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- “Miles was like a little brother to me.”
- — Franziska on Miles, Turnabout Big Top.
Von Karma Siblings is the family ship between Miles Edgeworth and Franziska von Karma from the Ace Attorney fandom.
Canon[]
Miles and Franziska were canonically raised together after Miles was taken in by Franziska's father, Manfred von Karma, following the death of his own father. The two share a sibling-like relationship, something which is frequently referenced in-game with Franziska calling Miles her "little brother." While their relationship is messy over the course of the game and the two share a "sibling-like" rivalry, Miles and Franziska are repeatedly shown to genuinely care for one another.
As of 2024, Capcom has officially confirmed their relationship as being one of foster siblings (see Behind the Scenes).
Pre-Canon[]
The DL-6 Incident
Miles and Franziska become siblings as a result of the DL-6 incident, in which Franziska's father, Manfred von Karma, murdered Miles's father. The case went unsolved, and in its aftermath Manfred decided to take Miles in. He proceeded to raise Miles alongside Franziska, something which earned Miles the title of Franziska's "little brother" despite the fact that Miles was 9 and Franziska was 2 at the time.
Flashback Cases[]
Turnabout Reminiscence
After being mentored by Manfred to become a prosecutor, Miles is assigned to his first case at the age of 19 or 20 as a replacement for its former prosecutor (who had been accused by the defendant); Unbeknownst to him, Franziska (13 at the time) goes to the courthouse to watch Miles's first trial. However, the case is dropped as a result of both the defendant and the former prosecutor being found dead. Manfred assigns Miles to this crime scene; after Franziska arrives and asks to be on the case, he also assigns Franziska to it. Franziska challenges Miles to see who could figure out the truth of the case first, and the two proceed to the crime scene together.
After Miles disproves Franziska's theory that the two deceased had killed one another, Franziska reports their progress to Manfred. Miles eventually catches up to the two, requesting more time to find the "perfect proof." Manfred demeans Miles, claiming that he could never claim "such a thing as perfection;" however, stepping in, Franziska is able to deflect Manfred's attention and get permission to continue investigating, something that Miles expresses gratefulness for.
Miles and Franziska proceed to work together to solve the crime, teaming up against the suspect Dick Gumshoe to get key evidence from him as well as investigating multiple relevant locations together. Eventually, Miles is able to deduce the identity of the true culprit; confronting her together with Franziska, he is able to make the culprit show her true colours. Threatened, the culprit points a gun at the pair. Franziska ducks in fear, and Miles is barely able to move before the culprit shoots.
Both are unharmed. Recognising that Franziska is shaken by the events, Miles asks her if she's alright, to which she puts on a brave face and claims to be "perfectly fine."
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney[]
Fifteen years after the DL-6 incident, the game's protagonist, Phoenix Wright, unveils the truth behind the incident during a case in which Miles had been framed for murder. This deeply hurts both Miles and Franziska; in its aftermath, Miles leaves a suicide note in his office, and Franziska swears to find revenge for him, traveling to America to face against Phoenix, whom she saw as responsible for Miles's suicide note as Phoenix had ruined Miles's perfect record.
Ace Attorney: Justice for All[]
Reunion, and Turnabout
Franziska faces Phoenix in court for the first time, prosecuting Phoenix's assistant, Maya Fey, who had been framed for murder. Although Franziska mentions her motive being "revenge," Phoenix mistakenly assumes that Franziska was referring to his part in throwing Manfred in prison, not realising that she had shared a sibling bond with Miles.
Turnabout Big Top
In Franziska's second trial against Phoenix, Maya taunts Franziska as to the nature of her "revenge," stating that nothing Franziska could do would change what happened with Manfred. Franziska explains that her revenge was never about her father, but about Miles; she states that because Manfred had raised Miles after DL-6, Miles had been "like a little brother" to her. She expresses her belief that Miles is not truly dead, only having quit his role as a prosecutor. Franziska blames Phoenix for Miles's actions and vows to find her brother once again.
