I feel like if Rose fell for Kain instead a lot of problems would be solved. Cecil never even realized he had romantic feelings towards her until she was kidnapped and almost killed. Romance wasn’t really on Cecil’s radar so I don’t think he would have been too upset if Kain and Rosa were together. He would actually be happy for his two best friends. Then again story wouldn’t be as interesting. The song Theme is love makes my heart squeeze every time I hear it. The translated lyrics fits Kain’s feelings for Rosa so well. :,)
That's the worst part of love triangles. None of the people involved are necessarily bad or deserving of pain. Kain is a good man, better than most. He is a true tragic hero.
Thank you so much for this video! Kain has been my favorite character ever since I first saw him. Even though I liked him because of his cool armor at first (I mean, can you blame me?), as soon as I got to see him in action, I simply felt... More curious about him. How he was on the outside but what he felt deep inside made up for such a huge contrast that still amazes me today. I partly didn't know why I loved his character so much, it just felt right to do so. Maybe because he was incredibly human, which is relatable. When I discovered your video, I started to understand WHY I truly loved Kain's character. So thank you for that, I highly appreciate it!
I stumbled on this video while installing outlets at home..... brought out a tear that my wife caught....explained to her that for around 30 years a true friend had finally made his way back home. How some of these games really stick to people!
FFIV has been my first, real FF title that I played through (I played FF1 before but I was too young to read and understand what was going on). Cecil as a Dark Knight has long been my favorite character in the franchise. However, Kain also holds a special place in that Dragoons are just that unique of a job. Most jobs relates to something already established or based off another setting or lore but amongst the unique ones, Dragoons tend to stand out for how their approach combat and how every FF brings up their lore. In some settings, they're dragon riders; in another, they train under dragons and inherit their powers... and in others, they're actually dragon slayers. Case in point : FFXIV's dragoons are dragon slayers and the source of their power is often relegated to "just intense physical training" but there's more to it. To avoid spoilers, I won't mention what but it does make the job feel more grounded. Even as the WoL, your own style of Dragoon combat in that game is noted for being different because you don't just use it to fight dragons but also adventuring and tackling all manners of creatures. And Kain is, in my opinion, the quintessential example of a dragoon : it requires focus, dedication and learning an art that, for all intent and purpose, would seem almost suicidal to attempt. After all, who in their right mind would train to leap hundreds of feet in the air only to come crashing down, spear first, and not expect to break every bone in their body on landing. If anything, it might require more expertise than Dark Knight if only because of its intensity and putting yourself constantly in a state of terminal velocity. Also, most dragoon characters tend to end up being loners; I'd assume it is mostly because their art requires them to interact with beasts that might not perceive the world in the same way humans / mortals do and need to start having that mindset to even understand their abilities. Kain might simply be compounding his issues with that mindset on top of it, which leads to how he behaves and how he's easily manipulated. It might also be why Kain has a much harder time to sympathize with his darker side and end up beaten by his dark half; he just can't bring himself, at the time, to see power as anything else than a tool but having nowhere to point it at. Cecil had purpose and while he also had Lunarian blood, he also hated what he had become : his desire for change was at the core of his character while Kain's was mostly to try and suppress himself. Kain wasn't fixing himself or really sought change, he only sought to not be a burden to the people he cared for instead of becoming a better person that wouldn't need to worry about burdening others or if he did, be able to bring that change properly over time. So when he does accept his darkness, it is him realizing that it doesn't matter how many layers you put on your base desires as they'll still be there and once you slip, they'll come out hard. P.S. : Also, am I the only one who thinks that if there's another action RPG Final Fantasy game coming out in the future that the protagonist should be a dragoon? As in, not a party member but the very central character to the story you control? It puzzles me that if they're going for the action RPG / spectacle fighter route, it is a no-brainer that dragoons would be the perfect job for that kind of combat? Half of spectacle fighter games is about launching enemies and air combos... and what job does melee air combat better than a dragoon? Besides, it would be nice to see a story involving dragons deeply and your dragoon hero interacting with them. Perhaps as the medium between man and dragon, even.
This is a great analysis, but how could you leave out arguably the most compelling detail of Kain's character: the origin of his name? He's named after Cain, a Biblical character who kills his brother Abel out of envy.
