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| “ | This time, I'm going to make it. I would give up everything to get there. No, I will give up everything! If that's what it takes to get there that's how badly I want it. I don't want to be the hero. I don't want to be the final boss. I want to be the one in the story who operates from the shadows. The Eminence in Shadow! | „ |
| ~ Cid's ambition to become The Eminence in Shadow. |
| “ | I make a very clear distinction between what's important to me and what's of no consequence. | „ |
| ~ Cid Kagenou |
| “ | The frenzy has begun. The moon is red. |
„ |
| ~ Cid Kagenou repeatedly during his time at the Lawless City. Taken from Mary, because he thought it sounded cool. |
Cid Kagenou (シド・カゲノー, Shido Kagenō?), also known as Shadow and known in his past life as Minoru Kageno (影野実, Kageno Minoru?), is the titular main protagonist of the 2018 light novel, manga, and web novel series The Eminence in Shadow and its 2022 anime series as well as a movie continuation of the show, The Eminence in Shadow: Lost Echoes.
Growing up in his original life, he grew a deep fondness for a fictional character archetype he called "the Eminence in Shadow", a mysterious anti-hero who operates from the shadows and wields immense power, so much so that he dedicated his life to becoming this archetype in the real world. This fantasy ultimately led to his untimely demise, though fortunately for him, he was reincarnated into a world of sword and sorcery where his dream would be more achievable than ever before. Only ten years into his second life, a young Cid founded Shadow Garden, an underground organization dedicated to combating the Cult of Diablos, though Cid himself just sees the former as a group of roleplaying friends and doesn't even know that the latter exists.
He is voiced by Seiichiro Yamashita in Japanese and by Adam Gibbs in English.
Quick Answers
What is the ambition of Cid Kagenou in the anime?
How did Cid Kagenou transition to a new world?
What role does Cid Kagenou aspire to play in his story?
What is the significance of 'Eminence in Shadow' in relation to Cid Kagenou?
What is the anime that features the character Cid Kagenou?
Biography[]
Before reincarnation, Minoru Kageno was a Japanese High School student and also secretly brutally beat criminals. During his time facing Biker Gangs he gain the name "Ski Mask Berserker (Balaclava Berserker in the anime)" and would be known for beating them with a crowbar. His motivation for this was to mimic what he called "the Eminence in Shadow", a character archetype he admired from shows, games and other stories that essentially describes a mysterious anti-hero with immense power that influences behind-the-scenes events. One night, he saved his classmate Akane Nishino who was captured by a group of thugs. However, he later died by a car accident while he was trying, in vain, to unlock the secrets of using magic. He was later reincarnated into another world as Cid Kagenou. He became the second child and only son of the Kagenou Baron family. He also has an older sister named Claire Kagenou. He was neglected by his parents (who believe he is weaker than Claire) but unbeknownst to them, he was actually stronger than Claire when he pretended to be weak. Before becoming Shadow, Cid under the name "Fancy Bandit Slayer (Stylish Bandit Slayer in the anime)" killed a bunch of bandits, and unknowing saved a young Rose Oriana. Cid (calling himself by his alias as Shadow) created an organization known as the Shadow Garden, a group of assassins whose goal is to destroy the Cult of Diablos and prevent them to resurrect the Demon, Diablos. He reverted the elf (who was turned to a monster by the curse) back to her original self as his right-hand woman named Alpha. When his sister was kidnapped by the Cult of Diablos, Cid and the Garden went the Cult's hideout and killed the members of the Cult as well as rescued his sister and completely cured her from her curse. He later saved Victoria (a former Saint who was experimented with the Demon Possession by the Cult) from her execution and killed the members of the Cult of Diablos as well recruiting the former saint to become a number member of the Shadow Garden as its highest rank number as No. 559.
After Princess Alexia was kidnapped by the Cult of Diablos, Cid and the Shadow Garden killed the knights and their lookouts (who revealed to be members of the Cult of Diablos that trying to frame him of Alexia's capture) and killed his former instructor and Alexia's formerly fiancé candidate, Zenon Griffey (who is also a member of the Cult of Diablos) as well rescue Alexia.
He later killed the fake Shadow Garden and his school's vice principal (who are all members of the Cult of Diablos) as well killed Rex, "the Game of Betrayal". He fought against Aurora "the Witch of Calamity" and defeated her. He meet Aurora (who lost her memories many years ago). He killed the acting Archbishop Nelson (the 11th seat of the Knight of Round (who are the highest executives of the Cult)). He cured Rose Oriana from her curse and recruited her as a member of the Shadow Garden as well having to kill her father, King Raphael Oriane due to him being brainwashed by Rose's ex-fiance (who is actually a member of the Cult) Perv Asshat. He made an allegiance with Yukime to help her get revenge on her former fiance, Gettan. During the massacre on Rose's marriage with Perv Asshat, Cid appeared and easily killed both a creature known as Ragnarok and the 9th seat of the Knights of Round, Mordred. He and Beta were teleported to Japan (Cid's previous homeworld when he was Minoru). Where he reunited with his former classmate Akane. Cid and Beta teleported back into their world. But unbeknownst to him, Beta took Akane with her before coming back to their world.
Appearance[]
Cid is a slim, athletic young man with short black hair and black eyes. His face features are ordinary, with no distinguishing characteristics. A face that is as forgettable as it is generic. His appearance is overall similar to that of his pre-reincarnated life as Minoru Kageno. As a dark knight squire, Cid wears the compulsory male uniform of Midgar Academy. The standard navy-blue blazer with gold shoulder straps and a white dress shirt. A casual appearance is facilitated by keeping the black apron necktie loose. White loafers and navy-blue trousers round out the bottom.
