The Silver Eyes Are Shallow | RWBY

[@aweckzs]

My main problem with the silver eyes is that its such a "Main Character" ability without influencing her in any way. In Naruto, the fact that he is the host of a dangerous fox spirit influences his entire world view, his dream, the way he interacts with people. In Fullmetal Alchemist, the fact that the Elric brothers have seen the Truth is the catalyst for the entire plot of the show. How does Ruby having silver eyes influence her decisions? How does it influence the plot? What is it in service of, other than being a Cool Thing that the Main Character can Sometimes do? It's uninspired and boring, and like you mentioned, is only ever talked about once or twice when Ruby goes through her show-mandated training arc. All of this, IN ADDITION to RWBY being severely crowded in terms of world building. Dust, semblance, aura, silver eyes, etc etc. It's too much!! It's way too much!

[@Bluelyre]

I agree with the assessment. A while ago i had the idea of silver eyes both costing memories and eventually turning the owner of them in a sort of light equivalent of grimm. Felt like it would be a good way of adding a cost to it while also including the wolf part of the red riding hood reference into ruby.

[@saito1001]

you're right. they could have use Silver Eyes to develop Ruby, but they couldn't even be bother with this for many volumes until they remember "oh shit, Ruby do have something cool we never talked about for 2 volumes straight"

[@koencagurangan3256]

I always thought it would've been a better move to have Ruby start off as the Naive, "i wanna be a hero because it looks cool" type of character, while showing us as she slowly moves towards the serious, "I wanna be a hero because it's the right thing to do" type, with the revelation about her Silver Eyes being the final act to this shift, and the thing that completes this arc. Having her start as that noble, "I want to be a hero because it's the right thing to do" character, largely kills what i think would've been the perfect opening arc for Ruby, learning what it means to be a hero. Like how in V1, when Ozpin approaches her, it's clear she has an overly romanticised view of being a Huntress, this is good, we can use this Fall of Beacon happens, now she knows what exactly being a Huntress entails. It's not full of cool adventures, it's full of death and despair. But as of now, her primary motivation is still to kill Grimm, first and foremost, and she still rushes in recklessly to try and go in for the Kill. Except now, she knows what she'll be encountering along the way, and the type of fucked up shit she'll be seeing Then, we encounter Maria, and Brunswick Farms. Upon finding out how to use her eyes, her motivations shift. She becomes more calculated, instead of rushing into the fight, she takes time to plan and keep both civilian, and team casualties to a Minimum. Instead of Killing Grimm being the primary, it's now her secondary, as she starts prioritizing getting any civilians out of harm's way first, if possible. This shift could be shown in a number of ways, one of which, being her dialogue. Take the Argus Limited train fight for example, when Yang (?) Asks Ruby what their plan is, instead of saying "Don't let anyone else die" she says "Don't let the grimm get any closer" it's subtle, but having her mind immediately think of "Keeping the Grimm away" instead of "Keep the people safe", hints to how civilian safety still somewhat takes a backseat to killing Grimm. Then she meets Maria, Silver Eye revelation happens, and then we skip to Atlas, and the Attack on Mantle. Where we can visibly see Ruby prioritizing civilian lives over killing grim. When a civilian is getting attacked, instead of going for the Grimm, she instead goes for the person, and gets them out of harm's way, before she kills the Grimm. Let's say a Megoliath or something is charging at a group of people, Instead of trying to go for the kill on the Megoliath immediately, she instead plants her Scythe into the Grimm, and steers it away from the people, before attempting the kill. Then we could have this new outlook of hers backfire...somewhat. If you ask me, Atlas only fell because RWBY and Ironwood couldn't cooperate, they couldn't come to a compromise, and ended up choosing between two "eh" plans, instead of taking both ideas and making an actual "good" plan. We could easily have Ruby's desire to protect people cause her (and as a result, the rest of the team) to reject Ironwood's plan entirely, instead of trying to compromise, and when combined with Ironwood's already deteriorating Mental State, it keeps them from cooperating. Now, everything proceeds as normal from here on out Salem arrives, they lose the relics, Atlas Falls, yadda yadda yadda

[@aweckzs]

@@koencagurangan3256 these 3 paragraphs have more characterization for ruby than the 8 volumes combined

[@pitpat2928]

i rlly thought the whole plot was gonna be ruby needing to break from the group to like figure out this weird power she has, or that it would influence her interactions with ozpin beyond “idk guys i think we can trust him bc he knows something abt my weird superpower but refuses to tell me anything”

[@pitpat2928]

its nice to know im not alone in the “rewrote this whole series in my head until i forgot the actual plot and how bad it is” thing. now if i could stop zoning out and inserting myself in the series for hrs thatd be great

[@rusler159]

So I’m not the only one that puts myself in the series

[@Saiavinn]

What? You guys think you're weird somehow for injecting yourselves into a fun story? We're a bunch of nerds on the internet with a beloved connection to an admittedly not-all-that-amazing animated series that I whole-heartedly love despite knowing that fact. I adjust _numerous_ characters from other media and my own imagination to adhere to the RWBY canon. Self-inserts are just one avenue. :D

[@grantlauzon5237]

@TrainerblueTube Cats can see UV, but can’t see red. Red lasers aren’t as bright to them as they are to us. Blake’s gun doesn’t have any sights. What if the moody character who wears black/purple had a black light (UV-A) laser pointer on her gun.

[@mega6662]

Oh yes, my version of rwby in which Adam does care about Faunus and actually let Blake go thinking she just wanted to live a peaceful life, how he only attacks Blake after she ruins Torchwicks mission which get the white gang grunts punished instead, how he has conflicts with himself being a slave of cinder like he was to the SDC before that completely makes him go mad saying “we are facing a inmortal monster who wants to destroy humanity, and I’m not letting the Faunus die fighting a un-winnable war for those who have attacked us since our origins” and how at he’s death he says “I’m sorry I failed” A version of rwby Penny doesn’t die in volume 8 and how Penny is Ruby’s emotional support A version of volume 9 in which they fall to a world made of their four colors and the characters have to face their flaws (Ruby facing her mistakes, Blake facing her cowardice, Yang facing her self absorbed euphoric pride and Weiss facing her father one last time) to show their character development and to give development to others (also to make something that isn’t a copy of wonderland) A version of rwby James died at the end of volume 7 and Jacques took control of Atlas making the final battle between a traitor of Salem (Jacques) the heroes running from a military that’s doing everything James would have hated (rwby and jnpr) and Salem’s forces A version in which merlot is mentioned and Hazel’s backstory makes sense (Ozpin closed the tunnel of mountain gleen earlier causing Hazel’s sister to die trapped there) Roman survived and is Ozpin’s host making the distrust to Ozpin more understandable while also putting a good character in the main cast has we put there the events of Roman holiday while making the apathy lore important (the brumstick farm was Roman’s childhood home before he had a entire unmentioned part of why he’s so cynical about huntsman adding something to Emerald’s backstory while showing he once meet Summer during the Vytal festival so he can contribute something to Ruby’s character) and to be the grey character by criticizing team rwby the most blunt way possible and revealing the secrets to ironwood to gain he’s trust making everything for team rwby worse once Jacques takes over Salem actually having a fight scene, the hound being summer from the start, showing why Salem’s minions joined her And cinder dies, replacing her by the Hound which is a much more personal foe for ruby

[@britishmushroom]

Ngl that’s me too 😂

[@theamazingmaymay123]

I like how this come out the same day as Trope Talk: Pure Hearts. 😂😂 fitting

[@Dragiare]

I was just thinking the same lol

[@KokaKola633]

It was meant to be

[@princeOpalite3650]

I literall watched that first because of this comment 😂

[@Hexnus]

Just finished that trope talk and this was in my feed.

[@zanyawesome30]

Literally just finished that video

[@RedMagius]

While watching, I started thinking about how the silver eyes are a light-based ability, and Weiss is a _mirror_ themed character [at least superficially]. So, I don't know, maybe Weiss could have her glyphs evolve to be giant mirrors that redirect Ruby's light, like a combo attack. And then maybe Yang, who's got that fire theme, makes the silver eyes more powerful and able to take down bigger Grimm as their combo. And then maybe the more Ruby uses the silver eyes, the more 'light corrupted' she becomes, and she starts losing control and has light shooting out of her eyes constantly and becomes effectively blind, and since Blake is the 'shadow' character, she could absorb the overflow of light and 'heal' Ruby. I dunno man, I'm tired, but I hate that this show has these little kernels of things that _could_ be really cool and are fun to think about, but they're never going to be more than that in actual canon.

