SUBARU SUMERAGI [ spoiler-free profile ]
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>> THE BOY
Subaru, who is probably one of the most remarkable and fascinating characters ever created, is utterly selfless and feels genuine concern for the spiritual well-being of others. Subaru sparkles with life, and his emerald eyes smile with eternal joy. His angelic face is not only an indicator of his pure heart but also suggests his open and friendly nature. His raven black hair, delicate framework and child-like innocence make him a loveable and memorable character whose demise can only be met with sadness. In some ways, Subaru is almost like one of those people with whom it is impossible to find faults. Though he's only a teenager, he's full of compassion and understanding, and his presence is larger than life. He has already dealt with so much and taken on so many responsibilities for someone so young. Subaru is strong and experienced in the field of onmyoujitsu, but by no means should we mistake him as being totally fearless. His life has been turned upside down by the chance encounter with a mysterious boy under a cherry tree, and sometimes, the only thoughts that run through his head are ones of doubt and confusion. Deep down, Subaru's heart is very fragile, and as one inevitably knows, it doesn't take much to shatter his humanity.
Like all teenagers, Subaru wants to lead a carefree life and pursue ordinary teenage hobbies, but he is not one to shirk responsibility. The burden of being an onmyoujitsu may be too much for most people to bear, but Subaru handles it stylishly and rarely disappoints his clients. Owing to his empathy, or perhaps a "sixth sense", Subaru can feel the suffering of others and is often saddened by the horrors he has to deal with. At times, he feels immensely guilty for being unable to provide further help to those who depend on him. This aspect of his character is also reflected in his apologetic nature in more light-hearted scenes. Hokuto-chan, who feels strongly that Subaru shouldn't look down upon himself, often criticizes him for this. As mentioned earlier, Subaru will apologize even for the most trivial things and his shyness can cause him to become easily embarrassed in awkward situations. This is what Seishirou finds as Subaru's most attractive quality, and will often tease him with marriage proposals or by calling him "cute". So much for the Sakurazukamori's lack of emotion, Subaru's "cuteness" never fails to melt his heart.
>> THE ONMYOUJI
The young Subaru was thrown into a world of adult responsibilities when his parents died. Though the exact circumstances of their death are unknown, it's rumored that his mother died of childbirth complications and his father was killed by the Sakurazukamori. As the successor to the Sumeragi clan, Subaru is naturally gifted with abilities that enable him to take part in the endless struggle between good and evil. His upbringing was left to his well-respected grandmother, Lady Sumeragi, who turned his juvenile clumsiness into competence. As a result, Subaru became vastly adept at manipulating the onmyoujitsu magic to help others. When on duty, Subaru dresses in a white ceremonial robe called a shikifuku and commands two white crows known as shikigami. He also has a good supply of ofuda, which are slips of paper that can be used to cast spells on an opponent.
Subaru's skills are a huge asset in the protection of Tokyo and greater Japan. Having undergone rigorous training and disciplinary sessions from a young age, Subaru knows when and how to make the best of his powers without abusing them, although he is sometimes inclined to disobey his grandmother. Lady Sumeragi did everything in her power to ensure that Subaru will be a good match for the Sakurazukamori assasin, but ever her wisdom and foresight couldn't prevent Subaru from sleeping with the enemy, as it were. If meeting the teenage Seishirou in Ueno Park was long ago fated, then it was also his destiny to fall in love with him and have his heart broken by the very man he loves. When the two onmyoujis first met, Subaru was still very young, and a vision of pure innocence in contrast with the sinister Seishirou. Still, Seishirou has a soft spot for him and notices he is a delicate boy who loves and cares for everything in his vicinity, even the animals at Seishirou's clinic. Subaru is full of love, but love, being his strongest point, is also the thing that breaks him in the end.
>> THE MODEL
Subaru has a wonderful but unusual sense of fashion, as most people must've noticed by now. His entire wardrobe is influenced by his equally fashion-conscious twin Hokuto, who would probably not let him walk out of the house without sporting a flamboyant suit or eye-catching outfit. Subaru is a good dresser who's obviously in touch with his feminine side and not afraid to wear clothes that might seem "wacky" by modern standards. His jackets and pants are extremely colorful and made to compliment each other. Hats and of course gloves are important accessories to complete his outfits, and chances are Hokuto have made some of them herself. Sometimes, they are decorated with motifs such as the crucifix that show CLAMP's religious influences. In the artbook, Subaru has worn costumes of colors across the rainbow. He is rarely seen without his gloves, except in the X series when he no longer feels the need to hide his hands from view.
>> THE FALLEN ANGEL
Up until the incident with Seishirou's right eye, Subaru has known no major trauma in his life. Even when he saw the Sakurazukamori with a young girl's corpse in his arms, he barely comprehended the horror of this act, but was nevertheless shocked. The unwritten law of the Sakurazukamori clan stipulates that any witness of a murder committed by a Sakurazukamori must be killed, but Seishirou was so taken aback by the young Subaru's innocence that he broke this law and spared the boy's life. A bet was made that they will meet again someday, and when they do, they will spend one year together. When the year is up, Seishirou must decide if he feels anything for Subaru, or if the boy is merely a "thing" that can be broken just as he would break a glass cup. To his horror, Seishirou eventually cast him off as nothing, though his true feelings are never revealed. As if this weren't shocking enough, Seishirou tries to kill him but claims Hokuto's life instead. The loss of his dear sister coupled with his unrequited love for Seishirou proved to be too much, and Subaru suffered a temporary breakdown. For a while, he shut out everything from his life and spent days just sitting in an armchair, staring blankly into nothingness. By the time Subaru "awakens" and accepts his destined role in the apocalyptic war, his innocence has already faded. In X, Subaru is a changed man. His eyes became a dull grey instead of the vibrant shade of green it used to be, sullen by anguish and despair.
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