Akane Tsunemori (常守 朱 Tsunemori Akane) is a protagonist and point-of-view character in Psycho-Pass, a main protagonist in Psycho-Pass 2 and a "behind-the-scenes force" in Psycho-Pass 3. At some point, she is arrested for an incident in which she stands accused of endangering the public's safety.[1] The case is dismissed at the conclusion of First Inspector when she is released and made a statutory Enforcer and aide to Criminal Investigation Department Chief Mika Shimotsuki as part of the rebuilding of the department.
Appearance
Tsunemori is a female of average height and a slender, but fit build in her 20's. She has brown eyes, short brown hair and a pale complexion. She is seen in various types of garb throughout the series. She has had the same haircut since she was eleven years old and some might mistake her for a boy.[2] However, at the beginning of the manga adaptation, Inspector Akane Tsunemori, her hair is long.
Her work uniform consists of a dark gray blazer, white blouse, thigh-length skirt and brown loafers. Her field uniform adds the standard blue CID jacket over her work attire with WPC and 103 emblazoned on each arm.[3] Her CommuField avatar is "Lemonade Candy" which lacks legs, as opposed to her holo suit avatar when she cosplays at Club Exoset.[4] In 2114, Tsunemori is seen in a new uniform consisting of a dark blazer, white blouse and dress pants. She still wears her police jacket over her work attire but keeps it open.[5] She often wears the same blazer and skirt, but with different colored blouses (e.g. yellow). In the gekijouban, her work attire includes a gray suit, pink blouse and pearls. While in the field, she wears military-style cargo pants, a PSB white tee, a bullet-proof vest and gripper gloves. In 2120, while in custody, she is seen wearing a brown turtleneck, tan tunic, orange bolero and brown pants. When off-duty, she likes to don holo clothing, sometimes over her suit. She wears underwear when she sleeps because the air conditioning system in her apartment is too good.[2]
Personality
She appears to be shy and naïve at the time of her recruitment, as well as quite idealistic. She agonizes over the purpose of her existence, which is an uncommon trait when compared to the other characters. As time goes on, however, Tsunemori reveals herself to be intelligent, insightful. patient and compassionate as an Inspector. Despite being generally polite and respectful, she can be headstrong, growing angry or upset with others for doing things with which she disagrees philosophically.[3] She is shown to be humble, as seen when she tells Yayoi Kunizuka she is being overly considerate when the Enforcer says she would put her life in her hands.[6]
After spending time with the members of Division 01, Tsunemori develops into a full-fledged detective, albeit tempered by her personal sense of justice. An example of this is when she is unable to kill Shogo Makishima not once, but twice: the first time leading to the death of a friend[7] and the second time preventing her from avenging said murder.[8] Yet, she still tries to bring him in alive instead of exacting revenge.[9]
Tsunemori develops a more detached approach to investigation, as shown when she calmly uses her negotiation skills to talk down a criminal using bombs to attack the PSB, pushing his crime coefficient under 300, thus allowing her to stun him in order bring him in instead of killing him.[5] However, when said bomber commits another crime and murders over a dozen people, she outright tells him that any sympathetic words she might tell him are now meaningless, and she is prepared to give the execution order when Inspector Risa Aoyanagi takes him down.
After having the true form of the Sibyl System revealed to her, Tsunemori is shown to be hateful towards it but agrees to maintain it, knowing that the current society cannot live peacefully without it. She tolerates its existence because she believes the system will be terminated in the future. She is, on the other hand, capable of contradicting Sibyl at times, as seen when she attempts to bring in Kirito Kamui alive despite the system wanting him dead, so she can learn why he's considered a societal threat.
Despite everything she has experienced, Tsunemori maintains a healthy Psycho-Pass and is quick to recover from any traumatic event, such as the aforementioned death of her friend and the death of her grandmother. While others view it as the result of a strong ego and the Sibyl System deems her a "unique individual," Tsunemori believes that it means she's cold-hearted and unfeeling, and she is disturbed with how quickly she gets over these events.[10]
She is seen in Psycho-Pass 3 as a calm inmate at a rehabilitation facility where she is being held while awaiting her trial and judgement for "endangering the public." From there, she monitors the progress of Inspectors Arata Shindo and Kei Mikhail Ignatov as they pursue a truth they all hope to reveal. By the end of First Inspector, Tsunemori is happy to be released and made a statutory Enforcer, once more working alongside several of her former colleagues, as personal aide to Chief Shimotsuki.
Personal Background
Early Life
Tsunemori is born in Chiba to Shoichi Tsunemori and his wife. At school, she is one of the top students with several notable achievements. In Sibyl's estimation, her aptitude is the only one to exceed the Bureau's employment standards. She achieves an A ranking for 13 different ministries and agencies, along with six different companies.[11] She is good with all science-related subjects.
It is implied that her parents are still alive and it is known that she maintains a close relationship with her grandmother, Aoi Tsunemori.
