TV-Series
Description
Sage Date, also known as Seiji Date, stands as a central warrior figure. Hailing from Miyagi, Japan, he was born June 9, 1973, under the Gemini sign, tracing lineage back to the famed general Date Masamune. Both parents were present: his mother an emergency room doctor, his father a police officer practicing kendo. Primary upbringing responsibility, however, fell to his grandfather, who trained him as a Bushi warrior following Eido period traditions. He has two sisters: Yayoi, five years older, whose childhood teasing fostered his lasting difficulty communicating with girls, and Satsuki, two years younger.
Physically, Sage possesses wild blonde hair and pale purple eyes. His initial attire featured a yellow shirt, deep blue-green jacket, tan pants, and brown shoes. This evolved across story arcs: in Gaiden, he wore a white dress shirt and tan pants; in Legend of the Inferno Armor, a light-colored dress shirt with a teal handkerchief; and in Message, a purple ascot, yellow dress shirt, green jacket, light-colored pants, and tan shoes. His stature grew from 167 cm (5'5.7") and 58 kg (127 lbs) in the TV series to 175 cm (5'8.8") and 61 kg (134 lbs) in Message.
His personality reflects formality and maturity, often expressed through formal Japanese speech. He maintains a calm, observant demeanor, favoring strategy over impulse. While harboring a strong aversion to lies and evil, prolonged provocation can trigger intense rage. Disciplined by his grandfather's teachings in etiquette, bonsai cultivation, and bamboo flute playing – practices meant to curb a rebellious streak – he nonetheless reveals a more relaxed, playful side among fellow warriors. His interests include kendo, avant-garde bonsai, Formula 1 racing, and cycling, with memories suggesting he won an F1 race at sixteen. Discomfort around women persists due to Yayoi's influence, including dressing him in girls' clothing during fragile infancy based on cultural superstitions, though he retains no memory of this.
Early life presented challenges. Elementary school peers feared his unusual eyes, often crying upon seeing them; Yayoi suggested covering one eye to ease this fear while treating him like a "toy doll," photographing him with hair ribbons. In junior high kendo club, he rose to vice-president in seventh grade and president in eighth. During a tournament, an opponent cheated by throwing debris into his eyes. Since his right eye was covered by hair, Sage retaliated by knocking off the opponent's mask – an etiquette breach leading to disqualification and confinement in his family basement. This confinement proved fortuitous, as he discovered the Armor of Halo there. His grandfather later cleared his name after the opponent confessed.
When the Dynasty invaded, Sage arrived in Tokyo with the other warriors. Initial teamwork difficulties resolved into cohesive defense. Separated and placed at the Pinnacles – where his armor drew power from light – he was later rescued by the blinded Ryo. Sage defeated warlord Sekhmet and restored Ryo's sight using his sword. Subsequent missions involved traveling with Mia to locate Kento; he protected her from wolves and outmaneuvered warlord Kale to free Kento from petrification. He later detected warlord Dais's illusions, though Kento initially ignored his warnings, resulting in Sage being attacked until the illusions dissolved.
In Gaiden, Sage investigated a sword bearing the Date crest at a New York university, only to be captured by the spirit Shikaisen and a mad scientist. Tortured for days, he endured nightmares and resisted relinquishing full armor control despite excruciating pain. Rescued by allies, he fought Shikaisen directly, channeling rare vengeful fury before combining powers to defeat the spirit permanently. During Legend of the Inferno Armor events, Sage and Ryo were captured investigating armor disturbances. Sage later recognized the armors' growing corruption, a concern validated by Cye's observations. In Message, meditating beneath a waterfall, he achieved a critical epiphany about his armor's nature.
The Armor of Halo (Korin), linked to Rei (Grace/Wisdom) and the element of Light, channels power from any light source. Its primary weapon is the Korin Ken, a nodachi featuring a shuriken at the hilt. Sage wields this sword masterfully, one- or two-handed. His signature technique, "Rai Ko Zan" ("Thunderbolt Cut" in TV, "Lightning Strike" in OVAs), manifests as concentrated light energy – a projectile or slashing beam. The armor enhances strength, endurance, speed, and survivability in extreme environments. Sage discovered it in his family basement after the kendo incident, guided by ancestral legends.
