I can personally say that I wouldn't be a fan of Fire Emblem if it wasn't for casual mode.
Same here.
I did give Fire Emblem games before Awakening a try, but was completely turned off by having units important to me die forever because of some mistakes I made.
The git gut mentality isn't helping either, I'm new at the game, my best units died. So that magical git gut is going to turn me into an experienced player with good units? Don't make me laugh.
After Awakening and Birthright, I went back to the GBA FE, and I did manage to beat the game.
All just because me getting into the series has been made easier due to Casual mode.
This is why I can just laugh about anyone saying easy modes in games are bad.
Not everyone is a HaRdCoRe Gamerz. Some people need to be treated as what they are by the games in order to be able to fully enjoy it later on: Beginners.