Let's Fight~!
Whenever there is light, there will always be a more powerful darkness that will engulf and overcome that hope...and today is the birth of the one man who has shrouded himself within darkness, bringing his people victory with his overwhelming might! Everyone, say happy birthday to one of the beloved villains of the Vanguard series, Ren Suzugamori from Cardfight!! Vanguard!
Ren Suzugamori is one of the main antagonists within the first season of the Cardfight!! Vanguard series. He is the leader of a team called Team Foo Fighters (known as Team Asteroid in the English dub) and is the leader and founding member. He is one of the old rivals to Toshiki Kai, the childhood friend of the protagonist, Aichi Sendou. It is through Kai that Ren learned how to play Vanguard, idolizing him and wanting to become stronger by beating him. In order to do this, Ren became obsessed with his own strength that he obtained a mysterious ability known as PSY Qualia, an ability that allows the user to communicate and interact with their cards and predict the outcome of a fight. In the end, Ren would never be able to test his newfound ability on Kai after he abandoned him, allowing Ren to become a power hungry monster that requires a strong opponent to satisfy him. This would bring him to Aichi Sendou, and once he realized how similar they were and how much Kai had done for them, determined he would kill Aichi for defeating Kai before he could. After being purified by Aichi, Ren would become a recurring character who would assist Aichi and crew whenever they need assistance.
Personality wise, Ren is a power hungry monster who requires victory against the strongest opponents. PSY Qualia has corrupted him so much that even Kai feared him. Ren became a sadist that enjoyed undeniable pleasure in watching his opponents suffer from the darkness he engulfs them in while also playing mind games and watching them fall into depression after his victory. Although calm and relaxed, Ren is often seen communicating with his cards as if he understands what they're saying and acting like they're standing next to him. Once he's purified, Ren is a huge goofball who hates working and just wants to have fun. Due to his airheaded nature, he's constantly being babysat by his teammates and loves to play jokes and prank his friends. Despite that, Ren does deeply care for his rivals and friends, and the second he finds a person that upsets them, Ren will not hold back and kill you.
Ren is voiced by Atsushi Abe who's known for voicing Wise from Zenless Zone Zero, Minoru Hanata from Digimon Survive, Toma Kamijo from A Certain Magical Index and the A Certain series, Castle-3 and Spot from Arknights, Romio Hayahune from the Free! series, Hakuno Kishinami (Male) from Fate/Extra and Fate series, Sōgo Ōsaka from IDOLiSH7, Inojin Yamanaka from Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, Suishinshi Masahide from the Touken Ranbu series, Atsuro Kihara from Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked, Takashi Kosuda from B Gata H Kei, and so much more!
Ren runs a Shadow Paladin Clan deck which is part of the United Sanctuary Nation, a nation filled with technologically advanced knights and mages. The Shadow Paladin Clan is a clan hidden within darkness, aiding the United Sanctuary with their power to control the shadows. Their main ability is to destroy the enemy by sacrificing their allies to gain power. Ren's ace unit is the one that rivals Aichi and is the darkness that contrasts Blaster Blade, the level 2 unit known as Blaster Dark! Like Blaster Blade, Blaster Dark is a very popular unit that has multiple iterations over the years, but his abilities stay the same. Whenever Blaster Dark is summoned, you pay a resource in order to destroy one of your opponents cards. That's it. Although lackluster, Blaster Dark has receiving a lot of support that makes it a terrifying opponent when you're the enemy of the shadows! I should know! After all, both my sister and I play Blaster Dark~
Hoo boy...where do I begin with this VERY pathetic yet terrifying man? On one hand, Ren is a very interesting villain and very lovable. His quest for power is very simple, but the way it takes over him is very interesting to me since most card game rivals who desire strength (or rivals in regular media) are edgy and stoic. Ren may be edgy, but he's not like...stoic stoic. Yes, he does keep to himself, but he's still pretty social and lovable by his friends. Hell, he has a social life that most rivals don't (I think). Kind of...but despite that, he's still terrifying when he locks in and the way he talks to his cards makes him seem like a werido, but it's part of his charm! He cares so much about the game that changed his world so I respect that. Once you get to know him more...dear LORD he's pathetic as hell...man is so airheaded that he once jumped off of a school rooftop (I think it was 3 or 4 stories tall) just to say hi to Aichi and he was fine when he landed- there's also this scene
He's such a weirdo lol Io jshuisfdh I love him so much
And like a good chunk of the og cast, Ren was included in something known as a Portrait Visual Gift, an exclusive magazine to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Cardfight!! Vanguard G (which is the next generation season of Vanguard)! This panel describes the cast of the og and G era's daily lives as they figure out their futures, and Ren has one too! Here's a link!
How the hell is this man a criminal investigation consultant wtf Io jfsaoifhd and the fact that he just wants to spend time with his friends is so wholesome opsajf isdhf
AND SINCE REN DESERVES A FIC AND I LOVE HIM A LOT, HERE'S A FIC!
Ren Suzugamori x Gender-Neutral Reader
"Mmmmmmmmm…."
Tap, tap, tap.
"Mmmmmmmmmmm-!"
Tap, tap, tap.
"Mmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!"
"…do you know him?"
You didn't need to look behind you to know the man sitting behind you was desperate for attention, constantly pouting, moaning, and sitting impatiently on a chair behind your desk. With a regretful sigh, you continued to type on your laptop while responding to your coworker. "I don't know him."
The most pathetic whimper filled the library study room as the usually headstrong leader slipped out of his chair and collapsed onto the ground. "Baby!!!!!!" Suzugamori Ren sniffled, attempting to scoot a seat next to you. "Don't be like that!!!!!!"
"…are you sure you don't know him?" your coworker responded with a very concerned look.
With your own weary smile, you took a deep breath before facing your coworker. "Can you give us a few minutes?"
"…yeah..sure."
The second your friend left the study room, you huffed Ren. "What is it now, Ren?"
His face quickly lit up the second you gave him attention. "I'm bored~! Fight me~!"
"What about Asuka and Tetsu?"
"They're busy."
"What about Kai and Aichi?"
"They're not in Japan."
"Ibuki?"
"He's in a meeting."
"Literally anyone else?"
"I can't find them."
You couldn't help but let out a sigh as the puppy before you continued to beg with those sad and pathetic whimpers. "…alright, fine. Just one round of Vanguard, alright?"
"Yaaaaaay~!"
Happy birthday Ren-sama!
