TV-Series
Description
Apricot Sakuraba, known to her friends as Rico, is a central character and the first member of the Rune Angel Troupe. She is the younger sister of Milfeulle Sakuraba, a fact that shapes a significant part of her identity and aspirations. As a pilot, she is assigned the Emblem Frame Cross Caliber. Physically, she is a petite girl of fourteen years with short orange hair and violet eyes, standing at a height of 155 centimeters. Her choice of uniform and hair ribbons, which feature cherry blossom motifs, are designed to closely resemble those of her older sister.
Rico possesses a personality that is generally sweet, kind, and caring, with a strong sense of responsibility toward her friends and family. She is often described as more practical and grounded in reality than her sister, Milfeulle, and is notably skilled with household chores and cooking. While she is earnest and sharp, she can also exhibit a slightly goofy side. She idolizes her older sister to a profound degree, considering her the number one sister in the universe and frequently writing letters to her; these letters often serve as a form of narration for her experiences. Despite her competence, she is the newest and most inexperienced member of her team, often acting as a voice of reason when problems arise among the group.
A defining and unusual characteristic of Apricot is her pathological fear of men, known as androphobia, which manifests as a sudden burst of superhuman strength. This reflex is triggered involuntarily whenever a male makes physical contact with her, causing her to hurl the unfortunate individual a considerable distance. This reaction occurs regardless of the man's intent or her relationship with him; even male crew members she trusts, such as the commander Tact and the ship's doctor Morden, are not immune to being thrown. The origin of this fear stems from a childhood incident where she became separated from her mother during a fire at an idol concert, leaving her trapped in a dark, crowded room with panicking men. This reflex is so powerful that it grants her physical strength far beyond her small frame, and she is unable to control it consciously.
Within the story, Rico acts as the heart of the Rune Angel Wing. She is responsible for managing the storeroom inventory aboard the Luxiole, the team's ship, and often assists with mission reports and other logistical tasks. Her primary motivation is to follow in the footsteps of her admired sister, Milfeulle, and to protect the people she cares about. A significant part of her character arc involves her relationship with Kazuya Shiranami. Unlike most men, Kazuya does not trigger her full-strength reflex, likely because his proficiency in cooking gives him a similar scent to her sister, leading to a much milder reaction. Over the course of events, Rico develops romantic feelings for him, though she is initially shy about expressing them. Her journey includes a concerted effort to overcome her fear of men, achieving a partial success where she can manage simple handshakes, and her growing bond with Kazuya becomes a crucial emotional anchor for the team.
Her key relationships define her actions throughout the series. Her admiration for her older sister, Milfeulle, is her strongest driving force. Her relationship with Kazuya transitions from friendship to a deep romantic connection, with her feelings for him helping her confront her deepest fears. She also shares a close camaraderie with her fellow Rune Angel Wing members, including Lily, Nano, and Kahlua, and holds a respectful but wary relationship with her commander, Tact. In terms of notable abilities, beyond her uncontrollable super-strength triggered by male contact, Rico is a capable Emblem Frame pilot. She is also highly competent in practical domestic skills, including cooking and organization, which contrasts with her more fantastical phobia-induced power.
Rico possesses a personality that is generally sweet, kind, and caring, with a strong sense of responsibility toward her friends and family. She is often described as more practical and grounded in reality than her sister, Milfeulle, and is notably skilled with household chores and cooking. While she is earnest and sharp, she can also exhibit a slightly goofy side. She idolizes her older sister to a profound degree, considering her the number one sister in the universe and frequently writing letters to her; these letters often serve as a form of narration for her experiences. Despite her competence, she is the newest and most inexperienced member of her team, often acting as a voice of reason when problems arise among the group.
A defining and unusual characteristic of Apricot is her pathological fear of men, known as androphobia, which manifests as a sudden burst of superhuman strength. This reflex is triggered involuntarily whenever a male makes physical contact with her, causing her to hurl the unfortunate individual a considerable distance. This reaction occurs regardless of the man's intent or her relationship with him; even male crew members she trusts, such as the commander Tact and the ship's doctor Morden, are not immune to being thrown. The origin of this fear stems from a childhood incident where she became separated from her mother during a fire at an idol concert, leaving her trapped in a dark, crowded room with panicking men. This reflex is so powerful that it grants her physical strength far beyond her small frame, and she is unable to control it consciously.
Within the story, Rico acts as the heart of the Rune Angel Wing. She is responsible for managing the storeroom inventory aboard the Luxiole, the team's ship, and often assists with mission reports and other logistical tasks. Her primary motivation is to follow in the footsteps of her admired sister, Milfeulle, and to protect the people she cares about. A significant part of her character arc involves her relationship with Kazuya Shiranami. Unlike most men, Kazuya does not trigger her full-strength reflex, likely because his proficiency in cooking gives him a similar scent to her sister, leading to a much milder reaction. Over the course of events, Rico develops romantic feelings for him, though she is initially shy about expressing them. Her journey includes a concerted effort to overcome her fear of men, achieving a partial success where she can manage simple handshakes, and her growing bond with Kazuya becomes a crucial emotional anchor for the team.
Her key relationships define her actions throughout the series. Her admiration for her older sister, Milfeulle, is her strongest driving force. Her relationship with Kazuya transitions from friendship to a deep romantic connection, with her feelings for him helping her confront her deepest fears. She also shares a close camaraderie with her fellow Rune Angel Wing members, including Lily, Nano, and Kahlua, and holds a respectful but wary relationship with her commander, Tact. In terms of notable abilities, beyond her uncontrollable super-strength triggered by male contact, Rico is a capable Emblem Frame pilot. She is also highly competent in practical domestic skills, including cooking and organization, which contrasts with her more fantastical phobia-induced power.