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mystearicas2024-10-28 09:59 pm
rumynoir) wrote in mystearicas2024-10-28 09:59 pm
My Opinions on a Certain Mage Character...
I don't get the infantilizing of characters that are canonically mature/forced to grow up fast. I get it's supposed to be a way for that character to "reclaim" their childhood through the writer's obvious personal feelings, but it's jarring. I also find it funny how these characters are also erased of their negative actions/behavior in favor for "uwu poor blorbo"...
Want an example?
Rita Mordio from Tales of Vesperia.
I see this more in the western fandom than I do in Japanese fandom (go figure), but I will never understand why this character gets so many people fawning over her. She's not as tragic as fandom makes her out to be, and you'd be forgiven for thinking she was with how her "trauma" is placed above the other characters.
Main citations are "Rita grew up alone/was abandoned as a child." Sooo...
I also don't know... where people are getting that Rita was bullied...?? Did we play the same game? The people of Aspio call her weird and keep their distance, but we don't see them going out of their way to harass Rita. And may I remind you that Rita's first instinct when she's interrupted is to blast them with Fire Ball. That trigger-happy reaction doesn't exactly give you the best reputation.
There's also the scene where she learns Meteor Storm. The other Aspio residents aren't rolling their eyes or calling her a brat or anything. In the first half of the scene, they brush her off because they're adults and Rita's a child. Okay, but then in the next scene, when they're using spirit magic to cast Meteor Storm, they hand the reins to Rita.
Doesn't sound like bullying to me. It sounds more like Rita's behavior isolated herself from the others because they wouldn't speak to her on the same level.
Whether you like it or not as a Rita fan, Rita is not the precious uwu babey you think she is. She's a moody character that's not always the victim. She's rude to pretty much everyone. But Tales loves their tsundere mages, so guess she gets a pass?
I won't deny she does soften up as time goes on (classic tsundere trope at play). She finally accepts Brave Vesperia as friends and even family, which is a huge step up from what she was in Act 1. But the constant hitting Karol is annoying and mean. "But it's an anime thing!" you argue. Yeah, but it's still part of Rita's character.
No one likes flaws, but for a fandom that is so quick to point out how Flynn's a "bully" to Yuri, I never see anything negative said about Rita from Ristelle shippers or Rita's fans.
I think that's one of the huge reasons why I personally don't read fanfics where Rita's a huge focus. I like when she has a bit of attitude to her and keeps that edge. I hate when she's needed to be coddled by Estelle or Judith because that's just not Rita. She's an independent character that yes, could use someone to look after her now and then, but she survived over a decade on her own. The game even points out that Rita's more independent/mature than someone like Estelle. I just don't get where the infantilizing of her comes from? (well, yes, I do, but anyway)
I do believe Rita would be more tolerable (for me) if she was called out on her shit. No one really says anything when she's being outright rude. They ignore her the same way you would ignore a 5 year old having a tantrum. Why do you think it's cathartic to see Yuri smack Rita in the arm after they defeat Barbos?
Luke fon Fabre starts off as a real brat, too, but the other characters don't hesitate to call him out. It's clear he doesn't run the show, whereas Rita gets away with running her mouth and patted on the back for being "such a kind person" (Estelle said it, not me). But I think that's what made Luke likable to me, and because his growth was front and center. Rita's character development isn't as in your face, but it's obvious moreso in the act 3 scenes and in the victory quotes. But at that point, act 3 is trying to wrap up the game, so I was less focused on Rita.
I realized I don't dislike Rita as much as I used to? In fact she's not even my least favorite character in Vesperia (that goes to you, Raven). I like her relationship with Judith, I do like her MUCH more in end of Act 2/all of Act 3... But she's definitely a character that if I want to appreciate, I need to stay away from her more "dedicated" fans. Because I just don't agree with how she's interpreted by 80% of thewestern fandom.
Anyway, the reason I don't post my opinions on Rita in public social media spaces like twitter or tumblr is because I will be eviscerated by her fandom. I've had the (not) pleasure of seeing someone criticize Rita (not even hate, just a fair criticism) and promptly got their head bitten off by one of her fans. So, I've learned my lesson. But I will leave it on this account because it's my page, and it doesn't get any traffic, so it's safe(r) than most of my other accounts.
Want an example?
Rita Mordio from Tales of Vesperia.
