Origin
In her youth Tifa Lockheart was an inhabitant of the small Gaia town Nibelheim, where she was close friends with Cloud Strife. Eventually the two childhood friends would be separated after an unfortunate accident that left Tifa in a temporary coma. Some time later Nibelheim would be attacked by the super soldier Sephiroth, who would destroy much of it, leaving it in flame. He would also wound the older Tifa with his masamune sword. Cloud would find the injured Tifa and carry her to safety.
Tifa would travel under the guard and protection of her martial arts trainer Zangan to the Eastern Continent and eventually the city of Midgar. It would be in Midgar where she would meet with Barret Wallace, Biggs, Wedge and Jessie and join the eco terrorist group Avalanche.
Eventually Tifa would even reunite with Cloud, and being protective and concerned for his wellbeing, suggest he join the Avalanche group as well, in order to oppose the evil Shinra corporation, and to get paid as per his career as a mercenary for hire. After a certain tragic incident, TIfa, Cloud, and Barret would join with new allies, Aerith, Vincent, Yuffie, Cid, Red XIII, to continue to oppose Shinra and also a new threat to the planet, Sephiroth.
Creation
Tifa Lockheart is a fictional character that is designed by Tetsuya Nomura for the video game franchise Final Fantasy. She first appeared in the Square Enix produced video game Final Fantasy VII released in 1997. Tifa was one of the main characters of the game, which is often considered and touted as one of the greatest video games of all time. Tifa herself immensely popular in video game circles, for her strong role in the game, emotionally and physically. Some popularity also due to the characters pin up girl status and attractiveness.
The character would also appear in surrounding franchise media and mediums, movies, art books, comics, animated movies and other video games.
Character Evolution
The character of Tifa has undergone many transformations, prior to her debut in 1997’s Final Fantasy VII and after as well. One of the two main female protagonists of the game, Tifa was originally meant to be a background supporting character. However with the decision to kill off one of the other female characters, creators decided that Tifa should have a more prominent role. Visually Tifa was also designed in order to help differentiate her from Aerith. Where as Aerith would have a long skirt, floral soft colors, and use magic, Tifa would have a short skirt, contrasting black and white colors and fight with her fists.
Major Story Arcs
Avalanche
After reuniting with her childhood friend Cloud and being concerned with his present and future, Tifa insists that he join the Avalanche eco terrorist group that she is a part of to save and preserve the planet. In opposition to Shinra, a powerful corporation that wishes to use and exploit the planet for their own greed. After a successful first mission to destroy a Shinra reactor, Tifa decides to assist in the second mission alongside Barret and Cloud, however this mission does not go as smoothly as Cloud is lost and Shinra learns that the Avalanche base is located in Sector 7 slums. Shinra in an extreme act of retaliation decide to destroy all of Sector 7 in order to wipe out Avalanche, although Tifa, Barret and Cloud manage to survive. A close friend of theirs Aeris is kidnapped, and so they must infiltrate Shinra headquarters in order to rescue her. They eventually are captured, and imprisoned, but in a strange twist find themselves set free under mysterious circumstance, the head of Shinra killed and the involvement of super soldier Sephiroth involved as well as a plot that may put the planet in jeopardy.
Escape from Midgard
Tifa along with Cloud and the rest of the party pursue Sephiroth out of Midgard.
Powers and Abilities
Tifa is a very skilled and experienced martial artist and hand to hand fighter. She can wield specialized gloves which can assist her in battle. She possess great speed, agility, flexibility, and reflexes. Tifa can be assisted with materia, and use it for various effects.
Physical Characteristics
- Height: 5’4″
- Weight: NA
- Hair Color: Black
- Eye Color: Brown
Other Media
Video Games
Final Fantasy VII (1997)
Tifa Lockheart’s debut appearance in any media, the Final Fantasy VII game is considered by many to be one of the greatest games of all time, as the game that helped make the Sony Playstation so successful, and as one of the best selling games of all time, as of 2015, the game having been sold over 11 million units in various formats. The game is set to be remade in 2017 with much anticipation
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII (2007)
Tifa appears in Crisis Core, a prequel to the original Final Fantasy VII game.
Dirge of Cerberus (2006)
Tifa has a supporting role in Vincent Valentine focused spin off video game.
Ehrgeiz (1998)
Tifa Lockheart appears as a guest bonus character in this Namco produced fighting video game.
Movies
Final Fantasy Advent Children (2005)
Tifa Lockheart appears and plays a significant role in the 2005 movie Final Fantasy VII Advent Children a story sequel to the original Final Fantasy VII game. Picking up two years after the events of Final Fantasy VII. She is voiced by Ayumi Ito in the Japanese version and by Rachael Leigh Cook for American/English.