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A recent Nintendo Direct announced that Cloud from Final Fantasy VII will be a new playable character in Super Smash Bros. It came as a surprise to a lot of Western fans, and almost immediately I started receiving questions about what Japanese fans think about Cloud’s announcement.

I actually haven’t paid too much attention to how any fans anywhere have been reacting – my own reaction was basically just, “Okay.” With that said, here’s a look at the Japanese reveal video, just in the unlikely case that it’s different from the English video:



As for Japanese reactions, here are some translated from a variety of gaming sites, 2ch, and Twitter. As always, keep in mind that these are just random comments I’ve chosen and that there are so few listed here that they shouldn’t be considered representative of all Japanese gamers. That would be silly. This is only meant to satisfy readers’ curiosity!

Cloud doesn’t match Nintendo, shoulda gone with Bartz, though I doubt he’d be popular

If they’re gonna put Cloud in there, I think they should really put in popular characters from Famicom and Super Famicom games that were pillars of those systems. Someone like Goemon, or Goemon, or Goemon… Or maybe no kids these days know who Goemon is?

I’m SO happy the Advent Children outfit is in there

Should’ve waited to put him in the next game

Can’t wait for the FF7 remake!

At this point they’ll throw anything into Smash

Oh yeah, I NEED his amiibo

They should just make Smash like LoL where it’s free to play and you can pay to get more characters

Snake! that’s all

His up-smash seemed really weird

Is this a hint that the FF7 remake’s gonna be on the Wii U too?

Honestly, all I can think is, “So?” In the end, they’re just trying to extend the life of the game by adding characters afterward. Regardless of sales totals, if this is what we can expect from our games now, then the 3DS is done for.

Is there something wrong with extending the life of a game? I don’t see the problem in trying to let a game sell for a long time alongside new games that come and go.

Cloud dressed up like a girl would be adorable…

So what?

Sony fanboys gonna go crazy!!!

Please, Square-Enix! Put Geno in too!

Go back to PlayStation!

Cloud’s been on Nintendo systems before:

Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories (GBA)

Kingdom Hearts Re:coded (DS)

Theatrhythm Final Fantasy (3DS)

Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call (3DS)

Final Fantasy Explorers (3DS)

Cecil would’ve been better

Looks like Link

Why now?

I loved FF7 so I’m glad that Cloud’s going to be in the game. But I guess nobody else here feels that way…

If Cloud’s in, Tifa can’t be far behind. Am I the only one who thinks that?

I’ve honestly never played a single Final Fantasy game

Way too many male characters. We need more female characters, it’s getting way too unbalanced!

Snake, Sonic, and Rockman were all on Nintendo systems at some point, so they make sense. But Cloud…?

Nintendo has finally broken its limit

I suspected that they were going crazy with these new characters… and yep, I was right!

It’s not THAT surprising – he was in two 3DS Theatrhythm games after all

I’m amazed this didn’t get leaked first

Between Pac-Man, Rockman, Sonic, Ryu, and Cloud, the game’s really gained an incredible “All-Stars” aspect

If they’re gonna add new characters, someone like Jibanyan or a squid would’ve been a more exciting choice, I think. But FF7 is REALLY popular with foreigners, so it’s probably an attempt to appeal to them.

Square-Enix must be hurting financially

I think there are plenty of Wii U and 3DS gamers who’ve played FF7 before.

As a fan, I also love that the Advent Children outfit is an option. They really get it.

Smash’s popularity aside, I’m sure there are people who will be glad that Cloud’s going to be in it.

As always, the Internet filth of Japan gives a coldhearted response. You should at least accept that Cloud’s in the game mostly for foreign gamers. The fact he’s in the game shows that your opinions mean almost nothing anyway.

I wish they’d put FF7 and Saga Frontier on the Virtual Console… but I guess that’s never gonna happen

He represents their betrayal of Nintendo though

I opened the article, hoping to just take a quick peek… but man, nothing beats FF7’s music! The music and the sample footage got me pumped up! I can’t wait to buy it now!

Is Sephiroth in the works?

I won’t play him if his controls are bad

People still care about Cloud that much? He’s old news to me.

Nico Nico comments are a little funny too:

Sakurai!

I’m buying this

A lot of people seem to be asking for Sora

I hope Cloud has a girl outfit too

So cool!

Guess I better buy Smash Bros. now

Come on, Vivi!

Put him in PS All-Stars too

Screw this crap! Put Snake in!

I’m gonna use Ness!

Seriously?

He defeated Nintendo! And Sega! And Capcom! And Namco!

Why?!

Don’t want, put Ice Climbers back in

Who?

He was in that DS Kingdom Hearts game too

Take that, Sony fanboys

I’m so happy that I’m tearing up

What? He’s basically Ike

So there you go! Overall, the comments I came across seemed positive and filled with excitement. There were some comments saying that it seemed like a weird choice, and sometimes comments would devolve into fanboy arguments. But those seemed to be in the minority.

During my research I also stumbled upon this video on a Japanese site. I think our reaction videos might be the highlights for a lot of Japanese gamers these days!

Anyway, hopefully that answers the question about what Japanese gamers have been saying about Cloud’s announcement! I actually went to buy Super Smash Bros. for Wii U today just because I haven’t bought it yet, and was confused when it was sold out everywhere. I’m guessing this was probably why!