I see this more in the western fandom than I do in Japanese fandom (go figure), but I will never understand why this character gets so many people fawning over her. She's not as tragic as fandom makes her out to be, and you'd be forgiven for thinking she was with how her "trauma" is placed above the other characters.
Main citations are "Rita grew up alone/was abandoned as a child." Sooo...
1) She's not the only character that grew up alone. The game makes it pretty clear that Karol doesn't exactly have parents and was constantly jumping guilds because he couldn't fit in anywhere. Karol's also three years younger than her, if we're going to pull the age card. I just find it funny Rita gets more fandom slobbering than Karol, and I wonder if it's because she's a girl.
2) Rita wasn't abandoned as a child. If we wanna cite Blue Sky, her mother died on a business trip or some shit, but it was her mother that raised her and ultimately made sure Rita knew what she needed in case something happened. You could say that Rita's mom was overly prepared. However, Rita does have trust issues as a result of her guardian plagiarizing her research. This is why Rita puts her name on everything.
I also don't know... where people are getting that Rita was bullied...?? Did we play the same game? The people of Aspio call her weird and keep their distance, but we don't see them going out of their way to harass Rita. And may I remind you that Rita's first instinct when she's interrupted is to blast them with Fire Ball. That trigger-happy reaction doesn't exactly give you the best reputation.
There's also the scene where she learns Meteor Storm. The other Aspio residents aren't rolling their eyes or calling her a brat or anything. In the first half of the scene, they brush her off because they're adults and Rita's a child. Okay, but then in the next scene, when they're using spirit magic to cast Meteor Storm, they hand the reins to Rita.
Doesn't sound like bullying to me. It sounds more like Rita's behavior isolated herself from the others because they wouldn't speak to her on the same level.
Whether you like it or not as a Rita fan, Rita is not the precious uwu babey you think she is. She's a moody character that's not always the victim. She's rude to pretty much everyone. But Tales loves their tsundere mages, so guess she gets a pass?
I won't deny she does soften up as time goes on (classic tsundere trope at play). She finally accepts Brave Vesperia as friends and even family, which is a huge step up from what she was in Act 1. But the constant hitting Karol is annoying and mean. "But it's an anime thing!" you argue. Yeah, but it's still part of Rita's character.
No one likes flaws, but for a fandom that is so quick to point out how Flynn's a "bully" to Yuri, I never see anything negative said about Rita from Ristelle shippers or Rita's fans.
I think that's one of the huge reasons why I personally don't read fanfics where Rita's a huge focus. I like when she has a bit of attitude to her and keeps that edge. I hate when she's needed to be coddled by Estelle or Judith because that's just not Rita. She's an independent character that yes, could use someone to look after her now and then, but she survived over a decade on her own. The game even points out that Rita's more independent/mature than someone like Estelle. I just don't get where the infantilizing of her comes from? (well, yes, I do, but anyway)
I do believe Rita would be more tolerable (for me) if she was called out on her shit. No one really says anything when she's being outright rude. They ignore her the same way you would ignore a 5 year old having a tantrum. Why do you think it's cathartic to see Yuri smack Rita in the arm after they defeat Barbos?
Luke fon Fabre starts off as a real brat, too, but the other characters don't hesitate to call him out. It's clear he doesn't run the show, whereas Rita gets away with running her mouth and patted on the back for being "such a kind person" (Estelle said it, not me). But I think that's what made Luke likable to me, and because his growth was front and center. Rita's character development isn't as in your face, but it's obvious moreso in the act 3 scenes and in the victory quotes. But at that point, act 3 is trying to wrap up the game, so I was less focused on Rita.
I realized I don't dislike Rita as much as I used to? In fact she's not even my least favorite character in Vesperia (that goes to you, Raven). I like her relationship with Judith, I do like her MUCH more in end of Act 2/all of Act 3... But she's definitely a character that if I want to appreciate, I need to stay away from her more "dedicated" fans. Because I just don't agree with how she's interpreted by 80% of the
Anyway, the reason I don't post my opinions on Rita in public social media spaces like twitter or tumblr is because I will be eviscerated by her fandom. I've had the (not) pleasure of seeing someone criticize Rita (not even hate, just a fair criticism) and promptly got their head bitten off by one of her fans. So, I've learned my lesson. But I will leave it on this account because it's my page, and it doesn't get any traffic, so it's safe(r) than most of my other accounts.