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Don't go shooting that thing all over the place. Remember, you're older than I am. Try to act like it once in a while, all right?
—Gaignun, to Jr.

Gaignun Kukai (ガイナン・クーカイ, Gainan Kūkai) is the chairman of the Kukai Foundation, a special organization based in Second Miltia, which he runs with his co-director, Jr. He has a gentle personality and is well respected both within and outside the Foundation, especially by Mary and Shelley Godwin.

Background[]

Yuriev Institute[]

YoungNigredo

Gaignun as a child at the Yuriev Institute.

Gaignun Kukai was created at the Yuriev Institute as the final U.R.T.V. Unit, #669, a biological weapon designed to combat U-DO. Despite this, he doesn't react to U-DO's waves, because Yuriev planned to use him as an U-DO resistant host body in order to extend his own life. His nickname, Nigredo, is a reference to his black hair.

The standard U.R.T.V.s consider the four variants to be monsters because they are not part of the collective consciousness the other children share, and therefore experience individual emotions. Gaignun's lack of reaction to U-DO does not go unnoticed by the standards, either, and they question why he goes on missions with them at all if he "can't defeat U-DO."

XSIISubdomainGaignunProtectsJr

Gaignun protects Jr. from U-DO's waves in Sakura's subconscious domain.

Gaignun accompanied Jr. and Albedo during dives into Sakura Mizrahi's subconscious domain. He was the first to acknowledge Sakura, after correctly identifying her as the person they were sent to meet. In various flashbacks, Gaignun plays the role of a peacemaker when Jr. and Albedo argue, comforts Albedo when he begins to cry, and tries to calm Jr. when he lashes out at Albedo for shooting himself in the head. When they encounter U-DO's waves on the beach in Sakura's subconscious, Gaignun throws himself in front of Jr. to protect him from becoming infected; it's unknown how much he was aware of his own resistance to the waves prior to his conversation with Citrine.

Sometime around T.C. 4753, Citrine told Gaignun that Yuriev's mission for him was to "manage and subdue the Red Dragon's violent nature"—that is, to kill Jr. if he ever went out of control. When confronted by Yuriev, Gaignun abandoned this mission, and instead shot and killed his father.

Miltian Conflict[]

RubedoNigredo

Gaignun injured in the Miltian Conflict, carried to safety by Jr., who shouts for help.

During the Miltian Conflict, Jr. and the other U.R.T.V.s intended to fight U-DO before Miltia's disappearance into the Abyss.

A moment before the U.R.T.V.s were to attempt to destroy U-DO, Jr. had a vision of Old Miltia being destroyed when something monstrous emerged from within the planet. Fearing for the lives of his companions, Jr. broke the Spiritual Link, leaving the other U.R.T.V.s with no protection against U-DO. Contact with U-DO killed or infected all of the standard U.R.T.V.s, as well as infecting Albedo.

Gaignun and Jr. somehow became separated during the Conflict. Gaignun searched for Jr. while fending off the infected standard U.R.T.V.s. (In I & II, it's specified that Gaignun was protecting civilians from the standards.[2]) Injured and limping, Gaignun returned to the Song of Nephilim, where they'd initially attempted to form the Spiritual Link. Albedo attacked Gaignun, and the ensuing fight left them both nearly dead.

When Jr. finally found him, he carried Gaignun out of the Song, shouting for help while Gaignun almost bled out. Eventually, Canaan and chaos rescued the U.R.T.V. duo on the E.S. Asher.

Therefore, the only documented surviving U.R.T.V.s were Gaignun and Jr., although Albedo and Citrine secretly survived the Miltian Conflict as well.

Kukai Foundation[]

Kuk1

Gaignun Kukai as Kukai Foundation director.

"Kukai" was a fictional persona created by the Second Miltian government as a means to pool their special operation funds. Following the Miltian Conflict and Helmer's rescue of Nigredo and Rubedo, they took on the Kukai surname to justify and establish the Kukai Foundation, and became Gaignun Kukai and Gaignun Kukai Jr., respectively. This also allowed the U.R.T.V. units to live their lives more normally. Apparently Jr. got his name because he is physically smaller in stature than Gaignun, hence "Gaignun Jr."[3] Gaignun is known to the public as Jr.'s adoptive father, although he is actually younger than Jr.

