Trigger Warning: Cleriths Turn Into Rabid Dogs Concerning Tifa’s Virginity

Someone posted that Tifa has only loved one man (Cloud) and I commented that she was a virgin too. OP (original poster) found it noteworthy that Tifa, a beautiful (and hot) heroine of Final Fantasy 7, has only loved one man her entire life and I thought it noteworthy that she was written to be a virgin too, especially despite her looks and how she’s perceived by others because of it.

Original post

Men discussing Tifa’s virginity online

I was surprised at the reaction and definitely entertained, to say the least. Flabbergasted and dumbfounded are good words to describe the feeling I felt at the realization that people were actually offended by what I said. Because to me it was nothing but a harmless, unemotional fact about her character and the kind of person she was created with intent to be. There were absolutely no negative connotations about virginity or lack thereof intended in my comment, and certainly not directed at anyone or any other character. How could there be? Being that I’m not even a virgin myself? And yet I kept receiving hateful and inflammatory quoted retweets, mentions, and nasty comments directed towards me, as a result.

Apparently it has to do with “purity” culture, how Tifa should be “freed” from her fans and their imposed sexual repression on her. Is this a joke? It seems loving only one man your entire life is offensive to some of these people (almost like they feel slighted because they, themselves, could never). Interestingly, a lot of those that believe this spend their time “shipping” the entire cast in ways so that all of the FF7 heroes/heroines are a part of the LGBTQ — like they identify so much with the characters that they think the characters should be like them and have the same sexuality they have. Look — you can imagine all you want, I really don’t care, but canon is canon. Don’t be upset when presented with canonical facts.

One deranged individual even went as far as to create a brand new account with a profile picture of Sephiroth with boobs to lurk on my profile and make hateful comments on what I posted, saying that I should k*ll myself, how they hope I die, and no one cares about me. I wonder what I’ll do if they threaten me in real life?

Let me just be clear: I really don’t give a fuck. Just amused. At the end of the day, I’m happy, healthy, and excited for life outside of video games, movies, or TV shows. I have God in my heart and soul and a real and deep gratitude for existence. Given, I was depressed and went through hell from about 18 to 23 years old, but I’ve overcome that and come out on the other side stronger as a result. So when I say that stupid immature crap like that anon pulled will not get to me, I mean it.

I thought it pathetic and telling that someone could behave this way over pixels and fictional characters. And it is. Clearly, there is something seriously wrong with them. It’s probably best that whoever’s basement they’re living in go check on them and offer an assisted walk under the morning sun for a minimum of 30 minutes three times a week or a full glass of water at least 3 times a day. A whole lot of these people need serious mental help and a lot of servings of fruits and vegetables. They are literally collapsing in on themselves from all the artificial media they consume and identify with.

“You’re practically 30 years old, why does an old hag like you care about virginity? Ya’ll are so misogynistic it makes me sick!” they commented and quote retweeted.

Meanwhile, they weren’t even born yet when Final Fantasy 7 first came out and many were still probably in the womb when Advent Children did.

Their bios mentioned they were from about 18 to 23 years old and one of them admitted they were a minor. They behaved like middle school bullies. Ya’ll — the kids are not alright. If 30 is the new 20, 20 is the new TEN. Could all the social media and media consumption be doing this to them? Because that’s concerning. They projected every negative connotation they’ve absorbed about certain topics on an otherwise innocent, unemotional, and factual remark (that Tifa is a virgin) like rabid dogs.

It all really opened my eyes to the state of mind of “otakus” — people with consuming interests, particularly in anime, manga, video games, or computers. And I don’t think there’s anything wrong with being an otaku, per say, only when it becomes extreme and becomes a vehicle for hate.

I am not an otaku. Except for Final Fantasy 7 — for some strange, yet unknown reason to me. I think it’s called “brain rot”? It’s a term that is hilariously fitting for this surprising phenomenon I find myself experiencing, which I recall I also experienced when Advent Children first came out some eighteen years ago when I was twelve or thirteen. But even then, I didn’t immerse myself in social media circles to talk crap to people that didn’t agree with me about it.

