Rintaro Okabe
Rintaro Okabe
|
岡部 倫太郎
|
|
|---|---|
| Personal Description | |
| Aliases | Hououin Kyouma (鳳凰院 凶真, Hōōin Kyōma) |
| Biographical information | |
| Birth | December 14, 1991 |
| Age | 19 (Steins;Gate 0) |
| Status | Alive |
| Occupation | Student at Tokyo Denki University |
| Physical information | |
| Gender | Male |
| Height | 177 cm (5’10”) |
| Weight | 59 kg (130 lbs) |
| First Appearance | |
| Visual Novel | Steins;Gate (Chapter 1) |
| Manga | Chapter 1 |
| Voice Actors | |
| Japanese | Mamoru Miyano |
| English | J. Michael Tatum |
- Japanese Name: 岡部 倫太郎 (Okabe Rintarō)
- Aliases: Hououin Kyouma (鳳凰院 凶真), Okarin
- Franchise:Steins;Gate
|
Émile Durkheim
|
|
|---|---|
| Born |
David Émile Durkheim
15 April 1858 Épinal, France
|
| Died | 15 November 1917(aged 59)
Paris,France
|
| Nationality | French |
| Alma mater | École Normale Supérieure |
| Known for | Sacred–profane dichotomy Collective consciousness Social fact Social integration Anomie Collective effervescence |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Philosophy, sociology, education, anthropology, religious studies |
| Institutions | University of Paris, University of Bordeaux |
| Influences | Immanuel Kant, René Descartes,Plato, Herbert Spencer,Aristotle, Montesquieu, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Auguste Comte. William James, John Dewey, Fustel de Coulanges, Jean-Marie Guyau, Charles Bernard Renouvier, John Stuart Mill |
| Influenced | Marcel Mauss,Claude Lévi-Strauss, Talcott Parsons, Maurice Halbwachs, Jonathan Haidt, Lucien Lévy-Bruhl,Bronisław Malinowski, Fernand Braudel, Pierre Bourdieu, Charles Taylor, Henri Bergson, Emmanuel Levinas, Steven Lukes, Alfred Radcliffe-Brown, E. E. Evans-Pritchard, Mary Douglas, Paul Fauconnet, Robert N. Bellah, Ziya Gökalp, David Bloor, Randall Collins, Neil Smelser[1] |
Background and Role
Rintaro Okabe, known to his friends as “Okarin,” is the eccentric protagonist of Steins;Gate. As a self-proclaimed “mad scientist,” he adopts the dramatic persona of Hououin Kyouma, an identity that brings out his sense of grandeur and flair for theatricality. Living with his parents in Ikebukuro, Okabe spends much of his time in the “Future Gadget Lab”—a makeshift laboratory where he conducts odd experiments with his friends. His journey into the world of science fiction begins in the summer of 2010, when a series of extraordinary events leads him to experiment with time travel.
Clad in his signature white lab coat, Rintaro Okabe exudes the eccentric flair of a ‘mad scientist,’ his expressive stance capturing both his quirky personality and the intensity of his ambitions.
Personality and Relationships
Okabe’s personality is marked by his eccentric behavior, dark humor, and vivid imagination. While his “Hououin Kyouma” persona is a shield he uses to mask his insecurities, it also reflects his genuine love for science and mystery. His quirky nature often confuses or amuses those around him, particularly his childhood friend Mayuri Shiina, who affectionately calls him “Okarin.” Despite his wild antics, Okabe shows a strong sense of loyalty and responsibility toward his friends, and he often puts their safety above his own.
His relationships with other key characters, like Kurisu Makise and Itaru “Daru” Hashida, shape much of his character development. Kurisu, a brilliant neuroscientist, is initially skeptical of Okabe’s eccentricities but gradually becomes one of his closest allies. The mutual respect and deep bond between Okabe and Kurisu add layers to his personality, revealing his capacity for vulnerability and genuine affection.
Appearance
Okabe is a tall young man with disheveled dark brown hair and sharp features, often seen wearing a white lab coat that he considers his “mad scientist” attire. He typically dresses in plain clothes beneath his coat, which contributes to his distinct but disheveled appearance, matching his offbeat personality. His expressive gestures and intense gaze add to his dramatic, mad scientist persona.
Role in Steins;Gate
As the narrative unfolds, Okabe becomes entangled in a complex series of events where he must grapple with the implications of time travel. With each attempt to change the past, Okabe realizes the far-reaching consequences of his actions, which often lead to darker and more dangerous realities. His journey forces him to confront themes of fate, loss, and the limits of human control. Through relentless struggle, he attempts to reach the “Steins Gate” world line—a reality free from tragedy.
Trivia and Insights
★Breaking the Fourth Wall: Okabe’s “Hououin Kyouma” persona often breaks the fourth wall, as he makes outlandish statements and conspiracy-laden speeches, addressing unseen audiences in the spirit of his mad scientist role.
★Scientific Curiosity: His fascination with theoretical science and technology drives his relentless pursuit of knowledge, often inspiring his followers to pursue ambitious, albeit eccentric, projects.
★Resilient Spirit: Despite experiencing emotional and physical trauma due to his repeated time travels, Okabe’s resolve to protect his friends only grows stronger, underscoring his journey from an eccentric dreamer to a determined hero.
Legacy
Rintaro Okabe’s story in Steins;Gate resonates with audiences due to his complexity and growth. His character arc, from an eccentric mad scientist to a time-weary hero, offers a compelling exploration of human resilience and the cost of knowledge. His journey through hardship and discovery makes Okabe one of anime’s most unforgettable protagonists, embodying the thrills and challenges of science fiction while delving into profound themes of friendship, love, and sacrifice.