View source for Characters of the Final Fantasy VII series

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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Characters of the ''Final Fantasy VII'' series}}
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 | caption1 = [[Tetsuya Nomura]]'s designs of the main playable characters in the original ''Final Fantasy VII'' game. Clockwise from top right: Cait Sith, [[Tifa Lockhart|Tifa]], [[Barret Wallace|Barret]], [[Cloud Strife|Cloud]], [[Aerith Gainsborough|Aerith]], [[Yuffie Kisaragi|Yuffie]], Red XIII, [[Vincent Valentine|Vincent]] and Cid.
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 | caption2 = Starting with ''Advent Children'', the cast of ''Final Fantasy'' were redesigned in order to look more realistic and fit following generations consoles.
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{{Final Fantasy characters}}
''[[Final Fantasy VII]]'', a [[role-playing video game]] developed by [[Square (video game company)|Square]], now [[Square Enix]], and originally released in 1997, features many fictional characters in both major and minor roles. ''VII'' has been followed by multiple sequels and prequels, grouped into the multimedia series ''[[Compilation of Final Fantasy VII]]''. These include the 2004 mobile game prequel ''[[Before Crisis: Final Fantasy VII|Before Crisis]]'', the 2005 film sequel ''[[Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children|Advent Children]]'', the 2006 shooter spin-off sequel ''[[Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII|Dirge of Cerberus]]'', and the 2007 action game prequel ''[[Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII|Crisis Core]]''. Other media include spin-off books and the [[original video animation]] ''[[Last Order: Final Fantasy VII|Last Order]]''. The setting of ''Final Fantasy VII'' has been described as [[Industrial society|industrial]] or [[Post-industrial society|post-industrial]] [[science fiction]].<ref>{{Cite magazine | date=August 2001 | title=Final Fantasy | magazine=[[Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine]] | issue=47 | page=16 | publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]}}</ref> It is referred to as "the Planet" in most games, and was retroactively named "Gaia" in some Square Enix promotional material.<ref name="VIIhistory"/>

''VII'' follows [[Cloud Strife]], a mercenary with a troubled past who joins eco-terrorist group AVALANCHE to stop Shinra from draining the life of the Planet and using it as an energy source. As the story progresses, conflicts escalate and the group fights for the world's safety as new forces emerge. Cloud and his team eventually face off against the game's antagonist, [[Sephiroth (Final Fantasy)|Sephiroth]], to stop him from destroying the Planet. Other important characters include [[Aerith Gainsborough]], a flower seller who becomes a good friend to Cloud; [[Zack Fair]], Cloud's friend, a former soldier of Shinra and the protagonist of ''Crisis Core''; and [[Vincent Valentine]], a man made immortal as a result of Shinra's experiments and the protagonist of ''Dirge of Cerberus''. The conflict between Cloud and Sephiroth forms the core narrative around which many of the series' stories are built. Other characters include the Turks, a covert group which originally worked for Shinra.

The original characters were designed by [[Tetsuya Nomura]], who had done monster designs for ''[[Final Fantasy VI]]'' and was chosen for the role after his designs impressed producer [[Hironobu Sakaguchi]]. Nomura was responsible for many of the characters and their stories. The scenario for the original game was written by Sakaguchi, [[Yoshinori Kitase]] and [[Kazushige Nojima]]. Nomura, Kitase and Nojima have been involved in other titles in the ''Compilation''. The characters of ''VII'' have met with positive reception in contemporary and modern reviews, while their portrayal in the ''Compilation'' titles has been mixed: while ''Crisis Core'' was generally praised, the focus on secondary characters in ''Dirge of Cerberus'' drew mixed opinions from some, while their appearance in ''Advent Children'' was generally cited as confusing or poor for newcomers to the series. The cast, along with side characters and villains, have remained popular among critics and series fans, with many lists and opinion polls citing them as some of the best characters in the ''Final Fantasy'' series.

==Concept and creation==
The original concept for ''[[Final Fantasy VII]]''{{'}}s world was for a modern setting, but after the project was moved from the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] to the [[PlayStation]] console, the setting was altered. Elements from the original concept were later used in ''[[Final Fantasy VIII]]'' and ''[[Parasite Eve (video game)|Parasite Eve]]''.<ref name="YTinreview">{{cite journal |title=Yoshinori Kisate interview |issue=25 |journal=LEVEL |language=sv |publisher=Reset Media |date=May 2008}}</ref> The game's producer, [[Hironobu Sakaguchi]], chose character designer [[Tetsuya Nomura]], who had previously worked on monster designs for ''[[Final Fantasy VI]]'', to design the main cast. Sakaguchi chose Nomura after being amused by the way Nomura did the storyboarding for the cutscenes.<ref name="FamNomura">{{cite magazine |date=May 15, 2012 |title=Tetsuya Nomura Interview |magazine=[[Famitsu|Shūkan Famitsū]] |publisher=[[Enterbrain]] |language=ja |issue=1224}} [http://thelifestream.net/weekly-famitsu-issue-no-1224-tetsuya-nomura-interview/ Translation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104162619/http://thelifestream.net/weekly-famitsu-issue-no-1224-tetsuya-nomura-interview/|date=November 4, 2013}}</ref> Talking of his role as character designer, Nomura stated that when he was brought on, the main scenario was incomplete, but he "went along like, 'I guess first off you need a hero and a heroine', and from there drew the designs while thinking up details about the characters. After [he'd] done the hero and heroine, [he] carried on drawing by thinking what kind of characters would be interesting to have. When [he] handed over the designs [he'd] tell people the character details [he'd] thought up, or write them down on a separate sheet of paper".<ref name="UOAnniversary">{{Cite book |year=2007 |editor=Studio BentStuff |title=Final Fantasy VII 10th Anniversary |pages=8–13 |language=ja |publisher=[[Square Enix]] |isbn=978-4-7575-2560-3}}</ref> Nomura also created Zack Fair, who was a late addition to the cast meant to add depth to Cloud and Aerith's relationship, and came up with the name for Red XIII, wanting an "interesting" name that combined a color and a number.<ref name="UOAnniversary"/> Although the game was Nomura's favorite ''Final Fantasy'' project, he felt that it was hindered by graphical limitations, and that as a result his designs were plain in comparison to his "true" style.<ref name="Knight">{{cite web |last=Knight |first=Sheila |year=2003 |title=Tetsuya Nomura 20s |url=http://flaregamer.com/b2article.php?p=81&more=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20130420015300/http://flaregamer.com/b2article.php?p=81&more=1 |archive-date=April 20, 2013 |access-date=April 13, 2006 |publisher=FLAREgamer}}</ref> ''Final Fantasy VII'' was the first game where Nomura was really involved in the character design, including the personalities, so the player side ended up being edgy as well. He wanted to include a unique character, resulting in a diverse party.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://youngjump.jp/yj45_interview/02/|title=踏襲せず、踏襲できないものを|website=Young Jump|access-date=September 29, 2024|archive-date=September 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240930224708/https://youngjump.jp/yj45_interview/02/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The game's plot was created by Sakaguchi, although most scenario writing was done by [[Yoshinori Kitase]] and [[Kazushige Nojima]], who conceived Shinra, Cloud and Sephiroth's relationship, and Cloud's backstory. The Lifestream, the source of life for the Planet, was one of the earliest concepts created for ''VII'', but its depiction and purpose changed drastically during development.<ref name="IGNffviii">{{cite web |date=June 4, 2007 |title=FFVII Not Being Remade -- Nomura |url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2007/06/04/ffvii-not-being-remade-nomura |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160328074809/http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/06/04/ffvii-not-being-remade-nomura |archive-date=March 28, 2016 |access-date=December 9, 2013 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref> The concepts behind the Lifestream and Aerith's iconic death scene were sparked in Sakaguchi by the death of his mother, which inspired him to create a realistic death for Aerith rather than a "Hollywood" sacrificial death.<ref name="EdgeSakaguchi">{{cite magazine |date=May 2003 |title=The Making Of: Final Fantasy VII |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |issue=123 |pages=108–113 |publisher=[[Future plc|Future Publishing]]}}</ref>

The "dark" theme described by Nomura is continued throughout the ''Compilation'', with characters such as Kadaj, Loz and Yazoo in ''[[Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children]]'' and the Tsviets in ''[[Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII]]''. Kitase stated that [[voice acting]] was one of the topics which the ''Compilation'' team paid close attention to. As Cloud and Vincent have similar personalities, care was taken to differentiate between them and their dialogue.<ref>{{cite web |last=Gantayat |first=Anoop |date=June 10, 2005 |title=Yoshinori Kitase Talks Final Fantasy VII |url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2005/06/10/yoshinori-kitase-talks-final-fantasy-vii |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240311233323/https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/06/10/yoshinori-kitase-talks-final-fantasy-vii |archive-date=March 11, 2024 |access-date=February 17, 2008 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref> The compilation was originally conceived as only one title (''Advent Children''), which focused on Tifa and Cloud, but they eventually expanded it into a collection which included games focusing on other characters, such as Zack and Vincent.<ref>{{cite web |last=Stone |first=Courtney |date=September 1, 2005 |title=Kitase Discusses Compilation of Final Fantasy VII |url=http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q3-2005/090105b.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222053804/http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q3-2005/090105b.html |archive-date=February 22, 2012 |access-date=August 5, 2010 |publisher=RPGamer}}</ref> Nomura requested Hajime Tabata, the director of ''[[Before Crisis: Final Fantasy VII|Before Crisis]]'', to create a game focusing on the Turks.<ref name="GamespotTabata">{{cite web |last=Leo |first=Jon |date=November 1, 2011 |title=Fantasy Star: Talking to Final Fantasy Scenario Director Hajime Tabata |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/fantasy-star-talking-to-final-fantasy-scenario-director-hajime-tabata/1100-6399208/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310130416/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/fantasy-star-talking-to-final-fantasy-scenario-director-hajime-tabata/1100-6399208/ |archive-date=March 10, 2014 |access-date=June 13, 2014 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref>

