Quote:
Originally Posted by Kazu-kun
Fine, on the other hand, reads like an static character to me. She had an entire episode to herself and all we saw were strengths and positive qualities. No character flaws or emotional weaknesses, no room for development whatsoever.
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Putting aside LoweGear's excellent observation that demanding a character develop from a weak person to a strong one over the course of a series is narrow-minded, let us address Fine on your own terms: the need to develop greater strength.
It is false that all Fine has shown us is strength, resilience, and determination.
Consider Fine through most of the episode: While she was on a covert diplomatic mission, she showed strength. This is entirely consistent with a beloved member of royalty who has been entrusted with secretly negotiating with a world power to secure military aid. Fine is not a sheltered princess. She is the crown princess, heir to the throne, and future head of state, trained--and presumably experienced--in foreign affairs. If nothing else, she has to put up a brave front for her people. It would have been foolish to show her as inept or timid in this context. Contrast this with Millia from Last Exile: Fam the Silver Wing: She did not know quite how to comport herself, because she was the 2nd princess and not expected to succeed to the throne, and she was suddenly thrown into exile. Fine is, quite frankly, a better way to introduce a princess--not a sheltered and spoiled brat but a trained statesman.
Contrast this with Fine after she saw Izetta awaken. Here is someone who reminds her of her presumably more carefree childhood. Here is an old friend to whom she might have shown her personal side. Here is a link to a less hostile past. Almost as soon as Fine recognized Izetta, she fainted. Certainly this is someone an entirely human reaction after many days of a continuous and harrowing journey. Here is the human side to her, when she does not need to act the role of the unwaivering leader. Here is the side of the normal human that the series can expand upon in later episodes.
It is plainly false to claim that Fine is a one dimensional character, even from what we have seen thus far. She is a fine character even if we demand that she shows weaknesses.