Final Fantasy VII is no stranger to reinventing itself, but the latest twist—turning its heroes into high school students—might be the most delightfully offbeat yet. With the Ever Crisis Academy Seven event drawing to a close, Square Enix gave fans one last treat: official concept art of Aerith and Tifa in their school uniforms, plus a gym teacher version of Barret. And if that wasn’t enough, a batch of charming two-koma comics added some cheeky side stories to the mix.
Tifa’s in her “honor student” era, while Aerith channels full-blown sukeban energy. Yes, you read that right—our favorite flower girl got the delinquent treatment.
From Flower Girl to Rebel Queen
Aerith Gainsborough may be known for her sweetness, but in this alternate high school AU, she’s swapped her ribbon for something a little grittier. The concept art, shared on May 28, paints Aerith in a rebellious, yet oddly elegant light. Her modified school uniform nods to the sukeban archetype—a staple of 1970s and ‘80s Japanese pop culture that featured high school girls with long skirts, loose ties, and just the right amount of “don’t mess with me” energy.
Producer Shoichi Ichikawa explained the origin of the idea in an earlier Siliconera interview. “Tifa is an honor student and Cloud/Zack are delinquents,” he said. “So while we were wondering what we should do with Aerith, the art team proposed a rough sketch of Aerith as a sukeban.”
It worked. The result is something visually bold, but still totally Aerith—like a rose growing through concrete.
Tifa, by contrast, fits the more classic archetype. Hair neat, posture perfect, uniform pristine. She looks like she just came out of a student council meeting, and honestly, she probably did.
Barret’s Track Pants Era
Barret Wallace doesn’t show up in a blazer or button-down—instead, he’s rocking gym teacher gear.
A tank top, a whistle, and an air of authority only Barret can pull off. In the official concept sketch, he’s every bit the no-nonsense PE instructor you’d hope to avoid on a hot summer day. Square Enix didn’t go deep into his backstory for this AU, but the image alone speaks volumes.
Also, let’s be honest—Barret barking orders across a soccer field? Feels oddly on-brand.
The Comics That Filled In the Gaps
To add even more flavor, Square Enix dropped four two-koma (two-panel) comics throughout the event. Each one served up a quick hit of humor or charm, almost like yearbook snapshots from Midgar’s most chaotic high school.
They were:
-
“Grooming? Not Interested.”
-
“Dream Come True”
-
“Mr. B’s Secret”
-
“Seven Wonders of Seventh High”
Each comic revealed just a little more about the characters’ school lives—whether it was the stress of teen romance, the secret hobbies of teachers, or odd campus legends. The last comic, published on May 27, even teased characters that didn’t officially appear in the event.
That included Cid, reimagined as the school janitor—mop and all—and Reeve, who was hilariously cast as the vice principal. They didn’t get art reveals (yet), but their presence suggests the developers had a whole AU map in mind beyond the playable content.
A Quick Look at the Fan-Favorite Uniforms
If you’re curious how Aerith and Tifa’s styles compare visually, here’s a quick side-by-side table based on the concept sketches Square Enix released.
| Character | Uniform Style | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|
| Aerith | Sukeban-inspired | Long skirt, loose necktie, floral pin |
| Tifa | Honor student aesthetic | Clean blazer, modest skirt, school pin |
| Barret | PE teacher tracksuit | Whistle, armband, clipboard |
Fans Can’t Get Enough—and They Want More
Though the Ever Crisis Academy Seven event was temporary, it clearly struck a chord with longtime fans and newcomers alike. Social media buzzed as soon as the uniforms and comics dropped, with hashtags like #AerithSukeban and #MidgarHighAU trending in some regions.
Some folks joked about wanting a full spinoff—complete with a Persona-style calendar system and after-school hangouts. Others went as far as mocking up mock report cards for characters. (Spoiler: Cloud failed math.)
One user on X wrote, “I need a full FFVII high school sim. If Square doesn’t make it, I will.”
Another chimed in, “Barret yelling at Cloud to do pushups before class is canon now.”
People are clearly into it.
A Marketing Play That Actually Feels Fun
Let’s not ignore the marketing angle here. Ever Crisis is a mobile game, after all, and events like Academy Seven are meant to keep folks engaged. But this one didn’t feel forced or awkward—it felt like a passion project.
Ichikawa’s comments suggest that this wasn’t just a cash grab. The team genuinely explored what made each character tick in this alternate setting. And even though it was all meant to be lighthearted, it still showed a lot of respect for the source material.
Plus, it was fun. Remember fun?
Here’s a wild thought: not everything has to be grimdark or world-ending. Sometimes, it’s okay to imagine that Barret runs laps while Reeve stresses about hallway noise.
The Ever Crisis Academy Seven event officially ends May 28, 2025. Whether we’ll see another AU event like this remains unclear. But judging by the fan response, Square Enix would be smart to keep their sketchbooks open.
