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{{Short description|Fictional character from Fire Emblem}}
{{Short description|Video game character}}
{{pp|small=yes}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox character
{{Infobox character
|name=Marth
|name=Marth
|image=Marth (character).png
|image= File:4Koma Marth.png
|caption=Marth as he appears in ''[[Fire Emblem: New Mystery of the Emblem]]''
|caption=Marth in the ''[[Fire Emblem Fates]]'' [[Yonkoma|4koma]] book
|series=[[Fire Emblem]]
|series=[[Fire Emblem]]
|first=''[[Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light]]''<ref name="tsurugi"/> (1990)
|first=''[[Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light]]''<ref name="tsurugi"/> (1990)
|creator=[[Shouzou Kaga]]
|creator=[[Shouzou Kaga]]
|voice={{Ubl|'''English'''|[[Spike Spencer]] (OVA)|[[Yuri Lowenthal]] (2015–present)<ref name="btva">{{cite web |title=Marth Voices (Fire Emblem) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Fire-Emblem/Marth/ |website=Behind The Voice Actors |access-date=29 November 2020|postscript=. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of the title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.}}</ref>|'''Japanese'''|[[Hikaru Midorikawa]]<ref name="ovac">{{Cite AV media|people=Misawa, Shin (Director)|date=January 26, 1996|title=Faiā Emuburemu Monshō no Nazo|trans-title=Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem|medium=Anime|language=ja|time=the end credits at 25:13|location=Japan|publisher=KSS}}</ref><ref name="sbcre">{{cite video game | developer=[[HAL Laboratory]] | title=Super Smash Bros. Melee | publisher=[[Nintendo]] | scene=Ending credits, 0:26 in, Voice | year=2001}}</ref><!-- url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXeHwKjkeuU --><ref name="btva"/>|[[Ai Orikasa]] (young; OVA)<ref name="ovac"/>|[[Yū Kobayashi]] (young; ''[[Fire Emblem Heroes]]'')}}
|voice={{collapsible list|title=[[English language|English]]|[[Spike Spencer]] (OVA)|[[Yuri Lowenthal]] (2015–present)<ref name="btva">{{cite web |title=Marth Voices (Fire Emblem) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Fire-Emblem/Marth/ |website=Behind The Voice Actors |access-date=29 November 2020|postscript=. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of the title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.}}</ref>}}{{collapsible list|title=[[Japanese language|Japanese]]||[[Hikaru Midorikawa]]<ref name="ovac">{{Cite AV media|people=Misawa, Shin (Director)|date=January 26, 1996|title=Faiā Emuburemu Monshō no Nazo|trans-title=Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem|medium=Anime|language=ja|time=the end credits at 25:13|location=Japan|publisher=KSS}}</ref><ref name="sbcre">{{cite video game | developer=[[HAL Laboratory]] | title=Super Smash Bros. Melee | publisher=[[Nintendo]] | scene=Ending credits, 0:26 in, Voice | year=2001}}</ref><!-- url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXeHwKjkeuU --><ref name="btva"/>|[[Ai Orikasa]] (young; OVA)<ref name="ovac"/>|[[Yū Kobayashi]] (young; ''[[Fire Emblem Heroes]]'')}}
|motion_actor=
|motion_actor=
|data21=
|data21=
|race = [[Human]]
|origin = Archanea
}}
}}
{{nihongo|'''Marth'''|マルス|Marusu|lead=yes}} is a fictional character from the ''[[Fire Emblem]]'' series, developed by [[Intelligent Systems]] and owned by [[Nintendo]]. He is the protagonist and Lord class character in the first<ref name="Fire Emblem 1 translation">{{cite news|title='Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryu to Hikari no Tsurugi' |url=http://www.nindb.net/game/fire-emblem.html |access-date=September 23, 2007 |work=NinDB |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100619112919/http://nindb.net/game/fire-emblem.html |archive-date=June 19, 2010 }}</ref> and the third games in the series, ''[[Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light]]'',<ref name="tsurugi">{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/games/nds/media_10167.html|title=Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon Official websiteat Nintendo of Europe|publisher=Nintendo.co.uk|date=November 24, 2011|access-date=August 4, 2012}}{{dead link|date=August 2016}}</ref> and ''[[Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem]]'',<ref name="IGN FE 3 summary">{{cite news|title='IGN: Fire Emblem: Monshō no Nazo'|url=http://uk.cheats.ign.com/objects/015/015911.html|access-date=September 23, 2007|work=[[IGN]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100122050528/http://uk.cheats.ign.com/objects/015/015911.html|archive-date=January 22, 2010}}</ref> as well as their respective remakes, ''[[Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon]]'' and ''[[Fire Emblem: New Mystery of the Emblem]]''.
{{nihongo|'''Marth'''|マルス|Marusu|lead=yes}} is a fictional character from the ''[[Fire Emblem]]'' series, developed by [[Intelligent Systems]] and owned by [[Nintendo]]. He is the protagonist and Lord class character in the first<ref name="Fire Emblem 1 translation">{{cite news|title='Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryu to Hikari no Tsurugi' |url=http://www.nindb.net/game/fire-emblem.html |access-date=September 23, 2007 |work=NinDB |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100619112919/http://nindb.net/game/fire-emblem.html |archive-date=June 19, 2010 }}</ref> and the third games in the series, ''[[Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light]]'',<ref name="tsurugi">{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/games/nds/media_10167.html|title=Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon Official websiteat Nintendo of Europe|publisher=Nintendo.co.uk|date=November 24, 2011|access-date=August 4, 2012}}{{dead link|date=August 2016}}</ref> and ''[[Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem]]'',<ref name="IGN FE 3 summary">{{cite news|title='IGN: Fire Emblem: Monshō no Nazo'|url=http://uk.cheats.ign.com/objects/015/015911.html|access-date=September 23, 2007|work=[[IGN]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100122050528/http://uk.cheats.ign.com/objects/015/015911.html|archive-date=January 22, 2010}}</ref> as well as their respective remakes, ''[[Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon]]'' and ''[[Fire Emblem: New Mystery of the Emblem]]''.


Marth's first appearance outside of Japan was in the ''Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem'' OVA.<ref name="ovadv">{{cite web|url=http://www.advfilms.com/adv/news.html#Title10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980221210352/http://www.advfilms.com/adv/news.html#Title10|archive-date=1998-02-21|title=Fire Emblem|publisher=ADV Films|date=1998-01-02|accessdate=2023-06-20}}</ref> Marth and [[Roy (Fire Emblem)|Roy]]'s appearances in Nintendo's ''[[Super Smash Bros. (series)|Super Smash Bros.]]'' series increased western interest in the ''Fire Emblem'' series, and in part it led Nintendo to start releasing the games internationally, beginning with ''[[Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade]]'', the seventh installment in the series, released to the west under the title ''Fire Emblem''.<ref name="Fire Emblem Details">{{cite news|title='Fire Emblem (GBA)' |url=http://www.nindb.net/game/fire-emblem-bb.html |access-date=September 23, 2007 |work=NinDB |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100619121858/http://nindb.net/game/fire-emblem-bb.html |archive-date=June 19, 2010 }}</ref> On December 4, 2020, Marth's original Famicom game and the first installment in the ''Fire Emblem'' series was localized and released outside of Japan for the first time to commemorate the franchise's 30th anniversary.
Marth's first appearance outside of Japan was in the ''Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem'' OVA.<ref name="ovadv">{{cite web|url=http://www.advfilms.com/adv/news.html#Title10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980221210352/http://www.advfilms.com/adv/news.html#Title10|archive-date=1998-02-21|title=Fire Emblem|publisher=ADV Films|date=1998-01-02|access-date=2023-06-20}}</ref> Marth and [[Roy (Fire Emblem)|Roy]]'s inclusions in Nintendo's ''[[Super Smash Bros. (series)|Super Smash Bros.]]'' series is cited as a reason Nintendo started releasing the games internationally,<ref name="fe6m">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/48555/features/fire-emblem-through-the-ages/?page=6|title=Fire Emblem through the ages (page 6)|author=East, Thomas|magazine=[[Official Nintendo Magazine]]|date=April 13, 2013|access-date=November 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010141758/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/48555/features/fire-emblem-through-the-ages/?page=6|archive-date=October 10, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> starting with ''[[Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade]]''.<ref name="fe7m">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/48555/features/fire-emblem-through-the-ages/?page=7|title=Fire Emblem through the ages (page 7)|author=East, Thomas|magazine=[[Official Nintendo Magazine]]|date=April 13, 2013|access-date=November 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010141757/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/48555/features/fire-emblem-through-the-ages/?page=7|archive-date=October 10, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> On December 4, 2020, Marth's original Famicom game and the first installment in the ''Fire Emblem'' series was localized and released outside of Japan for the first time to commemorate the franchise's 30th anniversary.


