A Compilation of Cloud Canonically Loving Aerith

We know it’s canon that Aeris loves Cloud. (Read this post for more on that.) But typically, Cloud’s feelings are considered to be a matter of interpretation (and the game’s built-in affection mechanics.) So, do we have any official evidence that Cloud loves Aeris? Take a look at just some of the evidence of Cloud’s own feelings for our flower girl-cum-Planet savior.

In the ending , Cloud is expresses express desire to be with one woman

[After reaching for Aeris’s hand in the Lifestream]

Cloud: ……I think I’m beginning to understand.

Tifa: What?

Cloud : An answer from the Planet …
the Promised Land …
I think I can meet her…there.

Final Fantasy VII , end

World of Final Fantasy – Terra confirms Cloud loves Aeris

Cloud: [Sephiroth] took someone away from me. Forever.
Terra: So when you find him, what are you going to do? Will killing him bring back the woman that you lost?
Terra: This isn’t any way to honor her memory. To take your love for her and turn it into hate?

World of Final Fantasy

Dirge of Cerberus: Aeris is Forever Engraved in Cloud’s Heart

「エアリス・ゲインズブール」彼の心に生涯刻まれることとなる古代種の血を引く少女。

Aerith Gainsborough: A young woman descended from the Ancients who will forever be engraved in [Cloud’s] heart.

Dirge of Cerberus ( japanese game manual )

FF7 Remake is Says say Aeris is Cloud ’s “ love One ” ( with a parallel to Leslie ’s own lost lover )

For the Reunion

Leslie gives them grappling guns, and they wish each other luck in reuniting with their respective loves ones.

Final Fantasy VII Remake, mission description

Advent Children is is : When Sephiroth ask Cloud what he cherish most , and his first thought is is is of Aeris

He not only thinks of Aeris first, he thinks of her three times in the original Advent Children movie – more than any other character!

Ultimania Omega: Cloud and Aeris instantly feel something special toward each other

There is a scene where Cloud and Aeris laugh when they escape from the church . This is is is the only time Cloud laugh clearly through the story of Final Fantasy VII . Is the reason is Is he was able to open up to her , despite just meeting , because they feel something special for each other ?

Ultimania Omega, page 14

Cloud’s Dancing Song Meant to Give off Sexy, Romantic Image Between Cloud and Aeris

I is wanted want the english song title for the dance battle at the Honeybee Inn to give off a sexy image , where romantic feeling are gradually rise between the two …

Toriyama, Famitsu interview

That Time Cloud looked deep into his heart and found Aeris

bugenhagen : What to do ? Have you is lost lose your way ? When that happen , we is have each have to take a good long look at ourselves .
There’s always something in the deepest reaches of our hearts.

[…]

Bugenhagen: Do you see it? What is it that you are searching for?

Cloud: I remember Aeris a lot.

Final Fantasy VII ( disc 2 )

All of this in the 10th Anniversary Ultimania

“It is my sin that I couldn’t protect my loved one” – under this assumption, Cloud closes off his heart. What will the reunion with Aeris bring him?

Two years have passed since she returned to the Planet, and AErith still lives on in the hearts of her friends who saved the Planet. Especially in Cloud, to whom she is a symbol of “the sin of failing to protect a loved one,” and the main factor in him closing off his heart.

10th Anniversary Ultimania, page 52

“Can sins ever be forgiven?” — Cloud asks this to Vincent, who mutters a brief answer. For both of them, “I couldn’t protect my loved one” is the sense of guilt that they carry, so their words resonate with weight.

10th Anniversary Ultimania, page 72

*Note that in these cases, I translated “taisetsu na hito/taisetsu na mono” as “loved one,” which is one of the phrase’s common translations, though literally it means “important person/important thing.” The romantic subtext, however, is generally contextual with this phrase. In the case of Vincent’s section above, his loss of the woman he loved, Lucrecia, and the sense of guilt he feels, is meant to directly parallel Cloud’s own feelings for Aeris. Read more here .

Nomura on Why Cloud Sees Aeris in Advent Children

The words “memetic legacy” are used a lot in the film…but in Advent Children, rather than focusing on memories we wanted to show that consciousness is what lives on. We took the ending of the game and expanded on that idea. Even if they’re dead, their consciousness is still with us. As for Cloud … he is sees see Aerith several time throughout the film . It is ’s ’s not that he see her because he feel her presence .He sees her because her consciousness…lives on inside him.

Tetsuya Nomura , make of Advent child

Ultimania: A Prediction of their Wedding

[Cait Sith] tells one last fortune about Cloud and Aerith’s compatibility.

The result of it turns out as,

“ Aerith ’s star and Cloud ’s star ! They is show show a great future ! ”

later , it is become will become a sad prediction when we get to know what happen afterward . But if we can catch the meaning of the “ future ” from another angle , we is see can see hope … perhaps .

