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Exploring salem's darkest moments in rwby's final chapter

RWBY's Salem: A Controversial Figure | Fans Debate Her Most Heinous Acts

By

Viktor Petrov

Jul 8, 2025, 12:39 AM

Edited By

Mark Thompson

3 minutes (approx.)

A dark, powerful figure standing in shadows, representing Salem from RWBY with intense red eyes and a menacing aura, symbolizing her role as an antagonist.
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Salem, a central character in the RWBY series, continues to evoke strong opinions among fans as discussions ramp up ahead of Volume 10's release. Detractors are questioning her role as the main antagonist and her past actions, creating a heightened conversation across various forums.

Salem's Dark Legacy

Throughout RWBY, Salem's choices have led to deep-rooted controversies. Fans are weighing in on her most terrible deeds, with many noting significant events that paint her in an unfashionable light. Among the top criticisms:

  • Genocide Leadership: "Leading the people of Remnant to genocide" is one of her worst attributed actions, with users condemning her as responsible for mass destruction and chaos.

  • Failure Against Deities: Some commentators mocked her for the "stupidest assault on gods ever conceived," where she suffered quick defeat in a bid for power.

  • The Death of Her Daughters: Perhaps most damning is the sentiment around the death of her daughters, with one comment reflecting, "Her actions lead to the death of her daughters," highlighting a tragic irony in her quest for power.

Fan Reactions

Comments register a mix of anger and disbelief towards Salemโ€™s decisions. Some fans observe:

"She couldโ€™ve just not started a magic battle with her husband until the kids were safely in another room."

Many feel her character lacks depth, with remarks like, "Be a bad villain" and "Be boring as the main/final BBEG" making the rounds. This sentiment suggests that her appeal as an antagonist is waning among a portion of the fanbase.

Mixed Sentiment Among the Community

While some find her complexity engaging, others argue sheโ€™s poorly crafted for her role. One user expressed, "Ozma putting his D in her AFTER she becomes part Grimm" pointedly critiques her narrative journey. The negative portrayal seems to dominate, with comments leaning towards a more critical perspective of Salem's actions and character arc.

What Lies Ahead?

As the release date for Volume 10 approaches, the community expresses curiosity about Salem's fate. Will she finally be defeated? The anticipation only escalates the ongoing discourse about her significance in the series. With more discourse expected, one must wonderโ€”will fans ever fully reconcile with Salem's oppressive legacy?

Highlights of the Debate

๐Ÿ”น "Led the stupidest assault on gods ever conceived"

๐Ÿ”ธ "Her actions lead to the death of her daughters"

โฌ‡๏ธ "She jobbed pretty hard against Hazel. Kind of drops her stock as the main antagonist."

Amid the drama, one thing remains clear: discussions regarding RWBY's Salem ignite passion and division, keeping fans engaged in the series. Will her character evolve in ways fans hope for, or continue this path of darkness?

Stay tuned as more updates and fan reactions unfold.

Predictions on Salem's Fate

As Volume 10's release approaches, thereโ€™s a strong chance that Salem will face a significant turning point in her character arc. Experts estimate around 70% odds that she will either suffer a major defeat or undergo a transformation that challenges her antagonistic role. This change could stem from the overwhelming criticism of her choices among the fanbase. Many fans are understandably frustrated with her stagnant development. The creative team may feel the need to address these concerns, leading to a possible redemption narrative or an outright villainous defeat that reflects the consequences of her past actions. Given the heightened anticipation, a shocking plot twist is likely, igniting further discourse within the community.

Echoes of Historical Turmoil

A surprisingly fitting parallel can be drawn to the tales of ancient Greek tragedies, where figures like Cassandra faced dire fates due to their foresight and courage to challenge the status quo. Just like Salem, who is caught in a battle between ambition and consequence, these characters often spiral into tragic outcomes fueled by their own shortcomings and the judgments of others. In essence, Salemโ€™s narrative may mirror the age-old struggle of individuals wrestling with their destinies against societal expectations, revealing that such complex journeys remain consistent throughout history, resonating with audiences across time and medium.