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List of Reborn! characters
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The Reborn! manga and anime series, known in Japan as Katekyō Hitman Reborn! (Japanese: 家庭教師ヒットマンREBORN!, Hepburn: Katekyō Hittoman Ribōn!), features an extensive cast of characters created by Akira Amano. Set in a fictional town called Namimori in modern Japan, the series' protagonists are of Japanese descent. However, their connection to an Italian Mafia family results in a majority of other characters introduced being mainly of Italian descent, including most of its antagonists.
The story centers on middle school student Tsunayoshi "Tsuna" Sawada, who finds out that he is the heir to the most powerful Mafia family, the Vongola. The current Vongola boss thus sends his most trusted member, the titular character and infant hitman, Reborn, to train the future boss. Tsuna gradually becomes a more confident person and leader, while Reborn slowly recruits members into Tsuna's own Mafia family, which mostly includes Tsuna's schoolmates. Though they encounter new allies in the form of other hitmen and mafiosi, they also attract attention from those who want to annihilate the future boss of the Vongola Family. Enemies such as the Kokuyo Gang, a group of Mafia criminals, and Varia, an elite team of assassins, prove to be formidable challenges for Tsuna's new "family". When the story later shifts into an alternate future, nine years and ten months later, in which some of the characters are transported into, they have to adapt to a world where every Vongola member, as well as their allies, is being hunted down by a powerful rival family of that era, the Millefiore. The characters transported from the past into this future are joined by adult versions of the ones who have yet to be replaced with their younger selves.
Various publications that review manga series have mostly praised the eccentric cast of characters in Reborn!. Some attribute the story's humor to the peculiar characters,[1][2] with one reviewer positively describing it is as an insane collection of characters.[3] The story's shift into a darker and more serious tone by volume eight garnered even more praise, with some finding the characters being no longer simply used for slapstick comedy pleasing,[4] and that the characters' evolving maturity is gratifying.[5]
Creation and conception
[edit]The Reborn! characters have also appeared in Akira Amano's early versions of the series that were meant for adult readers due to the violence that it contained.[6] Amano has referred to most of her characters as "weirdos", and mentioned that though she changed the storyline's style starting from volume 8 of the manga, she still kept adding the weirdo characters.[7]
Protagonists
[edit]Tsunayoshi Sawada
[edit]Tsunayoshi Sawada (沢田 綱吉, Sawada Tsunayoshi), commonly known as "Tsuna" (ツナ), is the 14-year-old main protagonist of the series. Because of his severely low self-esteem and lack of talent in any activity, Tsuna is known as "No-Good Tsuna" (ダメツナ, Dame Tsuna) in his middle school, Namimori. After being informed that he is the heir to the Vongola Family, due in part to him being the great-great-great grandson of the first Vongola boss from 400 years ago, as well as the untimely deaths of the other candidates for the position, Tsuna is trained into becoming a mob-boss by the infant Vongola hitman Reborn.[8] He is often shot by Reborn with a bullet that increases his physical abilities (deathperation bullets) in order for him to fulfill his regrets. That state, which is called the Dying Will Mode, is what gradually makes others see him in a better light. For the most part of the story, Tsuna rejects his position and wants nothing to do with the Mafia, but due to the results of various conflicts involving himself and his friends, his own power matures and he eventually starts embracing his destiny. He is the Bearer of the Sky Ring.[5] Tsuna is voiced by Yukari Kokubun in the anime.[9]
Reborn
[edit]Reborn (リボーン, Ribōn) is the title character. An Arcobaleno and the holder of the Yellow pacifier of the Sun, Reborn is an infant hitman belonging to the Vongola Family. As the Vongola IX's most trusted member, he becomes Tsuna's home tutor and trains him into becoming a Mafia boss using torturous ways.[8] He often shoots Tsuna with special bullets that enhances his abilities; these bullets are created inside his shape-shifting chameleon "partner" named Leon (レオン, Reon), who usually sits on Reborn's fedora. No matter how strong the emotion, Reborn always keeps a straight face and handles many situations as calmly as possible.[10] Reborn often says "Ciaossu" (a mix of the Italian "ciao" and the Japanese "ossu", which is a casual male greeting). Later in the manga, this is revealed to be a mispronunciation of his real catchphrase, "chaos," developed because he was unable to pronounce the consonants of "chaos" in his baby form. Reborn also appears randomly dressed as "another person" who no one recognizes except for Tsuna and Dino, despite his disguises being obvious to the audience.[11][12] Reborn is voiced and portrayed by Neeko in the anime and the stage plays respectively. In his short appearances as an adult, he is also voiced by Ken Narita.
Hayato Gokudera
[edit]Hayato Gokudera (獄寺 隼人, Gokudera Hayato) is a 14-year-old transfer student from Italy who is placed in Tsuna's class. Gokudera is a dynamite expert nicknamed "Smokin' Bomb Hayato" (スモーキン・ボム 隼人 Sumōkin Bomu Hayato), or "Hurricane Bomb Hayato" in the anime. He keeps various explosives hidden on his body and uses those explosives liberally by lighting them with a cigarette (or several) held in his mouth. Initially, he comes to Japan in order to test Tsuna's strength, and after the latter risks his life to save Gokudera, he devotes himself entirely to Tsuna, having sworn to become his right-hand man. A hot-headed and short-tempered youth, Gokudera continuously gets into fights with several characters especially to those who try to get too close to Tsuna. Despite his personality, he is considered to be a genius, excelling in his academic studies. He is Tsuna's Guardian of the Storm Ring.[13] Gokudera is voiced by Hidekazu Ichinose in the anime.[14]
Takeshi Yamamoto
[edit]Takeshi Yamamoto (山本 武, Yamamoto Takeshi) is the 14-year-old popular baseball star of Namimori Middle School. Despite his carefree and outgoing personality, Yamamoto initially has no confidence in doing anything other than baseball, even attempting to commit suicide after sustaining major injury to his arm. After Tsuna reassures him, the two become close friends, and Reborn tries to recruit him into the Vongola Family.[15] He hardly takes anything seriously, and is usually oblivious to what is truly happening around him, often tricked by Reborn into participating in Mafia-related events because he thinks that they are all just playing a game.[16] Though he becomes a dedicated and valuable member of Tsuna's family, growing to become a fighter who excels at swordsmanship, he still does not understand the full extent of the situation surrounding the Mafia. He is Tsuna's Guardian of the Rain Ring.[17] Yamamoto is voiced by Suguru Inoue in the anime.[18]
Lambo
[edit]Lambo (ランボ, Ranbo) is a cow suit-clad 5-year-old assassin from Italy affiliated with the Bovino ("Bovino" means "bovine" in Italian) Family. He has a huge afro (which he stores a variety of objects in, such as snacks and weapons) with horns on the sides of his head. Despite being a hitman, he lacks the emotional maturity and discipline that Reborn has and is also very conceited as well as being a crybaby. In order to prove that he is worthy of becoming his own family's boss, Lambo comes to Japan to kill Reborn, though he only proves that he is no match for the Vongola hitman. He also possesses his family's Ten-Year Bazooka, which replaces his present himself with another version of himself ten years from the future. He is Tsuna's Guardian of the Lightning Ring.[19] Lambo is voiced by Junko Takeuchi, while Adult Lambo is voiced by Kenjirō Tsuda.[20][21]
Ryohei Sasagawa
[edit]Ryohei Sasagawa (笹川 了平, Sasagawa Ryōhei) is a 15-year-old passionate member of the boxing club at Namimori Middle School. Ryohei is extremely loudmouthed. He constantly asks others he believe are strong to join his club, most notably Tsuna. In response, Reborn wants to recruit him into Tsuna's family.[22] Every time he sees Tsuna and his family doing something strange, Ryohei gets fired up and always wants to be a part of it. Because of his energetic personality, however, he does not understand the full extent of Tsuna's connection with the Mafia, but still does everything that he can to protect him and fights with as much spirit and confidence as the others. Proficient in hand-to-hand combat, Ryohei's boxing training lead to his peak physical condition. He has a habit of always saying "kyokugen!" (or "to the extreme") as a single response or as an ending to his sentences. He is Tsuna's Guardian of the Sun Ring. Ryohei is voiced by Hidenobu Kiuchi in the anime.[23]
Kyoya Hibari
[edit]Kyoya Hibari (雲雀 恭弥, Hibari Kyōya) is the leader of the Namimori Middle Discipline Committee, or Prefects, whose members are a group of delinquents loyal to him despite his lack of care for them. Though he speaks in a calm tone, Hibari is an excellent but violent fighter who wields a pair of tonfa as his primary weapons. Though he uses his status to harass others, he actually has great pride in his school, and has a soft side towards animals and small children. However, students are not the only ones who fear him, teachers and other town residents know of him as well since he enforces his form of order throughout the entire town. He prefers to be alone, usually beating up those who crowd near him. Despite caring little about the events surrounding Tsuna and his friends, Hibari takes a great interest in Reborn after seeing his abilities, which is reciprocated by Reborn, who wants to recruit him as part of Tsuna's own family. He is Tsuna's Guardian of the Cloud Ring.[24] Hibari is voiced by Takashi Kondō in the anime.[25]
Mukuro Rokudo
[edit]Mukuro Rokudo (六道 骸, Rokudō Mukuro) is a 15-year-old Mafia criminal who escaped from an Italian prison, which held some of the most dangerous Mafia criminals, before he was to be executed. Not long after, Mukuro, along with his two subordinates, came to Japan, enrolled in Kokuyo Junior High, and formed the Kokuyo Gang, which consists of heinous criminals who have recently escaped from prison.[26] Skilled in casting illusions as well as mind control, Mukuro attempts to take his revenge on the Mafia by taking over the body of Mafia criminal Lancia and uses him to wreak havoc. When his plan fails due to Tsuna's interference, he is once again imprisoned. Later on in the story, after possessing the body of Kokuyo Gang member Chrome Dokuro, Mukuro takes on a more supportive role for the series' characters, though still prefers not to associate with them.[27] Mukuro is voiced by Toshinobu Iida in the anime.[28]
Chrome Dokuro
[edit]Chrome Dokuro (クローム 髑髏, Kurōmu Dokuro) is a 13-year-old Japanese girl who is recruited by the Kokuyo Gang. She was originally named Nagi (凪) until Mukuro Rokudo saved her life by creating illusionary organs for her when she lost her right eye and some of her internal organs in an accident. Since then, Chrome and Mukuro are sharing the same body.[27] She is named the holder of the Vongola Mist Ring.[29] After being transferred into the future, Chrome's physical condition takes a turn for the worse as several of her internal organs begin to fail. Under Future Hibari's instructions, she uses the power of her Vongola Ring to sustain her organs via her own illusions, thus avoiding any immediate danger.[30][31] Chrome is voiced by Satomi Akesaka in the anime.[32]
Antagonists
[edit]Kokuyo Gang
[edit]The Kokuyo Gang is a group of Mafia criminals who have escaped from a high-security prison. The gang is formed by its leader Mukuro Rokudo after he escaped from prison on the eve of his execution along with several prisoners. The gang moved to Japan to look for the successor of Vongola and took over Kokuyo Junior High within three days. Aside from Mukuro, key members of the Kokuyo Gang includes Ken Joshima, Chikusa Kakimoto, and Chrome Dokuro. Other members of the gang also include Lancia, M.M, Birds, the Bloody Twins, and Flan.
Varia
[edit]The Varia is an elite and independent assassination team under the Vongola Family. They are composed of genius assassins who work in the deepest recesses of the Mafia. Each member takes on missions that are said to be impossible to accomplish by humans. They do not accept a mission unless they believe there is a 90% chance of success. Those that see them work often say that their high-level assassination skills are demonic. Despite lacking loyalty and respect for other members, they are extremely loyal to their leader, Xanxus. The key members of the Varia include Superbia Squalo, Belphegor, Lussuria, Levi A Than, and Gola Moska. The Arcobaleno Mammon (Viper) is also part of the Varia. In the future ten years later, Fran is also part of the group. The Varia also appear to have more than fifty subordinates ranged under the command of the main members. The Varia is apparently reclusive, only showing themselves after Iemitsu Sawada disappeared.[33]
Millefiore Family
[edit]The Millefiore Family (ミルフィオーレファミリー, Mirufiōre Famirī) is a Mafia family that is engaged in battle against the Vongola Family in the future ten years later. The Millefiore is a result of the merging of two separate Mafia families: the Gesso (ジェッソ, Jesso) Family led by Byakuran, and the Giglio Nero (ジッリョネロ, Jirryo Nero) Family led by Uni. They are organized into two groups to distinguish their old families, which are then further separated into 17 different squads, each named for a plant or flower.[34] Those originally from the Giglio Nero are the Black Spell and have the tendency to engage in direct combat, while those from the Gesso are the White Spell and specializes in cunning battle tactics. There appears to be animosity between members of the White Spell and the Black Spell, resulting in a lack of communication and sabotage by individual squads. Their organization also possesses the Mare Rings, a set of seven rings on par with the Vongola Rings originally belonging solely to the Giglio Nero.[35]
Demon Spade
[edit]Demon Spade was originally the first-generation Vongola Mist Guardian. However, he later betrayed the Vongola Primo, Giotto, forcing him to step down as the Vongola Boss. After Giotto's resignation as Vongola Boss, Demon became the Vongola Second Mist Guardian and continued to watch over Vongola for generation to generation by cutting off his attachment with his own body and survive for years by continuously possessing people in order to make sure that the Vongola stay strong. He is responsible for arranging the battle between tenth-generation Simon Family led by Enma and the tenth-generation Vongola Family led by Tsuna. Demon is a dangerous and expert illusionist, having the ability to create fake weapons with his real illusions and also has the ability to seal away his enemies into his illusionary world.
