Edwin Black (エドウィン・ブラック) is the main, overarching antagonist of the Taimanin series.
Black is a high ranking demon, known as an immortal Vampire King, in the criminal underworld. He is the CEO of the international cooperation Nomad, which performs shady operations. He is the brother of Carla Cromwell, and had his last name changed, when he began operating in the human world. He is obsessed with the Taimanin, Asagi and wishes to corrupt her, hoping to be the "Adam and Eve" of the new universes he is able to create, with his powers.
Personality[]
Black is an imposing being with enigmatic qualities, not fazed by threats or plans not working out. He remains calm and of little words. He is extremely confident but can lose his temper, especially when people come in conflict with his plans for Asagi. Black remains careful and tactical, as other powerful demons could be a danger even to him.
As a result of his strength and high age, he is unfazed by minor setbacks or views fights more as games or tests for people he finds interesting. Black unlike most high ranked demons is interested in the Human World and believes that who rules that realm will also obtained the demon world.
He mentioned himself that he does not fear death as an immortal, but that his own eternal self, could be one day be swallowed up by the darkness of solitude. Therefore, he requires an eternal companion like Asagi, this fixation on her, is one of his main motivators. On top of that he has shown a desire to reform the world through destruction and rebirth, showing signs of a god complex. However, because of his ability that can destroy/reset/restructure he also seems to have become detached from others, if Asagi fails to become what he wants Black can always try again or push things further in the hope it will change later on.
Regardless of his methods within Nomad, he is seen as a rather noble Demon, staying true to his word and to a degree playing fair. He has no qualms about fighting women, men or demons alike and finds Oboro's tactics cruel but necessary. Black has little tolerance for failure and disobedience, though he will protect and even go out of his way to save them in case he fears losing them as assets.
Black avoids combat and confrontation but also will delegate most tasks in the human world to people he trusts or pawns.
Before focusing on Asagi, he sought others who could potentially be a threat to his existence. For him, the threat to his own life was the greatest excitement he could get. Conspiracies and life-and-death battles were the only things that gave his life satisfaction but has become far more aloof.
Relationships[]
| Name | Relationship status |
|---|---|
| Asagi | Asagi views Black as a powerful and dangerous adversary. Black is highly interested in Asagi and her strong-willed nature, but also doesn't value her humanity and agency. He will show her mercy or no mercy, should he think it will lead down the path of becoming an Demon (Kage) and in the end into a vampire, he can spend his eternity with. However, he turns aloof, should her will break or if she doesn't meet his standards. He views Asagi as an Eve and himself as an Adam, which endlessly can create new worlds. However, will rarely go out of his way to save a single Asagi of a world, as he can just move onto the next. It is unclear if what Black feels can be called normal love. |
| Ingrid | Black values Ingrid as a friend and a loyal member of his organization, he also shows affection for Ingrid and would save her in the OVA, even teaming up with the Taimanin, Yatsu Kuro. He trusts her judgment and gives her a lot of autonomy, but is unaware of her romantic feelings for him. Ingrid acts as his loyal knight and always has a polite tone towards him but hides her feelings of love. However, Black shows no qualms of killing everybody when he is about to reset the world, including Ingrid. |
| Kaliya | Kaliya is Black's oldest friend, she helps him out in Nomad. Kaliya talk with him the most normal, without honorifics and voices her opinion freely. Kaliya can get frustrated by Black's obsession with Asagi. |
| Oboro | Black views Oboro as a useful tool but is mostly disgusted by her methods, that at best he views as necessary. Oboro wishes to take out any rival to Black and will work behind his back and direct orders to take down competition. She fears his retribution, but is loyal to him in her own way. |
| Kurenai and Felicia | Black observes Kurenai and Felicia with interest but keeps them distance, he doesn't act like a father. Kurenai wishes to kill Black for what he had done to her mother, but Felicia loves her father and works for his approval. |
| Astaroth | Both know each other for a long time but are on difficult terms. They can work together, but Astaroth dislikes Black and possibly also known of his power. |
| Death Wraith King | The King of the Death Wraith hates vampires for their corrupting nature and specially Black that in his mind always remains in the background and never solves his own problems himself. Black and the King are on terrible terms and try to kill each other in the Action timeline. |
| Teutates | The King of the (pure) Wraith has a mysterious connection to Black just like the Death Wraith King, Teutales wishes to kill destroy Black but also proclaims himself to be the "true black". Edwin Black, of the RPGX timeline, has avoided any direct confrontation with him so far. |
| Carla Cromwell | Depending on continuity antagonistic or supportive, brother and sister. |
| Kotaro | In TABA shows observes Kotaro for his sealed Evil Eyes powers and progress, views him as somebody worth fighting later on. Kotaro wishes to kill him in turn. In RPGX, he is now bound to Kotaro, as that version of Black came from TABA and has fused with Kotaro in parts and exchanged abilities. In Action Taimanin, he has shown little interest until he was defeated by the strategies of Kotaro but left alive, at which point he swore to kill Kotaro himself. |
Appearance[]
He is a tall, middle-aged, gray haired men. In his true Archon-form he turns purple, gains long white hair and four arms with magical weapons.
