I think saying that Caleb mains are into incest is a biiiig stretch—even with the new card
I see people who still like Caleb as a scenario where they happen to isekai into a world with a literal twin who loves everything and knows everything about them—like having a literal soulmate. And they like that dynamic. And that’s okay, because the players are not Caleb’s sister.
If they had actually grown up and lived as a sister to Caleb then yeah that’s incest. But Caleb was born in 2024 so the most anyone had known him is 2 years. He is just pixels that fill in that space in someone’s heart for understanding, protection and devotion—but he is not anyone’s actual brother (repeat: he has only been in everyone’s life for 2 years).
I think people can indulge in fictional scenarios and ideas for the thrill or fun of it, but still know that it’s not healthy irl (prime example: violent games). Especially if they are adults—which is also why I think the game should be rated 18+ (it is simply too spicy now let’s bfr).
This is just for fun and probably wrong! But the LaDS team does so well with their themes that it's fun to speculate. Spoilers below the fold.
It's been pretty clear that each new released LI is a foil for one of the original three. Sylus is a foil for Xavier, Caleb for Zayne, and so the 6th LI should be a foil for Rafayel.
As a foil, they'll have some key traits in common, and some key traits inverted. For example, both Sylus and Xavier are from Philos and time-traveled to find MC. Both Caleb and Zayne are 'childhood friends' and were born normally in this timeline.
Note that the characters overall are really multi-dimensional, so we can only guess at a few major traits using this approach.
What I think will be the same as Rafayel:
Originally from Earth's past (not Philos) with a long immortal lifespan. Has been looking for MC since their shared past.
Pulls from some kind of Earth folklore. Rafayel uses siren/mermaid/genie myths, so maybe we'll see faerie (I hope so!) or even demon/monster/yokai inspiration. (the way I'd kill for a werewolf LI)
Is subservient to/bound to MC in some way. Rafayel's Lemurian bond makes him unable to resist MC's sincere requests. I think the 6th Li will also be submissive in this way.
Colorful hair (green to Rafayel's purple?) This is a subtle one but both Xavier and Sylus are light-haired, Caleb and Zayne are dark-haired, and Rafayel's hair is purplish.
Another creative type. While this could be inverted to give him destructive tendencies, I think it's more likely they'll keep it since it's so appealing.
What I think will be inverted:
Tone--while Rafayel is giving playful and childish pop idol vibes, I think the 6th LI will give edgy punk/rockstar vibes. Rafayel does the classics (painting, opera) while this LI does the avant garde (graffiti, alt music) Wouldn't you just foam at the mouth for this?? "Rockstar" feels like an archetype they'd go after that we're currently missing.
Is eager to submit to MC (in maybe a Yandere or obsessive way) vs Rafayel who's more cautious?
While Rafayel seeks to rebuild a homeland that was lost, maybe this LI seeks to destroy an organization that harmed him
The stalking is a bit more overt and obsessive?? (I hope)
Sea/ocean inverted either to sky/air or to rock/earth. They could use bird/songbird/fairy archetypes, or maybe elemental/rock archetypes... curveball gargoyle character??
Other theories:
We have NOT met this LI yet. Caleb is there from the beginning because of his role as 'brother', while Sylus was there early because he was the first LI to be released. Also we only heard Sylus's voice and saw Mephisto before his release, we never saw his character model. If they follow the pattern and release another main story drop before the 6th LI, I expect him to be foreshadowed there.
His Evol will either be Earth/Metal themed, or won't be elemental at all. In the main three we have Light (it's giving Air element?), Ice, Fire. Then we have Energy, Gravity, and ??. I think gameplay and aesthetics take priority with Evols, but Earth/Rock feels like it'd be cool and is something we're missing. I doubt it'd be water since Rafayel is already associated with water.
