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Akane Aoi: A character analysis (warning this is long)
I’ve seen a lot of people in this fandom mischaracterize Akane as a jerk who only cares about Aoi or some kind of monster after his actions in 69 so I’m going to explain why that’s simply not true.
I’ve seen a lot of people in this fandom mischaracterize Akane as a jerk who only cares about Aoi or some kind of monster after his actions in 69 so I’m going to explain why that’s simply not true.
Foreword: Im not trying to change anyone's opinions or say you can't dislike him or anything like that! It's totally valid to be uncomfortable with him for any reason I would simply like to share my interpretation and character analysis. Okay? okay! let's get started
“Akane doesnt care about anyone other than Aoi” I can see where this misconception comes from. Akane is depicted only in relation to Aoi in most of his scenes but the moments that he isnt are where his character shines through. Nene describes him as kind, hardworking, and helpful
and it looks like his other classmates agree. Akane is also depicted as being quite mature and responsible such as him supervising the study camp activities in chapter 60. He might not be as popular as other students like Aoi or Teru but he definitely seems wellliked by his peers
I doubt he would have this reputation if he really didn’t care about anyone other than Aoi. (have some other screenshots of him being friends with lemon)
Additionally, Id especially like to note his friendship with Nene. Not only does Nene run at him with relief when she sees him in the study camp arc but he still cares enough about her to put himself in harm’s way when she runs after Sumires spirit (this is after their argument)
I’d also like to touch on the infamous elevator scene. I’ve seen a lot of people talk about how it was weird and bad for Akane to pretend like he was going to kiss Nene and yeah I can see that but also I think he’s pretty clear he wasn’t actually going to do it.
Just two chapters earlier he specifically mentioned he had no romantic feelings towards her and the only reason he resorted to doing that was because Hanako was trying to blackmail him. I’ll touch on this more later but Akane has every reason to distrust and hate Hanako
Another good dynamic I’d like to mention is him and Kou. He stops Kou’s time so that he can remember the truth about Nene’s lifespan. While the reason he gives for why he does this seems self-serving, he’s still doing a good thing for someone else.
He didn’t have to do this and it’s not like he would have faced any negative consequences for not doing it. He also seems to be pretty excited/happy when he says that he and Kou are comrades in arms.
Also he looks genuinely disgusted by Hanako (and later Teru) for seemingly giving up on Yashiro which further proves that he does care for both Kou and Yashiro.
The only two characters that Akane really ever acts outwardly hostile to (besides all supernaturals in general) are Teru and Hanako. Let’s start with Hanako. The first impression Akane gets of Hanako is from the Clock Keepers who call him a “slimy, perverted brat”
(already not a good first impression). Then when Akane finally meets Hanako in person, he tries to drop a chandelier on her head. Of course, the audience knows that Hanako wasn’t actually going to hurt Aoi here.
And the audience has lots of reasons to feel sympathetic towards Hanako but Akane knows none of them. The only thing he knows is that Hanako killed someone when he was alive, tried to kill his best friend, and then held a knife to his throat.
Keeping this in mind, it’s totally reasonable as to why he strongly dislikes Hanako. This distrust and hatred later proves justified as Hanako was largely behind Aoi’s kidnapping and eventual death in the latest arc..
The second character is Teru. I don’t really think I should have to explain why Akane acts the way he does here
Now let’s move on to the current arc which has given Akane a lot more spotlight. I think this highlights both a lot of his strengths and flaws as a character.
Before we get into the obvious chapter, I’d like to briefly talk about chapter 64. I think this chapter is notable for two main reasons. 1. It showcases how Akane immediately notices something is off with Aoi. Aoi would later say that Akane just likes the fake version of her-
yet he knows her on a much deeper level than she knows. He is the only one to notice something is off (besides Hanako who is already in on the plan). Even Nene, her best friend, doesn’t notice anything about Aoi’s strange behavior.
2 His selflessness here. Even after she tried to dump him into a pit, he doesnt care for his own wellbeing and instead goes to ask if she is alright and why shes acting in this way. Even as she calls him trash and says she doesnt need him anymore, he is still more worried for her
And again when she stabs him, he still forces a smile and makes himself keep going. It’s very obvious that he’s in a ton of pain even if his supernatural form makes him more resilient. Yet, despite this, he doesn’t show any weakness or vulnerability or start crying until-
Aoi can no longer see him. Even as he’s bleeding to death, he still cares more about making sure that she doesn’t worry for him.
Also a somewhat weird point I’ve seen a few people make? I’ve seen some say that him dragging her into the whole was like a malicious thing? I don’t really know how you could interpret it like that. All of Aoi’s previous words and actions in that arc allude to some-
sadly suicidal urges on her part and Akane even asks if she plans on going back to No. 6 (implying that she will go back to be his sacrifice). It’s only after he confirms this that he starts dragging her away. He isn’t trying to take her down with him or anything
and he has no idea what the pit does. All he knows is that what goes into it cannot come out and he views this as a way to save Aoi. Also given his later comments, Akane straight up thinks he’s going to die here and he’s determined to make sure his best friend will survive
After chapter 64, we don’t see them again until the end of chapter 68 where Akane is carrying Aoi on his back to safety. This is further proof of how selfless Akane is. The first thing he does when she wakes up is apologize for bringing her there.
Despite the fact that Akane has done absolutely nothing wrong in this situation yet, he is apologizing to her. He carries her until his body gives out and he collapses in the water. He’s pushed himself past his limit but he still insists he’s okay even as he’s about to pass out-
-just because he doesn’t want her to feel bad or worried for him.
Then comes the infamous chapter. I want to start this out by saying that you’re totally valid if you dislike or are uncomfortable with Akane after this chapter. It still makes me a bit uncomfortable even though I love him as a character. I’m not trying to discount anyone-
's feelings. (Also would like to say that I don’t ship aoiaoi and I don’t think it’s a healthy relationship either) so don't attack me for this one pls
Akane isnt being selfish here. He knows he’s about to die and he wants Aoi to know that he’s never just liked her for her persona and that he knows the real her. While the way he goes about telling her this is definitely bad, he’s also been through hell within the past few hours
in context and probably isn’t thinking straight. I’d also like to mention that Akane is only 15 (maybe 16). That isn’t an excuse for his actions but I think it puts it into context.
Also, it’s not like Aoi is entirely innocent in this interaction either. Not only did she stab him (which definitely would have killed him if he hadn’t been a supernatural), she also throws his watch as his head, and punches him IN his wound.
Okay now let’s talk post severance. Akane might seem pretty callous here but it’s important to realize that he just lost his best friend and pretty much his entire purpose for being. As Teru told Kou, Akane pretty much destroys himself and recreates himself in order to please her
With Aoi gone, Akane sees himself as nothing. He couldn’t even give an answer that didn’t involve her when she asked him what he likes. After her death, he shuts down entirely. He cant even bring himself to comfort Nene (even though he clearly cares about her because he not only-
-instantly asks her what’s wrong but also because of everything I mentioned earlier) because to comfort her would be admitting that Aoi is gone and that his entire sense of self has shattered with her. Despite this, he encourages her in his own way.
Akane is not an emotionally intelligent character to put it lightly but he tries to help by offering solutions. He offers to help Nene in trying to find a way to reverse the severance like how he offered to help Kou back in the Clock Keepers arc.
Anyway, end of thread. Thank you if you listened to me ramble for this long. Love ya! <3