History[]
Background[]
Edwin Black, known as an immortal, Vampire King, existed for an unknown amount of time in the Dark World and became known as a true immortal and is feared.
Based on his own statements, he has reset and restarted the universe many times in the past, which resulted in many more groups of Universes to be created. However, as dates, memories and ages shift he is the only one that knows the details. As such, some of his abilities, might have been taken from prior universes. Though the details are unknown his ability to control gravity connect him to the Aion and the Mother Ocean, he also is given the title of Archon, when in his true pure form.
In Taimanin RPGX, it is stated, that his true name is Edwin Cromwell, brother of Carla Cromwell and he had changed his name later on.
In the demon realm, he is disliked by many factions which he had conflict with, Black is known to remain hidden and specially expanded into the human world. A lot of mystery still is around Edwin Black, but at some point in his life he created the organization Nomad, he acts as the CEO masquerading as human, while leaving most dealings to his true subordinate Ingrid. Ingrid, which abandoned her post as a Hell Knight of the 9 Noble Demon Families, is also deeply in love with him but he is not aware of this. He had some connected with a number of high ranking noble including the Naga, Kaliya, which often guards some of his illegal shell businesses like the Chaos Arena. He was furthermore supported by Demonologist Fürst, which worshiped Black and his mysterious abilities. Nomad as an international cooperation had the support of large factions in the UFS, as they supported them secretly with demonic technology but struggled with the Chinese Union. For such cases, Black used often shell companies and brainwashed agents, unaware they even worked for him.
Visual Novels[]
Around 2048, he kidnapped the heir of the Shinganji clan Taimanin, Shinganji Kaede, and as part of an experiment, forced her to give birth to one of his children, Kurenai because of her specially genetic disposition. However, Shinganji Gen-an, father of Kaede, tried to rescue Kaede and was at least able to rescue Kurenai from the demon realm. However, Kaede could not be saved and afterward gave birth to Black's second child, Felicia, and other children. When Felica fully awoke to her demonic side years later, she killed her mother and siblings out of jealousy for attention. Felicia also joined Black but remained a more free spirited supporter of Black.
Meanwhile Kurenai, was taught by her grandfather Shinganji Gen-an to become a Taimanin. As Black, heard of Kurenai's growth and power, he wished to test her ability and used Tendo Kazuma, a brainwashed puppet of Fürst, to test her abilities. As Kurenai and her subordinate Ayame came in conflict with the criminal club, House of Greed, they were captured around the year 2068.
Felicia acted as a double agent, as Kazuma was unaware of his own mental manipulation and she played the role of one of his slaves, to keep an eye on Kurenai. However, as Kurenai escaped Kazuma, it became clear to Black she had not fully awaken to her vampire side like Felicia and remained human. Observing the fight of his daughters, as Felica now considered her no longer needed, Kurenai accepted both her vampire and human side, and defeated Felicia with a combination attack. Black took Felicia's body after her defeat and was forced to move quickly to save her life, still seeing a chance that Kurenai might awaken fully at a later point. Both Kurenai and Ayame, would later on hunt after Black in the demonic cities but had little success in his defeat.
Black was originally the one that started the Koukawa clan Massacre, in which he let a Nomad military group against the Koukawa Village, which had not fully joined Gosha Village. As he captured the child Koukawa Asuka, her guardian Koukawa Oboro challenged Black to a dual as exchange for Asuka's life. Black agreed but won and took her body to later be brainwashed by Fürst. Unknown to him, the soul of Oboro had escaped with her Ninja Art and would later become the Masked Taimanin which tried to take him down, Asuka as promised was left alone but the entire clan outside of these two was killed.
Oboro, the brainwashed corpse, was filled with a demonic soul, and formed the Oboro Ninja Troops, which as a proxy organization could fight the Taimanin without causing conflict for Nomad itself, However, Oboroo was killed by the strongest Taimanin, Igawa Asagi, in the year 2069. Against everybodies expectation, including Black, she retired with her lover Sawaki Kyousuke after the conflict. However, the defeated Oboro was quickly picked up by Edwin Black and once more resurrected with demonic cells and improved by Fürst. Meanwhile the Taimanin Senior, supported Nomad in secret for a plan to force Asagi back into action, also to avoid a direct conflict with Edwin Black, which resulted in a large number of deaths among the Taimanin.
