The Codex

Zack

Final Fantasy VII/Zack Fair


Articles About Zack Fair
Main Continuity Compilation of Final Fantasy VII
Alternate Continuity Dissidia - Kingdom Hearts

 
“ Mercenaries, Cloud. That's what you an' me are gonna be. „
~ Zack Fair

 
“ That's not true, Essai. It's not me or any of us that's gonna win this battle. It's because of everyone here, we're all going to work together for this victory. We're all gonna come back here alive, right guys? „
~ Zack Fair

 
“ So what if it seems hopeless? If it were me, I still wouldn’t give up. Embrace your dreams. And, whatever happens, protect your honor as SOLDIER. Well, okay, you never made SOLDIER. But it's what's in here that counts. Well, you need a hand with him? You already beat him once, didn't you? This should be a cinch! „
~ Zack Fair to Cloud Strife

 
“ Boy, oh boy... The price of freedom is steep. Embrace your dreams, and whatever happens, protect your honor... as SOLIDER! Come and get it! „
~ Zack Fair

 
“ SOLDIER 2nd Class Zack, on the job! „
~ Zack Fair

 
“ You serious? I was just getting warmed up! „
~ Zack Fair to Angeal Hewley

 
“ Right. Long as you get what you want, who cares who gets hurt. Is that it?! You really got it comin'! „
~ Zack Fair to Sephiroth

Background

Zack Fair is a main protagonist of Final Fantasy VII, and the best friend of the lead character, Cloud Strife. Serving as a SOLDIER 1st Class, Zack went from loyal Shinra warrior to a fugitive on the run, as he attempted to get back to his girlfriend, Aerith Gainsborough. His immeasurable honor and optimism echoes throughout the entire chronology of games, serving as a guiding light to Cloud.

This dropdown contains the synopsis of Zack’s story. Read at your own risk as you may be spoiled otherwise!

Ever since he was a young boy from the town of Gongaga, Zack looked up to the Shinra Power Electric Company’s SOLDIER program, and dreamt of becoming a SOLDIER 1st Class. This dream was so prevalent in Zack’s mind, that at 13 years old, he left for Midgar without even notifying his parents.

Zack was quickly enlisted into the Shinra infantry, in which he served for nearly three years. However, once he reached the age of 16, Zack was promoted into SOLDIER as a 2nd Class, and was taken under the personal tutelage of 1st Class SOLDIER, Angeal Hewley. Angeal taught Zack the importance of sticking to his dream, and always maintaining his honor.

Eventually, both Angeal and Zack were sent off to deal with Shinra’s war on Wutai, specifically Fort Tamblin. The two SOLDIERs infiltrate the fort and bring it to its knees, finally ending the Wutai conflict; however, much to Zack’s surprise, Angeal had suddenly disappeared. The legendary SOLDIER, Sephiroth, arrived on the scene and deduced that Angeal had betrayed them, joining his friend Genesis to rebel against Shinra.

Zack’s efforts would then be shifted onto dealing with the Genesis conflict, which eventually even got him promoted to SOLDIER 1st Class in Angeal’s place. His quest would lead him to the Sector 5 Slums, where he refused to fight against Angeal. As a result, Angeal attacked Zack, and sent him plummeting to the slums below.

The young SOLDIER woke up in a small, broken down church, where he met a young snappy girl named Aerith Gainsborough. Zack and Aerith would hit it off immediately, and soon form a relationship together. However, duty would continuously pull Zack away from Aerith, as the war against Genesis raged on.

Appearing in Modeoheim for a mission, Zack made friends with one of the infantrymen stationed with him, Cloud Strife. The two infiltrated Modeoheim and finally confronted Angeal once and for all, who transformed into a monster to force Zack to fight. Zack struck down his mentor, and held him in his arms as he died. Angeal, with his dying breath, entrusted his honor and dreams onto Zack in the form of his sword, the Buster Sword.

For the next two years, Zack would continue on as the only SOLDIER 1st Class remaining loyal to Shinra. Zack’s relationship with Aerith was going on strong, although he would soon be pulled away on a mission alongside Cloud and Sephiroth to the Mako Reactor in Nibelheim.

