Well, it was probably self-satisfaction, yes. But perhaps he thought of the greater good, you know.

As for risk to Minuki, if Phoenix was willing to take all the blame himself, why even go through her as a third party unless he was deliberately using her as a smokescreen. No, I don't think he would have let them cart her off to jail either, but it's still an incredibly selfish move to use her like that, and one that doesn't speak much of his boundless love for her, IMO.

He was arrested at the restaurant. If he'd had the ace on him then, it would have been entered into evidence and he'd have no chance of cornering Kirihito in court. He had to pass it off to someone for his plan to work.

Since when has Phoenix thought of "the greater good"? His motivations have always been personal--sometimes to the point of being selfish. He didn't save Edgeworth because Edgeworth could possibly be harming innocent people, he saved him because Edgeworth was important to him. In 2-4, his overwelming concern was with Maya's safety.

Let's not pretend Phoenix is some sort of superhero. He's not and he never has been. He's never been the type to use his loved ones for the "greater good"--until GS4 I guess. This Phoenix..."Maya, I need you to object for me so I can keep this trial going on and save Edgeworth" or "Edgeworth, plead guilty to your father's murder! It's the only way we can nail von Karma!"

Part of Phoenix's character is that he believes that his clients are innocent 100%. Isn't that why he does so many "charity" cases thoughout the original series?

This has absolutely nothing to do with the "greater good", though. Phoenix isn't a bad guy, he does want to save his clients. But his motivations for his actions almost always stem from personal feelings for his friends. He wasn't willing to risk Maya's death for the "greater good" in 2-4. Once he found out Matt was guilty, the greater good would have been served by putting the killer behind bars and hoping Maya made it out okay somehow, but he held out until it was possible to do both.

1-1: Yep does it for his friend Larry
1-2: Maya's not really his friend at the time
1-3: Maya forces him to take that case
1-4: Phoenix wanted to take the case, but Edgeworth refused at first
1-5: Phoenix took that case to defend Lana for Ema who he hardly knew
2-1: Seems like he took that case because he wanted to prove innocent
2-2: Did it to protect his friend Maya
2-3: Maya forced him to again
2-4: Took the case


So he really took 4/10 cases to protect his friend. You almost make it sound like all Phoenix wants is a perfect win Records ala and .

3-2: Takes of his own free will.

The question, Croik...


Does it SMELL like fresh cinnabuns?

In which case, he would have no chance to resist whatsoever.

....someone needs to draw Phoenix gnawing on Yuusaku's hair >.>

But you could also say that Minuki's character is such that she is very poor judge of character, and has no problem declaring someone family after a very short time. She lost her mother at a very young age and grew up as an entertainer, after all--she's used to putting on a good face and making others happy. Her eagerness to make friends and keep them isn't that surprising.

I'm sure there are a lot of subtle character inflections you can pull out of a personality like that, but I'd rather wait for her inevitable arrest in GS5 before judging her any more than that.

Have you heard of Torhu Honda from "Fuits Basket"?
Minuki is nothing compared to her...

Oh, but Yuusaku's cinnabuns are more than hair, I'm almost sure of it.

Her?

lol wut

Considering that Phoenix always goes the extra mile for people even Minuki. I don't see why people would say his personality is drastically different now. He's the same Phoenix except more badass.

If nothing else, I still say Hobohodo is a definate improvement over sobbing baby Phoenix from 3-1. >.>