As Oboro, was resurrected, she was put in charge as the "madame" of the Chaos Arena in Taimanin Asagi, year 2072. The Taimanin Senior, tried to lure Asagi into active duty, by informing her about the death of Taimanins and that Oboro had returned. However, Asagi struggled and needed more time to think and was still committed to a normal life long term. Not long after, Oboro captured Asagi's boyfriend Sawaki Kyousuke and took her captive as well. As Black desired to corrupt Asagi's soul, so she would reject her human side, he observed her struggle in the Chaos Arena but left most of cruelty to Oboro. Oboro, forced Asagi and her sister, which also got captured, to fight to the death, something that Black approved. As both sisters worked together, they trciekd Oboro but Asagi was forced to kill Kyousuke, as he acted as the host of Oboro. Regardless of the dual ending in such a way, it impressed Black, which only cared for the fact that Asagi was willing to kill her lover for the victory and allowed both sisters to leave. Black refused to explain as long as she remained human in his eyes, before leaving himself. The senior, was later killed by Asagi as well and she rejoined Gosha Village, as Black had planned.
Black, resurrected Oboro, this time as a vampire, still viewing her as useful. However, a clone of Oboro appeared working for Dragon Gate mafia, a group under the Chinese Union not much later. As it seemed a traitor within Nomad, had cooperated with Dragon Gate and sold genetic information of Black and Oboro, as well as research data to Dragon Gate.
Black again appears in Taimanin Murasaki, year 2075, in which he becomes suspicious of Kiryu Sabato, which performed the Body Modification on Asagi and Sakura back in the Chaos Arena, and as a student of Fürst had become an executive within Nomad. As the both Yatsu Murasaki and Igawa Sakura, arrive in the location of a new Chaos Arena under Kiryu's control. Black and his right hand Ingrid believe further foul play, they knock out both Taimanin and Black warns Kiryu that he will not forgive traitors, but without prove Ingrid just observes the situation. Kiryuu, which had been the traitor which sold the data to Dragon Gate, uses that time, to escape with the help of Murasaki and tricked Ingrid. Kiryu later joins also Gosha Village and supports them with his medical knowledge.
Black tried to regain access to the research data, of rival crime group Dragon Gate in Taimanin Asagi 2, year 2076. However, is badly hurt by clone Oboro's weapon Saya. Now forced to hide within the demon Sokushitsuki, and observe. However, he manipulated Saya and informed her about three Taimanin in Tokyo Kingdom, and got her to kill them to lure Asagi to the Dragon Gate Hideout. Nomad, or another group afterward, got access to govermnment servers and obtained the hideout posision of Asagi and Sakura in Tokyo Kingdom, which let Dragon Gate to them. As Sokushitsuki, Black waited near the floor level as Asagi and Sakura jumped out of the exploding building. He fought, Asagi and in their dual injected her with a small needle containing a poison, which is implied to had trigged her first dreams about her Inner Demon later on. As Asagi escaped for now, unaware of the effect of the poison he remained behind, badly wounded from their dual. As Asagi and Sakura are captured and Tokyo Kingdom Bridge is damaged so nobody can escape, the third member of the Taimanin Squad, Yatsu Kurou, arrives but before he can rescue Asagi and Sakura, he encounters Sokushitsuki and duals him. As the male Taimanin is able to kill the demon, Black leaves the old host body and takes over Kurou's which had a Ninja Art, which allowed him to heal quickly.
As weeks pass, in which Asagi and Sakura are tortured, he observes together with vampire Oboro. As Asagi used her demonic form, and kills Saya and wounds Clone Oboro, once more Black views this as a success. Black in Kurou's body follows the fleeing Clone Oboro and allows the vampire version of Oboro to kill her. He afterward, takes whatever research data he can recover and moves back to Nomad, and his UFS supporters.
In the year 2080, two years before TA3, one of the survivors of the Koukawa clan, Koukawa Asuka, swore revenge and after becoming much stronger, rushed to confront Black alone. As a result, Black cut off her limbs and left her to die, but The Masked Taimanin arrived in time to rescued Asuka. Asuka which joined the DSO, as thanks, was given a powerful Prosthesis, which was improved bit by bit, to kill Black for good.
Black appears as both his normal self and disguised as Asai, in Taimanin Asagi 3, year 2082. Black originally supported a plan of Fürst and Oboro, to transform the adopted son of Asagi, Sawaki Kosuke into a meatball, to control Asagi by an enslaving spell but this plan failed. Black, still thought that the "meatball Kosuke" could be useful and left it in the care of Oboro. Meanwhile, he became aware of multiple attacks of the "Steel Taimanin" and "Masked Taimanin" in the UFS on multiple Nomad bases, and sent out Ingrid to investigate. Ingrid, herself later falls victim to sabotage of Fürst and Oboro, and becomes a brainwashed mouthpiece for Oboro.
