Pyra and Mythra
| Pyra and Mythra | |
|---|---|
| Xenoblade Chronicles character | |
| First appearance |
|
| Last appearance |
|
| Created by | Tetsuya Takahashi |
| Designed by | Masatsugu Saito |
| Voiced by |
|
| Information | |
| Alias | Pneuma |
| Species | Blade |
| Gender | Female |
| Title | Aegis |
| Weapon | Aegis |
| Significant other | Rex |
| Origin | Elysium |
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Pyra[lower-alpha 1] and Mythra[lower-alpha 2] are fictional characters and the main protagonists of Xenoblade Chronicles 2, part of the Xenoblade Chronicles series of action role-playing games. Mythra is a playable character in the prequel downloadable content story Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna – The Golden Country while Pyra has a brief cameo appearance. Pyra and Mythra also make a special appearance in Xenoblade Chronicles 3.
Outside of the series, Pyra and Mythra appear as a set of playable characters in Nintendo's Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Conception and creation
Pyra is polite, kind, and humble. She views herself as a burden to Rex and her teammates, but despite that, she is strongly determined to protect them at all costs. Mythra, on the other hand, is brash and confident. She is not afraid of anything and will jump into battles without hesitation. Mythra has been described as rude and abrasive towards her friends.[2]
When designing Pyra, main character designer Masatsugu Saito "wanted her to have a protective presence" for the main character Rex. The design team "envisioned her as a flame with a passionately burning core," while also designing her to "evoke a certain sense of incompleteness as a way of reflecting the existence of Pyra's other form: Mythra." Saito further explains that it is why "the glowing areas on her body are not horizontally symmetrical," and why they "partially removed the back of her outfit and cloak."[3]
Appearances
In Xenoblade Chronicles
Players were first introduced to Pyra and Mythra in Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna – The Golden Country, both released for the Nintendo Switch in 2017 and 2018 respectively.[4] In the world of Alrest, they are commonly referred to as the Aegis. The name Aegis also symbolizes the legendary blade that they and their Driver wield. Pyra is first introduced in Xenoblade Chronicles 2 when main character Rex accidentally taps into the Aegis sword. Rex is fatally stabbed by a Tornan crew member upon touching the coveted Aegis blade.[5] Moments later, he is then revived by Pyra through her core crystal. After his revival, Rex promises to accompany Pyra on a quest to travel to Elysium, a fabled paradise atop the World Tree.[6] At a later point on their journey, Pyra transforms into Mythra during a fight against the Torna faction. Mythra reveals to Rex that she constructed Pyra as a subdued version of herself.
Mythra's backstory is further shown in Torna – The Golden Country which takes place 500 years prior to the main game. Aiming to protect the titan of Torna and its citizens, she engages in a battle against another powerful foe named Malos. As a result of their destructive powers, she inadvertently helped Malos to destroy Torna. After witnessing the tragic end of Torna, Mythra felt directly responsible and thus became fearful of her own power. Unable to cope with her grief, Mythra transforms herself into a lesser form, Pyra.[7]
Both Pyra and Mythra make a special reappearance in Xenoblade Chronicles 3, released for the Nintendo Switch in 2022.[8]
In other media
In 2021, both Pyra and Mythra were revealed and released as DLC playable characters in Nintendo's Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, released for the Nintendo Switch in 2018.[9] Mythra's altered outfit from Ultimate can be obtained within Xenoblade Chronicles 2.[10]
Main character designer Magatsugu Saito released special art of the pair for the third and fifth anniversaries of their debut game.[11]
Merchandise
Good Smile Company released separate Figmas for Pyra and Mythra, released in 2018 and 2019 respectively.[12] Additionally, Kotobukiya released a model kit for Siren, the mecha which was controlled by Mythra.[13] Both characters will also receive their own individual amiibo figures, which is tied to their playable characters status in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.[14]
Reception
Pyra and Mythra have received generally positive reception as the main heroines of Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and its story expansion. According to series creator Tetsuya Takahashi, Pyra was the most popular character from the base game in Japan.[15] The story expansion was commended for Mythra’s character development.[16] Pyra and Mythra have been praised for being strong female characters among other female leads created by Nintendo, such as Rosalina, Princess Zelda, and Samus.[17] The characters have also been praised for their role in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.[18]
The character designs of Pyra and Mythra have been criticized. Much of the criticism went towards the sexualization of their designs, with some outlets feeling uncomfortable and embarrassed by the sexual pandering surrounding the characters.[19][20] Others have made complaints about the intentional framing and panning of cutscenes centered around the chests of both characters.[21]
Notes
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Pyra Voice (Xenoblade Chronicles 2)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
- ↑ The Gamer. "Super Smash Bros Ultimate: Who Is Pyra?". Retrieved 7 January 2023.
- ↑ Nintendo UK. "Masatsugu Saito discusses main character design in Xenoblade Chronicles 2 - part 2". Retrieved 31 December 2022.
- ↑ "Xenoblade Chronicles 2". IGN. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
- ↑ "Meet some of the cast of Xenoblade Chronicles". Nintendo UK. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
- ↑ "Xenoblade Chronicles 2: The Kotaku Review". Kotaku. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- ↑ "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate DLC character Pyra / Mythra from Xenoblade Chronicles 2 announced". Gematsu. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- ↑ "10 Hidden Plotlines Everyone Missed in Xenoblade Chronicles 3". The Gamer. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- ↑ "Super Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's Pyra and Mythra are out today". Polygon. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- ↑ "Here's How To Get Mythra's Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Outfit In Xenoblade Chronicles 2". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
- ↑ "See Magatsugu Saito Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Pyra and Mythra 5th Anniversary Art". Siliconera. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
- ↑ "The Good Smile Company Pyra and Mythra Figures Will Return in 2022". Siliconera. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
- ↑ "Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Siren Model Kit Will Return in July". Siliconera. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
- ↑ "SSBU Sephiroth, Steve, Alex, Mythra, and Pyra amiibo Confirmed". Siliconera. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
- ↑ "Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Postmortem: Breaking Down the Inaugural Switch RPG's Success With Tetsuya Takahashi". VG247. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- ↑ "XENOBLADE CHRONICLES 2: TORNA - THE GOLDEN COUNTRY". Analog Stick Gaming. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
- ↑ "The 8 Strongest Female Nintendo Characters". Game Rant. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
- ↑ "Pyra Is My New Favorite Sword Main In Smash Bros. Ultimate". Kotaku. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
- ↑ "Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Needs To Avoid Being Weirdly Horny Anime Nonsense". The Gamer. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
- ↑ "All is not well in the world of Alrest — Torna: The Golden Country review". Gaming Trend. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
- ↑ "Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Review". IGN. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
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