Zenless Zone Zero Asaba Harumasa: "Kitty, Everyone loves you..."

Asaba Harumasa presents himself as the "slack-off expert" of Section 6, appearing lazy and humorous on the surface. He often takes leave citing a "worsening condition," with medical records and medicine bottles piled on his desk, and delivers sharp-tongued quips about colleagues. Yet beneath this facade lies resilience and a sense of duty.

He substitutes coffee with bitter melon juice, masking pain with self-deprecation, but when persuading a suicidal girl, he lies about being "Seth," revealing his reverence for life and yearning for redemption.

ZZZ Asaba Harumasa's Background Story

As a child, Harumasa contracted a rare incurable disease-Ether Aptitude Regression Syndrome. His parents abandoned him mercilessly while waiting at the hospital. Fortunately, a bespectacled master adopted him. This master not only taught him martial arts but also how to survive in a cruel world. The master claimed that treating his illness required extensive medication and "neck injections".

However, these so-called "neck injections" were actually extracting his spinal fluid. While the drugs temporarily enhanced his Ether Aptitude, they accelerated organ failure. The master, surrounded by guards acting as "research assistants," awakened to his conscience and secretly developed a specialized treatment for Harumasa. In the eyes of those "powerful figures" engaged in evil deeds Harumasa and other afflicted youths were merely "live medicinal materials"-exploited for their remaining value until death.

Harumasa Kitty

Once upon a time, there was a cursed cat, It had claws as big as a bear's, and teeth sharper than a shark's. It was quite a frightful sight!

Whenever it sees other cats playing happily, it always hides in the shadows murmuring: "They look so happy. I wish I could join them! But if they see my claws and teeth, they'll surely run away. "

One day, it encountered a mysterious witch, they said: "I have a potion that will conceal the powers that scare the other cats, but... " "You must sell it to me! Whatever the cost!"

Without a moment's hesitation, the cursed cat gulped down the potion!

Suddenly, its massive claws and fangs vanished, transforming into an ordinary cat. Overjoyed, it could finally blend into normal life and play with other cats! Yet, the joy was fleeting-as the potion's effects began to fade, its body started reverting to its original form.

"Oh no, they'll be scared of me and think I'm a monster..." Shrouded in darkness, it trembled with fear, "Will I... become a lonely monster again?" But at that moment, its friends gathered around, embracing it warmly and gently saying: "No matter what powers you have or what you look like, you're our friend."

From that day on, it was no longer a lonely monster, but their most special companion.

The picture book tells the story of a cat walking alone, finally finding its own companions and friends. Though Harumasa claimed it was just random doodles, it was clearly crafted with care-adorable in style and touching in content. In the story, Harumasa Cat feared that reverting to black would make its companions reject it, terrified they might leave. Yet in the end, everyone still adored this little cat. No matter its form, it remained their dear friend.

ZZZ Metaphor in Harumasa's EP "Picture Book"

The metaphor of "Black Cat and White Cat" runs through the entire EP, symbolizing Asaba Harumasa's transformation from cursed loneliness to gaining companionship and acceptance.

The black cat represents Harumasa's isolation due to Ether Aptitude Failure Syndrome-abandoned by his parents for his illness, victimized as an experimental subject by his master, and marginalized by the H.S.O.S.6 after losing control of his abilities. He perpetually struggles between "normalcy" and "anomaly."

The potion alludes to the "special potion" provided by his master, which temporarily enhances Ether aptitude but accelerates organ failure. In the picture book, the potion is both salvation and a curse, reflecting Harumasa's dependence on and conflict with the medication.

To blend into the group, the black cat swallowed a potion and turned into a white cat-mirroring Harumasa's disguise as a "tool" for dangerous missions after joining Section 6. Yet when the potion wore off and the black cat reverted to its true form, its companions did not flee. This echoes the acceptance and support Harumasa received from Section 6 members (Soukaku, Miyabi, Yanagi) in the game.

It's worth mentioning that the official Zenless Zone Zero released the Harumasa cat plush. Exquisitely crafted and playful, they blend seamlessly as daily accessories. Notably, this is the only cat-themed series in Zenless Zone Zero, and only members of H.S.O.S.6 have "cat forms"!

This EP delicately portrays Harumasa's emotional journey-from struggle and disguise to ultimate acceptance-through a unique animation style. It not only enriches his character but profoundly reveals the complexity and growth within his inner world.

That concludes all about Asaba Harumasa! I wonder if you've grown fonder of him and the members of Section 6 after reading this? If you adore the H.S.O.S.6 kitties, definitely grab the super cute official merch! Of course, stay tuned for more articles-see you next time!