Meanwhile, as Asai, Black is the prime minister of Japan, and a member of the House of Representatives and leader of the ruling Liberal-National Party. His given backstory is that "Asai" is a second-generation member of the House of Representatives, his father is a former Minister of the Interior and his brother is a Senator. A populist politician popular among the people for his cleanliness, sweet looks, and good speeches. He won the bicameral election two years ago, which was triggered by a scandal involving Yamazaki, the secretary general of the Democratic Progressive Party, and became prime minister at the young age of 50. He was the leader of the Shinsei-kai, the largest faction in the party, at the time, early on only seen as merely a puppet of the leaders of the larger factions, but after the sudden death of the leaders in an attack on a Japanese chartered plane, by armed guerrillas, he rose to prominence. With his personnel power and popularity with the public. Asai absorbed or carved out the larger factions and quickly strengthened his influence within the party. He has been highly praised for his skill in political affairs but Nonomura Hiroo was worried about "Asai" and in order to keep him in check joined his side.
The DSO also became doubtful of Asai and collected much data thanks to Koukawa Asuka (Steel Taimanin) creating a distraction in the office of Asai. Later on "Asai" orchestrated, that Asagi needed to investigate the summer house of ex-finance minister Yamazaki Shin but at the same time forced Nonomura Hiroo to kill himself at the location, using his family as hostages. With that he could make it seem like the Gosha Village had gone rogue traitor. Asai overruled Yamamoto Nobushige, and send out the Kanda Brigade to raid Gosha Village, taking it over, as most strong Taimanin were on missions. While Asagi went into hiding and destroyed the servers, which had information on the still hidden Taimanin, Asai enforced a curfew in Japan. In public, he blamed the Chinese Union for the death of Nonomura, and pushed for the annexation of Japan into the UFS as needed protection. Something that the pro-nomad forces in the UFS benefited from.
As Gosha Village suffers from the occupation and raid Kanda Brigade, Asagi takes care to destroy of servers containing the location data of Taimanin currently on missions but Koukawa Asuka makes her way to Gosha Academy to free her adopted brother, Sawaki Kosuke not knowing about the "meatball" transformation. As she arrives, and frees students, she also defeats Fürst, which forces "Asai" to arrive and reveal his true form. Allowing Fürst to escape, Black fought Asuka, which was able to force him to transform into his true, Archon form. However, Asuka is overpowered and only thanks to the arrival of Koukawa Oboro/Masked Taimanin is she able to escape with her life. Black having revealed his true form is able to kill Koukawa Oboro, which is unable to move her soul to another body in time, though Black points out that she had come far and almost killed him. Asuka returns to the DSO base but is captured by Oboro and a number of goons that had been sent out beforehand.
A few days later, Sakura and Murasaki are killed by the Kanda Brigade for not revealing the location of the servers, that Asagi had been destroying. However, Black takes their bodies within himself, and planned to use demonization to make them loyal. Black steals both of their Ninja Arts and now gains great physical strength and control over shadows, something later noted by Asagi.
A few hours later, Black arrives, as Asagi destroyed the last server and killed the arriving Kanda Brigade with her demonic self as she is shown the recordings of her sister and close friend dying. Asagi still refuses to let go of her humanity and Black knocks her and brings him to the center of his operation in Yomihara to the Palace of Darkness. Black's ultimate plan, seems to fuse with Asagi but he also has the desire to corrupt her soul so once more he tasked Oboro to break her will, which either suggests Murasaki and Sakura should fight Asagi or that Asagi should fight the captured Asuka, which is forced to obey thanks to her meatball brother.
In the Asagi route, Asagi uses her demonic self more and more, kills Sakura, Murasaki and Oboro but is defeated by Black in her last kamikaze attack. Black informs Asagi about the true nature of the Multiverse, Mother Ocean and Aion, as well as his true ability, which can end and reset the universe with him and Asagi fusing into a new being. In the end the world ends and is reborn, with now Vampire Asagi and Black, something that is continued in the ZERO Universe, TABA Universe and other universes.
In the Asuka Routes True ending, Black is tricked by Oboro using an enslaved Ingrid, to not use Murasaki and Sakura as weapons against Asagi. Instead, using a blackmailed Asuka, as Asagi's last opponent. However, Asuka is able to free herself. and Asagi's corruption is not completed, as Oboro is killed. Both Asuka and Asagi fight Edwin Black in his true form and with the help of Asuka's Taima Particles charged blast, and one more attack of Asagi, his ability to reset the universe is blocked. Black dies in the canon main universe and other demons try to take his spot afterward, but most of his evil actions as prime minister, could be reverted thanks to Yamamoto Nobushige.
Timeline ZERO[]
Fusing with the bad end route Asagi of Taimanin Asagi 3. Black uses his control over gravity to draws the Human World and Dark World into the Mother Sea. Resulting in the end of the universe and death of everybody. This triggers his ability of immortality and he is able to recreate a new universe in the form of the ZERO Universe of Taimanin Asagi ZERO.
