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Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Omega FAQ
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Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Omega Translations
*Translator*
Ryu Kaze/Ryu Sinclair; contact:
omegaomnislash@gmail.com*Time period of initial translations*
March, 2006
*Last updated*
June 13, 2006
*Current Version*
9.00
****Notes to make yourself aware of****
==MASSIVE SPOILERS FOR FINAL FANTASY VII AND ADVENT CHILDREN ARE IN THIS FAQ==
Also, be aware that at any point the in the translations where you see
something in brackets, it is something that I have added to the translation,
either for the purpose of clarifying the wording (Japanese does not always
translate directly into English in such a way that it's entirely coherent), or
to offer an analysis of a certain section of the translation.
Also, for your convenience, be aware that you can use the numbers to the right
of each section in the table of contents to do a ctrl+f search and instantly
get to the section of your choice.
*****Table of contents*****
-1: Version history (001)
-2: Statement of purpose (002)
-3: Translations from the character profiles segment of the book (003)
-4: Translations from the Story Playback segment of the book (004)
-5: Complete translation of The truth of Final Fantasy VII segment (005)
1) Jenova (005.1)
*Jenova Relation 1: The Jenova Project (005.1A)
*Jenova Relation 2: The Reunion (005.1B)
*Jenova Relation 3: The Sephiroth Clones (005.1C)
2) The Ancients (005.2)
*The Ancients Relation 1: The Promised Land (005.2A)
3) Meteor and Holy (005.3)
*The Black Materia: Meteor (005.3A)
*The White Materia: Holy (005.3B)
4) The WEAPONs (005.4)
*The WEAPONs that appear in the story (005.4A)
5) Lifestream (005.5)
*Lifestream Relation 1: Mako Energy (005.5A)
*Lifestream Relation 2: The Study of Planet Life (005.5B)
*Lifestream Relation 3: SOLDIER (005.5C)
-6: Translations of the vehicle specifications (006)
-7: Translations concerning the plot-related connection between FFVII and
FFX/X-2 (007)
-8: Notes on information in the Advent Children Reunion Files book (008)
*Production notes* (008.1)
*Character and plot notes* (008.2)
*Miscellaneous notes (008.3)
-9: Recommended further reading (009)
-10: Acknowledgements about the game, the Ultimania Omega and this FAQ (010)
****Version history**** (001)
June 13: Added a bit of extra information to the notes on the Advent Children
Reunion Files book, specifically more information on how Sephiroth's
power compares to Cloud's and that Sephiroth, Kadaj, Yazoo and Loz
are left-handed
Added a little more information to the section on the connection
between FFVII and FFX/X-2
June 4: Added notes on the Advent Children Reunion Files book
May 18: Added Translations of the vehicle specifications section
May 3: Removed some speculative information concerning Rufus' survival
deemed inaccurate
Added a new site authorized to host the FAQ
April 26: Clarified "continuation" as meaning "sequel"
April 23: Added new Translations concerning the plot-related connection
between FFVII and FFX/X-2 section
Added another translation to the new section
April 17: Added some translations from Tifa and Yuffie's profiles to the
character translations
Added some translations concerning Tseng and Rufus to the Story
Playback translations
April 16: Added a translation of the "The open cell door" passage to the Story
Playback section translations
April 15: Added "Enigma of the voice" and a passage I've entitled "[From the
Story Playback segment of the book]" to the Story Playback
translations
April 6: Changed "Feremis" to "Faremis"
March 30: Added bio info for Gast, Zack, Tifa's dad, Lucrecia, Jessie, Biggs,
Wedge, President Shinra, Heidegger, Scarlet, Hojo, Palmer and Reeve
to the character translations
Changed "Translations from the character profiles and Story Playback
segments of the book" into two seperate sections
March 28: Added bio info for Ifalna, Bugenhagen, Zangan, Johnny and a little
bit for Aerith to the Translations from the character profiles and
Story Playback segments of the book
March 27: Added Turks bios to the Translations from the character profiles and
Story Playback segments of the book
Changed "Notable sections from the character profiles and Story
Playback segments of the book" to "Translations from the character
profiles and Story Playback segments of the book"
March 25: Small mistake; fixing "surname" to "name" in regard to "Ifalna";
thanks go to Blood Omega of GameFAQs for noticing the mistake
March 25: Made a sweep for spelling and formating errors
March 24: Translations completed and FAQ published
****Statement of purpose**** (002)
This FAQ's purpose is to provide an English translation of the notable
storyline related sections of the Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Omega to the
fans of Final Fantasy VII who may be unable to acquire or translate the book
themselves. I've tried to maintain as accurate a translation here as possible,
and I believe I've managed to keep all the explanations true to the original
Japanese information offered in the book, but I'll tell you right now that
it's not going to be perfect. My teaching credentials are in the English
language and English literature, not the Japanese language. As such, I don't
claim to be a master of translating Japanese. It's just something I do as a
hobby because I enjoy it and find it interesting, and this is the first big
translation project I've done since September, 2005 when I translated Final
Fantasy VII: Advent Children. That's six months of rust to build up on my
skills, and while I do feel like I've improved even more since then, the point
I'm trying to get across is that I've done my best here, but that it's
probably still not perfect.
That said, I do have faith that I've accurately conveyed the intent of
everything present in those sections I translated, and I've tried to maintain
a Japanese-to-English wording as consistent with the original as possible.
Where that wasn't always possible (and it's never going to be), I've inserted
brackets ([ ]) to indicate the words that I had to insert in order to maintain
the same flow we would use in English. Surprisingly, I've not had to do it all
that much.
Also, be aware that (also contained in brackets) at the end of many sections
you'll find an analysis section where I offer some kind of clarification or
comment on the section you've just read.
I do hope you'll enjoy this FAQ and that it will be of benefit to many fans of
Final Fantasy VII; both those who weren't able to read the book for themselves
and those who just want to see another take on the wording. Enjoy.
****Translations from the character profiles segment of the book**** (003)
***[Tifa's] Appearance*** (Page 23)
Her long black hair is in a hairstyle such that its tip looks like a dolphin's
tail. Her garments are simple and monotone, consisting of a tanktop and a mini
skirt, the length of which is quite short, giving a considerable degree of
exposure.
