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Clair Aoki

Clair Aoki (青木 紅愛, Aoki Kurea) is the female protagonist in Gleipnir. A determined and resilient young girl, Clair is on a mission to find her missing sister, who has transformed into a monster. A first-year high school student, she meets Shuichi Kagaya, a boy with monstrous powers, and forms an unlikely alliance with him in her search. Clair’s journey is fueled by her strong desire to reunite with her sister, despite the dangers she faces. Known for her unwavering resolve and emotional depth, Clair navigates the dark world of monsters while holding on to hope and courage, even when confronted with harsh realities.

Appearance

Clair Aoki is an attractive young girl with fair skin and striking features. She has upper-back length light brown hair, with bangs that fall neatly over her forehead, and expressive brown eyes. Notably, she has freckles that span across her face, adding to her youthful charm. Clair’s figure is well-developed, even more so than her older sister’s, giving her a mature presence for her age.

In her casual home attire, Clair is often seen wearing a simple shirt and panties, reflecting her laid-back demeanor when not in her more active roles. When acting as the “pilot” in the series, she wears a dark blue one-piece swimsuit, which serves as part of her functional outfit in the unique situations she faces alongside Shuichi Kagaya.

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Personality

Clair Aoki is a deeply conflicted and complex character. The traumatic experience of witnessing her sister transform into a monster and murder her family, while being disbelieved by those around her, drives Clair into a state of emotional turmoil. This despair reaches a breaking point, and she even attempts suicide, feeling utterly lost. However, after being saved by Shuichi Kagaya in his monster form, Clair’s understanding of the world shifts. She comes to realize that monsters are real and resolves to find her sister, who is at the heart of her personal torment.

Initially, Clair views Shuichi as nothing more than a monster, directing both verbal and physical abuse toward him. She blackmails him and uses him as a tool for her own purposes. Over time, however, Clair discovers that Shuichi is not a mindless creature, but someone who fears becoming a true monster. This realization shifts their dynamic, and Clair forms a deep emotional bond with him, even vowing to die alongside him if he ever does, to prevent him from being alone. This bond evolves into a romantic relationship as they continue to face the trials of their journey.

Clair’s single-minded determination to find her sister leads her down a darker path, where she becomes willing to take extreme measures, including killing others. She demonstrates a chilling ability to suppress her emotions and act with cold, calculated precision when necessary.

Despite her darker tendencies, Clair also has a lighter, more shameless side. She can be surprisingly perverted, often undressing in front of Shuichi and making lewd jokes. Her comfort with her own body and Shuichi’s proximity becomes apparent when she casually discusses the idea of entering his body naked to avoid ruining her clothes, even though she compromises by wearing swimsuits to make him feel less violated. This balance of intense emotion and playful, uninhibited behavior adds depth to her character, making her both vulnerable and complex.

Plot

Clair Aoki, overwhelmed by the despair of losing her sister and being rejected by those around her, attempts to end her life by starting a fire. However, her life takes a turn when she is unexpectedly saved by Shuichi Kagaya. As she regains consciousness, Clair is shocked to see Shuichi in his monster form, which only deepens her confusion and curiosity about the creatures she had once only heard of.

The following day, Clair encounters Shuichi at school. She shows him her phone and casually reveals that she saw him transform, expressing her growing interest in monsters like him. Determined to learn more, she confronts him on the roof, but when Shuichi denies being a monster, she pushes him off the edge. As he falls, Shuichi transforms once again, and to Clair’s surprise, he jumps back onto the roof, unharmed. This moment sparks a series of questions, and Clair threatens to expose his secret. Shuichi, however, insists that he does not understand his transformation and that it was something that just happened to him one day.

During their walk back to her apartment, Clair introduces herself properly and shows Shuichi a mysterious coin she had found, but he has no answers for her. Once inside her apartment, Clair opens up about her search for her sister, who, much like Shuichi, has become a monster. This revelation further strengthens Clair’s resolve to uncover the truth about her sister and the monstrous world she now finds herself entangled in.

Etymology

The first name “Clair” is derived from the kanji 紅 (kure), meaning “crimson” or “deep red,” and 愛 (a), meaning “love” or “affection.” The combination of these meanings evokes a sense of passionate love, tying into her emotional depth and complex character.

Clair’s surname, “Aoki,” is composed of the kanji 青 (ao), meaning “blue” or “green,” and 木 (ki), meaning “tree” or “wood.” The name suggests a natural, grounded connection, symbolizing growth and life, which contrasts with the darker elements of her journey as she navigates the world of monsters.

Power and Abilities

Clair Aoki is not particularly skilled in hand-to-hand combat and has very limited fighting ability on her own. Instead, she relies heavily on Shuichi Kagaya’s monstrous form to engage in battle. By opening the zipper on Shuichi’s back, Clair can enter his body, where they “become one.” While in this state, Clair and Shuichi are able to sense each other’s feelings and emotions, which creates a deep bond between them.

While inside Shuichi, Clair takes full control of his body, often with more mastery over his movements than he has himself. Though Shuichi can still wrestle for control to a degree, Clair generally holds the upper hand in their shared body. Together, they wield a katana as their weapon of choice, combining their strengths in combat.

After using a mysterious coin and becoming a monster, Clair gains a new power: the ability to manipulate her perception of time. This grants her enhanced speed and reaction time, allowing her to move faster than normal. When activating this ability, Clair perceives the world around her as if time has stopped, giving her a significant tactical advantage in combat situations.

Trivia

    • Despite not possessing any special abilities of her own, Clair is exceptionally intelligent and resourceful. She often uses her sharp wit and cunning to navigate difficult situations, especially when she and Shuichi Kagaya find themselves in dangerous predicaments.
    • Clair is skilled at negotiating and making deals with other collectors, using her strategic mind to her advantage whenever the situation calls for it.