Lucina (Fire Emblem)

Lucina originates from the Nintendo and Intelligent Systems video game Fire Emblem Awakening, an entry in their long-running Fire Emblem series of video games. Internally, Awakening was treated as a last-ditch effort to save the series, as declining sales had led Nintendo to deem it the last game in the series if the game did not meet sales goals. Lucina was part of the team's efforts to rework the series' arch-typical medieval fantasy setting and revamping it using elements of time-travel; Lucina travels backward in time from a world in ruins to help her father, Chrom, work towards a different future.{{cite web|url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/happy-anniversary-to-fire-emblem-awakening-the-game-that-saved-fire-emblem|title=Happy Anniversary to Fire Emblem Awakening, the Game That Saved Fire Emblem|website=USgamer.net|date=April 19, 2018 |access-date=February 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328230944/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/happy-anniversary-to-fire-emblem-awakening-the-game-that-saved-fire-emblem|archive-date=March 28, 2019|url-status=live}} Lucina's mother is dependent on the player's choices in the game's relationship and marriage system, another revamped system for the game.{{cite web|url=http://www.ecumenicalnews.com/article/super-smash-bros-4-captain-falcon-lucina-and-robin-join-wii-u-and-3ds-character-list-release-date-rumors-25645|title='Super Smash Bros 4': Captain Falcon, Lucina, and Robin join Wii U and 3DS character list; release date, rumors|website=www.ecumenicalnews.com|date=July 20, 2014 |access-date=February 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819083045/https://www.ecumenicalnews.com/article/super-smash-bros-4-captain-falcon-lucina-and-robin-join-wii-u-and-3ds-character-list-release-date-rumors-25645|archive-date=August 19, 2018|url-status=live}} Early parts in the game see her dressing up as her distant ancestor Marth, the protagonist from a number of earlier Fire Emblem titles.https://gamerant.com/fire-emblem-awakening-lucina-marth/{{cite web|url=https://www.hardcoregamer.com/2017/09/08/new-fire-emblem-warriors-trailer-highlights-lucina-chrom-other-heroes-from-awakening/271150/|title=New Fire Emblem Warriors Trailer Highlights Lucina, Chrom, Other Heroes from Awakening – Hardcore Gamer|date=September 8, 2017|website=Hardcoregamer.com|access-date=August 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803074357/https://www.hardcoregamer.com/2017/09/08/new-fire-emblem-warriors-trailer-highlights-lucina-chrom-other-heroes-from-awakening/271150/|archive-date=August 3, 2018|url-status=live}} Nintendo described her in the game as "an unwavering warrior with a strong sense of justice and commitment to her family...Her power, determination, and wisdom gained from watching the destruction of her world are priceless strengths."{{cite web|url=http://arcadesushi.com/nintendo-celebrates-womens-history-month-with-favorite-female-figures/|title=Nintendo Celebrates Women's History Month|website=Arcade Sushi|date=March 18, 2015 |access-date=February 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819051145/http://arcadesushi.com/nintendo-celebrates-womens-history-month-with-favorite-female-figures/|archive-date=August 19, 2018|url-status=live}} Lucina and the rest of the cast were cited as standout aspects of the game that helped in saving the series; Awakening posted strong sales in multiple regions and allowed Nintendo to greenlight further entries in the series.

