Plural Anime/Manga Character Submissions

Aug 21, 2021 4:32 PM

Offline

Jan 2011

**PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING**

Know some characters you think should be added to the group for consideration as plural representation? Let us know here by commenting using our template! ALL characters must be summarized here before being linked to the group.

Unsure what might count as plural representation? Here’s some easy giveaways:
- Character& is explicitly mentioned to have DID/OSDD, or is referred to as having outdated terms such as “MPD/Multiple Personality Disorder”, “split personality”, or anything of the like.
- More than one character shares a body with another character (ex. multiple souls in one body).
- Characters are described as being of the same mind, though may not share the same body.
- As there is a lot of magical-based plurality in anime and manga, these definitions can be very non-definite and adaptable, so please make a detailed case if you feel like a character could be considered plural.

What may not be considered for plural representation:
- Characters experiencing very temporary and non-continual possession by another character.

Links for more info about plural-related terms for template:
- Origin Types (For magic-specific origins in media the term “mahougenic” is often used, coined by WeeklyPlural).
- Member Roles & More
- System Modifiers

Plural-Specific CWs:
- Dissipation: a headmate “dying” or disappearing permanently
- Integration: two or more headmates permanently merging as one being
- Pluralphobia
- Fake-claiming: a character claiming the plural characters are lying about their experiences
- Egocide/attempted egocide: a plural character attempting to commit suicide but without killing the body
- “Murder alter” trope: a trope in which a plural entity is violent usually for the sole reason of being a plural entity (note that a plural character does not have to be an "ideal" representation to be considered)

** Note that how a system's plurality originated does not determine whether a character& is or is not plural, though noting it in the template may help others who are seeking relatable representation more easily. **

T E M P L A T E :

[b]Character/s:[/b] Name with MAL links embedded using [url=CHARACTER][/url] (individually if applicable)
[b]Series:[/b] Title
[b]Plural-Specific CW:[/b] [spoiler] content warnings specifically about plurality in the series [/spoiler]
[b]System Type[/b]: Origin (if more than one, list as "mixed origin" with types in parentheses) and any modifiers
[b]Description of Plurality:[/b] Description - feel free to expand on the system type details and system member roles if applicable. No major story details are necessary.
[b]Proof:[/b] Can include links to Wikis, screenshots of manga/anime, other relevant source information that provides proof that character/s can be considered plural. These links can be from outside sources (ex. games), as long as it is meant to be consistent with the anime/manga on MAL.

** Please check the following post for examples on completed submissions **
**Non-admins should add additional characters by new replies rather than editing a prior one, so admins are notified**

EternichiJun 17, 2022 6:18 PM

Aug 21, 2021 4:44 PM

Eternichi

Offline

Jan 2011

Characters: Akito, Agito, and Lind Wanijima (all 3 share 1 entry)
Series: Air Gear
Plural-Specific CW:

System Type: Traumagenic (and possibly parotraumagenic)
Description of Plurality: Lind is subjected to human experimentation as a child causing Akito, and later Agito to form traumagenically (or possibly parotraumagenically). Akito is the main fronter of the system, often switching with Agito who acts as the system protector who handles stress and responsibilities. Lind is dormant through most of the series, but when awake can be considered the core and sometimes acts as a persecutor.
Proof: https://airgear.fandom.com/wiki/Akito/Agito/Lind_Wanijima

Characters: Chii and Freya
Series: Chobits
Plural-Specific CW:

System Type: Mahougenic
Description of Plurality: Both characters are persocoms, both originally with their own bodies. Upon Freya’s body dying, Elda took in her “soul” into her body, causing Freya to become dormant in her and Elda to lose her memories. Elda was rebooted as “Chii”, with Freya later awakening. Chii acts as the main fronter, and Freya takes on a role as a protector (primarily a sexual protector), typically only fronting to protect the body. Chi and Freya speak frequently in their mindscape, however.
Proof: https://chobit.fandom.com/wiki/Freya

Characters: Lucy, Nyuu (shared entry) and “The (DNA) Voice” (no entry)
Series: Elfen Lied
Plural-Specific CW:

System Type: Traumagenic, possibly median
Description of Plurality: Lucy, originally known as “Kaede” experienced physical head trauma that caused her to go dormant, and a new entity named Nyuu who had no awareness or memory to take place as the main fronter. Lucy later acts as a secondary fronter and particularly as a protector, often fronting in response to Nyuu’s mental and physical turmoil. Lucy is also considered the core and memory holder, memories of which Nyuu cannot access. Lucy seems to be able to voluntarily switch while Nyuu usually cannot. Lucy also mentions “The Voice” as an additional entity which urges her to commit violent acts (thus them falling into the “murder alter” trope). The relationship between The Voice and Lucy is vague and suggests they may overlap similar to headmates in a median system, though The Voice also acts as a persecutor towards Lucy.
Proof: https://elfen-lied.fandom.com/wiki/Kaede

