It’s one of the most important questions in all of Final Fantasy 7 fandom: Aerith or Tifa?
It’s also one that Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth director Naoki Hamaguchi “absolutely cannot answer.”
Anyone who has played through Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Rebirth has noticed the love triangle that exists between protagonist Cloud Strife and his apparent love interests, Aerith Gainsborough and Tifa Lockhart. It arguably comes to a head during Rebirth’s Golden Saucer scene.
Though I’d make the argument that things actually come to a head during Final Fantasy 7 Remake when Jessie’s expanded role hints at another possible love interest for Cloud, but I digress.
Recently, GamesRadar had the chance to speak with Hamaguchi, and the topic of Cloud’s love interests naturally came up. Unfortunately, for some fans, if that initial quote is any indication, he seems to have dodged the question.
Naoki Hamaguchi Just Wants Cloud To Be Happy
Expanding on his stance, he “absolutely cannot answer…and will not answer” the question of who Cloud would choose, Hamaguchi explains that he’s too attached to Cloud as a character.
“But I think one thing I can say, after spending so long working on these games, over 10 years of developing on the Final Fantasy 7 Remake series – I’ve spent so much time looking at Cloud, walking behind him, seeing him go around the world. I think I probably spent more time looking at the back of Cloud than I have anyone in my actual family.”
Ten years is a long time to be attached to any project, especially one as iconic as the Final Fantasy 7 remake trilogy. So while that first answer still feels like a cop out, at least Hamaguchi is coming from a place of love.
I’ve got a lot of sympathy, a lot of affinity with Cloud himself, and I just want what makes him happy.
Given how enjoyable Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth was, addressing the concerns of Final Fantasy 7 Remake while staying true to the source material’s twists and turns, I can see that love and affinity Hamaguchi has with Cloud. I, too, would like him to be happy for once.
- Security Camera Installation – indoor/outdoor IP CCTV systems & video analytics
- Access Control Installation – key card, fob, biometric & cloud‑based door entry
- Business Security Systems – integrated alarms, surveillance & access control
- Structured Cabling Services – voice, data & fiber infrastructure for new or existing builds
- Video Monitoring Services – 24/7 remote surveillance and analytics monitoring
Author: 360 Technology Group
