MakubeX
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MakubeX is a fictional character from the manga / anime series GetBackers. In the original Japanese version, he was voiced by Mitsuki Saiga. (First appearance - manga: act 6 part 6, anime: episode 11)
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[edit] Character
MakubeX was found in a sack as a child. Only his last name, 間久部 (Makube), is known, for it was written on the bag itself. He later came to be known as MakubeX, the 'x' symbolizing an unknown variable, and his "name" is always written in romanji. Makubex is a genius hacker, capable of manipulating computers to do whatever he pleases. He was originally taught by Gen but swiftly surpassed him in skill.
He was raised by Gen, whom he calls Grandfather, but left home to join the VOLTS. During the VOLTS's rule of Infinity Fortress, he was one of the "Four Kings", alongside Shido Fuyuki, Fuuchouin Kazuki, and Masaki Kurusu. After Ginji Amano left the fortress, he, as the only one of the Four Kings remaining, took over, instituting a dictatorial rule; he was known at this period as the "young demon king".
During the 'Infinity Fortress' arc, the GetBackers are hired to retrieve the mysterious 'IL' from him. It is later discovered that IL is in fact a computer disc containing important data required for producing an atomic bomb. (However, IL is also a short form for "implosion lens", one of the most crucial parts of an implosion-type nuclear weapon.) The arc ends with his reconciliation with Ginji, who acknowledges the transfer of power.
MakubeX's second-in-command is Sakura Kakei. In the IL arc, his four chief subordinates were Juubei Kakei, Haruki Emishi, Takuma Fudo, and Kyoji Kagami; Fudou vanished afterwards, but Juubei and Emishi remained with him. In the manga, after the Divine Design arc, Toshiki Uryuu came under him; he assigned the newcomer to his old comrade, Juubei.
[edit] In the manga
At a young age, MakubeX had discovered that all actions in Infinity Fortress were in fact controlled by the 'god' of Babylon Tower, the top area of the fortress. Realizing this, MakubeX decided to give the god an edict: Turn back time to the time of the rule of Volts, or Infinity Fortress will be destroyed.
In the manga, it is noted that he, along with Ginji, are the "Children of Babylon City's God". He has also recently discovered his own latent special powers in the Lost Time arc. During his losing battle with Sakura, MakubeX was able to manipulate Infinity Fortress's virtual space at will using an "Omega Theorem" without the use of his trusty computer. MakubeX had by then realized how he was a virtual program, a part of Infinity Fortress itself. Knowing this, MakubeX attempted to sacrifice himself to the Archives and erase its memory bank and AI from within - much like a computer virus. However, he was stopped by Ban, saying that MakubeX's loss would serve no purpose but to further enrage Ginji/Raitei into destroying Infinity Fortress and everyone in it as well.
He is especially close to Sakura, as shown in the Lost Time arc when he was forced to fight her while she was under the influence of the Black Thread; many fans have speculated that their relationship is romantic, despite a significant age difference. He is also fond of Haruki Emishi, and treats him like family. The "Hide and Seek" championship in Infinity Fortress at the end of the Kiryuudo arc was organised by the boy genius for Emishi.
[edit] In the anime
Due to the differences of the second Infinity Fortress arcs between the manga and the anime version, MakubeX's role also changes. MakubeX's kidnapping prompts the GetBackers' return to the Limitless Fortress in the the final story arc of the anime.
[edit] Trivia
- The eyecatch for anime that features MakubeX the name is written in English rather than Japanese script.
- MakubeX came 5th in the results of a character popularity poll that appeared in volume 14 of the manga.
- MakubeX shares some similarities with Lin Xiao Li, a character Saiga voices in the Black Cat anime.
- In Get Backers, the characters who Saiga, Sakurai and Hori voiced (MakubeX, Kagami Kyoji and Kurusu Masaki) were also allies (albeit for a short while), like their characters in Black Cat (Lin Xiao Li, Jenos Hazard and Belze Rochefort).
- Xiao Li's weapon resembles the cloth used by Sakura, MakubeX's aide.
- Xiao Li and MakubeX both have links to the letter X: Xiao Li is Chronos no. 10 (X in Roman numerals) while MakubeX's X represents his "unknown" name.
- He is also similar to another of Saiga's characters, Tsukasa from .hack//SIGN. In addition to visual similarities - both have silver hair and blue eyes - both characters are depressive teenagers trapped in a "virtual world" and involved in investigating its central mystery.
| GetBackers |
| Story arcs • Episode List |
| Characters |
|---|
| GetBackers: Ginji Amano + Ban Mido |
| Volt Kings: Kazuki Fuuchouin* | Shido Fuyuki | MakubeX | Masaki Kurusu |
| Transporters: Kurodou Akabane (Dr Jackal) | Himiko Kudo |
| Infinity Fortress Characters: Juubei Kakei* | Haruki Emishi | Sakura Kakei* | Kyoji Kagami | Toshiki Uryuu* |
| Crew of the Honky Tonk: Hevn | Paul Wan | Natsumi Mizuki |
| Other Characters: Maria Noches | Saizou Toufuuin* | Madoka Otowa | Miroku family |
| *Fuuga member - italics: manga only character |
| Other Topics |
| Infinity (Limitless) Fortress - Fuuga (Elegance) |
