TV-Series
Description
Bandou is an operative in his mid-thirties for the National Police Agency's Special Assault Team, a highly trained soldier who serves as one of the primary human antagonists. He is a fully human character distinguished by his exceptional combat skills, his extreme aggression, and a deep-seated, almost primal desire for violence.
In terms of background, Bandou is introduced as a member of the SAT unit dispatched to recapture Lucy after her escape from the Diclonius research facility. He is a hardy and effective soldier, yet he is also deeply apathetic and prone to insubordination, often disregarding orders to indulge his need for conflict. His first encounter with Lucy ends in catastrophic defeat for him. During the fight, she severs his right arm, shatters his left forearm, and gouges out his eyes with her vectors, leaving him blinded and bleeding on a beach. He is saved by a homeless girl named Mayu, who provides emergency first aid and calls for help.
Bandou's personality is initially defined by his sadism, arrogance, and bloodlust. He craves a worthy fight above almost all else and shows little regard for the safety or feelings of others, including his own colleagues. However, following his traumatic defeat, his motivations narrow to a single, obsessive goal: revenge against Lucy. This desire for vengeance becomes the primary driving force behind his actions. He refuses to undergo a forced castration after being infected with the Diclonius virus, believing that the loss of testosterone would hinder his ability to fight. Instead, he agrees to receive biomechanical implants, including bionic eyes and a myoelectric prosthetic hand, but escapes before the sterilization surgery can be performed. He then arms himself with custom.50 caliber Desert Eagle pistols, as the immense power of these rounds makes them effective against the otherwise impervious vectors of a Diclonius.
Bandou's role in the story evolves from that of a simple hunter to a complex figure seeking retribution. He spends much of his time waiting on the same beach where he was defeated, meticulously clearing it of debris to ensure Lucy has no objects to use as projectiles in their next confrontation. Throughout his quest, he forms several key relationships. His connection with Mayu is particularly significant; he begrudgingly accepts her kindness and develops a protective, almost paternal bond with her, despite his gruff exterior. He comes to her aid when she is attacked by a predatory assassin known as the Unknown Man, brutally defeating the villain. He also forms a tentative alliance with the Diclonius Nana, as both share a common goal of confronting Lucy and both have suffered severe injuries at her hands. Additionally, he shows a surprising sense of loyalty and compassion by preventing Kurama from committing suicide after the death of his daughter, Mariko, and caring for the grieving scientist.
Bandou undergoes significant development, particularly in the manga. While he remains driven by his desire for vengeance, he gradually reveals a more compassionate side. His willingness to protect Mayu and Nana, to bury a dead Diclonius child out of respect, and to sacrifice himself for a girl he has come to care for demonstrates a profound change from the man who casually struck a female staff member for standing behind him. In his final battle, he proves his tactical cunning by using the cleared beach and his ability to sense air vibrations to dodge Lucy's invisible vectors. When Lucy attempts to kill Mayu, Bandou throws himself in the way, taking a fatal blow that cuts him in half at the torso. In his dying moments, he reveals a hidden wish to have someone mourn for him, having isolated himself for his entire life. However, in the manga's final chapter, he is revealed to have survived, his lower body replaced with bionics, and he returns to Mayu on the beach.
Bandou's notable abilities include elite-level hand-to-hand combat skills and proficiency with firearms. Even before his augmentation, he was a top SAT agent. After his surgeries, his bionic eyes restore his sight, and his prosthetic arm grants him considerable strength. His most unique ability is not superhuman, but tactical: his use of high-caliber firearms to bypass the defensive capabilities of Diclonius vectors, and his development of a technique to sense the minute air pressure changes caused by moving vectors, allowing him to dodge attacks he cannot see.
In terms of background, Bandou is introduced as a member of the SAT unit dispatched to recapture Lucy after her escape from the Diclonius research facility. He is a hardy and effective soldier, yet he is also deeply apathetic and prone to insubordination, often disregarding orders to indulge his need for conflict. His first encounter with Lucy ends in catastrophic defeat for him. During the fight, she severs his right arm, shatters his left forearm, and gouges out his eyes with her vectors, leaving him blinded and bleeding on a beach. He is saved by a homeless girl named Mayu, who provides emergency first aid and calls for help.
Bandou's personality is initially defined by his sadism, arrogance, and bloodlust. He craves a worthy fight above almost all else and shows little regard for the safety or feelings of others, including his own colleagues. However, following his traumatic defeat, his motivations narrow to a single, obsessive goal: revenge against Lucy. This desire for vengeance becomes the primary driving force behind his actions. He refuses to undergo a forced castration after being infected with the Diclonius virus, believing that the loss of testosterone would hinder his ability to fight. Instead, he agrees to receive biomechanical implants, including bionic eyes and a myoelectric prosthetic hand, but escapes before the sterilization surgery can be performed. He then arms himself with custom.50 caliber Desert Eagle pistols, as the immense power of these rounds makes them effective against the otherwise impervious vectors of a Diclonius.
Bandou's role in the story evolves from that of a simple hunter to a complex figure seeking retribution. He spends much of his time waiting on the same beach where he was defeated, meticulously clearing it of debris to ensure Lucy has no objects to use as projectiles in their next confrontation. Throughout his quest, he forms several key relationships. His connection with Mayu is particularly significant; he begrudgingly accepts her kindness and develops a protective, almost paternal bond with her, despite his gruff exterior. He comes to her aid when she is attacked by a predatory assassin known as the Unknown Man, brutally defeating the villain. He also forms a tentative alliance with the Diclonius Nana, as both share a common goal of confronting Lucy and both have suffered severe injuries at her hands. Additionally, he shows a surprising sense of loyalty and compassion by preventing Kurama from committing suicide after the death of his daughter, Mariko, and caring for the grieving scientist.
Bandou undergoes significant development, particularly in the manga. While he remains driven by his desire for vengeance, he gradually reveals a more compassionate side. His willingness to protect Mayu and Nana, to bury a dead Diclonius child out of respect, and to sacrifice himself for a girl he has come to care for demonstrates a profound change from the man who casually struck a female staff member for standing behind him. In his final battle, he proves his tactical cunning by using the cleared beach and his ability to sense air vibrations to dodge Lucy's invisible vectors. When Lucy attempts to kill Mayu, Bandou throws himself in the way, taking a fatal blow that cuts him in half at the torso. In his dying moments, he reveals a hidden wish to have someone mourn for him, having isolated himself for his entire life. However, in the manga's final chapter, he is revealed to have survived, his lower body replaced with bionics, and he returns to Mayu on the beach.
Bandou's notable abilities include elite-level hand-to-hand combat skills and proficiency with firearms. Even before his augmentation, he was a top SAT agent. After his surgeries, his bionic eyes restore his sight, and his prosthetic arm grants him considerable strength. His most unique ability is not superhuman, but tactical: his use of high-caliber firearms to bypass the defensive capabilities of Diclonius vectors, and his development of a technique to sense the minute air pressure changes caused by moving vectors, allowing him to dodge attacks he cannot see.