TV-Series
Description
Akane Folden is a main character and one of the pilots in the anime Shinkalion Change the World. He is a fourteen-year-old student in his second year of middle school, where he is considered one of the most popular pupils. Physically, Akane stands at 172 centimeters tall and has blonde hair with blue eyes. He is of mixed heritage, with a French father and a Japanese mother.
Akane is the designated driver of the Shinkalion E6 Komachi, a giant robot transformed from the E6 series Shinkansen bullet train. His role within the story places him as a core member of the team operating out of the Shinkansen Ultra Evolution Institute, formed to counter a mysterious threat known as the Unknown.
His personality is typically described as cool, composed, and confident. He maintains a polite and humble demeanor, avoiding the more overt shyness or joking habits of his fellow pilots. However, beneath this calm exterior lies a more complex emotional landscape. Akane was born into a family of accomplished athletes, with his parents being Olympic medalists in track and field. He himself was a promising track and field athlete, but his athletic career was cut short due to an injury. This event has a profound impact on his motivations and outlook. He becomes deeply apathetic about his own achievements and struggles with being constantly compared to his older brother, Asahi, who is also a successful athlete. Akane harbors a resentment towards his brother for casting a shadow over him, feeling that expectations were transferred from himself to Asahi after his injury. This leads him to believe that nothing is expected of him anymore, making him bitter and irritable when his family relation is mentioned.
Throughout the series, Akane undergoes significant development. His initial apathy and resentment are challenged as he bonds with his fellow drivers, Taisei Onari and Ryota Kuzuryu. Working with them on a school project and fighting alongside them forces him to confront his feelings. A key part of his growth involves realizing that everyone has their own path and that he does not need to overtake his brother to have worth. He learns to accept his situation, becomes more amicable towards his family, and finds a new sense of purpose as a Shinkalion pilot. He also learns to be more supportive of his friends, particularly Taisei, whom he initially criticizes but later comes to understand.
Akane's key relationships are with his two main comrades. He forms a team with Taisei Onari, who pilots the E5, and Ryota Kuzuryu, who pilots the E7. His dynamic with Taisei is particularly notable; while Taisei greatly admires his own older sister, Akane initially resents his brother, creating a stark contrast in their attitudes. This difference allows them to learn from each other. Akane's abilities are directly tied to his athletic background. He possesses excellent physical conditioning, reflexes, and coordination, which translate seamlessly into piloting his Shinkalion. His machine, the E6 Komachi, is noted for its high running stability, making it suitable for precise maneuvers. In combat, Akane excels at ranged attacks, often utilizing a combined form with an ERDA Top Lifter vehicle that specializes in sharpshooting. His skills on the battlefield are a testament to his natural talent, even as he learns to redefine his own identity beyond the athlete he was forced to stop being.
Akane is the designated driver of the Shinkalion E6 Komachi, a giant robot transformed from the E6 series Shinkansen bullet train. His role within the story places him as a core member of the team operating out of the Shinkansen Ultra Evolution Institute, formed to counter a mysterious threat known as the Unknown.
His personality is typically described as cool, composed, and confident. He maintains a polite and humble demeanor, avoiding the more overt shyness or joking habits of his fellow pilots. However, beneath this calm exterior lies a more complex emotional landscape. Akane was born into a family of accomplished athletes, with his parents being Olympic medalists in track and field. He himself was a promising track and field athlete, but his athletic career was cut short due to an injury. This event has a profound impact on his motivations and outlook. He becomes deeply apathetic about his own achievements and struggles with being constantly compared to his older brother, Asahi, who is also a successful athlete. Akane harbors a resentment towards his brother for casting a shadow over him, feeling that expectations were transferred from himself to Asahi after his injury. This leads him to believe that nothing is expected of him anymore, making him bitter and irritable when his family relation is mentioned.
Throughout the series, Akane undergoes significant development. His initial apathy and resentment are challenged as he bonds with his fellow drivers, Taisei Onari and Ryota Kuzuryu. Working with them on a school project and fighting alongside them forces him to confront his feelings. A key part of his growth involves realizing that everyone has their own path and that he does not need to overtake his brother to have worth. He learns to accept his situation, becomes more amicable towards his family, and finds a new sense of purpose as a Shinkalion pilot. He also learns to be more supportive of his friends, particularly Taisei, whom he initially criticizes but later comes to understand.
Akane's key relationships are with his two main comrades. He forms a team with Taisei Onari, who pilots the E5, and Ryota Kuzuryu, who pilots the E7. His dynamic with Taisei is particularly notable; while Taisei greatly admires his own older sister, Akane initially resents his brother, creating a stark contrast in their attitudes. This difference allows them to learn from each other. Akane's abilities are directly tied to his athletic background. He possesses excellent physical conditioning, reflexes, and coordination, which translate seamlessly into piloting his Shinkalion. His machine, the E6 Komachi, is noted for its high running stability, making it suitable for precise maneuvers. In combat, Akane excels at ranged attacks, often utilizing a combined form with an ERDA Top Lifter vehicle that specializes in sharpshooting. His skills on the battlefield are a testament to his natural talent, even as he learns to redefine his own identity beyond the athlete he was forced to stop being.