Honestly, most JRPGs treat the "tank" character as a walking brick wall with the personality of a damp paper towel. You know the type. They stand in the front, they take the hits, and they usually shout something about honor every twenty minutes. But Kisara in Tales of Arise is different. She isn't just a soldier with a massive slab of metal; she’s the emotional glue holding a group of traumatized rebels together.
She's complicated.
When you first meet Kisara in Elde Menancia, she’s serving the Dahnan people under a Renan Lord, Dohalim. It’s a weird setup. Usually, the Renans are just straight-up evil in this game, but Kisara represents this middle ground where she believes in a "coexistence" that's actually just a gilded cage. Watching her realization that her entire life’s work was built on a lie—and the death of her brother, Migal—is probably the most gut-wrenching part of the early game.
She isn't some teenager finding herself. She’s a grown woman dealing with the collapse of her ideology.
The Mechanics of a Human Fortress
Most people play Tales of Arise and immediately gravitate toward Alphen because, well, he has a flaming sword and he’s the protagonist. It’s the easy choice. But if you haven't tried controlling Kisara directly, you’re missing out on a completely different game.
She doesn't dodge.
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Seriously. While every other character is flipping and sliding around the battlefield like they’re on ice skates, Kisara just plants her feet. Her "Perks" system is built around Guard Ignition. You block an attack at the right time, and her shield glows. Suddenly, her subsequent artes are faster, stronger, and harder to interrupt. It changes the rhythm of combat from a frantic hack-and-slash to a rhythmic, heavy-hitting dance of momentum.
If you’re struggling with the harder difficulty settings or those massive "Zeugle" bosses that one-shot your squishier mages like Rinwell, Kisara is your insurance policy. Her "Power Shield" and "Guardian Field" artes don't just protect her; they create a safe zone for the entire party. It’s a literal wall between your team and a "Game Over" screen.
Why Kisara Tales of Arise Subverts Every Boring Trope
There’s this weird thing in gaming where "strong female characters" are often just male characters with a different character model. They're stoic, they hate "girly" things, and they have no hobbies other than sharpening their blades.
Kisara? She loves fishing.
She’s actually obsessed with it. It’s not just a mini-game gimmick; it’s a part of her character that shows she has a life outside of being a Captain of the Guard. She also does all the cooking for the group. In many games, that would feel regressive, but in Tales of Arise, it feels like an extension of her "protector" instinct. She isn't cooking because she’s "the woman" of the group; she’s cooking because she’s the only person who actually knows how to take care of people.
Her relationship with Dohalim is also fascinatingly messy. It’s not a standard romance. It’s built on a foundation of servitude, then betrayal, then a very slow, very awkward rebuilding of trust. They have to navigate the fact that he was technically her oppressor, even if he was a "kind" one. The game doesn't shy away from that tension.
The Armor Debate
We have to talk about the character design. It caused a bit of a stir when the game launched. From the front, Kisara looks like a tank—full plate armor, heavy boots, the whole nine yards. From the back? Well, it’s a bit more "fanservice-heavy."
Some players found it distracting or felt it undermined her serious persona. Others argued it fit the "Tales of" aesthetic which often blends high fantasy with anime tropes. Regardless of where you stand on the "backless armor" debate, it’s a testament to her character's popularity that people cared enough to argue about it for months. Most NPCs or side characters in JRPGs are forgotten the moment the credits roll. Kisara sticks with you.
Essential Tips for Dominating with Kisara
If you want to actually be good with her, stop trying to play her like Alphen. You have to be patient.
- Prioritize Guarding: You get a massive boost to your stats by blocking. Don't spam attacks. Wait for the enemy to swing, block, and then unleash your counters.
- Focus on "Impact" Stats: Kisara is the queen of Downing enemies. Use artes like "Lion's Tower" or "Crescent Moon" to break the enemy's stance. Once they’re down, the rest of your party can go ham with their high-damage combos.
- Master the Boost Attack: Her Boost Attack is a literal life-saver. When a boss is charging—indicated by those blue glowing lines—call Kisara in. She’ll slam her shield down, stop the charge cold, and leave the boss dazed. It works on almost every charging enemy in the game.
Her AI is actually pretty competent, but if you leave her to the computer, make sure you go into the "Strategy" menu. Set her to prioritize "Protecting Allies" and "Healing" (via her Guardian Field) when HP drops below 40%. It makes a world of difference in those grueling late-game dungeons like Geisbrohelk.
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The Reality of the "End Game" Build
By the time you reach the final act of Tales of Arise, Kisara becomes almost unkillable. If you craft the right accessories—specifically those that boost her "Aggro" (making enemies target her) and her "Elemental Defense"—the rest of your team becomes untouchable.
She’s the reason you can survive the Chronos fights or the post-game cameos. While Shionne is busy burning through CP to keep everyone alive, Kisara is the one making sure that CP isn't wasted in the first place. She’s the efficiency queen.
It’s also worth noting her voice acting. In the English dub, Katelyn Gault does an incredible job of making her sound authoritative but weary. You can hear the weight of her responsibilities in her voice. It adds a layer of maturity that really sets her apart from the more "shonen" energy of Alphen and Law.
Making the Most of Your Playthrough
To truly appreciate Kisara’s arc, pay attention to the Skits. Tales of Arise does most of its heavy lifting in these optional conversations. The ones between Kisara and Rinwell are particularly good, as Kisara takes on a sort of "big sister" role that Rinwell desperately needs after losing her family.
What to do next in Elde Menancia
If you’re currently playing through her home region, don't rush. The side quests in Menancia actually provide a lot of context for why the Dahnan people there were so willing to cooperate with the Renans. It makes Kisara’s initial "loyalty" much more understandable.
- Go Fishing Early: Don't ignore the fishing spots. The rewards you get from the Fishing Association (which Kisara leads, basically) include some of her best cosmetic shields and useful items.
- Cook the Right Meals: Kisara has specific recipes that give huge boosts to Defense and Ore yields. If you're going mining for weapon materials, let her cook a "Sashimi" or "Bouillabaisse" first.
Kisara isn't just a sub-tank. She’s the heart of the game’s message about what it means to actually "protect" something without owning it. She starts the game protecting a lie and ends it protecting a future. That’s a hell of an arc for someone who most people just see as "the lady with the big shield."
Actionable Next Steps:
Head to the Training Grounds in Viscint and take on Kisara's solo challenges. It’s the best way to force yourself to learn the Guard Ignition timing without the chaos of three other party members cluttering the screen. Once you nail the "Just Guard" mechanic, you'll find that bosses who used to give you trouble suddenly become trivial. Also, make sure to upgrade her shield to the "Scutum" or better as soon as the materials become available in the fourth realm; her damage output is tied more to her shield's quality than you might think.