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Licht Bach

Licht Bach (リヒトー=バッハ, Rihitō Bahha), born Sakai Rihito (坂井 離人, Sakai Rihitō), is the main male protagonist of Plunderer. He is one of the Seven Legendary Red Barons, renowned under the title of the “Flash Baron” (閃撃の撃墜王, Sengeki no Gekitsui-ō; Yen Press translation: Ace of Flashing Strikes). Known for his extraordinary speed and combat prowess, Licht plays a crucial role in the series, carrying a mysterious past intertwined with the events of the Alcia military and Abyss war.

Appearance

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Appearance in Anime

Licht Bach’s appearance remains largely unchanged 300 years after the war, aside from his long, white hair and increased height. He has crimson eyes and fair skin, though his features are not particularly uncommon. Before becoming a Red Baron, he had black hair and dark blue eyes.

To conceal his identity, Licht frequently wears masks of various designs, primarily traditional Japanese Noh masks. Occasionally, he disguises himself further by wearing costumes, such as dressing as a pudding cup, with his sword repurposed to resemble a spoon.

His typical attire consists of a red garb draped over his shoulders, armor underneath, and jet-powered boots, although it is unclear if the boots remain functional. On the back of his hand, he bears an astonishing negative count of -999 at the start of the series, a significant contrast to the standard positive counts seen in Alcia.

Licht first appears with messy, mid-back length hair, which is later cut shorter mid-fight. He also initially wears a Noh mask, which is destroyed during his battle with Davi.

A notable detail is the number code “001”, which occasionally appears in Licht’s left eye. Though unconfirmed, this is likely his identification code from the Aerial Ace Project, marking him as the first of the Red Barons. Other Barons share similar markings, with Tokikaze labeled as “002” and Taketora as “003”, signifying the order in which they were created.

During the final war between the Althea Royal Guard and Special Service, Licht’s hair color reverts to black. This transformation occurs as a result of merging his own genetic makeup with Schmelman’s genes, symbolizing his return to his original self.

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Personality

Licht Bach is an enigmatic and complex individual, often concealing his true nature and avoiding recognition as a Red Baron. Despite his attempts to remain unnoticed, his overwhelming power and strong sense of justice frequently compel him to reveal himself when others are in danger. He is unable to stand by and watch people suffer, making it difficult for him to maintain his disguise for long.

On the surface, Licht displays a shamelessly perverted and needy personality, often behaving in an over-the-top comedic manner. He frequently flirts with women, though he is accustomed to being rejected and disliked, handling these situations with an emotionless, almost indifferent expression.

However, this outwardly mischievous and carefree demeanor is merely a facade deep down, Licht is profoundly burdened by his past as a soldier, haunted by the countless lives he has taken over the past 300 years.

Beneath his lighthearted exterior lies a man plagued by guilt and remorse, struggling to reconcile his actions with his desire to protect others. However, when he fully embraces the power of his Ballot, his personality undergoes a drastic shift. He becomes consumed by unwavering bloodlust, displaying a merciless and ruthless desire to eliminate all enemies in battle. This darker side of him serves as a stark contrast to his usual playful self, revealing the deep scars left by his past and the consequences of wielding immense power.

Abilities and Power

Licht Bach possesses immense physical and supernatural abilities, making him one of the most powerful characters in Plunderer. As a Legendary Red Baron, he is known for his unparalleled speed, lethal swordsmanship, and bloodlust-fueled strength. His abilities are further enhanced by his Ballot Replica, granting him devastating offensive capabilities. However, his power comes at a great cost, as activating Schmelman’s bloodlust genes risks his sanity and loss of control.

Licht has two separate counts, each representing different aspects of his abilities. His first count, located on his left hand, initially reads -999 and later drops to -1002. According to Nana, this count represents the number of women who have rejected him, decreasing when he turns someone down and increasing when he is rejected. His second count, originally thought to be 5,700, is engraved on his longsword and signifies the number of heads he has severed in battle. During combat, this count increases tenfold, reaching 57,000 when activating Schmelman’s bloodlust genes. However, it is later revealed that this is not his real count, as he had taken the sword from a defeated Ballot Holder over 100 years ago. His true Ballot Replica, hidden away by Schmelman, originally bore a count of 300,000, which surged to 1,500,000 in battle. It is estimated that, at full power, his count could exceed 3,000,000. During his fight against Firenda, Licht momentarily overcame Schmelman’s influence, causing his count to skyrocket to 20,000,000, surpassing Firenda’s own power.

