Johnny (Final Fantasy VII)

Johnny is a minor recurring character in the Final Fantasy VII series. He appears as minor character in Final Fantasy VII and has an expanded role in Final Fantasy VII Remake and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.
Johnny lives in the Sector 7 slums with his mother and father. He is a purehearted troublemaker who wants to uproot himself and venture on his own journey into the world, but often finds himself in difficult situations. Though initially harsh toward him, Johnny admires Cloud Strife and has a crush on Tifa Lockhart.
Johnny can be largely ignored in Final Fantasy VII, but is involved in various side quests in Final Fantasy VII Remake and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. His shenanigans usually depict him as a comic relief character in all his appearances.
== History==
=== Original continuity ===
During "At the Hideout in the Slums", a drunken Johnny in Sector 7 slums expressed his love for homemade cocktails from Seventh Heaven but admitted to drinking too many. He later knocked on someone's door, calling out for his mother when he received no answer. The next day, in "To the No. 5 Reactor", Johnny planned to leave Midgar, sobbingly bidding goodbye to the city while awaiting the train. On the train, he told Cloud of his intention to leave far away, promised to return to Midgar a better man, mockingly referred to Cloud as Tifa's "childhood friend", and urged him to take good care of her.
Johnny visited Wall Market before leaving Midgar and encountered Cloud outside the Honeybee Inn during "To Corneo Hall", unsure if he should enter. He criticized Cloud for wanting to bring "a new girlfriend" to such a place. Johnny wanted his last memories of Midgar to be made in Wall Market and later gave his Member's Card to Cloud, granting access to the Honeybee Inn. Aerith Gainsborough then gave him a flower and gil, for which he thanked her. While Cloud disguised as a woman for Don Corneo's audition, Johnny attempted to flirt with him.
Johnny moved to Costa del Sol from Midgar in "Dangerous Voyage", starting anew by settling in a house and beginning a relationship with a girl who became his girlfriend. When Cloud's party visited Costa del Sol, Tifa caught up with Johnny, reminiscing about old times. During "A Shocking Reunion," as Tifa led the party in search of a missing Cloud, they returned to Costa del Sol where Johnny revealed that he had proposed to his girlfriend.
thumb|left|Johnny in his bar, "Johnny's Heaven".
After Meteorfall, in On the Way to a Smile -Episode: Denzel- Final Fantasy VII Johnny established "Johnny's Heaven", an outdoor bar in the newly-built city of Edge, inspired by Seventh Heaven and his admiration for Tifa's tenacity. When he shared Tifa as his inspiration, he unknowingly began losing customers. Johnny opposed Denzel's decision to join the World Regenesis Organization in his bar, fearing it would tarnish his image. He eavesdropped on Denzel's conversation with Reeve Tuesti and discussed it with Denzel after Reeve left.
===Remake continuity===
During "Home Sweet Slum", Johnny awaited the train's arrival at the Sector 7 Undercity Station, welcoming a disembarking friend. He was relieved to see she was unharmed and remarked that the explosion of Mako Reactor 1 was not "that bad".
The next day, a flustered Johnny was questioned and arrested by Shinra Public Security Forces for allegedly stealing blasting agent, with his ID implicated in the theft. They handcuffed, blindfolded, and escorted him to an abandoned lot, where he protested his innocence, stating he was a "model citizen" of Midgar, and asserting that Jessie Rasberry stole his ID. Tifa and Cloud intervened, knocking out the Shinra soldiers. When Cloud was ready to execute Johnny for being a "talker", Tifa objected. Johnny agreed to exile himself, running away while still blindfolded, swearing never to see Cloud again.
During "Wutai's Finest" in "Episode INTERmission", Johnny mumbled to himself in an alley about struggling to find funds urgently, lamenting overspending on the trendy Fort Condor game. He expressed the need to see Tifa to get his affairs in order and fantasized about romantic parting words with her. Yuffie Kisaragi accused him of being a Shinra spy, but an overthinking Johnny denied it. Believing Fort Condor prize money would save him, he challenged Yuffie to a game but lost. He dramatically said goodbye to his pride and fortune and Yuffie vowed to take down Midgar, leaving Johnny puzzled.
During "The Town That Never Sleeps", Johnny was in Wall Market, felt conflicted about entering the Honeybee Inn, and questioned his torment by "philosophical quandary". He addressed Cloud, unaware of his prior attempt to execute him, and was obsessively concerned for Tifa's safety. He sought the approval of the Trio, but lost a coin toss with Chocobo Sam, was rejected a meeting with Andrea Rhodea, and was scared out of Madam M's massage parlor for refusing to pay her price. He entered the Corneo Cup preliminaries but was beaten. Cloud and Aerith found him bruised and scared in a locker room, trying to dissuade them from participating in the tournament. He seemingly spectated them in the tournament.
