Ace, Deuce, Yuu, & Grimm Relationship Analysis

Before we got into this, I wanted to specify why I added Grimm in. Typically, when I see people talk about the relationship of any of the characters and Yuu, Grimm is never mentioned. Unless of course, they are referring to the relationship of Yuu and Grimm.

I think this is an oversight. Simply because Yuu and Grimm are quite literally a package deal. There are a few characters in the game you so rarely see without each other, Jamil & Kalim, Azul & the twins, these are examples of this. But you also see these characters on their own quite frequently. But Yuu and Grimm being separated from each other is abnormal.

I can only think of three examples where they are willingly away from each other. The first, being in Iida’s lab vignette where Grimm was sent by Ace and Yuu to go get snacks. But even then, Ace and Yuu weren’t far behind him. The second, when Yuu went to go talk to Malleus. Grimm was asleep during this, and even then - Yuu’s relationship with Malleus effects Malleus’s relationship with Grimm. Simply put, since Yuu has permission to call Malleus Tsunotaro, Grimm also has permission to call him Tsunotaro. And thirdly, when Grimm went to eat magic stones. Yuu wasn’t always aware Grimm was doing this and Grimm also kinda came off possessed during those times - which is another thing entirely to talk about, but the point still stands. Grimm and Yuu are rarely ever away from each other.

Which is why I included Grimm in this analysis, he is just as important to the relationship as Yuu is.

Now, moving on from that, let’s talk about Ace’s, Deuce’s, Yuu’s and Grimm’s relationship. They by far have one of the most unique relationships in the game. This is because we actually get to actively see their character growth throughout the game through the relationship.

They are the only group in the game that Yuu can say will be there to help them no matter what. Chapter four and six not standing simply because of the unique circumstances. But that doesn’t change the fact that Ace and Deuce wanted to help Grimm and Yuu, they just couldn’t get to them in time.

The other characters don’t do this. Typically, you’ll only see the character for their respective chapters and the following one. Chapter six is unique in that regard, but that seems to be the rule. Only, Ace and Deuce don’t follow this rule. They have been in every chapter, either in big or small ways.

Because of this, we get to see them grow as characters. We don’t get to really see this for other characters, but we can for Ace, Deuce, and Grimm.

In particular, I think Ace, Deuce, and Grimm are all effected by Yuu in a unique way. Yuu is described as “disgustingly nice” by some of the characters. And since they are villains, this isn’t surprising. 

I think we see this “disgustingly nice” trait with Grimm the most. Keep in mind, Yuu took Grimm in. They could have kicked him out, or had Crowley kick him out once he showed up. Keep in mind, Grimm tried to burn Yuu alive on first meeting, and kept insulting and demeaning them second meeting because they didn’t have magic. It’s shown that Yuu feels sympathetic for Grimm, and that’s probably why they took him in, in a way.

Grimm treats Yuu as a henchmen but will get just as offended on Yuu’s behalf when something happens to them. And Ace has made a few comments on home screen, Ceremonial robes if memory serves, about how Grimm acts up the moment Yuu leaves. Grimm does cause Yuu a lot of trouble, but Yuu is known as a beast tamer because Grimm will only listen to Yuu. And I think that’s because Yuu is “disgustingly nice”. It’s kinda like, Grimm may give Yuu a hard time, but he’s the only one that can do that because that’s his henchmen.

Ace and Deuce do the same thing. They’ll give Yuu a hard time and cause trouble, but they are there for Yuu when Yuu needs help. They do this for each other as well. Considering these are the same people that had Yuu give them their lunch to help catch Grimm in the beginning, and they’ve now moved on to helping with much bigger things because they’re worried about Yuu says a lot about their character growth. And I think this is because Yuu is so “disgustingly nice”. Yuu hasn’t made the three of them better people, but Yuu has made them care more for their people.

And this concern isn’t centered around Yuu. It goes between all four of them. We see this in Endless Halloween with Ace. His vignette in particular. He knows Deuce is gone, so he goes to check Ramshackle to check if Yuu and Grimm are gone too. And when he finally gets them back, he’s angry because it was all just some big prank and he was worried something horrible happened to them. And he couldn’t even get mad because it was a prank pulled by the Malleus Draconia, and it was a big party for the ghosts.

