Jhin's "Color Text" Lore Expansion (Sorry I'm late)

I actually just realized "Color Text" was a thing just a little bit ago, and I'm sad I missed the boat on that discussion. Like seriously, an entire effing month I was out of the loop! On the best character ever! God, I'm pissed.

Regardless, as a fanboy of the Virtuoso, I had to give my take on it and why I love it.

That was really well done and really elaborated on Jhin's mindset regarding his work and the tension between Zed and Shen who both want to stop him, but obviously hate each other. Best part about Jhin is, as a performer and an artist, he wants his work to be known by all; that's why he craves the thrill of the chase with them and why he's so elaborate with his artistry.

The extent of Jhin's delusions are so well explained that it is almost frightening. Jhin displays evidence of obsessively-compulsive behavior in his maintenence of his weapon and schemes, namely the number four. Even the feeling of being trapped and suffocated within his own suit, within his art, gives him excitement and pleasure. This really helps to demonstrate the level of ecstacy he finds in death.

Jhin's delusions even go as far as a projection defense mechanism in how he portrays the clients he has as the painters and himself as the best brush, which also can indicate a feeling of superiority over other "performers." Jhin portrays himself as a tool so as to avoid taking blame on himself for his actions (think in terms of "You can't blame the gun for the actions of the man behind it."), which he sees as beautiful. This is reinforced by in game dialogue (remember, "I never hurt anyone, it is the performance that kills.").

Jhin further shows his meticulous nature by having everything perfect for his performance and calculating contingencies to boot. He had lanterns set to prepare for Zed, who he knew was bound to show, just like Shen. Jhin knows where Zed's power comes from: shadows. Light purges shadows, so Jhin could be safe in the light. Being in the light could also be a representation of being a public figure who is protected by being seen by all, exactly what a performer like himself would want: to be seen by all.

Jhin is now heading towards Zaun, where he is suppose to perform again while awaiting his pursuers. We can see he wants Shen and Zed to follow him and to come back together, probably just to die together in the name of artistry. Jhin wants to use them as the instruments of his masterpiece because these were the two who stopped him so many years ago. Kusho is not present (wonder why >.>) to be a part of it so, in a sense, the sins of the father are now going to manifest in the son (and pupil). Kusho's faith in justice may very well directly cause the death of his son and Zed, much in how it indirectly caused his own (Zed was distraught by what he believed was Kusho's softness towards Jhin). Jhin even tells Shen that he must take his father's in the performance.

Jhin awaits like a patient performer for his puppets to be in place so that all may witness his genius. My anticipation is immeasurable.

To me, Jhin is, hands-down, the best character Riot has ever made. His story, characterization, and all that is just so well made that he is the definition of a complex, round character. He's so disturbing and yet so magnificently made that it makes it so hard to hate his character simply due to the tragedy that must go on in his mind. He's a man who is trapped and enslaved within his own passion and identity that he can't escape it, but must try to rationalize it however he can while toying with those who try to stop him. Probably the scariest part is that he's realistic to the point that he could very easily be a real person. Nothing about the character (maybe the nature of his weapon, but even then...) is too fantastical to make him unrealistic.

In the end, I'm fairly confident Jhin knows he will be caught at some point and killed. He knows there's no alternative to it, and that's probably why he laughs when he dies in game. The cruel irony of a man who knows what his fate will be but can't stop it from happening is really quite somber. All he can do in death is laugh at himself for his own weakness in not being able to stop when he knew that death awaited him when the curtain fell.

Well done Riot, honestly. I await the next installment with bated breath.