List of characters in No More Heroes

This article provides a list of characters who appear in the 2008 Wii video game "No More Heroes". [Andy Burt, "No More Heroes: The Killer Boss Guide," "GamePro" 235 (April 2008): 66-69.]

Main characters

Travis Touchdown

Travis Touchdown is a 27-year-old American assassin and stereotypical otaku – his motel room decorated with professional wrestling and anime collectibles – living in near poverty in the motel "NO MORE HEROES" of Santa Destroy,
California [cite web |url=http://www.nintendowiifanboy.com/2007/08/29/travis-touchdown-has-a-comfortable-home-life/ |title=Travis Touchdown has a comfortable home life |accessdate=2007-09-21 |publisher=Nintendo Wii Fanboy] accompanied by his kitten Jeane (most likely named after his lost love). He appears to have interest in Lucha Libre icons, as well as a moe driven anime series called "Pure White Lover Bizarre Jelly"; his apartment is filled with such mentioned merchandise. After winning a beam katana in an internet auction he becomes a hitman. When he runs out of money to buy video games he accepts a job to kill Helter Skelter, also known as "the Drifter," which earns him rank 11 by the United Assassins Association, a governing body of assassins. Realizing that he has now made himself a target for aspiring assassins, he sets out to secure himself as number one in the UAA.cite web |url=http://wii.ign.com/objects/827/827358.html |title=No More Heroes |publisher=IGN |accessdate=2007-09-21 |work=Game Profiles ] He gets around on his exaggerated scooter, dubbed the "Schpeltiger."

His beam katana can also be upgraded throughout the game, initially starting with the Blood Berry, followed by the durable Tsubaki, the Tsubaki Mk-II (which is comprised of five beams), [cite web |url=http://www.mmv.co.jp/special/game/wii/nomoreheroes/img/special/download/wallpeper/wall05_1280.jpg|title=No More Heroes Wallpaper |accessdate=2007-12-07 |publisher=Marvelous Entertainment] and finally the Tsubaki Mk-III, a very showy beam katana designed from the Katana of Travis' mentor, Thunder Ryu. He also shows to have some resistance to firearms, one instance being when Helter Skelter riddled Travis with bullets and rockets, culminating with absolutely no effects. This also may have been related to the robe he was wearing at the time, however. Despite this, Travis managed to survive many deadly attacks without the robe, ranging from a series of energy blasts, three consecutive close range grenade explosions, to a death blow to the chest.

Travis' past is somewhat explored in the game, and at times deliberately (and humorously) muddled, and filled with stereotypes. His parents were killed when he was young, apparently by his love (and though unbeknown to him, half-sister) Jeane who had a traumatic and complex past, leaving Travis on his own. He had a twin brother Henry whom he never knew, who apparently grew up in Ireland. Travis has apparently had interest in being a pro wrestler at one point, and trained himself in the use of the sword via a mixture of Thunder Ryu's training, correspondence courses, and videotapes.

Personality-wise, Travis can be crude and immature, and even cruel, especially to the male assassins he fights. He also seems naive, considering how he takes the ranked battles as little more than a game. Despite being relatively calm about dispatching his enemies, killing women seems to make him uncomfortable, and he shows far more sympathy to the other sex than to men. Though he can be very brutal, he's capable of being touched by people's emotional and personal experiences. Travis is very driven to prove himself, is shown to be highly intelligent (he is able to learn very quickly), and he can be surprisingly witty and even poetic.

Travis Touchdown is voiced by Robin Atkin Downes.

ylvia Christel

Sylvia Christel is a Japanese Ukrainian UAA agent, since raised in France, and Henry's wife. Described in official literature as "mysterious" and "cold," she provides ranks and sets up ranking matches for UAA members. [cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3155573 |title=No More Heroes |accessdate=2007-09-22 |publisher=1UP.com |work=Wii Previews ] Though she is married, she continually flirts with Travis (though in a somewhat sadistic way), and even threatens to kill him if he ever makes her jealous. She appears one last time after the credits at the end of the game with a daughter, Jeane, in front of a painting depicting Travis' showdown with Henry. Her name is an allusion to European actress Sylvia Kristel. [cite web |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/12/no-more-heroes-may-go-online/ |title=No More Heroes may go online |accessdate=2007-11-01 |publisher=Joystiq |last=Miller|first=Ross]

Sylvia Christel is voiced by Paula Tiso.

