Why Estelle Bright is a Great Character

As I dive more into the later games in the Trails series, I think it's a good time to look back at the amazing character that Falcom created to kick off the entire series.
Trope link: tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph...

[@sonicfraisheya4028]

Imagine playing best girl from the start to finish. That's pretty much estelle.

[@Madbuk101]

@FaQUE-hg5tl Rean has significantly more depth than that, you're describing Lloyd. But both are good, they're just no Estelle.

[@Akirapoet]

​@@Madbuk101Lloyd has a clear motive to be where he is. Rean doesn't.

[@marcusbarnes5106]

@@Akirapoet ...But Rean does? They explain his motives in CS1 where Elise visits the academy. Its a pretty hard plot point to miss because its a part of his character.

[@SaltpeterTaffy]

"I'm relying on you. Bring back my damn fool of a son." "Piece of cake." -the hypest sequel hook in all of gaming

[@Nomiko.]

I loved her already by 1st and 2nd chapter, but flashback into her childhool with Joshua in 3rd just solidified her as one of the greatest jrpg characters for me.

[@bradkeen9760]

The thing that I truly love the most about Estelle is how her presence and words shine a different perspective on people that are neck deep in Darkness, how she listens to those that are lost and what she tells them seems to throw everything of what they thought they knew out the window. It has happened most prominently with Joshua and Renne but also others like Scherazard who was in a rough state when her troupe disbanded and Leowe who trusts Estelle with his foster brother. Even the Big bad; Weissman was increasingly irritated by her counter argument during the final battle with him because he knew there was some truth to her words but denied them because of how close he was to his goal. All in all her positivity and never say die attitude is what I love about her

[@CaptainAmerica2k7]

Well said. Could not agree more. 👍👍

[@snailthelostcow63]

Weismann wasn't joking when he invited Estelle to join him. Just imagine what a dark Estelle can do, it would be something beyond hypnosis

[@Talisguy]

I love how well this combines with another key trait of hers to make something truly unique and real: she has absolutely no patience for ancient conspiracies and elaborate plans. She's amazingly kind and optimistic, but she's also a great audience surrogate and a real asset to the story because she keeps calling bullshit on the plot when it gets too complicated and forcing it back down to earth through sarcasm and her total focus on relatable, personal stakes: she wants Joshua back. She wants to defeat the monster who traumatized him. She wants to save the people she cares about. The story never gets so complicated that the human drama gets lost because she keeps undercutting the melodrama whenever it threatens to derail the personal stories. The other protagonists don't have this same trait, and those stories sometimes do get so complex and melodramatic that you lose the emotional connection a bit, but Estelle has no time for any of that. She has Joshua to save and that's that. It's sorely missed in later entries.

[@lalalalisa41]

Bestelle ❤

[@Lucario6804]

I absolutely love Estelle and you pointed out some great facts throughout the whole video which showcased that you actually put a lot of thought and love into it! Great job

[@CommRio]

Thank you!

[@kagekun1198]

I agree with everything you said about Estelle Bright and more. She had so much spunk and heart in everything she did. I loved her dialogue and reactions throughout the Sky games. I love that she had something savage to say when the situation calls for it. I loved her simpleminded focus, and the occasional flashes of brilliance that came from beneath. (Your Highness, by your feet... is a cockroach.) But most of all, I loved her amazing, relentless optimism. That little speech from Schera comparing Cassius to the Ocean and Estelle to the Sun is one of those moments that stays with me forever. Estelle has boundless compassion. Nowhere can this be seen more than with Renne. It would have been so easy to dismiss Renne as the token mini-moe of Ouroborous, but they didn't. Through Estelle and Joshua's hard work, at the end of Zero, even the mechanical Pater-Mater had to concede that Estelle is truly what Renne needed the most and dropped her into her arms. But it doesn't stop there. The amazing thing about love and compassion is that it can be paid forward. From that moment on, Renne's life was changed forever. Aside from her helping the main cast throughout the Cold Steel arc, Renne started paying forward Estelle's compassion during Trails into Reverie. Part of the main cast includes a pair of former assassins trying to make a fresh start. Renne joins them. At one point, their old boss tries to psychologically break them down into giving themselves up and returning back to him. Renne was there and was exactly the sort of person the two needed. Renne was living proof that anyone could have a second chance. And this gave them the strength to beat their former boss's ass back into submission. Undoubtedly these two will have a bigger part to play during the Kuro arc. Estelle's compassion could potentially save the world. That is why she is one of the best Trails character I've ever seen. In case you need a new topic, you should cover Renne's character arc next!