==Creation and development==
==Creation and development==
Marth was one of the characters created for ''[[Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light]]'' by the game's designer and writer [[Shouzou Kaga]]. According to Kaga, though Marth takes a prominent role in the story, he is not technically the main protagonist.<ref>{{cite web|author=blackoak |url=http://shmuplations.com/fireemblem/ |title=Fire Emblem – Developer Interviews |publisher=Shmuplations |access-date=August 31, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503191020/http://shmuplations.com/fireemblem/ |archive-date=May 3, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> During early development, a scene would have depicted Marth kneeling in grief next to the body of his retainer Jagen in a pool of Jagen's blood: this was designed to be a symbolic moment of Marth violently coming of age by losing a father figure. Due to hardware limitations, this and other similar scenes needed to be cut.<ref name="25guide">{{cite book|script-title=ja:メイキング オブ ファイアーエムブレム 開発秘話で綴る25周年、覚醒そしてif|publisher=[[Tokuma Shoten]]|isbn=978-4-1986-4056-9|date=November 28, 2015|language=ja}}</ref> Marth's character designer is currently unknown, though the graphics and character art for ''Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light'' was cooperatively handled by Tohru Ohsawa, Naotaka Ohnishi, Saotshi Machida and Toshitaka Muramatsu.<ref>{{cite book|script-title=ja:ファイアーエムブレム百科|publisher=[[Shogakukan]]|isbn=4-0910-4115-9|date=1990|language=ja}}</ref> Marth's appearance underwent alterations for promotional posters, having a slightly different hairstyle and an altered shade of blue for his hair.<ref name="25guide"/>
Marth was one of the characters created for ''[[Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light]]'' by the game's designer and writer [[Shouzou Kaga]]. According to Kaga, though Marth takes a prominent role in the story, he is not technically the main protagonist, beyond being required to survive in battle. He stated that it was fine for people to see the story as revolving around any characters the player is partial to.<ref>{{cite web|author=blackoak |url=http://shmuplations.com/fireemblem/ |title=Fire Emblem – Developer Interviews |publisher=Shmuplations |access-date=August 31, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503191020/http://shmuplations.com/fireemblem/ |archive-date=May 3, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> During early development, a scene would have depicted Marth kneeling in grief next to the body of his retainer Jagen in a pool of Jagen's blood: this was designed to be a symbolic moment of Marth violently coming of age by losing a father figure. Due to hardware limitations, this and other similar scenes needed to be cut.<ref name="25guide">{{cite book|script-title=ja:メイキング オブ ファイアーエムブレム 開発秘話で綴る25周年、覚醒そしてif|publisher=[[Tokuma Shoten]]|isbn=978-4-1986-4056-9|date=November 28, 2015|language=ja}}</ref> Marth's character designer is currently unknown, though the graphics and character art for ''Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light'' was cooperatively handled by Tohru Ohsawa, Naotaka Ohnishi, Saotshi Machida and Toshitaka Muramatsu.<ref>{{cite book|script-title=ja:ファイアーエムブレム百科|publisher=[[Shogakukan]]|isbn=4-0910-4115-9|date=1990|language=ja}}</ref> Marth's appearance underwent alterations for promotional posters, having a slightly different hairstyle and an altered shade of blue for his hair.<ref name="25guide"/>


Marth was redesigned for ''[[Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem]]'' by the game's character artist Katsuyoshi Koya.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2015/07/08/fire-emblem-artist-spotlight-katsuyoshi-koya/ |title=Fire Emblem Artist Spotlight: Katsuyoshi Koya |author=Ward, Robert |publisher=Siliconera |date=July 8, 2015 |access-date=July 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150718183502/http://www.siliconera.com/2015/07/08/fire-emblem-artist-spotlight-katsuyoshi-koya/ |archive-date=July 18, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> For the first game's remake, ''[[Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon]]'', Marth underwent a redesign. The staff's main aim for the redesign was to make the character look and feel fresh while not straying too far from what fans had come to expect.<ref name="NinShadow"/> His redesign was handled by ''[[Ghost in the Shell]]'' artist [[Masamune Shirow]].<ref>{{cite book|chapter=Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon |title=Intron Depot 5 – Battalion|author=Shirow, Masamune|author-link=Masamune Shirow|publisher=Udon Entertainment |isbn=978-1616552732|pages=10–16|date=March 4, 2014}}</ref> He was redesigned once again for the third game's remake, ''[[Fire Emblem: New Mystery of the Emblem|New Mystery of the Emblem]]'', by Daisuke Izuka.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kouryaku.dengeki.com/emblem/|script-title=ja:ファイアーエムブレム メモリアルブック アカネイア・クロニクル|publisher=[[ASCII Media Works|Dengeki Online]]|access-date=July 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414074919/http://kouryaku.dengeki.com/emblem/|archive-date=April 14, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Marth's design for his appearance in downloadable content for ''[[Fire Emblem Awakening]]'' was by Senri Kita, the character artist for ''[[Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn]]''. This, along with other character redesigns featured in the game's DLC, was dubbed an "underworld" design.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rpgfan.com/news/2012/1380.html|title=Next Fire Emblem: Awakening DLC Announced|author=Maas, Liz|publisher=RPGFan|date=April 21, 2012|access-date=August 31, 2016}}</ref>
Marth was redesigned for ''[[Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem]]'' by the game's character artist Katsuyoshi Koya.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2015/07/08/fire-emblem-artist-spotlight-katsuyoshi-koya/ |title=Fire Emblem Artist Spotlight: Katsuyoshi Koya |author=Ward, Robert |publisher=Siliconera |date=July 8, 2015 |access-date=July 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150718183502/http://www.siliconera.com/2015/07/08/fire-emblem-artist-spotlight-katsuyoshi-koya/ |archive-date=July 18, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> For the first game's remake, ''[[Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon]]'', Marth underwent a redesign. The staff's main aim for the redesign was to make the character look and feel fresh while not straying too far from what fans had come to expect.<ref name="NinShadow"/> His redesign was handled by ''[[Ghost in the Shell]]'' artist [[Masamune Shirow]].<ref>{{cite book|chapter=Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon |title=Intron Depot 5 – Battalion|author=Shirow, Masamune|author-link=Masamune Shirow|publisher=Udon Entertainment |isbn=978-1616552732|pages=10–16|date=March 4, 2014}}</ref> He was redesigned once again for the third game's remake, ''[[Fire Emblem: New Mystery of the Emblem|New Mystery of the Emblem]]'', by Daisuke Izuka.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kouryaku.dengeki.com/emblem/|script-title=ja:ファイアーエムブレム メモリアルブック アカネイア・クロニクル|publisher=[[ASCII Media Works|Dengeki Online]]|access-date=July 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414074919/http://kouryaku.dengeki.com/emblem/|archive-date=April 14, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Marth's design for his appearance in downloadable content for ''[[Fire Emblem Awakening]]'' was by Senri Kita, the character artist for ''[[Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn]]''. This, along with other character redesigns featured in the game's DLC, was dubbed an "underworld" design.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rpgfan.com/news/2012/1380.html|title=Next Fire Emblem: Awakening DLC Announced|author=Maas, Liz|publisher=RPGFan|date=April 21, 2012|access-date=August 31, 2016|archive-date=September 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921185120/http://www.rpgfan.com/news/2012/1380.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> When designing Marth for ''[[Fire Emblem Warriors]]'', the designers took input from female staff members involved in the game's development in order to make him more appealing to women. Director Usuda Hiroya noted that he was portrayed as a gentle character in ''Fire Emblem Awakening'' and ''Fire Emblem Fates'', but adjusted his face and appearance to make him more manly. An interviewer remarked that male fans of the series viewed him as boyish.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2017/09/27/110024.html |title=【TGS2017】ACTが苦手でも大丈夫？ロストし続けるとどうなる？―『ファイアーエムブレム無双』開発陣に気になるアレコレを訊く |work=Inside Games |author=Gawai Strings |date=September 27, 2017 |access-date=August 24, 2024}}</ref> When adding past characters to ''Fire Emblem Engage'', the designers decided to include Marth first due to him being the first protagonist in the series.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ndw.jp/fee-interview-230520/ |title=インタビュー 『ファイアーエムブレム エンゲージ』インタビュー：大きな変化から細かい部分まで、注目ポイントを尋ねる |work=[[Nintendo Dream]] |date=May 20, 2023 |access-date=August 24, 2024}}</ref>


