Buster Sword

Lore & Background

The Buster Sword's narrative is deeply tied to three wielders: Angeal Hewley, Zack Fair, and Cloud Strife. In Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII, it is revealed that the original owner was Angeal, a 1st Class SOLDIER who passed the weapon to Zack before dying in combat. Zack later took up the sword as his successor until his own final stand against Shinra infantrymen, where he explicitly passed it to Cloud. Early concept art depicted the blade as smaller and thinner, with variations including a chain on the pommel or magnets to secure it to Cloud's back. Nomura eventually nicknamed it "the Giant Kitchen Knife," envisioning it as unrefined steel that grew larger in subsequent illustrations.

In Their Own Story

Flashbacks in Final Fantasy VII depict Zack Fair wielding the sword before his death following an ambush by Shinra infantrymen, after which a devastated Cloud takes the weapon. In Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, Cloud is seen leaving the Buster Sword at Zack's grave to wield new "Fusion Swords" against the film's antagonists. However, in the final scene of that film, Cloud returns the sword to Aerith's church, a moment multiple writers interpret as symbolism for Zack and Aerith reuniting in the afterlife. The narrative was further expanded through trading card games highlighting parallels between the three men, with GameRant noting the weapon originates from Angeal's family as a treasure he always kept.

Reader's Guide

In gameplay terms, the Buster Sword serves as Cloud's initial weapon in Final Fantasy VII and remains one of his best options even in Remake and Rebirth. Unlike other party members who change weapons frequently, Cloud retains this blade because it is central to his character arc; players cannot get rid of it. In Dissidia Final Fantasy, the sword can transform into the Ultimate Weapon, while in Final Fantasy Tactics, its equivalent is known as the Materia Blade. Despite its size, which Variety notes makes it impossible for a normal person to wield, Cloud handles it with acrobatic speed. In Rebirth, small scenes show Cloud discarding the sword for minor adventures, a detail The Verge suggests hints at his fake memories regarding Nibelheim.

Did You Know?

• Nomura initially referred to the Buster Sword as "the Giant Kitchen Knife" and envisioned it as unrefined steel.
• Early storyboard concepts for Advent Children included Cloud carrying six swords on his back, which was later modified to six interlocking Fusion Swords.
• In Kingdom Hearts, Nomura redesigned the weapon with its blade wrapped in bandages.
• A replica of the sword was displayed at the Square Enix booth during Tokyo Game Show 2025, held by game designer Naoki Yoshida.
• Character modelling director Masaaki Kazeno took inspiration from dancers to make Cloud's movements with the massive weapon smoother.