Who do you regard as the protagonist?

[Dante WolfWood]

Terra. Just because Barret is important for Corel and Cid for Cd2 I don't say they are as important as Cloud. Terra's connection to the empire, Kefka, knowing what she was born as and how she seeks and find answers for her future life means more than Rachel or Daryll. They all do somehow but its just not enough.

Meh, I don't think that's a fair assessment. If we are going by that route, than Aerith would be the main character to of FF7.

Her connection to Shinra, Sephiroth, The ancients, the main goal of disc 1, her influence throughout the rest of the game, her actually being the one who saved the world, etc.

I don't think importance to the plot is what makes you a main protagonist. (If that is true, what does that say about Vaan? )

It's whoever the reader/gamer/viewer is using as the main connection to that specific world/plot. Which would be Cloud in FF7, unfortunately Vaan in FF12, and in my personal opinion, Locke in FF6. At least for the first half.