mental illness and discussing it with such care. Cloud's always been my favorite character and felt to be so close to my heart despite being introduced to him through Kingdom Hearts and Crisis Core before experiencing him in FF7. I never understood why he was so important but, now it's clear. He's a human being with flaws, and despite all of us going through different struggles, we can relate to it.
I loved this video more than I can explain,thanks for making it! I'm excited to see if you have anything to say about Remake and what we're shown there in relation to Cloud!
What a fantastic analysis, I'm so happy this popped up in my suggestions.
Cloud's inner voyage, his struggles with identity and self-worth, and his battles with mental illness resonated with me so deeply. Truly one of the most impactful plot points I've ever experienced. I'm looking forward to his development in FF7R, hopefully they explore these themes even more.
Thank you so much for putting together this video!!
“I vividly remember waiting 2 hours for my dial up internet to load Advent Children AMV’s of Cloud and Sephiroth fighting set to My Chemical Romance songs.”
And just like that, this video landed itself in my RUclips favorites playlist. 🤣💀
I'm glad this is a relatable experience 😂🙈
Lmao I died at that moment. Frickin childhood flashbacks.
That was also my favourite bit of this video, haha. Wonderful.
That’s exactly how I found Advent Children! MCR AMVs as well as one very specific Alice Cooper “Dangerous Tonight” Advent Children AMV. That memory just hit me like a ton of bricks.
My older brother is that guy I can only describe as ‘great at life’. Growing up, he had so many friends he was basically famous. It got to the point where I’d be known too, just for being his brother.
When his mates spoke to me, expecting the same extroversion, they’d always be disappointed. Sure, I’d TRY to be like him, but that laid-back love of socialising just didn’t come naturally to me. After a while, the veil grows thin. By pretending to be someone else, you cultivate falsehoods; you push away your chances at true bonds.
Every time I see footage of Zack Fair, I think of my brother. The fun one, the loveable, enthusiastic wild child. The kid I spent years wishing I was, instead of the watered down, enclosed version you might see in his shadow.
This sticks out for me because in most stories, Zack would be the protagonist. Instead, we get Cloud Strife: the pretending introvert who wishes he could be Zack. Robin, not Batman. Most players see Cloud as the other children saw me - he’s the moping, posing, boring one.
But not to me. I truly, honestly, GET Cloud. Yes, he’s just pixels on a screen and ink on dusty pages. Yet in this character, I see a familiar struggle to achieve something daunting, exposing and seemingly impossible: be yourself. Doesn’t matter if people don’t find you as interesting as the next guy. The best thing is, Cloud does in the end. He may be a weak hero, but to me he’s THE hero, because he achieves the thing I’ve always found hardest, against all odds.
Honestly, such a good explaination of Cloud as a character. You did super great!
This is why I both love Cloud and FF7 so much.
This was fantastic. Thank you for being so honest, for lacing your video with emotion, and for putting so much effort into understanding Cloud. I'm eagerly looking forward to these other FF7 videos you have planned, and potentially any other video essays you might put out!
Amazing video, really nice to see the empathy you have for cloud and how relatable some of his struggles are. 10/10
I'm hoping the remake will handle other characters responses to clouds mental health better than og/compilation stuff did. it's always bothered me how other characters will be kinda shitty about his mental health.
like how in gongaga I think it was, cloud, after almost being forced to hurt his friend and hand over the key to the end of the world to the villain plus dealing his rapidly deteriorating mental health, understandably doesnt think he should be near the person who can mind control him, and the other characters are basically like "nah it's cool, just like deal with it lol"
granted, maybe the japanese translation handled this better in the og, but it still feels really weird how they handled the way characters respond to cloud in this way.
I'm hoping the remake will continue to offer a more complex and nuanced look into this (like itd be cool to see/hear what characters think when cloud is noticeably having ptsd/headaches n stuff, in the remake so far they basically just let it go, which I mean it's not like narratively they can reveal much now, but itd still be nice to know stuff like what tifa and co were thinking when cloud just straight up passed out after stumbling down a hallway and whispering to himself,, like they all just stood there XD )
It is just like in real life. People never notice if someone suffers from mental health issues. People are not educated so they can't translate the signs and because of that they dismiss others who are suffering with just "calm down, get better" etc.. It's pretty sad but also pretty real. Maybe that's what they were going for in the first place.
