Many iconic TV show moments involve the deaths of major characters, though. At some point, a cast becomes bloated - and much like how hiring actors is expensive on a consistent basis, so too is it the case with voice actors.

As for tragedy, especially in regards to war stories I absolutely and firmly believe that civilians need to be shown exactly what the consequences of war actually are. Because then they might be encouraged to do more to deescalate such things in the real world and speak out against it.

I think it's dangerous for stories to push the idea that if people go to war they'll be able to return from it with their friends and be praised as heroes when the bleak reality is that they're actually just coming back from killing a bunch of young men and women with their own hopes, dreams and ideals...and that in the blink of an eye, a stray bullet could easily end the life of a beloved comrade.

Though that'd involve civilians learning to stop glorifying war and honour the realistic, actual death toll on both sides of a conflict. Thus far, FFXIV only really pretends to do that but doesn't truly commit to it. Plenty of other JRPG's have done it, though - including previous Final Fantasy games.

Oh well. I don't expect it to actually happen, though I do think it'd be the right move.