Later that night, Johnny caught up with Cloud outside the clothing store, briefed him on Sam's intel, and offered to be his guide in Wall Market. They assisted the clothing store owner's son in retrieving his father's "precious inspiration", leading to various eccentric delivery tasks. After acquiring the VIP card, they returned it to its owner. The son thanked them and Johnny invited Cloud to the Honeybee Inn, but Cloud declined. Johnny named Cloud his inspiration, vowed to become a "Wall Market connoisseur", became a devoted pupil to the clothing store owner, and helped him select a dress for one of the honeygirls.
Johnny expressed concern for Tifa's safety when he met Cloud outside the massage parlor, called him "bro", and asked advice on how to be strong like him, but got nothing. He went to Madam M's parlor, told Aerith to wait there, and later escorted a dressed-up Aerith to Corneo's mansion, yelling at the adoring crowd to stop gawking and rolling out the red carpet for her.
During "In Search of Hope", Johnny planned to leave Midgar for "reasons", but Kyrie Canaan stole his wallet. He begged for Cloud's help, who reluctantly agreed. After confronting Kyrie and winning a Corneo Colosseum match for her, they were given the wallet. Johnny thanked the party and dramatically declared his departure, claiming to be a "wanted man" in the slums, but he would reconsider if Tifa stopped him. Tifa simply wished him luck, but Johnny's spirits remained high as he sprinted off, urging Cloud and Tifa to "keep on shining".
Johnny eventually ends up in Costa del Sol, starting anew by settling in a rundown hotel provided by Mayor Kapono. He learned he was suckered into debt, becoming an indentured servant as Hojo arrives and helping Yuffie save his friends from the scientist by letting her create clones of him to even the odds. Soon after, the mayor was forced to let Johnny go debt-free with the latter deciding the hotel needed a renovation with his surviving clones as his staff.
== Characteristics==
===Appearance===
Johnny is a young man with a lean build. He has tan skin, tall cropped red hair, a stylized goatee, and brown eyes. He wears an unfastened blue leather jacket with the sleeves rolled up, no shirt, a brown leather belt, denim trousers with an additional teal and denim layer, and red canvas shoes. He wears three bangles on his right wrist, each a different color—brown, black, and red—a gray-blue leather cuff on his left wrist, and a silver earring on his left ear.
File:Johnny-ffvii-field.png|Johnny's field model from Final Fantasy VII.
Johnny from FFVII Remake render.png|Johnny's render from Final Fantasy VII Remake.
File:Johnny from Final Fantasy VII Remake artwork.png|Johnny's concept art from Final Fantasy VII Remake.
===Personality=== 
Johnny is loud, passionate, careless, friendly, insecure, cowardly, somewhat cocky, and temperamental. He gets carried away easily and is outspoken, which usually gets him in trouble. He doesn't hesitate to take action and rushes into things, disregarding others' words. Despite being a troublemaker, he has a good heart and the people of the slums know him as bright and cheerful, even missing him after he left town. As noted by Cloud and Aerith, Johnny isn't the most intelligent, yet he believes that he overthinks and overanalyzes everything. He does seem to have his suspicions about Avalanche despite not knowing what they do, which worries Tifa. Johnny's overall personality depicts him in a comical light.
Johnny crushes on Tifa. In Wall Market, Cloud asks if he's seen her to which Johnny responds with concern, determined to find her. He goes to great lengths to rescue her, seeking the Trio's approval and entering the Corneo Cup preliminaries. Sometime after the Corneo Cup, Johnny speaks with Chocobo Sam who informs him of Cloud's plan to rescue Tifa, which prompts him to catch up with Cloud; he offers to help him learn more about Wall Market. When visiting the local inn on a delivery job, he tells Cloud that he'd rather be there with Tifa. The day after the Sector 7 plate collapse, Johnny informs Tifa that he's leaving town, but will reconsider if she stops him. She declines, which disappoints him. She wishes him good luck and encourages him, and he tells her to "keep on shining".
Johnny admires Cloud, looking up to him as a role model and wanting to be his friend. Despite Cloud being ready and willing to execute him, Johnny seems oblivious of his involvement and happily offers to help him rescue Tifa and educate him about Wall Market, who reluctantly agrees. He later asks Cloud to join him and the elderly clothing store owner at the Honeybee Inn, but he declines. Johnny aspires to become a "Wall Market connoisseur" and names Cloud as his inspiration, for he is his "one true bro". Johnny is relieved Cloud looks out for Tifa, compliments his fighting style, and asks for advice on how to be "just like him". After Cloud returns his stolen wallet, Johnny is grateful, calling Cloud "bro", and telling him to "keep on shining".
==Gameplay==
=== Final Fantasy VII ===
Johnny can be interacted with in a few instances throughout the game, but does not have any gameplay significance.
=== Final Fantasy VII Remake===
Johnny appears throughout several quests, including Main Scenario, Odd Jobs, and discovery quests.
