Kinning

Kinning refers to a process by which the form and appearance of an individual is shaped into that of a fictional character. Kinning is first defined in Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney 4, but also appears in Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney 2 and Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney 3; it is not known to appear in any other entries in the Ace Attorney series.

The majority of information on kinning comes from the Kinnie Files, which are dated April 8, 2021, found in the White House; the files are later stolen by Wynaut. The files state that the forms and appearances of individuals in "this world" are defined exclusively by the characters associated with them. A "first subject" is used as an example, with the files saying that he was defined as someone who deeply loves anime and so had been shaped as such.

According to the files, someone's kin can change over time; the file theorizes that this form is some sort of "extreme qualia", specifically that the ""owner" of this universe" possesses prosopagnosia, or another condition that prevents them from associating a physical face or form to those they know. There is one known example of a kin changing, that being D4nk, who ascends from being a Mikan Tsumiki kinnie to a Hiyoko Saionji kinnie.

Despite the files' claim that kinning "exclusively" defines the appearance of people, there are several individuals who appear not to kin anybody; Nate has specifically stated that he doesn't kin anyone. A "no doubles" rule prevents two people from kinning the same character.