Tokio is indeed a girl. Tokio’s appearance is that of an androgynous person, or simply, someone who doesn’t look exactly like a girl or a boy. Due to this nature, it gives people confusion as to what her true gender is, especially since she resembles one of the main protagonists, Maru, who is a male character.
In the initial chapters of the story, the author Masakazu Ishiguro intentionally maintained an air of ambiguity surrounding Tokio’s gender. Interestingly, none of the characters in the manga ever used a pronoun to specifically denote Tokio’s gender, leaving it open to interpretation. In addition, people commonly associate the name “Tokio” with boys, which further contributes to the perception that Tokio might be male. Furthermore, Tokio’s hairstyle further contributes to a more masculine appearance, giving the impression of a boyish demeanor.
Tokio’s voice does not make her gender evident, as it comes off as both a young boy and a young girl’s. It is not too feminine nor masculine, and it could just be because she’s young and her voice hasn’t developed yet, but it is also common for the voice of a person not to sound inherently like their actual gender, so it is understandable that her gender may not be easily figured out by viewers.
Another factor to consider is that prior to the anime adaptation, readers of the manga had to rely solely on Tokio’s appearance to form their own conjectures about her gender. This uncertainty likely fueled people’s curiosity surrounding her true identity. It is not uncommon for both anime and manga to feature characters with deliberately ambiguous genders, and a notable example is Kurapika from Hunter x Hunter. Similar to Tokio, Kurapika’s appearance was androgynous, and even his voice seemed to fall somewhere in between that of a boy and a girl. The presence of such androgynous characters across various anime and the potential for one in Heavenly Delusion undoubtedly generated intrigue among both readers and viewers alike.
The reason for Tokio, and other androgynous character’s gender being ambiguous is unclear, as there is usually not much relevance to the plot. In Heavenly Delusion, however, there is a hint that the story has themes showcasing LGBTQ+ relationships, but Tokio’s gender only becomes a key plot point once it is revealed that she is Maru or Yamato’s biological mother. It could be that the story was trying to hint that love had no boundaries, regardless of whether Kona knew Tokio was a girl or not, because he loved her unconditionally. Whether or not Kona was aware that Tokio is a girl is not known, but regardless, it is already confirmed that Tokio is, in fact, a girl.
Tokio’s Relationships
Tokio shares a seemingly strong bond of friendship with Mimihime. Right from the beginning of the first episode, they are seen together, and their connection becomes even more apparent after they take a test. In a hushed tone, Tokio discreetly inquires from Mimihime how she had prior knowledge about the upcoming test. The fact that Mimihime responds swiftly suggests that they share a level of closeness that allows them to confide in each other. Furthermore, when Taka expresses a desire to play with Tokio, Mimihime intervenes by pulling her away, indicating her intention to keep Tokio exclusively for herself.
As for Tokio’s relationship with Kona, they have a romantic relationship. They share the same feelings for each other, as they confessed to each other back in Episode 4. Tokio soon then became pregnant with Kona’s child, and it is assumed that after the earthquake happened, they ran away together, but this has not been confirmed and their whereabouts are still unknown.
Tarao also holds a fondness for Tokio, and they share a close bond despite Tarao’s ailing health. Despite his condition, Tokio often spends time with Tarao, demonstrating their friendship. In Episode 4, when Tokio visited Tarao, his health was deteriorating, but having Tokio by his side provided him with a sense of comfort. In a moment of vulnerability, Tarao attempted to kiss Tokio, which caught her off guard and caused her to react with dismay before swiftly departing.
However, they managed to reconcile when Tarao’s health reached a critical point. Sensing his impending demise, Tarao implored Tokio to hold his hand. It was during this poignant moment that he revealed a dark truth about the academy, urging Tokio to escape and save herself. This act was Tarao’s final attempt to protect her from the impending dangers that he seemed to be aware of.
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Tokio’s Personality
Tokio possesses a compassionate nature, but she has a tendency to experience jealousy when it concerns Kona, the boy she has feelings for. Kona often presents her with his drawings as a gesture of affection, but on one occasion, he unexpectedly gave one of his creations to someone else, causing Tokio to feel hurt and express her distress through tears. Her jealousy becomes evident once again when she musters the courage to question whether Kona had harbored romantic feelings for Asura. Fortunately, Tokio’s anxiety subsides when Kona reassures her that his love for her is different.
Tokio’s inquisitive nature is another facet of her character. During a school test, she encounters a question that piques her curiosity about the outside world. This prompts her to delve deeper into what lies beyond the walls surrounding them, leading her to approach the Director for answers. Additionally, she begins to ponder the origins of their food supply and entertains the possibility of hidden secrets concealed by the teachers.
Moreover, Tokio’s curiosity extends to matters of love. Observing her peers exploring physical affection and developing romantic interests, she becomes intrigued by these experiences. The kiss shared with Tarao leaves a lasting impression on her, fueling her desire to comprehend such emotions. In a candid moment with Kona, she expresses her inquisitiveness and subsequently admits her own longing to explore those same feelings with him.
Tokio’s Abilities
Tokio possesses unique abilities as one of the children living in the place that others refer to as “Heaven”. She first appeared in both the first episode of the manga and first chapter of the anime. She was a 14-year-old student at Takahara Academy, and she’s known as a friendly character in the story.
One of Tokio’s early scenes features a conversation with her friend, Mimihime, who cryptically hints about an upcoming test. As the story unfolds, it becomes apparent that the students, including Tokio, have undergone experiments resulting in the manifestation of unique abilities. In the anime, Tokio’s own abilities are foreshadowed in Episode 2, shedding light on her distinctive powers in the anime.
Upon questioning about the existence of the outside world from the Director, Tokio’s curiosity intensifies as she learns about a dark and monster-filled place beyond the towering walls that enclose their surroundings. During a playful moment with a ball, she accidentally drops it near the teachers’ door, prompting her to ponder the mysterious activities occurring behind it. She contemplates whether the elusive outside world might reside within.
Regardless, Tokio’s attention shifts towards a surveillance camera, realizing the need to retrieve the ball. However, in Episode 4, a surprising revelation occurs as the camera footage fails to capture Tokio’s presence. This intriguing occurrence suggests that she possesses a unique ability. In Episode 6, when she emerges from her room to meet Kona, once again, the camera fails to detect her. This serves as further confirmation of her extraordinary power.
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