Henry

Henry is a 27-year-old American assassin, since raised in Ireland, and Travis' twin brother; while this is true, it is unknown whether or not his last name is also "Touchdown." He wears a full gray outfit and wields the Cross Saber, a beam katana similar to Travis' Tsubaki Mk-III. He is first encountered as a shadowy figure in the Senton Splash Tunnel of Santa Destroy, on Travis' way to the ranking match versus Letz Shake. Henry and Travis meet face-to-face, after Henry kills Letz Shake before Travis does and thus ignites a rivalry between the two. He later challenges Travis to one final duel outside the motel "NO MORE HEROES" after Travis becomes ranked first in the UAA. As their battle ensues, Henry reveals that he is both Travis' twin brother and Sylvia's husband of 10 years. The outcome of their fight is left open. [Andy Burt, "Henry," "GamePro" 235 (April 2008): 69.] The teaser trailer for the sequel, "Desperate Struggle", reveals Travis to be alive and well, while the fate of Henry is unknown.

Henry is voiced by Quinton Flynn.

Jeane

Jeane is a 25-year-old American assassin and Travis' childhood love interest, and in actuality his half-sister; her surname is unknown (although as she and Travis share their father, they probably share last names too). She hated Travis and his family for being stuck with his father who sexually molested her (revealed in a fast-forwarded cutscene, when slowed down) [cite web |url=http://youtube.com/watch?v=A22Nkt_fDBc |title=No More Heroes Jeane's revelation spoilers |accessdate=2008-03-02 |date=2007-12-24 |publisher=YouTube.com] after causing her mother to commit suicide. She resorted to prostitution to fund her training in an attempt to seek revenge. She killed Travis' parents in front of him and destroyed his home. She kills Dark Star, the highest-ranked assassin, with a single blow from behind. After explaining herself to Travis, she engages him in a final battle using her mixed martial arts skills. Travis eventually kills her with Shinobu's help. In the game's true ending, it shows a young girl named Jeane with Sylvia. [Andy Burt, "Jeane," "GamePro" 235 (April 2008): 69.]

Jeane is voiced by Kari Wahlgren

United Assassins Association

The United Assassins Association (米国暗殺者協会 "Beikoku Ansatsusha Kyōkai") [cite web |url=http://www.mmv.co.jp/special/game/wii/nomoreheroes/story/index.html |title=No More Heroes: Story |accessdate=2007-09-22 |language=Japanese |publisher=Marvelous Interactive] is an organization of prominent assassins. Members are ranked, with numbers one through eleven appearing in the game.

Helter Skelter

Helter Skelter is a cigar-smoking albino garbed in the manner of a cowboy and the eleventh ranked UAA assassin until he is killed by Travis before gameplay begins. His age and nationality, as well as whether or not Helter Skelter is his real name are unknown, though he seems to also go by the title of "the Drifter." He is ranked 11th in the UAA. Despite his large arsenal of weaponry which included dual revolvers and a special set of gauntlets that housed missiles, mini-guns and blades, he was unable to stop Travis from decapitating him in an anime-like fashion. He is named after the Beatles song "Helter Skelter."

Helter Skelter is voiced by Dee Bradley Baker, though his voice can only be heard in the game's original trailer.

Death Metal

Count Townsend, better known by his pseudonym Death Metal, is a 55-year-old English assassin who lives in a mansion on the outskirts of Santa Destroy. He is ranked 10th in the UAA. His codename is named after the subgenre of heavy metal of the same name, while his real name is named after Pete Townsend. Most of his body is covered in tattoos and he brandishes a large curved beam katana that greatly contrasts Travis'. His saber, the Orange II, has a symbol which parodies Apple Inc.'s logo as it was designed by the fictitious Orange Computers (also a parody of Apple Inc). He also seems to be able to make copies of himself, as he does so in his fight with Travis. During the conversation before their battle, Travis somewhat envies him for living in what he considers true luxury, though Death Metal believes his envy to be foolishness since he doesn't feel the same way about his lavish surroundings. He explains that where he lives is no paradise, but rather a place for people to die. After his defeat by losing both his hands (bloodless in the Japanese version), he passes on the title of "Holy Sword" to Travis and tells him to "master the ways of the assassin," facing his end very admirably. Travis then decapitates him with his beam katana. [Andy Burt, "Death Metal," "GamePro" 235 (April 2008): 66.]

