So gimmicks with Aniplex, Disney and f4samurai’s Twisted Wonderland is everyone attending a high school where iconic Disney villains are admired. That means that the likes of Queen of Hearts, Hades, Jafar and Scar are heralded as the “Seven Legends”. Each has a dorm attached to them. Every guy is based on a villain in some way. For example, Floyd and Jade Leech are based on Ursula’s Flotsam and Jetsam eels. But even though the idea is ‘bad guy based’, Twisted Wonderland the characters are usually not really bad guys. Instead, there are many moments where they are good people and even heroes.
One of the first “good people” characters people will meet Twisted Wonderland is Deuce Spade. (He’s based on a Alice in Wonderland spade player.) The player encounters him while pursuing Heartslabyul’s freshman Ace Trappola, who has gotten into trouble with them and Grim and is supposed to take part in a window-cleaning punishment. Deuce helps you prevent Ace from evading punishment. His goal is to strive to be an honor student and succeed. He’s generally top-notch and likable. It’s true, as a member of the cast in this type of game, he has a side. He will sometimes ask for things like coffee from players in exchange for getting it right. But he’s generally a good guy.
Savanaclaw’s Jack Howl is another prime example. He acts like he’s tough like everyone else, but he’s actually a man of honor and fairness. This is not to say that he will not engage in some malicious behavior. But avoiding indulgence aside, it means that he will give his best and be fair. The motifs from his SSR also show the respect he has for those he deems worthy. For example, he admires both Leona and Ruggie. However, especially in those side stories, he tried to show some tribute to Ruggie. It’s remarkable, since he’s often aloof from some people in school
With many SSRs not yet in the game, only a few localized chapters, and no actual events, other suggestions at Twisted Wonderland The character’s good side is more anecdotal. Their presence in chats, story quests, and trailers should suffice. But even then, they give hints about what it’s like to be human. When Ruggie uses the items left by Jade, he immediately offers to make good on the “unintended” contract. Jade, despite her nature, readily accepts the opportunity to learn new recipes for those ingredients. After all, that’s why he left the items out in the first place. While Azul is out on his own, he is very welcoming while he is there. He shows courtesy and respect to other students. If you happen to get one of Ortho’s cards, his conversations are quite pleasant. Is he overzealous? It’s correct. But he’s also devoted to his younger brother Idia and is generally both positive and refreshing. (One could argue that his more negative tendencies are due to his age and nature.)
There is also the issue of the background and development of the characters. When you collect their cards in Twisted Wonderland, you will get to see more live scenes with them. Between that and the course of the story, you’ll learn more about who they are and what brought them to Night Raven University. You will know why Leona seems so lazy. You will see why Riddle is so strict. The game helps you understand their motives. Then, as you go through the main campaign, you will see how they develop and grow. When they go through certain challenges, we even see them admit their flaws and work to overcome them. Though in some cases, such as with Deuce’s SSR card, it’s clear that even someone like Riddle who seems intimidating might actually want to help teach the people in his dorm and see them doing well.
Instead of being really “bad”, Twisted Wonderland The characters are the embodiment of bad boys. This means that while they may be arrogant, cold, greedy, impulsive, sadistic, or self-centered, these things can pass and just be a part of who they are. In addition, those tendencies may have a reason. When people get to know them, they can see other sides of their personality. Interacting with other characters can show how they behave differently from those they care about or trust. We can also see events that show them that the way they act is not ideal and that they will grow from there.
Twisted Wonderland available on Android and Apple iOS devices. The anime adaptation will appear on Disney+.
