TV-Series
Description
Kikyou Mikage is a complex character who appears within the narrative of the anime Blade, serving as both a foil and an ally to the protagonist. His origins are rooted in the traditional discipline of swordsmanship, having been taken in as a student by the master Yagyu Tenba. During his time at the dojo, he trained alongside another promising student, Eric Brooks, who would later become known as Blade. This shared history forms the bedrock of their intense and complicated relationship. Kikyou was deeply upset when Eric decided to leave the dojo, particularly because Eric refused to grant him a final duel to prove his skills. In a moment of frustration, their conflict escalated, resulting in Eric slashing Kikyous Achilles tendons, a physical and emotional wound that lingered for a long time.
Personality-wise, Kikyou is defined by a powerful, challenging, and prideful attitude. He possesses a strong desire to prove his abilities, often to the point of obsession, and holds a deep-seated need for a meaningful confrontation with his former training partner. This obsession with a fair and decisive battle is a core part of his character. He can appear to have a mad or sly expression, born from a place of deep confidence in his own abilities as a warrior. His initial motivations are centered on this personal vendetta and the desire to settle the score, leading him to take extreme actions, such as assassinating someone simply to draw Wolverine's attention and provoke a fight. Later, his motivations shift dramatically as he confronts the tragic fate of his former master, Tenba, who was turned into a vampire. Discovering this, Kikyou is horrified and swears to make amends for having left his master, now believing his duty is to end Tenbas undead life.
In the story of Blade, Kikyou begins as a rival and antagonist, but his role evolves significantly. He works as an assassin, initially for the villain Deacon Frost and also for the master swordsman Shingen of the Kuzuryu Clan. He is a persistent enemy of both Blade and Wolverine, driven by his desire for a duel. However, when he fails to defeat his vampire master Tenba on his own, he is saved by Blade's intervention. This event forces a shift in their dynamic. He becomes a temporary ally who provides crucial information, such as informing Blades partner about where the vampire Deacon Frost had likely taken the captured Blade, and swears revenge on Frost for corrupting his master.
His key relationships are central to his character arc. His bond with his teacher, Yagyu Tenba, is one of deep respect and ultimately tragic duty. His relationship with Blade is the most significant; it moves from being a jealous, rival student to a reluctant ally bound by shared history and a mutual enemy. He also has notable confrontations with Wolverine, whom he considers a worthy opponent and the first person to ever land a strike on him.
Kikyou undergoes notable development throughout the story. He starts as a prideful and slightly obsessive swordsman who feels wronged by his past with Blade. After failing to put his transformed master out of his misery, he is humbled and forced to accept Blades help. He witnesses his masters final moments, where Tenba expresses gratitude for his two beloved students, allowing Kikyou to find a measure of closure and replace his obsessive need for a duel with a more focused goal of revenge against Deacon Frost.
Regarding his notable abilities, Kikyou is a highly skilled master of the art of swordsmanship, referred to by Wolverine as a samurai. He is also a mutant, possessing a unique physical trait where he can bring forth razor-sharp blades directly from the palms of his hands, similar to Wolverine's claws but emerging from a different location. These blades are made of the virtually indestructible metal adamantium, making them capable of cutting through almost any material. Like Wolverine, he also possesses a potent accelerated healing factor, allowing him to recover from injuries quickly. He has demonstrated great strength and agility, and he can use his blades to project a powerful cutting force known as a "Wind Blade," which can slice an opponent from a distance using only air pressure. His proficiency with his unique blade-based fighting style makes him a deadly and formidable opponent in close quarters.
Personality-wise, Kikyou is defined by a powerful, challenging, and prideful attitude. He possesses a strong desire to prove his abilities, often to the point of obsession, and holds a deep-seated need for a meaningful confrontation with his former training partner. This obsession with a fair and decisive battle is a core part of his character. He can appear to have a mad or sly expression, born from a place of deep confidence in his own abilities as a warrior. His initial motivations are centered on this personal vendetta and the desire to settle the score, leading him to take extreme actions, such as assassinating someone simply to draw Wolverine's attention and provoke a fight. Later, his motivations shift dramatically as he confronts the tragic fate of his former master, Tenba, who was turned into a vampire. Discovering this, Kikyou is horrified and swears to make amends for having left his master, now believing his duty is to end Tenbas undead life.
In the story of Blade, Kikyou begins as a rival and antagonist, but his role evolves significantly. He works as an assassin, initially for the villain Deacon Frost and also for the master swordsman Shingen of the Kuzuryu Clan. He is a persistent enemy of both Blade and Wolverine, driven by his desire for a duel. However, when he fails to defeat his vampire master Tenba on his own, he is saved by Blade's intervention. This event forces a shift in their dynamic. He becomes a temporary ally who provides crucial information, such as informing Blades partner about where the vampire Deacon Frost had likely taken the captured Blade, and swears revenge on Frost for corrupting his master.
His key relationships are central to his character arc. His bond with his teacher, Yagyu Tenba, is one of deep respect and ultimately tragic duty. His relationship with Blade is the most significant; it moves from being a jealous, rival student to a reluctant ally bound by shared history and a mutual enemy. He also has notable confrontations with Wolverine, whom he considers a worthy opponent and the first person to ever land a strike on him.
Kikyou undergoes notable development throughout the story. He starts as a prideful and slightly obsessive swordsman who feels wronged by his past with Blade. After failing to put his transformed master out of his misery, he is humbled and forced to accept Blades help. He witnesses his masters final moments, where Tenba expresses gratitude for his two beloved students, allowing Kikyou to find a measure of closure and replace his obsessive need for a duel with a more focused goal of revenge against Deacon Frost.
Regarding his notable abilities, Kikyou is a highly skilled master of the art of swordsmanship, referred to by Wolverine as a samurai. He is also a mutant, possessing a unique physical trait where he can bring forth razor-sharp blades directly from the palms of his hands, similar to Wolverine's claws but emerging from a different location. These blades are made of the virtually indestructible metal adamantium, making them capable of cutting through almost any material. Like Wolverine, he also possesses a potent accelerated healing factor, allowing him to recover from injuries quickly. He has demonstrated great strength and agility, and he can use his blades to project a powerful cutting force known as a "Wind Blade," which can slice an opponent from a distance using only air pressure. His proficiency with his unique blade-based fighting style makes him a deadly and formidable opponent in close quarters.