Residence
Tokyo-to, Koto-ku, Shin-Toyosu, 2-5-5301 (as of 2116)
Tokyo, Shin Chiyoda-ku, Ochanomizu 2-25-KH (as of 2112)
Emergency Contact Information
Chiba, Chiba-shi, Shin Mihama-ku, Isobe 1032-t
Shoichi Tsunemori (relation: father)
Education
March 2108 ‒ Graduates from Hongou Secondary School, Tokyo
February 2108 ‒ Enters Hongou Higher Education, Faculty of Natural Science, Major in Psychology
March 2112 ‒ Graduates from Hongou Higher Education, Faculty of Natural Science, Major in Psychology
Work History
April 2112 ‒ Enters the MWPSB; Enters Public Safety Bureau's Career Instruction Center
October 2112 ‒ Finishes at the Public Safety Bureau's Career Instruction Center
November 2112 ‒ Assignment to CID's Division 01, as Inspector[3]
2117 ‒ Appointed to Chief of Inspectors position[1]
January 2118 ‒ Demoted from her current position; detained to Tokorozawa Correction and Care Center awaiting her trial[1]
January 2121 ‒ Released and reassigned as a statutory Enforcer to Chief Inspector Shimotsuki[12]
Licenses/Qualifications
March 2112 ‒ Achieves a Driver's License for Regular Motorcar Type I
Relationships
Aoi Tsunemori
The two form a close grandmother-grandaughter relationship. Her grandmother calls her "A-chan" and Tsunemori calls her "Obaa-chan" ("granny"). Tsunemori cares for her grandmother's safety and health.[13] Not only do their eyes look the same, but Tsunemori's habits and values strongly reflect those of her grandmother. Her best memory about her grandmother is going to the library together, where her grandmother told her about different books.
Shinya Kogami
As an experienced Enforcer within Division 01, Kogami is curious about her attitude towards latent criminals and her willingness to treat them as human beings. She is curious about him, as well, finding his methods of detective work surprisingly effective. Kogami respects her work ethic and attitude saying, "This girl is amazing. She's a woman who deeply loves law and order and is also deeply loved by it. Her expression is just like a prayer to the heavens."[2]
Following his failed murder by Bureau Chief Joshu Kasei,[14] Kogami escapes from the CID with Tomomi Masaoka's and Joji Saiga's help. Because Makishima is a potential research specimen, Tsunemori is willing to bring him in alive in exchange for Kogami's unfettered flight.[15] She abets Kogami's escape to Southeast Asia and soon thereafter, he places an untraceable call to her to prepare her for his possible death.[16]
After Kogami's escape, when confronted with problems she can't solve on her own, Tsunemori often lights a cigarette known to be Kogami's brand in order for the scent to invoke his presence in her mind and to hear words of wisdom that he might impart if he were present.[17]
At the conclusion of Psycho-Pass 3, Kogami visits Akane while she is imprisoned at the Tokorozawa Correction Center and they make amends. At the conclusion of First Inspector Kogami is ordered to pick her up upon her release from imprisonment and their reunion is both friendly and humorous.
Nobuchika Ginoza
When Inspector Ginoza first meets Tsunemori, he assigns Kogami and Masaoka, the two Enforcers he trusts best to work as a team, to assist Tsunemori in her first mission.[3] At the outset, Ginoza and Tsunemori appear to merely tolerate one another. Over time, Tsunemori learns that Ginoza's abruptness stems from his fear of seeing yet another Inspector/friend/family member demoted to Enforcer status. This explains his keen interest in Tsunemori's state of mind and stable emotions.[18] As Tsunemori develops as an Inspector, Ginoza begins to trust her and earns her trust, in return.
After Ginoza is demoted to Enforcer,[9] the two form a firm partnership based on mutual trust and understanding. Ginoza is concerned for her safety and mental stability, reminding her of the dangers of falling into the "abyss"[19] and serving in a supporting role as one of her Enforcers. By 2116, Ginoza is a staunch ally of Tsunemori while adding his own views on cases and even chastising other Inspectors who speak ill of her. He persuades her to keep a balanced outlook regarding Kogami, whom he has come to distrust despite their past friendship, with this attitude continuing through the events of the gekijouban.
Following Providence, Ginoza transfers into the MFA Operations Department's SAD where he reunites with Kogami. He acts as a behind-the-scene resource in their joint mission to uncover the truth.
Tomomi Masaoka
Masaoka serves as a mentor and father-figure to Tsunemori, as seen when he consoles her after her best friend is murdered by Makishima. Additionally, Masaoka serves as the link between Ginoza and Tsunemori before they become friends and allies.
