about Cloud & anime
Chances are that if you're here, you at least know who Cloud Strife is. If this is somehow not the case, you can still save face by visiting the Cloud fansite this fanlisting is part of: Strife. Check out its "Appearances" section and basic profile for a spoiler-free introduction to the character.
If you are already intimately familiar with Mr. Strife (or at least familiar enough to recognize him on the street), then you still may be wondering where the image in the layout comes from (it doesn't look like adorably-dated 1997 CG...), or why this is associated with The Anime Fanlistings Network. The following has been constructed to clear up such confusion.
What does it mean to have an "anime fanlisting"?
It was decided in 2004 that fanlistings that self-identified or were otherwise identified as anime or manga-related would be approved by a network separate from The Fanlistings Network (TFL): The Anime Fanlistings Network (TAFL). That said, the definition of what qualifies as an anime or manga by the network seems to be a little fuzzy. The front page boasts that "if it's drawn in Japan, you'll find it here", but does that claim actually mean anything to anybody? If it does, is it true?
Anime is defined by my Mac's dictionary as "Japanese movie and television animation". Similarly, manga can be loosely defined as Japanese comic books. However, since the 1980s both anime and manga have been recognized internationally as an artistic genre with distinct aesthetics (large eyes, heavy line-art, etc) and themes (the infamous sci-fi and porn stereotype). The Anime Fanlistings' definition of anime seems to be rooted in both the national and generic concepts, requiring that all subjects not only be produced in Japan, but they must also have the recognized aesthetics of the genre definition. Thus, TAFL accounts for traditionally-animated Final Fantasy VII spin-offs Last Order and On The Way To A Smile, but not the Square-Enix-developed, CG film Advent Children, presumably because the latter does not share the obvious aesthetic expected of the genre. The titles covered by this fanlisting are listed below.
Last Order (anime)
Last Order is a short film from animation giant Mad House that re-imagines the horrible day Sephiroth came to Nibelheim. Previously only available in the Advent Pieces box -- the super-special version of Advent Children sold to Japanese fans for well over $200 -- it was finally released internationally in 2006 in the Advent Children Collector's Edition for a considerably lower price than the Japanese package.
Last Order was used as something of a teaser for the then-upcoming PSP prequel Crisis Cores that stars Cloud's friend Zack. The film alternates between the massacre that took place five years prior to the game, and Zack and Cloud's great escape mere days before the game's events.
On The Way To A Smile (anime)
Developed by Japanese studio A-1 Pictures, On The Way To A Smile: Final Fantasy VII: Episode: Denzel is an adaptation of one of the chapters from the official Final Fantasy VII novella of the same name. It was released as an exclusive bonus feature included on all editions of the Blu-Ray re-release of Advent Children (Advent Children Complete). It is already available in Japan and the US, and will be released in Europe this August.
Originally written by Kazushige Nojima -- Final Fantasy VII scenario writer and Advent Children screenwriter -- Episode: Denzel tells the story of the new character Denzel before he met Cloud and Tifa--though he is still greatly affected by their decisions. The film is narrated by Denzel in the present -- a year after the final Compilation installment (Dirge of Cerberus) and about four years after the original game -- while he reflects on his time in Midgar. His reflection begins with the destruction of Sector 7 seen in the game and ends with his rescue by Cloud.
Kingdom Hearts (manga)
For those living under a rock, Kingdom Hearts is one of Square Enix's major emerging franchises. As a collaboration with Disney, KH is an action-RPG starring classic Final Fantasy and Disney characters on an increasingly convoluted quest to save the universe from Heartless or Nobodies or Nowhere Man or something. I don't know. Either way, all of the games released so far have been adapted into a manga by artist Shiro Amano. These books have been localized and distributed in English by Tokyopop.
Cloud only makes a small cameo in one of four books I own (though I was pleasantly surprised by the omnipresence of fellow FFVII alum Cid Highwind). Honestly, I find myself caring increasingly less about the Kingdom Hearts franchise the more it tries to make me care about anyone I didn't first meet in a Final Fantasy game or Disney classic. Please excuse my lack of enthusiasm.
« backwards | refresh | xx | top | forwards » Scar/Happy Ending is a fansite designed and maintained by Stacey Anne and is in no way affiliated with Square Enix or Sony. No infringement is intended in the making of this site. On The Way To A Smile screen captures by Kookyz.