Reaper's Player - Neku Sakuraba (TGC - Bio)

[i]"The world ends with you. If you want to enjoy life, expand your world. You gotta push your horizons out as far as they'll go."[/i]
--Sanae Hanekoma

[b]Appeared In:[/b] The World Ends with You

[b]Name:[/b] Neku Sakuraba

[b]Age:[/b] 16

[b]Gender:[/b] Male

[b]Appearance:[/b]

Neku is tall and slender, with spiky orange hair in a unique hairstyle and blue eyes. He almost always has his signature indigo headphones on. He wears a sleeveless shirt with a funnel-shaped collar and an indigo stripe outlined with gold going down the middle. He also wears a yellow sweatband on his left arm, and white shorts held up by a loose-fitting belt. He wears black shoes with an indigo stripe outlined in gold, similar to the color and style of his shirt. He also wears his [i]MP3[/i] player around his neck.

([u]Pics:[/u] [url=http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20081227232318/twewy/images/d/d6/Neku.jpg]Neku(1)[/url], [url=http://images.wikia.com/twewy/images/4/43/Neku_Artwork_2.jpg]Neku(2)[/url])

[b]Alignment:[/b] Neutral Good

[b]Personality:[/b]

Neku has progressed greatly from his old attitude. Neku's personality used to be generally unsociable; he claimed he [i]"doesn't get people"[/i]. Neku refused company, as he felt that friends only dragged him down, caused him pain when they fail him and made him feel like [i]"unnecessary baggage"[/i] to them. Neku used to see society as simply an annoyance that forces their values on him, pester him and expected him to do things he doesn't want to do.

It wasn't until his experience as a player in the Reaper's Game that he learn to open himself to others, to listen to the advice of everybody around him and to become more trusting and believe in his friends.

He still maintains his snarky attitude, and still has some difficulty when it comes to socialize with new people, sometimes coming out cold and indifferent to anyone who is just starting to know him. Still, he can smile and crack a joke every now and then, as well as showing his kinder side to his closer friends. Still don't expect him to come as anything both distant the first time you meet him.

[b]Powers:[/b]

When he was a player in the Reaper's Game, Neku had mastery over what's known as [i]Psychs[/i]. Psychs are powers powered by one's thoughts, soul and imagination, which can take different forms. Neku uses this power with special [i]Pins[/i]. As long as he holds one he can activate a different Psych depending on which type of Pin is selected. However each Psyche can't just be spammed as each pin has a limited amount of energy; needing to recharge on its own when used completely.

The Great Convergence has granted him (plus with a help of Joshua) the ability to use his Psychs outside of the Reaper's Game as long as he keeps a hold on of its respective pin on himself.

[u]Shockwave:[/u] By using the [url=http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080427084411/twewy/images/a/a7/Pin_086.png]Yoshimitsu[/url] pin, energy is charged in his hand that allows him to slash on enemies in an arc and hurting like a blade.

[u]Force Rounds:[/u] By using the [url=http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080427084949/twewy/images/1/17/Pin_167.png]Skull Rabbit[/url] pin, Neku can shoot energy orbs at enemies.

[u]Psychokinesis:[/u] By using the [url=http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080427085134/twewy/images/0/08/Pin_190.png]King's Knight[/url] pin, Neku can use telekinesis on objects and throw them to enemies.

[u]Spear Strike:[/u] By using the [url=http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080427084760/twewy/images/f/f8/Pin_143.png]Go 2 Heaven [/url] pin, Neku can dash at enemies charging with a spear made of light. [b][Locked][/b]

[u]Vulcan Uppercut:[/u] By using the [url=http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080427084447/twewy/images/c/ce/Pin_095.png]Kusanagi[/url] pin, Neku will attack in a rising arc, similar to an uppercut, slicing vertically.

[u]Pyrokinesis:[/u] By using its [url=http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080427085645/twewy/images/e/ed/Pin_266.png]pin[/url] Neku can create a firewall that he can control and use to torch enemies.

[u]Piercing Pillar:[/u] By using the [url=http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080423022905/twewy/images/d/d5/Pin_003.png]Frozen Cool[/url] pin, neku summons a powerful spike of ice from the ground. [b][Locked][/b]

[u]Thunderbolt:[/u] By using its [url=http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080427085703/twewy/images/4/46/Pin_271.png]pin[/url] Neku summons a group of lighting strikes that can hit a targeted enemy.

