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Deus Ex Machina

Deus Ex Machina is a pivotal figure in both the Future Diary manga and anime, serving as the God of Time and Space. As the architect of the Future Diaries, alongside his associate John Bacchus, Deus orchestrates the Survival Game to identify a worthy successor before his impending demise threatens the very fabric of the universe.

Possessing the extraordinary ability to manipulate time, space, and the fundamental laws governing cause and effect, Deus stands as the most formidable being within the series. He plays a crucial role as the arbiter of the Survival Game, overseeing the events that unfold and ensuring that the competition remains balanced as participants vie for his title.

“
“The future is already set in stone. The only way to change it is to face it head-on.
 ”
— Deus Ex Machina

Appearance

Sultan Abdulmejid (left) with Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and Emperor Napoleon III of France

Deus Ex Machina’s appearance.

Deus Ex Machina is an imposing and otherworldly entity, standing at an astounding height that surpasses a hundred feet, dwarfing the other characters in the series. His head bears a striking resemblance to the skull of an enigmatic creature, adorned with a golden crown that signifies his divine status. A cascade of white and blue hair spills from the back of his head, adding to his ethereal presence.

Deus Ex Machina is an imposing and otherworldly entity, standing at an astounding height that surpasses a hundred feet, dwarfing the other characters in the series. His head bears a striking resemblance to the skull of an enigmatic creature, adorned with a golden crown that signifies his divine status. A cascade of white and blue hair spills from the back of his head, adding to his ethereal presence.

Personality

Despite his status as a god, Deus Ex Machina is characterized by a laid-back and playful demeanor, often prioritizing his amusement alongside the fulfillment of his goals. He demonstrates a disconcerting apathy—or perhaps obliviousness—to the consequences of his “games.” In his initial appearance, he instigates a war purely for entertainment, showcasing a disregard for the dire implications of the Survival Game, which forces participants to kill one another. His selection of candidates appears based on how “interesting” they are rather than their motivations for seeking his title, leading to a pool of contenders who may harbor selfish or destructive intentions, some even aspiring to annihilate the universe.

While Deus does not outright lie, he skillfully manipulates the truth to further his objectives, such as evading Yukiteru’s inquiries about the possibility of reviving the dead. Despite these traits, Deus is not entirely devoid of compassion; he occasionally acts with genuine benevolence, such as when he saved Minene Uryuu from death and offered her a Future Diary without coercion, despite her disdain for deities.

Throughout the Survival Game, Deus exhibits a sense of honor, striving to maintain fairness. He answers participants’ questions and takes measures to ensure the integrity of the game. This includes appointing a special observer to monitor the candidates and intervene in cases of significant deviation, as well as sending Minene on a mission to confront Muru Muru, who was unfairly aiding Yuno. Notably, Deus willingly shares part of his knowledge and powers with Minene to assist her, even at the risk of hastening his own demise.

Deus also cultivates relationships with various diary holders. He harbors a fondness for Yukiteru, initially appearing as his imaginary friend and designating him as the “First” diary owner. He supports Yukiteru throughout the Survival Game, viewing his mistakes as integral to his growth as a successor.

His dynamic with Minene Uryuu is particularly unique; she openly des him yet still seeks his guidance. Despite her desire to eliminate the concept of divinity, she engages with Deus out of necessity, and he appreciates her resilience, choosing her as a key player in his plans against Muru Muru.

Additionally, Deus shares a camaraderie with John Bacchus, with whom he created the Future Diaries. Their friendship is evident in John’s request to stage the Survival Game in Sakurami City. However, John’s ambitions sometimes conflict with Deus’s needs, as he pushes for the elimination of Yukiteru and Yuno to expedite the game’s progression.

Overall, Deus Ex Machina’s interactions with various humans suggest he may possess a degree of fondness for them—particularly those he deems intriguing.

History

Deus Ex Machina is the god of time and space in Future Diary (Mirai Nikki). As he nears the end of his life and his power begins to wane, Deus realizes he will soon cease to exist, which threatens to destabilize the fabric of reality. To prevent this, he decides to find a successor by organizing a survival game.

Deus selects twelve individuals to participate in this game, granting each a “Future Diary” that can predict specific aspects of the future, depending on each person’s personality and habits. The objective of the game is to eliminate the other diary holders, with the last one standing inheriting Deus’s power and role as the new god.

Throughout the game, Deus oversees the events alongside his assistant, Murmur, rarely intervening but ensuring the game progresses toward its intended conclusion. He takes a particular interest in Yukiteru Amano, one of the participants, and allows him to develop, seeing potential for godhood in him. As the game nears its end, Deus’s strength continues to deteriorate, pushing him to accelerate the game to secure a successor before he vanishes completely.

Eventually, Yukiteru wins the game and assumes Deus’s position as the new god of time and space, fulfilling Deus’s purpose in creating the game and preserving reality after his death.

Powers and Abilities

Deus Ex Machina is an ancient deity with dominion over time, space, and the laws of causality. He possesses the ability to manipulate time, which may include rewinding it; however, this can lead to the creation of parallel worlds. Deus has control over the Akashic Records, a universal repository of knowledge and history, allowing him access to vast information.

One of his notable powers is the ability to create artificial lifeforms, exemplified by Aru Akise, whom he can imbue with a full spectrum of emotions and desires. Once their purpose is fulfilled, Deus can easily deconstruct these beings.

Deus operates from the Cathedral of Causality, a grand domed structure illuminated by purple lighting. Within this cathedral, he sits on a large throne that hovers just above the ground, surrounded by a partial sphere of floating metal fragments. He can also summon a “resting sphere” around himself to conserve energy and engage in private conversations. The cathedral features an arena where Deus and Muru Muru gather the diary holders for periodic meetings, all under an endless cloudy sky that conceals the Akashic Records. As Deus approaches his demise, both his physical form and the cathedral begin to deteriorate.

Despite his immense power, Deus has limitations. He is unaware of the existence of the first alternate world, indicating that his influence is restricted to the universe in which he resides. While he can observe much of the world simultaneously, he is not omniscient; for instance, he remains oblivious to Muru Muru being replaced by her first-world counterpart. Additionally, he cannot resurrect the deceased, only restoring their physical forms as soulless shells.

Deus’s true lifespan is uncertain, but it is finite and intrinsically linked to the universe itself. The absence of a God of Time and Space would result in the collapse of all creation. The Survival Game serves as an elaborate mechanism for Deus to identify a successor capable of preserving the universe after his inevitable death.

Trivia

Sultan Abdulmejid (left) with Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and Emperor Napoleon III of France

Yukiteru dressed in Deus’s uniform.

    • The name Deus Ex Machina is derived from Latin, meaning “God from a Machine” or “God of the Machine.” In literary contexts, it refers to a plot device where a seemingly insurmountable problem is abruptly resolved through the unexpected intervention of an event, character, ability, or object. This concept aligns with Deus’s role in driving the plot of Future Diary, particularly through his direct interference in the Survival Game. Additionally, it may reflect his crucial function in maintaining reality and the mechanical aesthetics of his cathedral.

    • In the English adaptation of Future Diary, Deus occasionally uses the phrase “wheels within wheels” to articulate the complexity of his plans.

    • Deus’s theme song is “Egoist” by Yousei Teikoku. Notably, this track was never featured in the series, unlike much of the Future Diary soundtrack.

    • In the third opening of Future Diary (used in Future Diary Redial), Deus removes his face to reveal Yukiteru’s head beneath it, symbolizing the consequences of the Survival Game in the second world.