FF7&FF8Gifs

Loading this for first time in years and…..

Back before Advent Children, one of the hot topics of debate about the ending of FFVII was whether the final battle with Sephiroth takes place in the Lifestream or in Cloud’s mind.

The argument was not really about location so much as interpretation. It was about whether or not the ending showed us Sephiroth’s literal defeat and Aeris’ genuine presence (the Lifestream) or if it was more of a metaphor for Cloud’s final liberation from Sephiroth’s influence and memory of Aeris (Cloud’s mind) - whether it represented reality or the final departure from illusion. In my opinion, this is misguided, because the answer to almost all these questions is “both.”

The mind vs. the Lifestream is an entirely false dichotomy. The Lifestream in FFVII is a physical and a metaphysical location, a literal flow of energy that also connects all living spirits. The “spirit” is usually conceptualized as an intangible force representing a person’s life, but we are shown throughout the game that a person’s “spirit” is deeply connected to their consciousness.

This is a theme present throughout the game - overexposure to mako having a profound impact on the mind, Sephiroth maintaining his consciousness through the Lifestream after death, and Aeris’ ability to communicate mentally with the dead and through Cloud’s dreams are just some examples. In all of these examples, the Lifestream functions not only as a physical force, but as a collective unconscious for the planet and everyone born from it.

This concept is best illustrated earlier in the game through Tifa’s trip into both the Lifestream. Falling into the physical Lifestream with Cloud permits her access to his mind. The events that transpire there create memories that both of them share. It happens separate from their bodies, but in a metaphysical “reality” shared and validated by both parties. They both remember it as real and it continues to have real impact on them both even once they “return” to their bodies.

This is where each companion sits when you bring them to Cosmo Canyon during Bugenhagen’s death. Tifa’s sitting position is vastly different from the other cast members. 

Been feeling really nostalgic for FF7 lately. Wish I could have fit every single important event, but there was just a lot to this game that I never realized. Will be a print at a later date!

I know it’s your least-used character.  I know you hate it more than Yuffie.  But I promise you, there is so much more to Cait Sith than you realize.

There’s plenty debate about where the final battle between Sephiroth and Cloud takes place, but it’s all a bit of a moot point: Truly, everything after the battle with Jenova Synthesis is hyperreality.

The party’s descent to the final stage looks very similar to Cloud and Tifa falling into the lifestream, and the place where they all wind up is similar, too - a bunch of islands floating in a hazy green void. Sephiroth stands waiting for them in front of Holy’s light, and in between flashes of white light, Cloud feels Aeris’ presence and knows exactly what the shining light means.

Essentially, the entirety of the final confrontation with Sephiroth takes place not just “inside” the planet, but inside the lifestream. This confirms that Sephiroth exists in some state of (un)death apart from any physical body, but other than that, I don’t think there’s a lot of implication about the fight taking place apart from “reality.” All of it is still “real,” because everything that happens in the liminal psychic spaces of this game is considered real.

i love that shinra didnt even clean it up

“yup thatll probably be fine down there”

WOW

twelve years later i’m still discovering details. this is wonderful.

I would take this with a grain of salt. I’d be very surprised if it was released this year. I’m thinking 2018 (or at the very least late 2017) But we shall see…

Here’s some more Final Fantasy for you all! 

This was a project I did for an Final Fantasy anniversary compilation on http://home.eyesonff.com/forum.php, and I chose to do the scene with Nanaki (Red XIII) howling to the memory of his father, after learning he had given his life to save Cosmo Canyon. In the game, Cloud walks off screen, I imagine to give Red some space, so I drew it as if the team was eavesdropping on him, because honestly, this is one of the most powerful scenes in the game!

I made this the size of a 11x 17 print!

Looks like early 2017 could be the release date for the first installment of the FF7 Remake! Maybe?

Cloud vs Sephiroth

So how do fans in Tumblr feel about the Remake? Favorite characters? View on the compilation? The results are here.

Sorry for the delay but it’s here. However, the survey results will be divided into three parts

1.       Part 1: General results – overall statistics. The raw results with charts and comments are here.

2.       Part 2: Age comparison and analysis – how the respondents’ ages affect their answers (will be released in January)

3.       Part 3: Shipping statistics and analysis – yes most likely controversial but this is for the sake of science (will be released in February)