It’s interesting and intriguing — this “brain rot” or as I prefer to call it, awakening — because I really am not into these kinds of things normally. I feel like this should be studied further. What could be causing this? It’s almost like this work of fiction so deeply resonates with me on a core level for whatever reason and it’s pulling me to it for a larger purpose. That’s the only thing that would make sense at this point… because I truly don’t engage at all with this kind of stuff. Even when I was younger and genuinely enjoyed cartoons like Teen Titans or Avatar The Last Airbender, or Final Fantasy games, I didn’t bother to engage in groups about it, preferring to simply enjoy it for what it is, and the art of it all. I just lived my life, played with friends, snuck out of my house to explore, engaged in underage drinking, developed crushes on boys… you know, normal stuff. Suffice it to say, it is not an understatement when I say, there is something very special about Final Fantasy 7. To me at least.

Many of the triggered people (if not all) were quite obviously “otakus”. They knew of and were enthralled by many different kinds of anime, video games, manga, movies, tv shows, and interacted with each other based on their strong mutual interest in them. And it’s also important to note that every. single. one. of. them. who were offended by Tifa’s virginity identified in some way to be “Clerith” — stans of Cloud Strife and Aerith Gainsborough (characters in Final Fantasy 7) as the romantic couple, versus Cloud and Tifa, the canonical romantic couple.

How is it that a pure, sweet, charming girl who wants to save the world so others can be safe like Aerith created the most toxic, hateful, demagogic fan base? Strange indeed, although curious.

There were a couple outliers to them all — one was a young woman with a sexually suggestive profile picture of what I assumed to be herself (although they could just be using someone else’s photo) who wasn’t even born yet when the original Final Fantasy 7 came out. She was the most aggressive and on the offense about my comment right off the bat, and she posted a screenshot of it and put “sexual offender” or something like it on it.

She said, “You don’t deserve this game, delete it” or something like that, and started going off about why we cared about her virginity and purity, how it’s so misogynistic and how Tifa needs to be “freed” from her fans. I responded with, paraphrasing here, “It’s a fact. She is a virgin. Stop projecting just cause you’re a hoe”. That response was retweeted by her and countless others which created even more quoted retweets, mentions, blah blah.

It was a fitting response. If that profile picture was indeed her, she consciously took a sexually suggestive photo of herself and made it her icon on social media where randos are constantly interacting with her. What’s more, she clearly wants them to. Her mouth was slightly open, her arm up as she playfully ruffled her hair, and her cleavage was front and center. I’m not an idiot. I’m also a woman, who took similar photos when I was younger in trying to appear “sexy”. Any girl who has ever taken a similar picture knows, you don’t take that photo for no reason. You know damn well it’s going to have an effect on men. You take it for attention.

Nevertheless, the point is, she was so triggered by my comment on Tifa’s virginity that the only logical conclusion was that she’s projecting her own sexual habits and history onto Tifa’s character, and it bothered her for whatever personal reason that Tifa was “pure” because she thinks it means she’s somehow being discriminated against for not being that. Or maybe they’re not even the person in their picture, just pretending to be, and they feel a sense of guilt and shame about their sly, desperate behavior. What else could it be? Add the fact that they’re also a Clerith and it all eventually compounds into them projecting their subjective negative associations with purity and Tifa onto a simple truth, and that is:

Tifa is a virgin in Final Fantasy 7.

She’s a virgin up until the intimate and sexually suggestive scene under the Highwind, before the final battle with Sephiroth. What’s more, so is Cloud Strife, her childhood crush and childhood sweetheart, whom she spends the night sleeping out in the open fields under the starry night sky with, as the Highwind hovered above them. If Cloud and Tifa did have sex in that scene, that would mean that they lost their virginities to each other that night. And if not, they are together from that point, eventually live together, and have no issue being on the same bed in the home they share later. With all that in mind, I think it’s safe to assume they likely had sex and thus, lost their virginities to each other (unless they’re waiting for marriage). They loved each other since they were toddlers and have only loved one another in their whole lives, and that makes for a compelling, touching, wholesome love story.