[@itsmefm]

Yooooo this sounds amazing! Perfectly combining the girls abilities and making them seem like an actual team! I'd read this fanfic for sure

[@Karlos1234ify]

Why didn’t they hired you as a writer?

[@alfianfawzi2064]

Please allow me to steal this idea because this is neat as heck lol XD

[@RedMagius]

@@Karlos1234ify I would have made the show Too Gay

[@elusivo3347]

@@RedMagius same

[@ancat7489]

The first time she used her Silver Eyes was in a moment of grief and hopelessness with tears streaming down her face right after seeing Pyrrha killed in front of her, we watched it literally reflected off her eyes. Then come Volume 5 she has to find her happy place for them to work and they're no longer wings they're just boring flash bulbs. WTF?

[@jeremy1860]

My issue with the silver eyes is mostly because of what it does to Ruby's character and her role in the story. Before their power was shown to us, Ruby was, to me, the hero of the tale because of who she was. An optimistic, compassionate girl who was going up against these dark forces because of her innate desire to help others, overwhelming odds be damned. People were drawn to her because of how good and brave a person she was, thus resulting in her more and more becoming a leader. But with the silver eyes? Suddenly she's the hero not because of who she is, but because she was born with the super-special-awesome kill switch for the bad guys. It basically made her a born "chosen one", which is a character archetype I've had many issues with over the years 😟

[@knucklejoe26]

I mean, I wouldn't call her a chosen one. There ARE other people with silver eyes, it's just rare because salem is actively making SURE its rare by killing off people who have it.

[@yummychips_]

i just wished they gave better backstory and ellaboration to the silver eyes. Like.... you have to just assume a lot, based off of very small details. Like silver eyes warriors are in hiding, not many around, because salem is hunting them. Like this is more assumed, and not actually said. There is so much "fill in the blank" in theorizing, than actually solid facts. We know about the silver eyes since the first episode and that their important, the problem is that it isn't ever fleshed out or properly written ino the plot. Like an easy thing could have been, Yang knowing about the effects since they were little, like Ruby used it when they were in trouble. Ozpin gving the lecture for the history and legend of silver eyed warriors, beyond just saying they were legendary warriors. I mean Ozpin has existed for so long, and he obviously knows of them. He could have gave a more in depth and proper explaination, even touching on Ruby mom. Instead we get a random old lady to do that. It is a lil nonsense and to coinincidental, that its just bad writing. I really didn't mind her being a choosen one, I just hated how it was poorly expanded on. Even to this moment, we have no clue about her mom, which seems pretty important regarding her death and salem. Like the inroduction of Salem was good, because we knew about her for a while, knew she was dangerous and up to no good. We get backstory on it. I didn't like the way she goes crazy, but still it was backstory. Still nothing on silver eyes and Ruby mom.

[@Cinadraws]

So, naruto?

[@thomasraines1396]

@@knucklejoe26 it’s like with Dark Souls, the main character is A chosen one not THE chosen one, there’s been several others but they’ve either gone insane or given up.

[@DocMicrowave]

Sounds like the new Star Wars.

[@elusivo3347]

I’ve had this idea in my RWBY rewrite that Ruby’s Silver Eyes in early volumes have been shown as her eyes glittering and sparkling whenever Ruby shows positive emotions, whenever Ruby sees a weapon (an aspect the writers and show have forgotten) she fangirls and her eyes glitter like stars, this foreshadows the full potential of what the Eyes can do and unlike the show which has no concrete identity or definition of the Silver Eyes, the Eyes in my rewrite represent Love Edit: whenever Ruby expresses positive emotions, her Silver Eyes illuminate

[@venzivenzivenzi]

I love that idea. Volume 1 had quite a few details hidden in the animation, like Pyrrhas semblance or Blakes bow twitch. This wouldve been great!!!

[@elusivo3347]

@@venzivenzivenzi Thanks, I figured showing Ruby’s eyes sparkle when she expresses joy to people or to weapons is a great way to foreshadow the true strength and power of the Silver Eyes, I even have a concept in mind that opposes the Silver Eyes representing love, I thought of Golden Eye Warriors, Golden Eyes represent evil, malice and hatred, opposing the holy nature of the Silver Eyes

[@nenmaster5218]

Oh, how cute, youre like a much, much smaller version of Hbomberguy. In the sense of youre constructive criticism of RWBY, which Hbomberguy has done Best.

[@averageanimefan519]

I wish the Silver Eyes served more for Ruby's character rather than a tool for the plot. Maybe in Volume 8 we could have seen Ruby being scared that she would somehow turn out like the Hound because of her Silver Eyes. Maybe Ruby could have tried to research her eyes or train them in Volume 5. And in Volume 6 Ruby could have realized that the silver eyes could be the reason why her mom is MIA and that Salem is behind it. I wish there were connections with the Silver Eyes that tied into emotions of Ruby. But it never comes across that way. Even when her struggle with them in Volume 6 & 7 didn't mean much because now it seems like she can use them pretty easily.

[@commandertempest6391]

I was thinking that the silver eyes should have a reverse effect whenever Ruby gets angry/depressed/sad that causes them to start destroying the aura of people around her. Create a character arc there where Ruby is trying to do things on her own or something.

[@DocMicrowave]

The Hound was frightening and unexpected. If there was ever an excuse for Ruby to hesitate to get her eyes up, that would have been it. However, she knows Cinder. She had no problem flashing her on sight ever since her first time in V3 when she knew nothing about Silver Eyes. But now at the end in V8, with multiple opportunities she cannot flash Cinder. This goes into the same contrived trash bin as Blake being the only one to try a save a falling Yang after Yang was one-shotted by the likes of Neo.

[@thomasraines1396]

@@DocMicrowave yes but they had to contrive a win for Cinder, all in the name of making her seem like she actually matters.

[@DocMicrowave]

@@thomasraines1396 Contrived!? lol, they pretty much made her as powerful as Salem that last episode of V8. Trashing Everyone who opposed her. RWBY, Jaune, Penny, even Neo. Without suffering so much as an aura flicker. I'm sure if Winter stuck around CRWBY would have had to contrive a way for Cinder to wipe the floor with as well. Better to just get Winter out of there so that wouldn't happen. The episode as a whole already had quite a few controversial scenes. Doesn't matter that pre-maiden Winter was able to actual put some damage on Cinder a the end of V7. Writers would have had Winter loose, badly, somehow. By my estimation, maiden Winter should have been able to clean Cinder's clock. Ahem, perhaps comparing Cinder's power level to Salem was a bit much. After all, Salem was taken down and out of action by the second third of V8. By the way, I worry about the outcome of a Cinder v Raven 2 fight. It doesn't matter that in their first fight Raven schooled Cinder. I am expecting Raven to get killed off soon. And if they fight again, CRWBY will pull something out of the air to have Cinder beat/kill Raven. Perhaps the excuse will be that Raven will be handicapped protecting Yang or something.

[@thomasraines1396]

@@DocMicrowave they’ll come up with some excuse to have her win.

[@TheWarmachine375]

Ruby: "Solar Flare!" The Hound: "AAAAH MY RAGE IS BLINDING ME!"

[@lilyovalle7254]

In my Rewrite, the Silver Eyed Warriors were created by Umbra (The God of Darkness) kinda to prove a point to his brother. They are the closest a human can get to the Grimm, because they are supposed to be the link between humanity and those creatures. Umbra created them because he wanted to prove to his brother that humans were so afraid of him that they would kill his creations even if it meant attacking their neighbors (and he was right about that lol). My version of the grimm are also silver eyed, so that's the connection between them and the warriors. The SEW were given powers that were related to Knowledge and Destruction (both concepts attributed to Umbra), they could see EVERYTHING around THEM when their eyes were activated, and they could infuse their weapons with an alternative form of Aura that caused a lot of damage. It was ideal to kill grimm but also very proficient killing humans. The only disadvantage was that they needed to use negative emotions to fuel their powers, and it caused their grimm-ness to become even more apparent. To the point that they could become ultra intelligent grimm like the Hound. Depending on the location and culture, a baby with Silver Eyes could be considered a bless or a curse of the village because they didn't only had those powers I talked about, they were also able to control the Grimm and communicate with them.

