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Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth may be one of the biggest adventures in gaming for 2024, but it also has a beloved cast of characters. These characters have largely gone unchanged in the decades since the release of the original game. But some characters stand above others as ones to protect, or by whom the fans can be protected. Here is what your Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth husbando says about you, whether it’s heroes like Cloud, villains like Sephiroth, or more.
What is a Husbando?
For the layman (read: normie) a husbando in otaku or weeb nomenclature is a character to whom fans have latched with affection, considering them a significant other. It’s a semi-serious topic common among gaming and anime fans, particularly for Japanese properties.
Much like romantic undertones for any topic, the title of husbando can be earned with superficial qualities or lovable characteristics. Many husbandos, but not all, are androgynous and beautiful, yet possess an equally beautiful soul. But the fun part about fandoms is that any male-presenting character is traditionally a candidate for the role, or is at least hard to hate.
Husbando #1: Cloud Strife
If you chose Cloud, there’s a strong possibility this was love at first sight as you claimed him for the coveted husbando role. As you saw his muscular arms brandishing his iconic Buster Sword, you felt you could be safe with a companion like him at your side. But with piercing blue eyes, spiky blonde hair, and a fondness for motorcycles, there’s plenty to enjoy.
Your ideal Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth husbando in this case can tell a compelling story, and while you might not always believe him, you can’t help but believe in him. He can also absolutely rock a dress in the right scenario, while remaining profoundly secure in himself.
Husbando #2: Zack Fair
Your tastes are still well within the norm if you choose this First Class SOLDIER. Choosing Zack may indicate that you idealize the past, but why not? Much of the past is a beautiful memory and history is an important, valuable part of the human experience. It doesn’t hurt that he has had amazing adventures that, while sometimes overlooked, are never quite erased.
You also likely find optimism and cheerfulness refreshing, a key remedy for dark times. Zack’s qualities as an FF7R husbando are so strong that he inspires imitators, so make sure you know how to spot them. But you’ve found a keeper in this one.
Husbando #3: Vincent Valentine
In Vincent, you see qualities of danger and mystery but don’t shy away. You find a sense of thrill in a man who has dangerous potential inside of him. However, you are comforted by the idea of someone who has a strong moral compass despite a mysterious and dark past.
Hold onto Vincent for dear life. While you may not get to adventure with him as you wish, he is best when accompanied by others like yourself. Left alone to his own devices, you’ll find his solo adventures to be disappointing.
Husbando #4: Barret Wallace
With a love for the environment set to overdrive, you can see Barret’s qualities as clear as day. Your ideal Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth husbando is a firebrand who wishes to protect the planet. But that’s not his only excellent quality, as he is a fierce father to Marlene all while running Avalanche’s operations.
With Barret, you see a man who stays with you, who is strong, mature, and has a heart of gold. Underneath his gruff exterior, you will find a protective husbando, able to handle anything the world throws at the both of you. Plus, he is surprisingly adorable in a sailor outfit; the man’s got range.
Husbando #5: Sephiroth
Sephiroth trades the brooding and mystery found in other similar husbandos, in exchange for ambition and level-headed confidence. Why wouldn’t he be confident? He’s strong enough to take on the world itself. Sephiroth also earns bonus points with a lethal sense of fashion, and the looks of an iconic silver fox.
This choice might be unusual, but Sephiroth’s qualities aren’t unlike those found in other ideal husbandos. After all, he cares deeply about his mother and her legacy, a strong indicator of compatibility with many partners. Finally, who doesn’t find confidence and excellence hot?
Husbando #6: Cid Highwind
Cid might have an incredibly, uncannily common name shared by many characters you’ve encountered, but he’s got a lot to offer. This FF7 Rebirth husbando lacks a social filter which can get him into trouble, but you can always trust he is speaking his truth.
But what limits Cid in his professional goals also humanizes him greatly. He’s a man you can trust to tell it like it is, and his love for the planet is like that of a parent to a child. He’s an unexpected diamond in the rough, for sure, but his piloting skills are also undeniably impressive in the pros column.
Husbando #7: Roche
You find excitement in new experiences and fresh perspectives if you like Roche as your chosen husbando. He’s brash, arrogant, and daring, with eyes on the prize as the best sword-fighting motorcyclist around. However, he respects the sanctity of fair competition.
Roche fits in among his peers, making you wonder whether he truly was around this whole time without you noticing.