With ''Advent Children'' following works, the cast was redesigned. While designing the characters, the staff discovered that it was impossible to translate the ''Final Fantasy VII'' designs into the film. Therefore, some identifying characteristics had to be discarded.<ref name="gspot"/> Cloud's redesign was a combination of eight different designs, from his [[super deformed]] appearance in the game to his more realistic appearance in the film. The difficulties in making Sephiroth led the staff to reduce his appearances in the film; it took them two years to develop and refine his look.<ref name="prologue"/> Nozue also strugled to develop a framework for Tifa's body that was "balanced, yet showed off her feminine qualities".{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} For ''Dirge of Cerberus'', the Tsviets were designed with the idea of creating a sense of balance for the warriors with which players would already be familiar, primarily Vincent, Cloud and Sephiroth. Meanwhile, the prequel ''Crisis Core'' operated on the principle of dealing with these characters' "younger days", so that new elements could be added without changing them too much.<ref name="oneup"/> One of the primary reasons Zack was chosen as the protagonist was because his fate was predetermined.<ref name="oneup">{{cite web|author=Mielke, James |date=March 19, 2008 |title=Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core (PSP) Preview |url=http://www.1up.com/previews/crisis-core |publisher=[[1UP.com]] |access-date=July 22, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809211631/http://www.1up.com/previews/crisis-core |archive-date=August 9, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The addition of Genesis to the story came about after discussions between producer Hideki Imaizumi and the character's Japanese voice actor, [[Gackt]]. Imaizumi had been impressed with the characters' brief appearance in the secret ending to ''[[Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII]]'', and felt there was potential to expand on the character.<ref name="ignpage2"/> Sephiroth's role was specifically written to give him a more human side.<ref name="ignpage2">{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/04/28/crisis-core-final-fantasy-vii-uk-interview?page=2 |title=Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII UK Interview |work=IGN |first=Dave |last=McCarthy |date=April 28, 2008 |access-date=March 8, 2009 |page=2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025072927/http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/04/28/crisis-core-final-fantasy-vii-uk-interview?page=2 |archive-date=October 25, 2012}}</ref> Rather than using the character models and graphical style of ''Advent Children'', which by that point had been developed using ten-year-old technology, the team decided to create new designs and models: Nomura wished to balance the realism of ''Advent Children'' with cartoon stylization. Nomura was in charge of the revamped main character designs, while designer Roberto Ferrari was in charge of designs for secondary characters. Character modeling was supervised by [[Visual Works]], Square Enix's CGI development branch. Cloud's initial redesign for ''Final Fantasy VII Remake'' departed more dramatically from the original, but was later altered to more closely resemble Nomura's original concept.<ref name=":9!">{{cite web |url=http://www.siliconera.com/2018/02/07/final-fantasy-vii-remake-changed-clouds-design-nomura-says-closest-original/ |title=Final Fantasy VII Remake Changed Cloud's Design, Nomura Says It Is Closest to the Original |date=February 7, 2018 |publisher=Siliconera|access-date=April 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113181635/https://www.siliconera.com/2018/02/07/final-fantasy-vii-remake-changed-clouds-design-nomura-says-closest-original/|archive-date=November 13, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Tifa's original appearance was changed to make her look more realistic, as members from the staff realized her design would not fit fight scenes.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://onlysp.escapistmagazine.com/square-enix-ethics-department-tifa-character-outfit-change-final-fantasy-vii-remake/ |title=Tifa's Outfit Changed in Final Fantasy VII Remake on Advice From Ethics Department |website=Escaptist Magazine |date=June 22, 2019 |access-date=May 4, 2020 |archive-date=January 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109054217/https://onlysp.escapistmagazine.com/square-enix-ethics-department-tifa-character-outfit-change-final-fantasy-vii-remake/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Sephiroth appears during the Midgar scenario, despite not being properly introduced until a flashback Cloud experiences. Vice noted that Cloud sees the future of Aerith in the original 1997 game, leaving her fate unknown to returning fans.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/ffvii-remake-sephiroth-canon-fate/ |title=The Amazing Way 'Final Fantasy VII Remake' Solved Its Villain Problem |website=Vice |access-date=June 25, 2020 |date=April 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603042316/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/884y3b/ffvii-remake-sephiroth-canon-fate|archive-date=June 3, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The main characters were adjusted in various ways for ''Remake''. Rather than the "cool and collected" portrayal of Cloud seen in other games, ''Remake'' depicts his apathetic attitude as a façade to mask his insecurities. Nojima wanted to convey that his standoffishness could be seen as lame,<ref name="Inside2">{{Cite AV media | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OL_Xqgjm55Q | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211113/OL_Xqgjm55Q | archive-date=2021-11-13 | url-status=live | title=Inside FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE – Episode 2: Story and Characters | date=March 24, 2020 | type=YouTube video | publisher=Square Enix}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and worked hard to make the interactions between the three natural.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://gematsu.com/2019/11/final-fantasy-vii-remake-details-turks-avalanche-cloud-abilities-chocobo-aerith-and-barret-visuals |title=Final Fantasy VII Remake details Turks, Avalanche, Cloud abilities, Chocobo & Moogle summon, more; Aerith and Barret visuals |date=November 25, 2019 |publisher=Gameatsu |access-date=November 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191127215933/https://gematsu.com/2019/11/final-fantasy-vii-remake-details-turks-avalanche-cloud-abilities-chocobo-aerith-and-barret-visuals|archive-date=November 27, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition to returning characters, the team decided to expand the role of minor characters and write new characters.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2020/05/interview_final_fantasy_vii_remake_producer_and_co-director_on_development_launch_and_being_grateful_for_the_fans |title=Interview: Final Fantasy VII Remake Producer and Co-Director on Development, Launch, and Being Grateful for the Fans |website=Push Square |access-date=June 25, 2020 |date=May 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603222325/http://www.pushsquare.com/news/2020/05/interview_final_fantasy_vii_remake_producer_and_co-director_on_development_launch_and_being_grateful_for_the_fans|archive-date=June 3, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Voice actors===
Teruaki Sugawara, the voice director behind ''[[Kingdom Hearts]]'', recommended [[Takahiro Sakurai]], Cloud's Japanese voice actor, to Nomura for the role.<ref name="rf">{{Cite book | year=2006 | editor=SoftBank | title=Final Fantasy VII Advent Children: Reunion Files | language=ja, en | publisher=Square Enix | isbn= 4-7973-3498-3 | page=12}}</ref> Nomura had originally asked Sakurai to play the protagonist of ''[[The Bouncer (video game)|The Bouncer]]'', Sion Barzahd, but found that his voice best suited Cloud after hearing him speak.<ref name="rf" /> Sakurai received the script without any accompanying visuals, and first arrived for recording under the impression that he would be voicing a character other than Cloud.<ref name="InteSakurai" /> As a sequel to the highly popular ''Final Fantasy VII'', Sakurai felt greater pressure performing the role than he did when he voiced Cloud for ''Kingdom Hearts''.<ref name="InteSakurai">{{cite book | title=Final Fantasy VII 10th Anniversary Ultimania | year=2009 | isbn=978-4-7575-2560-3 | language=ja | publisher=Square Enix | edition=Revised}}</ref> The Japanese voice actors remained the same, with Sakurai being surprised by this younger take on Cloud, having not voiced in the original PlayStation video game.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://dengekionline.com/articles/26223/ |title=櫻井孝宏にとってのクラウドとは？『FFVIIリメイク』クラウド役・櫻井孝宏さんインタビュー |website=Dengeki Online |date=13 February 2020 |language=ja |access-date=May 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200402224457/https://dengekionline.com/articles/26223/|archive-date=April 2, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Sakurai performed alongside [[Ayumi Ito]], who voiced Tifa, for a few scenes. These recordings left him feeling "deflated", as the "exchanges he has with Tifa can be pretty painful", Sakurai commenting that Cloud—whom he empathized with as his voice actor—has a hard time dealing with straight talk.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Final Fantasy VII Advent Children: Reunion Files|publisher=Square Enix|year=2006|isbn=4-7973-3498-3|editor-last=SoftBank|pages=13–14|language=ja, en}}</ref> Nomura wanted Cloud and Vincent's voices to contrast with each other due to their similar personalities. He felt Vincent was older and more mature than Cloud, and as a result, he cast [[Shōgo Suzuki (actor, born 1963)|Shōgo Suzuki]], who has a very low voice.<ref name="nother">{{Cite book |title=Final Fantasy VII Advent Children: Reunion Files |publisher=Square Enix |year=2006 |isbn=4-7973-3498-3 |editor=SoftBank |page=49 |language=ja, en}}</ref> Nomura had wanted Zack to have a "nice, upbeat voice", which influenced his decision to cast [[Kenichi Suzumura]].<ref>{{Cite book | year=2006 | editor=SoftBank | title=Final Fantasy VII Advent Children: Reunion Files | language=ja, en | publisher=Square-Enix | isbn= 4-7973-3498-3 | page=59}}</ref>

In English adaptations, Cloud is voiced by [[Steve Burton (actor)|Steve Burton]]. Burton was first hired to voice Cloud once a man behind Square saw his work in the 2001 film ''[[The Last Castle]]''.<ref name="nt">{{cite web|url=http://www.novacrystallis.com/2018/01/dissidia-final-fantasy-nt-english-voice-cast-talk-roles-experiences-final-fantasy/|title=Dissidia Final Fantasy NT English voice cast talk about their roles and experiences with Final Fantasy|date=January 24, 2018|publisher=Nova Crystallis|access-date=March 13, 2018|archive-date=March 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314174406/http://www.novacrystallis.com/2018/01/dissidia-final-fantasy-nt-english-voice-cast-talk-roles-experiences-final-fantasy/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Rachael Leigh Cook]] stated in an interview for ''Kingdom Hearts II'' that she enjoys playing Tifa and described her as "very strong physical and emotionally, but also very sensitive" and as "very multi-dimensional".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qsWOnvFDyY|title=Rachael Leigh Cook Interview~Tifa|website=Youtube|date=6 April 2007 |access-date=May 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226030605/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qsWOnvFDyY|archive-date=December 26, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> In voicing the character, Cook listened to Ito's recording as a guide to how the character sounds. Following ''Advent Children'', Cook thanked Nomura for the film he created, as she enjoyed it.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.siliconera.com/final-fantasy-vii-advent-children-us-premiere/|title=Final Fantasy VII Advent Children US premiere|date=April 4, 2006|website=Siliconera|access-date=May 21, 2020|archive-date=July 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704011132/https://www.siliconera.com/final-fantasy-vii-advent-children-us-premiere/|url-status=live}}</ref> Mena Suvari explained that Aerith was given a mothering feel with an ephemeral presence.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.siliconera.com/final-fantasy-vii-advent-children-us-premiere/|title=Final Fantasy VII Advent Children US premiere|website=Siliconera|date=April 4, 2006|access-date=May 16, 2020|archive-date=July 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704011132/https://www.siliconera.com/final-fantasy-vii-advent-children-us-premiere/|url-status=live}}</ref>

For the English dub of ''Remake'', [[Cody Christian]] (Cloud) commented on him being Burton's replacement, stating, "Steve, you paved the way. You made this character what it is and have contributed in shaping a legacy" and that he did not want to let Burton down with his take on the character.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/2019/06/15/final-fantasy-vii-remake-cloud-voice-cast/ |title=Final Fantasy VII Remake Has A Completely New Voice Cast |publisher=Comic Book |access-date=January 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190929190511/https://comicbook.com/gaming/2019/06/15/final-fantasy-vii-remake-cloud-voice-cast/|archive-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> For the next installment, Christian said that the character differed from ''Remake'' as he aimed to explore more his sensitive side like his past or intimate relationships he is often involved.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.siliconera.com/interview-how-cody-christian-humanized-cloud-in-ffvii-rebirth/ |title=How Cody Christian Humanized Cloud in FFVII Rebirth|date=March 14, 2024 |access-date=April 4, 2024}}</ref> John Eric Bentley voiced Barret and did research in order to properly voice him. He was aided by the translators for the Japanese version, who gave him the context of the scenes he had to record. For him, one of the biggest challenges in his work was "representation", claiming that Barret was more than a one-dimensional character.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/117637/john-eric-bentley-on-creating-a-voice-for-barret-wallace-in-final-fantasy-7-remake |title=John Eric Bentley on creating a voice for Barret Wallace in Final Fantasy 7 remake |date=20 April 2020 |publisher=Shack News |access-date=May 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200427120057/https://www.shacknews.com/article/117637/john-eric-bentley-on-creating-a-voice-for-barret-wallace-in-final-fantasy-7-remake|archive-date=April 27, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Playable characters==
===Cloud Strife===
<!--PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THE CHARACTER DIVISION AFTER MUCH DISCUSSION. THE EDITORS AGREED THAT "CENTRAL CHARACTERS" REFERRED TO THOSE WHO HAVE THEIR OWN GAME IN THE COMPILATION OF FINAL FANTASY VII AND THE COMPILATION'S PRIMARY VILLAIN. IF YOU DISAGREE WITH THE DIVISION PLEASE STATE WHY ON THE DISCUSSION PAGE INSTEAD OF MAKING CHANGES.-->
{{Main|Cloud Strife}}
Voiced by:<ref>{{cite web |title=Cloud Strife Voices (Final Fantasy) |url=http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Final-Fantasy/Cloud-Strife/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419040533/https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Final-Fantasy/Cloud-Strife/ |archive-date=April 19, 2023 |access-date=December 6, 2014 |publisher=Behind the Voice Actors}}</ref>
:'''English:''' [[Steve Burton (actor)|Steve Burton]] (2002-2018), [[Cody Christian]] (2020-present)
:'''Japanese:''' [[Takahiro Sakurai]]
{{nihongo|Cloud Strife|クラウド・ストライフ|Kuraudo Sutoraifu}} is the protagonist of ''Final Fantasy VII'', ''Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children'', the ''Final Fantasy VII Remake'' series, and a recurring character through the ''Compilation''. In ''Final Fantasy VII'', he is a mercenary employed by the eco-terrorist organization AVALANCHE.<ref>{{cite video game |title=[[Final Fantasy VII]] |developer=[[Square (video game company)|Square]] |publisher=SCE America |date=1997-09-07 |platform=[[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] |quote='''Barret:''' Little by little the reactors'll drain out all the life. And that'll be that. / '''Cloud:''' It's not my problem. / '''Barret:''' The planet's dyin', Cloud! / '''Cloud:''' The only thing I care about is finishin' this job before security and the Roboguards come.}}</ref> He claims to be a former member of SOLDIER, but over the course of the plot he rediscovers lost memories of his true self.<ref>{{cite video game |title=[[Final Fantasy VII]] |developer=[[Square (video game company)|Square]] |publisher=SCE America |date=1997-09-07 |platform=[[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]]|quote='''Cloud:''' I never was in SOLDIER. I made up the stories about what happened to me five years ago, about being in SOLDIER. I left my village looking for glory, but never made it in to SOLDIER...... I was so ashamed of being so weak; then I heard this story from my friend Zack... And I created an illusion of myself made up of what I had seen in my life..... And I continued to play the charade as if it were true.}}</ref>

===Barret Wallace===
{{Main|Barret Wallace}}
Voiced by:<ref>{{cite web |title=Barret Wallace Voices (Final Fantasy) |url=http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Final-Fantasy/Barret-Wallace/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419050204/https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Final-Fantasy/Barret-Wallace/ |archive-date=April 19, 2023 |access-date=December 6, 2014 |publisher=Behind the Voice Actors}}</ref>
:'''English:''' [[Beau Billingslea]] (''Advent Children'' and ''Dirge of Cerberus''), John Eric Bentley (''Remake'' series)
:'''Japanese:''' [[Masahiro Kobayashi (actor)|Masahiro Kobayashi]] (2005-2023), Mahito Funaki (2024-present) 
{{nihongo|Barret Wallace|バレット・ウォーレス|Baretto Wōresu}} is the former leader of the eco-terrorist group AVALANCHE, who is opposed to Shinra's use of Mako technology since he believes it to be killing Gaia. He is also the adoptive father of Marlene, the daughter of his deceased friend, Dyne. Initially, he distrusts and dislikes Cloud, believing him to be nothing more than a heartless mercenary-for-hire, but eventually changes his opinion of him. After AVALANCHE disbands, Barret chooses to continue his mission to save the Planet by trying to find a new energy source to replace Mako.

===Tifa Lockhart===
{{Main|Tifa Lockhart}}
Voiced by:<ref>{{cite web |title=Tifa Lockhart Voices (Final Fantasy) |url=http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Final-Fantasy/Tifa-Lockhart/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406080001/https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Final-Fantasy/Tifa-Lockhart/ |archive-date=April 6, 2023 |access-date=December 6, 2014 |publisher=Behind the Voice Actors}}</ref>
:'''English:''' [[Rachael Leigh Cook]] (2006-2018), [[Britt Baron]] (''Remake'' series)
:'''Japanese:''' [[Ayumi Ito]]
{{nihongo|Tifa Lockhart|ティファ・ロックハート|Tifa Rokkuhāto|originally [[Romanization|romanized]] as "Tifa Lockheart"}} is a childhood friend of Cloud. She is one of the lead members of AVALANCHE, and initially convinces Cloud to join them in their rebellion against Shinra. She helps to unlock Cloud's missing memories when they fall into the Lifestream together, and she is the only one who knows of Cloud's past. Tifa appears in all the ''Compilation of Final Fantasy VII'' titles alongside Cloud.