(Accompanying screenshot caption 1)
In her super-tight mini skirt, she thrives at the art of hand-to-hand
fighting.
(Accompanying screenshot caption 2)
Due to her form, her plain garments take on a pleasant appearance.
------------------------
[Analysis: This is, perhaps, the funniest thing in the entire book. It's funny
both in how it's taking the time to describe what we could see with our own
eyes, and in the wording it's using. This is not a joke. The book really says
that stuff. Anyway, it would seem that Tifa's hair ending in a shape like a
dolphin's tail was intentional, and is the reason behind the Dolphin Blow
Limit Break.]
=========================================================
***[From Aerith's bio]*** (Page 30)
|15 years ago|
Together with her mother, she escaped from the Shin-Ra headquarters to the
train station in the slums of Sector 7, where she would be seperated from her
by death. She was then brought up by Elmyra as her foster daughter. (*1)
>>>*1
After encountering her at the train station, she enters Elmyra's care and
begins living in the slums of Sector 5. Afterward, she is visited by the Turks
many times, as they request that she return to the Shin-Ra headquarters, but
she consistently refuses.
------------------------
[Analysis: Nothing notable; I was looking for an explanation of how Ifalna
was wounded during the escape from the Shin-Ra headquarters.]
=========================================================
***Stop the vehicle, please!*** (Page 37)
Yuffie fears nothing, with one exception. This [fear] is her huge weakness in
vehicles! Cargo ship, airship, submarine......no matter what she rides in, it
immediately puts her down. Especially when riding in an airship, she'll try
appealing to someone for sympathy.
(Accompanying screenshot caption)
To put her motion sickness to rest a little bit, she always rides outside the
cockpit of the airship.
------------------------
[Analysis: Cute. Nothing we didn't know already, but cute.]
=========================================================
***Sephiroth's will and Jenova's will*** (Page 53)
The Sephiroth clones seen in various locations continue gathering for the
Reunion. Seemingly, the will of Jenova as a human is the result of it
consuming Sephiroth's spirit; in actuality, Sephiroth is controlling Jenova.
(Accompanying screenshot caption)
Sephiroth's voice is heard through his "mother," Jenova, as applied through
its cells in the Sephiroth Clones.
------------------------
[Analysis: This section confirms that Sephiroth was in control of Jenova.]
=========================================================
***Shin-Ra Company Relations*** (Pages 56-58)
**Keyword>[The Shin-Ra Company]**
The world is actually controlled by this corporate giant. It was originally a
weapons development company called "Shin-Ra Works," but after realizing the
potential in [supplying] Mako Energy, it rapidly grew. [Through use of the
substance] Mako Energy becomes when it crystalizes -- [which is] called
"materia" -- and investing in the elite SOLDIERs, who are showered with Mako
Energy [and] sent to the battlefield, [the company] quickly brought the great
war that had spread across the globe to a conclusion; furthermore, being that
the people had become dependent on Mako Energy for their everyday lives, after
the war, the company controlled the world.
*President Shinra*
Places of appearance: Mako reactor no. 5, Shin-Ra headquarters
President of the Shin-Ra Company. Having taken it from a simple weapons
development company to a corporation that controls the world in a single
generation, he is a remarkably capable manager. He excelled at the art of
predicting human nature and guiding what the public thought. With the legends
of the Ancients' "Promised Land" [in mind], he believes that abundant mako may
lie there, and plans to monopolize it to further the company's development.
(Accompanying screenshot caption)
It is his cherished theory that one can control the world by grasping the
people's hearts with money. He finds the opinion of his son, Rufus, [on how to
control the world] dangerous and ensures that it's kept away from the
company's affairs.
*Public Safety Maintenance Department*
-Heidgger-
Places of appearance: Shin-Ra headquarters and various other places
The man in charge of [Shin-Ra's] Public Safety Maintenance Division, he has a
coarse laugh of "Gahahaha" and doesn't present himself in his words or actions
as possessing much intelligence; he will speak in flattering tones to those in
higher positions, but those who are below him are the objects of his vented
annoyance and displeasure. He was a close aide of the [first] President, but
after Rufus' inauguration, he's treated coldly, and this treatment intensifies
because of [the actions] of Cloud and the others.
(Accompanying screenshot caption)
His title generally held practically no value [previously], as he did nothing
but flatter the President, but Rufus saw through his incompetence.
*Weapons Development Department*
-Scarlet-
Places of appearance: Shin-Ra headquarters and various other places
The only woman on the board of directors. On the surface she is an excellent
and beautiful weapons developer, but her speech and actions are filled with
poison. Self-centered and coldhearted, she is unconcerned at playing with the
lives of others. Her self-righteous characteristics are symbolized by her
[trademark] roar of laughter: "kyahahaha." 4 years ago, she burned Corel and
took one arm from both Barret and Dyne. In the latter half of the story [in
the game's present day], she produces the mako cannon [the Sistery Ray] and
the Proud Clod.
(Accompanying screenshot caption)
She has a high degree of pride and frequently looks down upon her colleagues.
She considers Heidgger an idiot and comparable to a horse.
*Science Department*
-Hojo-
Places of appearance: Shin-Ra headquarters and various other places
Void of good sense and humanity, he is a typical mad scientist. As a novice,
he participated in the Jenova Project with Gast, an expert, but after he
[Gast] left, direction of the project fell to him [Hojo]. Gast and
collaborative research had bore the SOLDIERs, but 5 years ago, he [Hojo] began
the Sephiroth Clones experiment on his own. Company employees keep watch over
its progress and keep him informed.
(Accompanying screenshot caption)
Steeped in an inferiority complex in regard to Professor Gast, he repeatedly
reacts with inhumane experiments. He's actually Sephiroth's father, but never
introduced himself [as such].
*Space Exploration Department*
-Palmer-
Places of appearance: Shin-Ra headquarters, Rocket Town
The director of Space Exploration, he is the oldest executive. Despite his
position, knowledge and dignity, he says things such as "tra, la, la" and
possesses other childlike behavior, which detracts from his character. Loving
to take his tea with sugar and lard, he's grown round, and should take a
second look at the differences of the dietary life.
