Currently, Opera can be classified as a non-binary character as they don’t identify with any particular gender or binary category of male or female. In the manga and anime, Opera does not display any attachment to being classified as either male or female and instead prefers to identify solely as “Opera.”
Osamu Nishi has not yet provided any information on Opera’s biological sex, leaving fans uncertain whether Opera is male or female. This lack of clarity has contributed to the mysterious nature of Opera’s character, which is often described as androgynous.
Opera as a Butler
Opera was introduced in the first episode of Welcome to Demon School, Iruma-kun!, as the butler of Sullivan’s mansion. While traditionally, the role of a butler was linked to men; this position is not inherently gender-specific. As long as an individual has the appropriate skills and qualifications, anyone, regardless of gender, can work as a butler. In contemporary times, it is more and more common to see both male and female butlers working in households.
Opera’s Voice
Upon hearing Opera’s voice, it is not distinctly masculine or feminine and may be perceived as neutral or ambiguous in terms of gender. Their type of voice often lacks the deeper or higher-pitched tones that are typically associated with traditional gender roles.
The voice actors for Opera are Brian Anderson for the English dub and Mitsuki Saiga for the Japanese voice. Although, in voice acting, the gender of the actor does not always need to match the gender of the character they are portraying because the audience is only hearing the voice and not seeing the actor themselves. This can allow for more flexibility and creativity in casting decisions, as voice actors can be chosen based on their ability to accurately portray the character’s personality, emotions, and tone rather than their gender.
Opera’s Appearance
Determining the gender of Opera based on appearance is not straightforward. Although Opera doesn’t possess the physical characteristics commonly associated with the typical female anime characters, like a curvaceous body or a prominent chest, it would be erroneous to assume that they are male solely based on their appearance since gender is more multifaceted than just physical features.
Furthermore, the fact that Opera frequently wears a butler uniform, as well as their facial features and purple nail polish, further complicates the issue of their gender. Ultimately, without additional information regarding Opera’s history, personality, and demeanor, it is challenging to determine their gender exclusively based on their appearance.
Opera’s Pronouns
After scrutinizing the subtitles of the anime, it’s worth noting that throughout the series, Opera is consistently referred to simply as “Opera,” rather than being addressed with gendered pronouns such as “she” or “he.
Read more: Why Did Sullivan Adopt Iruma in Welcome to Demon School, Iruma-Kun?
Opera’s Past Reveals Them Wearing a Gender-Neutral Uniform
In episode 12 of season 2, Kalego was assigned to provide the students of the abnormal class with their final guidance before the apocalypse by visiting their homes, including Iruma’s. This episode discloses some astonishing revelations about Opera’s past, as they did not always work as a butler for Sullivan. Opera was once a student at Babyls demon school, and what makes it even more captivating is that Opera, Kalego, and Baram used to be schoolmates.
Upon entering Iruma’s home, Kalego stumbles upon Opera, to which suddenly he appears frightened. The two are revealed to have a relationship of “senpai and kouhai” – kouhai is a Japanese word that is commonly used to refer to a person who is younger or less experienced than another person in a particular social or professional context.
Opera claims that they have a close relationship with Kalego since they attended the same school, but Kalego denies this. In a flashback sequence, it is revealed how they met: Kalego is the subject of rumors among the students, with claims that he sent 13 demons to the hospital and is a secret gang boss who defeated 666 demons. Despite Kalego’s aversion to conflict and his efforts to prevent disturbances, he is not the kind of person to engage in such extreme behavior. During recess, Kalego explains to Baram that he doesn’t have the leisure to cause that kind of trouble for himself and suggests that his classmates must have confused him with someone else. He further explains that:
According to seniors, that person has black curly hair, two horns, and wears an outfit that can be male’s or female’s.
Naberius Kalego
While on the school balcony, Kalego and Baram spot a demon with the same attributes that were previously attributed to Kalego. It turns out that the demon in question was none other than Opera during their younger days.
Opera was dressed in a Japanese seifuku shirt designed for girls, paired with the pants from the men’s uniform. At that time, they had black hair, which was later dyed red. In the scene, Opera is depicted sitting cross-legged on a pile of unconscious students, likely due to a physical altercation.
The flashback of Opera’s past, where Kalego mentions that Opera wore clothing from both male and female uniforms, has sparked controversy within the fanbase and fueled debates about whether or not Opera is a girl or boy.
This is one of the reasons why we think Opera identifies as non-binary because they do not identify as exclusively male or female. Alternatively, they could identify as male or female and simply prefer to wear clothing typically associated with the other gender. Although it is good to note that clothing does not define or determine a person or demon’s gender identity. Gender identity is a deeply personal and individual experience that is not necessarily tied to one’s appearance or clothing choice.
Opera’s All-Girls Team
In episode 13 of season 2, Sullivan assigns Opera and the other teachers to serve as bodyguards for the abnormal class, with the teams being determined by drawing lots. Opera is tasked with supervising an all-girls team consisting of Ameri, Clara, Kerori, and Elizabetta.
Clara started to cheer for the team by saying, “Girl’s team! Girl’s team!” Some fans interpret this as evidence that Opera is a girl, as Clara might be referring to all members of the team, including Opera. However, others argue that Clara is only describing her fellow teammates and not including Opera, who is simply their supervisor.
As the episode progresses, Opera’s team engages in activities that are typically associated with feminine behavior, such as going to shopping areas and trying on dresses. Opera accompanies them happily, and after the students try on dresses, the team takes a picture with Opera in the center. Although Opera’s pose in the picture is not as “girly” as the others, they still enjoy participating in their little moment.
Opera Is Not a Man Based on Elizabetta’s Fantasy
In episode 6 of season 3, the narrator describes Elizabetta’s character as someone who views all men as potential love interests and shows a fictional image of her seated on a loveseat surrounded by the male characters of Welcome to Demon School, Iruma-kun!
Some fans argue that this scene is evidence that Opera is a girl because they are not included in the picture, while others disagree, pointing out that Opera has no connection to Elizabetta. This does make sense because Sullivan is also not present in the image.
Iruma Asks About Opera’s Gender
In volume 23 of Welcome to Demon School, Iruma-kun! there is a chapter titled “Question for Opera-san.” In the panel, Iruma admits that he has been wondering about Opera’s gender and asks them about it. Opera responds by asking Iruma what he thinks their gender is. Iruma suggests “female,” and Opera immediately agrees, saying, “Okay, female it is, whichever one you prefer.” Iruma presses further, asking for a definitive answer, but Opera just walks away and ignores the question.
The Verdict
Although we may never truly discover Opera’s true gender or sexuality, it’s not necessarily a bad thing. The author of Welcome to Demon School, Iruma-kun! likely wants us to focus on Opera’s unique story and personality rather than getting bogged down in their gender. While Opera’s biological sex remains a mystery, it’s important to remember that there’s so much more to Opera than just that.
As fans of the series, we don’t have all the answers just yet, but there’s always a possibility that future volumes and episodes could shed some light on this intriguing character. In the meantime, let’s simply enjoy the current seasons and continue to appreciate Opera for the complex and captivating character they are.
Read more: 13 Interesting Facts About Welcome to Demon School, Iruma-Kun You Probably Didn’t Know