Lucina later appeared in Awakening's follow up, Fire Emblem Fates, though only as an additional downloadable content (DLC) character, not a core character to the game's story.{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2015/04/14/marth-lucina-fire-emblem-dlc-characters/|title=Marth And Lucina Are Fire Emblem If DLC Characters – Siliconera|date=April 14, 2015|access-date=February 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626181353/http://www.siliconera.com/2015/04/14/marth-lucina-fire-emblem-dlc-characters/|archive-date=June 26, 2015|url-status=live}} She is also a playable character in Nintendo's mobile entry in the series, Fire Emblem Heroes,{{cite web|url=http://www.usgamer.net/articles/fire-emblem-heroes-fan-favorites-poll-led-by-ike-roy-lucina-lyn-and-tharja|title=Fire Emblem Heroes Fan Favorites Poll Led By Ike, Roy, Lucina, Lyn, and Tharja|website=USgamer.net|date=January 27, 2017 |access-date=February 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803074133/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/fire-emblem-heroes-fan-favorites-poll-led-by-ike-roy-lucina-lyn-and-tharja|archive-date=August 3, 2018|url-status=live}} and Fire Emblem Warriors, a Tecmo Koei developed musou action game spin-off.{{cite web|url=https://gematsu.com/2017/07/fire-emblem-warriors-details-robin-lucina-lissa-frederick|title=Fire Emblem Warriors details Robin, Lucina, Lissa, and Frederick – Gematsu|date=July 13, 2017|access-date=February 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181009211413/https://gematsu.com/2017/07/fire-emblem-warriors-details-robin-lucina-lissa-frederick|archive-date=October 9, 2018|url-status=live}} Tecmo Koei originally wanted to drop her from the game's story, citing both issues with her time-travelling backstory conflicting with the new story they were trying to tell in the game, and the perception that there were already too many sword-bearing characters unbalancing the game's gameplay.{{cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/fire-emblem-warriors-interview-reveals-lucina-was-almost-cut-twins-didn-t-use-swords-initially-and-more-454500.phtml|title=Fire Emblem Warriors interview reveals Lucina was almost cut, twins didn't use swords initially, and more|date=August 12, 2017|access-date=October 9, 2018|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112041750/https://www.destructoid.com/fire-emblem-warriors-interview-reveals-lucina-was-almost-cut-twins-didn-t-use-swords-initially-and-more-454500.phtml|url-status=live}} This idea was rejected by Intelligent Systems and Nintendo, deeming her too important to the franchise to be cut from the game. In Fire Emblem Engage, Lucina appears as an Emblem Ring (guest character) alongside other past Fire Emblem protagonists.{{Cite web |last=Tu |first=Trumann |date=December 11, 2022 |title=Fire Emblem Engage Shows First Look at Conversations with Ike, Roy, and More |url=https://gamerant.com/fire-emblem-engage-conversations-ike-roy-more/ |access-date=December 16, 2022 |website=Game Rant |archive-date=December 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221216012600/https://gamerant.com/fire-emblem-engage-conversations-ike-roy-more/ |url-status=live }}

