Genuine fans of Zenos yae Galvus, why do you like him?

[grinkdaboy]

he's not made out to be some tragic figure or somebody with high ideals, he knows what he wants and that is to fight. he finds his meaning in life himself rather than sobbing and crying "life has no meaning!!! woe is me!!! time to kill myself and take everyone with me!!!"

[Larirawiel]

I dislike Zenos. Even after learning his backstory from wikis and supplemental materials, I just can't find it in me to care about the WoL's psychopathic stalker.

The funny thing is, Zenos acts like the average computer games player. He kills because it is fun, like the average player. And he stalks the WoL because he wiped on him. And he tries it again and again and again ...

Cheers

[Alleluia]

And he stalks the WoL because he wiped in him. And he tries it again and again and again ...

Cannot tell if typo or on purpose... lol

[Iyrnthota]

Sometimes I like it when the bad guy is just a dickhead.

Makes a nice change of pace from all the tragic moral ambiguity that the ancients bring.

It's why I liked Athena as well, she was just a psycho.

There's also some interesting WoL parallels in there to keep it interesting, nothing too deep, but a decent enough hook.

[Carin-Eri]

I actually really didn't like him at first. I mean, he committed the cardinal sin of defeating the Warrior of Light in a one-on-one fight! I remember thinking "how the hell..." when that happened. We'd fought, and beaten Primals and Dragons by that point.

It wasn't until later in the story I realised that said loss was a wake-up call that we kinda needed. All those victories - all the praise - the fact that the Warrior of Light had pretty much become a 'trump card' to point at the biggest problems. And then we finally meet a challenge that we couldn't overpower. A challenge that didn't have Primal powers or the Echo but kicked the Warrior of Light's ass anyway, easily, and walked off as if it were not worth a second thought. I've since always felt that this was character development that both Zenos AND our character needed, particularly in terms of demonstrating to the Alliance/the Scions that pointing the WoL at the Big Bad may not be the answer to everything.

This meant that I, personally, enjoyed his endgame and character development in Endwalker. I mean, its difficult to ignore the fact that, regardless of why he did it, he acknowledged that the WoL was too busy engaging in heroics to fight him and later on, once he was done assisting us against Endsinger, he waited patiently for us to finish talking with Meteion before addressing us and offered to let us walk away if we wanted to. And whilst it was, unfortunately, not an option anyway (which was a little irritating) I actually think that he probably would’ve let us go.

What we saw was that Zenos had learned, in his own unique way, what it means to care for someone. His former demands of “I WILL have my contest!") changed to sincerely offering the WoL to share in the only form of happiness he understood. And he was finally able to see WoL as their own person. The way he referred to the WoL as “Adventurer” demonstrated that he understood there is a part of WoL that's difficult for them to express in the midst of all the heroics that were, more often than not, forced upon them. And we directly, and indirectly, gave him a purpose to live. It's what makes him an intriguing character.

[Antharaes]

I actually really didn't like him at first. I mean, he committed the cardinal sin of defeating the Warrior of Light in a one-on-one fight! I remember thinking "how the hell..." when that happened. We'd fought, and beaten Primals and Dragons by that point.

It wasn't until later in the story I realised that said loss was a wake-up call that we kinda needed. All those victories - all the praise - the fact that the Warrior of Light had pretty much become a 'trump card' to point at the biggest problems. And then we finally meet a challenge that we couldn't overpower. A challenge that didn't have Primal powers or the Echo but kicked the Warrior of Light's ass anyway, easily, and walked off as if it were not worth a second thought. I've since always felt that this was character development that both Zenos AND our character needed, particularly in terms of demonstrating to the Alliance/the Scions that pointing the WoL at the Big Bad may not be the answer to everything.

This meant that I, personally, enjoyed his endgame and character development in Endwalker. I mean, its difficult to ignore the fact that, regardless of why he did it, he acknowledged that the WoL was too busy engaging in heroics to fight him and later on, once he was done assisting us against Endsinger, he waited patiently for us to finish talking with Meteion before addressing us and offered to let us walk away if we wanted to. And whilst it was, unfortunately, not an option anyway (which was a little irritating) I actually think that he probably would’ve let us go.

What we saw was that Zenos had learned, in his own unique way, what it means to care for someone. His former demands of “I WILL have my contest!") changed to sincerely offering the WoL to share in the only form of happiness he understood. And he was finally able to see WoL as their own person. The way he referred to the WoL as “Adventurer” demonstrated that he understood there is a part of WoL that's difficult for them to express in the midst of all the heroics that were, more often than not, forced upon them. And we directly, and indirectly, gave him a purpose to live. It's what makes him an intriguing character.

You expressed exactly what I was thinking in more eloquent words. Thank you for this.

[IkaraGreydancer]

I appreciate the foil he was for us throughout the years. Voice acting helps ofc but the character himself was just fun. Not a fool but naive in very subtle ways imo. Have to respect him for going to the lengths that he did to become stronger n get to us. It's quite interesting with his backstory n the fact that hes Hades/Emets grandson. Kind of fitting yeah? I'd also have to say I think it's kinda funny (in a good way) that he had more faith in us than basically anyone. Even getting warped off to the First he still had complete confidence we'd prevail and be back. (Also bless him for stopping Black Rose lol)
Not to mention the dude is just a badass. Very well rounded character, great story arc and fitting conclusion.

[JamieRose]

I dislike Zenos. Even after learning his backstory from wikis and supplemental materials, I just can't find it in me to care about the WoL's psychopathic stalker. I just don't find him very entertaining outside of the Shinryu and [POST LEVEL 90 ENDWALKER TRIAL SPOILERS REDACTED].

What am I missing about this character? What nuanced trope am I overlooking that makes Zenos a favorite for some people?

You're probably not going to change my mind, but I am curious to know what makes him so appealing to some people.

I'm with you, I don't get it either. There's nothing about a stalker, especially the lengths he was will to go in his sociopathic BS, that's going to leave a positive impression on me.

I'm not saying he isn't a good villain, he certainly took it to some creepy places, but the people who get all starry-eyed over him make me wanna vomit.

[IkaraGreydancer]

I'm with you, I don't get it either. There's nothing about a stalker, especially the lengths he was will to go in his sociopathic BS, that's going to leave a positive impression on me.

I'm not saying he isn't a good villain, he certainly took it to some creepy places, but the people who get all starry-eyed over him make me wanna vomit.

I mean...its fiction dude. You wanting to "vomit" because somelikes a fictional character is mad hyperbolic lol

People love Frieza from Dragon Ball yet he's probably one of the most racist characters in anime. It's fine

[Tanis_Ebonhart]

I like defeating him.