Some of the main characters of Edens Zero, who comprise the crew of the titular spaceship. Clockwise from bottom-center: Shiki, Witch (bottom-left), Homura (front), Hermit (background), Happy, Rebecca, Pino, Sister, Weisz, and Mosco.
The main characters of Edens Zero in the manga's second half, depicted as three years older. Clockwise from center: Shiki, Homura, Laguna, Mosco, Pino, Sister, Jinn, Kleene, Rebecca, Connor, Hermit, Weisz, and Happy.

The Edens Zero manga series features an extensive cast of characters created by Hiro Mashima. The story is set in a fictional universe called the Grand Shiki Cosmos (四季大宇宙, Shiki Daiuchū, lit. "Four Seasons Macrocosm"), which comprises multiple planetary systems called "cosmoses" that the protagonists navigate using the titular spaceship. The characters consist mainly of humans, robots, and aliens, the majority of which inhabit the "Sakura Cosmos".

Described as a "space fantasy" series by Mashima,[1] Edens Zero depicts several characters that use a magic-like technique called Ether Gear (エーテルギア, Ēteru Gia) to harness their bodies' Ether – a magical power source – like the machines of their universe. Other characters include B-Cubers (B・キューバー, Bī Kyūbā), which are users of an online video platform based on YouTube,[1][2] and cyborgs, alternatively called O-Tech (半分機械（オーテック）, Ō Tekku) in the series. Multiple iterations of the same characters from alternate histories also feature prominently throughout the story, particularly those created by chronophages (時食み, tokihami), space monsters that consume the time of planets, and others who inhabit numbered parallel universes across the multiverse.

Critics and readers have compared the characters' designs and attributes to those from Mashima's earlier series Fairy Tail, some of which they noted were intentionally derivative.

Creation and conception

When developing Edens Zero, author Hiro Mashima wrote several characters' storylines to tie closely to the foundation of the story, which Mashima stated would "almost never change mid-series", amidst those he introduced and changed during the story's progression;[vol. 5] he described his storytelling method as falling "somewhere in between" his previous works Rave Master, whose stories and characters he had largely worked out by the series' midway point, and Fairy Tail, where the only predetermined aspect was the backstory of protagonist Natsu Dragneel.[vol. 3] Mashima's writing approach led him to include new characters to the main cast who were not originally planned to be, while several planned characters such as Homura and the Four Shining Stars were introduced earlier than intended, resulting in a majority of female characters joining the main cast over male characters.[vol. 4]

A number of characters are modeled after characters from Rave Master and Fairy Tail, including Happy,[vol. 3] Elsie Crimson (Erza Scarlet),[vol. 9] and Justice (Sieg Hart and Jellal Fernandes).[3] Plue, another recurring character in Mashima's manga who featured prominently in Rave Master, makes a minor appearance as well.[4] The manga also includes fictionalized versions of YouTubers whom Mashima has met.[2][vol. 7]

When discussing the series' villains, Mashima stated that his personal theme for Edens Zero was to make them "the absolute worst kind of trash possible" so that readers could look forward to their downfalls, while also giving them their own convictions that would lead them to battle the protagonists. He was influenced to do so after receiving comments from those who sympathized with villains that he intended to be "real [pieces] of garbage" in his previous works.[vol. 5]

For the manga's second half, which advances the story by three years, Mashima deliberately gave minor visual changes to most of the characters' designs apart from Shiki, whom he wanted to "stand out"; he added that, with the exception of Hermit and Jinn's redesigns, there "wasn't really any thought" put into these changes.[vol. 20]

Edens Zero crew

The primary characters of the series are the crew of the Edens Zero (エデンズ ゼロ, Edenzu Zero) – Edens being an acronym for "Ether Drive Eternal Navigation System" – an interstellar warship left by Ziggy as inheritance to his adoptive grandson, Shiki.[ch. 15] The crew's goal is to navigate the universe in search of Mother, both to prove her existence and have their wishes granted by her.[ch. 3, 48]

In the story's second half, the Edens Zero is revealed to have come from 20,000 years in the future of Universe 3173, a parallel universe where androids suffer an Ether shortage due to Mother's disappearance and humankind's ensuing extinction. To prevent this, the ship was built on the planet Eden for Ziggy to travel to Universe Zero, a temporal convergence point that influences all other universes in the multiverse, using the power of Etherion (エーテリオン, Ēterion) to travel through time.[ch. 204, 205] The crew uses Etherion to reach Universe Zero for the final story arc, only remembering events from past worlds in response to personal triggers after living altered, often idyllic lives, while also retaining their experiences in the new world.[ch. 221, 222]

Shiki Granbell

Shiki Granbell (シキ・グランベル, Shiki Guranberu) is the sole human denizen of Granbell, a robot-inhabited theme park planet.[ch. 1] Shiki uses the Ether Gear "Satan Gravity" (サタングラビティ, Satan Gurabiti) to freely manipulate gravity for himself and others,[ch. 1, 82] a power learned from his surrogate grandfather, Ziggy, who found him on a voyage for Mother beyond the Sakura Cosmos.[ch. 13] He is characterized by his obsession with making friends, as well as a paralyzing fear of bugs.[ch. 87] After Granbell's dying robot community chases him away with Rebecca to save him from solitude on their planet, Shiki searches for Mother to fulfill his goal of making 100 new friends across the universe.[ch. 1, 3] In the process, he receives the Edens Zero from Elsie Crimson and inherits Ziggy's title of "Demon King" as the ship's captain.[ch. 14, 15] During the series' second half, he gains a more serious and mature personality over a three-year period of fighting a resurrected, evil Ziggy in Universe 3, where Shiki is branded as one of the Oración Seis Galáctica for his growing power and vigilantism.[ch. 169, 170]

Continuing his theme of naming protagonists after seasons, Mashima chose the Japanese word meaning "four seasons" (四季, shiki) for the main character of Edens Zero to represent the culmination of his previous works.[vol. 9] The character's transition into a young man was planned early in development, although Mashima hesitated to incorporate the change due to concerns of negative reactions from "fans of the boyishly cute Shiki"; he left traces of his old design to alleviate this, describing the change as "shifting him from cute to cool".[vol. 20] Shiki is voiced by Takuma Terashima in Japanese,[5] and by Sean Chiplock in English.[6]

Rebecca Bluegarden

Rebecca Bluegarden (レベッカ・ブルーガーデン, Rebekka Burūgāden) is a B-Cuber and Shooting Starlight member from the planet Blue Garden,[ch. 1, 2] where she lives after being separated from her parents, Connor and Rachel, during her childhood.[ch. 199, 209] She aspires to attain one million subscribers for her B-Cube account, Aoneko Channel (AONEKOチャネル, Aoneko Chaneru, lit. "Blue Cat Channel"), which suffers from low viewership due to poor-quality content.[ch. 1, 4] She is an expert markswoman who acquired her skills from playing first-person shooter video games.[ch. 2, 88] After stimulating her Ether through repeated baths in the Edens Zero's spa, Rebecca develops her own Ether Gear called "Cat Leaper" (キャットリーパー, Kyatto Rīpā),[ch. 84] which enhances her jumping power and agility,[ch. 64, 76] and allows her to rewind time and mentally "leap" into parallel universes at different points in time.[ch. 85, 172] This power becomes the source of Etherion, which is extracted from a version of her who is killed and sent 20,000 years into the future by a spacetime distortion on the planet Nero 66.[ch. 204, 205]

Mashima named the character after the Japanese band Rebecca, drawing inspiration from their song "Friends" to compliment Shiki's friend-obsessed personality.[vol. 9] Rebecca is voiced by Mikako Komatsu in Japanese,[5] and by Kira Buckland in English.[7]

Happy

Happy (ハッピー, Happī) is Rebecca's best friend and partner, based on the character of the same name from Fairy Tail.[vol. 2] He is a feline alien from the planet Excede who was fatally injured in a traffic accident during Rebecca's childhood, leading their benefactor, Professor Weisz, to transfer Happy's mind into an identical android body to help him survive.[ch. 2, 11] Happy can transform into a pair of firearms called Happy Blasters (ハッピーブラスター, Happī Burasutā), which fire non-lethal Ether bullets.[ch. 2] He loses his mechanical abilities in Universe Zero, where he never experiences his accident and remains flesh and blood.[ch. 222] Rie Kugimiya and Tia Ballard reprise their roles from Fairy Tail as the Japanese and English voices for Happy, respectively.[5][8]

Weisz Steiner

Weisz Steiner (ワイズ・シュタイナー, Waizu Shutainā) is a man from the planet Norma who practices the Ether Gear "Machina Maker" (マキナ・メイカー, Makina Meikā), which allows him to instantly remodel machines to improve their performance, deconstruct them, and create weapons.[ch. 11, 27] As a result of Weisz fleeing Norma before a chronophage rewinds fifty years of its history,[ch. 11] there are two alternate versions of him that co-exist as separate people: his adolescent self, an amoral but good-natured criminal who joins the crew after betraying his gang's leader; and his elderly, present-day self, who has since matured into an esteemed robotics professor.[ch. 6, 11] During the crew's travels, the young Weisz assumes a superhero identity named Arsenal (アーセナル, Āsenaru), using a powered exoskeleton that he customizes with his Machina Maker.[ch. 61, 62]

