The shipping war between Tifa and Aerith has existed since the release of the original game in 1997. It’s a topic that sparks plenty of debate, but the game never outright reveals canon pairings. However, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth reinforces Aerith’s best ship (and it’s not Cloud).
Aerith’s Best Ship in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Isn’t Cloud
Throughout the game, Cloud can make choices that increase his relationship with various characters. These decisions then play into events like the Gold Saucer date. The differences in the moments Cloud shares with Aerith and those he shares with Tifa, combined with Zack’s cutscenes during his sections, reinforce that Cloud isn’t the best romantic option for Aerith. Zack is.
Zack and Aerith’s History in Final Fantasy 7
Prior to FF7, Crisis Core shows Zack Fair’s life and his interactions with other SOLDIERs along with the people of Midgar. During this time, he meets Aerith, and they begin dating until the Nibelheim event, after which Zack is experimented on in captivity and dies in at least one timeline in order to save Cloud. In another timeline, he returns to Midgar and focuses on saving Aerith. It’s obvious he still cares about her, but Zack’s dedication isn’t the biggest reinforcement for why he’s her best ship.
Aerith’s romance scenes with Cloud tend to feel distant. She brings up her past with Zack when she goes to the park with Cloud in the first game, and she mentions him again during the Gold Saucer date. It’s clear that she’s not over Zack. Plus, Cloud scenes with Tifa are often more tender and romantic. Tifa’s Gold Saucer date is also the only one with a kiss. As such, it certainly seems like the intended canon pairings are Tifa and Cloud, followed by Aerith and Zack. However, these ships aren’t confirmed.
Aerith’s best ship is reinforced in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, and it’s not Cloud. It’s Zack. While shipping wars can get heated, remember that it’s all for fun. Having one opinion on pairings doesn’t invalidate the opinions of others. From here, check out our Final Fantasy 7 guide hub for more content, like 10 great lines of dialogue in Rebirth or the best way to level up materia.
