TV-Series
Description
Licht Bach, born Sakai Rihito, is the central protagonist. Abandoned by his impoverished biological mother, he was adopted by a grandmother who introduced him to his foster brother, Sakai Tokikaze. Though deeply bonded with Tokikaze, Rihito secretly saved money hoping to reunite with his mother. This obsession triggered a pivotal fight where Tokikaze criticized him, culminating in a physical altercation and a solemn promise between them never to fight except to bring others happiness.
His appearance evolved over 300 years. While retaining a youthful look, he now has long white hair and crimson eyes, replacing his original dark blue, along with fair skin. He frequently conceals his face with Noh masks or costumes like a pudding cup. His standard attire is a red garb worn over armor, paired with jet-powered boots of uncertain functionality. The numeric code "001" sometimes appears in his left eye, signifying his designation as the first subject of the Aerial Ace Project.
His personality blends apparent contradictions. Licht projects a comical, perverted facade—making shameless advances toward women and suffering frequent nosebleeds—to mask profound trauma. This behavior serves as a coping mechanism for deep-seated guilt, rendering him a Stepford Smiler incapable of genuine happiness. Beneath this veneer, he exhibits unwavering compassion, especially for children, and cannot ignore suffering, often revealing his true power to protect others. Accessing his Ballot's full capabilities triggers a ruthless, bloodthirsty demeanor.
His abilities center on extreme speed and combat. He possesses two distinct Counts: a visible "-999" (later "-1002") on his left hand tracking romantic rejections, and a concealed "5,700" on a sword representing beheaded foes. During combat, Schmelman's bloodlust genes amplify the sword's count tenfold to 57,000. This sword is not his original Ballot Replica. His true Ballot, hidden for centuries, bears a count of 300,000 lives taken to protect loved ones. This count can escalate to 1,500,000 (5x multiplier) or theoretically 3,000,000 (10x multiplier) at the risk of insanity. Key abilities include:
- **Flashing Strike**: Leg enhancements enabling superluminal movement, granting superhuman speed, reflexes, and leaps often mistaken for flight.
- **Bloodlust Enhancements**: Activation unleashes atomic-level slashing, shockwave manipulation, and a lethal slashing aura.
- **Innate Reflexes**: Pre-existing superhuman reflexes, honed after Baron surgery, exceeding Schmelman's capabilities.
Background events define his path. Licht enrolled in the 13th Special Military Forces School to retrieve Tokikaze. There, he participated in Schmelman's "star-stealing" test, demonstrating strategic cunning. He later co-founded the "Non-Killing Army" with classmates to oppose military brutality. During the Abandonment War, he received modifications including experimental jet boots for aerial mobility. A critical tragedy occurred when he inadvertently killed Tokikaze, cementing lifelong guilt and triggering a 300-year exile with Nana Bassler to evade authorities.
His development intensified upon meeting Hina Farrow. Initially dismissing her search for the "Legendary Ace," he shielded her from threats like Davi, using his perversion to deflect attention from his identity. Their bond deepened when Hina and allies time-traveled to his past, revealing his sacrifices and motivating his emotional healing. Licht later confronted Schmelman's legacy, reconciling his bloodlust with calm resolve to temporarily elevate his count to 20,000,000 against adversaries like Firenda.
Later arcs resolve his conflicts. In the anime's climax, he escaped a symbolic "world of darkness" by destroying masks representing his despair, reaffirming promises to Hina. The epilogue confirms his marriage to Hina and fatherhood of a daughter, Rina, signifying redemption. Spin-off media, such as the Drama CD "Schmelman's Alternative Tales," depict him in non-canon roles (e.g., Cinderella's sister-in-law), highlighting dynamics with allies like Jail Murdoch.
Trivia notes his German-derived name ("light" and "small river") and Japanese heritage. His original name, Rihito (離人), translates to "leave person." Born in the Abyss, he lacked a natural Count, necessitating the fabricated "-999" count for societal integration.
His appearance evolved over 300 years. While retaining a youthful look, he now has long white hair and crimson eyes, replacing his original dark blue, along with fair skin. He frequently conceals his face with Noh masks or costumes like a pudding cup. His standard attire is a red garb worn over armor, paired with jet-powered boots of uncertain functionality. The numeric code "001" sometimes appears in his left eye, signifying his designation as the first subject of the Aerial Ace Project.
His personality blends apparent contradictions. Licht projects a comical, perverted facade—making shameless advances toward women and suffering frequent nosebleeds—to mask profound trauma. This behavior serves as a coping mechanism for deep-seated guilt, rendering him a Stepford Smiler incapable of genuine happiness. Beneath this veneer, he exhibits unwavering compassion, especially for children, and cannot ignore suffering, often revealing his true power to protect others. Accessing his Ballot's full capabilities triggers a ruthless, bloodthirsty demeanor.
His abilities center on extreme speed and combat. He possesses two distinct Counts: a visible "-999" (later "-1002") on his left hand tracking romantic rejections, and a concealed "5,700" on a sword representing beheaded foes. During combat, Schmelman's bloodlust genes amplify the sword's count tenfold to 57,000. This sword is not his original Ballot Replica. His true Ballot, hidden for centuries, bears a count of 300,000 lives taken to protect loved ones. This count can escalate to 1,500,000 (5x multiplier) or theoretically 3,000,000 (10x multiplier) at the risk of insanity. Key abilities include:
- **Flashing Strike**: Leg enhancements enabling superluminal movement, granting superhuman speed, reflexes, and leaps often mistaken for flight.
- **Bloodlust Enhancements**: Activation unleashes atomic-level slashing, shockwave manipulation, and a lethal slashing aura.
- **Innate Reflexes**: Pre-existing superhuman reflexes, honed after Baron surgery, exceeding Schmelman's capabilities.
Background events define his path. Licht enrolled in the 13th Special Military Forces School to retrieve Tokikaze. There, he participated in Schmelman's "star-stealing" test, demonstrating strategic cunning. He later co-founded the "Non-Killing Army" with classmates to oppose military brutality. During the Abandonment War, he received modifications including experimental jet boots for aerial mobility. A critical tragedy occurred when he inadvertently killed Tokikaze, cementing lifelong guilt and triggering a 300-year exile with Nana Bassler to evade authorities.
His development intensified upon meeting Hina Farrow. Initially dismissing her search for the "Legendary Ace," he shielded her from threats like Davi, using his perversion to deflect attention from his identity. Their bond deepened when Hina and allies time-traveled to his past, revealing his sacrifices and motivating his emotional healing. Licht later confronted Schmelman's legacy, reconciling his bloodlust with calm resolve to temporarily elevate his count to 20,000,000 against adversaries like Firenda.
Later arcs resolve his conflicts. In the anime's climax, he escaped a symbolic "world of darkness" by destroying masks representing his despair, reaffirming promises to Hina. The epilogue confirms his marriage to Hina and fatherhood of a daughter, Rina, signifying redemption. Spin-off media, such as the Drama CD "Schmelman's Alternative Tales," depict him in non-canon roles (e.g., Cinderella's sister-in-law), highlighting dynamics with allies like Jail Murdoch.
Trivia notes his German-derived name ("light" and "small river") and Japanese heritage. His original name, Rihito (離人), translates to "leave person." Born in the Abyss, he lacked a natural Count, necessitating the fabricated "-999" count for societal integration.