===Aerith Gainsborough===
{{Main|Aerith Gainsborough}}
Voiced by:<ref>{{cite web |title=Aerith Gainsborough Voices (Final Fantasy) |url=http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Final-Fantasy/Aerith-Gainsborough/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419110630/https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Final-Fantasy/Aerith-Gainsborough/ |archive-date=April 19, 2023 |access-date=December 6, 2014 |publisher=Behind the Voice Actors}}</ref>
:'''English:''' [[Mandy Moore]] (''Kingdom Hearts''), [[Mena Suvari]] (''Advent Children'', ''Kingdom Hearts II''), [[Andrea Bowen]] (2008-2019), [[Briana White]] (''Remake'' series)
:'''Japanese:''' [[Maaya Sakamoto]]
{{nihongo|Aerith Gainsborough|エアリス・ゲインズブール|Earisu Geinzubūru|originally [[Romanization|romanized]] as "Aeris Gainsborough"}} is a resident of Midgar who works as a flower peddler on its streets. She is sought after by Shinra's research department because she is the last of the Cetra, also known as the Ancients, and Shinra believes she is the key to finding the fabled Promised Land. She meets Cloud during the first reactor mission, and later on he became her bodyguard. Despite Sephiroth killing her during the events of ''VII'', Aerith's spirit retains her [[Cognition|cognitive powers]] and individuality within the Lifestream.<ref>THE PSX GAME</ref>

===Red XIII===
Voiced by:<ref>{{cite web |title=Red XIII Voices (Final Fantasy) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Final-Fantasy/Red-XIII/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415060538/https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Final-Fantasy/Red-XIII/ |archive-date=April 15, 2023 |access-date=December 13, 2019 |publisher=Behind the Voice Actors}}</ref>
:'''English:''' [[Liam O'Brien]] (''Advent Children''), [[Max Mittelman]] (''Remake'' series)
:'''Japanese:''' [[Masachika Ichimura]] (''Advent Children''), [[Kappei Yamaguchi]] (''Remake'' series)
{{nihongo|Red XIII|レッドXIII|Reddo Sātīn|extra=pronounced "Red Thirteen"}}, birth name {{nihongo|Nanaki|ナナキ}}, is a powerful and intelligent member of an unnamed [[Felidae|feline]]<ref name="feline">{{cite web |last=Young |first=Patrick |date=January 6, 2022 |title=Final Fantasy 7 Remake Director Reveals What Creature Red XIII Actually Is |url=https://gamerant.com/final-fantasy-7-remake-what-is-red-xiii |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202053324/https://gamerant.com/final-fantasy-7-remake-what-is-red-xiii/ |archive-date=February 2, 2023 |access-date=October 27, 2022 |website=Gamerant |quote="According to an interview of Nomura, Final Fantasy 7's Red XIII is actually a feline despite pervading fan beliefs."}}</ref> species with the ability to speak.<ref name="nanakirf">{{Cite book |year=2006 |editor=SoftBank |editor-link=SoftBank |title=Final Fantasy VII Advent Children: Reunion Files | language=ja, en |publisher=[[Square Enix]] |isbn=4-7973-3498-3 |pages=52–53}}</ref> In ''Final Fantasy VII'', he temporarily joins Cloud's team after they rescue him from Hojo at the Shinra building.<ref>{{cite video game |title=[[Final Fantasy VII]] |developer=[[Square (video game company)|Square]] |publisher=SCE America |date=1997-09-07 |platform=[[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]]|quote='''Cloud:''' What do you think you're doin'? / '''Hojo:''' Lending a helping hand to an endangered species... Both of them are on the brink of extinction... If I don't help, all these animals will disappear.}}</ref> Red XIII believed that his father, Seto, was a coward who abandoned their home, Cosmo Canyon, during a war with the Gi Tribe. However, upon returning to Cosmo Canyon, his adoptive grandfather, Bugenhagen, brings Red XIII to Seto's petrified body and reveals that he sacrificed himself to save the village and fought against the invading army.<ref>{{cite video game |title=[[Final Fantasy VII]] |developer=[[Square (video game company)|Square]] |publisher=SCE America |date=1997-09-07 |platform=[[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]]|quote='''Bugenhagen:''' Seto continued to fight the Gi tribe here. ...To protect this Canyon. Even after the Gi's poisonous arrows turned his body to stone...... Even after they all ran away... Seto, continued to protect us. And he continues to protect us, even now.}}</ref> After learning the truth, Red XIII gains the courage to permanently join Cloud's group.<ref>{{cite video game |title=[[Final Fantasy VII]] |developer=[[Square (video game company)|Square]] |publisher=SCE America |date=1997-09-07 |platform=[[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]]|quote='''Red XIII:''' I am Nanaki of Cosmo Canyon! The son of the warrior, Seto! I'll come back a warrior true to that noble name!}}</ref> Red XIII makes additional appearances throughout the ''Compilation''. In ''Before Crisis'', he defends a female of his species named Deneh and is subsequently captured by the Turks. In the ''On the Way to a Smile'' novella "Case of Nanaki", Red XIII struggles with the knowledge that he will outlive his friends.<ref name="smilie">{{Cite book |year=2009 |title=On the Way to a Smile: Final Fantasy VII |language=ja |publisher=[[Square Enix]] |isbn=978-4-7575-2462-0}}</ref> He also appears briefly in ''Advent Children'' and ''Dirge of Cerberus''; in the former, he aids in the fight against Bahamut SIN, and in the latter he is seen resting with Shelke during the ending.<ref>{{cite video game |title=[[Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII]] |developer=[[Square Enix]], [[Monolith Soft]] |publisher=Square Enix |date=2006-08-15 |platform=[[PlayStation 2]]|scene=Ending cutscene}}</ref> In ''Final Fantasy VII Lateral Biography Turks -The Kids Are Alright-'', he saves a young girl from drowning and briefly encounters Tseng.<ref name="REDXIIIomega">{{Cite book |date=2007-09-13 |editor=Studio BentStuff |title=Final Fantasy VII 10th Anniversary Ultimania |pages=56–59 |language=ja |publisher=[[Square Enix]] |isbn=978-4-7575-1520-8}}</ref>

Red XIII was the fourth character to be created by Nomura, who wanted a [[Quadrupedalism|quadrupedal]] playable character in the cast despite the graphical difficulties it would pose. He was originally conceived as a member of SOLDIER. His standard name, "Red XIII", was thought up by Nomura during the concept stage because he wanted something that did not sound like a normal name. The final name came from combining the character's hair color with the number 13, an [[13 (number)#Lucky and unlucky|unlucky number]]. His real name, Nanaki, was chosen by other staff members.<ref name="8-13">{{cite book |title=Final Fantasy VII 10th Anniversary Ultimania |year=2009 |isbn=978-4-7575-2560-3 |language=ja |publisher=[[Square Enix]] |pages=8–13|edition=Revised}}</ref> The name Nanaki was chosen due to its Native American sound, which linked with Red XIII's theme and backstory.<ref name="Nanaki">{{Cite book |title=Final Fantasy VII Kaitai Shinsho |publisher=Famitsu |year=1997 |isbn=4-7577-0098-9 |editor=Famitsu |editor-link=Famitsu |page=14 |language=ja}}</ref> Nomura gave Red XIII tattoos and a general [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] motif; his tail having a flame at its the tip was to add more color.<ref name="VIIhistory">{{cite web |last=McLaughlin |first=Rus |date=April 30, 2008 |title=IGN Presents: The History of Final Fantasy VII |url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2008/05/01/ign-presents-the-history-of-final-fantasy-vii |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100311183005/http://retro.ign.com/articles/870/870770p1.html |archive-date=March 11, 2010 |access-date=December 7, 2014 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref> Red XIII's limited appearance in ''Advent Children'' was due to difficulties with accurately animating his hair realistically. For his action scenes, four separate CGI layers had to be created and overlapped.<ref name="prologue">{{cite book |title=Final Fantasy VII Advent Children Prologue |year=2005 |isbn=4-08-779339-7 |language=ja |publisher=[[Square Enix]] |pages=49–67}}</ref>

===Yuffie Kisaragi===
{{main|Yuffie Kisaragi}}
Voiced by:<ref>{{cite web |title=Yuffie Kisaragi Voices (Final Fantasy) |url=http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Final-Fantasy/Yuffie-Kisaragi/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419050204/https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Final-Fantasy/Yuffie-Kisaragi/ |archive-date=April 19, 2023 |access-date=December 6, 2014 |publisher=Behind the Voice Actors}}</ref>
:'''English:''' [[Christy Carlson Romano]] (''Kingdom Hearts'', ''Advent Children''), [[Mae Whitman]] (2006–2019), [[Suzie Yeung]] (''Remake'' series)
:'''Japanese:''' [[Yumi Kakazu]]
{{nihongo|Yuffie Kisaragi|ユフィ・キサラギ|Yufi Kisaragi}} is the daughter of the leader of Wutai, who feels her country has lost its former glory in the aftermath of a war with Shinra and has become a resort town.<ref>{{cite video game |title=[[Final Fantasy VII]] |developer=[[Square (video game company)|Square]] |publisher=SCE America |date=1997-09-07 |platform=[[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]]|quote='''Yuffie:''' You turned Wutai into a cheesy resort town peddling to tourists...How dare you!? Da-chao Statue and Leviathan are ashamed!!}}</ref> Yuffie is introduced when she ambushes Cloud and his allies in either the Gongaga jungle or the forests south of Junon, where she is known as "Mystery Ninja". If the player defeats her in combat and then chooses the correct series of dialogue choices, she introduces herself and joins the player's party. However, once in Wutai Village, Yuffie steals the party's Materia and hides, but is kidnapped by the lecherous Don Corneo, a Midgar crime lord. When the group rescues Yuffie, she returns the stolen Materia and continues working with the party.

===Cait Sith===
{{main|Cait Sith (Final Fantasy)}}
Voiced by:<ref>{{cite web |title=Cait Sith Voices (Final Fantasy) |url=http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Final-Fantasy/Cait-Sith/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225111558/http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Final-Fantasy/Cait-Sith/ |archive-date=December 25, 2014 |access-date=December 5, 2014 |publisher=Behind the Voice Actors}}</ref>
:'''English:''' [[Jonny Rees (actor)|Greg Ellis]] (''Advent Children'' and ''Dirge of Cerberus''), Paul Tinto (''Rebirth'')
:'''Japanese:''' [[Hideo Ishikawa]]
{{nihongo|Cait Sith|ケット・シー|Ketto Shī}} is a robotic talking cat.<ref>''Final Fantasy VII Game Manual'' Character Description page (PAL version) Page 6</ref> In ''Final Fantasy VII'', he rides atop an unnamed robotic [[Moogle]]; in later installments in the ''Compilation of Final Fantasy VII'', he either walks by himself or rides Red XIII. As a robot, he can be rebuilt and replaced and is controlled by Reeve Tuesti, whose original intent during ''Final Fantasy VII'' was to infiltrate Cloud's group and sabotage their resistance efforts on behalf of his Shinra employers.<ref>{{cite video game |title=[[Final Fantasy VII]] |developer=[[Square (video game company)|Square]] |publisher=SCE America |date=1997-09-07 |platform=[[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]]|quote='''Cait Sith''': ...Alright, yes, I am a Shinra employee. But we're not entirely enemies...Something bothers me. I think it's your way of life. You don't get paid. You don't get praised. Yet, you still risk your lives and continue on your journey. Seeing that makes me...It just makes me think about my life. I don't think I'd feel too good if things ended the way they are now.}}</ref> After having a change of heart, he decides to help the group, even risking his life by destroying a version of himself to extract the Black Materia Sephiroth needs to summon the Meteor spell.<ref>{{cite video game |title=[[Final Fantasy VII]] |developer=[[Square (video game company)|Square]] |publisher=SCE America |date=1997-09-07 |platform=[[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]]|quote='''Cait Sith''': I can protect the Planet too! [...] There's plenty of stuffed toys like my body around, but there's only one me!}}</ref><ref>{{cite video game |title=[[Final Fantasy VII]] |developer=[[Square (video game company)|Square]] |publisher=SCE America |date=1997-09-07 |platform=[[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]]|quote='''Cait Sith''': Oops! This looks like I came at a bad time! I'm Cait Sith No. 2. Right pleased to meet you all!}}</ref> He appears briefly in ''Advent Children'' and ''Final Fantasy VII Remake'' and as a supporting character throughout ''Dirge of Cerberus''.

===Vincent Valentine===
{{Main|Vincent Valentine}}
Voiced by:<ref>{{cite web |title=Vincent Valentine Voices (Final Fantasy) |url=http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Final-Fantasy/Vincent-Valentine/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171009211033/http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Final-Fantasy/Vincent-Valentine/ |archive-date=October 9, 2017 |access-date=December 6, 2014 |publisher=Behind the Voice Actors}}</ref>
:'''English:''' [[Steve Blum]] (''Advent Children'' and ''Dirge of Cerberus''), [[Matthew Mercer]] (''Rebirth'')
:'''Japanese:''' [[Shōgo Suzuki (actor, born 1963)|Shōgo Suzuki]]
{{nihongo|Vincent Valentine|ヴィンセント・ヴァレンタイン|Vinsento Varentain}} is an optional party member in ''Final Fantasy VII'', and the protagonist of ''Dirge of Cerberus'' and its [[Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII#Mobile phone tie-in|mobile spin-off]]. Cloud and the others discover him sleeping inside a coffin in the basement of the Shinra Mansion, where he joins them in their quest to hunt down Sephiroth.<ref name="slumber">{{Cite book |year=2005 |editor=Studio BentStuff |title=Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Ω |language=ja |publisher=[[Square Enix]] |isbn=4-7575-1520-0 |page=46}}</ref> Vincent reveals little about himself after his introduction, and his backstory is explored in ''Dirge of Cerberus'' and other ''Compilation of Final Fantasy VII'' titles.