Vindice
[edit]The Vindice are the guards of Mafia law who punish those who defy their law without mercy and imprison Mafia criminals in the Vindice Prison, a prison from which no one had ever been able to escape. They have existed ever since the founding of the Mafia. Each of the Vindice possesses a black flame called the Flame of Night, which allows them to teleport to any place they wish to go. They are led by their boss Bermuda von Veckenschtein, an Arcobaleno with the Clear Pacifier and who was used to be known as the strongest Arcobaleno. They participate in the Representative Battle of the Rainbow after defeating and stealing the watches of Team Skull in order to get their revenge on Checker Face.
Supporting characters
[edit]Kyoko Sasagawa
[edit]Kyoko Sasagawa (笹川 京子, Sasagawa Kyōko) is the girl Tsuna has a crush on. She is Ryohei's younger sister and a student of Namimori Middle School alongside Tsuna's friends. Though she is not fully aware of how much Tsuna loves her, Kyoko thinks of him as a good friend. Although later on in the story, it is hinted that she has feelings for him. Kyoko is kind, caring, and sweet, but is also airheaded, initially thinking that all the events surrounding Tsuna are part of a game. She first witnessed Tsuna in action after being sent nine years and ten months into the future right when her future self was being attacked by the Millefiore soldiers.[36] Growing more suspicious of Tsuna and his friends' actions, she and Haru spy on them until they learn the truth about them and the Mafia.[37] She is voiced by Yūna Inamura in the anime.
Haru Miura
[edit]Haru Miura (三浦 ハル, Miura Haru) is a student of Midori Middle School, a tough elite school to get into in the area. She is an eccentric and peppy girl with a tendency to jump to wild conclusions, and has various odd costumes that she designs herself, as well as a myriad of wild habits.[38] She initially adores Reborn, but after she is saved from drowning by Tsuna, Haru diverted her adoration towards him instead.[39] She loves and is overprotective of children, and is usually the one to babysit Lambo and I-Pin alongside Kyoko.[40] According to Tsuna, Future Haru has become more feminine but her way of thinking is still the same.[36] Growing more suspicious of Tsuna and his friends' actions, she and Kyoko spy on them until they learn the truth about them and the Mafia. Haru is voiced by Hitomi Yoshida in the anime. She also appeared as the main host of the "Haru-Haru Interview: Dangerous" post-credits segment in the anime.
I-Pin
[edit]I-Pin (イーピン, Īpin) is a 5-year-old assassin from Hong Kong. Her main ability is the usage of Gyoza-Ken, which combines her martial arts abilities with special gyoza buns laced with the scent of garlic, the latter of which numbs the brain and forces the muscles to involuntarily move on their own. I-Pin's most destructive ability is the Pinzu-Time Bomb, activated whenever she expresses extreme shyness; pin-numbers (like those used in mahjong) appear on her forehead, counting down until it turns her into a human bomb that can create a small crater with its destruction.[41] Due to her near-sightedness, I-Pin sees Lambo as a broccoli monster and often beats him up.[42] She also has a crush on Kyoya Hibari, who bears a striking resemblance to her master Fon, and often activates the Pinzu-Timed Super Explosion after seeing him.[43] She can be also transformed into her 15-year-old self through Lambo's Ten-Year Bazooka; the 15-year-old "Adult I-Pin" is more fluent in Japanese, and despite the fact that she is one of the most promising young assassins, she works part-time at a ramen shop ten years later in order to earn money for college tuition, though she still retains her fighting skills.[42] I-Pin is voiced by Li-Mei Chiang in the anime.
Bianchi
[edit]Bianchi (ビアンキ, Bianki) is Gokudera's half-sister; they share the same father.[44] Bianchi, known as "Poison Scorpion Bianchi" in the Mafia underground, specializes in poison cooking. Since she is immune to her own cooking herself, she does not see anything wrong with the food she gives to others. Even though they seem to have a strained relationship, Bianchi has shown great concern for Gokudera if he is injured, fighting, or suffering from stomach aches, which she does not realize are caused by her (except if they do not have eye contact). In the past, she was in love with her ex-boyfriend Romeo, who looks very similar to Adult Lambo. Whenever Adult Lambo appears, she mistakes him for Romeo, and uses her Poison Cooking to attack him. Bianchi is romantically involved with her former associate Reborn, and wants to kill Tsuna to free up Reborn's schedule,[45][46] although she refused to kill him for the benefit of others.[47] Bianchi always states that "love" is the strongest force of all.[48] In the future, Bianchi returns with crucial information about the Millefiore Family after her travelling with Futa.[49] She tries to train Gokudera on how to control the rings and boxes, and is shown to be able to summon scorpions which emanate the Dying Will Flame, called Scorpione De Tempesta (Storm Scorpions).[50] Bianchi is voiced by Rie Tanaka in the anime.
Dino
[edit]Dino (ディーノ, Dīno) is the 22-year-old tenth-generation boss of the Cavallone Family (キャバッローネファミリー, Kyabarrōne Famirī) which is part of the Vongola Family alliance.[51] Dino is a young man with great skills as a fighter and a leader. Reborn's chameleon Leon created his main weapons, a whip and Enzo,[52] which is a turtle which grows in size and rampages when soaked in water. Like Tsuna, Dino was initially a klutz who did not want anything to do with the Mafia, but he became a suitable Mafia boss after Reborn became his home tutor. He came to be known as "Bucking-Horse Dino" (跳ね馬ディーノ, Haneuma Dīno) ("Bronco Dino" in Viz's translation) and fixed the Cavallone's financial problems, turning them into the third most influential family. However, Dino is so devoted to his family that when none of his family members are around his skills decrease dramatically, often accidentally hitting people with his whip or falling down the stairs.[51] Before the Vongola Tournament, Dino becomes Hibari's home tutor and travels with him around the country in order to train him.[53] In the future, he advises Tsuna and the others on how to control their box weapons, and is shown to release a horse from his own box. Dino is first voiced by Kenta Kamakari, and then replaced by Kenn for episodes 34 onwards.
Nana Sawada
[edit]Nana Sawada (沢田 奈々, Sawada Nana) is Tsuna's mother, who, despite caring deeply for him, has fairly little belief in her son succeeding in life. She helps feed all the people that are presently living in her house and does not see anything strange with any of them. She seems to be unaware of the fact that both her husband and her son are part of the Mafia, but is aware they are both up to something dangerous.[54] In the "Haru-Haru Interview: Dangerous" anime segment, it was also mentioned that Nana was considered a Yamato Nadeshiko by Reborn.[55] Nana is voiced by Rika Fukami in the anime.
Futa
[edit]Futa (フゥ太, Fūta) is a young boy who ranks people by their abilities in a book half of his own height. His full name is Fuuta Delle Stelle (Fuuta de la Stella, or Fuuta of the stars). He has an extremely wide range of knowledge on thousands of people and is considered to be a valuable informant for the Mafia, sometimes being paid insane amounts of money for a copy of certain rankings, but due to this, he is often chased by the Mafia. When he ranks people, gravity around him becomes distorted, making objects around him float, and images of stars and galaxies appear in his eyes. It is unknown how he actually gathers his information, some rumours say he talks to a ranking star, and his rankings do become skewed when it rains.[56] He also has to be looking at the person to determine their rankings. He calls Tsuna Sawada his big brother (referring to Tsuna as "Tsuna-ni") and starts living in his house.[57] In volume nine of the manga, after he has been controlled by Mukuro Rokudo for quite a long amount of time, it was revealed that he lost his power to rank, and follows the guardians around while living at Tsuna's house. In the future, after gathering information with Bianchi, Futa, who now carries a suitcase rather than a book, returns to Japan with crucial information about the Millefiore Family.[49] Futa also reveals that he was Lambo's guardian until three years before Tsuna's arrival in the future, and prefers that Lambo not be endangered.[58] Futa is voiced by Yuko Sanpei in the anime.
Hana Kurokawa
[edit]Hana Kurokawa (黒川 花, Kurokawa Hana) is one of Tsuna's classmates and Kyoko's friend. She appears more observant and thoughtful than most of the other characters. Though she does not know the truth, she remains suspicious of Tsuna's and his friends' activities. She has a crush on the 15-year-old Lambo in the normal time. At the same time, she hates children (especially the child form Lambo), to the point where she gets hives when she gets annoyed by them. In the future, it is hinted that she has a relationship with Kyoko's older brother Ryohei.[59][60] She is voiced by Miki Ootani in the anime.
Doctor Shamal
[edit]Dr. Shamal (Dr. シャマル, Dr. Shamaru) is a crazed womanizer who hits on every cute woman he sees, though often fails. He is said to be hiding in Japan after being charged in his own country for putting the moves on 2082 women simultaneously, one of which being a queen. He is both a skilled doctor (albeit one that refuses to treat men) and renowned assassin known as "Trident Shamal", who was even asked to join the Varia. His primary means of combat stem from the 666 pills he carries that contain trident mosquitoes, his own breed of genetically altered mosquitoes named for their trident-shaped stingers that infect his enemies with deadly diseases. He claims to be infected with 666 diseases that have no effect on him due to the negating effects of each disease; if he has a disease that rapidly decreases body temperature, then he has another one that increases it, and so on.[61] Shamal also happens to be the one that introduced Hayato Gokudera to bombs when he used to work for Gokudera's family. He agrees to become Gokudera's home tutor during the Vongola Tournament, but only after Gokudera learns that protecting his own life is just as important as defending those around him.[62] Dr. Shamal is voiced by Toshinobu Katsuya in the anime.
Tsuyoshi Yamamoto
[edit]Tsuyoshi Yamamoto (山本 剛, Yamamoto Tsuyoshi) is the father of Takeshi Yamamoto who owns a sushi restaurant named TakeSushi. He is also one of the wielders of the Shigure Soen Ryu sword style. He is voiced by Takashi Matsuyama in the anime.
Vongola Family
[edit]
The Vongola Family (ボンゴレファミリー, Bongore Famirī) is the most powerful Mafia family since its creation 400 years prior to the start of the series. Giotto a.k.a. Vongola Primo is the founder of the Vongola Family. His guardians; G., Ugetsu Asari, Knuckle, Lampo, Alaudi, and Demon Spade, all bear similar traits to Tsuna's guardians.[63] After his retirement, he stayed in Japan by the name of Ieyasu Sawada (沢田 家康, Sawada Ieyasu).
They possess the Vongola Rings, seven invaluable rings which have been around since the founding of the Mafia underworld and are usually in possession of the main members known as the Vongola Guardians.[64] They are also rich in various traditions,[65][66] most notably the Vongola Tournament, a traditional battle in which two groups vie for the seven guardian positions.[67]
By the start of the series, Timoteo (ティモッテオ) a.k.a. Vongola Nono (ボンゴレIX代目(ノーノ), Bongore Nono) is the current head of the Vongola family. It is implied that he is becoming too weak to lead the family, and thus accepted Tsuna as the next head of the Vongola Family. However, Xanxus, his adopted son, deemed himself more worthy to become the next boss, so he kidnapped and replaced IX with a fake, who sanctioned the traditional Vongola Tournament. The real IX was placed within the Gola Mosca machine, gradually draining him of his life energy, until he is saved by Tsuna.
Giotto
[edit]Giotto (ジョット, Jotto), also known as Vongola Primo (ボンゴレI世(プリーモ), Bongore Purīmo), is the founder and first-generation boss of the Vongola Family in the late 19th century. An Italian, he is also the creator of the Zero Point Breakthrough technique. After his retirement, he moved to Japan and started a family, changing his family name to Sawada to ensure no one outside the family knew about his Mafia identity. He is the paternal great-great-great grandfather of Tsuna, who has repeatedly been shown to be similar to him, as they have the same weapon and techniques (including the Zero Point Breakthrough), almost identical appearances, and equally unorthodox Famiglias (the First Famiglia included aristocrats, military men, rival mafiosos and religious people). Their Guardians are quite similar as well: Yamamoto, Hibari, Mukuro, Lambo, Gokudera, and Ryohei have already been shown to be very much like their first predecessors in appearance, weapon of choice, and personality.
Arcobaleno
[edit]The Arcobaleno (which means "rainbow" in Italian) is the group of the seven strongest infants, who each possesses a pacifier colored as one of the colors of the rainbow,[68] with each color corresponding with their Dying Will Flame. Their pacifiers will glow when a member nears another Arcobaleno.[69] They were all transformed from adults into their current forms,[70] having sacrificed themselves in order to protect the ultimate power "7³" (Tri-Ni-Sette). Each of them gained their own "curse" and specific abilities, and are able to emit the Dying Will Flame throughout their entire body.[71] In addition to Reborn, the Arcobaleno are:
- Luce (ルーチェ, Rūche), the first holder of Orange pacifier of the Sky and the boss of Giglio Nero Family. Becoming the Sky Arcobaleno, her curse not only changed her into a baby, but also shortened her life span. Sometimes afterwards, she died and passed her Arcobaleno title to her daughter, Aria (アリア). A month before the merging between Giglio Nero and Gesso, Aria succumbed to her curse and died, passing Arcobaleno title and Giglio Nero to her young daughter, Uni. Both Luce and Aria are voiced by Atsuko Yuya in the anime.
- Colonnello (コロネロ, Koronero), the holder of the Blue pacifier of the Rain. Though he is not part of the original seven Arcobaleno, he attained the blue pacifier after attempting to take the place of a member on the day that they were all turned into babies.[71] A former member of the COMSUBIN, he carries heavy artillery, using an anti-tank rifle as his primary weapon. His animal partner is a falcon named Falco, that usually rests atop his head and it can help him fly to distant places. Colonnello acts like a rival towards Reborn and vice versa, but despite this, he shares many traits with Reborn, like being a merciless tutor, suddenly taking naps, and having a sharp tongue.[68][69] He is voiced by Daisuke Nakamura in the anime.