(Accompanying screenshot caption)
Because the Space Exploration program is currently frozen, there is little he
actually does. Though his relationship with Cid is not particularly close,
that doesn't mean he isn't talkative.
*Urban Development Department*
-Reeve-
Places of appearance: Shin-Ra headquarters
Very serious, middle-aged and [in possession of] a strong sense of
responsibility. There is a distinct line of demarcation between this man of
proper tact and the other executives. His attachment to Midgar is deep, as he
has watched over since its conceptual stages; therefore, throwing that same
city into disorder is painful for him. He is able to portray life-like
capabilities in the inanimate Cait Sith doll, which he controls by remote
from within the Shin-Ra headquarters, tracking Cloud and company's movements.
(Accompanying screenshot caption)
In a meeting of the executives [during the discussion to drop the Sector 7
plate], he is straightforward in his position, frankly presenting his opinion
of the situation, but as usually happens, he gives in at the end.
**Keyword>[The Turks]**
Alias of the Shin-Ra Company's Investigation Division of the General Affairs
Department, they're actually an elite unit with a special task. It begins with
serving as bodyguards to [the company's] VIPs and scouting for members of
SOLDIER, and extends to all manner of shady activities, including espionage
and assassination. Though under the command of Heidegger, they frequently use
their own judgment.
*Rufus Shinra*
Places of appearance: The Shin-Ra headquarters and various other places
The only son of President Shinra. Cunning but cold-hearted, it's said that no
one has ever seen him bleed or cry and he has unfavorable criticism within
society. As he carried thoughts of controlling the world through fear, his
father regarded him as dangerous. After Sephiroth murdered his father, he was
given a perfect opportunity to assume position as the new president. In the
hopes of finding the Promised Land, he initiates a pursuit of Sephiroth. In
the latter half of the story, he works to conceive plans stop to Meteor and
the WEAPONs, ironically taking up the position of protecing the world from
dread.
(Accompanying screenshot caption)
In a meeting of the board of [Shin-Ra's] directors, measures to counter Meteor
and the WEAPONs are put into action.
*Tseng*
Places of appearance: The Sector 7 support pillar and various other places
Leader of the Turks. Though he is still young, he has been active [as a Turk]
for more than 10 years. In the present, his subordinate, Reno, is directed to
carry out many operations, and he [Tseng] isn't given much field work. A calm,
polite person, he doesn't usually let his emotions show on the surface, and
has reservations concerning Aerith [,who he has been ordered to apprehend],
[and] for whom he has come to harbor special feelings.
*Elena*
Places of appearance: The Mythril Mines and various other places
A blemish on the Turks. After Reno was injured while carrying out orders to
drop the Sector 7 plate, she was chosen as a newcomer to the shorthanded
group. Having a loose tongue as a weakness, she carelessly discloses secret
information, and as someone who tackles every situation with complete
dedication, she has numerous complaints with her seniors' [Reno and Rude]
layed-back attitudes.
*Reno*
Places of appearance: The church in the slums and various other places
A young man with firery red hair. The condition of his uniform suggests the
attitude and personality of one who is irresponsible, but his self-confidence
and pride as a Turk is twice that of most men. In his work and in his personal
life he has his own way of doing things, adding his peculiar motto "zoto" to
the ends of sentences when speaking.
*Rude*
Places of appearance: The Shin-Ra headquarters and various other places
Reno's partner since old times. Contrasting with Reno in numerous ways, mainly
in putting work before talk, silence is the closest thing to his motto.
Despite appearances, he is not bald for fashion purposes, this being a natural
development instead. He secretly likes Tifa, even though she's an enemy.
------------------------
[Analysis: Nothing that we don't really know from playing the game except for
that small bit about Rufus' father regarding him as dangerous (though that's
touched on in Before Crisis: Final Fantasy VII), Tseng having been with the
Turks for over 10 years and the notable bit about Rude being naturally bald.]
=========================================================
***Zack*** (Page 59)
Places of appearance: Nibelheim (Cloud's flashback)
One who made for a positive-minded cheerful comrade in SOLDIER. Coming from
the remote region of Gongaga, he went to Midgar about 10 years ago. He was
recognized as having the capabilities of a 1st Class SOLDIER, but when he was
dispatched to the Mt. Nibel mako reactor, destiny would take a sudden turn.
While trying to stop Sephiroth's reckless activities, he was seriously
injured, and afterward became an experimental subject for Hojo; then, after
escaping, he was killed. At the beginning of the story, Cloud plays Zack's
role in his memories.
(Accompanying screenshot caption)
Saying that they are "friends," Zack supports Cloud, his other colleague [who
was sent with Sephiroth] -- [and] who has contracted mako poisoning -- up to
the very end.
=========================================================
***Zangan*** (Page 59)
Places of appearance: Nibelheim (Cloud's flashback)
The Zangan martial arts style is an original practice, and he is Tifa's
martial arts teacher. He is always traveling, with 128 pupils in various
places. During a short stop in Nibelheim, he was giving fighting instruction
to Tifa. Shortly afterward, during the incident in which the town burned, he
went to the mako reactor to confront Sephiroth, and ended up saving Tifa,
carrying her to Midgar.
=========================================================
***Tifa's dad*** (Page 59)
Places of appearance: Nibelheim (Cloud's flashbacks)
Tifa's father. After his wife died an early death, he treated their daughter,
Tifa, with overbearing concern, [even] holding Cloud under distrust after Tifa
was in a dangerous situation. Feeling a powerful need to protect his village,
he tried to stop Sephiroth's destruction five years ago, but lost his life in
the process.
=========================================================
***Gast Faremis*** (Page 59)
Places of appearance: Icicle Lodge (video tape)
Aerith's father. He was once the head of Shin-Ra Company's Science Department.
Conducting research on the first humans, the Ancients, he believed Jenova
[whom he had discovered] was an Ancient and began "the Jenova Project" to
increase the Ancients' numbers, but during the process, he recognized his
failures and resigned. At Icicle Lodge, with the cooperation of Ifalna, he
would conduct original research that would make progress. However, shortly
after their daughter was born, he was killed by Hojo and the results of his
research were taken.
(Accompanying screenshot caption)
While interviewing Ifalna about the Ancients and other matters, they began to
love one another. They then led a modest but happy life, but.......
