Sun Tzu and Anime: Bofuri Part II Character Analysis
The temperature is slowly dropping, so let’s warm up with more of Sun Tzu’s genius rating anime’s finest.
As a quick refresher, here’s how the rating system works. Sun Tzu cited Five Essential Factors to be Mastered for Victory: Morality, Weather, Terrain, Good Leadership, and Preparation. All under consideration can earn 0-10 points in each category. However, he also cited Five Fatal Failings of Leadership: Recklessness, Cowardice, A Hasty Temper (Anger for simplicity), Delicacy of Honor (DOH), and Caring Too Much About the Troops (Over-caring). All under consideration can lose 0-10 points in each category. At the end, the scores are tallied, and the results reveal how effective a character is in Sun Tzu’s eyes, with the best aiming for 40 or better.
This time, we’re returning to Bofuri to analyze the primary members of the Order of the Holy Sword and Kingdom of the Flame Emperors. We met Maple and the Maple Tree Guild last time. As always, to keep things fair, we’ll analyze these characters in the order they were formally introduced and confine things to the first season to limit spoilers.
Character Analysis: Frederica
Bofuri: Frederica
Bofuri: Frederica
Victory Factors
Factor
Score
Reasoning
Morality
5
She had a good start by helping Maple when she was a newbie, yet soon got very caustic after her encounters with the latter’s Guild, Maple Tree.
Weather
10
Thanks to her magic, experience, and skills, this isn’t an issue.
Terrain
5
She’s got good instincts, but isn’t very observant and often very clumsy, like when Sally caught her trying to spy on Maple Tree.
Good Leadership
3
She has some tactical skills, yet ultimately is more follower than leader.
Preparation
5
She’s a potent sorcerer and very familiar with most Guilds, but wasn’t the least bit ready for Maple’s outside-the-box approach or Sally’s wits.
Total
28
Fatal Failings
Failing
Score
Reasoning
Recklessness
-9
Major red flag. She completely underestimated Maple Tree, and is often very careless, most infamously by falling for Sally’s bluff, which made her mishandle their initial encounter in the 4th event.
Cowardice
-5
She froze after realizing Sally tricked her, then panicked when Maple activated Atrocity.
Anger
-7
Slight red flag. She’s got a temper, one which steadily worsens throughout the season, namely after the final battle.
Delicacy of Honor
-7
Slight red flag. She’s very cocky, something which badly cost her with Sally, as well as when she had Dread raid Maple Tree’s base.
Over-caring
-3
She cares for her teammates, and grudgingly respects Maple Tree.
Total
-31
Final Assessment
Score: -3 (Nightmare scenario)
Character Analysis: Drag
Bofuri: Drag
Bofuri: Drag
Victory Factors
Factor
Score
Reasoning
Morality
6
He’s good at heart, but can sometimes get really mean, like when he cruelly taunted Mai and Yui during the final battle.
Weather
10
Thanks to his strength, magic, and experience, this isn’t an issue.
Terrain
7
He’s quick, agile, and has a keen eye, yet got badly caught off-guard by Maple.
Good Leadership
5
He’s assertive and driven, but ultimately is more follower than leader.
Preparation
5
He’s well-trained, yet never tried to learn about Maple Tree’s members despite all the rumors about them.
Total
33
Fatal Failings
Failing
Score
Reasoning
Recklessness
-9
Major red flag. He often underestimates foes, and can get extremely careless, such as when he openly used numerous skills on opposing Guilds in the 4th event.
Cowardice
-2
He froze when Maple used Atrocity, but that was an exception.
Anger
-4
He’s got a slight temper, yet not enough to really worry.
Delicacy of Honor
-8
Serious red flag. He’s very cocky, something which badly cost him when he didn’t finish off Kuromu, giving Maple the opportunity to defeat Payne.
Over-caring
-3
He’s very close to his Guild-mates, and respects Maple Tree.
Total
-26
Final Assessment
Score: 7 (Nightmare scenario)
Character Analysis: Payne
Bofuri: Payne
Bofuri: Payne
Victory Factors
Factor
Score
Reasoning
Morality
6
He’s actually a good person and loyal companion, but totally relentless about proving himself, such as when he admitted the thought of fighting Maple “excited” him.
Weather
10
Due to his speed, strength, and magic, this isn’t an issue.
Terrain
8
He’s incredibly capable, most famously when facing multiple foes near the bridge in the 4th event, yet got blindsided by Maple’s Counter and Atrocity skills.
Good Leadership
5
He can handle difficult personalities, but frequently goes rogue in battle.
Preparation
7
He’s well-trained and incredibly versatile, yet mostly winged the 4th event.
Total
36
Fatal Failings
Failing
Score
Reasoning
Recklessness
-9
Major red flag. He constantly underestimates foes, and was extremely careless against Maple, namely when he leapt in the air to finish her off, leaving him dangerously exposed.
Cowardice
0
He’s very bold, so no worries here.
Anger
-4
He’s got a temper, but not enough to really worry.