[@CommRio]

I'm glad you enjoyed and I always have fun meeting fellow Estelle fans. Renne is fantastic as well, and I would consider that, but we definitely need Kuro here before I'd even consider it. In the meantime if you haven't seen KisekiNut's video on her arc in Trails in the Sky I recommend it.

[@kagekun1198]

@@CommRio Lol, I discovered him long ago. That's why I appreciate your videos as people who analyze the Trails saga to this level are woefully hard to come by XD

[@blueplanet7397]

Really liked the way you explained what makes Estelle so memorable . Looking forward to any more videos like this for other trails characthers.

[@CommRio]

Thank you, I may do other Trails characters in the future, but we shall see.

[@Miumiu0404]

Estelle > Lloyd > Rean are my ranking of my favorite trails of protagonists ❤️

[@edwin7788]

Yeap, like always, Kevin always forgotten even by fans lol

[@D_dompa]

Kevin is my favorite so far. I only play until crossbell so far tho

[@CaptainAmerica2k7]

​@bungcarol I have this feeling that falcom is planning a story arc that involves the church and her knights i.e Kevin, Ries, Garrus etc. Let's all cross fingers that is the case. I loved Kevin's character back in Sky the 3rd.

[@ihavenoshameandmustscream421]

hey, I know I already made a comment, but I wanted to point out something. One thing I like most about Estelle is that she really rocks the "strong female protagonist" character troupe. If there ever was a example of a strong female lead, Estelle Bright blows it away. She did it all without any sexy fan service scenes (...wellll maybe one, maybe two...) Joshua kinda took the fan service scene for Estelle. He's such a great Onee-Chan to Estelle, lol.

[@CommRio]

Never any limit to comments so I appreciate it. Yeah I just really want Falcom to write another female MC because they knocked it out of the park with the first one.

[@kagekun1198]

The best thing about that trope is the twist that the true scope of her strength is not in the physical, (although she has plenty of that) but in the spiritual, her soul. Estelle doesn't have unparalleled detective insight like Lloyd, nor super Ogre powers like Rean. You cannot make Estelle give up, you cannot corrupt her. She can't be bought, bullied or be negotiated with. Sometimes... you cannot escape the Sun.

[@AzuretareLPs]

Very well thought out character analysis. Very thorough and entertaining and understandable. It describes how I felt playing the first Trilogy very accurately, and in a very enjoyable way!

[@CommRio]

Glad you enjoyed and it fit your 2 AM Trails needs

[@ihavenoshameandmustscream421]

Why is it that anytime I watch videos like this my emotions get overloaded. This series, Trails, is the only games that make me like this. Lloyd's and all of his struggles really get me too, especially the parts with KeA. Makes me tear up just thinking about the Crossbell Arc. But I'm in agreeance that Estelle Bright=BEST GIRL.

[@CommRio]

It's gonna be a lot of fun going back over Lloyd's arc with the official localizations

[@AzuretareLPs]

@@CommRio Yeah I was finishing the Crossbell arc for the first time during the announcement but I will probably go back and play it again once it gets an official localization! By then I'll have also played Cold Steel. (Which I'm glad you omitted completely because then I'd have to wait on this video and I really wanted to hear someone gush about Trails rn at 2 AM)

[@AzuretareLPs]

Lloyd is an absolute GREAT character too, I just finished his arc a few weeks ago and he went from a "there's no way he can live up to Sky" to "THE SSS LIVED UP TO SKY OMG" by nearing the end of Azure

[@ihavenoshameandmustscream421]

@@AzuretareLPs it felt so special and gratified when I put the time into learning how to install the voice mods for zero and azure. It sounds kinda cheesy saying this, but I was enchanted during the entire playthroughs of the Crossbell Arc. Falcom has some wonderful seiyuus working on the Trails series. What hooked me was those big crescendo moments throughout both games, and usually Lloyd would shout something inspiring to the SSS, and he would always have so much passion and emotion in his lines. Lloyd's Japanese VA gave a god tier performance throughout the Crossbell Arc. I hope Lloyd still has the same VA in the Cold Steel games. I usually play those games in English, but when the SSS enter the fray I might have to switch over to Japanese voice.

