if you look at the notes there's people saying "vote for Jay because she's the designated brain cell holder" and I'm sure that's really annoying but I can't stress enough that people want Sumia dead for having a role in the story that potentially conflicts with their self insert ship. she's not sidelined for an m/m ship she is viewed as a threat for being Chrom's love interest and so often anything positive people have to say about her is framed as positive in spite of this obvious and clear defect of her character - "wish she wasn't just a love interest but her design is really good"
well! she's not just a love interest! she's a really interesting character! she is so hard working but this is dismissed by the majority of people who interact with her. she's a foil to Frederick in their commitment to supporting Chrom but fans view Sumia as pathetic, tryhard, desperate, while Frederick is universally loved. (I WONDER WHY!!)
Sumia: Frederick! What are you doing up so early? Frederick: Good morning, Sumia. I'm inspecting everyone's weapons and armor to ensure all is ready for battle. Sumia: But it's not even dawn yet! Don't you ever sleep? Frederick: I have sworn to serve Chrom and the Shepherds to the best of my ability. As commander, Chrom bears a burden far heavier than any of ours. It would ill behoove me to neglect any opportunity to lessen that load.
notice that Frederick has NO interest in asking Sumia what she's doing awake so early even though it is notable that they are both going above and beyond.
Sumia showing care is seen as her being sneaky and manipulative:
Sumia: Don't worry. My lips are sealed tighter than a bear trap. ...So long as you promise to take a nap before the strategy meeting!
Chrom: ...What?
Sumia: I'll just tell Robin that you've been delayed.
Chrom: And if I don't agree to your terms?
Sumia: Then I'll tell everyone the mighty Chrom was bested by a mere pebble!
Chrom: That sounds like blackmail... Still, I suppose a short nap couldn't hurt.
Sumia: Ooh, it's so thrilling to be able to help out like this! Anyway, I'll leave you to it. Sweet dreams!
Chrom: That girl has a strange knack for getting her way...
if the worst misogyny you can think of is a female character being sidelined into a lesbian relationship so as not to interfere with men people have been doing this to Sumia for over a decade with a woman who doesn't appear to actually like her
Cordelia: I don't need apologies or excuses! You must understand this is war. Even a small mistake can wind up costing someone's life on the battlefield! When that happens, are you going to say sorry to their corpse?
Sumia: I-I know, Cordelia... I know I shouldn't be so clumsy... I try SO hard all the time, but stuff just... *sob* ...keeps happening... WAAAAH!
Cordelia later clarifies that Sumia's only value to her is what she can do to make Cordelia feel better and shows no interest in Sumia as a person, actively belittling her at every chance she gets. their support is about how Cordelia thinks all of Sumia's hobbies are pointless ffs. but uwu flower crown gfs am I right
meanwhile Sumia is the only textually bisexual character in awakening and is very clear that she is bisexual!
Sumia: I don't know, but I totally think you should enter!
Sully: M-me? In a beauty contest?! Har! You been hittin' the mead or what?
Sumia: But you look so good in men's clothing! Nearly everyone says so. And, I mean, you already kind of talk like a man, right? I bet you'd do really well!
Sully: Look, maybe I swear too much for polite society, but dammit, I—
Sumia: Okay, well never mind about your potty mouth. But still...you should consider it. Women dressing up like men is a long-standing and noble tradition, you know. It's from an elegant, seductive world that transcends the boundaries of gender itself!
Sully: You sure as hell seem to know a lot about it.
Sumia: I know it's silly...but this whole thing is just SO alluring! I mean, men have their own unique appeal, and women do too, right? But combine them both, and you get the best of both worlds! The beauty of the female form, with the magnetic appeal of a handsome man... If we can pull this off, you'll be like a dashing prince from a fairy tale!
anyway. i WISH the fandom cared enough about Sumia to let her participate as the braincell holder on the periphery of the ship. unfortunately it's been a decade plus of people openly and gleefully hating her every chance they get. if you were there and you've seen the horrors i can't think of any comparable controversial female character because she did absolutely nothing to deserve it, she was just too much of a threat to people's sense of entitlement to self-insert ship so the slander never ends. it's been just over a year since I last commented on how nasty people get about Sumia. FREE HER