Black and "vampire" Asagi exist within a single body, in that world and are only able to switch but never touch. As Black appears in the year 2074, he now makes a new plan.
He wants the Asagi (ZERO) of the new universe as a vessel for Vampire Asagi. For her to have her own body, he uses the Nomad and the Chaos Arena of the new world. Kaliya (ZERO) the leader of this Chaos Arena doesn't understand this new fixation with Asagi, creating an almost silent revolt against his wishes. Edwin Black meets up with these worlds Koukawa Oboro (ZERO) corrupts her body, with a street thug, and uses her body to interact with the events more directly. Making sure that Asagi (ZERO) can survive the events, should be display any potential. He is later revealed and leaves Oboro (ZERO) body behind as he flies.
Timeline TABA[]
Events of TA3 do not play out and instead Taimanin Asagi Battle Arena takes place. Between 2082-2086. TABA could be viewed as a "third route" to the Asagi and Asuka path or a world created after the reset.
Black remains mostly in the background in TABA, around the year 2082. However, shows interest in Fuuma Kotaro (TABA) ability and growth. Kotaro, had taken Tia the half dragon from him, something that is mentioned later to be connected to Black's desire to create a gateway to the Otherworld. Kotaro again interrupted his plans, when he removed the Philosopher's Stone from Yatsu Murasaki, as she herself created a gateway in a demonic form. As the UFS, continues to research Otherworld Gates, they summon a Vampire Asagi from another Universe. Neu Eazlane, suggesting that this "Asagi" is also Black in a way. This specific "Black/Asagi" fusion is defeated by Fuuma Kotaro (TABA), Annerose Vajra, Mitico Fleuretty, Igawa Asagi and Neu Eazlane. Driven back, as the Gate is destroyed, it is not seen again.
Black himself had sent out Julia, to not only replace a key figure in the UFS group Task Force G, but also infiltrate the Fuuma Organization. He was also responsible letting Olivia Brew live as part of an experiment.
Black and Kotaro fully meet the first time in Amidahara. As Kotaro and Mayfeng were requested again by Neu Eazlane, to deal with Blue Rabbit and the living Philosopher's Stone, Jelly. The disguised Fürst made himself known. Black arrived not long after, and beat down both Kotaro and Li Mayfeng. He allowed Mayfend, to live as her sister (Oboro) desired her death more. Black thought about killing Kotaro but, was requested to wait by Kotaro so he could become strong enough to be a challenge. Leaving a small part of him in Kotaro, to keep in contact.
Black afterward, ordered Kotaro to investigate a location on an island, which let Kotaro down a path to confront Wisp one of the Revenant Knight of the Corpse Lord, an enemy of Black. Kotaro defeated Wisp, much to the delight of Black.
In the year 2083. Kotaro was captured by Nomad for a fight in the Chaos Arena. While knowing he would lose against Ingrid, he used the support of the Incubus Lilim to put the stadium to sleep and escaped.
Black is mentioned to be the subject of discussion between Carla Cromwell and Igawa Asagi, as Black's actions had been so negative the Vampire Queen considered him an enemy and was willing to ally with the Taimanin.
As Kotaro, investigates Task Force G, Black himself interjects near the end of one of his missions, that Kotaro's father (that also worked for G) is responsible and that Kotaro should avoid to getting in his way or investigate him. Danjo himself had sealed a part of Kotaro's power to avoid a conflict with Black in the past, something that Black knew and kept a secret as, he got parent and child to fight.
In the year 2084. Lina of Nomad joins Kotaro, and Julia is also found and removed from both Nomad and the Fuuma Organization. Danjo uses the small part of Black in Kotaro, to bait Shinganji Kurenai to take care of him but this fails. The cells of Black seem to get removed later on, by Kiryu Mikoto, as Black is unable to get control or speak to him afterward. Danjo is killed later on, with both Taimanin and DSO now fearing what would happen if Kotaro absorbed Edwin Black.
Black, sents Kaliya after Kotaro, and uses his disguise as Primeminister Asai, to get the Taimanin Squad led by Shiga Asatsuki to attack Kotaro, without other Taimanin knowing about it. As Asatsuki is defeated by Kotaro, Kaliya cought the entire group, forcing Tokiko and Asatsuki to fight, until she was knocked out by Kotaro. As Black arrives in the empty chaos arena, he told Kaliya to stop playing dead and inform him if Kotaro passed the test and what she was thinking about him. Felicia is seen in the Monster House, now active again after her defeat in Taimanin Kurenai, meaning Black had saved her back then as she could be healed by Fürst.
In year 2085. Astaroth a rival of Black becomes aware of his Kotaro, and tries to test him out herself. Impressed, she warns Kotaro not to fight Black especially if he thinks he can win. Fürst is defeated by Kotaro, but not fully killed.
