TV-Series
Description
Centerhill is a Flame Haze of Native American descent who appears in Shakugan no Shana III (Final) as a prominent ally and a member of the Four Gods of Earth, a legendary group of immensely powerful warriors. Known by his title the Invoker of Brightened Dew, he is also referred to by the evocative self-styled name The Man Who Walks with Rain, which reflects his unique abilities. His physical appearance is that of a fairly short, well-built man with a slightly dark complexion, brown hair cut short and slicked back, and a face with clearly defined features including a broad nose and large eyebrows. He dresses in a green-brown tunic with a small poncho-like collar and brown pants, and he ties a green cloth around his waist as a belt.
Before becoming a Flame Haze, Centerhill was a shaman who had inherited secret rituals to vanquish evil spirits. Alongside three others who would become the Four Gods of Earth, he heard the voices of Crimson Lords whom they revered as gods. They ventured to a place known as the Heart of the Earth, where they were trained and polished by a being called the Heart of the Sky. This intense preparation forged them into protectors of their native lands, destroying Crimson Denizens who wreaked havoc. After a conflict known as the Civil War, a clash between the Four Gods of Earth and other Flame Haze, Centerhill came to run one of the Outlaw branches in the United States.
Centerhill's personality is defined by a profound sense of duty to protect what he calls the greater world, a concept that encompasses the linkage between the human world, the Crimson Realm, and the Rift that exists between them. He is a contemplative and principled individual, preferring to observe and evaluate situations before committing to action. Rather than being driven by the immediate conflict between the Flame Haze and Bal Masqué, his primary motivation is to understand what the God of Creation, the Snake of the Festival, is trying to accomplish. Centerhill believes that both the Crimson Lords who contract with Flame Haze and the Crimson Denizens who cause harm are both part of the world's providence. He states that his purpose is to intervene only if the Snake of the Festival attempts to change that fundamental providence, a stance that initially places him and the other Earth Gods in a neutral position during the early stages of the Second Great War.
In the story of Shakugan no Shana III (Final), Centerhill makes his entrance at the Zurich Outlaw headquarters, revealing himself to the Flame Haze leaders Sophie Sawallisch and Samuel Demantius as they prepare to attack the grand fortress of Seireiden. He requests to join their party as a representative of the Four Gods of Earth, so he can witness the events of the war firsthand and evaluate the Snake of the Festival's true intentions. Throughout the subsequent battle at Seireiden, Centerhill demonstrates his extraordinary perception by being the first to sense something strange emanating from within the Divine Gate, an ability that allows him to perceive the awakening of the Snake of the Festival on the other side long before any other Flame Haze can detect it. When the Crimson God breaks through the gate and declares his intention to create a new world called Xanadu, Centerhill is shocked and reassesses his position.
As the Flame Haze forces fall into disarray and retreat, Centerhill becomes a crucial figure in the desperate operation to save the survivors. His most significant role comes during the Flame Haze retreat, where he decides to fully commit to protecting the fleeing army. He reveals that the Heart of the Sky had told the Four Gods of Earth the true cause of the chaotic storms in the Rift, the imbalances created when Denizens consume humans and use their Power of Existence. He argues that if the Snake of the Festival moves all Denizens into the new world of Xanadu, it could create another catastrophe. Because of this conviction, he pledges to fight against the Snake of the Festival and assist in the escape.
Centerhill's key relationships are primarily with his fellow warriors. He is one of the Four Gods of Earth, a group that includes the other three legendary Flame Haze who share his neutrality and power, and he maintains a close bond with them, ultimately entrusting Shana with a final message to deliver to them. During the retreat, he works closely with Samuel Demantius, another Flame Haze who commands a powerful stronghold. The two develop a mutual understanding that they will both likely have to sacrifice themselves to buy time for the others. Centerhill also interacts with the main protagonist Shana, choosing to speak with her alone to pass on his final message, which demonstrates his recognition of her resolve and her role as a messenger.
Centerhill's development throughout the season moves from detached observer to active participant and ultimately to sacrificial guardian. He arrives as a neutral party, but after witnessing the scale of the Snake of the Festival's plan and the devastation it causes, he transforms into one of the most selfless defenders of the Flame Haze cause. In his final battle, he confronts the powerful Denizen Sydonay, having lost an arm in the struggle to protect the hidden Flame Haze stronghold of Tendoukyuu. Knowing he cannot win, he chooses to remain behind as the others escape, telling Sydonay that while he will die, the Denizen will not be able to follow the Flame Haze or locate their hiding place. Centerhill is ultimately killed by Sydonay, but his sacrifice ensures the survival of the remaining Flame Haze forces.
Centerhill's notable abilities are formidable and deeply connected to his contracted Crimson Lord, Tlaloc. Together, they command a unique Power of Unrestraint called Tlalocan, named after a level of heaven in Aztec mythology. This spell invokes a heavy rain over a wide area that interferes with all means of distant communication. Within this rainy domain, Centerhill can transport himself with extraordinary speed, appearing as barely noticeable flashes of movement even to fellow Flame Haze. He can also summon hailstorms to attack his enemies, and perhaps most uniquely, any Denizen killed within Tlalocan is automatically transformed into plants and greenery, their remaining Power of Existence converted into a stable, natural state. In close combat, Centerhill primarily utilizes palm strikes that can knock out an average Denizen, along with punches and kicks, though by his own admission and the assessment of his comrade Southvalley, he is the least skilled in direct combat among the Four Gods of Earth. He is also capable of levitation and flight, which he uses extensively during his airborne battle with Sydonay.