This was the person that teased and poked fun at Grimm and Yuu in the beginning and tried to skip out on his punishment. This was the person that refused to work with the others and was content to get expelled. This was also the person that ran to Yuu because he knew they would at least let him stay at their dorm because they were so “disgustingly nice”. And this is the person that traveled a huge distance, spent and did who knows how much, just to get to Yuu and Grimm because they were in trouble. Him and Deuce didn’t even get to spend proper time with their families over break, because they immediately went to go help Yuu and Grimm.

Deuce was the person that got dragged into Yuu’s, Grimm’s, and Ace’s situation. Also refused to work with someone even though it could get him expelled. But he was also the person that went to check on Ace once he learned that something had happened. And even though Ace and Deuce both had times where they wanted something in exchange for their help, they went running to help both Yuu and Grimm once they knew they needed it.

Grimm is the person that didn’t have anyone before he came to NRC. And even then, the only person he had was Yuu. Yuu didn’t have anyone because they came to NRC and didn’t have anyone but Grimm. Ace and Deuce became people they could rely on. And Ace and Deuce could rely on them in turn.

Another thing is - spoilers - how Grimm, Ace, and Deuce are all helping Yuu get home in Chapter seven. All three will lose Yuu, who they care for deeply as a friend. Grimm in particular will be the most alone once Yuu leaves and there is no guarantee he can still be a student once Yuu leaves. But all three are still helping Yuu find a way home.

They have one of the clearest friendships in NRC. You know that they are friends. And I think this is because that they have one “non-villain” character that it’s so obvious that they are friends. Because while Ace, Deuce, and Grimm wouldn’t necessarily say that they are friends, Yuu would. 

That’s not to say they don’t have their ups and downs. You notice this the most with Ace and Deuce. Ace teases Deuce a lot, and Deuce doesn’t appreciate it. While Ace teases people because he genuinely wants to make fun of them, he also does it to people he likes. It’s unclear on if Deuce knows this, but it does upset Deuce enough that he’ll go to the beach and scream about it. It’s also unclear on if Ace knows that it even bugs Deuce this much. It probably doesn’t help that the two can’t get away from each other, they share a dorm room. But they’re still friends. 

People know that they’re still friends even when they frustrate each other, simply because if you can’t find the two with Grimm and Yuu, you can typically find them together.

Ace and Deuce are friends. Yuu and Grimm are friends. And while all four are friends, they do separate in that regard. But together they are a friendship group that cares about all of its members and will do anything for each other.

There’s an interesting phrase I’ve heard before. A hero would sacrifice you for the world, but a villain would sacrifice the world for you. I think this sums up the four’s relationship perfectly at the end of the day.

MC/Yuu “Blessed/Cursed” by a Fae Theory

So you know how Lilia said that MC vision state is kind of similar to when Silver falls asleep/sleepy?

And we know, in part, the cause of Silver’s sleepiness is due to the blessing he got from the three fairies.

So that makes me wonder, did someone “bless” MC to have these visions?? Was it some fae?

And since we know the carriage brought MC to NRC and they were in a coffin, the closest fae that could have done it is Dire Crowley.

I don’t remember who pointed it out (@prince-kallisto?? @moonlightequin1?? <— the two Dire Crowley experts) but didn’t someone say that ravens/crows are symbols of prophecy?? And also symbols of death and rebirth?

MC is getting visions of OBs so in a sense prophecy, though it’s not far in advance or detailed enough for them to stop it from happening.

Lilia Vanrouge Character Analysis

This contains spoilers for what is currently out of chapter 7, simply because I think the information provided cast Lilia in a new light. If you do not want any spoilers, I would suggest skipping over this analysis until reading chapter 7. If you do not mind spoilers, than feel free to read ahead.