@@Asterwisk makes sense glad too see you back at it, if I remember correctly I think I subscribed back when you made the grisaia no kajitsu review. I just happened to look thru all my subscriptions today and saw this.
I've never understood those, "living under his shadow" deals. The only one I truly understand and feel for is Luigi for Mario because of how simple it is, but we eventually see him grow more confident with himself as he is utilized for more adventures. To me, it's strange for me to see Kain hold on to this grudge considering the realized world they live in. His options for love and status are available anywhere and anyhow. If he's jealous of status, he could've built a nobler, and more approachable image of himself, because in comparison, the Dark Knight status and persona is feared, even among the common folk. NPCs are intimidated by Cecil's appearance and power, not by what the armor's power of sacrifice stands for. In the intro of the story, Cecil complains about the king using his power for evil, but Kain replies by only comparing how Dragoons are lesser in status and that he could've been one if he didn't become a Dragoon in respect of his dead daddy. Why can't he just look towards his kingdom's people for a significant other? Hell, Yang found a wife in an ordinary Fabul lady. His jealousy of Cecil over Rosa is kind of disrespectful for how long they've all been friends together, as relatable as it is. Like, at that point, he should move on and build a new friendship in another girl if he wants to build a cherishable relationship.
No,he can't. And he hate himself for that,because he can't just hate Cecil and Rosa,he find himself in shame. He is a dragoon,and he's honor is on line,he negate he's feelings over and over, making Golbez control him,to set he true self free. After 17 years, he can understood who he is a human,and to not negate he's falts and feelings, but live whit them,just like Cecil,who back to the Lv.1 and grown all again to be stronger,turning shadow in light,acept him. A hard work, who can we do?
Kain eventually understood this. It made him quite self-loathing, to the point of him having such a negative opinion of himself that he thought he was unworthy to even witness the happiness of Cecil and Rosa until he fixed himself.
so Kain basically goes off and gets laid a bunch just to come back and be Uncle to Cecil's kid, is what im getting out of it. the fighting himself thing is basically "i need to stop trying to bang Rosa. okay for Ceodore's sake i will be a good person" sorry but how does one be a Holy Dragoon. so he gets to be DPS And can Heal? jesus talk about being OP as fuck hahaha
Well made video and it shines some light on the character that was on my blindside. I've played a fair amount of JRPGs and when I see a trope or something cheap to create dramatic moments, I tend to hate it and sometimes it sours me on the whole game. I love FF4's story and while I don't think Kain ruins the game for me, I think he's just an extremely dumb simp. Thank God for FF4 the after years because it made him a whole lot better.
Not saying Cain isnt a sad character, FFIV was my first back on emulator in '99, and even as a 9 year old his sadness spoke to me, but i'm sorry.... THE MOST TRAGIC CHAR IN FF IS NOEL KREISS from 13-2. The last human ever born. When you go to his time and see his world state...its just insaneKain is alone by choice (other than his Dad situation) but Noel is just fucked, period
I don't get where you get that Kain is remotely romantically interested in Rosa. Unless this is fanfiction in which you might want to put it in the title.
He actively says when he kidnaps her that if he kills Cecil then maybe Rosa would only have eyes for him. He says things that make it clear he has feelings for her several times.
I feel like if Rose fell for Kain instead a lot of problems would be solved. Cecil never even realized he had romantic feelings towards her until she was kidnapped and almost killed. Romance wasn’t really on Cecil’s radar so I don’t think he would have been too upset if Kain and Rosa were together. He would actually be happy for his two best friends. Then again story wouldn’t be as interesting. The song Theme is love makes my heart squeeze every time I hear it. The translated lyrics fits Kain’s feelings for Rosa so well. :,)
That's the worst part of love triangles. None of the people involved are necessarily bad or deserving of pain.
Kain is a good man, better than most. He is a true tragic hero.
"so you have come to offer your life for your friends?'
"no. i offer yours."
Kain is my favorite FF character! Great review of him!
Thank you! I'm happy you liked it!
What a character.
It's a shame FFIV is often overlooked and it's a shame that this video has so little views 'cause it's great!