The costume Cid selected for Shadow is an ebony slime bodysuit, styled like a popped collar overcoat. Gold and purple trim adorn a dark jacket, shirt, pants, and high boots. A long hood casts a shadow to hide the upper half of Cid’s face. The only discernible facial features are his mouth and the glow of red eyes. In the light novel and manga, he also wears a black domino mask.
Other Personas[]
- Mundane Mann (ジミナ・セーネン, Jimina Sēnen): Once a fallen aristocrat from the Altena Empire, Cid adopts a mask to enter the Bushin Festival. The mask depicts a pale face with baggy eyes, a drooping mouth, and unkempt facial hair. A hunched back and cheap equipment further assist in Cid's desire to appear "weak."
- John Smith (ジョン・スミス, Jon Sumisu): For his second venture into Lawless City, Cid wears a double-breasted black suit over a pin-striped dress shirt, paired with a black skinny tie. He completes the look with straight-tipped shoes and fingerless gloves. To maintain anonymity, he wears a dominion mask. The overall outfit has an "FBI agent" aesthetic.
- Jack The Ripper (ジャック・ザ・リッパー, Jakku Za Rippā): Cid became a notorious serial killer to eliminate the Thirteen Night Swords of their corrupt nobles. He defied the authorities with his enigmatic ruthlessness, leaving playing cards behind and dressing as a full-body clown. Cid managed to destroy the Thirteen Night Swords in a matter of days.
Past Life[]
Cid in his previous life.
In his previous life, Minoru Kageno had a tall and toned physique due to his constant training. His face was plain, with short black hair and black eyes, resembling his post-reincarnated life as Cid Kagenou. As a student of Sakurazaka High, he wore a standard white school coat, a light blue shirt, blue pants, and a blue tie. On Earth, he operated as a vigilante under the alias Fancy Hoodlum Slayer. His outfit was all black, and he covered his face with a balaclava (ski mask).
Personality[]
Kageno/Kagenou is obsessed with being the "Power Within Shadows", a person who wields tremendous power from the shadows, and is motivated by TV shows, video games, and other stories, making him an extremely delusional and childish individual. He puts everything he has into achieving that objective and takes tremendous delight in his accomplishments. In relentless pursuit of his goal, he shuns all other desires, interests and concerns as he believes they would only weigh him down. As a result, Cid is fairly detached from the world and people around him, often appearing to lack empathy for others and treating life as if it's a game. He describes people with terms like "named characters", "background characters" and "protagonists", viewing them all and himself like they're just parts of a narrative and prioritizing the entertainment value of situations over anything else. He also extremely rarely shows glimpses of his true character to anyone, almost always putting on a performance and taking great pleasure in acting as his various personas. Though fully committed to his ideology, he acknowledges that these traits would make him come off as insane to anyone else. Cid deeply respects "fellow dreamers" who also dedicate themselves to a lofty goal and may even go out of his way to support them, especially if it would complement his shadow broker image.
His supporters think he is a genius mastermind who's constantly manipulating everyone, but in reality, his success is a result of dumb luck, creative problem-solving, and his superior combat skills. He usually jumps into situations with no plan at all or a fairly shallow plan and stumbles his way into a massive success that others mistake as being part of his master plan all along; when he has to improvise, it relies on arbitrary initial thoughts, such as to maintain his cover of John Smith, he ordered Delta to go to the Lawless City to kill Juggernaut, just to give her a task that would prevent her "spoiling" his secret identity to the Shadows. He's also completely oblivious to the fact that the Cult of Diabolos even exists since he just made them up randomly, and thinks the members of Shadow Garden are only playing along with his fantasy rather than being genuinely loyal.
In his civilian identity, Cid presents himself as completely mediocre and forgettable in all of his actions and characteristics while trying to avoid garnering attention, essentially what he sees as the ultimate background character. As Shadow, he is preoccupied with seeming mysterious and cool in front of his audience and engaging in ridiculous actions. He takes extreme offense if anyone tarnishes the name of Shadow Garden by using it as their own, as some members of the Cult of Diabolos paid for dearly. Cid frequently makes choices that are intended to act out various fantasies and story clichés that he finds cool. For instance, he entered the God of War Festival Tournament (under the fictitious name "Jimina") solely to realize his particular fantasy of playing a mysterious warrior who, after initially being teased for being weak, eventually astounds everyone with his true strength.
Although Cid is unaware of it, Shadow Garden is incredibly devoted to him and many of its members are secretly in love with him. When some of his subordinates claim credit for the otherworldly information they acquired from him, Cid is irritated since he frequently assumes they are exploiting it for themselves. He wants as much money as he can get since he needs to fund his future activities as the Eminence in Shadow, but would rather make his own than rely on the monies that his subordinates have raised. Outsiders who know of Shadow mostly see him as a highly dangerous and fearsome figure with dubious intentions, while Shadow Garden members and supporters believe that he has a noble heart despite his methods sometimes being rough. In reality, while he isn't evil by any means and can be nice when he wants to, Cid is a lot more shallow and selfish than anyone around him thinks. His motivations usually boil down to "it would be cool" or "I need money". When he first met Alpha while she was possessed, his first thought was being excited that he could use her as a guinea pig in his experiments rather than thinking about trying to save her, showing his selfish pragmatism when it comes to furthering his own ends; which is perhaps a reason that he doesn't comprehend how devoted his Shadows are, since he "saved" them just out of curiosity or to test his powers rather than out of genuine heroism.