[@AzuretareLPs]

@@ihavenoshameandmustscream421 Yeah I agree Falcom's voice acting is absolutely on-point. You can install voice mods for 3 Sky games too and the VA is _just as good._ You know how Olivier was singing? He _sung in voice._ And yeah I may do the same with Cold Steel when the SSS enter the fray.

[@andreaswidham3607]

I loved this. Estelle is in my top three favorite female characters of ANY media. At least! I haven't thought about it hard enough but she might be my top favorite character period. Which is why I must ask you... WHY DIDN'T YOU TALK ABOUT HER AND JOSHUA'S DOOR IN THE THIRD!!?!? Seriously that ending with the Bug of Legends and her heart to heart with Joshua... She was 11 and yet you could already see that shining sun, her empathy and how wise she is. That scene is only topped by the one at the beach. It is *criminal* that you didn't adress it. Shame on you!

[@CommRio]

Hahahaha I do wish I could include every moment, and as much as that scene is amazing as you said I think I would have just been saying the same thing I'd been saying the whole video about her shining personality and empathy. I will acknowledge the shame though of not making the video comprehensive by excluding that (among other) moments.

[@dan290786]

So i began this beautiful, beautiful, BEAUTIFUL trilogy at the end of May 2020 and i have to say i fell in love with everything about it from the music, story, characters and gameplay. I loved the humour and adventures these characters went through. I too love Estelle! I read in some places that people hated her and that made me sad 😞, like said in the video and what i think someone else said here, she is one of the most developed written characters in almost any game i can think of. Her and Joshua’s relationship was key to what i loved most about it, Agate and Tita, heck even Olivier grew on me as time went on after despising him in the first game lol. The 3rd game wasn’t as fun personally for me but still enjoyed it mostly. I was sad to finish this amazing series, i know nothing about the other Trails games that follow these games but i can only hope i see these wonderful characters again in the future.

[@CommRio]

There will always be people who don't like characters, but speaking for most Trails fans here she is widely beloved. Also you touched on just how great the development is of everyone they all grew on me over time. If you're interested in the next games of the series I (and other Trails fans) would be happy to direct you to the next games.

[@dan290786]

@@CommRio thanks man! Oh don’t worry, i looked up the next set of games and the order of play! I even managed to get hold of the 2 Japanese only releases, Zero and Azure translated to English, then the Cold Steel games! Really glad i found this video. It’s nice to have joined the Trails gang lol

[@Mclucasrv]

She is my dream shonen protagonist. She have courage,she is cute,is strong,romantic and love some Martial Arts Tournament.

[@CommRio]

She does fit well as a shonen protagonist, too bad the anime wasn't good.

[@lelouch6865]

@@CommRio was there an anime? first time hearing this

[@CommRio]

@@lelouch6865 Yep based on Sky SC. myanimelist.net/anime/10260/Eiyuu_Densetsu__Sora_no_Kiseki_The_Animation

[@Mclucasrv]

​@@CommRio Im on Trails in the sky third after that I want to see the other protagonist but for what I have seen they are more cliche then her :/

[@copiumkiller]

The closest thing for Estelle as MC in anime is Catherina Klaes from "That time I was reincarnated as a villainess". Only she put even more stats in charisma.

[@Fresh_Andrew]

Thanks for making this video. Estelle is a great damn character!

[@raychoi4994]

Much better than that boring harem king that got 4 games for his girls conquest

[@Yu__Narukami]

I fucking laughed because I'm halfway through Cold Steel 2 right now and this is so true

[@bu773rkim]

Preach it.

[@blackyraypatrick9041]

Understandable but its not only because his Harem. It's also because the Charakters of ark 1 and 2 also appear in his ark..... So it's also because of tio, Joshua, estelle, loyd and Co.....