[@RoseGarden17]

Oh yeah!! I remember seeing your other comment about your rewrite

[@lilyovalle7254]

@@RoseGarden17 Hello, bestie!

[@RoseGarden17]

@@lilyovalle7254 Sorry for the silence on sending you the document for my own rewrite, KZbin doesn't let comments have links apparently. And the silver eyes concept here is really neat

[@lilyovalle7254]

@@RoseGarden17 You may send it to me through Twitter, maybe (?)

[@RoseGarden17]

@@lilyovalle7254 Hmm, I don't use Twitter. Is there another option we could do? Sorry about this

[@Aurora-313]

When I used to write fanfic for RWBY, I tied the Silver Eyes trigger to rage and anger. To use them effectively, one had to get so enraged they'd make a Khornite berserker blush with envy. So characters like Ruby who tries to rely on optimism, negotiation and reason ultimately _couldn't_ use them to their potential. The emotions _required_ to use them are so antithetical to her character that she can't even reliably set them off, even in the presence of a Grimm. So I'd make it that in Ruby's attempts to harness her power, she ends up completely and emotionally exhausted from it to the point of regarding the power as a curse, until she learns that while anger and wrathful intention is required, they don't always have to spawn from a dark place of vengeance. She learns that righteous fury works just as well as a berserker rage. I'd also contrast her quite a bit with my interpretation about Summer who, despite seeming a sweetheart to her children, was ALL about 'paying evil onto evil' retribution thing. Moreover: I refused to link them to Not-Greek-God-Fanfic-caricatures. To me, Silver Eyes were a rare 1-5% result of a human and a faunas having a perfect hybrid child. To go with the theme of 'only by working together can we defeat the Grimm'.

[@cureidolsmile9820]

Did anyone else think that silver eyes would have to do something with the broken moon? Also, since it’s a power that involves petrifaction, you’d they’d see that as an opportunity to include a certain gorgon from Greek mythology

[@JinSeiryuu]

I would have preferred if the silver eyes acted something similar to the sharingan with amaterasu where it's a Holy light that she can engulfed herself into giving her a boost in power and even shape-shifting her Cresent Rose

[@wander1139]

i think it would work but keep the cost of sharingan wear it will blind you eventually it would give a reason for there reputation but also would add a flaw to keep it from being spammed like how the sharingan ended up

[@Lh0000]

Adding into the sharingan (technically mangekyo) idea, why not have it do that, it gives her a boost in power, but the cost is the power is so strong it tends to cause backlash to the user, (so more like the kaioken then the sharingan), and if she can’t keep it under control she genuinely risks hurting herself and others.

[@JinSeiryuu]

@@Lh0000 oh that is a cool idea

[@nfilexd]

The idea of the Wyvern’s stoney state crumbling away over the course of the show as a reflection of the the worldview through the mind of Ruby herself is so god damn cool omg I can’t

[@greyworld6242]

Ruby: “I have no more questions!” Me: “Bitch are you kidding me!?” We should’ve gotten the silver eyes explained to us back in vol 4 or 5 not 6! And Qrow and/or Oz could’ve done this. There’s actually no reason Maria even needed to be a character actually when you really think about it. Unicorn please do the relics when we get the sword of destruction. Wish we had a darkside for silver eyes that developed if the user gains too much negativity but can change back what they where previously but still have the dark aspect there in the background. Kind of like a balancing scale.

[@thomasraines1396]

Maria was only there to serve as her mentor and even that fails because the way the eyes work are so arbitrary, she’s not even needed.

[@greyworld6242]

@@thomasraines1396 yep.

[@thomasraines1396]

@@greyworld6242 it’s crazy. They could’ve at least have Ozpin or Qrow be unable to answer so at least then she would have a actual reason to exist by virtue of everyone else being literally unable to do it.

[@greyworld6242]

@@thomasraines1396 yep!

[@thomasraines1396]

@@greyworld6242 but then again this is the same world where racism and slavery are somehow still a thing despite the monsters of the series would be attracted to the negative emotions those things would produce and tries to have a anti military message when in a world like Remnant a fully functioning, fully organized military would be seen as a absolute necessity.

[@Proiteus]

The sad truth is that elements in RWBY serve one of two purposes; Getting a reaction from the viewer and plot convenience. With story and character being considered after that. As you mentioned before Ren's new evolved semblance power allows him to explain how characters feel, while Silver eyes allow Ruby to end a fight scene abruptly when the writers feel like it such as in Vol 7.

[@DocMicrowave]

I fully agree. Instant gratification to make a scene work. But no consideration for the future, or even followup sometimes. Example: Emerald Who, thanks to events in V8 now has her semblance suddenly propped up to insane levels of OP. She can now use it on Grimm. (who have no souls.) She can use it on more than 2 people. (Without even breaking a sweat.) She can use it on a computer. (Penny. An ability I am sure will never be seen again. It was just needed to make the scene work.) She can use it at length. (Again, without breaking a sweat or showing any kind of difficulty or after effects.) She can even use it on the big bad herself, Salem! (Weak minded??) All without any new checks and balances being declared. She will be this OP, until plot says she isn't. Just like with Silver Eyes. I suspect Emerald in V9 will be given the same treatment as Ruby in V8. Kept mostly away from any situations where her semblance would be most helpful. Minimizes difficulty for the writers trying to explain why her semblance isn't used or working for a particular situation.

[@bryana.escaleralopez]

@@DocMicrowave Emerald’s semblance is the most broken thing ive seen in the entire show😭 No wonder they made her switch sides. Idk how she started a minion of a minion. 😂

[@DocMicrowave]

@@bryana.escaleralopez Yep, but I guarantee you, the writers will not know how to properly deal with this blank check of a semblance that they gave Emerald. So, I predict you won't be seeing allot of her in action in V9. The writers keep her in the background, or a separate mission, away from the Hero's so that they won't have to write in her so very broken semblance. We certainly don't want the same debacle with Marrow and his semblance now do we. It is so disappointing seeing the writers do stuff like this. - Ruby Suddenly can't use Silver Eyes while standing in front of Cinder at the end of V8. - Penny forgetting she has Lasers when really needed. - Neo forgetting her capabilities so that Cinder can cheaply knock her off a cliff. - Watts, smartest criminal mind on the show, made stupid so that he can be killed off. - Hazel being able to catch and hold Salem?? Who can turn into smoke! - The two characters most capable of saving a falling Yang seem to have forgotten what they can do so that we can enjoy a BB moment. - Cinder is suddenly so powerful she can body everybody at the end of V8, without taking any damage. Power scaling in this show is insane.

[@DocMicrowave]

@@bryana.escaleralopez Also, the power of her semblance is not the reason the writers had her switch side.

[@KUROFEYMURPHY]

Oh my gosh Convergence was so amazing especially early on when their powers and bonds actually went into the magic. Top convergences Flora and Aisha healing a forest. Musa, Techna and Aisha freezing time. Good moments.