My favorite game, my favorite character... And my favorite lost TH-camr. Thought you were long lost
Thank you so much for this video! Kain has been my favorite character ever since I first saw him. Even though I liked him because of his cool armor at first (I mean, can you blame me?), as soon as I got to see him in action, I simply felt... More curious about him. How he was on the outside but what he felt deep inside made up for such a huge contrast that still amazes me today. I partly didn't know why I loved his character so much, it just felt right to do so. Maybe because he was incredibly human, which is relatable. When I discovered your video, I started to understand WHY I truly loved Kain's character. So thank you for that, I highly appreciate it!
Thank you! I'm happy to hear you took stuff like that away from this vid!
Its kinda true like Hes so cool but what was so curious about it was how he felt on the inside and how he hid all of his pain
This was such a good narrative! Thank you for making the vid. More FF fans should watch this omg.
Thank you!
Great video. Kain is probably my favorite character in ff4, and your video perfectly explains why. He’s a likable, but very human character.
I stumbled on this video while installing outlets at home..... brought out a tear that my wife caught....explained to her that for around 30 years a true friend had finally made his way back home.
How some of these games really stick to people!
Very well done. You explored Kain's character well and your editing was awesome.
FFIV has been my first, real FF title that I played through (I played FF1 before but I was too young to read and understand what was going on). Cecil as a Dark Knight has long been my favorite character in the franchise.
However, Kain also holds a special place in that Dragoons are just that unique of a job. Most jobs relates to something already established or based off another setting or lore but amongst the unique ones, Dragoons tend to stand out for how their approach combat and how every FF brings up their lore.
In some settings, they're dragon riders; in another, they train under dragons and inherit their powers... and in others, they're actually dragon slayers. Case in point : FFXIV's dragoons are dragon slayers and the source of their power is often relegated to "just intense physical training" but there's more to it. To avoid spoilers, I won't mention what but it does make the job feel more grounded. Even as the WoL, your own style of Dragoon combat in that game is noted for being different because you don't just use it to fight dragons but also adventuring and tackling all manners of creatures.
And Kain is, in my opinion, the quintessential example of a dragoon : it requires focus, dedication and learning an art that, for all intent and purpose, would seem almost suicidal to attempt. After all, who in their right mind would train to leap hundreds of feet in the air only to come crashing down, spear first, and not expect to break every bone in their body on landing. If anything, it might require more expertise than Dark Knight if only because of its intensity and putting yourself constantly in a state of terminal velocity.
Also, most dragoon characters tend to end up being loners; I'd assume it is mostly because their art requires them to interact with beasts that might not perceive the world in the same way humans / mortals do and need to start having that mindset to even understand their abilities. Kain might simply be compounding his issues with that mindset on top of it, which leads to how he behaves and how he's easily manipulated. It might also be why Kain has a much harder time to sympathize with his darker side and end up beaten by his dark half; he just can't bring himself, at the time, to see power as anything else than a tool but having nowhere to point it at.
Cecil had purpose and while he also had Lunarian blood, he also hated what he had become : his desire for change was at the core of his character while Kain's was mostly to try and suppress himself. Kain wasn't fixing himself or really sought change, he only sought to not be a burden to the people he cared for instead of becoming a better person that wouldn't need to worry about burdening others or if he did, be able to bring that change properly over time. So when he does accept his darkness, it is him realizing that it doesn't matter how many layers you put on your base desires as they'll still be there and once you slip, they'll come out hard.
P.S. : Also, am I the only one who thinks that if there's another action RPG Final Fantasy game coming out in the future that the protagonist should be a dragoon? As in, not a party member but the very central character to the story you control? It puzzles me that if they're going for the action RPG / spectacle fighter route, it is a no-brainer that dragoons would be the perfect job for that kind of combat? Half of spectacle fighter games is about launching enemies and air combos... and what job does melee air combat better than a dragoon?
Besides, it would be nice to see a story involving dragons deeply and your dragoon hero interacting with them. Perhaps as the medium between man and dragon, even.
Solid vid man.
Imagine Kain in Smash with his four different outfits.
Interesting, thanks for sharing.
Thank you.
This is a great analysis, but how could you leave out arguably the most compelling detail of Kain's character: the origin of his name? He's named after Cain, a Biblical character who kills his brother Abel out of envy.
kain is #1
I think it’s poetic that Kain as a Holy Dragoon is a better version of After Years Cecil
woah you started uploading again now this is epic.
