List of Claymore characters: Difference between revisions
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{{nihongo|Clarice|クラリス|Kurarisu}} is the new rank 47 (Clare's old rank), and a non-complete hybrid (evident by her hair, which still retains much of its original color). |
{{nihongo|Clarice|クラリス|Kurarisu}} is the new rank 47 (Clare's old rank), and a non-complete hybrid (evident by her hair, which still retains much of its original color). Because of this she lacks the abilities and fighting strength of most other Claymores, only receiving her rank because the organization was severely short of warriors. The majority of Claymores look down at her because of this. |
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Her group is caught in an ambush by a number of awakened ones. Her teammates are severely wounded and she is knocked out. Upon awakening, she finds her comrades recovering and all the awakened ones gone, leaving only huge bloodstains. She later finds the swords of 17 Claymores in what appears to be a makeshift memorial, dating from the Northern campaign 7 years ago. Unknown to her it was the 7 survivors from the Northern Campaign: Clare, Miria, Helen, [[#Deneve|Deneve]], [[#Cynthia|Cynthia]], [[#Tabitha|Tabitha]], and Yuma who saved her. Her fellow Claymores think that she was saved by the vengeful spirits of the fallen Claymores. |
Seven years after the North Campaign, she's sent to the north to join a group hunting awakened ones. Her group is caught in an ambush by a number of awakened ones. Her teammates are severely wounded and she is knocked out. Upon awakening, she finds her comrades recovering and all the awakened ones gone, leaving only huge bloodstains. She later finds the swords of 17 Claymores in what appears to be a makeshift memorial, dating from the Northern campaign 7 years ago. Unknown to her it was the 7 survivors from the Northern Campaign: Clare, Miria, Helen, [[#Deneve|Deneve]], [[#Cynthia|Cynthia]], [[#Tabitha|Tabitha]], and Yuma who saved her. Her fellow Claymores think that she was saved by the vengeful spirits of the fallen Claymores. |
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She later reports her findings to the organization and would soon be assigned to assist Rank 4 [[#Miata|Miata]]. She discovers that [[#Miata|Miata]], despite being Rank 4, is nothing more than a child, and an unstable one at that. This leads her to question just what the Claymores are. Clarice, through means of breast feeding, is able to calm and stabilize Miata's mind. Satisfied with Clarice's 'control' of Miata, the organization assigns them to hunt down the renegade Galatea. |
She later reports her findings to the organization and would soon be assigned to assist Rank 4 [[#Miata|Miata]]. She discovers that [[#Miata|Miata]], despite being Rank 4, is nothing more than a child, and an unstable one at that. This leads her to question just what the Claymores are. Clarice, through means of breast feeding, is able to calm and stabilize Miata's mind. Satisfied with Clarice's 'control' of Miata, the organization assigns them to hunt down the renegade Galatea. |
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Revision as of 21:45, 26 July 2007
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 | It has been suggested that List of Claymore voice actors be merged into this article. (Discuss) Proposed since June 2007. |
This article lists the characters associated with the Japanese manga series Claymore, including their histories.
Just as in Norihiro Yagi's former series Angel Densetsu a lot of names used in Claymore seem to be art-related, in particular the names of the organization's members as well as place names, such as the "Pablo Mountains" (パブロ山 Paburo-san).
When available, this article uses the official English names for characters as published by Viz Media, except for names that have been changed noticeably (which includes Rubel and Ilena). Other characters use unofficial transcriptions of their names, and would be updated when the official names become available.
Names that have so far appeared in Latin letters in the original Japanese version are Clare and Teresa.[1]
Generations
The ranks change when Claymores join or leave the organization. The right column below lists the known "generations" of Claymores in chronological order. The left column lists the generation of the protagonist, Clare; Clare's time succeeds Teresa's time and precedes Clarice's time.
Clare's Time
|
Isley's Time (Class 1)Riful's Time (Class 2)
Luciela's TimeTeresa's Time
Clarice's Time
|
Northern Campaign Survivors
- Miria (No. 6)
- Cynthia (No. 14)
- Deneve (No. 15)
- Helen (No. 22)
- Tabitha (No. 31)
- Yuma (No. 40)
- Clare (No. 47)
Main Characters
Clare
- First Appearance: Volume 1 (Manga), Episode 1 (Anime)
- Rank: #47
- Type: Offensive
Voiced by: Houko Kuwashima Clare (クレア, Kurea) is the series' protagonist. When she was a little girl, her family was killed and eaten by a yoma impersonating her brother. After being chased out of her village, another captured her and made her part of its disguise and its toy, often torturing her. She was saved by Teresa and sensing that Teresa also suffered the pain of Yoma attacks and human alienation, Clare followed her for days without rest, food, or water. Teresa after at first trying to get rid of Clare, eventually let her travel with her, and the two became attached. The presence of a caring human in her life helped Teresa regain her lost happiness and humanity. Their life together was cut short when Teresa was forced to kill some human bandits to save Clare's life. The organization sent four of their best Claymores to execute Teresa, who was eventually killed by the awakened Priscilla.
Clare, who mysteriously wasn't harmed, vowed to take Priscilla's head in revenge, and begged the organization to fuse herself with Teresa's blood. She thus became the first hybrid with 1/4 Yoma blood instead of the normal 1/2 and 1/2, as well as the only person to ever willingly become a Claymore. Because of this low demonic ratio and power, she was given rank #47 — the lowest of all. However, Clare shares Teresa's ability of heightened youki sensing to the point of being able to predict an opponent's moves. It is unclear whether this is due to a biological inheritance, Clare choosing to follow in her mentors footsteps or a deliberately chosen tactic in order to fight Awakened Beings.
