Character Profiles: Apollo Justice
Apollo Justice might not be everyone's first thought when they think about Ace Attorney - after all, even Edgeworth has his name in more game titles than he does - but perhaps it should be. I began my Ace Attorney adventure with Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney, so I've always had a soft spot for Polly, but I think a lot of people have warmed up to him over the years, and for good reason.
We first learn about Apollo Justice in his own game. Phoenix Wright was given a back seat in favour of this rookie attorney, and people weren't too happy. But right from the beginning, I liked Apollo. He was nervous, tackling his first case, but he still managed to find the truth and ensure justice prevailed, even if it meant, well... you know. Finding his boss guilty of murder.
His enthusiasm is inspiring, especially now that we know more of his backstory thanks to Dual Destinies and Spirit of Justice. Whilst Phoenix and Athena both had reasons for becoming lawyers - Edgeworth and Blackquill respectively - Apollo, well... didn't. There's been no big event in Apollo's past that inspired or forced him to become a lawyer - no people to save or meet or anything like that. Put simply, Apollo is a lawyer because he loves the law and wants to help innocent people escape false accusations.
That said, Apollo has still endured many hardships throughout his life; in his own game he had to find his own boss guilty of murder (twice) and watched his former inspiration, Phoenix Wright, stoop as low as forging evidence (in Apollo's first trial, no less). In Dual Destinies we learn about his childhood friend Clay... just after we learn that he's a murder victim. And then in Spirit of Justice, we watch him learn that both his biological father and adoptive father are dead, right after the latter comes back into his life after so long. It's been a tough life, hasn't it Polly?
Yet it hasn't been all bad. Apollo's made some fantastic friends along the way: For instance, there's Klavier, with whom Apollo has the friendliest rivalry imaginable with. And Trucy; her and Apollo are related but unfortunately no one's told them yet. One day perhaps, eh, Capcom? Not to mention Phoenix, Athena, Blackquill, Nahyuta, Edgeworth and a whole cast of supporting characters.
Despite everything, Apollo's not giving up. We left him in Spirit of Justice setting up his own law firm after helping to revolutionise Khura'in's court system. His perseverance is admirable and I think Polly can teach us all some valuable lessons. Make sure you get a job you love and never give up, no matter how bleak things look. Oh, and wake up at 6am every day to practice your Chords of Steel exercises.
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