List of RahXephon characters
This is a list of recurring characters and cast in the anime/manga/novel series RahXephon. Characters without speaking parts or who only appear in one episode or chapter are not included. The characters are first described as they appear in the TV series, followed by their portrayals in the other story versions.
Main characters
Ayato Kamina
- Ayato Kamina
After being taken from Tokyo by Haruka and the RahXephon, Ayato moves in with Rikudo Shougo, Haruka's uncle on Nirai Kanai. At first, this arrangement does not sit well with Ayato, as Haruka and her younger sister Megumi live in Rikudo's annex, but they slowly adapt to each other's presences. As a stranger from Tokyo Jupiter, Ayato struggles to find his place and acceptance in the outside world. Although he pilots the RahXephon in defending Nirai Kanai, he questions his abilities and self-worth. He also struggles with trying to piece together and understand his relationship with Haruka, handling the feisty Megumi, and interacting with the other TERRA personnel, who regard him with a broad spectrum of reactions, from acceptance and friendship to cool scientific interest to distrust and even contempt.
It is revealed that [|Quon] is genetic provider of both Ayato and Itsuki Kisaragi while she is sleeping. Conceived with the help of Ernst von Bähbem and raised by Maya as an instrumentalist — someone who can successfully use the RahXephon to re-tune the world. There are several other instrumentalist candidates, but at this point of the series most have passed their ideal age.
At the end of the series, Ayato succeeds in becoming one with the RahXephon, and re-tunes the world. In this new world, the great dimensional split never happened, and Tokyo Jupiter never existed. Ayato is now an adult and married to Haruka and have an infant daughter named Quon.
;In other versions
In the movie, Ayato is Maya's naturally conceived biological son. In this version, he has to remain in his position as a "Watcher of time" and can not return to the world.
In the manga, Ayato is not just the result of in vitro fertilization but also of in vitro growing; multiple tanks with Ayato clones growing inside them are shown.
Haruka Shitou
- Haruka Shitou
Haruka is shown to have very strong feelings for Ayato and struggles at maintaining a relationship with him for many reasons. Her position within TERRA makes Ayato think that she is only using him because of his ability to pilot the RahXephon. Ayato's own personal struggles also create barriers for their relationship.
It is later revealed that the girl that Ayato is constantly drawing and painting is actually a young Haruka. They had fallen in love when they were younger. The earliest date when the show places them together is at August 10, 2011, at age 13. When the Tokyo Jupiter barrier was established, Haruka was on a vacation in a different part of Japan. Ixtli uses Ayato's distorted memories of Haruka to create the form of Reika Mishima. Haruka aged much more than Ayato in the outside world due to Tokyo Jupiter's time dilation effect. She had a relationship with Itsuki Kisaragi, possibly due to his similarity to Ayato.
;In other versions
There is no real difference between Haruka's portrayal in the series and in the movie.
In the manga, Haruka is more ditzy but has a similar role in the story until the end, where she is revealed to be a reincarnation of Reika.
Reika Mishima
- Reika Mishima
Throughout the series, it is hinted that Reika is not a normal human being. She does not have a reflection unless she needs to, Ayato is able to call her at an unassigned phone number, and she appears to alter Ayato's classmates' memories to make them remember her. She later appears as an aide to [|Makoto Isshiki], apparently altering TERRA personnels' memories in the same fashion. It is revealed that Reika is actually Ixtli, the soul of the RahXephon, and that her appearance is a manifestation of Ayato's innermost desires. This enables him to connect with and fully use the RahXephon; in artistic terms, she is his muse. Her form is chosen to closely mimic that of a young Haruka Mishima with whom Ayato had fallen in love. This is to ensure that the performer, or instrumentalist, is more cooperative to Ixtli and more trusting of her than would initially be the case. Ixtli appears to Quon as Reika at first but later takes the guise of Ayato as he has become very important to her.
