Akiyuki Takehara

"'I want to live.' - Akiyuki Takehara"

Akiyuki Takehara (竹原 アキユキ, Takehara Akiyuki) is the main protagonist of the series. He is also a Xam'd.

Human
Akiyuki is a light tan-skinned young boy with short black hair and brown eyes.

He is usually seen wearing a loose, white shirt and tan cargo pants with green sneakers. Over his right forearm are bandages, which cover his Hiruko.

Xam'd
Akiyuki's Xam'd appearance is a white humanoid creature with orange stripes, red eyes, green knee-pad like shells and a large head that resembles a goldfish.

Personality
Akiyuki is an enthusiastic, caring, helpful and charismatic guy who is oftentimes willing to help others with their problems, regardless if he knows them or not, evidenced by him helping Nazuna. However, he can be rather rude as he sometimes forgets to show gratitude to the ones who have helped him. Fortunately, he is willing to accept when he is in the wrong, swallowing his pride and apologizing.

Biography
Akiyuki is first seen getting ready for school. After leaving, he visits his father's clinic to drop off his lunch. He then rushes to the bus stop, meeting his childhood friends Haru Nishimura and Furuichi Teraoka. It is there that he meets Nazuna, a girl that he has never seen before who he notices lacks an armband. Taking it upon himself to help her, he distracts the officer and gives her his armband. When she later tries to return it, he quietly insists that she keeps it. Later, after he gets off of the bus, Nazuna suddenly detonates herself, releasing mysterious streams of light from within her. Before he can react, one of these lights shoots into his right arm. Shortly after, he notices Nazuna is still alive on the bus and quickly goes to make sure she is alright. Once there, he learns that she was the cause of the explosion and after she creates an irremovable mask upon his face, he suddenly begins to transform into a mysterious creature known as Xam'd.

Immediately following Akiyuki's transformation, the Northern Government attacks Sentan Island, releasing multiple Humanform Weapons. While engaging in battle with one of the Humanform Tanks, he manages to save Haru, who had followed him. Soon after defeating the Humanform, however, Akiyuki is suddenly subdued by a mysterious woman named Nakiami. He falls unconscious and she takes him back to the international postal airship, the Zanbani, and away from Sentan Island. Once there, she stabilizes his condition in her quarters. The following day, Akiyuki wakes with no memory of what had happened previously and is desperate to go home. After begrudgingly allowing Akushiba to introduce him to everyone and showing him around, Akiyuki goes to see the ship's captain, Ishu Benikawa. Once there, he begs her to take him back to Sentan Island, but she refuses, claiming he has shown no gratitude towards Nakiami for saving his life. This angers Akiyuki and, in his anger, he awakens his Hiruko, which almost immediately attracts the attention of a Flying Humanform. The Humanform captures him and Nakiami saves him once again. That evening, Akiyuki finally thanks Nakiami and, in an act of swallowing his pride, agrees to stay with her so that he can hopefully learn to control his newfound power.

During the next few days, Nakiami brings Akiyuki before Madam Tenshin, a spiritual guide that lives aboard the Zanbani. During their meetings, Madam Tenshin repeatedly asks him what Xam'd seeks. When he finally provides the possibility that Xam'd simply wants to live alongside others, Madam Tenshin implores him to meditate upon his answer and tells Nakiami to begin training Akiyuki.

As the Zanbani passes over a village that is besieged by Humanforms, Nakiami scouts the land ahead alongside Akiyuki just as Ishu commands them to. During their scouting Nakiami becomes trapped atop a Humanform as it begins to die and turn to stone, only being saved at the last minute by Akiyuki, despite being told not to interfere.

Eventually, Akiyuki receives the letters that Haru has been sending to him, many of the letters being weeks old. Akiyuki finds out that Haru has joined the military with Furuichi, and both would be arriving in Tsumebara Pass for a military operation. As the Zenbani passes of Tsumebara Pass Akiyuki asks to leave, and parachutes down to the area after Ishu tells him that he cannot take one of the Kayaks. With Roppa at his side, wearing a tracking collar designed by Kiselji, Akiyuki begins to explore Tsumebara Pass for his friends.

