Aki Hayakawa
Aki Hayakawa |
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| Japanese: | 早はや川かわ アキ |
| Rōmaji: | Hayakawa Aki |
| Alias(es): |
Topknot (byPower)
Gun Fiend |
| Characteristics | |
| Species: |
Human (formerly)
Fiend Host |
| Gender: | Male |
| Age: | Unknown |
| Height: | 182 cm (6’0″) |
| Birth Place: | Hokkaido, Japan |
| Status: | Deceased |
| Personal Status | |
| Occupation: |
Public Safety Devil Hunter(formerly)
Wild Fiend |
| Affiliation: |
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| Relatives: |
Taiyo Hayakawa(younger brother) †
Unnamed parents † |
| Contracted Devils: | |
| Debut | |
| Manga: | Chapter 03 |
| Anime: | Episode 02 |
| Portrayal | |
| Japanese: |
Reagan Murdock
Bryson Baugus(young) |
| English: |
Reagan Murdock
Bryson Baugus(young) |
| “ | ” | |
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— Aki Hayakawa
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Appearance
Aki’s full apperance in human form.
Human Form
Aki Hayakawa is depicted as a young man with medium-length black hair, often styled in a topknot. When allowed to fall freely, his hair reaches shoulder length, framing his face with long bangs. His striking blue eyes convey his serious demeanor. In earlier days, particularly when he partnered with Himeno after meeting Kishibe, Aki sported a shorter hairstyle.
His typical attire consists of the Public Safety Devil Hunter uniform, which features a sharp suit and tie. He accessorizes with black earrings and is frequently seen with his sword secured on his back, emphasizing his role as a formidable hunter.
Aki as the Gun Fiend.
Fiend Form
Upon being overtaken by the Gun Devil, Aki undergoes a significant transformation into the Gun Fiend. In this altered state, his hair is let down, and dark veins creep across his eyes and forehead, giving him a more menacing appearance. A notable feature of this form is the M1911 gun barrel and slide protruding from his face, positioned between his eyes, with the hammer extending from the back of his head. Additionally, Aki’s left forearm has been replaced by an M4 rifle, further enhancing his fearsome new identity.
Personality
Aki Hayakawa presents himself as a stoic and serious individual, often exhibiting a blunt demeanor that can come off as rude, especially among his fellow Devil Hunters. However, beneath this hardened exterior lies a surprisingly tender-hearted nature. Aki easily forms attachments to those around him and despises witnessing their suffering, particularly when it comes to his close friends. Unlike many of his peers, he is described by Himeno as a “normal person,” someone who still mourns the loss of others and hasn’t become emotionally detached from his experiences.
His unwavering determination is largely fueled by a desire for revenge against the Gun Devil, which stems from the tragedy that befell his family. Aki’s selflessness is evident in his willingness to sacrifice his own safety for others, even when it conflicts with his personal ambitions.
Aki holds a strong disdain for those who do not take their roles as Devil Hunters seriously or who pursue superficial goals, such as money or personal gratification. This mindset initially creates tension between him and Denji, whom he sees as irresponsible. His ruthlessness is palpable, as he expresses a desire for the Devils he defeats to experience suffering, ensuring that they meet their end in a slow, agonizing manner. He can also be intimidating, particularly toward those he doesn’t trust; for instance, he warns Denji that he would kill him without hesitation if he ever betrayed their team.
Despite his cold façade, Aki is deeply affected by the loss of his comrades, often breaking down in grief over their deaths, such as that of Himeno. His feelings extend to Denji and Power, with whom he develops a genuine bond, even considering sacrificing his own quest for vengeance to protect them.
Aki’s fear of losing those he cares about is profound. He confides in Kishibe about his wish to withdraw from the mission against the Gun Devil, revealing a haunting future shown to him by the Future Devil in which Denji and Power endure horrific fates—an outcome that terrifies him.
