N - The Endbringer that Never Was ~ A Xenoblade 3 Analysis

Thumbnail art: ‪@NanaDoesArt‬ / nanadoesart / nanadoesart21 / nanadoesart
Production Assistance: @flameguy21 / flameguy22
cut-scenes: ‪@Helsionium‬
Thank you kindly to all parties.
Finally. The N Analysis video. As I promised in the art book lore look over. This is the culmination of months of work. I intended for a release on the 2 year anniversary, but I'll settle for shortly thereafter.
This is my way of declaring with a loud and firm voice. "Yes, it is that deep." Xenoblade 3 is my favorite of the trilogy. And I'm tired of pretending it's not. A lot of the Xeno community has spent the last year and a half gaslighting itself into thinking that it was mid, when they loved it so much in those early days. So much so that even people who do like it vocally nowadays tend to have to have some sort of asterisk attached. "Like yeah I like it, because of the thematic core" or "Well it's not perfect certainly but I like it." or what have you. I'm here to say, hell no, and here's why. It wasn't just recency bias. Those thoughts and feelings we felt were REAL.
Here, i'll be tackling it from the angle of one of the best written characters in the Xeno series, showing how just within this one character, is a tremendous level of thought and care put into his actions and characterization, which culminate in a meaningful and thought provoking story-line.
This is my love letter to Xenoblade 3. And to Xeno in general. I hope you enjoy, and that you might stick around in the future. I've got more gas left in the tank, and will cover other characters one day as well. Next up will be A/Alvis, and their history of the trinity, and what their story embodies for the whole narrative. Don't expect it for quite a while though, fair warning. I burnt through a heck of a lot of my time and motivation with this one, so a creative breaks in order.
#XenobladeChronicles3 #Xenoblade #xenobladechronicles2 #Xenobladechronicles #Nintendo #NintendoSwitch #RPG #Moebius #N #Malos #JRPG

[@diegoborquez6290]

I'll share the thoughts of a Japanese user, which I read in the comments of a xenotuber, about the members of the Trinity Processor, and their function in the story. I found it interesting at the time, and almost poetic. He began by saying that in his particular way of seeing it, the three fulfilled roles that could vary according to the story being told, but that if he had to give them a more fundamental role, it would be the following: Pneuma is the pencil with which an author writes a story, while Logos is the eraser that eliminates the parts that the author doesn't like. Ontos would be the paper where the author's work is captured; and the Author, would be Humanity (*).

[@TheSpaceking12]

That is a pretty solid way of understanding and interpreting the story, yeah.

[@TheSpaceking12]

Video inspired by the works of Monado Rudra, Ontos, Miiks, and imperfect works. Ive long wanted to try and understand this story like those people do.

[@hyliastone286]

"That is all I ask. Believe me, I am always just trying to understand." Don't assume anyone's understanding is perfect, nor look up to them as though they hold some definitive answers you've yet to grasp. They too, like us all, have their blind spots, uncertainties, and doubts. Have faith in yourself, and seek an understanding and perspective all your own. You need not feel obligated to emulate those who came before, neither in style nor in substance. I can hear your efforts to replicate Rudra's mannerisms in your voice. You needn't do so. Trust in yourself, and build a future by strength of your will alone. I believe in you

[@TheSpaceking12]

@@hyliastone286 Thank you for the words of encouragement. Finding my own style will take effort, but it's something I'll work on.

[@hyliastone286]

@@TheSpaceking12 You're most welcome. But more important than your own style, do not be beholden to your inspirations. I've met some of them. They're good people, in my view, but far from perfect.

[@DankUser]

For what its worth, I appreciate your take as much as I do theirs

[@CEOGAPER]

I love when i find videos made by small channels focusing on my hype fixation!!!!!! Great video!

[@TheSpaceking12]

Thank you kindly. I'm going to keep making these kinds of videos. They're very research and editing intensive. So it'll take a while. But I will do my best to impress you and all the others who enjoyed this vid.

