While the threat of perma death can add to a games intensity I disagree with your assertions that it is an integral part of the game or that we should accept the death of a beloved character that you have lovingly spent hours grinding to the perfect hero just because it adds to the realism. Realism can be taken too far , we play game to enjoy yourselves not to get depressed.
One must remember that this is a game made for and by the Japanese and so not should not except it to espouse western values. If it had gone in the direction you suggest perhaps the game might have indeed been more interesting but it would be at the cost of alienating the Japanese market.
Imperiusmax's comments