Akiyuki and Roppa come across a Humanform that has been killed and turned to stone and a farmer picking flowers nearby. Before Akiyuki could ask the farmer what happened to the Humanform the farmer quickly loses control and transforms into a Humanform, attacking both him and Roppa. Akiyuki manages to defeat the Humanform alongside two other people, Zuizo and Kio, both revealing they arrived for the Humanform already turned to stone, who was once Kio's mother.

After spending a night with Zuizo and Kio, the two give directions to Akiyuki on how to reach the Tsumebara Mines where his friends are most likely stationed. Akiyuki leaves Roppa with Kio for the time being. Kio tells Akiyuki that they will met him at the harbor at one of the produce stands for soldiers when he his finished.

Once arriving at the mouth of the cave that sits along the railroad Akiyuki is reunited with Haru Nishimura. A moment later the Humanform that Haru and Furuichi Teraoka were fighting inside of the mines charges out and shoots at Haru, missing after Akiyuki saves her. After defeating the Humanform Furuichi emerges from the cave shocked to see Akiyuki, but Furuichi still points his weapon towards Akiykuki, believing the propaganda that Xam'd are nothing more than monsters and blaming Akiyuki for the destruction of their island for allowing a refugee onto their school bus. However, before Furuichi could shoot Akiyuki a large explosion occurs on the bridge and Furuichi is pinned down by an unknown Xam'd that tells Haru they will save Akiyuki. Haru tells Akiyuki to run while the unknown Xam'd jumps off the bridge and lands into the water before swimming away.

Akiyuki makes it to the harbor tired and weak with his arm mostly turning to stone before being saved by Nakiami. Now reunited with Zuizo, Kio, and Roppa, Akiyuki gives his goodbye to Zuizo, and Nakiami takes Akiyuki and Roppa back to the Zanbani.

Raigyo Tsunomata, the hermit that saved Akiyuki from being shot by Furuichi in Tsumebara, climbs aboard the Zenbani just before its departure and it is when he tells Akiyuki that he too is also a Xam'd. While most of the Zanbani crew (with the exception of Ishu) welcomes back Raigyo, Akiyuki is annoyed by the amount of chores he's required to do for the unknown man. Akushiba explains to Akiyuki how Raigyo was found by Nakiami just before he turned into stone.

When a Humanform begins its approach towards the Zanbani, Raigyo drags Akiyuki to the roof of the Zanbani and uses this opportunity to train him. Akiyuki manages to grab onto the flying Humanform as it passes by the ship. Nakiami flies her kayak close to Akiyuki and tells him to embed an Ututu Seed into the body of the Humanform.

After landing on the Humanform, Akiyuki manages to implant the Ututu Seed into the Humanform--only for it to disassemble. Nakiami tells Akiyuki that if she had used a more pure Ututu Seed then it would have been possible to restore the Humanform completely in order to save it. Before they celebrate their victory four more Humanform ships make their approach to the Zanbani. Nakiami tells Akiyuki that the weak point on the Humanforms is the control ring along their neck. Meanwhile, Raigyo begins attacking the oncoming Humanforms.

Akiyuki attempts to tear off the control rings of as many Humanforms as possible while staying on the roof of the Zenbani, but the ship takes considerable damage from the Humanforms that burrowed their way inside. The ship is forced to crash onto a beach, where they remained stranded until the ship is fixed. He immediately helps Nakiami bury the Humanform Pilots that attacked the ship.

When Nakiami and Akiyuki sit for dinner that night she tells him that she will be going back to Tessik Village. Akiyuki asks her if he could accompany her to find out what Xam'd seeks, and he also asks if he could see Sentan Island as a small detour. The two say goodbye to the crew and begin their journey. They find a small boat that can take them for most of the journey, keeping Nakiami's Kayak close by. Nakiami also remarks that it has been Six Months since he last was on the island. When the boat arrives to Sentan Island the captain tells them both that the boat will only be docked for three days. Akiyuki, filled with nerves, wonders how he is going to react to seeing his friends and family again.

Akiyuki visits his father first, Ryuzo Takehara. Ryuzo knows that Akiyuki is a Hiruko after seeing the wound on his arm. He reveals to Akiyuki that Nazuna survived and that he has been trying to keep her alive ever since. Ryuzo asks Akiyuki if he knows what the Hiruko seeks, but Akiyuki is still unsure himself. Akiyuki proceeds to pack the same lunch that his mother would make him take to his father, and starts heading towards her house.

