Not Your Average Storybook Hero

Welcome

2020-05-14T16:05:00.000-05:00

You've chanced upon Not Your Average Storybook Hero, a shrine to Fakir, the enigmatic bishonen of the anime series Princess Tutu. I would consider every page to have spoilers beyond episode 5 unless it is designated "spoiler-free" or is the Beginner's Guide.

This site was formerly called "Secrets of the Knight" and was hosted on freewebs.com. The old site is still up, but will not be updated. I won't delete, but freewebs.com might someday, so if there is anything over there you want, I would grab it quickly.

This site will be relatively static from now on, although changes/additions will occur every once in a while.

Clean Up

2009-03-07T03:08:00.002-05:00

I could not remember my login information for a long time, so I couldn't make any changes around here. But I finally got everything sorted out, and I'm now in the process of site housekeeping.

First of all I deleted all the broken links and took down the more mature fanfiction. I just didn't feel comfortable having it up anymore.

It's done

2007-05-29T19:24:00.000-05:00

I've switched all the text over here. I've figured out an image that customizes the layout somewhat. I'm actually pretty pleased with this experimentation. So welcome to the revamped Fakir shrine!

Most of the pages/articles have comments turned on, so if you want to throw in your opinions about Fakir, feel free!

A New Beginning?

2007-05-27T20:06:00.000-05:00

I'm toying with the idea of moving Secrets of the Knight here and renaming it Not Your Average Storybook Hero or something (I really dislike the name as it is now).

I think this is doable, although layout creation might be more difficult. I'll try it in a sort of beta or unofficial role for now, and if I like it, I'll redirect the old address to here.

Hopefully with easier publishing tools I'll update more (or just once I get out of school :D).

Wish me luck! <-- which is silly to say since I'm basically writing this for myself.

Name Meaning, Theme Music, and Influences

2007-05-13T15:59:00.000-05:00

I originally wrote this before Princess Tutu was released in the US. All I had to go by was the series itself. Since then a lot of new information became available from the US DVDs and visits to American anime conventions by creator Ikoku Itoh. I've tried to incorporate this new info into what I guessed myself, because I think my speculations are still worth reading, but I also wanted to make sure the facts were given as well.

Name Speculation

Fakir: comes from the Arabic word for poor man, its meaning is akin to dervish, a holy ascetic who is regarded to have mystical powers. Definition courtesy of Webster's Online.

This name is obviously very apt, once Fakir's true role is revealed in the series. His ability to create reality through writing is really the most powerful magic that exist in the world of Kinkan Town.

The pronunciation of the name can also be revealing, since one of the correct ways is "faker." Although this may be a bit of a stretch, Fakir is faking many of his actions. He represses his true ability as a writer and instead takes on the role of the knight with grim determination. He also masks his care for Mytho and Ahiru through bossiness and insults.

Itoh's Answer:

"She chose the name Fakir, because she felt that the name expressed an enigmatic quality which she saw in the character." Source

Theme Music

Fakir's theme music is Overture Coriolan Opus 62, by Beethoven. This piece was written by Beethoven in 1802 in honor of a play being written about the famous Roman general Coriolanus. This name may be familar to Shakespeare-buffs, who also wrote about him. There is little information on the play that Beethoven composed this piece for, but I think that the chracter Coriolanus is important himself.

Caius Martius was a great soldier of the upper-class of ancient Rome. He won fame in the war between Rome and the Volscians, where in the battle for the city of Corioles, he was given the name Coriolanus. He also helped end the monarchy and bring about the Roman republic. However, he hated the lower classes and mistrusted the power of the people, meaning his actions had caused the very thing he hated. Unfortunately, he was also very vocal about his contempt for the lower classes. He attempted a coup d'etat, but failed, and was ultimately exiled from Rome. He later returned as commander of the Volscian army, but spares Rome at the behest of his mother. He is poisoned by his long-time rival in the end.

Fakir too, is a very vocal person about what he thinks is right...he certainly has no compunctions about telling off Rue and Ahiru. And of course the similarities of the proud, brave, but stubborn soldier are obvious.

To listen to the Coriolan Op. 62, visit here.
The above information about Coriolanus is based on Shakespeare's play of the same name, using information from Sparknotes.

In the commentary of episode 5, the writer for the English version cites the same references that I do for Fakir's theme music.

Character Inspiration/Influence?