Johnny first appears in the mandatory quest "Shinra Reacts" in Chapter 3, "Home Sweet Slum", in which Cloud and Tifa chase after to rescue him to stop him talking. Later, Johnny appears in the following quests:
* "Vagabond Johnny" in Chapter 9, "The Town That Never Sleeps", in which Cloud and Aerith chase after him.
*"The Party Never Stops" in Chapter 9, in which Cloud and Johnny help a clothing store owner in Wall Market. This appears on one of two questlines for Chapter 9.
*"Rescue Tifa" in Chapter 9, in which Johnny asks for Cloud's help after learning Tifa is in Don Corneo's mansion.
*"Tomboy Bandit" in Chapter 14, "In Search of Hope", in which Johnny asks for Cloud's help to retrieve his stolen wallet.
*"Johnny's Stolen Wallet" in Chapter 14, in which the party returns Johnny's wallet after finding it.
Completing all of these unlocks the trophy The Johnny Experience.
===Episode INTERmission ===
Johnny plays Fort Condor, and when Yuffie Kisaragi comes to Sector 7, she has a chance of challenging him as part of "Mastering Fort Condor". He is a Rank 1 player, available to challenge in "Wutai's Finest".
Johnny is found in the center of the Sector 7 Slums Residential Area, right from the rest spot map icon. He tends to deploy defense units, meaning a loadout of mostly ranged units is ideal. The Sorcerer Board II that Johnny also uses can be used for great effect against him, as unleashing all three attack spells onto his headquarters will defeat him. This works even in hard mode (where he is considered a Rank 5 player). He can thus be repeatedly challenged to farm Condor Coins for use in Old Snapper's shop.
Board 	Units 	Reward(s)
Sorcerer Board II9 ATBFireBlizzardThunder	Elite Grenadier (Ranged)Elite Shock Trooper (Ranged)Riot Trooper (Defense)Elite Riot Trooper (Defense)Sentry Gun (Defense)	Easy/Normal:Elite Riot Trooper (Defense) Condor Coin x2Sorcerer Board IIHard:Secrets of the Ninja Vol. IIISecrets of the Staff Vol. IIICondor Coin x2
==Musical themes ==
Johnny has no musical themes in the original Final Fantasy VII, but Final Fantasy VII Remake introduces one. "Johnny's Theme", track 3 of disc 2 in the Final Fantasy VII Remake Original Soundtrack, plays during cutscenes featuring Johnny, including his arrest at the hands of Shinra in the Sector 7 slums, and when Cloud and Aerith first encounter him in Wall Market. 
==Behind the scenes==
=== Johnny's origins===
Because of poor English translation, Johnny's origins appear conflicting in the original Final Fantasy VII. In the English version he seems to claim to be a childhood friend of Tifa and Cloud from Nibelheim (even though his family has never heard of the place), and also claims to have been in SOLDIER with Cloud. In actuality Johnny calls Cloud "childhood friend" not because they were childhood friends, but because Cloud was Tifa's childhood friend. Johnny's lines in Costa del Sol, "Hey, is it really you? We were in SOLDIER, and childhood friends before that. You were such a playboy. And a $#&^ murderer!!" should, in fact, translate to "Oh, and you are...? It can't be! You're that ex-SOLDIER, childhood friend, and sexy playboy! A, and... a murderer!" It can be inferred that Johnny was never in SOLDIER.
===Removed scenes===
According to the Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Omega and removed scenes from the game, Johnny was to first appear in Seventh Heaven. He gives a choice response to Cloud about Tifa asking what his relationship to her is. The choices are either "We're just childhood friends" or "That's really none of your business, is it?". Depending upon the choice, Johnny will bemoan not having a promise of his own with Tifa and demand Cloud treat her right, or leave wishing to become a "proper man".
thumb|250px|Removed scenes from the game: parts concerning Johnny shown from 4:30.
In a removed scene, Johnny knows about the childhood promise Cloud made to Tifa, and holds him on to it. Afterward, Johnny and his friends hang out at his parents' house where they watch the news on the reactor bombing.
Unused text unearthed from the game's original Japanese version reveals that Johnny, when met outside the Honey Bee Inn in Wall Market, would have been aware of Cloud spending the previous night at Aerith's place, and that they spent time on the playground. Johnny appears jealous over these events, but in the final game where these lines do not occur, and it is never implied Johnny would even know Aerith.
==Gallery ==
Johnny's Jacket.jpg|Johnny's jacket seen in his room in Final Fantasy VII.
Johnny from FFVII Remake render.png|Remake Render
==Etymology==
==Citations==
ru:Джонни (Final Fantasy VII)
Category:Characters in Final Fantasy VII
Category:Characters in On the Way to a Smile
Category:Characters in Final Fantasy VII Remake
Category:Characters in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth