Ayumu Aikawa
Ayumu Aikawa |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Kanji: | 相川 歩 |
| Rōmaji: | Aikawa Ayumu |
| Nickname(s): | Bayumu (Baka-Ayumu) (馬鹿相川歩, lit. Ayumoron) Damn Darling Piece of Shit (クソ虫,Kusomushilit. Dung Beetle) |
| Personal Info | |
| Gender: | Male |
| Age: | 25 (End of Volume 18)
16 (High School Days) |
| Birthdate: | December 29 |
| Classification: | Zombie (currently, formerly after the end of Light novel)
Human (initially, currently after the end of Light novel) |
| Status: | Active (Deceased; Revived by Eucliwood Hellscythe) |
| Debut | |
| Anime: | Episode 01 |
| Light Novel: | Volume 01 |
| Manga: | Chapter 01 |
| Appears in: | Light Novel, Drama CD, Anime, Manga |
| Voices | |
| Japanese: | Takuma Terashima(Drama CD) Junji Majima(Anime) |
| English : | Austin Tindle |
| “ | ” | |
|
— Ayumu Aikawa
|
||
Appearance
Ayumu’s full appearance.
Ayumu Aikawa is depicted as a typical teenage boy with a youthful appearance, characterized by his distinctive greyish-white hair, which he styles simply. His wardrobe primarily consists of his school uniform, which consists of a collared shirt, blazer, and trousers. When he’s at home, Ayumu opts for more casual attire, typically wearing simple shirts and slacks. His relaxed style reflects his laid-back personality, contributing to his relatable and approachable demeanor throughout the series.
Personality
“Ahhh, don’t worry…. I’m a ZOMBIE…..”
— Ayumu Aikawa
Ayumu Aikawa, as a zombie, grapples with a unique blend of personality traits shaped by his undead state. He has a strong aversion to intense heat and sunlight, which can lead to dehydration and desiccation, particularly during the warmer months. This physical vulnerability often contributes to his generally weak-hearted and lazy demeanor, making him susceptible to ambushes and punishments, as demonstrated by his initial encounter with his killer, Kyoko.
Despite this, Ayumu is often lost in daydreams about Eucliwood, envisioning her as a cute younger sister asking for his attention, such as wanting a bath or food. This infatuation hints at a slightly perverted side, one that even Eucliwood seems to recognize and tease him about. However, when conflict arises, this more passive aspect of his character vanishes. He reveals a decisive and aggressive side, acting with conviction and moral integrity in challenging situations.
For example, during his battles against Kyoko and Yoruno, he displays a ferocious will to fight back, showing that he can be vengeful when provoked. In his encounter with Kyoko, Ayumu kills her down to her last life in a fierce retaliation but ultimately chooses mercy when she is left vulnerable, hoping she will learn from the encounter. Similarly, in his fight against Yoruno, he chooses to withdraw his aggression when he believes it’s right, allowing Eucliwood to resolve the situation responsibly.
Ayumu’s personality is further complicated by his perverted tendencies, which often lead to humorous situations where he faces punishment from his female companions—Haruna, Seraphim, and Maelstrom. Despite the mishaps caused by his lecherous behavior, he genuinely cares for them, and they reciprocate his feelings in their own ways. Notably, even Saras, a fellow vampire ninja, develops feelings for him after noticing his physical attributes.
As the story progresses, it becomes evident that all the female characters, aside from a few exceptions like Ariel, who sees him as an interesting human, and Nene, who regards him as her assistant, have developed feelings for Ayumu. His character also undergoes a significant change when he loses his memory, leading to the demon Belphegor temporarily taking over his body. This transformation symbolizes his innate desire for peace and a reluctance to be disturbed, further highlighting his laid-back nature.
Plot
The (Un)fortunate Circumstance
Ayumu Aikawa’s journey unfolds as he navigates his new existence as a zombie, resurrected by Eucliwood Hellscythe after being murdered by a serial killer. Living alone in a detached house near his school, Ayumu initially enjoys his solitude until he encounters a mysterious girl outside a convenience store, later revealed to be Eucliwood. When he becomes a victim of a brutal murder, she uses her necromantic powers to revive him, marking the beginning of his second life as a zombie.