- Fon (風, Fon), the holder of the Red pacifier of the Storm. He is shown to be one of the wisest and strongest of the Arcobaleno and also always seems to know what is going on. A Chinese martial artist and I-Pin's master, Fon masters at least 104 martial arts with his strongest art is the Exploding Gale Fist that is said to be invincible. His pet is a white monkey named Reach. He also looks physically similar to Kyoya Hibari, although the exact nature of their relation remains unknown. Fon is voiced by Takashi Kondō, who also share the same voice with Hibari.
- Skull (スカル, Skaru), the holder of the Purple pacifier of the Cloud. Skull wears a full leather outfit and a motorcycle helmet reminiscent of the time he was a stunt man. His pet is a giant armored octopus named Tako whose tentacles follow his hand and finger movements. He is voiced by Tetsuya Yanagihara in the anime.
- Viper (バイパー, Baipā), the holder of the Indigo pacifier of the Mist. Viper is a member of the elite assassination team, the Varia, under the name Mammon (マーモン, Māmon). Known as the Arcobaleno's best spellcaster,[27] Viper has the ability to cast illusions, as well as being able to locate any person by sneezing into a piece of paper.[17] Viper also has a black frog named Fantasma that lies on top of their head. By turning into a yellow salamander and biting its tail, which forms into a "halo" above them, Fantasma can give Mammon the ability to fly.[72] Viper claims to have been trying to break the Arcobaleno curse, and had sealed their pacifier so that other Arcobaleno cannot sense them.[27] Viper has also created a chain that conceals the power of the Arcobaleno pacifiers, as well as the Ring Flames. Viper is voiced by Rumi Shishido in the anime.
- Verde (ヴェルデ, Verude), the holder of the Green pacifier of the Thunder, and one of the three creators of the Box Weapons. Appearing as a scientist, Verde is more interested in his studies than he is in the curse of the rainbow, as indicated during the Curse of the Rainbow arc when he reveals he was only participating to give Reborn "a good scare." His pet is a green crocodile named Cayman. He is voiced by Masahiro Kono in the anime.
- Lal Mirch (ラル・ミルチ, Raru Miruchi), the holder of a corrupted pacifier. She states that she cannot live up to the Arcobaleno name, considering herself to be one of its weakest members.[73] This is due to her curse being incomplete after Colonnello, her former subordinate in the COMSUBIN,[74] attempted to take her place. Also, if she does not use her Arcobaleno powers, her curse would gradually disappear, which is why she eventually becomes an adult again.[70] However, upon using her Arcobaleno powers in the future, her pacifier glows blue, and she states that her pacifier was supposed to be the blue pacifier that Colonnello attained.[71] She is also part of the Vongola's CEDEF, or Outside Advisors.[75] She is voiced by Masami Suzuki in the anime.
CEDEF
[edit]Members of the Consulenza Esterna Della Famiglia (Italian for "External Consultants of the Family") are unofficial members of the Vongola Family. They hold a very important position in the family's structure, in that, during times of crisis, the CEDEF leader becomes the Vongola's second-in-command. They also have as much voting power as the Vongola boss when choosing the family's next boss, and if the two disagree on who the heir will be, the CEDEF leader has the power to split the Vongola Rings.[67]
Iemitsu Sawada
[edit]Iemitsu Sawada (沢田 家光, Sawada Iemitsu) is Tsuna's often absent father, who has supposedly been "working abroad at oil fields" for the past two years. He usually carries a pickaxe.[54] Tsuna believes that he is a loser father who has nothing to do with the Mafia, but Iemitsu is actually the "Outside Advisor", who has the second-highest position in the Vongola Family, and is known as the Vongola's "Young Lion". After the fake Vongola IX chose Xanxus as his successor, Iemitsu, who wants Tsuna to become the next boss, protested and refused to give Xanxus the Vongola Rings, traveling around the world while he waited for the IX's reply. He returns to Japan with the real halves of the Vongola Rings, as well as a message from the IX sanctioning the Vongola Tournament.[67] He secretly watches over the training of Tsuna and his family,[76] and during the tournament, Iemitsu goes to Italy with his subordinates, and finds out that the IX that has been giving orders was a fake.[77] Iemitsu is voiced by Masami Iwasaki in the anime.
Basil
[edit]Basilicum, commonly known as simply "Basil" (バジル, Bajiru), is Iemitsu's young disciple and subordinate. He possesses the blue, rain attribute flame, and has the ability to go into Dying Will Mode when he consumes special pills made by Iemitsu.[62] Due to being strictly trained since early childhood, he is a very talented fighter. Unknown to Basil, in order for Iemitsu to safely deliver the real halves of the Vongola rings to Japan, he was sent to deliver the fake Vongola Rings to Tsuna. During this mission, Basil encounters Squalo, and is subsequently beat. Despite being used as a decoy, he remains extremely loyal to Iemitsu,[78] and helps train Tsuna in order to help the latter control the Dying Will Flame.[62] The CEDEF later sends him into the future as a support for the Vongola, and his box weapon is shown to release a dolphin, which he can telepathically communicate with. Basil also has a habit of speaking in an archaic manner; usually replacing 'You' with 'thou', 'thee', and 'thy', and refers to Tsuna and the guardians with the suffix '-dono'. This unusual habit sometimes interferes in his way of modern speech. Basil is voiced by Yuka Terasaki in the anime.
Cervello
[edit]The Cervello (チェルベッロ, Cheruberro) is an organization whose representatives consist of masked women who all seem to look exactly the same and whose names are not known. When one member is beaten or killed, another member can immediately take their place. The organization also appears to possess illusionists.[79] They are proclaimed as the judges for the Vongola Tournament under the (fake) IX's direct orders.[80] In the future, they are working with or in conjunction with Shoichi Irie, and appear to be part of the Millefiore Family's White Spell squad.[37] During the Six Funeral Wreaths's battle against Tsuna's group, the Cervello are appointed as the judges. It was stated that each Mafia family have their own Cervello organisation.
Foundation
[edit]The Foundation is an organization created by the Future Kyoya Hibari in order to gather information on the "ultimate power".[50] Its members are former members of Namimori High's Disciplinary Committee,[49] most notably Tetsuya Kusakabe (草壁 哲矢, Kusakabe Tetsuya), Hibari's subordinate and second-in-command, who always wears his hair in a pompadour.[31] Kusakabe is voiced by Shun Takagi in the anime.
Simon Family
[edit]The Simon Family has deep ties to the Vongola Family, but vanished at the end of the Vongola Primo's rule because of Demon Spade. At the beginning of the Inheritance Ceremony Arc, the Simon Family were thought to be evil. However, after the truth was revealed, they joined forces with the Vongola Family led by Tsuna.
Cozzato Simon
[edit]Cozzato Simon (シモン・コザァート, Shimon Kozāto) is the first-generation boss of Simon Family and Enma's ancestor. He had close bonds with Vongola Primo, Giotto, as close as brothers. He was said to be betrayed by Giotto during a massive mafia war and was killed from limbs to limbs. However, in reality, he was saved by Giotto's Guardians who had seen through Demon's plan and afterwards along with Giotto, they made a deal with the Vindice that if Vongola and Simon ever fight against one another, the Vindice will deliver the punishment. After the war, he and his Family went back into hiding and never met Giotto or Vongola again for the rest of their lifetime but not before making an oath with Giotto that their Families will stay close until the end of time and believe their descendants will meet and smile at each other again.
Enma Kozato
[edit]Enma Kozato (古里 炎真, Kozato Enma) is the tenth-generation boss of the near-eradicated Simon Family. He was introduced as a transfer student at Namimori Middle School with his fellow subordinates. After he shows his timid personality during his introduction, he starts getting bullied. He became friends with Tsuna after an incident. Enma later decided to leave a letter to Tsuna to test if he really treated him as a friend. Unfortunately, the letter got dumped into the bin by Lambo, which led to the battle between the Vongola and the Simon family. Later on in the story, Enma becomes possessed by Demon Spade because of his anger and hatred, causing his powers to go berserk, but is stopped by Tsuna for good. After the truth was revealed, Enma joined forces with Tsuna and defeated Demon Spade. Since then, the two became close friends.
Longchamp Naito
[edit]Longchamp Naito (内藤 ロンシャン, Naitō Ronshan) is a manga-exclusive character. He is the overly-hyper, eighth-generation boss-in-training of the Tomaso Family. He happens to attend the same school as Tsuna, but they first meet in their second year when they end up in the same class. Unlike Tsuna, Longchamp is optimistic and excited about everything, and though their families are rivals, he constantly befriends Tsuna. Longchamp is known to have a unique taste in women, and is shown with a different one each time.[12][81] He also has a weird habit of collecting unusual objects, including dead batteries and condiment packets, and his bedroom is covered with junk as a result of his hoarding habits.[82] His family is the creator of the Sorry Bullet (嘆き弾, Nageki Dan), which, when shot with and revived, will cause a person to grieve about all the terrible things that have happened in their life, making others feel sorry for them.[12]
Kawahira
[edit]Kawahira (川平 Kawahira) is a man who lives in the future at a real estate firm that belonged to an old lady who Haru knew in the past. He is constantly referred to in earlier episodes as a frequent customer of Adult I-Pin's ramen delivery service, but makes his first appearance when Tsuna and company are trying to hide from the Real Six Funeral Wreaths. He possesses a Segno Hell Ring that can create strong illusions, fake murderous intent, and hides his existence. He does not outwardly state his true motives but claims that Tsuna and his friends owe him one for his help.
He is later revealed to be the true identity of Checker Face (チェッカーフェイス Chekkāfeisū), a man with iron hat who is responsible for inflicting The Curse of The Rainbow on Reborn and the others, making them the Arcobaleno. He appeared in the Arcobaleno's dream and offered them a way to be freed from the curse that had turned them into babies with by creating a battle royale where the Arcobaleno have to choose seven people to be their representatives to fight in their place and the winner will have his or her curse removed. However, this turned out to be a huge lie and his true intention is actually to determine the seven strongest people and intends to turn them into the next Arcobaleno without any intention to free the current Arcobaleno from their curse.
As the one who administrates the Tri-ni-sette, he is the one who gave the Vongola Rings and Mare Rings to Uni's ancestor, Sepira, who in turn entrusted the Vongola Rings to Giotto. For decades, he had selected and tricked seven people in each generation that he considered the strongest through contract job or representative battle and forcefully make them protect the Arcobaleno pacifier, cursing them into babies. After Bermuda's defeat, he appears in front of Tsuna and the others and reveal his true identity as Kawahira. He, alongside Uni, are the last two special races that had been existed even far before humans whose job are to protect the Earth through Tri-ni-sette. However, their race died one by one until he and Sepira are the only ones remained. They decided to split the seven stones of Tri-ni-set into Arcobaleno Pacifiers, Vongola Rings, and Mare Rings and gave them to the human race as they alone unable to provide enough flames for the rings. He intended to remove the pacifiers from Reborn and the others and cursed those he had selected, however, Talbot arrives and came up with another solution to keep the Tri-ni-set safe. With Uni's assurance of the future of the Tri-ni-sette, Kawahira agreed to give up the order of the Tri-ni-sette to Bermuda and the Vindice, entrusting them to the future generations, and removes the Arcobaleno curse from Reborn and the others.
Merchandise
[edit]Several types of merchandise have been produced based on the likeness of the Reborn! characters. Apparels from the series include replicas of the characters' clothes, such as Tsuna's X-Gloves or Reborn's hat. Other merchandise modeled after their likeness includes action figures, plush dolls, key chains, and figurines. Characters are also featured in the series' soundtracks, in which their corresponding voice actors perform songs related to their characters.[83] They are also featured in the various games released for the series, including in video games that are mostly of the fighting game genre, and on trading cards that are part of the Reborn! trading card game.[84]
Reception
[edit]The characters introduced in the Reborn! series have been both criticized and praised in several reviews of the series. With the first seven manga volumes being devoted to introducing various new characters whilst still focusing heavily on the main characters,[85] a reviewer from comicbookbin.com believes that "Akira Amano composes each chapter as a separate episode, like a TV series, with a main cast and a guest character appearing each chapter."[86] He describes the ever-expanding cast of peculiar characters as a line-up of eccentrics that fit right in with the main cast,[87][88] but later comments that the author strains the narrative in the sixth volume due to giving some minor characters like Longchamp Naito too much attention.[89] Still, he positively remarks that the hilariously weird things the characters do has not been done since Seinfeld,[90] and Erin Finnegan of Pop Culture Shock agrees, attributing the story's humor to the characters.[1] Michael Aronson of Manga Life describes it is as the "most insane collection of characters thrown together in a single series,"[3] while Ben Leary of Mania.com fairly says that "many of the plots are dependent on the cute, practically SD characters who would probably be mascots in another series."[2]
Though most of the characters' reviews for volumes one through seven are primarily based on their ensuing comedic situations, the tone changes drastically as the series shifts into a more serious mood starting with volume eight. In ComicsVillage.com's Charles Tan's review of volume eight, he notes that the character designs have a "simple, iconic feel to them," and that they can easily shift from being super-deformed to having serious expressions.[85] Both in IGN's and mangalife.com's review of volume nine, the reviewers both expressed gratification to the main character's [Tsuna] reform, with David Rasmussen of mangalife.com now seeing Tsuna as a "cooler" character compared to how he was before.[5] A.E. Sparrow of IGN further comments on how the characters are further developed rather than being simply used for slapstick comedy, but due to that, the readers can find themselves being concerned for their well-being.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Erin F. (June 14, 2008). "Manga Reviews: Reborn! Vol. 7, Hikaru No Go, Vol. 12". Pop Culture Shock. Archived from the original on September 17, 2011. Retrieved October 18, 2008.