Death Metal is voiced by Grant Albrecht.

Dr. Peace

Pastel Brankino, better known by his pseudonym Dr. Peace, is a 50-year-old American assassin who is a corrupt vice detective, master gunslinger, and is called the "department store of crime." He is also a karaoke enthusiast; before fighting Travis, Peace sings the song "The virgin child makes her wish without feeling anything," written by Suda 51, at the pitcher's mound in Destroy Stadium. He is ranked 9th in the UAA. Peace is very similar to Travis, except for explaining that he enjoys taking lives from others; it is his passion and his calling. His weapon, dual golden revolvers, are a possible homage to Emir Parkreiner of "killer7"'s golden gun. He reveals himself to be divorced and that he has a daughter named Jennifer from this past relationship that he has not seen until recently. The UAA helps him get a reservation for a dinner with his daughter and get the Destroy Stadium as a venue for singing, apparently using Travis's fees. He dies from being disemboweled by Travis. [Andy Burt, "Dr. Peace," "GamePro" 235 (April 2008): 66.]

Dr. Peace is voiced by Richard McGonagle.

hinobu

Scarlet Jacobs, better known by her pseudonym Shinobu, is an 18-year-old African American assassin, the youngest confirmed ranked member of the UAA, and a high school student at the local Santa Destroy High School. [cite web |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/748/748014p1.html |title=New Name for Heroes |accessdate=2007-09-22 |publisher=IGN] She is ranked 8th in the UAA. Shinobu bears a grudge against Travis because she believes he murdered her father, though in truth Travis had idolized Shinobu's father so much so that he watched all of Jacobs' tapes until they wore out, but had never actually met him in person. She goes to great lengths to hide her profession as an assassin from her fellow classmates, going so far as to kill a small group of students who overheard Travis challenging her to a ranking battle.

Shinobu specializes in using her katana, even throwing Travis off guard by using her signature move, Sonic Sword. After she is defeated, her right hand cut off by Travis's blade (only in US version), Travis chooses to spare her life despite her requests to him to kill her. Travis then challenges her to kill him in the future, stating that he wants to kill people who are stronger than he is. It is likely that Travis truly could not kill her because of his discomfort in killing women, as revealed with his victory against Holly Summers. Shinobu later appears (with her right hand reattached. This can lead to many possibilities, such as the dismemberment being non-canon or reattachment surgery) to save Travis from being killed by Jeane. [Andy Burt, "Shinobu," "GamePro" 235 (April 2008): 67.]

Shinobu is voiced by Kimberly Brooks.Shinobu is the Japanese word for patience. A literal interpratation of the name Shinobu would be "Little patient one, who gives the gift of joy to those she surrounds"

Destroyman

John Harnet, better known by his pseudonym Destroyman, is a 27-year-old assassin who also recently took up a job as a postman. His nationality is unknown, although he is presumably American. He is ranked 7th in the UAA. Destroyman is technologically superpowered, [cite web |url=http://media.wii.ign.com/media/827/827358/vids_1.html |title=No More Heroes Trailer, Videos and Movies |accessdate=2007-09-22 |publisher=IGN] and cosplays the likeness of a character from an in-game self-financed movie with a cult following also titled "Destroyman". All of his attacks' names begin with the word "Destroy," such as "Destroy Spark." He also has a move called the "Destroy Cannon," based on the "Hadouken" move of "Street Fighter", and a gigantic beam attack, the "Destroy Buster", which he projects from his oversized, glowing codpiece. He is known for his enjoyment in killing his opponents or as he calls it 'tasting the blood of his enemies', fighting dishonorably and often resorting to taking cheap shots at his opponents (he zaps Travis during a handshake of "good sportsmanship" prior to the ranking match, and cons him into turning around before trying to shoot him from behind). When Travis gives Destroyman a hint of chance for survival after stabbing him through the chest, he attempts to kill Travis using machine gun turrets hidden by his nipples, immediately after which he is vertically bisected by Travis's sword. [Andy Burt, "Destroyman," "GamePro" 235 (April 2008): 67.]

Destroyman is voiced by Josh Keaton.

