Characters of Megatokyo

This article lists all major and minor characters from Fred Gallagher's manga-style webcomic Megatokyo.

Main Characters

In Megatokyo, Japanese names are written in Japanese order, with the family name after the given name. The first feature of Megatokyo (a "DPD") which revealed a character's full name had that character's name written in are Western order. However, the first time a full Japanese name was mentioned in the actual comic, it was written with Japanese order.

Usually, characters in Megatokyo speak English, Japanese (indicated with < >), or L33t (subtitled). Not every character speaks every language, so occasionally characters are unable to understand one another.

Piro

The main character, and in-story incarnation of Fred. He appears at first glance to be a fairly typical dorky American, a manga (especially shōjo, spelled shoujo in Megatokyo) fan who can speak fluent Japanese (and some L33t) and is depressive by nature, often moping around by himself. He and Largo originally fled to Japan to escape the consequences of Largo mooning the E3 trade convention. Since arriving in Japan, he has been homeless twice, spending several nights in a park in downtown Tokyo. He and Largo spent six weeks basically squatting at Tsubasa's flat; before Tsubasa (with the prompting of Ping) leaves Japan for America. Piro's fortunes started to look up after he managed to get employment in a game and manga shop, MegaGamers, where he works alongside Hayasaka Erika. He and Largo currently live in MegaGamers' third-floor storage room. He is an amazing artist who refuses to believe in his own talent, an exaggerated parallel of Gallagher himself. Piro is currently employed as a clerk/mascot in MegaGamers. Piro seems to have no ability to read women (either that, or he has a long history of destructive dating attempts), and so does not realise the feelings Kimiko has for him. He usually reads his old 'instruction manual to life', shōjo manga, to try to work out the 'correct' way to deal with women. However this philosophy is starting to change as he is spending more time with Kimiko and other women, and getting advice from Seraphim.

The name "Piro" comes from the Japanese ren'ai game Kanon, a favorite of Megatokyo's artist, Fred Gallagher.

Largo

The other main character, and the comic's incarnation of former co-writer Rodney Caston. He is an American computer game fan who usually acts before (or instead of) thinking. Largo comes across as the archetypal l33t h4><0r (elite hacker). He is technically gifted (even if he uses beer as a CPU coolant); and cannot pass up the opportunity to tamper with anything even remotely technological in nature and usually works on computer hardware in the nude (as an extreme measure to avoid static discharge). He is also strangely obsessed with beer ("b33r"), and fortunately for him, seems to have a superhuman tolerance for alcohol. He is often delusional, confusing reality with computer games. This means he often causes chaos and destruction as he battles against zombies and other undead beings. He seems to have a superhuman healing ability, as he has suffered at least two broken arms since arriving in Tokyo, with neither causing any ill effect for more than a day. He speaks fluent L33t, but no Japanese, relying on Piro or other bilingual characters to translate. He is somehow employed as an English teacher at Shiritsu Daitou High School, becoming 'Great Teacher Largo' (reference to the anime/manga GTO: Great Teacher Onizuka).He was also employed by the Tokyo Police Cataclysm Police Division but was removed from his position after the fan boy riot in chapter 5. Largo is a menace to good looking women. He seems to either see women as fair game ('bab3-o-r4m4' in his words), or as evil undead beings. In spite of this he has fallen in love with Hayasaka Erika.

The name "Largo" comes from the anime Bubblegum Crisis; the comic's title comes from the same show.

Hayasaka Erika

(早坂 えりか Hayasaka Erika) A Japanese woman, Erika is Kimiko's roommate. She is a powerfully popular former "idol" (singer) and voice actress (seiyū). Though she's been out of the direct spotlight for three years, she still wields considerable fanpower: a mere sighting of her caused riots from fans. She is very strong-willed, confident and cynical. Erika seems to have become jaded due to her exposure to fan boys and other social misfits. Periodic work as a booth-babe at cons has caused her to at least partially support the idea that most men are dumb. Her contempt for fanboys knows no limits, but she respects honest admiration and takes no offence at it. It has been revealed that she was once engaged to a man much like Piro who eventually broke it off, believing he didn't deserve her and was holding her back in her career. She was deeply hurt and her distrust of men may spring at least partially from that. She works as a clerk/mascot at MegaGamers alongside Piro and appears to be developing a grudging friendship with Largo, although she is annoyed by his apparent desire to protect her. She speaks fluent English (and seems to understand L33t), and appears to have very strong fingers, as she can subdue people by squeezing their wrists (pinching the vein found at the wrist, which paralyzes the hand if held hard enough). She is skilled enough in miscellaneous martial artists to stand her ground against most anybody, and has no trouble throwing the larger and heavier Largo across the room.