=========================================================
***Ifalna*** (Page 59)
Places of appearance: Train station in the slums of Sector 7 (Elmyra's
flashback), Icicle Lodge (video tape)
Aerith's real mother. A woman of the Ancients living in Icicle Lodge, she was
the last Ancient of pure blood. While cooperating with Gast in his research, a
love between them began to bloom, and -- making a home with one another --
they had a daughter. However, during the peak of their happiness, it was
snatched away from them by Hojo and she and Aerith became prisoners in the
Shin-Ra headquarters, to be used for experimental purposes. Several years
later, they would escape to the train station in the slums of Sector 7, where
she would take her last breath.
(Accompanying screenshot caption)
After escaping together with her daughter, Aerith -- to whom she had been able
to pass on little of the traditions and teachings of the Ancients -- she
entrusted her with the White Materia.
------------------------
[Analysis: Sadly, there's no explanation for why Ifalna died; we just have to
assume she received some kind of fatal wound during the escape.]
=========================================================
***Lucrecia*** (Page 59)
Places of appearance: Lucrecia's cave, Nibelheim (Vincent's flashback)
A woman who worked in the Shin-Ra Company's Science Department. As a member of
the Jenova Project, she served as assistant to professor Gast. She was
beautiful and intelligent, but after stepping on the road to being Hojo's
lover, she would end up offering the body of her own unborn child for
experimentation. The child who was given Jenova cells -- Sephiroth was born;
and with the effects of the experiment causing irregularities in her own body,
she removed herself from the public eye. She was the woman who was the object
of Vincent's yearning, and the reason he began to hold himself accountable of
"sin."
=========================================================
***Biggs*** (Page 60)
Places of appearance: Mako reactor no.1 and various other places
A member of AVALANCHE who gathers at the Seventh Heaven bar. Though not a very
serious person, he keeps the teachings of the Study of Planet Life firmly in
mind and takes part in anti-Shin-Ra activities. He seems to have some
complaints with Barret's leadership.
(Accompanying screenshot caption)
His complaints about Barret appear in his sleep talk. Also, in the scene where
he gets drunk [while talking] to Cloud.
=========================================================
***Wedge***(Page 60)
Places of appearance: Mako reactor no.1 and various other places
Biggs' friend whom he treats like a younger brother. Plump-bodied and
humorous, he brings warmth to the base [of AVALANCHE]. Timid and kind-hearted
with everyone, he easily loses his composure. Adding "-su" to the ends of
words, he has the most polite language [of the members] in the group.
(Accompanying screenshot caption)
If [the player] chooses to have Cloud speak either positively or roughly
[with Wedge, in the basement of Seventh Heaven], he [reveals] this feeling [of
cowardice/nervousness].
=========================================================
***Jessie*** (Page 60)
Places of appearance: Mako reactor no.1 and various other places
[A woman with high] inner strength and talent, she extensively mixes
explosive compounds for AVALANCHE's plans. She conducts herself in a ladylike
manner. [However, she shows herself to be more than a little clumsy.]
(Accompanying screenshot caption)
After the explosion of mako reactor no. 1, she pulls Cloud aside [to show him
the map of the Midgar Rail System].
------------------------
[Analysis: I had a little trouble translating the last line of Jessie's main
paragraph; that's why it's completely in brackets. I'm sure I missed something
in it.]
=========================================================
***Johnny*** (Page 61)
Places of appearance: Sector 7, inside a train, the Honey Bee Inn, Costa del Sol
A young man with the outward appearance of a delinquent and troubled thoughts.
Secretly harboring feelings for Tifa, he went to Seventh Heaven frequently. He
lived in the slums of Sector 7 with his parents until resolving to travel. En
route, he nearly yielded to the temptation of going to the Honey Bee Inn, but
continued traveling until he arrived at Costa del Sol, where he would begin
living with [a woman who became] his lover. Like Cloud, he has a harsh
attitude.
(Accompanying screenshot caption)
At first, his mannerisms were only those of a harsh youth, but because of the
love of a woman, he would grow into a man.
=========================================================
***Bugenhagen*** (Page 63)
Places of appearance: Cosmo Canyon
The expert on the Study of Planet Life who lives in Cosmo Canyon. This elderly
man with the greeting of "Ho ho hoooo" is called "Grandfather" by Red XIII, to
whom he is close. Held in high esteem by both local people and those from
various other places, many people visit the village to be taught about the
Study of Planet Life by him firsthand. He is an unbelievable 180 years old,
but he's still full of vigor and in curiously excellent condition.
(Accompanying screenshot caption)
Being a man of intelligence, he operates Shin-Ra's latest mechanized
inventions with his thoughts turned to the mysteries surrounding the voice of
the Planet.
------------------------
[Analysis: Curiously, this identifies Bugenhagen as 180 while the game
identified him as 130. Presumably, this is a typo on the part of the Ultimania
Omega, as both the English and Japanese versions of Final Fantasy VII identify
Bugenhagen as 130.]
****Translations from the Story Playback segment of the book**** (004)
***Enigma of the voice*** (Page 68)
As Cloud is trying to place the bomb, a mysterious voice speaks to him. Later,
this same kind of mysterious voice resounds in Cloud's head in the scene where
he and a voice have a conversation, and it offers him reminders. These voices
are the original Cloud, as -- due to Hojo's Sephiroth Clones experiment --
Zack's personality merged with his, creating the present day Cloud, producing
a conflict of multiple personalities(-->P.11).
During the scene in the first mako reactor, what [the voice] says is it
[trying] to point [Cloud] toward the memory of Sephiroth five years ago in
Nibelheim's mako reactor, as the two places were similar. However, Cloud is
not able to listen to the words of the memory.
(Accompanying screenshot caption)
"Open your eyes!" [the voice] calls out, as it does when the scene at the
Temple of the Ancients comes and the words of Sephiroth make use of Cloud as a
puppet.
------------------------
[Analysis: This section confirms that the voice that often talks to Cloud
during the first disc of the game is his subconscious, that part of him that
was buried under the false identity he formed.]
=========================================================
***The open cell door*** (Page 94)
Indicating the brutality of Jenova, a bloodstain leads from the open cell door
-- which was opened previously without [anyone] noticing -- to the top floor.