===Cid Highwind===
{{See also|Character design of Final Fantasy#Cid|l1=Characters named Cid in the rest of the series}}
Voiced by:<ref>{{cite web |title=Cid Highwind Voices (Final Fantasy) |url=http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Final-Fantasy/Cid-Highwind/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926052220/http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Final-Fantasy/Cid-Highwind/ |archive-date=September 26, 2015 |access-date=December 6, 2014 |publisher=Behind the Voice Actors}}</ref>
:'''English:''' [[Chris Edgerly]] (2006-2019), [[J. Michael Tatum]] (''Rebirth'')
:'''Japanese:''' [[Kazuhiro Yamaji]]
{{nihongo|Cid Highwind|シド・ハイウインド|Shido Haiuindo}} is an [[airship]] pilot. He is first encountered trying to restart a rocket program which Shinra cancelled due to the actions his assistant Shera took out of concern for the safety of the rocket.<ref>{{cite video game |title=[[Final Fantasy VII]] |developer=[[Square (video game company)|Square]] |publisher=SCE America |date=1997-09-07 |platform=[[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]]|quote='''Cid:''' And finally we get to the day of the launch. Everything was goin' well... But, because of that dumb-ass Shera, the launch got messed up. That's why they became so anal! And so, Shinra nixed their outer space exploration plans. After they told me how the future was Space Exploration and got my damn hopes up... DAMN THEM! Then, it was all over once they found out Mako energy was profitable. They didn't even so much as look at space exploration. Money, moola, dinero! My dream was just a financial number for them!}}</ref> He blames Shera for the incident as he does not believe her concerns were justified, and verbally abuses her.<ref>{{cite video game |title=[[Final Fantasy VII]] |developer=[[Square (video game company)|Square]] |publisher=SCE America |date=1997-09-07 |platform=[[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]]|quote='''Shera:''': It's my fault his dream was destroyed... That's why... it's all right. I don't care what the Captain says, I'll live my life for him.}}</ref> However, her concerns regarding the oxygen tanks are proven to be correct when an explosion temporarily traps Cid during a later successful attempt to launch the rocket against Meteor. As a result, Cid comes to forgive her.<ref>{{cite video game |title=[[Final Fantasy VII]] |developer=[[Square (video game company)|Square]] |publisher=SCE America |date=1997-09-07 |platform=[[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]]|quote='''Cid:''' Tank Number 8 blew up...... So Tank Number 8... really was malfunctioning...... Shera... You were right.}}</ref> Cid also appears in ''Before Crisis'', ''Advent Children'' and ''Dirge of Cerberus''. In ''Advent Children'', he briefly rejoins the party to fight against Bahamut SIN. In ''Dirge of Cerberus'', he aids the World Regenesis Organization in launching an attack on Deepground headquarters, and later in fighting Omega WEAPON.

===Zack Fair===
{{Main|Zack Fair}}
Voiced by:<ref>{{cite web |title=Zack Fair Voices (Final Fantasy) |url=http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Final-Fantasy/Zack-Fair/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230414091139/https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Final-Fantasy/Zack-Fair/ |archive-date=April 14, 2023 |access-date=December 6, 2014 |publisher=Behind the Voice Actors}}</ref>
:'''English:''' [[Rick Gomez]] (2006-2018), Caleb Pierce (''Remake'' series)
:'''Japanese:''' [[Kenichi Suzumura]]
{{nihongo|Zack Fair|ザックス・フェア|Zakkusu Fea}} is a minor character in ''Final Fantasy VII'' who appears in [[Flashback (narrative)|flashbacks]]; he is the protagonist of its prequel, ''Crisis Core''. He also appears in the ''Compilation of Final Fantasy VII'' titles ''Before Crisis'', ''Last Order'' and ''Advent Children''. He is the romantic hero to Aerith's heroine, and part of the mystery of Cloud's true identity.

===The Turks===
The {{nihongo|Turks|タークス|Tākusu}} are a group of covert operatives who work for Shinra throughout ''VII'' and later become an independent force. While part of Shinra, they were officially known as the Investigation Sector of the General Affairs Department. In ''Final Fantasy VII'', several Turks serve as recurring antagonists, although they are not above forming temporary alliances with the game's group of central characters.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite magazine |first=Teresa |last=Dun |title=Complete Final Fantasy VII Character Guide |magazine=[[PlayStation: The Official Magazine]] |date=February 2008 |issue=60}}</ref> They are also the playable characters and protagonists of the ''Final Fantasy VII'' prequel, ''Before Crisis'', which focuses on their actions in the years leading up to the events of the original game. The player chooses from eleven unnamed Turks, each with his or her own backstory, personality, strengths and weaknesses. With one exception, each Turk is identified based on their weapon and sex. Among the important Turks in the series are:
====Reno and Rude====
Voiced by:<ref>{{cite web |title=Reno Voices (Final Fantasy) |url=http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Final-Fantasy/Reno/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230414091139/https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Final-Fantasy/Reno/ |archive-date=April 14, 2023 |access-date=December 10, 2014 |publisher=Behind the Voice Actors}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Rude Voices (Final Fantasy) |url=http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Final-Fantasy/Rude/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413122920/https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Final-Fantasy/Rude/ |archive-date=April 13, 2023 |access-date=December 10, 2014 |publisher=Behind the Voice Actors}}</ref> 
:'''English:''' [[Quinton Flynn]] and [[Crispin Freeman]] (respectively, ''Advent Children'' and ''Crisis Core''), [[Arnie Pantoja]] and William Christopher Stephens (respectively, ''Remake'' series)
:'''Japanese:''' [[Keiji Fujiwara]] (Reno, 2006-2024), [[Taiten Kusunoki]] (Rude)
{{nihongo|Reno|レノ}} and {{nihongo|Rude|ルード|Rūdo}}, two of the original Turks from ''VII'', are originally portrayed as antagonists working with Shinra against AVALANCHE. In ''Advent Children'', they aid Cloud and his friends, while glimpses of their earlier days with Shinra are portrayed in ''Before Crisis'' and ''Crisis Core''.
====Elena====
Voiced by:
:'''English:''' [[Bettina Bush]] (''Advent Children''), [[Piper Reese]] (''Rebirth'')
:'''Japanese:''' [[Megumi Toyoguchi]]
{{nihongo|Elena|イリーナ|Irīna}} is the newest member of the Turks. She is inexperienced and clumsy, but takes her job seriously. She appears as an antagonist in ''VII'' and a minor character in ''Advent Children''.
====Tseng====
Voiced by:<ref>{{cite web |title=Tseng Voices (Final Fantasy) |url=http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Final-Fantasy/Tseng/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230414091139/https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Final-Fantasy/Tseng/ |archive-date=April 14, 2023 |access-date=December 10, 2014 |publisher=Behind the Voice Actors}}</ref>
:'''English:''' Ryun Yu (''Advent Children'' and ''Crisis Core''), [[Vic Chao]] (''Remake'' series)
:'''Japanese:''' [[Junichi Suwabe]]
{{nihongo|Tseng|ツォン|Tson}} is the leader of the Turks after Veld leaves the Turks in the aftermath of Sephiroth's attack on Nibelheim. He is initially portrayed as an antagonist in ''VII'', but appears as an ally in ''Crisis Core'' and as a minor character in ''Advent Children''.
====Cissnei====
Voiced by:<ref name="CCvoices"/>
:'''English:''' [[Carrie Savage]] (''Crisis Core''), [[Kayli Mills]] (''Remake'' series)
:'''Japanese:''' [[Asumi Nakada]]
{{nihongo|Cissnei|シスネ|Shisune}}, real name unknown, is a member of the Turks. She appears as a playable character in ''Before Crisis'' and a supporting character in ''Crisis Core''. She bears the codename {{nihongo|Shuriken (Female)|手裏剣 (女)|Shuriken (Onna)}} while using the alias "Cissnei." While she was not featured in the original ''Final Fantasy VII'', in ''Rebirth'' she is shown to have joined the relief effort in Gongaga while secretly still working for Shinra.
====Veld====
{{nihongo|Veld|ヴェルド|Verudo}}, alternately called Verdot,<ref name="rfpg96">{{Cite book |year=2006 |editor=SoftBank |editor-link=SoftBank |title=Final Fantasy VII Advent Children: Reunion Files |language=ja, en |publisher=[[Square Enix]] |isbn=4-7973-3498-3| page=96}}</ref> is the former leader of the Turks. He was originally a loyal member, but falls out of favor with the company during the struggle against AVALANCHE, which includes bungled operations and the company trying to use the Turks as cannon fodder.<ref>{{cite video game |title=[[Before Crisis: Final Fantasy VII]] |developer=[[Square Enix]] |Publisher=Square Enix |date=2004-09-24 |platform=[[Mobile game|Mobile]] |level=Episode 9: One Step Further Toward Uncertainty |language=ja}}</ref> Veld eventually resigns from his position after learning that his daughter, who he thought was dead after a bungled Shinra operation, is still alive under the name "Elfé". While he is declared an enemy of Shinra and seemingly killed, he is in fact spirited away with his daughter to live life in peace.<ref name="BCepilogue">{{cite video game |title=[[Before Crisis: Final Fantasy VII]] |developer=[[Square Enix]] |publisher=Square Enix |date=2004-09-24 |platform=[[Mobile game|Mobile]] |level=EPILOGUE 1 |language=ja}}</ref>
====Legend (Male)====
{{nihongo|Legend (Male)|レジェンド(男)|Rejendo (Otoko)}}, a Turk who is one of the main characters of ''Before Crisis''. He is generally known under the moniker of "Legendary Turk", and formally an anti-Shinra activist known as "Death God of the Battlefield". He is recruited into the Turks by Veld, and while he leaves the Turks for some time, he returns after Veld resigns.<ref>{{cite video game |title=[[Before Crisis: Final Fantasy VII]] |developer=[[Square Enix]] |publisher=Square Enix |date=2004-09-24 |platform=[[Mobile game|Mobile]] |level=Special Episode: Legendary Turk |language=ja}}</ref>

==Antagonists==
===Sephiroth===
{{Main|Sephiroth (Final Fantasy)}}
Voiced by:<ref>{{cite web |title=Sephiroth Voices (Final Fantasy) |url=http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Final-Fantasy/Sephiroth/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230414050535/https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Final-Fantasy/Sephiroth/ |archive-date=April 14, 2023 |access-date=December 6, 2014 |publisher=Behind the Voice Actors}}</ref>
:'''English:''' [[Lance Bass]] (''Kingdom Hearts''), [[George Newbern]] (2006-2018), [[Tyler Hoechlin]] (''Remake'' series)
:'''Japanese:''' [[Toshiyuki Morikawa]]
{{nihongo|Sephiroth|セフィロス|Sefirosu}} is the main [[antagonist]] of ''Final Fantasy VII'' and ''Advent Children''. He was originally a member of Shinra's SOLDIER elite, but he went insane after learning his true origins. This prompts him to abandon his humanity and attempt to attain godhood by absorbing the Lifestream, the source of life on the planet.<ref>{{cite video game|quote='''Sephiroth:''' They've come again, mother. With her superior power, knowledge, and magic, Mother was destined to become the ruler of the Planet. But they… Those worthless creatures are stealing the Planet from Mother. But now I'm here with you so don't worry. / '''Cloud:''' What about MY sadness!? My family... friends... The sadness of having my hometown taken away from me!? It's the same as your sadness! / '''Sephiroth:''' Ha, ha, ha... my sadness? What do I have to be sad about? I am the chosen one. I have been chosen to be the leader of this Planet. I have orders to take this planet back from you stupid people for the Cetra. What am I supposed to be sad about? |title=[[Final Fantasy VII]] |developer=[[Square (video game company)|Square]] |publisher=SCE America |date=1997-09-07 |platform=[[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]]}}</ref> He, remotely controlling parts of Jenova's body taking on his appearance, manipulates and tortures Cloud over the course of ''Final Fantasy VII'', and kills Aerith at the Forgotten City. Cloud ultimately destroys him at the end of the game, but he returns in ''Advent Children'' after being reborn, only to be defeated again by Cloud. Sephiroth also appears in almost every title in the ''Compilation of Final Fantasy VII''.

===Jenova===
{{nihongo|Jenova|ジェノバ|Jenoba}} is an [[extraterrestrial life]]form who crash-landed on the planet two thousand years prior to the events of ''VII'', and is portrayed in multiple titles in the ''Compilation'' as a female humanoid. When Jenova originally crashed, she began infecting the Cetra with a virus, causing them to almost be wiped out. However, a small group managed to seal Jenova in a tomb, which was later excavated by Shinra. Jenova was mistaken for a Cetra, and samples from her remains were used in the experiments that created SOLDIER and Sephiroth.<ref name="SephOrigin"/><ref>{{Cite book |year=2005 |editor=Studio BentStuff |title=Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Ω |pages=210–215 |language=ja |publisher=[[Square Enix]] |isbn=4-7575-1520-0}}</ref><ref>{{cite video game |title=[[Final Fantasy VII]] |developer=[[Square (video game company)|Square]] |publisher=SCE America |date=1997-09-07 |platform=[[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]]|quote='''Ifalna:''' A small number of the surviving Cetra defeated Jenova, and confined it.}}</ref> In both ''Final Fantasy VII'' and ''Advent Children'', Sephiroth and Jenova aim to take control of the planet and use it to roam through space until they find another world to build on. In ''Advent Children'', Jenova's remains are acquired by Rufus, which the Remnants hope to use to resurrect Sephiroth. Jenova is also responsible for the disease Geostigma, which infects those who came into contact with the tainted Lifestream after Sephiroth was defeated.