I doubt they'll be a truly 'villanous' LI, because that secret gooey center just sells too well
This all could be totally off-base but like if they don't give us an edgy punk rock werewolf with green hair who wears a collar and begs you to pull him around... well, that's why god invented fanfic 😂
LADS Men’s Affinity vs How much I actually main them (+explanations)
Lowest affinity (52): Caleb
If I have to rank him: 4th main
Too much angst. That’s it. I love love Caleb as a character and trust me when I say I love yandere men (even the Red and Black flags one). However I have a very low angst tolerance for most types of angst, especially the slow burn type. So I tend not to pull for Caleb, and when I do get his cards I procrastinate on playing through them, dreading the angst lol. He’s so so fine tho, and I love an Orange flag yandere in otome, so I wish I could bear the angst to be with Pupleb but I can’t 😭
Second to lowest affinity (55): Sylus
If I have to rank him: 2nd main
I just unlocked Sylus later so that’s why he is lagging behind the others. But that’s pretty much the only reason. I love this man. He just feels so dependable. He makes me feel so safe 😊 I also have a soft spot for otome men who are mean towards everyone else but a cinnamon roll towards you. Also like, Sylus is just super hot. The size difference omigosh.
Middle-of-the-range Affinity (57): Xavier
If I have to rank him: 3rd main
I love Xavier! He is so fluffy, and cute, but also I love his darker side. His obsession and devotion and desire is also super hot and just makes me melt. The only reason Sylus out-ranks him is because Xavier worries me sometimes. I feel like as MC I would be concerned for him a lot. Like does he remember to eat, not overexert himself, advocate for himself (in the relationship) etc. And while I love caring for people, if I have to choose, I would prefer a man that I don’t have to worry so much about.
Second highest Affinity (61): Zayne
If I have to rank him: 5th Main
Before you come for me, just know that I love Zayne as a character! However, I have anxious attachment and major abandonment issues. I know and I believe that Zayne does feel so so much in the inside, and that he does show it. But the frequency at which he shows it is just not enough for me as a very needy person. I would be questioning a lot if he loves me, especially because he is very busy. If I am dating a very busy partner, they need to be quite affectionate in the moments we do have together whether via texts, calls, or dates for me to feel loved. I’m just not built to be a Zayne girlie I’m so sorry 😭😭😭 I do hate carrots tho.
Highest Affinity (63): Rafayel
I would rank him 1st even if I didn’t have to 🐬
For a lot of people, opposite attracts. I am of the second category of people who are really attracted to people who I identify with. I am a lot more self-deprecating than Rafayel, so I am not bratty like he is. But other than that, I see so much of myself in him: in his intensity, his chaos, his love but also hatred of life. I resonate with his darkness as well as his light. Like I am 100% behind all his murders. Fuck traffickers and those who commoditize human bodies that’s all I have to say. I am also like super needy and maybe shamelessly so, so I get him. Luckily irl I have a partner who never makes me feel like I am too much. I’m glad Rafayel also has MC who loves him for who he is. I just hope that he will also learn to allow himself to be seen and loved in his entirety. No more secrets nor fears, just be.
All the pics are just ones I have taken of them in game. All the men are so photogenic 🤭 Signing off with a pic of my own MC.
🌙 My thoughts about the anni livestream after watching it live 🌙
I slept at 2:30 AM, set an alarm for 5:30 AM because I live in the US. When I woke up I was like, I’m probably gonna fall asleep watching this but after just one minute I WAS SAT.
🎖️Sylus is beyond hot in this military commander get-up OH MY GOD.🎖️
I will get that outfit even if I don’t get the card. But fr I have a thing for male leads in uniform in Chinese republican era dramas and this is just so similar to that 💯💯💯
🌸The housing system is better than I could ever imagine!!🌸
I love flowers, I love gardening, I love collecting!!! I thought it was gonna be chibi because that’s how it was in every other otome game I’ve played and honestly I didn’t mind. But nope, we are getting full on domestic bliss 🥺 I could feel my AO3 author hands already itching to write some drabbles based of this 🤓
🪐 Anni banner ramblings 🪐
I don’t love AUs banners, so it wouldn’t be my first choice (tho it seems like Alore is another galaxy in this world, so I am not sure how AU this is???), but I don’t mind either.
I’m actually not super in love with what I’ve seen of the Rafayel card, but I am likely going to still pull for him because…it’s Rafayel. I for sure want the Xavier card because he is giving protective space knight and I love the Princess X Knight trope 🥰. I am also likely going to try and get Sylus.
Caleb and Zayne I love you but I just graduated college so I don’t have much money 🥺 Also I love how they’re fully leaning into the little sister bit with Caleb.
🌝 No 6th LI announcement 🌝
I’m glad! While I am happy for a 6th LI and I 💯 believe there’s will be one, I think if he (or she maybe—delulu bi girlie here 👉👈) is announced anytime soon it will feel too overwhelming. I need at least a year to process Caleb 😵💫🤒