Nanasawa Kimiko

(七澤 希美子; Nanasawa Kimiko) A Japanese girl, Kimiko is Erika's roommate. She is also a waitress at the apparently famous Anna Miller's. She is an aspiring voice actress (seiyū) who often finds herself too shy or insecure to take on roles. Kimiko is, in general, an incredibly kind person though she has a sort of impusive nature that impairs her ability to deal with any sort of distress she causes to other people perfectly. She becomes extremely upset when she injures others, be it physically or emotionally. At the same time, her impulsive nature sets her up for extreme mood-swings, and quite often causes her abject embarrassment. Kimiko has developed strong feelings for Piro, although she is too shy to admit it. She speaks only Japanese.

Ping-chan

A robotic PS2 accessory. A non-H (implied: non-hentai; platonic love only – In actual Japanese "H" is not the same thing as "hentai") test model of the new Sony-EDS (Emotional Doll System), that fell into Tsubasa's hands somehow. She is designed to be used with dating sims, and after playing them, develop her own personality based on choices in the games. To date she has never actually been used with a dating sim, and is learning from experience, and developing a personality unlike most characters in such games. She is learning quickly but is still woefully incapable of understanding the dynamics of real relationships; her programming has primed her to care for socially inept fan-boys who have the money to buy an EDS system to practice their fumbling dating techniques on. She does not handle rejection well and can be put into a berserk rage when 'rejected' by her human companions (as Largo did on at least one notable occasion). In rage, she is strong enough to pluck telephone poles from the ground, and hurl a Zilla through the top of a skyscraper at terminal velocity. Tohya befriends her and takes her to school. Although she has revealed to Piro she has feelings for him, their nature is still not entirely clear. She speaks only Japanese, although she has the facility to have other language "modules" installed (such as English).

Tohya Miho

Miho appears to be a very strong-willed and manipulative young woman. She is highly intelligent, adept at both arcade and role playing games, and is socially active as a Goth. Not much is known about her own history. She has some history with Piro and Largo before meeting in Japan, with a MMORPG called Endgames. In the game, Piro defeated her while she was finding a way to make her self stronger by using a secret "Personality" stat that was hidden from users. In the game she was a tall, handsome man with the same ribbon hair style as in the real world (dubbed Niho by the forum users). It is now seen that this event seems to push her into becoming close to Piro and Largo, but at what end is still unknown. She is a friend of Ping, but is a little creepy. Largo believes that she is in command of an army of Zombies, powered by the Necrowombicon (of Penny Arcade fame), an ancient evil book found in the sewers and used to make the video game Daikatana. Miho is drawn to resemble a gosurori (a Japanese interpretation of Goth subculture), and is often described as "darkly cute." Miho speaks English and Japanese fluently, and has little problem with L33t.

Miho is a frequent subject of speculation, both in the comic itself and on Megatokyo's forums. She is also a common subject of debate, the most common argument being between readers who believe her to be a supernatural evil, and readers who take the view that she is a mundane evil (or just misunderstood.) The latter position is in the majority among forum regulars, but the former also has vocal proponents.

Another common Miho-related debate is centered around the nature of her relationship with the robot Ping. Such debates can become very heated, as many fans are keen on defending both characters from what they perceive as libel.

A very large amount of writing has been done about Miho, and there are dozens of Miho Theories attempting to explain her past or behavior. This has become a topic of humor, as newbies on the Megatokyo forum will often independently create an obvious theory, believe it is new, and post it to those forums. This often results in flaming.

