“We can see a surprising similarity between Sephiroth and Cloud in the way they both believed they were special. In Cloud’s case, it was an inversion of the truth caused by his inferiority complex, whereas with Sephiroth, it was due to his actual exceptional abilities.” (UO, 2005)
Sephiroth says he is different and special because he knows it is true, not because he has a god-complex. The fandom forgets this.
Consider, in chapter five of the First Soldier, he proves that he actually does not want to be “special.”
This message is more powerfully delivered when you read his sad line to Glenn in Japanese.
“I’m not a modified human…I never wanted to be…”
He is a modified human, but he loathes the idea to the point of denying its reality and reaffirming that he never wanted it to be the case.
Sephiroth only embraces his inhumanity after he loses his mind and decides that humanity is the enemy. It makes perfect sense.
Absolutely floored by this difference. Sephiroth's waist apparently stayed the same size between age 14 and age 25+ but the rest of him sure as fuck didn't.
So about that part in Ever Crisis where Sephiroth tries to call Genesis, I used Google Translate to try and see the actual translation of the original Japanese script. "頼む・・・・・・出てくれ•"
Google Translate translates it as "Please...please come out."
I looked up 頼む(tanomu) and it translates as "to ask; to beg; to request" and 出てくれ(dete kure) translates to "to appear or to come out."
Is Sephiroth literally begging for Genesis to reveal himself?
Aaaa!! Yes, he is! I actually hadn’t translated this bit yet, but yes that phrase is very…pleading.
"頼む・・・・・・出てくれ•"
“Please…please come forth…”
The second part of the phrase does indeed mean to “come forth, reveal oneself.” Sephiroth is pleading for Genesis to appear out of…wherever he is. The tone is desperate.
So yes, it works in context with the phone-call. Sephiroth wants Genesis to show up on the other end.
Yet knowing the deeper context of the current events, and Genesis’ desertion, it is almost like Sephiroth is saying,
“Please…please come back…”
He is terrified for Genesis. This is one of the few times I have seen Sephiroth express genuine anxiety and desperation as an adult.
Started this piece over a year ago and finally finished it (which is why she has a sword) but I have a bunch of thoughts about Lucia Lin becoming Argento from DOC.