[@snailthelostcow63]

I kinda feel bad for the writers cause clearly they tried to market Cold Steel to the "common otakus" and unfortunately, it worked as the series started taking off ever since Sure Sky and Zero also has their own share of "le anime tropes" but it's not as egregious as CS and you can see the struggle between the actual story writing and the writing to keep the trope alive to satisfy the audience I mentioned lol I think it's not offensive to say that the reason why it gets 4 games is just so they can clean those early "otaku bait" away

[@rladudgns15]

It was Estelle's amazing story and character development that made me fall in love with this series in the first place. I played CS3 knowing that I'm not going to like it just because CS4 stars Estelle. I don't know why, but a lot of Cold Steel fans I talk to don't understand when I explain that my favorites are still Sky trilogy, and Cold Steel felt almost like a dis-service to Liberl and Crossbell arc. I would like to show them your video, so perhaps they will understand this time. It's not like I'm patronizing them, someone even got angry at me for translating top amazon JP reviews of CS3 because they were mostly negative.

[@CommRio]

I do wish more Cold Steel fans gave Sky a chance. I like Cold Steel but it is true that Sky holds a special place in my heart that Cold Steel likely will never reach.

[@rladudgns15]

@@CommRio Yes, the way the characters are developed and talk in Liberl and Crossbell arc. It's really like nothing I've ever seen. Estelle's view is constantly challenged by continuous events, but same thing doesn't really happen to Rean. Kevin served as secretly brooding character better than Rean, and Lloyd served as mature and polite character better than Rean. Rean feels as though he is a lesser version of Kevin and Lloyd combined. I do sympathize what Rean goes through, but he ends up looking very passive and Cold Steel series as a whole feel like that there are more interesting things going on in the background rather than the actual story because Rean's perspective is emphasized a little too much.

[@swen1208]

Even though I started with Cold steel I've almost finished Sky SC I'd have to say that Estelle is the best female written protagonist like ever. But if Joshua wasn't there then Estelle wouldn't have developed in the way she had. I'd say Joshua is the most important character in the Sky series.

[@joaomarcoscosta4647]

Yeah. My feelings towards Joshua are that he is an okay character on his own, but is a fantastic foil for Estelle. And their dynamic might be the best-written pairing I've seen on a JRPG. ^_^

[@MalGK24]

Best written ever really?

[@cius2112]

@@MalGK24 i mean its not like you even attempted to name one better lol

[@mahmutalkhuiski9026]

i like Estelle Bright

[@CommRio]

Me too

[@snailthelostcow63]

Honestly, the only thing I'm scared of to try the sequels is if they were able to compete with Estelle. I'm currently playing Zero and kinda glad Lloyd got some charm but I dreaded when I'll start cold steel. Storywise? Eh, it's Falcom. I can trust them even if they give me the most mediocre story they ever written.

[@wolfiexe]

Really great video! Reminds me of why I love Trails and grew to love the cast as much as I did.

[@Karnage420698238]

estelle was bestelle for me with one line "why is my present a BOY?!" and she just got better and better form there the growth she goes through in the first two games (still havent play 3rd yet) is just amazing and outside rydia i cant think of a better female across any form of entertainment i like more than bestelle lol

[@jg6159]

Amazing video dude :)

[@CommRio]

Thank you!

[@PikachuEXE1]

So detailed! I need one for Kevin :) (Sky 3rd)

[@CommRio]

To properly do a Kevin one, I would definitely have to replay all of Sky the 3rd. Maybe when my gaming schedule isn't overflowing.

[@BarstoolBlues33]

Estelle is the best.

[@blackyraypatrick9041]

Just wanted to share my first impression. After having cold steel I II an 60 hours in III I thought its time to start with the sky ark. I played not much right now but even in so few hours the Charakter development of estelle is insane... I really had to Cry when I heard her mothers Story at the tower..... Looking forward to finish this Video after I played all the games.

[@Dan2907]

It makes me sad that you didn’t start with the sky trilogy before cold steel. I feel you get the full experience that way and a lot more things make sense in the later games by playing the sky games first

[@blackyraypatrick9041]

@@Dan2907 definitely not. I know myself and I would have interrupted my Gameplay because of its slow pacing. I would have had the patience of 10-15 hours in FC Max.... You guys are really to pedantic about the chronology of the game.

