TV-Series
Description
Bulat, also known as the "100 Man-Slayer," is a significant figure within the assassin group Night Raid, having once served as a high-ranking officer in the Imperial Army. His military past is marked by exceptional skill and loyalty, having trained under a master named Gensei and served under a general he greatly respected named Liver. However, his faith in the Empire was shattered when he witnessed its deep-seated corruption. When his superior, General Liver, was unfairly framed and demoted for refusing to pay bribes to the corrupt Prime Minister, and after being personally set up for a crime, Bulat became disgusted with a system that valued money over merit and hard work. Using his Teigu, Incursio, to escape, he defected and joined the Revolutionary Army, completely reinventing himself when he became a member of Night Raid.
In terms of personality, Bulat is known for his boisterous, kind, and caring nature, often acting as the quintessential "big brother" figure to his comrades. He is described as passionate and hot-blooded, yet he rarely loses his cool in the heat of battle, demonstrating a sharp and rational mind. His most defining trait is his role as a mentor and older brother to the protagonist, Tatsumi, whom he trains both physically and mentally to become a stronger and more resilient fighter. While he is gentle and supportive, he is also a realist who does not shy away from telling Tatsumi harsh truths about the life of an assassin, such as the fact that no Teigu can bring back the dead. He occasionally displays a playful and mischievous side, often flirting with Tatsumi in a way that makes the younger man visibly uncomfortable, leading to speculation about his sexuality, though this is often played for comedic effect. Despite his warm exterior, he is fully aware of his position as a killer and accepts that he may one day have to atone for his murders.
His primary motivation is to fight against the Empire's tyranny and corruption, a cause he fully committed to after his disillusionment as an officer. Within the story, his most crucial role is as the previous wielder of the powerful armor-type Teigu, Incursio, and as the one who passes it on to Tatsumi. He serves as a guardian to the newer members of Night Raid, and his combat prowess is considered top-tier, with other characters suggesting his strength might be second only to the Empire's strongest general, Esdeath. He is partnered with Tatsumi on a mission to protect a political target aboard a luxury cruise liner, where they are ambushed by a group of Imperial assassins known as the Three Beasts.
The key relationships in his life heavily define his character arc. His bond with Tatsumi is the most prominent, evolving from mentor and student to a deep, brotherly friendship. He sees immense potential in Tatsumi and is dedicated to helping him survive and grow strong. Another significant relationship is with his former superior, General Liver, who has become a corrupted enemy as one of the Three Beasts. Bulat expresses sadness at having to fight the man he once respected, making their confrontation deeply personal. He also shares a loyal camaraderie with the leader of Night Raid, Najenda, whom he once protected from an assassination attempt by Akame.
Bulat's character development, though limited due to his early departure from the story, is a complete arc of redemption and sacrifice. He transitions from a disillusioned soldier of a corrupt empire to a dedicated and heroic revolutionary. His death serves as a pivotal moment in the narrative. During the battle with the Three Beasts, after saving Tatsumi and single-handedly killing Daidara, he engages in a final, lethal duel with Liver. Despite being at a disadvantage and ultimately prevailing, Liver uses a last-resort technique that poisons his own blood, fatally wounding Bulat. Mortally wounded, Bulat spends his final moments in the anime and manga encouraging Tatsumi to don the Incursio, giving him the push he needs to defeat the remaining enemy, Nyau. His death has a profound and lasting impact on Tatsumi, who is devastated by the loss of his mentor and brother, and uses Bulat's teachings and the inherited Teigu to drive his growth for the rest of the series.
As a fighter, Bulat possesses remarkable abilities even without his Teigu. He was known as the "100 Man-Slayer" for his prowess in the Imperial Army and is highly proficient with both a sword and a spear. His primary asset is the Demon Armor Incursio, an armor-type Teigu made from the flesh of a legendary Danger Beast called Tyrant. When activated from its sealed sword form, Incursio envelops him in a suit of armor that greatly enhances his physical strength, speed, and durability. Having mastered the Teigu to its limits, Bulat could summon the armor without its key and utilize its trump card, which grants the user temporary invisibility, for extended periods. While invisible to the naked eye, a skilled opponent can still sense his presence. In combat, he wields Neuntote, a long spear or halberd-like auxiliary weapon that is sharp enough to cut through Danger Beasts with ease. His skill is such that he could effortlessly dispatch powerful enemies like the Three Beasts and was rumored to be on par with General Esdeath.
