If something alike this has already been posted, please send me the link and feel free to delete this one ^^

I was just thinking during the day, all say that Cloud was copying Zack during most part of the original game, but as we saw flashbacks and such Zack seemed to be an all around funny guy, and not cold selfish bastard as Cloud acts as during the game.

And I remember that Zack stood up for his friends and people in need, (as I remember it ^^; it was AGES since I played FFVII) and Cloud disses everyone (excluding our goregous heroine of course).

So I'm wondering where Cloud's coldheartedness came from? Was Zack really that cold? Cloud did show some warmth against Aerith, but still, he was in average a cold guy.

Any thoughts?

I'm sure there is a thread about this somewhere, but I'd have to search around in order to find it. :lol:

At any rate, you're absolutely right that Cloud did not completely become Zack. He did imitate some of Zack's mannerisms, but the FFVII Ultimania Omega has made it clear that the real Cloud continued to exist during Disk One of FFVII. In fact, it says that there were actually multiple personalities existing in Cloud during Disk One, and that the real Cloud was one of those personalities. The FFVII UO also goes on to say that Aerith was able to discern the real Cloud due to her Cetra abilities.

The "coldness" that you asked about in particular was, in fact, the real Cloud showing through. Here's two quotes about that from the FFVII Ultimania Omega:

In fact, the real him has no actual training to be a SOLDIER, and the cool attitude put on by Cloud is to hide the loneliness caused by his earlier social failures. ~FFVII Ultimania Omega, pg. 11

After developing his personality by using Zack's memory as a base, Cloud still maintained the part of coolness even though Zack had cheerful characteristics. The part of Cloud's coolness that keeps him away from the surroundings and the part of his asserting “no interests” all have nothing to do with the influence of Jenova cells. They belong to the real Cloud’s personality. ~page 180, FFVII Ultimania Omega

So the anti-social personality seen in Cloud when he first joined Avalanche was part of Cloud's true self. This was, in fact, how the young Cloud coped with his lack of social acceptance in Nibelheim and so was part of his true nature.

According to the FFVII Ultimania Omega, some other indications that the real Cloud existed during Disk One include:

* The mysterious voices that spoke to Cloud during Disk One was the subconscious of the real Cloud.
* The dream that Cloud had of his mother when he slept at Elmyra's house was a memory of the "real Cloud".
* The "child" version of Cloud seen on different occasions represented the "real Cloud".
* Cloud integrated part of his "real self" into his functioning personality when his Jenova cells mimicked Tifa's memories of him.
* Certain memories that Cloud had - such as finding orthopedic underwear in Tifa's room - were memories of the real Cloud.

You can find more about it in this article on my website: The Real Cloud

Cloud certainly didn't emulate Zack's character in any way during FFVII. (Thinking about this when I first played FFVII destroyed my head for ages) I really don't get the "Cloud just copied Zack" brigade that's popped up all of a sudden! It seemed that Cloud took on Zack's strength and Soldier abilities though, I never really understood why he was so powerful and skilled, yet never made it. (Maybe Shinra were just dumb <_<)

Cloud wanted to feel strong and be respected in his village, that's part of the reason why he wanted to join Soldier (No Clotis, it wasn't just because of Tifa!) He seemed deeply ashamed that he didn't achieve his goal and because of this, I thought that was why he took on Zack's memories as his own, cause Zack was everything Cloud wasn't.

But...uh...it seems there's a lot more to it than that. Great site :)

And Aerith said he had an awkwardness about him. Zack would agree with her...lol...

Imho. Cloud was real the whole time to be honest except when Jenova or Sephiroth got control of his consciousness and tapped into his memories. That's the only time when I thought he was losing it, including when he faked about being a 1st.

Imo, I too think he copied, but in a way of emulating. Isn't this what some people in real life do at some point to look up to someone they thought was better? He wanted to be important like Zack, and he did look up to him a bit, and also dreamed of becoming in his position. It's not to the point where this phase takes over who Cloud really was. It's an "exterior quality" Cloud was emulating thinking that it would make him come back and tell people that he accomplished what he came there to do. Zack was also in the same position Cloud was in, in terms of emulating an idol. Ehermmm...Angeal his loveless friend? *bats eyes*

>>>>>For a while Cloud was trying to play pretend 1st class SOLDIER, wanted to play as Zack.

Cloud's a cool/ not cold, caring, thoughtful, awkward, sweet, reserved person, imo.

Only at the beginning of FFVII was Cloud acting cold, but overtime I think "cold" is a little harsh on Cloud's character, no?

From CC it was bcos of mako poisoning tt intermingled his memories with Zack's. It was only with Zack's death tt brought his comatose state of mind back to terra firma. He idolised and worshipped Zack almost like a god though (though he was ultimately more godlike than Zack had ever become)

@AkumaKitsune no, Zack was NEVER cold. He was a sunny, happy-go-lucky, loyal friend who embraced honour and stood up for others and sacrificed himself to hide Cloud in the end (notwithstanding the fact tt he was a complete PLAYBOY which Cloud never was XD). So Cloud did have a (completely) different personality beside Zack, though he mistook himself as a SOLDIER 1st Class as Zack dressed him up in tt uniform b4 he died.

Like ~Cleara Aura~, i think its unfair to label Cloud as cold, though. Cool, or lukewarm more like. But he can be a sweet boy at times.

I pity Cloud. While Zack's mind was always 'Fair', Cloud's memories were often 'Clouded' with identity confusion (Zack), helplessness (Nibelheim), guilt (Aerith), possession (Sephiroth) - always full of inner 'Strife'. Hence his name. Its all tt asshole Hojo's fault! He should have never fiddled around with Cloud's brain for curiosity's sake. But then again if he hadnt, maybe Cloud wouldnt have met Aerith, so, well... its just his fate...poor him...