I think the most interesting thing about Phoenix Wright is that he’s an asshole with a heart of gold. He’s snarky, he’s meanspirited, he’s grumpy, he’s cynical, and as much as he talks about trusting people he’s very suspicious of them.
But under all that, he’s a good person who’s genuinely trying to do what’s right, who believes in and champions truth and justice.
This makes Kristoph Gavin SUCH an underused foil for him. Because where Phoenix is outwardly cynical and mean but inwardly good– Kristoph is outwardly nice, kind, gentle and pleasant, but inwardly we know that he’ll do anything to achieve his ends, and he’s not a good person.
I wish the series canon had explored this more, especially in terms of Apollo’s mentor-mentee relationship with each of them.
Because on the one hand you have Phoenix, whom he looked up to, who immediately betrayed and disappointed him.
But on the other hand you have Kristoph, whom he worked under for years before having the rug pulled out under him and finding out hsi true nature.