The ballet "Petroushka" has been posited by cleverer people than I, that is Syrinx, who points out that in the ballet, the three main characters are puppets of a ballerina, a Moor and Petroushka. Petroushka wants to be free from his bonds as a puppet, but he has no power, not even the ability to express his love for the ballerina. The Moor has a lot of power, and he in the end he gets the ballerina and frees Petroushka by killing him.

Clearly there are strong correlations to the character of Fakir. He appears to of Arab descent, and of course, he tries to protect Mytho by taking out his heart again. It could also be said that there is some competition for the heart of Princess Tutu between Mytho and Fakir, although never open, or even acknowledged in the series.

Fanart

2007-05-13T15:57:00.000-05:00

If you would like to add your artwork, please contact me.

No stealing, although this should be a given.

Picture by me. He's supposed to be holding out his hand invitingly to someone...anyone's guess as to whom.

Another one by me. I really like this one, even though I got his hair all wrong.

Fanfiction

2007-05-13T15:46:00.001-05:00

Please note that I only link/host stories that the author has submitted to me or has OK'd for linking. If you have a Fakir story that you would like to have listed here, please contact me. - - - - -

According to Method by Elektra3

Pairing: Fakir x Ahiru
Rating: G
Genre: N/A
Summary: Fakir thinks about how his feelings for Ahiru have changed. A very well done retrospective of the evolution of their relationship.

30 Kisses Challenge by Elektra3

Pairing: Fakir x Ahiru
Rating: G
Genre: N/A Summary: Elektra3's collection of stories done for the 30_kisses Livejournal Community. Linked to Fanfiction.net so that new additions will be available as soon as possible.

Fireflies by Yosuke

Pairing: Fakir x Mytho
Rating: G
Genre: Shounen-ai cuteness
Summary: Fakir is taking care of Mytho and has a few emotional surprises.

Birdseed by Yosuke

Pairing: Fakir x Ahiru
Rating: PG for some language
Genre: Humor, more cuteness
Summary: Fakir hears a rumor about Ahiru buying lots of birdseed and wonders what to make of it.

Advent of Glory by Zapenstap
Chapter One

Pairing: Ahiru x Fakir
Rating: G
Genre: Drama, romance?
Summary: Ahiru has turned back into a girl, but why? Fakir seems to know the answer, but he won't tell.

The Bumblebee Flies Anyway by Aishuu
Pairing: N/A
Rating: G
Genre: Drama
Summary: A recounting of when Fakir first met Mytho, from Fakir's point of veiw. The imagery and symbolism of this story is breath-taking and the characterizations are spot-on.

The Leaves Are Fading by Aishuu
Pairing: N/A
Rating: G
Genre: Drama
Summary: Fakir debates whether or not he should try to continue the story when it is over. This is sad, be warned! However I get the feeling that this may be how the creators wanted it to be.

Adolescence by Mistress Quickly
Pairing: Fakir x Ahiru, implied past Fakir x Mytho
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama
Summary: Ahiru and Fakir finally grow up, getting through their own adolescences.

If you haven't read Mistress Quickly's work before because you don't like Fakir x Mytho, then you'll like this story.

Relationships

2007-05-12T21:56:00.000-05:00

Fakir and Mytho

This is the first relationship we encounter in the series. Fakir has put himself in charge of the running of Mytho's life, and he does it with the pissy elegance that he's best known for. Turns out, Fakir used to be a carefree child, who met Mytho one day, and his happiness was complete. Until, that is, Mytho nearly killed himself trying to rescue a bird. This move, you could say, freaked out Fakir enough to decide that he had to take responsibility for Mytho, for his protection, and thus becoming the brooder we have today.

Fakir and Rue

Fakir is at odds with Rue, because she's trying to cut in on his action. Since she too has no qualms taking advantage of Mytho's lack of resistance, Fakir is often can be seen telling her off. As Princess Kraehe, he fights against her attempts to gain control of Mytho's heart, obviously seeing her as the main enemy, although he disagrees with Princess Tutu's motives as well.

Fakir and Ahiru

Well, this is a treacly one, isn't it? By the end of the first season, Fakir and Ahiru begin an unsteady friendship. Although he knows her real form is a duck, he still treats her as he would anyone else (perhaps not the best way to describe kindness, knowing Fakir). They become partners in a way, trying to win over the Monster Raven and Princess Kraehe, keeping Mytho's best interests in mind. Once Fakir regains his power of writing, he tries to write a happy ending for Mytho's story, but (I think tellingly) can only write about Ahiru. It is through their combined powers that they are able to break the curse of Kinkan Town and the story. By the end of the series, they have become good friends, inspired by each other to do their best and return to being themselves, not the roles Drosselmeyer put them in. Although Ahiru gets turned back into a duck, Fakir promises her he will stay by her side. Some speculate romance between the two; however the series only gives us a definite friendship to work with. After all it was Ahiru's love of Mytho that allowed her to change into a girl, and from a girl, into Princess Tutu. But Mytho didn't choose Tutu as his princess, he chose Rue--and frankly, Ahiru didn't seem too upset. It is hard to guess what everyone is feeling.

