HOW TO WRITE A CHARACTER WITH DEPRESSION - Rean Schwarzer Analysis (Trails of Cold Steel)

A video of me gushing about Rean :P
SPOILERS for all Cold Steel games and Reverie ahead

[@BobbyTheGamerOfJUSTICE]

Class VII: You do realize putting “Haha” at the end of every sentence doesn’t hide the fact that your secretly depressed right? Rean: Yes it does “Haha”

[@babaXIII]

Rean is such a complex topic that, at its core, baffles me. People who claim to love Trails so very deeply looked at Cold Steel, saw the bonding events and immediately dismissed Rean as a Shonen Protag Harem Wishfulfillment. Falcom gave us Sky, Azure, Daybreak, Nayuta, etc and yet people still didn't give them the benefit of the doubt and refused to actually take in Rean's story. A recent poll on Reddit made me laugh a lot because he was rated both as the most overrated and underrated character in the franchise and yeah, it's pretty much true.

[@BobbyTheGamerOfJUSTICE]

@@babaXIII it’s unfortunate because he’s genuinely amazing imo. I don’t even mind the harem stuff either like I said in the video lol

[@sewnmind1786]

​@@BobbyTheGamerOfJUSTICEI'm not just a Rean stan but I was locked in to the Alphin route after the rescue scene in CS2. It's was a fantastic moment for the relationship basically kicking it off and showing huge growth for Rean. He can't control the Ogre Strength without being able to envision a future for himself.

[@calebcollette7806]

I think Trails has shown multiple times how well they can handle characters like Rean. Kevin is my favorite example, and his character arc alone makes Sky the 3rd my favorite game in the series. Bonus points as well to Van and Joshua who have elements of this as well though I wouldnt say that its their defining struggles and traits for their whole character arc. Van in particular I think is more characterized by his duty and responsibility more than anything.

[@hack5770]

The problem I have with Van is that he is in the same,how do I say this,atmosphere as Rean and Lloyd with how the characters round them treats them you get the same childish behavior from his comrades it would of been nice if we could of gotten a Main that reacted differently to the characters surrounding them, it so annoying when childish characters act like your keeper asking dumb questions who is that your speaking to,what's your relationship to that said person being nosey as fu@k giving u the stare of shame for being an adult and on it goes.

[@celestialsylveon6453]

As someone also with poor mental health, I've noticed these things about him too. Some people say that Rean has no character, but like this video explains, he's really well written and has a lot to him. Thank you for makiing this review of his character, you compiled everything and edited it really well. Although I'm not sure if the haha thing has anything to do with depression, I've been watching someone play Sky and haha gets thrown around a bunch in the very first game too.

[@BobbyTheGamerOfJUSTICE]

@@celestialsylveon6453 the “haha” thing is just a joke don’t worry lol. The fanbase memes about it because characters say it all the time. But I’m glad you enjoyed the video!

[@colt1903]

Rean becoming an Instructor was one of those things I initially kinda hated, cuz it felt like he was failing to move on, and trying too desperately to cling on to the past when he was happy even though all his friends had already moved on to do his own thing. Yet in true Falcom fashion, they ended up making it work so damn well that by the end I loved it. Partially because all my hate was directed at just how absolutely fuckin' EVIL that cliffhanger was in CS3. I was able to jump into 4 immediately, BUT STILL. The BALLS on Falcom with that astound me to this day.

[@zangy3748]

As someone who's fighting off depression myself I really felt some kind of connection towards Rean. Also just to throw it out now: Lloyd also has a harem, so I don't get why Rean gets reduced to harem protag while Lloyd is the same boat. Oh well, anyway. I really like how during Riverie Rean gets some closure and also look at his cut-in picture, he holds his sword the same way someone else did. I also really loved the bonding events in CS4 with Laura getting really angry at Rean or Towa finally getting her closure. It's not just Rean who's well written but also the people around him who are well aware of his depression and try to help him out. There were alot of moments throughout the series where I just wanted to hug Rean or other characters. Civil War and world wars are no joke on the people ON TOP of the other issues they have.

