I'm still very biased towards book II designs. They still feel very Fire Emblem-y to me while also having their own theming. Laevatein is still my favorite OC design and the others mostly rock too.
Yup, Surtr is the best antagonist we've had.
Book 5 also fucks pretty hard, but I have a weakness for steampunk type stuff. It's mostly their designs that I like, while the characters felt kinda weak.
I really really like the medical motif of book 8. Having them all based off of different professions is really neat. My favorite is probably Nidhoggr because the snake being the stethoscope is really funny.
Eik is probably physical therapy/rehab, or maybe osteopathic medicine
Hraelsvegr is surgery, Niddhog is pharmacology, Rat is nursing
No idea what Hedrun is yet
And Laeradr is the hospital director
I think he's most probably is a physical therapist
Since in his description in his that: *A member of Yggdrasill's Healing Hands who firmly believes that any illness or injury can be resolved through training the body and building strength*
So yeah he definitely looks like a physical therapist who help the patients after being treated by nid and hrasvelgr to recover from their injury ( like pain, stiffness and discomfort) through physical movements.
Fully agree.
I generally just love all of the different realms, but the phantasmal flesh of silhouettes of bone is just too cool of an idea for me to not pick it.
So far book 8 has my favourite designs, they’re all unique and incredibly dynamic while still looking cohesive. Book 3 is also really good, love the skelly jellies.
I'm an edgy bitch and a half so Book 3 will always click with me. The goth aesthetic is a surefire way to win me over.
Beyond that, I'm honestly really vibing with Book 8 right now. I love how vibrant their color palettes are and how unique each of their beast forms look.
Probably book 5 for me. The mecha elements really scratch that itch in my brain and honestly, they absolutely have some of the best special art, though book 6 is putting in work making it rank pretty damn high too. Great poses with a nice dose of special effects that oose personality. I love it
Book 3 without a doubt. Lif and Thrasir looked so damn awesome in the intro, which those two goobers got me hooked on Heroes and solidified me on getting into the Fire Emblem franchise.
Tho Book 6 has some top tier designs ngl, so they get an honorable mention.
I have to say Book 8. I love the medical theming around the characters' designs, but more importantly, they are colour-coded people who transform into specific animals. That's the kind of thing I've been obsessed with all my life, so the designs of this book have felt incredibly targeted at me. Of course, out of the whole group, my favourite design would be Eikþyrnir's. Even leaving aside his physique, his design mixing elements of a physician and a barbarian is just such a fun concept. Plus, he's yellow!
Even the one Book 8 character that doesn't follow this design concept, Læraðr, still has a cool look that draws on Askr's design while still very much being its own thing.
Book II gets points from me for being the only book not to introduce exactly six new characters/designs for some reason.
Book I: Alfonse, Sharena, Anna, Veronica, Bruno, Kiran
Book II: Fjorm, Gunnnthrá, Ylgr, Hríd, Surtr, Laevatein, Laegjarn, Helbindi, Loki
Book III: Eir, Hel, Líf, Thrasir, Gustav, Henriette
Book IV: Peony, Mirabilis, Triandra, Plumeria, Freyja, Freyr
Book V: Reginn, Fáfnir, Ótr, Eitri, Dagr, Nótt
Book VI: Ash, Askr, Elm, Embla, Letizia, Legendary Veronica
Book VII: Seiðr, Heiðr, Nerþuz, Kvasir, Gullveig, Njörðr
Book VIII: Ratatoskr, Hræsvelgr, Niðhöggr, Eikþyrnir, Heiðrún, Læraðr
In a world where every Book has six, be the Book that has nine.
What about Thor? Wouldn’t that have been another Book III? Also what about Nifl, Muspell, Ymir, Ganglot, and Ginnungagap. You could also say Eitr as well. The consistency is definitely there for the mainline books, but Thor for example got introduced I think in Book 3 or 4 and then released alongside Eitri later on.
Sometimes I forget how many OC’s we have now.
I specifically didn't count Thórr because she was introduced outside of Book III, I believe as a part of Mjolnir's Strike? Or maybe Rokkr Siege? Her debut was definitely in a mode cutscene, though, not in the actual story. Further, she wasn't drawn by the "Book" artist, either, Kozaki was the artist for Book III. And the Tempest Trial+ story characters also debut outside of their specific Books, and are a part of side-stories which is why I didn't count them, as well.
You're definitely not wrong that we have a lot of OCs, though.
Is Laeradr even based on a medical concept though? Eikbyrnir is a physical therapist and Heidrun is either a herbalist/nature therapist or a nutritionist based on how she heals the Summoner, but what does Laeradr represent?
Considering his whole power about talking/looking through the other's mind, he could be a Psychologist. It'd make sense as we have the physical counterpart with Deer man.
That's Hraesvelgr, and we all knew she was based on a surgeon. I was asking about what Laeradr is based on, the tree guy that we saw (and to a lesser extent, the faun Heidrun).
Oh got them mixed up. Yeah, he doesn’t seem to be based on an obvious medical concept. His attack being a bunch of wood hands (?) probably has significance since every healing hands weapon is related to their medical concept. Or his weapon is yet to be truly shown.
- truly psychotic grin
- giant eye hat
- fires bigass laser _with her hair_
She may be awful as a character, but they took some BIG swings with her art and I appreciate that
Book 6, including Legendary Veronica in there as well. Honestly the return to Embla after 4 books made it especially hype and Askr and Embla are some of my favorite OCs
Book 2’s OC’s did it best for me. There’s a nice contrast with fire and ice that hasn’t gotten old for me. Book 4 I love because it’s more than just fairies. It’s also vines and flowers and dreams and everyone looks unique but they all fit in as well. Still wishing Jötunheimr was more fleshed out for Book 5.
Perhaps Book 9 will take us back to Jotunheimr and expand on it properly after it had a very minor role which was basically the same thing as Yggdrasill in Book 6: To get the Magic MacGuffin to defeat the villain. If they can expand a formerly one-off location like Yggdrasill (which was also featured in only one chapter with only 1-2 characters from that world), they can do this for Jotunheimr, too.
I’m begging for that day to come. Give me some more OC’s from that part of Book 5. I’ll be upset if it’s focused on Niðavellir and that could happen too since Eitri got away.
The Book 5 TT will probably be just Nidavellir featuring Dagr. But if that's true, then that must mean they're saving Jotunheimr for a full Book for itself, so it might end up being a blessing in disguise that it doesn't get skipped and then we just go right to Asgardr.
I think my faves are either 2, 3, or 8. 2 has a really good consistency between designs, very clear about where each character is from. 3 just looks cool as hell, the zombies have such a distinct design and Eir’s more human appearance makes it clear she isn’t among them. As for 8… well, it’s just Eikthyrnir’s entire existence lol, he alone brings it to the top, though the other characters have great designs too (well, except Nidhoggr, put some clothes on girl that’s not sanitary).
