Skip To...
If you haven’t had the good fortune to play the early hits of the Grandia series, you really should! The latest release of the HD Collection now on PlayStation 4 and 5, as well as Xbox One and Series X|S, now allows all of the major platforms to enjoy it. But much like I’ve discussed in my review, the game did well to set itself apart in several ways including an important one: its NPC interactions are on point. Of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t talk about the Grandia letter scene.
What is the Letter Scene in Grandia?
If you’re early on in your playthrough, you’ll encounter it soon, as the main character Justin gears up for his first boat voyage to discover new lands. He’s about to board but discovers a letter hidden in his pocket. He reads it to himself and quickly learns it’s his mother wishing him well.
That is the most boilerplate summary of the letter scene in Grandia. Its composition owes itself to a masterful NPC (non-player character) interaction, making the scene hit incredibly hard when you pay attention to the game’s story.
For this, I noticed how the game has you interact with its NPCs such as between days in the story, where you share a meal at a party. Your friends or allies are often joined by NPCs, and in this case, they are innocent dinners with your mother.
Tension You Can Cut With a Steak Knife
In the opening hours of Grandia, you play as Justin who craves adventure but is constantly reminded that he’s a kid. He’s turned away at gates, plays make-believe with other children, and is scolded by his mother. Despite this, his burning curiosity and rebellious side get him into brushes with danger, and a coveted pass onto a steamship leaving town. However, in doing so, he’s effectively running away from home.
Justin loves his home and his family. He looks at his dad’s portrait on the dining room wall and sees his portrait conspicuously missing. Justin wishes only to follow in his father’s footsteps. In that same room, he shares an awkward, tense dinner with his mother as he struggles to keep his secret. But his mother has a secret of her own: she knows his plans.
The dinner is innocent enough, but Lilly nearly spills the beans herself. She wanted to cradle Justin like a baby for one last night, playing it off as a joke when Justin refused. Fighting actual tears, she says, “You’re just too funny. You made me laugh so hard I have tears in my eyes.”
She knows he’s too old to be treated this way, and she also knows he is having difficulty confessing what he must do. But those tears are real.
Before leaving home, Justin pulls one last move before walking out the door, nailing his portrait onto the wall next to his father’s. His logic is that he’ll seize his destiny, and not wait for it to happen to him. In retrospect, this probably wasn’t the best way to keep his secret. But it was also, unexpectedly, his form of a reply to her letter.
What Does Lilly’s Letter Say?
Justin knew he probably wasn’t meant to read the letter, as it was addressed to someone else. But his curiosity takes over, as always, and it reads like this:
From “Lilly the Skull” to Mr. Gauss, President of the Adventurer’s Society. NOT TO BE READ BY JUSTIN!
He doesn’t help his parents at all, spends his day playing “Adventure”, comes home covered in bruises…gets scolded for his mischief, brings home big bumps on his head.
This hopeless naughty little boy used to live at our house. One day this naughty boy cried. It was the day he found out he’d never see his beloved father again. Since that day, the naughty boy has become a greenhorn adventurer.
That adventurer named Justin is friendly, simple and scatterbrained. I can’t say he’s anywhere near full-fledged, but he’s begun to walk on his own. On his own…When I see his single-minded figure in my dreams, I can proudly say, “This boy is my son.”
Please, Mr. Gauss, please help this red-haired greenhorn adventurer — my son…Help him follow his dreams!
Lilly
It’s a moving scene, complete with Justin losing track of time as the camera pans over and we see the line has boarded the steamship. Justin is the only one left, but there’s just a bit more to the letter that feels like a suddenly iconic Lilly moment.
A Mother’s Intuition
Lilly knew her son too well, making this letter seem as if it’s entirely meant for Mr. Gauss to see it and only him, save for this post-script:
Naughty, naughty JUSTIN! Knowing you, I thought you’d open this letter and read it! I thought you’d grown a little, but I guess you are still my naughty little boy. Listen! Take care of your health. Your dad used to say “An Adventurer’s Health is His Greatest Asset.”
And…just one last thing…Wherever you go, try to follow your dreams with all your heart, but don’t lose yourself! Good-bye Justin!!
Lilly
I was six when this game came out and eight when it came to the West. Back then, I’d have easily sympathized with Justin. But as an adult, I not only still idealize Justin’s carefree spirit, but I understand the anguish of seeing your child ready to leave the nest. Both Justin and Lilly realize they might never see each other again. With Grandia already being chock-full of wonderful moments, this letter scene is a heartbreaking amuse-bouche.
I think about how I indulged my desire to move out in real life, and how my mother handled it. I am blessed to have parents who check in on me, as I stubbornly continue to live my life. I’ve not gotten the hidden letters treatment, but my mother’s intuition is just as sharp as Lilly’s. So thank you, Mom, for encouraging me to do what I love.
But, channeling Justin, I have my reply to Lilly.
Dear Mom,
I’m sorry I couldn’t say this, but I’m going on an adventure and I’m not sure when I’ll be back. When sneaking out, I saw the stove was left on overnight. I’d get a tray to the head for that, just saying. Thank you for everything, and one day I’ll tell you about everything I see out there!
I love you!
-Justin