That just reflects japans issues of *not seeking help*
I dont think the way the characters reacted is necessarily a problem. It is from our perspective, but these characters are also supposed to be humans and react differently.
If Cloud suddenly says "im scared of sephiroth" it would be in character for some like Aerith or Tifa to be sympathetic, especially since Tifa is his childhood freind and is closer to him than the others are to cloud. And others like Barret to say "deal with it we're trying to save the world here".
To be fair to the Remake, there was so much going on that once things really got bad, they couldn't really do much. It felt like Tifa was at least keeping Cloud around because he was so obviously unwell, while other characters repeatedly make mention of just how young Cloud is.
@@carlycrays2831 it seemed clear to me inn the RE at least that Tifa noticed something was wrong but that whole *mental health is taboo* in japan thing makes it so it cant be brought up. Its the same reason theirs so many anime where things get A THOUSAND times worse *because theirs no therapist or acknowledgement of mental health*
Wonderfull video. I got here after watching the remake and I must say that this video was refreshingly to the point. Your input on depression; ''the person I am when i'm depressed is not who I really am'' was enlightening.
This is great! Your construction of analyzing the story shows so much confidence in your storytelling, and reflects your true feelings. Brilliant!
Thank you for this amazing video. Finally, someone who not explain Cloud as "Emo". I hate it that everyone calls him that.
He has major PTSD and there is so much more going on. He is not an "Emo". So, thank you again :D
This video is one of the best, well written pieces I've seen on Cloud. You did wonderful! Cloud, in my opinion, is one of the best written protagonists in gaming, and this video just solidifies that.
I'm so happy you agree! I always pains me when people accuse Cloud of being generic or boring. To me, he's always been such a complex and unique character.
As someone who suffers from some awful mental problems(Anxiety to the point my body gets sick, other anxiety problems I just can't say publicly yet), *I DEEPLY appreciate your anyalsing of Cloud and his mental struggles.*
You handled it so well, and I also relate to your mental struggles, and wish you the best of luck with them. :)
Speaking as a veteran whos struggled with depression and ptsd in the past and as a huge fan of FF7, thank you for this video. It really hit me in a good way.
I'm genuinely so happy to hear that! While I spoke from my own limited experiences, I've been relieved to see the response from others who have their own unique struggles. Cloud's journey turns out to be relatable on a lot of levels.
This was very well put together....I generally have to taper my expectations in regards to analysis of Cloud because I feel like a lot of people miss his nuance but I was well and truly surprised by how much you get it. I usually watch 3 videos before I sub but nah you’ve earned it. Quality content right here
Thank you so much! I'm glad I could do him justice.
I was in tears all the video but when you explain the "living legacy" part and Crisis Core OST plays in the background... damn, that hits me always in another level T_T Great video.
This is an amazing video. Wonderfully constructed and concise, while also eloquent and heartfelt with your delivery. There’s a real love of the game and character that shines through. Thank you for this contribution to the world, you were able to convey thoughts about the character I never could to friends, I hope to see more from you!
Managed not to cry until "he latched onto the one person he always wanted to be" and my GOD the floodworks came. This is brilliant - I see a lot of people misunderstand Cloud, but fail to realise how bold a narrative decision he even is as a character. He will always have my whole ass heart.
Yes! It kinda drives me nuts when people insist other characters are more worthy of being the protagonist (like Zack) because they're less flawed & more stereotypically heroic. Like, they're missing the point of the narrative! Cloud having these shortcomings is the POINT. FFVII has always been about the value of the group -- people working together and caring for each other. Cloud as a leader that relies on the support of his friends to succeed is the best example of that.
@@CautiousAmber Final Fantasy does that so well - no one person can beat the bad guy one v one, you need to build your party, and Cloud is PERFECT for that because he can't do really anything alone. And I love that about him - he is just so human.
This video is making me so emotional oh gosh,, thank you for making this. Cloud and his friends have been there for me during some difficult times in my life. It's really amazing and encouraging to see people valuing and discussing these kinds of things. I have so much appreciation for Cloud, being no stranger to failure and loss- he's a hero I felt I could relate to and look up to. I share your "first taste" of the series by being exposed to Advent Children AMV's and scouring the internet for the full movie- as a kid of course my initial reaction was just awe and adoration that an animated movie could look like this, cool attractive characters, so on, but it led me down the FF7 hole and into the game universe and to this incredible found family.