“It’s so weird that you’re pushing 30 and pre-occupied with Tifa’s virginity as if it’s important! How could you use the word “child” and “virgins” in the same sentence, creep!” they said.

What they mean by “preoccupied” is ONE comment I made that their fellow rabid zombie dogs started quote retweeting and screaming misogyny about. By the word “child” being used in the same sentence as “virginity”, what they mean was when I said, “Tifa and Cloud are childhood sweethearts who lost their virginities to each other too.” — Again, a completely unemotional fact was turned into something more sinister when it really shouldn’t have been. It’s strange and concerning. I’m worried for my nieces and nephews, knowing these illiterate baffoons walk the earth.

Any sane person is going to gather what I mean when I say, it is a fact that Tifa is a virgin. These people are not sane. They’ll turn that simple sentence into, “Oh so you think Tifa is better than Aerith because she’s a virgin?” or “Oh so you think Cloud loves Tifa because she’s a virgin?” or “Oh so you think you need to be a virgin to get the guy?”

They have completely lost their wits about them, over a fictional character and over a “ship” that was never intended to be. It’s this character and ship that have completely turned them into goblins and rabid dogs whenever they encounter anyone or anything that causes them to feel even remotely insecure about it because they’ve wholeheartedly identified with it and put all bets on it. At the end of the day, if Tifa and Cloud wasn’t “canon” and it turned out I was wrong, it would make me only a little disappointed (mostly surprised, quite frankly) but it wouldn’t bother me too much because I’m just an observer of the story. The only reason I’d be upset is if Cleriths actually lobbied the devs to change things because of their personal preferences.

In other words, I’m simply enjoying what the artists create and share. I’m not hell-bent on fitting a square peg in a round hole — I’m only “shipping” Tifa and Cloud because they are actually the only ship that exists and I happen to particularly resonate with their story, and not trying to impose anything on it or change it with my will.

For example, if you stick with only the main story quests in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, you end up on a date with Aerith on the Gold Saucer. I’m not mad about not getting that kiss with Tifa because I care more about the main storyline, and the fact is — Cloud refers to Aerith as his friend and he loves Tifa romantically. Even though I am technically a “Cloti” (Cloud and Tifa shipper), it doesn’t change anything about the actual story that Cloud ends up going on a nakama date with Aerith on the Gold Saucer after she invites him instead, because they’re friends, and she’s about to die.

Of course it’s natural for the game and story to focus on the character that is going to supposedly save the world and die as result right before they do. None of it though is romantic between Cloud and Aerith and if it were, it is her obviously mostly one-sided and unrequited love for Cloud. This is absolutely clear. Cloud grows to deeply care about her, but as a very special person in a non-romantic or sexual way, just as he cares for Zack. The developers are making this clear as much as they can and yet some people are still not able to comprehend it. That said, the third part of the trilogy will absolutely make it clear that Tifa and Cloud romantically and sexually desire one another and only one another.

Why would I be mad that the game and storyline is focusing on her right before she dies? This is basic narrating. I’m not mad because she is one of the main protagonists, she’s Tifa’s friend, and at this point a part of the gang. I also happen to like her (although I don’t like the version of her Cleriths create, which is someone who is love crazy to the point of betraying her friend, Tifa). That said, her going on the Gold Saucer date instead of Tifa simply does not change the fact that the plot between Tifa and Cloud are that of childhood sweethearts and romantic partners. They end up together and have a happy family together — that’s the story I’m enjoying, that’s the story I know, and quite frankly? That is the story.

The people triggered over that harmless, factual comment are brainwashed. Literally no one is saying you’re unworthy of love unless you’re a virgin. Why would I imply that if I’m not a virgin myself? Make it make sense. Also, Tifa is 20 and Cloud is 21 in the game, don’t turn the discussion about their backstory as childhood sweethearts who even lose their virginity to each other as something perverted and then be so delusional to think that’s some kind of “gotcha” moment. You just sound ridiculous. Not to mention, if they were real, they’d be way older than me being that they were 20 years or older in 1997 and I was only three.