[@bryana.escaleralopez]

Original Winx Club was peak writting

[@Gungelion]

If I may be allowed a moment on my soap box. I did agree with what you said about what the silver eyes are supposed to represent but I would like to take a moment to talk about that in particular, and a little bit about Ruby herself. (Side note: I actually think what your friend suggested is what the show is going for) The silver eyes are supposed to be symbolic in nature. It's supposed to represent the ability to look beyond the darkness of the world. Something that was always part of Ruby's character from day one when she first met Blake. She had knowledge of the world was unfair, unjust and cruel, but she said that was why hunters exist, to fight to change that. They say the greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist, but I just agree. The greatest lie of evil is that it is absolute, a necessary part of the world and that there is no point in fighting that. That the world will always be unfair and unjust and "that's just how the world works" as people say. The silver eyes represent the ability to acknowledge the injustice of the world but to also see beyond it. To not just see how the world is but what it could be. What made Ruby an interesting character is from the very beginning was showcased in that episode where the teacher asked each member of team RWBY their motivations for being hunters... EXCEPT Ruby. As her sister explained, Ruby never needed an overly complicated reason for doing what she did, she just wanted to help people. People have always complained about Superman and Goku being flat characters and thereby can't be interesting. But as many have pointed out the value of a flat arc character comes from how the world reacts to them, not the other way around. Now that the series always do a good job utilizing her character? No. But if there is one thing about RWBY that I would die defending, it is the core of her character does not need to be changed. Some character growth? Fine. Some character exploration? Fantastic! Facing difficulties? That was never in question that she would. But in my honest opinion RWBY simply cannot exist without Ruby and her silver eyes. They are at the very core of what Monty was trying to say with the series. There is always hope for a brighter tomorrow.

[@DocMicrowave]

But, but this is Cinder! Someone she has dealt with before! Had never had a problem flashing her on sight since V3 (before she even knew what Silver Eyes was.) You could say that it was instinctive. Yet in V8, suddenly she can't. Despite all the carnage Cinder is causing around her. Not to mention Cinder suddenly inexplicably had no fear of the Silver Eyes. Which I guess had to happen in order for the scene to play out the way it did. I also suspect that is why the writers kept Ruby and her Eyes out of play at a tea party at Weiss's for most of the volume. Away from any major Grimm. Minimizing the risk of having to explain why they work or don't work in various situations. There just no excuse that could explain this away, imho. Other than thoughtless bad writing.

[@vidmuncher]

"There's always hope for a brighter tomorrow" ...and that brightness has to come from within *eyes light up*

[@DocMicrowave]

@@vidmuncher I lost that hope at the end of V7....

[@derrickdaniels3955]

I like your friends take on the power, it gives the power weight to it.

[@WwZa7]

I remember there was that sick fanart, which showed Ruby with silver eyes glowing like long flames, which kinda looked like these were some kind of wings, and her holding a glowing scythe made of light, as she floated above Cinder on the tower, where she first used Silver Eys. This art was assuming that silver eyes will give her some form of immense power, but it is her who still has to use that power. And that would be infinitely better than just a power that deletes everything evil...

[@TheWarmachine375]

I just want Silver Eyes to blast people with lasers, not flash them!

[@DocMicrowave]

Lol, Ruby asked about that. Maria said no.

[@ALtheuncommonicedragon8360]

This video is so on point. The silver eyes are SO POORLY HANDLED!!! It’s been used to resolve numerous conflicts without any real substance to figuring it out. It just makes Ruby look like a bad protagonist. They could have had her using silver eyes come with a cost of some sort to give it more substance, but it’s just tiresome & endlessly shallow. Also first.

[@DocMicrowave]

That seems to be a general problem with the writing. They give characters OP abilities to make a scene work on the short run. But fail to follow through or even consider how to handled these abilities in the future and long term. Look as Emerald. Suddenly her semblance was made way too OP. She can use it on Grimm, She can use it on more than two people at once and not even break a sweat. She can use it on a computer (Penny). She could even use it on the Big Bad herself, Salem. (Does this mean Salem has a weak mind?) The writers pretty much gave Emerald a blank check on her abilities now. No limitations. Like Silver Eyes, these abilities were done to make a scene play out a certain way. The writers will not know how to handle Emerald and her abilities going forward with out making it look contrived or illogical. I am betting in V9 Emerald won't get much screen time or be put in situations where her semblance would be most useful.

[@jacintacapelety9600]

"Please check out my book." Me who has a copy of the book, but also only recently got my hands on a copy of Roman's Holiday, the latest Zelda Twilight Princess manga, and some additional Zelda mangas: I have *so much READING TO DO* !

[@grantlauzon5237]

I remember Lindsey Jones (VA of Ruby) constantly mentioning that Ruby’s optimism and can do attitude is a façade (red like roses pt2) and that she would eventually have to deal with it. The last time I remember her saying something like that was probably around V5-6. But, like Ruby I’m still optimistic that this will happen in V9 right guys. It’s only been a decade since her mom died and 5 seasons since Pyrrha died.

[@smontherun1430]

Thomas once again providing 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@Finding_Your_Way-z9y]

Also Mercury has silver eyes. (More grey than silver. But still)

[@kidcircuit1955]

The worst part about that is how good an idea it seems. The good guys' strongest weapon, in the hands of a villain. High potential there.

[@WarmLillie]

All that glitter, isn’t truly sliver

[@DonniedrakoE]

Honestly the silver eyes are such a fumbled bag. For two whole volumes they were almost an after thought on their introduction and then when they finally do come back they come with an activation requirement that turn the Grimm into even more of a joke. Which leaves me wondering what was their point anyway

[@mercury2157]

RWBY is comprised almost entirely of fumbled bags

[@DocMicrowave]

Lol, that isn't the only thing that's been fumbled.

[@vidmuncher]

Salem. Salem is the point. Silver eyes were always "Perk Gluttony" but for RWBY. Ruby and Maria just get ONE more option to hurt the Grimm than everyone else. But we all know it's gonna be used to weaken Salem

[@DocMicrowave]

@@vidmuncher I always had a theory that Salem got her scars from a battle with Summer Rose. Being hit by her Silver Eyes. Your thought that Ruby will use her eyes to weaken Salem has merit. But the way this show is going now a days, I don't know. Logic and reason has taken a back seat to pandering and virtue signalling.

[@redstonemecha7716]

To be honest, until Ruby turned the giant dragon to stone I completely ignored the fact that Ruby's eyes were silver. To me it was just a normal eye color at the time.

[@Godzilla-tu2cd]

I almost forgot the silver eyes "plot point"

[@Finding_Your_Way-z9y]

Ruby eyes are like Bloom dragonfire.

[@theone146]

To me the Silver Eyes are another example of CRWBY ripping something off from a more popular media without understanding why it worked in that setting. The Silver Eyes are clearly taken from the Patronus Charm from Harry Potter, the scenario's in which each power is fully mastered by the protagonist is even similar. It's been explained to me that the scene where Harry saves his past self from the Dementors is him realizing that the adults aren't going to save him and he has to save himself, RWBY tried this in Vol 6 and it made no sense. The Patronus Charm only works because it's defensive and only effective against a single enemy that's rarely encountered which is something CRWBY failed to notice...somehow.

[@msk-qp6fn]

Personally I saw the silver eyes a reference to Athena since she is described to have grey/bright/gleaming silvery eyes. So I was hoping Ruby to becoming the most insightful but nope

[@falconeshield]

It's an Avatar state rip off too

[@effortlessfury]

It's most obviously a reference to the classic detail that Silver is an effective weapon against Werewolves.

[@bryana.escaleralopez]

The silver eyes were taken from Avatar. Aang eyes were grey and represented strong connection to the spirits e.g. aura/bending not magic. But saying silver is COOLER Now the power they made up by having those eyes? Yep. Stolen from Harry Potter and thrown into the show

[@kingraplhmativo5178]

I guess Sliver eye was created to defeat Cinder with Fall Maiden powers.

[@DocMicrowave]

Hah!

[@WarmLillie]

I say Double or nothing. They will use this fairytale as backbone for what going to happen.

[@lycusdelanacht3320]

It's only after watching this that I vaguely remember in season 1 Ozpin goes "Huh, you have silver eyes.. interesting.." And ruby is legitimately confused by his interest but he chose not to elaborate on it, outside of i think(dont really remember) making some remark about how she's a "special girl" I do wish they were handled better, and not just a deus ex machina, but one would have hoped at some point Ruby would have gone to Ozpin and just said "Hey, I remember back when we first met you made a comment about my eyes. You knew didn't you? What else do you know about it?" To at least give a way to explain and maybe give some shred of life to it but i also feel they may have just forgotten that little detail.

[@mikerueffer579]

I thought the reveal was going to be that Ruby's eye's are the result of one of Ozpins experiments.

[@TheWarmachine375]

Silver Eyes are like glorified flashlights in a nutshell.