In the year 2086, a second battle with Astaroth results, in her supporting Kotaro against Nomad, should it be needed. Felicia sets up a trap for Kotaro, annoyed that Black gives him so much attention. However, she is defeated by Amamiya Shisui which guarded Kotaro. Black arrives and is impressed how Kotaro had grown and stops the fight, but before both have fully left Felicia attacks Shisui one more time, leaving her close to death.
While Mizuki Yukikaze and Fuuma Kotaro (TABA), investigate the chef of Task Force G knowing he had been replaced by a Nomad double agent. They are suprised by a trap of Oboro and Kotaro is captured. While allies Kotaro made, unit against Nomad, Black hires Chevalier to construct a protective shield on his hideout, which is later destroyed. While, his defenses fall and Kaliya is busy fighting Astaroth and even Ingrid is busy with Lina, the hideout is fully overrun. Fürst is killed by the spirit of Amamiya Shisui, which she seperated from her body that was still recovering in Gosha to protect Kotaro in the final battle.
Black takes over the body of Shinohara Mari, before being beaten out of it by Kotaro. As, Black fights the arriving Igawa Asagi, she injures her with a grave wound, Kotaro absorbs Asagi's body to save her life and continue the fight keeping her in suspended animation, while fighting with her body. However, even as Fuuma Tokiko, and other allies arrive and are beaten back, Kotaro does not give up. As it becomes clear, that they will lose, he is still motivated as he hears the voice of Shisui. In a final attack, he is grabbed by Black, and pierced but as he leaves Asagi's body, his evil eye comes in contact with Black and starts to absorb him, as Black's own absorption ability also takes effect.
The world turns dark, and the world reset is triggered and multiple new worlds form, including the RPG Universe, AT Universe and Epilogue Universe. However, as Kotaro's evil eye interacted with Black this caused a disturbance to the normal process, which changed something of both Black and Kotaro in all the worlds formed from it.
In the TABA Epilogue Universe, Kotaro is confronted by Vampire Asagi, on the day of New Year's Eve, when he tried to relax. His memories returned, and he worried that he lost the last encounter. Vampire Asagi, being a the product of a fusion of Asagi and Black, informed him that the reset had been not a full success and a new way had been created. Kotaro, could choose to "join" them as a god and immortal demon, and rule the world. However, Kotaro refused and was adamant about remaining human and taking what he desired as a human. As, he asked Asagi what she would want to do, Asagi became filled by bright light, as her body reverted back to that of a human. Stating that if he remained human, so would she and hunt him down as the criminal he was. Playing it off, saying that immortality and being a demon was something she already had, became bored off. As Asagi was fused with Black, it can be assumed that he had been destroyed by Asagi's and Kotaro's rejection and return to human form. However, Black continued to exist in the other worlds created.
Timeline RPGX[]
Events of TA3 and Taimanin Kurenai did not play out but this Black came from a version of the TABA timeline but has become an almost new character.
It is stated here, that his true name is Edwin Cromwell, brother of Carla Cromwell and he had changed his name later on.
Black used the cover name of Kuroto, in an encounter with Kotaro in the past. Amamiya Shisui which, exists outside of the normal "reincarnation" of the normal world, now is a ghost and is aware of the TABA Universe, now willing to protect Kotaro from Kuroto no matter what.
Kotaro having some of his demonic powers and Black now holding the Evil Eye, which is why Kotaro is unable to awaken to his Ninja Art. Black gained some level of humanity and now feels both hunger and the need to sleep.
Teutates calling itself "true black" had performed most of Black's evil actions. Black formed Nomad, not to take over but to create change for the demon realm, and improve the system of all worlds if only slightly. In this world, Shinganji Kurenai and Felicia were the result of a consensual releationship with Kaede.
It is likely that Black has been "split" and "mixed" into, whatever the current Fuuma Kotaro, Teutates and Edwin Black (RPGX) are, and his ability to reset universe has been taken in the process. Teutates himself, had been given a "Residue of Darkness", by Beelzebub, and eaten the fragment created from the reset, which resulted in his transformation into "true black.
More information at the: Edwin Black (RPGX) page.
Timeline Action[]
Events of TA3 and Taimanin Kurenai did not play out. However, this is also a reset world, Black still seem to hold the power to control shadows and has great physical strength, powers, he had gained from Sakura and Murasaki in the vampire route of the canon universe. Amamiya Shisui, again is in the same spot as she was in RPGX but this Black is much closer to his more "evil" original and no power-exchange has taken place.
Black observes the conflict of Fuuma Kotaro and Momochi Toyo but his true goal is still unclear. Black's DNA was used to create Noah Brown but the artificial demon, is left by him after she voices her wish to join the Taimanin Task Force.
Astaroth the Queen of the Inferno and Momochi Toyo, that wished to make Black's life difficult and later leaked a large number of information about the Dark World and Nomads involvement. Leaving Black's group currently on very shaky ground and him angry with the Taimanin Task Force which did not stop the information leak.