[b]Abilities:[/b]

Neku isn't much different from any human being and possess no physical trails that could be considered inhuman or abnormal. However, he has an above-average physical condition thanks to his experience in the Reaper's Game as well as being constantly in motion across the streets of Shibuya. Unknown of him, his psychic abilities linked to his pins was and still is abnormal from other players.

His past adventure has also left him with basic combat experience, knowing how to avoid, plan, and strike against enemies or hazards.

[b]Weapons:[/b] <None>*

[b]Equipment:[/b] Neku's Cellphone has been modified to keep track of his stats, as well as being able to receive information like maps, enemy information or other types of info from outside sources.

[b]Enlightenment:[/b] Slightly. thanks to Joshua, the existence of other worlds is not something that can surprise him. However, he does not know he is a character from a videogame.

[b]History:[/b]

Before his death, Neku was a loner, and refused to socialize with anybody. A few years before the game began, Neku had a friend who used to hang out with him, until one day Neku asked his friend to come over to a mural. His friend was killed in an accident along the way, causing him to become antisocial.

Some days later, while admiring a mural painted by famous urban artist [i]CAT[/i], Neku found himself with two mysterious individuals, who eventually lead to his death. Neku then woke up in the [i]Scramble Crossing[/i] of [i]Shibuya[/i], with no idea how he got there. He soon find a strange Pin in his hand, which grants him the ability to read people's thoughts. As he questioned on how he got there, why he couldn't remember anything other than his name, and why everyone seemed to not even being able to see him, he was suddenly attacked by a group of creatures known as [i]Noise[/i]. Powerless, Neku fled, but was easily caught up by the monsters. It was then when he met an strange girl by the name of [i]Shiki Misaki[/i], who asks him to make a pact with her and become partners. Neku is weirded out but accepts, suddenly obtaining the power to destroy the Noise.

Both of them were part of the [i]Reaper's Game[/i], where players fight in partners and complete the reaper's missions in order to come back to life, the losers being erased forever from reality. At the same time, each player must pay an [i]"entry fee"[/i] which consists in the most valuable thing for them (In Neku's case, his memory).

Throughout the rest of the week, Neku and Shiki completed their missions, received help from the mysterious [i]Mr. Hanekoma[/i], met [i]Beat[/i] and [i]Rhyme,[/i] another pair of players, and defeated the [i]Game Master Yodai Higashizawa[/i]. all while at the same time helping Shiki overcome her own personal problems and gain a new value for life, she and Neku becoming close friends by the end of the week.

The two were shocked when revealed to them that only one of the two was picked as a winner: [i]Shiki[/i]. She hesitates, but Neku tells her it's okay, and that he's willing to play the game a second time to win his own right to live, the two promising to eachother to meet up at the [i]Statue of Hachiko[/i] in Shibuya. Neku receives his entry fee for the first week, (most of) his memories, yet the moment is shattered when revealed that Neku's new entry fee for this week is Shiki herself.

Waking up once again at the Scramble Crossing, Neku meets up with a mysterious boy named [i]Joshua[/i] and become partners. Neku was quickly irritated by Joshua's antisocial, laid-back, pessimistic and sarcastic behavior, but the two make it through the week. As the days passed, Neku's memories slowly started to recover and started to remember the events that lead to his death, which involved both Joshua and the week's Game Master, [i]Sho Minamimoto[/i].

On the seventh day, the duo defeated Minamimoto, Joshua, supposedly, sacrificing himself to protect Neku from an incoming attack. Still, Neku was once more forced to play a third week by the Game's [i]Conductor[/i] (the second-in-command of the Game) [i]Megumi Kitaniji[/i], due to his victory being considered null and void due to [i]"illegal intervention"[/i].

On the third week, Neku found himself in deep trouble as all other players were already erased, meaning he was alone and powerless to fight both Noise and Reapers. It was just a strike of luck that Beat, working as a Reaper, decided to make a pact with Neku and become his partner for the week. The two were able to defeat the Game Master [i]Mitsuki Konishi[/i] and gained access to the mysterious Shibuya river, where the Reapers' base of operation was located.