The humor in Reborn grows gracefully from the characters.
Finnegan, Erin (June 14, 2008). "Shonen Jump Special: Reborn! and Hikaru No Go: Reborn, Vol. 7". Pop Culture Shock. Archived from the original on March 8, 2012. Retrieved December 14, 2011. - ^ a b Leary, Ben (July 31, 2008). "Reborn! Vol. #07". Mania. Demand Media. Archived from the original on May 2, 2014. Retrieved December 14, 2011.
- ^ a b Aronson, Michael. "Reborn! v2". Manga Life. Silver Bullet Comics. Archived from the original on February 19, 2007. Retrieved December 14, 2011.
- ^ a b A.E. Sparrow (October 14, 2008). "Reborn! Vol. 9 Review The grim storyline continues". IGN. Retrieved October 18, 2008.
Characters that were at one time used for slapstick comedy are given a real depth...you find yourself caring what happens to them as the story progresses.
- ^ a b c David Rasmussen (September 30, 2008). "Reborn! v9". Manga Life. Archived from the original on October 1, 2008. Retrieved October 18, 2008.
- ^ "VIZ Media Reborn! - Profiles". Viz Media. Archived from the original on December 26, 2008. Retrieved October 20, 2008.
- ^ Amano, Akira (July 1, 2008). Reborn!, Vol. 8. Viz Media. p. 1. ISBN 978-1-4215-1665-3.
- ^ a b Amano, Akira (2006). "Target 1". Reborn!, Vol. 1. Viz Media. ISBN 1-4215-0671-8.
- ^ "優香里さんのお仕事 Yukari Kokubun's Works" (in Japanese). Bee World. Archived from the original on May 12, 2009. Retrieved April 27, 2009.
- ^ Amano, Akira (2007). "Target 122". 家庭教師ヒットマンREBORN! 14 (in Japanese). Shueisha. ISBN 978-4-08-874328-8.
- ^ Amano, Akira (2007). "Target 33". Reborn!, Vol. 4. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-0844-3.
- ^ a b c Amano, Akira (2008). "Target 44". Reborn!, Vol. 6. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-1474-1.
- ^ Amano, Akira (2006). "Target 3". Reborn!, Vol. 1. Viz Media. ISBN 1-4215-0671-8.
- ^ "Profile: 市瀬秀和 Hidekazu Ichinose" (in Japanese). Creative Media Agency. Archived from the original on February 11, 2009. Retrieved April 27, 2009.
- ^ Amano, Akira (2006). "Target 5". Reborn!, Vol. 1. Viz Media. ISBN 1-4215-0671-8.
- ^ Amano, Akira (2007). "Target 39". Reborn!, Vol. 5. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-1099-6.
- ^ a b Amano, Akira (2006). "Target 90". 家庭教師ヒットマンREBORN! 11 (in Japanese). Shueisha. ISBN 4-08-874142-0.
- ^ "Talent Profile: 井上 優 Suguru Inoue" (in Japanese). YMO Inc. Archived from the original on March 10, 2009. Retrieved April 27, 2009.
- ^ Amano, Akira (2006). "Target 7". Reborn!, Vol. 1. Viz Media. ISBN 1-4215-0671-8.
- ^ "Talent Profile: 竹内 順子 Junko Takeuchi" (in Japanese). YMO Inc. Archived from the original on March 18, 2009. Retrieved April 27, 2009.
- ^ "津田 健次郎 つだ けんじろう / Kenjiro Tsuda" (in Japanese). mediarte Entertainment Works. Archived from the original on April 18, 2009. Retrieved April 27, 2009.
- ^ Amano, Akira (2007). "Target 14". Reborn!, Vol. 2. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-0672-2.
- ^ "木内 秀信 Hidenobu Kiuchi". Bee Nice. Retrieved April 27, 2009.
- ^ Amano, Akira (2007). "Target 16". Reborn!, Vol. 2. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-0672-2.
- ^ "近藤隆 Takashi Kondō". vi-vo. Retrieved April 27, 2009.
- ^ Amano, Akira (2008). "Target 65". Reborn!, Vol. 8. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-1665-3.
- ^ a b c d Amano, Akira (2007). "Target 115". 家庭教師ヒットマンREBORN! 13 (in Japanese). Shueisha. ISBN 978-4-08-874301-1.
- ^ "TROUBADOUR - Profile: 飯田利信" (in Japanese). Troubadour Musique Office. Archived from the original on February 5, 2012. Retrieved March 29, 2009.
- ^ Amano, Akira (2007). "Target 117". 家庭教師ヒットマンREBORN! 14 (in Japanese). Shueisha. ISBN 978-4-08-874328-8.
- ^ Amano, Akira (2008). "Target 169". 家庭教師ヒットマンREBORN! 19 (in Japanese). Shueisha. ISBN 978-4-08-874497-1.
- ^ a b Amano, Akira (2008). "Target 201". 家庭教師ヒットマンREBORN! 22 (in Japanese). Shueisha. ISBN 978-4-08-874592-3.
- ^ "明坂 聡美 Satomi Akesaka" (in Japanese). Space Craft Group. Archived from the original (Flash) on April 9, 2010. Retrieved April 27, 2009.
- ^ Amano, Akira (2008). "Target 85". Reborn!, Vol. 10. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-1667-7.
- ^ Amano, Akira (2008). "Target 161". 家庭教師ヒットマンREBORN! 18 (in Japanese). Shueisha. ISBN 978-4-08-874476-6.
- ^ Amano, Akira (2008). "Target 197". 家庭教師ヒットマンREBORN! 22 (in Japanese). Shueisha. ISBN 978-4-08-874592-3.
- ^ a b Amano, Akira (2007). "Target 142". 家庭教師ヒットマンREBORN! 16 (in Japanese). Shueisha. ISBN 978-4-08-874401-8.
- ^ a b Amano, Akira (2007). "Target 145". 家庭教師ヒットマンREBORN! 17 (in Japanese). Shueisha. ISBN 978-4-08-874434-6.
- ^ Amano, Akira (2007). "Target 12". Reborn!, Vol. 2. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-0672-2.
- ^ Amano, Akira (2007). "Target 11". Reborn!, Vol. 2. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-0672-2.
- ^ Amano, Akira (2007). "Target 21". Reborn!, Vol. 3. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-0843-6.
- ^ Amano, Akira (2007). "Target 23". Reborn!, Vol. 3. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-0843-6.
- ^ a b Amano, Akira (2007). "Target 24". Reborn!, Vol. 3. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-0843-6.
- ^ Amano, Akira (2007). "Target 29". Reborn!, Vol. 4. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-0844-3.
- ^ Amano, Akira (2008). "Target 162". 家庭教師ヒットマンREBORN! 18 (in Japanese). Shueisha. ISBN 978-4-08-874476-6.
- ^ Amano, Akira (2007). "Target 9". Reborn!, Vol. 2. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-0672-2.
- ^ Amano, Akira (2007). "Target 10". Reborn!, Vol. 2. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-0672-2.
- ^ Amano, Akira (2008). "Target 69". Reborn!, Vol. 8. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-1665-3.
- ^ Amano, Akira (2008). "Target 68". Reborn!, Vol. 8. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-1665-3.
- ^ a b c Amano, Akira (2008). "Target 156". 家庭教師ヒットマンREBORN! 18 (in Japanese). Shueisha. ISBN 978-4-08-874476-6.
- ^ a b Amano, Akira (2008). "Target 160". 家庭教師ヒットマンREBORN! 18 (in Japanese). Shueisha. ISBN 978-4-08-874476-6.
- ^ a b Amano, Akira (2007). "Target 27". Reborn!, Vol. 4. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-0844-3.
- ^ Amano, Akira (2008). "Target 78". Reborn!, Vol. 9. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-1666-0.
- ^ Amano, Akira (2006). "Target 105". 家庭教師ヒットマンREBORN! 12 (in Japanese). Shueisha. ISBN 4-08-874265-6.
- ^ a b Amano, Akira (2008). "Target 82". Reborn!, Vol. 10. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-1667-7.
- ^ Haru-Haru Interview Dangerous #39 with Spanner
- ^ Amano, Akira (2007). "Target 35". Reborn!, Vol. 5. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-1099-6.
- ^ Amano, Akira (2007). "Target 34". Reborn!, Vol. 5. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-1099-6.
- ^ Amano, Akira (2008). "Target 157". 家庭教師ヒットマンREBORN! 18 (in Japanese). Shueisha. ISBN 978-4-08-874476-6.
- ^ Amano, Akira (2007). "Target 41". Reborn!, Vol. 5. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-1099-6.
- ^ Amano, Akira (2007). "Target 152". 家庭教師ヒットマンREBORN! 17 (in Japanese). Shueisha. ISBN 978-4-08-874434-6.
- ^ Amano, Akira (2007). "Target 15". Reborn!, Vol. 2. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-0672-2.
- ^ a b c Amano, Akira (2008). "Target 88". Reborn!, Vol. 10. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-1667-7.
- ^ Amano, Akira (2006). "Target 91". 家庭教師ヒットマンREBORN! 11 (in Japanese). Shueisha. ISBN 4-08-874142-0.
- ^ Amano, Akira (2008). "Target 86". Reborn!, Vol. 10. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-1667-7.
- ^ Amano, Akira (2007). "Target 31". Reborn!, Vol. 4. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-0844-3.
- ^ Amano, Akira (2007). "Target 22". Reborn!, Vol. 3. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-0843-6.
- ^ a b c Amano, Akira (2006). "Target 92". 家庭教師ヒットマンREBORN! 11 (in Japanese). Shueisha. ISBN 4-08-874142-0.
- ^ a b Amano, Akira (2008). "Target 50". Reborn!, Vol. 6. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-1474-1.
- ^ a b Amano, Akira (2008). "Target 49". Reborn!, Vol. 6. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-1474-1.
- ^ a b Amano, Akira (2008). "Target 179". 家庭教師ヒットマンREBORN! 20 (in Japanese). Shueisha. ISBN 978-4-08-874525-1.
- ^ a b c Amano, Akira (2008). "Target 180". 家庭教師ヒットマンREBORN! 20 (in Japanese). Shueisha. ISBN 978-4-08-874525-1.
- ^ Amano, Akira (2007). "Target 114". 家庭教師ヒットマンREBORN! 13 (in Japanese). Shueisha. ISBN 978-4-08-874301-1.
- ^ Amano, Akira (2007). "Target 112 (page 3)". 家庭教師ヒットマンREBORN! 13 (in Japanese). Shueisha. ISBN 978-4-08-874301-1.
- ^ Amano, Akira (2007). "Target 147". 家庭教師ヒットマンREBORN! 17 (in Japanese). Shueisha. ISBN 978-4-08-874434-6.
- ^ Amano, Akira (2007). "Target 139". 家庭教師ヒットマンREBORN! 16 (in Japanese). Shueisha. ISBN 978-4-08-874401-8.
- ^ Amano, Akira (2008). "Target 87". Reborn!, Vol. 10. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-1667-7.
- ^ Amano, Akira (2007). "Target 120". 家庭教師ヒットマンREBORN! 13 (in Japanese). Shueisha. ISBN 978-4-08-874328-8.
- ^ Amano, Akira (2008). "Target 84". Reborn!, Vol. 10. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-1667-7.
- ^ Amano, Akira (2007). "Target 123". 家庭教師ヒットマンREBORN! 14 (in Japanese). Shueisha. ISBN 978-4-08-874328-8.
- ^ Amano, Akira (2006). "Target 93". 家庭教師ヒットマンREBORN! 11 (in Japanese). Shueisha. ISBN 4-08-874142-0.
- ^ Amano, Akira (2008). "Target 47". Reborn!, Vol. 6. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-1474-1.
- ^ Amano, Akira (2008). "Target 46". Reborn!, Vol. 6. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-1474-1.
- ^ かてきょー音頭. Reborngoods.com (in Japanese). Archived from the original on May 14, 2008. Retrieved October 31, 2008.
- ^ "家庭教師ヒットマンREBORN!CCG(キャラクターカードゲーム)" (in Japanese). Broccoli. Retrieved November 1, 2008.
- ^ a b Charles Tan. "Reborn! Volume 8 (Akira Amano)". Comics Village.com. Archived from the original on June 21, 2008. Retrieved October 18, 2008.
Over the course of seven volumes, the author has managed to build up a large cast of characters...Amano focuses on his central characters.
- ^ Leroy Douresseaux (June 28, 2007). "Reborn!: Volume 2 By Leroy Douresseaux". comicbookbin.com. Retrieved October 18, 2008.
- ^ Leroy Douresseaux (July 4, 2007). "Reborn!: Volume 3 By Leroy Douresseaux". comicbookbin.com. Retrieved October 18, 2008.
- ^ Leroy Douresseaux (September 20, 2007). "Reborn!: Volume 5 By Leroy Douresseaux". comicbookbin.com. Retrieved October 18, 2008.
- ^ Leroy Douresseaux (December 28, 2007). "Reborn!: Volume 6 By Leroy Douresseaux". comicbookbin.com. Retrieved October 18, 2008.
...Amano strains the narrative in an attempt to give so many characters, most of them as lovable as they are eccentric, space in the story to shine. Longchamp Naito is a bust, and is extraneous even in his own storylines.
- ^ Leroy Douresseaux (April 5, 2008). "Reborn!: Volume 7". Comic Book Bin. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
Comedy probably hasn't done so many hilariously weird things with a cast since 'Seinfeld' disappeared.