Mashima described Weisz as "one of the good guys, but still a scumbag", which he noted is an uncommon character type among his works. He also said that Weisz's role in the story was "pretty clearly laid out", which made it "fairly easy to get [him] to do what I want".[vol. 2] Weisz is voiced by Hiromichi Tezuka in Japanese;[9] in English, his younger self is voiced by Ray Chase,[10] and his older self is voiced by Brook Chalmers.[11]

E.M. Pino

E.M. Pino (EMピーノ, Ī Emu Pīno) is a miniature "anti-bot" android who generates an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) that disables machinery and Ether Gear within range for short periods of time.[ch. 7, 10] Pino was built by Ziggy to become the "Light of Edens" (エデンズの光, Edenzu no Hikari), the "next generation" of androids to the Four Shining Stars,[ch. 19] but had her memory erased by Weisz's gang when she arrived on Norma for maintenance from the present-day Weisz.[ch. 7] She joins Shiki after assigning him as her new master,[ch. 10, 16] later desiring to be reborn as a human through Mother.[ch. 42, 48] During the crew's battle with Ziggy on Lendard, he restores some of Pino's memory while struggling against the Edens One's control, which allows her to fulfill her purpose of freeing him through her ability to Overdrive.[ch. 209] Her full memory is left intact in Universe Zero, revealing that her intended role is to destroy the One.[ch. 235]

Mashima created Pino to serve as the mascot character of the series, but during development of the manga, he found it increasingly difficult to include her within the first chapter, where he incorporated Happy to stand in for her. As with Weisz, Mashima said that he found it "fairly easy" to write for Pino due to her established role in the story.[vol. 2] He later called Pino his favorite character in the series, adding that he worked out "a lot" of story details for her, and that she would "probably" become an important character.[vol. 3] Her name comes from Mashima's attempt to make the term "EMP" sound "cute".[vol. 9] Pino is voiced by Shiori Izawa in Japanese,[9] and by Sarah Anne Williams in English.[12]

Homura Kôgetsu

Homura Kôgetsu (ホムラ・コウゲツ, Homura Kōgetsu) is a young swordswoman from Oedo, a planet styled after Edo period Japan.[ch. 57] She is trained by Valkyrie Yuna to use the Ether Gear "Soul Blade" (ソウルブレイド, Sōru Bureido), which creates swords and bladed weapons made of solid Ether.[ch. 21] Homura has the habit of voicing her inner thoughts by mistake, stemming from Valkyrie's encouragement for Homura to overcome her quiet nature as a child.[ch. 19, 47] She first joins the crew to search for Valkyrie, who had gone missing for five years, and whom she regards as a mother figure after being abandoned ten years earlier by her uncaring biological mother, Kurenai.[ch. 57, 67] After discovering Valkyrie's death on Sun Jewel,[ch. 58] Homura takes her place in the Four Shining Stars as "Valkyrie Homura".[ch. 68, 69] In Universe Zero's renewed history, she leads a miserable life in debt to Drakken Joe after witnessing Valkyrie's decapitation over Homura's accidental injuring of Seiji Hôjô, the son of Oedo's shogun, but recovers upon learning of Valkyrie's survival and reconciling with the now loving Kurenai.[ch. 232-234]

Mashima chose the character's name, which means "flame" (炎, homura), to give an impression of the color red and fire.[vol. 9] Homura is voiced by Shiki Aoki in Japanese,[9] and by Laura Stahl in English.[13]

Four Shining Stars

The Demon King's Four Shining Stars (魔王四煌星, Maō Shikōsei) are a group of female androids created by Ziggy to serve aboard the Edens Zero.[ch. 15] Its members possess functions and powers that improve the ship's travel capacity,[ch. 16] with all four required to authorize the use of Etherion.[ch. 69] Each android also possesses a Battle Dress (バトルドレス, Batoru Doresu) that enhances her combat skills.[ch. 71] One of the androids, Valkyrie, is replaced by the human Homura after being discovered dead on the planet Sun Jewel.[ch. 68]

Witch Regret

Witch Regret (ウィッチ・リグレット, Witchi Riguretto) is the "Shield of Edens" (エデンズの盾, Edenzu no Tate), a masked sorceress who protects and manages the Edens Zero, being the only Shining Star to remain aboard the ship upon its delivery to Shiki.[ch. 15] She manipulates her own Ether in a fashion similar to magic, using "Shield Ether" (シールドエーテル, Shīrudo Ēteru) to generate force fields, and "Element Ether" (属性エーテル, Zokusei Ēteru) to perform elemental attacks such as ice, air, and lightning.[ch. 71, 93] She is portrayed as kind and gentle, but becoming ruthless towards those who threaten her crewmates.[ch. 93] She is killed during the Aoi War, with Universe 2's version of her perishing with the rest of the crew against Shura's antimatter bombs, while Universe 3's version sacrifices herself to shield the Edens Zero from the explosion.[ch. 165, 166] Her death is eventually undone when the crew travels to Universe Zero's past,[ch. 222] although she does not regain her memories of previous worlds due to her absence from the ship during Etherion's activation.[ch. 222, 224] Witch is voiced by Kiyono Yasuno in Japanese,[14] and by Laura Post in English.[15]

Sister Ivry

Sister Ivry (シスター・イヴリィ, Shisutā Ivurii) is a dominatrix nun who serves as the ship's medic, the "Life of Edens" (エデンズの命, Edenzu no Inochi).[ch. 26, 88] She uses a healing ability called "Heal Atomizer" (ヒールアトマイザー, Hīru Atomaizā), which allows her to instantly treat wounds, cure afflictions, and repair "living" machines such as herself and other androids.[ch. 19, 40] She is described as "scary" and "foul-mouthed",[ch. 94] and uses the masculine pronoun ore in Japanese.[ch. 26] Sister is seemingly introduced as the leader of Rogue Out (ローグアウト, Rōgu Auto), a mercenary squad on the planet Guilst,[ch. 20] but is later revealed to have been impersonated for ten years by their leader, who held her hostage to monopolize her healing powers.[ch. 26] In Universe Zero, her imposter's absence on Guilst leads to the real Sister forming Rogue Out as a vigilante corps that opposes Drakken Joe.[ch. 224, 225]

When talking about Sister's full name, Mashima said that it had no particular meaning, choosing it because he "liked the sound of it".[vol. 9] Sister is voiced by Yukiyo Fujii in Japanese,[16] and by Allegra Clark in English.[17]

Hermit Mio

Hermit Mio (ハーミット・ミオ, Hāmitto Mio) is a highly intelligent programmer android with the appearance and behavior of a young tsundere girl.[ch. 95] As the "Mind of Edens" (エデンズの心, Edenzu no Kokoro), she manages the ship's computer security by using the hacking ability "Master Code" (マスターコード, Masutā Kōdo), which allows her reprogram networked technology to her liking.[ch. 37, 89] When first introduced, Hermit suffers from mental trauma due to being cruelly exploited and experimented upon fifteen years earlier by the human Müller and his research team,[ch. 40, 41] leading her to isolate her mind within the virtual planet Digitalis.[ch. 30] She initially rejects Shiki's friendship out of hatred for humans,[ch. 33] but overcomes her mistrust after the crew's kindness rekindles her desire for human friends.[ch. 41] In Universe Zero, she avoids her traumatic experience altogether due to Müller's absence, and is found spending time playing on Digitalis.[ch. 228, 232]

Mashima originally named the character "Hermit Milon" (ハーミット・ミロン, Hāmitto Miron) in her profile, but changed it after realizing he had already used the name for another character in the manga. He derived the name "Mio" from the Japanese word miotsukushi (澪標, "channel marker"), which is used in waka as a pun on the phrase mi o tsukushi (身を尽くし, "to give one's all"), something that Mashima felt reflected her personality.[vol. 13] When redesigning the character for the three-year time skip, Mashima changed Hermit's hairstyle due to her resemblance to Hatsune Miku, which he stated was not intentional.[vol. 20] Hermit is voiced by Kanon Takao in Japanese,[18] and by Xanthe Huynh in English.[19]

Valkyrie Yuna

Valkyrie Yuna (ヴァルキリー・ユナ, Varukirī Yuna) is the "Sword of Edens" (エデンズの剣, Edenzu no Tsurugi), the manager of the Edens Zero's armaments.[ch. 69] She is also Homura's childhood guardian and "Soul Blade" mentor.[ch. 28] Valkyrie is first mentioned as having been missing for five years, leading Homura to join the Edens Zero crew in search of her.[ch. 28, 47] On Sun Jewel, Valkyrie is revealed to have been dead for three years after perishing against a horde of monsters unleashed by Kurenai, Homura's mother, whom Valkyrie freed from slavery in a misguided effort to reunite Homura with her biological family.[ch. 58, 59] In Homura's revised childhood in Universe Zero, Valkyrie is decapitated for her student's injuring of Seiji Hôjô, but survives because of her android nature. She waits on Sun Jewel together with Kurenai for Homura, who aimlessly searches for her mother after mistaking Valkyrie for dead, allowing Valkyrie to reunite with her student and crewmates.[ch. 232-235]

