I'm more for the CC style, too. It has a more advanced Manga look.
But I try to keep the original style as much as possible.
Anyway that's how Cloud currently looks:
There is no way I use the HQ models of the rendered scenes as reference:
The face is entirely different.
Not that I'm closer to the draw, which is of course not possible because I used the Dessidia model as a reference, but the shape of the head is more natural.
And that's what I want, a natural Manga look. No vessels as boots and no detective conan like heads. Normally Nomura had to redraw the characters after the story was finished. Because Cloud isn't the cool super Soldier (yes the Desidia design is closer to what Cloud is), Tifa's character isn't so strong as she was planed first, she is in her acting now very feminine which makes her skimpy skirt dress unnecessary, Vincent thought that he needs a new dress with a unique gear now where he is a monster (or does Hojo dressed him this way?) and Yuffie... well I didn't even knew what that dress should represent. Half skimpy school girl, half ninja? I ever thought she looks a bit like a tourist not like a ninja. The rest of the team is OK because they aren't effected by the story changes so much. Yes even Cait Sith, it's hard to make a bad character even more worse. As I said normally Nomura had to run over the design again, but there was no time anymore. What we currently have is a have done piece of work.
If people have a problem with my style, then do what I did. Make your own models or alter the models I have done. That was my motivation.
I think Moders should take to making cloud look closer to the renders.
I did. Look the ending2 at 5:43. Do you see what's wrong with Cloud?
All of the original drawings of FF VII's human characters had short torsos and long legs to begin with. it was part of the design.
Only a guess of me. But I think Nomura wanted a realistic look, but if you paint a lot of chibi formed characters you can loose the sense for the proportions.
Early concept of Cloud (I had preferred it, because its closer to the Fenrir wolf Cloud represents)