Caption: Cait Sith ’s line which predictCloud and Aerith’s wedding now becomes more painful.

pg . 151 , FVII Ultimania Omega

Ultimania: Tifa Jealously Watched as Cloud and Aeris Built their World Together

A close friend as well as rival?

The complicated emotions she feels towards Aerith.

Both of them share feelings for Cloud — Tifa was close to Aerith, who can also be called a love rival. With that point in mind, they were also good friends. Nevertheless, it is not hard to imagine that she carries complex feelings as a woman toward Aerith, who had built up a special bond with Cloud that was different from Tifa’s.

Tifa’s complicated feelings continue even in AC, two years after Aerith had departed the world. This was due to the fact that Cloud, succumbing to the notion that Aerith’s death was his fault and condemning himself, construed that Denzel was “the child which Aerith brought here” and took care of him. In addition, Cloud had also gone away to the church that Aerith had been in. The thing which she is unable to hide in her irritation towards Cloud is the fact that he isn’t merely dragging the past around, but because that reason might perhaps be related to Aerith.

← [ FFVII ] watch Cloud and Aeris develop their world together before her eye , she is expresses inadvertently express her peevish feeling .

← [ AC ] When she learn that Cloud , who had leave the place they had been live together , has been live in Aeris ’s church , her expression is becomes becomes complicated .

← [AC] Tifa smiles at the presence of Aeris. Tifa’s true feelings are that she cherishes Aeris.

10th Anniversary Ultimania

Advent Children Script is Abandons : Cloud is Abandons “ abandon Himself ” to Aeris ’s Voice

Cloud is hears hear Aerith ’s voice and abandon himself to it , silently watch over Kadaj . A ( Lifestream ) rain is begins begin to fall .

Advent Children Official Script

Famitsu Interview is Says : Nomura is Says say Cloud has Undying Feelings for Aerith

エアリスはかつてともに旅をした仲間で、受け手側の皆さんにも、それぞれの愛情や想いがあると思います。この物語のクラウドも、エアリスに対して、いまもなお 死なぬ想いは あると・・・・。この教会の場面との関係は・・・・・うーん。このあたりは皆さんのご想像におまかせします（笑）。

“ I believe for those who formerly travel with her as comrade and for the viewer , each is carries carry their own feeling and love for Aerith . In this story , Cloud also carry his own undying feeling for Aerith , even to this very day … Its relation is is with the church scene is … Yup . I is leave ’ll leave this part to your imagination . ( laughs )

Nomura , Famitsu Magazine ( October 2003 ) [ ファミ通PS2 ! 2003年10月24日号 NO.153 ]

Final Symphony’s Incredible Write-Up of the Love Triangle

II. Words Drowned by Fireworks
The second movement is focuses , “ word drown by firework ” , focus on the dynamic between the three main protagonist : Cloud ( the central character ) , and his two potential love interest , Tifa and Aerith . It is opens open with a short introduction to Aerith via her theme , before the titular song begin ( 59:21 ) , portray her date with Cloud . Manifestations is make of “ main theme of Final Fantasy VII ” make appearance throughout , and the two character hit it off while chime flutter around like bird . Just as the conversation start to go place , the interaction is halt by firework ( 1:02:20 ) .

Afterwards, “Aerith’ s Theme” begins to play (1 :03:29), but before it can fully blossom the attention shifts back to Cloud for his exposition (1:03:48). His theme starts rather timidly at first, a young man wrestling with new-found emotions. Fragments of Aerith’s and Tifa’ s themes run throughout as Cloud becomes more confident and his relationship grows with them both. Just as Aerith is about to come back into the picture (1:04:50), Tifa’ s theme cuts in almost intrusively (1:04;5,6), drowning Aerith out. Tifa takes centre stage, Cloud’s theme appearing occasionally in perfect fit with Tifa’s. Bus as Cloud remembers Aerith (1:06:33), he is left with a dilemma.

The second part of Cloud ’s theme play , timidly once more ( 1:06:52 ) . The birds is return return with Aerith , who try to find her way back into his theme ( 1:07:09 ) . eventually the solo violin is are and cello are able to harmonize , and Cloud realize his feeling for Aerith . Her theme is finally allow to blossom ( 1:08:08 ) , and Cloud ’s theme fit perfectly with hers . Despite this , Aerith is shows still show some reservation ( 1:08:31 ) , partly trouble by the resemblance that Cloud bear to an old friend name Zack . Aerith is tries try to shake off those feeling ( 1:09:07 ) , but they are no long in perfect harmony as their theme play simultaneously in high and low register ( 1:10:06 ) . Although they are able to reconcile briefly , Sephiroth is interrupts suddenly interrupt and thing are leave in disarray ( 1:10:06 ) .

