Final Fantasy 7is particularly well known for its iconic characters. Cloud, Tifa, Barrett, and the rest provide a compelling main party, while villains like Sephiroth are infamous. Much of the game is driven by these characters' actions, and much of the player’s interest is derived from wanting to follow their journeys.Final Fantasy 7’s more prominent characters have become industry icons, with Cloud and Sephiroth appearing inSuper Smash Bros. Ultimateand the whole cast being reunited inFinal Fantasy 7 Remake. With how much recognition each design holds, it’s no wonder the battle royaleFinal Fantasy 7: The First Soldierused many of them as cosmetic skins.
However, that’s not allThe First Soldierpulled from. There are several other entries intheCompilation of Final Fantasy 7, and modern Square Enix has become bolder in referencing them.The First Soldier’s second season is based onCrisis Core: Final Fantasy 7, and while it already has costumes based on Zack and that game’s Tifa, it will soon be receiving a costume based on Genesis Rhapsodos. Seeing the antagonist ofCrisis Corein a new game is surprising to manyFinal Fantasy 7fans, both due to the character’s origins and his controversial place in the series. However one sees Genesis, it appears Square Enix is bringing him back into the fold.
RELATED:Final Fantasy 7 Remake: The Lore Behind Zack Fair Explained
The Origin of Final Fantasy 7’s Genesis
The main reason why Genesis' appearance inThe First Soldiercaught so many fans' attention is they thought he would be wrapped up in legal issues. A common theory suggests the reason whyDirge of Cerberus:Final Fantasy 7andCrisis Core: Final Fantasy 7have not been re-released is that they used the likeness of Japanese idol Gackt. Gackt wrote and performed the theme song ofDirge of Cerberus, “Redemption,” and played Genesis Rhapsodos in a secret live-action cutscene at the end of the game. Hideki Imaizumi, the producer ofCrisis Core, wanted to do more with the character, so he and Gackt sketched out a complete picture of Genesis forCrisis Core.
In all of his Japanese appearances, Genesis was portrayed by Gackt. However, in 2021 Gackt became unable to continue his music career due to developing a neurological disease. Square Enix had already used Genesis in a few spin-offs, even if they all used abstract art styles. Genesis would have likely appeared in theCrisis Coreportion of theupcomingFinal Fantasy 7: Ever Crisiswith or without Gackt. CombiningEver CrisisandThe First Soldier’s news with light references to his existence inFinal Fantasy 7 Remake, it appears Genesis' story might finally be headed toward a conclusion.
Genesis' Role in The Compilation of Final Fantasy 7
As mentioned, Genesis' primary role is being the main antagonist ofCrisis Core: Final Fantasy 7. Genesis is the product of Project G, aspin-off of the Jenova Project. He is similar to Sephiroth in many ways, not the least of which is how he was separated from his Shinra-affiliated birth parents. After growing up in the rural village of Banora, Genesis and his unknowing brother Angeal enlisted in Shinra’s SOLDIER program. The two became 1st Class Soldiers, and also became Sephiroth’s only friends. Early in life, Genesis became obsessed with the famous poem LOVELESS, to the extent he made it his life goal to decipher. During a particularly intense sparring match, Genesis is wounded, which starts his cells' deterioration.
This begins Genesis’ spiral into madness, as he becomes dangerously obsessed with recreating the events of LOVELESS while trying to cure himself. His constant Shakespearean quotes got on many players' nerves, and that was only the first of Genesis’ faults. Among other things, Genesis is the trigger for Sephiroth researching Genova in Nibelheim, gets the blessing he seeks by the physical goddess of the Lifestream, and is also redeemed after being cured at the end of the game. Genesis survives the events ofCrisis Core, with his appearance toDeepground leader Weiss inDirge of Cerberus’ secret cutscene being his last chronological appearance. With Genesis also resurfacing inFinal Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade, it seems like the line from LOVELESS saying “nothing shall forestall my return” may finally come to pass.
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7is available now on PSP.
MORE:Final Fantasy 7: 10 Massive Canon Changes They Made After The PS1 Original
