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Buster Sword

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Buster Sword
3D render of a large fictional sword
3D render of the Buster Sword
PublisherSquare Enix
First appearanceFinal Fantasy VII (1997)
Created byTetsuya Nomura
In-universe information
TypeBroadsword
OwnersCloud Strife
Zack Fair
Angeal Hewley

The Buster Sword (Japanese: バスターソード, Hepburn: Basutā Sōdo) is a fictional weapon first introduced in the 1997 role-playing game Final Fantasy VII. It is a massive broadsword that the game's protagonist, Cloud Strife, wields in combat. The Buster Sword has since made appearances in many Final Fantasy titles and crossover series such as Kingdom Hearts.

The Buster Sword was originally conceived by Final Fantasy series artist and creative director, Tetsuya Nomura. While development for the Final Fantasy VII remake was underway, Square Enix suggested realistic alterations to the sword's in-game appearance and functionality, but staff feared negative reception from the fanbase if they were to diverge too far from the sword's original design; as a result, only minimal changes to its model and texturing have been implemented in current-generation series titles.

The Buster Sword is widely recognized as one of the most iconic weapons in gaming due to its association with the acclaimed Final Fantasy franchise, particularly its debut in Final Fantasy VII, a series installment almost universally considered as one of the greatest video games ever made.

Creation

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Concept artwork of Cloud's Fusion Swords from Advent Children

Early renditions of the Buster Sword depicted it as a smaller, thinner blade.[1] Variations included additions such as a small chain connected to the pommel, magnets securing the blade to Cloud's back,[2] and a more detailed design resembling a "Western-style sword".[3] The Buster Sword's blade grew in subsequent illustrations,[4] with Nomura coining the nickname "the Giant Kitchen Knife" for it, envisioning it as unrefined steel.[4] Despite the blade's size, Cloud has become iconic for the speed in which he wields the weapon, leading the staff members to avoid any changes for the remakes.[5] In order to make Cloud's movements better fit the Buster Sword, Character Modelling Director Masaaki Kazeno took inspiration from dancers.[6]

The narrative created in Crisis Core was further expanded through trading card games Square Enix created to highlight the parallels between Angeal, Zack, and Cloud, the three wielders of the Buster Sword.[7] The sword's appearance in Crisis Core uses the same design as it appears in Advent Children. The design was updated again for the Remake series, including Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion, a remaster of Crisis Core.[8] Nomura redesigned Cloud and the Buster Sword for their appearance in Kingdom Hearts, with the weapon's blade wrapped in bandages.[9]

Cloud's additional weaponry was based on the joking observation that because his sword in the original game was already exceedingly large, in the sequel, he should use multiple swords.[10] Referred to as "The Fusion Swords" (合体剣, Gattai Ken) during the film's development,[11] early storyboard concepts included Cloud carrying six swords on his back,[10] although the idea was later modified to six interlocking swords. While the idea was not "logically thought out" and the staff did not think that they could "make it work physically", it was believed to provide "an interesting accent to the story".[12]

Appearances

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The Buster Sword is first introduced in the 1997 role-playing game Final Fantasy VII as the initial weapon protagonist Cloud Strife wields. Flashbacks later in the game depict a character named Zack Fair wielding the same weapon. One of these flashbacks depicts Zack's death following an ambush from Shinra infantrymen, followed by a devastated Cloud taking the sword from him. The film Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children features a scene of Cloud leaving the Buster Sword at Zack's grave, as he now instead wields the new Fusion Swords to defeat the film's antagonists.[13] In Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII, it is revealed that the original owner of the weapon was a 1st Class SOLDIER named Angeal Hewley. Zack is eventually forced to fight and kill him before taking the weapon to become his successor. His final encounter with Shinra as first depicted in Final Fantasy VII is retconned as a last stand, with Zack in his final moments explicitly passing on the Buster Sword to Cloud.[14] The Buster Sword is also used as a weapon in Final Fantasy VII Remake and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.[15][16]