[@Lh0000]

… pfft, now I’m just imagining ruby with like robot lightbulb eyes, leading the way for her friends in a cave or something.

[@anirbandaschoudhary2874]

RWBY all volumes have so much potential, but the writers never use it properly and I wonder why😑

[@wahajhaider6313]

MONEH

[@qaztim11]

Incompetence, lack of planning, strict deadlines, bad writing, excessive pandering, but the biggest of all is a lack of vision for the show, every other season it seems like they go back to the drawing boars as to what they want the show to be, seasons 1-3 may be a lot messier and meandering than the newer seasons(except volume 5) but they had a way more consistent and unique tone. A lot of the times it feels like they are just copying stuff from better shows/anime instead of using it as inspiration to do their own things. The best parts of modern RWBY (apathy Grimm, Maria's gravity scythes, the music, ironwood vs watss) are always the original bits that are not trying to copy anime or better shows

[@DocMicrowave]

@@qaztim11 Well said! You sized up the last 4 or so volumes in a nutshell. Also, things to the issues you mentioned, the show has also gotten more predictable. As long as the show continues with pandering and pushing progressive themes to illogical levels, you can pretty much figure out how things will play out. Who will survive. Who can and will die. Who can flip sides, and who can't.

[@DocMicrowave]

@@wahajhaider6313 Lol, doesn't seem to working out well for them.

[@MichealHolt]

I think what determines vaporization versus petrification is the size of the Grimm. The eyes vaporize any Grimm that's small enough (Apathy, God of Light vs Beowolves) but will petrify a Grimm that's too large (Wyvern, Leviathan, Maria vs Nevermore). I don't know where the threshold would be. Still, yeah, it could have definitely be done better.

[@ShizuruRavenRobin026]

Some told me it was said in one of the volume commentaries I think it was volume sixes volume commentary section where they mentioned that silver eye warriors are all related to one of the lives of ozma has had with a like mined soul Their a theory in Tumblr by compassrose about Rwby eyes and how she maybe a god who lost their god like powers to keep oz alive At this point fans make better sense of silver eyes then the writers of the show does

[@zgamer200]

1:53 - Yknow I hadn't thought about this moment too hard before beyond, "Well that was awkward af" on the part of Ozpin to say Ruby had silver eyes right to her face, but I completely agree with you that I wonder why this moment wasn't better written. Sure, the writing team knew that Ruby having silver eyes was important or they wouldn't point it out, but we as the audience didn't know that, so there had to have been a better, more subtle way to foreshadow their importance other than basically saying, "HEY GUYS RUBY'S EYE COLOR IS IMPORTANT!!!" Personally how I would've done it if they were determined to not bring them up again until way later for some reason would've been to have a separate scene at the end of episode 1 where Ozpin and Goodwitch are having a 1-on-1 talk about why Ozpin let Ruby into the academy 2 years early(which also really needed further justification imo), and he could list things such as the potential he saw in her during the fight with Torchwick and co., how she built her own weapon, that she was tutored in how to use a scythe by the greatest scythe fighter in the world, etc. And then at the very end of it he could add that, "I also thought she had good eyes." For us as an audience we'd likely think something along the lines of, "Oh, so he saw a lot of fire and determination in Ruby's eyes and he thinks it'll let her succeed as a Huntress. Pretty typical stuff for the old wise mentor to notice about the MC" but in reality would actually be a subtle hint about Ruby having silver eyes being very important which would've given the audience a fun "Aha!" moment when they properly got down to explaining why silver eyes were important. Instead what we got was just so... Forced, heavy handed and frankly very disappointing.

[@GoldenAlphaOmni]

A sad thing about silver eyes is that the story had elements that could of come together to give them a price for using them but, and I think you pointed this out if I remember correctly, the writers are too focus on one plot thread that they ignore all the ones they accidently set up. After seeing that Maria is blind and that she did have silver eyes I thought they were setting up a reveal that the power makes you go blind, but then they went "nah someone just cut her eyes out". I thought they would do the blind option because it could have let to an amazing setup for Qrow and Summer where his bad luck causes a blinding at the worst moment, getting her killed.

[@trodyr00_47]

And suddenly Sarada going to the library to look up what the Sharingan are came into mind.

[@falconeshield]

Sarada is smarter than Ruby, big surprise

[@cherrydreampalladin9784]

Idk how good this idea would be on paper but if I had to rewrite the silver eyes I would just completely erase them from the story. Because they were so irrelevant in the first place that we had to wait until volume 6 to get a proper explanation and I feel that they are just an incovenient weight to the plot and its main character. The writers already have to juggle with a lot of power systems (semblances, aura, dust, magic, maidens,...) and I personally don't like the "mc is especial because of rare superpower" trope. I'd rather have Ruby be especial because of her active actions and willingness to change the world for the best, not because she has the power of God and anime on her side. Great video as always by the way!

[@hilken]

I don't know, the silver eyes by themselves aren't that bad and the idea of making Ruby descendant of a special tribe of warriors is innocent enough (for me at least), if I had to rewrite RWBY I would just take away the "laser beam" bit and put something else, like that the people of silver eyes where desendants of an ancient tribe that was almos obliterated by the grimm, with no mystic power whatsoever but maybe lost knowledge that was demmed to dangerous by someone (let's say Salem to don't rewrite everything), or maybe that their aura had some extra feature that isn't OP, like that their aura "recharges" faster or that they have more than any other people, that it's more effective when in comes to protection and/or regeneration, maybe even that it hurts and repels Grimm (but doesn't outright kill them like the "laser beam" of canon).

[@bryana.escaleralopez]

@@hilken Ruby being decentant of a warrior race would have been so great to explore but now is just: yeah, we exist, we are hunted and we barely use the silver eyes powers anyways. In hunter x hunter you got nen where everything has an explanation.

[@elusivo3347]

Yasssss more RWBY content

[@tacticstories7159]

It's amazing how boring each aspect of the show is turning out, after introducing it as important. Silver eyes, dust, maidens. Like they have so much to play with and just gloss over it.

[@DocMicrowave]

Part of what is making it boring is that it has become more predictable. Thanks in part to the pandering and virtue signalling.

[@keojiabrown6807]

I thought the warrior in the woods was a parallel to summer.....I mean Tai was telling the story so I thought he was reminiscing about her.......

[@KwakyWacky]

I think Silver Eyes should have an impact in others as well. Like Ruby can’t just always use them because “Hooray you petrified the hound! But also you gave Weiss third degree burns.” This could also tie into that really cool repression link you had, as it shows how repressing not only impacts yourself, but the people around you. It would also explain what the hell happened to Cinder in volume 3

[@lordsinister707]

Finally someone talked about this. This video is on point and perfect. I mean one of the biggest problems I have with the show and particularly Ruby is the fact that her abilities feel "thrown together". The writers are trying so hard to make her some type of complex character without actually putting in the leg work. Then the best response people can come up with people highlight this problem is..."Dude, it's anime logic". A prime example of this is Penny's explanation of Ruby's semblance that made no sense whatsoever. Or the contradiction of Yang's power being able to absorb damage but has aura to block damage.

[@thekingofcookies4877]

We know way more about maidens than we do for the MAIN CHARACTER'S SUPERPOWER.

[@HK-ud3re]

Seeing Safiya in this video was unexpected, but very welcome

[@Crazieyboy15]

I'd like to take this moment to remind everyone that Ruby was born with a freaking AOE Grim instant kill THAT HAS NO DRAWBACK FROM USE, but made no attempt to head to the front lines to use them against Salem's forces. She denied Iornwood any reasonable chance to save at least some lives to stay and fight an unwinnable battle....then proceeds to waste time drinking tea instead of making use of a power that could likely destroy half of Salem's army in one fell swoop. And even more to the point, now that I think about it, why the hell didn't she use her Silver Eye's to completely incapacitate Cinder? This is just nonsense.