List of Reborn! characters
View on GrokipediaDevelopment
Creation and conception
Akira Amano developed the characters of Katekyō Hitman Reborn! through an initial one-shot manga published in Weekly Shōnen Jump issue 51 in 2003, which established the core premise of a tutor-student comedy centered on Tsunayoshi "Tsuna" Sawada, a hapless junior high student labeled "No-Good Tsuna" for his lack of talents, and his unconventional mentor, the infant hitman Reborn. This concept portrayed Tsuna as a reluctant hero thrust into the world of the Italian Vongola mafia family, with Reborn's training methods blending humorous everyday scenarios with emerging action elements to prepare Tsuna for leadership. The one-shot's positive reception led to the series' serialization in Weekly Shōnen Jump starting May 31, 2004, allowing the narrative to expand from lighthearted comedy into full-fledged mafia action. The character archetypes, such as family bosses and their guardians, drew influences from real Italian mafia history—emphasizing hierarchical loyalty, protection rackets, and organized crime structures. These inspirations shaped the Vongola Famiglia's dynamics, where guardians represent specialized roles mirroring mafia enforcers. Amano introduced the Dying Will Flames system early in the serialization as a distinctive power mechanic derived from characters' life-force energy, with flame attributes (e.g., Sky for harmony, Storm for destruction) directly reflecting individual personalities and emotional resolves, enabling personalized combat styles that underscore personal growth.[1] Name origins and early sketches reinforced thematic motifs: Tsuna's full name, Tsunayoshi Sawada, ties to his "no-good" (dame) persona, as "Dame-Tsuna" highlights his initial clumsiness and failures, while the kanji for "Tsuna" (綱) evokes a rope symbolizing ties to fate and family. Reborn's name derives from the rebirth motif, representing Tsuna's repeated "dying will" activations that catalyze his transformations from weakness to strength.[2] In 2024, to mark the manga's 20th anniversary, Shueisha renewed the TV anime intellectual property and hosted an art exhibition featuring Amano's original works. Rumors of a new anime adaptation surfaced around this time, with potential developments announced for 2025.[3][4]Design and voice portrayal
Akira Amano's artwork for Katekyō Hitman Reborn! begins with a chibi-influenced style emphasizing exaggerated proportions and humorous expressions during the manga's early comedic arcs, transitioning to more intricate linework, shading, and dynamic posing as the narrative shifts toward intense mafia battles and character development. This evolution is evident in the Vongola 77 fanbook interview, where Amano notes that her artistic refinement accelerated once the story adopted a serious tone, allowing for greater detail in action sequences and emotional expressions. For instance, protagonist Tsunayoshi Sawada's design starts with a simple, rounded schoolboy appearance but incorporates sharper contours and flowing hair in later chapters to reflect his maturation. The series' visual motifs, particularly the Dying Will Flames and associated box weapons, employ a consistent color palette to denote elemental attributes and attributes. The Sky Flame, symbolizing harmony, appears in a vibrant orange hue with yellow-orange outlines that flicker like natural fire, integrating seamlessly with character designs during transformation modes to enhance dramatic effect. Other flames follow suit, such as the blue Rain Flame for tranquility or the indigo Mist Flame for illusion, often rendered with gradient shading to convey energy flow in both manga panels and color illustrations. In the anime adaptation, character designs were supervised by Masayoshi Tanaka, who adapted Amano's originals with fluid animation-friendly adjustments, including smoother contours for movement and vibrant cel-shading for flame effects. Voice casting prioritized performers capable of conveying the characters' dual comedic and dramatic sides; Yukari Kokubun was selected for Tsunayoshi Sawada, delivering a versatile range from timid whining to resolute determination across 203 episodes. Similarly, Junko Takeuchi voices the childlike Lambo, capturing his bratty energy with high-pitched exclamations, while Kenjirō Tsuda handles the adult version's deeper, more composed tone. Portrayals in OVAs and video games, such as Katekyō Hitman Reborn! DS Fate of Heat and DS Flame Rumble, often amplify expressive elements like widened eyes and stylized poses for interactive appeal, diverging slightly from the manga's subtlety while retaining core silhouettes and flame visuals. These adaptations, produced by entities like Takara Tomy and resulting from collaborations with Amano for key art, introduce minor exaggerations in facial features to suit gameplay dynamics and shorter formats.Protagonists
Tsunayoshi Sawada
Tsunayoshi Sawada, commonly referred to as Tsuna, serves as the main protagonist of the manga and anime series Katekyō Hitman Reborn!, where he is positioned as the reluctant heir to the Vongola Famiglia, a prominent Italian mafia organization.[5] At the outset of the story, Tsuna is portrayed as a 14-year-old second-year junior high student at Namimori Middle School in Japan, earning the derogatory nickname "No-Good Tsuna" for his extreme clumsiness, subpar grades, lack of athletic prowess, and tendency to be bullied by peers.[5] His ordinary, unremarkable early life revolves around unrequited affection for his classmate Kyoko Sasagawa and a general avoidance of responsibility, reflecting a background untainted by any awareness of his familial mafia ties until external forces intervene.[6] The pivotal transformation in Tsuna's life occurs through the intervention of Reborn, a diminutive hitman tasked with grooming him for leadership, who employs special Dying Will Bullets to ignite Tsuna's potential during moments of desperation.[6] These bullets induce a hyper-aware state known as Dying Will Mode, compelling Tsuna to act with resolute determination and unlocking latent abilities that propel him from a passive, failure-prone adolescent into an active participant in mafia conflicts.[5] This shift marks the beginning of his journey, where he grapples with his inherited destiny while striving to forge a path free from the Vongola's violent legacy.[6] Throughout the series, Tsuna's personality undergoes significant evolution, transitioning from a timid, unmotivated "no-good" kid plagued by self-doubt to a poised and empathetic boss who commands respect through quiet resolve.[5] Core traits such as his profound kindness, unwavering loyalty to friends, and initial reluctance toward leadership persist, shaping him into a figure who prioritizes harmony and protection over aggression, often seeking non-violent resolutions despite the perilous circumstances.[5] This growth is evident in his deepening commitment to his self-formed "family" of guardians, whom he unites not through force but through genuine bonds, mirroring the ideals of the Vongola's founder while rejecting unnecessary bloodshed.[6] Tsuna's abilities center on his affinity for the Sky Flame attribute, the quintessence of Vongola leadership, which enables him to harmonize and amplify the distinct flames of his guardians, fostering synergy in combat.[7] In Hyper Dying Will Mode—his advanced transformation triggered by the bullets—Tsuna manifests intense orange Sky Flames that enhance his physical capabilities, allowing feats like flight, energy projection, and the Zero Point Breakthrough technique, a freezing box weapon-derived ability that halts molecular motion to immobilize foes.[7] He employs the X-Gloves as his primary weapon, which part to unleash controlled bursts of Sky Flames for propulsion and attacks, later augmented by the Vongola Sky Ring to access higher-tier powers such as the XX Sistema C.A.I., a complete synchronization mode boosting his and his guardians' strengths exponentially.[7] Tsuna's central role unfolds across key narrative arcs that test and refine his development as the Vongola Decimo. During the Inheritance Ceremony arc, he endures a series of trials orchestrated by his predecessor to affirm his resolve and officially claim the Vongola Rings, solidifying his position amid internal family doubts.[6] In the Varia arc, Tsuna leads his nascent guardians against the elite Varia assassination unit in a high-stakes battle royale, defending his claim to the throne and forging unbreakable team dynamics through adversity.[6] The Future arc catapults him ten years ahead via a time-travel mechanism, where he confronts the formidable Millefiore Famiglia in a war for survival, honing his strategic leadership and flame mastery against overwhelming odds.[6] Culminating in the Simon Family arc, Tsuna faces a ideological clash with the rival Simon Famiglia, manipulated by external threats, ultimately resolving the conflict through a decisive representative battle that underscores his growth into a true unifier capable of transcending mafia traditions.[6]Reborn
Reborn is a central figure in Katekyo Hitman Reborn!, renowned as the world's greatest hitman despite his infant appearance, a result of the Arcobaleno curse that transformed the seven strongest infants into eternal babies on what is known as "The Fated Day." As the holder of the Yellow Arcobaleno Pacifier representing the Sun Flame, Reborn was originally an adult assassin who accepted the curse after initial resistance, wandering aimlessly before erasing his past memories with the aid of Dr. Shamal to adapt to his new form.[8] This backstory underscores his resigned acceptance of mortality until his encounter with Tsunayoshi Sawada reignites his purpose, leading him to serve as the Vongola family's home tutor.[8] His personality is marked by confidence, mischief, and a sadistic edge, earning him the moniker of "Spartan tutor" for his rigorous and often brutal training methods. Reborn employs unconventional tactics to mold his students, frequently using his companion Leon—a shape-shifting chameleon that transforms into tools like a gun—to facilitate lessons, while his Dying Will Bullets force targets into a heightened state of determination by removing mental inhibitions and igniting their resolve at the risk of death.[8] This serious yet playful demeanor drives his commitment to forging Tsuna into a capable Vongola boss, blending harsh discipline with strategic guidance. Under Reborn's tutelage, Tsuna undergoes significant personal growth, evolving from a reluctant heir to a decisive leader.[8] Reborn's abilities reflect his elite status, including exceptional combat prowess, razor-sharp reflexes, and the use of Sun Flames for offensive projectiles, complemented by his hyper intuition that allows prescient insights into battles and situations. He disguises himself using various costumes and personas, such as the sumo wrestler Master PaoPao, to gather intelligence or intervene subtly, while his Vongola tutelage techniques encompass advanced Mafia strategies and flame manipulation training. Additionally, he demonstrates zoolingualism to communicate with animals for reconnaissance and employs the Chaos Shot technique via Leon to temporarily numb opponents' organs.[8] Key events highlight Reborn's pivotal role in the narrative, beginning with his arrival in Namimori Middle School to initiate Tsuna's training as the Vongola X's successor. During the Varia Arc, he orchestrates intensive preparation for Tsuna and his guardians to defend the Vongola Rings against the elite assassination squad, emphasizing teamwork and resolve through simulated battles and bullet-induced trials. In the Choice Arc, Reborn leads the effort to reverse the Arcobaleno curse by participating in the Representative Battle of the Rainbow, ultimately sacrificing his pacifier—replaced later by a replica—to restore his adult form and resolve the generational affliction.[8]Hayato Gokudera
Hayato Gokudera is the Storm Guardian of the Vongola Famiglia's Tenth Generation, acting as the loyal right-hand man to boss Tsunayoshi "Tsuna" Sawada, whom he reveres as "Juudaime." Born in Italy as the illegitimate son of a powerful mafia don and a Japanese concert pianist, Gokudera is three-quarters Italian and one-quarter Japanese, inheriting his mother's silver hair and musical talent, including professional-level piano skills. Following his mother's death from illness and his subsequent disinheritance by his father, who favored his legitimate daughter, Gokudera was raised by his half-sister Bianchi; his rebellious behavior led to multiple school expulsions, culminating in his brief involvement with the Kokuyo Gang before traveling to Japan to locate and ally with the Vongola heir, ultimately joining the family upon witnessing Tsuna's resolve.[9] Gokudera's personality is marked by a hot-tempered, explosive demeanor, often cursing others with nicknames like "octopus-head" for Tsuna's friends and displaying a delinquent attitude that masks his high intelligence and strategic mind. Despite his abrasive speech and quick irritation toward most people, he demonstrates unwavering loyalty and respect toward Tsuna, viewing him as the ideal leader and going to extreme lengths to protect him, even at personal risk. This devotion stems from Tsuna's act of saving him from a suicide bombing attempt early in their acquaintance, forging a bond where Gokudera sees himself as Tsuna's indispensable advisor and enforcer.[10] In combat, Gokudera specializes as a mid-range fighter using Storm Flames, which embody the attribute of disintegration, primarily through self-made dynamite infused with Dying Will Flames for explosive attacks optimized in enclosed spaces where he can set traps and illusions. His signature weapons include standard dynamite sticks for bombardment and enhanced variants powered by uranium pills that amplify blast radius and power, allowing for devastating area denial. As his abilities evolve, he employs the Vongola Box Weapon Sistema C.A.I., a versatile armory system resembling a mechanical arm that deploys customizable munitions such as missiles, flame bullets, and the feline animal partner Uri, enabling adaptive tactics from propulsion to direct assaults. Notably, in the future timeline, Gokudera temporarily assumes a supportive role akin to the Rain Guardian's harmonizing style during defensive operations.[11][12] Throughout key story arcs, Gokudera plays pivotal roles in safeguarding Tsuna's position. During the Varia assassination attempts, he undergoes rigorous training under Dr. Shamal to master flame-based explosives, clashing fiercely with the elite hit squad to defend the Vongola inheritance trials. In the Future Arc, the past Gokudera aids his future counterpart and the team in repelling the Millefiore Family's invasion, coordinating defenses to protect their younger selves from temporal threats and ensuring the timeline's stability. Later, in the inheritance battles against the Simon Famiglia, he leads tactical maneuvers and personal duels, solidifying his status as Tsuna's most trusted strategist amid the escalating mafia succession conflicts. His dynamic with teammate Takeshi Yamamoto often involves initial friction due to clashing styles—Gokudera's aggressive precision versus Yamamoto's relaxed adaptability—but evolves into reliable coordination on the battlefield.[13]Takeshi Yamamoto