Jenova's original forms during ''VII''{{'}}s development were very different from her final incarnation; the original Jenova was a hostile region of the brain that would awaken in people possessing certain genes. The name "Jenova" was to have been inherited by a book written by the Cetra on the subject.<ref name="jenova">{{Cite book |year=2005 |editor=Studio BentStuff |title=Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Ω |pages=523–525 |language=ja |publisher=[[Square Enix]] |isbn=4-7575-1520-0}}</ref> While Jenova's remains in ''Advent Children'' are called a "head", this is not technically accurate, as the term was used because developers could not think of a more suitable name. One of the ideas discussed for Sephiroth's resurrection was for the remnant to eat Jenova's remains.<ref name="dvd">{{cite video |date=2007-02-20 |title=Final Fantasy VII – Advent Children (Limited Edition Collector's Set) |medium=DVD |publisher=[[Square Enix]] |location=Japan}}</ref> The disease caused by Jenova's presence in the Lifestream, Geostigma, was based on a discarded concept for ''[[Final Fantasy X]]''.<ref name="VIIhistory"/>

===Rufus Shinra===
Voiced by:<ref name="ACvoices"/>
:'''English:''' [[Wally Wingert]] (''Advent Children''), [[Josh Bowman]] (''Remake'' series)
:'''Japanese:''' [[Tōru Ōkawa]]
{{nihongo|Rufus Shinra|ルーファウス神羅|Rūfausu Shinra}} is the former Vice President of Shinra, who is promoted to President after his father is killed by Sephiroth. He is depicted as callous, cunning and ruthless during much of ''Final Fantasy VII'', and his attitude towards how the Shinra Company should be run causes his father to attempt to bar him from controlling the company.<ref>{{cite video game |title=[[Final Fantasy VII]] |developer=[[Square (video game company)|Square]] |publisher=SCE America |date=1997-09-07 |platform=[[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]]|quote='''Barret:''' Execution!? What're ya gonna get by executin' us? / '''Rufus:''' You are to be executed for causing this situation. People are ignorant. They'll feel better as long as someone is punished. / '''Barret:''' I take back what little praise I had for this damn jackass! / '''Rufus:''' Well, enjoy your last moments together.}}</ref><ref name="father">{{Cite book |year=2005 |editor=Studio BentStuff |title=Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Ω |pages=56, 58 |language=ja |publisher=[[Square Enix]] |isbn=4-7575-1520-0}}</ref><ref>{{cite video game |title=[[Final Fantasy VII]] |developer=[[Square (video game company)|Square]] |publisher=SCE America |date=1997-09-07 |platform=[[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] |quote='''Rufus:''' ...Old man tried to control the world with money. It seems to have been working. The population thought that Shinra would protect them. Work at Shinra, get your pay. If a terrorist attacks, the Shinra army will help you. It looks perfect on the outside. But, I do things differently. I'll control the world with fear. It takes too much to do it like my old man.}}</ref> As shown in ''Before Crisis'', Rufus was anonymously supplying information to AVALANCHE with the intent of having them kill his father, but this plan failed and he is placed under house arrest. However, following his father's death, he claims control over the company and begins running it his way. He later leads Shinra's efforts to find the Promised Land, as well as Shinra's military in battling the WEAPONs. Rufus was thought to have died when his office in Shinra Headquarters was hit by an energy blast from Diamond WEAPON, but ''Advent Children'' reveals that he survived but was greatly injured. The ''On the Way to a Smile'' novella "Case of Shinra" depicts his survival, as well as his plans for the future and how he contracts Geostigma.<ref name="smilie"/>

He appears in ''Advent Children'' in possession of Jenova's remains and claiming that he intends to repair the damage Shinra had caused to Gaia. In ''Advent Children'', Rufus uses a wheelchair and covers himself with a white sheet, but these are later shown to be a façade while he was holding Jenova's remains.<ref name="wheelchair">'''Kazushige Nojima:''' The wheelchair is part of his disguise, though he was damaged by the WEAPON. {{Cite book |year=2006 |title=Final Fantasy VII Advent Children -Reunion Files- |language=ja |publisher=[[Square Enix]]}}</ref> While not seen in ''Dirge of Cerberus'' except in a flashback, it is hinted that he is secretly funding the WRO (World Regenesis Organization).<ref>{{cite video game |title=[[Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII]] |developer=[[Square Enix]], [[Monolith Soft]] |publisher=Square Enix |date=2006-08-15 |platform=[[PlayStation 2]] |quote='''Reeve:''' I'm not concerned with the reasons this person has for helping us, as long as he continues writing the checks. Though, I have a feeling it is probably someone who believes he is in debt to the planet.}}</ref>

===Professor Hojo===
Voiced by:<ref>{{cite web |title=Professor Hojo Voices (Final Fantasy) |url=http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Final-Fantasy/Professor-Hojo/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419045658/https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Final-Fantasy/Professor-Hojo/ |archive-date=April 19, 2023 |access-date=December 9, 2014 |publisher=Behind the Voice Actors}}</ref>
:'''English:''' [[Paul Eiding]] (''Dirge of Cerberus'' and ''Crisis Core''), [[James Sie]] (''Remake'' series)
:'''Japanese:''' [[Nachi Nozawa]] (''Dirge of Cerberus'', ''Last Order'' and ''Crisis Core''), [[Shigeru Chiba]] (''Remake'' series)
{{nihongo|Professor Hojo|宝条|Hōjō}} is the biological father of Sephiroth and was the head of Shinra's "Department of Science and Research" until he resigned after being attacked by Red XIII at Shinra headquarters. While studying Jenova, he infused his unborn child with its cells; the result of this was Sephiroth, who grew up to have some control over Jenova.<ref name="SephOrigin">{{Cite book |year=2005 |editor=Studio BentStuff |title=Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Ω |page=198 |language=ja |publisher=[[Square Enix]] |isbn=4-7575-1520-0}}</ref> His experiments were responsible for making Vincent immortal. In ''Final Fantasy VII'', Hojo is defeated by Cloud and his allies while trying to aid Sephiroth's plans. In ''Dirge of Cerberus'' he survived long enough to store a digital copy of himself in the worldwide network; he subsequently takes control of Weiss' body and attempts to summon Omega WEAPON to drain the Lifestream from the Planet and launch into space in search of a new world.<ref>{{cite video game |title=[[Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII]] |developer=[[Square Enix]], [[Monolith Soft]] |publisher=Square Enix |date=2006-08-15 |platform=[[PlayStation 2]] |quote='''Weiss:''' Three years ago, while I was still running about looking for Sephiroth, I took it upon myself to distribute my data--my mind, my knowledge, my inner being, across the worldwide network. And even though my body had died, and the world had been left in ruin, I survived in a virtual reality. When the network was restored, the scattered data regrouped and I was reborn. A neo-Reunion, you could say. / '''Vincent:''' You... / '''Weiss:''' That's right, boy. It's me. Hojo!}}</ref> He is stopped by Vincent with the help of Nero, who merges with Weiss and frees him from Hojo's control, destroying Hojo in the process.<ref>{{cite video game |title=[[Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII]] |developer=[[Square Enix]], [[Monolith Soft]] |publisher=Square Enix |date=2006-08-15 |platform=[[PlayStation 2]] |quote='''Nero:''' Let us become one. Let us come together, so that none may ever tear us apart. / '''Weiss:''' Yes. Let us... Let us go join him. / '''Nero:''' Weiss... / '''Weiss:''' Nero... / '''Hojo:''' No! Stop it! You can't! This is my body now! ''No!''}}</ref> Hojo also briefly appears in ''Before Crisis'', ''Last Order'', and ''Crisis Core''. 

===Kadaj, Loz, and Yazoo===
Voiced by:<ref name="ACvoices">{{cite web |title=Behind the Voice Actors - Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children |url=http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/movies/Final-Fantasy-VII-Advent-Children/side-by-side/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170626080725/http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/movies/Final-Fantasy-VII-Advent-Children/side-by-side/ |archive-date=June 26, 2017 |access-date=December 6, 2014 |publisher=Behind the Voice Actors}}</ref>
:'''English:''' [[Steven Staley]] (Kadaj), [[Fred Tatasciore]] (Loz), [[Dave Wittenberg]] (Yazoo)
:'''Japanese:''' [[Showtaro Morikubo]] (Kadaj), [[Kenji Nomura]] (Loz), [[Yuji Kishi]] (Yazoo)
{{nihongo|Kadaj|カダージュ|Kadāju}}, {{nihongo|Loz|ロッズ|Rozzu}} and {{nihongo|Yazoo|ヤズー|Yazū}} are the antagonists of ''Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children''. Known as "Remnants", they are manifestations of Sephiroth's will, driven to find samples of their "mother" Jenova to trigger Sephiroth's resurrection and enact vengeance upon the world. The three frequently come into conflict with the remains of Shinra as well as Cloud. Eventually, Kadaj is successful in merging with Jenova's cells, triggering Sephiroth's resurrection. After a final duel between Cloud and Sephiroth, Kadaj dies in his arms, while Loz and Yazoo die in a final attack on Cloud.

The Remnants were created to represent different aspects of Sephiroth's personality: Kadaj represented his cruelty, Loz represented his [[Physical strength|strength]], and Yazoo represented his [[interpersonal attraction|allure]].<ref name="unstableKadaj">{{cite book | title=Final Fantasy VII Advent Children: Reunion Files | isbn=4-7973-3498-3 | publisher=[[Square Enix]] | pages=26–31 | date=May 2006}}</ref> To fit in with the film's theme of the "next generation", they were made younger than Cloud and Sephiroth.<ref name="making">{{cite video | people=[[Tetsuya Nomura]] (Director) | date=2006-04-25 | title = Final Fantasy VII Advent Children Distance: The Making of Advent Children | medium = [[DVD]] | publisher = [[Square Enix]]}}</ref> Kadaj's original moniker during production was "Lost Name".<ref name="VIIhistory"/>

===Deepground===
{{nihongo|Deepground|ディープ グラウンド ソルジャー|Dīpu Guraundo Sorujā|Deepground Soldier}} is a military force created by Shinra using genetic engineering to be a covert force, which acts as the antagonist of ''Dirge of Cerberus''.<ref>{{cite video game |title=[[Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII]] |developer=[[Square Enix]], [[Monolith Soft]] |publisher=Square Enix |date=2006-08-15 |platform=[[PlayStation 2]] |quote='''Vincent:''' Reeve. Who were those men? / '''Reeve:''' Deepground soldiers. / '''Vincent:''' Deepground? / '''Reeve:''' Yes. The shadow of the Shinra Company, constructed by the former president and completely hidden from the rest of the world. / '''Vincent:''' Constructed? / '''Reeve:''' His goal was to create an army of superhuman warriors--not once letting morality interfere. The man you met earlier, Azul, is also a member of Deepground. But, he belongs to an elite unit known as the Tsviets.}}</ref> They are led by the Tsviets, an elite who were infused with genetic material from Genesis Rhapsodos.<ref name="CCultimania"/> The Tsviets' original leaders, the Restrictors, were overthrown when the Tsviets used one of their own who had yet to be fully indoctrinated to kill their leader.<ref>{{cite video game |title=[[Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII|Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII Multiplayer Mode]] |developer=[[Square Enix]] |publisher=Square Enix |date=2006-01-26 |platform=[[PlayStation 2]] |language=ja}}</ref> During the events of ''Dirge of Cerberus'', Hojo possesses their leader and manipulates them into attempting to awaken OMEGA, a means for the Lifestream to escape the planet during times of catastrophe.<ref>{{cite video game |title=[[Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII]] |developer=[[Square Enix]], [[Monolith Soft]] |publisher=Square Enix |date=2006-08-15 |platform=[[PlayStation 2]] |quote='''Shelke:''' Omega is the same type of life form as the WEAPONs we encountered three years ago. The planet gave birth to these creatures to protect itself just as the planet will ultimately give birth to the final Weapon, Omega, when the end of the world is imminent. In essence, Omega is an elaborate safety mechanism designed solely to maintain and protect the flow of life. Normally, Omega poses no threat to us. It only manifests when the planet has detected something that may cause her danger. / '''Reeve:''' However, Deepground is attempting to awaken the beast early. Thus the kidnappings.}}</ref> Although one of the members, Shelke, is rescued from the group, the others are killed, although Weiss' body is rescued by Genesis and transported somewhere.<ref name="CCultimania"/> The Tsviets are:
* {{nihongo|Weiss the Immaculate|純白の帝王ヴァイス|Junpaku no Teiō Vaisu|lit. "Weiss the Immaculate White Emperor"}}, leader of the Tsviets and Nero's elder brother. While controlled by Hojo for most of the game, he ultimately acts as the game's true antagonist. Weiss is voiced in Japanese by [[Jōji Nakata]] and in English by [[Dave Boat]] in ''Dirge of Cerberus'' and [[Daman Mills]] in the ''Final Fantasy VII Remake'' series.<ref name="DOCvoices"/>
* {{nihongo|Nero the Sable|漆黒の闇ネロ|Shikkoku no Yami Nero|lit. "Nero the Jet-Black Darkness"}}, a member of the Tsviets and Weiss' younger brother. He has the power to control darkness, and prior to the events of ''Dirge of Cerberus'', he was kept in close confinement because his power was highly dangerous. Nero is voiced in English by Mike Rock in ''Dirge of Cerberus'' and [[Sean Chiplock]] in the ''Final Fantasy VII Remake'' series, and by [[Ryōtarō Okiayu]] in Japanese.<ref name="DOCvoices"/>
* {{nihongo|Azul the Cerulean|蒼きアスール|Aoki Asūru}}, a physically imposing member who acts as Shalua's handler. He first appears in ''Before Crisis'' as a SOLDIER candidate who attracted Shinra's attention and was indoctrinated into Deepground.<ref name="ZirSummon"/> Azul is voiced by Brad Abrell in English and [[Tesshō Genda]] in Japanese.<ref name="DOCvoices"/>
* {{nihongo|Rosso the Crimson|朱のロッソ|Aka no Rosso}}, a sadistic member of the group who was mentally damaged by the Deepground training program. She succeeds in extracting the Protomateria needed to activate the OMEGA weapon from Vincent's body.<ref>{{cite video game |title=[[Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII]] |developer=[[Square Enix]], [[Monolith Soft]] |publisher=Square Enix |date=2006-08-15 |platform=[[PlayStation 2]] |quote='''Rosso:''' I'm sorry. Were you not expecting that? So, you cannot control the beast without this. Well, there will be no need for it when I'm done with you.}}</ref> Rosso is voiced by [[Mary Elizabeth McGlynn]] in English and [[Atsuko Tanaka (voice actress)|Atsuko Tanaka]] in Japanese.<ref name="DOCvoices"/>
* {{nihongo|Shelke the Transparent|無色のシェルク|Mushiki no Sheruku|lit. "Shelke the Expressionless (Colorless)"}} is the youngest member of the group and the younger sister of Shalua Rui. She was kidnapped when she was nine years old and experimented on, which gave her the ability to send her consciousness into the Planet's worldwide network. However, it also mentally scarred her and trapped her in a child's body that needs constant Mako injections to stay alive.<ref>{{cite video game |title=[[Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII]] |developer=[[Square Enix]], [[Monolith Soft]] |publisher=Square Enix |date=2006-08-15 |platform=[[PlayStation 2]] |quote='''Shelke:''' Ten years? Has it been that long? The day they came to take me away, I was told I had potential. But those words were nothing but the precursor to a decade of suffering. They manipulated my mind until I was a shadow of my original self. The fear. The pain. For ten years I lived in a hell far deeper than any you could imagine. But... look at me. I should be nineteen this year. If I don't receive my daily dose of Mako, this body wouldn't last a day.}}</ref> Shelke is voiced by [[Kari Wahlgren]] in English and [[Fumiko Orikasa]] in Japanese.<ref name="DOCvoices"/>

