Leon's Trusted Companion: Claire (Labubu) Redfield.
Okay, let's talk about this, because I have a lot to say about it.
Let's start by talking about the amulet shown in the recent Resident Evil 9: Requiem, unlocked by killing 300 zombies. Many consider this a lucky charm, especially since it improves the power of Leon's weapon simply by wearing it.
Why Claire and not another character?
The answer is simple, but also complex. Let's start by saying that Claire is Leon's most trusted companion, as has been mentioned and confirmed previously in various Resident Evil materials. They share a very close and intimate friendship, all due to the bond they forged after the events of Raccoon City (1998). This bond is unlike any other, since it was born from the trauma and teamwork of two young strangers who met by chance on a tragic and fateful night, but who chose to trust each other out of simple connection, out of pure instinct and survival. Somehow, their subconscious knew they were precisely what the other needed.
They didn't act selfishly, they didn't leave each other behind, they moved forward together, with conviction, helping each other despite having separate paths. In a situation like that, it greatly demonstrates the humanity of both of them.
The shared trauma after the horrors they experienced, and the subsequent care they both had to provide for Sherry Birkin (filling the role of her parents after she lost hers in Raccoon City, an extremely noble and precious choice on their part), forged a solid and special relationship between Claire and Leon. This is why Claire is Leon's companion.
In another post, I will delve deeper into this topic, since, as I said, Claire and Leon's trauma bond is different from others.
Where does the "Trusted Companion" come from?
Continuing with this, I want to emphasize again: It is well known that Leon trusts Claire more than anyone else in his life. This fact is extremely important because, in such a murky world, rife with corruption, betrayals, atrocities, and evil, Leon chooses to trust Claire. It's a personal choice born from the very bond they've forged; because she is, in essence, a light in that infinite darkness. And this opinion is shared, as Claire also trusts Leon immensely. In fact, it was this trust that allowed them to escape alive more than once, working together with enviable synchronicity and harmony, not only during Raccoon City, but also afterward.
Companion + Trust = Trusted Companion.
Putting ourselves in Leon's shoes, imagine experiencing everything he has lived through daily, since 1998. Mental and physical exhaustion has become a constant part of his life. We've seen him suffer emotional and spiritual relapses, turning into a man who takes refuge in alcohol, plagued by terrible nightmares. We've seen him as someone who constantly loses people in battle, we've seen a being familiar with pain and loss, carrying a heavy burden of post-traumatic stress due to the events he experienced from such a young age. This is what makes him even more of a hero, because all the pain, guilt, and fear didn't stop him or make him run away; instead, he used it as fuel to help and stay in the fight, no matter how hard it got. His resilience transformed everything into an unwavering commitment to saving lives, but that doesn't mean he's happy.
Of course, Leon loves doing good (he's our Golden Heart Boy), his greatest reward after a mission isn't the large sum of money he receives from the government, but seeing those he saved happy and with hope for the future. In essence, Leon represents hope in times of war. However, imagine how lonely and sad he feels inside after carrying such a heavy weight on his shoulders. This is where the importance of surrounding himself with people who understand him, who don't judge him, and who help him not to fall when he feels he can't go on, lies. He needs peace, a home to take refuge in after the battle.
Claire represents hope in the post-war era.
Thus, Claire is one of his fundamental pillars, as are Sherry, Chris, Jill, and Rebecca. And what do they all have in common? They understand his struggle because, moreover, they live it with him. Who brought him to these people? Claire, she is the direct link.
So, what does the amulet mean?
Knowing what Leon is facing, the fact that he carries Claire's lucky charm on a mission demonstrates her importance in his life. Carrying Claire on his weapon during a life-or-death mission not only keeps her in mind but also serves as a driving force to avoid feeling alone, to remember that someone is watching over him, and that someone is, also, waiting for him.
Leon was dying from the T-virus, but despite this, he managed to stay alive because of his desire to help Grace, Emily, and Sherry, who was also infected; It's worth noting that, although it's not explicitly stated, Claire also needs the cure, as do Jill and the rest of the RC survivors suffering from the disease. The fact that this man found strength in his love for humanity is beyond admirable.
Returning to the amulet, it has the same design as Claire's in the RE2 Remake.
Why is this design so significant?
While it's a way to honor what happened in RC, it's also a reminder of how Leon met Claire: In that same city, with that same keychain design. That version of Claire lives on in Leon's memory, because she ensured that the worst day of his life, the day that changed everything for him, wasn't his last. Because, let's remember: If it weren't for Sherry and Claire's presence, he would have surrendered (This is supported by official canon information).
This version of Claire Redfield is the one who met that rookie Leon Kennedy on his first and last day as an RPD officer. With her, he can be that same Leon, and at the same time, the current Leon, because, in both versions of him, she understands him, accompanies him, and supports him, like a true trusted companion.
Above, I mentioned that the charm increases the weapon's penetration power; this gives us something positive and reaffirms what I'm saying: Claire protects Leon like a guardian angel.
Something else to highlight about this charm is its clean and ingenious design, extremely creative.
If we look closely at the angle at which Leon holds the weapon, and align it with his watch, Claire's back connects perfectly with the black wings on it.
We've already discussed how Capcom designs everything in a very methodical way, and how they have hidden and implicit messages throughout their material. Claire's connection to the black wings not only reminds us that she's the Made in Heaven girl we were introduced to in 1998, but also that these wings on Leon aren't solely for lost comrades.
I'll make other posts delving deeper into the topic of the wings and other aspects of Claire in Leon, and vice versa.
With everything clear and explained, I think Claire's representation on the keychain was art and poetry. It demonstrates that you don't need to have the character in the game for her presence to still be iconic, and Requiem has many moments that highlight Claire's essence and her relevance in Re, and above all, in the lives of Leon and Sherry.
Anyway, give me your opinions, I love reading them ♥️🪽
izzy806
blakekathryn
areudirty
tangentwithtanner
romaincrisis
gummygunk
titsay