Initially, Aki harbors a deep-seated animosity toward all Devils, viewing them as interchangeable tools devoid of worth. However, as the narrative unfolds, he begins to form connections with some of his Devil partners. This transformation is particularly evident in his evolving relationship with the Angel Devil. At first, Aki threatens to have him executed for being unproductive, but he ultimately sacrifices two months of his own lifespan to save Angel’s life and even writes a letter of recommendation to Public Safety, advocating for Angel’s survival after a severe injury. This marks a significant shift in Aki’s perspective on Devils, highlighting his capacity for compassion and growth.
Relationships
Taiyo Hayakawa
Aki shared a close bond with his younger brother, Taiyo. Despite feeling overshadowed by the attention their parents showered on Taiyo due to his frail health, Aki loved him deeply and cherished their time together. This affection is evident in the joy Aki felt after a playful snowball fight with Taiyo, eagerly anticipating more moments like it. Tragically, their lives were shattered when the Gun Devil attacked, destroying their home and taking the lives of both their parents and Taiyo. This devastating loss became Aki’s driving force, fueling his quest for revenge against the Devil that stole his family from him.
Denji
Initially, Aki and Denji’s relationship was fraught with animosity, culminating in a physical and verbal clash during their first mission together. Aki viewed Denji as a brash, thoughtless individual, ill-suited for the dangers of their work. However, despite their rocky start, they were compelled to work together by Makima’s directives. When Denji moved in with Aki at Makima’s insistence, their relationship gradually transformed. As they fought side by side and shared a living space, Aki began to see Denji as a close friend, albeit one whose antics could still irritate him. His concern for Denji’s safety led him to request that the Fourth Division stay clear of the Gun Devil, highlighting the bond they developed. Even during a harrowing encounter where Aki was possessed as the Gun Fiend, he mentally framed their confrontation as a snowball fight, reminiscent of the playful times he shared with Taiyo.
Power
Aki’s initial interactions with Power were marked by irritation; her brash, self-centered attitude grated on him. Nevertheless, he reluctantly took her in at Makima’s request, and over time, their relationship improved. Although Aki often felt exasperated by Power’s antics, he grew to consider her a friend. His desire to protect Power was another factor in his push for the Fourth Division to avoid engaging with the Gun Devil, illustrating his evolving sense of camaraderie.
Himeno
Himeno was Aki’s first partner upon joining Public Safety, and their relationship held significant meaning for him. She introduced Aki to smoking and frequently encouraged him to reconsider his career for his safety. Himeno harbored feelings for Aki, and there are hints that she kissed him when he was new to the job. While Aki did not reciprocate her romantic feelings, he valued their friendship deeply and was devastated by her death. In a poignant gesture after his own passing, Aki left half of his passbook to her family, underscoring the bond they shared.
Makima
Aki developed a crush on Makima, and his trust in her was profound, possibly influenced by her manipulative abilities. His affection for her seemed to stem from a lack of understanding, as he struggled to articulate why he felt such a connection. Makima, however, displayed little regard for Aki’s feelings, treating him as a mere tool for her plans. She often imposed responsibilities on him without consultation, such as bringing Denji and Power into their home, revealing her exploitative nature.
Angel Devil
Aki’s partnership with the Angel Devil began on shaky ground, with the two struggling to find common ground. Over time, they grew closer, caring for one another’s well-being. This bond was evident when Aki was willing to hold the Angel Devil’s hand to save him, despite the cost to his own lifespan. The Angel Devil, in turn, shared crucial insights about Devils with Aki. After their encounter with the Darkness Devil, Aki expressed concern for the Angel Devil’s safety, advising him to form contracts with other Devil Hunters to ensure his survival. The Angel Devil, curious about Aki’s feelings for Makima, prompted him to reflect on their dynamic, and like Himeno, he urged Aki to reconsider his dangerous career path.
Police Officers
In his role as a Devil Hunter, Aki collaborated closely with police officers to combat Devil threats. He was well-respected among the officers, who admired his skills and dedication. Aki often socialized with them outside of work, forming friendships and gaining insight into their personal lives, which demonstrated his ability to foster good relationships with his colleagues.