''Super Smash Bros.'' developer [[Masahiro Sakurai]] initially wanted Marth to be part of the roster for the [[Super Smash Bros. (video game)|original game]], but time constraints prevented this.<ref name="25guide"/> The developers of ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'' originally intended to make Marth playable only in the Japanese version of the game, but when he garnered favorable attention during the game's North American localization, they decided to keep both him and fellow ''Fire Emblem'' protagonist Roy in the North American and European versions.<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:速報スマブラ拳!! : マルス|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/flash/1204/index.html|language=ja|access-date=March 15, 2015|quote=海外版では外す覚悟でマルスを作っていたのですが、キャラを立てた結果、海外のかたにも絶賛され、結果日本と全く同じ仕様で搭載されています。|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414151945/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/flash/1204/index.html|archive-date=April 14, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Sakurai redesigned the character for ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', where he was included as a playable character alongside other ''Fire Emblem'' protagonists. By this time, Marth had also been redesigned for ''Shadow Dragon'', with Sakurai being shocked when he saw it. He commented that, if he had known earlier, he would have incorporated the new design into the game rather than his own.<ref name="NinShadow">{{cite web|url=http://fire-emblem.com/shadowdragon/interview/interview1.html |title=Iwata Asks: Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon |publisher=Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon Official Website |date=2008 |access-date=July 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101104062134/http://fire-emblem.com/shadowdragon/interview/interview1.html |archive-date=November 4, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Marth's later appearances in the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series were brought in line with his design from ''New Mystery of the Emblem''.
''Super Smash Bros.'' developer [[Masahiro Sakurai]] initially wanted Marth to be part of the roster for the [[Super Smash Bros. (video game)|original game]] due to a desire for ''Fire Emblem'' to appear in the series and to have another sword fighter, but time constraints prevented this. Sakurai felt that Marth contrasted well with fellow ''Super Smash Bros.'' fighter [[Link (The Legend of Zelda)|Link]], arguing that Marth was more technique-based while Link was strength-based. He later added [[Roy (Fire Emblem)|Roy]], the protagonist of ''[[Fire Emblem: Binding Blade]]'', who was based on Marth's moveset.<ref name="25guide"/> The developers of ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'' originally intended to make Marth playable only in the Japanese version of the game, but when he garnered favorable attention during the game's North American localization, they decided to keep both him and fellow ''Fire Emblem'' protagonist Roy in the North American and European versions.<ref name="MaNote">{{cite web|script-title=ja:速報スマブラ拳!! : マルス|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/flash/1204/index.html|language=ja|access-date=March 15, 2015|quote=海外版では外す覚悟でマルスを作っていたのですが、キャラを立てた結果、海外のかたにも絶賛され、結果日本と全く同じ仕様で搭載されています。|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414151945/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/flash/1204/index.html|archive-date=April 14, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Sakurai redesigned the character for ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', where he was included as a playable character alongside other ''Fire Emblem'' protagonists. By this time, Marth had also been redesigned for ''Shadow Dragon'', with Sakurai being shocked when he saw it. He commented that, if he had known earlier, he would have incorporated the new design into the game rather than his own.<ref name="NinShadow">{{cite web|url=http://fire-emblem.com/shadowdragon/interview/interview1.html |title=Iwata Asks: Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon |publisher=Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon Official Website |date=2008 |access-date=July 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101104062134/http://fire-emblem.com/shadowdragon/interview/interview1.html |archive-date=November 4, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Marth's later appearances in the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series were brought in line with his design from ''New Mystery of the Emblem''.


In the [[original video animation]] adaptation of ''Mystery of the Emblem'', Marth was voiced by [[Hikaru Midorikawa]], with [[Ai Orikasa]] voicing him as a child.<ref name="ovac"/><ref name="btva"/> Midorikawa reprised the role in ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'',<ref name="sbcre"/><ref name="btva"/> and his voice lines recorded for the game were reused in ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl''<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Midorikawa|first=Hikaru|date=2008-03-28|title=ターゲット・ロックオン!!|trans-title=Target Lockon!!|magazine=[[Dengeki Playstation]]|publisher=MediaWorks|volume=414|issue=March 28, 2008|page=117}}</ref> and ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U]]''.<ref name="25guide"/> In the OVA's English dub, Marth was voiced by [[Spike Spencer]]. His name was localized as "Mars", which was put down to the vague pronunciation of the katakana of Marth's name.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nintendoeverything.com/the-surprising-american-origins-of-fire-emblem/ |title=The surprising American origins of Fire Emblem |author=McGrath, Patricia |publisher=Nintendo Everything |date=September 4, 2011 |access-date=August 31, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160831091614/http://nintendoeverything.com/the-surprising-american-origins-of-fire-emblem/ |archive-date=August 31, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> Since ''[[Code Name: S.T.E.A.M.]]'', Marth has been voiced in all of his video game appearances by [[Yuri Lowenthal]] in English (except ''[[Tokyo Mirage Sessions ♯FE]]'') and Hikaru Midorikawa in Japanese.<ref name="btva"/>
In the [[original video animation]] adaptation of ''Mystery of the Emblem'', Marth was voiced by [[Hikaru Midorikawa]], with [[Ai Orikasa]] voicing him as a child.<ref name="ovac"/><ref name="btva"/> Midorikawa reprised the role in ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'',<ref name="sbcre"/><ref name="btva"/> and his voice lines recorded for the game were reused in ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl''<ref name="Midorikawa">{{cite magazine|last=Midorikawa|first=Hikaru|date=2008-03-28|title=ターゲット・ロックオン!!|trans-title=Target Lockon!!|magazine=[[Dengeki PlayStation]]|publisher=MediaWorks|volume=414|issue=March 28, 2008|page=117}}</ref> and ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U]]''.<ref name="25guide"/> Sakurai explained that these lines were reused due to liking his voice lines in ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'' so much. Due to not being contracted to voice Marth in ''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS'' and ''Wii U'', Midorikawa believed Marth would not appear in it, and remarked that he wished to record lines for Marth in the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series again due to his voice being less young and wanting to reflect Marth looking cooler.<ref name="Midorikawa"/> In the OVA's English dub, Marth was voiced by [[Spike Spencer]]. His name was localized as "Mars", which was put down to the vague pronunciation of the katakana of Marth's name.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nintendoeverything.com/the-surprising-american-origins-of-fire-emblem/ |title=The surprising American origins of Fire Emblem |author=McGrath, Patricia |publisher=Nintendo Everything |date=September 4, 2011 |access-date=August 31, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160831091614/http://nintendoeverything.com/the-surprising-american-origins-of-fire-emblem/ |archive-date=August 31, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> Since ''[[Code Name: S.T.E.A.M.]]'', Marth has been voiced in all of his video game appearances by [[Yuri Lowenthal]] in English (except ''[[Tokyo Mirage Sessions ♯FE]]'') and Hikaru Midorikawa in Japanese.<ref name="btva"/>


==Game appearances==
==Appearances==
Marth debuted in 1990 with the release of ''[[Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light]]'' in Japan.<ref name="tsurugi"/> He is portrayed as a well-liked figure in the game's story, gaining more allies as he progresses through the story.<ref name="ITMedia">{{cite web |url=https://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/research/articles/104808/ |title=【FE】「ファイアーエムブレム」シリーズの中であなたが最も好きな主人公は？【人気投票実施中】 |work=IT Media |date=January 25, 2021 |access-date=September 10, 2024}}</ref> He is a Lord, a class unique to him in this game.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/fire-emblem-ankoku-ryu-to-hikari-no-tsurugi/ |title=Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryu to Hikari no Tsurugi |work=Hardcore Gaming 101 |author=ethrin |date=January 10, 2008 |access-date=September 11, 2024}}</ref> Marth is forced to flee his home kingdom of Altea after it is invaded by an [[Military alliance]] of humans and [[Dragon]]s led by the Shadow Dragon, Medeus and the [[Sorcery (goetia)|Sorcerer]] Gharnef. He then goes on a quest to form a rebellion against Medeus, gathering allies from throughout the continent of Archanea such as his childhood friend, Princess Caeda, Jagen, his retainer, Nyna, the last survivor of Archanea's royal family and Hardin of Aurelis whom becames co-leader of the league Marth forms. He eventually obtains the legendary items, the Falchion [[Sword]] and Fire Emblem [[Shield]], both of which later appear in other ''Fire Emblem'' titles.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ndw.jp/post-642/ |title=インタビュー 『アルスラーン戦記』×『ファイアーエムブレム Echoes』 "ヒロイックファンタジーを語る"（後編） |work=[[Nintendo Dream]] |date=July 21, 2018 |access-date=August 24, 2024}}</ref>
===Video games===
[[File:Marth - Ankoku Ryu.jpg|thumb|Marth as he appears in ''[[Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light]]'' where he wears straps, brown shoes, and no pants]]


In the game's sequel, ''[[Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem]]'', released on January 21, 1994, and in the 2010 extended remake, ''[[Fire Emblem: New Mystery of the Emblem]]'', Marth returns to his role as the story's protagonist. Whilst on an expedition for his friend, Hardin, Marth is suddenly betrayed and his kingdom is invaded. Marth works together with his allies, finding out why Hardin changed, breaking the [[Curse]] of the Fire Emblem and facing a revived Gharnef and Shadow Dragon Medeus. In the game's ending, Marth marries Caeda and unites the Kingdoms of the continent.<ref>https://www.nintendo.com/jp/fe/characters/smashbros/detail/marth02.html</ref>
Marth debuted in 1990 with the release of ''[[Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light]]'' in Japan.<ref name="tsurugi"/> He is depicted as a heroic prince, sixteen years of age who is forced to flee his home kingdom of Altea after it is attacked. He then leads a rebellion to regain control of his kingdom and save his sister Elice. Marth keeps his role in ''Mystery of the Emblem''{{'}}s ''Book 1'' and ''[[Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon]]'', ''Ankoku Ryū to Hikari no Ken''{{'}}s remakes.


