Fans of Final Fantasy 7 would remember Shinra for its monopoly over the Planet. After all, this faction essentially took control over the known world. Shinra did this with its monopoly over Mako, or the processed version of the world's life energy. Moreover, its strict rule over the lives of Midgar's citizens usually meant no one can dare speak or act against the company. As such, it's such a rare thing for players to witness Cloud Strife and eco-terrorists from AVALANCHE to try and destroy Shinra once and for all.
Of course, fans know that Cloud and his friends would win the fight against Shinra. However, Shinra Electric Power Company seems to have more secrets to hide inside its corporate appearance. Additionally, it seems Shinra has interesting tidbits of knowledge fans might want to learn if they plan on playing Square Enix's hit RPG for another round.
10 Initially In Manufacturing
As with most big companies, Shinra Electric Power Company didn't start in its prime or at the top. Interestingly, it didn't even start as an energy provider. Rather, Shinra began as Shinra Manufacturing Works, with a keen specialization in weapons manufacturing.
However, Shinra's ascent to the top began when President Shinra discovered a way to refine lifestream into Mako energy. They capitalized on this procedure, created the Mako reactor technology, and reaped profit with how Mako can be utilized in almost any aspect of life in Midgar.
9 Electric Power Company Is A Misnomer
Despite having "Electric Power Company" in the name, Shinra didn't become a monopoly purely because of supplying Mako. In fact, one could describe Shinra as a megacorporation, having utilized its power and influence to get into other industries as well. These included entry into the Planet's various political, infrastructural, and societal aspects.
This approach also explains the company's various divisions. These include the Advanced Weaponry, Research and Development, Urban Planning, Space and Aeronautics, and Public Security Divisions. However, Shinra would also dwell into more clandestine projects. For instance, Shinra heavily invested in genetics engineering research behind the scenes, such as the sword-toting SOLDIERs.
8 The Midgar Is Meant To Be The HQ
Fans who played FF7 know that AVALANCHE operates in Midgar because it's the city closest to Shinra HQ. However, this isn't a coincidence. In fact, Shinra created Midgar specifically to house its HQ. Essentially, Shinra built Midgar as a "floating" mega-city over various villages. At its core lies Shinra HQ, as well as eight huge Mako reactors.
Essentially, Midgar appears like a large pizza-shaped city divided into eight sectors, each supported by its Mako reactor. These eight sectors were once individual towns, with names forgotten through time. Unfortunately, below Midgar's sectors are its slums, and around the city was once a lush countryside now turned barren as the city sapped the remaining lifestream there.
7 A Propaganda War
Players of FF7 games would likely have heard or read news from prominent networks throughout the course of the game. In particular, players may have encountered both the Shinra News or Shinra News Network (SNN), as well as Shinra Truths. Both of these agencies deliver opposing news to players - but both of them have a shared history related to Midgar.
Essentially, Shinra established Shinra News Network to act as a propaganda device to get the public's support to Midgar's creation. On the side, SNN also distorts various events to Shinra's favor, even as far as declaring anti-Shinra dissidents "dead" for the public to hear. Meanwhile, an anti-Shinra group called Shinra Truths would surface. They would send various emails detailing the "truths" behind Shinra's deeds. Unfortunately, no one can pinpoint who is the head of the service and where they get their information.
6 Jenova, The Promised Land, Neo Midgar
Sadly, as with many monopolies, Shinra just can't get enough of Midgar. In the Planet's mythology, an ancient race of people called the Cetra had access to powerful technology before their destruction. When Shinra caught wind of a legendary "promised land" brimming with lifestream, Shinra wanted to create a Neo-Midgar there to exploit its resources.
In order to move towards these efforts, Shinra sought to find a Cetra descendant or even create a being with as close a Cetra's power as possible. As a result, Shinra had its intelligence network called the Turks monitor Aerith, a Cetra descendant. Likewise, Shinra jumpstarted the SOLDIER program by using genetic material from an alien, called Jenova, who they thought was a Cetra. Both efforts wouldn't lead to such a promised land.
5 The Turks, Administrative Research
Inside Shinra's many "Divisions" lie departments with various clandestine tasks. Its auditing department, in particular, also acts as Shinra's official investigative bureau. Administrative Research, also known unofficially as the Turks, serve as Shinra's main covert eye in Midgar. They usually wear business suits with matching white accessories. Should the need arise, Turks also specialize in one type of combat to fight threats.
Outside the guise of "auditing," the Turks handle various unofficially affairs. These include spy work and espionage, private escort, scouting recruits for SOLDIER, and even assassinating targets. As such, Turks who resign often become security risks.
4 The SOLDIER Program
While citizens in Midgar know of Shinra's militaristic Peacekeeping Troops, it's SOLDIER that everyone aspires to be. Touted as heroes, members of this elite fighting force receive remarkable training and gain superhuman abilities - all in the service of Shinra. Unbeknownst to most, the SOLDIER Program serves as Shinra's way to assume control over the populace by force, often outright fighting insurgencies.
Interestingly, members of SOLDIER often take part in experiments that help improve their combat abilities. Unfortunately, some SOLDIERs also become part of projects that inject them with Jenova cells, often causing mutation. This also led to the creation of Sephiroth, the strongest SOLDIER to ever live.
3 Unorthodox Research Programs
While Shinra dabbles into various under-the-table dealings, its interest in genetic research and arms development is perhaps the company's weirdest pursuits - outside the Cetra. For instance, Shinra's approach to weapons development led to the creation of the Weapons. These superpowerful machines serve as artifacts from the past, as the Planet's defense mechanism against threats such as Jenova.
Meanwhile, Hojo's genetic research led to the creation of various mutated monstrosities. Hojo's projects revolve around the replication of the Cetra, amongst other vile interests that Cloud and his friends eventually destroy in the game.
2 Early Drafts Reveal Interesting History
In the main game, players don't get to see much about Shinra's rise to power behind the scenes. However, as per the Ultimania Omega, early drafts of the game had a more fleshed out history for the company. In earlier drafts, Shinra as a manufacturing company would have an Old Midgar as its HQ, prior to the building of the plates. Moreover, back then, Shinra back then acquired sustained profits with a business model that involves selling weapons to various entities in conflict. In this particular draft, Shinra capitalized on providing weapons for a long-lasting war between two unnamed nations.
Interestingly, traces of this war should have been visible throughout the game. For instance, Barret Wallace would point out how certain locations became war zones back in the day. However, this draft hasn't been used but the details on backgrounds would remain for players to spot in the game.
1 May Have An Ancestor From Another Game
Interestingly, fans who also played FF 10 squel FF X-2 can discover a tiny easter egg that may have larger implications to FF 7's overall mythos. In FF X-2, main character Rin and techie Shinra describe how the Farplane and its spirits may become an energy source. However, as per Shinra, people would take generations to create a sustainbale and safe way to use the Farplane as an energy source. As per FF X-2 Ultimania guide, scenario writer Kazushige Nojima states that Shinra would never get to develop this technology in Spira. However, his descendants would travel to Gaia and eventually create the Shinra Electric Power Company.
Interestingly, this idea puts an interesting connection between the two games. After all, the Farplane eerily resembles the lifestream with its connections to the afterlife. However, FF 7 director Yoshinori Kitase neither confirmed nor denied that Nojima's scenario for Shinra was canon.