Delicacy of Honor
-10
Epic red flag. He’s extremely cocky, something which led to his attacking Maple Tree’s base with only Holy Sword’s top fighters, all because he thought that was enough.
Over-caring
-3
He cares about his fellow Guild-mates, and respects Maple.
Total
-26
Final Assessment
Score: 10 (Great potential, yet deeply flawed)
Character Analysis: Dread
Bofuri: Dread
Bofuri: Dread
Victory Factors
Factor
Score
Reasoning
Morality
6
He’s got a good heart, yet can sometimes be vicious, like when he taunted Mai and Yui while infiltrating Maple Tree’s base.
Weather
10
Thanks to his strength, speed, and skill, this isn’t an issue.
Terrain
8
He’s incredibly agile and observant, plus has great stealth abilities. However, he still got blindsided by Sally and Maple during the 4th event.
Good Leadership
5
He’s a good tactician, yet ultimately tends to vary between follower and lone wolf.
Preparation
5
He’s well-trained and a great improvisor, but also fell for Sally’s deception and doesn’t always plan very well.
Total
34
Fatal Failings
Failing
Score
Reasoning
Recklessness
-9
Major red flag. He often underestimates foes, and carelessly disregarded most warning signs about Maple Tree, issues that got him defeated twice.
Cowardice
-3
He froze a few times, yet not enough to worry.
Anger
-3
He’s got a slight temper, but not enough to worry here either.
Delicacy of Honor
-7
Slight red flag. He’s very cocky, hence his famously dismissing Payne’s concerns about Maple Tree by saying, “I think you worry too much”.
Over-caring
-5
He’s close to his Guild-mates, and respects Maple Tree.
Total
-27
Final Assessment
Score: 7 (Nightmare scenario)
Character Analysis: Mii
Bofuri: Mii
Bofuri: Mii
Victory Factors
Factor
Score
Reasoning
Morality
7
She’s a good person and loyal companion, although she sometimes gets selfish under pressure, especially when her friends are in danger.
Weather
10
Thanks to her strength, skill, and knowledge of fire magic, this isn’t an issue.
Terrain
8
She’s extremely quick, agile, and has great instincts, but still got caught off-guard by the other Guilds during the 4th event.
Good Leadership
5
She’s charismatic and a great organizer, yet tends to go rogue and doesn’t always know when to retreat.
Preparation
5
She’s a brilliant fire mage and improvisor, but mostly wings combat.
Total
35
Fatal Failings
Failing
Score
Reasoning
Recklessness
-9
Major red flag. She often underestimates foes, gets extremely impulsive when she’s angry, and is very careless, issues that badly cost her when Maple, Mai, and Yui attacked the Flame Emperors’ base.
Cowardice
-7
Slight red flag. She’s secretly very insecure, a flaw she first revealed after Sally escaped, then again when she lost to Maple; she also freaked out when the latter appeared in her Atrocity form.
Anger
-8
Serious red flag. She’s a hothead, and easily triggered, most famously when Maple used Machine God, although she also snapped when the Flame Emperors were surrounded during the 4th event’s finale.
Delicacy of Honor
-7
Slight red flag. She’s very proud, hence her using Self-Destruct on Maple when she could have retreated after running out of MP, then losing it after learning she failed.
Over-caring
-5
She’s very close to her Guild-mates, and respects Maple Tree.
Total
-36
Final Assessment
Score: -1 (Nightmare scenario)
Character Analysis: Misery the Cleric
Bofuri: Misery the Cleric
Bofuri: Misery the Cleric
Victory Factors
Factor
Score
Reasoning
Morality
10
She’s a wonderful person: generous, sweet, and very empathetic, particularly with Mii and Marcus.
Weather
10
Thanks to her magic, skill, and experience, this isn’t an issue.
Terrain
8
She’s observant and has a keen eye, yet still got caught off-guard by Maple’s Machine God form.
Good Leadership
5
She’s a great motivator and healer, but ultimately is more follower than leader.
Preparation
5
She’s well-trained and a good planner, yet mostly wings everything else.
Total
38
Fatal Failings
Failing
Score
Reasoning
Recklessness
-7
Slight red flag. She badly underestimated Maple, and was very careless during the 4th event’s finale, where rival Guilds nearly overran the Flame Emperors.
Cowardice
-2
She froze when Maple activated Machine God, but that was an exception.
Anger
0
She doesn’t get angry, so no worries here.
Delicacy of Honor
-2
She’s a tad vain, but not enough to worry here either.
Over-caring
-7
Slight red flag. She’s very protective of her Guild-mates, hence her famously sacrificing herself to shield Mii; she also respects Maple Tree.
Total
-18
Final Assessment
Score: 20 (Capable, yet moderately flawed)
Character Analysis: Marcus the Trapper
Bofuri: Marcus the Trapper
Bofuri: Marcus the Trapper
Victory Factors
Factor
Score
Reasoning
Morality
7
Despite his droopy nature, he’s a great person and loyal ally, especially with Misery.
Weather
10
Due to his experience, skill, and keen eye, this isn’t an issue.
Terrain
8
He’s very capable, namely with spotting potential weak points, but still got badly caught off-guard by Maple, Yui, and Mai.