Taken in by Helmer after the Miltian Conflict, Gaignun inherited the name of "Soze/Zoze Kukai" upon establishment of the Foundation. Incidentally, "Soze/Zoze Kukai" is the name of a fictitious industrialist invented by the Second Miltian government in order to pool special activities capital.

Gaignun and Jr. work closely with Mary and Shelley Godwin, who are also survivors of the Life Recycling Act. The Godwins were taken in by the Foundation after Gaignun rescued them from being used as test subjects by a pharmaceutical company.[4] All four remain close to Helmer, although they seem to keep professional distance to avoid scrutiny of the ties between Second Miltia and the Kukai Foundation.

Gaignun completely runs the business side of the Kukai Foundation; he leaves the practical side of things like the retrieval of the Zohar Emulators to Jr. and concentrates on providing logistical support. Military power and political power should be talked about as being of the same importance. In addition, political power needs military power and military power needs political power. Gaignun and Jr. are in this kind of relationship. With both of their powers combined it becomes possible for them to preserve the plan for the present condition of the Kukai Foundation. If one side was lacking, the preservation of the Foundation would be difficult.

There has been much speculation about Jr. and Gaignun's relationship. Because of their economic activities involving the entertainment and tourism industry, Gaignun has attracted a lot of attention as an entrepreneur and, as to be expected, there has been some scandalous gossip. However, for those who face phenomena that are related to the fate of the world, scandals have about as much influence as a mosquito bite. Political power that can be blown away with a scandal was only about that powerful from the beginning. Just as Gaignun and Jr. have two names, the Kukai Foundation also has an official face and a hidden side. The Kukai Foundation's true objective is contained in its real name.

Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht[]

Docking_at_the_Kukai_Foundation

Docking at the Kukai Foundation

Shion and her group meet Gaignun.

Gaignun's reputation precedes him well in advance of even Jr.'s introduction. As the Elsa crew discover the wreckage of the Woglinde, Hammer remarks that although the deadline for repaying the debt Captain Matthews owes to Gaignun is around the corner, it's still risky to salvage parts. Tony shares Hammer's concerns, and adds that Gaignun told them to "stay away from any side jobs" because it hurts the Foundation's image. Later, while washing dishes aboard the Elsa, Allen raises concerns that the ship is registered with the Kukai Foundation, which he's heard is "bad news" and "crawling with mutants."[5] Shion rebukes him, explains the Foundation's origins after the Miltian Conflict, and notes that "their current director received a lot of praise for taking in and protecting victims in the days before the Species Preservation Act" and that "he's really to be commended." His name escapes her; chaos walks into the kitchen at the tail end of the conversation and offers Gaignun's name.

Gaignun is also seen as a child in Jr.'s nightmare about Gaignun the cat, in which Jr. runs through the streets of the Miltian Conflict shouting for Gaignun and discovering the deceased body of their pet. Jr. holds the cat to his chest and cries; the scene changes to the Song of Nephilim, where Jr. (in his present-day attire) holds Gaignun (as a child in his U.R.T.V. uniform), likely in the same moment he found him after Albedo attacked Gaignun. Gaignun opens his eyes and opens his mouth to speak but there is no audible dialogue. Jr. tells him, "Don’t say anything... It’s all over... everything..." Jr. sees a bright flash of light from within the Song and says Albedo's name before dreaming that he's falling into U-DO's waves and screaming. He wakes up in a panic in a residential room aboard the Durandal, en route to the Foundation.

