Fun fact: Namine and Olette are dating each other now.
Thought the fandom agreement was Naminé/Xion.
If you have a link to those translator notes I'd like to see them!
Anyway, I've seen how that consensus has been placed on Sora and Kairi, most notably in the scene when they're floating through the ethereal space. But, I'm not sure how much this extends to other characters in corresponding dialogue specifically? In the localization, how much of Roxas and Namine's dialogue is to be taken from the perspective of romance (which, is a very specific relation on the spectrum) versus that in consideration of her character in the overall narrative? The language and promises she uses towards Roxas is virtually no different than what she uses towards Sora in CoM—most of this emphasizing the part of her character narrative that deals with the weight of isolation and loneliness she experienced. Her reasons for reaching out to them were different, yet intertwined, and the execution of her character is still initiated from the aspects that emphasizes those themes of Namine wanting to be connected to others. It's only through interpretive romanticism that Namine's importance and interaction with characters is taken to be implied as romance—which seemingly ends up being this forced cornerstone of what anybody cares about concerning Namine nowadays. Which, I guess, at this point the "eligible candidates" now are Roxas, Riku, and Xion? For god's sake. Unlike with Sora and Kairi (much to the chagrin of many), romance isn't a significant part of her characterization, not even a little. Not that I'm demeaning romance being a part of character, but Namine is unique for a lot of different reasons and has had a narrative that wasn't concentrated on telling that story. I've seen people argue this with Sora in CoM, but we know she drew him towards Castle Oblivion because she was lonely, not as an agent for romantic interest or possibility.
All KH3 did for Namine was remind us that with certain individuals in the context, she explicitly shares a fundamental, strong bond to those shes connected with. Outside of Sora (Donald, Goofy), Roxas, Kairi, and Riku Replica (Riku)—it's a bit more "scattered" in terms of showing this specifically in the game. Yet, I don't agree that KH3 did Namine wrong in this department specifically as it still carried a certain weight throughout the story.
Namine may not have gotten a standing ovation from the group when she was revived, but her scene with Sora in the Final World was a long time coming as it absolutely didn't have a proper resolution in KH2. That scene itself is a representation of the promise they made to each other in CoM, and how Namine's character has grown with other people since then. Showing her to be on the thoughts of Sora, Roxas, Kairi, and many others as they mentioned bringing her back countless times in the story is a big deal for someone like her. Even if she didn't show up until the Final World, this at the very least still has a lot of meaning for her overall character. People putting so much weight on the whole Riku/Riku Replica "romance" thing are really missing the bigger picture here—which really, I believe this is significant more so in line for the following reasons. Showing her there at the end, interacting with Xion and being around the others in the group as her own person, not in isolation—THAT is what is important. We'd all be suffering from repetition if we have to keep mentioning how KH3 lacked on certain character qualities. But, I don't take this for granted as this was still something that could be understood and appreciated from the game's conclusion. Namine gets what she wanted and is happy. It's great, and other than only slightly reminding us of how OP her powers are again, her presence in the game wasn't bad. It ain't perfect, but it wasn't completely vile either for her character.
I got the message that you found the translations. I apologize for it taking so long.
As for Naminé, I'll begin first with what I do agree with. I do like that they've confronted the ongoing "Thank Naminé" situation. I was floored that her sole act in the game was an important tide changing one, probably one of, if not the
most crucial (aside from Kairi keeping Sora apparently intact). I even found Riku Replica's sacrifice for her sweet and sad, considering it's what he held unto.
Now for the problematic portion and why I feel Naminé, while treated more fairly than Kairi, was still rather shafted in the whole scheme of things.
There's barely screen time given to the returning characters, so I cannot go on a tirade about Naminé's own. The entire "Thank Naminé" debacle is once more put on hold and has yet to close, since Sora needs to thank her the
proper way. Her most key role in KHIII was relegated to a missable cut scene, in which some players
did end up skipping past speaking to all the stars, not having any idea that she was one of them, rendering the impact of her summoning Lingering Will to lessen. It would have been a lot more influential if in the midst of this stand still the audience knew from the first go that this was Naminé's doing, instead of it being tainted with confusion as to how LW even got there.
The Riku Replica case. As sweet as it was, Naminé's return, aside from being thrown to Riku (a male character), was used as a tool to close another male character's story arc (Riku Replica's). It doesn't even have to be in a romantic sense, because it was confirmed it wasn't. Yet her
only physical appearance, was to appease closure to him. With Nomura wording it in particular as if feeling hers and Riku Replica's bond was this strong, mutual connection. Mind you, the girl did not
breathe a single syllable of his name since CoM, I even had gotten the impression that she forgot about him. In CoM itself, there was nothing sufficient to bear such weight other than him promising to protect her and her feeling bad for what the members put him through. She fried his brain/heart at one point by accident. Riku Replica was practically nonexistent for her past this game. There was only a drawing in the white room in the Old Mansion and that was it. Now,
suddenly, uwu look at the link between Riku Replica and Naminé. Never mind
her personal connections not getting any closure or interactions in the game, oh no. Never mind providing more profound depth to her lines in the Final World, how she feels no one cares about her, her lack of self worth. Not having the people she formed relationships with tell her that she's cared for, missed, and wanted. What's important is that
Riku Replica does. That is legit what she ultimately amounted to once she came back.
It's Kairi all over again.