Clare partially awakened during her fight in Rabona, but was able to revert to her human state with Raki's help. She lost her right arm during an incident involving Ophelia, but later received a new one from Irene, along with the "Quick Sword" technique.
In the Northern campaign, Clare joined Flora's party. Having grown significantly stronger she manages to fight almost equally against her captain. During the fight against Ligardes Clare was able to deliberately awaken parts of her body, while remaining mentally human. However, she found herself unable to turn back after the fight. Jean sacrificed herself to save Clare.
Seven years after the last stand at the Northern Campaign while in seclusion with her 6 fellow Claymore survivors, she would master Flora's technique "Windcutter". She also trained herself to be able to fight without releasing any Yoki, making it exceptionally difficult for others to track her.
Currently, her old rank of #47 has been passed on to Clarice. She, along with all the other Claymores who survived the North Campaign, are considered deceased by the organization. Despite the danger of being discovered and hunted by the organization, Clare has returned to the southern lands to find Priscilla as well as continue her search for Raki.
Raki
- First Appearance: Volume 1 (Manga), Episode 1 (Anime)
Voiced by: Motoki Takagi
Raki (ラキ, Raki) is a young boy whose family was murdered by a Yoma, which then took the form of his older brother, Zaki, as a disguise. This Yoma was slain by Clare, but Raki being suspected of being a Yoma as well, and was exiled from his village. Clare originally only offered to take him with her to the next village, but she gets attached to him because their pasts have been quite similar and Raki's life with Clare parallels Clare's life with Teresa in many ways. Raki also cares very deeply for Clare, and protects her without hesitation. It remains unclear whether their relationship is fraternal or romantic.
Raki was separated from Clare during her fight with Ophelia in Volume 7. Soon after that, he was apparently captured by slave traders and sent to the North. In Volume 10, he escaped but fell under the care of Isley and Priscilla, although he is not aware of their true identities as Awakened Beings. He is currently studying swordmanship under Isley.
Claymores
Clare's Generation
Elena
- First Appearance: Volume 1 (Manga), Episode 2 (Anime)
- Rank: Unknown
Voiced by: Ayako Kawasumi
Elena (エレナ, Erena) entered the organization at the same time as Clare and was her closest friend during training. However, while she started her missions later than Clare, she overused her Yoma energy, resulting in her gradually losing control. When she finally felt the Yoma taking over her, she resorted to sending her Black Card to Clare. She was subsequently slain by Clare.
Helen
- First Appearance: Volume 5 (Manga), Episode 9 (Anime)
- Rank: #22
- Type: Offensive
Voiced by: Miki Nagasawa
Helen (ヘレン, Heren) is ranked #22. Her special power is to stretch her arms to extreme lengths and bind her opponents. Helen is partially Awoken, but has reverted to her human state. She is Deneve's companion. Helen is hot tempered and aggressive. Her mouthy and sometimes insensitive nature means that she can appear to be something of bully. Deneve commented that she is "always the troublemaker." However, Helen is honest and cares for her friends.
When they first met, Helen disliked Clare for her low rank and weak power.[2] But Helen later admired Clare's fighting performance and gained respect for her. They are close enough that, in the Northern campaign, Clare trusted Helen to kill her when she felt herself awakening.
Seven years after the North Campaign she has developed the ability to use the same powerful "Drill Blade" sword technique Jean used.
Deneve
- First Appearance: Volume 5 (Manga), Episode 9 (Anime)
- Rank: #15
- Type: Defensive
Voiced by: Hana Takeda
Deneve (デネヴ, Denevu) is ranked #15 among the Claymores. She is another partially Awoken who has reverted to her human state. She is a defensive fighter and was able to regenerate her arm soon after it was severed by a male Awoken. She has a calm and empathic personality (for a Claymore), but she also tends to be a perfectionist.
Despite their different personalities, she is close friends with Helen and they are rarely seen apart. Like many Claymores, she is the survivor of a Yoma attack, which left her traumatised.[3] It was Helen who snapped her out of it.[4]
During the North Campaign, Deneve was the person to deduce the reason for Undine's powers, attitude, and extra sword.
Deneve currently carries the fallen Undine's sword in memory of her captain.
Miria
- First Appearance: Volume 5 (Manga), Episode 9 (Anime)
- Rank: #6
- Type: Offensive
Voiced by: Kikuko Inoue
Miria (ミリア, Miria) is Claymore #6. She can greatly, but briefly, increase her speed to the point where she leaves many afterimages of herself in battle, greatly confusing the opponent. This has earned her the nickname Phantom Miria (幻影のミリア, gen-ei no Miria). She is also very skilled at teamwork and tactics. She is also another partially awakened Claymore and is also subtly rebelling against the organization, trying to learn its secrets. These both stem from an Awakened Being hunt, when she discovered that the target was originally a close friend, Hilda, who had awakened. The shock of this led her to nearly awaken, herself[5].
Miria was first introduced in the story as the head of the squad—formed by Clare, Helen, and Deneve—that was assigned to eliminate an Awakened Yoma. However, the squad hadn't been informed that the Awakened Being was male, and thus far older and stronger than a more recently awakened Claymore. With only one single-digit Claymore on the squad, all four Claymores came dangerously close to death, though Clare and Miria were ultimately able to use teamwork and their special abilities to take the creature down.