Haruna, the Masou-Shoujo
While on a quest to uncover the identity of his killer, Ayumu crosses paths with Haruna, a Masou-Shoujo who unwittingly injures him during a battle against a Megalo named Kumacchi. Surviving her powerful “Mystletainn Kick,” Ayumu soon learns about the consequences of interacting with Masou-Shoujo—namely, the erasure of memories. In a twist of fate, Haruna’s magical abilities are absorbed by Ayumu when she attempts to erase his memories, forcing her to move in with him as a housemate while she seeks a way to regain her powers.
As Ayumu becomes more entrenched in the supernatural world, he discovers he can harness Haruna’s stolen powers, allowing him to transform into a Masou-Shoujo himself. Embarrassingly donning Haruna’s outfit, he successfully defeats a formidable Class AA Megalo, but not without exposing himself to his classmates during a PE class. To spare himself further humiliation, Ayumu employs the memory-erasing powers he had absorbed to cover up the incident.
Seraphim, the Vampire Ninja
Soon after, Seraphim, a vampire ninja, arrives at the Aikawa Residence seeking to become Eucliwood’s servant. Rejected by Eucliwood, she challenges Ayumu to a duel, believing he has taken on the role of her servant. After a fierce battle, Ayumu emerges victorious, but instead of being gracious, Seraphim harshly labels him a “Maggot,” indicating her disdain. Despite this, she joins the household as Ayumu’s third female companion, adding to the comedic dynamics of their living situation.
Kyoko, the Rogue Masou-Shoujo
Amidst the chaos of his new life, Ayumu spends time with his classmate Orito at a bowling alley, where he tries to evade notice from his housemates. Orito introduces him to Kyoko, a childhood friend who was also a victim of the serial killer, which raises suspicions in Ayumu. He begins to suspect that Kyoko may hold the key to his own murder and that her fate is intertwined with that of Eucliwood.
As tensions rise, Ayumu is attacked by Kerberos Wansard, an Underworld inhabitant investigating the unusual occurrences of souls failing to reach the Underworld. Recognizing Eucliwood, Kerberos reveals that her powers inflict pain upon her when used. Tragically, he is gravely wounded during an attack, leaving Ayumu troubled by the implications of Eucliwood’s abilities.
Later that day, a massive whale-shaped Megalo appears over the city, prompting Ayumu to unleash the full potential of his Mystletainn power, aided by the barriers of Haruna and Seraphim. Their combined efforts culminate in a spectacular battle, reinforcing the bonds among the housemates while solidifying Ayumu’s role as a reluctant hero in this chaotic, supernatural world.
Through his struggles and relationships with Eucliwood, Haruna, Seraphim, and the challenges posed by the Underworld, Ayumu learns to navigate the complexities of his undead existence while striving to uncover the truth behind his murder.
Relationships
Ayumu with Haruna, Seraphim and Yuu.
As of the conclusion of the light novel, Ayumu Aikawa finds himself in the center of a romantic web, with several girls harboring strong feelings for him. However, the narrative remains open-ended, leaving none of the relationships fully resolved. The tension and competition among these girls are so intense that it’s humorously suggested that Ayumu might “die” if he were to choose one, as some of them may not take the news well, especially considering he is no longer a zombie. The main characters pursuing him include Eucliwood Hellscythe, Haruna, Seraphim, Sarasvati, Yuki Yoshida (Maelstrom), Kyoko, and Taeko Hiramatsu, the last of whom remains unreciprocated.
Eucliwood Hellscythe
Ayumu and Eucliwood have had a positive relationship since the start of the series, having lived together for a month before the events unfold. Eucliwood views Ayumu as her servant, a relationship that both characters acknowledge, though it is laced with deeper emotions. Ayumu exhibits a strong “imouto” complex toward Eu, often fantasizing about their interactions in suggestive ways, indicating a significant infatuation. This affection is revealed during critical moments, such as when he expresses his desire to be by her side, especially during battles. Despite Eucliwood’s emotional restraint due to her necromantic powers, she shows comfort and familiarity around Ayumu. In a revealing moment, she confesses her love for him when he loses his memory, further hinting at her feelings.