He drops off the lunch at his mothers house. Fusa Takeharaknows that her son is back and proceeds to chase Akiyuki, only to miss him just before seeing him waiting at his bus stop. Akiyuki slips away and heads towards the cemetery, where Nakiami was told to bring Haru.

After arriving at the cemetery he reunites with Haru, only to be interrupted by Furuichi. Furuichi, now filled with hatred for Akiyuki, holds Haru hostage with his new Xam'd powers. Furuichi manages to subdue Akiyuki for a time, only for Akiyuki to break free and beat Furuichi into submission. Nakiami manages to revert Furuichi into his humanform, before they are then interrupted by soldiers led by Tojiro Kagisu. Akiyuki manages to capture Tojiro and lead the military away from the cemetery, allowing Nakiami to make her escape. On the top of a water tower Akiyuki and Tojiro exchange brief words. Tojiro telling Akiyuki that he knew his father, and that he could keep Akiyuki and his friends safe. Akiyuki tells Tojiro to keep Haru safe, before leaving the commander on the top of the water tower alone. As Akiyuki makes his way back to the docks to meet up with Nakiami he is attacked. A single A.S.Pshoots him, knocking him unconcious and falling into a river, only to be found many hours later by a man patrolling the docks. Akiyuki is loaded aboard an unknown train, to an unknown location, unable to remember his own name.

Skills and Abilities

 * Super Strength: As a fully transformed Xam'd, Akiyuki's natural strength is amplified several times over, enabling him to jump large distances, battle Humanform Weapons, and survive multiple rounds of ammunition. His strength is also amplified while he is partially transformed, but to a much lesser degree.
 * Shield Arm: He can transform his right arm into a powerful, circular shield that is capable of deflecting a Humanform's spore attacks.
 * Blade Arm: Whether fully or partially transformed, Akikyuki can transform his right arm into a large blade that is sharp enough to cut through Humanform limbs with ease.
 * Electric Blast: He can channel and release electricity over a specific target area, causing great damage and/or delivering great shock waves of pure force. These electric blasts often cause Akiyuki's victims to explode, but they can also instantly turn them into stone. He has only used this power on Humanform Weapons.
 * Elasticity: Akiyuki can stretch his right arm great distances and can even transform it into long tendrils that can easily ensnare a Humanform. He does not need to be fully transformed in order to do this.
 * Spectrum Wings: He can manifest ethereal, insect-like wings that enable him to levitate and soar through the air, even without having to transform.
 * Transference: Akiyuki is only seen using this ability once on the Hirukon Emperor. He transfers everything to the Emperor, giving him his memories and name, while he reverts back to the masked man.

Ryuzo Takehara
Ryuuzo is Akiyuki's father who seem to have a well enough relationship, although Akiyuki is often seen as the one taking care of his father, instead of the other way around. Like Fusa Takehara, Akiyuki sometimes calls him 'gorilla' and 'Doctor Trouble' or even 'Doctor Hangover.'

Fusa Takehara
Fusa is Akiyuki's mother who seem to have a well enough relationship, although Fusa is often seen scolding him. She affectionately refers to him as 'Mr. Sleepyhead.'

Haru Nishimura
Haru is Akiyuki's childhood friend where she promised Fusa Takehara that she would look out for him, so she is often seen worrying about his well being.

Furuichi Teraoka
Furuichi is a close school friend of Akiyuki; always remaining serious in the face of Akiyuki's carefree nature.

Nakiami

Quotes
Main Article: Akiyuki Takehara/Quotes

Etymology

 * If written in kanji, the name Akiyuki can mean "autumn" (秋) (aki) and "snow" (雪) (yuki).
 * Akiyuki connects with the name Haru, which means "spring" (春).
 * Akiyuki's surname Takehara means "bamboo" (竹) (take) and "field, plain" (原) (hara).

Trivia

 * Akiyuki might be bisexual.
 * After Akushiba agrees to chase after the delivery truck in order to ensure Akiyuki's message to Haru Nishimura is delivered, Akiyuki calls out to him, claiming he thinks he's falling in love with him.

Image Gallery
Main Article: Akiyuki Takehara/Image Gallery