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CANON SECTION
NAME: Nikkari Aoe
AGE: Physically in his mid 20s, truthfully almost a thousand years old.
CANON: Touken Ranbu
NAME: Nikkari Aoe
AGE: Physically in his mid 20s, truthfully almost a thousand years old.
CANON: Touken Ranbu
CANON HISTORY: game wiki / anime wiki (Hanamaru is directly stated to be a companion piece to the game proper)
Nikkari's entry / Nikkari history summary
CANON PERSONALITY:
"You think my name is strange as well, don't you?"
If a man could be said to fit his name, Nikkari Aoe certainly does. His name, practically meaning "to laugh or grin", is one he wears well with his eternal smile and his easy laughter. Such a smile, in the hands of others, would be something fake or worn to put off the world - and true, Nikkari is an odd sort. Going along with his legendary nature as a sword that slays ghosts, Nikkari gives off a vibe that's strange, almost too calm and careless to be real. The chuckling at random times doesn't help either. But Nikkari's air isn't something donned for show, or something he takes particular delight in using to creep out others. It simply is a part of him the same way that his hair is green, or that he is a sword - he can't help that his nature is tied up in ghosts. What has become "Nikkari Aoe" comes from things that he cannot help or change - yet, his smile is more true than someone might think. Nikkari easily cracks jokes and puns, looking and finding things in life to keep him smiling and rendering his external personality not one at odds with his internal self.
"That's right, swords are made to battle."
Undeniably, a good portion of Nikkari's self is tied up in being a sword. Swords in general understand the tasks before them both as the tools they have always been and their new status as summoned warriors who must now execute the orders that they in the past would be used for. This leads to a common thread of loyalty and dedication that can be seen in every sword warrior that exists in their citadel. Their master's orders are absolute, they understand the purpose in their being called forth to defend history, and they equally held with things both bloody and mundane. Nikkari is no exception, and what the master wishes, he undergoes. Be them asking him to do something like fieldwork or pointing him in the direction of what they wish cut down, Nikkari is his master's tool - his own desires not so much manifesting as something he doesn't consider. When speaking of his experience that he's gained over the centuries, he remarks that "Perhaps I can put this to good use for my current master." Even in this new body, a sword is a sword and continues to think as one.
Despite his occasional complaints about helping with domestic duties around the citadel, calling himself unsuited, when it comes to combat, Nikkari steps to it with not so much eagerness as much as a full readiness. He states that battle is where one will "kill or be killed", and he will kill as much as he needs to for his master's sake. Swords are made to fight, so he will - stating that " I am accustomed to battles", the scent of blood something he calls "familiar." His legend's pivotal moments are ones of death and blood, he has been passed around to various human warriors and houses. Nikkari understands this duty the best of whatever his master might assign, and in this war to preserve history, he'll fight for their goals, which have become his own by virtue of them being his master's.
"If we want to kill ghosts that are merely wandering, how would we be any different from vicious murderers?"
Nikkari is someone who's been through not just bloody battles, but lost his chance at being a divine blade through the child ghost killing actions of his first master, denying him the fate that came over so many of his school. Given that, no one could truly blame him if he felt any bitterness towards that man or his fate. Yet, Nikkari seems to hold none at all, having long ago accepted his fate - and even, in his recollection with Ishikirimaru, inquiring about it and receiving the answer that "maybe things will be different in a few hundred years." Certainly that incident is important to him, but he does not bear a rage towards himself for performing actions he had no choice in, nor does he curse the samurai's name. Instead of resentment, Nikkari seems to be filled with a calm hope for the future, turning his thoughts instead towards what his current master requires of him and maintaining that ability to truly find things in the world amusing.