Outside of the Fire Emblem series, Lucina was also included in a number of other Nintendo-related games, including the Super Smash Bros. crossover fighting game series. Lucina was a playable character in 2014's Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U as part of the game's core fighting cast, using moves similar to Marth's.{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/7/14/5897703/super-smash-bros-wii-u-3ds-lucina-robin-fire-emblem-awakening|title=Fire Emblem: Awakening's Lucina and Robin join the new Super Smash Bros. roster (update: Captain Falcon too)|website=Polygon |date=July 14, 2014 |access-date=February 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803074335/https://www.polygon.com/2014/7/14/5897703/super-smash-bros-wii-u-3ds-lucina-robin-fire-emblem-awakening|archive-date=August 3, 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.technobuffalo.com/2014/07/16/lucina-is-not-the-same-as-prince-marth-but-really-close/|title=Lucina Is Not The Same as Prince Marth, But Really Close|date=July 16, 2014|access-date=February 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819083058/https://www.technobuffalo.com/2014/07/16/lucina-is-not-the-same-as-prince-marth-but-really-close/|archive-date=August 19, 2018|url-status=live}} Around the same time, she also received her own Amiibo figure from Nintendo.{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2016/10/3/13151434/lucina-amiibo-restock-best-buy-preorders|title='Vintage' amiibo are coming back to stores, so grab 'em while you still can|website=Polygon |date=October 3, 2016 |access-date=February 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930033852/https://www.polygon.com/2016/10/3/13151434/lucina-amiibo-restock-best-buy-preorders|archive-date=September 30, 2018|url-status=live}} She also appears in the series' 2018 entry, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, now designated as Marth's "echo fighter".{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/8/8/17664034/chrom-super-smash-bros-ultimate|title=Fire Emblem's Chrom joins Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as an echo fighter|website=Polygon |date=August 8, 2018 |access-date=February 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030034619/https://www.polygon.com/2018/8/8/17664034/chrom-super-smash-bros-ultimate|archive-date=October 30, 2018|url-status=live}} She is also playable in the 2016 tactical role-playing crossover game Project X Zone 2, appearing as part of a pair unit with her father Chrom.{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/09/19/tgs-2015-fire-emblem-xenoblade-characters-join-project-x-zone-2|title=TGS 2015: Fire Emblem, Xenoblade Characters Join Project X Zone 2|first=Andrew|last=Goldfarb|date=September 19, 2015|access-date=February 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819082903/http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/09/19/tgs-2015-fire-emblem-xenoblade-characters-join-project-x-zone-2|archive-date=August 19, 2018|url-status=live}} A downloadable addition to the Japan-only Monster Hunter Frontier G allowed for the player to dress their avatar as Lucina in the game's Wii U version.{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2013/12/05/first-look-fire-emblem-awakening-costumes-monster-hunter-frontier-g/|title=First Look At Fire Emblem: Awakening Costumes In Monster Hunter Frontier G – Siliconera|date=December 5, 2013|access-date=February 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140820091720/http://www.siliconera.com/2013/12/05/first-look-fire-emblem-awakening-costumes-monster-hunter-frontier-g/|archive-date=August 20, 2014|url-status=live}} Lucina is featured as a bonus playable character in Code Name: S.T.E.A.M., where she is made playable upon the player linking their Amiibo with the game.{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Misc-/Nintendo-Direct/Latest-Nintendo-Direct/Nintendo-Direct-698557.html|title=Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Direct – August 8th, 2018|website=Nintendo of Europe GmbH|access-date=August 19, 2018|archive-date=March 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313102758/https://www.nintendo.co.uk/News/Nintendo-Direct/Latest-Nintendo-Direct/Nintendo-Direct-698557.html|url-status=live}}