It was there where they learn about Kitaniji's evil plan: to brainwash the entire population of Shibuya and turn all their thoughts into one. After rescuing a brainwashed Shiki and meeting up with an alive Joshua, the group defeated Kitaniji and stopped his plan. However, it was revealed to them that Kitaniji's plan, while misguided, was aimed to SAVE Shibuya from destruction. He was part of a game of his own against Joshua, who revealed himself to be the [i]Game's Composer[/i], the one who runs the place. It turned out that Neku was selected as Joshua's [i]proxy[/i], to fight against Kitaniji  and prove how rotten and hopeless the population of Shibuya was, yet he never expected Neku to actually change for the better.

It was then where he made Neku play one last game, an standoff where each one carries a gun and shoots eachother, for the fate of Shibuya itself.  While Neku wanted to protect Shibuya, he couldn't bring himself to shoot Joshua, whom he trusted. Neku let himself get shot by Joshua, supposedly sealing his fate. Joshua, however, admired the trust that Neku hold, and decided to spare the city.

Neku then woke up in the Scramble Crossing, this time alive, and meet with Shiki, Beat, and Rhyme in the real world, now a changed person.

After that event, things became pretty mundane, not that any of them had a problem with it. Still, it is possible there's still things awaiting for the Composer's proxy...

[b]Sample Post:[/b]



"Thank you. Please come again."

"Thanks..."

The automatic door slid open and he walked away; back into the streets. It felt funny...he wasn't used to reply thanks back like that before.

Neku Sakuraba continued his walk down a crossing; a small plastic bag on one hand and the other holding a shake up as he took a quick sip. His view focused on where he was going except for a slight diversion here and there to take in the sights. As usual, masses of people moving from one place to the next, all while their collective voices were only rivaled by the sound of cars passing by or the loud commercials displayed over the big tv screens located up above, doing their best to promote tons of different merchandise.

...The same streets...same crowds too...Shibuya hasn't changed a bit...

But he was fine with that. There was a time he would just shrug it all aside and silence the world around him by a flick of the volume of his MP3. Now? He wouldn't have it any other way.

Even after accepting this new view on life, however, he was still somewhat reclusive; not used to understand people. He had spent so much time before closing himself up that these past few weeks have been somewhat difficult in some way. It was still a long way to go, but after the other series of week he had to once deal with, he was willing to try. Slow and steady, as they say.

Of course, his thoughts as of now weren't dwelling around that fact, or on the incredible adventure he once had, but about much much mundane...

[i]"Way to go, Neku. Should have though about this in advance, now you have no idea what to do..."[/i]

Neku just sighed and cursed under his breath as he then stopped right in front of the famous [i]Statue of Hachiko[/i]. It was an special place for some people, and definitely a special place for him: the place where it all started. Sorta.

The sight of the statue just made Neku feel worse, sighing again after swallowing the last drops of his shake. He was just recently starting to become more social with others, and with that, this was the first time in a long while since he had (and wanted) to buy a buy a birthday present for someone. he used to just never care about such things but now how could he? Specially considering who the present was for. If it wasn't for her, he probably wouldn't be here right now...

[i]"What am I gonna do?"[/i] He thought to himself as he glanced at his bag, [i]"Would this even be enough? Maybe I should buy her a shirt or...ugh, what am I thinking? How can shop clothes for someone who knows more about fashion stuff than me? This is taking me nowhere..."[/i]

It was then that his thoughts were interrupted by something else. In the corner of his eye, for like a second, he noticed someone among the groups of people walking around. Light grey short hair, white shirt, dark grey jeans...no, it couldn't be [i]him[/i]. Right?

The vision was gone in an instant, but Neku could have sworn the boy walked into a nearby alleyway. He followed his instinct and gave chase, running inside the alleyway as he held the plastic bag tightly. As soon as he set foot in the alley...nothing. A mere brick wall and nothing else. "I guess I'm just imagining things..." He said to himself, calming down before turning back as he headed out.


"I'm not so sure about that. Weirder things have happened, right Neku?"


Neku's eye widened. He stood still for a second still for a second, processing. This wasn't a dream or an illusion. This was reality, not a trick. He turned back to find the grey-haired boy standing right in front. That smug expression in his face he was remembered so well.