Trying to get back into it. Keep improving and all that.
@@Asterwisk makes sense glad too see you back at it, if I remember correctly I think I subscribed back when you made the grisaia no kajitsu review. I just happened to look thru all my subscriptions today and saw this.
Wouldn't surprise me haha. I'm trying my hand at video essays now more than flat out reviews, but hope you still like it.
I've never understood those, "living under his shadow" deals. The only one I truly understand and feel for is Luigi for Mario because of how simple it is, but we eventually see him grow more confident with himself as he is utilized for more adventures.
To me, it's strange for me to see Kain hold on to this grudge considering the realized world they live in. His options for love and status are available anywhere and anyhow.
If he's jealous of status, he could've built a nobler, and more approachable image of himself, because in comparison, the Dark Knight status and persona is feared, even among the common folk. NPCs are intimidated by Cecil's appearance and power, not by what the armor's power of sacrifice stands for.
In the intro of the story, Cecil complains about the king using his power for evil, but Kain replies by only comparing how Dragoons are lesser in status and that he could've been one if he didn't become a Dragoon in respect of his dead daddy.
Why can't he just look towards his kingdom's people for a significant other? Hell, Yang found a wife in an ordinary Fabul lady.
His jealousy of Cecil over Rosa is kind of disrespectful for how long they've all been friends together, as relatable as it is. Like, at that point, he should move on and build a new friendship in another girl if he wants to build a cherishable relationship.
Good argument, but rationality cannot dissect the dark corners of the human mind. Unless you're a psychopath
No,he can't. And he hate himself for that,because he can't just hate Cecil and Rosa,he find himself in shame. He is a dragoon,and he's honor is on line,he negate he's feelings over and over, making Golbez control him,to set he true self free. After 17 years, he can understood who he is a human,and to not negate he's falts and feelings, but live whit them,just like Cecil,who back to the Lv.1 and grown all again to be stronger,turning shadow in light,acept him. A hard work, who can we do?
Kain eventually understood this. It made him quite self-loathing, to the point of him having such a negative opinion of himself that he thought he was unworthy to even witness the happiness of Cecil and Rosa until he fixed himself.
PSP Version the best btw, but DS/PC version made for a much more interesting video to watch imo
so Kain basically goes off and gets laid a bunch just to come back and be Uncle to Cecil's kid, is what im getting out of it. the fighting himself thing is basically "i need to stop trying to bang Rosa. okay for Ceodore's sake i will be a good person" sorry but how does one be a Holy Dragoon. so he gets to be DPS And can Heal? jesus talk about being OP as fuck hahaha
😂🤣
DUDEE DID ELINA JUST HAD AN AFFAIR WITH HER HUSBAND (FILIP) BEST FRIEND RICHARD HIGHWIND??? Please somebody tells me i am wrong
Airship militia, huh?
I’m still pissed Kain hasn’t been in Kingdom Hearts yet…
So is the 17 years later part only in the sequel After Years?
Yeah. That's when it takes place.
Asterisk so in the regular game, the ending is just him at the mountain being sad?
Pretty much haha
Has anyone ever changed Kain's name to Van Halen?
This way it keeps saying Jump it makes sense. 🤣
Well made video and it shines some light on the character that was on my blindside.
I've played a fair amount of JRPGs and when I see a trope or something cheap to create dramatic moments, I tend to hate it and sometimes it sours me on the whole game. I love FF4's story and while I don't think Kain ruins the game for me, I think he's just an extremely dumb simp. Thank God for FF4 the after years because it made him a whole lot better.
Not saying Cain isnt a sad character, FFIV was my first back on emulator in '99, and even as a 9 year old his sadness spoke to me, but i'm sorry.... THE MOST TRAGIC CHAR IN FF IS NOEL KREISS from 13-2. The last human ever born. When you go to his time and see his world state...its just insaneKain is alone by choice (other than his Dad situation) but Noel is just fucked, period
Isn't This, The Same Kain From FFII?
I don't get where you get that Kain is remotely romantically interested in Rosa. Unless this is fanfiction in which you might want to put it in the title.
He actively says when he kidnaps her that if he kills Cecil then maybe Rosa would only have eyes for him. He says things that make it clear he has feelings for her several times.
@@Asterwisk I just checked and you were right.