Mashima chose the character's full name because he wanted her to be "a darker-skinned character with a classically Japanese name".[vol. 9] Valkyrie is voiced by Miyuki Sawashiro in Japanese,[20] and by Rebeka Thomas in English.[21]

Mosco Versa-0

Mosco Versa-0 (モスコ＝ヴェルサー零, Mosuko Verusā Rei) is a white-colored sumo android who works aboard the Edens Zero as its caretaker and Sister's verbally and physically abused servant.[ch. 28] He specializes in tsuppari techniques, which allow him to achieve flight.[ch. 22, 96] He also has a button on his belly that Sister forbids anyone from pressing, as doing so transforms him into his alter ego, a handsome butler named Cosmo (コスモ, Kosumo) who exerts total dominance over Sister.[ch. 28, 260] Debuting as a member of Rogue Out who is reprogrammed to follow Sister's imposter, Mosco resumes his original duties after the real Sister restores him.[ch. 19, 28] He returns to being a Rogue Out member in Universe Zero's revised history, this time under the real Sister as a vigilante with dozens of identical robotic copies.[ch. 225]

Mashima did not originally plan to include Mosco in the Edens Zero crew, making the decision after he "took a liking" to the character while drawing him.[vol. 4] The author based Mosco's name on the character's predetermined catchphrase, "Moscoy" (モスコイ, Mosukoi),[vol. 9] which comes from the sumo term dosukoi.[ch. 18] Mosco is voiced by Mitsuo Iwata in Japanese,[22] and by Brock Powell in English.[23]

Jinn

Jinn (ジン, Jin), truly named Kris Rutherford (クリス・ラザフォード, Kurisu Razafōdo),[ch. 95] is an O-Tech ninja who first appears as part of the mercenary squad Rogue Out,[ch. 17] and later as a minion of Drakken Joe.[ch. 77] He uses the Ether Gear "Wind Rage" (ウィンドレイジ, Windo Reiji) to perform ninjutsu techniques that produce winds with typhoon-like force.[ch. 18, 144] During his childhood, Jinn is made into a cyborg by Müller, who orphaned and dismembered him in front of his younger sister, Kleene, as revenge against their parents for withdrawing their financial support.[ch. 18, 126] Jinn seeks Sister out to cure Kleene's trauma from the incident,[ch. 126] which allows Rogue Out's leader to deceive him by impersonating Sister until he kills the imposter upon her exposure.[ch. 26] He boards the Edens Zero after gaining the real Sister's cooperation,[ch. 95] remaining distant from the crew until Sister successfully treats Kleene.[ch. 129, 130] In Universe Zero's altered history, Jinn willingly becomes an O-Tech as part of his home planet's culture, but is forced into Drakken's service with Kleene after coming to Guilst by mistake while studying abroad.[ch. 226, 232]

The code name "Jinn" is taken from the wind spirit of the same name.[vol. 9] Mashima gave the character "a lot more hair" to make him easier to draw during the series' second half, citing difficulties of drawing him consistently in the first half.[vol. 20] Jinn is voiced by Yūki Shin in Japanese,[24] and by Jonah Scott in English.[25]

Kleene Rutherford

Kleene Rutherford (クリーネ・ラザフォード, Kurīne Razafōdo) is Jinn's younger sister, introduced as Sylph (シルフ, Shirufu), the Element 4's representative of wind.[ch. 74, 77] Her "Wind Snatch" (ウィンドスナッチ, Windo Sunatchi) Ether Gear creates air currents that are capable of stealing objects, redirecting projectiles, and trapping people in wind cages.[ch. 75] She suffers from mental breakdowns whenever she experiences any emotion, caused by a repressed memory of Müller forcing her to watch Jinn's dismemberment during their childhood, which requires her to wear emotion-suppressing devices on her head that also indicate her mood.[ch. 92, 126] She joins the crew with Jinn after Sister cures her condition by erasing her traumatic memories.[ch. 129, 130] She avoids her traumatic experience in Universe Zero due to Müller's absence, although she becomes Drakken's minion anyway along with Jinn after coming to Guilst by mistake.[ch. 226, 232] Kleene is voiced by Rumi Okubo in Japanese.[26]

Laguna Husert

Laguna Husert (ラグナ・ヒューゼルト, Raguna Hyūzeruto) is a cross-dressing man who uses the water-manipulation Ether Gear "Tears Lover" (ティアーズラバー, Tiāzu Rabā), which he combines with Empire Ether[lower-alpha 1] to transform others into water whenever they cry.[ch. 72, 157] Originally a stage actor, he suffers from an inability to cry naturally due to his over-commitment to his roles, which has led to his retirement.[ch. 169] He first appears as the Element 4's representative of water under Drakken Joe,[ch. 72] but is inducted into the Edens Zero crew by Witch after proving himself to be among Drakken's more humane minions.[ch. 110] He is later revealed to be an estranged member of the anti-imperial rebel army Oasis (オアシス, Oashisu), which he initially joined to avenge his best friend's death in a raid conducted by Poseidon Nero's empire, but deserted out of a pursuit of greater power.[ch. 140, 169] In Universe Zero, Laguna is instead Oasis's leader.[ch. 226, 227] Laguna is voiced by Taku Yashiro in Japanese.[26]

Couchpo

Couchpo (カウチポ, Kauchipo) is a famous B-Cube personality and gourmand who produces food videos and reviews for her account, MoguMogu Channel (モグモグch., Mogumogu Chaneru);[ch. 19] her real name is Chloé Françoise Ai (クロエ・フランソワーズ・愛, Kuroe Furansowāzu Ai).[ch. 147] First meeting Rebecca when they and several other B-Cubers are abducted by Rogue Out,[ch. 18] Couchpo joins the crew during another encounter on the planet Foresta after being enamored with the ship's kitchen,[ch. 133] and provides critiques that help bolster Rebecca's popularity.[ch. 134, 171] Couchpo is voiced by Satomi Arai in Japanese, and by Janice Kawaye in English.

Connor

Captain Connor (キャプテン・コナー, Kyaputen Konā) is a spaceship captain from the Aoi Cosmos.[ch. 49] He appears as a pompous and eccentric middle-aged man with expert piloting skills, using unorthodox methods to push ships beyond their usual capabilities.[ch. 175] As the story transitions through different universes, the crew meets alternate versions of Connor that only Rebecca remembers: the original Connor from Universe 1 is the Edens One's shipwrecked captain whom the Zero crew rescues en route to Sun Jewel;[ch. 49] in Universe 2, he is a reluctant servant of Ziggy who is hired as the One's pilot;[ch. 102] and in Universe 3, he is an escaped worker from Ziggy's robot factory on Lendard who has no knowledge of the One.[ch. 171] He is eventually confirmed to be Rebecca's father, whose wife, Rachel, left him with their newborn daughter to protect him from being killed by her church for their forbidden marriage,[ch. 209] with Universe 3's Connor joining the Zero crew and reuniting with his family after discovering his relationship with Rebecca.[ch. 175, 217]

The character's design underwent multiple changes during development, all depicting him as thinner and more attractive than the finished version as an overweight old man, with different hairstyles varying from a receding hairline to "silky smooth" hair. After storyboarding Connor's debut appearance, Mashima received input from his editor that Connor's feats were "not very interesting" for a "good-looking" character to perform. According to Mashima, the final design received complaints from his female staff over the change.[vol. 6] Connor is voiced by Kenta Sasa in Japanese, and by Paul St. Peter in English.

Recurring characters

Ziggy

Ziggy (ジギー, Jigī) is Shiki's adoptive grandfather, an android who portrays the "Demon King" (魔王, Maō) at the Granbell Kingdom theme park.[ch. 1] Introduced as a good and kind figure who broke down from old age ten years before the series' beginning, Ziggy discovered Shiki on a failed voyage for Mother aboard the Edens Zero, raising him to use his own gravity abilities.[ch. 1, 14] When Shiki revisits Granbell in the present day, Ziggy reactivates with a malevolent personality that desires Shiki's death and the dominance of machines over humans, serving as an antagonist in the series.[ch. 101] During his and Shiki's final battle on Lendard, Ziggy reveals himself to be a mechanized version of Shiki from Universe 3173, where he was sent 20,000 years into the future by a spacetime distortion on Nero 66 before using Etherion to travel to the past, gaining amnesia in the process.[ch. 203-205] Furthermore, his evil behavior is revealed to be a result of the Edens One's artificial intelligence taking control of him.[ch. 210, 215] After Pino restores Ziggy's original personality, Shiki destroys him at Ziggy's own request to prevent the One from controlling him again.[ch. 209, 214]

Mashima named the character after the song "Ziggy Stardust" by singer David Bowie, which the author listened to frequently during the manga's production; the name "Ziggy" was originally given to Shiki in the story's earliest draft.[vol. 9] Mashima noted that several readers were able to predict the character's backstory before it was revealed, although he stated that there would be "at least one" element to surprise readers due to the backstory's "complex" nature.[vol. 20] Ziggy is voiced by Hōchū Ōtsuka in Japanese,[27] and by John Eric Bentley in English.

