TV-Series
Description
Kakeru Niimi is the protagonist of 9-nine- Ruler's Crown, a seventeen-year-old second-year student at Hakusen Academy. Standing 180 centimeters tall with a lean, athletic build, he has black hair cut to ear length and gray eyes. His expression is often serious or sullen, which can make him appear distant or unapproachable at first glance, though those who know him recognize this as a mask for a more caring nature.
Before the events of the story, Kakeru made a conscious decision to remain a loner and avoid forming social groups during his first year at the academy. He lives alone in an apartment near the school, a situation that came about when his younger sister Sora requested her own room and his father readily agreed to the arrangement. His initial plans to cook for himself quickly gave way to a diet of convenience store meals and eating out, a development that concerned those close to him. Despite his solitary tendencies, Kakeru is not unfriendly by nature. He is described as responsible, attentive to detail, and possessing a sharp mind. He holds a strong dislike for broken promises and values honesty in both himself and others. While he can hold a grudge, he is generally forgiving toward those who offer sincere apologies. His hobbies include building models and playing video games, though both have suffered mishaps, from lost save files caused by his sister to a model collection thrown away by his mother.
Kakeru becomes involved in the central conflict after his classmate Miyako Kujou explains the existence of Artifacts to him. Initially motivated by a desire to get closer to her, he joins her investigation into the mysterious petrification incidents plaguing their town. As the story progresses, his sense of duty and protective instincts take over, and he becomes deeply committed to protecting his loved ones, particularly his sister Sora, for whom he is willing to risk his own life. Though he can appear brusque and tends to avoid large groups, he never wishes harm on others and genuinely values the friendships he forms.
Kakeru shares a strong, protective bond with his younger sister Sora Niimi, who is cheeky and often teases him but clearly cares for him in return. Miyako Kujou plays a significant role in his life, not only as the person who introduces him to the world of Artifacts but also as someone who begins cooking for him regularly under the pretext of discussing ongoing investigations, which brings them closer. Yoichi Fukazawa, initially just a classmate, becomes a trusted ally after helping break Kakeru out of his self-imposed isolation. Kakeru also develops admiration for Sophitia, a mysterious talking plushie who guides him in using Artifacts.
Throughout the narrative, Kakeru evolves from a somewhat aloof loner into a decisive figure willing to bear immense responsibility. He faces dangerous adversaries including Ghost and Iris, and at one point struggles with the temptation of his growing power, nearly losing control and killing another Artifact user. His resolve is tested repeatedly, particularly when he witnesses his friends being petrified and the world pushed toward destruction. In the face of these tragedies, he chooses to activate the forbidden power known as Overload to rewind time and try again, demonstrating his refusal to accept a bad outcome for those he cares about.
As an Artifact user, Kakeru accidentally absorbed a fragment of the World's Eye during the Mobius Fest. His unique ability allows him to create a door or gate to other worlds, though this power is limited due to him possessing only a fragment. This connection enables him to link with parallel versions of himself from other universes. Through one such alternate self who possesses the Overlord Artifact, an item capable of observing the past, present, and future, Kakeru can gain valuable information that influences the course of events across parallel worlds. Over time, he uses multiple other Artifacts, including flames that can burn souls, the Evil Eye capable of petrification, and Yamigarasu which can sever anything from a person's power to space itself. His true power is described as the ability to have an aptitude for all Artifacts and draw out their full potential, effectively allowing him to combine the powers of all the Artifacts he has contracted across different branches of reality. His Overdrive ability lets him use these powers effectively, while his connection to Overlord grants him abilities including time travel, fate manipulation, and cosmic awareness of parallel worlds.
Before the events of the story, Kakeru made a conscious decision to remain a loner and avoid forming social groups during his first year at the academy. He lives alone in an apartment near the school, a situation that came about when his younger sister Sora requested her own room and his father readily agreed to the arrangement. His initial plans to cook for himself quickly gave way to a diet of convenience store meals and eating out, a development that concerned those close to him. Despite his solitary tendencies, Kakeru is not unfriendly by nature. He is described as responsible, attentive to detail, and possessing a sharp mind. He holds a strong dislike for broken promises and values honesty in both himself and others. While he can hold a grudge, he is generally forgiving toward those who offer sincere apologies. His hobbies include building models and playing video games, though both have suffered mishaps, from lost save files caused by his sister to a model collection thrown away by his mother.
Kakeru becomes involved in the central conflict after his classmate Miyako Kujou explains the existence of Artifacts to him. Initially motivated by a desire to get closer to her, he joins her investigation into the mysterious petrification incidents plaguing their town. As the story progresses, his sense of duty and protective instincts take over, and he becomes deeply committed to protecting his loved ones, particularly his sister Sora, for whom he is willing to risk his own life. Though he can appear brusque and tends to avoid large groups, he never wishes harm on others and genuinely values the friendships he forms.
Kakeru shares a strong, protective bond with his younger sister Sora Niimi, who is cheeky and often teases him but clearly cares for him in return. Miyako Kujou plays a significant role in his life, not only as the person who introduces him to the world of Artifacts but also as someone who begins cooking for him regularly under the pretext of discussing ongoing investigations, which brings them closer. Yoichi Fukazawa, initially just a classmate, becomes a trusted ally after helping break Kakeru out of his self-imposed isolation. Kakeru also develops admiration for Sophitia, a mysterious talking plushie who guides him in using Artifacts.
Throughout the narrative, Kakeru evolves from a somewhat aloof loner into a decisive figure willing to bear immense responsibility. He faces dangerous adversaries including Ghost and Iris, and at one point struggles with the temptation of his growing power, nearly losing control and killing another Artifact user. His resolve is tested repeatedly, particularly when he witnesses his friends being petrified and the world pushed toward destruction. In the face of these tragedies, he chooses to activate the forbidden power known as Overload to rewind time and try again, demonstrating his refusal to accept a bad outcome for those he cares about.
As an Artifact user, Kakeru accidentally absorbed a fragment of the World's Eye during the Mobius Fest. His unique ability allows him to create a door or gate to other worlds, though this power is limited due to him possessing only a fragment. This connection enables him to link with parallel versions of himself from other universes. Through one such alternate self who possesses the Overlord Artifact, an item capable of observing the past, present, and future, Kakeru can gain valuable information that influences the course of events across parallel worlds. Over time, he uses multiple other Artifacts, including flames that can burn souls, the Evil Eye capable of petrification, and Yamigarasu which can sever anything from a person's power to space itself. His true power is described as the ability to have an aptitude for all Artifacts and draw out their full potential, effectively allowing him to combine the powers of all the Artifacts he has contracted across different branches of reality. His Overdrive ability lets him use these powers effectively, while his connection to Overlord grants him abilities including time travel, fate manipulation, and cosmic awareness of parallel worlds.