God I finally fucking finished this shit. Where The Third was a big forward facing world expansion, Hajimari is a fucking victory lap. The way it doubles back on everyone's arc in the main plot is a little exhausting, where I often found myself wishing this was just C's story with occasional interludes with the rest of the cast. It's all really slight, which might feel like a downgrade considering how strong a game Kevin and Ries were able to support, but the main star is really the Reverie Corridor and the daydreams. The goofy ass expanded cast is so nonsensically power-scaled to reflect who's in the spotlight of the Erebonia arc that I can't get mad about shit like the Liberl team being horrible units. The numbers go up a ridiculous amount to the point where I feel bad for the bosses. The Reverie Corridor is definitely a little too long at a high level view but if it kept dripping out daydreams I would have never complained. If Trails had to pivot to being a VN should Falcom crumble, it might be to its benefit. Falcom has such a rich sense of character that they can put whoever the fuck in front of me and I'll clap and laugh like a seal. Sure hope Kuro is a little shorter 🫣