Mother

Mother (マザー, Mazā) is the creator of the universe,[ch. 48] worshiped by space explorers as the goddess of the cosmos.[ch. 3, 4] She is depicted as a gargantuan woman described as being larger than any planet,[ch. 3] and is capable of granting any wish to those who find her, causing them to be "born again".[ch. 14, 48] Because she exists in the hazardous outer regions of space, she is regarded as a mythical figure within the Sakura Cosmos.[ch. 13] Shiki makes it his objective in the series to prove her existence when he is disbelieved for his familiarity with her,[ch. 3] later reaffirming his goal as fulfilling Ziggy's dream of finding her.[ch. 13] Mother is voiced by Kikuko Inoue in Japanese,[27] and by Colleen Clinkenbeard in English.

Elsie Crimson

Elsie Crimson (エルシー・クリムゾン, Erushī Kurimuzon) is an armored warrior who uses the Ether Gear "Star Drain" (スタードレイン, Sutā Dorein) to absorb planetary Ether and convert it into battle gear or energy attacks.[ch. 2, 118] Introduced as a benevolent space pirate captain who is notorious for conquering the "seven cosmic seas", Elsie delivers the Edens Zero to Shiki to repay a debt to Ziggy, her childhood benefactor.[ch. 12, 103] She is later revealed to be the planet Lendard's crown princess, born as Elsie Le Lendard (エルシー＝ル＝レンダード, Erushī Ru Rendādo), who unintentionally caused a civil war while opposing her corrupt parents during her childhood, orphaning herself and her arranged fiancé, James Holloway.[ch. 124, 183] After dying with James on Lendard when the planet is consumed by a chronophage,[ch. 216] Elsie is reborn in Universe Zero as Lendard's queen and the Interstellar Union Army's director of operations in the Kaede Cosmos.[ch. 247]

The character is modeled after Fairy Tail character Erza Scarlet, with her name being a portmanteau of "Erza" (エルザ, Eruza) and the word "sea" to reflect her role as a pirate.[vol. 9] Mashima commented on her and Justice's relationship, which he described as "a very star-crossed destiny".[vol. 15] Elsie is voiced by Sayaka Ohara in Japanese,[27] and by Colleen Clinkenbeard in English.[28]

Labilia Christy

Labilia Christy (ラビリア・クリスティ, Rabiria Kurisuti), whose name is derived from the word "lovely",[vol. 9] is a Shooting Starlight member and highly popular B-Cuber in the Sakura Cosmos.[ch. 3] Depicted as a former friend to Rebecca, whose videos inspired Labilia to become a content creator as a means of coping with a terminal illness,[ch. 178] she bullies Rebecca and produces videos mocking her content out of disdain for her lack of talent.[ch. 16, 53] In Universe 3, three years after her channel loses its popularity, she reconciles with Rebecca and is taken aboard the Edens Zero to be treated for her illness.[ch. 176, 178] Labilia is voiced by Ayumi Ayano in Japanese,[24] and by Lizzie Freeman in English.[29]

Xiaomei

Xiaomei (シャオメイ, Shaomei) is the series' metafictional narrator, who breaks the fourth wall to provide context and meta-commentary to the story.[ch. 5] She appears within the story itself as a resident of the rogue planet Mildian called the "Time Oracle" (時読み, Tokiyomi, lit. "Time Reader"), a "fortune-teller" with powers of omniscience granted to her by Mother, whose location is the only thing outside of Xiaomei's knowledge.[ch. 48] To avoid boring herself with complete knowledge of the future, she limits her power so that she cannot know the outcome of any battles beyond multiple possibilities, satisfying her obsession for watching combat by putting her visitors through battles as compensation for her knowledge.[ch. 45]

Mashima noted that he had to be careful adding Xiaomei into the main storyline due to her conceived role as an omniscient narrator, but found that because she "knows everything in the entire world", he was able to include her "without too much trouble".[vol. 6] Xiaomei is voiced by Honoka Inoue in Japanese,[30] and by Jenny Yokobori in English.[31]

Justice

Justice (ジャスティス, Jasutisu) is the code name of James Holloway (ジェームス・ホロウェイ, Jēmusu Horowei), a prince and Elsie Crimson's childhood fiancé from the planet Lendard.[ch. 124] Like Elsie, he uses the Ether Gear "Star Drain" to absorb and manipulate the Ether of planets.[ch. 123] He debuts as an Interstellar Union Army officer who vengefully pursues Elsie for inciting the war that destroyed their home nation and families, and antagonizes the Edens Zero crew for their association with her.[ch. 122-124] However, he loses his hatred for Elsie after realizing her regret for her actions, and allows himself to be erased from existence with her on Lendard when a chronophage rewinds the planet's time.[ch. 213, 216] He and his engagement to Elsie are restored in Universe Zero, where the war never takes place.[ch. 247]

Mashima modeled Justice after the Rave Master character Sieg Hart, following a "tradition" of using such characters that includes Jellal Fernandes from Fairy Tail,[3] reflected by the character's blue hair color and markings around his right eye when his Ether Gear is active.[32] The character's code name was selected to reflect his sense of justice.[vol. 9] Justice is voiced by Daisuke Namikawa in Japanese,[14] and by Robert McCollum in English.

Drakken Joe

Drakken Joe (ドラッケン・ジョー, Dorakken Jō), whom Mashima named after the video game Drakkhen,[vol. 9] is a loan shark who controls the Sakura Cosmos's criminal underworld.[ch. 70] He is nicknamed the "Dark Alchemist" (闇の錬金術師, Yami no Renkinjutsushi) for his Ether Gear, "Alchemist" (アルケミスト, Arukemisuto), which transmutes anything into different materials and forms of matter.[ch. 43, 79] Raised as a test subject with a fifteen-year life expectancy,[ch. 98] Drakken sustains his youth for over 200 years with a life-support machine that steals countless people's life force, but also deteriorates his physical health.[ch. 91, 96] He targets the Edens Zero to extract Rebecca's Ether Gear for himself, viewing her mental time travel ability as a more efficient means of immortality.[ch. 97] Following an encounter with Drakken that results in Shiki's death,[ch. 83] Rebecca escapes to a parallel universe where the crew is able to reverse his life-support system, aging him into a feeble old man.[ch. 96-99] In Universe Zero's altered history, Drakken sustains himself on the life energy of animals instead of people, forming a stronger moral code in the process.[ch. 231] Drakken is voiced by Taiten Kusunoki in Japanese,[30] and by Armen Taylor in English.[33]

Madame Kurenai

Madame Kurenai (紅婦人, Kurenai Fujin, lit. "Crimson Lady") is the moniker of Kurenai Kôgetsu (クレナイ・コウゲツ, Kurenai Kōgetsu), Homura's mother from Oedo.[ch. 57] She first appears as the tyrannical ruler of the mining planet Sun Jewel who uses Satellite Blaze (サテライトブレイズ, Sateraito Bureizu), a laser satellite, to execute criminals or teleport them to the labor district as slave workers.[ch. 50, 51] Prior to rising to power, she was enslaved for amassing debt at the casinos before being freed by Valkyrie Yuna, from whom Kurenai hid her selfish and greedy nature, allowing her to marry and assassinate the planet's previous ruler.[ch. 58, 59] Kurenai is rejected by Homura after being deposed in the laborers' uprising, leaving her to be captured by a vengeful man whom she previously disfigured.[ch. 67] She dies after a year in captivity, with Ziggy using her preserved body's Ether to locate Mother,[ch. 199, 200] but is restored in Universe Zero as a heroic version of herself who leads a defense force that protects Sun Jewel.[ch. 232-234]

Mashima named the character after the Japanese word for "crimson" (紅, kurenai) in response to Homura's name, meaning "flame", as he associated both names with fire and the color red; he admitted that he did not remember the inspiration for adding "Madame" (婦人, Fujin) to her title.[vol. 7] Kurenai is voiced by Mie Sonozaki in Japanese,[34] and by Michelle Ruff in English.

