An intro to the characters!

Tales of the Abyss has some of the most memorable characters in both anime and video games, considering that it IS both. So, I'm gonna dedicate this post to introducing the protagonist party. Heck, I might throw in the Six God-Generals since they rock as adversaries.

The Tales series has a number of skits (voiceless dialogues) which also helps character development and they have little impact on the story, though they do offer more explanations on events or people.

Luke fon Fabre
From the very start, they already let you know that he's gonna be a spoiled kid who knows nothing about the world. Who can blame him? He's been trapped in his mansion since he lost his memories 7 years ago. In the beginning, he's obnoxious, selfish, ignorant, reliant on others and is just plain idiotic, but he does occasionally show signs of kindness. However, he soon becomes a completely selfish brat just because he wants to get his freedom. That attitude got him in big trouble, REALLY BIG trouble. After that, he learns his lesson, but he became excessively pessimistic about himself, especially about his own existence. So, I guess I can summarise his character as being a guy who overdoes everything, which is why he usually gets on everybody else's nerves. And that's also why Jade and Anise enjoys picking on him.

Mystearica 'Tear' Grants
She first appeared as an assassin attempting to kill Luke's master, Van Grants (yes, her brother). Things didn't go as well as planned and she and Luke accidentally triggered a hyperresonance (very long explanation) and teleported both of them out of the mansion. Her character has been pretty consistent so far. She's calm, strong-willed and always pushes herself, well beyond an average human's limit. She does like cute things just like a normal girl and that's mostly the only gag we get about her. Her coldness towards many things also tends to be funny since she kills a joke before people can start it.

Anise: You two were alone in a place like this at night?
Natalia: Luke, you never told me you two had this kind of relationship!
Luke: What!? No.. we didn't...
Tear: The very idea is absurd. *walks off*
Luke: ...... Now I'm mad.
Guy: Ouch...

Jade Curtiss
Now this guy is just great. He's the main source of laughs in this game. He's a colonel in the Malkuth Imperial Forces and became the father of fomicry (some theory that would be the equivalent of electricity in our world) at the age of 9. They guy is cool, plainly said. He makes most of the hilarious remarks, whether in scenes or skits. Almost everything character, especially Luke, has been his target of teasing. He seems to know everything, but most of the time waits for things to unfold. He's thirty years old but he never makes up his mind whether that's considered young or old. Heck, he uses either as an excuse depending on the situation. Although old is used more often. Anyway, I am so going to put this guy's quotes on my Quote of the Week.

Gailardia 'Guy' Gladios
Servant of House Fabre and is Luke's best friend. From start to end, he's a very nice person who is always there to cheer his friends up whenever they feel down. He is always capable of seeing the bright side of things since he has experienced much worse things in the past. He has a phobia of women, or rather, physical contact with women but can't remember the reason except that it's related to his family's murder. This phobia is his primary weakness and is often exploited whenever he insults the girls.

Anise Tatlin
As a member of the Fon Master Guardians, she is Fon Master Ion's most trusted companion. She has a passion for money, always trying to marry herself into a rich and powerful family. Too bad she's only 12 and often displays her childish behaviours. It wasn't very obvious, but she also does show signs of romance towards Ion. She also often remarks on Jade's behaviour which often backfires. The both of them will then carry on their conversation by teasing Luke, Guy or Natalia.

Natalia Kimlasca-Lanvaldear
Princess of the kingdom of Kimlasca-Lanvaldear. She is in charge of public and civil services and hence, cares very much for the people of her country. She is also very hardworking and responsible, always prioritising the kingdom before herself. However, she is a little too innocent, often tricked by Anise's jokes (and never does find out). She is engaged to Luke, but shows more affection towards Asch. She has one of the most straightforward personalities of all the characters in the game.

Asch the Bloody
One of the Six God-Generals and the only one who doesn't support Van's cause. He becomes playable only twice in the game, but I'll put him in for kicks. Basically, the guy's a loner, preferring to do things on his own (which is why he is the party only twice). He volunteers information to the party but only to further his own gain. He despises Luke for stealing his home, his family and his friends (How Luke did that is a spoiler), often referring to Luke as "dreck". He does display some affection towards Natalia since they once swore to change their country together. Despite his generally unfriendly attitude, he often aids the party in times of need, especially Natalia. And he seems to be the only one who knows what's going on what needs to be done for more than half the game.

Mieu
I nearly forgot him since his presence was hardly felt throughouut the game... although he appears very often as your obstacle eliminator. The tiny guy has the power to breathe tiny flames, and later gains the power to smash objects and fly for a short while thanks to the magic ring it wears on its waist. Mieu was sentenced to one year of exile from his tribe because he burnt down the barrier seperating the cheagles (prey) from the ligers (predators) and now he follows Luke. Generally, Mieu is honest, innocent and cute. Luke refers to Mieu as 'Thing' and Mieu actually likes it... Mieu is often beaten up by Luke for acting stupid or just because Luke feels like it. Tear (since she likes cute things) often defends Mieu from Luke.

Here's a picture of him:


Okay, I'm done. That was tiring. Next up!