Ace Attorney (Anime)[]
In the Ace Attorney Anime, Manfred adopts Miles, making him and Franziska canonically adopted siblings within the anime universe.
Moments[]
- In Turnabout Reminiscence, Manfred commands Miles and Franziska to ensure that he is not disturbed, implying that they live in the same house.
- This is later confirmed in the same case when Miles mentions the hallways at their home being overly large.
- At the end of the case, Franziska also says "let's go home," further confirming this as fact.
Quotes[]
Turnabout Big Top
- von Karma – “Enough out of you... One more word and you'll get a mouthful of whip. Now. When did I ever bring up my papa's name in this, or any other conversation...?”
- Phoenix – “!! Then... Then what's this "revenge" thing you're talking about?”
- von Karma – “You wouldn't understand, Mr. Phoenix Wright. I have to see "him" again, one more time.”
- Phoenix – “"Him"?”
- von Karma – “I'm sure you know to whom I refer... Miles Edgeworth!!”
- — Turnabout Big Top.
- von Karma – “You haven't forgotten, have you? Do you know who it was that trained the gifted prosecutor, Miles Edgeworth?”
- Maya – “!! Manfred... von... Karma...”
- von Karma – “Exactly right. It was my papa.”
- Maya – “That means that Edgeworth was...”
- von Karma – “Right again. Miles was like a little brother to me.”
- — Turnabout Big Top.
- von Karma – "I don't believe it. He's still alive. I'm sure of it... Somewhere in this world, he's still alive. 'Prosecutor Miles Edgeworth chooses death?' Of course he did! You ruined his reputation as a prosecutor! You effectively killed the prosecutor in him. Just like your victory muddied the honorable name Von Karma! I'm going to find him... And then, I'm going to teach him his rightful place with my own two hands!"
- — Franziska to Phoenix, Turnabout Big Top.
Farewell, My Turnabout
- Edgeworth – “What am I going to do with you...? Still blaming others when things go wrong? You haven't changed a bit, Franziska.”
- von Karma – “... ... ... Y... You... How dare you show your face to me without a shred of shame upon it!? You've soiled the Von Karma name, dragged it through the mud... You even ran away with your tail between your legs like the ill-bred dog you are!”
- Edgeworth – “Are you talking about the Von Karma family creed? "To be perfect in every way..." Then let's hear it, Franziska. How are things going? I hear you are having a rough time maintaining perfection in this country.”
- von Karma – “Y-You!”
- Edgeworth – “You seem to be getting crushed under the weight of it all. That's why I came back.”
- von Karma – “Keep your assumptions to yourself! I... I haven't given in yet! I won't lose! This case is mine! I'll never hand it over to you! Never! Mr. Phoenix Wright! I will see you tomorrow... In court. It will be a clinical lesson on the meaning of "total victory"!”
- Edgeworth – “Hmph. Still the same wild mare she always was.”
- — Farewell, My Turnabout.
- Edgeworth – “Director Hotti!”
- Phoenix – “E-Edgeworth...”
- Hotti – “Hmm, yes... I'm Director Hotti... Hoh, hoh. ...Oh, you're the man from this morning. Hmm, yes... What is it?... Uh huh...”
- Edgeworth – “Director. Franziska... How is Franziska von Karma?”
- Hotti – “Hmm... You don't need to worry. Hmm, yes... She's in good hands... Because, you see... I'm personally taking good care of her... Hmm, yes... Hee hee. Hmm, yes... and that thing... that surgery... It went well.”
- Edgeworth – “...You have my gratitude.”
- — Farewell, My Turnabout.
- Edgeworth – “I couldn't forgive myself for all that had happened. So I left the Prosecutor's Office. And I left that note... "Prosecutor Miles Edgeworth chooses death"...”