[@DocMicrowave]

If I may provide possible answers to your statements. Plot had Ruby go to Atlas, keeping her as far away from Grimm as possible. Cooling her heals at a tea party. Saves the writers from having to explain why she can or can't use Silver Eyes on Grimm at any given moment. She could not be depicted as out right assisting/trusting Ironwood. The Box Ironwood was written into had to assure that he would be come a villain. Bringing Ruby back into the picture when it was away too late. This way it would look like Ruby was right all along and Ironwood was not deserving of any assistance from her. As for using SE to incapacitate Cinder? The plot called for Cinder to have a big win (this time). So a lot of contrived and illogical actions were written to insure that Cinder was this unstoppable force that no one could match, while making the heroes helpless before her, taking on contrived losses. This includes Ruby not being able to flash Cinder on site for the first time in the show's history. Despite all the carnage Cinder was causing around her. And to drive that ridiculously written point home, Cinder showed absolutely NO concern about being hit with SE this time. Bottom line, Bad (probably rushed) Writing. Prioritizing pandering and virtue signalling over logic. No attention to detail, reason or lore. This is probably why we don't even have a date for V9 premiere yet. I already figured they were rewriting things after the mess V8 left behind. I wouldn't be surprised if CRWBY was forced to rewrite some of the rewrites after seeing some of these critique videos on youtube.

[@vicentetemes5793]

Being fully honest, when Ozpin brought the silver eyes up in the first episode it went completely below my radar. I didn't assume the message being communicated was "Ruby's eyes are special and mysterious and noteworthy", I assumed it was "Ozpin is kind of a weirdo, he's doing a Dumbledore thing", and I expected he'd also point out random stuff in later private conversations. And then, when those conversations came, I completely forgot about it so it didn't really matter to me up until they actually brought up her eyes were actually the source of magic love lasers, which really only happened in like V6 because frankly eye lasers is such a vague anime power I didn't even link the two.

[@ian-michaeljones8825]

Cinder’s little scream after Ruby’s C-4 eyes go off was hilarious 😆

[@DocMicrowave]

Well, she didn't so much as bat an eye when Ruby stood before her in V8-14. I guess she read the script. Knew Ruby wouldn't flash her.

[@thomasraines1396]

Seeing Cinder get screwed over is always satisfying to see.

[@DocMicrowave]

@@thomasraines1396 Hey there Thomas! Seems like the plot went above and beyond in finally giving Cinder a big win. She beat Everyone, including Neo and a maiden. She was finally (unrealistically) unstoppable. Even though it is my belief that under more realistic conditions Winter would have given Cinder a well earned spanking, I guess its a good thing she had to leave the fight when she did. The way the plot was going, Cinder would have likely handily beat her as well.

[@thomasraines1396]

@@DocMicrowave Hey there man. they gave her Prometheus from “Cry for Justice” levels of plot armor. I’m pretty sure she has plot armor inside of her body instead of blood and organs.

[@DocMicrowave]

@@thomasraines1396 lol. Well, there some Grimm essence in her as well. So there's that.

[@o.8561]

The editing for this video is amazing

[@kristinahuchison2511]

Personally I’m still pretty pissed they’re beating around the bush what happened to Summer Rose. Only thing we got was seeing the hellhound apparently was a silver eyed faunus, so Ruby is kinda freaking out, which they don’t say if she’s actually dead or she’s been gone for so long Tai couldn’t take it anymore. I also don’t like how we haven’t seen if the wyvern at Beacon is slowly starting to break free or what, like how is it the only Grimm Ruby wasn’t able to destroy? Also they haven’t exactly confirmed if silver eyes can have maiden powers or not, given Summer’s name, like maybe she was a maiden but having 2 legendary powers in her was too much even for her. But yes Winx Club convergence in my opinion ever since S4 become a giant glitter ball of magic to “magically” fix any problem, but somehow they can’t get rid of the Trix permanently. Though I admit the 4Kids Charmix convergence in S2 finale was epic, I’m kinda upset the times they used Enchantix convergence only time it was all 6 was fairy dust, which is meant to erase spells, not just dark magic in general like eradicating areas of dark magic like Cloud Tower and it becomes a unicorn park or something, but Enchantix Fairy Dust Convergence was epic, and really the last convergence that was awesome was Sophix, the one used in Harmonix to heal Lake Rocaluche I don’t count because its a healing spell.

[@saito1001]

I used to think that Silver Eyes is a Maiden power back when it first revealed. Silver Eyes is eye power, elemental power, actually looking like pure magic instead of MHA quirks-like appearances and it appears in the same volume we were told about the Maiden. Also, the silver eye warriors could have been because the Maiden has been passing their powers each generation down the line, from mother to daughter. It makes sense if Summer is the previous Maiden, and when she died, she thought of her daughter Ruby, like the song Red Like Roses Part 2 alluded to. Ruby perhaps just never know she is one because she probably just never think magic could be a thing, since her favorite fairy tales are about huntsman and huntress, not about sorcerer and magician. But RT had to screw it all up in an interview about silver eyes not being a Maiden power, because yeah, after an entire volume talking about the importance of Maiden and Pyrrha turning into one, let's introduce an entirely new power with no build up whatsoever. Seems like that's their specialty of making new things up as they go. And you're right, they love using interviews, podcast and so on as canon fact instead of actually establishing it in the series itself. Were they hoping RWBY viewers all keep up with all of their off-series stuff like stalkers? idk... For me, it would have been great that Ruby is an inexperienced Maiden because then she could have a focus of her own instead of being sidelined for so long. Their road trip could have been her learning her power and about other people too since she, from the start, is not a people person so she, and by extension us, could learn more about the world. But that's giving RT a credit, the same team that thought "let's scratch the event of Raven meeting Yang entirely and make it as if that never happened at all. nobody is going to notice that"

[@JosephSciola]

All I know about RWBY comes from your videos, and they honestly make me want to start watching the show. It seems to be some really interesting ideas and concepts that seem like they would be fun to see fully play out, even if most apparently have less than stellar execution and implementation of those ideas and concepts.

[@robertfaulkkner5508]

So are they shallow or hollow? Make up your mind, Thomas! Nah, just messin’. Great video!

[@Allthingsasian]

Ruby’s silver eyes really do nothing for her character which is the biggest problem. But if you compare it to characters like Oscar, where his magic actually drives his character forward as he expresses the fear of what using magic does regarding his merge with Ozpin. It just honestly proves that Oscar is such a better written protagonist as of volume 8, in a sense he’s basically been the protagonist since volume 7.

[@skyrogue1977]

Thank you, this is just an inconsequential power.

[@goldencyclone4984]

I just kinda assumed Big/Ancient Grimm get petrified, small/young Grimm get vaporized.

[@ladygrey4113]

Studio Trigger’s Promare is the best use of Deus ex Machina I’ve seen in a while.

[@cicirosehannigan]

I was thinking of what a rewrite should go. Have some lessons in Beacon Academy in Volume 1 that can tie into the characters in some way, not just any missions that could go wrong at any point.

[@DocMicrowave]

CRWBY does not value the lessons and examples of role models in the show anymore. The girls know all! Ruby (blatantly and erroneously) stated that back in V6x9. That they "did not need any adults to help them or tell them what to do to reach that point." Notice, there have been NO adults written to be positive role models since V5. They are all written as crazy, obsessed, emo, idiots now. The kiddies are all knowing.

