Rama, Jessie L.

Philosophy 107
BS-EE 5A Moral Philosophy
August 21, 2019 TTh 1:00PM – 3:30PM

Riku Dola from No Game, No Life Zero

A. Film Summary
The 2017 Japanese fantasy animated film “No Game, No Life Zero” serves as a prequel to
the animate TV series counterpart that initially aired in 2014. The film tackles the Great War that
happened 6000 years prior to the series’ timeline. Humanity’s last colony, which is lead by Riku
and his sister Corounne was on the verge of extinction when the Old Deus appeared who has
ravaged both the heavens and the earth in order to become the “One True God” that rules all.

Having been traumatized of his companions dying one by one while exploring the
dangerous world to gather things to survive, the colony is at a dead end on what their next step is.
However, everything changed when Riku met an Ex-Machina whom he named Schwi later in the
film. Schwi is different from the other Ex-Machinae as she forces herself to understand the human
heart, which cannot be defined by logic and arithmetic. Schwi became the helping hand of Riku in
all expeditions they had. She also helped overcome Riku’s trauma. Throughout the film, they were
able to have a deeper understanding of one another.

They have been devising a plan on acquiring the Suniaster, the instrument that is devised
to attain power on becoming the One True God by breaking into their planet’s core. Midway those
events, Riku, having developed romantic feelings for Schwi despite being of different races, most
particularly the race that destroyed Riku’s family and home, proposed to Schwi. Schwi accepted
Riku’s proposal, accepting Riku’s wedding ring.

The romantic atmosphere was, however, abruptly interrupted when the Flugel race has
started making their first move. This causes a conflict between them and the Flugel race. Riku
being only human was not strong enough to fight the powerful races. Hence, Schwi came to play,
fighting Jibril, the race’s strongest to protect Riku. Schwi, however, dies, but employs the rest of
the Ex-Machina to help Riku attain the Suniaster. Schwi, finally understanding what the human
heart is, protected their wedding ring as she accepts Jibril’s finishing blow.

Having been devastated by Schwi’s death, Riku continues towards the goal both he and
Schwi wanted to arrive at. But because his body already being weak, was unable to reach the
Suniaster. He then prays to Tet, the God of Games, who he apparently played chess with when he
was young to take the Suniaster to end the ridiculous war.

From there, the world has since then been at peace and everything has changed. Being the
God of Games, he has portrayed the ten absolute rules and has implemented a system where
everything must be decided through games, which then brings to the events of the TV series.

B. Character Overview

Riku Dola is the main character of the film. He was an 18-year old boy who used to love
playing chess with Tet, the God of Games when he was a child. Ever since the Ex-Machinae
attacked their village that killed its majority, including his parents, he has since then developed a
cold personality. Being a master of strategy, he had become the leader of humanity’s last colony,
which since then became the only source of hope of those that remained alive. He is mostly
emotionless at the first half of the film, to the point he can easily command his companions to die.
After meeting his wife Shuwi, an Ex-Machina that was responsible for his family’s death, he has
then changed, slowly opening up his feelings.

C. Character’s Defining Trait

Riku’s defining trait is his sense of responsibility. Ever since the Great War began, he has
carried the burden of leading the remaining people of the humanity to survival. He also led an
expedition group he formed to gather supplies needed. However, being all alone in leading and
planning, he has then developed a split personality which is very evident on the film.

When he is with other people, he tends to be emotionless and ruthless, even to the point
that he ordered a large portion of his expedition team to sacrifice themselves in order for the most
needed people in the team to survive and return to the place they are hiding. Although, when he is
alone, all the emotions he has built up in his heart bursts out. The feeling of guilt encompasses his
heart.

This sense of responsibility is considered a moral, as it is the main governing principle that
lead him to the actions he has decided to do. But this sense of responsibility didn’t necessarily do
good to everyone. As mentioned earlier, he has ordered some of his troops to die by just a simple
command. Although it lead to the end of the Great War, which eventually lead to his death, it
didn’t give any justice to the people he has killed.

D. Character’s Strength and Weaknesses

His main strength is him being a master of strategy. Ever since he was a child, he has
enjoyed playing chess with the God of Games, Tet. From there he has developed that strength. He
was said to be the first in that world to be able to “cheat” without getting caught. That is where he
got his manipulation skill. Although manipulation can be considered bad, in the concept of war, it
is very handy in order to deceive an enemy.

Being in a world full of advanced races, one of his weakness is his body. During the Great
War, it constantly rains ash-like substances called elemental bones which can corrode humans.
Hence, he and the rest of the troops must wear special cloaks in order to avoid being corroded
when the explore outside their base. Also, when it comes to battling with the other races, they are
outnumbered both in quantity and in power. Thus, it became the reason why they hide. In addition,
one of the only flaws he had was the developed trauma and guilt he received. He couldn’t properly
strategize a plan that wouldn’t cost him and the rest of the troops.

E. Character Development

The character development within the film was not drastic but was smooth enough that it
was portrayed properly in the movie. From being the heartless person that he became, he slowly
shifted back to seeing the positiveness of life and the importance of family and companionship.
Schwi became the key to the character development of Riku as a whole. Despite being an Ex-
Machina who does not understand the human heart, without knowing it, has helped Riku move
forward.

The character development for Riku, despite dying at the end of the film, was for the better.
Aside from discovering the feeling of love and being loved, by the end, he has completely become
the polar opposite of what he used to be. What opened the door to development was facing the
challenge of opening his heart to all and not to himself.

F. Final Words

For me, Riku was a morally admirable person. His sense of responsibility at a very young
age is remarkable, most particularly leading humanity’s last civilization left during the Great War.
He used his immense analytical skills to help other people survive. Although, it still cannot be
forgotten that many people must unnecessarily die during the process. But nonetheless, if his
actions were not done, maybe their whole civilization will fall into extinction.

In my part, I would like to emulate Riku in my own way. I may not be that kind of fast-
thinker and a person that can strategize easily, knowing my responsibilities is one way of becoming
a better person to oneself and to others.