Shusei Kagari
Kagari thinks Tsunemori is cute the first time they meet and asks to be assigned to her team.[3] His interest is shown to be somewhat romantic in nature.[20] Kagari isn't much older than Tsunemori and they develop an interesting friendship wherein Kagari's low key style helps Tsunemori relax a bit. He also shares with her his cooking skills[21] and various hobbies. When Kagari's death is confirmed by Sibyl, Tsunemori is both angry and sad about it.[15]
Mika Shimotsuki
In Psycho-Pass 2 and Psycho-Pass: The Movie, their relationship is professional only. However, it is Shimotsuki who uncovers Sakuya Togane's dark plans for Tsunemori,[22] although she uses the knowledge in an attempt to discredit her.[23] The Sinners of the System eiga and Psycho-Pass 3 show Shimotsuki's more compassionate side towards Tsunemori with Tsunemori teasing the CID Chief by calling her "Mika-chan." At the conclusion of First Inspector, Shimotsuki is informed that Tsunemori is being released from prison and returning to the CID as a statutory Enforcer and aide to her office. Her expression reveals her feelings on the matter.
Sakuya Togane
As Togane wants to paint Tsunemori's Hue "black", he first gains her trust by mimicking Kogami's behaviors[24] and agreeing with her from time to time.[5][25] Thus, Tsunemori is duped and begins to rely on him as she did with Kogami, never doubting his motives and unaware of his secret schemes.[22][23]
Yuki Funahara
Tsunemori and Funahara have been best friends since junior high school, their first conversation revolving around Tsunemori's mushroom-like haircut.[2] However, while Funahara likes Tsunemori, she is also a bit envious of her abilities and evaluation scores.[11]
Joji Saiga
At first, Tsunemori appreciates Saiga when Kogami introduces her to him.[26] When Saiga becomes a latent criminal, Tsunemori manages to enlist his help with investigations and because Kogami trusted him, Tsunemori believes that he is the only one she can depend on during that unusual time.
Etymology
- The name Akane means "vermilion red" (朱).
- Akane's surname Tsunemori means "always protect" (常守).
Trivia
- Her ID as an Inspector is 00475-AECJ-30157-1.[3]
- She is designated as Shepherd 2,[7] but she becomes Shepherd 1 after Ginoza's demotion (cf file).[22]
- Her highest crime coefficient is recorded at 87.9.[27]
- As deduced by Joji Saiga, she cannot swim [26]; however, she is excellent at long-distance running. In the Gekijouban we can see her swimming. She probably learned about it after the events of season 1 or those of season 2.
- Jogi Saiga deduces that Tsunemori's shoulders stiffen when she speaks about sport and that she drinks coffee when she's nervous.[2]
- She is inept at cooking, but Kogami seems to like the results.[28]
- She has better alcohol tolerance than Kagari.[21]
- When she finally takes a vacation, it's to obtain a driver's license.
- From the Official Profiling Book:
- Her hobbies are video gaming, net surfing and chatting with friends.
- Her favorite item in her room is an alarm clock resembling a fish.
- Her favorite food is any kind of noodles; her least favorite is mushrooms.
- She used to sleep six hours on average, but now sleeps only five.
- She prefers reading books about game theory and statistics or books regarding Sibyl-governed law because they are useful for exams and essays. She usually reads only bestseller e-books and doesn't have a favorite author.
- Her favorite fragrance is "Blue" by Hanatsubaki Dou Beauty Care.
- Her motto used to be "Faith strengthens people," but as of 2116, it is "Protect the things you believe in 'til the end."
- Her favorite saying is, "You must listen to others before you talk about yourself."
- After defeating Makishima and absorbing Kogami's departure, she hallucinates about Funahara, Kogami, Makishima, Masaoka, and Kagari.[16]
- It is suspected, but never seen, that she actually becomes a smoker with Kogami's preferred brand, Spinel, her choice.[24]
- She drinks the "Anterctic Dorops" brand of bottled water.[26]
- As of July 2116, she lives in a new apartment where no holograms are used, implying that she no longer owns Candy.[29] On the other hand, she enjoys the view from the terrace and the building's training room with a sparring program.
- While in prison, she spends her time reading investigation material and learning the art of self-defense and arrest training.
- She bears a physical resemblance to Yuni from Katekyo Hitman REBORN!, both characters being designed by Akira Amano.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Providence
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Psycho-Pass: The Novel
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 0101 Crime Coefficient
- ↑ 0104 Nobody Knows Your Mask
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 0201 The Scales of Justice
- ↑ 0121 Blood-Stained Reward
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 0111 Saint's Supper
- ↑ 0116 The Gates of Judgment
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 0122 Perfect World
- ↑ 0119 Transparent Shadow
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 0102 Those Capable
- ↑ First Inspector - Act Three
- ↑ 0207 Untraceable Children
- ↑ 0118 Promises Written in Water
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 0120 The Place Where Justice is Found
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Audio Drama ‒ "After Stories"
- ↑ Psycho-Pass 2
- ↑ 0113 Invitation from the Abyss
- ↑ 0204 The Salvation of Job
- ↑ Audio Dramas
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 0106 Return of the Lunatic Prince
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 0205 Unforbidden Games
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 0208 Conception of the Oracle
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 0202 The Creeping Unknown
- ↑ 0203 The Devil's Proof
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 0109 Fruit of Paradise
- ↑ 0211 What Color?
- ↑ Psycho-Pass Zero - Drama CD 1 ‒ "Detectives' Short Peace"
- ↑ Psycho-Pass: The Movie (Novelization)