
Anri Sonohara
Anri Sonohara |
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Kanji | 園原 杏里 |
Rōmaji | Sonohara Anri |
Age: | 15 (at start) |
Birthday: | October 31 |
Height: | 152 cm (5’0″) |
Voice Actor | |
Japanese | Kana Hanazawa |
English | Michelle Ruff |
Anri Sonohara (園原 杏里, Sonohara Anri), is a reserved and bespectacled high school student attending Raira Academy alongside her close friends, Mikado Ryuugamine and Masaomi Kida. Though quiet and introverted, Anri is highly intelligent, observant, and resourceful, often using her sharp mind to navigate the dangerous undercurrents of Ikebukuro. She harbors a dark secret connected to the cursed blade Saika, which grants her extraordinary powers and burdens her with significant responsibilities. Her online alias, “Saika,” reflects this dual identity.
Background

Appearance in anime
Anri’s childhood was marred by tragedy when her abusive father murdered her mother before taking his own life. During the incident, Saika—the cursed blade her mother possessed—transferred its power to Anri, granting her the ability to wield it and control those cut by its blade. This traumatic experience shaped Anri’s withdrawn personality and her tendency to avoid deep connections with others out of fear of losing them or being discovered.
Despite her struggles, Anri excels academically and values her friendships with Mikado and Masaomi, though she remains hesitant to fully open up to them. She views her powers as a curse and sees herself as unworthy of romantic or personal relationships, which is a recurring source of inner conflict throughout the series.
Appearance
Anri is a slender teenage girl with long, dark hair and light brown eyes, typically framed by her glasses. Her modest school uniform highlights her quiet demeanor, but her full figure often attracts unwanted attention, leading her to adopt a more reserved and closed-off posture. Her appearance belies the strength and determination she demonstrates in moments of crisis.
Personality
Anri’s shy and passive exterior hides a thoughtful and calculating nature. She is deeply empathetic, often putting others’ needs before her own, but she struggles with self-worth and hesitates to share her feelings or burdens. Her relationship with Saika adds layers to her personality, as she must balance her darker impulses with her desire to protect those she cares about.
While Anri often distances herself from conflict, she is not afraid to act when necessary, using her intelligence and resourcefulness to protect her friends and contribute to the Dollars. Over time, her connections with Mikado and Masaomi help her grow more confident and willing to face her fears.
Role in the Story
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Introduction to Raira Academy
Anri is introduced as a quiet and timid student at Raira Academy, where she forms a close friendship with Mikado and Masaomi. Her reserved nature contrasts with their outgoing personalities, but their bond deepens as they navigate the chaos of Ikebukuro together. -
Revealing Her Connection to Saika
As the series progresses, Anri’s secret is revealed: she is the wielder of Saika, a cursed blade that allows her to control others who are cut by it. This revelation adds complexity to her character and ties her to the larger conflicts in Ikebukuro, particularly as Saika’s influence begins to spread. -
Involvement with the Dollars and the Saika Army
Anri becomes a member of the Dollars and later plays a pivotal role in managing the Saika Army, a group of individuals influenced by Saika’s power. Her leadership in this capacity demonstrates her ability to wield her powers responsibly and protectively, even as she struggles with the weight of her responsibilities. -
Supporting Mikado and Masaomi
Throughout the series, Anri acts as a stabilizing force for Mikado and Masaomi, often stepping in to support them during moments of crisis. Her growing confidence and willingness to confront her past help her strengthen her bond with Mikado, culminating in a romantic relationship revealed in the Durarara!! SH novels.
Relationships
Mikado Ryuugamine
Anri views Mikado as a close friend and later develops romantic feelings for him, though she initially hesitates to act on them. Their relationship evolves over the series, with Anri becoming a source of support for Mikado as he grapples with his darker tendencies.
Masaomi Kida
Anri shares a deep friendship with Masaomi, who often acts as a protective figure for her. Their bond is tested by Masaomi’s involvement with the Yellow Scarves, but they ultimately reconcile.
Saika Army
As the leader of the Saika Army, Anri struggles with her dual role as a protector and a wielder of the cursed blade. Her relationship with the army reflects her ongoing battle with her darker impulses.