Lilia is pretty interesting. Even though he seems pretty open, he’s regarded by enigmatic by the rest of the cast. A large portion of them state that while Lilia acts open, he always seems like he’s hiding something. Intentionally or otherwise. Which is interesting, if you consider that the rest of the Diasomnia characters will talk about Lilia pretty openly as if there’s nothing to hide at all.

(The exception of this is Silver trying to separate Lilia and his Father as if the are two separate people. This could be for a variety of reasons. It could be that Lilia, Silver, or both would rather not have the knowledge that Lilia has raised a human child be common knowledge – the motivations for this reasoning could range from simply not wanting people to know a piece of private information to much deeper meanings. Though, nothing has been confirmed, and we can only speculate as of now.)

What I find the most interesting, however, is how so many characters make the comment about how Lilia seems older than he presents himself as. It’s common knowledge that Fae live a long time, so it’s not as if they don’t know Lilia is old compared to them, not to mention they all never make the same comment about Malleus even though Malleus arguably has a harder time fitting in with “the times” compared to Lilia.

Of course, this is because Lilia is much older than Malleus. This being confirmed in chapter seven when Malleus says Lilia was there ever since he hatched from his egg. (With this in mind, add in with the fact that Lilia is known to travel around a lot, might mean that Lilia has much more experience fitting in with humans, and is why he adjust better to technology than Malleus does.) It honestly makes one wonder if on some level the characters can sense that there’s something off about Lilia – in the sense that Lilia isn’t giving away everything.

Though, that’s not to say that Lilia isn’t open to making connections with his fellow peers. He is arguably the most sociable out of all of his Diasomnia counterparts. However, because Lilia isn’t giving everything away, the connections themselves come off shallow when it has nothing to do with any of the Diasomnia characters. And that’s because while Lilia is willing to interact with them, he’s doing so with the mindset that everything will eventually end.

In chapter six, he says that humans are unique in the sense that even though they have such short lives, the connections they thread between themselves is what makes them so meaningful. Something that the Fae have a hard time doing, because they live such long lives. Since Lilia is looking at them with not only the mindset of they will be gone soon before he could develop any sort of meaningful connection (add in with the fact that he plans on going into retirement soon,) he either intentionally or subconsciously builds up a barrier that others can’t cross. That no one can actually ever get close to him.

It’s probably why, even though everyone can tell that he cares about Malleus, Silver, and Sebek, he doesn’t mention anything about his magic fading until its practically to late, and so now he’s planning on leaving very abruptly. With no prior warning, even though Lilia knew this was something that was coming.

That’s not to say that it doesn’t affect Lilia at all. It does. In fact, throughout the story, mainly the various events, Lilia will make a comment to show that it does bug him. The comments themselves being about how he needs to prepare Silver and Sebek to guard Malleus, or he won’t be able to retire “just yet”. He was already planning on retiring soon, probably before Silver and Sebek were ever born. The thing that probably held him off from doing it was because Silver and Sebek weren’t ready yet. 

In the end, his actions of closing himself off has put him and a lot of people in a predicament with what is now going to be his abrupt departure. And let’s talk about why he’s so closed off. We already know that Lilia lived through a war, a war that he doesn’t want a repeat of no matter what. It’s why he tells Silver to be so careful of how the relations between Malleus and humans are going. But wars involve a lot of loss and heartbreak. Which has probably led to Lilia shutting himself off from people.

He probably couldn’t even relax and properly have fun until recent years because he’s been serving his monarchy so long. Evidence of this is in the Ghost Bride Event and he makes the comment that he’s never warn a tux for a formal event. He never had the opportunity to. Probably because the crown was always his top-priority. It’s why even though he cares for Silver, it’s clear that Lilia’s service towards the crown has affected how he’s raised Silver. Just another reason for him to set up that barrier between him and everyone else.

That’s not to say Lilia doesn’t care for others. Or doesn’t try and interact with people and just shuts them out. He doesn’t. He enjoys talking with other people and having the most fun out of a situation as possible. But because Lilia isn’t willing to be truly open, it comes off as him never been able to relax, even when he’s goofing around. It’s a lesson that he’s trying to teach Malleus so he doesn’t get hurt, even though Lilia has probably unintentionally hurt himself and others by doing so. Even though he has the best intentions.