Among fellow warriors, Sage demonstrates fierce devotion to Ryo, often positioning himself as Ryo's protector. He forms a close friendship with Rowen, frequently partnering with him on missions or reconnaissance and sharing living quarters. He supports Cye but voices concern about involving non-combatants like Mia and Yuli due to the dangers, remaining unsettled by Yuli's tendency to rush into peril.
Physically, Sage possesses wild blonde hair and pale purple eyes. His initial attire featured a yellow shirt, deep blue-green jacket, tan pants, and brown shoes. This evolved across story arcs: in Gaiden, he wore a white dress shirt and tan pants; in Legend of the Inferno Armor, a light-colored dress shirt with a teal handkerchief; and in Message, a purple ascot, yellow dress shirt, green jacket, light-colored pants, and tan shoes. His stature grew from 167 cm (5'5.7") and 58 kg (127 lbs) in the TV series to 175 cm (5'8.8") and 61 kg (134 lbs) in Message.
His personality reflects formality and maturity, often expressed through formal Japanese speech. He maintains a calm, observant demeanor, favoring strategy over impulse. While harboring a strong aversion to lies and evil, prolonged provocation can trigger intense rage. Disciplined by his grandfather's teachings in etiquette, bonsai cultivation, and bamboo flute playing – practices meant to curb a rebellious streak – he nonetheless reveals a more relaxed, playful side among fellow warriors. His interests include kendo, avant-garde bonsai, Formula 1 racing, and cycling, with memories suggesting he won an F1 race at sixteen. Discomfort around women persists due to Yayoi's influence, including dressing him in girls' clothing during fragile infancy based on cultural superstitions, though he retains no memory of this.
Early life presented challenges. Elementary school peers feared his unusual eyes, often crying upon seeing them; Yayoi suggested covering one eye to ease this fear while treating him like a "toy doll," photographing him with hair ribbons. In junior high kendo club, he rose to vice-president in seventh grade and president in eighth. During a tournament, an opponent cheated by throwing debris into his eyes. Since his right eye was covered by hair, Sage retaliated by knocking off the opponent's mask – an etiquette breach leading to disqualification and confinement in his family basement. This confinement proved fortuitous, as he discovered the Armor of Halo there. His grandfather later cleared his name after the opponent confessed.
When the Dynasty invaded, Sage arrived in Tokyo with the other warriors. Initial teamwork difficulties resolved into cohesive defense. Separated and placed at the Pinnacles – where his armor drew power from light – he was later rescued by the blinded Ryo. Sage defeated warlord Sekhmet and restored Ryo's sight using his sword. Subsequent missions involved traveling with Mia to locate Kento; he protected her from wolves and outmaneuvered warlord Kale to free Kento from petrification. He later detected warlord Dais's illusions, though Kento initially ignored his warnings, resulting in Sage being attacked until the illusions dissolved.
In Gaiden, Sage investigated a sword bearing the Date crest at a New York university, only to be captured by the spirit Shikaisen and a mad scientist. Tortured for days, he endured nightmares and resisted relinquishing full armor control despite excruciating pain. Rescued by allies, he fought Shikaisen directly, channeling rare vengeful fury before combining powers to defeat the spirit permanently. During Legend of the Inferno Armor events, Sage and Ryo were captured investigating armor disturbances. Sage later recognized the armors' growing corruption, a concern validated by Cye's observations. In Message, meditating beneath a waterfall, he achieved a critical epiphany about his armor's nature.
The Armor of Halo (Korin), linked to Rei (Grace/Wisdom) and the element of Light, channels power from any light source. Its primary weapon is the Korin Ken, a nodachi featuring a shuriken at the hilt. Sage wields this sword masterfully, one- or two-handed. His signature technique, "Rai Ko Zan" ("Thunderbolt Cut" in TV, "Lightning Strike" in OVAs), manifests as concentrated light energy – a projectile or slashing beam. The armor enhances strength, endurance, speed, and survivability in extreme environments. Sage discovered it in his family basement after the kendo incident, guided by ancestral legends.
Among fellow warriors, Sage demonstrates fierce devotion to Ryo, often positioning himself as Ryo's protector. He forms a close friendship with Rowen, frequently partnering with him on missions or reconnaissance and sharing living quarters. He supports Cye but voices concern about involving non-combatants like Mia and Yuli due to the dangers, remaining unsettled by Yuli's tendency to rush into peril.