Yu Kirasawa , also known as the Illustrator , is a major character in Ultraman Nexus and the strategist of TLT. Like Ren Senjyu, he is also a Prometheus Child.
History[]
Pre-Ultraman Nexus[]
Kirasawa during his student days.
In order to create "superhumans" capable of communicating with visitors, TLT initiated experiments using the genes of Hayato Kaimoto as a prototype. This project was named the Prometheus Project. Yu Kirasawa, born a year into the project, is a clone human referred to as the "Prometheus Child". He possesses the psychic ability to sense visitors and was created to receive their telepathic messages. He was bestowed with the title of "Illustrator" because when his powers began to manifest, he would depict his premonitions of the future through illustrations. However, during his student years, his aspiration was to become an ornithologist. This, in a subtle way, also became his ideal of longing for freedom.
From childhood, Kirasawa had a brotherly relationship with Ren Senjyu because they shared the same genes. They even shared a room in the facility's dormitory for a month. One day, without permission from the academy staff, Ren sneaked out of the academy in the middle of the night to go to the seaside. Kirasawa foresaw that Ren wouldn't reach the seaside, but when Ren was caught by the personnel, he handed Kirasawa a seashell, indicating that he had reached the beach, proving that "destiny and the future can be changed".
Ren had a significant impact on Kirasawa and instilled in him a strong belief that "the future can be changed." Even after joining TLT, he continued to keep the seashell that Ren had given him. Bird
Ultraman Nexus[]
Kirasawa's first appearance.
Two years later, due to his psychic ability to sense Space Beasts, Kirasawa was selected as the strategist of TLT-J. When receiving notifications of Space Beast appearances, he would confirm their locations based on the vibrations emitted by the Space Beasts, issuing attack commands and operational instructions to NR accordingly.
However, he never directly appeared before NR or Commander Yoichiro Matsunaga. Instead, he issued commands from a dimly lit room known as the CIC (Combat Information Center), projecting holographic images to the operations room and other locations. He believed his mission was to safeguard the future of humanity and accepted his substantial confinement within the CIC. He maintained a demeanor of considerable coldness and relinquished any personal emotional attachment on the surface.
At the beginning of the series, as a strategist, Kirasawa held higher authority than Commander Matsunaga and demonstrated a profound understanding of both the Space Beasts and Ultraman identities. However, his approach to warfare was exceedingly cold-hearted. When Pedoleon attacked hostages, he immediately ordered their elimination due to concerns about the potential expansion of the disaster area. Strange Creature - Space Beast - Additionally, during the battle with Bugbuzun, he ordered NR to attack Ultraman, even when a Komon claimed Ultraman was an ally. Kirasawa would smile mysteriously and utter cryptic phrases, maintaining silence. Subspace - Meta Field -
As the series progressed, it was revealed that Kirasawa's insistence on attacking Ultraman was not out of hostility but rather to develop antibodies to suppress the "Space Beast Factor". To facilitate the development of these antibodies, a delicate balance of power between Ultraman, TLT, and the Space Beasts needed to be maintained. Thus, deliberately weakening Ultraman's strength was deemed necessary to adjust this equilibrium.
A conversation between Kirasawa and Jun.
When Jun Himeya was captured by TLT and subjected to human experimentation, Kirasawa questioned Jun about the reason for not resisting. Jun replied to him, stating that he wanted to understand the meaning of his power. Kirasawa was puzzled by Jun's inclination towards fighting, especially considering Jun's already serious injuries. Jun expressed his readiness, saying, "I am prepared, but I cannot die before I leave." Suffering - Sacrifice - Kirasawa noted that Jun's body couldn't endure immense pressure anymore, but upon seeing Jun's determination, he silently acknowledged Jun's decision and chose not to intervene. Repose - Cure -
Subsequently, after analyzing the warning letter that Shinya Mizorogi wrote to Nagi Saijyo, he revealed that Mizorogi had provided NR with precise timing and information about opening the special phase gate that links to the habitat of the Space Beasts. The first six locations matched those recorded in the Book of Revelation as the positions of churches, with the final one located in Shinjuku Central Park. This also enabled NR to arrive at the "Land of Death" through the seventh gate. Destiny - Satisfaction -
After the battle between Dark Mephisto and Ultraman concluded, Kirasawa revealed that all data related to Jun in the TLT data center had been completely erased by an unknown individual. He raised concerns about a "spy" infiltrating TLT-J. Omen - Prophecy - When the third Dunamist and new Space Beasts emerged, he analyzed and discovered that the new dark space was not created by Mizorogi but by Fold Fault Particles, resulting in the creation of Dark Field G. He referred to the "spy" lurking within TLT-J as the "unknown hand." Prayer
Kirasawa and Ren reunited after a separation of two and a half years.
