Ep 1. A Relationship Reborn
As a newly retired office worker, Akio Inaba is struggling to find a way to connect with his son, who has grown distant since starting his new job. It's not until Akio rediscovers his love for the MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV that he realizes it might be the key to rebuilding their relationship. But there's a catch - he wants to keep his identity as "the dad" hidden from his son.
In "A Relationship Reborn," the first episode of FINAL FANTASY XIV Dad of Light, we are introduced to Akio and his son, Mai. After a family dinner where Akio's constant talk about work leaves Mai feeling bored and disconnected, the two part ways. But as Mai logs on to Final Fantasy XIV later that night, he is surprised to receive an invitation from "Maidy Maid" - a new player who reaches out in broken English to ask for help with a difficult quest.
After accepting the invitation, Mai and Maidy start hunting monsters together and communicating through the in-game chat function. Initially, Mai is frustrated with Maidy's inability to express himself properly, but as they continue to play together, he starts to warm up to the stranger behind the keyboard. He even begins to open up about his real life - discussing his job and his estranged relationship with his father.
Meanwhile, we see Akio starting his journey in Final Fantasy XIV. Despite his initial resistance to the idea of playing an online game, Akio quickly becomes enamored with the colorful world of Eorzea. He creates his own character, naming himself "Gideon" after the biblical figure, and starts to undertake all sorts of quests and missions. As we watch Akio immerse himself in the game, we also see flashbacks of his relationship with his son when Mai was a child. Through these scenes, we get a sense of the bond that they once shared and the importance of restoring it.
Mai and Maidy continue to progress in the game, with Maidy guiding Mai through some of the tougher challenges. During a moment of vulnerability, Mai admits to Maidy that he wishes he could reconnect with his father. Maidy responds that he too has a complicated relationship with his own dad, but that he has found a way to stay connected through gaming. Mai starts to wonder if this could be the solution for him and his father as well.
Eventually, it's revealed to the viewers that Maidy is none other than Akio, who has been playing in secret to try and get closer to his son. He's been using his work laptop at home to hide his tracks, but as he starts to spend more time in Eorzea, Akio realizes that he needs his own gaming computer. He enlists the help of his colleague, who is a gamer himself, and soon he has a Pc and is all set to start playing on a more regular basis.
"A Relationship Reborn" sets the stage for the rest of the series, offering a glimpse into the joys and challenges that come with playing an online game with family and friends. It's a heartwarming reminder that sometimes the things that seem to push us apart can actually bring us closer together in unexpected ways. As the episode ends, we're left wondering what will happen when Mai discovers the truth about Maidy's real identity - and if, ultimately, Akio's plan to reconnect with his son through gaming will succeed.