After realizing that they had had almost no chance of surviving the fight, Miria believed that her squad had been betrayed by the organization and sent on a suicide mission. Her theory was that her squad, composed of partially-Awakened Claymores, were considered troublemakers by the organization. After the battle, she told Clare, Helen, and Deneve that she'd found one of the organization's darkest secrets, but didn't reveal it out of fear for the others' safeties. She told them to keep a low profile and stamp out their trouble making images, and that she'd contact them when the time was right.
Miria was also the chief Claymore in the Northern campaign. She demonstrated her tactical skills by the way she organized the Claymores into small teams that would allow them to gain experience in fighting with Awakened Ones with minimal loss of life. In the first fight against three male Awakened Ones, her strategic capabilities were even recognized by one of the Awakened Ones. Miria directly led the following Claymores: Queenie (#20), Tabitha (#31) and Yuma (#40). It was her planning that enabled any of the Claymores in the campaign to survive.
While in seclusion she develops her ability to maintain her short speed bursts so that she can use it for longer periods in battle at the cost of slightly reduced speed.
The name ミリア (Miria) can be spelt as "Miria" (short form of Miriam) or "Milia" (short form of Emilia), while "Milia" is closer in pronunciation. But many other spellings of the name have been used as well. [6]
Galatea
- First Appearance: Volume 6 (Manga), Episode 10 (Anime)
- Rank: #3
- Type: Defensive
Voiced by: Ai Orikasa
Galatea (ガラテア, Garatea) is Claymore #3 and a defensive fighter. She is a master at sensing youki, being able to sense other Claymores from a long distance, read their emotions, and see their actions as if she were close by. She acts as the organization's "eye". She can also control other people's actions by subtlely manipulating their youki flows. She is one of the more kind hearted Claymores.
She fights alongside Clare and Jean against Dauf, and helps Clare control her Yoma power. In the new arc, she has gone renegade and is currently being hunted by Miata and Clarice. Her #3 rank has also been taken by another Claymore, Audrey.
Ophelia
- First Appearance: Volume 6 (Manga), Episode 11 (Anime)
- Rank: #4
- Type: Offensive
Voiced by: Emi Shinohara
When Ophelia (オフィーリア, Ofīria) was a child, her beloved brother died protecting her from Priscilla. This caused Ophelia to deeply hate all Awakened Beings and she vowed to take revenge on the "one-horned monster".
Ophelia eventually became Claymore #4. Though powerful, she was extremely bloodthirsty, and revelled in killing. She murdered others indiscriminately for the sheer fun of it, and even killed humans while slaughtering all witnesses to avoid punishment. She also enjoyed torturing and played sadistic "games" with her opponents in battle. Even other Claymores considered her a monster.
Her special fighting technique is "rippling" her sword by waving it back and forth at great speed. This technique is extremely difficult to dodge or block, even for an opponent who can predict her movements, such as Clare. Based on this technique, she gave herself the title Rippling Ophelia (漣のオフィーリア, sazanami no Ofīria). Ophelia was assigned to fight with Clare against an Awakened Being, but she tried to kill Clare and Raki instead as she suspected that Clare was partially Awakened. She almost succeeded, but was stopped by Irene, who severely wounded her.
Badly wounded and furious at her defeat, Ophelia released all her Yoma energy and Awakened, becoming a serpentine creature, similar to the Lamia from Greek Mythology. Despite her hunger and desire for guts, Ophelia doesn't realise she's Awakened until she caught a glimpse of her reflection in a lake. She was killed by Clare with the assistance of Irene's Quick Sword technique and her own suicidal tendencies.
Her character and death scene bear some similarities to the character Ophelia from Shakespeare's play Hamlet.
Rafaela
- First Appearance: Volume 7 (Manga), Episode 14 (Anime)
- Rank: #2 (Class 76), #5 (Class 78)
- Type: Offensive
Voiced by: Satsuki Yukino
Rafaela (ラファエラ, Rafaera) was Claymore #2 in Class 76 and is currently Claymore #5 in Class 78. Her job is to execute Claymores who disobey the organization. Rafaela first appeared as Irene's executioner. Her power is considered equal to that of her elder sister, Luciela, the previous Claymore #1, and she is easily strong enough to have a higher rank.
Rafaela was part of the Organization's first experiment using soul link to control an Awakened Being. The experiment failed causing her elder sister, Luciela, to become an Awakened one and her to lose an eye, which she intentionally didn't regenerate. After that incident, she became an inactive Claymore and had a brief encounter with Teresa, who was still a trainee at that time.
After the organization lost the five highest ranked Claymores in Class 77 (Teresa, Priscilla, Irene, Sophia and Noel), it reactivated Rafaela into the combat unit by offering information on her elder sister in exchange.
In volume 12 she finally tracks down her sister, Luciela, and proceeds to break her back after hugging her. In the new arc, Audrey (#3) told Clare that she heard Rafaela has died after being caught in the battle between the Abyssal Ones in the South.[7] This, however, has not been confirmed.
Jean
- First Appearance: Volume 8 (Manga)Episode 15
- Rank: #9
- Type: Offensive
Voiced by: Kotono Mitsuishi
Jean (ジーン, Jīn) is Claymore #9 and an offensive fighter. Her attack, based on storing energy by twisting her arm and releasing it in one burst, is said to be the most destructive among her peers. She is serious and strictly honourable.
Jean and her team members (Katea, Rakel, and an unnamed Claymore) are captured by Dauf and Riful during an Awakened Being hunt, which turns out to be an ambush. After prolonged torture, she awakens, but is able to revert back to human shape by virtue of her extraordinary willpower and Clare's help. She then decides to pay back the life debt she now owes Clare, choosing to follow Clare.
