Nomura hinted in one interview that the SHM are Sephiroth clones, but where did they come from?

I've been thinking that they must be the result of one of Hojo's secret experiments. Hojo kept many things secret from Shinra - he even told Rufus at the Reunion that many things had been kept in his head rather than revealed in reports to Shinra. The ages of the SHM would mean that they were created while Hojo was still alive, too. Who else would have the knowledge to create them?

Are there any other ideas about what could have produced the SHM? Could they possibly be the final result of Geostigma or something? What do you think?

And what is their ultimate goal? Are they wanting to recreate Sephiroth? Why do they want Jenova's head? Are they wanting to take over the Promised Land? What are your thoughts on this?

Since they clearly seem to be Sephiroth-like, if not Sephiroth-clones, I would definitely agree that they are at least an extension of Hojo's experiments, though they could have been created after (they could have been created as adults, not necessarily "born"). In general, their interest in Jenova's head and whatnot seems to suggest that their goals are pretty much on par with Sephy's: they falsely assume to be Cetra or akin to Cetra, that Jenova was a Cetra, and that they can attain ultimate power through her. However, the scene with Kadaj in the church intrigues me... is there some sort of association with Aeris and the SHM,or perhaps just Aeris and Kadaj? Is Aeris part of their plan for domination? Could Kadaj and the other SHM be confusing Aeris and Jenova, and that ultimately their plans are misguided or under false pretense? Gah... so many questions.

True that they may have received the J cell and Mako injections as adults - however, so did SOLDIERs, and SOLDIERs didn't get the silver-hair like Sephiroth. That would indicate that something different was done to them, or they were created the same way as Sephiroth. Hojo may very well have been in charge of the experiment that produced them before his death. The technology of producing clones was also probably set back by the destruction of Midgar and the events of FFVII as well as the death of Hojo, which would also suggest that they were produced before rather than after the death of Hojo.

There's been nothing said to indicate that they believe Jenova to be Cetra, although their interest in the Forgotten City and the Church *may* suggest that.

I doubt that Aerith is involved with any plan for world domination because it would contradict her characterization as the savior of the Planet. Why would she willingly sacrifice her own life to save the Planet from Sephiroth's scheme, only to fall in line with a bunch of clones planning the same thing as Sephiroth? I highly doubt that Aerith would willingly participate in a plan of world domination. I'm guessing that Kadaj came to the Church because the Lifestream's energy is most likely highly concentrated in the Church. The fact that Aerith was able to speak to Ifalna most easily in the Church and the flowers growing there would indicate that the Lifestream is highly concentrated or accessible from the Church. Notice that Kadaj also drove right into the flowers, which are a sign of accessibility to the Lifestream.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Sephiroth recieve Jenova cells BEFORE he was born, as opposed to other SOLDIERS, who recieved them in adutlhood? Perhaps the silver-haired trait (and his inhanced powers) had to do with exposure to Jenova cells pre-nataly? Also, as far as post-FF7 technology, never dicount the possibility of a hidden lab or something that avoided distruction, like a top-secret bunker. Perhaps Rufus came across some of what Hojo had been a-brewin' in this secret place after his death. It's a possibility.

My bad, I should not have made that sound like a factual statement. What I should have said was, based on the information given about them so far, it would seem to be a safe bet that they hold the same basic "worldview" and self-perception that Seph had.

Sorry, I misspoke (or mistyped, rather...). I did not mean to imply that Aeris was actually in on the plan. What I meant was that the SHM themselves may perceive that she has something to do with Jenova, or that they have the two somewhat confused. A skewed perception or confusion on their part is what I am implying, nothing more. The only role Aeris plays in this scenario is a victim of misidentification or confusion by the SHM.

I dunno about you, but I heard from someone that the SHM maybe somehow related to Cloud. I'm unsure how but somewhere it's said that they along with Cloud had the same mother. Which makes me wonder.

They look nothing like Cloud especially with silver hair unless they were given Jenova cells since birth like Sephiroth. But that couldn't be as how could Cloud have siblings unless it was kept a secret. Besides that , unless Hojo got to Cloud's mother whilst Cloud was training to get in SOLDIER *shudders*. Hopefully that fact or rumor isn't as it seems.

I'm not what else to type right now so I'll stop here . :ph43r:

That's what I was suggesting - that's why I think it's more likely they're the result of a secret experiment by Hojo before he died than the result of Jenova cell enhancement as adults.

Of course it's a possibility, but who would know the technicalities of operating such a lab? Hojo didn't seem to share much with his assistants.

Okay, that makes sense.

Hmmm... that's an interesting idea. The only way I can see that happening is if the SHM never learned that Jenova isn't a Cetra. Was the fact that Jenova isn't a Cetra ever publicly revealed? The notes in the Mt. Nibel laboratory all said that Jenova was an Ancient, the SHM could have read those notes for all we know.

The SHM call Cloud "brother" because he is also a Sephiroth clone with Jenova cells in him. They aren't truly related, as in having the same mother and father, but he can be considered as "related" to them because of the experimentation done on him by Hojo.

Phew, thanks Anastar, that really helped my confusion :) . I just had to be sure as I suspected otherwise.

When you look at it that way, Sephiroth is also "related" to Cloud. Isn't that scary? :lol:

Hahaha.... that would be freaky. *imagines Cloud being Sephiroth's baby brother* *shivers* Brr... is it just me or is it cold . :lol:

Wait, so by that logic... everyone that had Jenova injected into them is a clone of Sephiroth, and therefor a "sibling"? So... all Soldiers are related? That's one detail of the game I never quite figured out...

Well, SOLDIERs were given the same treatment as Sephiroth clones. Cloud said that on board the Highwind after the Lifestream event. So yes, in a manner of speaking, they are "brothers" to Sephiroth because they share part of the same genetic structure. Ever take a close look at the pic of Cloud and Sephiroth with the logo in between them?



If you look at Cloud's right side and Sephiroth's left side, you'll see that they are "dissolving" into the pool between them. If you zoom into the pool between them, you will see genetic code. That would indicate that they are linked by the same genetic code while still being in opposition to one another.

Since it's shown in the logo, I'm guessing that it will come into play somehow in AC. It's also said in Tifa's AC profile that she is the only one who knows the truth about Cloud's past. She was the only one who could verify that he was born in Nibelheim during the Lifestream Event, so it's likely that Cloud's mind get toyed with again in AC.

That makes sense... thanks for the clarification Aly