Marth is a significant figure in the ''Fire Emblem'' series.<ref name="ITMedia"/> Though Marth kills many people as part of warfare, he is known [[Mercy|merciful]] and [[Empathy|empathetic]] even to his foes. Marth's good nature often helps him win over former enemies and turn them into allies.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendo.com/jp/fe/en/characters/smashbros/detail/marth01.html|title=Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryu to Hikari no Tsurugi |work=nintendo.com}}</ref>
In ''[[Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem]]'', released on January 21, 1994, and in the 2010 extended remake of ''Book 2'', ''[[Fire Emblem: New Mystery of the Emblem]]'', Marth returns to his role as the story's protagonist. Marth's peaceful reign over Altea is disrupted when he discovers Emperor Hardin, a former ally, comrade and friend, was conquering neighboring kingdoms by force.


In ''[[Fire Emblem Awakening]]'', Marth is referenced when [[Lucina (Fire Emblem)|Lucina]], his distant descendant disguises herself as Marth and, wearing a mask, actively claims to be him until her father, [[Chrom]] discovers her true identity. Marth is available as both a paid [[downloadable content]] character in the "Champions of Yore 1" DLC expansion, and as two different characters available through the "[[SpotPass]]" feature. Marth additionally appears in ''[[Fire Emblem Heroes]]'' in multiple different costumes and variations.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}} Marth took second place among male ''Fire Emblem'' characters in the "Choose Your Legend" contest in ''Heroes'', behind the [[Gatekeeper (Fire Emblem)|Gatekeeper]] from ''[[Fire Emblem: Three Houses]]'', resulting in him receiving a legendary variant. He had narrowly missed out on entering the top two multiple times beforehand.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/nl/articles/2102/02/news135.html |title=「ファイアーエムブレム」第5回総選挙、結果発表！　1位はまさかのモブキャラ「門番」に |work=IT Media |last=Daisuke |first=Ankoro |date=February 2, 2021 |access-date=September 10, 2024}}</ref>
In ''[[Fire Emblem Awakening]]'', a game set in the far future of his story and starring his distant descendants, Marth is available as both a paid [[downloadable content]] character in the "Champions of Yore 1" package (which is also included in a bundle with "Champions of Yore 2," which features Roy from ''The Binding Blade''), and as two different [[SpotPass]] characters: "Prince Marth" and "King Marth", representing his portrayals in ''Shadow Dragon'' and ''Shin Monshou no Nazo'' respectively. During the course of the game's main story, his descendant Princess Lucina of Ylisse disguises herself as Marth and, wearing a mask, actively claims to be him until her father, Chrom, Prince of Ylisse, discovers her true identity.


Marth returns in ''[[Fire Emblem Engage]]'', as a partner to the game's protagonist Alear. Along with other previous protagonists of the series, Marth is summoned as an Emblem to the realm of Elyos using an Emblem Ring and fights alongside Alear to defeat the Fell Dragon Sombron.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Van Aken |first=Alex |date=September 13, 2022 |title=Marth Returns In Fire Emblem Engage, Releasing January 2023 |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/nintendo-direct/2022/09/13/marth-returns-in-fire-emblem-engage-releasing-january-2023 |magazine=[[Game Informer]]}}</ref>
Marth returns in ''[[Fire Emblem Engage]]'', as a partner to the game's protagonist Alear. Along with other previous protagonists of the series, Marth is summoned as an "Emblem," a replica of the original Marth. He fights alongside Alear to defeat the Fell Dragon Sombron.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Van Aken |first=Alex |date=September 13, 2022 |title=Marth Returns In Fire Emblem Engage, Releasing January 2023 |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/nintendo-direct/2022/09/13/marth-returns-in-fire-emblem-engage-releasing-january-2023 |magazine=[[Game Informer]]}}</ref>


Marth was introduced to the Western audience by the GameCube title ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'', where he is an unlockable character alongside [[Roy (Fire Emblem)|Roy]], who would later appear in the Japanese only release ''[[Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade]]''.<ref name="SSBM unlockables">{{cite news|title='Super Smash Bros. for GameCube Cheats'|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/gamecube/action/supersmashbrosmelee/hints.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=tabs&tag=tabs;cheats|access-date=September 23, 2007|work=[[GameSpot]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930160654/http://uk.gamespot.com/gamecube/action/supersmashbrosmelee/hints.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=tabs&tag=tabs%3Bcheats|archive-date=September 30, 2007}}</ref><ref name="Binding Blade (JP) - Fire Emblem Awakening Wiki Guide IGN">{{cite news|title='Binding Blade (JP) – Fire Emblem Awakening Wiki Guide IGN'|url=http://uk.ign.com/wikis/fire-emblem-awakening/Binding_Blade_(JP)|access-date=July 27, 2015|work=[[IGN]]}}</ref> Marth reappears in the 2008 [[Wii]] title ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''.<ref name="Marth officially added">{{cite web|title=Marth's character page on Smash Bros. DOJO!! (Official site)|url=http://www.smashbros.com/wii/en_us/characters/hidden02.html|date=February 7, 2008|access-date=February 10, 2008|publisher=Nintendo}}</ref> In the game's story mode, the "Subspace Emissary", he teams up with [[Ike (Nintendo)|Ike]] from ''[[Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance]]'' and ''[[Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn]]'' and [[Meta Knight]] from the ''[[Kirby (series)|Kirby]]'' series. His final smash, Critical Hit, strikes opponents with a blow that instantly knocks them out of the screen unless they hit a barrier. During this attack, a quickly-depleting 60&nbsp;HP health bar is shown, as an [[Homage (arts)|homage]] to the ''Fire Emblem'' series' battle system. Marth is also playable in ''[[Super Smash Bros for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U]]'', using his character design from ''New Mystery of the Emblem''. He is also a starter character in the series for the first time.<ref name="smashbros">{{cite web|url=http://www.smashbros.com/us/|title=Official Site – Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U|publisher=smashbros.com|access-date=October 23, 2015}}</ref> Marth was confirmed in the June 2018 [[Nintendo Direct]] to return in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'' for the [[Nintendo Switch]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gamerant.com/super-smash-bros-ultimate-character-ability-details/amp/|title=Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Details Character Changes and Abilities – Game Rant|website=gamerant.com|date=June 12, 2018 }}</ref>
Marth debuted in the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'', where he is an unlockable character alongside fellow ''Fire Emblem'' protagonist [[Roy (Fire Emblem)|Roy]].<ref name="IGN"/><ref name="fe6m" /> He is an agile character and fights with his Falchion, with the most power being concentrated in the tip of his blade. He has a technique that allows him to charge a sword slash, as well as a counterattack that deals damage back to opponents if they attack him during this technique. He also has a Sword Dance attack that requires specific input in order to have Marth execute each sword slash.<ref name="IGN">{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/01/24/smash-moves-marth |title=Smash Moves: Marth |work=[[IGN]] |date=January 24, 2002 |access-date=September 11, 2024}}</ref> Marth reappears in the 2008 [[Wii]] title ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', where his moveset was largely unchanged, with the exception of an easier Sword Dance execution and a shortening of his sword. He also gets a Final Smash, an extra powerful attack, called Critical Hit, where he dashes forth and deals a powerful sword blow. This attack is accompanied by a health meter from the ''Fire Emblem'' games and is the only Final Smash in ''Brawl'' that instantly knocks out its targets.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/fire-emblem-misc/ |title=Fire Emblem (Misc) |work=Hardcroe Gaming 101 |last=Kalata |first=Kurt |date=January 14, 2015 |access-date=September 11, 2024}}</ref> In the game's story mode, the "Subspace Emissary", he teams up with [[Ike (Nintendo)|Ike]] from ''[[Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance]]'' and ''[[Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn]]'' and [[Meta Knight]] from the ''[[Kirby (series)|Kirby]]'' series.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}} Marth is also playable in ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U]]'', using his character design from ''New Mystery of the Emblem''.<ref name="smashbros">{{cite web|url=http://www.smashbros.com/us/|title=Official Site – Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U|publisher=smashbros.com|access-date=October 23, 2015}}</ref> Like all other playable characters in these games, he received an [[Amiibo]] figure.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2015/1/14/7545311/marth-amiibo-us-code-name-steam |title=More Marth amiibo coming to US 'later this year,' Nintendo says |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |last=Sarkar |first=Samit |date=January 14, 2015 |access-date=September 11, 2024}}</ref> Lucina was also added to these games, featuring nearly identical moves, with the only difference being that the tip of Marth's sword does the most damage, while Lucina's sword is more balanced.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.destructoid.com/lucina-has-the-same-moves-as-marth-in-super-smash-bros/ |title=Lucina has the same moves as Marth in Super Smash Bros. |work=[[Destructoid]] |last=Hansen |first=Steven |date=July 15, 2014 |access-date=September 11, 2024}}</ref> Marth was confirmed in the June 2018 [[Nintendo Direct]] to return in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'' for the [[Nintendo Switch]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gamerant.com/super-smash-bros-ultimate-character-ability-details/amp/|title=Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Details Character Changes and Abilities – Game Rant|website=gamerant.com|date=June 12, 2018 }}</ref> Lucina was also included, being given the label of an Echo Fighter, a character closely based on another.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}