Good Smile Company launched a figma figurine based on Lucina in 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/11/lucina_from_fire_emblem_awakening_gets_immortalised_in_figurine_form|title=Lucina from Fire Emblem: Awakening Gets Immortalised in Figurine Form|work=Nintendo Life|date=November 21, 2014|access-date=February 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803074320/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/11/lucina_from_fire_emblem_awakening_gets_immortalised_in_figurine_form|archive-date=August 3, 2018|url-status=live}}

The character of Lucina has received positive attention from journalists as part of Nintendo's efforts to better appeal to the female demographics of video gaming.{{cite web|url=http://www.techtimes.com/articles/40851/20150319/ninetendo-celebrates-womens-history-month-even-though-lack-strong-females.htm|title=Nintendo Celebrates Women's History Month With Samus, Bayonetta, And Toadette|first=Lauren|last=Keating|date=March 19, 2015|access-date=February 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819083130/https://www.techtimes.com/articles/40851/20150319/ninetendo-celebrates-womens-history-month-even-though-lack-strong-females.htm|archive-date=August 19, 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.gamezone.com/originals/opinion-nintendo-women-and-the-52-misconception-k133/2|title=Opinion: Nintendo, women, and the 52% misconception – GameZone|date=July 3, 2016|access-date=February 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819151548/https://www.gamezone.com/originals/opinion-nintendo-women-and-the-52-misconception-k133/2/|archive-date=August 19, 2018|url-status=live}} Nintendo used her as one of their female characters used to recreate the Rosie the Riveter We Can Do It poster as part of the company's Women's History Month celebration in March 2015,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2015/03/17/nintendo-celebrating-women-39-s-history-month-by-highlighting-its-female-characters.aspx|title=Nintendo Celebrating Women's History Month By Highlighting Its Female Characters|magazine=Game Informer |access-date=February 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819114839/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2015/03/17/nintendo-celebrating-women-39-s-history-month-by-highlighting-its-female-characters.aspx|archive-date=August 19, 2018|url-status=live}} with her being one of the few characters used who was not criticized by journalists for being a damsel in distress, oversexualized, or merely a female version of a male character.{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/alexis-kleinman/nintendo-doesnt-understand-women_b_6893130.html|title=Nintendo's 'Strong Females' Are Everything That's Wrong With Video Games|first=Alexis|last=Kleinman|website=HuffPost |date=March 18, 2015|access-date=February 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906172509/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alexis-kleinman/nintendo-doesnt-understand-women_b_6893130.html|archive-date=September 6, 2017|url-status=live}} Other journalists praised her inclusion as part of Nintendo's efforts to have more female character in games, including her starring role in Fire Emblem Awakening, and the increased percentage of female characters in the roster for Super Smash Bros for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U. While The Mary Sue initially resented the fact that the initial trailer for her revealed appearance in Super Smash Bros. led to Lucina, a female, having to be rescued by Robin, a male, the concern was later retracted upon the realization that the Robin character can be chosen to be male or female in the game itself.{{cite web|url=http://www.themarysue.com/smash-bros-live-fighter-reveal/|title=Super Smash Bros. Reveals a New Fighter Live Today at 10AM ET [Updated With Replay]|website=www.themarysue.com|date=July 14, 2014 |access-date=February 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819114409/https://www.themarysue.com/smash-bros-live-fighter-reveal/|archive-date=August 19, 2018|url-status=live}} In Fire Emblem character popularity polls running up to the release of Fire Emblem Heroes, Lucina was ranked number 2 in the female character polls in North America. The top four characters in the polls received new in-game costumes; Kotaku praised both Lucina's original costume, and the revised one, for striking a good balance between looking stylish while still appearing to look like traditionally functional armor as well.{{cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/fan-voted-favorites-get-stylish-new-armor-sets-in-fire-1798502026|title=Fan-Voted Favorites Get Stylish New Armor Sets In Fire Emblem Heroes|first=Heather|last=Alexandra|date=August 28, 2017 |access-date=February 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803074328/https://kotaku.com/fan-voted-favorites-get-stylish-new-armor-sets-in-fire-1798502026|archive-date=August 3, 2018|url-status=live}} In 2020, USGamer argued Lucina was one of the best characters created by Nintendo over the course of the prior decade.{{Cite web |last=Oxford |first=Nadia |date=2020-05-28 |title=Who Is the Best New Nintendo Character of the Past Decade? |url=https://www.vg247.com/who-is-the-best-new-nintendo-character-of-the-past-decade |access-date=2023-11-26 |website=USGamer |language=en}}

As a fighter in Super Smash Bros. specifically, her inclusion was generally well-received, although her initial reveal lead to concerns that she was too similar in playing style to Marth, in a game series that stresses that each character be different in play-style.{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/the-internet-reacts-to-smash-bros-fire-emblem-party-1604898828|title=The Internet Reacts To Smash Bros.' Fire Emblem Party|first=Jason|last=Schreier|date=July 14, 2014 |access-date=February 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819114356/https://kotaku.com/the-internet-reacts-to-smash-bros-fire-emblem-party-1604898828|archive-date=August 19, 2018|url-status=live}} The director of Super Smash Bros., Masahiro Sakurai, addressed the concern directly and stated that there were enough differences in balance and size to warrant her being a separate character.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2014/07/15/lucina-isn-39-t-a-marth-clone-but-she-comes-close.aspx|title=Smash Bros.' Lucina Isn't A Marth Clone, But She Comes Close|magazine=Game Informer |access-date=February 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819082931/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2014/07/15/lucina-isn-39-t-a-marth-clone-but-she-comes-close.aspx|archive-date=August 19, 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2014/07/15/sakurai-talks-difference-lucina-marth-smash-bros/|title=Sakurai Talks About The Difference Between Lucina And Marth In Smash Bros. - Siliconera|date=July 15, 2014|access-date=February 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181112161758/http://www.siliconera.com/2014/07/15/sakurai-talks-difference-lucina-marth-smash-bros/|archive-date=November 12, 2018|url-status=live}} With eight total Fire Emblem characters appearing in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, complaints again arose that she played too similarly to other characters.{{cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/breaking-too-many-fire-emblem-characters-in-super-smas-1828204300|title=Breaking: Too Many Fire Emblem Characters In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate|first=Cecilia|last=D'Anastasio|date=August 8, 2018 |access-date=February 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518094824/https://kotaku.com/breaking-too-many-fire-emblem-characters-in-super-smas-1828204300|archive-date=May 18, 2019|url-status=live}}

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Category:Female characters in video games

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