[@Dan2907]

@@blackyraypatrick9041 there was absolutely no need to react that way. I wasn’t intending to offend you for goodness sake! Or at least that’s how it came across with your pedantic comment, i apologise otherwise. How was i to know how you felt? I merely said it based on my own experience and I wasn’t spoiled by what they showed in cold steel with certain things As for the slow pacing, sure it started off slow in FC, but it got really good later. Cold Steel i feel started slow and repetitive but it also got good later. Anyway sorry to bother you, jeez!

[@blackyraypatrick9041]

@@Dan2907 react what way? Did I insult you personally? I know you meant it in a 100% positive way but still I want you to think over your position. I read it daylie from people sometimes even complaining when someone is playing the games not in its release order and I think. When somebody does start with either crossbell 1, sky 1 or cs1 it's just fine. I think your are overestimating the effect of the order on these games especially since normally you wouldn't forget everithing about the previous games. In the opposite way. You will have a lot of "ahaaa" moments....

[@Dan2907]

@@blackyraypatrick9041 well ok sorry for the misunderstanding but i do disagree with you. I feel the games should always be played in release order. Goes for any game, especially these ones. I certainly haven’t forgotten anything, even a lot of the NPC’s. The main reason i’m glad I played them in order is the nostalgic impact cold steel 4 had when seeing everyone from the sky games again. Definitely wouldn’t have the same effect otherwise. Anyway, I don’t mean to cause an argument. I respect your opinion. I won’t bother you again

[@jackylee5850]

The most memorable moment I can think of Estelle is in this brief animation I found online (either an in-game cutscene or an animation) where she telegraphs a jump attack against this dude (still don't know who he is), and he just calmly kicks her in the tummy and drops her like a sack of potatoes. Really not living up her last name there

[@CommRio]

Yeah that comes from the shortlived Trails in the Sky Second Chapter OVA. Kept around because it's such a meme

[@jackylee5850]

I don't suppose you know who that mystery guy is? No one I asked in the past could give me a straight answer

[@CommRio]

@@jackylee5850 the character’s name is Walter

[@CaptainAmerica2k7]

I will assume you already finished the Sky trilogy by now. That guy with sunglasses is Walter the Dire Wolf and one of the enforcers of Oroboros.

[@invaaalid5190]

Why Estelle the best? Because she's BESTELLE

[@invaaalid5190]

Oh and she has a huge stick and knows how to use it.

[@Kernviter]

he pronounced loewe wrong but at least he said renne correctly

[@orelas167]

"Trails' famous ability to take a character that seems generic to begin with and turn them into a deep and sympathetic character with magnificent character development." Kindly Healer I can definitely see that with. I love how Estelle's a completely blank slate with her orbment setup, she can do anything just not as good as the best (Estelle: "Eh!" Sherea: "YAH!"--wait, why on earth would a player find the blank slate hero enjoyable? Somehow her story and VA personality makes me enjoy just as much as she does the few times she gets to hit really, really hard.

[@mayorofmediatown7135]

And then there's Rean...

[@CommRio]

I do like Rean, but it is true that compared to every previous Trails protagonist he doesn't measure up, and yet his story is more reliant on him as a character than any other. Poor Rean, Falcom did him not favors.

[@blackyraypatrick9041]

@@CommRio I don't feel that way. Reans Story us the Story if class 7 and I think this is fine. You can't have 3 Bestelles every character is so diverse and deserves love for his personal attributes. I really like how different and same every ark at the same time is. Sky. Small country, team of 2 people mainly, strong main character. Crossbell. Country of only one city, team of mainly 4 people all with their own strenghs Cold steel. Big country, big team of 9-11 main people carrying the Main character even when he has some special abilities.... But before someone might criticise me. Im still far away from finishing the trails series. Cs 1/2, 3(80%) Sky 1 (10%) CB (0%)

[@blackyraypatrick9041]

@@FaQUE-hg5tl at least for sky 1 its still basically the story of 2 people. Often someone will join you. But they will often leave you again.