With Sephiroth suddenly going rogue and slaughtering the entire town of Nibelheim, Zack was forced to confront him within the Mako Reactor. Feeling caught off guard and betrayed, Zack was defeated by Sephiroth after a brief scuffle, and knocked unable to fight. However, Cloud stepped up and caught Sephiroth off guard, seemingly killing him.

Both Cloud and Zack were knocked unconscious and retrieved by the evil scientist, Professor Hojo, who experimented on their bodies for the next four years. Thankfully, Zack was finally able to come to his senses, and escape from the experimentation facility in Nibelheim. He recovered Cloud and fled the town, hoping to make his way back to Aerith.

The Shinra Infantry was hunting Zack and Cloud down, however, and were quickly gaining on him. Seeing no other way out, Zack confronted the entire army and tried to defeat as many as he could to keep Cloud safe. Unfortunately, Zack defeated a majority of the army but could not hold off all of them, and was fatally shot.

As the Shinra army left Zack for dead, Cloud crawled up to his friend and watched as his life began to fade. With his final actions, Zack entrusted his honor and dreams to Cloud in the form of his Buster Sword, asked him to say hello to Aerith for him, and faded into the Lifestream.

Personality

Impatient and hyperactive: Angeal likens Zack to a little puppy, restless and with zero attention span.

Friendly and humble: Yuffie describes Zack as being a really nice guy, who pretended to lose his fight with her to make her feel better.

Flirtatious and charismatic: Aerith saw Zack as a charming guy who likely had many women in his life before her, calling him a "lady's man" and hoping that he was only missing because he found someone else.

Determined, dream-chasing, and honorable: Zack was determined enough to abruptly leave home to chase his dreams. He constantly repeats Angeal's creed, of embracing his dreams, and protecting his honor as SOLDIER.

Has the morality befitting a hero: Kazushige Nojima based Zack's personality on Final Fantasy X's Tidus, explaining that he is impulsive, candor, and knows the difference between right and wrong. He is not a tormented character.

General Information

Name: Zack Fair

Nicknames: Zack, the puppy

Origin: Final Fantasy VII

First Appearance: Final Fantasy VII (Release Order first appearance), Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII (Chronological first appearance)

Latest Appearance: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (Release Order latest appearance), Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children (Chronological latest appearance, as a spirit in the Lifestream)

Company: Square Enix

Creator: Kazushige Nojima, Tetsuya Nomura

Actor:

Gender: Male

Sexuality: Heterosexual

Pronouns: He/Him

Age: 16 years old (first appearance), 17 years old (Zack changed his hair one year after killing Angeal Hewley), 23 years old (four years passed while he was trapped in Nibelheim, then almost another year to his death)

Birth Year: [ μ ] – εγλ 1984[1]

Homeworld: Gaia[2]

Residence: Gongaga (as a child), Shinra Building (as a SOLDIER)

Story Role: Hero, Main Protagonist, Supporting Character

Classification: Human, SOLDIER 2nd Class (formerly), SOLDIER 1st Class

Species: Mako-enhanced Human with Jenova Cells

State of Being: Regular

Physiology: Humanoid Physiology, Spirit Energy Physiology

In-Universe Creator: The Lifestream

Occupation: Shinra SOLDIER (formerly)

Affiliations: Aerith Gainsborough (Zack and Aerith were each other's first loves, being boyfriend and girlfriend. After Zack disappeared, Aerith wrote him eighty-nine letters, and Aerith was the last person on Zack's mind as he died. They are together in the Lifestream), Angeal Hewley (Zack's mentor, has a strong bond with him and often lectures him. Angeal passed his honor and dreams onto Zack with the Buster Sword), Cloud Strife (Zack took care of Cloud for a year. He passed his honor and dreams onto Cloud with the Buster Sword), Cissnei (Worked together under Shinra. Cissnei hung around Zack often, and lined-up her vacation with Zack's. She even anonymously ran his fan club, though she can't define what their relationship was. Cissnei also promised to watch over Zack's parents, and moved to Gongaga to do so), Sephiroth (Formerly. Were often paired up on missions)

Enemies: Sephiroth (After Sephiroth destroyed Nibelheim, Zack's trust was broken and was forced to fight him. He urged Cloud to finish Sephiroth off, and had no sympathy for him in their next meeting), Shinra Power Electric Company (After Zack escaped from Shinra Manor, he became a fugitive and was hunted down by Shinra), Genesis Rhapsodos (Zack was the main force opposing Genesis' army), Wutai (Zack fought in Shinra's war with Wutai)