Husbando #8: Johnny
Johnny was somebody you might never have considered a husbando in previous years. Yet, his obnoxious antics and undeniable sense of humor make him a natural fit for many fans. He is open-minded and craves adventure outside of his humble surroundings, which is admirable.
With his latest glow-up letting him reappear with a greater role in your life, Johnny can keep on shining as a surprisingly excellent partner.
Husbando #9: Reno
If you like an idiosyncratic, carefree husbando who knows his value and works to rule, Reno is a great candidate. With model-like good looks and athleticism along with the respect of his peers, he’s the whole package. Being a true professional also means you can find security in this iconic member of the Turks, which is undoubtedly a plus for this FF7R husbando.
Husbando #10: Rude
Rude serves as a stark contrast to Reno’s personality, yet they’re equally excellent Turks. Rude is a man of few words, which some can easily find alluring, as he knows what to say at the right moment. He’s not afraid to take matters into his own hands without endangering his peers and can handle himself when things get messy.
Rude’s grooming habits are also noteworthy. Not every husbando candidate can rock the cueball look, but Rude is an outstanding example of when you lean into hair loss with style. This level of understated confidence is easy to appreciate. Plus, you can always count on him if you need a pair of sunglasses, as he’s weirdly always carrying spares.
Husbando #11: Tseng
Despite looking like a corporate poster child in many ways, Tseng is an example of a Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth husbando who’s got it all. He’s a leader in his field, respected for his sense of calm under pressure, and despite corporate pressure, never loses a trace of his soul. However, fawning over Tseng will undoubtedly earn you some raised eyebrows.
Someone so close to the top of Midgar’s power pyramid may have a soul buried deep down, but no amount of hand-wringing can always make up for the actions of Tseng’s employers. Even Reno and Rude may recognize this internal anguish about the Sector Seven incident. Tseng is a company man, and that stability might attract you, but beware a man too complicit to disobey deadly orders.
Husbando #12: Rufus Shinra
Possessing possibly the most elegant fashion sense out of everyone on this list, Rufus appears to have gotten a makeover in Rebirth. He is also a far more interesting, layered character than his father and previous president of the Shinra Company. He’s got an ego, but when a rich, powerful man looks like that, you can see why.
While he’s a troubled example of a corporate scion in a game littered with corporate stooges and schemers with few redeeming qualities, Rufus remains compelling. He might be a bit of a “project” in terms of the levels of atonement he’ll have to do, but he has the resources and personnel to do it. It’s down to a matter of choice for him in the end, though.
Husbando #13: Heidegger
Eager to make your friends angry with a wildcard husbando choice, you find Heidegger a perplexing but interesting option. He’s complicit in some of the most heinous deeds in the game. But yet, at the end of the day, the heart wants, and who doesn’t find power attractive? You might have to argue this one with your friends a few times to get it to stick.
Husbando #14: Red XIII
It’s at points like this where others might fear you misread the assignment, but if your husbando in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is Red XIII, you could still do worse. Some might debate about whether he’s a cat or a dog, which overlooks the prevailing issue that he’s not anything resembling human.
However, Red XIII has objectively strong qualities as a character, putting aside the species matter. He may be among the oldest characters on this list, but he is incredibly bright and young at heart, with courageous, intelligent, and witty quirks. But maybe it’s on me for not laying out the terms more clearly on what should cut husbands in FF7 Rebirth.
Husbando #15: Cait Sith
Now you’re just writing in candidates at this point, casting aside humanoids or animals entirely. Perhaps it’s his cuddly nature, or perhaps it’s the idea of him being reliable in his way. He’s infinitely replaceable, but it’s undeniably convenient to have a way in at the Gold Saucer.
Plus, after meeting Cait Sith enough times, you develop an inexplicable familiarity with Reeve Tuesti, for whatever reason.
Husbando #16: Hojo
You’ve abandoned the assignment instead and embraced pure chaos at this point. There’s no skirting around this by discussing his nerdy qualities as a quirk. He’s a villain and it can’t be overlooked. It’s strongly recommended you turn your phone off for a bit and take a good, long hiatus from dating.
At the end of the day, whoever you choose for your Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth husbando, it speaks to your love of the game. It’s the latest well-received entry in the beloved metaseries, and I hope you appreciate this expansive look into its cast, especially for its lack of Johnny erasure.