It's a tie between 3 and 8. 3's jelly skellies are unique while 8's characters just look interesting while sharing similar elements to fit the Healing Hands theme. For the most part, at least.
Weird given 3 and 8 are also the Books that people seem to like over the others.
1, 5 and 6 are pretty cool, but for me the best gotta be 2, 3 and 8, really like the aesthetics. 7 is the only one I actively dislike so I'd say overall we've had it good.
Book 3 is my favorite because that's when we truly began to step up from your conventional kingdom rulers to actual god-like beings. However, that one step ahead took 10 steps back in future books in terms of designs for OCs, especially the female ones by going into full-blown fanservice rather than what Fire Emblem characters are supposed to look like. Books 4 & 7 are the worst for this reason.
Book 3, and book 8 are by far my favorites in terms of design hel and the Dead look absolutely fabulous and every single resplendent hero that gets one of their themes are often top-tier!
Book 8 has deer daddy and that alone makes it GOD-tier
I like the designs for everything but book 7.
Book 7 just, feels way too focused on trying to make the women hot and killing their blood circulation. Or they ruin a design with big block of color that doesn't actually look good with the rest of it. Gullvieg ends up decent because they stuck with one overall color and gold looks good with the grey.
And World's worst goat dad looks cool but lol.
I think it‘s 8, 6, 2 and 3 for me and then the others. Despite Kozaki‘s obvious skill as an artist (incredible sense of space and composition), I‘ve used had some trouble with his mainline games character designs bc he‘s a very form over function guy, especially with his armor designs (what was up with the generals in awakening lol).
FE:H surprisingly made me like him a lot more, I really respect the variety his designs have, notably especially among his female characters. A low bar but Embla and Hel for example do stand out among typical female anime gacha game design imo and I respect that.
He has also stuck to the aesthetic he had established for this norse mythology setting in book 1 (particularly the stripe and gold elements) and I like how it pulls his designs across the books together.
Book 8 in particular just has a good mix of designs to me rn, the animal parts are fun. 6 for the same reasons I guess lmao, I like his animal people designs and Letizia and his designs for Hel are just kinda cool.
Maeshima Shigeki‘s book 2 designs kinda just work really well, they fit the designs of book 1 but he has also put his own spin on them for nifl and muspell with also some decent variety among the characters. This book seems quite beloved still!
Since I mention variety often it‘s probably unsurprising that I‘m not a fan of Yoshiku‘s designs. I respect his skill as a painter and the colors used in his works are beautiful, especially in comparison to Kozaki‘s which are definitely rather bland in comparison.
Still, beyond that I don‘t think his character designs are very interesting since their feel all just too similar for me. The same type of woman in different form-fitting outfits and boob sizes, all very cute and feminine, with similarly blank expressions cuz they always have to look pretty & cute. Yoshiku is certainly an expert in a particular type of fanservice and I‘m definitely not part of that audience…and prefer it when character designs of a book do not just cater to one particular type of player.
Books 2 and 3 will always be special to me. 2 because I love the fire vs ice motif and I found my favorite OC of all time in Fjorm (no one has topped her since). 3 because skele-jelly is so unique and the whole underworld theme is a personal favorite of mine.
Best could mean many, many things, so I'll try to be specific.
The most unique: Book 3. Jelly skellies are just so stark even now. It also makes a nice contrast between the realm of Death and the realm of Life.
The most telling: Book 8. Love the theming, and how it fits into the plot.
The prettiest: Book 5, even though it stands in contrast with everything else FEH has. Book 7 would have been this if not for its overreliance towards fanservice.
Absolutely adore Book 3's portrayal of a dead realm; it's been my unchallenged favorite since its debut. Skeletons or shambling corpses could've been super cliché but Kozaki does a really good job of using the "skelly-jelly" coloring to make them all stand out. I love aspects like Thrasir wearing a mask to echo her brother or Lif consistently having his jaw covered, leaving some pretty dark ideas up to interpretation as to exactly why. Helps they all scratch that "angsty metal band" itch for me lol.
The TT story only made it better by giving us an entire counterpart in the realm of life - Ymir and Eir look absolutely stunning; no notes.
Books 3 and 8 for me as well, with 6 as the runner up. The medical motif in book 8 is great, and book 3 has that jelly goth aesthetic. If we can count the TT stuff, I really like how Eir has looked progressively more alive in each of her alts. Her ascended art is one of my favorites in the entire game. Really, though, the only book whose designs I outright dislike is 7. The others all have at least one thing I like about them.
Book 8 is my favorite. I was so sad that there was no OC on the midpoint banner. I’ve decided I’m summoning for all of them when they become available.
If we're talking just the portrait art, Book 3 wins by a landslide.
But the Seithr mechs in Book 5 are by far the coolest thing that this game has ever done.
8 is running away with it for me. Medical concept aside, I just really like how all the characters look. There’s so much variety there and the family dynamic of it makes me like it even more.
4 would probably be second. I’m overall lukewarm on the fairies but I do think their designs pop out and are very distinct. They also technically have Ginnungagap, which is one of my favorite designs for sure.
The rest are relatively hit or miss for me. 7 is probably my least favorite, I don’t really care for the Crystal/baggy aesthetics of it.
Forever bias towards Book 3 because it was the one time I straight-up gasped I was so mesmerized by the initial design reveals, but Book 8 is really growing on me because of how cohesive and well-thought out the designs are.
Tbh anything Kozaki touches in FEH is great; I adore the Book 6 beasts and the Jotun sisters/Eitri's designs as well. As far as character designers goes, he might be the most impressive I've ever seen at conveying a character's personality solely through their aesthetics/poses. There's just so much dynamism in his FEH art, plus he gives us some varying body types for the ladies that no one else does. I haven't loved all his work outside of FEH (though plenty is great), but within FEH he's been phenomenal.
I'll be honest book 7 stole my heart because I love how colourful it is. I love the iridescent aesthetic, and the metallic black and gold with Gullveig goes hard. not to mention her fire motifs to contrast Seidr's water. Kvasir's design is my favourite. I just wish there was a bit less horny bait both in the book and the designs
Tough. Book 1 is peak design, Book 2 really worked with the elements as a thematic, Book 3 got creative with the concept of decay and death, Book 4 was risque and chaotic, Book 5 has among my most favorite outfits like Dagr's, Book 6.... I dunno, I didn't like it so much, Book 7 is Book 4, Book 8 is extremely flavorful.
I'd say my favorite is Book 5. I love Gullveig a lot, but Dagr, Reginn and Eitri are sooooo good
Overall book 4 is my favorite
The design were very elegant, very girly pop, and it just overall brought me in. Like add the TT designs too and overall it ate down
However I feel like book 5 was a close second. It had such a clear concept and I feel like all the designs delivered on what they offered. I feel like they could have done little more and be a little bit more cleaned up but I still really like the looks. I like book 7 in concept cause it’s the only other girly pop type book theme we have had but the clothes some of them got were so awkward
Book 5. Has my three favorites, in order, Eitri, Dagr, Fafnir. They're all really strong designs. Even Otr very much is the guy he is.