Holly Summers

Holly Summers is a Swedish assassin and model; her age is unknown. She is ranked 6th in the UAA. Her weapon, her prosthetic left leg, is equipped with a missile launcher. In addition, she also carries a shovel which she uses to dig trenches, pitfalling unsuspecting foes, and bombarding them with grenades before they can climb to the surface. [cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3160439 |title= No More Heroes: A Girl With a Missile for a Leg? |accessdate=2007-09-22 |publisher=1UP.com |last=Sato |first=Yoshi] Travis, because of his almost chivalrous attitude towards women, is unable to kill Summers after defeating her; however, after informing Travis that assassins must die when they are defeated, Summers pulls the pin out of one of her grenades, and places it in her mouth. Before Travis can stop her, it detonates, killing her instantly. Travis, feeling guilt over the fact that he dishonored Summers by not killing her, buries her upon the beach where they fought, confessing that " [he] loves her soul," before leaving. [Andy Burt, "Holly Summers," "GamePro" 235 (April 2008): 68.]

Holly Summers is voiced by Kim Mai Guest The fact that she has a prosthetic leg and is a European model could be a reference to Heather Mills.

Letz Shake

Letz Shake is a 22-year-old Singaporean assassin and vocalist of a punk band; his real name is unknown. He is ranked 5th in the UAA. His weapon, the Earthquake Generator, was previously a war weapon owned by the United States Army and contains the brain of its inventor, Dr. Shake. While he speaks with a comical German accent, in-game concept cards confirm him to be Singaporean. The top half of his overalls has been flipped outwards and the kanji 大地震 (huge earthquake) have been drawn in. He and Dr. Shake are bisected by Henry just as Travis begins to attack them in an anticlimactic fashion. The visor and wristpad he dons during the set-up phase of Dr. Shake resemble that of Nintendo's Virtual Boy, while Dr. Shake contains engines that refer to the PlayStation 3's cell microprocessor and the Xbox 360's Trinity engine.

Letz Shake is voiced by Dee Bradley Baker, while Dr. Shake is voiced by Fred Tatasciore.

Harvey Moiseiwitsch Volodarskii

Harvey Moiseiwitsch Volodarskii is a Russian assassin and stage magician who gives shows for large audiences; his age is unknown. He is ranked 4th in the UAA. Silvia and Travis attend one of Volodarskii's performances, where he selects Travis from the audience to assist him onstage. A brief conversation between the two reveals for the first time during the game that Travis' parents are dead. Associates restrain a willing Travis under a large circular saw with which Volodarskii attempts to kill him, though he survives. Harvey fights using two beam kodachi, as well as several of his magic tricks, but is ultimately blinded when Travis throws his beam katana across his eyes, and is soonafter restrained by his own associates and sliced vertically in half by the same large circular saw that he attempted to kill Travis with during the start of his performance. [Andy Burt, "Harvey Moiseiwitsch Volodarskii," "GamePro" 235 (April 2008): 68.]

Harvey Moiseiwitsch Volodarskii is voiced by James Horan.

peed Buster

Speed Buster is a 76-year-old assassin who lives in the abandoned Speed City, and is the oldest ranked member of the UAA; her real name and nationality are unknown. She is ranked 3rd in the UAA. Speed Buster is a misandrist woman who claims men to be unbelievably stubborn and foolish. She claims to have trouble hearing what Travis is yelling as she turns her shopping cart into an energy cannon with an extremely long barrel. She kills Thunder Ryu in a duel before Travis' ranking match against her begins, and after dismantling her energy cannon, she surrenders. Speed Buster claims she knew Thunder Ryu before they fought, and moments before she is killed she says, paradox of her initial attitude, that she thought of him as a good man and believes Travis will develop into one as well. She then bids farewell and kisses Travis as a "little present" before being decapitated by him. [Andy Burt, "Speed Buster," "GamePro" 235 (April 2008): 68.]

Speed Buster is voiced by Mitzi McCall.

Bad Girl

Bad Girl is a 23-year-old assassin who lives in the basement of Destroy Stadium; her real name as well as her nationality are unknown, although she is presumably American. She is ranked 2nd in the UAA. She drinks frequently, dresses in a style similar to that of the Sweet Lolita fashion (which directly contrasts with her murderous personality) and bludgeons cloned men dressed in S&M gear with a baseball bat. After listening about how she feels no remorse whatsoever about killing (claiming it to just be a job), Travis takes an immediate disliking to her, saying that she is not a true assassin, but a "perverted killer". In retaliation, she claims that Travis is no better than her because although she resorts to more cruel methods to killing, they both are assassins and kill who they must all the same. After their fight, she stands with Travis' beam katana sticking through her abdomen, refusing to give up. She continues to brutally assault Travis until he succumbs to the torture and forfeits the fight, actually out of pity to her; she succumbs to her wounds soon afterward, making Travis 2nd rank regardless of his forfeiture. [Andy Burt, "Bad Girl," "GamePro" 235 (April 2008): 68.]

