Magic (Fire Emblem)

The video game series Fire Emblem contains different forms of magic, that has different variations for each game title in the series. Below is the most common depiction of magic in the series, that of Anima, Dark and Light magic.

Anima Magic
Anima Magic (理魔法 Kotowari Mahō lit. Reason Magic in the Japanese version), usually wielded by the Mages and Sages character classes, is considered the main type of magic in the Fire Emblem Series. A character in one of the games stated that Anima magic is the magic of nature, a communion with the spirit of all things. Anima magic encompasses the Fire, Thunder, and Wind (and Ice) Magics, which form a Trinity of Magic: Thunder beats Fire, Fire beats Wind, and Wind beats Thunder. Due to its more accessible nature and it being fairly robust, Anima magic is considered to be the magical equivalent of the Lance in the Fire Emblem series Axe-Lance-Sword weapons advantage triangle.

Dark Magic
Dark Magic (闇魔法 Yami Mahō lit. Darkness Magic) is one of the three types of Magic, along with Light magic and Anima magic, in the Fire Emblem series. Powerful yet inaccurate, it is also one of the rarest classes of magic in the series. It can be seen as the magical equivalent to the Axe.

Dark magic is dubious in nature, but not necessarily evil. Some practitioners prefer calling it “Elder Magic” as they tend to remind people that it is the wielder of said magic that is evil, rather than the craft itself. Some also use the term “ancient magic”. In Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones, someone points out that Dark magic stems from knowledge, from understanding, in contrast to Light magic which stems from faith in the unknowable, the divine presence. On the other hand, in Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade, it is stated by someone that Dark magic comes from darkness and that one must invite the darkness into oneself to use it; they also states that one must not allow the darkness full control.

Dark magic is extremely hard to master and potent spells or legendary tomes carry steep penalties for their usage, warping the individual in various degrees. There was dark mage hero that allowed darkness full control over themselves to obtain a great power, which erased their personality, instead making them mirror the personality of others speaking to them. In a family that had four brothers who studied Dark magic, three of them allowed themselves to let the darkness take control, leaving them seemingly catatonic.

Minor and moderate hexes, curses, and talisman craft also apply to Dark magic, with a wide range of effects. Dark mages are also skilled in countering Dark magic of others inflicted on themselves, however some magic may be too powerful to remove.

In Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones, there is a description of a lost ancient Dark magic spell, called the time shear. By studying it, certain Dark mages were able to reproduce a phenomena which allowed them to perceive future events, as long as they had great impact, such as natural disasters.

Light Magic
Light Magic (光魔法 Hikari Mahō) is used by Monks, Bishops and Sages, among others. It is known for having the highest accuracy but lowest might of the three magic types, and for the fact that almost all of its tomes have a critical rate. It can be seen as the magical equivalent to the Sword. In most Fire Emblem games it is powerful against Dark magic but weak against Anima magic. Most users of Light magic, both good and evil, are or were connected to the church of their world in some way, with some description implying that a lack of affiliation is nonetheless possible, albeit highly unusual. A character in one of the games once expressed that Light magic stems from faith in the unknowable, the divine presence, in contrast to Dark magic which stems from knowledge, from understanding.