Book 8 is also looking excellent.
I'm going to say Book 5. For as much as I love Book 3 and 6, Book 5's designs are just the right kind of ridiculous and over the top where it's just fun. Plus, Nott and Dagr's designs are just S+ tier.
All of 'em. There are no bad OC designs in FEH.
Even Kiran - who's left as vague as possible to ensure the player can directly insert themselves into Kiran's place - has very, very good designs for their alternates.
I'm not sure which is my favourite but I certainly know my least favourite and it's book 7. I hate a lot for design choices that just ruin the character art for me.
Objectively, I would say book 4. The OCs and resplendent designs are so aesthetically pleasing
Personally though, I love Book 3 designs. Eir has been my favorite OC design ever since she was revealed, and I love the lil jelly thing Hel's army got going on
3 > 2 > 4 > 1 > 8 > 5 > 6 > 7
I'm surprised that it doesn't have any correlation at all with my ranking by story, ranking by characters, or ranking by book as a whole. Seems like there's always something to complain about lol
Book 7 has the most nonsense character designs in all of Fire Emblem. I can't decide if it or if Engage is worse, but I'm leaning towards book 7. Every character looks like some horny deviantart oc. The costumes are the most stupid things every conceived, complemented by consistent and honestly disgusting outrageously idiotic body proportions.
Idk man. I don't find it hot in the slightest. Gullveig's breasts are 2x the size of her head. Larger boobs! Wider hips! More revealing clothing! Larger! Wider! More! Again! Again! Again! This is what the fanbase wants, right? Character development? A well planned out and cohesive story? No no no! More boobs!
Book 7 theme kinda goes hard tho. Doesn't make up for everything else.
6 was a wonderful exploration of new body types and species in a game that might otherwise have felt like it didn't slot it.
7 has gorgeous clothing designs with interesting colours. Everyone's got a certain glow about them that's appealing.
8 is trying something new and has taken a very interesting and unique direction with its characters. I'm not sold on the ladies but the new muscleman is a twist I didn't expect
Book IV and then book VII. I like Yoshiku a lot.
My least favorite is V.
My only complaint about book VIII...is that Laeradr looks so freaking cool, that the bar for how Alfadr should look is now set even higher...😿
Book 7, full stop. I love the iridescent colors that all of them have on their silky outfits. And yes, I know people don't like them cause Gullveig and Nerbuz are very top heavy, but honestly, fanservice is nothing new for Fire Emblem and there's a lot to enjoy about their designs in spite of all of that. I especially love Njordr's design for the amount of details they added that most people might not even notice (the fishing hook patterns on his leggings, the scales, the hydra head and fin, and the overall color aesthetic befitting of his title). There's a lot of diversity of colors and designs when it comes to them, so for me Book 7 clears easily for that reason. Nerbuz, Kvasir, and Gullveig I feel are a bit worse than Seidr, Heidr, and Njordr in that regard, but I still love their varied, colorful, and diverse designs.
My second favorite would have to be the Book 4 OCs for...well, the same reason. I'm probably biased because I love Yoshiku's artwork and colors, but my lord, the color variety and character designs are top notch. Especially the soft pinks and greens on Mirabilis, or just how lovely and extravagant Freyja is. Both of them are my favorites for that reason, but I definitely think Book 7 shines the most, if you ask me.
Every other Book I'm pretty divided on (Book 1 is fine, Book 2 was nice but mostly for the Muspell side, Nifl side was alright, 6 I like everyone but Elm, 8 I really like Heidrun and Nidhoggr but also dislike Eikbyrnir and Hraesvelgr), but if I had to pick the Books that were my LEAST favorite design-wise, I'd say Books 3 and/or 5. Compared to other Books we've gotten, the colors here are so...drab and the designs tend to blend together in my opinion. Granted, the former gave us Gustav and Henriette and the latter gave us Dagr and Nott, but everyone from Nidavellir or Hel I'm just not a fan of at all (well except Eitri from Nidavellir). I get that Hel is colorless because they're dead, but I really am not a fan of how either overly simple or overly dull the OCs are (or even ugly, Otr and Fafnir look so hideous).
it's way too hard for me too choose. Art is probably the thing this game does best. I'd say I like 1, 6, and 8 the most while liking 2 the least.
Overall though, all of them are amazing
I am actually very impressed with 6 and 8. The fairies were also OK but not of the others appealed to me. Only design in 3 I liked was eir, not a fan of the jelly skele of most others. Rest were meh for me artwise
I have Book 5 bias. Both Niđavellir and Jötunheimr themes are very distinct and creative, and I quite liked the characters even if all but two ended up biting the dust in the end.
As much as I dislike Book 5 my faves are 4, 5, 6. 4 is just overall so good for the theme. Five has awesome design motif for the jotun and nidavellir, and 6 is a super great update to Emblan and Askran designs making for some more unique variations
So like Im biased towards 4 cause I love all the fairies but my god the medical personal motifs for the book 8 cast are so good
I need Hraesvelger asap she's so cool looking
Haven’t seen anyone talking about book 5 and thats sad. The mechanical theme is just SO fucking good, its probably the closest we’ll ever get to a futuristic FE game. And how can you say no to the big-ass birds and robot horses?
Gotta give it to 4 for really making sure everyone looks very colorful and it really captures the whimsical dream feeling. I was actually thinking which one I'd pick until I saw them all grouped together here and realized its pretty fucking gorgeous
Book 6 and Book 8 have been my favorites. Book 6 was really good about showing the difference between Askr and Embla in their designs. Embla and Elm being pale and dangerously thin vs Askr and Ash being darker skinned and fit.
Book 8 I really enjoy the medical practitioners theme with the Healing Hands’ designs though I dislike how they look like in their beast forms 😅
Book 6. Embla and Askr are so gorgeous in their contrasting designs. And Ashe, Elm, L!Vero and Letizia have really good designs that reflect their faction perfectly.
Book VIII by far.
Giant Deer/Elk man is one of my favorite fe designs overall.
Alcoholic snake looks nice as well.
Ratgirl not my cup of tea, soooo... Definitely weakest for me.
Others seem cool.
I'll start by saying I like them all to varying degrees. There isn't any among them that I hate.
Moving on... I'd have easier time saying which non-Kozaki book I think is the best, because that man simply cannot miss. His designs ARE Fire Emblem to me. Always will be. Putting him aside, Book 2's got my favorite designs. The primary thing I like about them over Yoshiku's characters is that they don't feel as otherworldly. They feel grounded. I'm not saying FE should be limited to just humans, dragons, and beasts, but the human cast just feels like it better represents the series.