Poseidon Nero

Poseidon Nero (ポセイドン・ネロ) is a cephalopod-like alien who possesses the Empire Dice (帝国歴程（エンパイアダイス）, Enpaia Daisu), a set of dice Relics[lower-alpha 2] that foretell favorable outcomes at a personal cost.[ch. 162] He also uses the Ether Gear "Wormhole" (ワームホール, Wāmuhōru) to create portals that instantly transport himself and others to different locations in the universe.[ch. 163] Nero first appears as emperor of the Aoi Cosmos, who sacrificed his friends, family, and species to build his galactic empire.[ch. 106, 162] His former friend Ziggy kills him after destroying his dice and absorbing his Ether Gear.[ch. 164, 167] Nero is later restored in Universe Zero, where he appears instead as Drakken Joe's business partner and the Element 4's representative of water after abdicating to Shura, his adoptive son.[ch. 226, 227] Nero is voiced by Takaya Hashi in Japanese.[35]

Poseidon Shura

Poseidon Shura (ポセイドン・シュラ) is Nero's adoptive human son and heir, and a rival gravity Ether Gear user to Shiki who was briefly tutored by Ziggy as a child.[ch. 131] First appearing as a brutal and insane prince neglected by his father,[ch. 158] he wages war against Ziggy in a conspiracy to eliminate him, Nero, and the Aoi Cosmos's robot population with the All-Link System (オールリンクシステム, Ōru Rinku Shisutemu), a network on the planet Nero 66 that influences all machinery in Aoi when the planets are submerged in the cosmic ocean's high tide.[ch. 136] He is killed on Nero 66 when Ziggy destroys the planet with Nero's supply of 20,000 anti-matter bombs in a failed attempt to create the time loop that would transform Shiki into Ziggy.[ch. 166, 204] In Universe Zero, Shura is reborn as a more compassionate figure who succeeds Nero as emperor and reestablishes the empire as a republic.[ch. 230, 245] Shura is voiced by Kenichi Suzumura in Japanese.[35]

Xenolith

Xenolith (ゼノリス, Zenorisu) is Ziggy's mentor and the founder of the Magimech School of Gravity Martial Arts (魔械流重術, Makai-ryū Jūjutsu), a set of techniques performed by gravity users in the series. His prowess allows him to control gravity in conceptual senses, such as lightening pain and causing others' thoughts to "fall" into him.[ch. 112, 125] Previously a human member of the Heavenly Knights of the Dancing Sakura (桜舞星騎士団, Ōbu Seikishidan), a historic group stated to have guarded the Sakura Cosmos during the universe's Dark Ages,[ch. 29] Xenolith has since transferred his mind into a robotic body to survive one thousand years after his death.[ch. 126] In Universe Zero, he has his powers and identity stolen by Müller, who frames him for destroying the planet Foresta, forcing Xenolith to inhabit the body of a small helper robot.[ch. 236-239] Xenolith is voiced by Kazuhiko Inoue in Japanese.[35]

Groups and organizations

Edens One crew

The warship Edens One (エデンズ ワン, Edenzu Wan) is a more advanced successor to the Edens Zero, which serves as its prototype.[ch. 102, 103] It is captained by Connor in Universes 1 and 2, parallel universes to where Rebecca travels.[ch. 49, 173] Originally destroyed in Universe 1 prior to the Zero crew's voyage to Sun Jewel,[ch. 49] the undamaged ship is placed under Ziggy's command in subsequent universes,[ch. 100, 101] with the ship's crew becoming the primary antagonistic group faced by the Zero crew.[ch. 104] Following Ziggy's destruction, he is revealed to have been controlled by the Edens One itself, which possesses the time-displaced consciousness of Shiki and Rebecca's son from Ziggy's timeline, making the ship artificially intelligent and the true main antagonist of the series.[ch. 215, 267]

  • Over Nu Etherion Void (ONE・ヴォイド, Ōbā Nyū Ēterion Voido)[lower-alpha 3] is the Edens One's android body in Universe Zero.[ch. 235, 236] In this form, Void uses his parents' respective gravity and time powers, and has a human appearance similar to Shiki.[ch. 267, 268]
  • The Demon King's Four Dark Stars (魔王四黒星, Maō Shikokusei) are a group of four male androids built by Ziggy as successors to the Four Shining Stars.[ch. 103]
    • Wizard (ウィザード, Wizādo), Witch's counterpart, is a magician who performs magic-like Ether attacks.[ch. 187] He is voiced by Taishi Murata in Japanese.
    • Clown (クラウン, Kuraun), Sister's counterpart, is an effeminate clown who afflicts others with traumatic nightmares.[ch. 190] He is voiced by Junichi Yanagita in Japanese.
    • Brigandine (ブリガンダイン, Burigandain), Valkyrie's counterpart, is a warrior with nearly indestructible armor.[ch. 197] He is voiced by Shōta Yamamoto in Japanese.
    • Killer (キラー, Kirā), Hermit's counterpart, is an assassin and programmer who creates holographic dimensions.[ch. 186, 192] He is voiced by Aoi Ichikawa in Japanese.
  • Müller (ミュラー, Myurā) is a human mad scientist who is employed by the Edens One crew after rebuilding himself as an O-Tech.[ch. 121, 126] In Universe Zero, he fuses with a robotic duplicate of Xenolith to become one of the Oración Seis Galáctica.[ch. 240] Müller is voiced by Yōhei Tadano in Japanese, and by John Snyder in English.

Oración Seis Galáctica

The Oración Seis Galáctica (Spanish for "Galactic Prayer Six"), known in Japanese as Ginga Rokumashō (銀河六魔将, lit. "Galactic Six Demon Generals"), are a group of six powerful outlaws who are described as being capable of "crushing" planets.[ch. 32] Elsie Crimson, Drakken Joe, and Poseidon Nero are introduced as members, while Shiki and Ziggy are branded as members over the course of the story.[ch. 170, 199] In Universe Zero, the Galáctica are a faction of androids commanded by Void, which includes Cure, God Acnoella, and a fake Xenolith built by Müller.[ch. 236, 239]

  • Deadend Crow (デッドエンド・クロウ, Deddoendo Kurō) is a 420-foot-tall, mass-murdering android and alter ego of Cure.[ch. 179, 207]
  • God Acnoella (ゴッド・アクネラ, Goddo Akunera) is an android woman who commands cybernetic dragons she manufactures through the perpetual motion machine Möbius (メビウス, Mebiusu). Her true identity is Shaya Le Lendard (シャイア＝ル＝レンダード, Shaia Ru Rendādo), Elsie's formerly human mother and Lendard's ruthless queen.[ch. 181, 212]
  • Saintfire Nox (セントファイア・ノックス, Sentofaia Nokkusu) is an archbishop and the alternate identity of Rebecca's mother, Rachel (レイチェル, Reicheru), who shares her daughter's time powers.[ch. 200, 218] In Universe Zero, she serves as the Interstellar Union Army's director of operations in the Yukino Cosmos.
  • Joker Helix (ジョーカー・ヘリックス, Jōkā Herikkusu), a member from Universe Zero, is a rogue, artificially intelligent game engine built by Professor Weisz that slows time and creates video game-like dimensions.[ch. 249-252]
  • Lightning Law (ライトニング・ロー, Raitoningu Rō) is a member from Universe Zero who electrically controls other androids.[ch. 259, 261]
  • Lady Freyja (レディ・フレイヤ, Redi Fureiya) is a member from Universe Zero and the cosmos's most powerful sword master.[ch. 236]

Shooting Starlight

Shooting Starlight (流星の灯, Ryūsei no Tomoshibi) is an adventurers' guild on the planet Blue Garden that Shiki Granbell joins early in the story, with Rebecca, Happy, and Labilia beginning as members.[ch. 2, 3]

  • Noah Glenfield (ノア・グレンフィールド, Noa Gurenfīrudo) is the guild master and director of the Galactic Intelligence Agency's Sakura Cosmos branch.[ch. 43, 100] He uses the Ether Gear "Eye of God" (ゴッド・アイ, Goddo Ai) to observe people's positions across space and time.[ch. 88] Noah is voiced by Nobuhiko Okamoto in Japanese, and by Billy Kametz in English.
  • Clarisse Layer (クラリス・レイヤー, Kurarisu Reiyā) is the guild's friendly receptionist.[ch. 3] Clarisse is voiced by Nao Tamura in Japanese, and by Natalie Hoover in English.