- von Karma – “Hmph, as well you should have. A prosecutor who has shamed himself with defeat should crawl into a hole and die!”
- Edgeworth – “...But that was not what happened. After I left the Prosecutor's Office, I finally came to realize something. And it was in that moment of clarity that everything began to change.”
- von Karma – “Wh-What foolish nonsense...”
- — Farewell, My Turnabout.
- von Karma – "You pathetic fool! I don't want to hear the wretched whimpering of a disgraced loser! A Von Karma is someone who is destined to be perfect! Miles Edgeworth... You are no longer worthy! You are no longer worthy of being a Von Karma! And neither am I! It's over... It's all over!"
- — Farewell, My Turnabout.
- Edgeworth – “... What are you going to do now?”
- von Karma – “... That's none of your business.”
- Edgeworth – “Are you running away?”
- von Karma – “Shut up! You don't understand a thing! You can't possibly understand what it means to be "Manfred von Karma's daughter"!”
- Edgeworth – “Franziska...”
- von Karma – “So many expectations from everyone around me... Expectations I must fulfill! I'm expected to win no matter what. And failure? Such a thing is not an option for me! My father was a genius. There's no doubt about that! But... But me... I'm no genius. I've always known that.”
- Edgeworth – “...”
- von Karma – “But I... I had to be one. I had to.”
- Edgeworth – “... You may not be a genius like your father... But... You are a prosecutor. You have been and always will be.”
- von Karma – “...! No, I'm not... Not anymore. I've even thrown my whip away.”
- — Farewell, My Turnabout
- Edgeworth – “I'm going to say this again. We prosecutors do not fight for personal honor or pride. I hope you will think deeply... About what you should be striking down with that whip.”
- von Karma – “... You haven't changed a bit... You've always... You've always left me alone and walked on ahead without me. Miles Edgeworth... I've always hated you.”
- Edgeworth – “...”
- von Karma – “And then... Finally, my chance to take my revenge on you arrived. If I could win against that man... If I could make Phoenix Wright bow down in defeat... Then this "girl" you left behind would have risen higher than you! That was supposed to be my "revenge"...”
- Edgeworth – “I see...”
- von Karma – “... You know, I can't do it... I can't change who I am. I can't throw away everything I've been until today.”
- Edgeworth – “I believe you can.”
- — Farewell, My Turnabout.
- Edgeworth – “Today, you chased after me, after I had left you behind all these years. And that's why we're standing here now, side by side.”
- von Karma – “...!”
- Edgeworth – “But I have no intention of stopping. If you say you are going to quit your walk down the prosecutor's path... ... Then, this is where we part ways, Franziska von Karma.”
- von Karma – “... I... I... I am Franziska von Karma. Don't think I'm going to walk in your shadow forever... Our battle... begins now... so you had better prepare yourself, Miles Edgeworth!”
- — Farewell, My Turnabout.
Bridge to the Turnabout
- von Karma – "In truth, I was shocked. I came back to America with the intention of defeating you [Phoenix Wright]. Instead, it was my little brother who was leading the defense."
- — Bridge to the Turnabout.
- von Karma – “...Miles Edgeworth. Go and get some air. I'll watch over the suspect. You go and get a grip on yourself.”
- Edgeworth – “Don't be ridiculous! I'm perfectly finngh!”
- von Karma – “There's no telling what sort of mistakes you could make in your current state. Go and get some rest! That's your only concern now, Miles Edgeworth!”
- — Bridge to the Turnabout.
Turnabout Airlines
- Franziska – “This, unmistakably, makes you the likeliest suspect.”
- Edgeworth – “Hmph. The "likeliest suspect", Franziska?”
- Franziska – “Do you have a problem with that?”
- Edgeworth – “No, but it's not like you to use such vague wording. You're usually a bit more... absolute.”
- Franziska – “I'm simply trying to watch out for you. Or is my kindness too hard for you to comprehend?”
- — Turnabout Airlines.
