In regards to sexism, my issue is more that they aren’t consistent. Tifa is only liked because she’s hot as far as they are concerned, but they seem to care more about whether Aerith and Cloud are a thing rather than who Aerith is herself. Almost as if she only matters if she ends up with Cloud. (Should go without saying, but I’m referring to the more extreme ones)
I’ll tell you one thing, if Tifa did not end up with Cloud at the end.., she would still be my favorite character. I like her for more than the fact that she’s part of a ship I like. She does a whole lot, separate from Cloud, that I find awesome and endearing. Like when she’s worried about Marlene, who realizes Barret isn’t coming home that night as an example.
And while this is still a ship moment, I guess… the biggest thing that stood out to me in the OG was when she literally just wants to take care of Vegetable Cloud, and doesn’t care about anything else. That’s a keeper.