
Reborn
Reborn |
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Japanese | リボーン |
Rōmaji | Ribōn |
Statistics | |
Birthday | October 13 |
Status | Active |
Famiglia | Vongola Famiglia |
Dying Will Flame | Sun Flame |
Equipment | Reborn’s costumes Gun |
Partner | Leon |
Teams | Arcobaleno Team Reborn (former) Allied Team (former) |
Appearances | |
Manga Debut | Chapter 1 |
Anime Debut | Episode 1 |
Portrayal | |
Japanese Voice | Ken Narita |
English Voice | Veronica Taylor |
Reborn is the titular character of the Katekyo Hitman Reborn! series and serves as the primary tutor to Tsunayoshi Sawada, training him to become the next boss of the Vongola Famiglia. As Tsuna’s strict and enigmatic mentor, Reborn plays a pivotal role throughout the series, guiding Tsuna’s development from an incompetent middle schooler to a capable Mafia leader. His presence is central to both the manga and anime adaptations, as well as in various video games, drama CDs, and promotional materials related to the series. Recognizable by his infant-like appearance and signature fedora, Reborn is an iconic figure within the Katekyo Hitman Reborn! franchise.
Personality

Appearance in Anime
Reborn is a confident and composed individual who prides himself on being the strongest hitman. He consistently maintains a calm demeanor, rarely showing emotion, and is always in control of any situation. Even in the face of sneak attacks, Reborn demonstrates his exceptional reflexes and tactical awareness, effortlessly countering ambushes such as returning a grenade thrown by Lambo or overpowering larger opponents despite his diminutive stature.
Reborn is known for his mischievous and unpredictable nature, earning him the reputation of a “Spartan tutor” from Tsuna due to his harsh and relentless training methods. He frequently teases, pranks, and torments his students, often creating chaotic scenarios for his own amusement. He is also fond of cosplaying, dramatically altering his outfits to fit various situations. However, despite his playful and sadistic tendencies, his actions are ultimately meant to shape Tsuna into a capable Mafia boss, showing that his training, no matter how unorthodox, is always for his student’s benefit.
A more deterministic side of Reborn is subtly hinted at throughout the series and fully revealed near the end. Initially, he harbored great resentment toward the Arcobaleno Curse, expressing anger and frustration over his fate. After wandering for some time, he came to accept his destiny, even asking Shamal to erase his personal history. Resigned to his inevitable fate as an Arcobaleno, he was even prepared to join the Vindice until Tsuna convinced him to fight for another path.
While Reborn rarely displays genuine anger, there are notable instances where his temper surfaces. He snapped upon discovering that Gola Moska had been carrying Timoteo, and he was enraged when he could do nothing but watch Tsuna being brutally beaten by Demon Spade. His wrath is so formidable that even Cervello, usually emotionless and professional, has expressed apprehension at provoking him.
Reborn possesses a master’s degree in mathematics, making him comfortable with teaching others in both academics and combat. His interests include coffee espresso, with venti being his standard size, and vongole fettuccine, along with anything cooked by Maman. His hobbies include napping, tutoring Tsuna, and weapons maintenance. He is also a member of the Italian Bird Society, hinting at an interest in birds. Additionally, Reborn shares a peculiar habit with Colonnello and his pet chameleon, Leon, in that they all sleep with their eyes open.
Reborn’s dedication to his students is undeniable, as he constantly pushes them beyond their limits. When training Tsuna, he does not hesitate to use shortcuts, such as the Dying Will Bullet to accelerate his growth in both combat and everyday life. His mentorship extends beyond Tsuna, as he personally devises training programs for Gokudera, refines Yamamoto’s swordsmanship, and assists Ryohei under the alias Master PaoPao. His approach to training is highly effective, if often unorthodox, making him an invaluable figure in shaping the future of the Vongola Famiglia.
Appearance
Reborn is a small infant with large, almost entirely black eyes and spiky black hair that retains its shape even under his hat. A unique feature of his appearance is his thin, curly sideburns, which distinguish him from other infants. His signature outfit consists of a small black suit, paired with a red long-sleeved shirt and a black necktie, which occasionally appears in different colors, such as blue. The most iconic element of his attire is his black fedora with an orange stripe, which serves as a perch for Leon, his shape-shifting animal partner, who is often seen resting on the brim.
As an Arcobaleno, Reborn possesses a Yellow Arcobaleno Pacifier, which glows whenever other Arcobaleno are nearby. After his curse is lifted, he no longer carries the original pacifier but replaces it with a replica, stating that he could not be at ease without one.
Reborn’s true form is that of a tall and lean man, retaining many of his infant characteristics but with a more refined and mature appearance. In this form, he typically wears a yellow long-sleeved shirt, and in some promotional images, his blazer is replaced with a waistcoat. At times, his shadow takes the shape of his adult self, allowing some individuals to perceive his original form. This phenomenon is notably observed when he first appears to train Dino and later when interacting with Takeshi Yamamoto.
Throughout the series, Reborn is known for his elaborate disguises, donning various costumes with incredible realism. His outfits range from blending seamlessly into his surroundings to fully impersonating other individuals, making him nearly unrecognizable. His disguises are so convincing that even Ryohei Sasagawa is fooled into believing Reborn is Master PaoPao, while Tsuna who has grown accustomed to Reborn’s antics immediately recognizes him. His ability to adopt different personas with ease adds an element of unpredictability to his character, reinforcing his mysterious and mischievous nature.
