Liontari
Liontari |
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| Kanji | リョダリ |
| Alias | Kitty |
| Statistics | |
| Gender | Male |
| Type | Marked |
| Birthday | Dec 21 |
| Status | Alive |
| Affiliation | Allied Empire (formerly) Orca |
| Occupation | Allied Empire Soldier (Formerly) Jester (Currently) |
| Debut | |
| Manga | Chapter 4 |
| Anime | Episode 3 |
| Actors | |
| Japanese | Daiki Yamashita |
| English | Griffin Burns |
Liontari is a character in the anime and manga series Children of the Whales. He is an Apátheia, a soldier of the Allied Empire who has undergone emotional suppression through the influence of a Nous. Despite his intended emotionless state, Liontari is known for his erratic behavior and emotional instability, setting him apart from other soldiers of his kind.
History
Appearance in Anime
As a child, Liontari underwent his first pilgrimage to a Nous as part of the process to become an Apátheia, a soldier stripped of emotion through contact with the Nous. However, the procedure did not go as intended. Rather than losing his emotions, Liontari claimed that something entered him during the experience, granting him the unsettling ability to perceive the emotions of others. This abnormal outcome made him an outcast among his peers, who viewed his emotional nature as a defect.
At one point, overwhelmed by his situation, Liontari jumped out of a window in an apparent attempt to escape his circumstances. Though he survived the fall, he sustained injuries and was further alienated this time by his own family, who considered him a disgrace. Over time, this continued rejection and isolation caused Liontari’s personality to grow increasingly erratic and unstable.
Prior to the events of the series, Liontari lived in the same city as Lykos, and the two were reportedly friends during their youth. Eventually, Liontari was expelled from the military academy due to his incompatibility with the Nous system. He was shuffled between several military units before finally being assigned to the Falaina extermination unit, where his instability and violent tendencies would later become more apparent.
Appearance
Liontari has brown skin, bright golden eyes, and distinctive bright pink hair that falls to his jawline. He is first seen wearing a gray cloak lined with fur over a purple tunic, paired with dark gray pants. After joining Orca and taking on the role of one of his jesters, Liontari adopts a jester-themed outfit that complements his increasingly unhinged persona.
His overall appearance is notably cat-like, characterized by sharp, feline features and unnaturally pointed teeth that give him a predatory look. He is frequently depicted blushing, adding an unsettling contrast to his otherwise intense and erratic expressions.
Plot
Liontari is a member of the Falaina Extermination Unit under the command of Orca, Lykos’ older brother. He takes part in the first assault on the Mud Whale and is shown taking pleasure in the chaos and violence inflicted on its citizens. During the attack, he attempts to kill Chakuro, but is stopped by Lykos. After the retreat of the first wave, he discusses the events of the assault with Orca, including his unexpected reunion with Lykos.
He later returns as part of the second attack, led by the battleship Skylos. During this invasion, Liontari kills Elder Councilman Hakuji as the latter attempts to escape. However, his actions provoke retaliation from the children of the Mud Whale, who shoot him with arrows. He ultimately falls from the ship into the Sea of Sand.
Despite being presumed dead, Liontari later reappears in Orca’s quarters. It is revealed that Aíma rescued him by carrying him back to the Empire on a gray fish. Though injured and desperate, Liontari expresses a strong desire to return to the Mud Whale. Orca agrees, on the condition that Liontari serves as his jester. Reluctantly, Liontari accepts. As the story progresses, he becomes emotionally attached to Orca, complicating their dynamic further.
Relationships
Lykos
Liontari claims to have been childhood friends with Lykos during their time in the Allied Empire. However, his feelings toward her are deeply conflicted. He harbors resentment and insecurity, believing that Lykos pities him and fears that if she is reunited with Orca, Orca will abandon him. Despite his open hostility toward her, he refrains from harming her only because Orca explicitly forbade it. While he often expresses hatred toward Lykos in private, he quickly masks these feelings in Orca’s presence.
Orca
Liontari exhibits a complex and emotionally dependent relationship with Orca. After being rescued and returned to the Empire, he clings to Orca literally hugging his leg and begging to return to the Mud Whale. Orca agrees on the condition that Liontari serve as his jester. Though he accepts the role begrudgingly, Liontari soon grows deeply attached to Orca, behaving in an almost feline manner nuzzling him, following him closely, and even defending him from attackers. While he initially claims this loyalty is motivated by a desire to return to Falaina, Liontari gradually begins to view Orca as a surrogate older brother. This growing attachment intensifies his jealousy toward Lykos, whom he sees as a rival for Orca’s attention and affection.