In the Northern Campaign, Miria promotes her to the role of division captain. Her team includes Eliza (#17), Emelia (#27), Natalie (#37), and Diana (#44). After Clare kills Ligardes and is pleading for death due to passing her limit, a dying Jeane uses the last of her strength in order to help Clare revert, thus fulfilling her pledge.
Kathia
- First Appearance: Volume 8 (Manga), Episode 15
- Rank: somewhere in the thirties
Voiced by: Shiho Kawaragi
Kathia is a Claymore who is ranked somewhere in the thirties with an unknown fighting style. Along with Rakel and an unnamed Claymore, she was part of Jean's team in a hunt for an Awakened Being in the Zakol Mountains. Unfortunately she was captured by Riful and Dauf and tortured until she awakened. Her Awakened form had long sinewy limbs and neck with partial armour. However Dauf tells Riful she is too weak after experiencing her attack, hence Riful ordered Dauf to kill her.
Rakel
- First Appearance: Volume 8 (Manga), Episode 15
- Rank: unknown
Voiced by: Sachi Matsumoto
Rakel is a Claymore of an unknown rank. Along with Katia and another unnamed Claymore, she is also part of Jean's team in the hunt for an Awakened Being in the Zakol Mountains. However, during the fight with the Awakened Being, who turns out to be Dauf, she is severely injured but manages to escape from the mountain to the nearby town of Hanel, where her team had passed through the previous day. When Clare encounters her wandering into the town center and crying for help, she was already bleeding badly and could barely walk, and the left side of her body including her arm was obliterated.
Finding Clare to be one of their own Claymores, Rakel begs Clare to help save the rest of her teammates, and tells her that the Awakened Beings in the mountain aren't behaving the way the others are and seem to be planning something. She dies from her injuries in Clare's arms.
Alicia
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- First Appearance: Volume 11 (Manga)
- Rank: #1
- Type: Offensive
Alicia (アリシア, Arishia) is Claymore #1. She and her identical twin sister Beth, #2, are a new type of Claymore made by the Organization. She is able to fully Awaken, while her mind is controlled by her sister via a soul link. This gives Alicia the strength of an Abyssal One without losing control to bloodlust. She has little personality, because she was only taught how to fight and how to align her spirits with her sister. Alicia is called Dark Alicia (黒のアリシア, kuro no Arishia), and wears a black suit. In Alicia's Awakened Form, she has bladed appendages like Clare with her arms.
Beth
- First Appearance: Volume 11 (Manga)
- Rank: #2
Beth (ベス, Besu) is Claymore #2. She and her identical twin sister, Alicia, #1, are a new type of Claymore made by the Organization. Beth is able to control her sister's mind after she awakens. Like her sister, she has little personality. Unlike most Claymores, who are orphans, Alicia and Beth were apparently taken from their family.
Eva
- First Appearance: Volume 9 (Manga)
- Rank: #7
Eva (エバ, Eba) was Claymore #7 and was assigned to the northern part of the continent. She and her team members (Kate, Lucia, and an unknown member) were killed when they encountered a large number of awakened ones. This led to the Northern Campaign.
Flora
- First Appearance: Volume 9 (Manga)
- Rank: #8
- Type: Offensive
Flora (フローラ, Furōra) was Claymore #8. Her nickname is Windcutter Flora (風斬りのフローラ, kazekiri no Furōra), after her lightning-fast sword drawing technique, considered to be the fastest draw of any Claymore. As a division captain during the North campaign, she led the following Claymores: Lily (#18), Wendy (#30), Karla (#39), and Clare (#47).
After the first skirmish in the Northern campaign, she challenged Clare to a duel in order to test her Windcutter sword style against Clare's Quick Sword technique. It was found that while Windcutter was more powerful and precise, Clare's Quick Sword was faster.
Flora was killed by Ligardes.
Undine
- First Appearance: Volume 9 (Manga)
- Rank: #11
- Type: Offensive
Undine (ウンディーネ, Undīne) is Claymore #11 and is notably brash and aggressive. Unlike other Claymores, she carries two swords. Undine appears as a bulky, muscular woman, however this is a result of shapeshifting and her natural form is small and delicate. Deneve discovered that, apparently, as a young Claymore, a friend died protecting her and out of shame she developed the attitude and build she later possesses. One of the swords she carries also belonged to the Claymore who died protecting her.
Undine is one of the division captains in the Northern campaign and led Deneve (#15), Zelda (#24), Claudia (#36), and Juliana (#43).
She was killed by Ligardes during the second battle.
Veronica
- First Appearance: Volume 9 (Manga)
- Rank: #13
- Type: Defensive
Veronica (ベロニカ, Beronika) is Claymore #13. She is a defensive fighter and seems calm and professional. She was one of the division captains in the North campaign, who led Cynthia (#14), Helen (#22), Pamela (#35), and Matilda (#41).
Veronica was the first warrior killed by Ligardes.
Cynthia
- First Appearance: Volume 9 (Manga)
- Rank: #14
- Type: Defensive
Cynthia (シンシア, Shinshia) is Claymore #14 and a defensive fighter. Cynthia is another survivor of the Northern Campaign, during which she was part of Veronica's team. She seems to have a hopeful and cheerful personality despite all that she and the group have gone through.
Tabitha
- First Appearance: Volume 9 (Manga)
- Rank: #31
- Type: Defensive
Tabatha (タバサ, Tabasa) is Claymore #31. She was on Miria's team and is one of the survivors of seven years ago. Tabitha is a defensive fighter and, like Galatea, appears to specialise in sensing youki at a large distance accurately enough to distinguish the moods of distant Claymores. She is serious-minded and puts her loyalty to Miria first and formost, fullfiling the role of the 'Eye' for the survivors.