Haruna
Initially, Ayumu and Haruna are at odds; he sees her as a nuisance after she forces herself into his life and makes him cross-dress. However, their dynamic evolves into a strong partnership as they fight together against various threats. Ayumu views Haruna as energetic yet clueless, and he has learned to appreciate her more nuanced personality. Haruna begins to develop romantic feelings for Ayumu, indicated by her dreams of intimacy with him. Despite her growing affection, she often denies any romantic interest and reacts violently when she feels embarrassed, demonstrating a classic tsundere behavior. Her concern for Ayumu’s well-being is evident, especially when she becomes distressed over his memory loss.
Seraphim
Initially, Seraphim and Ayumu share a tense relationship, with Seraphim looking down on him and treating him harshly. However, as they spend more time together, Ayumu learns to accept her tsundere personality, viewing her cruelty as a defining trait. Despite her initial disdain, Seraphim comes to trust Ayumu in critical situations, recognizing his strength and moral compass. There are hints that Seraphim may have deeper feelings for Ayumu, as indicated by Kyoko’s comments about her feelings being masked, which Sera does not deny.
Yuki Yoshida (Maelstrom)
Ayumu first mistakes Yuki for a boy due to her tomboyish demeanor, but after learning her true gender, their friendship blossoms. Yuki maintains a quirky view of their relationship, referring to Ayumu as her husband, which he finds amusing yet awkward. After a kiss they accidentally share, Yuki feels embarrassed but gradually becomes more comfortable around him, hinting at potential romantic feelings that develop alongside their friendship.
Sarasvati
Initially strangers, Ayumu and Sarasvati’s relationship slowly develops. He respects her courage to defy her clan’s prohibitions, while Sarasvati grows fond of him—infamously referring to her attraction as “Butt Love.” Their relationship takes a significant turn during a concert where they share a drink, technically resulting in a marriage-like bond. Despite her odd expressions of affection, Ayumu remains supportive of her aspirations, such as attending her concert.
Taeko Hiramatsu
Taeko is one of Ayumu’s classmates who has strong feelings for him but chooses not to act on them. Her unreciprocated affection adds another layer to Ayumu’s complicated relationships with the girls around him.
Abilities and Equipments
Ayumi in his Masou-Shoujo form.
Super Strength: As a zombie, he can fully utilize his muscle power, unlike humans who cannot access 100% of their strength. This ability allows him to exceed 100% capacity, enabling him to easily overpower monsters. He amplifies his strength by vocally stating the percentages (100%, 200%, etc.). In the manga, he demonstrates enough strength to defeat formidable foes like Megalos. However, the strain from his powerful attacks can sometimes overwhelm his human body, though this drawback is mitigated by his healing abilities.
Magic Absorption: Ayumu has the ability to absorb magic, as shown in his encounter with Haruna. This absorption is currently a passive ability, which may be one reason Kyoko has taken an interest in him.
Masou-Shoujo Capabilities: By absorbing Haruna’s Masou-Shoujo magic, Ayumu can transform into a Masou-Shoujo using Haruna’s Mystletainn, leading to some embarrassing situations. In this form, he gains the ability to manipulate barriers, a skill he remains unaware of since he did not complete the Masou-Shoujo training in Villiers.
Break Dancing: Ayumu showcases his break dancing skills multiple times throughout the series.
1000% Mystletainn Masou-Shoujo Form: Ayumu can unleash up to 1000% of Haruna’s current Masou-Shoujo form. This enhancement allows him to execute more powerful attacks without injuring himself and increases his effectiveness with Mystletainn.
Black Mist: In episode 10 of the second season, while under the influence of his alternate self, Ayumu exhibits a black mist similar to that of the King of the Night. This suggests that he possesses this ability, though he remains unaware of it.
Lilia’s Curse: In Volume 09 of the light novel, Ayumu falls victim to a curse cast by the Queen. As a result, no one retains memories of him for as long as the curse is in effect. If he interacts with someone, that person will remember him only if they remain within 5 meters of him. Once they are out of that range for more than 170 seconds, their memories reset, and they will no longer remember Ayumu. The only exception is Haruna, who remains unaffected and retains her memories of him.