TV-Series
Description
Aoba is the protagonist of the story, a 23-year-old young man living in the Eastern district of the island of Midorijima. He works part-time at a junk shop called Heibon, handling sales and deliveries. Physically, Aoba has a slender frame and is of average height. He is most recognizable by his long, two-toned blue hair and a pair of large, retro pink headphones that he typically wears around his neck. His appearance also features a unique trait: his hair contains nerves that cause him pain when touched or cut, a direct consequence of his unusual origins.
Regarding his background, Aoba was created as a "designer baby" by the powerful Toue Corporation as part of their genetic experiments. He is a twin, with a brother named Sei. Both were born with unstable conditions, and Aoba was initially declared dead. A researcher named Tae Seragaki, who felt immense guilt for her role in the experiments, took his body away, intending to give it a proper burial. When Aoba miraculously survived, she left him at a church to be cared for, and she later became his adoptive grandmother. As he grew, his health stabilized and his appearance became normal, but he remained unaware of his artificial origins for most of his life. During his adolescence, Aoba was deeply involved in a virtual fighting game called Rhyme under the alias "Sly Blue." He was known for being aggressive and using his special power extensively. After a certain incident, he lost his memories of this period and his more violent personality was suppressed.
In terms of personality, Aoba is generally an optimistic, calm, and caring individual. He is known for being a reliable person who finds it difficult to refuse when someone asks for his help. Despite his friendly nature, he is not a pushover; he can become snarky when annoyed and is capable of defending himself physically, using powerful kicks against opponents. Aoba prefers a quiet, ordinary life and initially has no interest in returning to the world of Rhyme or joining any of the local gangs. However, he is also incredibly stubborn and persistent, especially when it comes to protecting his friends and loved ones. His psyche is complex and fractured, consisting of three main parts: the gentle Aoba in control, a suppressed, aggressive "Desire" personality that craves destruction, and "Ren," who was originally the part of him that maintained self-control.
Aoba's primary motivation throughout the story is to protect his peaceful everyday life and the people he cares about. This simple goal is challenged when he is forcibly pulled into Rhyme battles and begins investigating a series of disappearances linked to a new, dangerous version of the game. He is driven to uncover the truth behind these events, which inevitably forces him to confront the secrets of his own past and the nature of his abilities. His key relationships are central to the story. He lives with his grandmother, Tae, who raised him. His AllMate, a robot companion in the form of a small blue dog named Ren, is his closest partner; unbeknownst to Aoba, Ren houses the aspect of his own personality that represents self-control. He has a deep, lifelong friendship with his childhood friend, a tattoo artist named Koujaku, who was one of the first people to accept him. Other significant characters he encounters include the foreign hacker Noiz, the enigmatic cleaner Clear, and the stoic leader Mink, all of whom become entwined in his quest.
Aoba's most notable ability is called "Scrap". This power allows him to use his voice as a medium to implant ideas and suggestions into the minds of others, a skill that unintentionally makes him an excellent salesman. With direct eye contact, he can take this further by entering a person's consciousness, allowing him to explore and even rewrite their memories and perceptions. However, using this ability is extremely dangerous; a wrong move can permanently destroy a person's mind. The frequent, debilitating headaches Aoba suffers from are a side effect of his own subconscious suppression of this power.
Throughout his journey, Aoba undergoes significant development. He is forced to come to terms with his lost memories, his hidden aggressive side, and his identity as a manufactured human being. He learns to accept all parts of himself, including the destructive "Desire" personality, rather than continuing to repress them. This acceptance allows him to gain greater control over his Scrap ability and resolve the central conflicts of the story. His development is about moving from a passive desire for a normal life to an active, decisive role in shaping his own future and protecting his chosen family.
Regarding his background, Aoba was created as a "designer baby" by the powerful Toue Corporation as part of their genetic experiments. He is a twin, with a brother named Sei. Both were born with unstable conditions, and Aoba was initially declared dead. A researcher named Tae Seragaki, who felt immense guilt for her role in the experiments, took his body away, intending to give it a proper burial. When Aoba miraculously survived, she left him at a church to be cared for, and she later became his adoptive grandmother. As he grew, his health stabilized and his appearance became normal, but he remained unaware of his artificial origins for most of his life. During his adolescence, Aoba was deeply involved in a virtual fighting game called Rhyme under the alias "Sly Blue." He was known for being aggressive and using his special power extensively. After a certain incident, he lost his memories of this period and his more violent personality was suppressed.
In terms of personality, Aoba is generally an optimistic, calm, and caring individual. He is known for being a reliable person who finds it difficult to refuse when someone asks for his help. Despite his friendly nature, he is not a pushover; he can become snarky when annoyed and is capable of defending himself physically, using powerful kicks against opponents. Aoba prefers a quiet, ordinary life and initially has no interest in returning to the world of Rhyme or joining any of the local gangs. However, he is also incredibly stubborn and persistent, especially when it comes to protecting his friends and loved ones. His psyche is complex and fractured, consisting of three main parts: the gentle Aoba in control, a suppressed, aggressive "Desire" personality that craves destruction, and "Ren," who was originally the part of him that maintained self-control.
Aoba's primary motivation throughout the story is to protect his peaceful everyday life and the people he cares about. This simple goal is challenged when he is forcibly pulled into Rhyme battles and begins investigating a series of disappearances linked to a new, dangerous version of the game. He is driven to uncover the truth behind these events, which inevitably forces him to confront the secrets of his own past and the nature of his abilities. His key relationships are central to the story. He lives with his grandmother, Tae, who raised him. His AllMate, a robot companion in the form of a small blue dog named Ren, is his closest partner; unbeknownst to Aoba, Ren houses the aspect of his own personality that represents self-control. He has a deep, lifelong friendship with his childhood friend, a tattoo artist named Koujaku, who was one of the first people to accept him. Other significant characters he encounters include the foreign hacker Noiz, the enigmatic cleaner Clear, and the stoic leader Mink, all of whom become entwined in his quest.
Aoba's most notable ability is called "Scrap". This power allows him to use his voice as a medium to implant ideas and suggestions into the minds of others, a skill that unintentionally makes him an excellent salesman. With direct eye contact, he can take this further by entering a person's consciousness, allowing him to explore and even rewrite their memories and perceptions. However, using this ability is extremely dangerous; a wrong move can permanently destroy a person's mind. The frequent, debilitating headaches Aoba suffers from are a side effect of his own subconscious suppression of this power.
Throughout his journey, Aoba undergoes significant development. He is forced to come to terms with his lost memories, his hidden aggressive side, and his identity as a manufactured human being. He learns to accept all parts of himself, including the destructive "Desire" personality, rather than continuing to repress them. This acceptance allows him to gain greater control over his Scrap ability and resolve the central conflicts of the story. His development is about moving from a passive desire for a normal life to an active, decisive role in shaping his own future and protecting his chosen family.