Despite disappearing often, Ixtli/Reika Mishima is quite caring of Ayato, and will go the extra mile to see that he fully matures into his role as 'Ollin' and punishes those who would ruin her goal of a successful 'tuning'.
Although Ayato initially rejects Reika after he learns the truth about her and what she is, he later chooses to accept her and become one with the RahXephon, thus enabling him to re-tune the world.
Reika is the focus of an important and recurring visual leitmotif used throughout the series. She stands on a higher point, with her back facing Ayato, and slowly turns around to smile upon him. This image is also repeated in Ayato's paintings. The origin of the leitmotif is shown in the "Dandelion Girl Coda" at the end of the series.
;In other versions
In the movie, Reika is one of the Watchers of Time, a 'soul' of one of the two RahXephons. Further complicating matters, Ayato and Haruka's granddaughter is also named Reika and appears identical to Reika Mishima.
In the manga, Reika is a more comical character who has grown up as Ayato's adoptive sister and who is openly jealous of any woman who gets between them. It is revealed that Reika is a Mulian miko who was forced unprepared into a ritual involving the RahXephon. The ritual failed disastrously, due to Reika's spiritual emptiness and destrudo. She is trapped in a cycle of reincarnation, and is destined to die prematurely. Despite Ayato's best efforts, Reika dies in his arms after they promise each other to meet again in a later life. As Haruka and Itsuki prepare to get married, it is revealed that Haruka is actually Reika's reincarnation and that Itsuki is Ayato's. This is a partial reversal of the TV series, where Reika takes Haruka's image.
Quon Kisaragi
- Quon Kisaragi
Like Ayato, she has the marks of a potential instrumentalist. She and Ayato are both shown undergoing examinations, and while outside of her home she wears a vest-like device called a Life Module. Quon is skilled in playing both the violin and piano. She also is portrayed as curious about music that other people listen to on headphones, often taking them off to listen to the music.
It is later revealed that Quon is a Mulian. She is the sister of Maya Kamina, and the genetic provider of both Ayato Kamina and Itsuki Kisaragi. When she entered the human world, she slept for quite a while and stayed young, while Maya is awake and grew older. Because of this, she is often called the "Sleeping Beauty".
In episode 9, Quon goes with Ayato into a shrine where she learns that she is also "Ollin". After a period of lying comatose she goes with Ayato to Tokyo Jupiter, where she finds her own black RahXephon. At the end of the series, she merges with this RahXephon, and appears to battle Ayato after he merges with his RahXephon. She is eventually absorbed into Ayato, and he re-tunes the world. In the new world, the infant child of Ayato and Haruka is named Quon and also has pink hair, suggesting that Quon is reborn into the re-tuned world.
;Design
In the designs created by Akihiro Yamada and adapted by Hiroki Kanno, Quon is shown wearing a short dress with long sleeves, the Life Module, high heeled shoes, a thigh strap, a beret, and a parasol, leading to a stereotypical "French" look. In some illustrations, like Yamada's DVD 2 cover design, Quon wears a frilly lace-trimmed dress and stockings, which with the parasol complete a "Gothic Lolita" look. In Ouran High School Host Club, another anime series by Bones, the "French" otaku Renge is shown cosplaying as Quon on one occasion.
;In other versions
In the movie, Quon is a failed instrumentalist who is forced against her will to destroy the world of the humans. She spends most of the movie asleep, awakening only for her final conflict with Ayato.
In the manga, as in the TV series, Quon and Maya show friendship and love towards each other, but here Quon goes into battle against the malevolent Maya.
The RahXephon
The RahXephon is a bipedal humanoid mecha. It is about 50 m high, immensely strong, and capable of unassisted flight. Its offensive capabilities include energy blades which project from its forearms, concussion energy bullets from its hands or fingertips, releasing immensely powerful shockwaves and/or energy waves with its voice and an energy bow. It can also form energy shields around its forearms, and create impenetrable spheres of energy in its hands which are used for carrying and protection.The RahXephon is also referred to as 翼神世音, literally "wing god world sound". This is essentially a translation of the name "RahXephon", and it is also the Chinese term for the series and the mecha.
