Ace Attorney Fanfics that I Enjoyed
note: most of these are one-shot character studies, which usually, but not necessarily, tend to be quite serious. so the recommendations given will probably not have much fluff content. however, i will make it a point to mention whether it has fluff or not. otherwise, do consider the other works to be quite serious. you can find this exact post in the ace attorney community as well.
Usually when I search for fanfic recs on tumblr, or any site for that matter, the most popular fanfics in the fandom show up repeatedly. Though there are some great fanfics that have been given the love they deserve ("In Better Light" by cosmogyral and sunsmasher, you will always be famous, thank you for creating 'That one ace attorney pacrim au') I do think that other, less known works deserve to be brought to the forefront as well.
So here I am, with a variety of fanfics that focus on different characters. I intend to make more lists of more fanfics, but these are the ones i could collect as of now:
DAHLIA HAWTHORNE & MIA FEY ARE DEAD
link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/56901145
tags:
Canonical Character Death
Implied/Referenced Child Abuse
Implied Childhood Sexual Abuse
Reader's notes: An impressive character study of Dahlia, with her performing and Mia as the audience, trying to understand her.
mutually assured destruction
link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/52538188
tags:
Seven Year Gap (Gyakuten Saiban)
Kristoph Gavin Has Feelings
Mentioned Miles Edgeworth
Phoenix Wright and Kristoph Gavin: an obituary.
Reader's notes: A non-linear narrative exploring their fucked-up relationship. This one hits hard.
link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/1740863/chapters/3716573
“Wright, you appear to have accidentally conflated 'human connection' and 'crime.'”
Phoenix decompresses in the wake of case 3-5.
Reader's notes: An oldie, but a goood one. The writing style is immaculate. The writing felt as if it came straight out of the game, and yet, you could hear the author's distinctive voice.
Made of crushed little stars
link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/40206507?view_adult=true
summary:- Fact: Ema could have passed the forensics exam the first time.
tags:
Ema Skye POV/centric
Mentioned Franziska von Karma
Gyakuten Saiban 4 | Apollo Justice
a lot of extremely mixed science metaphors
background narumitsu bc they are just that annoying
adult kay is a hot anarchist gremlin
just enough sex to warrant the m rating I think
Reader's notes: I do enjoy a good Ema centric piece from time to time :). Everything by just_a_wavefunction is gold. Do give their other works a try. I may add more of their works later on in this list.
link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/54129847
This one is slightly dark. It's a gripping, short read. Again, another Ema-centric piece.
link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/74544641
of a sort. they (Phoenix and Miles) are trying
Phoenix Wright Needs a Hug
Post-Case 3-5: Bridge to the Turnabout
Can Be Read Pre-Relationship
Dahlia isn't present but haunts the narrative
Emotionally Charged Phone Calls
the comfort is relatively small with this one bc they're constipated your honour
but trust me the feeling is there
of Phoenix's trust issues and everything in between
Mia and Godot are also mentioned
A long-overdue phone call between Phoenix Wright, fresh out of Eagle River, and Miles Edgeworth, a few timezones away.
Reader's notes: I always do enjoy a good Phoenix character study! If you enjoy Phoenix angst that is believable with the story's events and his character, this one is for you. It's beautifully written. I need to give it a reread soon.
Turnabout Dishwasher (long fic)
Mitsurugi Reiji | Miles Edgeworth/Naruhodou Ryuuichi | Phoenix Wright
Garyuu Kyouya | Klavier Gavin/Odoroki Housuke | Apollo Justice
Nahyuta Sahdmadhi/Yuugami Jin | Simon Blackquill
Ayasato Mayoi | Maya Fey & Naruhodou Ryuuichi | Phoenix Wright
Mitsurugi Reiji | Miles Edgeworth & Shigaraki Tateyuki | Raymond Shields
Ayasato Harumi | Pearl Fey & Naruhodou Minuki | Trucy Wright
Naruhodou Minuki | Trucy Wright & Odoroki Housuke | Apollo Justice
Minor Maggey Byrde/Dick Gumshoe
Minor Adrian Andrews/Franziska von Karma
multiple perspective changes
mentions of past Miles Edgeworth/Shi-long Lang
mentions of past Apollo Justice/Clay Terran
mentions of canon character deaths
Nonbinary Nahyuta Sahdmadhi
Minor Aura Blackquill/Lana Skye
Trucy is leaving on a post-graduation trip around the world, leaving Phoenix more alone than he’s been in a long time. Before she leaves, Trucy asks her Uncle Miles to keep her father company while she’s gone. And Edgeworth takes his job very seriously.
Meanwhile, Ray Shields reminisces on Miles’ growth over the many years they’ve known each other.
On the other side of the world, Apollo and Nahyuta will be working with some new, but very familiar prosecutors in Khura’in.
Reader's Notes: This fic contains fluff and light angst! It takes place post all the games.
Usually, I can't find myself enjoying most ace attorney fanfictions that have all the characters together, because in my experience, they tend to fall into the "found family" category, which is not how i see many of the relationships, especially Apollo and Phoenix's. I also usually don't read Romantic Comedy fics because sometimes they use tropes in a way that doesn't interest me.
This fanfic though, it knows exactly how the characters would be after all the games. It has a unique style of using the Ace Attorney game style text boxes in place of dialogue. I am a NaruMitsu shipper, which is what made me click on this fic. The development they have is well-done, and their characterisations, to me, make perfect sense in accordance to the games. I also loved the way Trucy's POV was handled.
But the thing that made me stick to this fic, surprisingly, were the chapters that had Raymond's POV. When I finished Investigations 2, the only thought I had about him was that he was a good character and that I liked him. This fic made me appreciate his character a a deeper level.
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The list doesn't end here! There are many more characters I am yet to include, like the series' most explored ones: Miles Edgeworth and Maya Fey. There are other characters I would like to include, like Pearl, Trucy and Klavier. Until next time!