Fakir and Charon

This pleasant older fellow is Fakir's father figure who owns a weapon shop in Kinkan Town. He is a kind man, and Fakir treats him with respect. Charon is the first person to tell Fakir the story of the Prince and Raven and reveal to Fakir his role as knight, which he later comes to regret.

Fakir and Edel and Uzura

Fakir recognizes Edel's special role in the story and respects her sacrifice that she made to help them save Mytho. He treats Uzura as a human child, and understands her uniqueness as a puppet with a heart.

Fakir and Autor

If there is possibly one person who matches and then surpasses Fakir's, uh, winning attitude, it is Aotoa. He is obsessed with Drosselmeyer and often ridicules Fakir for not knowing anything about his ancestry. Needless to say, Fakir does not appreciate this treatment, but he puts up with it to have access to Aotoa's knowledge. They even come to a truce of sorts in the end, working together to write the story that will break the curse.

Smaller Thoughts

2007-05-12T21:41:00.000-05:00

A page full of things I've noticed but I've never really expanded fully. Some of these may day become full-fledged analyses, but for now, They are just little ponderings. If any of these topics make you come up with something, please contact me. Also Fakir's sword is called Lohengrin. I always forget, have to look it up, and then forget again. I'm writing it here so I will always know.

Symbols and Motifs

Mask, quill, cloak, sword, tree
Noticeable absence: armor
Implications?

Edel's Quote

There is happiness for those who embrace their fate. There is glory for those who reject their fate. ~ Edel

Clearly Fakir belongs to the latter category, along with Ahiru. It is hard to say this definitively, since Fakir does submit to his role as the knight in the story, but he certainly finds no happiness there. However, he later fully embraces his original fate as a writer, where he finds both glory, and maybe happiness. This is not as clear-cut as Ahiru, who finds much glory throwing off her fate as a duck and becoming Princess Tutu. Of course, they both embrace their fates at the end of the show...diminishing my point somewhat, but it makes more sense when you look at Rue and Mytho.

Rue and Mytho both fully embraced their fates. Although Rue didn't like hers, even erasing the memories from her mind, when she regained them, she didn't resist too much. This wasn't entirely her fault of course, since she had been drinking the Raven's blood since birth, but still, she was pretty nasty in order to get what she wanted as she fully took on the persona of Princess Kraehe, and look who ended up with the Prince. Rue definitely got the happy ending everybody expected for Ahiru. Mytho is never seen fighting against his fate as the prince of the story, only against the Raven's blood inside of him, so I think we can safely say that he embraces who he is. He gets his happiness in the end too.

Light/Dark Characters Essay

Please note that this is an extremely poorly written first draft

Take a look at this picture. I've seen it countless times. Then, the other day it occurred to me that the creators of Princess Tutu have set up an exact character dichotomy of Light and Dark and that they have then transformed each of the four main characters to express characteristics of both sides.

The Light Characters:

Ahiru, or to a even greater degree, Princess Tutu and Mytho is the first "Light" character of the show. Ahiru selfless wish to bring a smile to the Prince�s face is the catalyst that intrigues Drosselmeyer and persuades him to transform her from a duck into a girl. Mytho, the legendary Prince, is the other "Light" character. He too, has performed a great selfless deed, breaking apart his own heart to seal the Monster Raven who plagued Kinkan Town. I would also put Edel and Uzura in this category as the Light counterparts to Drosselmeyer. They are the advisors and helpers, but ultimately they are puppets like Mytho, and under Drosselmeyer's control.

However, very early on in the show, the Light characters have a brush with darkness. If Ahiru ever confesses her true feelings to the Prince she will disappear instantly. Mytho is emotionless and practically a puppet for anyone to do with as they please. They could both easily fall under the control of a Dark character.