Additionally, by using his respective [[Amiibo]] figure, Marth can be unlocked as a playable character in both ''[[Code Name: S.T.E.A.M.]]'' and ''[[Fire Emblem Fates]]'' using the ''[[New Nintendo 3DS]]''' ''[[Near Field Communication]]'' function.<ref name=amiibodestructoid>{{cite web|last1=Carter|first1=Chris|title=Fire Emblem amiibo support for Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. doesn't add much|url=http://www.destructoid.com/fire-emblem-amiibo-support-for-code-name-s-t-e-a-m-doesn-t-add-much-288915.phtml|website=destructoid.com|date=March 12, 2015 |publisher=Destructoid|access-date=June 14, 2015}}</ref><ref name=amiiboIF>{{cite web|last1=Whitehead|first1=Thomas|title=Fire Emblem If Allows You to Build and Manage a Town, All Four Current FE amiibo Supported|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/05/fire_emblem_if_allows_you_to_build_and_manage_a_town_all_four_current_fe_amiibo_supported|website=nintendolife.com|date=May 31, 2015 |access-date=June 14, 2015}}</ref>
By using Marth's respective [[Amiibo]] figure, Marth can be unlocked as a playable character in the games ''[[Code Name: S.T.E.A.M.]]'' and ''[[Fire Emblem Fates]]'' using the ''[[New Nintendo 3DS]]''' ''[[Near Field Communication]]'' function.<ref name="amiibodestructoid">{{cite web |last1=Carter |first1=Chris |date=March 12, 2015 |title=Fire Emblem amiibo support for Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. doesn't add much |url=http://www.destructoid.com/fire-emblem-amiibo-support-for-code-name-s-t-e-a-m-doesn-t-add-much-288915.phtml |access-date=June 14, 2015 |website=destructoid.com |publisher=Destructoid}}</ref><ref name="amiiboIF">{{cite web |last1=Whitehead |first1=Thomas |date=May 31, 2015 |title=Fire Emblem If Allows You to Build and Manage a Town, All Four Current FE amiibo Supported |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/05/fire_emblem_if_allows_you_to_build_and_manage_a_town_all_four_current_fe_amiibo_supported |access-date=June 14, 2015 |website=nintendolife.com}}</ref> Marth also appears in a crossover between ''Fire Emblem Heroes'' and ''Dragalia Lost''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.siliconera.com/watch-siliconera-play-through-the-dragalia-lost-fire-emblem-lost-heroes-event/ |title=Watch Siliconera Play Through The Dragalia Lost Fire Emblem Lost Heroes Event |work=Siliconera |last=Lada |first=Jenni |date=May 1, 2019 |access-date=September 11, 2024}}</ref>


===In other media===
===In other media===
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Marth is featured as a card in both of the final expansion sets for the ''Fire Emblem Trading Card Game'' along with other characters from ''Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem'', and also appears as a promotional card.<ref name="anime">{{cite news|title='Serenes Forest/Fire Emblem' |url=http://serenesforest.net/media/fetcg_p.html |access-date=February 7, 2008 |work=Serenes Forest |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080308191353/http://serenesforest.net/media/fetcg_p.html |archive-date=March 8, 2008 }}</ref>
Marth is featured as a card in both of the final expansion sets for the ''Fire Emblem Trading Card Game'' along with other characters from ''Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem'', and also appears as a promotional card.<ref name="anime">{{cite news|title='Serenes Forest/Fire Emblem' |url=http://serenesforest.net/media/fetcg_p.html |access-date=February 7, 2008 |work=Serenes Forest |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080308191353/http://serenesforest.net/media/fetcg_p.html |archive-date=March 8, 2008 }}</ref>


==Character==
==Reception==
⚫
Marth has received generally positive reception, identified as the most famous character in the series by ''[[Official Nintendo Magazine]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/37171/first-fire-emblem-3ds-dlc-confirmed/ |title=First Fire Emblem 3DS DLC confirmed |author=East, Thomas |date=April 10, 2012 |work=[[Official Nintendo Magazine]] |access-date=July 28, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206182253/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/37171/first-fire-emblem-3ds-dlc-confirmed/ |archive-date=December 6, 2013 }}</ref> and a popular character by ''[[GamesRadar]]'' and ''[[IGN]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/fire-emblem-awakening-character-guide/|title=Fire Emblem: Awakening character guide|author=Concepcion, Miguel|date=February 13, 2013|publisher=[[GamesRadar]]|access-date=July 28, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/02/02/playing-fire-emblem-awakenings-marth-dlc|title=Playing Fire Emblem Awakening's Marth DLC|author=Drake, Audrey|date=February 1, 2013|website=IGN|access-date=July 28, 2013}}</ref> A ''Fire Emblem: Awakening'' poll conducted by [[Nintendo of America]] found that Marth was the most popular character among participants.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2013/03/26/65044.html |title=米国任天堂、『ファイアーエムブレム 覚醒』人気キャラ投票実施 ― 海外ではマルスが人気 |work=Inside Games |date=March 26, 2013 |access-date=August 24, 2024}}</ref> In North American Fire Emblem character popularity polls running up to the release of Fire Emblem Heroes, Marth was ranked number 6th out of all Fire Emblem male characters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/fire-emblem-heroes-fan-favorites-poll-led-by-ike-roy-lucina-lyn-and-tharja|title=Fire Emblem Heroes Fan Favorites Poll Led By Ike, Roy, Lucina, Lyn, and Tharja|website=USgamer.net|date=January 27, 2017|access-date=October 11, 2018|archive-date=August 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803074133/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/fire-emblem-heroes-fan-favorites-poll-led-by-ike-roy-lucina-lyn-and-tharja|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Inside Games'' writer Gawai Strings felt that Marth was a particularly important character in the series due to him being the first protagonist of a ''Fire Emblem'' remake and the first of a ''Fire Emblem'' two-parter. They argued that he was the face of the series and among the most frequently appearing.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2023/01/17/143204.html |title=『FE エンゲージ』に登場する「マルス」って誰？ どんな力を貸してくれるの？─英雄王の二つ名を持ち、『スマブラ』でも大活躍 |work=Inside Games |author=Gawai Strings |date=January 17, 2023 |access-date=August 24, 2024}}</ref>
In the story set in the kingdom of Altea, the hero Marth gathered an army to recapture and restore his home and the rest of the Archanea continent, and is the warrior who twice slew the Shadow Dragon Medeus.<ref name="Character Profile">{{cite news|title='Absolute Anime/Fire Emblem/Marth'|url=http://www.absoluteanime.com/fire_emblem/marth.htm|access-date=September 23, 2007|work=Absolute Anime}}</ref> Being in the first ''Fire Emblem'' game, ''Ankoku Ryū to Hikari no Ken'' he is the first Lord (main character) of the ''Fire Emblem'' series. Typical of most ''Fire Emblem'' "Lords" in successive games, he is a swordsman with a slim build and wears a cape; he shows nobility and justness in both of the ''Fire Emblem'' games that he appears in, though he also shows himself to be somewhat single-minded in his pursuit in ''Shadow Dragon''. He also has difficulty in expressing his romantic feelings for the character Caeda in that game's epilogue (if she survived). His nobility of character has carried over to the anime, in which he is fighting against villains.<ref name="anime"/> His father Cornelius was the King of Altea, his elder sister Elice is the Princess of Altea, and Caeda becomes his queen at the end of the game. Marth wields the Divine Blade of Legends, Falchion, as his main weapon in both the ''Fire Emblem'' games and ''Super Smash Bros.'' series.<ref name="Falchion">{{cite news|title='Guides: Super Smash Bros Melee' |url=http://uk.guides.ign.com/guides/16387/page_27.html |access-date=September 23, 2007 |work=[[IGN]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015010802/http://uk.guides.ign.com/guides/16387/page_27.html |archive-date=October 15, 2007 }}</ref>


