TV-Series
Description
The character known as the Count of St. Germain in the anime and manga series Drifters is a powerful and ancient nobleman of the Orte Empire, recognized as the oldest living Drifter in that world. He is a tall, androgynous figure with blond hair styled in an eccentric manner, sharp light blue eyes, and a heavy application of makeup, giving him an appearance that belies his true, vastly greater age. Originating from a time period long after the other main characters from Japan's Sengoku period, he possesses a deep and modern knowledge of history, including the eventual fates and historical legacies of figures like Shimazu Toyohisa, Oda Nobunaga, and Yoichi Suketaka. The Count is intrinsically linked to the foundation of the Orte Empire, as he was the first aristocrat to ally with Adolf Hitler sixty years prior to the main events, playing a major role in building the nation.
The Count's personality is defined by a calculating, cunning, and thoroughly pragmatic intellect. Although he can exhibit occasional dramatic or flamboyant moments, he primarily maintains a cool head, making decisions based purely on profit, calculation, and strategic advantage. He is described as a person who lacks true loyalty and is prone to betrayal without the hindrance of conscience, passion, or tradition. This is not born of malice but from a worldview where aligning with the strongest or most strategic side is the most logical course of action. He is introduced betraying the Orte Empire, which he helped build, by offering to sell it to the Drifters, demonstrating his belief that the empire will inevitably fall. Oda Nobunaga famously assesses him as a person one can trust while knowing he is someone who betrays, suggesting that his predictable self-interest is a form of reliability. Similarly, another character notes that his ease of betrayal signifies his confidence that the group he joins has a high chance of victory, as his calculations are always complete before he switches sides.
The Count's primary role in the narrative is as a strategist and a key asset who switches allegiance from the failing Orte Empire to the protagonists' faction. After his defection, he becomes responsible for much of the administrative and logistical work, effectively serving as the brains of the Drifter alliance alongside Oda Nobunaga. He facilitates a coup within the capital by using his personal carriage as a Trojan horse to sneak the Drifter army into the city. During the ensuing battle, he contributes his personal army, a unit called the Sacred Band of Thebes, which is armed with newly mass-produced matchlock rifles. His knowledge of alchemy is also implied to be crucial, potentially for producing advanced weaponry like detonators.
In terms of key relationships, the Count has a notable history with Grigori Rasputin of the Black King's army, viewing him as a rival in political power. His relationship with the main Drifters is one of wary cooperation. Oda Nobunaga understands his nature and uses it, while Shimazu Toyohisa simply ignores his theatrics. He is typically accompanied by two flamboyant and skilled subordinates, Aresta and Flame, who are based on real historical figures associated with alchemy, Aleister Crowley and Nicholas Flamel. Their dynamic with the Count is one of loyal service, as they consistently accompany and protect him. The character shows a degree of intellectual acknowledgement, such as when he compliments Adolf Hitler on his administrative skills in building the empire.
Notable abilities of the Count of St. Germain extend beyond his political acumen. He is identified as an alchemist, which accounts for his longevity and youthful appearance. His strategic mind allows him to manage large-scale operations and coordinate complex plans. He also commands a highly unconventional personal army. The Sacred Band of Thebes consists of 500 soldiers organized into 250 pairs, all of whom share his flamboyant and eccentric aesthetic. In terms of character development, the Count does not undergo a fundamental moral shift. His actions are driven by consistent logic: the survival of humanity is not a subject of personal devotion but a calculation, and he has determined that the Black King's goal of human genocide is not in his interest, leading him to align with the Drifters. His primary development is the transition from a powerful neutral noble to an active member of the protagonist faction, where his skills become essential to their war effort, even as his nature as an opportunistic survivor remains unchanged.
The Count's personality is defined by a calculating, cunning, and thoroughly pragmatic intellect. Although he can exhibit occasional dramatic or flamboyant moments, he primarily maintains a cool head, making decisions based purely on profit, calculation, and strategic advantage. He is described as a person who lacks true loyalty and is prone to betrayal without the hindrance of conscience, passion, or tradition. This is not born of malice but from a worldview where aligning with the strongest or most strategic side is the most logical course of action. He is introduced betraying the Orte Empire, which he helped build, by offering to sell it to the Drifters, demonstrating his belief that the empire will inevitably fall. Oda Nobunaga famously assesses him as a person one can trust while knowing he is someone who betrays, suggesting that his predictable self-interest is a form of reliability. Similarly, another character notes that his ease of betrayal signifies his confidence that the group he joins has a high chance of victory, as his calculations are always complete before he switches sides.
The Count's primary role in the narrative is as a strategist and a key asset who switches allegiance from the failing Orte Empire to the protagonists' faction. After his defection, he becomes responsible for much of the administrative and logistical work, effectively serving as the brains of the Drifter alliance alongside Oda Nobunaga. He facilitates a coup within the capital by using his personal carriage as a Trojan horse to sneak the Drifter army into the city. During the ensuing battle, he contributes his personal army, a unit called the Sacred Band of Thebes, which is armed with newly mass-produced matchlock rifles. His knowledge of alchemy is also implied to be crucial, potentially for producing advanced weaponry like detonators.
In terms of key relationships, the Count has a notable history with Grigori Rasputin of the Black King's army, viewing him as a rival in political power. His relationship with the main Drifters is one of wary cooperation. Oda Nobunaga understands his nature and uses it, while Shimazu Toyohisa simply ignores his theatrics. He is typically accompanied by two flamboyant and skilled subordinates, Aresta and Flame, who are based on real historical figures associated with alchemy, Aleister Crowley and Nicholas Flamel. Their dynamic with the Count is one of loyal service, as they consistently accompany and protect him. The character shows a degree of intellectual acknowledgement, such as when he compliments Adolf Hitler on his administrative skills in building the empire.
Notable abilities of the Count of St. Germain extend beyond his political acumen. He is identified as an alchemist, which accounts for his longevity and youthful appearance. His strategic mind allows him to manage large-scale operations and coordinate complex plans. He also commands a highly unconventional personal army. The Sacred Band of Thebes consists of 500 soldiers organized into 250 pairs, all of whom share his flamboyant and eccentric aesthetic. In terms of character development, the Count does not undergo a fundamental moral shift. His actions are driven by consistent logic: the survival of humanity is not a subject of personal devotion but a calculation, and he has determined that the Black King's goal of human genocide is not in his interest, leading him to align with the Drifters. His primary development is the transition from a powerful neutral noble to an active member of the protagonist faction, where his skills become essential to their war effort, even as his nature as an opportunistic survivor remains unchanged.