Heartwarming / Phantasy Star Online 2

As a Moments subpage there are unmarked spoilers ahead! Read at your own risk!

Episode 1

• The friendship struck up between the Protagonist and Zeno in general. The latter is quick to become fond of the former and helps them out in several situations, culminating in Zeno eventually sacrificing himself to try and buy time for the Protagonist, Echo, and Melfonseana/Melrandia to escape from Naverius during Dark Falz Elder's awakening.
• The way Haddred was ready to lay down his life for Quna upon discovering what awaits her at the end of her objective, and how he was eventually ended by Quna, who believed it to be her duty as his older sister and #0 of the Council of Six to give him a rest he deserved.
  • Haddred and Quna's relationship was expanded upon in Episodes Oracle, and it doesn't make it any less heartwarming (and also tearjerking) at how much the two had cared for each other. Haddred being experimented upon into becoming what he is known as was revealed to be the result of him personally stepping in to take Quna's place as she was intended to be the subject, not him.
    • And the reports of Haddred appearing to kill ARKS Operatives was revealed to be because he was able to sense the amount of F-Factors within the Operatives on the field. Given that he had guessed Quna was also tasked with taking down ARKS Operatives who had (or is very close to) become corrupted by the large amount of F-Factors within them (Kohana being one of them), he took it upon himself to perform the task as long as he was able to keep his consciousness intact so as to ensure Quna doesn't have to continue forcing herself to take down corrupted ARKS Operatives.
• The ending song Eternal Encore. The song is actually dedicated to Haddred's passing and sung from Quna's perspective.

Episode 2

• The first time travel scenario to take down Dark Falz Elder and the subsequent reaching of Zeno after the attempt to eliminate Elder had failed thanks to Persona. Even without Xiao confirming that he planned to have Zeno be saved, the Protagonist willingly took this as a chance to prevent Zeno's original fate from occuring out of good will.
• The second time travel scenario which lead to Ulku being spared of her original fate. After seeing firsthand of the possible shadiness of ARKS' action, Ulku (in her usual Genki Girl attitude) suggests that they ought to rebuild ARKS into becoming a better organisation. Judging by Xiao's reaction afterwards, he was genuinely impressed by her optimism and was more than happy to help Ulku achieve that goal.
• Matoi's belief in Protagonist during "Code ABYSS". While she was being framed as well, she never once doubts the Protagonist and sticks by them as most of everyone in ARKS tries to kill them.
• The way Echo was willing to become an enemy of ARKS to protect the Protagonist. One might say that her ability to overcome the Abyss was due to Zeno's influence, but the fact that, instead of staying still and listening to orders, she chose to risk her life, and became an enemy of ARKS because it is a senpai's duty to protect their kouhai. One might say that she is still rather dependent on Zeno, but the fact that she was still willing to sacrifice her life just shows how much she had changed from being the person she was back in Episode 1.
  • It cannot be emphasized enough: She resisted and defied a Code ABYSS order to help the Protagonist. The only other ARKS members who were able to resist the order while it was in effect were either a member of the Council of Six, or closely associated with Xion or Xiao (including the Protagonist), or released from it by Matoi. None of that was true for Echo, and yet she defied the order anyway. (Although a talk with Zeno just after the mission reveals that he had used Code Abyss on her to overwrite the existing order made by Regius, simply telling her to do as her heart chooses which lead to her coming to the protagonist's aid.)
    Maria: Code ABYSS hasn't had any effect on her? I think we might have found us someone special.
• Echo's reunion with Zeno was quite impactful. It was a Tear Jerker even for her!
• The ending theme Living on like stars. It in essence describes Xion's feelings of regret towards Matoi, how the former came to see the latter as her child and realizing how much of a burden that she unknowingly placed on her. In the end, she wishes for Matoi to be able to live happily and prays for her future.

Episode 3

• Afin's insistent attempts to save his sister. He absolutely refuses to give up on Euclyta and this eventually pays off in both him and the Protagonist eventually rescuing her at the end of her arc.
• Most of Chapter 7. Highlights include:
  • Convincing [Persona] that you will save Matoi. To the point that [Persona] remembers what it was like to first be in your position when you tell him/her that the two of you should work together to save Matoi.
  • The Council of Six putting their lives on the line all so you can run across the corrupted lands of Naverius, fighting off Abberations and Falspawn, all so you can save Matoi.
  • The Protagonist's Big Heroic Run right before the boss fight, with everyone encouraging you as you go save Matoi.
  • After defeating Viel Hunar, Matoi attempts to end her life since you won't. You don't even get a dialogue option (not even one of those "one option only" ones) before leaping up to act as a shield.
  • [Persona] asking Matoi an Armor-Piercing Question as she constantly insists that sacrificing herself is what she wants.
    [Persona]: "Then why are you crying?"
  • [Persona] making their Heroic Sacrifice. After spending the entire game so far harassing you, telling you to kill Matoi, at one point convincing you to do so in the alternate timeline, they've been convinced enough to turn their back on Matoi's wish to die and instead is content so long as she lives.
    [Persona]: ''"Awaken, Clarissa... no, Xion! Let us end this perpetual cycle once and for all. Please... lend me your power.
    [...]
    [Persona]: ''"You might be a better vessel, but you are ARKS, and I am Falz. It's only proper for a Dark Falz to contain this Darkness, is it not? ...It was you who made me realize... The strong will to save someone, and the actions to carry it out. I am content as long as she lives! I desire nothing more!"
  • The sequence within the Clarissa, where [Persona] comforts Matoi.
    ''"I doubt you remember, but the two of us made a promise. No tears, only smiles."
  • Welcome home, Matoi.
• The ending song Hello. Much like how Living on like stars was a song from Xion's perspective, Hello basically serves as one for Matoi towards the Protagonist, describing how grateful she is towards them and how she's able to live alongside them.