Interstellar Union Army

The Interstellar Union Army (星系連盟軍, Seikei Renmeigun) is the cosmic government's military and peacekeeping force.[ch. 13] Including Justice, the army's six elite officers form an organization called the Oración Seis Interstellar[lower-alpha 4] – simply called the Oración Seis (星系六祈将（オラシオンセイス）, Orashion Seisu) in Japanese – to combat the Oración Seis Galáctica.[ch. 106] Another army faction is an intelligence service called the Galactic Intelligence Agency (銀河系諜報機関, Gingakei Chōhō Kikan, "G.I.A."),[ch. 36] with Noah Glenfield acting as director of its Sakura Cosmos branch.[ch. 100]

  • Victory (ビクトリー, Bikutorī) is a subordinate of Justice who transforms into a giant through the Ether Gear "Titan's Arm" (タイタンズアーム, Taitanzu Āmu).[ch. 122] He is an Oración Seis Interstellar member in Universe Zero.[ch. 244] Victory is voiced by Yūki Sanpei in Japanese, and by Joe Hernandez in English.
  • Creed (クリード, Kurīdo), truly named Seiji Hôjô (セイジ・ホウジョウ, Seiji Hōjō), is a subordinate of Justice and a member of Oedo's shogunate family who shrinks others and encages them through his "Ether Lock" (エーテルロック, Ēteru Rokku) ability.[ch. 122, 160] Creed is voiced by Yūdai Mino in Japanese, and by Shannon McKain in English.
  • Jesse (ジェシー, Jeshī) is a G.I.A. agent within Elsie Crimson's space pirate crew.[ch. 42] He is voiced by Yūji Murai in Japanese, and by Kyle McCarley in English.
  • Captain[lower-alpha 5] Jaguar (ジャガー, Jagā) is Justice's superior officer and an Oración Seis Interstellar member with a humanoid jaguar transformation.[ch. 106, 156] He is voiced by Atsushi Ono in Japanese, and by Jason Marnocha in English.
  • Amira (アミラ) is a G.I.A. agent with the shapeshifting ability "Mirror Face" (ミラーフェイス, Mirā Feisu).[ch. 36] In Universe Zero, she is an Oración Seis Interstellar member codenamed "Face" (フェイス).[ch. 244] Amira is voiced by Megumi Satō in Japanese, and by Emi Lo in English.
  • Holy (ホーリィ, Hōrii), truly named Reina (レイナ),[ch. 246] is an Oración Seis Interstellar member who can dissolve anything with her Ether Gear, "Melt" (メルト, Meruto).[ch. 106, 177] She serves as a tentative Edens Zero crew during their battle against Ziggy. Holy is voiced by Aya Endō in Japanese.
  • Eraser (イレイサー, Ireisā), truly named Hamrio (ハムリオ, Hamurio),[ch. 246] is an Oración Seis Interstellar member who erases things from existence.[ch. 106, 139] Eraser is voiced by Masaya Matsukaze in Japanese.
  • Feather (フェザー, Fezā) is an Oración Seis Interstellar member whose Ether Gear, "Eye of Venus" (ヴィーナス・アイ, Vīnasu Ai, lit. "Venus Eye"), gives her powers of observation identical to Noah.[ch. 106, 173] In Universe Zero, she is also Saintfire Nox's assistant.
  • Cure (キュアー, Kyuā) is an Oración Seis Interstellar member and android with regenerative powers, later revealed to be the secret progenitor of several Oración Seis Galáctica members, including Deadend Crow.[ch. 106, 206] In Universe Zero, he is instead a Galáctica member named "Deadend Cure". Cure is voiced by Seiichiro Yamashita in Japanese.

Element 4

The Element 4 (エレメント4, Eremento Fō) are Drakken Joe's special forces team who maintain his Ether's balance due to his unnaturally advanced age, with each member using Ether Gear with power over one of the classical elements.[ch. 72, 110] Laguna and Kleene begin as members of the team, representing water and wind, respectively;[ch. 72, 75] in Universe Zero, Laguna's position is filled by Poseidon Nero.[ch. 226]

  • Fie (ファイ, Fai) is a long-range sniper who represents fire in the Element 4.[ch. 75] His Ether Gear, "Flame Ammo" (フレイム・アンモ, Fureimu Anmo), allows him to ignite his bullets and transform into fire. Fie is voiced by Toshiki Masuda in Japanese.[26]
  • Daichi (ダイチ) is an alien and torture addict who represents earth in the Element 4.[ch. 79] He uses the Ether Gear "Pain's Tree" (ペインズ・ツリー, Peinzu Tsurī) to grow plants that inflict torture on others. Daichi is voiced by Atsushi Imaruoka in Japanese.[26]

The Empire

Poseidon Nero governs a galactic empire that spans the entire Aoi Cosmos.[ch. 106] His special forces team is Oceans 6 (オーシャンズ6, Ōshanzu Shikkusu),[ch. 130, 145] whose four younger members are Empire Ether users.[lower-alpha 1][ch. 147]

  • Callum Steelford (カルム・スティールフォード, Karumu Sutīrufōdo) is a younger Oceans 6 member and Jinn's childhood rival who controls mist and disintegrates his opponents through his Ether Gear, "Carburetor" (キャブレター, Kyaburetā).[ch. 154] Callum is voiced by Shūhei Iwase in Japanese.
  • Lyra (リラ, Rira) is a younger Oceans 6 member and card player who uses the Ether Gear "Gambler's Rush" (ギャンブラーラッシュ, Gyanburā Rasshu) to alter the values of playing cards.[ch. 153, 155] Lyra is voiced by Ikumi Hasegawa in Japanese.
  • Nasseh (ナセ, Nase) is a younger Oceans 6 member who creates electric signals through his Ether Gear, "Eye of Horus" (アイ・オブ・ホルス, Ai obu Horusu), to perform hypnosis.[ch. 148] Nasseh is voiced by Shōmaru Zōza in Japanese.
  • Mirrani Lucra (ミラーニ・ルクラ, Mirāni Rukura, also "Milani") is a younger Oceans 6 member who travels between mirrors and controls others' reflections through her Ether Gear, "Mirror Trick" (ミラートリック, Mirā Torikku).[ch. 144, 145] Mirrani is voiced by Ayumi Mano in Japanese.
  • Ijuna (イジューナ, Ijūna) is Shura's secretary and a former Oasis member whose Ether Gear, "Red Destiny" (レッドデスティニー, Reddo Desutinī), creates red strings that influence others' love and hatred for each other.[ch. 157] She becomes engaged to Shura in Universe Zero. Ijuna is voiced by Hisako Kanemoto in Japanese.

The designs and powers of the four younger Oceans and Ijuna were included as the five winning entries of an official "original Ether Gear" contest held on Twitter between September 26 and October 31, 2020.[36][37]

Reception

In her review of the manga's first volume for Anime News Network (ANN), Amy McNulty praised the trio of Shiki, Rebecca, and Happy, noting that "Rebecca, who initially comes across as vapid, reveals some depth by volume's end", and that Happy "rounds out the trio nicely, though the manga could use more of his humorous commentary throughout to add more levity."[1] ANN's Faye Hopper described Shiki as "more Tarzan than Luffy", feeling that his unambitious goal of exploring the universe and making friends helped enrich the story, though she added that his act of groping Rebecca "really does a number on [Shiki's] likability".[1] In contrast, ANN's Teresa Navarro found Shiki to be archetypal of other shōnen protagonists.[1] Twinfinite's Carlton McGrone praised the characters' designs for being "meticulously sketched and detailed".[38] In a review of the first twelve episodes of the anime, John Serba from Decider considered Shiki and Rebecca to be "very thin characters – naif and non-naif, possibly both quite airheaded – in sincere need of substantial development", and criticized the vague establishment of their goals, but determined them to be "blank slates just [ripe] for whatever the universe throws at them".[39] ANN's MrAJCosplay commented on the series' villains, opining that Mashima's decision to have the series' villains represent "the worst humanity has to offer" was a "double-edged sword"; he considered the majority of villains to be "boring" for their overly simplistic motivations, but noted exceptions such as the "fun sub-villain" Spider, and commented on the setup for Drakken Joe as "[leaning] into a balance of interesting and despicable".[40]

Several reviews for Edens Zero have commented on the characters' similar designs and personalities to those from Hiro Mashima's previous manga Fairy Tail, with comparisons to Natsu Dragneel and Lucy Heartfilia being drawn from Shiki and Rebecca, respectively,[1][38] while acknowledging that the similarities between characters such as Elsie Crimson and Erza Scarlet, as well as both series' versions of Happy, are intentional.[1][38][41][42] Early online commenters have also likened Shiki's design to that of a "child" of Natsu and Gray Fullbuster.[43] Multiple reviewers felt the tie-ins to Fairy Tail suggested potentially deeper connections between both series.[1][41] Rebecca Silverman from ANN considered Shiki and Rebecca to be distinct characters from Natsu and Lucy, calling the former "a lot more aware of girls", and the latter "more cautious in her relationships".[1] Ian Wolf from Anime UK News criticized the manga's lack of original designs compared to Fairy Tail, but felt that the similarities would help readers accept the "weirder aspects of the story".[42]

Notes

  1. 1 2 Empire Ether (エンパイアエーテル, Enpaia Ēteru) is a skill used by natives of the Aoi Cosmos that allows the user's Ether Gear to influence others' bodies in addition to or in place of their own.[ch. 157]
  2. ↑ A "Relic" (遺物（レリック）, Rerikku) in Edens Zero refers to any object imbued with Mother's Ether, some of which possess mystical powers.[ch. 111, 162]
  3. ↑ The letters "ONE" are glossed with hiragana as オーバー・ニュー・エーテリオン.
  4. ↑ Written as "Oración Seis Interestelar" (Spanish for "Interstellar Prayer Six") in the digital simulpub release.
  5. ↑ The title is the navy rank equivalent of taisa (大佐), which is alternatively translated as the army rank "colonel" in the series.

