Hello, Beemoov. I've been trying to avoid addressing this topic for a long time but turns out I'm not the only one who's tired of this issue. I'm talking about many things, but the one I'm most concerned about is Lance. Cause congratulations, you've killed him.
I only see GLIMPSES of the one that has been the most demanded non-romanceable character, and this makes me very sad and disappointed. Let's get by parts:
Lance is a natural-born leader. He's been brave enough to follow his heart and beliefs (even if they exactly weren't... Healthy). He didn't hesitate in turning his back to the guard when he noticed how corrupted the organization was. Lance does what he thinks must be done, as @kanraandchrome said, " he doesn't embarrass himself with morality when he has his own system of valour ".
It's quite funny that in episode 4 we have this dialogue:
Erika: So you haven't changed that much after all? Everyone thinks so.
ANE Lance: Once again, you must have heard wrong, I've only changed sides.
And then ANE Lance proceeds to have this irrational blind trust in Huang Hua saying things like "I don't like questioning Huang Hua's decisions". Since when he's a puppy that follows each of his masters' orders? Why did you have to turn him into someone who hasn't own criteria?
I get that he feels guilty. I understand he's grateful to Huang Hua since she's the one who's given him a second chance and even understood him in TO.
But you don't have to RUIN a character in order to make him feel guilty for his actions. You make him change sides, not change personal beliefs. THAT'S how redemption works, and this is not a redemption, this is a character obliteration.
I mean, after writing that prophecy, I guess you find it FUNNY that ANE Lance has lost his soul and his personality. Because I find it hard to understand how Lance is the same person we have in this season. He doesn't resemble his own self. He looks weak and lost.
You can't pick a strong-willed character, with a defined personality and turn him into this. You don't do that to someone the fandom adores so much.
And please, don't get me started in the romance.
How do you pretend to make a reasonable romance plot if the romantic interactions do not have more than two minutes on screen? THIS IS AN OTOME, players are here mainly for the ROMANCE, not the FRIENDSHIP. It's great you've listened to us when it came to improving the illustrations, it's great that Koori stopped showing up in all the illus, WHY can't you listen to the obvious and give us more time with the crushes?
Also, we've gone from this
"You just want to eat her!"
To an ANE Lance that practically runs from every physical interaction,Ƨ he has with Erika? Because at this point, it feels like Erika is harassing him. Why did you have to make him a romanceable character that ISN'T CAPABLE of romancing the main character? Yeah, guilt and I feel guilty, and omg I hurt her blablabla PLEASE, this problem could have already been easily solved with a conversation!! Instead of running here and there with her friends you should have sat these two down and made them have a real conversation!
I'm glad Nevra starts to feel like himself again, would it kill you to do the same with Lance and Leiftan too?
I'm not going to drop Eldarya. I'm not going to stop liking Lance cause TO Lance exists and I don't recognize ANE Lance as Lance even if you show us glimpses of his personality from time to time. And of course, I won't stop creating content either.
I will play the whole season and when it's finished, I will decide if you've completely ruined my favourite character or not.
But please, do not do this to a character that is so loved by the fandom. Stop treating Lance so dirty, it's like you've decided he was not family-friendly enough and therefore changed him into someone plain and dull. People (I'm people) have waited YEARS for him and seeing him dead is truly disappointing and painful.