Xenoblade Chronicles 3’s Ending Confirms Rex’s Lover
Living in Japan for the past five years has introduced me to many cultural nuances, but one thing I still can't get used to is how stories often leave their plots unresolved. Take, for instance, the anime The Garden of Words by Makoto Shinkai. The story revolves around a troubled high school student and his 27-year-old teacher, yet it never reveals if their relationship continues. This ambiguity drives me nuts. (Mr. Shinkai, if their future together is canon, please let me know!).
The Plot Limbo in Xenoblade Chronicles 2
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is another example of this narrative limbo. The main character, Rex, a young salvager, finds himself surrounded by potential love interests while being completely oblivious to the concept of love. At 15, he’s got a lot on his plate, but his interactions with Pyra, Mythra, and Nia keep fans guessing about his romantic future.
Pyra and Mythra’s Shared Affection
Pyra, Rex's first companion, clearly has a connection with him. Their mutual affection is evident. However, things get complicated with Mythra, who shares the same body and mind as Pyra but is a different person. Although Mythra feels Pyra's emotions, her stubborn personality makes it difficult for her to admit her feelings. This duality leaves many wondering about her true feelings for Rex.
Nia’s Ambiguous Relationship
Nia, another of Rex’s companions, seems to be a more age-appropriate match for him. Despite this, her true feelings are also left in the shadows. There’s a particularly intriguing moment in the Japanese version of the game where Rex tells Nia, “I love you” during an end-of-battle chat. This could be interpreted as a sign of friendship, but it leaves fans questioning if there was more between them.
The Bombshell in Xenoblade Chronicles 3
Fast forward to July 29, 2022, when Xenoblade Chronicles 3 was released. Despite adult responsibilities limiting my gaming time to 1 or 2 hours per day, I finally finished the game after 190 in-game hours. During the ending scene, a picture belonging to Nia appears briefly, featuring characters from Xenoblade Chronicles 2. I took a screenshot to examine it later and was shocked by what I saw.
If you're still with me and want to avoid spoilers, you might want to stop here. Otherwise, click on the picture below to see who Rex ends up with.
Yes, Rex ends up with all three of his love interests. The image shows him with three children, each resembling one of his companions: Pyra, Mythra, and Nia. This implies that he had relationships with all three women. Some might argue that not all the babies are his, but the image suggests otherwise. The children appear to be the same age, hinting at simultaneous conceptions, which might be seen as controversial, especially in Western cultures.
While this revelation may cater to a particular audience, it undeniably provides a resolution to the love triangle, or rather, the love quadrangle. Rex’s life, as shown, seems to have been quite eventful and fulfilling.