As a Red Baron, Licht’s defining ability is his unmatched speed, earning him the title “Flash Baron” (閃撃の撃墜王, Sengeki no Gekitsui-ō). His movement is so fast that it surpasses the speed of sound, and in some instances, is implied to be faster than light. His reaction time is exceptional, allowing him to perceive bullets in slow motion even before undergoing Baron Surgery. However, his natural speed was initially hindered by his physical limitations. After becoming a Baron, his reaction speed and movement far surpassed even Schmelman, making him one of the rarest warriors in history. He uses his Flashing Strike (閃撃, Sengeki), a technique that allows him to move at blinding speeds, rendering him almost invisible to opponents. His sheer acceleration enables him to deliver powerful strikes, as seen in his Speed Strike, which increases the force of his blows exponentially. He can also throw objects at incredible velocity, demonstrated when he used Speed Throwing to hurl sand at Firenda, effectively immobilizing her. His Supernatural Leap allows him to jump great distances, often making it seem as though he is flying. Additionally, his immense speed grants him Shockwave Manipulation, enabling him to generate powerful shockwaves that devastate his surroundings.

Licht is also an exceptional swordsman, wielding his Ballot-enhanced longsword with incredible precision. In the anime adaptation, he demonstrates Light Slash, a technique where he infuses his sword with light energy to cut through obstacles, including Baron masks and supernatural illusions. When Licht succumbs to his bloodlust, he becomes even more deadly, performing Flash Slashing, a technique that allows him to dismember enemies instantly, reducing their bodies to molecular mist. If he completely loses control, he generates a Slashing Aura, a field that slices everything within its range at blinding speeds.

However, his most dangerous ability stems from Schmelman’s bloodlust genes, which allow him to increase his count exponentially at the risk of losing his sanity. The higher his count, the more he succumbs to an uncontrollable urge to kill. When Licht enters Bloodlust Mode, his strength and speed multiply significantly, enabling him to unleash Shockwave Blasts that destroy everything in his path. His power is so immense that even Firenda and Alexandrov recognize its danger, knowing that if Licht completely surrenders to his bloodlust, he would become an unstoppable force.

During the Abandonment War 300 years ago, Licht was equipped with specialized jet boots, granting him the ability to fly, hover, and glide in battle. Though he still wears them in the present, it remains uncertain if they are still functional.

Licht Bach stands as one of the most powerful warriors in Plunderer, possessing godlike speed, deadly swordsmanship, and an ever-increasing count that amplifies his strength. However, his abilities come with the constant danger of losing control, making him both a formidable warrior and a tragic figure haunted by his past.

Relationships

Hina Farrow
The main female protagonist and Licht’s love interest. Though Licht teases and flirts with her, he secretly cares deeply for her and slowly opens up about his past as their journey progresses.

Nana Bassler
One of Licht’s closest friends and protectors, Nana serves as an emotional anchor for him, helping him cope with his past and his guilt.

Sakai Tokikaze
His adoptive brother and former best friend, turned tragic rival due to the war and government manipulation. Their battles and emotional conflicts are among the most intense moments in the series.

Douan Taketora
One of Licht’s greatest enemies, representing the brutality of the Red Barons at their worst. Their ideological clash defines some of the series’ most significant battles.

Other Red Barons
Licht shares a complicated history with his fellow Aces, some of whom still serve the military, while others, like Nana and Gespenst, seek their own form of redemption.

Legacy

Licht Bach’s journey of redemption, struggle against fate, and internal battle with his past make him one of the most compelling protagonists in anime and manga. As the Flash Baron, he represents the burden of power and the weight of guilt, but as a wanderer seeking redemption, he symbolizes hope, resilience, and the fight for a better future. Whether seen as a hero, a monster, or a tragic warrior, Licht remains the heart and soul of Plunderer, shaping the destiny of the world through his actions, beliefs, and unwavering spirit.

Trivia

    • Licht’s name, “Bach,” references the famous composer Johann Sebastian Bach, hinting at his refined and precise combat style.
    • Despite his tragic past, Licht is one of the most comedic characters in the series, constantly flirting and avoiding responsibility.
    • His red streak of hair and glowing red eyes symbolize his status as a Red Baron, even though he tries to reject his past.
    • Licht is one of the few characters who refuses to kill, despite having the power to do so effortlessly.
    • His battle against Douan Taketora is one of the most intense fights in the series, showcasing his full potential as an Ace.