===Genesis Rhapsodos===
Voiced by:<ref>{{cite web |title=Genesis Voices (Final Fantasy) |url=http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Final-Fantasy/Genesis/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419111428/https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Final-Fantasy/Genesis/ |archive-date=April 19, 2023 |access-date=December 9, 2014 |publisher=Behind the Voice Actors}}</ref>
:'''English:''' [[Robin Atkin Downes]] (''Dirge of Cerberus''), Oliver Quinn (''Crisis Core''), Shaun Conde (''Crisis Core Reunion'')
:'''Japanese:''' [[Gackt]]
{{nihongo|Genesis Rhapsodos|ジェネシス ・ラプソードス|Jeneshisu Rapusōdosu}} is first seen in ''Dirge of Cerberus'' and acts as the main antagonist of ''Crisis Core''. He was a product of the same program that created Sephiroth, but was not as stable as Sephiroth and began suffering from a degenerative process called "degradation" after being wounded during a sparring match with Sephiroth and Angeal.<ref name="CCultimania">{{cite book |title=Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Ultimania |editor=Studio Bentstuff |publisher=[[Square Enix]] |isbn=978-4-7575-4158-0 |pages=542–548 |language=ja |date=2007-10-18}}</ref> Allying with a rogue Shinra scientist named Hollander, Genesis fights against the company while seeking a way to stop his degradation using Sephiroth's stable cells.<ref>{{cite video game |title=[[Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII]] |developer=[[Square Enix]] |Publisher=SCE America |date=2008-08-24 |platform=[[PlayStation Portable]] |quote='''Zack:''' The intruders are Genesis copies. / '''Sephiroth:''' Hollander must be behind this. /.../ '''Sephiroth:''' Hollander lost his bid for the leadership of the Science Department. He has born a grudge against Shinra ever since. Revenge is most likely his objective.}}</ref><ref>{{cite video game|title=[[Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII]] |developer=[[Square Enix]] |Publisher=SCE America |date=2008-08-24 |platform=[[PlayStation Portable]] |quote='''Genesis:''' Sephiroth... I need your help. My body is continuing to degrade. /.../ '''Genesis:''' Therefore, your body cannot degrade. Share your cells with me.}}</ref> Eventually, Genesis is defeated by Zack, then cured of degradation by the Lifestream.<ref name="CCultimania"/> Genesis was taken in by Deepground, who gave him the codename "G" and used him to create the Tsviets.<ref>{{cite video game |title=[[Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII]] |developer=[[Square Enix]], [[Monolith Soft]] |publisher=Square Enix |date=2006-08-15 |platform=[[PlayStation 2]] |quote='''WRO soldier:''' Sir. I've been spending time analyzing the data retrieved from the files of former weapons development administrator Scarlet. Deepground. It used to be a medical facility for injured SOLDIER troops. Military personnel would be sent there for care and rehabilitation. However, over time, it evolved into a laboratory for madmen content on ignoring all laws of man and nature. And supposedly this evolution took place because of the existence of one rogue SOLDIER—a man known only as "G." However, that's all we were able to retrieve.}}</ref> Refusing to follow along with the Tsviets' plans after their rebellion, he seals himself in a cave until he is needed. In the secret ending of ''Dirge of Cerberus'', Genesis awakes, determined to defend the planet.<ref name="CCultimania"/>

Genesis was modeled on the character's Japanese voice actor, singer [[Gackt]], who composed and performed "[[Redemption (Gackt song)|Redemption]]" for ''Dirge of Cerberus''. While originally intended as a minor character, Hideki Imaizumi, the producer of ''Crisis Core'', found such a passing use of a character to be a waste and asked Gackt whether he was interested in further involvement. Gackt was eager to continue with the character, and ended up being one of the key creative minds behind Genesis' manners and personality. Genesis' outfit became one of Gackt's commonly worn outfits during concerts.<ref name="CCinterview">{{cite web |last=McCarthy |first=Dave |date=April 28, 2008 |title=Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII UK Interview |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/04/28/crisis-core-final-fantasy-vii-uk-interview |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016122335/http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/04/28/crisis-core-final-fantasy-vii-uk-interview |archive-date=October 16, 2013 |access-date=December 9, 2014 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref>

==Other characters==
===AVALANCHE===
{{nihongo|AVALANCHE|アバランチ|Abaranchi}} is an eco-terrorist organization in the world of ''Final Fantasy VII''. It is introduced as the main rebel force against Shinra, being openly opposed to the company's Mako-based energy production, which is draining the planet of its Lifestream. Two versions of the organization existed: the first acted as the antagonists of ''Before Crisis'', while the second featured many of the protagonists of ''VII''. While the first version was indirectly destroyed by the actions of their leader, Shinra eventually crushed the movement and destroyed Sector 7 of Midgar.<ref>{{cite video game |title=[[Final Fantasy VII]] |developer=[[Square (video game company)|Square]] |publisher=SCE America |date=1997-09-07 |platform=[[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] |quote='''Don Corneo:''' Shinra's trying to crush a small rebel group called AVALANCHE, and want to infiltrate their hideout. And they're really going to crush them...literally. By breaking the support holding up the plate above them. / '''Tifa:''' Break the support!? / '''Don Corneo:''' You know what's going to happen? The plate'll go PING and everything's gonna go BAMMM!! I heard their hideout's in the Sector 7 Slums...}}</ref> Among its notable members were:
* {{nihongo|Fuhito|フヒト|}}, the scientific brains of AVALANCHE and the main antagonist of ''Before Crisis''. He holds a warped view of how humans are harming the Planet, and comes to believe that they must be destroyed for the planet to heal properly. To do this, he seeks the power of Zirconiade, a powerful summoned monster.<ref name="ZirSummon">{{cite video game |title=[[Before Crisis: Final Fantasy VII]] |developer=[[Square Enix]] |publisher=Square Enix |date=2004-09-24 |platform=[[Mobile game|Mobile]] |level=Chapter 4: Proof of a Scar Filled Existence |language=ja}}</ref> While he is successful in summoning Zirconiade, the summon and Fuhito are defeated by the Turks and he is killed by Shears.<ref name="FuhitoEnd">{{cite video game |title=[[Before Crisis: Final Fantasy VII]] |developer=[[Square Enix]] |publisher=Square Enix |date=2004-09-24 |platform=[[Mobile game|Mobile]] |level=Chapter 23: Veering Wildly Towards an Unstoppable End |language=ja }}</ref>
* {{nihongo|Elfé|エルフェ|Erufe}} is the leader of AVALANCHE, later revealed to be Veld's lost daughter {{nihongo|Felicia|フェリシア|Ferishia}}. She was originally thought dead in a bungled operation during which her mother died and her town was destroyed, but was in fact taken to a Shinra facility and experimented on by Hojo, who implanted the Zirconiade materia into her body.<ref name="ZirSummon"/> While saved from death, she and her father are apparently shot by the Turks on orders from Shinra. However, the shooting was in fact a bluff to allow Elfé and Veld to escape and live in peace.<ref name="BCepilogue"/>
* {{nihongo|Shears|シアーズ|Shiāzu}}, AVALANCHE's second-in-command. He is intensely loyal to Elfé and distrustful of Fuhito, and is quick to see that Fuhito only wants to use Elfé after learning of the Materia within her. He allies with the Turks to save Elfé, and eventually sacrifices himself to destroy Fuhito.<ref name="FuhitoEnd"/>
* {{nihongo|Biggs|ビッグス|Biggusu}} and {{nihongo|Wedge|ウェッジ|Wejji}} are AVALANCHE members who worked with Barret and Cloud to infiltrate and destroy one of the Mako Reactors.<ref name="AVALANCHE">{{Cite book |year=2005 |editor=Studio BentStuff |title=Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Ω |language=ja |publisher=[[Square Enix]] |isbn=4-7575-1520-0 |page=60}}</ref> In the original game, they are killed while trying to defend Sector 7's pillar. In ''Remake'', Wedge is found alive in an underground lab under Sector 7, but disappears during the Shinra Tower raid after being attacked by Whispers. ''Rebirth'' reveals that the Whispers made Wedge die in a similar fashion to the original game. Biggs is seen in the final cutscene, alive and recovering. In ''Rebirth'', Biggs ends up in the same timeline as Zack after his death was also prevented and is tracked down by Zack at Marlene's behest, questioning his existence and purpose after his comrades' deaths. Despite Zack's help, Biggs ends up getting killed by Shinra soldiers. Biggs and Wedge are voiced in English by [[Gideon Emery]] and [[Matt Jones (actor)|Matt L. Jones]] respectively in ''[[Final Fantasy VII Remake]]'' and in Japanese by [[Shūhei Sakaguchi]] and Takayuki Asai respectively.<ref>{{cite web |last=Wade |first=Jessie |date=June 11, 2019 |title=Final Fantasy VII Remake: Breaking Bad, Supergirl Stars in Voice Cast - E3 2019 |url=https://au.ign.com/articles/2019/06/11/final-fantasy-vii-remake-breaking-bad-supergirl-stars-in-voice-cast-e3-2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119192840/https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/06/11/final-fantasy-vii-remake-breaking-bad-supergirl-stars-in-voice-cast-e3-2019 |archive-date=November 19, 2020 |access-date=June 11, 2019 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref><ref name="Rvoices">{{cite web |title=<nowiki>Final Fantasy VII Remake (2020) | Behind The Voice Actors</nowiki> |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/video-games/Final-Fantasy-VII-Remake/japanese-cast/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415062904/https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/video-games/Final-Fantasy-VII-Remake/japanese-cast/ |archive-date=April 15, 2023 |access-date=February 13, 2020 |publisher=Behind the Voice Actors}}</ref>
* {{nihongo|Jessie|ジェシー|Jeshī}} is a member of AVALANCHE and a colleague/friend of Biggs and Wedge, who is involved in the destruction of the Mako Reactor and is killed during the same incident. In ''Final Fantasy VII Remake'', she has the surname "Rasberry". It is revealed that her motive for being part of AVALANCHE is that her father succumbed to Mako poisoning while working for Shinra and was left in a [[coma]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Oller |first=Jacob |date=April 12, 2020 |title=Final Fantasy VII Remake's side characters are its radical, shining core |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/final-fantasy-vii-remake-side-characters-best-update |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926094836/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/final-fantasy-vii-remake-side-characters-best-update |archive-date=September 26, 2021 |access-date=April 12, 2020 |website=SYFY WIRE |language=en}}</ref> She also has various flirtatious interactions with Cloud.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Plante |first=Corey |last2=Glennon |first2=Jan |date=April 10, 2020 |title='FF7 Remake' transforms the horniest Final Fantasy into a total thirst trap |url=https://www.inverse.com/gaming/final-fantasy-7-remake-horny-thirst-trap-everyone-is-hot |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415062904/https://www.inverse.com/gaming/final-fantasy-7-remake-horny-thirst-trap-everyone-is-hot |archive-date=April 15, 2023 |access-date=April 12, 2020 |website=Inverse |language=en}}</ref> In ''Final Fantasy VII Remake'', she is voiced in English by [[Erica Lindbeck]] and in Japanese by Satomi Moriya.<ref name="Rvoices" />

===Reeve Tuesti===
Voiced by:<ref name="DOCvoices">{{cite web |title=Behind the Voice Actors - Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII |url=http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/video-games/Dirge-of-Cerberus-Final-Fantasy-VII/side-by-side/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225111550/http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/video-games/Dirge-of-Cerberus-Final-Fantasy-VII/side-by-side/ |archive-date=December 25, 2014 |access-date=December 9, 2014 |publisher=Behind the Voice Actors}}</ref>
:'''English:''' [[Jamieson Price]] (''Advent Children'' and ''Dirge of Cerberus''), Jon Root (''Remake'' series)
:'''Japanese:''' [[Banjō Ginga]]
{{nihongo|Reeve Tuesti|リーブ・トゥエスティ|Rību Tuesuti}} is the former head of Shinra's "Department of Urban Development", and the controller of the robotic cat Cait Sith. In ''Final Fantasy VII'', Reeve originally worked against AVALANCHE until deciding to aid them in their quest against Sephiroth: feeling repentant about his role, he aids the group through Cait Sith.<ref>{{Cite book |year=2005 |editor=Studio BentStuff |title=Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Ω |page=57 |language=ja |publisher=[[Square Enix]] |isbn=4-7575-1520-0}}</ref> He is temporarily arrested after Rufus' apparent death, but is released in time to organize an evacuation of Midgar's population before the arrival of Meteor. He also informs Elmyra Gainsborough, Aerith's adoptive mother, of her death. Reeve plays a minor role in ''Before Crisis'', as the architect responsible for designing Mako reactors and aiding the Turks through Cait Sith. He is not seen in ''Advent Children'', but is heard leaving a message on Cloud's cell phone. He plays a significant role in ''Dirge of Cerberus'', where he establishes the World Regenesis Organization, which is dedicated to restoring the Planet. He also appears in the ''On the Way to a Smile'' novella "Case of Denzel" and its [[Original video animation|OVA]] adaptation ''On the Way to a Smile - Episode: Denzel''.