When the Durandal docks at the Foundation, Gaignun walks with Mary and Shelley into the park to greet the main party at the observation window. Gaignun tells them that "New Year's Eve is the best time to visit. The evening metropolis is quite a sight to behold with all her lights." Ziggy identifies him by name as the managing director of the Kukai Foundation. Shion sees his face and is reminded of Jr.; Gaignun doesn't catch her comment, and Shion plays it off, saying that it's nice to meet him. He welcomes her to the Kukai Foundation and offers his hand for a handshake. Shion sees the 669 on his palm and hesitates before shaking his hand; Jr. scrutinizes her behavior from behind her. Gaignun informs Shion that he heard about their situation from Captain Matthews and chaos, and asks if everything is all right. Shion assures him that it is, and thanks him for all his help. He tells her to enjoy her stay, nods to Allen (who seems flustered or uncomfortable) and Ziggy (who doesn't), and moves on to speak with MOMO, while Shion remarks to herself that she acted rudely towards someone she just met.

Gaignun kneels down to bring himself to MOMO's level and gently rests a hand on her shoulder. He acknowledges her by name, tells her that he's received word from Juli Mizrahi and the Contact Subcommittee, and assures her that they'll make sure she gets to (Second) Miltia safely. MOMO brightens to hear that Gaignun's been speaking with her mother, and Gaignun smiles at her and says that Juli told him to take good care of her. MOMO asks if she can speak to Juli, too, and her face falls as Gaignun explains that Juli seemed pretty busy. Disheartened, MOMO asks why Juli doesn't ever want to see her; Gaignun promises that he'll let MOMO know as soon as he hears from Juli. She accepts this, and thanks him.

As Gaignun, Mary, and Shelley leave the park area together, Gaignun pauses and glances back over his shoulder towards the group. His eyes briefly glow, and he speaks under his breath in disbelief, "No... It can't be..."

Afterward, while relaxing in Gaignun's bedroom/office, Jr. and Gaignun discuss recent events, including Shion and Helmer's involvement in the Zohar Project, if KOS-MOS is truly a "prototype" and concerns over how she resonated with the Zohar emulators stored in the Durandal's Isolation Hangar when deploying the Hilbert Effect, if Shion is an "ordinary human" and if she suspects Gaignun and Jr. have "powers", and whether Joachim Mizrahi could've altered MOMO's memories of him to show him in a favorable light. Gaignun gifts Jr. the Makarov as a reward for all the hard work he's done for the Foundation lately.

While Jr. gives the group a tour of their private beach, Gaignun stays in his office and calls Helmer. Helmer greets him as "Nigredo," and Gaignun reminds him that he doesn't care for that name. Helmer apologizes and says that he's still not accustomed to calling him "Gaignun," then asks how he can help him. Gaignun tells Helmer that they're headed his way (to Second Miltia), that they recovered the twelfth Zohar Emulator on the Woglinde, and that they also have the 100-Series Prototype Realian (MOMO).

Afterwards Gaignun is arrested by Galaxy Federation captain Lapis Roman on allegations of suspicion of treason against the Federation, along with most of the main party, due to the U-TIC Organization falsifying video footage of the Durandal attacking the Woglinde. Lapis Roman brings Gaignun to a hallway in the Residential Area, away from the main group, and hands him a cell phone to take a call from Helmer, who informs him that Captain Roman is one of his most trusted subordinates, and for several years she has infiltrated the Federation military to keep tabs on the U-TIC members within it. Because of Lapis' connections to Helmer, she gives Gaignun and his allies the chance to prove the Kukai Foundation's innocence through KOS-MOS's triple A data recordings. Gaignun is then cleared of all charges.

When Albedo eventually uses the Song of Nephilim, at first only chaos (on the bridge of the Elsa) and Gaignun and Jr. (in Gaignun's office on the Durandal) could hear the song being played. On the Durandal's bridge almost immediately after, Gaignun and Jr. telepathically discuss their situation until Shion suddenly begins to faintly hear the song, which startles both of them, and confirms Gaignun's earlier concerns that Shion was not necessarily an ordinary human.

As the ending credits roll Gaignun is seen one last time discussing the status quo with Helmer over a video call, commenting that a vortex of temptation and obsession still remains in the aftermath of the game's climax and finally adds that Albedo is being drawn into it all just the same.