[@phoenixwulf6010]

still remember that Joshua Crossdressing and it made me laugh again internally

[@0axis771]

Estelle is Bestelle.

[@MalGK24]

Damn near 30 minutes for Estelle.....

[@KudaGeatsune3821]

So rennay? Instead of ren? Why?

[@CommRio]

The way they spell her name. If they wanted it pronounced Ren they should have spelled it Ren. No one I know with the name Renne pronounces it Ren they say rennay.

[@johnhp6565]

@@CommRio People complain about this because her name is spelled and pronounced レン (Ren) in Japanese, I think either is fine. Just don't call her Rean as someone did.

[@blackyraypatrick9041]

@@johnhp6565 hahahaha xD

[@blackyraypatrick9041]

@@CommRio did you never hear about silent Letters?

[@CommRio]

@@blackyraypatrick9041 Yep, but if you spell a name like an actual name I expect it to be pronounced like the actual name is pronounced. However I'm gonna likely have to change since there is a Kuro character named Rene which will probably be localized as the pronunciation I've been using for Renne.

[@ilhamardanta4737]

Hollywood need to learn this is how to write strong female character.

[@reilly5005]

Okay I’m saving this video and watching it after I beat 3rd since I’ve played both FC and SC and still feel nothing for Estelle Okay I’m done with 3rd and my opinion on Estelle is that she’s a great character… when she’s not the main protagonist. Her constant happy attitude makes her a fun character, though Kevin is an infinitely better protagonist in my opinion. The “Bright and Colorful to a fault” character is always a good one, but never that as great as a protagonist to me.

[@CommRio]

I know some people who even after playing all of Sky don’t care for her. Hopefully 3rd can show you something new but also hopefully you’re enjoying the games anyways

[@Jz-bu1ux]

srry，to said. if shut up it makes better feel.

[@dra6o0n]

The thing about female protagonists like Estelle is that they don't need the same politicized stigma like how activists are trying to push for in video games today... The looks just needs to be standard enough to appeal to the general audience, but what matters most is the soul of the character to make them likable... You have games trying to use 'race' as a foil to a character's image and personality, instead of a 'soul' of said character. The Japanese does it in a interesting way since they don't use our world's form of 'race' in their video game lore, they use 'fantasy' races and cultures, and see from that perspective as artists and writers of those lore, trying to use none of the real world's stuff in it. Society should focus on 'spirit' rather than 'race'.

[@ShinkuRosetta]

sorry, I like Tita more.

[@CommRio]

Perfectly fine, Tita is good as well

[@Baba-yv6ml]

Kevin better + Ratio

[@cherozkiahyusof4902]

Play trail gane make u think game like FF is just for baby rpg

[@lelouch6865]

I played all trails games up to Cold Steel IV, and I hate Esettle. I will watch this video because I feel like I should give her another chance and might change my mind if I listened to another perspective edit:great video, I subscribed and will check your other jrpg videos I know that Estelle is well written but I just can't get to like her

[@lalalalisa41]

Well not every character is for everyone but at least you can acknowledge that she's still well-written.

[@lelouch6865]

@@lalalalisa41 My favourite protagonist in the whole series is Kevin followed by LIoyd, Rean is great as well

[@lalalalisa41]

@@lelouch6865 Mine is Estelle, Kevin, and Lloyd and Rean being tied. Rean might break the tie though depending on how CSIV goes. But yeah, out of everyone, Estelle will always be my favorite and I didn't even start with Sky first lol

[@lelouch6865]

@@lalalalisa41 I loved Cold Steel IV just as much if not even more than III I used the translation spreadsheet to play the Japanese version

[@lalalalisa41]

@@lelouch6865 I'm glad to hear. I've been hearing some mixed reactions so I can't wait to experience it for myself later this year!

[@teongreen5254]

Hollywood should learn from this how to write good female characters and not those stupid, emotionless, flawless girl boss characters....

[@Halcon_Sierreno]

Estelle never really grew on me. I always found her to be mediocre.

[@CommRio]

That's fine

[@Halcon_Sierreno]

@@FaQUE-hg5tl Sword beats chopstick.