Height: 185 cm (6'1")[3]

Weight: Unknown

Status: Has been both Alive and Deceased (Zack was killed by the Shinra Army on his way to Midgar. However, Fate was changed, with Aerith using White Whispers to ensure his survival)

Date of Death: End of September, [ ν ] – εγλ 0007

Alignment: Neutral Good (Zack is the epitome of a hero, doing what is right and helping anyone in need, no matter the circumstances. Even when his life is on the line and he is being hunted by Shinra, Zack still puts his neck out for others and actively tries to help out Cloud, Genesis, and Director Lazard. For almost all the members of Shinra's military who succeeded him, he's looked up to as what a hero should strive to be. Later, when Cloud is having his memories rewritten by Jenova, Zack is used as a base of what the ideal SOLDIER is)

Protection Level: Initially Global Protector (As a SOLDIER, Zack participated in wars across the planet, and was given missions that take place around the world), Cosmic Protector currently (Aerith brought Zack into battle against Sephiroth, who seeks to pierce through the layers of existence and reunite fragmented space-time)

Codex Statistics

Grade: S

Tier: 4-B

Cardinality: Finite

Dimensionality: 3-D

Attack Potency: Solar System level (Could defeat Bahamut Fury, who can create a dimension with a starry sky. Could defeat Genesis Rhapsodos empowered by the Red Orb, a far weaker version of whom could take on Sephiroth, and Zack could also directly fight Sephiroth himself; As confirmed by Professor Hojo, Sephiroth knew Super Nova during this time, Sephiroth knew Super Nova during this time, which has him cause a massive supernova on the sun. Sephiroth is also consistently stated to be the strongest character in the series, placing him above Knights of the Round, which destroys their own dimension with their ultimate attack)

Durability: Solar System level

Striking Strength: Solar System Class

Lifting Strength: Class 5 (Can easily pick up and throw a large concrete post with enough force to destroy a helicopter)

Travel Speed: Superhuman (Is comparable to Cloud Strife, who can run at similar speeds to a Chocobo; Chocobo are said in the Dissidia Final Fantasy Museum to run at 20 mph)

Attack Speed: Supersonic (Can attack fast enough to slice a missile heading straight for him in half)

Reaction Speed: Supersonic (Can move fast enough to dodge rapid-fire bullets)

Stamina: Superhuman (Zack was on the run from Shinra for nearly a year, and yet was still in prime condition to take on the entire Shinra army. He is able to go on covert missions for several days at a time and still be raring to fight)

Range: Standard Melee, Extended Melee with Buster Sword, Far Higher with Materia and Limit Breaks

Intelligence:

Powers and Techniques

Spirit Energy Physiology, which includes: Superhuman Physical Characteristics, Blessed (Everyone born into the world is blessed with Spirit Energy), Sheer Will (Willpower alone can be enough to fight off Mako poisoning, and the will of Jenova. Those with a strong enough will can retain their sense of self after dying and returning to the Lifestream), Memory Manipulation, Energy Manipulation, Rage Power, & Aura (Limit Breaks are born of memories, are comprised of Spirit Energy, and are unleashed when the user's anger is pushed to the limit. They give off an aura when used), Non-Standard Interaction (Characters can interact with the souls of the Gi Tribe), Regeneration Negation (Mid-High; Jenova can regenerate itself fully so long as its cells remain, as Cloud Strife participates in Jenova's Reunion despite only containing her cells. Despite this, pieces of Jenova defeated by the heroes were unable to enact the Reunion), Immortality Negation (Type 3; Can completely kill pieces of Jenova, preventing them from regenerating), Accelerated Development (When Sephiroth fought the party far earlier than he was supposed to, the main characters could still contend with him, even after Sephiroth absorbed the Whispers and became stronger than he had ever been)