The name タバサ (Tabasa) can be spelt as Tabatha or Tabitha. While Tabatha seems to be closer in pronunciation and Tabitha is also spelt as タビサ (Tabisa), Tabitha has been in general the more commonly used spelling. [8]
Yuma
- First Appearance: Volume 9 (Manga)
- Rank: #40
- Type: Defensive
Yuma (ユマ, Yuma) is Claymore #40. She is a defensive fighter and was on Miria's team during the Northern campaign. She lost an arm in the first skirmish, but was able to regenerate it in time for the second battle, and she is one of the seven survivors. She appears extremely insecure and is in awe of her group's more powerful members.
While "Yuma" exists as a first name, her name might have been intended to be "Uma", which is commonly spelt as ユマ (Yuma) in Japanese.[9]
Other Claymores in the Northern Campaign
Not much is known about the others of the 24 Claymores who took part in the Northern Campaign, apart from their names and ranks:
Eliza (#17), Lily (#18), Queenie (#20), Zelda (#24), Emelia (#27), Wendy (#30), Pamela (#35), Claudia (#36), Natalie (#37), Karla (#39), Matilda (#41), Juliana (#43), Diana (#44).
Flashback
Teresa
- First Appearance: Volume 3 (Manga), Episode 5 (Anime)
- Rank: #1
- Type: Offensive
Voiced by: Romi Paku
Teresa (テレサ, Teresa) was the strongest Claymore of her time, and was famously known as Teresa of the Faint Smile (微笑のテレサ, bishō no Teresa) for effortlessly slaying enemies with a faint smile on her face. She was so powerful, she rarely, if ever, had to use even 10% of her Yoma power in battle. She was extremely cautious about the amount of yoki she used, claiming that she "forgot who she was supposed to kill" whenever she released more than 10%. Her rise to Claymore No. 1 the demotion of the previous No. 1, Rosemary, whom later Awakened and was later slain by her.
As a Claymore, Teresa was a cold-blooded killer who cared for no one, only helping villages because she was ordered to, and taking pleasure in scaring humans. She was also solitary and rarely had contact with any of the other Claymores in the organization (she was surprised when Rosemary sent her a Black Card)[10]. She also kept secrets from her handlers [11], and severely distrusted the organization. This changed when Teresa saved a young girl named Clare who had been kept as a prisoner and toy of a Yoma. This encounter awakened Teresa's lost compassion.
Eventually, Teresa left Clare in a village, believing that a normal life with humans would be better for her. However, the village was soon raided by bandits and Teresa rushed back to save her. Seeing Clare's bloody form, Teresa flew into a rage and killed the bandits, breaking the rule that a Claymore should never kill humans, no matter what the circumstances.
Because she had killed humans, the Claymore organization marked her for death. It dispatched a team of five Claymores of unknown ranks to execute her. Teresa cut down but didn't kill the Claymores, stating that Clare had become her reason to live.
Claymores #2 to #5, Priscilla, Irene, Noel, and Sophia, were assembled to kill her. Teresa defeated them without releasing her demonic power. She intentionally spared the lives of Claymores #3 to #5, but considered killing Priscilla because she sensed that she was the only Claymore with the potential to surpass her in combat. However, her relationship with Clare had mellowed her, and she ultimately decided to let Priscilla live. She then left town with Clare. However, Priscilla pursued and attacked her in blind rage. In her anger, Prisicilla accidentally released too much Yoma power and Awakened, slaughtering Teresa, Noel, and Sophia and severely wounding Irene.
According to Irene, Teresa was called "Teresa of the Faint Smile" because her smile was her only visible asset. Though she excelled in speed, strength, and agility, the other top Claymores specialities actually exceeded her abilities in those areas. What made Teresa so powerful was her "unparalleled ability to sense Yoma aura" (Yoki). Whenever Yoma or Claymores move, they unknowingly send demon energy to the parts of their bodies they're about to move. Though any Claymore is able to sense Yoma energy, only Teresa was able to sense when and where Claymores or Yoma send energy to certain parts of their bodies as well as how much energy they're sending. This enabled her to predict her opponent's moves in battle to a far more accurate extent than any other Claymore. She also had an extremely high amount of Yoma energy in her body. In the moments before Priscilla awakened, Teresa was strong enough to repel her attacks with just enough Yoma power for her eyes to change color.
Irene
- First Appearance: Volume 4 (Manga), Episode 7 (Anime)
- Rank: #3
- Type Offensive
Voiced by: Minami Takayama
Irene (イレーネ, Irēne, or Ilena in the English adaption of the manga) was originally Claymore #2, but she was demoted to #3 when Priscilla joined the organization. She was well known for her great speed wielding a sword, which gained her the title Quick Sword Irene (高速剣のイレーネ, kōsokuken no Irēne). She achieves this via controlled awakening of her sword arm. In general, Irene's demeanor is calm and intelligent.
During the mission to assassinate Teresa, the Awoken Priscilla attacked her and cut off her left arm. Irene let the organisation think she was dead by going into seclusion and using her near-flawless control over her Yoma energy to hide in the mountains. Years later she rescues Clare, who was fighting against Ophelia. Clare recognised her and Irene spent some time training Clare in the "Quick Sword" technique. Once Clare had mastered enough of the Quick Sword to progress on her own, Irene cut off her remaining arm and gave it to Clare as a replacement for the limb Ophelia had cut off.
