Karasuba (鴉羽) is Sekirei #04. She is known as the "Black Sekirei" and "MBI's Dog" (M・B・Iの狗, MBI no Inu). Karasuba is the leader of the Third Generation Disciplinary Squad. In the past she was a member of the First Generation Disciplinary Squad and teamed up with Yume on the Second Generation Disciplinary Squad. She knows a great deal about Musubi's past and is knowledgable about many aspects of the Sekirei Plan due to her longtime association with MBI, and from the fact that she has been active as long as Miya, Matsu, Mutsu, and Kazehana. Karasuba and Miya have an openly hostile relationship with one another, as the latter does not allow the Black Sekirei to set foot in Izumo Inn, a large portion of this animosity stems from the events surrounding the death of Takehito Asama.
Appearance
Karasuba`s appearence in the anime
Karasuba still wears the uniform all female members of the First Generation Disciplinary Squad were equipped with, being unique in making this choice, but with a few of her own personal additions. This includes a tight black and white leather top secured by belts, a black miniskirt and stockings, black boots, and a grey haori with the Sekirei Crest printed on it in black worn loosely over her shoulders. Her personal weapon, a nodachi, is often scabbarded in a black sheath with a white diamond pattern stitching across the body, and secured on her person at waist height. She is one of the tallest Sekirei, owing much of this to her long legs. She has long light grey hair tied in a ponytail, a lengthy single strand of which extends forward and downwards, and narrow grey eyes. She is usually seen with bags under her eyes, giving her a haggard and exhausted look. Karasuba also has a tendency to keep her eyes narrowed into slits, most commonly while attempting to act cordial and avoid others immediately picking up on her aggression and bloodlust.
Personality
Karasuba's personality and very identity is defined by her hatred of the world of humanity, her love of battle, and her rivalry with Yume. Her seething disgust at humans and the planet Earth manifests itself as a casual and sarcastic disdain, viewing humans as little more than fodder for her blade. Because of this, Karasuba is dismissive of the bond between Sekirei and Ashikabi, seeing it as repulsive. In fact, Karasuba chose her Ashikabi purely because he was empty, hateful, and nihilistic, like she was, and so there would be no loving connection between them.
Karasuba maintains a cold demeanor, but gets excited by the thought of fighting strong opponents. Because of this, she gleefully engages in combat whenever she has the opportunity and picks fights with other Sekirei. She often enjoys killing other Sekirei as a way of steeling herself/relaxing before/after being excited by the idea of fighting a strong opponent (i.e. terminating Ikki before conversing with Musubi, and terminating Mitsuha and attempting to goad Akitsu into a fight after being confronted by Miya).
The final portion of her, her connection with Yume, reveals a more complex side to her personality. Yume saw Karasuba's loneliness and her hatred and resolved to heal her of it, as Karasuba had the chance to be winged, something Yume did not. As such, motived by her desire to defeat the powerful Yume, Karasuba forged a strong connection to the other woman. With Musubi noting that Karasuba deeply cared for Yume, possibly because she was one of the few who was able to withstand Karasuba's murderous personality. This bond was broken with Yume's physical death, and Karasuba was so enraged that she was fully prepared to ignore her friend's sacrifice and kill the infant Yume died to save before Yume's soul stopped.
When around Musubi, Yume's inheritor, Karasuba often shows an honest, more patient, encouraging side. She also has a keen sense of fairness: she stopped herself from attacking Musubi in order to keep a promise they made to each other to survive until the last round of the Sekirei Plan so she could defeat Musubi and Yume's legacy on her own terms.
Abilities and Powers
Mitsuha killed by Karasuba with one strike.
Karasuba, being a single number and a member of the first and strongest iteration of the Disciplinary Squad, has great strength. Her weapon of choice is a nodachi which has the power to cut through energy-based and elemental attacks such as wind, water, fire, etc. She is shown to have an incredible speed, able to kill military men in seconds and outpace her fellow Sekirei. Because of her power, speed, and skill, she is widely feared.
Matsu once stated that if Miya and Karasuba were to engage in a fight, half of Tokyo would be destroyed in the process.[1] During fights with other Sekirei, Karasuba often kills them in one swift move. Her former comrade, Mutsu, was shown to be wary of fighting Karasuba due to her immense abilities.
Despite her great strength, Karasuba's strength lags behind Miya's; the latter was shown in a flashback to be strong enough to split a battleship in two from the mere shockwaves produced from her sword being swung, while Karasuba has to actually make contact with her target to harm them. In spite of this, her sheer skill at swordplay is immense enough to make her an enormous threat to all but the strongest of her fellows (i.e. Yume and Miya).
Karasuba is also a clever tactician when she is not fully swayed by bloodlust. In one battle she used her severed ponytail and her torn jacket as a decoy to lure Kaho into a trap, after which she swiftly attacked from behind.