In terms of personality, Bulat is known for his boisterous, kind, and caring nature, often acting as the quintessential "big brother" figure to his comrades. He is described as passionate and hot-blooded, yet he rarely loses his cool in the heat of battle, demonstrating a sharp and rational mind. His most defining trait is his role as a mentor and older brother to the protagonist, Tatsumi, whom he trains both physically and mentally to become a stronger and more resilient fighter. While he is gentle and supportive, he is also a realist who does not shy away from telling Tatsumi harsh truths about the life of an assassin, such as the fact that no Teigu can bring back the dead. He occasionally displays a playful and mischievous side, often flirting with Tatsumi in a way that makes the younger man visibly uncomfortable, leading to speculation about his sexuality, though this is often played for comedic effect. Despite his warm exterior, he is fully aware of his position as a killer and accepts that he may one day have to atone for his murders.
His primary motivation is to fight against the Empire's tyranny and corruption, a cause he fully committed to after his disillusionment as an officer. Within the story, his most crucial role is as the previous wielder of the powerful armor-type Teigu, Incursio, and as the one who passes it on to Tatsumi. He serves as a guardian to the newer members of Night Raid, and his combat prowess is considered top-tier, with other characters suggesting his strength might be second only to the Empire's strongest general, Esdeath. He is partnered with Tatsumi on a mission to protect a political target aboard a luxury cruise liner, where they are ambushed by a group of Imperial assassins known as the Three Beasts.
The key relationships in his life heavily define his character arc. His bond with Tatsumi is the most prominent, evolving from mentor and student to a deep, brotherly friendship. He sees immense potential in Tatsumi and is dedicated to helping him survive and grow strong. Another significant relationship is with his former superior, General Liver, who has become a corrupted enemy as one of the Three Beasts. Bulat expresses sadness at having to fight the man he once respected, making their confrontation deeply personal. He also shares a loyal camaraderie with the leader of Night Raid, Najenda, whom he once protected from an assassination attempt by Akame.
Bulat's character development, though limited due to his early departure from the story, is a complete arc of redemption and sacrifice. He transitions from a disillusioned soldier of a corrupt empire to a dedicated and heroic revolutionary. His death serves as a pivotal moment in the narrative. During the battle with the Three Beasts, after saving Tatsumi and single-handedly killing Daidara, he engages in a final, lethal duel with Liver. Despite being at a disadvantage and ultimately prevailing, Liver uses a last-resort technique that poisons his own blood, fatally wounding Bulat. Mortally wounded, Bulat spends his final moments in the anime and manga encouraging Tatsumi to don the Incursio, giving him the push he needs to defeat the remaining enemy, Nyau. His death has a profound and lasting impact on Tatsumi, who is devastated by the loss of his mentor and brother, and uses Bulat's teachings and the inherited Teigu to drive his growth for the rest of the series.
As a fighter, Bulat possesses remarkable abilities even without his Teigu. He was known as the "100 Man-Slayer" for his prowess in the Imperial Army and is highly proficient with both a sword and a spear. His primary asset is the Demon Armor Incursio, an armor-type Teigu made from the flesh of a legendary Danger Beast called Tyrant. When activated from its sealed sword form, Incursio envelops him in a suit of armor that greatly enhances his physical strength, speed, and durability. Having mastered the Teigu to its limits, Bulat could summon the armor without its key and utilize its trump card, which grants the user temporary invisibility, for extended periods. While invisible to the naked eye, a skilled opponent can still sense his presence. In combat, he wields Neuntote, a long spear or halberd-like auxiliary weapon that is sharp enough to cut through Danger Beasts with ease. His skill is such that he could effortlessly dispatch powerful enemies like the Three Beasts and was rumored to be on par with General Esdeath.