Zeno Robinson, the voice behind Cai in Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave, admitted he was initially unaware of the character’s significant role in the game. Robinson, a veteran of the Fire Emblem series having voiced characters in Fire Emblem Engage and Fire Emblem Heroes, auditioned for several smaller roles in Fortune’s Weave. He was surprised to learn he had been cast as one of the game's four protagonists.
Robinson expressed his excitement about the increased representation of Black characters in Fortune's Weave, noting the particular significance of voicing a young Black protagonist with locs. He found a personal connection to Cai's design and gentle nature, stating, "I saw a lot of myself in the design. He's got this really kind, gentle heart."
Cai is a 15-year-old from a rural village who enters the Heroic Games to prevent his father's execution. Robinson found that inhabiting the character required embracing a youthful idealism. "It's mostly the way your brain sees and processes the world," he explained. "You have a very idealistic [view of the world], like, ‘things should be like this.’ It's mostly in attitude and psyche, playing a 15-year-old Cai."
A primary challenge for Robinson was ensuring Cai avoided the pitfalls of being a stereotypical “shonen boy” protagonist. He confessed to being "deeply afraid that people would find Cai boring," and therefore focused on making the character as relatable, likable, multifaceted, and nuanced as possible. "I wanted people to really, really draw themselves to him. Like I'm drawn to him. I really care about him," Robinson said. "I think when you see someone's heart, and their passion, it's almost impossible to dislike them."
Robinson highlighted the confrontation between Cai and his father, Castor, as his favorite scene to perform. In this scene, Cai expresses his desire to cherish time with his family, a message Robinson found particularly special. He also noted that many fans have connected deeply with Cai's story, especially those dealing with grief or complicated relationships with their fathers. "Being able to put in a performance that helps people with their grief is an incredible honor," he shared.
