TV-Series
Description
Ayase Shinomiya is a central supporting character in Guilty Crown, recognized as the skilled pilot of the humanoid robotic weapon known as the Endlave. She is a 17-year-old girl who uses a wheelchair, having lost the ability to walk due to a tragic accident prior to the start of the story. This accident, which also claimed the lives of her family, occurred when she was a promising track and field athlete in high school, leaving her in despair and altering the course of her life.
Before joining the resistance group known as Funeral Parlor, Ayase was involved as a tester for the HSFS system, a development meant to aid those with mobility issues. After the developer of that system died, she was recruited to continue the work, which eventually led her to become an Endlave operator for the US Marine Corps. Her time there was marked by a headstrong and individualistic attitude, often clashing with colleagues and disobeying orders. It was during a mission gone wrong that she was rescued by Gai Tsutsugami and Inori Yuzuriha, prompting her to join Funeral Parlor.
Personality-wise, Ayase is defined by her fierce independence and strong will. She harbors a deep-seated dislike for being pitied or treated as helpless because of her disability, insisting that it does not hinder her ability to perform her duties as a pilot. This pride often manifests as stubbornness; she rejects offers of assistance and can become angry when others try to help her, sometimes leading her to overestimate her own capabilities in situations where she truly needs support. Despite this tough exterior, she is a kind and loyal individual who dedicates herself fully to the cause of Funeral Parlor. She can also be playful and teasing, particularly towards Shu Ouma regarding his obvious feelings for Inori, yet becomes flustered and denies it when the topic of her own affections is raised.
Her primary role within Funeral Parlor is that of the organization's sole Endlave combat pilot, making her an invaluable asset in their operations against the GHQ. Her combat duties typically involve drawing enemy fire, holding off numerically superior forces, and providing support for ground teams. She demonstrates remarkable precision and skill, maneuvering her multi-ton machine in battle to hold her own against newer and more advanced enemy models. Her abilities are not limited to piloting; like all members of Funeral Parlor, she possesses a Void, a physical manifestation of her heart's potential. Her Void takes the form of a pair of powerful mechanical legs. When extracted, these legs grant the user incredible speed, the ability to leap great distances, and even flight, symbolizing her regained freedom of movement and confidence.
Ayase's key relationships drive much of her character development. She holds deep admiration and loyalty for Gai Tsutsugami, the charismatic leader of Funeral Parlor. She blushes at his praise and is constantly concerned for his safety, though she vehemently denies having a romantic crush, insisting her feelings are purely those of respect. Her initial relationship with Shu Ouma is rocky; she is cold and physically confrontational with him after he tactlessly brings up her disability. However, as Shu proves himself, she becomes his mentor and a source of tough love, pushing him to improve and giving him credit when he succeeds. Over time, her feelings evolve, and she develops a deep, caring bond with Shu, eventually replacing her unrequited feelings for Gai with a romantic affection for him.
Ayase undergoes significant development throughout the story. Following the death of Gai, she falls into a deep despair, becoming hypocritical as she lashes out at others for wallowing in self-pity while doing the same herself. She makes a hurtful declaration to her friend Tsugumi, stating she considers herself only half-alive, which underscores her crisis of identity when separated from her role as a pilot. Her turning point comes when she gains the ability to use her own Void. The power to run and fly with the mechanical legs restores her lost confidence and helps her overcome her deep-seated insecurities about her disability. This newfound determination is showcased when she crawls out of her wheelchair and slides down a railing to reach a vital item, showing her willingness to push her physical limits. In the final stages of the story, she demonstrates her emotional growth by asking Shu for help entering her Endlave, symbolizing her acceptance that relying on others is not a weakness. She remains fiercely loyal to Shu, refusing to abandon him even in a collapsing building and pleading for him not to sacrifice his life.
Before joining the resistance group known as Funeral Parlor, Ayase was involved as a tester for the HSFS system, a development meant to aid those with mobility issues. After the developer of that system died, she was recruited to continue the work, which eventually led her to become an Endlave operator for the US Marine Corps. Her time there was marked by a headstrong and individualistic attitude, often clashing with colleagues and disobeying orders. It was during a mission gone wrong that she was rescued by Gai Tsutsugami and Inori Yuzuriha, prompting her to join Funeral Parlor.
Personality-wise, Ayase is defined by her fierce independence and strong will. She harbors a deep-seated dislike for being pitied or treated as helpless because of her disability, insisting that it does not hinder her ability to perform her duties as a pilot. This pride often manifests as stubbornness; she rejects offers of assistance and can become angry when others try to help her, sometimes leading her to overestimate her own capabilities in situations where she truly needs support. Despite this tough exterior, she is a kind and loyal individual who dedicates herself fully to the cause of Funeral Parlor. She can also be playful and teasing, particularly towards Shu Ouma regarding his obvious feelings for Inori, yet becomes flustered and denies it when the topic of her own affections is raised.
Her primary role within Funeral Parlor is that of the organization's sole Endlave combat pilot, making her an invaluable asset in their operations against the GHQ. Her combat duties typically involve drawing enemy fire, holding off numerically superior forces, and providing support for ground teams. She demonstrates remarkable precision and skill, maneuvering her multi-ton machine in battle to hold her own against newer and more advanced enemy models. Her abilities are not limited to piloting; like all members of Funeral Parlor, she possesses a Void, a physical manifestation of her heart's potential. Her Void takes the form of a pair of powerful mechanical legs. When extracted, these legs grant the user incredible speed, the ability to leap great distances, and even flight, symbolizing her regained freedom of movement and confidence.
Ayase's key relationships drive much of her character development. She holds deep admiration and loyalty for Gai Tsutsugami, the charismatic leader of Funeral Parlor. She blushes at his praise and is constantly concerned for his safety, though she vehemently denies having a romantic crush, insisting her feelings are purely those of respect. Her initial relationship with Shu Ouma is rocky; she is cold and physically confrontational with him after he tactlessly brings up her disability. However, as Shu proves himself, she becomes his mentor and a source of tough love, pushing him to improve and giving him credit when he succeeds. Over time, her feelings evolve, and she develops a deep, caring bond with Shu, eventually replacing her unrequited feelings for Gai with a romantic affection for him.
Ayase undergoes significant development throughout the story. Following the death of Gai, she falls into a deep despair, becoming hypocritical as she lashes out at others for wallowing in self-pity while doing the same herself. She makes a hurtful declaration to her friend Tsugumi, stating she considers herself only half-alive, which underscores her crisis of identity when separated from her role as a pilot. Her turning point comes when she gains the ability to use her own Void. The power to run and fly with the mechanical legs restores her lost confidence and helps her overcome her deep-seated insecurities about her disability. This newfound determination is showcased when she crawls out of her wheelchair and slides down a railing to reach a vital item, showing her willingness to push her physical limits. In the final stages of the story, she demonstrates her emotional growth by asking Shu for help entering her Endlave, symbolizing her acceptance that relying on others is not a weakness. She remains fiercely loyal to Shu, refusing to abandon him even in a collapsing building and pleading for him not to sacrifice his life.