Before I begin, a quick shout out to amazing graphical wizard Brodie for the fantastic featured image!
There’s an awful lot to love about the characters in the world of Bravely Default. From the heroes to the villains, they are all bursting with personality, and no two are the same. That said, there is one who I love above all else. That character is none other than Edea Lee.
While there are many things that appeal to me about Edea, the most important facet of her personality is her conviction. From the start of the game, Edea is on the opposite side of your group. She is allied with the Eternian Sky Knights tasked with hunting down the Wind Vestal, and is working under the command of Ominas Crowe. But when Ominas goes out of control and starts hurting people, Edea does something truly brave. Instead of going along with it or simply “following orders”, Edea rebels against his sinister command, and quickly turns traitor to her own people. Not knowing how things will pan out or even whether she is doing the right thing, Edea stays true to her tightly held convictions of right and wrong, and I applaud her for that, especially since Agnes blindly follows the tenets of her religion.
Another thing I love about Edea? She isn’t a damsel in distress. She is a fiery, loudmouthed, passionate woman unafraid to express her feelings. Ringabel’s constant innuendo falls on her deaf ears, and she manages to tongue tie the usually dapper gentleman. Even better, Edea is a foodie. Yes, you heard that right. In the many Party Chat sections of the game, Edea proves to have an eclectic and varied taste in food. She loves hideous sweets, scarfs down pounds of seafood and generally pigs out on whatever appeals to her – all without putting on a pound!
As if this wasn’t enough, Edea is also a fashion plate. While that causes all sorts of tension between her and Anges, who is very pure and conservative in her dress, it is also very entertaining. Edea is proud of her body and loves to show off with the latest fashion, yet she isn’t shallow, cruel or ditzy. That takes a special type of woman.
But, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention one more reason I love Edea – she also kicks ass. It is not a stretch to say that Edea became my number one go-to gal in battle. Now some of you are probably saying “But Josh! ANYONE can be a kickass battler in Bravely Default, just change their job!” While there is some truth to that, very few characters look as good while doing it. Case in point – Edea is a masterful, sexy and powerful Spell Fencer. In her transparent pink veil, armed with a sword crackling with mystic energy, Edea is primed and ready to vanquish evil and protect her friends. She may see things in a very black and white manner, but that doesn’t stop her from being a true hero.