It would seem that after awakening, Jenova intentionally opened specifically
Cloud's door, leading [him] to the top floor. As he's a person who carries
Jenova cells [inside him], was it trying to help Cloud......?
------------------------
[Analysis: This section confirms that Sephiroth -- using Jenova's main body
(see below passage entitled "Jenova inside the ship") -- opened Cloud's cell
door during the massacre in the Shin-Ra headquarters.]
=========================================================
***[From the Story Playback segment of the book]*** (Page 102)
Hojo was the cause of the malfunctions at the mako reactor. Hojo had placed
humans in the devices used to form materia, and -- being drenched in
high-density mako -- they turned into monsters.
------------------------
[Analysis: This small segment tells us that the humans who had been placed in
the pods inside the Mt. Nibel mako reactor were not only placed inside devices
used to create materia, but that they were, indeed, transformed as a result of
exposure to an unhealthy quantity of mako. This is relevant, as some fans in
the past have often wondered if, perhaps, Jenova cells were added to the mix.
This passage would seem to indicate that this was not the case, and that the
mako exposure alone was the cause of their mutations. In other words, this
section confirms that mako can cause mutations.]
=========================================================
***Jenova inside the ship*** (Page 112)
Cloud confronts "Sephiroth," the murderer of the ship's crew in the bottom of
the ship. In truth, Jenova began moving away from the Shin-Ra building on its
own, and took on the form of Sephiroth.
(Accompanying screenshot caption)
This [that Jenova was being carried by Sephiroth] was a misunderstanding. The
arm was not carried, but rather was detached here.
------------------------
[Analysis: This section -- together with the accompanying screenshot where
Tifa can be seen asking if this means that Jenova was being carried -- reveals
that the main body of Jenova was not carried out of the Shin-Ra headquarters
by a Sephiroth Clone, as has often been thought in the past. In truth,
Sephiroth assumed control of the main body and had it force its way out of its
confinement, assume his form, slaughter the Shin-Ra personnel -- as well as
President Shinra himself -- open Cloud's cell door and then escape. It is this
main body of Jenova that AVALANCHE pursues from Midgar.
This section further reveals that the tentacle of Jenova that transformed into
Jenova-BIRTH on the Shin-Ra cargo ship was detached from the main body during
the confrontation with AVALANCHE in the bottom of the ship.]
=========================================================
***Tseng on the verge of death*** (Page 150)
Seeing Tseng -- who was cut down by Sephiroth and left on death's door --
Aerith is unable to hide her shock. Though they're on opposing sides, he holds
a special meaning to her.
Also, before entering the heart of the temple, if [the player] speaks to him,
he will mutter "I am...... still alive......" thereafter. When one thinks
about how the temple collapses later, doesn't his survival seem
hopeless......?
(Accompanying screenshot caption)
When faced with Tseng's condition, Aerith steps behind a pillar to try hiding
her tears.
------------------------
[Analysis: Nothing particularly special. Just tells us what we know and
presents the obvious notion that Tseng surviving that incident looked
downright impossible.]
=========================================================
***The Sephiroth of the water altar*** (Page 157)
Immediately after the tragedy surrounding Aerith takes place, the battle with
Jenova-LIFE begins, doing so such that it interrupts Sephiroth's words;
they're continued after the battle, but the title of whom they're credited to
changes from "Sephiroth" to "Jenova." The reason for this is that the
confrontation on the altar occurs with Jenova while it's displaying
Sephiroth's mimed form. It then changes to a more accurate display of its true
nature.
------------------------
[Analysis: This section reveals that the Sephiroth encountered in the City of
the Ancients (the one that murdered Aerith) was -- yet again -- Sephiroth
manipulating a part of Jenova's body in his form. Being that this form
transforms into Jenova-LIFE and gets destroyed, however, this piece was not
the main body, like that seen on the Shin-Ra cargo ship (which flew away after
leaving its "arm"/tentacle); this was a previously seperated but unidentified
part of the main body that was utilized to take Sephiroth's form.]
=========================================================
***Elena burns with vengeance*** (Page 158)
"How dare you do that to my boss!" Elena shouts, hurling her anger at Cloud.
Somehow, she suspected Cloud of being the one to try killing Tseng at the
Temple of the Ancients.
Did an encounter with Tseng provide her grief?
------------------------
[Analysis: It seems to be hinting (if I translated it right) that Elena has
seen Tseng, this being why she knows he got messed up and being why she's
upset. By the very concept, it's suggesting that he survived what happened to
him in the Temple of the Ancients. It's also notable that this original
Japanese line said by Elena did not carry the finality that her line in the
original English localization of FFVII did. There, she said "But you really
got guts doin' my boss in like that!", making it appear that Tseng had died.
Though the PC version's translation fixed this -- having Elena say that Tseng
had been messed up instead of done in -- most English-speaking and reading
players saw the version that suggested Tseng's death was a definite, leaving
many perplexed when he returned in Advent Children. Anyway, the above
translation of the line is the most literal rendering, but I think the English
PC version's take on it was well done. Sadly, there's no explanation of how
Tseng survived, though, presumably, Elena went back into the temple after
AVALANCHE had gone in and found Tseng as they had, rescuing him.]
=========================================================
***As for those which have been chased so far*** (Page 163)
Before the battle with Jenova-DEATH, the words of one of the Sephiroth Clones
in line for the Reunion offers an indication of the truth: those who carried
Jenova's cells were given the mission of bringing the Black Materia to their
master, Sephiroth. The fact of the matter is that the "Sephiroth" Cloud saw in
various places was not Sephiroth himself, but rather the body of Jenova from
the Shin-Ra building mimicing his form.
------------------------
[Analysis: This is just more of the previous confirmations: that the forms of
Sephiroth AVALANCHE has been seeing are not his real body (which has been in
the Northern Crater all this time), but Jenova's main body -- and seperated
pieces of it -- in his form. Like the piece that became Jenova-LIFE, that
which becomes Jenova-DEATH is just another unidentified piece of the main body
of Jenova, seperated from the main body and given Sephiroth's form while under
his control.]