Characters: Aoba Seragaki, Ren, and Sly Blue (no entry)
Series: DRAMAtical Murder: The Animation
Plural-Specific CW:

System Type: Endogenic
Description of Plurality: (Note that because the anime is a very shortened adaptation of the video game, some details may not actually be in the show). As a child, it is implied that Aoba, Sly Blue, and Ren all coexisted together, with Aoba being the only fronter, Sly Blue acting as a protector, and Ren creating balance as an Internal Self Helper/System Manager. The origin of the system is explained as being due to the overwhelming nature of the body’s powers, which they were born with, making their system endogenic. As they grew older, Aoba finds a discarded allmate (a robotic animal), which Ren somehow transfers his consciousness to. With Ren no longer keeping balance in the body, Sly Blue fronts more aggressively, until an accident occurs that causes Sly Blue to go dormant and Aoba to lose his memories of the event. Sly Blue remains dormant due to medication Aoba takes, and only appears in instances acting as either a persecutor or a protector/sexual protector (though it is explained his role as a persecutor is motivated due to frustration from being suppressed).
Proof: https://dmmd.fandom.com/wiki/Aoba_Seragaki

Character/s: Hatsuharu Sohma (Black and White - 1 entry)
Series: Fruits Basket
Plural-Specific CW:

System Type: Traumagenic, possibly median
Description of Plurality: Hatsuharu is described as the entities “Black” and “White” Hatsuharu, with White being considered the core, and Black being born traumagenically. White is the main fronter, with Black typically only fronting in times of experiencing high stress or emotion, making him the system protector. Hatsuharu may share similarities to median systems as both entities seem to share similar identity as Hatsuharu and identify with the body, but differ in personality and interests.
Proof: https://fruitsbasket.fandom.com/wiki/Hatsuharu_Sohma

Characters: Ling Yao and Greed
Series: Fullmetal Alchemist / Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Plural-Specific CW:

System Type: Mahougenic
Description of Plurality: The main antagonist, Father, is an immortal entity who is able to create his sins into separate beings, and implants the sin of Greed’s soul (with Ling agreeing to the prospect) directly into Ling’s body. Father’s intention is for Greed’s soul to overtake Ling’s, but the two are shown to be spiritually matched. For a while, Greed fronts and follows out the orders given by Father while Ling is dormant and unable to regain control. Ling has instances where is is briefly able to take control, but is suppressed for the most part. After some emotional connection between the two, Ling is allowed to front (for the most part). There is much power struggle in the body as Greed is slightly stronger than Ling, and therefore fronts more often as they battle for it. Most of Ling’s fronts are either allowed by Greed, or won over in times of extreme strength (such as being emotionally provoked). Both seem to be mostly co-conscious on what happens in the outer world.
Proof: https://fma.fandom.com/wiki/Ling_Yao

Characters: Van Hohenheim and 536,329 souls (no entry)
Series: Fullmetal Alchemist / Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Plural-Specific CW:

System Type: Mahougenic
Description of Plurality: In Fullmetal Alchemist, immortality is a big theme and it is able to be achieved by using the souls of humans to create a powerful stone. In the past, Von Hohenheim had these souls directly forced in his body to become a human philosopher's stone, and though he remained the sole fronter, the souls lived on in his body. Since basically the beginning of them being within him, Hohenheim was able to speak to each soul directly one-by-one, and hear them constantly. As each soul was a living individual, they all presumably have their own names and individualism, though the audience never is told of any of them individually. The souls do not front or appear to be able to, but do appear to be co-conscious as they are aware of what’s going on in the outer world (or possibly, could simply be told internally by Hohenheim without the audience being aware).
Proof: https://fma.fandom.com/wiki/Van_Hohenheim

Character/s: Vinegar Doppio and Diavolo
Series: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind
Plural-Specific CW:

System Type: Quoigenic
Description of Plurality: Doppio and Diavolo’s system origin is never explained and can be considered quoigenic- they are only described as “two souls sharing a body”. Doppio is able to communicate with Diavolo, but is unaware that he in fact shares his body, and perceives their internal talk as external (typically believing it to be through a phone call). Through this method, Doppio remains as the main fronter, with Diavolo being able to give him orders (as his boss in the mafia) while keeping his personal identity secret. Though Diavolo is constantly co-conscious, when he is fronting, Doppio appears to go dormant and be unaware of these switches. Diavolo acts as a protector to Doppio as he is able to access more of the body’s powers than him, but overall their system relationship functions solely with business and survival in mind.
Proof: https://jojowiki.com/Vinegar_Doppio
Additional Note: The concept of "stands" in general can be considered as plural- these are beings that are the manifestations of one's soul powers, which act in accordance to their "stand user". Most (including Diavolo and Doppio's stand, King Crimson) don't appear to have any kind of sentience and act more as physical representations of power, but some stands do appear to have sentience and may be added as additional representation.

