Cloud Strife

Former SOLDIER mercenary, protagonist of Final Fantasy VII

Protagonist of Final Fantasy VII, a mercenary and former SOLDIER. Master swordsman wielding the massive Buster Sword. A young man who harbors mental weaknesses but grows, fighting to the end to protect his friends.

Quotes

  • Not interested.
  • I believe in everyone.
  • I'm a former SOLDIER 1st Class.
  • Alright, let's go, everyone.
  • I am proof that you lived.
  • Money first, right?

Trivia

  • Original hairstyle was slicked back, changed to current spiky hair.
  • Prone to motion sickness, acknowledged by himself.
  • Magnet in the left shoulder armor of Buster Sword holds the sword.
  • Possesses physical abilities equal to Sephiroth but suffers from mental weakness.
  • False memories led him to misidentify as SOLDIER 1st Class.
  • Has a cross-dressing scene where his appearance is strikingly beautiful.

Alternate names

Cloud Strife Cloud Spiky Hair Chocobo Head

Tags

Final Fantasy VII FF7 Mercenary Former SOLDIER Buster Sword Mako Poisoning Sephiroth AVALANCHE Shinra Company Cool

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Profile

Species
Human
Gender
Male
Birthday
August 11

Appearance

Overall appearance
Blond hair styled in a distinctive spiky upsweep. Blue eyes, dressed in a sleeveless black SOLDIER uniform, carrying the massive single-edged Buster Sword.
Height
Approx. 173cm
Eye color
Blue
Hair color
Blond
Distinguishing features
  • Spiky blond hair
  • Blue eyes
  • Androgynous facial features
Iconic items
  • Buster Sword
  • Fusion Sword
  • Pink Ribbon (FF7AC solidarity)
  • Fenrir (beloved motorcycle)

Personality and abilities

Core personality
Cool
Detailed personality
Appears calm on the surface and often takes a cold attitude toward others, but is actually an introverted young man with a strong sense of responsibility and a solid core. Has a strong attachment to money, with the catchphrase \"Not interested.\" Deep down, he is kind and caring toward his friends. Suffers from mental weaknesses and struggles with his own identity, but grows through interactions with his friends and ultimately regains his true self.
Keywords
  • Calm
  • Cool
  • Shy
  • Strong sense of responsibility
  • Money-obsessed
  • Kind
  • Loyal to friends
Motto
Abandon illusions and follow your own path
Talents
  • Swordsmanship talent
  • High physical ability
  • Exceptional combat skills
  • Highly durable body
  • Motorcycle handling
  • Versatile weapon handling
Skills
  • Swordsmanship (Buster Sword, Fusion Sword)
  • Delivery service (Strife Delivery Service)
  • Submarine piloting
  • Snowboarding
  • Vehicle driving skills
  • Limit Break usage
Motivation
Regain his past and true identity, and save the planet
Habits
"Not interested" is his catchphrase. Prone to motion sickness.
Disliked situations
Mental weakness, Being deceived, Motion sickness

History

Backstory
Hails from Nibelheim. Was lonely and introverted as a child with few friends. Admired Tifa but couldn't express it honestly, supported by his grandmother Claudia. Joined Shinra Company as a regular soldier. Failed to become a SOLDIER due to lack of aptitude. Involved in the Nibelheim Incident with Sephiroth, lost his mother, and underwent human experimentation leading to mental breakdown. With implanted false memories, claimed to be former SOLDIER 1st Class Cloud, took Zack's Buster Sword, and became a mercenary. Confronted Sephiroth with friends, regained his true self from mental confusion. Continues to face new threats with friends thereafter.
Debut date
January 31, 1997
Work title
Final Fantasy VII
Media type
Game

Nibelheim Incident

Significant event
Nibelheim Incident
Description
Incident where his mother Claudia died and he was abducted and subjected to human modification.

Human Modification Experiment

Significant event
Human Modification Experiment
Description
Became a test subject in Hojo's Jenova cell-based Sephiroth-copy plan.

Escape and Wandering with Zack

Significant event
Escape and Wandering with Zack
Description
Escaped the experiment with Zack, but Zack was shot dead en route.

Anything-Goes Mercenary Era

Significant event
Anything-Goes Mercenary Era
Description
Began activities as AVALANCHE mercenary in Midgar.

Collapse and Rebirth of Self-Identity

Significant event
Collapse and Rebirth of Self-Identity
Description
Regained his true self and memories after mental breakdown.

Final Battle and Planet's Salvation

Significant event
Final Battle and Planet's Salvation
Description
Defeated Sephiroth in the final battle, saving the planet from Meteor.

Relationships

Claudia Strife

Mother

His mother and only family. Died in the Nibelheim Incident.

Tifa Lockhart

Childfriend

Childhood friend and love interest. Encourages and supports Cloud.

Zack Fair

Best friend

Best friend from SOLDIER days. Parted after escape, but had great influence on Cloud's personality.

Aerith Gainsborough

CloseFriend

Fateful encounter. Her tragic death leaves a deep mental scar on Cloud.

Barret Wallace

Teammate

AVALANCHE comrade. They clash at times but mutually respect each other.

Cid Highwind

Mentor

Airship pilot and comrade. Big brother figure.

Yuffie Kisaragi

Ally

Traveling companion. Scene where she teaches about motion sickness.

AVALANCHE

AVALANCHE: unknown

Shinra Company

Shinra Company: unknown

SOLDIER

SOLDIER: unknown

Media appearances

Final Fantasy VII

Game / Protagonist

1997

Final Fantasy VII Remake

Game / Protagonist

2020

Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children

Movie / Protagonist

2005

Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII

Game / Protagonist

2007

Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII

Game / Protagonist

2006

Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions

Game / Supporting

2007

Last Order: Final Fantasy VII

Anime / Protagonist

2005

Kingdom Hearts series

Game / Supporting

2002-

Dissidia Final Fantasy

Game / Playable

2008

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U

Game / Playable

DLC 2015

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Game / Playable

DLC 2019

Voice cast and creators

Takahiro Sakurai

Voice actor
Takahiro Sakurai
Language
Japanese
Version or series
TV anime and various games
Notes
Current main voice actor

Kouyu Azawa

Voice actor
Kouyu Azawa
Language
Japanese
Version or series
FFVII Remake (14-year-old voice)
Notes
Young and boyhood voice

Steve Burton

Voice actor
Steve Burton
Language
English
Version or series
Kingdom Hearts to Dissidia
Notes
Previous English voice actor

Cody Christian

Voice actor
Cody Christian
Language
English
Version or series
FFVII Remake English version
Notes
Current English voice actor

Tetsuya Nomura

Creator name
Tetsuya Nomura
Role
Original author

Related goods

Cloud Figure

Item name
Cloud Figure
Category
Figure
Availability
Regular

Buster Sword Replica

Item name
Buster Sword Replica
Category
Accessory
Availability
Limited

Cloud Plush

Item name
Cloud Plush
Category
Plush or doll
Availability
Regular

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