When he began documenting the data of the third Dunamist's transformation into Ultraman, Ren contacted Kirasawa through telepathy. After seeing Kirasawa's data investigation, Ren expressed a wish for Kirasawa to record his battles as Ultraman. It was during this time that Kirasawa discovered that the true identity of the Dunamist was Ren, prompting him to start showing concern for Ren's condition and revealing previously unseen personal emotions. Prayer
He also clandestinely explained the "Prometheus Project" and Ren's true identity to Komon, who was investigating Ren's background. However, due to confidentiality and security concerns, he repeatedly requested Komon not to approach Ren further. Reunion On the other hand, he felt puzzled about the significance of Ren gaining Ultraman powers. Guardian - Watcher -
After Ren was captured by TLT, Kirasawa was not informed of Ren's arrest. When negotiations between NR and Matsunaga broke down, and NR executed the rescue operation for Ren, Kirasawa suggested to Matsunaga that Ren should be considered as a combat force against the space beasts. Revolt
Kirasawa held the seashell given to him by Ren and encouraged him in return.
Upon learning of Raphael's completion and dispatch to Japan, he told Ren, who was unable to bear his injuries, that he needed to stop fighting and immediately accept Raphael's treatment. However, Ren prioritized defeating Ezmael. When Ren found himself in a difficult battle, he communicated through telepathy, telling him to "believe in the light," inspiring Ren to rally. Decisive Battle - Farewell -
"Ren, can you hear me? Ren, believe in the light!"
- ―Yu encourages Ren when fighting Ezmael
In the finale, as Dark Zagi's plan began, Kirasawa left the CIC due to the urgency of the situation. Rushing to Section 0, where Lethe was located, he precisely aimed the Divait Shooter at the mastermind behind the scenes, Mitsuhiko Ishibori. However, due to his insufficient abilities, even he was unable to stop Ishibori's actions. He could only witness Lethe's collapse alone.
Kirasawa witnessed the battle between Ultraman and Dark Zagi.
When Komon gained the power of Ultraman, Kirasawa and Matsunaga watched Ultraman Noa's battle with Dark Zagi in Shinjuku from the base. He remarked, "If Ultraman wins in this battle... perhaps... fate can change." Bond - Nexus -
Gallery[]
Ultraman Nexus[]
Miscellaneous[]
Trivia[]
- Kirasawa seems to be aware of the complete data regarding Dunamists. He once indicated, while looking at Jun Himeya's personal data, that Jun was the second Dunamist, implying that he was aware of the existence of the first Dunamist, Shunichi Maki.[2]
- Masato Uchiyama, who played Ren, originally auditioned for the role of Kirasawa but was rejected.
- According to Hiroyasu Shibuya, the concept of the Prometheus Project was actually introduced by Ai Ota, who succeeded as the series composer. To establish a connection between Kirasawa and Ren's pasts, Kirasawa was given the additional backstory of being a "Prometheus Child".[3]
- According to Ota, when writing the series and developing Ren's interpersonal relationships, she recognized that Ren could not directly connect with the members of the Night Raiders. This led to the addition of several new supporting characters. Among them, Ota envisioned Kirasawa as a pivotal figure, given that he was the only peer among the regular cast who was the same age as Ren. She believed that linking Ren and Kirasawa would enrich the series, emphasizing its youthful themes.[4]
- Regarding Ren and Kisaragi, Ota saw them as opposites—not simply “light and dark,” but individuals who could grow to understand each other.
- Due to the shortened season, Ota had to choose between focusing on Kisaragi or Mizuo for the story's conclusion. She chose Mizuo to complete Ren’s arc. However, Kisaragi played a crucial role in Episodes 35 and 36, an outcome planned from the start.
References[]
- ↑ https://hicbc.com/tv/nexus/cast/
- ↑ https://hicbc.com/tv/nexus/nazo/kaimei/
- ↑ https://gashapon.jp/news/?p=10580
- ↑ Ultraman Nexus Hero Pictorial Vol.2, pg 42-45