The Dark Characters:

Everyone in the ballet school thinks Rue is perfect. She and Mytho are the perfect dance partners, and it is rumored, partners outside the classroom as well. It seems like she should be a Light character, but her actions early on are disturbing enough to place her tentatively on the Dark side, and her transformation into Princess Kraehe solidifies her place there. Fakir is terribly mean, controlling and possessive and is really our first introduction to the darker elements of the show. (Should move Fakir's stuff before Rue's). Drosselmeyer is perhaps the worst character in the series. He plays blithely with the lives of the four protagonists, and mercilessly attempts to guide the story to a tragic ending.

The changes:

Ahiru stops being able to do anything to help Mytho get his heart back and almost drowns herself.
Mytho is given raven's blood and starts helping the raven steal more people.
Rue's change doesn't come until late, although she does battle with Kraehe, she loses often because she gives up easily. She changes when she sacrifices herself to the Monster Raven in Mytho's place.
Fakir changes early, first he is nice to Ahiru when she is a duck, then he cries and we finally see his vulnerabilities, then he goes to the Old Oak Tree and his transformation is complete.

The Two Endings:

I feel that the season one finale is the perfect ending, the expected ending, the happy ending, in short, the wrong ending. Mytho chooses Princess Tutu over Princess Kraehe, and Tutu is able to express her feelings without disappearing. The two Light characters have ended up together, as should happen. What this ending completely ignores, however is the darkness that is inherent in the world that they live in, and that indeed occupies there own hearts. Mytho has been poisoned with raven�s blood and Tutu has been able to make him smile again, and now she is no longer needed. It is exactly these things that will affect the Light characters in the second season, what will allow them to have Dark aspects, and ultimately what will help achieve the real, glorious ending awaiting them.

The Balance Struck

The finale has certainly been criticized. Ahiru is stuck as a duck, and her prince chooses another over her. This can't be a happy ending. But it is. Everything and everyone has returned to normal in Kinkan Town. All the principle characters have resumed their rightful places. Even Drosselmeyer is now relegated into the background where he belongs. Mytho and Rue and Fakir and Ahiru are together, each couple a balance of Light and Dark, each person having discovered their own depths of despair and elation.

Spoiler-Fest

2007-05-12T20:50:00.000-05:00

Be warned that this page is called Spoiler-Fest for a reason. I give away everything here about Fakir, and that includes the ending of the series.

His Possessiveness

In episode 10, which I personally feel is the breakthrough episode for Fakir's character, we finally learn why Fakir is overbearing and possessive of Mytho when we first meet him. In his youth, Fakir was a sweet child who loved to read the story of The Prince and the Raven. He idolized the prince, so you can imagine the joy he felt when he first saw Mytho. However, they met under rather bad circumstances: Mytho was passed out in the street, so Fakir took him home and helped him get better. Things were great until one day Mytho ran into a burning building just to save a bird, nearly killing himself. From that day forward, Fakir decided to take charge of running Mytho�s life.

His Role as a Knight

In another episode 10 revelation, we learn that since he was very young, Fakir has had a huge scar that runs from shoulder to navel. This scar is exactly like that of the knight in the legend of The Prince and the Raven. It is not made clear when Fakir knows for sure that he is the knight in the story, but he has apparently known for awhile, since he turns to dancing as an escape from his fate.

His Hidden Power

Late in the series (we're talking episode 21 late) an old acquaintance of Fakir's, a slightly older woman named Rachel tells Ahiru is passing that Fakir used to be able to write stories that would come true. At this point in the series, Ahiru has begun to despair because she has found all the heart shards and can�t do anything else to help the prince. She goes to Fakir immediately after hearing this information and beseeches him to write an alternate story for Mytho. However, she inadvertently triggers a horrible memory that he has repressed since he was very little.

Fakir used to love writing, and magically, the stories he wrote would come true. One day ravens began attacking the town, so little Fakir decided to write a story that would draw the ravens to him and he would defeat them. Unhappily however, Fakir's parents stepped in front of him to protect him from the ravens and were killed. After that, Fakir went to live with Charon and repressed the memory and never wrote again.

Once Fakir regains his memory, he starts getting harassed by a blunt obnoxious boy from the music school named Aotoa. Aotoa is obsessed with Drosselmeyer and knows everything about him. Aotoa believes himself to be an indirect descendant of Drosselmeyer's, but he knows that Fakir is a direct descendant and has inherited Drosselmeyer's power of turning stories into reality.

Fakir resists his latent powers, but in the end he decides to use them to help write a new story for Mytho. What happens instead though is that he cannot write a story about Mytho, but can write one about Ahiru. His words give Ahiru strength to carry on even after she has lost her powers as Princess Tutu, and in turn, her hope inspires Fakir to write.Together, they are able to give Mytho the time he needs to seal away the Monster Raven.