[@thedinosavior]

Yea as someone who accidentally introduced the same physical feature in my campaign in a way that is literally only a mark of distinction of sorts for something big later with plenty of foreshadowing, then remembering how ruby did it almost makes me want to remove my silver eyes but I have to remind myself that mine are different in that the power they give is always there and while somewhat strong it has a caveat of literally making you unable to move if used to much in combat, not to mention i need a way to differentiate other characters versions of this when they use something similar

[@animefreak1564]

Ooh I really like that idea your friend had for the difference in the vaporization and petrification functions of Silver Eyes, totally new take for me You don't mind if I steal that for my RWBY AU do you 👁🏃‍♂ Great video overall

[@dragonknight1560]

I am not surprised how well detailed Unicorn explained the major issues of the Silver Eyes and HOW they could be done better or I guess DO THE JOB ROOSTER TEETH HAS NO IDEA IN DOING. Here's a suggestion... make it Super Saiyan! Yea, really original but honestly... it could work. All the past times Ruby's Silver Eyes triggered could have been "incomplete" or "just a taste of its real power" and then AFTER some kind of explanation, training, personal growth, Ruby accepting things but believing in herself, etc... the true power of the Silver Eyes are revealed. Like let's say Ruby keeps the "the eyes vaporize Grimm through her emotion" but now she gets similar state like Yang's Semblance except calmer and her fighting prowess is on A WHOLE DIFFERENT LEVEL. That would work with the whole Silver Eye Warrior legend and blah-blah-blah. Like it's there, it's possible but Rooster Teeth JUST DOESN'T CARE. sigh. Like... I wouldn't mind the Silver Eyes... if they were presented, used and had more going for them than what we have right now. Like Ruby doesn't even ask about them. She either blacks out like how, and this is for people who know this, Zatch Bell. Zatch like every time Kiyo cast a spell, Zatch doesn't know what he use (except the 6th Spell, the aura body power-up) and that makes sense, I guess... but for Ruby, it shouldn't be. For the series, she should KNOW she has this power and she SHOULD ask WTF it is and how she can use it to protect her friends and save the day. But nope... like I don't get it. Hell, in Winx Club, Bloom ask about the fucking DRAGON FIRE IN HER. Usagi asked about the Silver Crystal. HOW CAN ROOSTER TEETH NOT MAKE HER WANT TO LEARN ABOUT HER EYES?! But I do get this video and it was great!

[@lakekoocanusa]

my favorite part was when it was advertised as 4 kick-@$$ girls stopping evil, we instead got 3 young women trying to think with their groins, and one smol child.

[@TheEternalFlame57]

As much as I agree with everything in this video, I just wanna defend one part of the story with the warrior in the woods for why they looked the way they did, was cause Tai was telling the story to Ruby, rather then it being a neutral narrator. Other then that, this video is great

[@starrymaniac5127]

She still shouldn't have been whitewashed, the fact that she has Silver Eyes should honestly be enough to make the connection that Tai is thinking of Summer and/or Ruby during the story. They don't need, and really shouldn't have, changed her skin tone just for the sake of a connection, which, again, was already there with the fact that the girl in the last fairytale had Silver Eyes.

[@knucklejoe26]

@@starrymaniac5127 How would silver eyes be enough of a connection when the woman in the story wouldn't resemble Summer outside of that?

[@playererror4044]

Something I never got; Rooster Teeth have pulled off a more contained story getting bigger and evolving into a big road trip; they did it with Red vs Blue (1-13) Dont get me wrong the world building isnt consistant and theres some details I'm fuzzy on but I cared for a lot longer then I have with RWBY

[@michaelmathew1886]

I feel like a fair thing to estimate SIlver Eyes with is the powers Kuuga being given to the main character in the drama, Kamen Rider Kuuga, but in that case he gradually grows into with the threat that if his heart is not pure, he'd become a dangerous being. This never happens but he is close to it and is even warned on one occasion

[@Gatekid3]

id be alot more fine if silver eyes just made her a natural fighter (which would explain how she got into school earlier) or if it just made her body a vessel for something salem wanted like if hypothetically a normal person could only hold one power but a silver eye could theoredically hold more (youd have to change some stuff around about the maidens to make that make sense but my point still stands). Honestly id even like it if it was just a second semblance that ruby could use to weaken grim at the cost of all her aura. I just want anything to make it more than what it is. the grimm kind of lost all tension because if anyone is in danger we know ruby has her eye laser.

[@CyanHueArts]

Silver Eyes should've just been some Ultra Instinct/Spider Sense power up and the instant kill flash light eyes should've been something that's worked towards for an end game ability

[@augustbeller]

I love your thumbnails

[@Hansss24]

Aside from grimm, the silver eyes are just a glorified flashbang

[@brandoncole5533]

I personally like the intro of silver eyes I think ruby using her eyes unintentionally on cinder in volume 3 was a cool way. The wtf just happened feeling was cool and made me hyped for the next season to find out what it was she did and how she did it. So I didn't mind the intro i feel like it was all done. But everything following that really just makes me roll my eyes😒

[@Gdsryrox]

When I saw oz notice the silver eyes first I thought it was more just a reference to her mother, until I realised like it along wioth 99% of RWBY stuff that was a shoe horn in last minute

[@jadamiller7485]

I just realized that they separated the group so ruby couldn't use her silver eyes on the dog when it took Oscar... 😂

[@Neon-zq5of]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who rewrote the series in their head and prefers what they've rewritten

[@markcambrone8369]

What I actually thought was gonna happen that Ruby was the Summer maiden and that having silver eyes was a sign…

[@marbledgold0605]

Kevin the Magical Wyvern had me dying LMAO

[@emmalehtisalmi8970]

When first noticing this, thought the girl in the thumbnail was Mikasa Ackerman 😅

[@bowmin1]

I'd rather have the silver eyes be something that develops later on in life to show a true commitment to fighting injustice at every level, overtaking the original eye colour, making it something that she technically earned. Or if it had to be a power itself, then it should have been something which effected her combat abilities on a whole-being level instead of being a insta-kill weapon.

[@DocMicrowave]

I fully agree, Silver Eyes are a plot driven joke. Used to (or not used) to drive a narrative. Ruby able to flash Cinder almost instantly at EVERY encounter, where Cinder needed to loose. Except at the end of V8, where plot demanded Cinder to win. For the first time, no Silver Eyes on Cinder. BTW, just to add on to the lack of logic in writing. Cinder was completely unafraid of Ruby's eyes this time. I guess she read the script beforehand and new Ruby wouldn't flash her. Just one of many plot contrivances over the course of recent volumes in order to force a narrative in a certain direction.

[@thomasraines1396]

The fact that Cinder is still in the show at all is due to plot, she’s seemingly died like three times and yet she’s still alive because… reasons.

[@DocMicrowave]

@@thomasraines1396 lol, you got that right. I had it in my head canon coming out of V6 that Salem would have had enough with Cinder. That Cinder would be severely disciplined or even killed in V7 once Salem caught up to her. That she would rip the maiden from her and give it to Emerald to become her new loyal servant. Silly me, tricks are for kids. I was giving CRWBY WAY too much (possible) writing credit. As I have recently theorized, CRWBY believes Cinder to be a fan favorite. Plus she has a few plus marks in her corner. - She is a female character. - Her VA is likely cheap (Far cheaper than say Jen Taylor). - Lastly, another female character was/is crushing on her. (you could say she is leeching some plot armor from that other character.) Cinder Will live on as long as her preferences remain ............ unclear.

[@thomasraines1396]

@@DocMicrowave it’s insane.

[@DocMicrowave]

@@thomasraines1396 Whew, a lot of typos last comment. Had to go back and fix. This micro keyboard isn't cutting it. Yep, count on Cinder sticking around for while. Probably till nearly the end of the series because she is a maiden, and with her death Ruby probably gets fall. CRWBY may want to hold on to that till the last volume.

[@thomasraines1396]

@@DocMicrowave Cinder’s like a cockroach she just won’t die, no matter how much you want her to.

[@niekvanderhorst6065]

More plz

[@sapphicvampire8504]

I’m so glad someone wrote a video on the silver eyes they had so much potential for story building & character development!! I actually wrote a story inspired by rwby and it has purple eyes and it’s called Mayhem :D.The purple eyes could dispel monsters or heal them to revert back to humans (the monsters are called despairians). The downside is that the person loses a lot of energy, soul, psyche and Tldr loses themselves in the process getting weaker and weaker each time. The toll even affects them mentally as they absorb the negative energy of the despairians to the point they might turn into one themselves. They are often a controversial topic from others (pretty rare ppl due to their low mortality rates, latest died at 48). It’s also ironic that they can sense and attract despairians if they used their eyes afew times. Im still working on the complications as to how well you must be to properly heal or destroy them but ye. Tw: mentions of black market & gore , I also had a backstory wherein my purple eyed character was running away from bounty hunters who want to use their purple eyes in weapons (and to sell in black markets). My purple eyed characters aren’t the main character, mostly part of the ensemble themselves but still contribute to the plot. Ok that’s all bai bai sjdjdjd

[@JulietStMoon]

"It's like that thing in Winx Club." -UoW describing 9/11 (probably)

[@alexandreturcotte6411]

And once again, RWBY is doing anime stuff without understand it. (Super Saiyan intensifies)

[@Bladecharge]

I forget when Ruby vaperized Grimm with silver eyes?

