The answer to who Cloud's girlfriend is depends on the interpretation of the Final Fantasy VII canon. While the games never explicitly confirm a single romantic partner, several sources point towards Tifa Lockhart as Cloud's most likely love interest.
Evidence Supporting Tifa
- Square Enix Confirmation: Developer Square Enix has confirmed that Cloud and Tifa do have romantic feelings for one another, although this is never explicitly stated in the game. [Source: Developer Square Enix]
- In-Game Interactions: Numerous Reddit posts and discussions highlight the strong romantic subtext between Cloud and Tifa, culminating in implied romantic feelings expressed before the climax of the game. [Source: Reddit r/FFVIIRemake]
- Remake's Emphasis: Final Fantasy VII Remake further emphasizes the connection between Cloud and Tifa, showing a deeper bond and romantic undertones than in the original. [Source: Multiple articles and discussions about Final Fantasy VII Remake]
- Canon Love Interest: Recent announcements, such as the one surrounding Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, have further suggested Tifa to be Cloud's canon love interest. [Source: TheGamer]
Aerith Gainsborough: A Significant Relationship
While Tifa is heavily favored as Cloud's primary romantic interest, Aerith also holds a significant place in Cloud's life.
- Early Connection: Some analyses suggest Cloud's initial romantic feelings were directed towards Aerith, but this evolved over time. [Source: ResetEra]
- Mutual Attraction: Aerith clearly shows romantic interest in Cloud. However, their relationship is portrayed more tragically, being cut short by Aerith's death. [Source: Reddit r/FFVIIRemake]
The Ambiguity of Choice
The original Final Fantasy VII allowed for player choices that could subtly influence the interpretation of Cloud's relationship with either Tifa or Aerith. This fueled fan debates and varying interpretations of the narrative. However, subsequent games and developer statements lean more heavily towards Tifa.
Conclusion
While the games leave room for interpretation, the current consensus and developer statements point to Tifa Lockhart as Cloud's primary romantic interest. The relationship with Aerith is deeply meaningful but ultimately tragic.