Xenosaga Episode II: Jenseits von Gut und Böse[]

Lol

Gaignun telekinetically destroys Albedo's arm.

Gaignun is first seen in his office as Jr. contacts him for help while the party is being pursued by U-TIC. His spilled drink and lost train of thought seems to imply memory loss from an early, foreshadowed attempt by Yuriev to take over.

Gaignun and the Godwins reunite with Helmer when they arrive on Second Miltia with MOMO. Helmer requests that Gaignun obtain reconnaissance from a brief conversation with Albedo in order to gain insight into Albedo's future plans. The two converse via telepathic link, with Gaignun offering to come to terms with Albedo at the time. Albedo was only interested in goading his brother, however, and even goes as far as calling him two-faced when Gaignun kinetically destroyed Albedo's right arm at one point during the conversation after Albedo had threatened Rubedo's life.

Later on, flashbacks occur when the main team take subconscious dives into Sakura Mizrahi's mind in order to allow her to speak once again. These adventures showed the rift growing between the trio of U.R.T.V. units, which eventually led to a breakdown during the Miltian Conflict, causing Albedo to come into contact with U-DO and become insane.

Xenosaga_Episode_II_HD_Cutscene_60_-_Father_and_Son_-_ENGLISH

Xenosaga Episode II HD Cutscene 60 - Father and Son - ENGLISH

Dmitri Yuriev possesses Gaignun.

At the end of Episode II, Gaignun is possessed by Dmitri Yuriev. Now reborn in Gaignun's body, Yuriev proceeds to execute a Ormus spy in the Federation parliament, making his renewed presence known to Pellegri on a video link, tasking her to tell her superiors that he is not dead and will never die.

Near the end of the game, after Yuriev has a U.M.N. communication with Jr., Gaignun regains control of his body after the call disconnects, and says to an empty room that Jr. should not trust his words.

Between Episode II and Episode III[]

After some time Yuriev takes over Gaignun's body again. Yuriev reunited with Citrine and with his followers of the Salvator Faction; thanks to them he regains his influence over the Federation Parliament.

With his political power restored, Yuriev moved the Zohar Project under his supervision, and changed its goal from restoring Lost Jerusalem to destroying Ormus and the Gnosis. The Strategic Integrated Warship Merkabah and Ω Res Novae were completed while he was in charge.

Xenosaga Episode III: Also sprach Zarathustra[]

Occupation_of_the_Durandal

Occupation of the Durandal

Yuriev controlling Gaignun's body.

On Abel's Ark, Albedo and Jr. initiate a link in order for Gaignun to be sent into Jr.'s body while Albedo in his Testament form would be sent into another dimension with their father Yuriev still in Gaignun's body. However, Gaignun sees through Albedo's feelings during this link, expressing that he does not like taking orders, and makes a desperate attempt at switching this vis-a-vis of minds around. This results in Albedo's mind being thrown into Jr.'s body, evidently reuniting the twin brothers for the first time in one body since their very birth.

Abel's_Ark

Abel's Ark

Gaignun sacrifices himself to stop Dmitri Yuriev.

Saying his farewells to Jr. inside of Albedo's Testament body, Gaignun shows his brother his true form and tells him that his duty to keep watch over him has now ended or rather that he had wanted it to be over, but admits that if he had denied his nature in the end he would have been literally denying his own existence regardless. Jr. makes a last-ditch attempt at saving him by telling him they were always friends as Gaignun offers to him that he'd like to play with his brothers again someday.

Etymology[]

The name "Nigredo" refers to the philosophic beliefs of Carl Jung, who believed that the process of self-realization has three major steps, which he named using terms derived from alchemy, which he studied prior to developing his theories. These three steps are known as nigredo, the death of the old, perceived self, albedo, the discovering of one’s inner identity, and rubedo, the process of living a self-aware life. This is the magnum opus. In the Jungian archetypal schema, nigredo is the "Shadow". (Carl Jung got his ideas of nigredo, albedo and rubedo from the ancient philosophy of Hermeticism, which was the origin of alchemy. )

chaos made an allusion in Episode II, insinuating that the four variant U.R.T.V.s are the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse in the Xenosaga universe. Gaignun is the black rider, "Famine."