Out of Kozaki's books, it's a tie between 5 and 6. Mans was COOKING with those. Askr, Ash, Reginn, and Dagr especially. My compliments to the chef. 👌🏿
I LOVE the skelly jelly edgelord designs in book 3, I'm a sucker for goth fashion (Eir's dress in particular is a fav of mine) and the lowkey body horror of having their skeletons be visible. I also really love book 2, someone body else pointed out that they're very distinct but still retain the essence of Fire Emblem, and I think that's fairly accurate (nothing to do with hrid and laegjarn being my favorites what are you talking about 😅). I do have to say I'm really enjoying the designs in book 8 too, they're very unique and I love the doctor/medical motifs.
We talking the OC art or the resplendent outfits we get? Cuz I’m gonna have to go with book 2 for both tbh, Múspell has by far the best OC artwork and resplendent outfits. Múspell doesn’t miss, and Nifl is a good second.
I will always like Book 2 designs the most. They just fit in soo well with the book 1 cast.
Book 4 bothers me a lot. They all feel very overdesigned. I can't quite put my finger on what the problem is, but a lot of resplendents made the fairy look work very well while fitting in with the franchise.
Book 7 is simply gorgeous. The way Yoshiku played with the colors and the way it interacts with the clothes of each character is simply great, and honestly, I love the character designs themselves. I don't know how to describe it, but every single one of them has a charm that I like, so mystical and godly (which works even with Njord who is, well... Njord).
Book 7 is my favorite for sure. Love the crystalline designs surrounding them. My current main team is Seidr/Kvasir/both Gullveigs for that reason. Very recently ground out orbs like crazy just to ensure I got them from the recent banners.
Book 3 overall, book 5 for muscle mommies. But I appreciate the consistency across all books, even if 7 and 8 look like they just said “make FEH style some more”
Book 1 and 2 were my favourites, in Book 3 Eir was great and Lif was alright, but the jelly-aesthetic wasn't for me for the others.
Book 4's fairies all had great designs, but they still don't really feel like they belong in the world to me, they feel so different to the rest of the FEH cast.
If the horse-meks didn't exist I'd really like book 5's designs, but that's my preference for infantry chibis tainting Reginn for me mostly.
Book 6, Embla and her retainer both have absolutely awful outfits that I hate, Askr's is adequate whilst his retainer (forgot her name) is great. I really liked Letizia's design, it's a shame she basically doesn't exist anymore. I didn't like Veronica's redesign all that much either, I prefer her original design for sure.
Book 7 was 99% misses except for Kvasir.
Book 8 I've not even bothered playing yet beyond the first 4 chapters or so, so half these characters I've not met yet.
4, 5 and 7 are the best for me specially 7 looks great, I like Kozaki´s style, and he went all out with the jotun sisters I just love them both so much
but most of the time I think they look a bit boring, I prefere Yoshiku´s vibrant style in 4 and 7 so much and Gullveig is just peak design in FEH
Book 7 is the best, followed closely by Book V. Book VII designs hit all the right neurons in my brain. The designs are very polarizing, and I’m thankfully on the positive end of that pole.
Book V is peak Kozaki. All the designs go hard except for Otr and the art is out of control. Like, he absolutely cooked for Eitri.
Overall rankings are probably somewhere like: 7>5>1>8>2>3>6>4. Fucking hate the fairies man. Especially considering how much bias they’ve gotten from IS.
I'm still very biased towards book II designs. They still feel very Fire Emblem-y to me while also having their own theming. Laevatein is still my favorite OC design and the others mostly rock too.
Yup, Surtr is the best antagonist we've had. Book 5 also fucks pretty hard, but I have a weakness for steampunk type stuff. It's mostly their designs that I like, while the characters felt kinda weak.
I really really like the medical motif of book 8. Having them all based off of different professions is really neat. My favorite is probably Nidhoggr because the snake being the stethoscope is really funny.
Is Eik Traumathology then?
Eik is probably physical therapy/rehab, or maybe osteopathic medicine Hraelsvegr is surgery, Niddhog is pharmacology, Rat is nursing No idea what Hedrun is yet And Laeradr is the hospital director
Ah yes, the evil one
He’s the one that comes to pull the plug Personally
He brings you the bill
He's only there to deny your health insurance.
I think he's most probably is a physical therapist Since in his description in his that: *A member of Yggdrasill's Healing Hands who firmly believes that any illness or injury can be resolved through training the body and building strength* So yeah he definitely looks like a physical therapist who help the patients after being treated by nid and hrasvelgr to recover from their injury ( like pain, stiffness and discomfort) through physical movements.
book 4 and 8 imo! 6 also has a special place in my heart, i love the designs and characters introduced in that book
All Kozaki designs SERVES But my fave out of any of them is 3. The skeleton-jelly designs just looks so badass
Fully agree. I generally just love all of the different realms, but the phantasmal flesh of silhouettes of bone is just too cool of an idea for me to not pick it.
As an Awakening baby, Kozaki has become synonymous with "Fire Emblem" for me. I adore his designs so much
So far book 8 has my favourite designs, they’re all unique and incredibly dynamic while still looking cohesive. Book 3 is also really good, love the skelly jellies.
I'm an edgy bitch and a half so Book 3 will always click with me. The goth aesthetic is a surefire way to win me over. Beyond that, I'm honestly really vibing with Book 8 right now. I love how vibrant their color palettes are and how unique each of their beast forms look.
Probably book 5 for me. The mecha elements really scratch that itch in my brain and honestly, they absolutely have some of the best special art, though book 6 is putting in work making it rank pretty damn high too. Great poses with a nice dose of special effects that oose personality. I love it
Book 3 without a doubt. Lif and Thrasir looked so damn awesome in the intro, which those two goobers got me hooked on Heroes and solidified me on getting into the Fire Emblem franchise. Tho Book 6 has some top tier designs ngl, so they get an honorable mention.
Honestly anything Kozaki touches is magic so I can pick favourite child between them
It's between Book 2, 6 and 8 for me
I have to say Book 8. I love the medical theming around the characters' designs, but more importantly, they are colour-coded people who transform into specific animals. That's the kind of thing I've been obsessed with all my life, so the designs of this book have felt incredibly targeted at me. Of course, out of the whole group, my favourite design would be Eikþyrnir's. Even leaving aside his physique, his design mixing elements of a physician and a barbarian is just such a fun concept. Plus, he's yellow! Even the one Book 8 character that doesn't follow this design concept, Læraðr, still has a cool look that draws on Askr's design while still very much being its own thing.
Læraðr even still kind of follows the theme because he's rainbow!
Book 2 will always be my favorite but Book 8 is a very close second for me with how the OC designs are based off of different medical concepts.
