The weapons of theFinal Fantasyseries have long been emblematic of the series' creative prowess. Just as its characters' designs manage to reflect the worlds they inhabit, so too do their weapons become symbolic of the greater history of their stories. Some, like Tidus' Brotherhood sword, stand as a reminder of the calamity caused by Spira’s Sin while tying into the oceanic aesthetics of its environment, while others, like Squall’s Gunblade, play into the edginess of its time, subverting the outlandishness of their concepts through carefully crafted designs. When considering the sheer range of weapons that the series has produced, however, it can be argued that none stand as iconic asFinal Fantasy 7’s Buster Sword, whose impact can be felt both within the IP and in the greater lens of pop culture alike.
Now, the Buster Sword from a design perspective wasn’t exactly breaking new ground whenFF7was first released in 1997, with other IPs like Kentaro Miura’sBerserkmanga heralding similar designs beforehand. Still, the Buster Sword managed to skyrocket in popularity due in no small part to the effectiveness of its design, with the simplicity of its blade working to the advantage ofFF7’s greater aesthetics; theindustrial nature of Midgaris woven into its look, while its Materia slots tell of the reliance on Mako energy for magic-wielding, a resource that is both drained and exploited by Shinra. The glow of Materia orbs alongside the weathered steel of the Buster Sword’s blade is not only a great contrast between the natural and manmade but also speaks to the sacrifices thatFF7’s characters have faced, tying into the weapon’s very history.
Final Fantasy 7’s Buster Sword is Iconic in Both Design and History
The History of the Buster Sword
While the Buster Sword has become most recognizable with Cloud as its wielder, the larger lore ofFF7takes into account how far the sword has traveled in respect to its past owners. Those familiar withCrisis Core's eventswill know that the sword begins with Angeal’s father, whose own tragic circumstances are outlined in a few short yet evocative lines of dialogue.
Angeal’s mother tells Zack that the cost of having the sword made, a gift to Angeal for joining Shinra, was a heavy price for his father, who later perished from fatigue in an attempt to pay off its debt. “To fight with honor” became Angeal’s mantra as a promise upheld to his father, with his use of the sword being kept for emergencies only, fearing that “wear, tear, and rust” would tarnish it.
The Tragedies Caused By Shinra
Angeal’s honorable ideals became Zack’s own as he took ownership of the blade and, from there, the Buster Sword’s iconography became woven into Zack’s own identity. The ending ofCrisis Coreand itsReunioncounterpart emphasizes just how much meaning the sword has beyond its usability and design, becoming not just a weapon, but a larger symbol of honor that pays homage to both Angeal and Zack’s legacy.
Of course,FF7 RebirthturnedCrisis Coreon its head through its alternate timeline scenarios, though the importance of the weapon still stands, speaking to the larger traumas caused byShinra and their effect on so much ofFF7’s worldand characters, Cloud being only one example.
The Buster Sword’s Greater Impact
WithFF7RemakeandRebirthshining a modern light onFF7’s source material, the Buster Sword has become even more iconic. The weapon is punctuated by Cloud’s renowned moveset, where moves like Braver have become just as synonymous with the character as the weapon. Though its inheritance byCloud is, at least in part, emblematic of his misplaced identity, it is safe to say that the weapon is as much his as it is Zack’s or Angeal’s. Because of Cloud’s status as one of, if not the most recognizable ofFinal Fantasyprotagonists, the Buster Sword has stood alongside him in representing the strengths of the series, going on to be referenced both within and outsideFF7’s own titles.
The Buster Sword has been featured in many ofFF’s titles, with some of its appearances playing directly into character cameos in games likeDissidia. Other instances of the weapon include its prevalence in DLC;FF16allows Clive to wield the iconic blade, with its description being a poignant reminder of what its past wielders have faced, as the “notches along its blade speak of hardship immeasurable.” Alongside Cloud’s greater appearance in pop culture and crossovers likeSuper Smash Bros, both he and the Buster Sword have cemented themselves as iconic not just within the context of the series, but in the scope of gaming history itself.