It had honestly been a while since I had given the series much thought before news of the remake flooded the internet and I got to fall in love with and start getting to know the characters all over again. Although it's far from perfect, I've absolutely loved delving into the remake- it's like seeing old friends again. We know the story by now, but it's been really interesting to see this fresh perspective on Cloud and how he's dealing with his fractured mind as well as how his friends help break down those barriers. In my opinion, they all start to bring out different perspectives of himself, the more time he spends with them. I think it's because they themselves have such genuine motivations and personalities and it starts to rub off on him, but that's just me. It warms my heart when the 'cool, tough soldier' exterior slips just a little and he starts to genuinely connect, even just for a moment. I'm looking forward to the other installments so much. Thanks again for making this
Advent Children has a very deep personal meaning to me, similar to what you're describing here. I equate Cloud's suffering from Geostigma to depression, and I relate to it. It's one of my feel-good films, because Cloud is able to rally himself enough to fight back for real against the new threat and reaffirm himself at the end, finally realising that he's not alone and finding peace. The scene where he tells Tifa that he's not fit to help anyone physically hurts me.
As someone with PTSD that people fine strong due to my accomplishments... I appreciate that you made this video. I've overcome a lot but only because I've at times put myself into the mindset of a fictional character--Spider-man---in order to block out the things I've gone through in my childhood, teen years and adult life. At times, it's too much and explaining it to people in my life is hard. It's so hard to the point where I push them away as opposed to just talking. It just makes me feel less... wrong in a way when I see things like this as opposed to the thought that the world would be better off without people like me.
I remember things from my childhood like my own mother calling me "slave boy" while asking me to do things for her that she could do. Coming from a family of mixed brothers with different fathers, I was the darkest one and she only called me that. When I try to talk to my family about the abuse and harm they gave me, they shut me out. I talked to friends and they eventually leave and say I just want to make myself sound like a victim when I'm honest. I hate myself because I hate what I've been through. But I'm struggling through the pills and alcohol to see I'm worth being alive.
This video makes me feel as though it's not my fault but at times, it's hard to accept it.
God I'm out of control.
That shift from the Northern Crater to footage of Niblehiem one of the biggest mind f**s in the series. I also love how quiet it gets after Weapon emerges. That image of a shattered Cloud at the Midgar train station is burned into my memory.
I love this video. This is why cloud will always be my favourite hero. His characters story really helped me through my own problems at that time.
this was such a well thought out and in-depth analysis :) I'm so glad that you've done this and your hard work definitely paid off in it!
Pats Cloud's head: This little guy can hold so much trauma.
Thank you. I think I needed to see this video today. Struggling with mental illness isn't as romantic as it is seen to be. What you said about the world only remembering you when you are at your worst instead of who you really are rings true. Thank you.
Fucking awesome video dear. It baffles to this day when so many people still shit on Cloud with a radically misconstrued perception of who he is that has become common knowledge to the point of mischaracterisation. The man has gone through a shitload of a domino effect of trauma, PTSD, survivor's guilt, depression and terminal illness within a VERY short span of time in someone's life let alone from the adolescence into early adulthood period that Cloud did and having to cope with that crap. Sure, he found himself back at the end of the original and all that but that doesn't mean that he has all the answers and likewise it doesn't mean that he isn't human and that he isn't going to relapse once the dust has settled and that things are quieter and more normal, your environment and the people may be that but your mental and emotional state is a different story. Like, case in point in real life: There're many real life cases of people with depression, mental illness or suicidal tendencies relapsing back into themselves and in dark places even when they are on cloud nine. Everyone has battles to fight and demons that they struggle with, Cloud is no exception in that regard. It's what makes him human, relatable and vulnerable all at once as well it being a very firm and awesome way of showcasing that strength and support comes in many forms and that can empower a person in their darkest hours.
Truly an awesome summary of Cloud
!!! U did a wonderful job!! Thank u!!❤️❤️
This is a great video, I know it’s been awhile since it’s upload but I would love to see more videos like this one
This is an extremely well done look into Cloud's psyche and character development. I feel like a lot of people who played Final Fantasy VII or followed any of it's extended lore really miss out on Cloud's entire character arc and how he exemplifies the concept of a "broken hero". He suffers clearly from PTSD, depression, anxiety, dissociation, and possibly various other mental illnesses in a more minor way. Maybe this stems from most of us being far younger when we first played it. I always loved the game, but replaying it when I was a young adult I found so much more to love about it, specifically in truly appreciating the trials and tribulations Cloud goes through and how it directly relates to his character. These are the things that truly set him apart from other protagonists in video games/film/other media and allow him to stand with the best characters of all time.
