Ace Attorney Characters Who Change The Most

Summary

• Ace Attorney characters go through a lot of arcs and development throughout the series.
• Some characters, including Phoenix Wright and Ema Skye, have entirely different personalities between trilogies.

The Ace Attorney games are known for many things, including their gripping murder mysteries, thrilling courtroom battles, and outstanding soundtracks. But above all else, Capcom’s famous visual novel series excels thanks to its remarkable characters, each with unique stories and endearing quirks.

Phoenix Wright and his supporting cast have experienced several character arcs and reimaginings across 11 titles. Long-time fans have watched them thrive, stumble, lose everything, and even completely change their morals or personalities. Almost every main character has been through a lot and emerged a changed person, but some have undergone far more powerful arcs and character shifts than others.

Spoilers ahead for the entire Ace Attorney series!

8

Eustace Winner

From Zero To Hero

Despite appearing in only one game, Eustace Winner changes more than most Ace Attorney rivals. At the beginning of Investigations 2, he’s a bumbling, entitled novice prosecutor, unable to take even the slightest criticism or recognize a sound argument if it slapped him across the face.

Things take a massive turn when he discovers his fame and praise were fabrications orchestrated by his father. With Edgeworth’s help, Eustace dusts himself off and learns what it truly means to be a good lawyer. In Turnabout for the Ages, you see a much humbler version – one who takes accountability for mistakes and finds the crucial evidence needed to lock up Excelsius Winner for good.

7

Apollo Justice

The Rise And Fall Of The Chords Of Steel

Not only does Apollo’s backstory change throughout the series, but his character also undergoes a massive shift. His debut game established him as a passionate, trusting young lawyer, albeit a bit high-strung. Under Phoenix Wright’s guidance, Apollo learns to believe in his client until the bitter end and smile even during the worst trials.

However, those morals are thrown out the window when his best friend, Clay Terran, is murdered. Lost and consumed by grief, Apollo becomes distant and untrusting, pushing away everyone close to him. When he finally snaps out of it, the passion inside burns brighter than ever, leading him to surpass even Phoenix as the greatest attorney around.

6

Gina Lestrade

A Heartwarming Redemption Arc

Arguably among the most underrated Ace Attorney characters, Gina Lestrade has a heart-wrenching arc throughout The Great Ace Attorney duology. Having grown up on the streets, she became a rude, untrusting thief to survive. At her lowest moment, she went so far as to attempt armed robbery.

Thanks to the kindness and support from Ryunosuke and Susato, Gina learns to open up and eventually clean up her act. After serving a prison sentence for her crimes, she begins a journey toward rehabilitation by studying to become a detective. She ends her story by fighting for justice alongside those she cares about.

5

Nahyuta Sahdmadhi

A Dragon Never Yields

While not the most memorable prosecutor, Nahyuta Sahdmadhi’s character does a complete 180 in Spirit of Justice. When you first meet him in The Magical Turnabout, he comes off as a peaceful, soft-spoken monk who will do anything Queen Ga’ran says without question.

Little did everyone know that underneath his calm exterior was a rebellious heart. After learning about Ga’ran’s tyrannical nature, Nahyuta stands alongside Apollo and Phoenix in defiance, shouting his father’s motto, “A dragon never yields,” for the entire courtroom to hear.

4

Ryunosuke Naruhodo

Phoenix’s Ancestor Has A Powerful Story

Everyone loves a good underdog story, and Ryunosuke Naruhodo’s is the cream of the crop. His journey begins as a wrongfully-accused defendant, forced to defend himself despite having no knowledge of the law. Nervous, jittery, and timid, he can’t even muster up the courage to yell, “Objection!”

Through a series of bizarre happenings, he winds up investigating many baffling cases in London. With each trial, he learns more about the legal world, gradually builds confidence, and refines his courtroom tactics. At the end of The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles, he manages to expose a government conspiracy, unmask a nefarious serial killer, and catch the mastermind behind it all. Now, that’s what you call a turnabout.

3

Ema Skye

A Tale Of Science, Broken Dreams, And Chocolate

Poor Ema Skye didn’t deserve the character change she was given. Debuting in Rise from the Ashes, she takes on the role of Phoenix’s peppy assistant, always smiling and eager to investigate. You can also find this version of her in the Investigations games.

In Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney, she’s almost a completely different person. After failing to land her dream job as a forensic investigator, she becomes cold, cynical, and unenthused with crime-solving. Luckily, Ema finally accomplishes her goal in Spirit of Justice and returns to her optimistic self.

2

Phoenix Wright

When The Series Mascot Became Unemployed

The one and only Phoenix Wright has the most infamous shift in character in the series. Fans of the original trilogy instantly fell in love with his endless determination, flawless morals, and goofy yet slightly uptight personality. Using his wits and logical reasoning, he goes from an oblivious rookie to a masterful lawyer who solves 15-year-old cold cases, confronts serial killers, and turns even the most hopeless trials around.

Everything changes in the Apollo Justice trilogy when Wright gets disbarred after accidentally presenting forged evidence. He turns into a shadow of his former self – laid-back, unshaven, cryptic, and morally dubious. In Dual Destinies, he returns to his classic lawyerly ways. Talk about one heck of a journey.

1

Miles Edgeworth

The Best Ace Attorney Character Arc

No Ace Attorney character has an arc as powerful and moving as Edgeworth. He starts as a crooked prosecutor, willing to lie, cheat, and play dirty to protect his perfect record. It takes losing three trials for him to get a much-needed taste of humble pie, leading to a long period of confusion and self-reflection.

Eventually, Miles ditches von Karma’s twisted morals and prioritizes finding the truth over winning. From there, he becomes so selfless that he throws away his entire career to save Kay Faraday from false charges in Investigations 2. His story ends with him as a noble Chief Prosecutor, purging the legal world of corrupt attorneys like he used to be.