References

Edens Zero manga

Entire series
  • Mashima, Hiro. Edens Zero. 25 vols. New York City: Kodansha USA, 2018–present.
  • Mashima, Hiro. エデンズ ゼロ [Edens Zero] (in Japanese). 29 vols. Tokyo: Kodansha, 2018–present.
Individual volumes
  1. Vol. 1 (ch. 1–4): 桜舞うソラに (in Japanese). September 2018. ISBN 978-4-06-513234-0. and Into the Sky Where Cherry Blossoms Flutter (in English). November 2018. ISBN 978-1-63-236756-3.
  2. Vol. 2 (ch. 5–14): 鉄の涙 (in Japanese). November 2018. ISBN 978-4-06-513249-4. and Iron Tears (in English). February 2019. ISBN 978-1-63-236757-0.
  3. Vol. 3 (ch. 15–23): 魔王戦艦 (in Japanese). February 2019. ISBN 978-4-06-513875-5. and Warship of the Demon King (in English). June 2019. ISBN 978-1-63-236758-7.
  4. Vol. 4 (ch. 24–32): 新たな仲間たち (in Japanese). April 2019. ISBN 978-4-06-514881-5. and New Friends (in English). September 2019. ISBN 978-1-63-236824-9.
  5. Vol. 5 (ch. 33–41): 花火 (in Japanese). June 2019. ISBN 978-4-06-515677-3. and Fireworks (in English). December 2019. ISBN 978-1-63-236788-4.
  6. Vol. 6 (ch. 42–50): 言葉は強さを与える (in Japanese). September 2019. ISBN 978-4-06-516233-0. and Words Will Give You Strength (in English). February 2020. ISBN 978-1-63-236833-1.
  7. Vol. 7 (ch. 51–59): きっと前へ進める (in Japanese). November 2019. ISBN 978-4-06-516893-6. and I Know You Can Keep Pressing On (in English). April 2020. ISBN 978-1-63-236981-9.
  8. Vol. 8 (ch. 60–68): 愛する者 (in Japanese). February 2020. ISBN 978-4-06-517355-8. and Someone to Love (in English). June 2020. ISBN 978-1-63-236982-6.
  9. Vol. 9 (ch. 69–77): 涙を流すな (in Japanese). April 2020. ISBN 978-4-06-518522-3. and Don't Shed a Tear (in English). September 2020. ISBN 978-1-63-236983-3.
  10. Vol. 10 (ch. 78–86): オレたちの未来 (in Japanese). June 2020. ISBN 978-4-06-519436-2. and Our Future (in English). February 2021. ISBN 978-1-64-651037-5.
  11. Vol. 11 (ch. 87–95): シキ vs. ドラッケン (in Japanese). August 2020. ISBN 978-4-06-520331-6. and Shiki vs. Drakken (in English). May 2021. ISBN 978-1-64-651038-2.
  12. Vol. 12 (ch. 96–104): 魔王降臨 (in Japanese). October 2020. ISBN 978-4-06-521010-9. and Advent of the Demon King (in English). September 2021. ISBN 978-1-64-651151-8.
  13. Vol. 13 (ch. 105–113): ドラゴンフォール (in Japanese). January 2021. ISBN 978-4-06-521480-0. and Dragonfall (in English). October 2021. ISBN 978-1-64-651223-2.
  14. Vol. 14 (ch. 114–122): スタードレイン (in Japanese). March 2021. ISBN 978-4-06-521639-2. and Star Drain (in English). December 2021. ISBN 978-1-64-651285-0.
  15. Vol. 15 (ch. 123–131): たくさん笑う為に (in Japanese). May 2021. ISBN 978-4-06-523141-8. and So We Can Smile Brighter (in English). February 2022. ISBN 978-1-64-651286-7.
  16. Vol. 16 (ch. 132–140): 葵大戦の序曲 (in Japanese). July 2021. ISBN 978-4-06-524027-4. and Prelude to the Aoi War (in English). April 2022. ISBN 978-1-64-651286-7.
  17. Vol. 17 (ch. 141–149): 灰色の世界 (in Japanese). September 2021. ISBN 978-4-06-524836-2. and A World of Ash (in English). July 2022. ISBN 978-1-64-651472-4.
  18. Vol. 18 (ch. 150–158): 偽りの5 (in Japanese). November 2021. ISBN 978-4-06-525998-6. and The False Five (in English). August 2022. ISBN 978-1-64-651570-7.
  19. Vol. 19 (ch. 159–167): 葵の宇宙（うみ）に散る (in Japanese). February 2022. ISBN 978-4-06-526892-6. and Scattering in the Starry Aoi Sea (in English). October 2022. ISBN 978-1-64-651571-4.
  20. Vol. 20 (ch. 168–176): 3 years later (in Japanese). April 2022. ISBN 978-4-06-527525-2. and 3 Years Later (in English). December 2022. ISBN 978-1-64-651572-1.
  21. Vol. 21 (ch. 177–185): 星咬作戦 (in Japanese). June 2022. ISBN 978-4-06-528179-6. and Operation Planet Eater (in English). February 2023. ISBN 978-1-64-651690-2.
  22. Vol. 22 (ch. 186–194): 万物のエーテル (in Japanese). August 2022. ISBN 978-4-06-528658-6. and The Ether of All Things (in English). April 2023. ISBN 978-16-4-651691-9.
  23. Vol. 23 (ch. 195–203): alternative (in Japanese). October 2022. ISBN 978-4-06-529414-7. and Alternative (in English). June 2023. ISBN 978-16-4-651692-6.
  24. Vol. 24 (ch. 204–212): 原点0 (in Japanese). December 2022. ISBN 978-4-06-529939-5. and Point Zero (in English). August 2023. ISBN 978-16-4-651887-6.
  25. Vol. 25 (ch. 213–221): 最後の世界 (in Japanese). February 2023. ISBN 978-4-06-530529-4. and The Final World (in English). October 2023. ISBN 978-16-4-651888-3.
  26. Vol. 26 (ch. 222–230): 幸せな世界 (in Japanese). April 2023. ISBN 978-4-06-531238-4. and A Happy World (in English). December 2023. ISBN 978-16-4-651889-0.
  27. Vol. 27 (ch. 231–239): 紅の涙 (in Japanese). July 2023. ISBN 978-4-06-531893-5. and Crimson Tears (in English). February 2024. ISBN 979-88-8-877032-0.
  28. Vol. 28 (ch. 240–248): 深き海の如く (in Japanese). September 2023. ISBN 978-4-06-532890-3. and Like the Deep Blue Sea (in English). April 2024. ISBN 979-88-8-877033-7.
  29. Vol. 29 (ch. 249–257): 悠久の時より (in Japanese). November 2023. ISBN 978-4-06-532890-3. and From Eternity Long Past (in English.) June 2024. ISBN 979-88-8-877034-4.

