First post?
Okay, this is another characterization rant over characters probably done before, buuuut... Hey, it makes for a good first post. I will be including Saix, Marluxia and Xemnas. I'm also going to cut parts as they include spoilers.
Okay, to start this out...
Saix.
Why, oh, why, oh, why is he so often displayed in badfics as a puppy? That is, a super-fluffy-not-very-bright-and-rather-hyperactive-thing. I don't see those hints anywhere in any of the games. In fact, he seems more like an attack dog on alert, if you must liken him to a canine. He seems to range from nearly emotionless, to grinning to himself as he watches the hero squirm. He also seems willing to do anything so long as he gets what he wants in the end. Saix also seems to be downright possessive at times in Days, with how he lashes out at both Xion and Roxas. Roxas earns a more subtle dislike, probably because at least one Keyblade is necessary so he can put up with sharing, but once Xion comes into the picture and Axel starts drifting further away? Xion suddenly seems a thief to him. My personal thoughts, mind you, but still, he comes across as possessive.
He's not a puppy. Quit writing him as such, please.
Now. Marluxia.
Why the heck is he always a freaking flamer in badfics, or gay as heck? I don't get it. ink + flowers =/= gay or flamer. Heck, he wields a scythe, for crying out loud! To not only wield it, but wield it one-handed with no sign of shaking? He has to have immense upper body strength, because a scythe is a terribly unbalanced weapon. Which means he probably works out a lot. Also, his face alone isn't feminine. His chest is muscled, his shoulders broad, etc. And his personality is that of a subtly cruel, dangerously brilliant, openly charismatic and manipulative-as-hell bastard. The closest he comes to flaming is his flourish when his face is first revealed. Heck, looking at other characters, even Zexion seems to think that, unhindered, Marluxia could realistically achieve his goals--which says something. I don't see anything flaming about it, and he never has any flirtatious moments with either sex--so while his sexuality is in the wind, he doesn't come across as super-gay. So, I don't get that form of characterization, either. I don't mind Marlu liking men--heck, I embrace it, myself. However, it's not correct characterization if he's flirting with everything with two legs that's male, nor is it correct if he's flaming.
Now, on to the next. Xemnas! Chock full of spoilers, this one.
Xemnas is, arguably, a villain who delivers. When he is analyzed in depth, he is secretive and damn good at what he does. In Days, he is practically FIVE steps ahead of everyone, from Xion, to Marluxia, to... Everyone else. He thinks far in advance, and includes multiple outcomes in his scenarios. He also doesn't seem to give a damn about anyone other than himself. Yes, this includes not caring about the other former Apprentices. He doesn't stop working or even seem to bat an eye when Lexaeus, Vexen and Zexion are all killed, two of which are suspicious. Even when he's alone, he doesn't seem to care. He just charges on ahead. If anything, to him, friendship and bonds are considered signs of weakness.
So why is he so often displayed as a guy who doesn't know what he's doing or just disinterested and uninvolved in the plots of the Org? :/ With his character, it doesn't make sense. He's, like, the ultimate puppet master! Everyone is dancing along in what he directs, like good little puppets. Sure, there are setbacks--Xion, Roxas and Sora--but no matter, he has a backup plan. And everyone else? Expendable for the cause. ...Doesn't sound worthless, disinterested, whatever to me.
So, yeah, I've seen one too many characterization fails on those three, especially. Nice to finally get it off my chest.
Okay, to start this out...
Saix.
Why, oh, why, oh, why is he so often displayed in badfics as a puppy? That is, a super-fluffy-not-very-bright-and-rather-hyperactive-thing. I don't see those hints anywhere in any of the games. In fact, he seems more like an attack dog on alert, if you must liken him to a canine. He seems to range from nearly emotionless, to grinning to himself as he watches the hero squirm. He also seems willing to do anything so long as he gets what he wants in the end. Saix also seems to be downright possessive at times in Days, with how he lashes out at both Xion and Roxas. Roxas earns a more subtle dislike, probably because at least one Keyblade is necessary so he can put up with sharing, but once Xion comes into the picture and Axel starts drifting further away? Xion suddenly seems a thief to him. My personal thoughts, mind you, but still, he comes across as possessive.
He's not a puppy. Quit writing him as such, please.
Now. Marluxia.
Why the heck is he always a freaking flamer in badfics, or gay as heck? I don't get it. ink + flowers =/= gay or flamer. Heck, he wields a scythe, for crying out loud! To not only wield it, but wield it one-handed with no sign of shaking? He has to have immense upper body strength, because a scythe is a terribly unbalanced weapon. Which means he probably works out a lot. Also, his face alone isn't feminine. His chest is muscled, his shoulders broad, etc. And his personality is that of a subtly cruel, dangerously brilliant, openly charismatic and manipulative-as-hell bastard. The closest he comes to flaming is his flourish when his face is first revealed. Heck, looking at other characters, even Zexion seems to think that, unhindered, Marluxia could realistically achieve his goals--which says something. I don't see anything flaming about it, and he never has any flirtatious moments with either sex--so while his sexuality is in the wind, he doesn't come across as super-gay. So, I don't get that form of characterization, either. I don't mind Marlu liking men--heck, I embrace it, myself. However, it's not correct characterization if he's flirting with everything with two legs that's male, nor is it correct if he's flaming.
Now, on to the next. Xemnas! Chock full of spoilers, this one.
Xemnas is, arguably, a villain who delivers. When he is analyzed in depth, he is secretive and damn good at what he does. In Days, he is practically FIVE steps ahead of everyone, from Xion, to Marluxia, to... Everyone else. He thinks far in advance, and includes multiple outcomes in his scenarios. He also doesn't seem to give a damn about anyone other than himself. Yes, this includes not caring about the other former Apprentices. He doesn't stop working or even seem to bat an eye when Lexaeus, Vexen and Zexion are all killed, two of which are suspicious. Even when he's alone, he doesn't seem to care. He just charges on ahead. If anything, to him, friendship and bonds are considered signs of weakness.
So why is he so often displayed as a guy who doesn't know what he's doing or just disinterested and uninvolved in the plots of the Org? :/ With his character, it doesn't make sense. He's, like, the ultimate puppet master! Everyone is dancing along in what he directs, like good little puppets. Sure, there are setbacks--Xion, Roxas and Sora--but no matter, he has a backup plan. And everyone else? Expendable for the cause. ...Doesn't sound worthless, disinterested, whatever to me.
So, yeah, I've seen one too many characterization fails on those three, especially. Nice to finally get it off my chest.