While dormant, the RahXephon's face is shown covered by a pair of large wings which are attached to its forehead; these wings separate and spread when the RahXephon becomes active, and appear to be tied into its overall function. Its forehead features a golden disk, alluding to the sun god Ra and Ollin Tonatiuh. Its eyes are normally red but are occasionally golden with visible irises; it also has a pair of smaller red eyes on its visor. Below its face is an egg-shaped protected barrier which Ayato is absorbed through when entering; he is then dropped through another barrier into the pilot's seat, which resembles a pair of cupped hands emerging from a seemingly endless pool of dark water and contains two control rods.
The RahXephon is connected physically, mentally, and emotionally to its instrumentalist. Its arms and head mimic Ayato's movements. The field of view from the pilot's seat is a grid of hexagons which follows Ayato's view; the RahXephon's shields also have a hexagonal grid shape. Ayato is shown to be absorbed into the RahXephon in a variety of manners, and it moves on its own to meet Ayato several times. Ayato can also trigger awakening and entering the RahXephon through voice command. Ayato appears to feel damage inflicted on the RahXephon as physical pain. During the battle with the Dolem Forzando, the RahXephon is pierced through the shoulder with a spike of debris; Ayato is shown in the cockpit holding his shoulder in the same place shortly thereafter.
It is revealed that the RahXephon was created by Ernst von Bähbem as a tool for re-tuning the world. This re-tuning would involve the RahXephon joining with a special person who has the potential to accomplish the re-tuning, referred to as an instrumentalist. The Mu refer to the robot as "Xephon", adding the honorific of "Rah" near the end of the series when Ayato is ready to tune the world. The RahXephon's TERRA designation is the "5-A" OOPArt or "Mulian Artifact Class 5 A ".
The RahXephons were designed by mecha designers Michiaki Sato and Yoshinori Sayama.
In the manga, the RahXephon is an artifact mysterious even to the Mu, used in a ritual that grants the desires of its occupants.
Tokyo Jupiter
Maya Kamina
- Maya Kamina
;In other versions
In the movie, Maya is Ayato's biological mother, and her turn to the Mu is more violent: She ran away while pregnant with Ayato and killed his father.
In the manga, Maya does not turn from the "normal" humans to the Mu. She turns from a kind Mulian who shows compassion for Reika into a malevolent character who tries to kill Reika and stages a coup d'état within the Mulian government. Her agenda is the eradication of red-blooded humans, and she shows far less attachment to Ayato than in the animated versions.
Hiroko Asahina
- Hiroko Asahina
It is revealed, through flashbacks in the series as well as in the movie prologue, that Hiroko was in love with Ayato while they were in their early teens, before Tokyo Jupiter was created, and that her feelings have not subsided even though she is dating Mamoru.
;In other versions
Asahina's role in the movie is identical to that in the TV series.
In the manga, she is Ayato's tsundere girlfriend; Ayato entered the relationship in part to escape Reika's advances. Here, Asahina escapes from Tokyo Jupiter with refugees and arrives in Nirai Kanai where she projects three Dolem and holds Reika hostage, forcing Ayato to kill her.
Mamoru Torigai
- Mamoru Torigai
His given name, "Mamoru", also means ":wiktionary:en:protect|to protect" in Japanese. In the light of his failure to protect Asahina and his turning against Ayato, his name becomes ironic.
;In other versions
In the movie, Mamoru's role is similar to that in the TV series.
In the manga, Mamoru only appears as a classmate who makes unsuccessful advances towards Asahina.
Masayoshi Kuki
- Masayoshi Kuki
;In other versions
In the movie, Kuki also acts as the second in command, but without the history and conflict with Kunugi. He does not appear in the manga.
Shinobu Miwa
- Shinobu Miwa
;In other versions
In the movie, Miwa appears briefly in the base.
In the manga, Maya is shown to have a female second in command, but this character is not named.
