TV-Series
Description
Figaro, known in Japanese as フィガロ, is a character from the anime Valvrave the Liberator. He is a senator of the Atlantic Ring United States (ARUS), a major political and military power in the series' setting. Figaro arrives at Module 77, the neutral JIOR territory where the story primarily takes place, as a special envoy. His public mission is to assess the situation and provide aid to the students of Sakimori Academy following a devastating attack by the rival Dorssian Military Pact Federation, but his true objective is far more self-serving.
Figaro's personality is defined by arrogance, selfishness, and a pronounced sense of entitlement. He openly refers to himself as Moses, a grandiose comparison that reflects his belief in his own superiority and his right to lead others to safety at their expense. He is a quintessential self-serving politician, more concerned with personal gain and survival than with duty or morality. This is demonstrated by his quickness to panic when situations become dangerous and his willingness to abandon those who look to him for protection. Figaro displays a cold, ruthless streak when challenged, as seen when he opens fire on unarmed students with a submachine gun to clear a path for his own escape, showing no hesitation in using lethal force against civilians.
His primary motivation is to secure the powerful Valvrave I unit for ARUS. Figaro initially attempts to gain the cooperation of the pilot, Haruto Tokishima, encouraging him to be a symbol of hope. However, once he learns that Haruto is the only person who can activate the Valvrave, his plans change. He immediately orders Haruto's arrest, intending to take both the pilot and the weapon back to ARUS while leaving the rest of the students to their fate at the hands of the approaching Dorssian fleet. This act of betrayal is the clearest illustration of his self-interested nature.
Within the story, Figaro serves as an early antagonist who represents the hypocrisy of the major powers and their exploitation of smaller nations. His actions are a catalyst for a major turning point: the students of Sakimori Academy discover that neither ARUS nor Dorssia has their best interests at heart, which directly leads them to declare Module 77 an independent state. Figaro's scheme, which he intends to be a secret escape, is broadcast to the entire module by the student Akira Renbokoji. This forces the issue and galvanizes the student body into action under the leadership of Shoko Sashinami. Ultimately, Figaro is disarmed and forced to accept the students' terms, having lost all control of the situation.
Figaro has key relationships that are almost entirely adversarial. His primary interactions are with Haruto Tokishima, whom he betrays and attempts to imprison, and with Shoko Sashinami, whose political maneuvering outmatches his own. He is also shown interacting with his own ARUS soldiers, whom he intimidates with his violent actions. Figaro's relationship with the student body of Sakimori Academy is one of oppressor and exploiter. There is a notable shift following the students' successful declaration of independence. Later in the series, Figaro returns to Module 77 aboard an ARUS warship and, in an attempt to repair relations, appoints Rion Nanami as the representative of the newly reformed JIOR. This gesture, however, does not signal a true change of heart but rather a pragmatic adaptation to a new political reality he failed to control.
Figaro's development, such as it is, moves from a powerful, scheming official to a desperate, panicked man, and finally to a minor political figure who tries to ingratiate himself with those he initially betrayed. His arc ends unceremoniously when the ARUS warship he is on is attacked and sunk by the Dorssian military, a death that underscores the insignificance of his political machinations in the face of overwhelming force. Figaro possesses no notable combat abilities or special powers. His influence comes entirely from his political position and his willingness to use violence and deception. His only notable skill is his ability to navigate political situations, though he is ultimately outmaneuvered by a group of resourceful students.
Figaro's personality is defined by arrogance, selfishness, and a pronounced sense of entitlement. He openly refers to himself as Moses, a grandiose comparison that reflects his belief in his own superiority and his right to lead others to safety at their expense. He is a quintessential self-serving politician, more concerned with personal gain and survival than with duty or morality. This is demonstrated by his quickness to panic when situations become dangerous and his willingness to abandon those who look to him for protection. Figaro displays a cold, ruthless streak when challenged, as seen when he opens fire on unarmed students with a submachine gun to clear a path for his own escape, showing no hesitation in using lethal force against civilians.
His primary motivation is to secure the powerful Valvrave I unit for ARUS. Figaro initially attempts to gain the cooperation of the pilot, Haruto Tokishima, encouraging him to be a symbol of hope. However, once he learns that Haruto is the only person who can activate the Valvrave, his plans change. He immediately orders Haruto's arrest, intending to take both the pilot and the weapon back to ARUS while leaving the rest of the students to their fate at the hands of the approaching Dorssian fleet. This act of betrayal is the clearest illustration of his self-interested nature.
Within the story, Figaro serves as an early antagonist who represents the hypocrisy of the major powers and their exploitation of smaller nations. His actions are a catalyst for a major turning point: the students of Sakimori Academy discover that neither ARUS nor Dorssia has their best interests at heart, which directly leads them to declare Module 77 an independent state. Figaro's scheme, which he intends to be a secret escape, is broadcast to the entire module by the student Akira Renbokoji. This forces the issue and galvanizes the student body into action under the leadership of Shoko Sashinami. Ultimately, Figaro is disarmed and forced to accept the students' terms, having lost all control of the situation.
Figaro has key relationships that are almost entirely adversarial. His primary interactions are with Haruto Tokishima, whom he betrays and attempts to imprison, and with Shoko Sashinami, whose political maneuvering outmatches his own. He is also shown interacting with his own ARUS soldiers, whom he intimidates with his violent actions. Figaro's relationship with the student body of Sakimori Academy is one of oppressor and exploiter. There is a notable shift following the students' successful declaration of independence. Later in the series, Figaro returns to Module 77 aboard an ARUS warship and, in an attempt to repair relations, appoints Rion Nanami as the representative of the newly reformed JIOR. This gesture, however, does not signal a true change of heart but rather a pragmatic adaptation to a new political reality he failed to control.
Figaro's development, such as it is, moves from a powerful, scheming official to a desperate, panicked man, and finally to a minor political figure who tries to ingratiate himself with those he initially betrayed. His arc ends unceremoniously when the ARUS warship he is on is attacked and sunk by the Dorssian military, a death that underscores the insignificance of his political machinations in the face of overwhelming force. Figaro possesses no notable combat abilities or special powers. His influence comes entirely from his political position and his willingness to use violence and deception. His only notable skill is his ability to navigate political situations, though he is ultimately outmaneuvered by a group of resourceful students.