He also takes great joy in combat and general violence to an outright sadistic degree and he can often be seen grinning or laughing maniacally while cutting people to ribbons, impaling them, tearing their hearts out with his bare hands and any number of other brutal killing methods. This enjoyment seems to extend to anything that involves danger or bloodshed as he describes things such as terrorist attacks, post-apocalypse situations and death games as "fun", though mostly because those scenarios present more opportunities for him to perform. Cid doesn't mind being considered a malicious individual by the public because of his shadier traits as such infamy only enhances his Shadow Broker image.
Though his single-minded obsession usually makes Cid apathetic to whatever happens to those around him, and especially his enemies, he does have some level of moral standards. He doesn't kill anyone who isn't a legitimate enemy, feels bad for some of the people he screws over, and calls out people like Alexia or Lutheran Barnett that he thinks are genuine scumbags. He also didn't reveal Lutheran's true nature, allowing Sherry Barnett to mourn her adopted father's death. Although Cid mostly sees his sister Claire as an annoyance, he at least cares for her enough to go out of his way to save her a couple of times.
Cid also demonstrates a warrior's honor and pride, as he genuinely values effort and dedication above all else, believing that they bring true power, therefore, he considers using underhanded methods such as drugs to gain more power despicable, insulting and a hoax.
Cid has an inability to perceive romantic interest, which may be due to including, but not limited to, his narcissistic personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, asexuality, and/or aromanticism. It may also be simply due to him seeing intimate love as uninteresting; the first time he sees sex in his "story," he is spying on an enemy Perv Asshat in an affair, which upsets Cid only due to finding it soap opera, rather than "6pm timeslot" appropriate material. As Shadow, he rescues each member of his growing group, Shadow Garden, but never understands how their loyalty from him saving them was also with an undercurrent of developing love. In Cid's own civilian life, he unwittingly seduces numerous girls, yet completely fails to understand that he did it, since his manipulations were merely to advance the "story" or an excuse to either look cool or play into his cover as a "background character." When an interested female suitor does hold his hand, he becomes irritated, and begins to subtly vibrate his molecules to slip out of their grasp, even if he has to lose his clothes. When he "sacrificed" himself to protect Rose, his intention was to play the role of the unimportant Red Shirt who always fell first during terrorist takeovers in fiction, however, he made her believe that he loved her, with his subsequent actions reinforcing this misunderstanding, without his realising. Cid failed to realise that Rose mercy killed her father, with him believing it was due to her ambition to replace the king; as such, he later attempted to groom her into becoming a tyrant that he one day hoped to kill to "save" the "main characters," to make himself look cool.
Despite an obsession with appearances, he holds no self-consciousness in terms of nudity; he was indifferent when in a co-ed bath, and unconcerned when Alexia was present. While she was embarrassed, he didn't care. When Cid stood up to leave, Alexia saw his privates, which didn't bother him; although, he displayed an odd sense of ego, since she commented on her belief it was small, but he called it his "Excalibur," and alluded to his countering belief that it was much larger if "awakened," thus regardless of seemingly no sexual interest, he had pride in being well-endowed if *provoked*.
Quotes[]
| “ | Ha, Gotcha! | „ |
| ~ Cid after purposely letting Olivier stab him. |
| “ | I need more power. | „ |
| ~ Cid Kagenou |
| “ | Iris Midgar:Everyone in the capital... Everyone in the entire capital of Midgar is your enemy! There's nowhere left for you to RUN! Cid: Run away? Who's running? Running where? WHY WOULD I RUN? |
„ |
| ~ Cid to Iris Midgar and Beatrix during his battle against them. |
| “ | There is no roard to almightiness for those using borrowed strength. | „ |
| ~ Cid Kagenou |
| “ | You want power? | „ |
| ~ Cid Kagenou |
| “ | As long as you protect the vitals, the human body is surprinsgly sturdy. | „ |
| ~ Cid Kageou |
Heroic Acts[]
- Saved Akane (Twice)
- Saved and curing The Seven Shades of Demon Possession
- Saved Rose (Four Times)
- Saved Yukime
- Saved and protecting his sister, Claire (Multiple times)
- Saved Victoria
- Saved Alexia (Multiple times)
- Saved the students of Midgar Academy (Twice)
- Freeing Aurora
- Saved Yukime's Prostitute Employees
- Saved Marie
- Saved Claudia
- Saved Elizabeth
- Saved the Oriana Kingdom
- Saved Christina Hope (During the Midgar Acadmy's second attack)
- Saved Kanade (During the Midgar Acadmy's second attack)
- Saved Millia
Criminal Record[]
Despite not being villainous, but rather chaotic neutral, Cid, as a vigilante, has committed many crimes in his pleasure of playing as a shadow broker over the course of the story:
- Indirect Plagiarism: As a very adept pianist, Cid could recall his favourite pieces from his past life, including Moonlight Sonata 1st Movement, along with some fictional works. Knowledge like these were passed down to the Seven Shades, who then used it for public entertainment. For instance, Epsilon was taught Moonlight Sonata from Cid, in which she used to play to the public. For Beta, she published the fictional work that Cid told her and sold it to the public, making her a famous author.
- Vigilantism: As both Minoru and Cid, he spent much of his time hunting down criminals and either brutally beating or killing them, mostly for sport but also to save the innocent victims he finds along the way.
- Assault: In his past life as Minoru, he liked to spend his nights beating up local biker gangs and delinquents with a crowbar in order to gain combat experience, whether or not they were doing anything particularly wrong.
