Description
Rei Sakuma displays vampiric traits, including sunlight sensitivity leading to reduced daytime energy and a physiological blood requirement, stemming from a hereditary condition. His family venerates vampire mythology and embraces this condition as a mark of pride, rejecting medical treatment. While Rei frequently jokes about his vampiric nature—such as calling tomato juice blood—he doesn't genuinely believe himself to be a vampire. Physically, he possesses wavy black shoulder-length hair, red eyes, and a tall, well-built frame. He often wears cross necklaces, chains, and red stud earrings, adopting elaborate gothic-inspired stage attire with UNDEAD featuring bat motifs, fur collars, and layered tailcoats.
As leader of the idol unit UNDEAD under Rhythm Link, Rei exhibits strong loyalty to his members and a protective, doting attitude toward his younger brother, Ritsu Sakuma. Childhood isolation due to his condition drove him to lose himself in books, resulting in exceptional intelligence and knowledge that surpassed most adults even early on. His heightened empathy and emotional intelligence, however, led others to excessively rely on him, treating him as a god-like figure for problem-solving. This burden intensified his isolation and culminated during his Yumenosaki Academy years in "The War," where he became emotionally closed off and distant as self-preservation.
Following The War, Rei adopted an "old man" persona emphasizing frailty and helplessness to lower expectations and deflect demands for help. He simultaneously intensified his vampire theatrics to distance himself further. Despite these efforts, he continued intervening uninvited in others' lives during events like the Setsubun Festival and Romantic Comedy. His self-care deteriorated noticeably, with instances of forgetting meals, consuming expired drinks, or sleeping in unsanitary places like cafeteria floors. Unit members and associates like the Aoi twins often assisted him, though he masked genuine needs with self-deprecating age jokes.
Rei and Ritsu shared exceptional childhood closeness, with Rei as Ritsu's primary caretaker. Rei later traveling abroad seeking treatment for Ritsu's condition caused Ritsu to feel abandoned and betrayed, resulting in outward hostility. This animosity reflected unresolved hurt, not genuine hatred. Rei's reconciliation efforts, particularly during the Repayment Festival, helped mend their bond. This period also catalyzed Rei's personal growth: he began integrating his vampiric persona with human vulnerabilities, moving away from isolation. By accepting his humanity and reconnecting with UNDEAD and Ritsu, he resumed emotional progression, symbolizing what Keito Hasumi described as "time moving forward again."
In the anime *Ensemble Stars!! Tsuioku Selection "Element"*, Rei appears as part of the Five Eccentrics during The War storyline, exploring events from that period including interactions with groups like the past iteration of fine. His role reflects his established characterization at Yumenosaki Academy—disillusionment with humanity and the burdens of idolization. The narrative incorporates segments adapted from in-game events like Wonder Game and Pleiades Night, with Rei's specific arc consistent with his broader background of seeking purpose amid exploitation and emotional exhaustion.
As leader of the idol unit UNDEAD under Rhythm Link, Rei exhibits strong loyalty to his members and a protective, doting attitude toward his younger brother, Ritsu Sakuma. Childhood isolation due to his condition drove him to lose himself in books, resulting in exceptional intelligence and knowledge that surpassed most adults even early on. His heightened empathy and emotional intelligence, however, led others to excessively rely on him, treating him as a god-like figure for problem-solving. This burden intensified his isolation and culminated during his Yumenosaki Academy years in "The War," where he became emotionally closed off and distant as self-preservation.
Following The War, Rei adopted an "old man" persona emphasizing frailty and helplessness to lower expectations and deflect demands for help. He simultaneously intensified his vampire theatrics to distance himself further. Despite these efforts, he continued intervening uninvited in others' lives during events like the Setsubun Festival and Romantic Comedy. His self-care deteriorated noticeably, with instances of forgetting meals, consuming expired drinks, or sleeping in unsanitary places like cafeteria floors. Unit members and associates like the Aoi twins often assisted him, though he masked genuine needs with self-deprecating age jokes.
Rei and Ritsu shared exceptional childhood closeness, with Rei as Ritsu's primary caretaker. Rei later traveling abroad seeking treatment for Ritsu's condition caused Ritsu to feel abandoned and betrayed, resulting in outward hostility. This animosity reflected unresolved hurt, not genuine hatred. Rei's reconciliation efforts, particularly during the Repayment Festival, helped mend their bond. This period also catalyzed Rei's personal growth: he began integrating his vampiric persona with human vulnerabilities, moving away from isolation. By accepting his humanity and reconnecting with UNDEAD and Ritsu, he resumed emotional progression, symbolizing what Keito Hasumi described as "time moving forward again."
In the anime *Ensemble Stars!! Tsuioku Selection "Element"*, Rei appears as part of the Five Eccentrics during The War storyline, exploring events from that period including interactions with groups like the past iteration of fine. His role reflects his established characterization at Yumenosaki Academy—disillusionment with humanity and the burdens of idolization. The narrative incorporates segments adapted from in-game events like Wonder Game and Pleiades Night, with Rei's specific arc consistent with his broader background of seeking purpose amid exploitation and emotional exhaustion.