[@DarkGraid]

This is what I love of the Trail series, the depth on the characters and their stories, even of those that are not entirely protagonist, like Kurt, Juna, etc.

[@danieldishon688]

You sir understand Rean perfectly and what makes him great. You know I often like making Rean fish, even though I hate the mini game in CS1&2, because I like the idea of this guy whose truely not okay on the inside and is looking fir an excuse to run away and throw his life away, just stopping all the noise coming from that inner ogre to fish. Just listen to the creek water, wait and fish, taking a time out from doing Student Council busy work he throws himself into like finding worth in his life depends on it, or field study missions, fishing is exactly what he needs

[@dewitt4724]

Rean is indeed the GOAT

[@babaXIII]

Just finished the video so I'll add to my other comment: It's pretty obnoxious how so much of the community complains about Rean's "trope-ness" despite the whole of Trails being built on Tropes. Like, name a character and someone'll name you the trope. They're meant to be tropey because it's such a wide world wide so many characters. Attempting to write a thousand+ characters with each of them being OC-DONOTSTEAL would be absolutely foolish. Estelle and Joshua can be a tropey and nobody bats an eye, but Rean is and suddenly the whole of Reddit blows a gasket. It's really annoying and why I mostly steer clear of the fandom in general.

[@hack5770]

This is one of the reasons I stay away from reddit legend club they worship Estelle and despite rean,sorry Estelle is a Mary sue is that bad no but they dunk on Rean for practically nothing.

[@deanmalto1386]

​@@hack5770Estelle is anything but a Mary sue lol, she doesnt have latent super powers,not a chosen one destined to save liberl from and impending doom heck she's not even the top 10 strongest in all of her games (sc-3rd) Joshua,Kevin,Zin,Schera,Renne,Alan,Agate, the others from bracers guilds to name a few playable characters that are way way more stronger than her canonically in some chronological orders (she might be in top 8 in 3rd) , your hate for her is displaced, while Rean still a good protagonist, there is a reason why most people regarded Estelle as the best protagonist in the series

[@hack5770]

@@deanmalto1386 You don't need to have a superpower to be a Mary sue lol the relationship she has with others does don't get me started with how they threat her like she's a goddess could say no wrong always right in everything she say or does they the game describe her as the one who shine like the sun everyone is in love with her the other games in the franchise you can't stop hearing of how awesome she is,the kill them with kindness kind of Mary Sue,do I hate her no but her fans are insufferable for sure I do agree she is not the strongest I would not consider to pick her for my ultimate team that place goes to Joshua.

[@deanmalto1386]

@hack5770 that's not even Mary sue, not even close, do you even play Sky? Her character Arc ended in 3rd/zero, she's a ball of sunshine in sky yes, but with many flaws, she's abrasive, rash, headstrong,immature and severely lacking in almost all of the aspect of being a bracers, she grew more and more in sc until the Joshua scene at the beach , that is where she become worthy of her praise, she isnt shoehorned to be a likable character, she earn it,which means there is no reason for Falcom to expand on her besides being a recurring side character, her flaws ended right when after the final fight in zero and reuniting with Renne , that's why shes touted as a ray of sunshine without flaws cs forward, not because shes a mary sue, but because there's no point in making her anything more than she is, it's basically calling Aurelia a Mary sue because she's the ultimate swordswoman that can rival the strongest of ouroboros while also being a pinnacle of beauty and sex appeal in all 3 games she'd appeared in just because her character development ended way before CS, I might understand if you called her (Estelle) one if she's the MC of reverie, heck, if she's even the main, heck , secondary focus in azure or CS4, but no, shes just there, as a supporting character with her arc completed to support Rean and Lloyd which still needed the closure in Reverie

[@hack5770]

@@deanmalto1386 Yes I did play sky and can't wait to do so again and yes I still think she is a Mary sue a bad one no everyone else earn their praise also but some how it's only ok for Estelle she is actually shohorned to be like by what she say and does,everyone has flaws but hers seem likeable no need to be rude about it just like I said her fans are insufferable.