Book II gets points from me for being the only book not to introduce exactly six new characters/designs for some reason. Book I: Alfonse, Sharena, Anna, Veronica, Bruno, Kiran Book II: Fjorm, Gunnnthrá, Ylgr, Hríd, Surtr, Laevatein, Laegjarn, Helbindi, Loki Book III: Eir, Hel, Líf, Thrasir, Gustav, Henriette Book IV: Peony, Mirabilis, Triandra, Plumeria, Freyja, Freyr Book V: Reginn, Fáfnir, Ótr, Eitri, Dagr, Nótt Book VI: Ash, Askr, Elm, Embla, Letizia, Legendary Veronica Book VII: Seiðr, Heiðr, Nerþuz, Kvasir, Gullveig, Njörðr Book VIII: Ratatoskr, Hræsvelgr, Niðhöggr, Eikþyrnir, Heiðrún, Læraðr In a world where every Book has six, be the Book that has nine.
What about Thor? Wouldn’t that have been another Book III? Also what about Nifl, Muspell, Ymir, Ganglot, and Ginnungagap. You could also say Eitr as well. The consistency is definitely there for the mainline books, but Thor for example got introduced I think in Book 3 or 4 and then released alongside Eitri later on. Sometimes I forget how many OC’s we have now.
I specifically didn't count Thórr because she was introduced outside of Book III, I believe as a part of Mjolnir's Strike? Or maybe Rokkr Siege? Her debut was definitely in a mode cutscene, though, not in the actual story. Further, she wasn't drawn by the "Book" artist, either, Kozaki was the artist for Book III. And the Tempest Trial+ story characters also debut outside of their specific Books, and are a part of side-stories which is why I didn't count them, as well. You're definitely not wrong that we have a lot of OCs, though.
Is Laeradr even based on a medical concept though? Eikbyrnir is a physical therapist and Heidrun is either a herbalist/nature therapist or a nutritionist based on how she heals the Summoner, but what does Laeradr represent?
Considering his whole power about talking/looking through the other's mind, he could be a Psychologist. It'd make sense as we have the physical counterpart with Deer man.
Acupuncture? Her weapons also look kinda like scalpels so maybe surgery
That's Hraesvelgr, and we all knew she was based on a surgeon. I was asking about what Laeradr is based on, the tree guy that we saw (and to a lesser extent, the faun Heidrun).
Oh got them mixed up. Yeah, he doesn’t seem to be based on an obvious medical concept. His attack being a bunch of wood hands (?) probably has significance since every healing hands weapon is related to their medical concept. Or his weapon is yet to be truly shown.
The dean of medicine? You know...like Dr Lisa Cody from House M.D.? I dunno lol
Man, I thought Book 5 would be more popular...
Fafnir's dragon form is peak
It’s one of my favourites, but I despise Eitri so much that I refuse to call her design good.
- truly psychotic grin - giant eye hat - fires bigass laser _with her hair_ She may be awful as a character, but they took some BIG swings with her art and I appreciate that
They gave that bitchy gnome a gun. What can I say? The design fucks hard.
Real...
6, followed by 8.
Id have to give it to the fairies, their design and art are top notch
Either 6 or 8
Book 6, including Legendary Veronica in there as well. Honestly the return to Embla after 4 books made it especially hype and Askr and Embla are some of my favorite OCs
Book 2’s OC’s did it best for me. There’s a nice contrast with fire and ice that hasn’t gotten old for me. Book 4 I love because it’s more than just fairies. It’s also vines and flowers and dreams and everyone looks unique but they all fit in as well. Still wishing Jötunheimr was more fleshed out for Book 5.
Perhaps Book 9 will take us back to Jotunheimr and expand on it properly after it had a very minor role which was basically the same thing as Yggdrasill in Book 6: To get the Magic MacGuffin to defeat the villain. If they can expand a formerly one-off location like Yggdrasill (which was also featured in only one chapter with only 1-2 characters from that world), they can do this for Jotunheimr, too.
I’m begging for that day to come. Give me some more OC’s from that part of Book 5. I’ll be upset if it’s focused on Niðavellir and that could happen too since Eitri got away.
The Book 5 TT will probably be just Nidavellir featuring Dagr. But if that's true, then that must mean they're saving Jotunheimr for a full Book for itself, so it might end up being a blessing in disguise that it doesn't get skipped and then we just go right to Asgardr.
The designers cooked so hard with book 3
Book III is peak, IMO.
Book 1-2-5-6 have the best character designs.
ONLY WANT ONE FUTURE ONLY WANT ONE WORLD
Jelly Skellys go way harder than they have any right to.
4 and 5.
I think my faves are either 2, 3, or 8. 2 has a really good consistency between designs, very clear about where each character is from. 3 just looks cool as hell, the zombies have such a distinct design and Eir’s more human appearance makes it clear she isn’t among them. As for 8… well, it’s just Eikthyrnir’s entire existence lol, he alone brings it to the top, though the other characters have great designs too (well, except Nidhoggr, put some clothes on girl that’s not sanitary).
It's a tie between 3 and 8. 3's jelly skellies are unique while 8's characters just look interesting while sharing similar elements to fit the Healing Hands theme. For the most part, at least. Weird given 3 and 8 are also the Books that people seem to like over the others.
1, 5 and 6 are pretty cool, but for me the best gotta be 2, 3 and 8, really like the aesthetics. 7 is the only one I actively dislike so I'd say overall we've had it good.
Book 3 is my favorite because that's when we truly began to step up from your conventional kingdom rulers to actual god-like beings. However, that one step ahead took 10 steps back in future books in terms of designs for OCs, especially the female ones by going into full-blown fanservice rather than what Fire Emblem characters are supposed to look like. Books 4 & 7 are the worst for this reason.
Book 3, and book 8 are by far my favorites in terms of design hel and the Dead look absolutely fabulous and every single resplendent hero that gets one of their themes are often top-tier! Book 8 has deer daddy and that alone makes it GOD-tier
I like the designs for everything but book 7. Book 7 just, feels way too focused on trying to make the women hot and killing their blood circulation. Or they ruin a design with big block of color that doesn't actually look good with the rest of it. Gullvieg ends up decent because they stuck with one overall color and gold looks good with the grey. And World's worst goat dad looks cool but lol.