=========================================================
***Rufus' last moment?*** (Page 197)
Taking a direct hit from Diamond WEAPON during the story, what became of him
is left a mystery. News of his death spreads to the people, but is he actually
[dead]...?
(Accompanying screenshot caption)
Heidegger and the people of Kalm conclude that [Rufus] has died.
------------------------
[Analysis: As with Tseng, we get a hint here that Rufus may have survived,
most likely to set up his return in Advent Children. Sadly, there's no
explanation of how he survived.]
=========================================================
***Vincent's anger*** (Page 198)
If Vincent is in the party when they go to the Mako Cannon's controls, during
the conversation with Hojo, Vincent will have a reaction. To Hojo, his wife
was nothing more than laboratory material to bear his son, Sephiroth, who --
as he says -- was something for him to study and satisfy his scientific
desires; [this brings on] Vincent's wrath. Additionally, after Hojo has been
killed, each party member express a line, including Vincent, who is noticably
deeply emotional.
------------------------
[Analysis: This segment confirms that Lucrecia was Hojo's wife.]
=========================================================
***Jenova-SYNTHESIS*** (Page 204)
The forms of Jenova that have been fought up to this point (BIRTH, LIFE,
DEATH) were parts of the body which escaped from the Shin-Ra building. In
regard to Jenova-SYNTHESIS, this form that was arranged to be fought inside
the Planet, it is the head of Jenova that Sephiroth had in hand five years ago
and the other parts Shin-Ra had, their Reunion complete. As such, its
appearance differs from the previous forms: the image of this form's upper
body has become strong, it being the closest to perfection.
------------------------
[Analysis: This section tells us that Jenova-SYNTHESIS is the combination of
Jenova's main body and its head. It's also implied -- since Sephiroth killed
all the Sephiroth Clones but Cloud and sent them down into the Northern Crater
-- that the cells Hojo injected into the Sephiroth Clones are part of this
merged form of Jenova.]
=========================================================
***Cloud's final battle*** (Page 204)
After fighting Bizarro Sephiroth and Safer Sephiroth, Cloud has a final 1-on-1
battle with Sephiroth in the spiritual realm. Although the ego of this
Sephiroth Clone was stricken with an inferiority complex in the past, Cloud
fights on and achieves victory in the end.
--
[Analysis: Nothing to really analyze here; it tells us what we already know
and means just what it says.]
****Complete translation of The truth of Final Fantasy VII segment**** (005)
This section touches on the difficult terminology [of the game], and in each
section explains their meaning.
***Jenova*** (Pages 210-213) (005.1)
An intelligent lifeform from somewhere in space. Approximately 2000 years ago,
it crashlanded at the North Pole ["Knowlespole" in the English localization of
the game] (the vicinity of Icicle Lodge's ["Icicle Inn" in the English
localization] present location), negatively affecting the Planet; it came to
be feared as "the Calamity from the Skies" by the Ancients, who still existed
in great numbers at that time.
Vicious, extremely aggressive and cunning. Having no thoughts of creating
anything following bringing destruction, it only follows its instincts to
incite ruin, utilizing its mimic ability (-->P.211) to infect other living
organisms with its virus. In addition, due to its abnormal resilence, even if
dismembered, its cells will call out to one another, seeking to reunite into
their original form (-->Reunion/P.211).
The scar Jenova's landing left on the Planet remains even to the present day,
being now known as "the Northern Crater."
(Accompanying screenshot caption)
The parts that are seperated from the main body are still able to function as
extensions. That is what those monsters called "Jenova" are that Cloud and
company fight during the journey.
------------------------
[Analysis: This section informs us of a few things we already knew and a few
we may not have. Jenova came from an unidentified point in space, and --
though quite intelligent and cunning -- is nothing more than an instinctual
monster made up of viral cells, which it seeks to spread to other lifeforms.
This instinct to infect other lifeforms -- and its desire to rejoin when its
cells get seperated -- are the only things this creature lives to do.
This section also further confirms that the Jenova-BIRTH, LIFE, and DEATH
bosses are merely seperated parts of Jenova's main body.]
------------------------
**Jenova Relation 1: The Jenova Project** (005.1A)
Approximately 30 years ago, a plan to find "the Promised Land of abundant
mako" is set in motion by way of the Shin-Ra Science Department beginning a
project under Gast's direction. The purpose of the project was to
artificially produce someone with the abilities of the Ancients
(Cetra/-->P.214). Jenova, discovered in the Northern Crater, was incorrectly
identified as an Ancient, and its cells were to be injected into a normal
human with the expectation that they may artificially display the abilities of
the Cetra as a result.
Research was conducted at the Shinra Mansion in Nibelheim. It began under the
responsibility of three members [of Shin-Ra's Science Department]: Gast, Hojo
and Lucrecia; but Gast withdraws midway [through the project]. Authority over
the project is then transferred to Hojo. "The Sephiroth Clones Project"
(-->P.213) follows as an extension of this.
*Professor Gast and the Jenova Project*
Approximately 2000 years ago, Jenova collided with the Planet, and although
the Ancients were nearly reduced to extinction, some Ancient survivors
managed to seal Jenova underground in a deep sleep. However, Jenova would
awaken because of Gast's guidance of Shin-Ra's Science Department.
Approximately 30 years ago, the mummified form of Jenova was excavated and
Jenova mistakenly identified as an Ancient; the Jenova Project then began.
Hojo was a member of the project; the body of his colleague and lover,
Lucrecia, was utilized for experimental purposes, injected with Jenova cells
prior to her giving birth. Thus, Sephiroth was born.
After several years, Gast became wracked with guilt, and -- in regret of the
use of humans for such an abnormal experiement -- gave Shin-Ra his
resignation. He then removed himself to Icicle Lodge, which lay in the
vicinity of where he had discovered Jenova, and began new independent
research. There, he would make the acquintance of a local woman with the
name of "Ifalna," a survivor of the Ancients; interviewing her, he would begin
to arrive at the truth about the history of the Ancients, Jenova's mimic
ability and the WEAPONs (-->P.215), things which Shin-Ra knew nothing about.
In the meantime, a love between he and Ifalna would form, and together they
would make a home and have a child: Aerith. However, he would be shot under
Hojo's orders and the results of Gast's research fell into Hojo's hands.