However, soon after Clare left Irene was confronted by Rafaela, who'd been sent to execute her as a deserter. Though Irene had managed to hide her Yoma energy for years, training Clare had caused her to rerelease her flow of energy, allowing the organization to track her down. Irene is thought to have been killed by Rafaela, however, this has not been confirmed. [12]
Noel
- First Appearance: Volume 4 (Manga), Episode 7 (Anime)
- Rank: #4 or #5
- Type: Offensive
Voiced by: Junko Takeuchi
Noel (ノエル, Noeru) was well-known for her agility and was known as Stormwind Noel (疾風のノエル, shippū no Noeru) in the organization. She constantly vied with Sophia for the rank #3 position. She was outspoken and tomboyish.
Noel was among the party of #2 - #5 Claymores sent to assassinate Teresa and was subsequently killed by the Awoken Priscilla.
The name ノエル (Noeru) can be spelt as both Noel or Noelle (both names are pronounced the same way). However Noel is originally a male name, while Noelle is the female variant.
Sophia
- First Appearance: Volume 4 (Manga), Episode 7 (Anime)
- Rank: #4 or #5
- Type: Offensive
Voiced by: Megumi Toyoguchi
Sophia (ソフィア, Sofia) vied with Noel for rank #3. Though the two were almost identical in power, their fighting styles are significantly different. Because of her brute strength Sophia was called Muscular Sophia (膂力のソフィア, rīorīoku no Sofia) in the organization. She had a very polite, lady-like way of speaking except when she was arguing with her rival, Noel.
Sophia was among Claymores ranked #2 - #5 sent to kill Teresa. The Awoken Priscilla killed her after the battle with Teresa.
New Arc
Clarice
- First Appearance: Volume 12
- Rank: #47
Clarice (クラリス, Kurarisu) is the new rank 47 (Clare's old rank), and a non-complete hybrid (evident by her hair, which still retains much of its original color). Because of this she lacks the abilities and fighting strength of most other Claymores, only receiving her rank because the organization was severely short of warriors. The majority of Claymores look down at her because of this.
Seven years after the North Campaign, she's sent to the north to join a group hunting awakened ones. Her group is caught in an ambush by a number of awakened ones. Her teammates are severely wounded and she is knocked out. Upon awakening, she finds her comrades recovering and all the awakened ones gone, leaving only huge bloodstains. She later finds the swords of 17 Claymores in what appears to be a makeshift memorial, dating from the Northern campaign 7 years ago. Unknown to her it was the 7 survivors from the Northern Campaign: Clare, Miria, Helen, Deneve, Cynthia, Tabitha, and Yuma who saved her. Her fellow Claymores think that she was saved by the vengeful spirits of the fallen Claymores.
She later reports her findings to the organization and would soon be assigned to assist Rank 4 Miata. She discovers that Miata, despite being Rank 4, is nothing more than a child, and an unstable one at that. This leads her to question just what the Claymores are. Clarice, through means of breast feeding, is able to calm and stabilize Miata's mind. Satisfied with Clarice's 'control' of Miata, the organization assigns them to hunt down the renegade Galatea.
Nina
- First Appearance: Volume 12
- Rank: #9
Nina (ニーナ, Nīna) is Claymore #9. She is cold and harsh, skilled in tactics, but a poor strategist. She is the captain of a team assigned to kill an awakened one. However, they are ambushed and overpowered by three awakened ones. They were rescued by the surviving Claymores from seven years ago.
Nina calls her attack "Shadow Chaser", as it tracks opponents' yoma aura.
Renée
Renée (ルネ, Rune) is the new "Eye" of the organization.
Audrey
- First Appearance: Volume 12
- Rank: #3
Audrey (オードリー, Ōdorī) is Claymore #3. She is a proud but well mannered warrior. She uses her sword to deflect her opponent's attack without opposing it with force. Riful calls this technique a "gentle sword". Audrey's team attempted to take down Riful, but had to be rescued by Clare, Miria, Deneve and Helen. In return, Audrey told them that Galatea was still alive but had gone renegade. She is a close friend of Rachel.
Rachel
- First Appearance: Volume 12
- Rank: #5
Rachel (レイチェル, Reicheru) is Claymore #5. Her attitude is the opposite of Audrey. She is hot tempered and confrontational. She can perform a very powerful attack by restraining the blade of her sword (in the ground for instance) and then applying a large amount of pressure before releasing it from the restraint like a spring. This move can also be performed off the ground with the help of another comrade's blade to act as the restraint for Rachel's sword. Riful calls this technique "strong sword".
Miata
- First Appearance: Volume 12
- Rank: #4
Miata (ミアータ, Miāta) is Claymore #4. She is known as "Blood Eyes". Her powers lie in her keen senses and brute strength (she can kill common Yoma with her bare hands[13]). When Clarice first meets Miata, she realizes that Miata is nothing more than an unstable child and she finds Miata's combination of power and insanity frightening. Miata has an extreme obsession with her parents and imposses this on Clarice, whom she treats as her mother (even going so far as to try and breastfeed). Miata would be higher ranked if she was more stable, and apparently has the potential to become #1. They are now both hunting down Galatea.
Miata's unique ability are her extremely heightened senses of vision, hearing, smell, taste and touch which allow her to fight instinctively without relying on the need to sense youki.
The Organization
While Claymores are technically part of The Organization, their bosses regard them as simple tools. The organization is based in the eastern region of Sutafu.
Rubel
Voiced by: Hiroaki Hirata
- Also known as "The man dressed in black"
- First Appearance: Volume 1
Rubel (ルヴル, Ruvuru) is a white, thin man dressed all in black. He is one of the people who give orders to the Claymores and collect the payment afterwards. He accepted Clare into the Organization and acts as her handler. He seems to be immortal and does not age noticeably between Teresa's childhood and the new arc.
