TV-Series
Description
Da Cider is a central figure in the anime series Knights of Ramune & 40 Fire, originally appearing as a foil to the hero before undergoing a significant transformation. He is a tall, slender character standing 202 centimeters, with distinctive purple hair and a penchant for flashy, rocker-inspired attire, most notably his oversized shoulder pauldrons. His very name is a layered pun, stemming from the carbonated drink cider while phonetically echoing the Japanese word dasai, meaning uncool or cheesy, which accurately foreshadows his often-misunderstood and comedic nature.
Introduced in the earlier series NG Knight Lamune & 40, Da Cider begins his journey as a comedic but persistent antagonist, serving as a subordinate to the warlock Don Harumage. In this initial role, he is portrayed as arrogant and stubborn, constantly challenging the protagonist, Lamune, only to be routinely defeated in a cycle of revenge and humiliation. This seemingly villainous behavior is later revealed to be the result of brainwashing, and the revelation that he is the descendant of the original legendary hero, Cider, becomes the catalyst for his reformation. Freed from this control, he accepts his destiny and joins Lamune's party as a rival-turned-ally, though he maintains a competitive, cat-and-dog relationship with the hero, frequently quarreling and positioning himself as the true hero.
By the time of Knights of Ramune & 40 Fire, Da Cider has evolved into a more experienced, if still eccentric, mentor figure. When the third-generation hero, Lamunade, needs a co-pilot for the giant robot Kaiser Fire, Da Cider is chosen for the role, occupying the higher of the two cockpit seats. His motivations shift from seeking personal glory to protecting the world from the great evil, Abraham, and guiding the younger generation, even as he struggles with an age-based retirement system for heroes that threatens to sideline him. Despite this maturity, his core personality remains unchanged; he is still a boastful show-off and an incorrigible source of comic relief, most notably for his relentless, terrible puns and wordplay that only his partner seems to appreciate.
His key relationships define much of his role in the story. His dynamic with Lamunade mirrors his old rivalry with Lamunade's father, Lamune, creating a recurring pattern of friction and cooperation. Far more loyal is his relationship with his robotic snake companion, Heavy Meta-Ko, who resides within his shoulder pauldrons. She is fiercely devoted to Da Cider, calling him darling, laughing at his jokes, and assisting him in battle by summoning his original mecha, Queen Cideron. He also shares a genuine, if poorly expressed, romantic bond with his long-time partner, Lesqua, which evolves from a villainous partnership into a true relationship, though he continues to superficially flirt with others.
Da Cider undergoes a notable development from a brainwashed minion to a reformed ally and finally to a heroic co-pilot who accepts his legacy. In a climactic moment in the final battle against Abraham, he demonstrates profound courage by undertaking a near-suicidal special attack to seal the villain, encouraging his younger comrade with one of his signature puns and proving his transition from a gag character into a true warrior. In terms of abilities, beyond his swordsmanship and occasional use of a guitar-shaped machine gun called the guntar, his primary power lies in piloting mecha. He summons and controls the Guardian Knight Queen Cideron, which can unleash powerful energy waves like the Black Bomb, and later co-pilots the Kaiser Fire to combine their strengths against overwhelming threats.
Introduced in the earlier series NG Knight Lamune & 40, Da Cider begins his journey as a comedic but persistent antagonist, serving as a subordinate to the warlock Don Harumage. In this initial role, he is portrayed as arrogant and stubborn, constantly challenging the protagonist, Lamune, only to be routinely defeated in a cycle of revenge and humiliation. This seemingly villainous behavior is later revealed to be the result of brainwashing, and the revelation that he is the descendant of the original legendary hero, Cider, becomes the catalyst for his reformation. Freed from this control, he accepts his destiny and joins Lamune's party as a rival-turned-ally, though he maintains a competitive, cat-and-dog relationship with the hero, frequently quarreling and positioning himself as the true hero.
By the time of Knights of Ramune & 40 Fire, Da Cider has evolved into a more experienced, if still eccentric, mentor figure. When the third-generation hero, Lamunade, needs a co-pilot for the giant robot Kaiser Fire, Da Cider is chosen for the role, occupying the higher of the two cockpit seats. His motivations shift from seeking personal glory to protecting the world from the great evil, Abraham, and guiding the younger generation, even as he struggles with an age-based retirement system for heroes that threatens to sideline him. Despite this maturity, his core personality remains unchanged; he is still a boastful show-off and an incorrigible source of comic relief, most notably for his relentless, terrible puns and wordplay that only his partner seems to appreciate.
His key relationships define much of his role in the story. His dynamic with Lamunade mirrors his old rivalry with Lamunade's father, Lamune, creating a recurring pattern of friction and cooperation. Far more loyal is his relationship with his robotic snake companion, Heavy Meta-Ko, who resides within his shoulder pauldrons. She is fiercely devoted to Da Cider, calling him darling, laughing at his jokes, and assisting him in battle by summoning his original mecha, Queen Cideron. He also shares a genuine, if poorly expressed, romantic bond with his long-time partner, Lesqua, which evolves from a villainous partnership into a true relationship, though he continues to superficially flirt with others.
Da Cider undergoes a notable development from a brainwashed minion to a reformed ally and finally to a heroic co-pilot who accepts his legacy. In a climactic moment in the final battle against Abraham, he demonstrates profound courage by undertaking a near-suicidal special attack to seal the villain, encouraging his younger comrade with one of his signature puns and proving his transition from a gag character into a true warrior. In terms of abilities, beyond his swordsmanship and occasional use of a guitar-shaped machine gun called the guntar, his primary power lies in piloting mecha. He summons and controls the Guardian Knight Queen Cideron, which can unleash powerful energy waves like the Black Bomb, and later co-pilots the Kaiser Fire to combine their strengths against overwhelming threats.