- Theft: Cid has stolen lots of money, mainly from bandits that he slaughters and pickpocketing bystanders in the Lawless City. Once he stole countless pieces of expensive jewelry from a crowd of nobles when they were distracted by his performance on the grand piano by using his slime tentacles, before stealing the instrument itself and transporting it underground. A crucial jewelry he stole is the Ring of Succession, a key to the black box, in which he gave it to Rose for only her to activate the gateway. This allowed Rose to also uncover the crimes of the Cult of Diablos.
- Mass Murder: Since his youth after his reincarnation, Cid has made a hobby of hunting down groups of bandits and joyfully slaughtering them in brutal ways to practice his skills. He does, however, take care not to kill anyone who doesn't deserve it to some degree.
- Identity Theft: He stole the appearance and name of a student named Suzuki after his head was blown up by a bomb collar so that he could play detective. He also used the name and likeness of a deceased aristocrat named Mundane Mann in order to disguise himself as a weakling.
Major/Named Victims[]
Season 1[]
Season 2[]
Non-Anime Appearances[]
Total major kills: 11
Powers and Abilities[]
Pre-Reincarnation[]
Minoru Kageno practiced a variety of swordsmanship and martial arts disciplines, including karate, mixed martial arts, wrestling, grappling, fencing, and kendo.[KENDO WN ONLY] Engaging in miscellaneous physical fitness activities helped him maintain peak physical condition, and having exercise equipment while idle prevented muscle atrophy.[Anime Only] He began practicing in childhood and continued into his teenage years.
In his quest to become a shadow broker, Kageno explored various Agama and Zen techniques to elevate his mind and body. He also dabbled in Abrahamic religions to transcend. Kageno's approach was not limited to kata and theory; he gained practical combat experience at the expense of local motorcycle gangs, earning him the nickname "Ski Mask Berserker."
- Post-Reincarnation: Determined to become a true shadow broker in his new life, Cid Kagenou began private training. He gained practical experience once again, this time from local hooligans, substituting bandits for the absent motorcyclists. Years of experimentation and practice have resulted in superior development compared to his contemporaries. All of Cid's battles have ended with overwhelming victories, some against highly decorated combatants. Protracted matches occur due to an observational strategy, a desire to taunt the target, or to maintain an ideal shadow broker aesthetic. Despite these achievements, Cid remains focused on honing his power and skills, determined to become the perfect eminence in the shadow.
For Cid, fighting is like a nuanced "conversation," where words and emotions are conveyed through actions such as body language or weapon movements. Combat superiority is achieved through predictive proficiency. Cid dislikes and rejects the reliance on simple, overpowering tactics. While he would choose power if given an ultimatum, he believes it should not be an excuse to disregard the intricacies of battles.
- Swordsmanship: When he could move, young Cid began another rigorous training regimen. His past life's activities and combat knowledge provided an adequate starting point. Born into a family with a long tradition of training Dark Knights, Cid's father began teaching him the Bushin Style at age six, and regular sparring sessions with his sister Claire became the norm. Due to traditional adherence and lack of globalization, many styles remained unrefined, with superfluous movements still present in many techniques. In the new Middle Ages World, magic is essential to battle (anime: Mid-Second Industrial Revolution). Magic can supplement strength or speed, but as a consequence, magical combat disregards refinement and many aspects of Maai: the fundamental idea of rhythm, angle, timing, and space. Incorporating Earth's contemporary methodologies with new tools gives Cid an overwhelming advantage over others in the new world.
Cid prefers the katana style of sword, but he has shown familiarity with handling other conventional and unconventional weapons, depicted in manga and anime as long or broadswords. He has two distinct sword styles. The first style is based on the adherence to fundamentals, refining techniques through steadfast practice until only essential movements remain. Cid uses this style for Shadow and Mob Cid, reducing refinements and dexterous movements to maintain his background character facade. The second style is flamboyant, drawing attention through artistic and beautiful motions. He has demonstrated the ability to refine personal or mimicked enemy techniques in the heat of battle. Both sword styles take a methodical approach towards adversaries, relying on ripostes or counter-attacks to overwhelm or whittle down an opponent. The precision of parries can be delicate enough to intercept a sword thrust tip to tip. Intense, empowered sword swings can create swirling waves for range or area of effect attacks. Cid has mastered mushin—removing emotion from one's mind or attacks—offering a fluid defense and a difficult-to-perceive offense. Feints serve to mislead opponents and assist in dominating the rhythm of battles. Cid has exploited perceptive opponents by utilizing subtle feints to dissuade their approach, sometimes causing vivid hallucinations of mutilation and making discerning reality difficult for those affected.
- Martial Arts: Hand-to-hand martial arts have suffered from the new world's unrefined teachings. It is seen as advantageous to practice magic, as throws and guards can be rendered irrelevant by superior magical force. Despite others' negligence, Cid continues to develop and practice hand-to-hand techniques. Unarmed combat is noted as his specialty, although there are few instances where he gets to exhibit this confidence. Melee skirmishes are the predominant form of warfare, but Cid incorporates various striking techniques into his personal swordplay.