Abilities
Antemortem Abilities
Physical Prowess
- Enhanced Reflexes: Aki possessed remarkable reflexes, allowing him to match the speed of formidable opponents like Katana Man and various Devils. His contract with the Future Devil further enhanced this ability, granting him precognitive skills that enabled him to evade close-range explosions from Reze and deflect attacks from Quanxi.
- Enhanced Durability: Aki showcased impressive resilience, surviving severe injuries such as being stabbed by Kobeni Higashiyama, requiring only Power’s assistance to treat the wound. In battles, he endured significant impacts, like being kicked into a wall hard enough to crack it and sustaining a deep cut from Katana Man. Aki even survived being choked by the Ghost Devil and a brutal crushing by the Darkness Devil, which caused blood to flow from his mouth, although this left him unconscious.
Devil Contracts
- Curse Devil Contract: Aki entered into a pact with the Curse Devil, granting him a nail-like sword. To activate its power, he would point the nail at his target and say “fire,” summoning the Curse Devil’s hand to inflict damage. If Aki stabbed an enemy three times, he could call upon the Curse Devil to severely injure them, potentially leading to their death. However, using this ability came at the cost of significantly shortening Aki’s lifespan.
- Fox Devil Contract: Initially, Aki had a contract with the Fox Devil, which allowed him to summon the Fox Devil’s head to attack his enemies by raising a hand and saying “Kon.” The Fox Devil would then bite down on the target, devouring or tearing them apart. Aki lost access to this power after recklessly using it against Katana Man.
- Future Devil Contract: Following the loss of the Fox Devil’s favor, Aki formed a contract with the imprisoned Future Devil, gaining the ability to use its powers in exchange for allowing the Future Devil to reside in his right eye.
- Precognition: Aki gained the ability to foresee events seconds into the future, allowing him to anticipate attacks and plan his actions accordingly.
- Summoning: Aki could summon the Future Devil by calling for it, although the Devil humorously suggested that Aki must say “The Future Rules” to summon him, which wasn’t an actual requirement.
- Control Devil Contract: Aki entered into a contract with the Control Devil, trading his entire being for her powers. However, this left him completely under her control, rendering him unable to use the powers he gained.
Skill Set
- Swordsmanship: Aki was a skilled swordsman, utilizing a specially crafted sword made by the Angel Devil as his primary weapon against Devils. His proficiency allowed him to combat even intangible foes, like Ghosts, and he could hold his ground against stronger opponents, including Hybrids, with the aid of his Devil contracts.
- Hand-to-Hand Combat: Trained as a Devil Hunter, Aki developed solid unarmed combat skills. He demonstrated decent boxing ability, managing to defeat a muscular opponent with ease.
- Cooking: Aki displayed commendable cooking skills, often taking on the responsibility of preparing meals for Denji and Power.
- Driving: Aki was proficient in driving and was seen operating vehicles, such as cars.
Other Abilities
- Strong Willpower: Aki exhibited remarkable determination, remaining steadfast in his pursuit of vengeance against the Gun Devil throughout much of the story. His obsession made him willing to pay any price, including forming contracts with Devils or sacrificing parts of his lifespan. Even when he chose to set aside his revenge to protect his friends, he remained ready to enter into any contract necessary for their safety. Additionally, he demonstrated exceptional emotional control, managing to suppress his fear to evade detection by the Ghost Devil, which relied on sensing fear to locate individuals.
Postmortem Abilities
Physical Prowess
- Enhanced Durability: Aki’s Gun Fiend form endowed him with a remarkably durable gun in his forearm, which could withstand multiple hits from Denji’s chainsaw effortlessly.
- Enhanced Speed: Aki displayed extraordinary speed, capable of swiftly reaching Power’s location and attacking her after launching Denji from the entrance of his apartment with impressive rapidity.
Devil Powers
- Bullet Projection: As the Gun Fiend, Aki could fire bullets with exceptional precision and speed from the gun integrated into his left forearm and head. This ability allowed him to break through walls and inflict devastating damage on both Denji and structures, capable of destroying multiple buildings in a single attack.
- Blood Consumption: In his Gun Fiend form, Aki’s corpse could regenerate health by consuming blood, providing him with a means to restore his vitality.