Gaignun Kukai

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Gaignun Kukai Nigredo
Species	U.R.T.V.
Gender	Male
Age	26
Height	188 cm
Weight	76 kg
Japanese VA	Koichi Yamadera
English VA	Crispin Freeman (adult) Jennifer Hale (child)
Appearances	Xenosaga Episode I Xenosaga Episode II Xenosaga Episode III Xenosaga I & II Xenosaga Outer File Xenosaga: The Animation Xenosaga Episode I (manga)

Gaignun Kukai (ガイナン・クーカイ), whose real name is Nigredo is a supporting character in the Xenosaga series. He is the chairman of the Kukai Foundation.

Appearance and personality

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Story arc

History

Gaignun is one of the few remaining U.R.T.V.s. While he is officially the first son and heir to the industrialist Soze Kukai, this is a fake cover story. He was a [Designer Children|Designer Child]] specifically designed along with the other U.R.T.V.s to be an anti-thesis to U-DO. Gaignun was U.R.T.V. number 669 and also a variant, meaning he was subjected to induced mutations during his embryonic development. Thanks to this, he has the power of telepathy and hypnotic suggestion, alongside a unique hair and eye color. Additionally, unlike other U.R.T.V.s, he does not react to U-DO's waveforms and merely repels them.

Gaignun spent his childhood at the Yuriev Institute, undergoing combat training against U-DO alongside his fellow U.R.T.V.s. As a child, he often spent his time hanging out with the other variants, Rubedo and Albedo. He was often the peacemaker and mediator of their group, comforting Albedo and reassuring Rubedo whenever he felt insecure about himself. However, he often felt left out due to their special connection as conjoined twins.

After Sakura Mizrahi was admitted to the Yuriev Institute for treatment, Gaignun, alongside Rubedo and Albedo, started going on periodic dives into her subconscious and befriended her.

At a certain point in time, he was approached by Citrine about the mission they had in common, taking down the Red Dragon if he were to ever go out of control. She also pointed out his peculiarity, his inability to destroy U-DO waveforms, which surprised him.

At an unknown amount of time before the Miltian Conflict, Gaignun rejected his mission as the U.R.T.V.s' acting executioner and shot his father Dmitri Yuriev. Unbeknownst to him, Yuriev went inside Gaignun's body and began resting until he could recover enough to take over Gaignun's body.

The U.R.T.V.s were sent in as part of the third descent operation by the Galaxy Federation in hopes that they'd be able to sever the link between the Zohar and U-TIC's weaponry during the Miltian Conflict and Gaignun was among them. He was partaking in the spiritual link that Rubedo had set up inside the Song of Nephilim, until he decided to sever the link out of fear of what their collision with U-DO's waves would do. As a result of this, many of the U.R.T.V. units, including Albedo, got infected by U-DO and started attacking civilians. Shortly after, Gaignun got separated from Rubedo due to an unknown cause and went looking for him, shooting down infected standard U.R.T.V.s to protect the civilians in the process. He returned to the Song, wounded and got attacked by a crazed Albedo. Gaignun hit Albedo with his waveforms as the failsafe of the U.R.T.V.s, which left him half-dead. Gaignun was also heavily wounded after their battle and was found by Rubedo who carried him until they were rescued by chaos and Canaan in the E.S. Asher. At this point, chaos refers to Gaignun as the rider of the black horse who carries famine.

At an unknown point in time, Gaignun and Jr. took care of a cat called Gaignun and chose to name themselves after it.

After their rescue, Gaignun and Rubedo were taken in by Helmer, who helped them establish the Kukai Foundation. At some point, he saves Shelley and Mary Godwin from an illegal pharmaceutical company and gave them a home in the Kukai Foundation.

Episode I

Gaignun first appears in the game when the party heads to the Kukai Foundation. He comes to personally meet Shion and the others. Gaignun was in communication with Juli Mizrahi and tells MOMO that they'll ensure she gets to Second Miltia safely. Gaignun and Junior speak in private a little later and Gaignun believes Shion to not be as ordinary as Junior thinks. He provides Junior with a special gun as a present he won at a recent auction. Later, Gaignun speaks with Representative Helmer, with whom he has a long standing relationship. Gaignun tells him about their recovery of the Zohar Emulator and MOMO.