Marth's inclusion in the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series of video games popularized both him and ''Fire Emblem'' in the West; it is cited as a reason Nintendo began releasing the games internationally,<ref name="fe6m"/> beginning with ''[[Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade|The Blazing Blade]]''.<ref name="fe7m"/> Series producer Toru Narihiro attributed an increase in reputation for both Marth and fellow ''Fire Emblem'' character [[Ike (Nintendo)|Ike]] to their appearances in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', adding that their reputations grew beyond the staff's expectations.<ref name="NinShadow"/> ''Die Hard Game Fan'' writer Aileen Coe stated that, at the time of the release of the 2003 ''[[Fire Emblem: Blazing Sword]]'', American fans were expecting to see Marth in the game, believing a character to be Marth due to having blue hair.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://diehardgamefan.com/2009/02/27/review-fire-emblem-shadow-dragon-nds/ |title=Review: Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon (Nintendo DS) |work=Die Hard Game Fan |last=Coe |first=Aileen |date=February 27, 2009 |access-date=August 24, 2024}}</ref> ''[[GamesRadar+]]'' writer Henry Gilbert noted that Marth's use of a sword and his blue sword served as an inspiration for future ''Fire Emblem'' protagonists, including [[Ike (Fire Emblem)|Ike]], [[Hector (Fire Emblem)|Hector]], and [[Ephraim (Fire Emblem)|Ephraim]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/what-fire-emblem/ |title=What is Fire Emblem? Learn about the classic SRPG |work=[[GamesRadar+]] |last=Gilbert |first=Henry |date=February 1, 2013 |access-date=September 10, 2024}}</ref> ''RPGFan'' writer Josh Louis stated that he first learned of Marth's existence from ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'', remarking how excited he was to play as him in a ''Fire Emblem'' game with the announcement of ''Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rpgfan.com/feature/so-you-want-to-get-into-the-fire-emblem-series/ |title=So you want to get into the Fire Emblem Series… |work=RPGFan |last=Louis |first=Josh |date=September 3, 2021 |access-date=September 10, 2024}}</ref> Marth's [[Amiibo]] figure became a rare collectible, fetching prices several times higher than the [[list price]] on second-hand markets. This rarity was attributed to its low stock when compared to figures for characters like [[Mario]] and [[Link (The Legend of Zelda)|Link]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2014-12-12-amiibo-shortage.html |title=What's going on with Nintendo's Amiibo figurines? |work=[[Engadget]] |last=Seppala |first=Timothy J. |date=December 12, 2014 |access-date=September 11, 2024}}</ref> ''Shack News'' writer David Craddock felt that the "mystery" surrounding Marth and Roy in ''Super Smash Bros.'' made them more appealing to players. He also felt that there was excitement among fans over discovering a new series, giving them the opportunity to experience new characters, stories, and gameplay.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/98904/how-super-smash-bros-melee-introduced-fire-emblem-to-western-audiences |title=How Super Smash Bros. Melee Introduced Fire Emblem to Western Audiences |work=Shack News |last=Craddock |first=David |date=February 3, 2017 |access-date=September 11, 2024}}</ref>
One hundred years had passed since Medeus was slain in Archanea. Once Medeus was resurrected he rebuilt his land of Dolhr, readying himself for an invasion of Archanea once again. After the attack from Dolhr, Marth was forced into exile on the island nation of Talys. His father, Cornelius, was killed battling Gharnef, an evil priest and a devout follower of Medeus; his elder sister Elice was taken hostage.<ref name="Character Profile"/> He had also discovered that Altea's neighbor and ally Gra has betrayed the kingdom, due to Gharnef's manipulations and King Jiol's cowardice. With the help of the Altean knight Jagen, the Talysian Princess Caeda, and other characters, Marth embarks on a quest to defeat Medeus, reclaim the kingdom of Altea, and rescue his sister. Marth meets Nyna, the princess of Archanea-the most prominent kingdom—who gave him the country's national treasure, the Fire Emblem. Marth later obtains the Falchion sword, which was stolen from his father by Gharnef. He uses it to confront Medeus.

After the defeat of Medeus, Marth was engaged to Caeda and spent his days peacefully in Altea. It wasn't until rumours had it that Hardin—a former ally and friend of Marth—had begun to conquer various countries in Archanea with the help of the Manaketes<ref name="Localisation changes">{{cite news|title='Localisation changes 1' |url=http://serenesforest.net/general/local.htm |access-date=July 26, 2007 |date=July 26, 2007 |work=Serenes Forest |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080108014957/http://serenesforest.net/general/local.htm |archive-date=January 8, 2008 }}</ref> that Marth was forced to leave his rule of Altea to investigate. When Marth and his men gathered at Grust, several of his former allies were fleeing, or some were murdered during the pillages of Hardin. Marth then travelled to Macedonia where he reunited with Linde, a mage of Archanea, who had been keeping the Fire Emblem safe from harm. He discovers that several magical spheres are needed for the Fire Emblem to regain its true power. Marth retrieves most of the spheres, only to realize that Hardin had conquered Altea in his absence. He leaves to see Gra, a kingdom that had seen a similar fate to what happened to Altea. He meets Sheema, Gra's princess, who had left Gra when her father decided to betray Altea as she wanted no part in it.

After reaching his palace, Marth defeats Hardin,<ref name="Go Marth!">{{cite news|title='Fire Emblem for SSBM players' |url=http://members.aol.com/rukesriese/fe/fe_for_ssbm.html |access-date=September 23, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080314013419/http://members.aol.com/rukesriese/fe/fe_for_ssbm.html |archive-date=March 14, 2008 }}</ref> obtaining the Darksphere. The spheres are placed on the Fire Emblem, which becomes the Shield of Seals. Marth discovers that Hardin wasn't really evil and was possessed by the evil priest Gharnef himself through the Darksphere. He then heads to Dolhr where Gharnef lurks. After Gharnef is defeated, all that remains is the new reborn Medeus, guarded by Earth Dragons and possessed clerics, including his sister, Elice, and Princess Nyna. The Shield of Seals emits a power that forces the Earth Dragons to retreat, giving Marth's army the opportunity to save the clerics and for Marth to defeat Medeus once and for all with a slash of Falchion.<ref name="Medeus dead">{{cite news|title='Fire Emblem: dark Dragon of Darkness and Sword of Light'|url=http://uk.cheats.ign.com/objects/015/015736.html|access-date=September 23, 2007|work=[[IGN]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015010737/http://uk.cheats.ign.com/objects/015/015736.html|archive-date=October 15, 2007}}</ref> Afterward, Marth is declared Emperor of Archanea and is finally married to Caeda.

==Reception==
⚫
Marth was noted to be the most famous character in the series by ''[[Official Nintendo Magazine]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/37171/first-fire-emblem-3ds-dlc-confirmed/ |title=First Fire Emblem 3DS DLC confirmed |author=East, Thomas |date=April 10, 2012 |work=[[Official Nintendo Magazine]] |access-date=July 28, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206182253/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/37171/first-fire-emblem-3ds-dlc-confirmed/ |archive-date=December 6, 2013 }}</ref> and a popular character by ''[[GamesRadar]]'' and ''[[IGN]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/fire-emblem-awakening-character-guide/|title=Fire Emblem: Awakening character guide|author=Concepcion, Miguel|date=February 13, 2013|publisher=[[GamesRadar]]|access-date=July 28, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/02/02/playing-fire-emblem-awakenings-marth-dlc|title=Playing Fire Emblem Awakening's Marth DLC|author=Drake, Audrey|date=February 1, 2013|website=IGN|access-date=July 28, 2013}}</ref> In North American Fire Emblem character popularity polls running up to the release of Fire Emblem Heroes, Marth was ranked number 6th out of all Fire Emblem male characters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/fire-emblem-heroes-fan-favorites-poll-led-by-ike-roy-lucina-lyn-and-tharja|title=Fire Emblem Heroes Fan Favorites Poll Led By Ike, Roy, Lucina, Lyn, and Tharja|website=USgamer.net|date=January 27, 2017|access-date=October 11, 2018|archive-date=August 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803074133/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/fire-emblem-heroes-fan-favorites-poll-led-by-ike-roy-lucina-lyn-and-tharja|url-status=dead}}</ref> Marth's inclusion in the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series of video games popularized both him and ''Fire Emblem'' in the West; it was in part because of his inclusion that Nintendo began releasing the games internationally beginning with ''[[Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade|The Blazing Blade]]''.<ref name="Fire Emblem Details"/> Series producer Toru Narihiro attributed an increase in reputation for both Marth and fellow ''Fire Emblem'' character [[Ike (Nintendo)|Ike]] to their appearances in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', adding that their reputations grew beyond the staff's expectations.<ref name="NinShadow"/> ''[[UGO Networks]]'' remarked Marth is "cool" because he is a "blade-wielding fighter who is both quick and strong", adding he is "one of the more capable fighters on the roster" of ''Brawl''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ugo.com/games/super-smash-bros-characters-marth |title=Marth – Smash Bros. Characters |date=February 12, 2008 |publisher=[[UGO Networks]] |access-date=July 28, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131205020959/http://www.ugo.com/games/super-smash-bros-characters-marth |archive-date=December 5, 2013 }}</ref> In 2013, ''[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]'' ranked him 36th among the 50 greatest soldiers in video games.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Hunter, Chad |author2=Rougeau, Michael |url=http://www.complex.com/video-games/2013/05/the-50-greatest-soldiers-in-video-games/marth|title=36. Marth The 50 Greatest Soldiers In Video Games|work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|date=May 25, 2013|access-date=July 28, 2013}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*{{in lang|ja}} [https://www.nintendo.co.jp/fe/fe_museum/ankoku/character/index.html#01 FIRE EMBLEM MUSEUM Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryū to Hikari no Tsurugi（Marth）] at [[Nintendo|Nintendo Co., Ltd. (NCL)]]
*{{in lang|ja}} [https://www.nintendo.co.jp/fe/fe_museum/monsyo/character/monsyo_character01.html#01 FIRE EMBLEM MUSEUM Fire Emblem: Monshō no Nazo website（Ankokusensouhen no Marth）] at NCL
*{{in lang|ja}} [https://www.nintendo.co.jp/fe/fe_museum/monsyo/character/monsyo_sec_character01.html#01 FIRE EMBLEM MUSEUM Fire Emblem: Monshō no Nazo website（Eiyūsensouhen no Marth）] at NCL
*[http://www.fireemblemwiki.org/wiki/Marth Marth] at [https://fireemblemwiki.org/wiki/Main_Page Fire Emblem Wiki]