"Joshua!"

"Hello, Neku." Said the boy, "How long the days without you have felt."

Neku was confused, even if he wasn't showing him. He glared at Joshua as he continued to smile. He knew something was up. "What do you want?"

"Well, I'm hurt. I thought you'd be happier to see me. What happened to the you that said that changed? You definitely need to keep working on that." Said Joshua. The spiky-haired boy just rolled his eyes, more annoyed than angry. "So, did you just come here to judge or you wanted to tell me something? Thought you'd be too busy on  your job to have time for hang-outs."

"You see, it's a bit complicated. Let's say the little Game we had put me in a bit of a...complicated position with some people above."

"Gee, you think?" Neku snarked back, "So you also have superiors? I never thought there was someone that actually bests you at being a prick. Congrats."

Joshua didn't even faze at the snark, continuing to give that smile he always gave. "Heh, some things never change. Anyways, as I was saying, things have gotten a bit complicated in the UG ever since the last Reaper's Game. But, that is not really related to what I wanted to ask you."

He walked a few steps closer to Neku as he continued, "I need some help with something, and while we had our differences in the past-"

"You shot me in the head. Twice." Neku interrupted with a angry glare.

"-I couldn't think in anyone better for this job than my good friend Neku." He finished his sentence, taking a two-second pause before keep going, "Now, remember that about this place, the RG, and the Underground, the UG, are connected, right? Well, there are plenty more realities beyond just those. Separated by mere [i]"frequencies[/i]" or, in some other cases, exists as worlds beyond the stars."

"Beyond the stars? Are you really trying to make this sound serious?" Neku sighed. As unbelievable that would sound to most people, after what he had experienced, he couldn't just dismiss this claim, "Besides, what do you even need me for? The Reaper's Game is over, I can't use any powers."

"Normally, that would be the case. But seems some strange event caused the rules to bend just a little bit. Some people call it [i]The Great Convergence[/i], but I think that sounds highly exaggerated." Joshua responded.

"And what do you want me to do?"

"Oh, why would be the fun if I just explained it to you?" Joshua said just for Neku to already be turning around, ready to leave.

"Whatever is that you want, just forget it. I'm alive now. So I don't have to deal with your bullcrap."

Joshua didn't react to the rejection, in fact, he almost expected it. But then he spoke again, "Oh well. But you should know this is beyond just me or you. Its about Shiki; and Rhyme; and Beat and everyone in Shibuya, even the whole world. Are you willing to let them all down like that?"

With that the orange-haired boy stopped dead in his tracks. He turned around and asked, "You better explain what you're talking about it then. Are they in danger? What do you want me to do?"

The grey-haired boy shook his head, "I'd really like to explain it out to you, but I seriously need for you to see it with your own eyes. I wasn't joking when I said I was in a tight spot, you know. You'll be on your own...well, not quite. I'll do my best to give you a hand. When the time is right. That's all I can say right now, as I don't have much time, so it's up to you to trust me on this. Of course, I wouldn't blame you if you don't trust me. After all, I can still see that you haven't forgiven me from what I did."

Silence followed. Joshua didn't move an inch as Neku stood there, thinking. Should he accept this? Once again thrown into a life-or-death situation by Joshua? What was it that he was needed away from here? What could happen to Shibuya and his friends if he said no?"

Eventually, he responded, "I still can't forgive you...but I do trust you."

Joshua smiled and extended his hand, "It's a deal then. Don't worry so much about it. I believe you will do it perfectly."

Neku extended his hand and completed the handshake. After that, his vision started to get blurry. His body feeling heavier by the second. Right before falling unconscious he heard the words of Joshua one last time, "Good Luck, Neku."


[i]"...."[/i]


Neku opened his eyes to find himself laying on the floor. A crowd of people walking by around him. A familiar feeling, believe it or not.

He stood up and looked around confused. As unlike those other times, he didn't woke up at the middle of a Scramble Crossing, but rather a entirely different town. Straight out of a fantasy book or a videogame.

He opened his closed fist to find a handful of familiar pins. If what Joshua was saying was right, he would be able to use Psychs again. There was not backing out now. and so, Neku Sakuraba walked further into Radiant Garden, unknowing of what life had in store for him.