Characters: Yami Yuugi and Yugi Mutou
Series: Yu-Gi-Oh!
Plural-Specific CW:

System Type: Mahougenic
Description of Plurality: Yu-Gi-Oh! Is about a boy, Yugi, solving the Millenium Puzzle that was found in an Egyptian tomb by his grandfather. Upon solving it, a part of the Pharaoh Atem’s soul, Yami Yugi, entered Yugi’s body. Together, the two cooperate together to primarily play magical card games. At the beginning, Yugi does not know about Yami’s presence, and Yami forcibly fronted whenever Yugi or his friends were in danger (Yugi experienced memory gaps during these times). After Yugi learns about Yami, the two are able to voluntarily front. They have a very close friendship and mentor-mentee relationship. The two care greatly for each other, with Yami often switching in to save Yugi from peril, and Yugi keeping Yami from sacrificing himself too greatly (which can be interpreted as Yami being a protector while Yugi is more of a gatekeeper/main fronter). They seem to maintain constant communication and are able to switch easily and in agreement most of the time. As for co-consciousness, at times either one is co-conscious and are able to know when to switch in based on examining their environment. Other times they’re switched in without being aware of the events beforehand. At times their co-consciousness is depicted with the non-fronting appearing as an apparition next to the body.
Proof: https://yugioh.fandom.com/wiki/Yugi_Muto

Characters: Ryou Bakura and Yami Bakura
Series: Yu-Gi-Oh!
Plural-Specific CW:

System Type: Mahougenic
Description of Plurality: Bakura Ryou is a very meek and mild-mannered boy, and classmate and friend of Yugi. Upon being given the Millenium Ring, the spirit of the ring went into Bakura’s body, much like in Yugi/Yami’s case, but unlike them, the spirit of Yami Bakura within is an evil entity. As such, the two fall easily into the “Good Headmate/Bad Headmate” trope, as one is friends with the protagonist, and the other, one of the main antagonists.
Yami Bakura often mimics the behavior of Bakura, which is not unusual for systems to do to retain a singletsona, however Yami’s purposes for doing so are usually malicious and to trick the protagonists to their downfall.
Proof: https://yugioh.fandom.com/wiki/Bakura_Ryou

Characters: Marik Ishtar and Yami Marik (shared entry)
Series: Yu-Gi-Oh!
Plural-Specific CW:

System Type: Traumagenic
Description of Plurality: Unlike every other form of plurality in the show, this system is explicitly specified as being traumagenic.Marik is a main antagonist of the series, with a personal vendetta against the Pharaoh Atem (and by extension, Yami and Yugi) that stems from Marik’s traumatic childhood growing up in captivity, forced to dedicate his life to caring for the Pharaoh's tomb. Due to this constant trauma and intense inner hatred, Yami Marik was caused to form. Yami Marik meets criteria as the quintessential “murder alter” trope as he is basically the embodiment of selfishness, evil, and insanity and has no personal goals but to make everybody else suffer, to the point of sadism being his main theme. He also wants to take over the body and sees himself as the “true Marik”, doing anything and everything to avoid being taken out of the front. The two do not appear to have any kind of internal communication, nor attempt to contact one another.
Proof: https://yugioh.fandom.com/wiki/Yami_Marik

Characters: Deep Blue, Masaya Aoyama, and the Blue Knight
Series: Tokyo Mew Mew
Plural-Specific CW:

System Type: Mixed origin (parogenic and quoigenic)
Description of Plurality: Deep Blue is an alien who came to Earth, creating Masaya parogenically to become the main fronter and changing the body’s form to that of a normal human in order to remain undetected, while remaining in the body where Masaya was unaware of him. Deep Blue is the main series antagonist, and therefore works against the rest of the system who side with the protagonists as a persecutor when he fronts. The Blue Knight appears born quoigenically from Masaya’s desire to protect his girlfriend. Both Masaya and the Blue Knight are unaware of each other and experience memory gaps upon switching.
Proof: https://tokyomewmewpower.fandom.com/wiki/Deep_Blue / https://tokyomewmewpower.fandom.com/wiki/Blue_Knight