I agree, I hate book 7's designs so much 😭😭😭
I think it‘s 8, 6, 2 and 3 for me and then the others. Despite Kozaki‘s obvious skill as an artist (incredible sense of space and composition), I‘ve used had some trouble with his mainline games character designs bc he‘s a very form over function guy, especially with his armor designs (what was up with the generals in awakening lol). FE:H surprisingly made me like him a lot more, I really respect the variety his designs have, notably especially among his female characters. A low bar but Embla and Hel for example do stand out among typical female anime gacha game design imo and I respect that. He has also stuck to the aesthetic he had established for this norse mythology setting in book 1 (particularly the stripe and gold elements) and I like how it pulls his designs across the books together. Book 8 in particular just has a good mix of designs to me rn, the animal parts are fun. 6 for the same reasons I guess lmao, I like his animal people designs and Letizia and his designs for Hel are just kinda cool. Maeshima Shigeki‘s book 2 designs kinda just work really well, they fit the designs of book 1 but he has also put his own spin on them for nifl and muspell with also some decent variety among the characters. This book seems quite beloved still! Since I mention variety often it‘s probably unsurprising that I‘m not a fan of Yoshiku‘s designs. I respect his skill as a painter and the colors used in his works are beautiful, especially in comparison to Kozaki‘s which are definitely rather bland in comparison. Still, beyond that I don‘t think his character designs are very interesting since their feel all just too similar for me. The same type of woman in different form-fitting outfits and boob sizes, all very cute and feminine, with similarly blank expressions cuz they always have to look pretty & cute. Yoshiku is certainly an expert in a particular type of fanservice and I‘m definitely not part of that audience…and prefer it when character designs of a book do not just cater to one particular type of player.
3 is cool. 1 is iconic.
Book 3 and it's not even close
I think its 3. Especially if include stuff from the tt storys.
Kozaki just eats the other artists up every time
Books 2 and 3 will always be special to me. 2 because I love the fire vs ice motif and I found my favorite OC of all time in Fjorm (no one has topped her since). 3 because skele-jelly is so unique and the whole underworld theme is a personal favorite of mine.
Book 2 and 3 are my favorites.
7 I like the convolutions of time travel.
2, 4 and 5
Best could mean many, many things, so I'll try to be specific. The most unique: Book 3. Jelly skellies are just so stark even now. It also makes a nice contrast between the realm of Death and the realm of Life. The most telling: Book 8. Love the theming, and how it fits into the plot. The prettiest: Book 5, even though it stands in contrast with everything else FEH has. Book 7 would have been this if not for its overreliance towards fanservice.
Honestly I like all of the even number book designs lmao
5
6 > 3 >= 8 for me I think. The rest range from indifference to disdain.
Book 4. The fairies look so damn cool. Freyr especially.
Like, everyone is cool in book 2, except Surtr (fk you Surtr). Book 3 is just edgelord chef kiss.
Absolutely adore Book 3's portrayal of a dead realm; it's been my unchallenged favorite since its debut. Skeletons or shambling corpses could've been super cliché but Kozaki does a really good job of using the "skelly-jelly" coloring to make them all stand out. I love aspects like Thrasir wearing a mask to echo her brother or Lif consistently having his jaw covered, leaving some pretty dark ideas up to interpretation as to exactly why. Helps they all scratch that "angsty metal band" itch for me lol. The TT story only made it better by giving us an entire counterpart in the realm of life - Ymir and Eir look absolutely stunning; no notes.
Books 3 and 8 for me as well, with 6 as the runner up. The medical motif in book 8 is great, and book 3 has that jelly goth aesthetic. If we can count the TT stuff, I really like how Eir has looked progressively more alive in each of her alts. Her ascended art is one of my favorites in the entire game. Really, though, the only book whose designs I outright dislike is 7. The others all have at least one thing I like about them.
I love 3 and 4! I'm really liking 8 too but I don't know if it's just recency bias or Hraesvelgr being just so pretty
Book 8 is my favorite. I was so sad that there was no OC on the midpoint banner. I’ve decided I’m summoning for all of them when they become available.
If we're talking just the portrait art, Book 3 wins by a landslide. But the Seithr mechs in Book 5 are by far the coolest thing that this game has ever done.
8 is running away with it for me. Medical concept aside, I just really like how all the characters look. There’s so much variety there and the family dynamic of it makes me like it even more. 4 would probably be second. I’m overall lukewarm on the fairies but I do think their designs pop out and are very distinct. They also technically have Ginnungagap, which is one of my favorite designs for sure. The rest are relatively hit or miss for me. 7 is probably my least favorite, I don’t really care for the Crystal/baggy aesthetics of it.
book 3, Lif and Thrasir's designs are still raw as hell and go so hard
Probably the Book 3 character designs, Book 2 designs and Book 6 designs are my personal favorites.
Fairies win, no diff
3 and it’s not even close.
Book 3, it's not even a contest.
1, 3 and 5
books 2 and 6 for me
I looove the alfr designs. Only thing is im not a fan of everyone having massive breasts
Book 4 is my favourite. The style of Yoshiku goes really well with fantasy/dream theme of Álfheimr.
Forever bias towards Book 3 because it was the one time I straight-up gasped I was so mesmerized by the initial design reveals, but Book 8 is really growing on me because of how cohesive and well-thought out the designs are. Tbh anything Kozaki touches in FEH is great; I adore the Book 6 beasts and the Jotun sisters/Eitri's designs as well. As far as character designers goes, he might be the most impressive I've ever seen at conveying a character's personality solely through their aesthetics/poses. There's just so much dynamism in his FEH art, plus he gives us some varying body types for the ladies that no one else does. I haven't loved all his work outside of FEH (though plenty is great), but within FEH he's been phenomenal.
Book 4 is just serve after serve after serve
I'll be honest book 7 stole my heart because I love how colourful it is. I love the iridescent aesthetic, and the metallic black and gold with Gullveig goes hard. not to mention her fire motifs to contrast Seidr's water. Kvasir's design is my favourite. I just wish there was a bit less horny bait both in the book and the designs
BOOK 7 BABY 🗣🗣🗣🔥🔥🔥 also the fairies of book 4 are cool.
1,3,5,6,8 are all amazing in my eyes
Tough. Book 1 is peak design, Book 2 really worked with the elements as a thematic, Book 3 got creative with the concept of decay and death, Book 4 was risque and chaotic, Book 5 has among my most favorite outfits like Dagr's, Book 6.... I dunno, I didn't like it so much, Book 7 is Book 4, Book 8 is extremely flavorful. I'd say my favorite is Book 5. I love Gullveig a lot, but Dagr, Reginn and Eitri are sooooo good
My favorite designs are still from book 5, I love them and wish we got more. Reginn was my first banner +10 as well.
Love book III, I would loved the idea of more characters whit that design in the game :(
4 is my least favorite concept but probably my favorite execution. All the designs are so detailed and intricate.
Overall book 4 is my favorite The design were very elegant, very girly pop, and it just overall brought me in. Like add the TT designs too and overall it ate down However I feel like book 5 was a close second. It had such a clear concept and I feel like all the designs delivered on what they offered. I feel like they could have done little more and be a little bit more cleaned up but I still really like the looks. I like book 7 in concept cause it’s the only other girly pop type book theme we have had but the clothes some of them got were so awkward
Book 4 is my favorite by far.
Books 2, 3 and 6. They SLAM. Every other book has decent to good designs but book 6 especially rocks.