Post-Reincarnation[]
- Magical Energy Manipulation: Cid wields the unique ability to manipulate magical energy, he gained this by seeing a different perception in Magic, while others saw it as a blessing from the Gods, Cid viewed it as a power to be channeled and manipulated, to the point where he was able to use knowledge from his past life to channel the energy into pure strength. This also led way to many of his notable abilities, and due to the fact that he had so much precise control over his magical energy, he was able to create his own technique where he is able to release some of it into a destructive form referring it as an "Nuclear bomb" that he had to become to be beyond human. Thus his most notable attack "I am atomic" and even now, his magical energy and raw power is also shown to surpass that of The Demon Diablos (Aurora), Any member of the Knight of Rounds, and even Ragnarok the demon and god-like figure who rules the 4th dimension. In addition he was also able to direct it into specific parts of his body, while others just enhance themselves.
- Extrasensory perception: Cid can sense the magical presences of other as well as the flow of magical energy. He was able to do this ever since he was a baby, after he had reincarnated.
- Magical Energy Transference: Aswell as being able to manipulate the flow of magical energy, he can also transfer it into things to gain a decent amount of control over them, an example includes when Cid was fighting Beatrix and Iris when he transferred some of the magical energy inside of the water to use more proficient attacks. (Which Beatrix claimed only a Vampire could use such attacks); However he claimed that Magic does not flow well inside of water.
- Purple Fire Manipulation: One of his most prominent abilities is creating dark purple flames that he can use to attack or defend. similar to Alpha, he once used it to burn a cooked bun after feeling bored in the Oriana Kingdom. He also uses this to gain a fire in his eyes when fighting Olivier, and also to mostly to show a demonstration of power or fear, or to give someone power. (like he did with Rose Oriana)
- Magic Depletion Resistance: Due to his high amount of magical energy and Mana, he was able to manipulate the nearly limitless energy inside of facility, though it took a long amount of time, he was able to control it and thus use it against Olivier, also showing his "All range Atomic" and destroying the facility.
- Vast Amount of Mana: He wields a supernatural amount of Mana that, like his magical energy, surpasses that of all the most powerful beings recorded in their history, he unlocked this by experimenting with his Magic when he was a child. He used this when he was attacking Grease in episode 1, he told him to direct the magical energy to specific parts of his body, rather than one physical enhancement spell.
- Hallucination Inducement: As Mundane Mann, he utilized his ability to create hallucinations to mess with Iris, to embarrass her, and to win the tournament.
- Mastery Over Ancient Magical Techniques: He has shown much mastery over ancient fighting styles and techniques. He is also shown to be obsessed with "True Essence Of Battle" with knowledge that Aurora felt the same way that he did and thus, could have a nice conversation with her that, despite not actually speaking, it was a battle both of them could enjoy. It was also stated and confirmed by Cid himself that he had studies "Countless Magical Texts" which cold possibly mean he has access to countless Magical Techniques such as Mist Form and Blood Manipulation. (However this was never confirmed or seen in any version of The Eminence In Shadow)
- Enhanced Battle Prowess: He doesn't like to use Magic very much while he is fighting however, he used his an enhanced from of his marksmanship when fighting Beatrix and Iris, taking both of them on equally, and he was also shown constantly disappearing and reappearing out of nowhere. And like his past life, he shows no visual signs of pain or suffering when he is attacked.
- Gravity Increase: Cid utilized this ability when he grabbed both Iris and Beatrix, and then proceeded to stomp on them, adding immense gravity that it broke the entire floor, and they barely got back up, showing how powerful the technique is.
- Regeneration & Rapid Healing: His magic allows him to heal rapidly and regenerate at fast levels, this is shown on multiple occasions, like when he blew up the facility, all of his wounds had already been healed, and after fighting Alpha as John Smith, he showed no sign of injury whatsoever.
- Accelerated Perception: He is shown on multiple occasions to be able to appear like he slows down time, however in reality he is perceiving everything much slower, he used this to pretend to be afraid of Beatrix when he was being attacked by her, and when sparring with Claire near the riverside at the mansion.
- Aura Supression: Using his magic, Cid had supress and conceal his presences making him undetectable.
- Luck: Though not really a giant ability, ever since reincarnating he has been very lucky, he knew when Olivier appeared in the facility. He thought the entire "Cult of Diablos experimenting on the Three Heroes descendants" Was all fake, and were just fighting against Government Officials, even now he is still not fully aware that the "Cult of Diablos" was real, and once even said that the seven shadows were good actors.
- Multilingualism: Cid can speak Japanese, the native language of his former world ranging from all the four alphabets; hiragana, kanji, katakana, as well as romaji. He has also showcased some level of knowledge in English, often shouting dramatic lines in his moments as Shadow, the language of Midgar fluently in his reincarnation, and even Egyptien as showcased by his writtings mixed with other languages to Beta.
Activating "I Am Atomic".
Nuclear Magic[]
Cid's signature nuclear or atomic magic represents the pinnacle of his magical research and training, serving as the most potent technique in his arsenal. The principle behind it involves accumulating and compressing magic into a single point, his sword, before releasing it. The energy unleashed is akin to fission or fusion chain reactions. While channeling this esoteric technique, Cid utters: "I...Am...Atomic" in English. This technique originated from his desire to be strong enough to survive a nuclear strike. Besides his general shadow broker practices, Cid's sole purpose in cultivating magic was to fulfill this unrealized desire. His logic dictated that to survive a nuclear explosion, he must transcend physical limitations and become a "nuclear power" incarnate.
I … Am… Atomic Variations[]
- Atomic (Standard): Magic is concentrated into a sword, resulting in a devastating strike. The impact releases an explosion of magic that disintegrates everything caught inside it.
- All-Range Atomic: An area of effect modification of atomic magic. A sword infused with magic is struck into the ground, releasing power in a set radius around the insertion point.
