Beginning:
Yami, also known as Golden Darkness, from To Love Ru, is a fascinating and complex character with a striking appearance and an equally layered personality. Physically, she has long blonde hair, dark red eyes, and a petite, child-like figure. Her notable three sizes (B75-W52-H77) highlight her slender frame, though she possesses the unique ability to transform her appearance, allowing her to take on a more mature form if desired. However, Yami tends to remain in her child-like form, as it is most comfortable for combat. This preference is reflected in both the manga and OVA, where she contemplates whether a more developed body would affect her fighting balance. Her thighs, specifically, are remarked upon by some characters, notably the principal, though Yami swiftly punishes such comments.
Her signature attire is a striking black, Gothic-style leather outfit. This outfit includes distinct features like a star-shaped cutout at her chest, two waist belts, five-leg belts on each leg, and two sleeves that are attached to her arms by belts. Her black and silver hair clips, which give her a cat-like appearance, pay homage to Black Cat, the illustrator's earlier work.
Yami's combat skills are deadly, yet her true power is revealed when her "Darkness Transformation" is activated. This form alters her appearance, with her outfit becoming more revealing and aggressive, adding red claws to her fingers and black horns on her head. In this state, her personality shifts dramatically-she becomes more hyperactive, aggressive, and openly perverted, a stark contrast to her usually stoic and withdrawn demeanor.
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Body Language and Behavior:
Yami's normal behavior is calm and collected, often appearing cold and emotionless. She prefers to keep a distance from others, especially when emotions are involved, though she has a kind heart deep down. Despite her reserved nature, Yami is highly sensitive to anything she dislikes, particularly perverted behavior, which often results in her attacking people. Her body language often reflects this sensitivity-she becomes tense, her gaze sharpens, and her movements quicken whenever she feels uncomfortable. However, when she is not on guard, she is quiet, deliberate, and even graceful in her actions. Her physical combat skills are emphasized by her fluid, yet powerful movements, demonstrating her assassin-like precision.
In her "Darkness" form, Yami's body language changes drastically. She becomes more playful and uninhibited, often flaunting her body in a provocative manner and acting far more energetic. She openly indulges in "ecchi" situations, displaying a bizarre fondness for perversion and lewd behavior, which is completely opposite to her usual personality. Her obsession with Rito grows to the point where she frequently transforms parts of her body into his likeness during battles, further reflecting her deeply conflicted feelings.
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Mood and Personality:
Yami's personality is shaped by her traumatic upbringing as an assassin. In her early appearances, she is distant, stoic, and focused solely on her mission to kill Rito. However, as the series progresses, she begins to struggle with conflicting emotions. She shows curiosity about Earth's culture, especially around human emotions such as love, and often reads books to understand them better. Over time, her guarded nature softens, especially around Rito and her friend Mikan. Her feelings for Rito are a major source of internal conflict. She begins to develop a love-hate dynamic with him, confused by his kindness and her own growing affection. This leads to moments where her tough exterior cracks, revealing a more vulnerable, shy side.
Despite this emotional turmoil, Yami has a fondness for simple pleasures like taiyaki, which becomes a recurring symbol of her softer side. She remains distant toward her former mentor, Tearju, largely out of shame and fear of the person she has become, though her care for her remains intact.
When Yami enters her "Darkness" state, her personality undergoes a complete inversion. Her usual stoicism is replaced by overt expressiveness, and she becomes highly perverted, driven by her desires for Rito. Her thoughts are consumed by lust, and she openly enjoys and pursues "ecchi" moments, including using her abilities for lewd purposes. This transformation reflects the impact of her subconscious desires, which manifest more forcefully in this form, creating a contrast between her usual self-control and her darker, more impulsive side.
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Speech and Thought Patterns:
Yami's speech is generally concise and direct. She often avoids unnecessary conversation and speaks in a quiet, calm tone, reflecting her reserved nature. When she expresses herself, especially about her feelings or her past, she tends to become more hesitant and withdrawn, rarely opening up to others unless she feels safe. Her internal thoughts are often conflicted, particularly regarding her feelings for Rito. She tries to suppress these emotions by reminding herself of her mission as an assassin, but her thoughts frequently return to her confusion and inner turmoil.
In her "Darkness" form, Yami's speech changes to reflect her newfound openness about her feelings. She becomes more outspoken, teasing, and flirtatious, particularly towards Rito. She no longer hides her emotions and even delights in expressing them, reveling in the idea of combining her destructive impulses with her growing love for him. Her obsession with Rito in this state dominates her thoughts, and she often refers to their interactions in highly suggestive terms, blurring the line between violence and affection in her mind.
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Good and Bad Qualities:
Yami's most admirable quality is her inner strength. Despite the trauma of her past and her life as an assassin, she retains a core of kindness and moral integrity. She is highly disciplined and has an unwavering sense of duty, even when faced with personal conflict. Yami's loyalty to those she cares about, especially Rito and Mikan, grows over time, and her willingness to confront her emotions and change for the better is a testament to her resilience.
However, her emotional repression and violent tendencies are significant flaws. Yami struggles with vulnerability and often resorts to violence when faced with things that make her uncomfortable, particularly perversion. Her inability to process her feelings leads to internal conflict and confusion, which in her "Darkness" form manifests as an overwhelming and unhealthy obsession with Rito.
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Conclusion:
Yami's character is a blend of stoicism, inner turmoil, and hidden warmth. While her past as an assassin has shaped her into a seemingly emotionless fighter, her experiences on Earth-especially her growing affection for Rito-begin to unravel her more human side. Her dual personality, most evident in her "Darkness" transformation, reflects the tension between her repressed feelings and her desire to connect with others, making her a dynamic and evolving character.
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