Seraphim

A miniature angel who takes the role of Piro's conscience, struggling to keep Piro on the straight and narrow when it comes to romantic attachments as well as personal entanglements. Seraphim is very concerned about Piro's attitude, and goes to great pains to keep him motivated towards going back to the States; her opinion of his abilities is not high. Seraphim is the comic incarnation of Sarah Wooden, Gallagher's wife, who has a penchant for fine clothes, and loves cats almost as much as they love the taste of her. Seraphim speaks English, but understands Japanese. She often requests more funding and resources from the Conscience Agency, but these are always denied.

Modeled after Piro's fiancee at the beginning series, then later the same woman as his wife. Her nagging and always trying to make him do better is what he used for her personality which is great. She is given a twin sister in one of the episodes. Her sister tries to make Piro do horrid stuff and mocks his look on life, rather than helping.

Boo

A small angelic miniature giant space hamster with strap-on wings, assigned to the role of Largo's conscience, a clearly impossible task, made only harder by the fact that Boo cannot speak, but only squeak (occasionally in L33t, e.g. "squ34k"). A reference to the Boo character from Baldur's Gate, Minsc's 'Miniature Giant Space Hamster'. Also well known for the phrase stated by Largo, "G0 f0r t3I-I b33r b00!"

Asmodeus

Piro's anti-conscience, from that so-called "other agency". He tries to undo everything Seraphim does, going so far as to tempt Piro to fall in love with junior-high-school-aged girls. Despite this opposition to Seraphim, he hits on her almost every time they meet (usually resulting in her hitting him physically). His partner is a vicious winged cat named Belphegor. He is a comic incarnation of Ken Hashimoto, one of Megatokyo forum's administrators and, at one point, a co-translator of Japanese version of Megatokyo. Asmodeus speaks English.

Junpei

The L33t Ninja, Largo's apprentice. Junpei is a Ninja, though Ninjas in MegaTokyo seem far different from their historic counterparts. Junpei appears to be some sort of clean-up official for Law Enforcement; possibly he is a hostage negotiator, scout or some other special-operations officer. Certainly, whatever role he fills seems to leave him with a fair amount of free time, and allows him to cultivate his artistic side – much like a samurai. He seems to have superhuman qualities, as he can travel great distances over rooftops at high speed without being detected. He is introduced when Piro and Largo arrive in Japan, and Largo has no passport. Customs tells Largo that, in order to get into Japan, he must defeat Junpei in mortal combat. Largo, being unsurpassable in all matters electronic, easily wins the contest by defeating Junpei in a match on the Mortal Kombat arcade game. Junpei is obviously greatly impressed by this, since the next time he meets Largo, Junpei apprentices himself in order to learn "l33tness" from Largo (whom Junpei calls "L33t Master"). Amusingly enough, Junpei supercedes Piro as Largo's minder; Junpei has had to get Largo out of jail, and has also on several occasions had to fetch Largo when Largo forgot about the classes he is responsible for teaching at Shiritsu Daitou. Junpei speaks English with the same grammar and tone with which he speaks Japanese, omitting some words and always referring to himself in the third person. He also speaks L33t reasonably well.

Sonoda Yuki

Yuki is a 15 year old student at Shiritsu Daitou High School, which implies she is probably in Grade 10. Tohya and Ping are not in the same class as Yuki (a common misconception), the former's class occasionally taught by Largo (as a result of the principal confusing him for the new teacher). She is apparently a diligent student, and has earned the rather undesirable label of "Little Miss Perfect" from her friends. Yuki comes from a stable home ; her father, Inspector Sonoda, is (possibly) the head of Tokyo Police Cataclysm Division. Her mother, Meimi, is now a housewife but seems to have been a magical girl during her youth. Yuki appears to have a normal relationship with her brother Yuuji – there is a lot of mutual antagonism between the two. Theoretically taking art lessons from Piro, but, in practice, something always gets in the way. She has some feelings for Piro but often denies or misunderstands them leading her into what has been interpreted as serious emotional trauma. Speaks Japanese, and English reasonably well.

Groups and minor characters

Tokyo Police Cataclysm Division

A division of the Tokyo police force that monitors and ensures that riots, monster attacks, zombie hoards and other large disasters occur in a easy and mangable fashion. They use multiple high tech weapons including: Giant Robots and orbiting laser satellites, and often sport conventional weaponary.

