Nova profile

One of the most noticeable differences between manga and anime surely is Nova, Hikaru's twin evil part, a mysterious character appropriately created for the 2nd season along with Debonair. She looks a lot like Hikaru and casts the spells Hikaru casts, and even has her own big Mashin named Regalia. She also turns out to be one of the most important characters (plot-wise) in the anime. She is a skinny teenager with pointy ears and with flowing pink long air, clad in a purplish leather suit with an essential piece of armor to protect her body. Her presence reinforce the Knight's problems, because they have not only to fight against foreign countries but also against their fears.

Nova was born out of the regret and other conflicting emotions dwelling in Hikaru's heart since the last battle with Emerode, where she ended up killing the princess and felt powerless to prevent this tragedy. Nova was created in such state of despair and loss, when Hikaru hated herself for not questioning the reason behind Zagato's actions and for her naïveté in believing she was acting for good. Her feelings were so strong that she unconsciously created a 'shadow' of herself in Cephiro. Before Nova could get her bearings, Hikaru warped back to Tokyo; at a certain point Debonair picked her up and treated Nova as her daughter, promising to take care of her forever. She exploits the weak willed Nova and turns her against Hikaru, nourishing her worst feelings to gain complete control over her. However, when Nova starts losing in a fight against the Knights, she discards her, leaving her confused and betrayed "daughter" to face Hikaru.

Nova starts to appear in the red knight's dreams in Tokyo looking like a horrible, unbelievable nightmare paired with her "mother" Debonair who instead, is the materialization of all Cephiro's fears. Her true object is unclear, because under a strong appearance, she's truly confused about her own will. Nova is the dark side of Hikaru's heart, she feels all her emotions, doubts, sensations and takes advantage of it unbalancing Hikaru's mind, thus increasing her own power. The more Hikaru despairs the more she feels thrilled and gets stronger. When they meet, Nova says Hikaru must 'play' with her only, and she hates whatever Hikaru likes and loves whatever Hikaru hates. She is the dark side of Hikaru, childish, hateful, her whole goal in life is to destroy Hikaru and everyone she loves, like Umi, Fuu, Eagle and Lantis (she knows the girl has a crush on him). At first it seems Nova manages to win over her twin half, but Hikaru finally defeats her when, becoming more self-assured and overcoming her doubts, she starts to love and forgive herself. During the last confrontation Nova's attacks are powerless against the red Knight, this latter has understood the nature of Nova as her opposite-self, but a part of herself nonetheless. Therefore, by killing Nova, a part of herself would have been lost forever too; Hikaru simply embraces her, embraces her own negative side accepting that they must coexist, because no living being is completely good or completely evil, but he's formed of both, and it's one's will which determines where one's actions lead to. Nova accepts this new resolve in Hikaru's heart and at the end, being by now the representation of a no more existing feeling, she willingly returns in the girl's body.

Nouva ()
Personal Interests:

Age: 14
Birthplace: Cephiro
Favorite thing: What Hikaru hates
Least favorite thing: What Hikaru loves
Hobby: Tormenting Hikaru
Special skill: Being in the wrong place at the wrong time
Family: Her "mother" Debonair
Mashin: Regalia ()

Did you know that...

Her corresponding car is "Chevrolet Nova".
Her Spanish name is "Luz".
Nova means "new" in Latin.
Nova has the same spells Hikaru has.
She is an anime-only character, whose design is Toshihiro Hirano's concept (the director of both Rayearth and Iczer).
Her first appearance is in ep. 25

Voice actress: Miki Itou

Voice samples:

"Honoo no ya"
(Flame arrow)
"Akai inazuma"
(Red lighting)