Karasuba's non-Norito named attacks include the "Impaler" (a rigid upwards thrust at an airborne opponent) and the "Sword of the Sky" (a raking, horizontal slice across a charging opponent's torso).[2]
History
Karasuba is the only steady member of the Discipline Squad throughout all three generations and one of the oldest Sekirei. Like all members of the first generation of the Discipline Squad, she was adjusted by Takehito Asama.[3] In her time with the first generation of the Discipline Squad she participated in the defense of Kamikura Island where she was seen cutting down a retreating soldier. She asks the rest of the soldiers if they thought they could actually retreat (meaning get away from her).[4]
During a major crisis involving the Jinki, Karasuba subtly manipulated Takehito Asama into staying to save the infant Sekirei. The result of this was his death, as she knew it would be. When Karasuba went to, dismissively and mockingly, give Miya her husband's lab coat, the enraged widow felled Karasuba with a single hit, an event that lingered in Karasuba's memory. This event would lead to the formerly cooperative relationship between the two being tarnished, and a strong mutual hatred between the two immensely powerful Sekirei formed in its place.
When she was teamed together with Yume in the second generation of the Discipline Squad she rescued the kidnapped Kaho from a military base. During this mission Karasuba killed countless soldiers to such a degree that the corpses got piled up.[5]
After Yume gave her Tama to Musubi, Karasuba approached Natsuo. Knowing Natsuo's hatred of the world for taking away his lover, Karasuba remembered her unsettled rivalry to Yume. She chose Natsuo as her Ashikabi so that together they may destroy the world they hate.[6]
Synopsis
In the animated series, Karasuba first appeared when she was visiting Musubi in Izumo Inn and got accidentally showered by Musubi who was watering the garden.[7] Karasuba noted she was "as scatterbrained as always" and was invited into the Inn to dry off her clothes. On her way out of Izumo Inn, she confronts Miya.
Miya and Karasuba
In the animated series, Miya threatens to kill Karasuba if she ever comes near Izumo Inn again. The animated series has never elaborated on why Miya hates Karasuba so much, her extreme reaction to seeing Karasuba again suggests it had something to do with the death of her husband, Takehito Asama (in the manga, Karasuba asks him if he was going to abandon the Sekirei, which was essentially goading him into sacrificing himself).
Musubi and Karasuba
After Karasuba leaves, Musubi decides to tell Minato about a promise she and Karasuba made to each other: To keep on fighting through the tournament until Musubi and Karasuba are the last two Sekirei. She tells Minato that she wants to have Karasuba experience love and says that because being separated from their Ashikabi is terrible, Musubi wished to bring back all of the Sekirei and Ashikabi if she won.
Past the Escape plan
While Minato and Musubi are in the hospital Karasuba paid Musubi a visit with a crate of apples as a present.[8] They went to the roof and chatted. When Musubi mentioned that she fought the Discipline Squad Karasuba started laughing but stopped suddenly when Musubi mentioned that she was rescued by Yume. Musubi then showed some rare insight, asking Karasuba if she would have instigated them.[8] Karasuba didn't seem to notice her questions as she was lost in thought, reminiscing about her past with Yume. She then stated, "It's not enough and nothing may be" referring to her frequent killings and that "that" person would be cruel because she disappeared for her own selfish reasons and that she should have been the one who killed her (Yume).