Takeshi Yamamoto is a central character in the manga and anime series Katekyō Hitman Reborn!, serving as the Tenth Generation Rain Guardian of the Vongola Family. The son of Tsuyoshi Yamamoto, owner of the local sushi restaurant, Yamamoto is a third-year student at Namimori Middle School and the school's star baseball player, known for his exceptional athleticism and popularity among peers. He is initially recruited into Tsuna's group following the Kokuyo Junior High Gang arc, where his latent combat potential becomes evident during a confrontation that draws him into the mafia world.[14] Yamamoto possesses a perpetually cheerful and carefree demeanor, often maintaining a wide smile regardless of circumstances and approaching intense battles with the lighthearted attitude of a sports match. This optimistic outlook stems from his strong emphasis on friendship and camaraderie, leading him to view his role in the Vongola Family more as a means to safeguard his companions rather than a commitment to traditional mafia hierarchies. His friendly rivalry with Hayato Gokudera highlights this, as Yamamoto's calm, intuitive style often clashes with Gokudera's more explosive temperament, yet fosters mutual growth within the group.[14] As the Rain Guardian, Yamamoto harnesses the Rain Dying Will Flames, which embody tranquility and possess inherent healing capabilities to soothe conflicts and restore allies. His primary weapon is the Shigure Kintoki, a versatile bamboo sword passed down from his father that can manifest rain flames to extend into a longer blade or generate defensive barriers. In the Future Arc, he utilizes the Vongola Rain Ring and Box Weapons to amplify his powers during time-displaced conflicts.[14] Notable moments in his development include his decisive Rain Battle against Superbi Squalo in the Varia Arc, where he solidifies his guardian status; intense sword duels in the Future Arc that test his resolve against advanced foes; and his leadership of the Vongola's 13th Division during the assault on the Merone Base, demonstrating his strategic acumen in coordinating team efforts.[14]Lambo
Lambo Bovino serves as the Lightning Guardian of the Vongola Famiglia, distinguished by his unique age duality facilitated by the Ten-Year Bazooka, which temporarily ages him by a decade to a more capable 15-year-old form. As the 5-year-old heir to the Bovino Famiglia, a minor Italian mafia group, Lambo was kidnapped and rescued by the Vongola, prompting his relocation to Japan and integration into Tsunayoshi Sawada's household under Reborn's tutelage.[15] This event marked his shift from an assassin dispatched to eliminate Reborn to a reluctant member of the Vongola's tenth generation guardians.[15] In his base 5-year-old form, Lambo exhibits a childish personality prone to tantrums, selfishness, and frequent crying, often referring to himself in the third person as "Lambo-san" while demanding candy and attention from those around him.[15] His future 15-year-old counterpart, however, displays a stark contrast: a mature, strategic demeanor with composed decision-making during conflicts, though remnants of his younger self's emotional volatility persist.[15] This growth trajectory underscores his evolution from a burdensome crybaby to a reliable protector within the group. Lambo's abilities revolve around lightning-based powers, channeled primarily through his cow-like horns, which generate electric shocks and can manifest Disintegration Flames of Lightning for short-range attacks.[15] He employs explosive hand grenades stored in his afro for bombardment, enhanced by internal gyroscopes that enable electricity conduction and precise control in his aged form.[15] His Vongola Box Weapon, Gyuudon—a mechanical bull—amplifies these capabilities with high-voltage charges and ramming assaults; temporarily, he has assumed the role of Storm Guardian in certain scenarios.[15] Throughout the series, Lambo primarily provides comic relief in early arcs through his pranks, often in tandem with I-Pin, lightening tense moments amid the Vongola's initial struggles.[15] In the Future arc, his contributions shift to seriousness, engaging in pivotal lightning-themed battles against formidable foes and playing a key role in resolving the Arcobaleno's curse, solidifying his status as an indispensable guardian despite his youth.[15]Ryohei Sasagawa
Ryohei Sasagawa serves as the Sun Guardian for the Vongola Famiglia in the Katekyo Hitman Reborn! series, acting as the captain of the Namimori Middle School Boxing Club. As a third-year student, he initially appears as a passionate athlete with a strong sense of justice, drawn into the world of the mafia following the Kokuyo Gang incident, where his encounters with supernatural threats solidify his alliance with Tsunayoshi Sawada's group. His protective instincts, especially toward his younger sister Kyoko, motivate his involvement, transforming him from a school sports enthusiast into a dedicated guardian committed to defending his loved ones.[16][17] Ryohei's personality revolves around an unyielding "extreme" mindset, encapsulated in his signature catchphrase "To the extreme!" which he applies to every aspect of life, from training sessions to battles. This trait renders him largely oblivious to personal danger, as he charges forward with boundless enthusiasm regardless of the odds. He places utmost priority on family bonds and rigorous physical conditioning, viewing boxing not just as a sport but as a way of life that builds unbreakable resolve and loyalty to his comrades. His hot-blooded nature often leads to comedic misunderstandings, yet it underscores his reliability in crises, making him a pillar of morale within the Vongola.[16] In terms of abilities, Ryohei harnesses the Sun attribute of the Dying Will Flames, characterized by properties of activation to energize and amplify effects alongside a destructive aspect that breaks down barriers or opponents upon impact. He channels these flames through specialized knuckle guards, enhancing his punches with explosive power derived from his boxing expertise. During the Future Arc, his adult counterpart demonstrates advanced proficiency, including the "Maximum Cannon" technique—a concentrated energy punch with flame-infused strikes that overwhelms foes with sheer volume and velocity. His innate physical strength, honed from years of boxing, allows him to unleash full potential in dire situations, particularly when safeguarding others.[16] Ryohei's contributions to the Vongola's conflicts are marked by his frontline combat role and leadership. In the Varia Arc, he engages in the decisive Sun Ring battle against Lussuria, relying on his unorthodox boxing style and flame-enhanced attacks to secure victory and claim the ring. Later, in the Future Arc, he helps defend the Vongola base during the intense White Round confrontation with the Millefiore Family, using his activation flames to counter illusions and barriers while supporting his team's strategy. Beyond major battles, his captaincy of the boxing club drives subplots involving school rivalries and recruitment, reinforcing themes of perseverance and camaraderie among Namimori students.[18][16]Kyoya Hibari
Kyoya Hibari serves as the Cloud Guardian of the Vongola Famiglia, a position he assumes due to his exceptional combat prowess and independent nature, while simultaneously leading the Namimori Middle School Disciplinary Committee as its chairman.[19][20] In this dual role, he enforces a strict personal code of discipline, viewing the mafia underworld as an arena to "bite to death" weaklings and pursuing alliances primarily for the challenge of facing formidable foes rather than loyalty to the organization itself.[21][20] Hibari's personality is marked by aloof detachment and a profound aversion to crowds, which he claims cause him to break out in hives, leading him to respond violently to perceived "herbivores" or weak individuals who disrupt order.[19] Despite his solitary demeanor and initial disdain for group dynamics, he demonstrates respect for evolving strength, gradually acknowledging Tsunayoshi Sawada's development as a worthy leader.[20] His abilities center on the Cloud Dying Will Flames, characterized by propagation and duplication properties that enable him to extend and multiply his attacks for overwhelming offense.[20] Hibari wields a pair of custom tonfas as his primary weapons, designed with retractable spikes, chains, and panels that amplify his cloud flames for enhanced striking power.[20] In the future timeline, he incorporates advanced techniques, such as Cloud Flame Radar for detection, allowing for more versatile and predatory combat styles.[19] Throughout the series, Hibari intervenes decisively in the Kokuyo Arc by confronting the invading gang to protect Namimori's peace, showcasing his territorial instincts.[21] In the Varia Arc, he engages in a fierce battle against the rival group's Cloud Guardian, highlighting his unyielding pursuit of worthy opponents.[20] During the Future Arc, he defends Namimori against Millefiore incursions, leveraging his skills to safeguard his domain amid temporal conflicts.[20] Later, in the Simon Family Arc, Hibari undergoes a leadership test against the rival faction, further solidifying his role through trials of resolve and combat.[20] He shares a brief but intense rivalry with Mukuro Rokudo, marked by mutual clashes over dominance.[19]Mukuro Rokudo
Mukuro Rokudo serves as the Mist Guardian for the Vongola Family, wielding the ability to create realistic illusions that blur the line between reality and deception. Initially introduced as a formidable adversary driven by a deep-seated vendetta against the mafia world, Mukuro was imprisoned in Vendicare Prison where he endured brutal experiments designed to harness his unique talents. He orchestrated a daring escape alongside Ken Joshima and Chikusa Kakimoto, subsequently directing his hostilities toward the Vongola Family as a means to dismantle the criminal underworld that had tormented him.[22] Mukuro's personality is marked by a sadistic demeanor, often employing illusionary tricks to manipulate and torment his opponents, all while pursuing ultimate freedom from the mafia's oppressive structure. He views humans as mere playthings, exhibiting arrogance and a detached amusement in chaos, yet his actions stem from a profound hatred for the mafia's corruption, which he experienced firsthand during his childhood subjugation by the Estraneo Famiglia. This vendetta fuels his initial campaign of violence, positioning him as the series' inaugural major antagonist who seeks to eradicate the mafia through widespread suffering.[22] His abilities revolve around the Mist Flames, which enable him to generate authentic illusions capable of inflicting real physical harm, complemented by his signature weapons: a versatile trident for close combat and a staff for extended reach and spellcasting. Mukuro also commands a frog as his Box Animal, which enhances his deceptive tactics by producing additional illusory constructs or aiding in possession maneuvers. These powers, honed through years of survival and experimentation, make him one of the most elusive and dangerous fighters in the series.[22] Mukuro's character arc evolves significantly following his defeat in the Kokuyo Arc, where Tsunayoshi Sawada's resolve forces him to reconsider his path, leading him to reluctantly accept the role of the Vongola's Mist Guardian despite his lingering disdain for the family. In the Future Arc, he engages in intense possession battles, temporarily inhabiting bodies to combat threats while grappling with his imprisonment's constraints. By the final war against the Millefiore Family and beyond, Mukuro demonstrates growing loyalty to the Vongola, aiding in critical victories and solidifying his redemption from antagonist to indispensable ally, though he maintains an independent streak. Chrome Dokuro's dependence on him underscores their symbiotic bond, with her serving as a vessel for his manifestations.[22]Chrome Dokuro
Chrome Dokuro, whose real name is Nagi, is a fictional character in the manga and anime series Katekyo Hitman Reborn! created by Akira Amano. She serves as the Mist Guardian for the 10th Vongola boss, Tsunayoshi Sawada, and is closely linked to Mukuro Rokudo, the previous holder of the Mist position. Originally a shy and isolated junior high school girl, Nagi suffered severe injuries in a car accident while attempting to rescue a stray cat, resulting in the loss of her right eye and several internal organs. As she lay dying, neglected by her uncaring parents, Mukuro's voice reached her in her mind, offering to sustain her life through illusions that created the persona and physical form of Chrome Dokuro—an anagram of his own name—to replace her damaged body parts. Chrome's physical condition remains fragile, dependent on Mukuro's illusions to function normally, which manifests in her wearing an eyepatch over her right eye and exhibiting a pale, slender appearance with purple hair and violet left eye. Her personality is initially timid and self-doubting, stemming from her lonely upbringing and reliance on Mukuro for both survival and emotional support, often addressing him as "Boss" and seeking his guidance in battles. Over time, through her bonds with the Vongola family, particularly Tsuna, she develops greater independence and confidence, learning to generate her own illusions separate from Mukuro's influence. As the Mist Guardian, Chrome wields Mist attribute Dying Will Flames channeled through her connection to Mukuro, enabling her to create illusions and summon beasts for combat. Her primary weapon is a trident that enhances her illusionary attacks, while her Vongola Box Weapon, an owl named Mukurou (Gufo di Nebbia ver. Vongola), allows for scouting and auxiliary support in fights. She briefly shares in Mukuro's mist illusion techniques, such as creating deceptive environments. In the story, Chrome first appears during the Kokuyo Arc as a subordinate providing illusionary support to Mukuro's gang against the Vongola. During the Varia Arc, she aids Tsuna by serving as his temporary Mist Guardian candidate, using her abilities to counter the assassins. In the Future Arc, Chrome travels to the future and engages in independent battles against the Millefiore Family, demonstrating her growth by sustaining her own illusions without Mukuro's direct aid after he is sealed. Following the curse resolution in the Inheritance Arc, she fully integrates as the Vongola's Mist Guardian, participating in key confrontations like the battle against the Vindice.Antagonists
Kokuyo Gang
The Kokuyo Gang is a criminal organization introduced as the primary antagonists in the early storyline of Katekyo Hitman Reborn!, operating as a group of escaped prisoners seeking dominance through terror and psychological warfare. Led by Mukuro Rokudo, the gang establishes its headquarters at Kokuyo Land, a derelict amusement park serving as their hideout for planning assaults. The core members include Mukuro's devoted followers Ken Joshima and Chikusa Kakimoto, along with the hired assassin M.M., forming a tight-knit unit that relies on synchronized tactics to overwhelm opponents.[23] The gang's actions are driven by Mukuro's deep-seated grudge against the mafia world, stemming from inhumane experiments conducted on him and his associates while imprisoned in the Vendicare facility, a notorious high-security prison from which they escaped. This vendetta fuels their campaign to dismantle mafia structures, starting with targeting influential figures and strong individuals in Namimori to build power. Their approach emphasizes intimidation and control, using kidnapped victims like Futa de la Stella—the creator of the Shimon Family's ranking book—to identify and eliminate threats systematically.[23] In combat, the Kokuyo Gang excels in coordinated group assaults that exploit deception and versatility: Mukuro deploys illusions via his Mist Flame abilities to disorient foes, Ken transforms into a feral beast form empowered by Sun Flames for close-quarters savagery, Chikusa launches razor-sharp wires from yo-yos infused with Rain Flames for ranged restraint, and M.M. generates disruptive sound waves through her clarinet to boil the air and impair senses. These capabilities make them central to the Namimori takeover arc, where they infiltrate the town, assault key locations, and force Tsunayoshi Sawada and his emerging Vongola guardians into desperate defenses, highlighting themes of survival against overwhelming odds.[23] Following their confrontation and defeat in the arc, the gang fractures, with Mukuro recaptured by authorities, but surviving members shift toward a tentative alliance with the Vongola Family, offering occasional support in later conflicts such as the battles against the Varia assassination squad. This evolution underscores their complex loyalty to Mukuro, transitioning from outright enemies to reluctant collaborators in the broader mafia struggles.[23]Varia