{{Fire Emblem series}}
{{Fire Emblem series}}
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[[Category:Male characters in video games]]
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Revision as of 18:47, 26 September 2024

Marth
Fire Emblem character
Marth in the Fire Emblem Fates 4koma book
First appearanceFire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light[1] (1990)
Created byShouzou Kaga
Voiced by
In-universe information
RaceHuman
OriginArchanea

Marth (Japanese: マルス, Hepburn: Marusu) is a fictional character from the Fire Emblem series, developed by Intelligent Systems and owned by Nintendo. He is the protagonist and Lord class character in the first[5] and the third games in the series, Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light,[1] and Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem,[6] as well as their respective remakes, Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and Fire Emblem: New Mystery of the Emblem.

Marth's first appearance outside of Japan was in the Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem OVA.[7] Marth and Roy's inclusions in Nintendo's Super Smash Bros. series is cited as a reason Nintendo started releasing the games internationally,[8] starting with Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade.[9] On December 4, 2020, Marth's original Famicom game and the first installment in the Fire Emblem series was localized and released outside of Japan for the first time to commemorate the franchise's 30th anniversary.

Creation and development

Marth was one of the characters created for Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light by the game's designer and writer Shouzou Kaga. According to Kaga, though Marth takes a prominent role in the story, he is not technically the main protagonist, beyond being required to survive in battle. He stated that it was fine for people to see the story as revolving around any characters the player is partial to.[10] During early development, a scene would have depicted Marth kneeling in grief next to the body of his retainer Jagen in a pool of Jagen's blood: this was designed to be a symbolic moment of Marth violently coming of age by losing a father figure. Due to hardware limitations, this and other similar scenes needed to be cut.[11] Marth's character designer is currently unknown, though the graphics and character art for Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light was cooperatively handled by Tohru Ohsawa, Naotaka Ohnishi, Saotshi Machida and Toshitaka Muramatsu.[12] Marth's appearance underwent alterations for promotional posters, having a slightly different hairstyle and an altered shade of blue for his hair.[11]

Marth was redesigned for Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem by the game's character artist Katsuyoshi Koya.[13] For the first game's remake, Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon, Marth underwent a redesign. The staff's main aim for the redesign was to make the character look and feel fresh while not straying too far from what fans had come to expect.[14] His redesign was handled by Ghost in the Shell artist Masamune Shirow.[15] He was redesigned once again for the third game's remake, New Mystery of the Emblem, by Daisuke Izuka.[16] Marth's design for his appearance in downloadable content for Fire Emblem Awakening was by Senri Kita, the character artist for Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn. This, along with other character redesigns featured in the game's DLC, was dubbed an "underworld" design.[17] When designing Marth for Fire Emblem Warriors, the designers took input from female staff members involved in the game's development in order to make him more appealing to women. Director Usuda Hiroya noted that he was portrayed as a gentle character in Fire Emblem Awakening and Fire Emblem Fates, but adjusted his face and appearance to make him more manly. An interviewer remarked that male fans of the series viewed him as boyish.[18] When adding past characters to Fire Emblem Engage, the designers decided to include Marth first due to him being the first protagonist in the series.[19]

Super Smash Bros. developer Masahiro Sakurai initially wanted Marth to be part of the roster for the original game due to a desire for Fire Emblem to appear in the series and to have another sword fighter, but time constraints prevented this. Sakurai felt that Marth contrasted well with fellow Super Smash Bros. fighter Link, arguing that Marth was more technique-based while Link was strength-based. He later added Roy, the protagonist of Fire Emblem: Binding Blade, who was based on Marth's moveset.[11] The developers of Super Smash Bros. Melee originally intended to make Marth playable only in the Japanese version of the game, but when he garnered favorable attention during the game's North American localization, they decided to keep both him and fellow Fire Emblem protagonist Roy in the North American and European versions.[20] Sakurai redesigned the character for Super Smash Bros. Brawl, where he was included as a playable character alongside other Fire Emblem protagonists. By this time, Marth had also been redesigned for Shadow Dragon, with Sakurai being shocked when he saw it. He commented that, if he had known earlier, he would have incorporated the new design into the game rather than his own.[14] Marth's later appearances in the Super Smash Bros. series were brought in line with his design from New Mystery of the Emblem.

In the original video animation adaptation of Mystery of the Emblem, Marth was voiced by Hikaru Midorikawa, with Ai Orikasa voicing him as a child.[3][2] Midorikawa reprised the role in Super Smash Bros. Melee,[4][2] and his voice lines recorded for the game were reused in Super Smash Bros. Brawl[21] and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U.[11] Sakurai explained that these lines were reused due to liking his voice lines in Super Smash Bros. Melee so much. Due to not being contracted to voice Marth in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, Midorikawa believed Marth would not appear in it, and remarked that he wished to record lines for Marth in the Super Smash Bros. series again due to his voice being less young and wanting to reflect Marth looking cooler.[21] In the OVA's English dub, Marth was voiced by Spike Spencer. His name was localized as "Mars", which was put down to the vague pronunciation of the katakana of Marth's name.[22] Since Code Name: S.T.E.A.M., Marth has been voiced in all of his video game appearances by Yuri Lowenthal in English (except Tokyo Mirage Sessions ♯FE) and Hikaru Midorikawa in Japanese.[2]

Game appearances

Marth debuted in 1990 with the release of Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light in Japan.[1] He is portrayed as a well-liked figure in the game's story, gaining more allies as he progresses through the story.[23] He is a Lord, a class unique to him in this game.[24] Marth is forced to flee his home kingdom of Altea after it is invaded by an Military alliance of humans and Dragons led by the Shadow Dragon, Medeus and the Sorcerer Gharnef. He then goes on a quest to form a rebellion against Medeus, gathering allies from throughout the continent of Archanea such as his childhood friend, Princess Caeda, Jagen, his retainer, Nyna, the last survivor of Archanea's royal family and Hardin of Aurelis whom becames co-leader of the league Marth forms. He eventually obtains the legendary items, the Falchion Sword and Fire Emblem Shield, both of which later appear in other Fire Emblem titles.[25]

In the game's sequel, Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem, released on January 21, 1994, and in the 2010 extended remake, Fire Emblem: New Mystery of the Emblem, Marth returns to his role as the story's protagonist. Whilst on an expedition for his friend, Hardin, Marth is suddenly betrayed and his kingdom is invaded. Marth works together with his allies, finding out why Hardin changed, breaking the Curse of the Fire Emblem and facing a revived Gharnef and Shadow Dragon Medeus. In the game's ending, Marth marries Caeda and unites the Kingdoms of the continent.[26]

Marth is a significant figure in the Fire Emblem series.[23] Though Marth kills many people as part of warfare, he is known merciful and empathetic even to his foes. Marth's good nature often helps him win over former enemies and turn them into allies.[27]

In Fire Emblem Awakening, Marth is referenced when Lucina, his distant descendant disguises herself as Marth and, wearing a mask, actively claims to be him until her father, Chrom discovers her true identity. Marth is available as both a paid downloadable content character in the "Champions of Yore 1" DLC expansion, and as two different characters available through the "SpotPass" feature. Marth additionally appears in Fire Emblem Heroes in multiple different costumes and variations.[citation needed] Marth took second place among male Fire Emblem characters in the "Choose Your Legend" contest in Heroes, behind the Gatekeeper from Fire Emblem: Three Houses, resulting in him receiving a legendary variant. He had narrowly missed out on entering the top two multiple times beforehand.[28]

Marth returns in Fire Emblem Engage, as a partner to the game's protagonist Alear. Along with other previous protagonists of the series, Marth is summoned as an "Emblem," a replica of the original Marth. He fights alongside Alear to defeat the Fell Dragon Sombron.[29]