[@joaocbcneto]

I was alright with Rean during CS1-2 but the man really picked up the pace with Cold steel 3 and only kept getting better from there up to Reverie with a great character arc. I think one really underrated scene with him I like is in CS3 during one of Kurt's bond events, where they both go fishing and Rean has a heart to heart with him after Cedric showed up with him relating to Kurt's own issues with himself.

[@lukedelameter7961]

No joke, that bonding scene alone cemented Kurt and Rean both as some of my favorite characters.

[@joaocbcneto]

@@lukedelameter7961 Rean as an instructor was a genius idea by Falcom, it's so good and the stuff he gets in CS3 onward tied to his arc just makes it even better.

[@floris1111]

While Rean is my least favorite protagonist, I still really like how well he works in Cold Steel 3 in particular with the "war hero" figurehead thing for a horrible government

[@maxime2201]

Good video... I hate how some people in the trails community treat Rean as a "Typical shonen protagonist". I mean his harem aside, he doesn't think he deserve to be happy and try to find a meaning to all his suffering. His speech to Ash in Cold steel III is overlooked a lot (one of my favourite moment). His character development until reveries ending is fantastic.

[@BobbyTheGamerOfJUSTICE]

I couldn’t agree more!

[@BobbyTheGamerOfJUSTICE]

@@steponcurry7012 “has everything” His entire existence brought shame to his family, Two people he cared about literally dies, he gets dragged into two wars, causes a curse to spread across the continent which results in multiple deaths. But no, he isn’t ALLOWED to be depressed am I right???

[@Maverick55Moose]

Reallyexcited to watch this! Gonna love this deep dive into Rean's psyche

[@Bageltrice]

Loved it. I also really like Rean's character, so it is nice to see you make a video on him. Btw I really enjoy your editing style as well. Really looking forward to the eventual Osborne video.

[@BobbyTheGamerOfJUSTICE]

@@Bageltrice I’ll definitely cover all of the main characters and antagonists eventually!

[@vDorgengoa]

17:15. I need that Rean and Altina picture lol. And yeah, Rean is my favorite Trails protagonist.

[@SpanishFly120]

Rean really is a cool character, and while I'm typing this before I've finished the video, it's always been interesting to me thinking that his whole Ogre Powers are you know, just as much narratively symbolic as they are "cool super saiyan mode". Plus, honestly Cold Steel (and Trails in general) has a lot of characters who are dealing with both depression and mental illness, many of whom turn to vastly different things and means in order to try and cope or deal with it.

[@Solus1994]

Rean is my favorite protagonist

[@jzblue345]

Rean gets way to much hate. I always thought he was a great example of a man with self loathing and serious depression.

[@Drschnarch]

I think considering he mentioned he had an obligation (not necessarily a right) to be happy, Rean might actually run into something where he might overdo it and risk another mental breakdown. Buuut at least he has a lot of friends to help him out...

[@colt1903]

Well, he can't fix ALL his problems, cuz then there's no reason to have him appear in the future stories other than fan service. 😂

[@canasnewell3089]

1:02 For some reason we have decided in the english language that "Sean" should actually be pronounced "Shawn" Don't ask me why it just is.

[@Theatricbandit]

Rean is one my favorite characters of all time, I'm so glad I came across this as I do want to write some analysis on him eventually...I do have one question before I watch, just to be absolutely sure, there's spoilers here for the Cold Steel Games as said in the description, so by that measure there's no spoilers or footage or mentions of Trails into Reverie right? I haven't started that game yet and Reverie I guess technically isn't part of the Cold Steel series? .-.

[@BobbyTheGamerOfJUSTICE]

@@Theatricbandit There is spoilers for Reverie yes. I’ll add that to the description

[@supersonicmario56]

It's likely a coincidence, but I do like how the Cold Steel series, mainly 3 and 4, has moments in it that parallel Bleach.

[@colt1903]

Playing CS1, I can't remember the exact moment that prompted it, but I remember jokingly saying to myself "Good going, Shirou Emiya." THEN EVERYTHING MADE SENSE.😂

[@coryturner8743]

I've really enjoyed the way you've told the story of Rean, I'm differently looking forward to your future videos.