TERRA
Jin Kunugi
- Jin Kunugi
Kunugi eventually stays behind after Nirai Kanai is evacuated and activates a Jupiter device there, sacrificing himself to kill Kuki and destroy Largo, the Dolem which was bound to Kuki.
;In other versions
In the movie, Kunugi's conflict with Kuki is removed, substituting conflict with Bähbem. Kunugi thus takes part of the role Futagami had in the TV series.
In the manga, Kunugi also appears as the commander, but with little background and drama surrounding his character.
Megumi Shitou
- Megumi Shitou
She initially has a crush on Souchi Yakumo, but gives up on him when she finds out that he is seeing her friend, Kim Hotal. She feels as if she is constantly living in her sister's shadow, and this comes to a head when she learns that Ayato and Haruka had a relationship when they were younger, as by the end of the series she has developed a crush on Ayato. In the end, she openly renounces her feelings for Ayato for the sake of her sister.
;In other versions
In the movie, as in the series, Megumi helps make Ayato feel at home, but does not fall in love with Ayato or Yakumo — at least not in the scenes shown.
In the manga, Megumi and Kim have minor roles as classmates, "bodyguards", and observers of Reika.
Kim Hotal
- Kim Hotal
Kim starts seeing Souchi Yakumo, and although she feels guilty for hurting Megumi's feelings when she learns that Megumi likes him too, she is able to work things out with Megumi. It is also strongly hinted that Kim becomes pregnant by Souchi, as she appears to be suffering from morning sickness in two scenes near the end of the series.
;In other versions
In the movie, Kim is only seen in a short glimpse. In the manga she appears in a couple of scenes with Megumi.
Souichi Yakumo
- Souichi Yakumo
Later on in the series, Souichi is killed at the same time as Elvy by Ayato but is brought back after the world is tuned.
;In other versions
In the movie, Souichi has the same position within TERRA but is shown to be more "in the know". He does not appear in the manga.
Itsuki Kisaragi
- Itsuki Kisaragi
;In other versions
In the movie, his character is reduced to being a love-sick guardian of the sleeping Quon.
In the manga, Itsuki and Haruka are friends and colleagues, and they eventually marry. On their wedding day, it is revealed that Itsuki and Haruka are reincarnations of Ayato and Reika.
Sayoko Nanamori
- Sayoko Nanamori
;In other versions
In the movie, Nanamori appears only in a glimpse. In the manga, Nanamori is a malevolent Mu agent and facilitates Ayato's escape from TERRA.
Elvy Hadhiyat
- Elvy Hadhiyat
Her nickname is "Bunga Mawar", meaning "Rose Blossom" in Indonesian. She has a handkerchief monogrammed with her nickname and a rose emblem. In the scene where this appears she can also be seen wearing a baseball cap with a rose design on the crown. Elvy parallels Lydia Litvyak, a World War II female fighter ace nicknamed the "White Rose of Stalingrad" and the namesake of the ship in the series.
Although Elvy initially flirts with Ayato and fights to protect him from danger, she becomes very hostile once she finds out that he is a Mulian. She uses the Vermilion to follow Ayato when he returns to Tokyo Jupiter. She is later killed in battle against the Mu when Ayato unites with the RahXephon and sings a 'song' which produces a wave of destruction that destroys her aircraft, surrounding Dolems and various TERRA sea vessels. Elvy, like others who died, is returned to life when the world is re-tuned.
Elvy appears in both the movie and the manga.