The Varia serves as the Vongola Famiglia's elite independent assassination squad, comprising highly skilled operatives who handle the organization's most dangerous missions in the shadows of the Mafia world.[14] Led by Xanxus, the group functions with ruthless efficiency and a disregard for conventional rules, positioning them as mid-series antagonists driven by ambition and loyalty to their leader.[14] Their introduction marks a significant escalation in threats to Tsunayoshi Sawada's claim as the Tenth Vongola boss, highlighting the internal power struggles within the family.[14] The core members include Superbi Squalo, the long-haired swordsman and second-in-command known for his aggressive combat style and use of a shark-shaped blade that extends via his Rain Flame; Levi a Than, the loyal lightning specialist who wields an umbrella weapon to channel electricity; Belphegor, the prince-like assassin who employs multiple flying knives infused with Storm Flames; Mammon (also known as Viper), the infant Arcobaleno illusionist who employs a frog familiar for Mist Flame-based deceptions; and Lussuria, the flamboyant fighter with mechanical legs enhanced by Sun Flames for devastating kicks.[14] Fran later joins as an apprentice to Mammon, specializing in Mist Flames and providing sarcastic support with illusionary tactics.[14] Each possesses a Varia Ring, an A-rank artifact that amplifies their Dying Will Flames, with Xanxus uniquely accessing the Wrath Flame for overwhelming destructive power.[14] In the Varia Arc (manga volumes 10–16), the squad launches a coup by challenging Tsuna and his guardians to a series of ring battles, intending to seize the Vongola Rings and crown Xanxus as boss through superior firepower and brutal strategies.[14] Their tournament unfolds with intense one-on-one confrontations, showcasing the Varia's professional hitman prowess against the inexperienced protagonists.[14] The arc culminates in revelations from the Cradle Affair, exposing Xanxus's failed inheritance plot and leading to the Varia's temporary defeat.[14] Post-arc, the Varia undergoes partial redemption, shifting from outright rebellion to an uneasy alliance with Tsuna during the Future Arc, where they combat external invasions while retaining their savage independence.[14] This evolution underscores their complex role as both adversaries and reluctant allies in the Vongola's survival.[14]Millefiore Family
The Millefiore Famiglia is a powerful mafia organization formed through the merger of the Gesso Famiglia and the Giglio Nero Famiglia in the future timeline of the series, serving as the primary antagonists during the Future Arc. Led by the ambitious and white-haired boss Byakuran, who possesses the rare Sky Mare Flame, the group seeks to dominate the Tri-ni-sette system of Mare Rings and Box Weapons, aiming to consolidate control over all mafia families by eliminating threats like the Vongola.[24] This union was orchestrated under Byakuran's vision, blending the Gesso's technological prowess with the Giglio Nero's traditional strengths, resulting in a formidable force that nearly eradicates the Vongola in the future.[24] The organization's structure is uniquely divided into two divisions: the White Rounder, comprising scientists and technicians focused on research and development, and the Black Rounder, consisting of elite fighters and enforcers. The White Rounder, overseen by figures like the scientist Iris, specializes in advanced "White Spell" technology, including illusionary Box Weapons and futuristic gadgets such as enhanced versions of the Ten-Year Bazooka. In contrast, the Black Rounder emphasizes combat, with members like Gamma employing Glo X-Gloves for flame-based attacks and strategic assaults on Vongola bases. Key lieutenants include the six Funeral Wreaths—Zazzo, Iris, Kikyo, Bluebell, Zakuro, and Ghost—each commanding aspects of the group's operations and wielding specialized Mare Ring powers.[24] Other notable members are the Giglio Nero survivors turned subordinates, such as Gamma, who protects Uni with Lightning Flames, and Tazaru, a subordinate involved in base invasions.[24] In the plot, the Millefiore launches a coordinated invasion into the past via temporal disruptions, targeting the Vongola's hideouts in Japan and Italy to seize their Mare Rings and prevent any resistance. Their assaults, including the siege on the Namimori Temple and the Merone Base infiltration, showcase their superior future weaponry and numerical advantage, forcing the Vongola guardians into desperate defenses. The group's defeat culminates in battles revealing Byakuran's omniscience derived from parallel world knowledge, ultimately leading to the restoration of the timeline after Tsuna's victory.[25] This arc highlights the Millefiore's role in escalating the series' mafia conflicts through innovative, tech-augmented warfare.[24]Demon Spade
Demon Spade, also romanized as Daemon Spade, serves as the primary antagonist during the Inheritance Ceremony Arc in Katekyō Hitman Reborn!, where he emerges as a spectral entity seeking to reshape the Vongola Famiglia according to his vision of unyielding power.[26] Originally the first-generation Mist Guardian under Vongola boss Giotto, Spade's loyalty fractured following the death of his beloved Elena, prompting his betrayal of Giotto and his subsequent role as the second-generation Mist Guardian after Giotto's resignation.[26] This historical rift positioned him as Giotto's most formidable illusionary adversary, leading to intense confrontations that underscored Spade's manipulative tactics and desire to corrupt the family's foundational ideals.[26] Spade's personality evolved from an aristocratic and intellectually polite demeanor to one marked by ruthless obsession and intolerance for weakness, driven by a twisted belief that absolute power alone could safeguard peace within the mafia world.[26] Tormented by guilt over Elena's murder—attributed to a rival family's actions—he secretly harbored respect for Giotto, even preserving mementos like the Primo's pocket watch, yet his actions consistently aimed at reviving the Vongola through corruption and domination.[26] His manipulative nature is evident in schemes to test and ultimately deem the tenth-generation Vongola unworthy, reflecting a deep-seated vendetta against perceived familial frailties.[26] In terms of abilities, Spade wields exceptionally potent Mist Flames, enabling the creation of hyper-realistic illusions that replicate opponents' techniques, such as Vongola Gears, and facilitate possession to sustain his existence across generations.[26] He employs a Sky-Mist hybrid flame attribute by integrating Desert Flames, amplifying his power through the use of six Simon Rings (excluding Enma's) in conjunction with Vongola artifacts during battles.[26] Key tools include the Devil Lens, which curses enemies upon eye contact; a scepter and scythe for combat; and a deck of cards that summons an illusory world for trapping foes.[26] These capabilities stem from his historical clashes with Giotto, where his illusions and possession prowess nearly dismantled the early Vongola structure.[26] Spade's role intensifies in the Inheritance Ceremony Arc (manga chapters 354–409), where he is revealed as the orchestrator behind long-simmering conflicts, including the Vongola-Simon feud, and attempts to possess Tsunayoshi Sawada to seize control.[27] He achieves partial manifestation by possessing Julie Katou at limited power before fully merging with Mukuro Rokudo's body, granting access to the Flame of Night and escalating the threat.[26] The arc culminates in a decisive confrontation at Vongola Headquarters, where Tsuna defeats him, leading to Spade's demise as he seeks forgiveness from Elena's spirit.[26] Though not directly possessing Xanxus, Spade's influence echoes in the Varia leader's ruthless ambition, highlighting thematic parallels in their approaches to Vongola leadership.[26]Vindice
The Vindice are a secretive group of masked enforcers tasked with upholding mafia laws by operating the Vendicare Prison, an inescapable facility reserved for major offenders in the underworld. Led by Bermuda von Veckenschtein, a former Arcobaleno bearing the Clear Pacifier, the group includes key members such as Jager, along with other unnamed operatives who assist in prison management and enforcement duties. Their role as antagonists emerges from a deep-seated grudge against the Arcobaleno system, stemming from their exclusion from the curse that afflicted its members, which fueled a vengeful plot to eradicate the Vongola family and disrupt the mafia hierarchy.[28][28] In the Choice arc, the Vindice covertly allied with the Simon Famiglia, manipulating leader Enma Kozato into a proxy battle against the Vongola under the guise of a legitimate challenge, only for their betrayal to be exposed as part of a larger scheme to exploit the conflict for their revenge. This deception highlighted their strategic cunning, using the Vendicare Prison's reputation—exemplified by its past imprisonment of figures like Mukuro Rokudo for mafia violations—to intimidate opponents. Their abilities center on white flames capable of pacifying targets, deadly scythes for combat, and potent poisons for subduing enemies, all coordinated from their fortified base at Merone Base.[29][29][28] The Vindice's antagonism reaches its climax in the final proxy war, where they orchestrate a multi-day confrontation against a united front of Vongola guardians and allies, unleashing their full arsenal in a bid to dismantle the organization. The battle resolves their long-held resentment through intense clashes, ultimately affirming the Vongola's resilience while underscoring the Vindice's role as unyielding avengers of mafia justice.[28]Supporting characters
Namimori civilians
The Namimori civilians in Katekyō Hitman Reborn! represent the ordinary residents and schoolmates of the protagonists, offering a contrast to the mafia underworld through their involvement in daily school life and subtle support roles. These characters often encounter the bizarre elements of Tsunayoshi Sawada's double life accidentally, contributing to humorous subplots and grounding the narrative in relatable teenage experiences. Kyoko Sasagawa is a cheerful and kind-hearted second-year student at Namimori Middle School, serving as Tsuna's longtime crush and a symbol of normalcy in his chaotic world. She participates actively in school events, such as preparing for festivals and helping classmates, while occasionally finding herself in minor perils due to her proximity to Tsuna's guardians. Her optimistic personality and forgiving nature make her a beloved figure among peers, though she remains largely unaware of the full extent of the mafia threats surrounding her. As the younger sister of Ryohei Sasagawa, she shares familial ties that occasionally draw her into group activities with Tsuna's circle.[30] Haru Miura is a clumsy and energetic first-year student at the elite Midori Middle School, known for her self-proclaimed detective antics and tendency to misinterpret situations in comically exaggerated ways. She develops an affection for Tsuna after meeting him and Reborn, often inserting herself into his daily routines with enthusiastic but accident-prone enthusiasm, providing lighthearted comic relief during school interludes. Haru's peppy demeanor and odd hobbies highlight the everyday mishaps that pepper the series' lighter moments.[31][32] I-Pin is a young girl from Hong Kong who appears as a 5-year-old child but frequently takes special pills that temporarily age her to 13 years old, during which she develops a crush on Tsuna and engages in playful pranks alongside Lambo. Her childlike innocence and limited Japanese proficiency lead to endearing misunderstandings in Namimori's school environment, where she integrates into Tsuna's group through shared living arrangements at the Sawada home. These antics often revolve around childish rivalries and failed attempts at maturity, adding whimsy to the civilians' interactions.[33] Futa de la Stella, also known as Futa of the Stars, is a 9-year-old boy who serves as the ranking boss, using his unique ability to assess and rank individuals' talents in various categories via his oversized Ranking Book, which provides insightful "jewels" of information that indirectly empower those around him. Fleeing from mafia pursuers, he seeks refuge at the Sawada household, forming a brotherly bond with Tsuna and participating in household chores and games as part of Namimori's extended "family." His vast knowledge and childlike curiosity make him a quirky addition to local civilian dynamics, often consulting his book during casual gatherings.[34] These civilians play key roles in pivotal Namimori events, such as the school's athletic festival, where Kyoko and Haru assist in preparations and cheerleading, inadvertently witnessing Tsuna's unusual feats. During accidental exposures to mafia elements—like glimpses of Reborn's antics or guardian skirmishes—they react with confusion or concern, heightening the tension between normalcy and secrecy. In broader invasions threatening the town, they offer emotional support to Tsuna and his friends, such as by hosting gatherings or providing alibis, reinforcing community bonds without direct involvement in conflicts.Sawada family and associates
Nana Sawada is the mother of protagonist Tsunayoshi "Tsuna" Sawada and the wife of Iemitsu Sawada, serving as a quintessential oblivious housewife in the series.[35] She is characterized by her cheerful, kind, and accepting personality, often welcoming Reborn and Tsuna's guardians into her home without suspicion of their mafia affiliations.[35] Nana frequently prepares meals for the group, fostering a domestic environment that contrasts with the escalating mafia conflicts and provides moments of normalcy for Tsuna.[35] Her unawareness of the Vongola family's criminal ties persists through much of the narrative, including during the Varia confrontation at the Sawada residence, where she remains focused on hospitality rather than the danger. This obliviousness extends until later developments in the Future Arc, when family revelations force greater awareness of the mafia's impact on their lives. Iemitsu Sawada, Tsuna's father, functions as an absent yet influential parental figure, often away on extended work trips that mask his true role as the external advisor to the Vongola family's CEDEF unit.[36] Portrayed as charismatic and boisterous, Iemitsu's infrequent visits home emphasize his detachment from daily family life, leaving Nana to manage the household alone.[36] His Vongola connections are gradually disclosed to Tsuna, culminating in revelations during the Future Arc that highlight his strategic importance to the family's defense efforts and underscore the hidden dangers encroaching on the Sawada household.[36] These disclosures occur amid crises, such as invasions by antagonistic groups like the Varia, which disrupt the family's domestic peace and force Iemitsu's protective involvement. Among Tsuna's close associates, Tsuyoshi Yamamoto stands out as the supportive father of guardian Takeshi Yamamoto and proprietor of the TakeSushi restaurant in Namimori.[37] With a laid-back demeanor mirroring his son's, Tsuyoshi endorses Takeshi's choices in joining the Vongola group, offering quiet encouragement without probing into mafia details.[37] He provides occasional minor combat assistance, drawing on his background in swordsmanship to aid during threats to the Yamamoto household or allies, thereby extending familial support to Tsuna's circle.[38] Hana Kurokawa, a classmate of Tsuna and Kyoko Sasagawa at Namimori Middle School, contributes to the story's civilian normalcy as a mature, observant friend who occasionally babysits for the group, including young Lambo Bovino.[39] Despite her general dislike of children, Hana's responsible nature makes her a reliable associate, helping maintain everyday routines amid the chaos of mafia events.[39] She provides emotional grounding for Kyoko and indirectly for Tsuna by participating in school activities and social gatherings that highlight the divide between ordinary life and the Vongola's world.[39] During family crises, such as home invasions, Hana's presence reinforces themes of innocence and external normalcy for the Sawada associates. The Sawada household frequently becomes a site of conflict, with invasions by foes like the Varia disrupting family life and prompting revelations about Iemitsu's role, ultimately drawing the oblivious Nana into the periphery of mafia dangers.Vongola allies