[@soulsq2]

I love Rean still my favorite character. :)

[@Naraku203]

Can't wait to see your video on Jusis he is one of my favorites in class 7

[@ShadowNite777]

Now I wait for the 12 hour Laura video Jokes aside, I really enjoyed this video. Also, I'm really glad you explained why there is a second rean in reverie cuz I'm stupid and couldn't remember

[@PanosZok]

saving this for when i finish reverie . on act 1 of cs4 rn

[@Azure8Note]

Great video! I love Rean and you explained it so well!. My only wish is he had a cannon partner. Because the "what if" scenario hamstrings a lot of the potential the other girls on the cast. Like the other guys have minor npc love interests like gaius and Linde, but since the girls are rean's choice, they can't have any other interest. I hope in Kai this can be resolved. Like maybe alt Rean in Reverie had the "your choice" character as the love interest and died, while the real one has a cannon one. This will free them to move on and grow more. Also my head cannon is Rean x Towa, they match really well, and the only way to stop a workaholic that cares for people more than themselves is to have another one.

[@raionbomber75]

Alright Bobby you put up a good video, nice job. I learned some stuff, I overlooked quite a bit. I still think CS3 is wack tho, but your explanation makes it less wack lol

[@ZeroNightBlaze0]

This was such an amazing video. I really enjoyed those small video edits in-between where it was gameplay with character lines said over them. I think what I enjoyed most out of the video was how spot on and a more positive talk about who he is as a character. It reminded me a little of a different person's video talking about different characters with sacrifice & healing, feel bad I'm struggling to remember the name though. Sorry if this is a dumb question but was CS1 also your first game?

[@BobbyTheGamerOfJUSTICE]

@@ZeroNightBlaze0 yup CS1 was my first but I went back and played the Sky trilogy after finishing CS2. I saw CS1 on the PSNow and I’ve been obsessed with this series ever since

[@ZeroNightBlaze0]

@@BobbyTheGamerOfJUSTICE Same ^-^ Playing CS1 & CS2 helped a good few personal issues growing up.

[@YuuSen]

@@BobbyTheGamerOfJUSTICE dang CS1 is also my first, I'm on my 2nd play thru of CS1 and then I'm buying CS2 XD looks like im in for a ride

[@ChaosEater39]