Other sources

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Bertschy, Zac (November 29, 2018). "Edens Zero - The Fall 2018 Manga Guide". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  2. 1 2 Loveridge, Lynzee (July 17, 2019). "German YouTuber Nino Kerl Makes Cameo in Mashima's Edens Zero Manga". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  3. 1 2 Hiro Mashima [@hiro_mashima] (November 16, 2018). エデンズゼロ2巻登場の新キャラの設定資料。真島漫画伝統のデザイン、ジーク系に似てます。 (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved April 4, 2020 – via Twitter.
  4. ↑ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (January 28, 2018). "Hiro Mashima Teases More Details About Planned New Work". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  5. 1 2 3 Hodgkins, Crystalyn (September 26, 2020). "J.C. Staff Produces Edens Zero TV Anime for April 2021 Debut". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  6. ↑ Sean Chiplock [@sonicmega] (August 26, 2021). "All my life, I've cherished the value of genuine, organic friendships - both the stability they bring to the good times, and the hope they can bring to the bad ones. It's my humble honor, then, to officially announce I'm the voice of SHIKI GRANBELL in #EdensZero, now on Netflix!" (Tweet). Retrieved August 26, 2021 – via Twitter.
  7. ↑ Kira Buckland [@KiraBuckland] (August 26, 2021). "IT'S HERE!! I am so honored and excited to be playing REBECCA in the English dub of #EdensZero, now available on Netflix! I had an absolute blast working on this show, and I hope you enjoy the journey as much as I did" (Tweet). Retrieved August 26, 2021 – via Twitter.
  8. ↑ Tia Ballard [@TiaToony] (August 26, 2021). "I was convinced that I might have to step down with grace. I'm so grateful that @BangZoom let me play in the new world!! It's an honor. @brookchalmersvo is a director delight! To all that guessed, I can finally confirm that, yes, I'm in Edens Zero. @hiro_mashima" (Tweet). Retrieved August 26, 2021 – via Twitter.
  9. 1 2 3 Mateo, Alex (February 12, 2021). "Edens Zero Anime Reveals 3 More Cast Members, Key Visual". Anime News Network. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  10. ↑ Chase, Ray [@RayChase] (August 26, 2021). "Look at this cool dude! I love playing Young Weisz Steiner in Edens Zero! Thanks for the awesome opportunity @mummynyan and @mycherrywolf!" (Tweet). Retrieved August 26, 2021 – via Twitter.
  11. ↑ Brook Chalmers [@brookchalmersvo] (August 26, 2021). "To continue the massive amount of #EdensZero love today not only did I direct, but I also got to play these "lovable" scamps, Old Professor Weisz and Illega" (Tweet). Retrieved August 26, 2021 – via Twitter.
  12. ↑ Sarah Anne Williams [@SarahAnneWilla] (August 26, 2021). "New Character I Voice: E.M. Pino in the English dub of Edens Zero, now streaming on @netflix! Thanks to @brookchalmersvo and @BangZoom for the opportunity to play this precious smol robot! XD #EdensZero" (Tweet). Retrieved August 26, 2021 – via Twitter.
  13. ↑ Laura Stahl [@laura_stahl] (August 26, 2021). "I'm voicing Homura Kogetsu in the #EdensZero English dub, available now on @netflix! Thanks to @BangZoom for bringing me in to play!" (Tweet). Retrieved August 26, 2021 – via Twitter.
  14. 1 2 Hodgkins, Crystalyn (May 18, 2021). "Kiyono Yasuno, Daisuke Namikawa Join Cast of Edens Zero Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  15. ↑ Laura Post [@LauraPostVoice] (August 26, 2021). "Happy to announce I voice Witch Regret in #EdensZero out today on Netflix! This is one of those shows I loved getting to hear the rest of the English cast of when recording, so I'm looking forward to giving it a watch myself!" (Tweet). Retrieved August 26, 2021 – via Twitter.
  16. ↑ Mateo, Alex (June 15, 2021). "Edens Zero Anime Casts Yukiyo Fujii as Sister Ivry". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
  17. ↑ Allegra Clark [@SimplyAllegra] (August 26, 2021). "OH HEY, I'm the English voice of Sister Ivry in #EdensZero! Super excited to be a part of such an awesome franchise. She's gonna hurt you so well :')" (Tweet). Retrieved August 26, 2021 – via Twitter.
  18. ↑ Mateo, Alex (June 29, 2021). "Edens Zero Anime Reveals New Cast Member, 2nd Ending Theme Song". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  19. ↑ Xanthe Huynh [@ItsXanthor] (November 26, 2021). "I'm the English voice of Hermit Mio in part 2 of #EdensZero now out on Netflix!. Thank @BangZoom, @mummynyan and directors @littlevomama and @khoidaooo for having me! Hope you'll all be Hermit's friends!" (Tweet). Retrieved November 26, 2021 – via Twitter.
  20. ↑ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (August 4, 2021). "Edens Zero Anime Casts Miyuki Sawashiro as Valkyrie". Anime News Network. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  21. ↑ Rebeka Thomas [@rebekastuff] (November 24, 2021). "Hullo there. New #EdensZero is out on Netflix, and there is a good chance you'll hear me speaking the lines of Valkyrie Yuna in English. Another badass in the bank. YAH. Good times. Even got treated to the @khoidaooo and @littlevomama Experience. Thanks, y'all!" (Tweet). Retrieved November 24, 2021 – via Twitter.
  22. ↑ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (June 1, 2021). "Edens Zero Anime Casts Mitsuo Iwata". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  23. ↑ Brock Powell [@brocktocks] (August 26, 2021). "Mossssscoy! Edens Zero Season 1 is LIVE on @netflix! So tickled to voice Mosco Versa-0, an affable bot with a legit catchphrase, who's always happy to help (just don't push his button!) Thanks to @BangZoom & @mummynyan for the opportunity & @brookchalmersvo for stellar direction!" (Tweet). Retrieved August 26, 2021 – via Twitter.
  24. 1 2 Hodgkins, Crystalyn (May 25, 2021). "Ayumi Ayano, Yūki Shin Join Cast of Edens Zero Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  25. ↑ Jonah Scott [@ImMrTransistor] (August 26, 2021). "Looks like people figured it out! I voice Jinn in Edens Zero on Netflix! I get to fulfill an anime dream of mine and say things like 'NINJUSTU', 'HOW FOOLISH' and 'I DON'T NEED FRIENDS' as a CYBORG NINJA! Thanks so much to @mummynyan and @BangZoom for letting me be BAD!" (Tweet). Retrieved August 26, 2021 – via Twitter.
  26. 1 2 3 4 Pineda, Rafael Antonio (February 14, 2023). "Edens Zero Anime Season 2 Video Reveals Element 4 Cast, Opening Song, April 1 Debut". Anime News Network. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  27. 1 2 3 Pineda, Rafael Antonio (March 11, 2021). "Edens Zero Anime's Video Reveals More Cast, T.M.Revolution Song, Netflix 2021 Streaming". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  28. ↑ Colleen Clinkenbeard [@ccarrollbeard] (August 26, 2021). "So excited to see you guys posting as you binge #EdensZero! Thank you to the amazing @brookchalmersvo for bringing me on as Elsie and making me fan girl at his filmography" (Tweet). Retrieved August 26, 2021 – via Twitter.
  29. ↑ Lizzie Freeman [@LizzieRFreeman] (August 26, 2021). "I play Labilia in the English dub of Eden's Zero on Netflix! She's amazing, spectacular, and the MOST POPULAR B-CUBER IN THE ENTIRE SAKURA COSMOS! There's no one who doesn't know how fabulous she is~ #EdensZero #Netflix" (Tweet). Retrieved August 26, 2021 – via Twitter.
  30. 1 2 Mateo, Alex (July 27, 2021). "Edens Zero Anime Casts Taiten Kusunoki, Honoka Inoue". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  31. ↑ Jenny Yokobori [@JennyYokobori] (August 26, 2021). "Hello there ~ My name is Xiaomei; you'll find out who I am eventually. Happy to announce that I voice Xiaomei in the English dub of "Edens Zero" now on Netflix! Thank you to @mummynyan, @BangZoom, and @brookchalmersvo for having me" (Tweet). Retrieved August 26, 2021 – via Twitter.
  32. ↑ Hiro Mashima [@hiro_mashima] (December 31, 2020). 今年もEZと100年クエストの応援ありがとう！来年はEZのアニメやゲームがあり、FTは15周年！なにか発表あるかも？それ以外にも新規プロジェクトの発表もあります！お楽しみに！ (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved February 20, 2022 – via Twitter.
  33. ↑ Armen Taylor [@ArmenTaylor] (November 24, 2021). "You should check out #EdensZero on @netflix! If you do, you'll hear me talk a LOT about money. Honored to play Drakken Joe! Thank you so much @mummynyan & @BangZoom for letting me play a fabulous crime lord. And thank you @khoidaooo & @littlevomama for the fantastic direction!" (Tweet). Retrieved November 24, 2021 – via Twitter.
  34. ↑ Mateo, Alex (August 10, 2021). "Edens Zero Anime Casts Mie Sonozaki as Madame Kurenai". Anime News Network. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  35. 1 2 3 Cayanan, Joanna (June 21, 2023). "Edens Zero Anime Season 2's 'Aoi Cosmos' Arc Trailer Reveals More Cast, New Opening Song". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  36. ↑ @edenszero_pj (September 26, 2020). 【夢企画！エーテルギア大募集❗️】君の考えた #オリジナルエーテルギア そしてその能力を使うオリジナルのキャラクターを投稿しよう❗️優秀作に選ばれたアイデアは、なんと　#EDENSZERO の作中に登場するぞ‼️応募期間は本日～10/31まで❗️詳しくはこちら⇒https://edens-zero.net/news/news.html (Tweet). Retrieved March 9, 2022 – via Twitter.
  37. ↑ @edenszero_pj (February 12, 2021). さらにさらに！ #オリジナルエーテルギア 企画のキャラクターがついに本編に登場！来週発売の #週刊少年マガジン にご注目ください✨みなさま沢山のご応募ありがとうございました！！ #EDENSZERO (Tweet). Retrieved July 6, 2022 – via Twitter.
  38. 1 2 3 McGrone, Carlton (July 27, 2018). "Edens Zero is a Must-Read Successor to the Fairy Tail Manga". Twinfinite. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  39. ↑ Serba, John (August 26, 2021). "Stream It Or Skip It: 'Edens Zero' on Netflix, a New Space-Adventure Anime From the Creator of 'Fairy Tail'". Decider. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
  40. ↑ MrAJCosplay (December 17, 2021). "Edens Zero Episodes 13-25 - Review". Anime News Network. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  41. 1 2 Valdez, Nick (April 3, 2020). "'Edens Zero' Reveals its Erza Counterpart". Comicbook.com. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  42. 1 2 Wolf, Ian (November 30, 2018). "Edens Zero Volume 1 Review". Anime UK News. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  43. ↑ Peters, Megan (May 27, 2018). "The Internet Reacts To 'Fairy Tail' Creator's New Series, 'Eden's Zero'". Retrieved April 4, 2020.
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