Cloud Strife

**Cloud Strife** is the main protagonist of *Final Fantasy VII* and a supporting character in Sora’s Adventures in Kingdom Hearts. He is a former member of an elite warrior unit known as SOLDIER, and became a member of the eco-terrorist group Avalanche after witnessing his nemesis Sephiroth destroy his town of Nibelheim. He is currently a member of the Radiant Garden Town Defense Committee as the leader of Squadron Ramuh and is the current boyfriend of Tifa Lockhart. He is voiced by Steve Burton.

## Appearance

Cloud is a young man with a lean and toned build, as well as spiky blonde hair. His eyes are blue and glow due to him having been exposed to mako. He is often mistaken to be a member of SOLDIER due to this. His main outfit is a variation of a standard SOLDIER uniform: an sleeveless indigo sweater, indigo pants and a belt. Cloud also wears brown boots, gauntlets with a pauldron over his left shoulder and a SOLDIER band on his right wrist. Unlike the standard uniform, he does not have the right shoulder pauldron, presumably to make it easier to draw his sword. He also wears a gear-like armlet on his left forearm. This is the outfit he wears in *Final Fantasy VII.*

Cloud's other main outfit consists of a black robe with a high collar indigo sleeveless sweater, black pants and boots, and a black cloth covering his left leg and arm. This outfit also includes a new pauldron, and Cloud's chest is covered by two straps, held in place by a bandage to represent Fenrir, a wolf that is commonly associated with him. Like the rest of his group, he wears a pink ribbon around his left arm, which is hidden to honor Aerith's death. This is his outfit in *Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children.*

In *Kingdom Hearts*, *Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories*, and *Kingdom Hearts coded*, Cloud has an appearance similar to his appearance in *Final Fantasy VII*. However, he also has a flowing red cape and a metal claw on his left hand, much like his fellow teammate Vincent Valentine, though there are some notable differences. This is because Cloud was meant to appear alongside Vincent, but because the latter was removed, his appearance was incorporated into Cloud's. He also wields the Buster Sword, though it is covered in bandages, likely a symbol of his bound self and past. These bandages are no longer there in Sora's Adventures.

Protruding from his back is one large demonic wing, a counterpart to Sephiroth's angelic one. Although this wing appears in every artwork of this outfit, it is usually not initially present. In *Kingdom Hearts*, it only appears while he's using Omnislash. In *Kingdom Hearts Final Mix*, it also appears in the cutscene with him and Sephiroth. In *Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories*, it appears whenever he attacks (though its remake sticks with just Omnislash). The only game in which the wing is seems to be present at all times is *Kingdom Hearts: coded* (and *Kingdom Hearts Re:coded*). In Sora's Adventures, it is no longer present at all.

In *Kingdom Hearts II*, Cloud is dressed in his *Final Fantasy VII Advent Children* attire, his hair also having changed to reflect his movie counterpart's. He wields his Fusion Swords from *Advent Children* as well, though it is bandaged like the Buster Sword. The lines between the six separate swords look less distinct, like the lines were simply engraved on the blade, which may mean it is simply a single sword, although this could just have been to make animation easier. The wing from his previous outfit is mysteriously absent. Interestingly, Cloud's face looks similar to, if not exactly like, Sephiroth's. This is commented on by Goofy, who, when spoken to after meeting Sephiroth for the first time in *Kingdom Hearts II*, states that Sephiroth "kinda looks like Cloud."

In Sora's Adventures, Cloud alternates between his outfits from *Final Fantasy VII* and *Advent Children.* However, the latter is more common.

## Personality

On the surface, Cloud presents himself as a hardened warrior, cocky and headstrong, coldhearted and disinterested in anything beyond completing the task at hand. He tells others, often dismissively and with snark, that he has no interest in larger causes. He is cool-headed, and mostly carries himself as an expert and professional. Beneath the surface, Cloud is socially awkward, being well-intentioned but unsure how to carry himself in conversations, havinf difficulties to express himself. Many who are close to him begin to see through the cracks in his hardened persona. Through it all, Cloud is steadfastly loyal to his friends, harboring guilt if he feels he has let them down, and strives to be hero.

In Kingdom Hearts games, Cloud seems to be notably stoic and melancholy, very different from the personality of his typical counterpart. However, he does possess some similar, even more melancholic, characteristics in *Advent Children*. He is also seen engaging in playful banter with Leon during the Battle of the 1000 Heartless of Hollow Bastion as well, hinting at a special bond between the two.

## Powers and Abilities

Cloud's main weapon is the Buster Sword, which he uses in several of his Limit Breaks, including Cross-Slash, Blade Beam and especially Omnislash. He also has Fusion Swords, which he uses in tandem with many other attacks.

Cloud's use of magic comes from the Materia he uses in his weapons and armor. He is usually shown casting Thunder, and his main Summon Materia is Ramuh.

## Role in Sora's Adventures

Cloud is a member of the Radiant Garden Town Defense Committee and heads Squadron Ramuh, where his Final Fantasy VII teammates work with him. He, along with the other members, mourned Aerith's death in Sora's Adventures in Twilight Town.