Untangling the T-Virus Timeline: Who is the Canon Character in Resident Evil?
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The question of canon in the Resident Evil universe is a tangled web, spun over decades and across multiple media, from video games to films to novels. There isn’t a single, definitive answer to who the “canon character” is, as it varies from game to game and even within the same game. However, we can dissect the complexities and establish some key principles:
Generally, there isn’t one single “canon character” for the entire Resident Evil franchise. Rather, different characters become the focal point of specific, canonical events. For Resident Evil 1, while both Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine are canonical survivors, the Resident Evil Archives book details a blended narrative: Chris faces Yawn and Lisa Trevor, while Jill confronts the Tyrant. For Resident Evil 2, the Claire A/Leon B scenario is considered canon. Both Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield are essential to the overarching narrative. The same goes for other installments: each game and its events contribute to the evolving, overarching Resident Evil story. The animated movies are canon, but live-action films are not. This makes the discussion complicated.
Resident Evil Canon: A Breakdown by Game and Media
To understand the canon, you must consider each game, movie, and novel individually. The game developers and the writers establish canon. Here’s a look at some specific examples:
- Resident Evil 1: As mentioned, the story pulls elements from both Chris and Jill’s playthroughs, blending them into a single, canonical narrative.
- Resident Evil 2: Claire A/Leon B is widely accepted as canon. This means Claire experiences Scenario A, and then, subsequently, Leon experiences Scenario B. The Darkside Chronicles game reinforces this.
- Resident Evil 3: Jill Valentine is the undisputed main character, and the events of the game are canon.
- Resident Evil 4: Leon Kennedy is the central figure, and the game is canon.
- Resident Evil 5 & 6: Despite some fan dislike, both games are considered canon and contribute to the overarching narrative, featuring Chris Redfield prominently.
- Resident Evil 7 & 8: Ethan Winters becomes a central protagonist, and his story, along with Mia and Rose, is canon.
- Animated Films (e.g., Degeneration): These are generally considered canon and often feature Leon Kennedy.
- Live-Action Films (e.g., starring Milla Jovovich as Alice): These are not canon to the main game storyline. They exist in an alternate universe.
- Netflix’s Resident Evil: While attempting to be more faithful to the games, the Netflix series has a debatable canon status. Most fans treat it as a separate continuity.
The Importance of Supplemental Material
It’s essential to acknowledge that Capcom has, at times, clarified aspects of canon through supplemental material like the Resident Evil Archives book. These sources offer insights into the intended narrative. So, if it’s written by Capcom, then it’s canon.
The Role of Player Choice
The element of player choice in many Resident Evil games further complicates the concept of canon. Games often provide different paths and endings, and the “canon” often represents a select few events or the most logically consistent outcome.
Resident Evil Canon FAQs: Your Burning Questions Answered
To further illuminate the twisting corridors of Resident Evil canon, here are 15 frequently asked questions:
- Which Resident Evil 1 Events Are Canonical? Elements of both Chris and Jill’s scenarios are canonical, blending to tell a single, comprehensive story.
- Is Claire or Leon canon in Resident Evil 2? Both are, but the Claire A/Leon B scenario is the accepted canon.
- Is Alice canon in Resident Evil? No, Alice is an original character for the live-action films, which are a separate continuity.
- Is Raccoon City canon? It is set during the events of Resident Evil 2 and 3, but it is considered a non-canon hypothetical scenario.
- Are Resident Evil 7 and 8 canon? Yes, both are part of the main Resident Evil storyline and feature Ethan Winters.
- Do Leon and Jill ever meet in canon? Surprisingly, no. They have never officially interacted in the games or animated movies.
- Are Chris and Claire Redfield twins? Yes, Chris and Claire are established as siblings.
- Are Resident Evil 5 and 6 canon? Yes, despite some criticisms, both are considered part of the canon Resident Evil timeline.
- Are any of the Resident Evil movies canon? The animated movies are canon. The live-action films are not.
- Are RE7 and 8 connected? Yes, they are directly linked. Mia, Ethan’s wife in RE7, is the mother of their daughter Rose, who is central to the plot of RE8.
- Is Alice in Welcome to Raccoon City? No. Welcome to Raccoon City doesn’t feature Alice, as it attempts to be a more faithful adaptation of the first two games.
- How old is Leon in Raccoon City (referring to the events of Resident Evil 2)? Leon is 21 years old during the Raccoon City incident in Resident Evil 2.
- Is Alice just a clone in Resident Evil? The films reveal Alice to be a clone of Alicia Marcus, the daughter of Umbrella Corporation’s founder. However, it’s important to remember that Alice is a film-exclusive character and this revelation applies only to the movie universe.
- Are all Resident Evil movies connected? The live-action films starring Milla Jovovich tell a connected story within their own universe, separate from the game canon.
- Does Netflix’s Resident Evil follow the movies? Netflix’s Resident Evil does not tie into the movie storyline but aims to include elements from the games.
Understanding canon in Resident Evil requires an understanding of the games, supplementary material, and the distinction between live-action and animated films. It’s an intricate puzzle, but it provides a deeper understanding of the Resident Evil universe.
The complexity of gaming narratives and canon is something that scholars are actively studying. Consider learning more about games, learning, and society at the Games Learning Society conference and through publications found on their website: GamesLearningSociety.org.