Well, I actually wasn't really sure if this was a spoiler or not, since I think pretty much everyone on this board knows that Phoenix is no longer a lawyer in AJ, but I thought I'd just be careful since my rambling here might trail into spoilers here and there.

I was just thinking that throughout AJ, Phoenix's personality is kind of amusing. Obviously, part of the reason why he seems so mysterious and wise - in short, so damn cool (and annoying at times) - is because we're no longer privy to his inner monologue and his thought processes. However, the story really is about him, and



In short (the point's coming, I promise, lol) Phoenix's attitude and aura of mysteriousness, and how he seems to know all the answers before Apollo even realizes there's a question being asked...kind of reminds me of the games' many prosecutors. Edgeworth, who repeatedly figures things out before Phoenix does. Godot,

(although as a whole Godot impresses me less than Edgeworth, or even Klavier, in terms of wily prosecuting)

and even Klavier, who

That said, something else I suddenly thought of made me laugh. This is absolutely a ridiculous suggestion, without even a 1/10000000000000 chance of happening (and I definitely wouldn't want it to, lol) but at the end of the game


What do you guys think? Haha, on my random, LONG thought that I hope hasn't been mentioned already... (I tried to look for relevant topics but didn't seem to find any...)

But Phoenix doesn't have any reason to want to become a prosecutor and besides he's Apollo's mentor. He can't be Apollo's mentor and the opposition. It just doesn't work and trying to switch up Phoenix's position in the game now would not only draw more attention away from Apollo as such a change would require more explanation, but it would leave the game without the mentor figure. He's still a defense attorney at heart even after all these years and while I do think there is a chance of them giving Phoenix back his badge, there is no real reason for him to suddenly become a prosecutor. Remember that Mia could be a bit mysterious as well because she was trying to train Phoenix so she would offer cryptic advise to guide him. In this same way, Phoenix offers his cryptic advise and a bit of help here and there to guide Apollo along (perhaps too much help in this game but Apollo's just starting off so I'm sure he'll become more independent over time). Besides, all the big secrets about Phoenix are figured out by the end of the game as far as we can tell. Now all the big secrets surround Apollo and Trucy.

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I've been really interested in this idea, actually.

I actually disagree that Phoenix has no reason to become a prosecutor. I'd argue that he's more focused on the law itself than individuals at this point; he wants to make sure that what happened to him, and the problems with the requirement of decisive evidence, can be accomodated in order to ensure the truth is reached. He's effectively handed the task of defense to Apollo; he's concerned himself more with the mechanisms of the law itself, which is closer to what a prosecutor's job is. He'd probably be able to assist the law better as a prosecutor, with state assistance and influence in the police and investigation aspect, than he would as in independent defense.

Also, I don't really see why he can't become a prosecutor and still mentor Apollo. Since Edgeworth's model of prosecuting from JFA seems to have become the norm (Klavier is downright helpful at times, and treats the conflict as a friendly rivalry and partial cooperation towards the truth), I'd say that Phoenix and Apollo don't have to be utterly opposed to be on opposite sides. Phoenix can still advise and nudge Apollo, as Klavier sometimes did, and can do even more if he's not against Apollo for a specific case.

I maintain, though, that he should not be the main prosecutor throughout the game, but rather the final case's prosecutor. This would make the effect of having the previous' game protagonist as the final opposition, and can showcase Phoenix's skill as an attorney. Having him lose in every case would cheapen the effect - this would be a significant twist, and should not be overdone.

I doubt they'll actually do it, but I agree with larie that this is a really cool idea that has some considerable merit and possibility.

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I just figured he found out how much fun it was to be the one giving the cryptic clues, after being on the receiving end for 3 years, and went with it.

No wonder Mia kept speaking in riddles, it's so much fun!

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I didn't explain myself as well as I'd hoped, probably because it was late and I was just trying to get the idea out there, but my initial thoughts were close to Bossmuff's. High-five! :)

He'd definitely have to be the boss, if anything. Phoenix losing a bunch of cases (to Apollo, no less. Even though I really like both of them... > ) just doesn't appeal to me

But like I said, I don't even really want it to happen. I was just interested in hearing other viewpoints.

Glad I was close.

In other thoughts, I wonder if he could also end up becoming a detective, or private investigator. This would make sense given his more general pursuit of truth, his considerable (albeit amateur) experience with investigation, and his general attitude. It would certainly be more lucrative and suited for him than piano player.

I think this is less likely than prosecutor, because it would take away from our scheduled Ema time. She's too new to be phased out just yet, and Phoenix as detective would make her less prominent if he was overused (and using him as minor cameos would be a bit pointless, I'd feel).