1:38 for estelle and lloyd I can understand but van and kevin are way more mysterious in their introductions. this maybe sets an aura for something but its not as great as with joshua. I mean him helping characters is cool ig, this glosses over the majority of the flaws with rean but yeah sure. rean is not mature he is mature *sometimes* when the dialogue needs him to be 5:21 so he is underplaying his skills. sure. a normal bad quality 6:01 which is dumb because he could have blocked it with his sword or at least not his spine :) 6:31 up until now you are just showing how normal of a protagonist he is, nothing special yet 7:46 when in existence has this ever been said????? I have no memory of this ever happening. 8:00 legitimately I have no words, I truly believe you are just putting head canon into this video lol 8:25 I kind of maybe understand the sacrifice thing kinda maybe maybe but underplaying his strength? really? how is that relevant at all from what im seeing right now you are putting headcanon into this but still even if what you said is true, the dialogue flow, the character interactions are all so embarrassing that any semblance of character development that you mentioned yet is shallow, weak and hard to feel. 10:01 you have not shown any evidence of this yet, and everything you mentioned is just generic protag stuff. most protags have problems related to family, have/had problems with mentality and want to help people and cheer people up. 11:49 I feel like you are just saying words here. you are not showing WHERE he says these things or feels these things, just saying that he does. 12:49 most of the things he is angry at himself for are things that are contained in the story and not the past but ig if he had problems like that before you would be right (which you have proven very shaky evidence for) 13:27 you skipped over the cringest most torturous dialogues in the whole trails series and over some fairly major events such as the pantagruel escape (crow interactions, actually using spirit unification, alfin interactions) and the crimson wings which are all quite major in his character development in this game but sure. also the memes in this video are not well made because they break the flow of the video and are way too loud. 13:39 its not revealed, he slowly throughout the games gains a more defined personality 14:27 I was in agreement with you until you showed no moments like that. you just showed vulcan and scarlet trying to kill themselves, not even rean's reaction. 14:58 you are narrating events without showing (or even explaining) rean's reactions to events, this video is quite poorly written even if you want to argue for cold steel and rean. 16:35 you arent even wrong.. its just that the game is so infuriatingly cringe with so much of the dialogue that these parts of the game are just towered with complete shit. 17:21 the issue is that there is nothing yet shown of the north ambria occupation that is written well dumbly enough so these parts of the story that could be highly emotional were just removed... as a testament to the stupid writing of cold steel. 18:20 actually here is when I stop disliking rean as a character but the writing of the games. I hate how forced it is that his students fight ouroboros with him because it legitimately makes no sense to involve students in things like that. you might argue as you have before that rean did that as a student but this is not normal in this world, the fact that one person does something does not mean it should be a golden standard. 19:35 its not self sacrifice, its protecting students from harm, I disagree on this part completely. 20:20 I still cant see him hating himself, he just has a lot on his mind. 20:24 here he just regrets that crow died, he doesnt attack himself for that 21:58 this WAS really hype, one of my favorite moments in trails 22:30 you are showing too little evidence, again, you sound like you are writing your own story or telling your own story rather than showing things to back up your claims. 22:39 he came to terms with the fact that at the end of the day he is the sacrifice of the great twilight 23:22 this is the first time there is actually good evidence to back up your claims of deep regret/depression. 24:52 yeah the bad ending was quite sad 25:33 this is the ending so there is not much to comment about the quality of the writing, this is pretty good but then again im a big trails fan so enjoying trails is not exactly something to be shocked about. 28:12 yep that is how a person would react to things like that happening. this video is very lazer focused on rean so I cant comment much on the overarching problems with reverie's dumb writing in some places but yeah he is not depressed he just has a lot to think about and come to terms with still 29:00 he already did that in cs4, this time its just with different flavoring 30:24 you could just say what happens, we all know what happened in the game and even the people that dont will understand with the minimal amount of context needed, no need for mark rober the evil science guy 31:46 wdym what a creative name? he calls himself that, what else do you want him to be called? the demon rean of impending doom and the great ones owner? 33:30 this was.. something well idk I dont really need to watch the rest I have a conclusion. this video is not very well made to prove a point but I can say this: what your point is (that rean is like trying to defend other people at the cost of himself) is not especially wrong or anything, but the game is especially poorly written if this is what they try to convey. the WRITING is bad, maybe the idea is good (which I never disagreed with actually lol) but the writing is not peak fiction, its far from it. there is much unnecessary bullshit and a lot of the points that you showed in this video are not felt so much during the playthroughs of the games because they are just shallowly written. also cold steel is still way more mid than the other parts of the series just because of the shallowness of the dialogue.

[@BobbyTheGamerOfJUSTICE]

@@ChaosEater39 I think this comment just proves you didn’t pay attention to Rean’s character at all lol. But I’m not even going to bother

[@PaxAeterna98]

A yes my other favorite Black haired overpowered protagonist next to kazuto kirigaya 🥳

[@deanmalto1386]

Can you do Estelle and Joshua's next, their romance is hands down easily the best written romance in all of the JRPG ive played, Joshua story is kinda like Rean but he was lucky to have Estelle to knock some sense into him that the "must sacrifice myself and atone for my sins for everyone's sake" arc only lasted half a game

[@BobbyTheGamerOfJUSTICE]

@@deanmalto1386 I will eventually!