Character/s: Lain Iwakura, “Lain of the Wired” and an “unnamed" Lain (shared entry)
Series: Serial Experiments Lain
Plural-Specific CW:

System Type: Endogenic median
Description of Plurality: “Lain of the Wired” is described as Lain’s more confident and brash alter-ego, whom Lain can communicate directly with and occasionally switches with unintentionally in times of stress. Lain of the Wired, as the name implies, primarily exists in the Wired (pseudo online-psychological world of Serial Experiments Lain) but they are able to be in the physical world through Lain’s body, and appears to have originated endogenically through Lain’s repeated encounters in the Wired. They both share the same physical image and identity as Lain, though they appear to have separate personalities and be able to parallel process at the same time. Due to the overlap of identity and fronting, they can be considered a median system. Lain of the Wired does not appear to share memories with regular Lain and does things that Lain does not know about unless she hears of it through others whom had interacted with her alter-ego, or discovers the aftermath. There also seems to be a third entity who sometimes fronts in the body that is seemingly a purely evil entity, falling into the “murder alter” trope.
Proof: https://lain.wiki/wiki/Iwakura_Lain

Characters: Fischl and Oz (no entry)
Series: Genshin Impact
Plural-Specific CW:

System Type: Quoigenic (possibly considered both mahougenic and traumagenic)
Description of Plurality: Oz was born quoigenically, but has his own form in the body of a raven which was made by Fischl’s abilities. The two don’t switch, though it is implied that they are able to merge at points, or that Oz may be able to reside in the body when not summoned in his own. Oz seems to be able to control when he presents in his own body and when he doesn’t, and can speak as a disembodied voice even without being physically present. Fischl can be considered the main as Oz's energy originates from her, and Oz usually plays the role as an internal self helper, with his main focus being to help Fischl communicate with others and understand her.
Proof: https://genshin-impact.fandom.com/wiki/Oz

Characters: Daisuke Niwa and Dark Mousy
Series: D.N.Angel
Plural-Specific CW:

System Type: Mahougenic
Description of Plurality: Daisuke and Dark are considered a mahougenic system as they are genetically bound together by a curse that presents itself in males of the Niwa family on their 14th birthday, and going dormant until the next generation when the host falls in love. Both can remain co-conscious when not fronting. Dark is able to access Daisuke’s thoughts, feelings, and sensations, but blocks Daisuke from doing this to him, making him act as a system gatekeeper. Though he has desires to take the body for himself at first, he acts often as a protector for Daisuke.
Proof: https://dnangel.fandom.com/wiki/Dark_Mousy

Characters: Satoshi Hiwatari and Krad
Series: D.N.Angel
Plural-Specific CW:

System Type: Mahougenic
Description of Plurality: Satoshi and Krad are considered a mahougenic system as they are genetically bound together by a curse that presents itself in males of the Hikari family. Satoshi and Krad have a strong opposing relationship, with Satoshi attempting to suppress him for much of the series, as Krad acts as a persecutor, seeking to take over the body and defeat his destined foe, Dark, who shares a body with Satoshi’s friend, Daisuke. When fronting, Krad also causes physical pain to Satoshi and the body. Their relationship further is unknown, though they do appear to have some degree of being able to voluntarily switch.
Proof: https://dnangel.fandom.com/wiki/Krad

Characters: Rumi Hidaka and the “Real Mima” (shared entry)
Series: Perfect Blue
Plural-Specific CW:

System Type: Dissociative Identity Disorder (traumagenic), factive headmate
Description of Plurality: Rumi is a character who is the manager of the main character Mima, and a former pop idol herself. When Mima makes career decisions Rumi disapproves of, the film implies the stress creates a factive headmate of Mima. At the beginning of the film, the headmate “Mima” holds a huge vendetta against those she perceives to tarnish Mima’s reputation (directors, managers, etc), and murders them. Rumi and “Mima” are a very stereotypical example of the “murder alter” trope. Because their plurality is the film’s “plot twist”, there is no information on how the system interacts with one another, or how much knowledge Rumi has of “Mima”. Rumi does not appear to disapprove of actions committed by “Mima”, however, and could also harbor the same negative emotions and desires that “Mima” does, which wouldn’t make her a persecutor.
Proof: https://satoshikon.fandom.com/wiki/Rumi_Hidaka