In crossovers like Dissidia Final Fantasy, Cloud always starts fights with the Buster Sword, but it can transform into the Ultimate Weapon. Meanwhile, in Final Fantasy Tactics, when joining Ramza's party as a guest, the weapon Cloud uses is known as the Materia Blade,[17] while Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII has it as DLC.[18]

Reception

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Besides being praised for its design, the weapon received positive response for its lore in Crisis Core exploring its wielders from left to right: Angeal, Zack and Cloud

The Buster Sword has long been a popular weapon in gaming. The A.V. Club found it as one of the most ridiculous weapons ever seen, viewing it as an iconic symbol for both Cloud and the franchise.[19] In "Final Fantasy: Why Cloud's Buster Sword Is So Iconic", Comic Book Resources claims that the Buster Sword might be the series' most important weapon as a result of its size and how difficult it appears to be to wield. The writer notes that Zack and Angeal also wield it in Crisis Core further expands the sword's narrative importance; the three fighters carry their own hopes in the weapon and pass it on to their next wielder.[20] Redbull considered it the best weapon in gaming, positively comparing it to the Master Sword from The Legend of Zelda as a result of its design and the lore behind it.[21] The Escapist saw it as one of the best weapons in gaming not only because of its design but because it is wielded by Cloud, who does not appear to have the body needed to move acrobatically while holding it.[22] In "The Timelessness of Final Fantasy VII", K. Morrisey said that the Buster Sword encapsulates Cloud's character due to the ease with which he wields the weapon, whether he is fighting or celebrating after winning a battle.[23] Nintendo Force Magazine regarded the Buster Sword as one of the most iconic swords in gaming not only due to its usefulness but also how it connects to the game's gameplay core, the Materia function that allows Cloud to perform magic.[24] In "Final Fantasy and Philosophy: The Ultimate Walkthrough", Jason P. Blahuta claims that the sword helps to define the protagonist's fake characterization when taking the weapon and made up identity from Zack in the latter's final moments, which highlights the narrative's complex handling of how the character evolves.[25] In Queerness in Play, Cloud's stance when holding the Buster Sword is seen showing the phallus of a man he wishes to be, sharing parallels with other Final Fantasy heroes like Cecil from Final Fantasy IV who need to come to terms with their own masculinity.[26] Variety described the two types of swords Cloud uses in combat as one of the best in fiction, as it is almost impossible for a normal person to wield it based on its size.[27]

ScreenRant also praised the narrative of the Buster Sword in Crisis Core as it represents Angeal's and Zack's honors, with the latter passing it to Cloud in a John Woo-like movie.[14] In "Why Is The Buster Sword Special In Final Fantasy 7?", TheGamer praised the narrative Square Enix gave its weapon, as Cloud inherited it from Angeal and Zack in their deaths and continues using it across Final Fantasy VII to save the planet from Sephiroth. Because the Buster Sword is important to Cloud's character, the player cannot get rid of such an initial weapon. While Cloud abandons the Buster Sword in Advent Children at Zack's grave, he still wields a similar successor, the Fusion Swords, to fight against Sephiroth's remnants, the antagonists of the movie.[13] In "Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion- The History of the Buster Sword", GameRant said that the weapon's design has changed across multiple years and praised the narrative it was given in its prequel, as it originates from Angeal's family as a treasure he always keeps, eventually passing it to Zack in his death whereas Zack passes it to Cloud.[28] When it came to Cloud's taking the Buster Sword to Aerith's church in the final scene from Advent Children, multiple writers considered it symbolism of Zack and Aerith reuniting in the afterlife.[29]