Malleus, Yuu, and Grimm Relationship Analysis

I’ve said this before on my Ace, Deuce, Yuu, and Grimm relationship analysis, but I wanted to say it again. That being why Grimm is added into the equation of Malleus’s and Yuu’s relationship. Most of what I’m going to say is copy and pasted from my Ace, Deuce, Yuu and Grimm relationship analysis post, so feel free to skip this explanation if you’ve already read it. But I just wanted to reiterate it for those that might not have read it, especially since I think that it’s very important for the relationship between Malleus, Yuu, and Grimm in particular because this is where it is seen the most outside of the Adeuce duo.

Typically, when I see people talk about the relationship of any of the characters and Yuu, Grimm is never mentioned. Unless of course, they are referring to the relationship of Yuu and Grimm.

I think this is an oversight. Simply because Yuu and Grimm are quite literally a package deal. There are a few characters in the game you so rarely see without each other, Jamil & Kalim, Azul & the twins, these are examples of this. But you also see these characters on their own quite frequently. But Yuu and Grimm being separated from each other is abnormal.

I can only think of three examples where they are willingly away from each other. The first, being in Iida’s lab vignette where Grimm was sent by Ace and Yuu to go get snacks. But even then, Ace and Yuu weren’t far behind him. The second, when Yuu went to go talk to Malleus. Grimm was asleep during this, and even then - Yuu’s relationship with Malleus effects Malleus’s relationship with Grimm. Simply put, since Yuu has permission to call Malleus Tsunotaro, Grimm also has permission to call him Tsunotaro. And thirdly, when Grimm went to eat magic stones. Yuu wasn’t always aware Grimm was doing this and Grimm also kinda came off possessed during those times - which is another thing entirely to talk about, but the point still stands. Grimm and Yuu are rarely ever away from each other.

Which is why I included Grimm in this analysis, he is just as important to the relationship as Yuu is.

Now, getting into the analysis.

I would first like to say that at first I’m just going to be focusing on the Yuu and Malleus side before I get into the Grimm side of things. Because while I do think Yuu’s relationship with Malleus’s effects Malleus’s relationship with Grimm, that doesn’t change the fact that Grimm wasn’t the one interacting with Malleus for a good portion of the beginning of it.

Now, I think its probably safe to assume that Yuu and Malleus meet up more often than what we see in the game. I say this because Malleus feels close enough to Yuu to send them a Holiday Card, which would suggest that they are friends at least on some level (Even if its just on a surface level). So they’ve probably interacted a lot more than what we’ve actually seen. (Though one could argue they do only meet as many times as shown, Malleus and Yuu might just be people that are quick to form an attachment. But I personally doubt this in regard to Malleus.)

But, aside from that, Yuu and Malleus’s first meeting was completely unique to both of them, seeing as what happened wasn’t something either were used to experiencing. Yuu found out some stranger was lurking outside of their house and said stranger was acting like they were the intruder. Malleus met someone that was both completely ignorant to his identity, but someone that was now living in the abandoned building that he loved to take late night walks by.

Malleus even makes the comment at one point, during their first conversation, that it was probably best if he didn’t return seeing as someone now occupied the building. Clearly Malleus changed his mind later on, but he probably didn’t frequently visit Yuu during the beginning of school year. 

Now, seeing as what we know now, Malleus didn’t give Yuu his name to prolong his hidden identity. It was stated, in chapter 5, that in-part the reason for this was because the fact that someone was ignorant of his identity amused Malleus. Which is why he told Yuu they could call him by anything. Then add in the fact that the name suggested was Tsunotaro, Malleus was even further amused because he can’t think of anyone that would willingly know his identity and still call him Tsunotaro.

With this in mind, I actually think the starting point of Yuu and Malleus getting close was chapter 5. This been after Malleus already sent the Holiday Card.

Now, why wouldn’t I include the Holiday Card as a significant event? It’s not to say that it was insignificant, but I don’t actually think it was a turning point in Yuu and Malleus actually growing close. Though I do think it was when Malleus was beginning to open up. The why of this has to deal with the fact that the card was signed M.D. and Lilia was the one that delivered the letter.