Spirit Energy Physiology, which grants Resistance to: Mind Manipulation & Soul Manipulation (Those with high willpower can resist succumbing to Jenova's will, which passively takes over one's mind and eats away at the soul, and can prevent their mind from shattering), Poison Manipulation (High willpower can prevent the toxicosis that comes with the exposure to Jenova Cells), Mimicry (Power Mimicry & Technique Mimicry) & Power Absorption (Limit Breaks cannot be copied by others. Only Zack Fair can copy Limit Breaks, though he is noted to be the only exception to this), Corruption (Types 1 & 2; Several main characters have been exposed to high amounts of Mako energy, and never became Makonoid monsters), Biological Deconstruction & Soul Manipulation (Main characters have fallen into the Lifestream and returned unscathed, without being forcefully diffused or dissolved into it, or having their spirit be eroded and dissipated), Heat Manipulation & Radiation Manipulation (Can withstand Super Nova without any negative effects of heat or radiation), Limited Disease Manipulation (Those with a will to live are unaffected by Geostigma, which infects those with a weak will)

Berserk Mode (Paired with Mystify Materia it inflicts Berserk).


Resistance to Petrification & Time Stop (Paired with Contain Materia, grants resistance to Petrify and Stop).
Resistance to Death Manipulation (Paired with Destruct and Odin Materia, grants resistance to Instant Death).
Resistance to Magic Negation & Sleep Manipulation (Paired with Seal Materia, grants resistance to Silence and Sleep).

Resistance to Size Manipulation & Transmutation (Paired with Transform Materia, grants resistance to Small and Frog)

Healing (Potions, Hi-Potions, and X-Potions all restore Zack’s health. Ethers restore magic power), Resurrection (Phoenix Down fully restores Zack when he is defeated), Status Effect Negation (Remedy and Elixir negate negative status effects)

Equipment


  • SOLDIER Sword: A standard broadsword with no Materia slots, utilized by all members of the SOLDIER program with very few exceptions. This sword is good to use for training or any other mild combat, though the swords are extremely prone to breaking and cannot bolster the use of Materia in any way.
  •  

    SOLDIER Sword

  • Buster Sword: An enormous broadsword with two Materia slots, that serves as a symbol of dreams and honor. It has inherited the hopes of those who fight, which is then bequeathed from one warrior to another. The Buster Sword once belonged to legendary SOLDIER 1st Class, Angeal Hewley, who then passed it down to Zack Fair, before it eventually ended up in the hands of Cloud Strife. It now currently rests in the Sector 5 Church, serving eternally as a reminder of those who sacrificed themselves to save the planet.


  • Summon: Small red orbs of crystalized Mako energy that can be used to call upon legendary, gargantuan beasts from the distant past, to fight alongside him. This includes giant flaming behemoths like Ifrit, to huge dragons like Bahamut.
  • Magic: Small green orbs of crystalized Mako energy that can be used to enable the use of magic spells, oftentimes being elemental in nature, such as Fire/Fira/Firaga which attacks with flames.
  • Command: Small yellow orbs of crystalized Mako energy that can be used to enable the use of extra commands in battle, such as the ability to throw items or steal items from enemies.
  • Support: Small blue orbs of crystalized Mako energy that have the primary purpose of being linked to other Materia, in order to enhance their effects.
  • Independent: Small purple orbs of crystalized Mako energy that increase the stats of the user, or give them auto-abilities such as Cover.


  • Potion: Restores a small amount of health.
  • Hi-Potion: Restores a large amount of health.
  • X-Potion: Restores all health.
  • Ether: Restores a small amount of magic power.
  • Turbo Ether: Restores all magic power.
  • Elixir: Restores all health and magic power.
  • Megalixir: Restores all health and magic power of the entire party.
  • Remedy: Cures all abnormal status effects, including Sleep, Poison, Sadness, Fury, Confusion, Silence, Frog, Mini, Slow, Petrify, Berserk, Paralysis, and Darkness.
  • Phoenix Down: Resurrects one party member from death.

Notable Techniques

  • Octaslash: Using his Digital Mind Wave for Sephiroth, Zack can replicate his iconic attack. This has him slash his opponents into the air, and strike them eight consecutive times.
 
  •  

    Octaslash

  • Rush Assault: Using his Digital Mind Wave for Angeal Hewley, Zack can replicate his attack. This has him punch the opponent several times, before charging through them and leaving them in a giant explosion.
 
  •  

    Rush Assault

  • Air Strike: Using his Digital Mind Wave for Tseng, Zack can replicate his attack. This has him call upon an air strike from the Shinra attack helicopter.
 