Musubi then mentioned Karasuba stunk of blood which was indeed the case; shortly before her visit Karasuba had terminated No. 19, Ikki. Karasuba suddenly roughly catches Musubi, nearly twisting her wrist, saying that Musubi has to become stronger then correcting herself, telling that she has to become even stronger then "that" person. Then fulfilling the promise that she and Musubi would be the last two one standing so they will then stake the world. She releases Musubi telling her that the 3rd stage of the Sekirei Plan has begun, commenting that enjoyable murders will come from now on.[8]
During the Third Stage
Benitsubasa and Haihane were discussing the relation between Yume and Musubi and tried to figure out if Musubi is no #88 or #08 in the bathroom when Karasuba entered and ment they were wrong. Number #88 Musubi and #08 would be different individuals. No 08 the second Disciplinary Squad leader Yume she described as a foul player, the first Disciplinary Squad leader as another Dimension. No 08 would no longer exist and the first Disciplinary Squad leader has retired. She then tells Benitsubasa that she can take care of Musubi in the third stage and that she should try to bring out "that" person again.[4]
Karasuba appeared next when Musubi and Minato went shopping and met another Ashikabi who asked for the norths help in his escape. Minato refuses and shortly afterwards MBI military appeared including Karasuba to hunt the possible escapees. Karasuba greets Musubi and notices immediately that her Sekirei Spirit (Tama) is glowing brighter than before. Musubi tells her that she remembered the Bear fist. Karasuba laughs and reminds Musubi again of the promise and that she would be waiting for her at the top. Karasuba takes her leave and Musubi tells Minato that the two from before are gonna die. Karasuba is seen next standing above a cut down Sekirei and her Ashikabi talking to herself that she begins to understand why Yume entrusted her soul to Musubi. In Karasubas opinion, Musubi has the potential to become even stronger than Yume, an understanding which excites Karasuba deeply.[9]
When the Disciplinary Squad in the 3rd match retreated Karasuba is seen in the helicopter looking out for Musubi, commenting that Benitsubasa would be unexpectedly useless not bringing out "that" person. Because of this Karasuba came to the conclusion that she can't fight Musubi yet and leaves with the comment "See ya later, Musubi.".[10]
Past the Third match
Karasuba appears once more the night Uzume dies and Miya decides to reveal her identity to Minato's party. She is seen standing on a high rooftop talking to herself, wondering how many Sekirei will be terminated that day and is hoping that soon all of them will perish so she can have her fight with Musubi, as the last two remaining Sekirei.[11]
The Fourth match
As soon as "The Minaka", the ship the 4th battle is held on departed, Karasuba went off to work. Stating the "end of everything" is now beginning.[12]
Fourth Stage and Final Battles
Karasuba recalls the events related to Takehito's death while conversing with Haihane and Benitsubasa. She also recalls incurring Miya's wrath after approaching Izumo Inn with Takehito's bloodied lab coat, which led to Miya brutally cutting her down and almost killing her.[13]
As the Fourth Stage begins in earnest on Kamikura Island, Karasuba faces off with Kaho. As the two Sekirei approach one another, Karasuba flashes back to the time she and Yume were assigned to rescue Kaho and Musubi.[14] This was during the same mission wherein Yume saved Musubi from termination by transplanting her Sekirei Core to replace Musubi's, which had been fatally damaged by the human kidnappers. Karasuba had casually threatened Kaho back then, threatening to terminate her for being so weak as to allow herself to be kidnapped by humans (even in her vulnerable state as mere infant); but Yume prevented Karasuba from carrying out the threat. Kaho declares that she is as scared of Karasuba now as she was back then; but now she is grown up and has found her Ashikabi, so she will face Karasuba and dispel her darkness by defeating her. Karasuba and Kaho then begin to fight, and she lunges at her, Kaho cuts Karasuba's cheek. Benitsubasa makes a somewhat snide comment that she'll help Karasuba if she's having trouble. Karasuba snarls that she'll kill her if she tries.[15] Kaho and Karasuba resume their duel after powering up with their Noritos. Karasuba wins in the end with her "Long Blade of the Underworld" technique, but Kaho puts up a strong fight using her own technique and forces Karasuba to exert nearly her full strength to overpower the younger Sekirei, the first instance where this has happened for a long time.[16]
The next time that Karasuba appears is following the conclusion of the initial battles, after which she walks with Natsuo, Haihane, and Benitsubasa to confront Minato's group.[17] Nearly losing to Kaho has made Karasuba uncharacteristically pensive and somber, and she does not pay attention to Benitsubasa initiating another scuffle in her vicinity.[18] Karasuba is snapped out of her daze by Musubi challenging her to the fight that the two promised to have in order to test their ideals. As they charge one another, Musubi is adamant that Karasuba see her as her own person, not a shadow or copy of Yume, a request to which Karasuba is unwilling and unable to acquiesce.[19] After Tsukiumi and Homura defend all those present from Higa once again having his allies fire the satellite laser, Natsuo's feelings of care for his Sekirei reach Karasuba, something she finds distracting and uncomfortable.[20] Karasuba and Musubi's fight is interrupted by the invading human soldiers, a squadron of the aforementioned men fire on Karasuba, hitting her, but only managing to make her even more angry and erratic, as opposed to hurting her.[2] As Karasuba declares that they will regret "pissing (me) off", she turns away from Musubi to cut them down, only to have Musubi intercept her. As Musubi states that nothing can be done to permanently bring Yume back so Karasuba can fight/spend time with her again, Karasuba seems to snap at the comment.