Other writers focused on handling of the weapon in VII retellings. TheGamer also referred to the Buster Sword as Cloud's best weapon for Remake which stands out despite being the initial weapon for the character in contrast to other fellow party members of the RPG, who change to new weapons the more they grind.[16] Screen Rant expressed similar thoughts, as the Buster Sword remains one of Cloud's best weapons in Rebirth despite being the default weapon for the character.[30] In "Final Fantasy VII Rebirth's biggest twist is concealed in a tiny detail", The Verge found the Buster Sword as one of the most iconic parts behind Cloud's design; comparing the original Cloud's design with Rebirth's, the protagonist's weaponry is rarely seen in the original due to technological constraints. When it comes to Rebirth, there are several small scenes where Cloud gets rid of his Buster Sword for minor adventures. Cloud's fake memories from his time in Nibelheim, which he believes he visited as a SOLDIER alongside Sephiroth, can be further hinted by how the game does not adjust Cloud's weaponry during such events. Calling this an overlooked detail, The Verge believes the developers were hiding this event and that gamers would not notice.[15] When it comes to presentation, Llisa Pirhonen from theseus acknowledged in "Creating an optimized 3D-mesh for a stylized low-poly video game character" how Remake shows massive improvement in 3D models Square worked with to create the more realistic take on the Buster Sword.[31]

In "Why is the Buster Sword Final Fantasy's cult weapon?", Repliquemangacine called the weapon from Final Fantasy VII an icon, praising its simplistic and notable design, which has been passed through generations and replicas have been created in real life.[32] GamesRadar, Complex, and Kotaku acknowledged replicas of the weapon.[33][34][35] A replica was done in the Square Enix booth at Tokyo Game Show 2025, with game designer Naoki Yoshida posing it in a giant card game while holding it.[36]