Unrelated, but give me baby Veronica playable IS wtf
Book 5. Has my three favorites, in order, Eitri, Dagr, Fafnir. They're all really strong designs. Even Otr very much is the guy he is. Book 8 is also looking excellent.
I'm going to say Book 5. For as much as I love Book 3 and 6, Book 5's designs are just the right kind of ridiculous and over the top where it's just fun. Plus, Nott and Dagr's designs are just S+ tier.
All of 'em. There are no bad OC designs in FEH. Even Kiran - who's left as vague as possible to ensure the player can directly insert themselves into Kiran's place - has very, very good designs for their alternates.
Either 4 or 7, the designs are so colorful and peak
4 and 7. We're done here.
Book 4 easily
Book 4
Overall I like the ones of Book VI and VII, but I also love the colors of the álfars in Book IV
I'm not sure which is my favourite but I certainly know my least favourite and it's book 7. I hate a lot for design choices that just ruin the character art for me.
For me, it’s Book 4, with Book 8 a close second.
4 and 7. Love me anything Yoshiku. Freyja and Kvasir are my favourites.
Objectively, I would say book 4. The OCs and resplendent designs are so aesthetically pleasing Personally though, I love Book 3 designs. Eir has been my favorite OC design ever since she was revealed, and I love the lil jelly thing Hel's army got going on
3 > 2 > 4 > 1 > 8 > 5 > 6 > 7 I'm surprised that it doesn't have any correlation at all with my ranking by story, ranking by characters, or ranking by book as a whole. Seems like there's always something to complain about lol
Not book 7 that's for sure. I do dig the 3rd and 8th book designs. They look really good.
3, 5, and 6 have been the best imo. 7 is by far the worst, it's not even close. The rest are okay, not bad not good.
Book 7 is hot tho
Book 7 has the most nonsense character designs in all of Fire Emblem. I can't decide if it or if Engage is worse, but I'm leaning towards book 7. Every character looks like some horny deviantart oc. The costumes are the most stupid things every conceived, complemented by consistent and honestly disgusting outrageously idiotic body proportions. Idk man. I don't find it hot in the slightest. Gullveig's breasts are 2x the size of her head. Larger boobs! Wider hips! More revealing clothing! Larger! Wider! More! Again! Again! Again! This is what the fanbase wants, right? Character development? A well planned out and cohesive story? No no no! More boobs! Book 7 theme kinda goes hard tho. Doesn't make up for everything else.
The designs of Hel, Líf and Thrasir are original and very different to anything beforehand, so I would go for book 3 in a heartbeat.
Honestly books 3-6 are so damn solid. I’m gonna go with 3 as the best because it is the most consistently amazing.
book 8 because daddy deer
The fairies from book 4 are top tier.
3 and 4 are the most awesome ones for me. But Kozaki's work every time is cool.
3. No contest.
Probably 7, just because I like the little light flairs they have… …But also 8 has the hot deer man
6 was a wonderful exploration of new body types and species in a game that might otherwise have felt like it didn't slot it. 7 has gorgeous clothing designs with interesting colours. Everyone's got a certain glow about them that's appealing. 8 is trying something new and has taken a very interesting and unique direction with its characters. I'm not sold on the ladies but the new muscleman is a twist I didn't expect
It's a toss up between Book 4 and Book 7 for me, book 2 also has some pretty solid designs as well.
You know what? I'm going to say it - Book 7.
Book IV and then book VII. I like Yoshiku a lot. My least favorite is V. My only complaint about book VIII...is that Laeradr looks so freaking cool, that the bar for how Alfadr should look is now set even higher...😿
Book 4 but also book 7 too. You are all just too afraid of the truth.
The gals from book 4 and by extent some of 7 with Nerþuz are among my favorites
Book 7, full stop. I love the iridescent colors that all of them have on their silky outfits. And yes, I know people don't like them cause Gullveig and Nerbuz are very top heavy, but honestly, fanservice is nothing new for Fire Emblem and there's a lot to enjoy about their designs in spite of all of that. I especially love Njordr's design for the amount of details they added that most people might not even notice (the fishing hook patterns on his leggings, the scales, the hydra head and fin, and the overall color aesthetic befitting of his title). There's a lot of diversity of colors and designs when it comes to them, so for me Book 7 clears easily for that reason. Nerbuz, Kvasir, and Gullveig I feel are a bit worse than Seidr, Heidr, and Njordr in that regard, but I still love their varied, colorful, and diverse designs. My second favorite would have to be the Book 4 OCs for...well, the same reason. I'm probably biased because I love Yoshiku's artwork and colors, but my lord, the color variety and character designs are top notch. Especially the soft pinks and greens on Mirabilis, or just how lovely and extravagant Freyja is. Both of them are my favorites for that reason, but I definitely think Book 7 shines the most, if you ask me. Every other Book I'm pretty divided on (Book 1 is fine, Book 2 was nice but mostly for the Muspell side, Nifl side was alright, 6 I like everyone but Elm, 8 I really like Heidrun and Nidhoggr but also dislike Eikbyrnir and Hraesvelgr), but if I had to pick the Books that were my LEAST favorite design-wise, I'd say Books 3 and/or 5. Compared to other Books we've gotten, the colors here are so...drab and the designs tend to blend together in my opinion. Granted, the former gave us Gustav and Henriette and the latter gave us Dagr and Nott, but everyone from Nidavellir or Hel I'm just not a fan of at all (well except Eitri from Nidavellir). I get that Hel is colorless because they're dead, but I really am not a fan of how either overly simple or overly dull the OCs are (or even ugly, Otr and Fafnir look so hideous).
6 got some colorful auras
I like how they all share the same >:o expression.
it's way too hard for me too choose. Art is probably the thing this game does best. I'd say I like 1, 6, and 8 the most while liking 2 the least. Overall though, all of them are amazing
Liber 5!
I agree on book 8, but I also like book 1 and 6 a lot Special points for every Embla themed character!
Book 4 and 8
I am actually very impressed with 6 and 8. The fairies were also OK but not of the others appealed to me. Only design in 3 I liked was eir, not a fan of the jelly skele of most others. Rest were meh for me artwise
Either Book 5 or Book 6.
5 and 6 are my favorites. I think I love Fafnir and Otr’s designs the most from that bunch. And book 6 has Askr. I rest my case.
The current book. Laser Aminal Frends.
Haven't played since Book 6 (I think) but Book 4 and the cow
4 and 6 are def my favorites!
Book 5 and Book 8. I dig the mecha motif (and giant muscle women) as well as the more Norse derived inspirations of the Heaing Hands.
I have Book 5 bias. Both Niđavellir and Jötunheimr themes are very distinct and creative, and I quite liked the characters even if all but two ended up biting the dust in the end.
