Artgeekery, or: reason #85 why I love Phoenix Wright

[fuyu]

So there's something that's been bothering me about Edgeworth's face, the way he's drawn. Not necessarily a bad thing, just... something I couldn't quite define. And, talking with akatokuro just now about how hard he is to draw, it finally hit me.

Edgeworth looks like he's not getting enough sleep.

It's so simple, too. Someone who's suffered from nightmares for the better part of his life that wake him up in the middle of the night every night would be pretty much constantly tired. He'd have adapted - out of necessity - to be functional despite this, but he'd still be tired all the time and that would show.

And that's what I couldn't define about Edgeworth's eyes! He actually LOOKS tired.

It's most apparent here and here. Lookit those dark circles!

What makes this even better is that in the new sprite he gets for JFA, the smirky one? He looks significantly less tired. And of course, in JFA he's much more stable and healthy and has gotten emotional closure and would, very likely, be sleeping better.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Of course, the young!Edgeworth sprites from the third game all look very well rested, so this falls apart a little there, but I guess they had to make him look younger somehow, right?

Yeah, I don't know if they did that on purpose, but it's there and that's what matters. ♥ I'm so thrilled, it's so subtle and yet so telling and EEEEE. What a good bit of character design. ♥

Comments

[unicorn]

I'm not certain, but...wasn't that smirky face in the first and second games?

[fuyu]

I don't think so... I don't remember seeing it in the first game at all. (I'm still working on my replay, I'll be able to verify that one way or another soon enough...)

[unicorn]

The SECOND game, though! Because I think he was making the smirky face at Nick while they were talking about trusting one another, a lot. It also passes for his pleasant face. (O Miles.)

[fuyu]

Well, yes, it's definitely in the second game. I said it was from JFA. XD My point is! He doesn't get that face until then, when he is really much more stable and happy.

[unicorn]

Aah, I misread. ^^ His horrible experiences on the road for a year fixed his face! Must keep from suggesting he was at the Hotti Clinic.

[akatokuro.livejournal.com]

Nope. Smirk definitely was not present in the first game.

[trenchkamen.livejournal.com]

Damn, you're right o_0

[fuyu]

I'm still kind of buzzing from this discovery. Poor Edgeworth, but what a great little detail to put in.

[anriko.livejournal.com]

...You know, my use of this icon is entirely your fault.

Just saying. *hides teh game whut you totally didn't see that*

[fuyu]

Ahahahaa. XD

*peeeeeeers* >:3