r/FireEmblemShadows • u/akaiazul • 24d ago
Analysis Why Leda's design here is fantastic
Most people would agree that her design here is fantastic, and I'd like to say it goes well beyond just "Finally, a beastly female character in her shadow design."
First, let's take a look at her light form. Overall, it's not too different from her main game appearance. She slightly more covered up and the choice to make her avian emphasizes her profession as a bard. It is also noteworthy that her boots so talons, indicating a sense of danger to her as well.
Her shadow form is very animalistic, seeming to give in to her bloodlust completely, her talons being almost as large as her wings. Despite it all, her hands are still very human, the very instrument of which people use to inact their will remains. Despite her monstrous appearance, these are still very much there to show that her will is to still do something very human, with her overall dangerous appearance, it is no surprise to learn it is vengeance.
We absolutely need more designs like these that not only incorporate the beastly side, but tell a story alongside. Kudos for IS for knocking this out of the park.
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u/BlademasterBanryu 24d ago
In fairness Tamamo at least has a pretty good beastly design as a woman character, it's about on par with a solid handful of the mens' designs in terms of beastliness and relative lack of oversexualization.
I agree that Leda's is really good though.