History YMMV / PhoenixWrightAceAttorney

* MemeticBadass: Thanks to Save Data Team's ''LetsPlay/AceAttorneyWithAnActualLawyer'', Mike Meekins has jokingly been envisioned by fans as a RealityWarper with access to the so-called Blood Dimension.

** "Accidental Murder is still Murder." This line alone is huge FridgeHorror when it comes to the Japanese Legal System. How can this be used to a horrifying degree? ''VisualNovel/Danganronpa2GoodbyeDespair'' explores (Chapter 5) how an [[ThanatosGambit actual suicide can turn into an accidental murder]] and unlike Edgeworth, the culprit gets executed for it as per norm.

** Since the first game came out, players have wondered why the immensely popular Steel Samurai was cancelled after just 13 episodes (which it should be stated, weren't even completed) when the murder was an accident involving self defence and the studio continuing with the franchise immediately after. In 2023, media studios (Warner in particular) began cancelling entire completed or partially completed projects for tax write-offs, meaning the Steel Samurai was likely a victim of this practice. The huge lay-offs of 2023 (both in exchange for AI's subpar but cheaper work and to make a fraction of people do the work of 3 times as many people) also seem to have hit Global Studios, if Oldbag can be trusted about entire departments being cut out (something Powers doesn't dispute).

''YMMV/{{Ace Attorney Investigations|MilesEdgeworth}}'' | ''YMMV/GyakutenKenji2'' | ''YMMV/TheGreatAceAttorney''\\

''YMMV/{{Ace Attorney Investigations|MilesEdgeworth}}'' | ''YMMV/TheGreatAceAttorney''\\

** "Accidental Murder is still Murder." This line alone is huge FridgeHorror when it comes to the Japanese Legal System. How can this be used to a horrifying degree? ''VisualNovel/Danganronpa2GoodbyeDespair'' explores (Chapter 5) how an [[ThanatosGambit actual suicide can turn into an accidental murder]] and unlike Edgeworth [[spoiler:[[GamerChick Chi]][[TooGoodForThisSinfulEarth aki]]]] [[KilledOffForReal gets executed]] [[DownerEnding for it]].

** The [[MemeticMutation updated autopsy report]] from the second case became this come ''VisualNovel/GyakutenKenji2'', where [[spoiler: the autopsy report for the fourth case was actually tampered with]]. And then in ''[[VisualNovel/PhoenixWrightAceAttorneyDualDestinies Dual Destinies]]'', [[spoiler:Blackquill requests a second autopsy on the victim of the DLC case, and calls it an "updated autopsy report" word-for-word. And said report ''supports'' rather than hinders Phoenix's case]].

** The [[MemeticMutation updated autopsy report]] from the second case became this come ''VisualNovel/GyakutenKenji2'', where [[spoiler: the autopsy report for the fourth case was actually tampered with]].

* EvilIsSexy: Admit it. [[spoiler:Von Karma]] is quite the silver fox, no matter how utterly unlikeable he is. [[spoiler:Damon Gant]] arguably falls into this as well, especially because while he's still a monster, he has a much more pleasant personality.

*** Did he really not recognize [[spoiler:Phoenix and Maya]] in the police station? [[spoiler:Given that several events in the courtroom have already gone not-as-planned like Larry's [[BigDamnHeroes last-minute save]] whose seemingly unremarkable actions at Gourdy Lake [[SpannerInTheWorks unravel his case]], it's possible that it's just an act to try to save face]].

*** Did he really not recognize [[spoiler:Phoenix and Maya]] in the police station? [[spoiler:Given that several events in the courtroom have already gone not-as-planned like Larry's [[BigDamnHeroes last-minute save]] whose seemingly unremarkable actions at Gourdy Lake [[SpannerInTheWorks unravel his case]], it's possible that it's just an act to [[spoiler:try to save face]].

* DifficultySpike: Turnabout Goodbyes features a longer, significantly more complex and difficult case. Von Karma is also a ridiculously aggressive prosecutor that makes cross examinations a nightmare, particularly when he shuts down a line of questioning that could have immediately unraveled Lotta's testimony. Accordingly, the follow up episode, Rise from Ashes, is extremely difficult.