Though his aura puts some off, Nikkari is someone who still maintains the ability to care about many different people and things in his life. In the anime Hanamaru, when woken by some of the tantou swords when they simply believed they saw a ghost, Nikkari rises at the late hour without complaint, ready to find the truth and go along with the antics of the little ones. Though their fears turn out to be unfounded, Nikkari is still ready to be there for them and defend them until the truth of the matter comes out. This care even extends to spirits that have not done anything wrong despite his status as a ghost killer. In fact, he remarks that he would only kill "spirits who cause harm and enemies on the battlefield", not ghosts who simply wander and cause no ill effects. To him, doing that would be nothing short of murder. Another thing he cares for happens to be those he served before who took good care of him - when sent off on his journey to train himself, Nikkari deliberately goes to see his former master Kyougoku Takatsugu, who he still remembers all these years later as treating him well, in addition to being someone who he holds in respect. Because of him and his endurance in the face of rumours and insults in his life, Nikkari holds the opinion that "If other people say anything, then all I need to do is to prove them otherwise." Perhaps most tellingly, though, is how he tells his master, after he's returned home, "Be careful that people don't start saying that a sword is too good for you, okay?" Words that he heard said about himself when he came into Takatsugu's care, who suffered for it. That fate he wishes this master to avoid, though it might not be in their control. He doesn't want to see them hurt like that, but no matter what comes to pass, he will remain faithfully at their side for as long as they will have need of him.
SKILLS/ABILITIES:
Tsukumogami: As the manifested soul of the sword Nikkari Aoe, he has advantages and disadvantages compared to a human, and is capable of demanifesting and remanifesting as a spirit - though he can only remanifest around his sword.
Combat: Nikkari is incredibly proficient in swordsmanship, and is more difficult to beat down than a human. He's quite fast, agile, and strong, all of it linked to his capabilites of, essentially, a minor god.
Immortal: Nikkari does not age. He can be killed, however, and retains the need to sleep and eat like any living creature.
Link: He has a living connection to his sword, and can perceive what is happening to it as well as he could his own body. A touch to the metal blade is a touch on him, damage to the blade is damage to him. Breaking the sword is killing him with no chance of recovery.
Sense: Nikkari has the ability to sense the presence of spirits and ghosts, as well as interact with them. This may extend to allowing them to reside in his body if necessary, given the status of his eye.
Eye: Nikkari's red eye, based on current canon info, seems to be holding an unnamed woman's spirit within it. When released, his eyes are both bright green. What she is capable of is unknown, as well as why she's there, but it is a reasonable assumption that most of the time she resides in his eye in a sealed state, only emerging at moments of desperation and last resort.
Fubuki: When in exceptionally high spirits or really good health, Nikkari will have cherry blossom petals appear around his head. Swords, man.
Nikkari's entry / Nikkari history summary
CANON PERSONALITY:
If a man could be said to fit his name, Nikkari Aoe certainly does. His name, practically meaning "to laugh or grin", is one he wears well with his eternal smile and his easy laughter. Such a smile, in the hands of others, would be something fake or worn to put off the world - and true, Nikkari is an odd sort. Going along with his legendary nature as a sword that slays ghosts, Nikkari gives off a vibe that's strange, almost too calm and careless to be real. The chuckling at random times doesn't help either. But Nikkari's air isn't something donned for show, or something he takes particular delight in using to creep out others. It simply is a part of him the same way that his hair is green, or that he is a sword - he can't help that his nature is tied up in ghosts. What has become "Nikkari Aoe" comes from things that he cannot help or change - yet, his smile is more true than someone might think. Nikkari easily cracks jokes and puns, looking and finding things in life to keep him smiling and rendering his external personality not one at odds with his internal self.
Undeniably, a good portion of Nikkari's self is tied up in being a sword. Swords in general understand the tasks before them both as the tools they have always been and their new status as summoned warriors who must now execute the orders that they in the past would be used for. This leads to a common thread of loyalty and dedication that can be seen in every sword warrior that exists in their citadel. Their master's orders are absolute, they understand the purpose in their being called forth to defend history, and they equally held with things both bloody and mundane. Nikkari is no exception, and what the master wishes, he undergoes. Be them asking him to do something like fieldwork or pointing him in the direction of what they wish cut down, Nikkari is his master's tool - his own desires not so much manifesting as something he doesn't consider. When speaking of his experience that he's gained over the centuries, he remarks that "Perhaps I can put this to good use for my current master." Even in this new body, a sword is a sword and continues to think as one.