[@RaifSeverence]

Rean is actually 18. I only know cuz it said so in the art book that came with the original ps3 limited edition release

[@Naraku203]

I might be wrong but isn't Rean birthday in May so he is 17 and 18 in cold steel 1 and 19 and 20 in cold steel 3

[@stardataminesthings]

> Mentions Sora and Rex and eating up corny friendship speeches I see, you're someone of culture as well. :) But yeah the other comments have covered anything I'd want to add. Dude's got a lot more to him than it seems, but you have to be willing to play ball with the series which for a series so corny, a lot of people don't seem to want to do! He's got a special place in my heart. I have mixed feelings on things like the bonding event system making him the center of everything (because all the other Class VII girls sans Millium are reserved for Rean, none of them can really have relationships with the other guys, romantic or otherwise. Like Laura could also spar with Jusis or Gaius or talk to them about marial arts as much as she does Rean but AFAIK she never does. This didn't turn out _as_ badly with the new class, but it still happened to a degree.) However, that's a meta issue, and Rean _as a character_ on his own is totally fine. It's just falcom made some not so great choices that I disagree with that involved him. And that's fine.

[@krimzonstriker7534]

Oh Daddy Osborne, do you need your own separate video indeed. 😅Also, hope you're looking forward to the Sky Remake next year 😆

[@ChaosEater39]

sorry for the long ass rant

[@Flamelance_Accendo]

@1:03 Sheep Chiplock lmfao

[@Daichi82]

I really like Rean, and he has the same voice as Banagher Links in Gundam Unicorn, the japanese voice cast it top notch in this game, playing with english voices is missing half of the game enjoyment.

[@aurelienellena8138]

hello and thanks for the video, I still don't dislike rean but I've learned across cold steel games how he came to this and to somewhat appreciate him However what I don't like is the bond system of cold steel together with the developement of the characters of the team or their relatives, Each girl or guy has very few developement in my opinion aside from some including rean emma, juna or altina, like how much has elliot or kurt grown for example; in my opinion not much, he is a nice guy and he plays music but what's more ? Kurt could have had much more on the side of royal familly body guard cut from his duty, what hardships laura crossed during the way of the sword thing and her fighting multiple strong opponents , she had a nice starting arc with the fie and mercenary thing but it never has gone far. It is like every developement thing is kept for rean bonding event, would have enjoyed the other characters growing friendship When I think of strong relations between characters I think 1st about estelle joshua, kevin ries, tita renne/agate, the entire sss group, but not bewteen cold steel characters, I'm not all for the main character getting all the love from everyone or be worshiped etc Though I must admit rean is really handsome and him having the same sword style as arios a boss character in the former arc is really enjoyable Sorry for long post

[@BobbyTheGamerOfJUSTICE]

Class VII is my personal favorite cast and I felt every character had great development and stories to tell, so I respectfully disagree. You can look forward to my future videos on the other characters where I explain why

[@hack5770]

Class 7 is special miss them so much the game itself taught me how to look after my team mates as a leader should, I have only played jrpgs this is the first time I as rean put everyone wellbeing before his just love them so much ❤️ the game made me feel like I was part of class seven,the best part is when Rean gives his speech before a hard battle u felt he was talking to u also 😆

[@froschdico3767]

REANJUMPSCARE

[@SagetheFallenlord]

What was it with the Cold Steel arc and depressed characters

[@sjstronghold9238]

Reverie had an awesome arc for Rean and C. But clearly they were out of idea for Loyd.

[@copiumuser3134]

The best protagonist in trails. Other trails protagonist not even close to him. Edit :)

[@BobbyTheGamerOfJUSTICE]

@@copiumuser3134 Well IN MY OPINION he is. One of my favorite fictional characters of all time in fact. Sorry. 🤷‍♂️

[@copiumuser3134]

@@BobbyTheGamerOfJUSTICE well let me fix my sentence

[@Kunkunne-lv9wv]

Rean might be the only protagonist that has alot of plot armor than the rest and when those plot armor gone ,He completely almost destroy .He still my third fav protag , first might be Estelle because how real and raw she is ,no super power or plot behind BS .Just a big stick and Ultra Violence baybee , second is Van because he is HIM .

