Welcome to this week’s installment of Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week, wherein we shine a spotlight on strong women who inspire us. Now, this not only includes fictional female characters in geeky media, but creators as well. These ladies are a prime example of female empowerment and how crucial it is for kids to have said example to follow.
DISCLAIMER: The following post includes spoilers for both the original and remake of Final Fantasy VII.
Tifa Lockhart
Fast Facts
Tifa Lockhart was raised in Nibelheim alongside Cloud Strife. Being close in age, they spent quite a bit of time together. Before Cloud left to join SOLDIER, Tifa made him promise to always protect her. She didn’t just wait around for him to return though. She trained in martial under Zangan and went on to become his most prized student. Tifa also went on to work for Mount Nibel and as a guide for the Shinra expedition to a faulty mako reactor.
A few years later, Tifa joined Avalanche and became the proprietor of the Seventh Heaven, a restaurant and bar. She meets back up with Cloud who has been hired by Avalanche. After successfully blowing up Mako Reactor 1, Tifa convinces Cloud to join the team. He agrees to join the group and together they continue to go on missions including Maco Reactor 5, Corneo’s mansion and storming Shinra’s headquarters. Tifa eventually is captured alongside Barrett.
It is decided that her punishment for her crimes against the Shinra corporation is to be executed. Thankfully, she is able to break out of the gas chamber and fight her way to safety. When she rejoins the group, she is elected a temporary leader in Cloud’s absence. After her near-death experience, Tifa continues to support Cloud and the members of Avalanche in their revenge against the Shinra corporation. In the end, with Tifa’s help, the group is able to save the world from destruction.
The Real Deal
Tifa Lockhart is the real deal. She may have made Cloud promise to always protect her, but she wasn’t about the leave her fate in his hands. From a young age, she took up martial arts as a way to protect herself. She is skilled in hand to hand combat and it is constantly put to the test throughout the events on Final Fantasy VII. It is pretty clear to say that Tifa is a kick-ass individual. She is also insanely brave, standing alongside the rest of Avalanche against the terrifying Shinra corporation.
Why She Matters
Why does Tifa Lockhart matter? Because she was and still is one of the best female role models from video games. When Final Fantasy VII was released in 1997, strong female protagonists were hard to come by. But Tifa stood out from the crowd. She is tough as nails and easily one of the strongest members of Avalanche. But throughout the story, there is a constant reminder that she is human. She deals with the emotional toll of her near-death experience, taking over as the temporary leader and even her jealousy over Cloud and Aerith’s relationship.
So be like Tifa Lockhart. Be passionate and tough as nails. Stand up against corporations that are dead set on poisoning the world. And use your kick-ass martial arts skills to save the world.
Who I Am: A nerd by the strictest definition. I enjoy diving straight into my favorite fandoms without a care in the world. I live on video/board games, fantasy movies and TV, and all things geeky.