When the U-TIC Organization frames the Kukai Foundation for the destruction of the Woglinde, Gaignun is arrested along with the others. However the Federation Officer in charge, Lapis Roman, is an agent of Helmer's and arranges for Gaignun to be able to speak with him. He is eventually freed once Shion and the others are able to find evidence of their innocence within KOS-MOS' Encephalon. With the arrival of the Song of Nephilim and a large amount of gnosis, Gaignun and the Kukai Foundation have their hands full fighting off the gnosis while Junior and the others head to the Song of Nephilim, and after that Proto Merkabah. Gaignun's last scene in the game is a conversation with Helmer about U-TIC's target being on Miltia and him revealing to him that Albedo is still alive.

Episode II

Junior contacts Gaignun when they are chased through the streets of Second Miltia, but Gaignun finds himself a bit out of it, wondering what he was doing. He later meets with Helmer who asks him to do some reconnaissance. Gaignun and Albedo are able to communicate with each other through their mind. Albedo says Gaignun's true form is an executioner and taunts him over hanging around Junior while waiting to carry out his mission. Gaignun cuts the communication causing Albedo's arm to vanish, although he immediately regenerates it. Gaignun heads to the U.M.N. Control Center when they are about to investigate the Y-Data in MOMO.

It is later revealed that Dmitri Yuriev has the ability to restore his consciousness, using Gaignun as a vessel, which he does. Gaignun eventually regains control back over his body. He says for Junior to not trust his words.

Episode III

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Lore

Gaignun got his name from a pet cat named Gaignun.

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Database

Episode I

Gaignun Kukai

BORN: T.C. 4741
AGE: 26 years old

The chairman of the Kukai Foundation, a special Foundation based in Miltia (an autonomous member state of the Galaxy Federation).

With black hair and deep green eyes, he shares some semblance to Jr. He has a gentle personality and is well respected both within and outside of the Foundation.

He is listed as the first son and heir to the industrialist Soze Kukai.

Gaignun Kukai (2)

U.R.T.V. Unit #669

A biological weapon whose life energy wavelength cancels that of U-DO. All 669 U.R.T.V. units originated from the same embryonic culture, but were subjected to an induced mutation to develop their unique gifts. This accounts for the differences in hair or eye color despite their shared embryonic origins.

Jr.'s ability to control growth (time), while Albedo can regenerate his own body. Gaignun can telepathically communicate with Jr., but uses his voice to hynotically manipulate people.

"Kukai" was a fictional persona created by the second Miltian government, as a means to pool their special operations funds. Following the Miltian Conflict, and Helmer's rescue of Gaignun and Jr., they took on the Kukai surname to justify and establish the Kukai Foundation.

Nigredo

In Psychology and Alchemy(1944), C.G. Jung refers to nigredo, or "blackening," as the initial stage in the process of human individuation as symbolized in alchemic terms.

The nickname for jet-black haired U.R.T.V. Unit Number 669 (Gaignun).

The assumed name "Gaignun" was taken from a kitten he owned with Rubedo. Gaignun, incidentally, is also the name of King Marsil's horse in the 11th century French epic: "Song of Roland."

Episode III

Gaignun Kukai

Representative Trustee of the Galaxy Federation Miltian Autonomous State's special foundation, the Kukai Foundation.

Representative Trustee of the Galaxy Federation Miltian Autonomous State's special foundation, the Kukai Foundation. Like Jr., he is a survivor of the URTV (U-Do Retro Virus) force that was created to combat U-DO.

Named for the alchemical process of blackening as put forth in C.G. Jung's "Psychology and Alchemy."

URTV Unit Number 669, a variant possessing the name Nigredo (pitch black).

Presently hiding his identity as a URTV, he fills the role of Representative Trustee for the Kukai Foundation, along with Jr.

Black-haired, with dark green eyes. Calm in personality, he shoulders the trust and expectations of the Foundation members and holds powerful political influence. He was lauded for his defense and unification of victims to the enactment of the Species Preservation Act.

He possesses the power to control the thoughts of others and the power of hypnotic suggestion (interference with a person's consciousness), using his voice as a medium.

If Jr. is the practical controlling force behind the Kukai Foundation's activities, it can be said that Gaignun is the political force. It is through the combined efforts of them both that the Kukai Foundation's continued existence is made possible; without either, it would fail.

Taken in by Helmer after the Miltian Conflict, Gaignun inherited the name of Zoze Kukai upon establishment of the Foundation. Incidentally, "Zoze Kukai" is the name of a fictitious industrialist invented by the Second Miltian government in order to pool special activities capital.