Good Leadership
2
He’s got some tactical ability, yet ultimately is more follower than leader.
Preparation
6
He did an amazing job laying out the 3rd event ambush and the Flame Emperors’ base defenses, but wings everything else.
Total
33
Fatal Failings
Failing
Score
Reasoning
Recklessness
-8
Serious red flag. He badly underestimated the other Guilds, and was extremely careless when planning for Maple’s appearance, like when he used poison traps despite her obvious immunity to such.
Cowardice
-9
Major red flag. He’s very wishy-washy, hence his perpetually needing reassurance to keep motivated, not to mention prematurely giving up when the Flame Emperors were swarmed.
Anger
-2
He’s got a slight temper, yet not enough to worry.
Delicacy of Honor
0
He’s very modest, so no worries here.
Over-caring
-6
He’s very close to his Guild-mates, and respects Maple Tree.
Total
-25
Final Assessment
Score: 8 (Nightmare scenario)
Character Analysis: Sheen the Split-Sword
Bofuri: Sheen the Split-Sword
Bofuri: Sheen the Split-Sword
Victory Factors
Factor
Score
Reasoning
Morality
4
He’s okay, but extremely selfish, especially about avenging his initial loss to Kasumi.
Weather
10
Due to his training, experience, and magic, this isn’t an issue.
Terrain
7
He’s very capable, given the sheer space his Split-Sword technique can cover, yet sometimes gets caught off-guard, such as when Kasumi bypassed his namesake with a ground attack, knocking him back.
Good Leadership
3
He’s got some skills, namely when sneaking the Flame Emperors’ orb away, but mostly just varies between lone wolf and follower.
Preparation
5
He’s well-trained and a good planner, yet wasn’t the least bit ready for Kasumi’s hidden skills.
Total
29
Fatal Failings
Failing
Score
Reasoning
Recklessness
-10
Epic red flag. He often underestimates foes, gets very impulsive in the heat of the moment, and is very careless, issues that ultimately got him defeated in the 4th event.
Cowardice
0
He’s very bold, so no worries here.
Anger
-5
He’s got a temper, but never really snaps.
Delicacy of Honor
-7
Slight red flag. He’s cocky and very proud at first, but losing to Kasumi again humbled him a little, hence the slightly lower rating.
Over-caring
-7
Slight red flag. His obsession with Kasumi was what motivated him throughout the season; he’s also very protective of his Guild-mates.
Total
-29
Final Assessment
Score: 0 (Nightmare scenario)
Reviewing the Results
This cast had skilled fighters, but arrogance, anger, and carelessness cost them in battle. Every member suffered at least one defeat. That brings us back to what’s been said all along: follow Sun Tzu, and you’ll win; ignore him, and you’ll lose.
Bofuri Holy Sword and Flame Emperors: Victory Factors Analysis
Character
Morality
Weather
Terrain
Leadership
Preparation
Final Score
Frederica
5
10
5
3
5
28
Drag
6
10
7
5
5
33
Payne
6
10
8
5
7
36
Dread
6
10
8
5
5
34
Mii
7
10
8
5
5
35
Misery the Cleric
10
10
8
5
5
38
Marcus the Trapper
7
10
8
2
6
33
Sheen the Split-Sword
4
10
7
3
5
29
Bofuri Holy Sword and Flame Emperors: Fatal Failings Analysis
Character
Recklessness
Cowardice
Anger
DOH
Over-caring
Final Score
Frederica
-9
-5
-7
-7
-3
-31
Drag
-9
-2
-4
-8
-3
-26
Payne
-9
0
-4
-10
-3
-26
Dread
-9
-3
-3
-7
-5
-27
Mii
-9
-7
-8
-7
-5
-36
Misery the Cleric
-7
-2
0
-2
-7
-18
Marcus the Trapper
-8
-9
-2
0
-6
-25
Sheen the Split-Sword
-10
0
-5
-7
-7
-29
Bofuri Holy Sword and Flame Emperors: Final Scores
Character
Final Score
Assessment
Frederica
-3
Nightmare scenario
Drag
7
Nightmare scenario
Payne
10
Great potential, yet deeply flawed
Dread
7
Nightmare scenario
Mii
-1
Nightmare scenario
Misery the Cleric
20
Capable, yet moderately flawed
Marcus the Trapper
8
Nightmare scenario
Sheen the Split-Sword
0
Nightmare scenario
Read Part I, where Sun Tzu rated Maple and the Maple Tree Guild, to see how they compare to the Order of the Holy Sword and Kingdom of the Flame Emperors.
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Andrew's originally from Massachusetts, and has studied military history/tactics/strategy for almost 30 years. He has a BA in History (English minor) from UMASS Lowell and JD from Mass. School of Law. He can be found on Twitter (@AndrewNickers19) daily, analyzing characters via Sun Tzu.
Fun Fact
Andrew's a huge fan of anime music. He particularly recommends Crescent Love (Brighter than the Dawning Blue), Dream Riser (Girls Und Panzer), and the fight theme to Zoids: New Century.
