The Legend of Heroes is a video game franchise with a rich history, having told a continuous story for two decades through various formats including games, anime, manga and more. The series has followed young heroes who battle against oppressive political forces to help others. The narrative is both comprehensive and light-hearted, with problems often being solved through friendship and international trade agreements.
The latest installment, Trails through Daybreak, features a diverse group of characters including gig workers, orphans, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and ethnic minorities. They form a united front against villains who are stirring up racial tensions and exploiting capitalist agendas. The game also depicts characters confronting and resisting white supremacy.
One pivotal moment occurs when the game’s protagonist, Van Arkride, asks a new character, Quatre, about preferred gender pronouns. Quatre’s gender expression is ambiguous, portrayed through his unique attire and long silver hair. The reactions from the other characters to this question highlight the complexities of gender presentation and identity.
The Legend of Heroes series has also seen progress in its portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters over time. Early games included characters who were queer-coded, but often reduced to comedic relief or harmful stereotypes. But with the release of Trails through Daybreak, the franchise has seen significant growth in the depiction of queer characters. They are represented not by their sexuality or gender identity, but by their actions and interactions with the world around them.
One noteworthy addition is the character Quatre, who is agender and is portrayed with sensitivity and depth. Quatre’s experiences and struggles regarding gender, sexuality and body image are explored in the game. The game also presents other queer characters and explores the themes of being in the closet and queer love triangles.
Leona Renee, who has worked on the translation of almost every Trails game over the past decade, believes that this shift is reflective of the changing societal perceptions of queer culture. She notes that the developers’ intention was to create a more mature story and to reflect the progression of the world over the past decade.
Despite its focus on diverse characters and social issues, Trails through Daybreak is still a light-hearted game. Its world-building remains thoughtful and critical, with heroes fighting against oppressive forces of imperialism and white supremacy. The game also does not shy away from depicting the diverse realities of its world, including sex workers and political manipulations.
With over twenty years of development, The Legend of Heroes franchise has evolved significantly, particularly in its representation of diverse characters and social issues. Its world-building continually drives players back to the series, reminding them that art does not need to be highbrow to accurately depict the world: diverse, vast and filled with heroes fighting against the wealthy and oppressive forces.