- Recovery Atomic: The attack operates similarly to the standard atomic technique, causing damage to structures (such as the destruction of the Crimson Tower), but instead of disintegrating individuals, it heals them. Those who were turned into ghouls or vampire thralls also return to normal.[Anime Only]
- Atomic Sword: Magic perceptibly elongates a weapon, allowing for a single horizontal strike that bisects everything within the sword's sweeping arc.
- Atomic Locust Shell: The sword splits into nine visible images, transforming into dragon-like slashes. Each dragon consumes a part of the enemy: slashes one and two target the arms, three and four the legs, five and six bisect the torso, strike seven pierces the chest, slash eight severs the neck, and the ninth and final attack swallows the head.
- Almost Atomic: An initial version of the standard atomic magic, this iteration is smaller in scale compared to the traditional technique. Subsequent experimentation led to a more potent result.
- Atomic Rain (Web Novel): Slime is molded into four wings to achieve flight. Mana is swiftly stored in these wings, transforming them into feather-like shapes. The magic feathers are then released as rapid-fire bursts of energy, raining destruction from above.
- Atomic Radar (Web Novel): Magic is concentrated into the fingertips, invisible to the naked eye. The compressed magic transforms into particles and is released around the user, enhancing their perception of their surroundings. Atomic radar is a non-offensive nuclear technique.
- Rising Atomic (Game): Instead of executing a sword strike or a radius effect, Cid focuses magical energy into his sword, releasing it as an upward beam. Upon impact, the attack causes a "freezing" sensation that makes breathing difficult, affecting the entire body.
Physical Capabilities[]
Magical reinforcement has helped Cid exceed the limits of the average human body and many dark knights. This rapid acceleration enables high-velocity exchanges or quick maneuvers. One recorded numerical value of Cid's speed is 1,200 km/h (648 knots, 746 mph).[MANGA ONLY] His movement is so fast that it occasionally leaves an afterimage behind. Cid enjoys revealing that enemies were attacking an afterimage, a favorite utterance of his as a shadow broker. His offensive strategy relies on swift ripostes and counterattacks, making ample use of magical amplification. Cid has demonstrated intricate movements while airborne, showcasing sharp turns, slow descents, or bursts of motion for flight.[Anime Only] Enhanced agility through magic enables maneuvers that suppress presence, suitable for assassinations or grand entrances.
Cid's standard defensive strategy involves dodging or parrying with quick, minute movements. When faced with unavoidable attacks, he reinforces his armor or body parts with magic to mitigate potential damage. Occasionally, he endures unavoidable attacks to crush opponents' spirits. As early as the age of six, he used fortification techniques to overcome difficulties from his past life, including a disadvantage in mass and strength. Despite the limitations on how much force a child's body can withstand, Cid pushed past them, allowing him to accomplish feats such as shattering metal. In later years, he can withstand powerful attacks, passively resist lethal poisons, and become impervious to modern firearms. If damage occurs, whether purposeful or accidental, Cid has developed the ability to heal severe injuries for himself or others. This skill has evolved from increasing the body's natural healing capabilities to regenerating damage at the cellular level, allowing for complete recovery rather than leaving scars or lasting damage. His intricate control of magic also enables internal manipulation, which can move or repair vital organs. Through his calculations, Cid believes that his life will last six hundred years, but he considers this length inadequate. An eminence in the shadow must be eternal.
Magic amplification doesn't just benefit Cid's agility and endurance. While he may be inferior to some powerful therianthropes, his reinforcement and body conditioning have developed his senses beyond many dark knights. This heightened awareness is invaluable both in and out of combat. Cid's perception of magic is keen enough to track the mana behind attacks, even imperceptible techniques. His acute vision can also identify masked individuals and, when strengthened, can see through opaque objects.[Anime Only]
- Intelligence: Cid demonstrates above-average intelligence in several areas but falls short in others. He exhibits notable fluid intelligence in battle, showcasing tactical decision-making and calm analysis that aid his methodical approach to fighting. His keen insight allows him to dissect enemy techniques and refine them for his own use. In terms of science and technology, Cid is more of a generalist, with only a surface understanding of modern enlightenment, Shadow Wisdom. However, he compensates for this lack of natural talent through repeated trial and error, leading to innovative technologies. The discovery of slime conductivity was a significant breakthrough. His analytical abilities extend to objective situational awareness, useful for non-combat strategies or investigative deductions.
Cid is proficient in several languages. He speaks Midgard fluently and retains his past life's Japanese language skills, including knowledge of hiragana, kanji, katakana, and romaji. While he has some English vocabulary, his fluency in the language is not established. However, Cid's social acumen suffers due to his focus on combat prowess, leading to significant shortcomings in interpersonal emotional intelligence.
Normie Techniques[]
Mob Cid maintains a low profile to conceal his "true" shadow broker identity. He presents himself as a mediocre individual who easily blends into the background. Certain actions and words are carefully chosen to reinforce this perception. These rehearsed practices are referred to as "normie techniques" (from mob-fu manga). If atomic magic represents Shadow's culmination of eminence dedication, normie techniques would be the mob variant.
Cid has mentioned the existence of forty-eight techniques, not including special variations, but only several have been featured in canonical appearances.
Named Normie Techniques[]
- Spinning Guard, Bloody Tornado: After being attacked, the individual spirals through the air, leaving a trail of blood behind them. To enhance the effect, additional blood can be added while on the ground. The blood is stored in containers and discreetly opened during flight.