[@imperfectworks7064]

Finally got time to listen to this video (while at work, so I couldnt watch it) This is the best N video I've seen, a truly in depth look at N's motivations, specially like his constant denial and self lies and the idea of the failed enbringer. He desire eternity above all others after all, as you said, thays why he couldnt overpower Z as his love for Mio held him from destroying Aionios, instead running away. (maybe this is why the sword sheeth had the Moebius symbol despite Malos not being related to Moebius, N was too Moebius-pilled, and the shape is cosmetic, reflecting the will of the wielder) and only Noah was able to in the end. Even tho he also wished for time to stop in chp5 (M underrated). Also, I too believe and support the idea of Malos/Logos nature being a force of destruction, or became his role permanently during 2. Based on other trinities/similar concepts. First, the name Logos, as Klaus said, means nothing, just the ego of those who named them. BUT, what is a fact is that he is the Male persona of the trinity. In the prior Perfect works adaptation Xenosaga, his equivalent is Chaos, that although has an Alvis/Ontos design, he is the male persona in that universe, the Anima, the failsafe with the ability to destroy the lower domain. The common Trimurty interpretation (Hinduism) There is Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva the destroyer. Which do match the actions of Ontos, Pneuma and Malos respectively. In star wars, The father, the son (dark side) and the daugther (light side). Horizon Zero dawn spoilers, but this post apocaliptic world, the AI Gaia was tasked with rebuilding it with machines (like titans) while the AI Hades was created to oppose/destroy these to force them and Gaia to evolve/survival of the fittest. Many final Fantasy trinities that involve the concepts of creation and destruction. Zanza took both of this roles. And even Alvis, the arbiter, talked about proclaiming the beginning and the end, so makes sense that in the trinity itself there was this failsafe/idea of a cycle. Malos himself displayed anihilation like powers, desintegration, etc. While Pneuma had healing properties (destructive powers whith sirens, but thats what sirens do) and yes Amalthus did influenciate Malos, Klaus did say they made the decision together, and young Amalthus was approaching to Pneuma but chamhed his mind for the cool purple one he chose Logos... or did Logos also chose him? (As in somehow calling for him or Amalthus feeling compatibility) He was drawn to him? Anyways, amazing video, couldn't have said it better myself, in fact I was making an N and Malos video but just little curiosities and parallels, not this much depth and thought, so I'll mention and highly recommend this video at the beginning of it. Great analysis, It truly captures the essence of the character and the plot. Can't wait for what Monolith has planned for all the "now its not the time to explain this" moments

[@TheSpaceking12]

Oh my goodness. Thank you, thank you so much. Your works were a huge inspiration for me. You have no idea how much it means to me that folks ended up liking this video. I'll have more to deliver as well eventually.

[@TheSpaceking12]

By the way I am aware of the couple of mispronunciations that are present in the script. I noticed them in the final pass. But at that point i'd been working on this project for a total of almost 50 total hours. I needed to get this bastard out already.

[@MugenCannon97]

Can't wait for the reveal that Telethia the Endbringer in X was in fact Malos' true driver the whole time.

[@TheSpaceking12]

@MugenCannon97 hehe he. I did think of bringing that up for a joke in early versions of the script. But what seems more likely to be the case with that is that the writing ideas and concepts formulated for that creatures lore most likely were reused and reshaped into what made up malos.

[@BaselardFE]

Fantastic analysis! It's.. unfortunate that Malos just can't seem to find his true driver, no matter the world he's in.

[@TheSpaceking12]

A hope for xenoblade 4.

[@SensDen]

Spectacular video. Thank you for making this and really showing off this incredible character arc

[@TheSpaceking12]

Thank you for the kind words. I hope to continue delivering insightful analysis, in order to show people what it is that makes these stories so special.

[@EvilMike349]

Going to come back to this later when I have time to cry, but this looks awesome. It felt like it was a long time after the game released that I saw people discussing the connection between N and Malos

[@TheSpaceking12]

what'd you think of it?

[@Ontos99]

Watched all of it. Really enjoyed your script. Well done! Your hard work definitely paid off

[@Ontos99]

Hey! Liked the video and will watch it tomorrow asap since it is like 3 a.m where I live. Can't wait to enjoy your 1 hour long analysis soon. Will share my extended thoughts!