Sonoda Masamichi

Yuki's father, he is an often encountered employee of the Cataclysm Division. After using Ping-chan to soundly defeat an alcoholic turtle of unusual size, Largo became a TPCD agent. Largo was removed from the division due to his failure in the Hayasaka Erika fan boy riot in chapter 5. Sonoda-san speaks fluent English and Japanese. He probably understands L33t but would not deign to speak it. He is related to Erika's past, as she was dating his brother Sonoda Hitoshi.

Sonoda Yuuji

Yuki's brother, a member of the Erika Hayasaka Fan Club. He is a fan of pornographic video games.

Sonoda Meimi

Yuki's mother. A magical girl, apparently inspired by the title character in the anime Saint Tail.

Hayasaka Erika Fan Club (AKA "The Fanboy Horde")

A number of people obsessed with Erika Hayasaka, or at least her former persona as an idol (singer) and voice actress (seiyū). The club rediscovers her whereabouts during the comic's story, long after her sudden (and complete) disappearance from the public eye. This then led to the entire club as well as hundreds of other fans to swarm the Megagamers store to get a glimpse of their idol and have her sign some memorabillia for them. This huge mob was then referred to by Largo as well as members of the Megatokyo Forums as "The Fanboy Horde" or simply as "The Horde".

Rent-a-Zilla

Massive lizard hired by Junpei on occasion, paid in pork rinds. When drunk, Zillas tend to go on a rampage and have to be stopped by the Cataclysm Division, or, failing that, by Largo.

Zombies

Largo's definition of ravers, goths, or rabid fanboys; Largo is bent on eliminating these "undead minions" however he sees fit.

Ph34rbots

Robots created by Largo from such handy things as wall-mounted phones and soda dispensers, mainly used for protecting (?) the house and surroundings from zombies, or camping the spawn points.

John Romero

The once-great game designer of games, such as Doom and Quake. He formed the game development house Ion Storm, infamous for making Daikatana (a notable flop of a game after great hype), after which he was promptly fired.

L33T D00D

Strange raver type dude that appears whenever Largo must face the Z0/\/\B13 |-|04RD35 (zombie hordes; Tohya and Ping) in c0mb47 (combat; arcade games) and advises him in L33t which is invariably translated into erudite language (i.e. "1'm4 0wnz0r j00" becomes "I shall defeat thee"). He owes Largo a debt of gratitude for saving his life (see this strip).

Asako and Mami

High school students and friends of Yuki's. They think she has a crush on Piro, and they may be right. They use Yuki's possible attraction to Piro as an excuse to tease her.

Junko

The "angry schoolgirl" in Largo's class, she is usually the one who has something to say when Largo does something outrageous in his role as "teacher." She helps Largo disperse the fanboy horde that threatens Erika. Possesses the skill of manipulating older men for money.

Tsubasa

A friend of Piro's from the internet, Piro and Largo bunk with him when they wind up in Japan. Later, he leaves Japan to "follow his heart" in America. He leaves Ping in the care of Piro and Largo. Tsubasa is the comic's incarnation of Keishi Tada, Fred Gallagher's friend and primary consultant on all things Japanese. He writes the Japanese translation of Megatokyo. The character was written out of the story after Tada requested it, so it is unlikely that he will ever return.

Shirt Guy Dom

Sega employee, Ed's best friend and rival. Gun crazed and competitive to boot. His mission seems to be to recover, or eliminate, Ping. He speaks English and Japanese. Also known as SGD, Shirt Guy Dom. His real life equivalent does stick-figure guest strips when Piro is unavailable. Dom is the comic's incarnation of Dominic Nguyen, a friend of the author, who used to work for Wired Magazine and currently works for Konami as a game or localization tester.

Ed

Sony employee, Dom's best friend and rival. Like Dom, he seems to have an unlimited supply of guns and a trigger-happy personality to match. He is apparently sent to destroy Ping before rival game companies capture her; unfortunately, he tends to hurt himself more than her. After an encounter with Ping, he underwent a plastic surgery that turned him into a bishōnen. He speaks English and L33t. His real life equivalent is Edmund Balan, Fred Gallagher's associate.

Yanagisawa

The manager of the MegaGamers store where Piro and Erika work. He is somewhat cynical, having had regular contact with the many fanboys that come into the store. He is a heavy smoker, and is as cowed by Erika as anyone else.