[@zigrakudo4092]

Not his younger not-sister 😅

[@izabelawiatrowska665]

I love chara Rean from 1 trails 😢i knew,dies one will hero without proof

[@luchi91]

The problem with Rean is the inconsistency of its central theme. Yes, he was abandoned and the nobles see him badly BUT his adoptive family loves him unconditionally. He says he doesn't deserve to be in class VII BUT all his classmates can't stop telling him how much they care and love him. He says that he is nothing next to his classmates but it is Rean who solves most of the problems within Class VII by making them look useless without Rean. I think it was a very bad idea to make a character with low self-esteem has a harem because it makes me ask "why does the man who says he's worthless attract all the girls?" The game wants to be a tragic story and a harem fantasy at the same time and that makes me and many other people not take Rean seriously and sorry, I don't think Rean is a deconstruction of the shonen protagonist

[@BobbyTheGamerOfJUSTICE]

@@luchi91 I fail to see how Rean having friends and family who love him means he can’t be depressed, when his depression literally has nothing to do with that. As I explained in the video, his self loathing started because his parents were ridiculed for taking in a commoner. Just because they weren’t bothered by that, it doesn’t change the fact that Rean can’t help help but feel responsible. And that’s not the only factor that plays into his self loathing. If anything, I’d argue his loving family and even the harem STRENGTHENS Rean’s character and his depression. As Rean needs to recognize people care about him despite everything

[@luchi91]

@@BobbyTheGamerOfJUSTICE The problem is not that he has friends but HOW he has them. like I said before. For a character who had low self-esteem, the people around him sure are attracted to him, it feels very forced and sure his self-hatred began because his parents were ridiculed for taking in a commoner. I get it, but I can use the factor that his family (you know, people who are much more important to him than some nobles that he doesn't even know) would have much more weight in how he should see himself but well it seems I can't use that argument. Oh and "the harem STRENGTHENS Rean's character and his depression"...really? the fact that you can romance your teacher and STUDENTS is an important thing for Rean's character and his depression...really? CS4 hotspring scene of rean alone with the girls is character development? is not fanservice at all? ok i was wrong then...

[@BobbyTheGamerOfJUSTICE]

@@luchi91 I meant it represents that people care for Rean. The whole point of Rean’s arc is recognizing that, and realizing making a self sacrifice attempt will only hurt his friends, not save them. I fail to see how the harem ruins this lol

[@luchi91]

@@BobbyTheGamerOfJUSTICE Well, the harem ruins how you perceive the characters since the female characters in the end are more waifus for the player to choose from than characters themselves, you can barely see class vii interact with each other making the friendship in class vii artificial (new class vii have better quemistry between them than the old class vii though...just a little). So all of Rean's sacrifice and the sadness that the group may have for that reason remains empty because you don't believe the friendship that they have in the first place. I mean man, it is no coincidence that people in general put Liberls party and the SSS above from class vii. there are reasons why CS is the most controversial arc of trails, people are not haters just because

[@BobbyTheGamerOfJUSTICE]

@@luchi91 I’m just going to assume you didn’t pay attention to the games then lol. Class 7 is my personal favorite cast and leagues better than the Liberl crew & SSS imo so I massively disagree

[@ChaosEater39]

average trails fan when they get told that rean is a poorly written character and cold steel is mid at best:

[@BobbyTheGamerOfJUSTICE]

Because he’s an amazingly written character and Cold Steel is peak fiction 😁

[@MeadTree]

@@BobbyTheGamerOfJUSTICE He's trash, depressed yet constantly giving lloyd-style motivation speeches in front of the whole class, get the fuck outta here

[@Ninja07Keaton]

Rean is very similar to Ichigo Kurosaki from Bleach. They both go through near identical character arcs, and due to their struggles being predominately internal, most fans fundamentally do not understand these characters. The inconvenience of the Western audience having surface level literacy, but I digress. You won't see that in Japan, as Rean is easily the single most popular character in the series where overseas with Crow right behind him.

[@roxascross3741]

Hey That why we have opinions

[@Konochinchingasuki]

I will be that guy, Get ratio'd

[@kokinfysraviolis1620]

Good video, I disagree completely though... Go watch Kamen Rider OOO. It's way better than Trails of Cold Steel in regards to how it handles it's subject matter. Eiji Hino (The GOAT) >>>> Rean