- Ten-Minute Death, Heartbreak Mob: Magic supplements the standard blood and heart functions after a lethal attack, making the body appear dead to outside observers. However, as it induces cardiac arrest, it is dangerous and can spell disaster if done improperly.
- Swiss-Cheese Dance, Bloody Marionette: The technique creates the illusion of bullets perforating the body by thrashing grotesquely and letting out cries of pain. The effect is completed by the generous use of fake blood.
- Technique 49 (Unnamed): This technique magically enhances the body to slow down the perception of time. It is sometimes used to cheat on tests in order to achieve average grades.
Other Named Techniques[]
- Ebony Swirl: Magic is employed to elongate a slime sword, concentrating magical energy into its length. This technique differs from the Atomic Sword, as multiple attacks are delivered, slicing enemies like a "whirlwind" instead of a single strike.
- Overdrive: This technique forcefully channels magical energy into the body, surpassing usual biological limitations. However, if bodily stress exceeds acceptable strain, recoil damage can occur.
- Birdcage of Darkness: Magical threads are woven together to encase a target, slowly reducing the space until the threads tear into the recipient.
- Prison of Black Chains: Raw slime is discreetly planted on the target. At an opportune moment, the slime transforms into solid chains, immobilizing the target. Shadow has boasted that no one has broken out of this technique.
- Shadow Marionette (Web Novel): Imperceptible magical threads are attached to one or more allies' bodies. This connection acts like a tube that pumps magic into the receiver. The technique's magical demand is proportional to the number of attached individuals, and at higher ends, the ability can be draining.
Miscellaneous Talents[]
- Musician: A virtuoso pianist, Cid can play and has memorized various Classical and Romantic compositions. His favorite pieces are Beethoven's Sonata No.14, "Moonlight" in C-Sharp Minor, and Op.21 No. 2. Although piano playing began as a parentally forced activity on Earth, Cid grew fond of it and realized its potential for his shadow broker persona. Additionally, it provided an excuse for his absence from after-school activities. Reincarnated in the new world, Cid theatrically uses this skill, never missing an opportunity to play the piano to further his shadow broker persona, whether as Cid or Shadow.
- Card Player: Cid has shown himself to be a skilled card player, although the fairness of his current conduct is still in question. He has been known to hustle others in the past and has stated that he would respond to cheating with cheating of his own.
- Acting: Cid is just as devoted to rehearsals as he is to combat exercises. He has displayed remarkable improvisational skills for conversations or plot developments. In nearly every line of dialogue, Cid remains in character, even when the words are outlandish. He is a proficient mimic, able to adopt different voices and mannerisms for each persona. The characters he focuses on the most are Shadow and Mob Cid.
Weapons and Equipment[]
A master at fighting with crowbars.
The core of Shadow's arsenal consists of slime byproducts. Infusing matter with magic typically results in energy loss. However, due to the slime's high magic conductivity—ninety-nine percent compared to iron's fifteen or Mithril's fifty—Cid can create a variety of powerful items that rival artifacts. The fluid nature of slime provides endless possibilities for use.
- Slime Sword: Shadow's primary weapon is a katana. In the anime, the sword hilt is depicted with two horizontal quillons, which would classify it as some variation of a longsword. In the manga, a more decorative or ornamental broadsword design was chosen.
- Slime Bodysuit: A black bodysuit made from slime that can change states and shapes through the application of magic. Cid can fortify or reinforce parts of the body to increase protection and dissipate large attacks.
- Slime-Ball Projectiles: Slime globules are compressed into round shots and flicked at high speeds. While the exact amount of energy is unspecified, one ball has enough kinetic energy to penetrate the skull and heart of two different people.
- Slime Tendrils/Tentacles (Anime Only): The fluid nature of slime enables the creation of flexible appendages. Similar to vampire blood magic, slime tendrils can provide a seamless offense and defense. Lethality can be adjusted by changing the sharpness of the tip or edge. However, when used on less conductive material like water, its potential power is diminished.
- Crowbar: Easy to transport, sturdy, and inconspicuous, the crowbar was the weapon of choice for the Stylish Ruffian Slayer. The gooseneck pry allows Cid to wield crowbars like a tonfa (t-baton) or blunt weapon. Crowbar combat made a comeback in Shadow's battle against Beatrix and Iris.
- Miscellaneous Items: Creative use of magical infusion has enabled the weaponization of unconventional objects or elements. Cid has utilized pens and playing cards as lethal projectiles and water to mimic vampire blood tendrils.
Trivia[]
- His past name Minoru 影野実 has 野 used as an ateji for の; alternatively, 影野 read together translates as "shadow field", as in Shadow Garden.
- 影野 corresponds to 陰の at the beginning of the series title "陰の実力者になりたくて!" (Kage no Jitsuryokusha ni Naritakute!) with 実 being read as "Jitsu" in the title while in the name 影野実, 実 is read as "Minoru"
- Both of his surnames from both lives, Kageno/Kagenou has the kanji for "Kage" which means "Shadow" in Japanese.
- His surname Kageno (影野) when he was Minoru, has the kanji 影 meaning "shadow".
- His new life's family name is Kagenou (カゲノー, Kagenō). The word カゲ in his surname means "shadow". When read in the Japanese naming order, it becomes "Kagenou Cid", as in "Cid of the Shadows".
- Cid's name means "Lord" in Spanish and Arabic.
- His name "Cid Kagenou" means "Lord of The Shadows" when combing the languages.
- Cid has collected rare and expensive items, such as art and antiques, from various bandit camps. His purpose for raids is to live comfortably as an eminence in the shadows. The rare painting, The Shriek, is a real-world reference to Skrik (The Scream) by Edvard Munch.