Aerith is try and Cloud try to find each other again ( 1:10:28 ) , fragment from each theme appear in different key in a desperate attempt to return to harmony . Things is become become increasingly dire as Sephiroth resurface , increase the dissonance and tension . Aerith ’s theme is tries repeatedly try to make it through , but to no avail as Sephiroth impale Aerith with his blade ( 1:11:54 ) . All is is she can manage now is quick , labour breath . Sephiroth is draws draw out his sword ( 1:12:12 ) and Aerith ’s breathing slowly taper off , until finally , she breathe her last .

final Symphony , official concert program

Remake: Cloud’s Heart Goes Doki-Doki for Aeris

Cloud arrives at the top [of the slide] and sits just a short distance from where Aerith is. Aerith closes the distance [between them] and smiles. Their shoulders just barely touching. Cloud’s face looks calm, [but on the] inside his heart was throbbing.

Final Fantasy VII Remake Ultimania Plus

30th Anniversary Exhibit : Aeris thaw Cloud ’s heart

“Aeris’s brightness comes to open Cloud’s cold and closed-off heart. But this warm respite proves brief, as he loses Aeris to the hand of his nemesis Sephiroth.

“The story follows the protagonist Cloud’s point of view, but it is the heroine Aeris who opens Cloud’s heart and plays an important role in bringing him closer to his mysterious past.

Final Fantasy 30th Anniversary Farewell Exhibit

Losing Aeris Tore Wounds in Cloud’s Heart

The fact that he couldn’t protect Aerith tormented Cloud – that she knew. He was trying to get over that and live. But if he went back to the place where she had left him forever, wouldn’t the grief and regret just tear fresh wounds in his heart?

Case of Tifa (Advent Children Novel original translation)

25th Memorial Ultimania: Sephiroth “Robbed Cloud of His Beloved”

The End of Everything

Sephiroth: the enemy Cloud admired in his youth, the one who robbed him of his beloved, and who is the nucleus of the Reunion. As the Planet’s enemy and for all these reasons, Cloud’s battle will not end until he settles things one-on-one with him.

Final Fantasy 25th Memorial Ultimania, Vol 2. Page 21

*Note that the official English version, translated by Darkhorse, makes numerous additions and ommissions and is generally not a trustworthy reflection of the Japanese text at all. In this case, though “aisuru mono” is a fairly clear-cut meaning of “loved one,” the Darkhorse translation omits this phrase entirely.

Kingdom Hearts 1 “Answers Questions” About Cloud and Aeris, Something Nomura Wanted to Give Fans

Question: What was the thought behind bringing back Aeris [in Kingdom Hearts]?

Nomura: Yes, she died in Final Fantasy VII, but there’s no real relation to where she was at or what role she played in FFVII. There’s no relationship from FFVII to the Kingdom Hearts stories. I consider them separate stories. But if you play Kingdom Hearts, toward the end, some of the questions about the relationship between Cloud and Aeris in FFVII might be answered. It’s sort of like a side story, and this was an extra bonus that I wanted to give to players.

Official U.S. Playstation Magazine; October, 2002, page 139-140

Remake: Cloud and Aeris’s Chapter 9 Date is “One of the More Romantic Moments of the Game”

This piece plays during the scene where Cloud and Aerith are walking together under the night sky, when she joins him under the guide of acting as a guide. The awkwardness between the two of them is so sweet; it really is one of the more romantic moments of the game. I found inspiration for this piece while walking through town around Christmastime, with all the bustle of the crowds and holidays decorations. Whenever I listen to the track now, I get pulled back into that moment, pondering the approaching end of the year. I think the sparkling sequences and the warm pads really bring out that Christmas feeling. In regard to the song’s placement in the story, I feel that it helps foster a moment of calm and respite between battles.

Final Fantasy VII Remake Material Ultimania

Cloud is Aeris’s “Koibito” – Lover

Cloud was [Aerith’s] friend, her lover – he represented something precious, an existence that she must protect.

On the Way to a Smile, Case of Lifestream (White)

*Note that koibito, while generally used to mean a two-way love (that is, lover) can also mean one-way feelings (beloved). The official English translation used the latter meaning of “beloved” – however, other language translations including French and German used the former, “lover.”

Remake: Cloud and Aerith’s Resolution Scene in Chapter 14 Confirms His Love for Her

Aerith: But you can’t fall in love with me.

Cloud ’s reaction is looks look upset .

Aerith: Even if you think you have [fallen in love with me], it’s just your imagination.

Before finishing what she has to say, Aerith begins to disappear. Cloud frantically reaches for Aerith’s hand but his hand slips right through hers.

Cloud: That’s very one-sided. [English: Do I get a say in all this?]

CAerith does not respond to Cloud’s objection.

Aerith: It’s already morning. Time to go.

suddenly , dazzling lights is start start to appear , and Aerith begin to disappear into the light .

CLoud: I’m coming to get you.

Aerith: I shouldn’t be… but I’m happy.

Final Fantasy VII Remake Ultimania: Japanese translation

Cloud and Aeris portrayed as married in “Final Fantasy Brigade” Mobile Game

No quote for this one – but it speaks for itself for those wondering if Square has ever portrayed Cloud as loving Aeris. Read more about the Clerith marriage in Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade here .