ASUKA R#

Introduction

Ah... Asuka R♯ is my special boy.

For the record -- the sharp symbol in his name is some clever wordplay, because sharp In German is kreuz, similar to Asuka's last name. Alternatively, some people call him Doppelkreutz because the # as in a number sign is a doppelkreuz and it's also similar to doppelganger. Personally I just call him "R Sharp" because I think it's mean to call him hashtag :( he deserves better...

About him

R# is a "synthetic being" (read: clone) of the original Asuka. He looks and acts similar to Asuka, but R# is not quite him.

Visually: they are pretty much identical with different colour schemes. Notably R# has the pink wingpatch, green eyes, and the red colour scheme (palette 1).

Personality wise: he has the basis of Asuka, but with some modifications. Notably, R# is more confident and emotive, openly stating that unlike Asuka, he likes himself and finds optimism in the world. He also mentions having his own interests and hobbies, though it's not specified what they are.

In contrast to Asuka, he's considerably more "cunty" and expressive, notably being willing to

His interactions with Asuka

This is going to get into Game Theory(tm) category here but whatever. Here's my thoughts and interpretations:

For some reason people think R# hates or at least dislikes Asuka, but that's really not the case. Throughout their arcade mode R# honestly spends most of his time trying to affirm Asuka to do better, and repeatedly calls him out for his self-hatred and negative outlook. Despite this, I don't think his words come from a place of negativity at all -- R# is more outspoken and blunt, sure, but he's more reflective of what Asuka wants to be. R# knows what Asuka feels and wants, because he is him, and unlike Asuka, R# actually has the capacity to tell him what's what. R# says what he does to get him to reflect, because no one else is going to. R# doesn't want to seem him rot away in isolation.

One of my favourite exchanges is where R# tells Asuka this:

I know you can't affirm yourself. But at least tell me you'll keep walking. Even if you lose your way. As long as one person out there cares about you... It's worth it to try and keep them happy.

Through the whole arcade story there's kinda this implication that Asuka just wants to die, like the final stage is Asuka vs an OP simulation of R#, who's been "fine tuned for combat." When Asuka asks if simulation R# is trying to kill him, he only responds with "Are you ready?" Asuka realises that no, he doesn't actually want to die and maybe his life is worth fighting for. And R# isn't subjecting him to this because he wants Asuka to die, he's doing it because he wants Asuka to find the will to live. R#'s methods are strange and abstract, sure, but Asuka's have also been his whole life.

In regards to this, I was talking with someone one day and it made me realise -- Asuka has this strange desire to be a "saviour" for others, and perhaps this is reflected in R#'s personality in the form of him wanting to be the one to now save Asuka.

oooooooooOOOOOOAAOAAAAAAGGGGHGGhhhh

I don't want to say that I like him more than original Asuka, because I don't think that's true at all. I love Asuka like no one else. However, I love R# as his own character, and I would say he's pretty equal, which is fair as he is technically an extension of him.

However, I love R# in a different way because he is a different character, like I wouldn't want to bully and baby him the way I do Asuka. R# is more confident and assertive, so honestly... if he wanted to dom I wouldn't-- (MY FBI HANDLER FIRES A ROUND THROUGH MY WINDOW)

Erm... as I was saying.