Marth debuted in the Super Smash Bros. series in Super Smash Bros. Melee, where he is an unlockable character alongside fellow Fire Emblem protagonist Roy.[30][8] He is an agile character and fights with his Falchion, with the most power being concentrated in the tip of his blade. He has a technique that allows him to charge a sword slash, as well as a counterattack that deals damage back to opponents if they attack him during this technique. He also has a Sword Dance attack that requires specific input in order to have Marth execute each sword slash.[30] Marth reappears in the 2008 Wii title Super Smash Bros. Brawl, where his moveset was largely unchanged, with the exception of an easier Sword Dance execution and a shortening of his sword. He also gets a Final Smash, an extra powerful attack, called Critical Hit, where he dashes forth and deals a powerful sword blow. This attack is accompanied by a health meter from the Fire Emblem games and is the only Final Smash in Brawl that instantly knocks out its targets.[31] In the game's story mode, the "Subspace Emissary", he teams up with Ike from Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance and Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn and Meta Knight from the Kirby series.[citation needed] Marth is also playable in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, using his character design from New Mystery of the Emblem.[32] Like all other playable characters in these games, he received an Amiibo figure.[33] Lucina was also added to these games, featuring nearly identical moves, with the only difference being that the tip of Marth's sword does the most damage, while Lucina's sword is more balanced.[34] Marth was confirmed in the June 2018 Nintendo Direct to return in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for the Nintendo Switch.[35] Lucina was also included, being given the label of an Echo Fighter, a character closely based on another.[citation needed]

By using Marth's respective Amiibo figure, Marth can be unlocked as a playable character in the games Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. and Fire Emblem Fates using the New Nintendo 3DS' Near Field Communication function.[36][37] Marth also appears in a crossover between Fire Emblem Heroes and Dragalia Lost.[38]

In other media

An anime under the title Fire Emblem was released in 1996, adapting a part of the first game's plot. Marth's name is romanized as 'Mars' and he is given the surname of 'Lowell'. The anime ended production after only two episodes were finished.[39] The OVA was released in the United States in April 1998.[7] Marth is featured as a card in both of the final expansion sets for the Fire Emblem Trading Card Game along with other characters from Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem, and also appears as a promotional card.[40]

Reception

Marth has received generally positive reception, identified as the most famous character in the series by Official Nintendo Magazine[41] and a popular character by GamesRadar and IGN.[42][43] A Fire Emblem: Awakening poll conducted by Nintendo of America found that Marth was the most popular character among participants.[44] In North American Fire Emblem character popularity polls running up to the release of Fire Emblem Heroes, Marth was ranked number 6th out of all Fire Emblem male characters.[45] Inside Games writer Gawai Strings felt that Marth was a particularly important character in the series due to him being the first protagonist of a Fire Emblem remake and the first of a Fire Emblem two-parter. They argued that he was the face of the series and among the most frequently appearing.[46]

Marth's inclusion in the Super Smash Bros. series of video games popularized both him and Fire Emblem in the West; it is cited as a reason Nintendo began releasing the games internationally,[8] beginning with The Blazing Blade.[9] Series producer Toru Narihiro attributed an increase in reputation for both Marth and fellow Fire Emblem character Ike to their appearances in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, adding that their reputations grew beyond the staff's expectations.[14] Die Hard Game Fan writer Aileen Coe stated that, at the time of the release of the 2003 Fire Emblem: Blazing Sword, American fans were expecting to see Marth in the game, believing a character to be Marth due to having blue hair.[47] GamesRadar+ writer Henry Gilbert noted that Marth's use of a sword and his blue sword served as an inspiration for future Fire Emblem protagonists, including Ike, Hector, and Ephraim.[48] RPGFan writer Josh Louis stated that he first learned of Marth's existence from Super Smash Bros. Melee, remarking how excited he was to play as him in a Fire Emblem game with the announcement of Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon.[49] Marth's Amiibo figure became a rare collectible, fetching prices several times higher than the list price on second-hand markets. This rarity was attributed to its low stock when compared to figures for characters like Mario and Link.[50] Shack News writer David Craddock felt that the "mystery" surrounding Marth and Roy in Super Smash Bros. made them more appealing to players. He also felt that there was excitement among fans over discovering a new series, giving them the opportunity to experience new characters, stories, and gameplay.[51]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon Official websiteat Nintendo of Europe". Nintendo.co.uk. November 24, 2011. Retrieved August 4, 2012.[dead link]
  2. ^ a b c d e "Marth Voices (Fire Emblem)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved November 29, 2020. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of the title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  3. ^ a b c Misawa, Shin (Director) (January 26, 1996). Faiā Emuburemu Monshō no Nazo [Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem] (Anime) (in Japanese). Japan: KSS. Event occurs at the end credits at 25:13.
  4. ^ a b HAL Laboratory. Super Smash Bros. Melee. Nintendo. Scene: Ending credits, 0:26 in, Voice.
  5. ^ "'Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryu to Hikari no Tsurugi'". NinDB. Archived from the original on June 19, 2010. Retrieved September 23, 2007.
  6. ^ "'IGN: Fire Emblem: Monshō no Nazo'". IGN. Archived from the original on January 22, 2010. Retrieved September 23, 2007.
  7. ^ a b "Fire Emblem". ADV Films. January 2, 1998. Archived from the original on February 21, 1998. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  8. ^ a b c East, Thomas (April 13, 2013). "Fire Emblem through the ages (page 6)". Official Nintendo Magazine. Archived from the original on October 10, 2014. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  9. ^ a b East, Thomas (April 13, 2013). "Fire Emblem through the ages (page 7)". Official Nintendo Magazine. Archived from the original on October 10, 2014. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  10. ^ blackoak. "Fire Emblem – Developer Interviews". Shmuplations. Archived from the original on May 3, 2016. Retrieved August 31, 2016.
  11. ^ a b c d メイキング オブ ファイアーエムブレム 開発秘話で綴る25周年、覚醒そしてif (in Japanese). Tokuma Shoten. November 28, 2015. ISBN 978-4-1986-4056-9.
  12. ^ ファイアーエムブレム百科 (in Japanese). Shogakukan. 1990. ISBN 4-0910-4115-9.
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  18. ^ Gawai Strings (September 27, 2017). "【TGS2017】ACTが苦手でも大丈夫？ロストし続けるとどうなる？―『ファイアーエムブレム無双』開発陣に気になるアレコレを訊く". Inside Games. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
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  20. ^ 速報スマブラ拳!! : マルス (in Japanese). Archived from the original on April 14, 2016. Retrieved March 15, 2015. 海外版では外す覚悟でマルスを作っていたのですが、キャラを立てた結果、海外のかたにも絶賛され、結果日本と全く同じ仕様で搭載されています。
  21. ^ a b Midorikawa, Hikaru (March 28, 2008). "ターゲット・ロックオン!!" [Target Lockon!!]. Dengeki PlayStation. Vol. 414, no. March 28, 2008. MediaWorks. p. 117.
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  25. ^ "インタビュー 『アルスラーン戦記』×『ファイアーエムブレム Echoes』 "ヒロイックファンタジーを語る"（後編）". Nintendo Dream. July 21, 2018. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  26. ^ https://www.nintendo.com/jp/fe/characters/smashbros/detail/marth02.html
  27. ^ "Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryu to Hikari no Tsurugi". nintendo.com.
  28. ^ Daisuke, Ankoro (February 2, 2021). "「ファイアーエムブレム」第5回総選挙、結果発表！　1位はまさかのモブキャラ「門番」に". IT Media. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  29. ^ Van Aken, Alex (September 13, 2022). "Marth Returns In Fire Emblem Engage, Releasing January 2023". Game Informer.
  30. ^ a b "Smash Moves: Marth". IGN. January 24, 2002. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
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  32. ^ "Official Site – Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U". smashbros.com. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
  33. ^ Sarkar, Samit (January 14, 2015). "More Marth amiibo coming to US 'later this year,' Nintendo says". Polygon. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  34. ^ Hansen, Steven (July 15, 2014). "Lucina has the same moves as Marth in Super Smash Bros". Destructoid. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
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  40. ^ "'Serenes Forest/Fire Emblem'". Serenes Forest. Archived from the original on March 8, 2008. Retrieved February 7, 2008.
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  42. ^ Concepcion, Miguel (February 13, 2013). "Fire Emblem: Awakening character guide". GamesRadar. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  43. ^ Drake, Audrey (February 1, 2013). "Playing Fire Emblem Awakening's Marth DLC". IGN. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  44. ^ "米国任天堂、『ファイアーエムブレム 覚醒』人気キャラ投票実施 ― 海外ではマルスが人気". Inside Games. March 26, 2013. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
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  46. ^ Gawai Strings (January 17, 2023). "『FE エンゲージ』に登場する「マルス」って誰？ どんな力を貸してくれるの？─英雄王の二つ名を持ち、『スマブラ』でも大活躍". Inside Games. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  47. ^ Coe, Aileen (February 27, 2009). "Review: Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon (Nintendo DS)". Die Hard Game Fan. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
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  49. ^ Louis, Josh (September 3, 2021). "So you want to get into the Fire Emblem Series…". RPGFan. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
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  51. ^ Craddock, David (February 3, 2017). "How Super Smash Bros. Melee Introduced Fire Emblem to Western Audiences". Shack News. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
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