===Marlene===
Voiced by:<ref name="square-enix-games.com">{{Cite web |title=Meet the English voice cast for FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE |url=https://square-enix-games.com/en_US/news/final-fantasy-vii-remake-voice-actors |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326183249/https://square-enix-games.com/en_US/news/final-fantasy-vii-remake-voice-actors |archive-date=March 26, 2020 |access-date=March 26, 2020}}</ref><ref name="ACvoices"/>
:'''English:''' [[Grace Rolek]] (''Advent Children''), [[Ariel Winter]] (''Advent Children Complete''), Brielle Milla (''Remake'' series)
:'''Japanese:''' [[Miyū Tsuzurahara]] (''Advent Children''), [[Sumire Morohoshi]] (''Advent Children Complete''), Otoha Umezaki (''Remake'' series)
{{nihongo|Marlene|マリン|Marin}} is the young daughter of Barret's friends, Dyne and Eleanor, and the adopted daughter of Barret. Eleanor was killed by an attack from Shinra prior to the events of ''Final Fantasy VII'', and Dyne assumes Marlene to be dead as well. Barret adopts her thinking Dyne is dead, but later encounters Dyne, who has gone insane. After fighting Barret, Dyne entrusts Marlene to Barret's care and commits suicide. For most of ''Final Fantasy VII'', Marlene is left in the care of Elmyra, Aerith's adoptive mother. During ''Advent Children'', Marlene lives with Cloud, Tifa, and Denzel, while Barret is searching for a new power source for the Planet. She later helps Cloud return to his friends and fight against Sephiroth's Remnants.

===Shalua Rui===
Voiced by:<ref name="DOCvoices"/>
:'''English:''' [[Kim Mai Guest]]
:'''Japanese:''' Yuu Asakawa
{{nihongo|Shalua Rui|シャルア・ルーイ|Sharua Rūi}} is a minor character in ''Before Crisis'' and a supporting character in ''Dirge of Cerberus''. When her sister Shelke was taken by Shinra for their Deepground unit, she went in search of Shelke and joined AVALANCHE in hopes that they would lead her to her sister. During her time there, she received grave injuries, resulting in the loss of her right eye and arm and massive internal damage. This incident prompted her to leave AVALANCHE for good.<ref>{{cite video game |title=[[Before Crisis: Final Fantasy VII]] |developer=[[Square Enix]] |publisher=Square Enix |date=2004-09-24 |platform=[[Mobile game|Mobile]] |level=Chapter 21: Resolve to Reach the End |language=ja}}</ref> In ''Dirge of Cerberus'', she is part of the World Regenesis Organization, and is responsible for saving Vincent after he is overcome by the power of Chaos.<ref>{{cite video game |title=[[Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII]] |developer=[[Square Enix]] |Publisher=SCE America |date=2006-08-15 |platform=[[PlayStation 2]] |quote='''Shalua:''' I carried you back here from Edge after you collapsed during your fight with Deepground. It seems like the beast inside you went a little wild back there. This happen often? / '''Vincent:''' Went wild? Do you mean Chaos? / '''Shalua:''' Chaos? Your body harbors the Chaos gene? So that explains your relationship with Dr. Lucrecia Crescent. Were you the product of one of her experiments?}}</ref> She is eventually sent into a coma while she is helping Vincent and Shelke escape and her life support mechanism, her artificial arm, is destroyed, with her fate being unknown.

===Angeal Hewley===
Voiced by:<ref name="CCvoices">{{cite web |title=Behind the Voice Actors - Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII |url=http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/video-games/Crisis-Core-Final-Fantasy-VII/side-by-side/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170627090927/http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/video-games/Crisis-Core-Final-Fantasy-VII/side-by-side/ |archive-date=June 27, 2017 |access-date=December 10, 2014 |publisher=Behind the Voice Actors}}</ref>
:'''English:''' Josh Gilman (''Crisis Core''), Bill Millsap (''Crisis Core Reunion'')
:'''Japanese:''' [[Kazuhiko Inoue]], [[Tomoaki Maeno]] (''Ever Crisis'', young)
{{nihongo|Angeal Hewley|アンジール・ヒューレー|Anjīru Hyūrē}} is a SOLDIER 1st Class who is Zack Fair's friend and mentor and a close friend of Genesis and Sephiroth; he is also the original owner of the Buster Sword, and passed down the sword to him. He was produced by the same project that birthed Genesis, and after learning of his origins, he turns against Shinra and works with Genesis for a time.<ref name="CCultimania"/> As he begins suffering from the same degradation as Genesis, he begins seeing himself as a monster and leaves Genesis, temporarily allying with Zack.<ref>{{cite video game |title=[[Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII]] |developer=[[Square Enix]] |publisher=Square Enix |date=2008-08-24 |platform=[[PlayStation Portable]] |quote='''Angeal:''' I am perfect. A perfect... monster. My cells can absorb genetic traits, and pass them along to others.}}</ref><ref>{{cite video game |title=[[Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII]] |developer=[[Square Enix]] |publisher=Square Enix |date=2008-08-24 |platform=[[PlayStation Portable]] |quote='''Angeal:''' Zack, join my battle. Our enemy is all that creates suffering. / '''Zack:''' All right... I'll help you.}}</ref> Zack is eventually forced to fight and kill him, but Angeal lives on for some time through Lazard Deusericus, the former director of SOLDIER who is made a copy of him, and an animal-like copy; both die after protecting Cloud from a Shinra attack in Banora. 

===Lucrecia Crescent===
Voiced by:<ref name="DOCvoices"/>
:'''English:''' [[April Stewart]]
:'''Japanese:''' [[Rio Natsuki]]
{{nihongo|Lucrecia Crescent|ルクレツィア・クレシェント|Rukuretsia Kureshento}} is a Shinra scientist introduced in ''VII'' and an important character in ''Dirge of Cerberus''. She worked in Nibelheim under Hojo and worked on the research into Chaos, which she injected into Vincent while he was a Turk assigned to protect her, and provided the maternal DNA for Sephiroth.<ref name="SephOrigin"/> Ridden with guilt over her actions, she seals herself inside a crystal, essentially becoming immortal and cut off from the outside world.<ref name="DCguidebook"/> Her memories are uploaded into Shelke, and through them and recordings left behind for him, she is able to communicate with Vincent, eventually leaving a final message that she is glad he survived.<ref>{{cite video game |title=[[Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII]] |developer=[[Square Enix]], [[Monolith Soft]] |publisher=Square Enix |date=2006-08-15 |platform=[[PlayStation 2]] |quote='''Shelke:''' Are you speaking of Dr. Lucrecia Crescent's findings? / '''Reeve:''' Yes. But how did you...? / '''Shelke:''' A large quantity of her mnemonic data fragments has been uploaded into my neural network. It was my prime directive to use this data to locate and retrieve the Protomateria. However, not only was the data incomplete, but part of her consciousness began interfering with my own thought processes. It was believed that the missing fragments may have been the reason for this. I can attempt to upload the WRO's files on the Omega Report. By combining it with the data I possess, you may obtain a clearer picture of what you will be up against.}}</ref><ref>{{cite video game |title=[[Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII]] |developer=[[Square Enix]], [[Monolith Soft]] |publisher=Square Enix |date=2006-08-15 |platform=[[PlayStation 2]] |quote='''Lucrecia:''' But I'm so happy you survived. / '''Vincent:''' Lucrecia!}}</ref>

Lucrecia was originally a minor character in ''VII''. It was hard for the staff to recreate her for ''Dirge of Cerberus,'' as they needed to rely on low-detail concept art and in-game models. To create a new model for Lucrecia, the concept team used Sephiroth's appearance as a base, deciding that the latter would have a maternal rather than paternal resemblance.<ref name="DCguidebook">{{cite book |title=Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII Official Complete Guide |publisher=[[Square Enix]] |isbn=4757516223 |pages=288–296|language=ja |date=2006-02-17}}</ref>

===Denzel===
Voiced by:<ref name="ACvoices"/>
:'''English:''' Benjamin Bryan (''Advent Children''), Aaron Refvem (''Advent Children Complete'')
:'''Japanese:''' [[Kyosuke Ikeda]] (''Advent Children''), Kazumu Izawa (''Advent Children Complete'')
{{nihongo|Denzel|デンゼル|Denzeru}} is a young boy who resides with Cloud, Tifa, and Marlene in the city of Edge. He first appears in ''Advent Children'' as one of many people who contracted Geostigma. He and many other sick children are lured to the Ancient City of the Cetra, where they are brought under Kadaj's control. Denzel regains his senses after Tifa protects him from Bahamut SIN during the final conflict. He is later healed of his Geostigma through the water in Aerith's church.

==Reception==
===Critical reception===
The characters of ''VII'' received near-unanimous praise from critics for their original appearance. In an article on [[GameSpot]], it was stated that, despite the premise not being unique, it was "Cloud's interactions with other characters, especially between him and [Sephiroth] which make the story so special".<ref>{{cite web |last=Gouskos |first=Carrie |date=May 5, 2008 |title=The Greatest Games of All Time: Final Fantasy VII |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-greatest-games-of-all-time-final-fantasy-vii/1100-6155700/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017180427/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-greatest-games-of-all-time-final-fantasy-vii/1100-6155700/ |archive-date=October 17, 2014 |access-date=September 6, 2008 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref> Thierry Nguyen of ''[[Computer Gaming World]]'' found that both the story and character development were strong, saying that as the players progressed through the game, "these characters intrigue you, and you get so attached to them that you might jump as a reaction to a shocking event on the first disc. ''Final Fantasy VII'' evokes that kind of emotional response".<ref name="cgw">{{cite magazine |last=Nguyen |first=Thierry |date=September 25, 1998 |title=Final Fantasy VII |url=http://www.gamespot.com/rpg/finalf7/review_cgw.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001001155220/http://www.gamespot.com/rpg/finalf7/review_cgw.html |archive-date=October 1, 2000 |access-date=April 14, 2010 |magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]]}}</ref> Steve Bauman of ''[[Computer Games Magazine]]'' called the characters "funky", saying that the characters "worked wonders" on some of the poorer dialogue.<ref name="cgm">{{cite web |last=Bauman |first=Steve |date=July 27, 1998 |title=The console's greatest RPG has a difficult PC birth |url=http://www.cdmag.com/Home/home.html?article=/articles/013/106/ff7_review.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020225155058/http://www.cdmag.com/Home/home.html?article=%2Farticles%2F013%2F106%2Fff7_review.html |archive-date=February 25, 2002 |access-date=April 14, 2010 |work=[[Computer Games Magazine]]}}</ref> Simon Parkin of [[Eurogamer]] praised the characters' "clear motivations, desires and flaws".<ref>{{cite web |last=Parkin |first=Simon |date=August 28, 2012 |title=Final Fantasy 7 Review |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-08-28-final-fantasy-7-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626192940/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-08-28-final-fantasy-7-review |archive-date=June 26, 2015 |access-date=December 12, 2014 |website=[[Eurogamer]]}}</ref> RPGFan generally praised the characters, especially Cloud, Tifa and Sephiroth, and said that "while on the surface they certainly do appear to fit certain stereotypes, a second look will reveal that they transcend these qualities and are compelling and complex personalities underneath".<ref>{{cite web |author=Sajon |date=1999 |title=A Retrospective on Final Fantasy VI |url=http://www.rpgfan.com/editorials/old/1999/0028.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626223621/http://www.rpgfan.com/editorials/old/1999/0028.html |archive-date=June 26, 2015 |access-date=December 12, 2014 |publisher=RPGFan}}</ref>

While the mobile game ''Before Crisis'', the first ''Compilation'' game title to be released, has received limited western commentary, writers at AnimeFringe felt that "the chance to reverse the good and bad guy roles should be welcomed by many".<ref name="fringe">{{cite web |last1=Crocker |first1=Janet |last2=Smith |first2=Lesley |last3=Henderson |first3=Tim |last4=Arnold |first4=Adam |date=December 2005 |title=The Legacy of Final Fantasy VII |url=http://www.animefringe.com/magazine/2005/12/feature/01-4.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006211148/http://www.animefringe.com/magazine/2005/12/feature/01-4.php |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |access-date=August 17, 2010 |publisher=AnimeFringe}}</ref> ''Advent Children'' received mixed views from critics. Carlo Santos of [[Anime News Network]] felt that, due to the film's pace and context, viewers were not given enough time to get to know the characters.<ref>{{cite news |last=Santos |first=Carlo |date=April 28, 2006 |title=Final Fantasy VII Advent Children review |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/final-fantasy-vii-advent-children |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090808071847/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/final-fantasy-vii-advent-children |archive-date=August 8, 2009 |access-date=August 2, 2009 |work=[[Anime News Network]]}}</ref> These sentiments were echoed by John Eriani of Mania Entertainment, who particularly faulted the lack of character names or explanations of the villains' motives.<ref>{{cite web |last=Eriani |first=John |date=May 25, 2006 |title=Mania Entertainment: Final Fantasy VII Advent Children review |url=http://www.mania.com/final-fantasy-7-advent-children_article_78554.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213015210/http://www.mania.com/final-fantasy-7-advent-children_article_78554.html |archive-date=December 13, 2014 |access-date=August 4, 2009 |publisher=Mania Entertainment}}</ref> Chris Carle of [[IGN]] was critical of the lack of motivation for those who were not familiar with the series, but praised both the English and Japanese voice acting.<ref>{{cite web |last=Carle |first=Chris |date=March 17, 2006 |title=Final Fantasy VII Advent Children review |url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2006/04/18/final-fantasy-vii-advent-children |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240311233323/https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/04/18/final-fantasy-vii-advent-children |archive-date=March 11, 2024 |access-date=January 17, 2008 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref> Michael Beckett of RPGamer, while generally less than impressed by the overall story, said that it "[provides] some interesting insights into a few of the less-developed characters of the game, though Cloud receives most of the attention and development as the story unfolds".<ref>{{cite web |last=Beckett |first=Michael |title=Final Fantasy VII Advent Children – Staff Review |url=http://www.rpgamer.com/games/ff/ff7ac/reviews/ff7acstrev1.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101113040145/http://www.rpgamer.com/games/ff/ff7ac/reviews/ff7acstrev1.html |archive-date=November 13, 2010 |access-date=August 3, 2010 |publisher=RPGamer}}</ref>