Bad Girl is voiced by Kathryn Fiore.

Dark Star

Dark Star is an assassin who lives in a large castle hidden far away from Santa Destroy; his real name, age, and nationality are unknown. He is ranked 1st in the UAA. He wields a sword-hilt like device that can project a large, dragon-like tendril of energy, and knows much about Travis' past, claiming to be his father. He is killed by Jeane before his battle with Travis starts. Jeane claims that he is lying, and points out that Travis' father is dead. He is a parody of Darth Vader from the "Star Wars" series.

Dark Star is voiced by Steve Blum.

Ermen Palmer

Ermen Palmer is an assassin who breaks into Travis' motel room, attempting to kill him while he is defenseless on the toilet; his age as well as his nationality are unknown, although he is presumably American. The untrue ending concludes before they fight, and the "real" ending sees Palmer being split in half by Henry. It is notable that all fights up to this point have had the higher-ranked assassin pick the locale, although since the nature of the UAA is debatable, Palmer could be a rogue assassin or someone looking to enter the ranks just as Travis did. He is an homage to Emir Parkreiner (otherwise known as Garcian Smith) from "killer7".

Recurring supporting characters

Doctor Naomi

Doctor Naomi is a professional weapons maker; her full name, as well as age and nationality are unknown. Naomi creates pricey beam katanas and sells them to Travis. She seems to find a slight distaste in Travis being an otaku, and acts sour towards him on many occasions. Strangely enough, Doctor Naomi's outfit is similar to the outfits worn by the characters of "Pure White Lover Bizarre Jelly".

Doctor Naomi is voiced by Vanessa Marshall.

Thunder Ryu

Thunder Ryu is a former Japanese professional wrestler turned Yakuza; his real name and age are unknown. Now retired from the wrestling ring and running a gym, he acts as Travis' instructor, teaching him in both sword fighting techniques and . After he is killed by Speed Buster, he gives Travis his sword (which Naomi uses to design the Tsubaki Mk-III) and his ghost can still be found at his gym to give Travis training and help him find his way through the Forest of Bewilderment, en route to Dark Star's castle. Thunder Ryu is voiced by Paul Nakauchi.

Randall Lovikov

Randall Lovikov is a drunken Russian man who is seemingly always found at Gold Town, a bar in Santa Destroy; his age is unknown. His memories reach out to Travis to teach special moves and skills by beating the assassin senseless, each of which are named after the Smith assassins from "killer7". Travis pays him in form of so-called Lovikov Balls, which can be found all over Santa Destroy. Travis needs seven balls to learn a new technique, a reference to the Dragon Balls from the anime of the same name and, once again, Killer7.

Randall Lovikov is voiced by Fred Tatasciore.

Bishop Shidux

Bishop Shidux is the only true friend of Travis, as seen in Santa Destroy, and the owner of the local video store, Beef Head Videos. He seems nonplussed by Travis's profession as an assassin and is even willing to drive the Schpeltiger to him if he gets called in to do so. He seems to have problems with his personal relationships (his girlfriend sends him a long text message composed entirely of the word "die") and despite his love for videos, is somewhat dissatisfied with his career.

Diane

Diane, Bishop's unseen and long-suffering employee, usually calls Travis after each of his ranking matches to remind him to return overdue merchandise, a majority of which is pornographic in nature. She has little patience for Travis's procrastination and once even claimed to have revoked his membership until the return of a certain video.

Jeane

Jeane, Travis' kitten, appears to be the only thing close to family he has in Santa Destroy. Although she is almost exclusively a minor character, she does trigger a major plot device for the storyline during Thunder Ryu's duel against Speed Buster. The player can interact with her by selecting the "Jeane" option in Travis' living room. She is named after Travis' ex-lover and one of the final bosses.

Jeane is also the name of a little girl shown in the scene after credits during the true ending.

References