** “Rise From the Ashes” is either an extraordinarily tedious and drawn-out case with forced gimmicks attached to it, or one of the best cases in the franchise due to its complex mystery, interesting side characters, deeper look at the police force and amazing villain. It doesn’t help that it wasn’t originally part of the game due to it being made after the original GBA games, which, combined with its standalone nature, causes it to feel disconnected from the events of first game and the trilogy as a whole, on top of causing continuity issues with the sequels due to the case making Phoenix too competent (which can make it jarring when Phoenix goes back to needing Mia's help in the sequels), on top of seemingly changing Edgeworth's characterization and motivations for [[spoiler:temporarily leaving his position as a prosecutor]]. While many fans don't mind this and enjoy the case regardless, others have cried foul at these continuity issues, with some declaring the case to be [[FanonDiscontinuity non-canon because of them]].

** [[spoiler: Damon Gant]] pulls a ''very'' [[PsychoticSmirk villainous and smug expression]] in his very first appearance during "Rise From the Ashes," making his status as, at the very least, a deceptive and villainous character, obvious long before the story gets around to showing the cracks in his [[AffablyEvil cheery facade]].

* DifficultySpike: Turnabout Goodbyes features a longer, significantly more complex and difficult case. Von Karma is also a ridiculously aggressive prosecutor that makes cross examinations a nightmare. Accordingly, the follow up episode, Rise from Ashes, is extremely difficult.

** Mike Meekins is also hated due to being unnecessary, cartoonish looking, and obnoxious. It also doesn't help that his megaphone is one of the most irritating noises in the entire series. Even worse, he's indirectly responsible for setting up a series of events which gets [[spoiler:Jake Marshall (a far more popular character) imprisoned.]]

** ''Turnabout Sisters'': [[spoiler:[[SmugSnake Redd White]] is the flamboyantly narcissistic [[CorruptCorporateExecutive CEO]] of Bluecorp, a company that specializes in "buying and selling information"--which translates to the systemic {{blackmail}} of hundreds. Redd White holds the lives of hundreds of people in his sway with his industrial blackmail, such as [[Characters/AceAttorneyTheFeyClan the Fey clan]], whom he ruined by exposing their part in the DL-6 investigation, and Marvin Grossberg, whom he's turned into his tormented stooge for 15 years by threatening to leave him to the police for his role in the DL-6 catastrophe. Redd has ruined so many lives he's driven [[IndirectSerialKiller a sizable amount of people]] to [[DrivenToSuicide suicide]], to the point it takes up the largest space in the evidence folder Mia Fey compiled against him. Redd personally murdered Mia [[HeKnowsTooMuch because of this]] because of this, attempting to frame her younger sister Maya for it. When Phoenix Wright comes onto the case, Redd attempts to frame Phoenix for Mia's murder.]]

** ''Turnabout Goodbyes'': [[spoiler:[[AmoralAttorney Manfred von Karma]] is an amoral prosecutor who [[ThePerfectionist uses underhanded tactics to maintain his perfect win streak]]. When defense attorney Gregory Edgeworth gets him penalized in a trial by exposing his illegal tactics, Manfred [[DisproportionateRetribution becomes enraged despite still winning said trial]], taking the chance given by an earthquake striking the courtroom to catch up with Gregory and his son [[Characters/AceAttorneyMilesEdgeworth Miles]] in an elevator and murdering Gregory. Taking Miles under his wing, Manfred raises him to become a cold, ruthless prosecutor who cares for nothing but always winning a guilty verdict. Setting up a second murder, Manfred plans to frame Miles for both it and his own father's death, intending to see his adoptive son convicted for murder as the [[RevengeByProxy final act of his revenge]] against Gregory.]]