After the final battle, Uzura, a puppet with a heart made from Edel ashes, shows Fakir where the machine that Drosselmeyer made to control Kinkan Town is, and he destroys it, freeing the townspeople from the story. He also promises to finish the story his own way and write new ones, and also promises Ahiru that he will stay by her side even though she has returned to her original form of a duck. In the last scene of the show Fakir is writing a story on the dock that overlooks Ahiru's lake.

Chronological History

Around 5 years of age (guessing) Fakir accidentally kills his parents by using the powers he inherited from Drosselmeyer. Charon takes him in and raises him. Fakir represses the memory.

Sometime later Charon tells Fakir that the scar he bears is just like the one from the legend of the knight in the story of The Prince and the Raven.

Fakir finds Mytho passed out on the street and befriends him. After seeing Mytho risk his life for a bird he becomes incredibly protective.

Fakir battles with his fate as the doomed knight by taking ballet at Kinkan Academy. He continues to protect Mytho.

When Princess Tutu appears, Fakir must take up his knight role.

An unexpected visit from Rachel, a woman who was something like an older sister to Fakir, returns Fakir's repressed memory to him.

With Aotoa's help he embarks on regaining full mastery of his writing powers.

Fakir writes Ahiru's story, helping her defeat the Monster Raven. He then finds and breaks Drosselmeyer's machine that has been controlling Kinkan Town, freeing the people from the story.

Fakir tells Ahiru he will always stay by her side and the last scene is of him visiting her at her pond.

The Beginner's Guide to Fakir

2007-05-12T20:42:00.000-05:00

Fakir's Miscellaneous Factoids

Call it a profile, spec sheet, just basic information, here are all the facts on Fakir, plus some info on his attire and appearance.

Height: 165 cm
Weight: 51 kg
Age: appears to be about 17*
Ethnicity: appears to be of Arab descent
[Itoh's Answer: "While in her mind he is not Arab, that she wouldn't rule out the possibility that Fakir had Arab ancestry in his family tree. As to the way he looks, the overall impression was that the visual design of the character and coloring was made to visually express the enigmatic quality of that character.]
Likes: writing, reading
Dislikes: Rue, people who put Mytho in danger
Theme Music: Beethoven's Op. 62, Coriolan Overture.
Voice Actors: Takehiro Sakurai, Christopher Patton

Describe the Man You Saw

Fakir is a bishounen by anyone standards: he wields a sword, rides horses, dances, and enjoys reading a good book. Is this NOT anyone's idea of a perfect man? Forget the whole attitude thing for a second (though that is his most attractive feature to some, I'm sure), and just LOOK at how adorable he is.

The greenish-black hair, the green eyes...I know you're sighing with me. Since I put a picture here, do I really need to waste words describing him? I thought not. Onward!

Clothes Make the Man?

There is a common saying that clothes make the man. Not in this case. But let's still look at all the different outfits that dear Fakir wears.

Here is Fakir's school uniform, and doesn't it look handsome. I used this picture so you could see his butt. For fanartists to reference, of course, no other reason. Pervs. This is what he is most often seen in.

This is the ensemble Fakir wears to dance class. It is a baggy blue shirt over black tights and undershirt. I'm sure it is both comfortable and practical.

These are the fancy dancing clothes Fakir wears in one episode, colored light green-yellow. He looks quite sharp when wearing this outfit, too bad we didn't get to see more of it.

*This age is really pure speculation on my part. I guess Ahiru to be about 13, and I know that Mytho is older, because he is referred to as sempai. I figure Mytho to be about 15, although we know from later that he doesn't age, so I guess this is a moot point, but whatever. I always picture Rue to be the same age as Mytho, putting her at 15 as well. I see Fakir as the oldest of the four, simply because he seems the most mature, and looks older, and well...to me he is 17.

Fakir's Places of Interest

2007-05-12T20:40:00.000-05:00

Some background information: You may or may not know that Kinkan Town is based on an actual city in Germany. More information on that can be found at Once Upon a Time or the official Japanese site.

Fakir's home away from Kinkan Academy is Charon's weapons shop. Seems to be an old-fashioned shop building that has the store in the front and a small home in the back. He lives here with Charon and later, Uzura.

Fakir can usually be found on the grounds of Kinkan Academy. He sleeps in the Boy's Dorm, sharing a room with Mytho. He frequents the Academy library while not in class.