These kids don’t understand or conceptualize how little they actually know of the world or how naive and ignorant they are. I’ve been 18 and believed I knew things (and BOY was I wrong) except I didn’t attack people who have more experience and more of a right to play this game.

My generation has more of a right to play this game than these immature little kids because we actually grew up with it — meanwhile, these vitamin D deficient zombies only got it 0 – 4 years ago and have the nerve to say that we don’t get the game and we’re too old? Child, please. Final Fantasy 7 was developed and released during a different time where attitudes on love, sex, and etc were different and the storyline and character backstories absolutely reflect that. And back to virginity — it was more common in 1997 to be 20 to 21 years old and be a virgin than it is today. It was also more common to lose your virginity to your future spouse. So, you triggered immature hoes really ought to sit this one out. Or, try shutting up.

I was telling one of them they weren’t even born yet when the game first came out and that there are literally 40+ year olds playing this game and they go, “I don’t care about your 40 year old men!” The selfish entitlement is ripe with this group and they’re really going to have a rude awakening soon. Do they not realize the writers and high-ranking developers of this game are over 40? They have no respect whatsoever for anyone except their stupid delusions and whatever flag they’re waving or putting in their bio that week.

If you’re reading this — drink your vitamins and get some sunlight because you seriously need it.

And here’s the damn truth for you:

Tifa Lockhart is a busty, hot, 20-year-old virgin and the real love interest of Cloud Strife in Final Fantasy 7. The two lose their virginities to each other. She rejects every single guy except for Cloud and has held out for Cloud her entire life. Cloud, in turn, is loyal to Tifa.

This is not my personal preference or how I think things should go, I do not identify with this aspect of their relationship and connection, this is just the reality of how it is. Tifa is modest, shy, reserved — this was clear even in the OG and definitely in Advent Children — and she can be those things, be hot and have a “bangin’ body”, and still also be a virgin at the same time.

If you were triggered by Tifa’s virginity — freak — may you find peace in the fact that you’re maybe just a dumb, desperate attention-seeking hoe getting triggered over a fictional character’s sexual history (or lack thereof) compared to yours. That, or you’re so miserable that you’re grasping at any and everything trying to find something to be mad or offended about, while throwing whoever under the bus for it.

Finally: Did Cloud and Tifa have sex under the Highwind?

It is heavily implied that they did. There is no explicit confirmation of this but heavy implication in such media typically means yes.

Tifa and Cloud under the Highwind, the night before the final battle with Sephiroth.

Tifa says, “Words aren’t the only thing that tell people what you’re thinking…” and then Cloud gasps in surprise and moves closer to her or appears to want to. And then it fades to black as suggestive music plays into (and stops) at the next scene:

Cloud and Tifa are cuddling after sleeping together and it’s time to wake up. Cloud tells her it’s time to go and she tells him she wants to stay in that position a little longer, and for him to allow her to have that moment, which may never happen again. The fading to black was what is called a “Sexy Discretion Shot”. This is used in film when the couple is about to have sex. You did not see them undressed because 1) this is an early video game and 2) kids play this. However, the suggestion was made and the more mature definitely understand what is going on.

This might break your heart, dear Clerith, but Cloud and Tifa are lovers and lose their virginities to each other. They both lose a special and precious friend in Aerith Gainsborough, and due to Cloud’s guilt and his own insecurities about his ability to protect his loved ones, he develops complex emotions about Aerith which is shown in Advent Children and resolved later when he sees that Aerith and Zack are together and look happy after he is healed from Geostigma. And if the devs don’t pander to safeguard your fragile feelings — they will make it even more obvious in part 3. I really hope they do, and maybe even go as far as to change the rating to Mature just for that scene alone. Everyone needs to know, without a doubt, what Tifa and Cloud mean to each other… without using words. This debate, dear Square Enix, needs to be put to rest. Cloud and Tifa should find peace as husband and wife, and as a family.