Notes

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References

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  1. ^ 今週の特集読者が選ぶ! 人気キャラクター クラウド. Shūkan Famitsū (in Japanese) (1103). Enterbrain: 143–149. February 4, 2010.
  2. ^ Studio BentStuff, ed. (2005). Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Ω (in Japanese). Square Enix. p. 518. ISBN 4-7575-1520-0.
  3. ^ "Nomura On Final Fantasy VII Remake, Kingdom Hearts III, And Cloud's Design That Never Was". Siliconera. March 9, 2017. Archived from the original on April 22, 2019. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  4. ^ a b SoftBank, ed. (2006). Final Fantasy VII Advent Children: Reunion Files (in Japanese and English). Square Enix. p. 7. ISBN 4-7973-3498-3.
  5. ^ "Final Fantasy VII Remake rebooted Cloud, but Square Enix knew they couldn't mess with the Buster Sword". PopVerse. 9 December 2025. Retrieved April 27, 2026.
  6. ^ "7 things we learned from Inside FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE". Square Enix. April 27, 2020. Retrieved April 27, 2026.
  7. ^ "From the Producer Special Vol. 5: Telling the story of the original title through the cards". Square Enix. April 27, 2020. Retrieved April 27, 2026.
  8. ^ "Nomura Explains Why Crisis Core Reunion Changed The Buster Sword's Design". TheGamer. July 10, 2022. Retrieved April 27, 2026.
  9. ^ Kingdom Hearts Ultimania: Revised Edition (in Japanese). Japan: Square Enix. 2002. ISBN 4-7575-1349-6.
  10. ^ a b SoftBank, ed. (2006). Final Fantasy VII Advent Children: Reunion Files (in Japanese and English). Square Enix. p. 68. ISBN 4-7973-3498-3.
  11. ^ SoftBank, ed. (2006). Final Fantasy VII Advent Children: Reunion Files (in Japanese and English). Square Enix. p. 78. ISBN 4-7973-3498-3.
  12. ^ SoftBank, ed. (2006). Final Fantasy VII Advent Children: Reunion Files (in Japanese and English). Square Enix. p. 77. ISBN 4-7973-3498-3.
  13. ^ a b "Why Is The Buster Sword Special In Final Fantasy 7?". TheGamer. April 4, 2024. Retrieved April 27, 2026.
  14. ^ a b "Crisis Core Shows Cloud's Buster Sword Is The Ultimate Hand-Me-Down". ScreenRant. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  15. ^ a b "Final Fantasy VII Rebirth's biggest twist is concealed in a tiny detail". The Verge. 2 April 2024. Retrieved April 27, 2026.
  16. ^ a b "Best Weapon For Each Character In FF7 Remake". TheGamer. April 4, 2026. Retrieved April 27, 2026.
  17. ^ "Final Fantasy Tactics remaster makes Cloud easier to use, Square Enix promises, and even gives him the Materia Blade right off the bat, so you'll want to see the secret hiding where it was in the original RPG". GamesRadar. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  18. ^ Elliot, Phil (July 2, 2013). "Pre-order goodies for Lightning Returns! Cloud Strife gear, Samurai awesomeness!". Square Enix. Archived from the original on July 5, 2013. Retrieved September 24, 2013.
  19. ^ Moore, Bo (February 11, 2011). "Nine Ridiculously Oversized Videogame Weapons". The A.V. Club. Retrieved April 27, 2026.
  20. ^ "Final Fantasy: Why Cloud's Buster Sword Is So Iconic". Comic Book Resources. April 17, 2021. Retrieved April 27, 2026.
  21. ^ "10 Of The Most Iconic Weapons in Gaming". Redbull. Retrieved April 27, 2026.
  22. ^ "8 of the Coolest Swords Ever Seen in a Videogame". Escapist Magazine. August 31, 2015. Retrieved April 27, 2026.
  23. ^ Morrissey, K. (2023). The Timelessness of Final Fantasy VII. The World of Final Fantasy VII: Essays on the Game and Its Legacy. McFarland. p. 197. ISBN 978-1476681863.
  24. ^ "Live by the Sword". Nintendo Force Magazine. No. 46. NF Publishing, LLC. 2024. p. 32.
  25. ^ Blahuta, Jason P.; Beaulieu, Michel S.; Irwin, William, eds. (2009). Final Fantasy and Philosophy: The Ultimate Walkthrough. John Wiley & Sons. ASIN B01MY26ICR.
  26. ^ Todd Harper; Meghan Blythe Adams; Nicholas Taylor (2018). Queerness in Play. Palgrave Macmillan. p. 126. ASIN B07FPMLH5X. ISBN 978-3319905426.
  27. ^ "Espada Buster — Final Fantasy: Advent Children". Variety (in Spanish). May 13, 2017. Retrieved April 27, 2026.
  28. ^ "Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion- The History of the Buster Sword". GameRant. December 15, 2022. Retrieved April 27, 2026.
  29. ^ Courcier, Nicolas; El Kanafi, Mehdi (2019). The Legend of Final Fantasy VII: Creation-Universe-Decryption. Third Editions. ASIN B07NWPGR82.
  30. ^ "FF7 Rebirth: 7 Best Weapons For Cloud". Screen Rant. 2 March 2024. Retrieved April 27, 2026.
  31. ^ Pirhonen, L. (2024). "Creating an optimized 3D-mesh for a stylized low-poly video game character".
  32. ^ "Why is the Buster Sword Final Fantasy's cult weapon?". Repliquemangacine. July 2025. Retrieved April 27, 2026.
  33. ^ "Man Recreates Cloud Strife's Buster Sword In Cardboard". Kotaku. 20 April 2020. Retrieved April 27, 2026.
  34. ^ Gamer, P. C. (23 July 2020). "Totally Game: Meet the cosplayer who built the ultimate Final Fantasy 7 buster sword". GamesRadar. Retrieved April 27, 2026.
  35. ^ "TMaster Blacksmith Creates Cloud's Buster Sword From "Final Fantasy VII" (Video)". Complex. 21 May 2013. Retrieved April 27, 2026.
  36. ^ "Become a Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy Card at Tokyo Game Show". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 27, 2026.
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