I think Cloud and the other fair skinned characters were originally meant to be "European", but rendered in a japanese art style using a design language familiar to the local audience, so the end result does look like a fusion of both, but also as neither since they're not from real cultures and peoples, and both readings are completely fine. Specially when you consider that in both east asia and The West (tm), pale people are the majority, so both people can project their own lived experience and it will work just fine without having to make a stretch. Basically how most white eurodescendants look in anime, or the animation equivalent of local actors playing foreign characters. Now, I can't speak for the authorial intent (never read a clear interview on the topic), but if we talk about inspiration at least, other than Yuffie and Red-XIII and half of Aerith, they're all blatantly based in Eurodescendants. The blond blue eyed protagonist who defected a military with funky uniforms, super science and a perchant for uh... human experimentation and "betterment through (pseudo) science" is literally from a place with an extremely stereotypical germanic architecture and name, Nibelheim.There is zero subtlety with that one. Tifa, from the same town, works at a bar and her og design is basically bavarian traditional (men's) clothing without the hat. Cid and Rocket town are basically steam punk English. Aerith is half cetra, an ancient nomadic people in touch with the mystical and nature... yeah, she is a white passing half anglo stand in (her dad is from shinra), half problematic generic indigenous peoples stand in. Vincent is either generic Euro Latin, or specifically Romanian. No, I will not elaborate. And ofc, early drafts of FFVII were going to be based in the real world and midgar was going to be New York City.
I don't understand why anyone gets offended by Barret, he's literally a coal miner who moved to the under city ghetto so why wouldn't he be gruff and use the language. He's full of heart and is a great character, cares about the world and his daughter, he's awesome.
Well, like we mentioned, he does come with quite a few unfortunate stereotypes, and anyone familiar with the history of those stereotypes might not be super comfortable with him doing those things. At the same time, I don’t think anyone is offended by the character overall because he’s such a great character. There are just some small things about the way he’s written that. Luckily, I’ve been updated for remake and rebirth.
Barret came at a time in pop culture when nearly ever black male character was nearly a carbon copy of each other. High top fade, short tempered, physically strong and AAV speech and he has a GUN grafted to his arm. As a black man it wasn't offensive but it was yet another stereotypical black character
You don't understand... but do you want to? If you think the Japanese developers created Barrett with respect to black culture, then you don't understand Japan or Japanese culture. They're a country that's 99% Japanese. Many of them have never even seen a person of colour. Their grasp and understanding of black culture is not at the level that would produce a respectful representation. However, I commend them for what they pulled off, it could have been a lot worse.
Not even ten minutes in and you have to say “as a couple of white guys” bro it doesn’t matter if white guys talk about the dynamics of a black character.
@@everythingisfinalfantasy your video is an hour long so there’s too much to articulate in a comment. I’m saying I disagree with how you diagnose his character and his traits and everything you guys think they represent. I’m simply saying I don’t think you made a good review of his character arch throughout the game.
I think Cloud and the other fair skinned characters were originally meant to be "European", but rendered in a japanese art style using a design language familiar to the local audience, so the end result does look like a fusion of both, but also as neither since they're not from real cultures and peoples, and both readings are completely fine. Specially when you consider that in both east asia and The West (tm), pale people are the majority, so both people can project their own lived experience and it will work just fine without having to make a stretch. Basically how most white eurodescendants look in anime, or the animation equivalent of local actors playing foreign characters.
Now, I can't speak for the authorial intent (never read a clear interview on the topic), but if we talk about inspiration at least, other than Yuffie and Red-XIII and half of Aerith, they're all blatantly based in Eurodescendants. The blond blue eyed protagonist who defected a military with funky uniforms, super science and a perchant for uh... human experimentation and "betterment through (pseudo) science" is literally from a place with an extremely stereotypical germanic architecture and name, Nibelheim.There is zero subtlety with that one. Tifa, from the same town, works at a bar and her og design is basically bavarian traditional (men's) clothing without the hat. Cid and Rocket town are basically steam punk English. Aerith is half cetra, an ancient nomadic people in touch with the mystical and nature... yeah, she is a white passing half anglo stand in (her dad is from shinra), half problematic generic indigenous peoples stand in. Vincent is either generic Euro Latin, or specifically Romanian. No, I will not elaborate. And ofc, early drafts of FFVII were going to be based in the real world and midgar was going to be New York City.
I want a reference the opening scene of 7 in the novel I'm writing
I don't understand why anyone gets offended by Barret, he's literally a coal miner who moved to the under city ghetto so why wouldn't he be gruff and use the language. He's full of heart and is a great character, cares about the world and his daughter, he's awesome.
Well, like we mentioned, he does come with quite a few unfortunate stereotypes, and anyone familiar with the history of those stereotypes might not be super comfortable with him doing those things.
At the same time, I don’t think anyone is offended by the character overall because he’s such a great character. There are just some small things about the way he’s written that. Luckily, I’ve been updated for remake and rebirth.
Barret came at a time in pop culture when nearly ever black male character was nearly a carbon copy of each other. High top fade, short tempered, physically strong and AAV speech and he has a GUN grafted to his arm.
As a black man it wasn't offensive but it was yet another stereotypical black character
You don't understand... but do you want to?
If you think the Japanese developers created Barrett with respect to black culture, then you don't understand Japan or Japanese culture. They're a country that's 99% Japanese. Many of them have never even seen a person of colour. Their grasp and understanding of black culture is not at the level that would produce a respectful representation. However, I commend them for what they pulled off, it could have been a lot worse.
Not even ten minutes in and you have to say “as a couple of white guys” bro it doesn’t matter if white guys talk about the dynamics of a black character.
It is important context to add, especially when talking about limited perspectives.
"as a couple of jewish guys pretending to be white guys"
@ I understand your perspective, I’m saying you’re wrong and I disagree with you entirely.
@@ThePacificNorseWest87lol about what exactly?
@@everythingisfinalfantasy your video is an hour long so there’s too much to articulate in a comment. I’m saying I disagree with how you diagnose his character and his traits and everything you guys think they represent. I’m simply saying I don’t think you made a good review of his character arch throughout the game.
🙄
Excellent contribution to the conversation!
This is pre rebirth? Barret changes a lot you meanies. Take this down and apologize.
This was recorded pre remake and accurately reflects the truths of 1997.