Characters: Kusachiho (body name) AKA Kururu, Sarara, Chiriri, and Hororo
Series: Bottle Fairy
Plural-Specific CW:

System Type: Mahougenic
Description of Plurality: Kusachiho is the combined form of the 4 main characters, in which all four of them are able to voluntarily switch between one another for the front.
Proof: https://myanimelist.net/character/15800/Kusachiho

EternichiJun 17, 2022 6:20 PM

Sep 7, 2021 6:50 PM

Eternichi

Offline

Jan 2011

Characters: Atsuko Chiba and Paprika
Series: Paprika
Plural-Specific CW:

System Type: Quoigenic
Description of Plurality: Paprika’s origins are never explained, putting her under a “quoigenic” label. Paprika is frequently described to be “Atsuko Chiba’s alter ego”, but the two appear to have different values and desires, and have conversations with each other throughout the film. Paprika also appears to give advice to Chiba and help her with problems. The two don’t switch physically, but Paprika is considered the one who “fronts” while in the dream world the movie is partially set in. Otherwise in the physical world, Chiba is in the body, with Paprika sometimes showing as an apparition or a reflection to speak with her.
Proof: https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/decoding-what-the-hell-is-going-on-in-the-anime-classic-paprika

Characters: Tsubasa Hanekawa, Black Hanekawa (shared entry), and Kako (no entry)
Series: Monogatari
Plural-Specific CW:

System Type: Mahougenic-Traumagenic
Description of Plurality: As Black Hanekawa is both a metaphysical entity, and described as a manifestation of Tsubasa’s stress, the system can be considered both mahougenic and traumagenic. Though Tsubasa is unaware of Black Hanekawa’s existence at first, and experienced memory gaps when she fronted, she later makes contact with her upon realizing Black Hanekawa exists. After this, the two are able to occasionally voluntarily switch between each other. There is also another entity, Kako, who is described as a “manifestation of Tsubasa’s envy” that exists outside of the body, but as it causes destruction in the physical world, Tsubasa ends up integrating Kako into herself. It is implied Black Hanekawa may also have been integrated after this event.
Proof: https://bakemonogatari.fandom.com/wiki/Tsubasa_Hanekawa

EternichiJun 17, 2022 6:03 PM

Jan 9, 2022 5:35 PM

Eternichi

Offline

Jan 2011

Going to just make this one as a general post because it would include a ton of people and is pretty complicated:

Characters: Stands and Stand Users (linked on main page- note Stands themselves almost never have entries)
Series: JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
Plural-Specific CW:

System Type: Mahougenic
Description of Plurality: "Stands" can typically be considered as endogenic-mahougenic headmates who are described to be "physical" manifestations of a person's lifeforce. Many of these stands follow the orders of their stand users and can be considered similar to servitors, however, many appear to be able to make their own unprompted decisions, particularly when defending their Stand User (i.e. host). For the sake of the sheer number of these stands, we'll primarily focus on the non-object ones (example: Hol Horse's Emperor won't be considered as it appears to be used as a literal gun with no free will and is more so an extension of a single person) and ambiguous minor ones (example: Tower of Gray seems to only execute Gray Fly's orders, and doesn't seem to make independent choices, but it's too little screen time to tell for sure), but if there are stands that aren't included that can have a case made for their inclusion, please do so as a separate entry. Anubis in particular will also not be included as though he is a sentient stand, he has no stand user and is considered more of a spirit-possession of others than consistently plural.
Proof: https://jojowiki.com/Stand

EternichiJun 17, 2022 6:17 PM

Jun 17, 2022 6:13 PM

Eternichi

Offline

Jan 2011

Characters: Yaya Higuchi and Nana
Series: Othello.
Plural-Specific CW:

System Type: Disordered Stressbased Quoigenic
Description of Plurality: Yaya and Nana are a system that appears to primarily function around stress; Nana acts as Yaya's protector and helps relieve the body's stress, typically through self-defense. It is implied this is the cause of Nana's origin, but not confirmed. Throughout most of the story, Yaya experiences dissociation, amnesia, blackouts, and time loss when Nana fronts. Though she shares a lot of symptoms with DID, the final author note- while inaccurate in describing real DID- insists the plurality in Othello is more metaphorical than literal. That being said, the two are repeatedly referred to as "split personalities", so it's also definitely literal.
Proof: https://animanga.fandom.com/wiki/Othello

EternichiJun 17, 2022 6:22 PM

See All Discussions

Plural Anime/Manga Character Submissions

More topics from this board

» Plural Representation in Other Media

» Resources on Plurality

MoreTop Anime

MoreTop Airing Anime

MoreMost Popular Characters