Hypothetically, let's say that Aerith and Tifa had switched roles in Final Fantasy VII. Aerith is now the childhood friend of Cloud who obviously doesn't like her romantically and Tifa is now a flower girl in a church in the slums who is also the last Cetra. If this was the case, would we all now be Cloti fans or would we still find something about Aerith to make us favor Clerith? Also, would Tifa dying have as big an effect as Aerith's death did?

I think it would really all depend on how the story was told in that situation.

Interestingly enough, Aerith's original role in addition to her own was to be Cloud's childhood friend--however, when the decision to kill her came through, they realized that they would have no female members left in the party that weren't optional--and thus Tifa was conceived. They divided up a tiny portion of Aerith's original role and gave it to her so that Tifa would have some relevance to the storyline.

Really!? No lie, I did not know that! So if Aerith was conceived before Tifa, I guess that could help prove the viability of Clerith instead of Cloti.

You would think...

No, the ship wars will never end, regardless of who is proven canon. It'd be nice if people just shipped what they wanted instead of demanding everyone recognize and worship what they do. XD

Well assuming their personalities remained the same despite having different backgrounds:

Aerith was described by Elmyra as being kind of bubbly and chatty as a child (despite her losses) so I think she would have been the one person who would've befriended Cloud. That's something that would make their childhood dynamics drastically different than that of Cloud/Tifa. If anything there would be a higher chance of him falling in love because he'd have an actual relationship to dote on.
While Tifa's situation I think would actually be more difficult to guess at simply because I think Aerith's scenario( being hunted Cetra rather than village girl leading normal lifel) is more complex.

Truthfully I don't think this question can be answered fairly. After all different circumstances could likely create different personalities for both heroines (Tifa especially) and all we'd really be doing is guessing scenarios based on our established interpretations of the characters. With that in mind there is also no way events would play out the same way. Would Cloud have even left Nibelheim if he no longer felt the need to prove himself to everyone? Would Cetra Tifa show any interest in some guy dropping through her church roof? Would she even have an interest in flowers to begin with? Etc,etc.

It's difficult to keep their backstories intact without changing their personalities/skills as well. Tifa was saved and taken from Nibelheim by Zangan, her martial arts instructor. Would Aerith become a martial artist then? And where would the similarities end? If the trade is only appearance and name, then I believe that most would--ultimately--end up 'shipping' the same way. Some may change due to superficial reasons (appearances, etc.--on both sides), but other than that, I doubt most would 'ship' differently simply because of a different sprite.

As well, their backgrounds are what forged their personalities, in many ways. If we boil it down to them even switching backgrounds, we would see radically different personalities (completely switched? it's difficult to say). It's impossible to answer this question in a way that is even remotely objective, there are too many variables.

That's what I was hoping people would say. I've been pondering this for a while and it seems that no matter what conclusions are drawn, more questions come up. However, nobody has said if Tifa dying would have had as big an effect as Aerith's death did. What are your thoughts on that?

I agree with everyone else on this topic. In regards to the impact it would have on the fans of Tifa's death: The shock would definitely still be there, regardless of whether Tifa turned out to be my favorite character or not. I would have to say that it ultimately pans out on how Tifa's personality would have been.

Honestly, if Tifa would have grown up chased by Shinra, and confused by her heritage, I would have to say that she would probably end up being more emotional than she was originally in the game itself, which IMO, is a bad thing. I wouldn't mind an emo character being offed in the same manner that Aerith was.

Aerith's death impacted me greatly because she was the person that she was. She was an encourager to everyone, she was sweet and bright to everyone in the party, including her rival for Clouds affections, whereas Tifa was jealous, but still got along with Aerith in the end.

So, that's what I think, it all would boil down to how her personality was.

I agree with MT. A change in appearance and name only wouldn't change anything for me. It all really boils down to the storyline and interactions with Cloud.

I was so young when I decided I was Cleris (about eight), and that was based on the fact that both were my favorites. I did like Tifa a lot too, but I always liked Cloud with Aeris... I get the feeling I still might even if the roles were switched.

If their personalites didn't change, then IMO things would have panned out the same way.

In terms of future then? What would have become of Barret and the others, and the so called "family of four" displayed in Advent Children? And what of Cloud's geostigma? Would Tifa appear to Cloud as a spirit? So many alternatives.... :huh: