A number of people have brought this up, so I think I should mention this: when making this video, I was aware that Jen is still an active soulbonder who has moved on to the Hannibal fandom, but I decided to cut off the video before that point for two reasons. First, my intention was not to talk about Jen, but rather the Final Fantasy House. Second, the video was already pushing 40 minutes, and to cover Jen's further activities would have easily sent it past the 1 hour mark. This would have made the production cycle prohibitively long and the video much less accessible, neither of which I was willing to allow. This does not, however rule out a video about Jen or Tattle-Crime in the future.

Early 2000s internet was basically just that place on the edge of the map that said “here be dragons”

Imagine going to the kitchen to get a carton of milk or something and getting, like, 7 random encounters on the way.

Man. . . Zack cant catch a break no matter what dimension he is in.

There’s a notable lack of Cloud and Sephiroth in this FF7 story.

I'm 27, single, and I work in a deli for $13/hour. My life isn't glamorous, but watching this makes me feel like I'm doing something right.

"one roommate demanded that the soul-binders be ejected, but Matt wanted to gawk at the ritual. So they stood in the kitchen and ate pizza." Glorious

What's crazy is that by the time he left, it had only been 2 months. The stories make it sound like years. It had to have been the most miserable 2 months of his entire life. Poor dude.

we should give a shoutout to Cid, the guy doesn't even believe in the shit but visits every now and again to help people break free

I know this sounds weird, but this video has helped me realise I am actually the reincarnation of the right hand paddle from Pong.

Its funny how they think that they are some of the main/minor characters and not the random soldier who got killed at disc 2

Imagine being soulbonded to a Goomba.

Let this be a lesson: if you wanna join a house full of FF7 larpers, make sure there's a Tifa being a good influence on them

I'm soulbonded to Paul Blart mall cop.

"Lots of people cannot understand me because I have such a high intellect it is beyond their grasp" Sarah was a fan of Rick & Morty before it was cool

This is by far my favourite internet story. The fact it happened over 20 years ago but has so much information behind it still accessible today is a miracle, considering “old internet” stories are often lost to the ether. Makes me wonder how many other batshit insane stories are out there from those days that we may never hear of again because someone didn’t bother documenting it.

Imagine self harming so much you can tell when a cut is deep or shallow. Hope a brudda is doing good.

Can't believe they put the final fantasy house as a boss in the remake

imagine believing you are the reincarnation of Zack Fair and think you can trust living safely around "Hojo" and "Jenova" LOL

I seriously thought this was going to be a 40 minute documentary about that creepy house you had to battle in Midgar in the first disk of the game. And I was genuinely excited to see what crazy conspiracy theories people had come up with.

This deserves it's own Netflix series -- the complete series opposite of _Friends_ .

Anyone who's obsessed with Hojo is a red flag up front.

"You stole my crystals and doujinshi" is now officially the weirdest shit I've ever read in my entire life

jen was literally just like "you? gongaga"

Jen has all the hallmarks of being the typical cult leader. She picks on a certain kind of vulnerable people she knows she can appeal to, and picks an obscure activity as the centre of the cult to make her followers believe they are in on something special in order to strengthen the bonds of the group.

The scariest part to me is that Zack said that Jen *had a babysitting job.* Imagine entrusting this lunatic with your kids, having no idea who she is.

Imagine being Jenova. An all powerful alien that travels from planet to planet, sucking the life out of them. You had the power to destroy worlds with ease. Then you die and get resurrected as some random human girl with no powers whatsoever that lives in a pigsty. Not the most glorious end, huh?

People talk pretty unhealthily about neurodivergence a lot, and others rightfully pick them up on victimising people because they happen to think or behave differently. I think there's a lot of discussion to be had about where 'mental illness' and pity end and 'abuse' starts. I think the line is just that: at the point where you 'being yourself' is abuse to others - destroying their property, controlling their lives, refusing to contribute or aid those around you - is the point where you can no longer claim you're just neurodivergent and should be treated with respect. There are people who are heavily autistic or have other 'disorders' who are perfectly capable of understanding and interacting with society, but society doesn't accept them because they act weird, or don't express themselves the way others do. Especially when things like therapy and medication clearly help you coexist with others without abuse, you can't claim to just 'think differently' and get a pass for abusive behaviour. I suppose it's important for people to know this so they don't get sucked into codependent (or worse) relationships with people who try to co-opt messages of tolerance to get away with abuse. If someone in your life is hurting you like this, get out and get help.

I mean, this story brings the phrase ‘Zack Fair deserved better’ to a whole other level...

*Clear red flags* *moves in* okay

>College freshman >Heavy drinker Why did you just say the same thing twice?

So... She claimed to be Jenova, and nobody thought for a moment that she was evil? ._. It's not like Hojo is such a sweetheart either, you know...

"The world needs us to conquer evil" If you believe you're the reincarnation of JENOVA, I got some bad news for you.

Reading this has made me come to the conclusion that I’m a reincarnation of the L block in tetris

You didn't teach ME how to use crystals. I have been using them since I was ten.

“The very minor character Zack from Final Fantasy 7…” Wow, this IS an old internet story.

When I was young, I had a friend who's mother fell for a cult leader. She invited the guy over to our house one night and I remember him having the darkest vibe of anyone I've ever met. My friends mom ended up leaving her husband and moving him and his brother to a commune in the middle of the desert with a bunch of other people. I dont know the details, but apparently it got really bad. I visited my former friend years later and he was not the same person, the ordeal had taken a serious toll on him. This story just proves that these kind of things happen more often than you'd like to think.

it is SO weird to think that, since most of these people were in college in the early 2000s, they would be around 40 Years Old now! This sounds like some insane modern happening yet it happened almost 20 years ago...

I don’t get it. If you believe yourself to be a FF7 character, why would you trust Hojo and Jenova?

So, Jena is actually a pretty good Jenovah, as in: perfect cult leader, thinks shes some god, manipulates so well she manages to ruin everyones life just for snacks

It brings me so much joy to see the internet discover the horror that is the average State College living arrangement.

3:28 "He was met at the bus stop by Hojo, wearing a lab coat." That's when I knew I was in for something...

The most unbelievable part of all of this is that they cut him down to one hour a week at a grocery store.

oh my god, when i was 14 or 15 i was groomed by the lunatics just like these. person who believed they were reincarnated as a child and a couple of other characters, and her friend. holy shit i never knew someone went through something similar. luckily they lived far away from me, and when i turned 18 they lost interest in me, but it's done so much damage to me. im still a little bit scared some of them will visit me one day.

I actually ran into Renee back when she was in Utah. It was a touch-and-go encounter in the local library, but the "girl-who-thinks-she's-Hojo" always sat in the back of my mind as an odd encounter. I'm glad I found your channel and remembered this and even gladder that it was only a touch-and-go encounter.

“Lots of people cannot understand me because I have such a high intellect it is beyond their grasp” ah yes, I see... it was Sarah who formed the modern Rick and Morty fandom....

I can't believe Fredrik leaked the plot of the FF7 Remake

Segments : 00:42 - Zach’s Story 5:44 - Zach Realizes 11:46 - Community Notice 17:23 - Mela’s Story 21:30 - Housemate Horror 25:03 - Sarah Saga 28:34 Sarah Saga Suspicions 30:44 - Jagerhunde’s 1st post 34:41 - Jager’s 2nd Post

Man, FF7R Part 2 took the story in a completely different direction than the original. Also ironic given that there’s an enemy/boss in FF7 literally called “Hell House”

Coming from someone who is a fan of the actual game (in a way that doesn’t make me think I’m one of the characters in it), Jenova has no personality or character besides from being a big eldritch abomination that you fight. Honestly can see why this psycho related to it.

"Some items are magical. That doesn't mean you can have every single one." -my DM when I'm already attuned to 3 items

Ngl I was in the otherkin community a while back because I thought it was some fandom roleplay thing. I left quickly when I realised how weird ppl there are. One guy on a forum was talking about training himself to walk on all fours like a wolf. Another identified as an oak tree. The fact that half the forum members were also teenagers made it worse. Just what the fk

Fun Fact Chris O'Neil from OneyPlays was actually one of the members of the FF House.

If this was the plot to a movie, it would be rejected for being ridiculously unbelievable.

After a point this stops having anything to do with FF7, and just becomes about an extremely manipulative, toxic person.

My ex told me about an irl encounter she had with Hojo and Jen. Fortunately, she was able to get away before they hurt her. I am floored that there is a whole rabbit hole saga about these people.

First things off, this is a very strong cautionary tale on mental health. Secondly, this is the kind of shit that happens when mental health costs a buttload of money. Third, I have a relative that might be involved in a cult like this, and now I'm wondering if I should check on them.

Me: can we get Final Fantasy 7? Mom: we have Final Fantasy 7 at home. Final Fantasy 7 at home:

Weird how every single otherkin is soulbonded to a really interesting character, innit? None of them goes, "Yeah, I'm actually Ragnur from Skyrim. He's an unremarkable man who works at a general store. In the evenings he goes back to his small home, drinks alone and falls asleep. This cycle repeats every single day." ... Actually that is a pretty accurate description of my life. Am I an otherkin?

In FF7 lore, Jenova was eventually decapitated by Hojo for experimentation. Be careful what you wish for, Jen.

Honestly more than anything the Final Fantasy House is just sad. These people probably had horrible childhoods and fled to these characters, games, and their imagination as a way to cope with such a bad upbringing, and just never properly grew up. I hope Jen moves on some day, and I truly hope the best for her.

Im soulbounded as that scientist that turned himself into a pickle Funniest shit i have ever seen

"Cetra Queen" Jenova? Wow, she didn't even understand the character she was imitating. Jenovah wasn't a Cetra, this was a mistaken assumption initially made by the Shinra scientists that discovered her remains. The Cetra where a human offshoot that engaged in magic and mysticism that mostly died out after Jenovah preyed on them. In reality, Jenovah was a deceptive alien parasite that would manipulate others into serving her own ends... hmm, maybe Jen DID understand the character.

Just realised how ironic it is that the writer ran a page about cloud and Zak,since cloud thought he was Zak due to manipulation and trauma

If anyone ever doubts that we have a mental health crisis in the US, show them this shit.

Things I hope get made into a "Down The Rabbit Hole" someday: -My Immortal -The Amazing Atheist -David Icke's Reptilian theories -Banksy -The Poe Toaster -Penny Dreadfuls -Max Headroom incident -Jimmy Screamerclaus

This is why I don't laugh at the fictionkin boom on tumblr. A lot of impressionable, often mentally ill kids, being told by adults sometimes twice their age that they knew each other in a past life or were lovers in a past life and need to date/move closer to each other/be loyal to each other? Yeah, this is where this shit leads. It's not all about the lulz, it's about abusing people under the guise of love and community. This is just one case. There are so, so many more.

Imagine Jen, and a dementianal merge era Chris Chan sharing a house together, feeding each other's delusions.

dude shit like this is so intriguing to me , sped households make me wanna go back to my roots and live in one for a while to be able to tell the story to other people

Me listening: they sound like they probably stink and don’t clean The video: they stunk and didnt clean My otherkin is Thats So Raven.

I'm also an Otherkin, but unfortunately the soul inside of me is Bubsy.

What makes this such a somber affair to me is, it's only an exagerration of what video games and other stories should do. From characters, people who don't exist, we can get real-world strength and wisdom. Connecting to stories can be a powerful thing, and should be something that brings joy and real life connection.

The way people laugh at this in the comments is literally why none of the victims really spoke out to try and get out sooner. FF7 House wasn’t just a couple of video game obsessed kids taking shit too far, it was a literal CULT.

It's interesting how this has become a sort of "haha funny" thing to retell when pointing out weird communities, but the original story is such a horrifying look into how people like this can exist in even the most niche of circles.

I’m back 2 years later after actually having played the game and, like, anyone obsessed with Hojo (and Jenova too for that matter) is already one giant flashing red flag

This rabbit hole takes me back. I used to be friends with a group in high school who were like this with anime and they convinced me that I was the reincarnation of Kurogane from Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle, it got so bad that I started to think I could speak to him in my head. When my family moved away from that school district I finally was able to let go of all that and I consider myself lucky

the self harming part made me "ouch", cuz I've been in a similar situation. I got you bro, hope you're doing ok.

man the FF7 remake is looking really weird

You know, it's almost poetic that someone who took up the namesake Zack was psychologically tortured and manipulated by someone named Hojo and then finally escapes considering that's how Crisis Core starts

Otherkin is a fascinating idea in theory, but it's obviously easily explained away as simply being a similar type of person to the character in question and simply relating with them.

How fitting that the people who kinned Zach and Aeris were essentially the good guys in the story, while the people who kinned Hojo and Jenova were undoubtedly the villains. Almost makes you wonder if the whole soul bonding thing has some truth behind it after all...

*This is why Sephiroth summoned a meteor to strike the planet*

I'm soulbonded to parapa the rappa. Kick punch block and chop the door.

"You don't believe in magic and _he_ wanted to be a mercenary!" WHAT KIND OF CORRELATION IS THAT?

I live and work in state college. There was a point in the 90s that my group of friends became annoyed with the Vampire LARPers. We spent a night hunting them down, pretending we were too stupid to know they weren’t real. This effectively diminished the population by getting many of them remembering it was a game, not a way of life. There is something here that’s allows people to be supported waaaaay to far into a delusion.

Random Thought: If you're a soul-bonder and believe this kind of stuff...why would you willing go to live and spend time with a game's villain and antagonist? If these people think personality and traits pass to your current incarnation or whatever...wouldn't that make a malicious asshole still a malicious asshole?

do you think we'll get a final fantasy house remake with the final fantasy 7 remake

“You are ruining [her] life. It is not okay to do so, even if you have her permission.”

I went through some research of myself and unfortunatelly, I have also came in contact with Jen and Serah more than 15 years ago on the Neoseeker forums, we used to play forum RPGs back then. Internet Dinosaurs like myself will know what I'm talking about, and these girls were there. Good lord.

I wonder if the person going by Jen realizes the irony of their choice of name. Jenova in the ff7 games is a villainous parasite from space who manipulates people and tries to destroy the world. Much like the villain, Jen seemingly is also a villainous parasite who manipulates people and tries to destroy their personal and social worlds.

The moral of this story is: don't move in with random people you've only talked to online. "Jen" sounds like a classic narcissistic sociopath.

I re-watch this video every few months when i remember it while doing things and although I don't remember/understand the full story bwcause of my bad memory and audio processingissues, I end up catching something new each time and by the time I catch everything my awful memory has forgotten what I remembered from the first time. But it keeps the video fresh. I have a few videos I rewatch regularly because I like them but can't remember most things like this for more than a month, but this is definitely my favorite. I love all your vids, but idk what it is about this specific video... But it's stuck in my brain stronger than most videos and I regularly remember it.deos and I regularly remember it.

Final Fantasy House is the single greatest warning against ever joining the occult I've ever seen.

“You’re both country grown, ...” *furiously typing in google maps for Gongaga*

The ringleader identifying herself with Jenova is a red flag right from the start honestly.

Very cool video. Very uncomfortable to sit through. I suppose this was common place back in the early 2000's era of the internet. I happened to come across a really trauma-inducing group of people I met through Gaia online who I still think about regularly due to the things I experienced through them. I've never said this once on any sort of social media, but I figured hey... it's vague enough, and on a KZfaq comment, so it'll drown out. But from personal experience, stay away from people like these, no matter how welcoming and accepting they are, you're not alone, and they are not the answer.

thank u oney for telling us of this video

"9/10 Has a little something for everyone." - IGN

>You stole my crystals and doujinshi this entire story summed up in a single point on that list of grievances

I came here from one of SomeOrdinaryGamer's Podcast videos. I must say, I really enjoyed this video. Not only is this content right up my alley- I really live batshit stories about people doing weird shit on the Internet- but the narration was amazing! I really loved the clips, explanation, and overall fun that was had!