Akio (Godzilla: Rage Across Time)
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I do not fight for myself. I fight for the people.
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„
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— Akio's first words (Godzilla: Rage Across Time #1) |
Akio (明雄 Akio) is a major human character in IDW Publishing's 2016 comic Godzilla: Rage Across Time #1. A righteous kunoichi bent on challenging Japan's feudalist structure, Akio waged battle with the samurai Gorou Suda before they were forced to ally against the Nebulan-led Mongols and their monster pawns Gigan and Megalon. The two embarked on a quest to summon Yamata no Orochi, but came into conflict with Godzilla in the process.
Personality
Akio is a highly just individual, waging battle against Gorou Suda to overthrow the rule of the Suda clan on behalf of the people. However, she was willing to set aside her feud with Gorou in order to follow through with a quest bestowed upon them by their elder Daichi in order to protect Japan. Though initially faced with prejudice from Gorou, Akio bravely fought alongside him throughout the course of their quest and they eventually grew closer. When he despaired at Godzilla's slaying of Yamata no Orochi, she adapted quickly, baiting the King of the Monsters into fighting their enemies instead. She also took the lead in engaging the Mongols in close quarters so she could destroy Zhenjin Khan's control device. Following Godzilla's defeat of the Mongols, Akio touched Gorou's shoulder in a conciliatory gesture as she offered to fight with him again should Japan be faced with the Mongols' return.
History
- Godzilla: Rage Across Time #1 (2016)
Godzilla: Rage Across Time
"Feudal Japan"
In the year 1274, Akio dueled with Gorou Suda atop a roof on behalf of the people serving the Suda shogunate, determined to challenge the societal system. Angered by Gorou's arrogant defense of the Suda clan as protectors of the people, Akio suddenly jumped back and fired an arrow at her enemy's face, shattering the samurai's mask. Before the fight could escalate, the sensei Daichi appeared before them with a written order summoning all able-bodied warriors to Hakata Bay to defend Japan from the Mongol army, Zhenjin Khan, and the latter's monster pawns, Gigan and Megalon. They traveled to the bay on horseback and witnessed the invaders arrive. Daichi tasked Akio and Gorou, as the two most skilled warriors in the country, with a quest. Whilst Daichi explained the matter, Akio took off her hat and mask to reveal herself as a female warrior, to the disgust of Gorou. Heedless of the two's feud, Daichi tasked the duo with venturing to the summit of Mount Purotekuta, where they would find the Shobijin temple and be able to summon a being who could save Japan. As their countrymen fought valiantly to stall the invaders, Akio and Gorou rode out across the countryside, facing monstrous adversaries and challenging terrain. As they climbed up Mount Purotekuta, Akio anticipated an earthquake that sent Gorou falling down. Akio caught his hand in time but struggled to pull him up, leading Gorou to declare that "Daichi was a fool to send a woman." This angered her enough to fling him onto the summit. Aiming an arrow in his direction, Akio reprimanded Gorou for insulting their sensei before revealing her target to be a group of approaching Heikegani, guardians of the Shobijin temple. After eliminating the crab monsters, Akio and Gorou came face to face with the temple's primary guardian, the eight-headed dragon Yamata no Orochi.
The Shobijin suddenly appeared behind the two warriors, explaining that their objective was to gain control over Yamata no Orochi, not defeat him. The twins tasked Akio with distracting the dragon while Gorou followed the divine fairies into the temple and retrieve the needed artifact. Receiving an enhancement to her arrows by the Shobijin via Mothra's power, Akio fired at the eight-headed dragon's heads, lighting up the sky with the mark of the Shobijin as the arrows detonated. As Gorou emerged from the temple with the artifact, a statue of the dragon, in hand, a blast of atomic breath and an ominous roar announced the arrival of a new adversary: Godzilla, or as Akio recalled from legends of the monster, Gojira. After watching the King of the Monsters swiftly kill Yamata no Orochi, Akio fired one of her arrows at the side of Godzilla's neck, angering him into pursuing her and Gorou. Barely keeping ahead of the monster on horseback, Akio and Gorou led Godzilla to the Suda clan's fortress just before the invading kaiju could obliterate it. As Godzilla engaged Gigan and Megalon, Akio strove to free the Mongols' monsters from Zhenjin Khan's control while Gorou cleared the way for her. After defeating numerous Mongols, Akio came upon the dragon-master with a mind-control device in hand. She fired an enchanted arrow at the device, destroying it and severing the Khan's control over Gigan and Megalon just as they gained the advantage against Godzilla. Akio and her allies watched as Godzilla sent the monster duo into retreat before laying waste to the entirety of the Mongol forces. After explaining to the Suda clan that Godzilla could not be controlled, Akio resolved to fight alongside Gorou if the Mongols invaded again.
Abilities
Physical abilities
Daichi described Akio and Gorou Suda as Japan's most skilled warriors. She was strong enough to throw a dangling Gorou to the top of the mountain on which she stood with one hand.
Swordsmanship
Akio's melee weapon of choice is a Naginata, which she utilizes with immense skill and deadliness, easily slaying monsters and Mongols alike and challenging Gorou Suda with no noticeable difficulty. Right when Gorou unsheathed one of his katanas when objecting to Daichi's quest, Akio slightly unsheathed her own; she did not, however, bring the weapon with her on the quest.
Archery
Akio is also armed with a bow and a quiver of arrows. A highly accurate shot, she was able to shatter Gorou Suda's mask, hit a Heikegani between the eyes, and destroy a small control device wielded by Zhenjin Khan to control Gigan and Megalon. Upon arriving at the temple of the Shobijin, she received an enhancement from the fairies, whom invested her arrows with Mothra's power, allowing them to produce explosions upon contact with her targets. She used them to hold off Yamata no Orochi and provoke Godzilla into following her and Gorou.
Gallery
Concept art
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Akio concept art by Matt Frank
Scans
Trivia
- Due to her occupation as a ninja, her yellow-and-black attire, and her arrows' fiery enchantment, Akio bears some resemblance to the Mortal Kombat character Scorpion.
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