Before becoming a Flame Haze, Centerhill was a shaman who had inherited secret rituals to vanquish evil spirits. Alongside three others who would become the Four Gods of Earth, he heard the voices of Crimson Lords whom they revered as gods. They ventured to a place known as the Heart of the Earth, where they were trained and polished by a being called the Heart of the Sky. This intense preparation forged them into protectors of their native lands, destroying Crimson Denizens who wreaked havoc. After a conflict known as the Civil War, a clash between the Four Gods of Earth and other Flame Haze, Centerhill came to run one of the Outlaw branches in the United States.
Centerhill's personality is defined by a profound sense of duty to protect what he calls the greater world, a concept that encompasses the linkage between the human world, the Crimson Realm, and the Rift that exists between them. He is a contemplative and principled individual, preferring to observe and evaluate situations before committing to action. Rather than being driven by the immediate conflict between the Flame Haze and Bal Masqué, his primary motivation is to understand what the God of Creation, the Snake of the Festival, is trying to accomplish. Centerhill believes that both the Crimson Lords who contract with Flame Haze and the Crimson Denizens who cause harm are both part of the world's providence. He states that his purpose is to intervene only if the Snake of the Festival attempts to change that fundamental providence, a stance that initially places him and the other Earth Gods in a neutral position during the early stages of the Second Great War.
In the story of Shakugan no Shana III (Final), Centerhill makes his entrance at the Zurich Outlaw headquarters, revealing himself to the Flame Haze leaders Sophie Sawallisch and Samuel Demantius as they prepare to attack the grand fortress of Seireiden. He requests to join their party as a representative of the Four Gods of Earth, so he can witness the events of the war firsthand and evaluate the Snake of the Festival's true intentions. Throughout the subsequent battle at Seireiden, Centerhill demonstrates his extraordinary perception by being the first to sense something strange emanating from within the Divine Gate, an ability that allows him to perceive the awakening of the Snake of the Festival on the other side long before any other Flame Haze can detect it. When the Crimson God breaks through the gate and declares his intention to create a new world called Xanadu, Centerhill is shocked and reassesses his position.
As the Flame Haze forces fall into disarray and retreat, Centerhill becomes a crucial figure in the desperate operation to save the survivors. His most significant role comes during the Flame Haze retreat, where he decides to fully commit to protecting the fleeing army. He reveals that the Heart of the Sky had told the Four Gods of Earth the true cause of the chaotic storms in the Rift, the imbalances created when Denizens consume humans and use their Power of Existence. He argues that if the Snake of the Festival moves all Denizens into the new world of Xanadu, it could create another catastrophe. Because of this conviction, he pledges to fight against the Snake of the Festival and assist in the escape.
Centerhill's key relationships are primarily with his fellow warriors. He is one of the Four Gods of Earth, a group that includes the other three legendary Flame Haze who share his neutrality and power, and he maintains a close bond with them, ultimately entrusting Shana with a final message to deliver to them. During the retreat, he works closely with Samuel Demantius, another Flame Haze who commands a powerful stronghold. The two develop a mutual understanding that they will both likely have to sacrifice themselves to buy time for the others. Centerhill also interacts with the main protagonist Shana, choosing to speak with her alone to pass on his final message, which demonstrates his recognition of her resolve and her role as a messenger.
Centerhill's development throughout the season moves from detached observer to active participant and ultimately to sacrificial guardian. He arrives as a neutral party, but after witnessing the scale of the Snake of the Festival's plan and the devastation it causes, he transforms into one of the most selfless defenders of the Flame Haze cause. In his final battle, he confronts the powerful Denizen Sydonay, having lost an arm in the struggle to protect the hidden Flame Haze stronghold of Tendoukyuu. Knowing he cannot win, he chooses to remain behind as the others escape, telling Sydonay that while he will die, the Denizen will not be able to follow the Flame Haze or locate their hiding place. Centerhill is ultimately killed by Sydonay, but his sacrifice ensures the survival of the remaining Flame Haze forces.
Centerhill's notable abilities are formidable and deeply connected to his contracted Crimson Lord, Tlaloc. Together, they command a unique Power of Unrestraint called Tlalocan, named after a level of heaven in Aztec mythology. This spell invokes a heavy rain over a wide area that interferes with all means of distant communication. Within this rainy domain, Centerhill can transport himself with extraordinary speed, appearing as barely noticeable flashes of movement even to fellow Flame Haze. He can also summon hailstorms to attack his enemies, and perhaps most uniquely, any Denizen killed within Tlalocan is automatically transformed into plants and greenery, their remaining Power of Existence converted into a stable, natural state. In close combat, Centerhill primarily utilizes palm strikes that can knock out an average Denizen, along with punches and kicks, though by his own admission and the assessment of his comrade Southvalley, he is the least skilled in direct combat among the Four Gods of Earth. He is also capable of levitation and flight, which he uses extensively during his airborne battle with Sydonay.