Fakir is able to immediately pick out the Old Oak Tree that tests whether or not he truly has Drosselmeyer's power of making stories come true, even though the tree is gone and is marked only by an ordinary looking stone. Fakir often meditates on how he will write Mytho's story once he regains his accepts his hidden power.

Autor barricades his house against the dangerous Spinners so that Fakir can write Mytho's story without disturbances.

Spoiler-Free Analysis

2007-05-12T20:33:00.000-05:00

This analysis is based on information up until episode 5.

Fakir is an arrogant, bossy, angst-ridden teenager who spends most of his time issuing orders to Mytho. From telling him what to read, to directing who he is allowed to associate with (basically no one but him), there seems to be no limit to his power over Mytho. There are certain occasions when Fakir is a gentle protector, but usually he is harsh to the point of abuse. Indeed, there is at least one instance when he hits Mytho for disobeying him. Fakir ardently believes that Mytho is much better off without his emotions, and does everything in his power to make sure that Mytho remains that way. However, because Mytho is the Prince of the story, Fakir will concede to Mytho's direct statements of will.

The first words we hear out of Fakir's mouth in the series are rude and insulting. He happens upon Mytho trying to help Ahiru out of some fall or klutzy maneuver and immediately dismisses the act as worthless. He is not an advice-giver, but instead, a dictator. He never cushions his commands to Mytho in a polite request, and if Mytho questions him, Fakir's usual response is
"Moron."He can't stand blustering over trivial manners, which is why Rue and Ahiru, and also at times, Mytho, annoy him so much.

Despite, or perhaps because of his mysterious demeanor and aloofness, Fakir has quite a fan following among the girls at Kinkan Academy, including Ahiru's friend Pique.

Character Analysis

2007-05-12T20:29:00.000-05:00

My very own in-depth look at that loveable grump, Fakir. Spoilers galore! If you haven't seen the entire series, and you don't want it ruined for you, I'd advise you to stop reading now.

Fakir is such a wonderful walking contradiction. Although I like to think he is perfect, he is far from flawless. However, he is one of the most dynamic characters in Princess Tutu, indeed, one the the most dynamic characters I've ever seen in an anime, and I've seen quite a few. To be honest, when I first saw the series, I thought Fakir was the Raven King, although Rue seemed a little creepy too. He definitely had the major a-hole routine down to a science, not to mention a fierce need to be in control.

This need for control, however, masks his real insecurities about his fate and purpose in life, for after all, he knows the story the best of all the leading characters, save Drosselmeyer, and knows well what his destiny is--a useless knight. Like a lot of people who look to control everything around them, he concentrates so much on the actions of others that he fails to apprehend the small details, and can't recognize his own feelings. This is clearly seen in his attitude toward Ahiru...he can easily write her story, but gets nowhere when he attempts Mytho's, and yet he has no idea why. The answer is plain...his friendship with Ahiru now eclipses the feelings he had for Mytho. But he doesn't get it, alas.

Fakir must have stumbled along some Machiavelli in all of his readings, because he exhibits one the pleasanter sentiments of the great thinker, that the ends justify the means. Although he has feelings of remorse for preventing Mytho from gathering the shards of his heart, he ultimately overcomes these (I'm sure in his mind) weaker feelings, and goes about trying to achieve what he thinks is right, through control of Mytho, to his deaf ears as Princess Tutu explains herself and her reasoning.

What frustrates Fakir all the more is that, for all his attempts to mold the story to his beliefs, his power is nothing compared to that of Princess Tutu, Kraehe, and Drosselmeyer's ability to control and/or change the events of the story. However, despite this, he continues along his futile path as a knight, with the kind of determination equalled only by Ahiru.

As a writer he knows he can use this determination to do what he really wants...control the story, yet, by the end of the series, he has changed. Although he still uses insults to hide his feelings, which he is still generally clueless about, he has lost the hardness seen in the beginning, and the sad grim outlook. He has become a gentler Fakir, or rather he is (somewhat) letting out the gentle part of him that he kept under such tight control before. If there is one thing to be said about Fakir, it is that he is just as hard on himself as he is on others. Even with the power to control people however he likes, he abhors it, because he knows what devastation it can cost. His first-hand experience as a victim of someone elses whims have given him more insight than he would have had otherwise, but I think that deep down Fakir never would have used his power the way Drosselmeyer did. After all, his real goal all along had been to keep Mytho safe. But, still there is a change in him. He now knows that to make people happy you can't tell them what do to, you have to let them make their own choices. He lets go of his control, and becomes the Fakir everyone's come to love at the end.