LGBTQ Representation in Fire Emblem
Fire Emblem is a Tactical RPG video game that has recently found mainstream popularity here in the U.S. The series has 16 games in it so far, and the U.S only started getting those games after the 7th entry. The games are enjoyed by fans for their tactical and difficult gameplay, dynamic characters, and rich stories. Part of the focus on characters in the series is due to the addition of the Support system, and it is through this system that the player learns more about characters and their relationships with others.
The Support system is a very old system within Fire Emblem games. It has changed both names, effects, and mechanics throughout the years but the core remains the same. If characters are near each other during levels for a long enough period of time, the player unlocks a maximum of three (sometimes more in recent games) cutscenes where they converse and reveal more about themselves. Sometimes these Supports change the endings for characters where they are “paired”, and in the epilogue their endings intertwine. An example is Ike and Soren going off on a journey together at the end of Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance if the player has unlocked all three of their Support conversations. This Support system allows for the first potential LGBTQ representation in Fire Emblem, as many of these Supports end with characters becoming romantically interested or hinting at romantic interest and a few of these pairs are of the same sex.
Fan speculation about certain Fire Emblem characters being gay due to their supports has been around since the first U.S released game. Characters such as Raven and Lucius, and Florina and Lyndis have paired endings together, and due to the dialogue the pairs share many fans have pointed that there are hints of romance. Lucius wants to stay with Raven no matter what, and the two share a strong bond. Lyndis asks Florina to come home with her in their paired ending, so that they may remain together forever. However these pairs can be explained away as the characters being best friends. Lyndis and Florina constantly regard each other as best friends, and the same goes for Lucius and Raven.
A much more popular pair within the fanbase are Ike and Soren of the 9th and 10th Fire Emblem game. There is a large amount of evidence within both games that these two have romantic relationship. Firstly, it is stated that Ike “cares nothing for the affection of women”. This is seen throughout his games, as he is oblivious to the flirtatious attitudes of female characters such as Marcia and Elincia, and he has no paired endings with any female characters. He does have a paired ending with Soren though, and through achieving this ending we see that Ike is the only person Soren opens up to. Soren is willing to cry and hug Ike in these scenes and reveal his deepest insecurities. Soren is not a very open character, usually very standoffish and blunt. However this hard exterior crumbles when around Ike, and Soren says that Ike is the only person special to him. In their paired ending the two leave the continent together on a journey alone, and many members of the fanbase believe this to be where they fully enter a relationship together. There are more examples of LGBTQ representation in Fire Emblem besides the Support system.
Kyza is currently Fire Emblem’s sole example of a transgendered character, and this is confirmed and not just argued through evidence such as many of the previously mentioned Supports. However, Kyza is only transgendered in the Japanese version of the 10th game, and this aspect is entirely changed in the English versions. They use feminine speech patterns in the Japanese version, and are referred to by female pronouns. Kyza was entirely changed in the English version, however Heather is in the same game as Kyza and is the first example of a confirmed lesbian character within Fire Emblem. This aspect is not at all removed in the English either, she joins the player’s side in order to meet cute girls. It is easy to see that there are more examples of LGBTQ representation within the newer games, and the remakes of older games are included.
In a recent remake of the second Fire Emblem game, the character Leon was completely changed and is now openly gay. This is entirely different from the original version of the game, as many characters have been changed and expanded upon in this remake. Leon is given a very in-depth and sympathetic backstory, and now also has a paired ending with his closest friend and love interest Valbar. He discusses his attractions openly and with pride, and is willing to discuss his feelings with many other characters. The most recent Fire Emblem games also have a number of same-sex relationships within them for the player to find, and the number of these in the latest entry is the highest to date.
LGBTQ representation within the Fire Emblem series has become more prominent and popular as the series has gone on. It has gone from characters having hints of romance for characters of the same sex to openly homosexual and bisexual characters. Perhaps characters such as Kyza will become more common, and no longer be censored in the English versions of the games. Many other video game series have had increased positive LGBTQ representation in them as time goes on as well, and this is an important and positive reflection of society.
“LGBTQ Video Game Archive.” LGBTQ Video Game Archive. Accessed March 15, 2020. https://lgbtqgamearchive.com/.
