Summary:
- The VALORANT 5th Anniversary cinematic “Why We Fight” is a narrative short film that features Nigerian artist Qing Madi’s single “EGO.”
- “Why We Fight” gives the introduction of Mary Ade, Phoenix’s estranged younger sister, and VALORANT’s first NPC.
- “Why We Fight” is a celebration of VALORANT’s past achievements and a promise for storytelling to come.
VALORANT’s 5th anniversary cinematic, “Why We Fight,” just came out and is already getting a lot of traction. It’s not your usual trailer filled with action scenes. It’s an exploration of the VALORANT world with emotional scenes, huge fights, and cameos that have fans excited. If you thought you had everything learned about the agents and what their stories are about, you haven’t felt the full impact yet.
VALORANT 5th Anniversary Cinematic Overview
The “Why We Fight” honoring VALORANT’s five-year anniversary is a heavy and narrative-driven cinematic. In this cinematic, the agents’ personal and shared experience is in vanquishing that legacy: their own motivations, the sacrifice they make to fulfill them, and the burden they bear. It places much weight on these agents coming together to fulfill moments of life and death.
As far as music goes, the cinematic is greatly complemented by a single called “EGO,” performed by Qing Madi. The infusion of Afrobeats, pop, soul, and R&B marries seamlessly with the emotional complexities underpinning the cinematic. It is also important to note that the partnership between Riot Games and Qing Madi was carefully orchestrated. The narrative of the cinematic and the music exist in relation to each other and the audience to create a reflective experience that endures beyond the cinematic itself. It’s something that both celebrates prior milestones within VALORANT, while anticipating future storytelling possibilities in the VALORANT universe.
Introduction of Mary Ade
In the 5th Anniversary cinematic “Why We Fight”, VALORANT introduces Mary Ade, significantly expanding the narrative of the game. Mary Ade is the estranged younger sister of Phoenix, one of the most popular agents in the game. And she is one of the first non-playable characters (NPC) in VALORANT. Mary is an up-and-coming singer-songwriter with a story intimately connected to family, identity, and cultural heritage, unlike the agents convey.
Mary spent part of her life in London and later in Lagos, Nigeria. And her character reflects an amazing blend of African culture and her personal development as she moves from a subdued songwriter to a confident performer, ready to make music with her single, “Ego.” The song reveals Mary’s musical origins brought to life by Nigerian singer Qing Madi, who not only voices Mary, but also embodies the character’s narrative in the official music video. The song and character come to life through theater in order to convey full depth of the character’s emotional journey.
Riot Games’ choice to have Mary Ade be an NPC instead of an agent represents the beginning of a new storytelling model that expands on the narrative. And it’s definitely more than just the combat or gameplay, it shifts more towards character development and emotional stake. Mary’s introduction helps to inform us about Phoenix’s background and his own personal struggles. With this, fans will understand him in a way that previously didn’t exist through their family connection.
Themes and Symbolism in “Why We Fight”
The movie digs into the unspoken struggles behind their work, emphasizing what these missions are costing to themselves. They highlight Mary Ade’s story, conveying the contradictions in the agents’ moral battle externally and their internal struggles and losses. The burned paper bird, along with the images of a burning building, speaks about loss and trauma from Phoenix’s superpowers. Ultimately, it also speaks about First Light’s impact on the world and people.
The music highlights identity, struggle, and resilience, mirroring the identity crises, shared battle, and experiences of the agents and the community over the five-year timeline. The cinematic has visual motifs as well. In the later sequences, we see the transition between the Kingdom Corp company logo to the VALORANT Protocol emblem. This represents the repression born from coping with evidence of personal struggles that seem to override an individual or community’s resolutions to persist in the fight. Fiery images and resurrection further emphasize that there is hope and the idea of a fresh start amidst chaos.
Conclusion
You could easily think the 5th anniversary cinematic Why We Fight is just a celebration of VALORANT’s past five years. However, it’s so much more than that—it looks toward the future of the game while recontextualizing its narrative. Ultimately, Why We Fight shows that VALORANT isn’t just a shooter; it’s a world of stories, emotions, and surprises. If this cinematic is any indication of what waits next for VALORANT, those next chapters are going to have even more action, even more emotion, and more memories to cherish.