Unlike the other URTVs, Gaignun was not programmed to react to U-DO waveforms. His true role was to act as a failsafe in the event that a powerful variant went berserk--specifically, the elimination of Jr.

Furthermore, Dmitri Yuriev planned to extend his own life by transplanting his psyche into Gaignun, due to Gaignun's special powers. After his body was taken over by Dmitri, Gaignun was forced to work towards Dmitri's goals, regardless of his own will.

This ultimately brought about the military occupation of the Durandal and the awakening of Abel's Ark.

Although Gaignun was asleep in the far reaches of Dmitri's consciousness, he was well aware of Albedo's true desire to be rid of both Gaignun and Dmitri, and made it a reality by forcing Albedo's consciousness into Jr.'s body, so he could annihilate himself along with Dmitri.

Nigredo

URTV unit number 669.

URTV unit number 669. Gaignun's name during his time with the URTVs. Named for the alchemical process of blackening.

See Gaignun.

URTV Unit Number 669

URTV unit number 669 [Nigredo].

The 669th variant URTV to be born of the Yuriev Institute. Because he was born with black hair, he was named Nigredo, a name taken from C.G. Jung's "Psychology and Alchemy", in which "nigredo" refers to the process of a substance turning black. He was the last of the 669 URTV units to be created, and possesses far stronger mental waves and mind-control ability than standard URTVs, as well as the ability to repel U-DO waveforms.

Even as a child, he was calm and mature. He often spent time with Albedo and Rubedo; however, because of their strong connection, he sometimes felt left out.

Nigredo was assigned two special missions. One was to prevent the Red Dragon from going out of control and to bring it down if necessary. This mission was also assigned to URTV unit number 668 Citrine. The other was a secret mission closely related to his father, Yuriev.

However, Nigredo abandoned this mission and shot Yuriev to death. The details of this incident are still unknown.

Executioner

A term referring to Nigredo.

A term referring to URTV unit number 669, Nigredo.

Nigredo is called this by Albedo since he is imbued with the ability to obliterate URTV number 666, Rubedo--also known as Red Dragon.

Freaks

ガイナン・クーカイ

クーカイ・ファウンデーション の代表理事。 容姿端麗、 冷静沈 着な人物で、 強いカリスマ性を持つ。

T.C.4741年生まれ。26歳。星団連邦ミルチア自治州に属する特殊財団、クーカイ・ファウンデーション代表理事。穏や かな性格で内外からの人望も厚く、政治的にも強い発言権を持つ。原種保護法制定前の被害者たちを保護して、ひとつにまとめた手腕は高く評価されている。 人を惹きつける魅力や、偶然を引き寄 せる強運の持ち主。ただ、時折見せる冷徹な表情からは、表舞台からはうかがい知ることのできない何か得体の知れない怖さを感じさえする。U. R. T. V. 個体ナンバー669番、ニグレド (漆黒) の名を持つ。Jr. と念話ができる。

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Xenosaga I & II

ガイナン・クーカイ

T.C.4741生まれ。26歳。 星団連邦ミルチア自治州に属する特殊財団クーカイ・ファウンデーション代表理事を務める。
黒髪に深緑色の瞳でJr.に似た風貌。
穏やかな性格で内外からの人望も篤く政治的にも強い発言権を持つ。
記録上は実業家ソゼ・クーカイ氏の嫡男となっている。

This section needs to be translated. This quote has not officially been translated into English. You can help translate it.

ガイナン・クーカイ　その２

Jr.と同じ対ウ・ドゥ用に“生成”されたU.R.T.V.（U-レトロヴァイラス）部隊の生き残りの一人で個体No.は669。
C.G.ユング「心理学と錬金術」より、錬金術における黒化のプロセスを指すニグレド（漆黒）の名持つ変異体。
他者の思考をコントロールする能力、肉声を媒介としたヒュプノーシス暗示能力（人の意識への干渉）を備えている。
現在は自らがU.R.T.V.であることを隠し、Jr.と共にクーカイ・ファウンデーション代表理事に就いている。
ちなみに、彼が名乗っているクーカイの姓は、第二ミルチア政府が特殊活動資金をプールする為に捏造した架空の実業家『ゾゼ・クーカイ』からきたもので、ミルチア紛争後、ヘルマーに保護されたガイナンらはファウンデーション設立の受け皿としてその姓を継承した。

This section needs to be translated. This quote has not officially been translated into English. You can help translate it.

