User blog comment:DustpeltX/The Design of a Character Part 2 - Concept Conception/@comment-30530552-20170517211411/@comment-13593058-20170520162655

Good points made all round and I agree that Ren's development in that aspect was handled well and definitely going towards the right direction. However, it is perhaps again, the lack of set-up for said development/exploration that kinda of makes the whole sudden Ren focus a bit off to me. From Volume 1 to 4, here's what the character of Ren contributed to the plot:

'''Volume 1 Ep. 4:'''

- Lie Ren is introduced as the silent, straight-man type of character to contrast the whimsical Nora Valkyrie

'''Volume 1 Ep. 6:'''

Ren is used as a visual demonstration of Aura in relation to Pyrrah's explanation to Jaune

He is also used to show off a new Grimm, the King Taijitu

Summary of Volume 1:

Essentially he feels like a background character along with Nora and Yang.

'''Volume 2 Ep. 1'''

Ren participates in the food fight, whether it is just for the sake of the scene or a display that he has a playful side is entirely debatable

'''Volume 2 Ep. 2'''

Ren and Pyrrah appear to be the only ones studying in the library while the rest are foolinf around. Neptune's reminder that they are in a library prompts a pent-up "Thank you!" from Ren, typical straight-man behaviour.

'''Volume 2 Ep. 6'''

Ren is dragged into a room by Jaune for girl advice, not so much development or characteristics to see there.

Summary of Volume 2:

Again, reduced to background characters

'''Volume 3 Ep. 1'''

Nora casually mentions that both she and Ren are orphans. Nothing else comes out of that.

Summary of Volume 3:

Essentially any sort of development had to be pushed aside to set-up the sudden Grimm invasion. Family relations were established in this volume but noen really play importance until Volume 4.

'''Volume 4 Ep. EVERYTHING'''

WOW SUDDENLY ALL THE REN DEVELOPMENT SHOULD HAVE CALLED IT VOLUME REN.

Ok so let me get this straight it took us 4 years to develop a character which the show isn't even named after and which they ignored for 3 volumes only to exposition dump his backstory in one whole Volume? Hello? They didn't even explain Nora's part of the story if it was implied that Ren and Nora are considered a pair character if their backstory was so intertwined.

Like it's weird. I know it's better late than never but it kind of throws people off a bunch when the explaination of his backstory wasn't even an excuse for anything. I'd be less confused if it was used to world bild a bit more but it was jsut more of the same, people try to live outside of naturual walls and get buttfucked, generating orphans to become Hunters.

Like WOW, is the government purposely being bad to make people want to move outside of the kingdoms so they can A. do population control without being uneithical, and B. generate orphan soldiers?

BRILLAINT.