Shademp
420
*split off from the Concept art from art gallery thread*
At the end of the FF 30th Anniversary exhibit, Nomura made a surprise appearance, showed some new designs for the main characters and made the following comment:
Far as I can tell, to be "dorky" has multiple connotations: To be stupid, socially inept and/or awkward. Having these traits may lead to one ending up in silly situations or coming off as silly.
However, my memory of Cloud Strife in the original game doesn't subscribe to this image of him.
I can see why some people would think this way though. Cloud's overly serious and depressed depictions in Advent Children, Kingdom Hearts (and to a degree the PSP Dissidia titles) has caused a backlash and makes people long for the original game's Cloud. People point to the instance of Cloud saying "Let's Mosey" in the Northern Cave as a prime example of who Cloud is "supposed" to be. But is this really how Cloud was for most of the game? Or even how he acted after he recovered from mako poisoning, when Cloud is supposed to be more true to himself? I'm not getting that impression.
My impression is rather that the backlash against AC-Cloud is so strong that their idea of OG-Cloud overcompensates, turning him from a mostly neutral, non-distinct personality into a "dorky" one.
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Quotes from the Concept art thread:
I always pictured Cid referring more to Cloud's screw-ups: Handing the Black Materia to Sephiroth twice and beating up Aerith and then almost cleaving her in half. But there is definitely room for interpretation.
I question the idea of Cloud being "dorky". He got enrolled in shenanigans over at the Wall Market and I admit he gets a bit steam-rolled when he doesn't put his foot down against Cait Sith joining their party. But that still leaves me wondering how people are viewing Cloud and what Nomura's quote actually means.
For dissection by those who know Japanese, here is the "Let's Mosey" text in both English and Japanese.
Cid may say "Again!" implying that Cloud has made this mistake before of not choosing appropriate phrasing, but there is no other instance of Cloud saying "Mosey", or even of him saying the Japanese equivalent, "行こうよ" at any other point in the game. So I have no idea what previous instance Cid is referring to, if any.
At the end of the FF 30th Anniversary exhibit, Nomura made a surprise appearance, showed some new designs for the main characters and made the following comment:
My apologies Nomura, but no. I do not understand.A fan attendance described Cloud’s new design as a more natural look. Nomura and Hamaguchi mentioned that “while Cloud may look this way, he was a dork. I believe those of you who played the the original would understand what I mean by saying he’s a dorky character.”
Far as I can tell, to be "dorky" has multiple connotations: To be stupid, socially inept and/or awkward. Having these traits may lead to one ending up in silly situations or coming off as silly.
However, my memory of Cloud Strife in the original game doesn't subscribe to this image of him.
I can see why some people would think this way though. Cloud's overly serious and depressed depictions in Advent Children, Kingdom Hearts (and to a degree the PSP Dissidia titles) has caused a backlash and makes people long for the original game's Cloud. People point to the instance of Cloud saying "Let's Mosey" in the Northern Cave as a prime example of who Cloud is "supposed" to be. But is this really how Cloud was for most of the game? Or even how he acted after he recovered from mako poisoning, when Cloud is supposed to be more true to himself? I'm not getting that impression.
My impression is rather that the backlash against AC-Cloud is so strong that their idea of OG-Cloud overcompensates, turning him from a mostly neutral, non-distinct personality into a "dorky" one.
----------------------
Quotes from the Concept art thread:
Boy Cloud is at least meant to have trouble fitting in socially (which is then hinted at more in Crisis Core) but is adult Cloud "awkward" during the adventure in the original game? Is that what people mean by Cloud supposedly being "dorky"? If so, then I have little to no understanding of where that perception comes from.Real Cloud is suppose to be an awkward boy, I feel like that's establised
Dorky isn't really that blunt a word. It's mostly an insult towards anyone who is acting foolish at the time, or whose been caught up in a situation that makes them look bad to the amusement of others.
When you look over the comedic moments in the game, Cloud has a habit of letting events steam roll right over him, and taking him along with it for whatever ride the writers want to take him on. That's the "Dorky" side, which is kinda ultimately summed up by "Let's Mosey."
Cloud is a country boy trying very hard to be a cool guy, and sometimes doesn't quite stick the landing.
----------------------See also, Cid's assessment:
Cid said:"I want you to know that I didn't dislike him."
"Gotta admit he was a strange dude."
"Just when you thought he was cool, he'd go and do some damn fool thing."
"And when you thought he was smart, he'd show how stupid he was."
I always pictured Cid referring more to Cloud's screw-ups: Handing the Black Materia to Sephiroth twice and beating up Aerith and then almost cleaving her in half. But there is definitely room for interpretation.
I question the idea of Cloud being "dorky". He got enrolled in shenanigans over at the Wall Market and I admit he gets a bit steam-rolled when he doesn't put his foot down against Cait Sith joining their party. But that still leaves me wondering how people are viewing Cloud and what Nomura's quote actually means.
For dissection by those who know Japanese, here is the "Let's Mosey" text in both English and Japanese.
{Cloud}
“All right, everyone, let's mosey.”
「よし、行こうよ、みんな」
{Cid}
“Damn! Again!”
“Stop sayin' it like a wimp!”
“Can't you say
'Move out!' or somethin'?”
「カーーッ! またかよっ!」
「やめてくれよ
 その気の抜けた言い方」
「『行くぜ!!』くらい
 言えねぇのかよ」
{Cloud}
“Move out!!”
「行くぜ!!」
“All right, everyone, let's mosey.”
「よし、行こうよ、みんな」
{Cid}
“Damn! Again!”
“Stop sayin' it like a wimp!”
“Can't you say
'Move out!' or somethin'?”
「カーーッ! またかよっ!」
「やめてくれよ
 その気の抜けた言い方」
「『行くぜ!!』くらい
 言えねぇのかよ」
{Cloud}
“Move out!!”
「行くぜ!!」
Cid may say "Again!" implying that Cloud has made this mistake before of not choosing appropriate phrasing, but there is no other instance of Cloud saying "Mosey", or even of him saying the Japanese equivalent, "行こうよ" at any other point in the game. So I have no idea what previous instance Cid is referring to, if any.