*The product of the project: Sephiroth*
While in Lucrecia's womb, Jenova's cells became part of Sephiroth's growth.
While he's the biological son of Hojo and Lucrecia, with regards to his role
in the project as an unnatural product of "Jenova of the Ancients," one could
say that he is "the son of Jenova." Simultaneously, he was the first to have
the role of a SOLDIER (-->P.217). However, mass production of SOLDIERs
required adults of sound mind and body who could be injected with Jenova's
cells and exposed to mako, as this simplification of the process used on
Sephiroth would result in vast differences from how their bodies had been
before.
(Accompanying screenshot caption)
The staff of Shin-Ra -- who did not know the true nature of Jenova -- believed
Sephiroth to be an Ancient.
*Jenova's mimic ability*
Jenova has a mimic ability which allows it to read the memories and feelings
of others, then adjust its appearance, speech and behaviour accordingly to
immitate what it has seen. Jenova once used this ability to get close to the
Ancients and infect them with its virus, which killed many of them.
This ability is not limited solely to Jenova itself, for those who have its
cells within them possess it as well, though in an incomplete form.
Immediately prior to the start of the game, when Cloud's mind was shattered,
he ran into Tifa and seemed to immediately return to "normal" (-->P.13); this
was because the mimic abilities of the Jenova cells inside Cloud read her
mind, seeing her memories of him, which were then combined with his own ideal
vision of himself, fashioning a new personality for him.
(Accompanying screenshot caption 1)
According to Ifalna, the Ancients infected with the virus lost their sanity
and turned into monsters.
(Accompanying screenshot caption 2)
As Sephiroth said in the Whirlwind Maze, when Cloud met Tifa, he formed a new
personality.
------------------------
[Analysis: This section tells us that while Sephiroth was lying about much of
what he told Cloud, he was telling the truth when he said that Cloud formed a
new personality when he met Tifa shortly before the main events of Final
Fantasy VII began. Sephiroth's story was filled with half-truths: Cloud was,
indeed, a Sephiroth Clone, he did form a new personality when meeting Tifa
(thanks to the abilities of Jenova's cells) and he was not the 1st Class
SOLDIER who had gone to Nibelheim with Sephiroth; however, he was a real
person (being a Sephiroth Clone only meant that he had been injected with
Jenova cells and infused with mako like members of SOLDIER) and really had
been in Nibelheim.]
------------------------
**Jenova Relation 2: The Reunion* (005.1B)
Due to its amazing regeneration capabilities, Jenova's divided cells reunite
to become one again.
5 years ago, Sephiroth fell into the Lifestream holding the head of Jenova,
going to the Northern Crater, where the Planet's energy is concentrated, and
where he would begin the Reunion -- and assuring his restoration -- by
focusing through Jenova's cells. This regeneration was to be carried out by
way of the Reunion, as the scattered Sephiroth Clones (-->P.213) would begin
migrating toward the Northern Crater.
(Accompanying screenshot caption 1)
The Reunion is an ability of Jenova, but Sephiroth instructs the Sephiroth
Clones in the role of their master.
(Accompanying screenshot caption 2)
The main body of Jenova began migrating from the Shin-Ra headquarters because
of the Reunion. The Jenova cells in Cloud received the call of the Reunion the
same as those of the mimiced form.
*The movement of Jenova's main body for the Reunion*
Excavated 30 years ago, Jenova became the experimental material for the Jenova
Project and was placed in the Mt. Nibel mako reactor.
Jenova remained in the Mt. Nibel reactor until five years before the game,
when Sephiroth -- having learned the secret of his birth -- took off its head,
which fell with him into the bottom of the reactor. The now headless main body
that was left in the reactor was -- by Hojo's instruction and after being
utilized in the Sephiroth Clones experiment -- transported to the Shin-Ra
building.
Shortly after Cloud was apprehended when he broke into the Shin-Ra building to
rescue Aerith, the Reunion began. Hojo expected the headless main body to be
the focal point for the Reunion once it began, but in reality, it was the
Northern Crater. The scattered Sephiroth Clones and the main body of Jenova
within the Shin-Ra building all began to move. Jenova shattered its
containment case, murdered President Shinra, escaped from the Shin-Ra
building and began to wander the world. Now, Jenova's mimic abilities caused
the main body to take on Sephiroth's voice and appearance, which it kept
hereafter during its appearances in various places.
(Accompanying screenshot caption 1)
The head of Jenova from the Mt. Nibel mako reactor -- which fell into the
hands of Sephiroth -- had an influence on the focal point of the Reunion.
(Accompanying screenshot caption 2)
The shape of Sephiroth was assumed by Jenova's main body. It is in this form
that it is seen committing murders.
*The path of Jenova's main body, which came from the Shin-Ra building*
In the Story Playback section (-->P.66), the conduct of the mimetic main body
of Jenova [having taken Sephiroth's form] and that of the Sephiroth Clones
were listed in the "Black sheep information" columns. Here, those specifically
regarding the main body of Jenova have been collected.
Kalm
Black sheep information 1 (-->P.104)
Eastern grassy plains~Chocobo Farm
Black sheep information 2 (-->P.104)
Swamp lands~Mythril Mines
*Kills a Midgar Zolom while passing through
Junon~Cargo ship
Black sheep information 3 (-->P.111)
*Meets Cloud in the hold and leaves a section of its body [Jenova-BIRTH]
before escaping
Costa del Sol
Black sheep information 4 (-->P.112)
*The place where it emerged from underwater is seen
Mt. Corel
Black sheep information 5 (-->P.118)
Gold Saucer~Gongaga area
Black sheep information 8 (-->P.124)
Nibelheim
*Urges Cloud to participate in the Reunion
Bone Village
Black sheep information 11 (-->P.148)
Temple of the Ancients
*Acquires the Black Materia
Forgotten Capital
*Kills Aerith and leaves another section of its body [Jenova-LIFE] while
escaping
Northern Crater
*Participates in Sephiroth's Reunion
**Jenova Relation 3: The Sephiroth Clones** (005.1C)
5 years ago, immediately after Sephiroth fell into the Mt. Nibel mako reactor,
Jenova's main body -- which had been left behind -- was utilized by Hojo for
an experiment. This plan -- which Hojo intended to use to prove his Jenova
Reunion Theory -- was called "the Sephiroth Clones Project."