Opinions on the characters of ''Dirge of Cerberus'' were again mixed. IGN's Jeremy Dunham was fairly positive, saying that the new characters "go through quite a bit of development and even some of the old ones have a chance to shine". He was also pleased with Vincent's portrayal and development in the title.<ref name="IGNreview">{{cite web |last=Dunham |first=Jeremy |date=August 11, 2006 |title=Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII review |url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/724/724990p1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525034508/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/724/724990p1.html |archive-date=May 25, 2011 |access-date=July 16, 2010 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref> Rob Fahey of Eurogamer felt that the focus on characters that were secondary or optional in the original was a weak point of the game, and that those not familiar with the original game would possibly feel lost.<ref name="euro">{{cite web |last=Fahey |first=Rob |date=November 16, 2006 |title=Final Fantasy VII: Dirge of Cerberus (PS2) |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/ffvii_doc_rev |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221184601/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/FFVII_DOC_REV |archive-date=February 21, 2009 |access-date=July 21, 2010 |website=[[Eurogamer]]}}</ref> GameSpot's Greg Mueller praised the game's focus on Vincent's origins and development, despite finding the large number of new characters a little confusing.<ref name="GSpot">{{cite web |last=Mueller |first=Greg |date=August 15, 2006 |title=Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/dirge-of-cerberus-final-fantasy-vii-review/1900-6155471/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014151626/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/dirge-of-cerberus-final-fantasy-vii-review/1900-6155471/ |archive-date=October 14, 2014 |access-date=July 16, 2010 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref> ''Crisis Core''{{'}}s characters were generally praised. GameSpot's Kevin VanOrd said that, despite new and familiar characters appearing, it was the further-explored characters of Zack and Sephiroth that he found himself sympathising with: "The way their personal stories weave in and out of each other—and set the stage for the events in ''Final Fantasy VII''—makes ''Crisis Core'' not just the finest role-playing experience available on the PSP, but also one of the best Japanese RPGs in years".<ref name="gspot">{{cite web |last=VanOrd |first=Kevin |date=March 25, 2008 |title=Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII for PSP Review |url=http://www.gamespot.com/crisis-core-final-fantasy-vii/reviews/crisis-core-final-fantasy-vii-review-6188326/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111123195505/http://www.gamespot.com/crisis-core-final-fantasy-vii/reviews/crisis-core-final-fantasy-vii-review-6188326 |archive-date=November 23, 2011 |access-date=February 13, 2009 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref> Ryan Clements, writing for IGN, was pleased by the story's focus on Zack and his interactions with other characters rather than a grand narrative.<ref name="ignCC">{{cite web |last=Clements |first=Ryan |date=March 19, 2008 |title=Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Review |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/03/19/crisis-core-final-fantasy-vii-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121128102748/http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/03/19/crisis-core-final-fantasy-vii-review |archive-date=November 28, 2012 |access-date=February 13, 2009 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref> Gerard Villorria of [[GameSpy]] was also positive, saying that exploring the relationships between old characters was "a key element", while finding the new characters and their backstories "equally interesting".<ref name="GspyCC">{{cite web |last=Villoria |first=Gerald |date=March 19, 2008 |title=GameSpy: Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII |url=http://psp.gamespy.com/playstation-portable/crisis-core-final-fantasy-vii/860767p1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100714053406/http://psp.gamespy.com/playstation-portable/crisis-core-final-fantasy-vii/860767p1.html |archive-date=July 14, 2010 |access-date=July 24, 2010 |publisher=[[GameSpy]]}}</ref>

In regards to remake, ''IGN'' called its "emotional arcs".<ref name="ign-review"/> Despite noting his antisocial attitudes in the remake, ''IGN'' and ''GameSpot'' commented that Cloud is the character who has the most notable arc in ''Remake'', with [[Cody Christian]]'s performance helping to improve his appeal.<ref name="gamespot-review">{{cite web |last1=Hussain |first1=Tamoor |title=Final Fantasy 7 Remake Review - Cruel One-Winged Angel's Thesis |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/final-fantasy-7-remake-review-cruel-one-winged-ang/1900-6417445/ |website=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=April 6, 2020 |date=April 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407000649/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/final-fantasy-7-remake-review-cruel-one-winged-ang/1900-6417445/ |archive-date=April 7, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ign-review">{{cite web |last1=Marks |first1=Tom |date=April 6, 2020 |title=Final Fantasy 7 Remake Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/final-fantasy-7-remake-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407175841/https://www.ign.com/articles/final-fantasy-7-remake-review |archive-date=April 7, 2020 |access-date=April 7, 2020 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref> The idea that there are four characters with Sephiroth's name led ''[[VG247]]'' to note the remake still had its own mysteries that original players would not understand while the title.<ref>{{cite web |last=Maher |first=Cian |date=April 29, 2020 |title=There are four Sephiroths in Final Fantasy 7 Remake |url=https://www.vg247.com/2020/04/29/sephiroth-final-fantasy-7-remake/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200510074706/https://www.vg247.com/2020/04/29/sephiroth-final-fantasy-7-remake/ |archive-date=May 10, 2020 |access-date=May 5, 2020 |website=VG247}}</ref> ''[[Siliconera]]'' described this incarnation of the antagonist as haunting, due to how he often appears within Cloud's hallucinations across the plot. Still, the site noticed that despite being a remake, the game explored different situations of the narrative similar to the films known as ''[[Rebuild of Evangelion]]'' that also retold an anime but with multiple changes.<ref>{{cite web |last=Lada |first=Jenni |date=April 28, 2020 |title=The Final Fantasy VII Remake Sephiroth Appearances Help Him Haunt the Cast |url=https://www.siliconera.com/the-final-fantasy-vii-remake-sephiroth-appearances-help-him-haunt-the-cast/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200505174003/https://www.siliconera.com/the-final-fantasy-vii-remake-sephiroth-appearances-help-him-haunt-the-cast/ |archive-date=May 5, 2020 |access-date=May 5, 2020 |website=Siliconera}}</ref> The portrayal of the supporting characters also earned positive response such as the potential Barret was given to develop him in the sequel or Aerith's traits and some ambiguous scenes involving her.<ref>{{cite web |last=Lada |first=Jenni |date=April 19, 2020 |title=Final Fantasy VII Remake Sets Up Barret's Role in the Next Part |url=https://www.siliconera.com/final-fantasy-vii-remake-sets-up-barrets-role-in-the-next-part/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200501230031/https://www.siliconera.com/final-fantasy-vii-remake-sets-up-barrets-role-in-the-next-part/ |archive-date=May 1, 2020 |access-date=May 4, 2020 |website=Siliconera}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Lada |first=Jenni |date=April 15, 2020 |title=Final Fantasy VII Remake's Aerith Remains Kind and Appropriately Enigmatic |url=https://www.siliconera.com/final-fantasy-vii-remakes-aerith-remains-kind-and-appropriately-enigmatic/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200427070842/https://www.siliconera.com/final-fantasy-vii-remakes-aerith-remains-kind-and-appropriately-enigmatic/ |archive-date=April 27, 2020 |access-date=May 5, 2020 |website=Siliconera}}</ref>

In the book ''The World of Final Fantasy VII: Essays on the Game and Its Legacy'', Cloud is also seen as a Messiah with Tifa and Aerith being one of his main supporters to help progress and defeat Sephiroth, though the end of the narrative has Cloud appreciating the victory thanks to his "pillars".<ref name=":0">{{cite book |author1=Cash |first=Jason C. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H8qrEAAAQBAJ&dq=cloud+advent+children&pg=PA31 |title=The World of Final Fantasy VII: Essays on the Game and Its Legacy |author2=Olsen |first2=Craig T. |publisher=McFarland |year=2023 |isbn=9781476681863 |access-date=February 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222230508/https://books.google.com/books?id=H8qrEAAAQBAJ&dq=cloud+advent+children&pg=PA31 |archive-date=February 22, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> While Cloud is never addressed as a God, he instead has to protect God's peace as Sephiroth instead plays the role of Satan as well as his own Shadow with Cloud having to surpass him in the narrative.<ref name=":0" />

===Legacy===
The characters of ''Final Fantasy VII'' and the ''Compilation'' have remained highly popular, often being cited as some of the best characters in both the ''Final Fantasy'' series and video games in general by both critics and fans. Reader and critic lists on gaming site IGN have all placed them high, with one reader poll in 2014 having multiple ''VII'' characters dominating a list of the top ten characters in the series as a whole.<ref name="FFVIItopten">{{cite web |author=Smith |first=Dave |date=March 25, 2008 |title=Final Fantasy VII: Top 10 Characters |url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2008/03/25/final-fantasy-vii-top-10-characters |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141211105752/http://uk.ign.com/articles/2008/03/25/final-fantasy-vii-top-10-characters |archive-date=December 11, 2014 |access-date=February 24, 2010 |website=[[IGN]] |page=2}}</ref><ref name="IGNFFcharacters">{{cite web |last1=Clements |first1=Ryan |last2=Moriarty |first2=Colin |date=December 30, 2011 |title=The Best Characters of Final Fantasy |url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2011/12/30/the-best-characters-of-final-fantasy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240311233325/https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/12/30/the-best-characters-of-final-fantasy |archive-date=March 11, 2024 |access-date=October 7, 2013 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref><ref name="IGNFFcharacters2">{{cite web |last1=Davis |first1=Justin |last2=Thomas |first2=Lucas M. |date=March 24, 2014 |title=The Most Popular Final Fantasy Characters of All Time |url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2014/03/24/the-most-popular-final-fantasy-characters-of-all-time |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214171314/http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/03/24/the-most-popular-final-fantasy-characters-of-all-time |archive-date=February 14, 2015 |access-date=March 30, 2014 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref> Sephiroth remains one of the most popular villains in video game history, unanimously voted number one by the staff of ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' in their "Top 10 Video Game Bosses" list in October 2005.<ref name="sephboss1">{{cite magazine |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |date=October 2005 |pages=72–73 |title=Top 10 Video Game Bosses |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |issn=1058-918X}}</ref> In late 2007, ''[[Dengeki PlayStation]]'' named Cloud Strife the best character of all time in their retrospective awards feature about the original [[PlayStation]]. Aerith placed fifth, Tifa placed eighth and three other characters placed in the top 50; Sephiroth at fourteenth, Reno at fifteenth, and Yuffie at forty-second.<ref name="dengeki-awards">{{cite web |last=Gantayat |first=Anoop |date=November 22, 2007 |title=Nomura Talks FFXIII |url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2007/11/22/nomura-talks-ffxiii |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312221127/https://uk.ign.com/articles/2007/11/22/nomura-talks-ffxiii |archive-date=March 12, 2020 |access-date=November 22, 2007 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref> Cloud placed second in a ''[[Famitsu]]'' reader poll for Japan's favorite video game character.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ashcraft |first=Brian |date=October 4, 2009 |title=And Japan's Favorite Video Game Characters Are...? |url=http://kotaku.com/5035884/and-japans-favorite-video-game-characters-are |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120726181420/http://m.kotaku.com/5035884/and-japans-favorite-video-game-characters-are |archive-date=July 26, 2012 |access-date=September 12, 2009 |website=[[Kotaku]]}}</ref> In a list of the best ''Final Fantasy'' characters made by ''[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]'', characters from ''Final Fantasy VII'' occupied seven out of the twenty places, with Sephiroth and Cloud coming third and first respectively.<ref name="TopFFcharacters">{{cite web |last=Turner |first=Gus |date=October 8, 2013 |title=The 20 Greatest Final Fantasy Characters of All Time |url=http://www.complex.com/video-games/2013/10/greatest-final-fantasy-characters-all-time/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140703164424/http://www.complex.com/video-games/2013/10/greatest-final-fantasy-characters-all-time/ |archive-date=July 3, 2014 |access-date=February 12, 2014 |work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]}}</ref> The character of Cloud has also influenced character design in the series, having had a profound influence on the design and portrayal of [[Lightning (Final Fantasy)|Lightning]], the central protagonist of ''[[Final Fantasy XIII]]'' and its sequels.<ref name="Famitsu1001">{{cite magazine |date=2008-02-08 |script-title=ja:1000号記念スペシャル表紙プロジェクト |magazine=[[Famitsu|Shūkan Famitsū]] |issue=1001 |pages=42–45 |publisher=[[Enterbrain]] |language=ja}}</ref><ref name="FamitsuLR">{{cite magazine |date=2013-11-14 |script-title=ja:ここに, ひとつの神話が終われワを迪える解放者の覚醒よワ13日一 |magazine=[[Famitsu|Shūkan Famitsū]] |issue=1302 |pages=42| publisher=[[Enterbrain]] |language=ja}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Portal|Japan|Video games}}

{{FFVII}}

[[Category:Final Fantasy VII characters| ]]
[[Category:Lists of Final Fantasy characters|Final Fantasy 07]]