ガイナン・クーカイ　その３

他のU.R.T.V.と違い、ウ・ドゥの波動に反応するように調整されてはいない。
彼の本来の使命は、他にあるらしい。

This section needs to be translated. This quote has not officially been translated into English. You can help translate it.

ガイナン・クーカイ　その４

ディミトリ・ユーリエフは、その特殊な力を持ったニグレドにさらに自らの精神を移し変える事で延命処置を行う。

Gaignun Kukai (4)

Dmitri Yuriev performed life-extension measures by transplanting his psyche into Nigredo, due to his special powers.

処刑人

U.R.T.V.個体No.669、ニグレドを指す 言葉。
アルベドに呼ばれた呼称だが、その理 由は明らかにされていない。

Executioner

A term referring to U.R.T.V. unit number 669, Nigredo.

This name was given by Albedo, but the reason for it is not clear.

ニグレド

U.R.T.V.個体No.667。
14年前のU.R.T.V.時代のガイナンの名 称。
錬金術における「黒化」のプロセスを 指す。

Nigredo

U.R.T.V. unit number 669.

Gaignun's name during his time with the U.R.T.V.s 14 years ago.

Named for the alchemical process of blackening.

U.R.T.V.個体No.669

ユーリエフ・インスティテュートにて669番目に生まれたU.R.T.V.の変異体。
黒い髪を持つ事から、C.G.ユングの「心理学と錬金術」における黒化のプロセスに基づき、ニグレドと命名された。
669体製造されたU.R.T.V.最後の個体だが、標準体と比べて桁外れに強い思念波と思考操作能力、さらにはウ・ドゥ波動の反応を退ける能力を持つ。
子供ながらに物腰も穏やかで、少々大人びた性格をしているが、常に行動を共にしていたルベドとアルベドのあまりにも強い結びつきに、時には疎外感を覚える事もあった。

U.R.T.V. Unit 669

The 669th variant U.R.T.V. to be born at the Yuriev Institute.

Because he was born with black hair, he was named Nigredo, a name taken from C.G. Jung's ""Psychology and Alchemy,"" in which ""nigredo"" refers to the process of a substance turning black.

He was the last of the 669 U.R.T.V. units to be created, and possesses far stronger mental waves and mind-control ability than standard U.R.T.V.s, as well as the ability to repel U-DO waveforms.

Even as a child, he was calm and mature. He often spent time with Albedo and Rubedo; however, because of their strong connection, he sometimes felt left out.

U.R.T.V.個体No.669　その２

また、ニグレドには二つの特別な任務が課されていた。
ひとつはレッドドラゴンの暴走を防ぎ制圧する任務であり、これは、U.R.T.V.個体No.668であるシトリンにも課せられている。
そしてもうひとつは、父親であるユーリエフと密接に関係する「ある任務」である。
しかし、ニグレドはその「ある任務」を放棄してユーリエフを銃殺している。
これらの真相については未だに明らかにされていない。

U.R.T.V. Unit Number 669 (2)

Nigredo was assigned two special missions.

One was to prevent the Red Dragon from going out of control and to bring it down if necessary. This mission was also assigned to U.R.T.V. unit number 668 Citrine.

The other was a secret mission closely related to his father, Yuriev.

However, Nigredo abandoned this mission and shot Yuriev to death.

The details of this incident are still unknown.

Trivia

• While waiting for Juli at the U.M.N. Control Center, Gaignun looks at his wrist several times, suggesting that he wears a watch despite not seen on his character model .

Gallery

Official artwork

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  Gaignun's Episode II artwork

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  Episode I & II artwork.

Xenosaga Episode I

Screenshots

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  With Shion

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  Gaignun being arrested by the Federation

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  With Lapis Roman

Xenosaga Episode II

Screenshots

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  Gaignun speaks to Helmer in Episode II

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  Yuriev taking over Gaignun's body

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  As a child

Xenosaga Episode III

Character portraits

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  Gaignun normally.

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  Happy Gaignun.

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  Sad Gaignun.

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  Smug Gaignun.

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  Surprised Gaignun.

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  Gaignun when calling.

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  Happy Gaignun when calling,

Xenosaga I & II

CG images

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  Gaignun, Mary, Jr., and Shelley at the end of the game.

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  Yuriev taking over Gaignun's body.

Character portraits

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  Gaignun normally.

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  Unnerved Gaignun.

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  Stressed Gaignun.

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  Very stressed Gaignun.

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  Nigredo normally.

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  Shocked Nigredo.

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  Angry Nigredo.