Malleus was hinting at his identity. I think this was in part to see how Yuu would react. Cause while Malleus enjoyed the fact that Yuu didn’t know who he was, he could only find it as something to be amused by. This was because Yuu didn’t know who he was and Malleus was fully expecting Yuu to behave differently upon learning his identity. As such, the two couldn’t truly have a close relationship.

So, in a way, Malleus hinting at who he was, was to test Yuu. It’s why he was kind-of pouting when he mentioned Yuu didn’t respond to his Holiday Card. He assumed it was because Yuu had finally figured out who he was and was now deciding to ignore him. Malleus probably visited to get confirmation. Only to learn that Yuu did not in fact know who he was.

And then Yuu invited Malleus to the VDC. While this is a huge point in their relationship, I don’t think it’s officially what started that emotional attachment that Malleus has. Though it was a contributing factor, and probably something that will play a much bigger factor in chapter 7.

No, what officially started the emotional attachment Malleus has was when Yuu finally learned who Malleus was. Cause when Yuu finally learned who he was, they still called Malleus Tsunotaro. And then Grimm, someone that was intimated by Malleus before, then learns that who was lurking outside Ramshackle? His reaction to Malleus completely changes and he treats Malleus the same way that Yuu treats Malleus. Because if Yuu, a magicless human can do it, so can Grimm. No matter who it is that he’s talking to.

Its then that Malleus comes to terms that Yuu is going to treat him the same way as they had before. Which meant they would also invite him to places, while still knowing exactly who he was. Because to Yuu, Malleus was never Malleus. Malleus is Tsunotaro and Tsunotaro to Yuu is just Tsunotaro being Tsunotaro. Malleus being a top magician, and next ruler of Briar Valley, has no meaning to Yuu. 

Malleus finally has someone besides Lilia that will invite him to places. It’s why – spoilers ahead – he reacts the way he does in chapter 6. At first he doesn’t fully understand why he’s more upset at Yuu being gone rather than the fact that Ramshackle was destroyed. Malleus had been going to Ramshackle for three years, so why was he suddenly more attached to this random human? And its because Yuu is so willingly to still invite Malleus to places even though they know who he is that Malleus forms an emotional attachment.

Its why in chapter 7 – spoilers ahead (again) – Malleus mentions Lilia and Yuu leaving. Speaking as if no one else will invite him to anything again. Because Yuu knows who Malleus is and still treats him the same way, Malleus knows they’d still be willing to invite him to places and to interact with him no matter what. And just when he finally meets someone that’s willing to interact with him despite everything, their leaving. And on top of that Lilia is leaving. Which makes Malleus upset.

Now, how does this reflect in Malleus’s relationship with Grimm? I mentioned it before, but Grimm no longer sees Malleus as this intimidating figure because of how Yuu interacts with Malleus. Because of that, Grimm will also call Malleus Tsunotaro, seen in various events. The Masquerade event is one I can think of in-particular.

And Malleus lets him because he’s amused that someone else is calling him that. He’s comforted by the fact that someone else calls him that seeing as its what Yuu calls him. It shows they aren’t afraid of him. Which, part of the reason that the curtsey might also extend to Grimm is because Grimm is the one that came up with the name originally, so it’s only fair that he also gets to use it. But the sentiment still remains.

Its why in different events where Malleus is seen interacting with Yuu and Grimm, Malleus will tease Grimm. Which, Malleus is a playful person (its just not super obvious at times), but he doesn’t really show that mischievous side of him because he has an image to maintain. But because Yuu and Grimm don’t care about Malleus’s reputation, he can tease them and be as playful with them as much as he likes. In-particular, Malleus teases Grimm like one would a little brother. Which I think is, while in part is because of who Grimm is, also has to deal with Malleus’s and Yuu’s relationship.

Malleus can act more like himself with Yuu and Grimm because they don’t care who he is. And in turn they get to interact with Malleus in a way that most people can’t.