Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow Characters
Soma Cruz
Appearances:
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow (2035)
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow (2036)
Themes:
Crucifix of Fate
oma Cruz is an 18 year-old high school foreign exchange student studying in Japan*. He lives near the Shrine of the White Horse, where his childhood friend, Mina Hakuba, and her father are caretakers.
Although Soma is a seemingly ordinary boy, he has been known to have a daunting presence, which some find intimidating. Mina, though, has never been repelled by Soma, and has always openly accepted him the way he is.
On the momentous night of the 21st century's very first solar eclipse, Soma went to meet Mina at the Shrine to observe the celestial event with her. However, on his way up the flight of steps leading to the Shrine, he felt as though some unseen entity was trying to hinder his progress.
Once there, Soma and Mina strangely lost consciousness and awoke to find themselves in an unusual, decaying castle courtyard, with the company of a mystifying dark suited man named Genya Arikado. From Arikado, Soma became aware that they were trapped within Dracula's Castle, which was imprisoned inside the darkness of the eclipse.
Soon after, it was revealed that Soma has a dark power that allows him to absorb and rule over the souls of slain monsters, which grants him the gift of using their abilities for his own purposes.
Soma learned that the only way to escape Castlevania was to reach the Throne Room, and if he didn't; both he and Mina would positively die. Thinking of Mina and her well being, he set off through the blasphemous castle of legend, working towards the Throne, and meeting peculiar people, while unnervingly losing his sense of self along the way. When Soma finally reached the Throne Room atop the castle, he received a shocking revelation.
*If you follow the Japanese storyline, Soma is not a foreign exchange student, but is a native Japanese person.
Mina Hakuba
Appearances:
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow (2035)
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow (2036)
Themes:
Prologue ~Theme of Mina
She is the head priest's daughter of the Shinto Hakuba Shrine, and a devoted friend of Soma Cruz. Being a sweet, pretty, and blameless girl, she is liked by everyone she meets; hence, her personality contrasts with Soma's unforthcoming nature. Regardless, the two are very close.
As strong a relationship as they have, the Hakuba Shrine has a fascinating history that she never told Soma about. Because of a significant event in the year 1999 involving her family's shrine and Castlevania, a shady man named Genya Arikado had been visiting the Shrine of the White Horse since Mina was very little.
Mina has a fellow female confidante named Yoko Belnades, whom has also been coming to the Shrine for many years. Because Mina is an only child, she reveres Yoko as a big sister. All of this came to light for Soma on the night of the first solar eclipse of the 21st century, when Mina was brought to Castlevania along with him.
While Soma is away searching the castle for a means of escape, Mina waits faithfully and patiently in a courtyard that is sealed from monsters, and helps Soma in any way that she can.
Genya Arikado
Appearances:
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow (2035)
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow (2036)
Little is known of this shadowy, dark suited man, other than his affiliation with Yoko Belnades, and his ability to command magical powers. Arikado has been keeping a keen eye on the Hakuba shrine for at least a decade. It seems that no matter how much time passes; his face manages to preserve an ageless, ethereal perfection.
Though Arikado is cold and detached, Yoko is loyal to him, and will willingly vouch for his good character. Arikado tells Soma Cruz that the only way to escape Dracula's Castle is to reach the Throne. Soma isn't at all fond of Arikado's attitude, and even though he knows Arikado is keeping a dire secret from him, the young man has no choice but to be manipulated by this mysterious individual.
Graham Jones
Appearances:
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow (2035)
Despite that Graham is a relatively young man at the age of 36, he is the leader of an outrageously popular new religious movement with multitudes of passionate disciples. There are whispers that Graham has magical powers, and this is believed to have something to do with him being born in July of 1999, on the same date of the final solar eclipse of the past millennium.
Graham has extensive knowledge about the prophecies of Nostradamus, which foretell that in 2035, a new master will come to Castlevania and assume the role of Dracula, thereby attaining dominance over all creatures of darkness. He preaches that the apocalyptic prophecies that were widely held at the turn of the century will come to pass in 2035.
While wandering the castle grounds, this missionary happened upon a young man named Soma Cruz, who was drawn in by Graham's friendly, relaxed, and open temperament.
Although Yoko Belnades is in pursuit of Graham, he does not worry and lives up to his reputation of never panicking, and staying calm and on top of any situation. Graham manages to remain several steps ahead of the young woman, and continues to shrewdly elude her every time.
Yoko Belnades
Appearances:
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow (2035)
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow (2036)
Themes:
A Fleeting Respite
This vivacious young woman serves the Church in destroying dark creatures that pose as threats to humans. Yoko has been acquainted with the Hakuba family for a long while, and is a sisterly figure for Mina, the only daughter of the Shrine.
Yoko has ventured into Castlevania with Arikado, and is searching out Graham Jones with the intention of confronting him, but he continually evades her. Through Arikado's behest, she also watches out for Soma Cruz, and is prepared to offer any help to him if need be. She tries to convince the confused boy that his friend, Graham, is not what he seems to be.
She is flirtatious, prying, curious, and even a bit ditzy at times, but her bloodline is one of formidable magicians, who've had a history of battling creatures of the Night.
J
Appearances:
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow (2035)
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow (2036)
Themes:
Can't Wait Until Night
He is a somewhat elderly man who has lost his memory due to a catastrophic accident in the year 1999. J is overcome with dread when he hears the name Dracula, and is convinced that his past is somehow linked with the Dark Count. Consequently, he journeys to Castlevania in search of answers.
Proclaiming to be a sort of exorcist, J exhibits incredible magical powers. While meeting a young man named Soma Cruz within the castle, J sensed a tumultuous dark power within the boy that puts him at unease. Though J is friendly towards Soma, he harbors unsaid suspicions about the boy, and is wary of him.
Hammer
Appearances:
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow (2035)
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow (2036)
Themes:
Hammer Company
Equipment's Tail
Hammer is in the military and was assigned to investigate the Shrine of the White Horse. But when he approached the gate, he was surprisingly transported to Castlevania. This unanticipated turn of events caused Hammer to abandon his mission objectives and instead set up an equipment shop in the castle courtyard, where there are no monsters.
When entering, Hammer took note of odd people in the castle, and figured that he would accommodate them with weaponry. Realizing that there are weapons and other items lying about, Hammer collects what he can, and sells his stock to whoever is interested.
Hammer has a joking, friendly, and outspoken personality. He also has a romantic attraction to Yoko Belnades.
