Why Barret Should Be Tifa’s Black Boyfriend in FFVII

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In this in-depth Final Fantasy VII analysis, we explore reasons why Barret Wallace was never positioned as a romantic partner for Tifa Lockhart—and what this reveals about representation in JRPG storytelling. From Barret’s early leadership role in Avalanche to his later sidelining in favor of Cloud’s love triangle, we break down:

Barret & Tifa’s Untapped Chemistry: Shared history in Avalanche, emotional trust, and complementary personalities that could have made them a compelling couple.

Romantic Agency & Stereotypes: How Barret’s portrayal as a “loud Black father figure” and default code for affection mechanics locked him out of any serious romance.

Patterns Across JRPGs: Similar sidelining of Black characters like Sazh Katzroy in FFXIII and Kiros in FFVIII, highlighting a broader industry trend.

The “Hero” Default: Why JRPGs typically ONLY funnel romantic focus onto same'y looking protagonists (Cloud, Squall, Tidus) and rarely imagine interracial pairings with Black heroes.

Impact on Fans & Representation: How these storytelling choices affect player expectations and alienate Black gamers seeking full emotional arcs for characters of color.

A Call for Inclusive Writing: What we can learn and how we can address issues like these with efforts like the comic Zatswan: Multiversal Guardian.

Whether you love Final Fantasy VII or care about diversity in gaming, comics, and film, this video sheds light on a critical blind spot in JRPG narratives. Share your thoughts in the comments: Do you agree Barret deserved a shot at romance?