The experiment's procedure -- which involved injecting cells taken from the
headless body of Jenova into the subjects and exposing them to mako -- doesn't
differ from the manufacturing procedure for SOLDIERs. The largest difference
is that SOLDIERs are selected from a prime field, being strong of mind and
body and able to withstand the experiment uninfluenced by Jenova's cells,
whereas the Clones' fragile minds leave them as "portions" of Jenova. The
subjects of the Sephiroth Clones Project were the survivors of the Nibelheim
incident, with absolutely no thought given to sorting them as with SOLDIER,
and -- being unable to maintain their egos -- they lose the ability to live a
normal human life.
With the Sephiroth Clones, as part of the experiment, an identification number
was engraved somewhere into their bodies. Cloud was a Sephiroth Clone, but
received no number due to the "failure work" (referenced in the article
below). Cloud's obsessive drive to chase Sephiroth and settle everything over
the thoughts of him taking his hometown -- at any cost to and an indifference
for himself -- is much the same as that of the Jenova cells.
(Accompanying screenshot caption)
After Sephiroth reduced Nibelheim to ashes, it was reconstructed and the
movements of the Sephiroth Clones observed, though with little concern for
their well-being.
------------------------
[Analysis: This section pretty much tells us things we know from the game: the
procedure used on Cloud and the other survivors of Nibelheim to make them into
"Sephiroth Clones" was identical to the procedure used on members of SOLDIER,
the difference being that members of SOLDIER are specially selected because
they have the physical AND mental strength to handle exposure to mako and
being injected with Jenova's cells. Of course, the purpose of the experiment
also differed, in that instead of being intended to be members of SOLDIER,
these guys were just intended to prove the Jenova Reunion Theory, and if they
died after that, Hojo really didn't care.
This section also brings up the matter of the failure of the project, who --
despite popular misinterpretation -- was not Cloud, but was Zack; he didn't
suffer the ill effects of the experiment, which allowed him to break himself
and Cloud out of the Shinra Mansion before Cloud be given a number. Of course,
there's more on that to come in the next section, so I'll stop here.]
------------------------
*Successful work, failure work*
As for the mentally and physically strong, carrying Jenova's cells inside
their bodies will not cause them to receive Jenova's influence, and they will
not become a puppet of Jenova like the Sephiroth Clones, but will instead
become a SOLDIER possessing strength far beyond that of a normal human being.
In Zack's case, he had already successfully received the SOLDIER procedure
previously, and undergoing experimentation as a Sephiroth Clone did not make
him into a puppet of Jenova; he retained his normal human behavior to the
end. However, unlike Zack, the residents of Nibelheim were perfect in the role
of Sephiroth Clones for Hojo's experiment. As for Cloud, like the other
residents of Nibelheim -- [who all became perfect] Sephiroth Clones -- being
unable to withstand the SOLDIER treatments, he could not retain himself and
his mind completely collapsed. When reunited with Tifa in Midgar, though, the
coherence of being normal would return to him and he would gain a personality
that essentially let him be his own person, even if confusion would come of
it.
Also noteworthy is Sephiroth's unique case. Until the secret of his birth was
known, he had legendary strength of which he was proud, but 5 years ago, he
began walking a different road from that of humans. However, he was unwilling
to be placed under Jenova's control and became the leader himself, with its
actions falling under his control in the end. This fact resulted in Sephiroth
gaining a new sense of strength.
(Accompanying screenshot caption)
Even without awareness of the Reunion as a Sephiroth Clone, Cloud was still
drawn to it like the other Clones.
------------------------
[Analysis: As mentioned in the previous analysis section, Cloud was a
successful Sephiroth Clone, having the exact results Hojo had hoped for; he
wasn't the failure at all, and instead, Zack -- who freed Cloud before he
could get a number -- was. Zack could handle the SOLDIER/Sephiroth Clone
treatments just fine, and this made him a failure for the purposes of Hojo's
experiment.
This section also reiterates the notable fact that Sephiroth's will and
ambitions were too powerful for him to be controlled by Jenova, and that he
became its ruler instead.]
------------------------
*The Sephiroth Clones that make appearances in various places*
The following are the Sephiroth Clones seen branded with numbers, [as well as]
one who was [once inaccurately] concluded to be like them.
1......The one with a tattoo seen in the palm of his hand. He went from North
Corel to the Gold Saucer.
2......The man being watched over in Sector 5 [of Midgar]; he was suffering
from the effects of mako poisoning.
4......One of the wriggling black mantled people in Nibelheim.
5......One of the wriggling black mantled people in Nibelheim.
9......Exited from the entrance of the Temple of the Ancients. [This Sephiroth
Clone's] tattoo was on their neck.
11.....One of the wriggling black mantled people in Nibelheim.
12.....One of the wriggling black mantled people in Nibelheim.
13.....(Red XIII)
------------------------
[Analysis: While Red XIII is on this list, his placement is implied to be only
a result of him having a tattoo and of him having once believed that he might
have been like the Sephiroth Clones, as he had no idea what Hojo had done to
him. No one but Hojo and Sephiroth knew the true nature of the Sephiroth
Clones at that time, so there was some uncertainty concerning whether or not
Red XIII was supposed to be like them. Of course, it's later revealed that the
Sephiroth Clones were all survivors from the Nibelheim incident of five years
before, and in light of that, as well as the fact that Red XIII was
apprehended by Shin-Ra less than two years earlier (as seen in Before Crisis:
Final Fantasy VII) and the fact that Hojo wouldn't have wanted Red XIII to be
killed -- made evident by the fact that he said he wanted to preserve his
species back in the Shin-Ra headquarters -- it becomes apparent that Red XIII
was not a Sephiroth Clone at all.]
------------------------
***The Ancients*** (Page 214) (005.2)
The race also called "the Cetra," these people lived on the Planet in ancient
times. The Forgotten Capital and the Temple of the Ancients along with nature
and a single woman are their only remaining traces.
They spoke with the Planet and helped to cultivate it, channeling the
Lifestream to many places, inciting an abundant cycle of life. When Jenova
came from outer space, some of them moved to