Black shows up later after the Taimanin Task Force allied with the Death Wraith and the Death Wraith King. After a Nomad base is attacked and Ingrid and Oboro's lives are in danger, he arrives to save his "pawns" as he states. Both him and the King start to fight after almost crushing the Task Force, but the situation becomes even more chaotic as Astaroth arrives, turning it into a three-way battle. Even after 12 hours the battle has not ended, but the Taimanin Task Force is able to create a distraction with the help of Noah Brown, which result in both the Death Wraith King and Astaroth attacking Black. Revealing his true form Black attacks now the Taimanin Task Force and against all expectations and with the help of Koukawa Asuka charged particle canon and Igawa Asagi keeping an eye out, thanks to Fuuma Kotaro's support, Black is defeated. However, unexpected to even Black, Kotaro decides against killing Black, a death which would result into total chaos with Nomad losing its leader in these chaotic times. Black shocked, enraged, humiliated and amused by it, asks for Fuuma Kotaro's name and promises, that he will kill him personally one day afterwards he vanishes into the night.
Timeline GOGO[]
With the normal Nomad reformed and dissolved 10 years after the events of the Chaos Arena. Black became a school teacher at Gosha, this version of his is much more silly and light-hearted. His servant Oboro found her own group still opposing the Taimanin and Asagi. Black himself, is much more calm and silly, he seems to be respected by the students but struggles himself to keep his two daughters from fighting.
It is somewhat "joked" about he has fused with somebody else but this cannot be confirmed at the moment.
Additional Material[]
- Black has similar appearances to the games within Taimanin Asagi 1–3 OVAs. Being shown in the background mostly, he has a erotic scene with Oboro. He also is allowing Asagi to flee the Chaos Arena unhindered, in TA1, after she defeated Oboro. Asagi asking him what his objective is, but he refuses to answer, only saying that humans with their limited lives, are not worth the answer however if Asagi should obtain immortality, he might tell her another time.
- In 3, he will be seen leaving disappointed, after Asagi tries to hit him with a sneak attack defeating her with no trouble, telling Oboro to do what she wants with her.
- The most "good" version of him shows up, in the strongly changed story of Hell Knight Ingrid, in which he teams up with Yatsu Kurou to defeat Kiryuu Sabato to save his subordinate Ingrid. He will demonstrate some of his abilities within this OVA like shape-shifting himself into a kid as well aura and physical power
- He is killed in the manga as part of the Asuka and Asagi mixed route in it.
Powers/Abilities[]
Main Weapon: Black mist
Main Weapons in Majin form: Demon Sword, Demon Chakram, Demon Sickle and Demon Halberd
- Vampire: Immortal or very hard to kill.
- Daywalker: As a primal vampire, he is immune to sunlight but it is unknown if he still is weaker in it.
- Mist Weapons: Can create scythe-like dark mist from his body that can cut off limbs.
- Shape Shifter: Has been shown to look like a small child if he wants.
- Possession: He can take over the body of people that are not considered "pure" in some way.
- Regeneration: Quick self-healing from deadly injuries.
- Teleportation: Can teleport across long distances.
- Energy Drain (エナジードレイン, Enajīdorein)[1]: One of Black's abilities as a vampire. Just by touching the target, he can absorb its life energy and even Taimanin Arts. It is also possible for him to transform into mist or dust, and to suck the blood of others to turn them into vampires.[2]
- Archon-Majin: Possibly an Aion type.
- Absorption: Can absorb and corrupt a target by taking them into his body, is able to steal their abilities demonic or Ninja Arts.
- Known Stolen Abilities: "Shadow Art" and Physical strength with "Immortality Awakening". Obtained in the old canon
- True Form Transformation: Is able to transform into a three eyed demon with white hair and four arms with four weapons.
- Gravity Shield: A shield stopping all smaller attacks and even super speed. The shield is not active very when somebody is very close.
- Magical Weapons: Can summon multiple magical weapons, wielding them with his multiple arms.
- Gravity Manipulation (重力操作, Jūryoku Sōsa)[3]: Black has the ability to freely manipulate "gravity". The gravity barrier protects against all attacks, including magic and ninja arts. It seems to be a power possessed by a race from the Mother Sea that became the ancestors of the Taimanin, but the relationship between that race and Black is unknown.[4] He is able to use this to connect Human World and Dark World, to the Mother Sea, which ends the world. As this also means his death, it activates once more his Immortal ability and triggers a world reset.