Giotto, also known as Vongola Primo, was the founder and first boss of the Vongola Famiglia, possessing the Sky attribute flame that symbolizes harmony and leadership within the mafia organization he established. Born in Italy, Giotto created the Vongola rings, central artifacts that allow the inheritance of Dying Will Flames among successors, ensuring the family's legacy of protection rather than domination. He founded the family alongside his guardians, including Asari Ugetsu, the first Rain Guardian, after being inspired to form a vigilante group to safeguard civilians from oppression. Giotto's philosophy emphasized justice and reluctance toward violence, leading him to retire and relocate to Japan, where he adopted the name Ieyasu Sawada, integrating the Vongola's principles with a peaceful life.[40] Dino Cavallone serves as the tenth boss of the Cavallone Famiglia, a key allied mafia family ranked third in strength within the Vongola's alliance, and acts as a student to the hitman Reborn, providing crucial support to the Vongola in major conflicts. Despite his commanding presence and proficiency with the Voce di un Vortice whip enhanced by Sky flames, Dino's combat effectiveness diminishes significantly without his subordinates nearby, a trait that underscores his reliance on team dynamics. He aids Tsunayoshi Sawada during the Varia Arc by offering reinforcements against the invading assassins and later contributes forces in the Future Arc to combat the Millefiore Famiglia, reinforcing the Vongola's defensive strategies through his family's loyalty. Dino's mentorship under Reborn also ties the Cavallone closely to Vongola operations, exemplified by his brief integration with CEDEF elements for coordinated efforts.[41] Doctor Shamal, the Vongola Famiglia's primary medic, hails from the Trident Mafia and specializes in healing using Rain attribute flames, which promote tranquility and recovery in treated patients. Known for his selective treatment of female patients due to personal phobias toward men, Shamal wields a trident weapon that channels his flames for both medical and combative purposes, treating injuries sustained by Vongola members during intense battles. His contributions include vital treatments for Tsuna and his guardians post-confrontations, such as recoveries from the Kokuyo and Varia arcs, maintaining the family's operational integrity. Shamal's expertise extends to developing antidotes and enhancing flame-based therapies, solidifying his role as an indispensable auxiliary ally. Bianchi, the older half-sister of Hayato Gokudera, operates as a freelance assassin nicknamed the "Poison Scorpion" and provides assassin support to the Vongola through her specialized poison cooking, a technique that infuses toxins into meals for lethal or debilitating effects. Her weapons include the Viper's Apple, which delivers poisons mimicking deadly symptoms, aiding in battles by incapacitating foes without direct confrontation. Bianchi assists in key skirmishes, such as supporting Gokudera against Varia members and contributing to strategies in the Future Arc, where her poisons counter enemy advances. Her familial ties to Gokudera strengthen Vongola alliances, offering tactical edges in assassination and sabotage roles.[42] These allies' key contributions—Giotto's foundational legacy in the Vongola rings, Dino's provision of reinforcements, and Shamal's essential treatments—have historically bolstered the family's resilience against external threats, enabling sustained operations across generations.Arcobaleno
The Arcobaleno, also known as the "Chosen Seven" or I Prescelti Sette, are a group of seven elite hitmen recognized as the strongest in their era, cursed to exist eternally as infants to safeguard the Tri-ni-sette—a collection of three sets of seven powerful artifacts (the Arcobaleno pacifiers, Vongola rings, and Mare rings) capable of granting near-omnipotent control over the world if united. The curse originated during the Tri-ni-setto tournament organized by the Cervello family, where the seven victors were tricked into a vow to maintain global power balance; as punishment for their immense strength threatening that balance, they were transformed into infants via their colored pacifiers, each attuned to one of the seven Dying Will Flames (Sky, Storm, Rain, Sun, Lightning, Cloud, Mist). This eternal infancy preserved their lives and powers in a sealed state, preventing misuse of the Tri-ni-sette while binding them to periodic generational replacements upon a pacifier holder's death.[43] The original first-generation Arcobaleno consist of Luce (Sky), Reborn (Sun), Fon (Storm), Verde (Lightning), Viper/Mammon (Mist), Skull (Cloud), and Colonnello (Rain). Luce, the voluntary Sky representative, bore the burden of the curse while pregnant, passing her pacifier to her daughter Aria upon her death, initiating a lineage of Sky successors (Aria and later Uni) who inherited a diluted version of the infant curse. Lal Mirch holds a corrupted Rain pacifier due to Colonnello's intervention during the curse formation to protect her, making her a secondary Rain Arcobaleno. These individuals, despite their childlike appearances, retain adult intellects, combat prowess, and specialized abilities tied to their flame attributes, such as Reborn's sunlight-based healing and precision shots or Vipers' illusionary mist creations.[43] Throughout the series, the Arcobaleno fulfill vital roles in shaping the Vongola family's destiny, primarily through rigorous training regimens that push protagonists like Tsunayoshi "Tsuna" Sawada toward mastering their Dying Will Flames—Reborn, in particular, acts as Tsuna's home tutor and mentor, enforcing brutal lessons in leadership and combat. In the Future arc, displaced versions of the Arcobaleno engage in high-stakes battles against threats like the Millefiore Family, deploying coordinated strategies that leverage their collective strengths, such as Fon's storm geriatrics-enhanced martial arts or Verde's lightning inventions for technological support. Their interventions often tip the scales in mafia conflicts, blending individual hitman expertise with group synergy to protect the Vongola lineage.[43] The Arcobaleno's group dynamics are characterized by sharp rivalries, sarcastic banter, and underlying camaraderie forged in their shared curse, with meetings convened via pacifier-linked communications to deliberate on threats or succession. Skull frequently faces mockery as the "weakest" due to his cloud flame's defensive focus and lack of raw power compared to peers, leading to comedic yet tense confrontations, while pacifier battles—ritual combats where victors absorb others' flames—serve as mechanisms for resolving disputes or selecting temporary leaders. These interactions highlight their fractured unity, occasionally fracturing into factions during crises, yet uniting when the Tri-ni-sette's integrity is at risk.[43] In the climactic Choice arc (also called the Curse of the Rainbow arc), the Arcobaleno undertake a sacrificial tournament mirroring the original Tri-ni-setto, dividing into teams to battle for the pacifiers' release; their ultimate victory requires collective self-sacrifice, breaking the curse and restoring their adult forms, though at the cost of some members' lives and the pacifiers' destruction, freeing future generations from the cycle. This resolution underscores their enduring vow, transforming them from cursed guardians into liberated allies for the Vongola. Reborn's strategic insight often guides these efforts, reinforcing his de facto leadership within the group.[43]Other mafia families
The CEDEF serves as the external advisory unit to the Vongola Famiglia, functioning independently while providing intelligence and support. Led by Iemitsu Sawada, Tsunayoshi Sawada's father, the organization maintains a headquarters disguised as a business office and plays a crucial role in mafia operations. Iemitsu, a skilled swordsman with storm flames, oversees CEDEF's activities and has close ties to Vongola Ninth Boss Timoteo. Basil, known as Basilicum, is a prominent CEDEF member and Iemitsu's dedicated apprentice, renowned for his loyalty to the Sawada family.[44] As a trainee for the Vongola's Sun Guardian position, Basil wields blue rain-attribute Dying Will Flames, enabling techniques like Disappearing Rain to nullify attacks and harmonize with allies.[44] During the Future arc, CEDEF, including Basil, offers strategic support from their British base, aiding Vongola against threats.[44] The Simon Famiglia, a once-powerful mafia group with historical ties to the Vongola's founding generation, emphasizes a strict code of honor and discipline rooted in founder Simon Cozzato's principles. Enma Kozato leads as the tenth-generation boss, portraying a timid demeanor but commanding earth-attribute sky flames through his Simon Ring. His guardians include Julie Kato (mist), who uses deception-based abilities; Kousuke and Kaoru Mizuno (sun and storm, respectively), twin experts in defensive and offensive tactics; Adelheid P. Suzuki (rain), specializing in water manipulation; Rauji Ooyama (lightning), focused on speed and agility; and Shitt P. (cloud), employing aerial assaults. In the final arc, the Simon Famiglia's ancient pact with Vongola leads to a perceived betrayal, prompting conflict before reconciliation. The Giglio Nero Famiglia is a rare matriarchal mafia organization, led successively by female bosses and associated with mist-attribute flames.[45] Uni, the young boss succeeding her mother Aria, bears sky flames and represents the family's mist heritage as the Arcobaleno's representative.[45] Upon Aria's death, Uni assumes leadership, navigating alliances amid the family's declining power.[45] Key members include guardian Gamma, a storm-flame user with lightning-based weapons, who loyally protects Uni.[46] The Giglio Nero eventually merges into the larger Millefiore structure under Uni's oversight.[45] Longchamp Naito heads the Tomaso Famiglia as its eighth-generation boss, characterized by his eccentric personality and affinity for unconventional aesthetics.[47] Possessing desert-attribute flames akin to mist illusions, Naito allies with Byakuran's Gesso Famiglia during key events and features in post-series spin-offs exploring mafia dynamics.[48] Minor figures include Simon Cozzato, the Simon Famiglia's founder whose emphasis on discipline shapes the group's ethical framework. Kawahira, an alias used by a character involved in protecting the Tri-ni-sette as part of an ancient species safeguarding the planet's balance, maintains secrecy in oversight roles.Merchandise and adaptations
Merchandise
Good Smile Company's Orange Rouge line has released several Nendoroid figures based on key characters from Katekyo Hitman Reborn!, including an updated Nendoroid Tsunayoshi Sawada 2.0 (released in 2025), which stands approximately 10 cm tall and includes interchangeable face plates for a smiling expression, surprised look, and Hyper Dying Will Mode, along with accessories like the Vongola Ring and a Dying Will Flame effect part.[49] In 2025, additional Nendoroids were released for characters such as Kyoya Hibari 2.0 and Takeshi Yamamoto, continuing the chibi-style figures that emphasize the series' character designs, drawing from Akira Amano's original artwork for dynamic posing and thematic elements like flame attributes.[50][51] Bandai Spirits has produced scale figures and model kits inspired by the Varia assassin squad, such as the Special Memorize Varia Box and Varia Ring sets, which replicate the group's signature weapons and accessories at about 1/12 scale, including detailed replicas for characters like Xanxus and Squalo with customizable assembly options.[52] These items capture the Varia's antagonistic flair through metallic finishes and flame-effect engravings on the rings, appealing to collectors focused on the series' mafia battle arcs. Trading card merchandise includes the Katekyo Hitman Reborn! Character Card Game, distributed through Weekly Shōnen Jump promotions, featuring cards with Dying Will Flame attributes such as Sky, Storm, Rain, Sun, Lightning, Cloud, and Mist, often illustrated with character-specific abilities and stats for gameplay.[53] Collectible Vongola Rings, produced as gashapon capsules by Bandai, come in sets representing the seven guardian flames, made from durable alloy with enamel coatings to mimic the anime's glowing effects and hierarchical symbols; the 2025 Ringcolle! DX series features die-cast replicas with epoxy coating for the Sky Ring.[54][55] Apparel and accessories encompass Guardian-themed keychains, such as the Reborn Mascot Keychain set featuring Tsuna, Hayato Gokudera, Kyoya Hibari, and others in acrylic or metal finishes for everyday carry, often sold in complete eight-piece collections.[56] Dying Will Bullet replicas appear in cosplay kits and gashapon lines, crafted as silver-toned metal pendants or props with engraved Vongola insignia, designed for fans to replicate Reborn's training tools.[57] In Japan, protagonist-centered merchandise like Tsuna and Reborn Nendoroid sets has seen strong demand, with recent releases selling out quickly at retailers such as Animate during promotional fairs, reflecting the series' enduring appeal among shōnen audiences.[58] Internationally, licensing agreements enable distribution through platforms like Amazon and Good Smile's global store, where items such as officially licensed wall scrolls and apparel generate steady sales, supported by collaborations like the 2024 Sanrio crossover featuring character-themed plush and stationery.[59][60]Voice actors in adaptations
The anime adaptation of Katekyō Hitman Reborn!, which aired from 2006 to 2010, features a principal voice cast provided by Dentsu and Artland, with many actors reprising their roles across related media.[1] The series' 203 episodes highlight the core Vongola family members, with voice acting emphasizing character dynamics through youthful energy for protagonists and authoritative tones for mentors.[61] Key voice actors for the main anime include:| Character | Japanese Voice Actor |
|---|---|
| Tsunayoshi "Tsuna" Sawada | Yukari Kokubun |
| Reborn | Neeko |
| Hayato Gokudera | Hidekazu Ichinose |
| Takeshi Yamamoto | Suguru Inoue |
| Ryohei Sasagawa | Hidenobu Kiuchi |
| Kyoya Hibari | Takashi Kondo |
| Mukuro Rokudo | Toshinobu Iida |
| Lambo (child) | Junko Takeuchi |
| Lambo (adult) | Kenjiro Tsuda |
| Chrome Dokuro | Satomi Akesaka |
| Bianchi | Rie Tanaka |
| Iemitsu Sawada | Masami Iwasaki |
