
Lisa Mishima
Lisa Mishima |
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Kanji | 三島 リサ |
Rōmaji | Mishima Risa |
Age: | 17 (start) |
Birthday: | March 7th 1998 |
Height: | Unknown |
Voice Actor | |
Japanese | Atsumi Tanezaki |
English | Jad Saxton |
Lisa Mishima (三島 リサ, Mishima Risa), is one of the main characters in Terror in Resonance (Zankyou no Terror). She is a lonely, emotionally fragile teenager who becomes entangled in the plans of the terrorist duo Sphinx after an encounter with Twelve. Lisa suffers from constant bullying at school and severe emotional abuse from her unstable mother, making her deeply isolated and withdrawn.
Her fate takes a drastic turn when she crosses paths with Twelve, who offers her a choice to live or die. This encounter leads Lisa into a life of danger and uncertainty, as she becomes inadvertently involved in Sphinx’s terrorist activities. Although she starts as a helpless bystander, Lisa slowly gains the courage to fight for herself, forming a complicated yet genuine bond with Twelve and Nine.
Background

Appearance in anime
Lisa comes from a troubled household, living with her emotionally unstable mother, who has paranoia and abandonment issues. Her father is absent, having left the family, which exacerbates her mother’s instability. As a result, Lisa is constantly pressured, verbally abused, and made to feel like a burden.
At school, Lisa is severely bullied by her classmates, who mock her and ostracize her from social groups. Her isolation is so extreme that she begins to consider ending her own life, believing that no one would care if she disappeared.
Lisa’s life changes forever when she accidentally gets caught up in one of Sphinx’s terrorist attacks. Rather than fleeing, Twelve gives her a choice to join them or die. Lisa, unsure of what else to do, chooses to follow them, unknowingly stepping into a world far more dangerous than her own misery.
Appearance
Lisa is a frail and timid-looking girl with shoulder-length dark brown hair that appears unkempt due to her neglectful living conditions. She has large brown eyes, which often convey a sense of melancholy and fear. Her thin frame and slightly hunched posture reflect her lack of confidence and self-esteem.
She is frequently seen wearing her school uniform, consisting of a white blouse and a brown pleated skirt. However, after joining Sphinx, she starts wearing casual, oversized clothing, reflecting her gradual detachment from her old life.
Personality
Lisa is introverted, emotionally fragile, and deeply insecure. Years of neglect, bullying, and emotional abuse have left her with low self-esteem and a strong sense of powerlessness. She is initially passive and submissive, often allowing others to walk over her without resistance.
Despite her timid nature, Lisa harbors a quiet resilience. While she struggles with self-worth, she does not completely give up on life, showing that a part of her still wants to survive.
As she spends more time with Nine and Twelve, Lisa slowly gains confidence, beginning to stand up for herself. She remains a gentle and kind person, but she no longer lets fear define her. Her growth is subtle, yet deeply impactful, as she transforms from a helpless victim into someone capable of choosing her own path.
Role in the Story
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Becoming Involved with Sphinx
Lisa’s involvement with Sphinx begins when she is caught in the middle of their first bombing attack. Instead of escaping, she is confronted by Twelve, who gives her an ultimatum die in the explosion or become an accomplice. Having nothing to return to, Lisa chooses to follow them, though she remains unsure of their true intentions. At first, Lisa is completely out of place in Sphinx’s world, being physically and mentally unprepared for the dangers that come with associating with terrorists. Nine, in particular, does not trust her and sees her as a liability, while Twelve remains protective and affectionate toward her. -
Developing Bonds with Twelve and Nine
Lisa’s relationship with Twelve is central to her character arc. Unlike Nine, Twelve shows her kindness and empathy, making her feel wanted for the first time in her life. He saves her from drowning, teaches her how to ride a motorcycle, and constantly reassures her when she feels useless. With Nine, Lisa struggles to gain his trust. He sees her as weak and a burden, yet over time, Lisa begins to prove her worth, even helping them evade law enforcement. Despite Nine’s cold exterior, Lisa earns his reluctant respect, especially after she risks herself to help them. -
Conflict with Five
Lisa’s presence becomes even more dangerous when Five, a government agent from Nine and Twelve’s past, targets her as a hostage to get to them. Unlike other threats, Five sees Lisa as disposable, using her as a mere pawn in her psychological games against Sphinx. Lisa is kidnapped and nearly killed, but her ordeal serves as a turning point rather than remaining helpless, she begins to fight back, showing that she is no longer just a victim. -
The Final Tragedy
As the series reaches its climax, Lisa becomes more of an emotional anchor for both Nine and Twelve. She represents humanity, warmth, and the life they could never have. However, this also makes her a symbol of everything they will lose. Lisa is present when Twelve is abruptly executed by U.S. government forces, leaving her shocked and heartbroken. She later watches as Nine completes Sphinx’s mission, ensuring that the truth behind Project Athena is revealed to the world before he succumbs to the long-term effects of the experiments. In the end, Lisa is left alone, but she has grown stronger. Despite the pain and loss, she has learned to survive and most importantly, she has finally found the will to live.
Relationships
Twelve (Protector and Love Interest)
Twelve is Lisa’s closest and most significant relationship. Unlike others who ignored or hurt her, Twelve sees her as someone worth saving. He is kind and playful with her, making her feel valued for the first time. Over time, their bond deepens, with Twelve going as far as betraying Nine to keep Lisa safe. His sacrifice for her marks one of the most heartbreaking moments in the series.
Nine (Reluctant Ally)
Nine initially resents Lisa’s presence, seeing her as a liability. However, as the series progresses, he develops a grudging respect for her resilience. While he never expresses it openly, Nine acknowledges Lisa’s growth by the end, leaving her with the final message from Sphinx before his death.