  •  

    Air Strike

  • Lucky Stars: Using his Digital Mind Wave for Cissnei, Zack can replicate her technique. Being surrounded by bright stars, Zack is given the ability to temporarily land critical hits with every attack.
 
  •  

    Lucky Stars

  • Healing Wave: Using his Digital Mind Wave for Aerith Gainsborough, Zack can replicate her iconic technique. This has him pray to the planet, and he is bestowed with healing energy that fully rejuvenates him.
 
  •  

    Healing Wave

  • Meteor Shots: Using his Digital Mind Wave for Cloud Strife, Zack can replicate his iconic attack. This has Zack jump high up into the air, powering up his sword before blasting out meteor-like energy balls from it at enemies.
 
  •  

    Meteor Shots

  • Apocalypse: Using his Digital Mind Wave for Genesis Rhapsodos, Zack can replicate his most powerful attack. This has Zack summon a large circular pattern on the ground beneath his foes, before lighting it up with powerful electricity.
 
  •  

    Apocalypse

Other

Weaknesses: Zack can be very naïve at times, which hampers his judgement and can put him in trouble; such as when he refused to fight Angeal and was defeated for it. He’s also highly energetic and can sometimes put himself in situations not favourable to him.

Battle Records

13-2-2


  • Behemoth (Simulation) - Fight
    • Conditions: None.
    • Location: Sector 8, Midgar (Simulation)
    • Note: The simulations of the Shinra Combat Simulator have the same levels of power as their real counterparts.
  • Vajradhara Asura - Fight
    • Conditions: Zack fought with help from Angeal Hewley.
    • Location: Fort Tamblin, Wutai
    • Note: It is unknown if Zack would have won if not for assistance from Angeal.
  • Ifrit - Fight
    • Conditions: Zack fought with help from Sephiroth.
    • Location: Ifrit's Realm within Fort Tamblin, Wutai
    • Note: It is unknown if Zack would have won if not for assistance from Sephiroth.
  • Bahamut - Fight
    • Conditions: None.
    • Location: Bahamut's Realm within Banora Village
  • G Eraser - Fight
    • Conditions: Zack fought to save Cissnei.
    • Location: Sector 8, Midgar
    • Note: Cissnei would have lost if not for Zack's intervention.
  • Bahamut Fury - Fight
    • Conditions: None.
    • Location: Bahamut Fury's Realm on top of the Shinra Building, Midgar
  • Sephiroth - Fight
    • Conditions: Zack fought with assistance from Cloud Strife.
    • Location: Mako Reactor, Nibelheim
    • Note: Zack was incapacitated and could not have won if Cloud didn't finish Sephiroth off.
  • Shinra Infantry - Fight
    • Conditions: Zack faced the Shinra Infantry, without the presence of the Whispers of Fate
    • Location: Wasteland outside of Midgar
    • Note: The Whispers of Fate had been destroyed, so the outcome of the fight was unrestricted by fate



  • Angeal Hewley - Fight
    • Conditions: None.
    • Location: Mako Reactor 5, Midgar
    • Note: Zack refused to fight back against Angeal.
  • Shinra Infantry - Fight
    • Conditions: Zack faced the Shinra Infantry, with the presence of the Whispers of Fate
    • Location: Wasteland outside of Midgar
    • Note: The Whispers of Fate had not yet been destroyed, so the outcome of the fight was determined/forced by them.



  • Sephiroth (Simulation) - Fight
    • Conditions: Zack fought with help from Angeal Hewley.
    • Location: Sector 8, Midgar (Simulation)
    • Note: The simulations of the Shinra Combat Simulator have the same levels of power as their real counterparts. Zack would have lost if not for intervention by Angeal Hewley, who ended the fight by stopping the simulation right after.
  • Cissnei - Fight
    • Conditions: None.
    • Location: Beach outside of Nibelheim
    • Note: Cissnei stopped herself before the battle could escalate.
  1. ↑ Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII Ultimania
  2. ↑ [https://web.archive.org/web/20051201124940im_/http://www.squarehaven.com/news/media/ffvii-ac_040516/advent.jpg E3: Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children pamphlet
  3. ↑ Final Fantasy VII 10th Anniversary Ultimania
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