"Gaignun" is the name of King Marsile's horse in the 11th century French epic The Song of Roland.[6] Jr. and Gaignun both raised a cat named Gaignun, who is the origin of their aliases. Roland is the wielder of the legendary blade, the Durandal.

Kukai is also the name of a famous Japanese Buddhist monk who founded a School of Arts and Sciences open to all, regardless of social rank, and provided food to the students, which ensured the poor could attend. Legend has it that Kūkai has not died, but entered into an eternal samadhi (meditative trance) and is still alive on Mount Kōya, awaiting the appearance of Maitreya, the Buddha of the future.

Quotes[]

Episode I

  • "New Year's Eve is the best time to visit. The evening metropolis is quite a sight to behold with all her lights." (welcoming the group to the Kukai Foundation upon docking)
  • "And you must be MOMO. I've received word from Juli Mizrahi of the Contact Subcommittee. We'll make sure you get to Miltia safely. [...] She told me to take good care of you."
  • "Not at all. I just thought I'd reward you for all the hard work you've done for us recently... Have I gone too far?" (after gifting Jr. the Makarov, and asked if he's up to something)
  • "I don't really care for that name." (when Helmer greets him as "Nigredo")
  • "I guess that's their indisputable proof. Even I'm starting to think that we did it." (joking, regarding U-TIC using doctored footage to frame them for the Woglinde's destruction)
  • "Always prepared, aren't you?" (to Helmer, regarding Lapis Roman as his undercover agent)
  • "Ah... Albedo. That explains what that unsettling feeling was about."
  • "I have a request of my own as well. Don't let his provocations get to you again. All right?" (asking Jr. to promise not to let Albedo drag him into another fight)

Episode II

  • "No need to apologize. It is my family's responsibility." (when asked by Helmer to gather information on Albedo)
  • "You sound like you're doing well, unfortunately." (to Albedo)
  • "That's enough, Albedo. They're not our enemies. It's all right, Rubedo. We both believe in you." (as a child, mediating when the Standard U.R.T.V.s question Rubedo's leadership and Albedo rebukes them)
  • "No! I'm abandoning my mission! I won't follow your orders anymore!" (as a child, before fatally shooting Yuriev)

Trivia[]

  • Gaignun is thematically linked to a cat; Albedo is thematically linked to a dog.
  • In Episode II while waiting for Juli at the U.M.N. Control Center, Gaignun looks at his wrist several times.[7] This suggests he wears a watch, even if it's not technically part of his visible design.
  • Gaignun is a human named after a cat named after a horse named after a dog.
  • Gaignun's character model only rarely appears in the field, but the player can interact with him in limited instances, such as on the bridge of the Durandal just before going to the Song of Nephilim in Episode I, and in Helmer's office on Second Miltia just after MOMO's analysis in Episode II.

References[]

  1. https://youtu.be/3dEj-Ze6WKo?t=5990
  2. https://youtu.be/Y6kpEgwdc8A?t=772 JR.: おい、お前がこんなんで、誰があいつらを止めるんだよ。SHION: あいつら? ZIGGY: ウ・ドゥに精神汚染されたU.R.T.V.たちだ。いつぞやのエンセフェロンで、彼らが市民を虐殺している光景を見た。 SHION: それを止めたのが、ニグレドくん一
  3. Episode I database, Rubedo
  4. Xenosaga III database.
  5. https://youtu.be/Sdon3s40TT8&t=8945
  6. XSI database, Nigredo
  7. https://youtu.be/03_ARgQcmW0?t=5622

Gallery[]

Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht[]

Xenosaga: The Animation[]

Xenosaga: The Manga[]

Xenosaga Episode II: Jenseits von Gut und Böse[]

Xenosaga I & II[]

Xenosaga Episode III: Also sprach Zarathustra[]

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