wright by your side

Phoenix Wright couldn't even debut his career without the friendship he made with Edgeworth and Larry, Edgeworth especially. Ever since young Miles defended him during the classroom trial, they became best friends... until Edgeworth was forced to transfer after the DL-6 incident. This friendship lasted only one year, but had such a profound impact on Phoenix. To Phoenix, his friends, past and present, were the most important thing to him. And like the reckless fool he is, he'll overcome obstacles (or for Maya's case, run through a burning bridge) to save them.

The relationship of childhood friends, otherwise known as osananajimi, was built in the purest sense. To this day, Phoenix never forgot Miles, even after he moved. And who actually remembers the friends he's made in fourth grade. It's not even college or high school, where memories are often more shared between friends - no, just one year in fourth grade. He constantly wrote him letters. But Miles never wrote back, for he feared reminders of the past at the time.

Fast forward a few years later.

Phoenix Wright comes into startling news about his old friend. By that time, the SL-9 incident had scandalized Edgeworth into the "demon" attorney, who use extreme procedures just to get a "guilty" verdict. The man who had once defended the suspicious, yet innocent, Phoenix was now going against his words. Did Phoenix turn to hate him, or ignore him? No. Instead of seeing him as a monster, he took it as a cry for help. Somehow, something happened to Edgeworth, and he had to find out. But with Edgeworth ignoring all methods of communicating with him, Phoenix had only one option left. He had to become a defense lawyer and see him in court. The childhood friends were forced to become rivals.

When choosing careers, it's important that you choose a job that pays well and is fun to you. Yet Phoenix made an entire career path primarily for one simple reason: to save his best friend. And he was just one guy he's known for less than a year. Essentially, this proves how much Edgeworth means to Phoenix.

When Edgeworth has accused of murder, he knew there was one thing for sure: Phoenix must not defend him. He absolutely did not one of his old friends to see the darkest side of him. It would lead to learning of the horror of the DL-6, and ultimately a suspect of patricide (a suppressed thought reacted in self-defense). Even when the odds are against him, and there was little doubt, Phoenix believed in him to the very end. This was a mirror of the classroom trial, with Phoenix acting as the hero for the victimized Miles. For Phoenix, it was his time to return the favor.

Edgeworth himself was completely moved and grateful by this childlike ambition, though he is uncomfortable showing it.