** ''Turnabout Sisters'': [[spoiler:[[SmugSnake Redd White]] is the flamboyantly narcissistic [[CorruptCorporateExecutive CEO]] of Bluecorp, a company that specializes in "buying and selling information"--which translates to the systemic {{blackmail}} of hundreds. Redd White holds the lives of hundreds of people in his sway with his industrial blackmail, such as [[Characters/AceAttorneyTheFeyClan the Fey clan]], whom he ruined by exposing their part in the DL-6 investigation, and Marvin Grossberg, whom he's turned into his tormented stooge for 15 years by threatening to leave him to the police for his role in the DL-6 catastrophe. Redd has ruined so many lives he's [[DrivenToSuicide driven a sizable amount of people to suicide]], to the point it takes up the largest space in the evidence folder Mia Fey compiled against him. Redd personally murdered Mia [[HeKnowsTooMuch because of this]] because of this, attempting to frame her younger sister Maya for it. When Phoenix Wright comes onto the case, Redd attempts to frame Phoenix for Mia's murder.]]

* UnintentionallySympathetic: Miles Edgeworth is a [[AmoralAttorney prosecutor who only cares about winning]] [[FreudianExcuse because]] [[spoiler:his father was killed and he was raised and mentored by an even worse prosecutor, while seeing the man he thought had killed his father get off because of an unethical defense attorney]]. Shu Takumi commented that Edgeworth was supposed to be seen as [[JerkassWoobie tragic, yet unlikeable in that game]]. Possibly as a result of people liking him anyway, Edgeworth got CharacterDevelopment in subsequent games and became a more intentionally likeable character, and became a fan favorite who's willing to take huge risks for the sake of true justice.

** You'd be hard-pressed to find any fans of Redd White. Despite having an incredibly important role in the trilogy due to killing Mia, he is largely disliked by fans due to having a very generic CorruptCorporateExecutive personality and, despite being built up as incredibly powerful and dangerous, coming off as a complete idiot with no common sense who is taken out with an anticlimactic AssPull confession. While he's [[HateSink clearly meant to be hated]], many fans have noted how much they dislike that such a generic villain would have the all-important role of being Mia's killer.

** [[spoiler:[[AmoralAttorney Manfred von Karma]] is an amoral prosecutor who [[ThePerfectionist uses underhanded tactics to maintain his perfect win streak]]. When defense attorney Gregory Edgeworth gets him penalized in a trial by exposing his illegal tactics, Manfred [[DisproportionateRetribution becomes enraged despite still winning said trial]], taking the chance given by an earthquake striking the courtroom to catch up with Gregory and his son [[Characters/AceAttorneyMilesEdgeworth Miles]] in an elevator and murdering Gregory. Taking Miles under his wing, Manfred raises him to become a cold, ruthless prosecutor who cares for nothing but always winning a guilty verdict. Setting up a second murder, Manfred plans to frame Miles for both it and his own father's death, intending to see his adoptive son convicted for murder as the [[RevengeByProxy final act of his revenge]] against Gregory.]]

** ''Turnabout Sisters'': [[spoiler:[[SmugSnake Redd White]] is the flamboyantly narcissistic [[CorruptCorporateExecutive CEO]] of Bluecorp, a company that specializes in "buying and selling information"--which translates to the systemic {{blackmail}} of hundreds. Redd White holds the lives of hundreds of people in his sway with his industrial blackmail, such as [[Characters/AceAttorneyTheFeyClan the Fey clan]], whom he ruined by exposing their part in the DL-6 investigation, and Marvin Grossberg, whom he's turned into his tormented stooge for 15 years by threatening to leave him to the police for his role in the DL-6 catastrophe. Redd has ruined so many lives he's [[DrivenToSuicide driven a sizable amount of people to suicide]], to the point it takes up the largest space in the evidence folder Mia Fey compiled against him. Redd personally murdered Mia [[HeKnowsTooMuch because of this]], and when Phoenix Wright comes onto the case, Redd attempts to frame Phoenix for the murder.]]