Despite his occasional complaints about helping with domestic duties around the citadel, calling himself unsuited, when it comes to combat, Nikkari steps to it with not so much eagerness as much as a full readiness. He states that battle is where one will "kill or be killed", and he will kill as much as he needs to for his master's sake. Swords are made to fight, so he will - stating that " I am accustomed to battles", the scent of blood something he calls "familiar." His legend's pivotal moments are ones of death and blood, he has been passed around to various human warriors and houses. Nikkari understands this duty the best of whatever his master might assign, and in this war to preserve history, he'll fight for their goals, which have become his own by virtue of them being his master's.
Nikkari is someone who's been through not just bloody battles, but lost his chance at being a divine blade through the child ghost killing actions of his first master, denying him the fate that came over so many of his school. Given that, no one could truly blame him if he felt any bitterness towards that man or his fate. Yet, Nikkari seems to hold none at all, having long ago accepted his fate - and even, in his recollection with Ishikirimaru, inquiring about it and receiving the answer that "maybe things will be different in a few hundred years." Certainly that incident is important to him, but he does not bear a rage towards himself for performing actions he had no choice in, nor does he curse the samurai's name. Instead of resentment, Nikkari seems to be filled with a calm hope for the future, turning his thoughts instead towards what his current master requires of him and maintaining that ability to truly find things in the world amusing.
Though his aura puts some off, Nikkari is someone who still maintains the ability to care about many different people and things in his life. In the anime Hanamaru, when woken by some of the tantou swords when they simply believed they saw a ghost, Nikkari rises at the late hour without complaint, ready to find the truth and go along with the antics of the little ones. Though their fears turn out to be unfounded, Nikkari is still ready to be there for them and defend them until the truth of the matter comes out. This care even extends to spirits that have not done anything wrong despite his status as a ghost killer. In fact, he remarks that he would only kill "spirits who cause harm and enemies on the battlefield", not ghosts who simply wander and cause no ill effects. To him, doing that would be nothing short of murder. Another thing he cares for happens to be those he served before who took good care of him - when sent off on his journey to train himself, Nikkari deliberately goes to see his former master Kyougoku Takatsugu, who he still remembers all these years later as treating him well, in addition to being someone who he holds in respect. Because of him and his endurance in the face of rumours and insults in his life, Nikkari holds the opinion that "If other people say anything, then all I need to do is to prove them otherwise." Perhaps most tellingly, though, is how he tells his master, after he's returned home, "Be careful that people don't start saying that a sword is too good for you, okay?" Words that he heard said about himself when he came into Takatsugu's care, who suffered for it. That fate he wishes this master to avoid, though it might not be in their control. He doesn't want to see them hurt like that, but no matter what comes to pass, he will remain faithfully at their side for as long as they will have need of him.
SKILLS/ABILITIES:
Tsukumogami: As the manifested soul of the sword Nikkari Aoe, he has advantages and disadvantages compared to a human, and is capable of demanifesting and remanifesting as a spirit - though he can only remanifest around his sword.
Combat: Nikkari is incredibly proficient in swordsmanship, and is more difficult to beat down than a human. He's quite fast, agile, and strong, all of it linked to his capabilites of, essentially, a minor god.
Immortal: Nikkari does not age. He can be killed, however, and retains the need to sleep and eat like any living creature.
Link: He has a living connection to his sword, and can perceive what is happening to it as well as he could his own body. A touch to the metal blade is a touch on him, damage to the blade is damage to him. Breaking the sword is killing him with no chance of recovery.
Sense: Nikkari has the ability to sense the presence of spirits and ghosts, as well as interact with them. This may extend to allowing them to reside in his body if necessary, given the status of his eye.
Eye: Nikkari's red eye, based on current canon info, seems to be holding an unnamed woman's spirit within it. When released, his eyes are both bright green. What she is capable of is unknown, as well as why she's there, but it is a reasonable assumption that most of the time she resides in his eye in a sealed state, only emerging at moments of desperation and last resort.
Fubuki: When in exceptionally high spirits or really good health, Nikkari will have cherry blossom petals appear around his head. Swords, man.