Cloud Strife: The Intertestamental Hero

A Theological Exposition of the Differentiation of Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children

Abstract

This article focuses on the differentiation between the two representations of Cloud Strife in Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children. Investigating the presentation of the imagery of the hero, this article uncovers the aspects of the Hebrew Bible in the original game, then the adopted motifs from the Christian New Testament in the sequel movie. The article tracks through the journey of the hero with the original game focused on a promised land, the revelation of the purpose of the reluctant hero and focus on an enemy as an external force. Alternatively, the movie is shown to focus on the hero that knows a purpose, adopting the imagery of baptism and focusing on an enemy that becomes an internal force. The author argues that this differentiation results in Cloud existing as a hero with two causes, resting between the testaments of the game and movie.