[@dreadrath]

I was usually just like "Huh, well that exists . . . anyway."

[@twinodoom]

I would have preferred if Silver Eyes worked more like Laser Vision than an AOE.

[@izaacidlartist164]

Could have been interresting to have ruby developp an alter-ego feeding of ruby bad emotions when using her silver eyes. Maybe it can be grimm energy getting into rwby soul or something. Like sukuna in the jujutsu kaisen series, with this alter-ruby getting more and more control over her body. It could have done some parallelism with Oscar's situation

[@spysoldierscout4562]

Another point of the show in connection to Silver Eyes that falls flat is the effect it has on others. First of all, no one ever mentions the Silver Eyes of Ruby except for Ozpin once and then Maria for convenience reasons, being the person to come to Ruby about them. But second and more importantly, Cinder! In Volume 3 she got hurt badly because of it and lost a fight she had basically already won. It hurt physically (for reasons) and mentally, disabling her to speak and showing her in a state of not being in control for a volume. But only that, for one volume. When I saw her in V4 and her relationship with Salem, I was intrigued by what would come of it. Then, in Volume 5 she reverted back to confidence, before finally getting beaten by Raven and (supposedly) dying. That seemed to me like somewhat of a good end for her: She got beaten, didn't learn, and failed again. True, it could have to do more with being beaten by the Silver Eyes for a second and final time (V7: "Hah, no."), but it worked well enough for me. Then V6 happend... She was back, already pissing me off, but from then on, her time in Volume 4 basically didn't change her at all. In V7 she got beaten by Silver Eyes again, and nothing came of it. And V8 didn't even try. So yeah... V4 Cinder was interesting. Sad it was dropped...

[@shayukitsune8879]

I simply call the silver eyes rwbys sharingan a powerful eye trait passed through by blood that gives the user extreme power in their universe only to fall flat because said users are near extent for a arbitrary reason And because the writer never really learned how to balance them

[@mesh1112]

the silver eyes is just a flash light

[@kombatkold2]

Something that always bothered me was, how/why did Ruby's silver eyes hurt Cinder so badly? I'm fine with plot she was untouchable but this kid did her in, but isn't the silver eyes just light that kill Grimm? How does it hurt a normal non Grimm person? Because Cinder got hurt, I was thinking maybe Ruby unknowingly was a maiden and that's why Cinder got hurt.

[@redlock1353]

Most common theory I've heard is that the Grimm Cinder used to steal Amber's Maiden Powers was bonded to her, so when Ruby activated her eyes the damage done to the Grimm was done to her too. It's very vague, but it's probably the best explanation we've got. Either that or Maidens are just weak to Silver Eyes for some reason (which wouldn't quite make sense).

[@falconeshield]

Plus what stops Ruby from just SEing whenever she sees Cinder? There's no cooldown limit

[@kazzfuchsia1073]

@@redlock1353 That is the reason, it is stated in the show. The show may be flawed but some viewers need to pay attention to the show.

[@DocMicrowave]

@@falconeshield Short Answer, Plot.

[@DocMicrowave]

Cinder has always had some Grimm "essence" with in her during the timeline of the show. It was also demonstrated in a flashback to Amber's ambush. As to when Salem put this into her, it is unknown. But I suspect it was done when Salem decided to make Cinder 'the vessel for the maiden powers.' Also, i suspect it is how Salem keeps track of Cinder.

[@ihaventgrownaspine9994]

Lmao I completely forgot her silver eyes in recent volume (Volume 7)

[@Z0MB1ESLAYER115]

I think the mention of the silver eyes in vol 1 and then the use of them in vol 3 was a good idea. it leaves you wanting answer like why did that happen? and it would be answered later with it was the desire to preserve life. and speaking of that, I think its a good theme, a good activation for the silver eyes, and it fits ruby very well; for I see ruby as a hero wanting to do the good because who else will and to protect as many people as possible , because its the right thing to do. to me she's comparable to master chief or Jonathan Joestar. as for the eyes being deus ex machinas, I don't think the really are, vol 3 could be the one time they are as otherwise beacon would have completely fallen, but its also such a big moment and combined with the fact that penny recently "died" and now Pyrrha is dying in front of her eyes, its a huge call to try and preserve life, or perhaps the power "crying out" at a life lost, either way it fits, vol 5 is a flash back to 3, 6 has three moments, first try fails but is a willingness to preserve life, second is with the assistance of Maria, and third is a trail by fire that fails, until ruby impresses jinn who then gifts her the knowledge she needed. vol 7 she failed at the first attempt but she's still trying to get the hang of the powers, second time she sees cinder, probably thinks back to Pyrrha dying or a willingness to preserve life . and vol 8 she uses them against the hound but that didn't save the day anyways. Point is they are a good powers, it makes sense how and why they activate, and they arent really a "i win" button against Grimm

[@drifiz8608]

So good video. After watching I would like to tell my vision about the Silver eyes. Silver, shiny metal, which clear world frm evil in many cultures. Than the Silver eyes is symbol of pure light making darkness disappear. Silver eyes can clear not only Grimm, it can cler the darkness in the peoples and faunas soul, destroy the negative feelings and awake the kind side od everyone. I have a theory about what is Grimm nd how this creatures work about physiology. The Grimm has one main feeling, wich make them the horrible monsters: hunger. But it's not basic bio-hunger, no. It's a thirst of a soul. Gimm has incomplete soul 'case the second dragon has a failure to repeat the elder brother creature. Then Grimms soul try to evolve eating the pieces of the peoples souls. The Silver eyes clear the Grimms hunger, make their evil soul disappear. And hollow bodies crumble. In my version when the Pyra die, the Ruby's eyes awake but it not only ex machine, the silver eyes make the memories about the friend's death erased, and it's work like a psychological protection. In awaking Ruby has a basic live, (her family told about Pyra many times, and after Ruby lost consciousness and forgot it) but after meeting the depressed Jaune. When she be with him she can not turn off and forget it again 'cause forget the Jaune's face is impossible for her. Acceptance of Pira's death was a first step to master the power of silver eyes. The way to take that power - accept all emotion and control it. Warrior need to piece inside to fire up the light.(rhyme lol) That light will bring piece to others. The silver eyes warrior would be the cold blooded pacifist, that's the weakness. No fear, pain or regret, no even wishes, only pure light, that is how to activate the eyes. What abut Cinder at that moment? Well the silver eyes not a laser stuff and she will not be hurt. But the light go to her mind. It's look like a genjutsu, she turn to the white space and have the flashbacks. But in my version she have the other background an abilities. If be short: she was the Vale princess, but in six become victim of betraying and revolution. She was in burning palace, king and queen were trying to escape, but the roof fell on them. Pinned down, breathing smoke and gases king,s family was die, beside Cinder. She awake her semblance to swallow the fire and heat like a Nora lightning. Cinder had survived rased from ruins. People knew it and make her wanted, but she escaped the kingdom. After that she have the question - "Why? Why she wasn't dead with her parents and why she have to feel the pain of burning skeen and loneliness? Is it a destiny, wich wasn't let her die?" Than she understood, that she must revenge and take the maiden power, who betrayed her. When the Cinder saw the light of silver eyes, she saw her parents, and that make her feel the little and kind princess again. That vision make her little doubt about revenge, but this effect was no so long. The Ruby's way to become a warrior, who know how this world full of violence, death and injustice and accept it without hatered and sadness. She will understand that world not maid for heroes and will not loose the love with people, empathy and kindness. Her heart should became cold a heard like a steel, but it has a sparkle 'cause she is silver soul (thanks for idea). I writing that story NERD: New sunrise, but you will never read that 'cause I writing this with "Suka blyad'" language.

[@mckenzie.latham91]

I like the idea that Ruby’s silver eyes can turn grim to stone, but they’ve never explained it well or done anything good with it.

[@kidprime6863]

RT give us more info about the Silver-Eyed Warriors already. Why doesn't Salem want Ruby dead? What purpose do they serve? Who or what gave them this power and why? Details, people, they ARE important.