Great video and excellent breakdown! Subbed for sure.
Great analysis and great video. I know nothing about your channel, but I just subscribed due to how thoughtful you were during the video. I'm sure that same thoughtfulness is in all your work. Thank you
I'm actually incredibly pleasantly surprised! Usually, videos like this are made by your usual gamer dudebro and have tons of misconceptions about mental health. Amazing work!
This must be a really weird coincidence, but yesterday I was having an incredibly rough mental day, but then my partner and I stumbled upon this video. First, I also was introduced with Advent Children and Cloud became a favorite. He’s always been close to my heart and he might as well been one of the first Trans awakenings for me because I wanted to be him!! This video hit me so hard, like it was aimed at exactly how I was feeling last night with what some of his struggles feeling weak inside were like. I feel attacked!!!!!! (Loljk) Second, I see you with your AMV editing knowledge, cheers to AMVs, I also was obsessed with them. Third and finally, thank you for making this video, I thoroughly enjoyed it and I felt connected to Cloud all over again.
I'm so glad this video meant something to you!! Thank you for watching it! 🙏💖
This video is so great, thank you truthfully for the whole work you put into this, hopefully the rebirth lunch brings back your content!
This Video was really awesome and you gave great insight into who Cloud is at his core. I played the OG FF7 last year on the PS4 and it was really nice to see Cloud go through his journey alongside the other cast members, especially because I too only knew his "edgy cool guy" representation. And now seeing the angle you presented makes him even more likeable right away. Cloud is just a little Baby boy who needs hugs
I don't think I've connected to a character more than Cloud Strife and your video perfectly sums up everything I love about this universe. Thank you.
This was a very good dive into clouds character and thanks for explaining the advent children characterization. People never see the whole picture so they don't get it. Please do more of these dive videos and trust your own topical compass I trust its good.
Just found this video. You hit a great deal of points dead on. I played this game in 1997 as a 16 year old. Everything you mentioned in this video was basically as clear to me then as it is now. So just to make the point that even though society as a whole was different back then with regards to mental health, these things still hit home for a vast number of the players playing at that time. Its a testament to the story telling and creative team as a whole behind this timeless game.
I suffer from anxiety, depression, and PTSD, and every day I feel like I'm slowly turning into Cloud.
Brother, remember... Cloud comes to terms with his truths. Be well and know that with enough time and patience you can work through things.
I am in the same page just hang on. Have faith live will be better
my suggestion, wake up, and be grateful with everything u have.
stop living in fantasy and called ur self Cloud.
unless u are as pretty as cloud and as strong as Cloud.
I hope you get help. Don't be like Cloud and not get help.
@@zm3375 I can already tell you've NEVER dealt with mental health struggles in your life. Not to sound too incredibly harsh but as somebody who's dealt with similar mental health struggles to OP... maybe shut the fuck up and not weigh in on this because you're actually doing more harm than good.
im an extremely new player, i came about when the remake came out. it didnt touch his mentall illnesses and other things that make him up, and ive been wanting to learn. i genuinely started crying about halfway through, because you just explained everything so well. thank you.
hey this is a really great video and you put so many of my thoughts around this character into words much better than I ever could
OMG YOU GET IT, GIRL!!!
I am DONE with people trashing Cloud because he's "broody" or "emo", like... people come on, he suffered PTSD AND DEPRESSION!!!
Thank you for making this, more people need to watch this and understand! 💖
I know right you get it
Cloud Strife is better than solider!!!!! and a amazing character and let’s not forget all of his amazing accomplishments
This had me in tears multiple times. And I'm anxiously waiting for an update video as I thought one surely would be out by now but alas.
I’m gonna send this to every damn comment that says Cloud needs to stop being ‘emo’, wasn’t portrayed well in AC and that dismissed the fact that he had mental health issues. Thank you so much for this analysis, part of the reason why I love and relate to Cloud so much is because just like me he goes through mental health problems due to past experiences. I really appreciate the time you took to make this.
This was a wonderful analysis on Cloud; I empathize with his character in quite a few ways. (Plus, even knowing Aerith's death is inevitable, it still makes me crestfallen). Great job!