Alpha Squadron
Elvy loses her entire squadron in the first episode, and a new group of pilots is taken on as replacements in episode 7; these pilots are all longtime associates of Elvy's. They are first equipped with advanced fighter planes and eventually receive a Vermilion from the Bähbem Foundation. They do not appear in the manga or movie versions.- Jean-Patrick "Maestro" Shapplin
- Donny "Tonpu" Wong
- Cathy "Crazy Horse" McMahon
Makoto Isshiki
- Makoto Isshiki
When Isshiki was younger, he had long hair and was quite close to Itsuki. During childhood he found an experimental Dolem in the caverns below the Bähbem Institute where he was being raised. He was able to connect with the Dolem and tried to get it to find its 'mom and dad' but became heartbroken when he realized that, like him, it had no true mother or father. He is a clone sharing the DNA of Ernst von Bähbem. He has an inferiority complex which stems from being a D-ranked instrumentalist. He had abilities beyond what was expected of a D type, but he failed to recognize praise from others and let the "D" rating stop him. Because of this, he hates being called a D type, and he feels that he has to constantly prove himself. Isshiki also hates Mulians and considers them worthless, not realising that he is Mulian himself.
Isshiki has Kunugi removed from his command position, and leads Operation Downfall to destroy the Tokyo Jupiter barrier. Although the operation is successful, it results in a horrific counterattack by the Mu, causing massive losses to TERRA. It is revealed that he deliberately ignored an order from the Earth Federation not to go through with the operation; he is deposed and imprisoned. Driven to madness, he escapes his cell at the Bähbem Foundation and goes on a killing spree against his fellow clones, and is finally shot to death by Laila Costa, one of Bähbem's assistants.
A number of other D clones appear throughout the series, perhaps to confuse the viewer.
;In other versions
Isshiki appears in the movie only as the head of the Strategic Division of TERRA and the leader of Operation Downfall. He is not shown to have any history with Helena and Itsuki.
He does not appear in the manga.
Shirou Watari
- Shirou Watari
;In other versions
In the movie, Watari is still Ayato's biological father, but the pregnancy was unplanned and fully in utero. Watari escaped with Maya, but she was being turned to the Mu and appears to have killed him during the escape.
He does not appear in the manga.
Other TERRA employees
- Masaru Gomi
- Youhei Yomoda
The staff is larger than those four, and other operators are shown speaking, but none are named or even appear in more than one episode.
;In other versions
Gomi appears briefly in the movie, while Yomoda is cut. Neither appears in the manga.
Others
Professor Shougo Rikudo
- Shougo Rikudou
;In other versions
Rikudo has an equally prominent position in the movie as in the series, and he takes on a greater importance in telling the story. In the movie, he is the one to encourage Haruka to join Ayato.
He does not appear in the manga.
Johji Futagami
- Johji Futagami
Futagami does not appear in the movie or the manga.
Ernst von Bähbem
- Ernst von Bähbem
;In other versions
In the movie, Bähbem has the stated goal of seeing the Mu prevail in the tuning; his role is otherwise similar to that in the series.
Neither Bähbem nor his foundation appear in the manga.
Helena von Bähbem
- Helena von Bähbem
;In other versions
Helena appears briefly with Ernst in the movie.
She does not appear in the manga.
Minor recurring characters
;Tokyo public security agents: Agents under the command of Maya, who try to capture Ayato and Haruka. Group codenames include Macondo and Yoknapatawpha. First appearance: Episode 1. The agents also appear in the movie and manga.;Captain of the Lilia Litvyak: The captain of the Lilia Litvyak appears in episodes 1 and 4, and again in episode 22.
;Mariko Kunugi: Jin Kunugi's separated wife. Appears in episodes 10 and 23.
;Michiru Kunugi: Daughter of Jin and Mariko Kunugi. Killed during the great Mu war, but affects the story through a taped message and musical compositions.
;Laila Costa: One of Bähbem's bodyguards and assassins. She first appears in the show as a local islander in episode 12, giving a photojournalist a lift to a volcanic crater in the Philippines. She kills the photojournalist at the behest of the Foundation to protect their secrets. Her next appearance is with Bähbem in the final episodes of the show, where she shoots Makoto Isshiki when he threatens Bähbem's life. However, she makes the mistake of calling Isshiki a 'D' and he manages to shoot her in the head, killing her, before collapsing from his fatal wounds.
She does not appear in the movie or manga.