* CompleteMonster: [[spoiler:[[AmoralAttorney Manfred von Karma]] is an amoral prosecutor who [[ThePerfectionist uses underhanded tactics to maintain his perfect win streak]]. When defense attorney Gregory Edgeworth gets him penalized in a trial by exposing his illegal tactics, Manfred [[DisproportionateRetribution becomes enraged despite still winning said trial]], taking the chance given by an earthquake striking the courtroom to catch up with Gregory and his son [[Characters/AceAttorneyMilesEdgeworth Miles]] in an elevator and murdering Gregory. Taking Miles under his wing, Manfred raises him to become a cold, ruthless prosecutor who cares for nothing but always winning a guilty verdict. Setting up a second murder, Manfred plans to frame Miles for both it and his own father's death, intending to see his adoptive son convicted for murder as the [[RevengeByProxy final act of his revenge]] against Gregory.]]

** Dee Vasquez. She's reasonably difficult to crack, but by the point she's put on the courtroom you've already figured out most of the mystery, making her lies easier to spot and the damning evidence pretty apparent. Not to mention that Edgeworth helps out. Compared to Cody in the previous trial, who is very stubborn and necesitates a different approach given that he's a child, Vasquez is fairly easy.

** [[spoiler:While not as popular as Edgeworth or Godot, Manfred Von Karma is regarded as one of the best prosecutors on a gameplay level. Manipulating testimonies and quashing evidence before it can even be used, he controls the courtroom with an iron fist, displaying just how terrifying of an adversery he is. While never cross examined, he's still the biggest opponent (before Damon Gant usurped his role as the FinalBoss) and the BigBad all future villains tend to be compared to.]]

* DifficultySpike: Turnabout Goodbyes features a longer, significantly more complex and difficult case. Von Karma is also a ridiculously agressive prosecutor that makes cross examinations a nightmare. Accordingly, the follow up episode, Rise from Ashes, is extremely difficult.

* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: Dick Gumshoe's dialogue was translated with a CharacterTic of ending sentences with "see?" a la Creator/EdwardGRobinson in the first game probably to emphasise his nature as a tough guy, but this got dropped for the sequel onwards.
* EnsembleDarkhorse:
** Penny is one of the most popular one-shots in the series due to her {{Adorkable}} nature. She was brought back for ''Investigations'' because of this.
** Will Powers is loved due to being a GentleGiant who is one of the kindest characters in the series, despite his FaceOfAThug. Because of this, he returned in the sequel as a witness, [[spoiler: being one of the few friendly ones in the series, with his contradictions stemming from misunderstandings rather than lies; what's especially notable is that his honest, scrupulous testimony is the ''absolute last thing'' Phoenix needs in said case since he's stalling for time.]]

* CompleteMonster: [[AmoralAttorney Manfred von Karma]] is an amoral prosecutor who [[ThePerfectionist uses underhanded tactics to maintain his perfect win streak]]. When defense attorney Gregory Edgeworth gets him penalized in a trial by exposing his illegal tactics, Manfred [[DisproportionateRetribution becomes enraged despite still winning said trial]], taking the chance given by an earthquake striking the courtroom to catch up with Gregory and his son in an elevator and murdering Gregory. Taking Gregory's son, Miles, under his wing, Manfred raises him to become a cold, ruthless prosecutor who cares for nothing but always winning a guilty verdict. Setting up a second murder, Manfred plans to [[FrameUp frame Miles]] for both it and his own father's death, intending to see his adoptive son convicted for murder as the [[RevengeByProxy final act of his revenge]] against Gregory.

[[YMMV/AceAttorney2012 The 2012 film]] | [[YMMV/AceAttorneyAnime The anime]]]]-]]]

** Will Powers is loved due to being a GentleGiant who is one of the kindest characters in the series, despite his FaceOfAThug. Because of this, he returned in the sequel as a witness, [[spoiler:being one of the few helpful ones in the series, with his contradictions stemming from misunderstandings rather than lies.]]

* CaptainObviousReveal: You probably figured out well before the characters in the game that [[spoiler:Von Karma is the real culprit in the DL-6 incident. If him literally tasering Phoenix and Maya to steal the case files didn't tip you off, then his demand in court to re-try DL-6 on the spot should have sealed the deal, since he's the only possible suspect other than Edgeworth.]]