Private investigator might work, as a catalyst for revealing important cases and clues (and as a recurring witness), but the same problem involving Ema might apply. However, it could be a springboard for the return of Gumshoe as a private eye.

I like prosecutor better, personally, and think it's a bit more viable given his apparant motivations and background.




Hence why Tricksters are so enjoyable.

Just say what you mean, dammit!

You'll NEVER learn that way! Ha ha ha!

DAMMIT!

NOT IN FRONT OF TRUCY!

Oh Daddy, I know all those damn words already.

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Honestly, Phoenix's role has been spelt out at the end of the game. He is there to watch over Apollo and Trucy as well as guiding Apollo through his cases. He really can't be both mentor and prosecutor as, while both sides may want the same thing in an ideal situation, the prosecutor is not allowed to really guide his opponent as the mentor does. Klavier and Edgeworth both give some information to fill in a few holes, while Phoenix and Mia give advise on what to do next and help find evidence to support their student's cases. He has a pre-set role in the game and doesn't need another (he is referenced repeatedly as Apollo's mentor). Beside, Phoenix has no background in prosecuting, nor is it even implied that he would be interested in doing so. If he goes back to being a lawyer, then it's most likely that he would return to being a defense attorney (Wright and Justice Law Offices!) and teach Apollo as Mia taught him. Besides, changing Phoenix like that would require more development of Phoenix's character and take away from developing Apollo's character. Apollo needs more development, not less.

Either way, there are several topics to discuss what we would like to see happen with Phoenix in the next game so we don't really need to discuss it here.

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Mia didn't hang around nearly that much in the other games. She showed up in a few cases, but Phoenix was often left to his own devices in order to solve a case, and had help from other sources (like Maya, Deux Ex Gumshoe, etc). In AJ, Phoenix didn't actually attend a trial aside from once (Trucy was usually the one at Phoenix's side). Most of his 'help' was pointing Apollo in the direction of the case, or sharing work he'd done himself. It was usually up to Maya or Trucy to help the protagonist out.

He really doesn't have to be always available to help. Most of the time, he can pop in and give small bits of advice or evidence without taking up all of his time. I see no reason why, as a prosecutor, he would be incapable of helping out Apollo, especially considering that Phoenix has a reputation for bucking the rules. He may be able to help less frequently than Mia did, but not by much and probably only in one case (as he'd probably end up being an end-boss for dramatic effect).

Phoenix's role isn't like Mia's anyway - he's established that he often has his own agenda, which he accomplishes while occasionally helping Apollo. Mia was just an information dump; Phoenix is more active (by his nature) and is less accounted for. He's got the free time, if Capcom is so inclined to do something with him.

I don't really think that there's no evidence supporting Phoenix becoming a prosecutor. As I said, it's pretty clear that his legal focus is more general than it was in the previous games, which could leave him open for changing his role. He's more about legal reform and the system's faculty for truth - that would be better suited to a prosecutor or a private detective. Also, with his prestige as both a famous attorney and as legal reformer, there's a chance he's be approached for such a position.

I agree that he has just as much chance of becoming a defense attorney again, though I suspect that it might be less suited for his purposes (if he pursues legal reform, he'd be better off in a government position like cop or prosecutor). I don't think it's much MORE valid, for those reasons, and also for the reasons that he might threaten to upstage Apollo. Phoenix has passed on the Ace Attorney title; him becoming a defense attorney would have to be explained away more carefully than that of a prosecutor, unless he spends his time travelling or not taking cases.

I'm not certain if they NEED that much development, either, given that they've already changed his methods and his view on law. Apollo could easily be developed alongside of Phoenix,, provided that Phoenix's happens mostly off-screen. It's not like he has to be anything other than referenced.

Again, we'll see. I just see it as being a viable possibility, given what they've done so far.

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^ again, I agree.

I don't really think Phoenix bears comparison to Mia, either. It is mentioned that he is Apollo's mentor, but they're really kind of distant, in terms of a relationship; half of the time Apollo is all "Grr" when he thinks of Phoenix, anyway (not in real dislike, of course...I think Apollo is simply wrestling with the fact that the idolized Phoenix in his mind is very different from the Mr. Wright he is now acquainted with). And I'm not really discussing what I think Phoenix should do in the fifth game, but rather...the kind of person he developed into in the fourth one. Although the lines do tend to blur here and there, I'll admit.

I also don't think that Phoenix would require any other huge explanation, no matter what he chooses to do in GS5. We now know