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As everyone knows, the FF7 storyline can be confusing at some points, even for people who have played it several times. One of the more confusing points is the "Sephiroth Clones", and the "Reunion".

Although I have not played the Japanese version of the game, I am almost certain that they translated the original japanese word "bunshin" into the word "clone" for the English version. If that is the case, it clarifies a great deal of the storyline.

The English word clone means genetic duplicate or copy. The Japanese word bunshin, however, can also mean offshoot, child, or other self. In other words, a bunshin is not a duplicate, but rather a piece of the original. For the sephiroth clones, it makes sense that if people were injected with jenova cells, it would alter thier body, they would be subject to sephiroth's and jenova's will, and they would in effect become bunshin of sephiroth.

Under this interpretation, the Reunion makes much more sense as well. All the "clones" are actually "bunshin", pieces, of Jenova. The reunion theory stated that if separated, all the different parts of jenova would seek to rejoin the original in a single reunion. Makes sense now, doesn't it?

If you substitute the word bunshin for clone in the story, everything is much clearer. Cloud was injected with Jenova cells, but he was a failed bunshin. He did not escape before some unmentioned DNA manipulation as suggested by some. He just did not complete the transformation, was deemed a failure, and left to rot.

If anyone has played the japanese version, it would be great if I could confirm that the original word used was "bunshin".

Please make comments on what you think of this viewpoint.

I never thought I had problems understanding the game. A lot of translation errors I see posted. I can't say I ever remember noticing them. I mean... maybe my reading comprehension is just high enough to know how to interpret something without it being spoonfed to me.. but hey.. that's just me. wink cool

Sadly, I am not a mod, so I cannot lock this. Though this is a great point, this should have gone in the Unanswered Questions/Misconseptions sticky.

That DOES make alot more sense. I rather understood their usage of "Clone" to have the same meaning as "Bunshin" like you're saying('cept of course I didn't know about that word xD).
Hmm, I wonder if that same word would be used for the SHM in AC?

In one of the (many) interviews with the staff about AC(I think this may even be in the Ultimania) it was said that the SHM were remnants of Sephiroth. Loz was his cruelty, Yazoo his sensuality, and I forget what Kadaj was....
But that's just so darn CONFUSING >.<

Hmm, k, I can understand that
But how did coming into contact with Jenova juices turn Kadaj into Sephiroth?

Okie doke! xD Thanks for clearin' that up
(I need to watch AC a million more...but all the Cleris scenes just get meh so choked up!)