- Edgeworth – “Under the circumstances, I suppose I can agree that I am the most likely suspect.”
- Gumshoe – “B-But I believe in you, sir! I don't think you did it! Ms. von Karma's gotta believe that, too, right! I mean, you two are like siblings...OWWWW!”
- Franziska – “Quiet, Scruffy! Even if we were related by blood, that's no guarantee that he's not a criminal!”
- Edgeworth – “.........Franziska...”
- —Turnabout Airlines.
Turnabout Reminiscence
- Yew – “As for the little missy... Phwwwwh... She came to the courthouse during the recess... ...phwwh... and was stopped by a security guard... at the door to the hallway... She gave him quite a whipping for that, or so I heard.”
- Franziska – “...! I'm the daughter of Manfred von Karma. And I will not be forcibly stopped by a guard, or a bailiff, or anyone else!”
- Edgeworth – “(Wait, so basically, the only reason Franziska bothered to show up today... ...was because she found out that I was to be the replacement prosecutor...?)”
- —Turnabout Reminiscence.
Behind the Scenes[]
On July 10th, 2024, the official Ace Attorney social media accounts on Instagram and Twitter made a post introducing Franziska's character in advance of the Ace Attorney Investigations Collection release. Within this character introduction, they wrote that Miles was Franziska's "adoptive brother" and that the two share "a sort of sibling rivalry."
A day later, this post was deleted in favour of one with an updated caption in which Capcom wrote that Miles was Franziska's "foster brother" and that the two share "a sibling-like rivalry." Because this is a serious character introduction, and because Capcom deleted the account admin's initial post to replace it with an updated one, this incident can be taken as Capcom themselves clarifying Miles' and Franziska's relationship as being how it was described in the updated post: one of foster siblings.
Fanon[]
The Von Karma Siblings are a very popular family pair in the fandom, being one of the familial relationships that the player sees the most of. In addition, their relationship is heavily involved in the series' plot—especially in Justice for All, where Franziska's motivations come from a desire to get revenge against Phoenix for what happened to Miles.
Their potential created by their relationship also lends to a lot of fan content being created for the Von Karma Siblings. As the two were raised together under Manfred but nothing of their life is shown in game between the DL-6 Incident and Turnabout Reminiscence, there is a lot of room for interpretation as to their dynamic throughout childhood. Additionally, many people are drawn to the angsty nature of their relationship, especially considering how they both have to deal with learning the true nature of the man who raised them.
There are a few people within the fandom that explain away the references to Miles and Franziska as siblings and ship them romantically. However, most people within the fandom disagree with this view and see their relationship as strictly one of brother and sister. The sibling interpretation is by far the most commonly discussed interpretation of their relationship; most fan content of Miles and Franziska also revolves around their family dynamic.
On Ao3, the Von Karma Siblings have 737 fics in the gen tag and 66 fics in the "Miles and Franziska are Siblings" tag.
Fandom[]
FAN FICTION
TUMBLR
- Von Karma Siblings tag on Tumblr
- Von Karma Siblings posts on Twitter
- Von Karma Siblings hashtag on Instagram
Gallery[]
Official[]
[]
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ace Attorney Ships • Ace Attorney Characters | ||
| SHIPS | het | Feenris • Justicykes • Magshoe • Miego • NaruMayo • NaruMiya • RyuuSusa |
| slash | AsoRyuu • Homumiko • Klapollo • Krisnix • Manosouta • Narumitsu • Soutamitsu | |
| femslash | Aurametis • Emamaya • Faraberry • Feyberry • Fradrian • Franmaya • Franziskay • Junithena • Lanamia • SusaHao • SusaMaya | |
| poly | Weirdgirl Polycule | |
| family | Faraday Family • Von Karma Siblings • Wright Family | |
| friend | Investigations Duo | |
| CHARACTERS | male | Phoenix Wright |
| female | Franziska von Karma • Kay Faraday • Maya Fey | |