- Immortal: By World Reset Manipulation. Black's most powerful ability, if Black is almost killed, he can reset and restructure the universe. Being reborn with the same memories and powers he obtained before the reset, while the new world shifts the dates, ages and removes all memories for the people. He has done this many times in the past, leading to creation of numerous worlds in the Lilith Multiverse. Multiple Blacks in other worlds also reset and create more and more worlds. Additionally, if Black fuses with somebody at the time of the world reset, for example his "killer", he also gains their powers. This ability can only be negated if he is hit by a strong enough Taima Particle charged ninja art, as those interrupt Demon powers, Such a Reset can be seen by first the formation of black gravity orbs.
- Absorption: Can absorb and corrupt a target by taking them into his body, is able to steal their abilities demonic or Ninja Arts.
- Enhanced Strength/Speed: He is able to counter a demon turned Kiryu that rushes him with his tentacles with just one hand. Can move with incredible speed almost instantly, able to surprise even fast and experienced Taimanin like Koukawa Asuka.
- Fusion: Able to fuse with Asagi, should his plans be successful of turning her into a vampire. This also requires the use of his Energy Drain on the target. This fusion might also fail, if Asagi herself has not rejected her own humanity.
Media[]
- Taimanin Asagi
- Taimanin Asagi 2
- Taimanin Asagi 3
- Taimanin Kurenai
- Hell Knight Ingrid
- Taimanin Asagi ZERO
- Taimanin Yukikaze 2 (mention)
- Taimanin Asagi Battle Arena
- Taimanin RPGX
- Action Taimanin
- Taimanin GOGO
Trivia[]
- He is much older than he looks, possibly 1000s of years old.
- Another disguise of his is, Koujirou Asai (朝井 孝次郎), Prime Minister of Japan.
- Black's TA3 Reset, created the ZERO Universe and TABA Universe. While the TABA Reset, created the AT Universe and RPG Universe. However, the canon Universe still exists in the Asuka timeline in which he was killed.
- His true form is also called "Archon" which translates to "Ruler". However, the concept also connects to a corrupted form of Aion or Aion subspecies. In Japanese the word Majin (魔人) is used for this form.
- The height was calculated based of character sheets, which compared Asagi and Black size difference in TA1. It is only based of his normal human form.
- Energy Drain, is less a copy ability and more of an absorption.
- Black takes on the form of children multiple times in the series. To avoid any conflict with other powerful demons.
- He is very likely part of the 9 Noble Demon Families but since RPGX is yet not translated we can not confirm this yet.
- Black's death in the Epilogue Universe is just strongly suggested, Oboro, is frustrated in what "state" the leadership currently is. As such Vampire Asagi just seems to be a fusion like all other versions, if Asagi as it is suggested became fully human again and rejected the fusion Black stopped existing in that Universe.
- Ma Chao, Nabelius and the High Ghoul are other "Gene Experiments" made from him but lack an Ego and are because of that not included in the info box.
- Black is one of the most powerful demons in the series. Not just by pure strength but his ability that resets the universe. Though he has no control over what the new universes will be like, it makes fighting him without a plan dangerous. People like Astaroth and Kaliya know of his ability and will tell others not to fight him even more if they think they can win. However, Taima Particles specially in the form of very large attacks can negate his ability and kill him for good, since he tends to sabotage the Taimanin.
- Black does not appear in the Dark Future Timeline as he might have been killed for good in it, with the power of the Tesserac that was also blocking Kotaro's powers that came from Black.
- His multi-armed demon form and powers seem to be a reference to Hinduism and Shiva. Shiva standing also for the "male unchanging destructive energy", as Black is also a god-like, male, destroyer of many worlds and as a vampire an "eternal unchanging". This create parallel to Asagi that could be viewed as Parvati (goddess of fertility, love, beauty, harmony, marriage) the wife of Shiva that "with him" as the "female changing creation energy", creates new worlds. As also both Shiva and Parvati fused form is Ardhanarishvara a being with male and female features. This also connects to Black's plan to become one with Asagi. As Vampire Asagi also exists only as a fusion of the two, with both sharing one body that can switch between the male and female.
- In TABA, Black and Fuuma Danjo have very rare character card without scenes. They are the expectation of the rule as most male cards are very common.
- Black, calls Asagi Eve and himself Adam, while adding Kotaro as the "snake" in the online universes.
- Edwin Black has only wings in the OVA, and his normal transformed form has no wings. DeviantArt with wings has spread, these are only edits however.
Etymology[]
- Asai means "morning" (朝) (asa) and "well, mine shaft, pit" (井) (i).
- Koujirou means "filial piety, obedience" (孝) (kou), "next" (次) (ji) and "son" (郎) (rou).
Quotes[]
- "Listen to me. The human world and the demon world are but drops of water floating in the mother ocean. Therefore, from that time the two drops of water were combined, destruction was promised... Now you and I are just like gravity, mixing two drops of water into one! The drawn water droplets overlap and combine. Eventually, led by more gravity... it will drip into the mother ocean and then pop. The World will be dispersed and recreated"
- — Black explaining the reset and Mother Ocean to Asagi.[src]
Gallery[]