Episode 4

• The conversation you have with Io in the very first few cutscenes, where she admitted that she (tsundere she was) had been waiting for the Protagonist to wake up from their cryostasis sleep for almost two years.
• The various dialogues that you can read when the Protagonist visited the various ARKS they knew, after they awakened from cold sleep. Most of the ARKS are visibly pleased to see them awake, and offered to party with the Protagonist whenever they are free, they were (in Euclyta's case, and even Kressida) visibly touched that you went to visit them personally instead of waiting for them to seek the Protagonist out.
• Just how quickly Enga is willing to embrace Al as a little brother.
• The conversation with Quna in Chapter 4, where she confided that she was afraid that due to the effect of Invisible Mai, that the Protagonist will forget about her, and how grateful she was that they still remembered her.
• During Chapter 5, Matoi makes her Episode 4 debut!!
  • During her first real appearance, the first thing that Matoi does is admit she was following the trail of someone close to her (the Protagonist, whom she unfortunately missed due to bad timing) but then sees Hitsugi being frustrated over what Enga said to her earlier. What does Matoi do? Try to lift the former's spirits up as best she can. While she later admits she might have done a good job, Matoi says that she's glad Hitsugi eventually found her resolve and seems all the better for it.
  • Not long after that, there's a moment when Matoi fights off the Mother Corps aboard the ARKS ship. Just as she's about to get hit from attack by Aratron, the Protagonist swoops in to block the attack. With a brief acknowledgement of the other's presence, the two then proceed to easily curb the opposition. They soon have a proper reunion later, with Matoi being basically at a lost for words initially as she's so glad to be able to speak with the Protagonist again.

Episode 5

• Your character is lost during a mission, ending up in a strange place. It's revealed Matoi spent the entire time that you were missing in the bridge area (sulking).
• Due to Matoi being with you during the Prologue, she takes up a new position during Episode 5, which cannot access the ARKS Ship Area, stood where, in Episode 4, the various story-related characters congregated, and is the ONLY Episode 1-4 party member who is still available.
• Omega Luther's love for his younger sister Harriet, which stops him from going to far and becoming like Oracle Luther.
  • In particular, the flashback to Omega Luther taking a younger Hariette to the field of flowers, fulfilling a promise to their mother, and telling her she can cry as much as she wants here when things get tough, as it'll just be her, him and their mother's spirit watching over them.
• Before the end, you actually accomplish what you set out to do at the beginning of the episode: you save Persona, who pops up in your Hive Mind after you save the other Falz avatars. The final chapter of the episode ends with a Moment of Awesome as you, Persona and the avatars deal an epic beatdown to Elmir as a glorious middle finger to the Profound Darkness.
• Episode 5 includes a series of events which, while funny, are still sweet - Zeno proposes to Echo, who accepts. Their entire subplot revolves around their upcoming marriage.

Episode 6

• After saving her from becoming the Profound Darkness, Matoi finally gets a chance to return the favor and free you from the Profound Darkness' grasp. Even better, she's accompanied by two others you have helped in the past: Harriet and Hitsugi. All three of the main heroines pool their powers together to save you, finally denying the Profound Darkness a host and giving you the chance to kill it for good.
  • Even better, The Power of Friendship that gives the protagonist the capability to face the Primordial Darkness has the returning name of the Great Light, meaning that the entire cast have come together to unanimously consider you the hope of the universe with the same title as the god of the classic Genesis entries. Solely because despite all the downsides, all the betrayals, all the drama and hell you've been through, you never backed down and helped everyone, in an ironic polar opposite of the classic Great Light.
  • The Urgent Quest version of this battle has its own flavor of Heartwarming for those outside the story: You and several others band together as one to defeat the Primordial Darkness once and for all, and once the the Quest period has elapsed, you're greeted with a "Welcome back, Guardians!" by Xiera. Rest easy ARKS, you deserve it.
• The credits theme is, essentially, a massive celebration not just of Episode 6, not just of PSO2, but even so far back as the original Online game. Every vocal singer they could get is back, homaging the numerous themes and singing in praise of the player on both their actions in-game and to their dedication to come this far. With Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis on the way, it's the final send-off for this part of the story line with a climatic bang.
• After everything that's all said and done? Matoi finally confesses her love for the player, regardless of their gender.

General

• Go on, let yourself be hugged by an Emperappy. Don't worry, he won't bite or tear your head off. In fact, if you just let the big guy pick you up, you'll be feeling some wholesome snuggling (which heals by the way) from the Emperappy before he happily puts you back down in satisfaction.
  • Just don't let Dark Emperappy from EP 5 hug you though. The effect is the complete opposite.