Welcome to Gaia! ::

Cloud Strife: The game's primary protagonist, a self-proclaimed ex-SOLDIER-turned mercenary employed by AVALANCHE. Initially, Cloud is confused and conflicted with an occasionally arrogant attitude and a cool disposition, until a traumatic experience in the Lifestream helps him discover lost memories of his true self. He wears a purple/dark blue SOLDIER uniform and is distinguished by his glowing blue eyes (a sign of having been exposed to a large amount of mako). He has spiky blond hair, a trait that is meant to clearly distinguish him from the game's primary antagonist, Sephiroth. He wields an over sized sword in combat. Cloud eventually comes to take up the cause of the planet whole-heartedly, largely as a result of Sephiroth's influence. He has been friends with Tifa since his childhood days and shares a close connection with her.

Aerith Gainsborough: A flower girl on the streets of Midgar, sought after by Shinra's research department because she is the last of the Cetra. She asks Cloud to be her bodyguard after a run-in with the Turks, and subsequently joins AVALANCHE. Aerith has long brown hair she keeps in a braid with pink bows and vivid green eyes, and wears a red mini-jacket with a pink dress.

Yuffie Kisaragi: is an optional playable character and self-proclaimed "Materia Hunter" who joins the party hoping to steal their Materia with the intention of restoring her country, Wutai, to its former glory. Although a skillful ninja, Yuffie is prone to sea and air sickness and shows signs of kleptomania. She has brown eyes and black hair which is always tied back. In Final Fantasy VII and Dirge of Cerberus, Yuffie has her arm and leg in what appears to be an cast; however, the cast is not worn during Advent Children, instead her lower arm is bound by a dressing.