His name was slightly changed in the English version, by replacing the ヴ (vu) with a "be", it is unknown whether this is due to a misreading of the Katakana or intentional. He seems to be named after the Louvre Museum (ルーヴル Rūvuru in Katakana). Apparently all the members of the organization are named after popular art museums around the world. [14]
Orsay
Voiced by: Houchu Ohtsuka
Orsay (オルセ, Oruse) is another member of the organization. Not much is known about him for the moment, but he has been in charge of Teresa. He is named after the Musée d'Orsay (オルセー Orusē in Katakana).
Ermita
Voiced by: Chou
Ermita (エルミタ, Erumita) is a member of the organization, who is in charge of Galatea and Miria. His name is derived from the Hermitage Museum (エルミタージュ Erumitāju in Katakana).
Rado
Rado (ラド, Rado) is the member of the organization in charge of Clarice. His name seems to be derived from the Museo del Prado (プラド Purado in Katakana).
Rimuto
Voiced by: Nachi Nozawa
Rimuto (リムト, Rimuto) is the highest ranked member of the organization seen so far.[15] While the English version uses a direct transcription of the Katakana spelling, his name seems to be derived from the last name of the famous painter Gustav Klimt (クリムト Kurimuto in Katakana).
Awakened Ones
Priscilla
- First Appearance: Volume 4 (Manga) Episode 7 (Anime)
- Former Rank #2
Voiced by: Aya Hisakawa
Priscilla (プリシラ, Purishira) was promoted to Claymore #2 shortly after she joined the organization. She was so powerful she could fight with her Yoma power entirely suppressed, allowing her to conceal her presence from Yoma and fellow Claymores. According to Irene, this made her the perfect Claymore to fight against Teresa, as Teresa's greatest strength was her ability to sense Yoma energy.
Priscilla became a Claymore after a Yoma possessing her father slaughtered the rest of her family right before her eyes. She managed to chop off its head and this incident caused her to develop a strong belief in justice.
Though extremely powerful with the potential of becoming #1, Priscilla was still a child and mentally weak when she received the order to execute Teresa. While she was polite and fair in combat, her view of the world was entirely black-and-white: every person and action in this world was either right or wrong, with no room for grey.
This blind faith of hers would ultimately cause her to lose all her humanity and altruism when she was defeated by Teresa. Confused and frightened as to why a righteous person like her could not defeat a murderer, she attacked Teresa in a fit of blind rage and self-righteousness, releasing too much of her Yoma power and Awakening. At first it appears as if Priscilla has realized her mistake, as she asks Teresa to end her life, but this was just a ploy to make Teresa drop her guard. Thirsting for blood, she decapitated the now relaxed Teresa, severed Irene's arm, and killed Noel and Sophia, in front of a horrified Clare, before flying off.
It is not known why Clare was spared at this point. According to Riful, Priscilla is said to have killed all the men, women, and children in every town she visited as an Awakened Being, but the same way she didn't kill Clare, she didn't harm any little girl, as if they "didn't even get reflected in her eyes."[16]
As an Awakened One, Priscilla is a winged humanoid about 2m tall with a single horn on her forehead. She later on teams up with the Abyssal One Isley, but the details of their encounter are unknown.
Riful originally said that Isley had defeated her, but after encountering them, she now believes that Priscilla is actually stronger than any of the Abyssal Ones, including Alicia, and is Isley's master.
Priscilla is currently acting like a human child and seems to be attached to Raki for unknown reasons. It has been speculated that she has lost her memory.
Dauf
- First Appearance: Volume 8 episode 15
- Former Rank: #3
- Type: Offensive
Voiced by: Kenji Hamada
Dauf (ダフ, Dafu) was originally his generation's Claymore #3. He is Riful's follower and lover, and helps her torture captured Claymores. Dauf, in his Awakened form, is an immense humanoid, with tremendous strength and exceptionally hard armour plating. He can form large rods from his armour (usually from his hands, back, and in his mouth), firing them as projectiles. Riful has stated that she made Dauf her lover because he is the only Yoma who could "accept her without breaking". However, for all his physical power, Dauf is rather unintelligent and notably poor at tactics. His regeneration and healing abilities are also very slow. Accordingly, Riful had to save his life from Clare, Galatea and Jean. He is extremely dependant on her and terrified that she will one day leave him.
Ligardes
- First Appearance: Volume 10
- Former Rank: #2
- Type: Offensive
Ligardes (リガルド, Rigarudo) was a Claymore whose rank was #2. He worked for Isley during the Northern campaign. His nickname is "Silver-Eyed Lion King", which he's not fond of for a reason yet unknown. His awakened form resembles a humanoid lion about 3 metres tall. During the Northern Campaign he decided to eliminate the 5 strongest Claymores present, the team captains Miria, Flora, Jean, Veronica, and Undine. Miria was the only captain to survive his assault.
He purposely ignored the weaker members which led to his downfall by a berserk and almost completely awakened Clare upon witnessing Flora's death.
Rosemary
- First Appearance: Teresa sidestory
- Former Rank: #1
Rosemary (ローズマリー, Rōzumarī) was formerly number #1 of the Organization, but was demoted to #2 when Teresa was promoted. While feigning acceptance, Rosemary secretly harbored an intense jealousy and hatred for Teresa. This hatred eventually led to Rosemary awakening. Shortly afterwards, she sent Teresa her black card in order to lure Teresa to an isolated plateau. Rosemary then challenge her to a fight to death and revealed her awakened form to Teresa. However, Teresa was able to kill her by just releasing ten percent of her yoma energy, a feat almost unheard of.