Probably the best analysis of Cloud I've ever seen.
I hope you make an update to this because Im curious what you think of the twist at the end but then again it will be most likely clarified when part 2 comes out.
Great video! That ‘who I am when Im depressed isn’t the real me’ hit me like a brick. 110% accurate.
subbed, thank you so much for making this. i can't put the love i have for this game into words. seriously, I mean it...I'm not gonna trauma dump in a youtube comment, but cloud and I both reacted to early life trauma in similar ways. I was shocked when I first picked this game up on a whim 3 years ago. I was 22, I was not expecting some old game designed by Japanese guys in suits to sell ps1s to teenagers to really speak to me. yet, shit, the game just gets it. I remmeber bawling when cloud said "there's someone in me I don't understand, someone who isn't me" in the city of the ancients. it was so real to me. it actually helped me step back and understand myself a little better. anyways you did this character justice, much love. please make more stuff
Just checking in from someone who watches a lot of video essays: good work, keep it up!
As someone who suffers from bi-polar disorder and fell in love with the character of Cloud and Advent Children, I thoroughly enjoyed watching this video! Thank you so much for putting in the work to make a powerful-message-hitting video. There needs to be more heroes like Cloud those with mental illnesses can relate to...
Excellent video all the way through. I definitely learned some things I never thought about and never knew.
One thing that stands out to me is that if one looks at the FF7 story from Tifa Lockhart's perspective, it really becomes readily apparent how much pain she's in from everything she has lost in life. Frequently, we see moments of her being shy and insecure, especially compared to FF7R's Jessie and Aerith; but shes always still there doing her best to keep up and stay by Cloud no matter what, regardless of doubts and anxiety. She's every bit the strong protagonist that Zack is and Cloud wasn't.
I'm delighted to see this comment, because the next video I'm currently working on is in fact Tifa and her relationship with trauma. It's an aspect that feels so overlooked by the fandom (and under explored in the OG game).
@@CautiousAmber I hope you make it! Tifa in the Remake is especially interesting to me because I feel like the story is much more aware that she knows something is very wrong with Cloud.
Like, at first, it's silly that Avalanche is letting this kid who has frequent weird headaches come along on these deadly missions, but it's like, well, what else is Tifa supposed to do if she wants to keep an eye on Cloud?
I mean, just think about how sick he must have looked when she found him at the train station. And if we look at timelines, it is several weeks between then and the first Avalanche mission. How unwell was Cloud in this period?
Beautifully said. Very nuanced. It's always nice to see those who don't just label him as emo and understand why he is the way he is. Especially in Advent Children. It's barely remembered, but you can see touches of his growth in Dirge of Cerberus where he's still held back in expressing himself, but he's not distant and quiet anymore.
Thank you for this video! Absolutely fantastic.
Cloud is one of my favorite protagonists in general and I was first exposed to ff7 by the remake this year. I remember thinking that he was "Someone trying to be cool and edgy but everyone around is like "nope"" in the remake and tbh I found him to be funny and dorky when he did do those and I noticed his mentally ill side with his fear of sephiroth and in general trauma. Afterward after the great experience I had with remake, I decided to pick up the og. What can I say, from beginning to end it was amazing. My heart broke when he had a mental breakdown at the temple of the ancients and was shattered at the northern crater. The image of cloud at the Mideel hospital is probably one that will always be in my memory forever as I got to know Cloud. A regular person, that tried so hard to be recognized and noticed, failed at those and then being broken down further than he already was. Nevertheless, it was relatable and I don't think even today I've seen any media have such a protagonist that at first thinks he made it, only to realize that at the end of the idea he is a completely different person and the opposite of what he claimed to be. I already knew about the advent children cloud and I have mixed feelings if I want to watch that movie or not currently. Regardless, Cloud is a character of mental illness and traits I have never seen and I admire his character deeply for the realism and everything that was brought.
As I already said, fantastic video of one of my favorite characters ever.
Your analysis got me to cry; more please!
Stumbled upon this on a FF7 youtube rabbit hole binge and just wanted to say this was really well done! I love to hear the passion that others have for characters that I am passionate about as well. Not sure if you've done this already, but I would love to hear your opinions on how he's depicted in the Remake. Great job, hope you got an A+ :)
Oh, I definitely want to do a follow up video! I liked his portrayal in Remake a LOT. I'm playing through a second time to really gather all my thoughts.