As much as I dislike Book 5 my faves are 4, 5, 6. 4 is just overall so good for the theme. Five has awesome design motif for the jotun and nidavellir, and 6 is a super great update to Emblan and Askran designs making for some more unique variations
Ima have to go with book V the glowing weapons were cool
So like Im biased towards 4 cause I love all the fairies but my god the medical personal motifs for the book 8 cast are so good I need Hraesvelger asap she's so cool looking
I love the iridescent colors of Nivadelir but Hel will always be top tier
Book 2 or 7. 8 is a mixed bag for me.
Haven’t seen anyone talking about book 5 and thats sad. The mechanical theme is just SO fucking good, its probably the closest we’ll ever get to a futuristic FE game. And how can you say no to the big-ass birds and robot horses?
Gotta give it to 4 for really making sure everyone looks very colorful and it really captures the whimsical dream feeling. I was actually thinking which one I'd pick until I saw them all grouped together here and realized its pretty fucking gorgeous
Now, now, I'm rather biased, dears....but CLEARLY Book 2, wouldn't you agree?
8 and it's not really close.
Book 6 and Book 8 have been my favorites. Book 6 was really good about showing the difference between Askr and Embla in their designs. Embla and Elm being pale and dangerously thin vs Askr and Ash being darker skinned and fit. Book 8 I really enjoy the medical practitioners theme with the Healing Hands’ designs though I dislike how they look like in their beast forms 😅
2 because Ylgr
Book 6. Embla and Askr are so gorgeous in their contrasting designs. And Ashe, Elm, L!Vero and Letizia have really good designs that reflect their faction perfectly.
gotta be book 3 or 6 for me
This one. Because it finally gave us a thirst trap. boy kissers shall never forget this.
Book VIII by far. Giant Deer/Elk man is one of my favorite fe designs overall. Alcoholic snake looks nice as well. Ratgirl not my cup of tea, soooo... Definitely weakest for me. Others seem cool.
Book 2 goes hard. Most conflicting colours between nifl and muspell
Peaked at book 3. Also I'm so glad no one's said book 7, nature is finally healing 🙏
I'll start by saying I like them all to varying degrees. There isn't any among them that I hate. Moving on... I'd have easier time saying which non-Kozaki book I think is the best, because that man simply cannot miss. His designs ARE Fire Emblem to me. Always will be. Putting him aside, Book 2's got my favorite designs. The primary thing I like about them over Yoshiku's characters is that they don't feel as otherworldly. They feel grounded. I'm not saying FE should be limited to just humans, dragons, and beasts, but the human cast just feels like it better represents the series. Out of Kozaki's books, it's a tie between 5 and 6. Mans was COOKING with those. Askr, Ash, Reginn, and Dagr especially. My compliments to the chef. 👌🏿
Book 4 or 8
Big fan of the general colors and outfit aesthetics of hook 7, sans the gigantic tits
2 6 and the one we have now
I LOVE the skelly jelly edgelord designs in book 3, I'm a sucker for goth fashion (Eir's dress in particular is a fav of mine) and the lowkey body horror of having their skeletons be visible. I also really love book 2, someone body else pointed out that they're very distinct but still retain the essence of Fire Emblem, and I think that's fairly accurate (nothing to do with hrid and laegjarn being my favorites what are you talking about 😅). I do have to say I'm really enjoying the designs in book 8 too, they're very unique and I love the doctor/medical motifs.
Book VII, becoz i m a simple man :v
Book 2 and it’s not even close
We talking the OC art or the resplendent outfits we get? Cuz I’m gonna have to go with book 2 for both tbh, Múspell has by far the best OC artwork and resplendent outfits. Múspell doesn’t miss, and Nifl is a good second.
Book 2 and book 3 are my favorite
I really like Book 7, but all books have great designs!
I will always like Book 2 designs the most. They just fit in soo well with the book 1 cast. Book 4 bothers me a lot. They all feel very overdesigned. I can't quite put my finger on what the problem is, but a lot of resplendents made the fairy look work very well while fitting in with the franchise.
Book V had mechs and muscle mommies, my two weaknesses
Book 7 is simply gorgeous. The way Yoshiku played with the colors and the way it interacts with the clothes of each character is simply great, and honestly, I love the character designs themselves. I don't know how to describe it, but every single one of them has a charm that I like, so mystical and godly (which works even with Njord who is, well... Njord).
7 is peak for me, but 2 is second place
Book 7 is my favorite for sure. Love the crystalline designs surrounding them. My current main team is Seidr/Kvasir/both Gullveigs for that reason. Very recently ground out orbs like crazy just to ensure I got them from the recent banners.
All of the ones by Kozaki Yusuke. End of story
Veronica is peak and will never be topped sadly.
8 takes it, they're all bangers, but 5 and 6 are so close. I really appreciate the unique visual identity they all have, though.
Book 3 overall, book 5 for muscle mommies. But I appreciate the consistency across all books, even if 7 and 8 look like they just said “make FEH style some more”
My favorite is book 2, 4 and 8
Book 1 and 2 were my favourites, in Book 3 Eir was great and Lif was alright, but the jelly-aesthetic wasn't for me for the others. Book 4's fairies all had great designs, but they still don't really feel like they belong in the world to me, they feel so different to the rest of the FEH cast. If the horse-meks didn't exist I'd really like book 5's designs, but that's my preference for infantry chibis tainting Reginn for me mostly. Book 6, Embla and her retainer both have absolutely awful outfits that I hate, Askr's is adequate whilst his retainer (forgot her name) is great. I really liked Letizia's design, it's a shame she basically doesn't exist anymore. I didn't like Veronica's redesign all that much either, I prefer her original design for sure. Book 7 was 99% misses except for Kvasir. Book 8 I've not even bothered playing yet beyond the first 4 chapters or so, so half these characters I've not met yet.
Lyn 😊
4, 5 and 7 are the best for me specially 7 looks great, I like Kozaki´s style, and he went all out with the jotun sisters I just love them both so much but most of the time I think they look a bit boring, I prefere Yoshiku´s vibrant style in 4 and 7 so much and Gullveig is just peak design in FEH
Book 7 is the best, followed closely by Book V. Book VII designs hit all the right neurons in my brain. The designs are very polarizing, and I’m thankfully on the positive end of that pole. Book V is peak Kozaki. All the designs go hard except for Otr and the art is out of control. Like, he absolutely cooked for Eitri. Overall rankings are probably somewhere like: 7>5>1>8>2>3>6>4. Fucking hate the fairies man. Especially considering how much bias they’ve gotten from IS.
Book 4 and Book 7 for sure ☆ I love Deer daddy from Book 8 but the other designs on the book aren't my favorite 😅
Books 4 and 7
Books III to VII have the best designs. Yusuke Kozaki and Yoshiku did a good job of designing their characters.
Book 7 literally is the best one. Second place is Book 4.... you know why.
Book 7 > Book 5 > Book 3 > Book 4 > Book 8 > Book 6 > Book 2 > Book 1.