Creatures of the Abyss
In the history of the Organization, there have been three known cases of Rank 1 warriors that have awakened. Known as the "The Powerful Three"[17], they are considered the most powerful and dangerous of the Awoken. Luckily for the world, they are reclusive and have come to be known as "Creatures of the Abyss". In addition to their personal power, they are far more intelligent and have far better self-control than other awakened ones.
Riful
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- First Appearance: Volume 8 episode 15
- Former Rank #1
Voiced by: Nana Mizuki
Riful (リフル, Rifuru, possibly intended to mean Riffle, corresponding to her awakened form) was the Claymore #1 of the first generation of female Claymores. She was the youngest Claymore to Awaken. She appears to be a whimsical and cheerful young girl but is completely amoral with a disregard for anyone other than her goals, classic signs of a sociopathic personality. She lives in the Western territory, together with her lover Dauf and wants to create powerful Awakened Claymores by means of torture. This is part of her struggle against Isley, the ruler of the Northern territory.
Jean, Clare, and Galatea got Riful's attention as possible "recruits", but she decided to wait for them to become stronger before turning them into her awakened allies. She also warned them that Isley will not be as gentle as she was when she defeated them (Volume 9). Riful has said that the only way to beat Isley is to join her. In her transformed state she becomes jet-black and can disassemble her body into thin strips. She uses this ability to avoid sword blows or attack her foes.
In the new arc, Riful attempted to recruit Audrey and Rachel, among others. She states that she is looking for claymores who are skilled at sensing and manipulating yoma energy. She needs them for "something interesting" that she found, believing it can even out the balance of power between herself and the Isley-Priscilla alliance.[18]
Isley
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- First Appearance: Volume 10
- Former Rank #1
Isley (イースレイ, Īsurei) is a male former Claymore with long, silver hair, hence his nickname "White Silver King". His lover is Priscilla and he dwells in the North. Isley was Claymore #1 in Class 1. When in his transformed state he resembles a sleek, black centaur whose right arm can act as a lance and the left as a bow or shield. He fires homing arrows with great skill.
Isley initiated the Northern campaign in order to kill Luciela and take over the south and become an unrivaled power by destroying the possibility of an alliance between Riful and Luciela against him and Priscilla. Isley sacrificed his awakened followers to distract the organization and Riful, while he went south to eliminate Luciela. The organization sent 24 claymores to slow down Isley's allies, while they prepared Alicia for controlled awakening.
During the North campaign, he finds Raki and takes him in. Later when Raki compliments him on his skills with a sword, Isley agrees to become Raki's teacher and begins to instruct him in swordsmanship. Isley comments that Raki reminds him a lot of how he was in his own youth. Isley now resides in his newly conquered territory of the south with Priscilla.
Luciela
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- First Appearance: Volume 11
- Former Rank: #1
- Type: Offensive
Luciela (ルシエラ, Rushiera) was Rafaela's older sister and the Southern region was her territory. She was originally the top-ranked Claymore in Class 76, but she became an Awakened One after a failed experiment conducted by the organization, which also wounded her sister Rafaela. Her awakening was disastrous and drove the Organization to the brink of ruin[19], as it took place in the Organization's headquarters. This experiment was an attempt to create a controlled awakening by having Luciela align her spirit with Rafaela. (Alicia and Beth are a successful product of this technique. It is unknown whether this worked because they are identical twins, or because of their lack of personality.)
In her transformed state she resembles a feline semi-humanoid with multiple tails and can make mouths appear anywhere on her body. After a fight with Isley for the control of southern territory, she retreated wounded and so weak she reverted to human form and was found by Rafaela. Wanting to finish off Isley she pleaded with her sister to awaken while embracing her. But Rafaela proceeded to break her weakened sister's back.[20]
References
- ^ Norihiro Yagi, Claymore Special Manga Covers, Monthly Shonen Jump
- ^ Norihiro Yagi, Claymore, Volume 5, Scene 25
- ^ Norihiro Yagi, Claymore, Volume 10, Scene 55
- ^ Norihiro Yagi, Claymore, Volume 10, Scene 55
- ^ The flashback scene in Episode 11 reveals Hilda's name and Ophelia's provocations (recognized from her symbol).
- ^ Compare characters with the same name, for example from Guilty Gear or Macross. "Her first name has been spelled Millia, Milliya, Milia, Miliya, Miria, and Miriya." [1]
- ^ Norihiro Yagi, Claymore, Volume 13, Scene 72
- ^ Compare characters with the same name, for example in Zero no Tsukaima or Tales of Symphonia
- ^ For example, Uma Thurman is usually called ユマ・サーマン (Yuma Sāman) in Japanese.
- ^ Conversation between Teresa and her handler. Claymore Chapter Extra-Scene 1
- ^ Handler questions Teresa's torn uniform after meeting with Rosemary. Claymore Chapter Extra Scene 1
- ^ Norihiro Yagi, Claymore, Volume 7, Scene 38
- ^ Norihiro Yagi, Claymore, Scene 73
- ^ Japanese Wikipedia article for Claymore. Retrieved June 022007.
- ^ Norihiro Yagi, Claymore, Volume 2, Scene 5
- ^ Norihiro Yagi, Claymore, Volume 8, Scene 45
- ^ Galatea introduces Riful, "Claymore" Volume 8, Scene 45
- ^ Norihiro Yagi, Claymore, Scene 71
- ^ Galatea introduces Riful, Claymore Volume 8, Scene 45
- ^ Norihiro Yagi, Claymore, Volume 12, Scene 64