- In the Web Novel, Cid's "I am Atomic" is translated to "I am Taepodong!"
- His student detective Suzuki Hope disguise, shares the same initials as Sir Conan Doyle's fictional detective Sherlock Holmes.
- Cid shown fears if he grows up, he would be bald like his father (who many people (including (Cid's mother and older sister Claire) called him as baldy due to his cowardice).
- Of all heroic actions, one of the only genuine heroic ones Cid/Shadow has committed is his action of killing Lutheran Barnett in front of Sherry Barnett (as Shadow) without revealing to her the truth behind her adoptive father's true nature and all the crimes he committed so that that he does not break her strong bond with her adoptive father and instead decided to let her believe that Shadow killed her father for evil intentions. This heroic deed was done from Cid's genuine sympathy for Sherry and not for his delusional and fantasize roleplays as Shadow. Although, it is implied that he hid it out of a belief in the "evil adopted/step parent" trope being boring. Well intended or not, ironically, it backfired to an extent, as while Sherry kept a positive connection to her deceased adopted father, the trauma broke her into pursuing a dark path of vengeance against Shadow, thus her life was still ruined.
- Cid passed his exams by cheating, unlike his classmates who did as well but were caught, thanks for his sister, Claire's unintentional interruption when she was fell into his classroom.
- Fans often are exasperated with Cid for his cluelessness and inability to accept the truth. Cid is so out of the loop that he does not even realize he accomplished his dream and is fighting a war against an evil cult. If any of the Seven Shadows was able to see his true self, they would be disappointed that their savior and leader was just a lunatic playing make-believe while they were seriously fighting for their lives and others.
- His magic slime is similar to the Symbiotes from Marvel Comics (particularly Venom due to the black colouration), as they can alter their matter to simulate clothing material, allow shapeshifting, allow generation of bladed weapons, spawn additional Symbiotes/slimes, and protect the host from harm.
- Cid has several similarities to the villainous protagonist of Overlord Ainz Oowl Gown, yet also certain differences within them:
- Both were unsatisfied in their previous lives on Earth - although, Ainz was merely a corporate drone, whereas Cid was enacting a delusional and potentially psychotic fantasy to becoming so powerful that a nuclear bomb couldn't kill him. Their method of isekai-ing was different too, as Ainz was playing a VR game only to realise it had become real somehow, while Cid was hit by the infamous truck-kun.
- Both have lives in a false identity of a gothic and charismatic ruler with immense powers - although, Ainz does it to hide his human origins and act as the "ideal" Overlord to his followers, whereas Cid just does it because he thinks it is cool.
- Both have numerous infatuated female followers - while Ainz is aware of some, he refrains from engaging in a romantic relationship out of feeling the NPC's created by his absent friends are akin to family, whereas Cid is completely oblivious due to failing to find love interesting and possible psychopathic tendencies.
- Both have god-like powers that could quickly end a threat, yet allow significant collateral damage before acting - Ainz does this to be cautious and to prevent exposing his true power to unknown elements who may have greater strengths, but Cid prolongs chaos merely to enjoy it longer and to make his "story" more interesting to him.
- Both often speak with a grand sense of importance, yet ultimately complete vagueness, which their followers interpret as some profound commentary or plan, and when the latter, the followers execute their believed understanding of the oblique plan - Ainz pretends that his servants' interpretations are what he meant, as to veil the fact that he isn't intelligent, as well as to keep playing the brilliant overlord; Cid, however, completely forgets any random rambling he said, and when his Shadows enact complex schemes of economic conquest and espionage, he thinks it was from their own whims and desires, rather than because of him, and he ends up being mildly concerned, yet indifferent overall (the exception is when specific things from his previous world, such as food, fashion, and fiction, are recreated, which he realises are from him, but still didn't know that the followers thought he wanted them to introduce the ideas). Also, Cid occasionally expresses a strong emotional sentence, which are typically regarding money, but people mistake it for a declaration of bravery and compassion.
- Both are psychopaths, often killing unnecessarily - Ainz exists as an undead lich that has an unexplained spell that suppresses and erases his emotions, but even when he kills, he does it emotionlessly unless for revenge; Cid just finds killing to be fun, with the greater brutality seeming more exciting for him. Though Cid has less of an excuse for his violence compared to Ainz, Cid's actions usually result in evildoers being killed and innocents being saved, whereas Ainz is aiming for world domination and killing thousands upon thousands of innocents to achieve it.
- Aside from Bethoveen's famous Moonlight Sonata 1st Movement, he is heard to have briefly played a piece called "Brilliante" of the album "Piano Palette (NSR-522 / Regular Series 第242集)" by Nash Music Library in Season 2's Episode 10 when Cid sneakily switched himself with a dummy, when Margaret and Epsilon were arguing over him, to perform on the piano in his underwear. This shows how developed his piano skills are considering the overall feat to play the piece just by hearing it. [1]
蒼い閃光
Shadow's theme song "Aoi Senkou", acquired by purchasing the "Darling in the Night" album.
- Although it never has been used in the anime, Cid has his own secret theme song sang by Seiichiro Yamashita, his Japanese voice actor, which can be acquired by purchasing the "Darling in the Night" album.
External Links[]
- Cid Kagenou on the The Eminence In Shadow Wiki
- Cid Kagenou on the VS Battles Wiki
- Shadow on the Monster Strike Wiki
- Cid Kagenou (Shadow) on the Anime Battles Wiki
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 Heroes
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