[@Ontos99]

Made myself a cup of coffee and watching it now. At 10:45, you've said "N's role" which you meant Logos's vision as the "endbringer". I think it is referred to as the sword of origin as well. But I'd suggest that "being endbringer" (which N was not) is not the duty of Malos or logos in any fundamental sense. Logos (and also Pneuma) is information processing units where its "drivers" are actively shaping its definition. The only difference between Logos and Pneuma in my eyes is that Logos increases the tendency to focus on selfish destructive emotions while Pneuma, the selfless ones. Thats why N's resolve trying to "defeat Z" was broken. Logos was amplifying his suffering of Mio's death in each reincarnation and in turn, that suffering was strengthening Malos' will to transcend this suffering. And the path was paved. The very embodiment of this world. The tyrannical control of humanity as Moebius. Logos crystal was so weak against Z because Z himself was an embodiment of selfishness, and tyrannical control Malos/logos have a propensity to reinforce this tendency in humanity on an intrinsic level. As I argued in my N video, logos represents that primal survival instincts of humanity. The lizard brain if you will. The more you sink into its wavelength, the less you care for the greater good and the more exclusively on "Mio's safety" and "I dont want to suffer anymore" in N's case There is a very intimate and dynamic reciprocal relationship between logos/pneuma and their "drivers". At first Malos was "trying to defeat Z" because N had the will to do do. But as we know, he embraced this world later on. Logos is actively and continuously shaped by its wielder. At first it was used as an "endbringer" but then it embraced this world because it struck a chord with it. The Core crystal continuously follows the "driver's will" as they are only an information processong unit as mentioned by A and Klaus. Malos increased N's self clinging tendencies and in turn was shaped by his suffering rather than having a pre conceived duty as an endbringer. Similarly in XC2, Malos is shaped viscerally by Amalthus. Thats why Melia asks our common variety nopon to find someone "worthy" to give lucky 7 to. The wielder's predispositions and emotions are the very things that defines Pneuma and Logos's worldviews. The endbringer line doesnt quite work because I think lucky 7 is also regarded as "sword of the end", no? But it is clear both of these weapons are used for 2 different purposes. So I personally take "the sword of origin" sword more accurate translation. I'll continue the video now and comment again when a thought comes in. You are doing a great job so far. Really enjoying it

[@flameguy21]

With how long you've been talking about making this video, it's kinda crazy that it's actually done and turned out really well. You definitely gotta do more of these.

[@TheSpaceking12]

Thank you, that means a lot from you. I know the edit isn't perfect, there's a lot of room to improve. But I'm proud of this script, and fully intend to use this video as that kick in the ass I've needed to make more.

[@diegoborquez6290]

36:10 Something important to note: The cutscene was fixed in a post-release update. Originally, the sword that Z presents to N was the Sword of the End (Logos) that N always had, but after the update the sword changes. It's no longer the same one, but a new one (Sword of the Moebius?/Sword of the Z?...). PS: Something similar happens in the DLC during the first battle between N and Na'el, in the Ancient City. N is introduced with Z's sword (cinematic), but then, during their battle and afterwards, he has the Sword of the End (Logos). I think this is a mistake by MonolithSoft, and I haven't verified that it has been fixed, as was done with the cutscene in the base game.

[@TheSpaceking12]

@diegoborquez6290 so I did account for this in the script. The upgrades versions of these blades are seemingly achieved via mixing them with the power of their respective allegiances. Sword of Origin + Ouroboros = Infinity Blade. Sword of the end + Moebius = Eternity blade (what I've dubbed it). I was going to discuss it some. But it didn't mesh particularly well. And there wasn't a whole lot of insight to be gleamed. Other then perhaps, moebius now interfering with Malos's will. But that is almost entirely baseless speculation, which I didn't want to shoot for.

[@diegoborquez6290]

@@TheSpaceking12 What I believe is that after N's ​​defeat against his shadow (Noah) in Agnus Castle, the Sword of the End (Logos) left N. The new sword would be like a representation of Z's will, or a representation of his authority as "administrator" of Aionios. I say this, thinking of Z's own words, in the DLC: The Sword came into the hands of old Noah, in a way that even Z himself does not understand. The will of the Sword, surpasses his understanding of the flow.

[@TheSpaceking12]

To any reddit posters. I am GS_Shitposts. It's not mis-credited.

[@stardust7104]

Are you gonna make a video about m?

[@TheSpaceking12]

Probably not. I think I covered her story fairly well within this video. The next video will actually be covering A/Alvis/Alpha.