In another flashback, Yume and Karasuba converse as part of their first meeting, before cutting to their subsequent experiences as the Second Generation Disciplinary Squad. She remembers Yume telling her after one bloody engagement that she should not just go around killing humans just for the thrill of it; and at that moment she snaps back to the present, where Musubi has just blocked her attack on the invading soldiers. Musubi reiterates that Yume's spirit has now completely fused with her own, thanks to their shared bond with Minato. Karasuba's delusional thought process causes her to interpret this as Yume having been killed by them, and she swears revenge; but Natsuo arrives before she can take any action. As Natsuo tells Karasuba that he intends to support her by activating her Norito, Karasuba harshly rejects him, and activates her Tama in the process, ripping and clawing at herself to remove the wings signifying their bond.[21]
Musubi warns Karasuba that what she has done risks her own demise; but Karasuba is adamant that she will act according to her own will and no other, and launches one final attack which she dedicates to Yume, who she refers to as "My Lady".[22] Musubi vows to oppose it with everything she has, but is momentarily daunted by Karasuba's amplified and malevolent power; her resolve returns due to her awareness of Minato's unconditional support. Musubi uses her prayer and Bear Fist attack to block Karasuba's strike, shattering Karasuba's nodachi in the process and releasing a blinding flash of swirling energy. Karasuba sees a vision of Yume, who admonishes her for rejecting her fate; Yume explains that Karasuba will never be able to defeat her until she accepts who she is meant to be as a Sekirei. Karasuba awakens lying in the grass, heavily wounded, with Natsuo kneeling over her; Natsuo has re-established their bond by kissing her once again. He declares that their wish to destroy the world had hurt them badly by causing them both to isolate themselves from others, and that it was misguided. He states that they need to be connected to the world in order to properly change it. Exhausted and with much to consider, Karasuba bids him farewell and surrenders to sleep.
As of the epilogue, Karasuba is being kept semi-active in a stasis/containment pod at MBI Tower, unlike Takehito, who was also kept alive in one, she is not shown fully regaining consciousness, and Minato is of the mind that she is refusing to wake up out of stubbornness or pride.
Major Battles
- Karasuba vs. Mitsuha (won)
- Karasuba vs. Miya Asama (implied to be multiple times-lost)
- Karasuba vs. Ikki (won)
- Karasuba vs. Nanami (won)
- Karasuba vs. Kaho (won)
- Karasuba vs. Musubi (multiple times, interrupted or lost)
- Karasuba vs. Yume (multiple times, lost)
Norito
- Further information: Norito
Basically, it's a form to use a large amount of power. Every Sekirei it's said to have it. The form to execute requires two steps:
- A kiss with their Ashikabi.
- A prayer.
- Prayer: "This is the pledge of my blade, exterminate the sworn enemy of my Ashikabi!" (我が誓約の刃 葦牙が怨敵 鏖殺せん, Waga seiyaku no yaiba ashikabi ga onteki ōsatsu sen)[16]
- Long Blade of the Underworld: Eternal Rage (冥ﾉ太刀久怨, Mei no Tachi: "Kuon")[16] The user swings their katana, which, when crossed with the blade of another, creates an explosion of highly pressurized air.
Differences between the Anime and Manga
- In the second season of the anime, we see Karasuba waiting at the scene where five of Minato's Sekirei - excluding Musubi - who were already injured due to MBI building collapsing while they were inside. She faces off against Musubi but their fight is suspended due to Minato and his other five Sekirei - including Kusano - intervening.
Trivia
- Karasuba never addresses Yume by name, always referring to her as "that person" with the exception being when she talks to herself in private. She does however, roar "YUME!" as she charges toward her when Yume temporarily took over Musubi's body during the escape plan (this only happened in the anime).
- Karasuba is the first Sekirei seen in the anime.
- Karasuba is ambidextrous.
- Karasuba (鴉, karasu-Crow + 羽, ba-Feathers) means "crow feathers" literally.
Quotes
- Entertain me more next time! (To her victims)
- Ah... You're really good. Same as always, so scary. It excites me!!! (To Miya)[23]
- Hey, you two. If you're free, why don't you play with me? (To Akitsu and Mitsuha)[24]
- Yo, Yume. Since you weren't here to stop me, I killed them all. They were so weak, so very weak. They're really a bunch of useless things. (To Yume)[5]
References
- ↑ Sekirei Manga chapter 62
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Sekirei Manga Chapter 170
- ↑ Sekirei Manga chapter 73
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Sekirei Manga chapter 72
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Sekirei Manga chapter 47
- ↑ Sekirei Manga chapter 109.5 omake
- ↑ Sekirei Manga chapter 17
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Sekirei Manga chapter 53
- ↑ Sekirei Manga chapter 83
- ↑ Sekirei Manga chapter 93
- ↑ Sekirei Manga chapter 111
- ↑ Sekirei Manga chapter 120
- ↑ Sekirei Manga Chapter 140
- ↑ Sekirei Manga Chapter 144
- ↑ Sekirei Manga Chapter 145
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Sekirei Manga chapter 147
- ↑ Sekirei Manga Chapter 159
- ↑ Sekirei Manga Chapter 160
- ↑ Sekirei Manga Chapter 161
- ↑ Sekirei Manga Chapter 162
- ↑ Sekirei Manga Chapter 173
- ↑ Sekirei Manga Chapter 174
- ↑ Sekirei Manga chapter 18
- ↑ Sekirei Anime episode 7