Abilities
Reborn lives up to his title as the world’s strongest hitman, demonstrating exceptional combat skills, sharp reflexes, and extraordinary tactical acumen. Despite his infant-sized body, he can overpower much larger opponents in close combat, displaying immense physical strength and endurance. He has been seen blocking attacks with thin utensils without showing strain, kicking opponents away with tremendous force, and effortlessly scaling high places before landing without injury. His reflexes and senses are sharp enough to intercept attacks from powerful fighters, including Kyoya Hibari and fellow Arcobaleno Colonnello.
Reborn’s marksmanship is among his most impressive skills, boasting an incredible reaction time of 0.05 seconds. His precision allows him to fire a Dying Will Bullet at Tsuna in a split second, even while being knocked away by Xanxus or obstructed by environmental factors like dust. He has also demonstrated the ability to shoot multiple targets simultaneously by splitting his projectile mid-air, utilizing his vast reserves of Sun Flames. His tactical shooting skills enable him to activate Tsuna’s Dying Will Mode at critical moments, such as when Tsuna was falling and needed to save Yamamoto.
Beyond combat, Reborn exhibits extraordinary leadership and strategic thinking, earning the respect and trust of even the other Arcobaleno. He possesses an innate ability to command authority, ensuring that his orders are not only followed but also highly effective in critical situations. Rather than intervening immediately, he often observes events from the sidelines, allowing situations to unfold naturally before stepping in when necessary. This approach encourages others to develop their own problem-solving skills while maintaining Reborn’s firm control over outcomes. Even in dire situations, he can be seen calmly napping, further reinforcing his confidence in his foresight and planning.
Reborn frequently claims that he can read minds, and this clairvoyant ability goes beyond mere intuition. He has displayed an uncanny ability to know exactly what Tsuna and Lal Mirch are thinking, often responding to Tsuna’s internal thoughts out loud. His strategic foresight is so refined that it appears as though he anticipates the outcome of events long before they happen. His ability to predict and manipulate scenarios further cements his role as an unparalleled mastermind in the world of the Vongola.
One of the greatest examples of his tactical genius is seen in his orchestration of Tsuna’s hostage situation. Reborn maneuvered the entire battlefield like a grandmaster in a chess game, enabling Tsuna to experience what it meant to endure pain for the sake of his friends—just as they had done for him. He carefully positioned Doctor Shamal, Adult Lambo, and Adult I-Pin in locations where they could eliminate threats to Kyoko Sasagawa and Haru Miura, ensuring their safety without Tsuna even realizing it. Furthermore, he had prepared contingencies in case true danger arose, preventing Tsuna from recklessly sacrificing himself while neutralizing threats in an efficient and calculated manner.
Reborn’s unparalleled combat skills, masterful tactics, and ability to shape those around him make him one of the most formidable and influential figures in Katekyo Hitman Reborn!.
Equipment
Reborn utilizes a variety of specialized weapons and tools, often incorporating them into his strategic and unpredictable fighting style. His main weapon and partner is Leon, a shape-shifting chameleon capable of transforming into a wide array of weapons and objects, making Reborn’s arsenal highly adaptable.
Leon
Reborn’s primary weapon and closest companion, Leon is a shape-shifting chameleon that can transform into various tools, weapons, and props depending on the situation. Though he is not always seen in battle, Leon is powerful enough to handle Tsuna and his Guardians without difficulty. Reborn frequently relies on Leon’s transformation ability to complement his many disguises and strategic ploys, making him an essential asset both in combat and subterfuge.
Reborn’s Costumes
A master of espionage and disguise, Reborn frequently dons different costumes and adopts new identities for both pragmatic and comedic purposes. These disguises allow him to blend into his surroundings, gather intelligence, or assume a role to fit a particular scenario. His proficiency in deception has even earned him high rankings in the “Mafia Hide-and-Seek” competition, a testament to his ability to evade detection.
Gun
Reborn carries a standard firearm, which he uses with exceptional precision. He primarily employs it to shoot Dying Will Bullets or Criticism Shots at Tsuna, activating his Dying Will Mode when necessary. In combat, Reborn is an expert marksman, capable of hitting his targets instantly and without hesitation, even while in motion or under adverse conditions.
Reverse One Ton Mallet
A weapon used exclusively by Reborn, the Reverse One Ton Mallet is featured mainly in the anime for comedic purposes, though its true function is revealed in the manga. Unlike its animated counterpart, where Leon transforms into the mallet, the manga version is a separate entity. Despite its immense weight, Reborn is able to wield it effortlessly, swinging it as if it were weightless. The mallet possesses a unique ability that allows Reborn to extinguish Dying Will Flames upon impact, making it a highly effective countermeasure against flame-based combatants. Additionally, it can function as a standard melee weapon, dealing significant blunt-force damage.
Through his unmatched adaptability, mastery of disguise, and reliance on Leon’s transformation abilities, Reborn remains one of the most unpredictable and dangerous hitmen in the Mafia world.
Legacy
Reborn’s presence in Katekyo Hitman Reborn! is irreplaceable, as he serves as the catalyst for Tsuna’s growth and the foundation of the Vongola’s strength. His wisdom, experience, and unparalleled combat skills make him one of the most respected figures in the Mafia world.
Whether as a mentor, a hitman, or a guiding force behind Tsuna’s rise to power, Reborn’s impact on the series and its characters is undeniable.
Trivia
Reborn’s name means “rebirth,” symbolizing his status as an Arcobaleno and his role in Tsuna’s transformation.
He is obsessed with disguises, often appearing as different personas, including a cowboy, samurai, and detective.
Leon’s transformations are unpredictable, often adapting based on Reborn’s needs at the moment.
Despite his cold and professional exterior, he has a soft spot for his students, even if he rarely shows it directly.
He has a signature catchphrase: “Ciao-su!”, which he often says when introducing himself.