Nemuri Kayama

Nemuri Kayama (Midnight) Overview:

• Alias: R-Rated Hero: Midnight
• Birthday: March 9
• Age: 30 (First appearance), 31 (Paranormal Liberation War Arc), 32 (Current)
• Gender: Female
• Height: 175 cm (5'9")
• Hair Color: Dark purple
• Eye Color: Sky blue
• Blood Type: A
• Quirk: Somnambulist (Releases a sleep-inducing aroma from her skin)
• Occupation: Pro Hero and Teacher at U.A. High School
• Status: Deceased
• Fighting Style: Combines melee combat with support via her Quirk
• First appearance: Chapter 3 (Manga), Episode 9 (Anime)

Trivia:

• Nemuri’s name contains the kanji for "fragrance," "mountain," and "sleep."
• She enjoyed vibrant youth and thrilling experiences.
• Originally planned to be Class 1-A's homeroom teacher, but Shota Aizawa was chosen instead.
• Voiced by Akeno Watanabe in Japanese and Elizabeth Maxwell in English. Watanabe also voiced Mika Jiro and young Izuku Midoriya.
• Her first hero costume led to regulations limiting skin exposure in hero costumes.
• She shares her birthday with Yokumiru Mera.

Midnight’s Appearance: Nemuri Kayama was a tall and curvaceous woman with striking sky blue eyes framed by long eyelashes. She had long, thick, spiky dark purple hair that varied in length, with the longest strands falling below her waist. Her bangs were chin-length and split into three sections, two swept to the sides and one falling diagonally over her face. She had a beauty mark under her left eye and wore red nail polish.

Her hero costume resembled a dominatrix outfit. It featured a black leather, breastless leotard styled like a corset over a skin-tight, white bodysuit (flesh-colored in the manga), emphasizing her figure. The leotard was decorated with red gemstone-like accessories down the center, and she wore black, thigh-high garter stockings attached to a burgundy utility belt with gold studs. She also wore black knee-boots, a small red mask outlining her eyes, and handcuffs on each wrist, frequently carrying a flogger-style whip. The thin material of her bodysuit allowed her to easily use her Quirk.

In her earlier U.A. years, she had shorter hair that reached her chin and wore a more revealing costume with black protective plates over her chest, a dog collar, undergarments, a utility belt for her whip, and a high-collared trench coat. She also wore large, angular shades instead of her current mask.

Personality: was a very playful and flirtatious person with an unpredictably serious and temperamental side to her. She got angry whenever someone interrupted her or insulted her, and, when it came to insults, she was especially sensitive about her age.

Nemuri had no shame for dressing or acting sexually in front of young students and appeared to act on whims most of the time. When she accepted Mashirao Ojiro and Nirengeki Shoda's request to resign from the tournament, she commented that their naivety "turned her on." She was also excited to see the chivalry displayed by Eijiro Kirishima during the tournament when he shook Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu's hand. Her love of "youth" was also a reason why she got angry when someone mentioned her age or called her old.

When Class 1-A needed to decide on code names for their internship, Nemuri displayed her willingness to help her students by making sure they chose names that would represent themselves well. During the First Term Final Exams, Nemuri admitted to Minoru Mineta that she has a sadistic side and enjoys dominating others. She can be impressed with those who resort to genius plans, as Minoru amazed her using tactical thinking to defeat her by luring her out and leaving her trapped in place before passing the gate.

Despite her flirtatious personality, Nemuri was intelligent, perceptive, and articulate. For instance, in an interview, she logically explained the reasoning behind some heroes having revealing costumes to make full use of their Quirks, thus leading to "sexy" costumes, and how her previous "scandalous" costumes single-handedly led to the institution of hero costume regulations. However, in response, Mt. Lady commented that Nemuri simply likes dressing the way she does for attention, and given her frequent posing while on TV or addressing the media, this in itself was quite likely.

As shown during her time prior to working at U.A., Nemuri was capable of putting her lascivious hero persona to one side when off duty. As a civilian, she was perfectly capable of presenting herself as an ordinary woman and displayed a caring, thoughtful, and even motherly side towards others. This was shown with her friendship and care towards Pop☆Step and her empathizing with Hina, despite the former's vigilantism and the latter's wrongdoings.

While acting bawdy and coming off as a hero who enjoyed her fame derived from her beauty and sex appeal, Nemuri was willing to fight and put her life on the front lines during the Paranormal Liberation War, demonstrating her true bravery and heroism. Similar to All Might and Shota Aizawa, she also believed in her students and their capabilities, acknowledging that all of them have what it takes to become great heroes in the future. Near the end of her life, Nemuri informed Momo Yaoyorozu that classes 1-A and 1-B must sedate Gigantomachia if he could not be stopped by force alone, encouraging her students to stop the behemoth's destruction, even if doing so broke the law, and trusted them to make the right call.

Midnight's Abilities & Equipment:

Abilities:

• Combat Skills: As a Pro Hero and U.A. High School teacher, Midnight was a tactful and formidable combatant. She effectively utilized her Quirk, Somnambulist, to incapacitate opponents by exuding a sleep-inducing aroma that could knock out enemies with just a single breath.
• Quirk - Somnambulist: This Quirk allowed her to put nearby people to sleep, particularly effective against males. Her costume and support gear were designed to enhance the accuracy and range of her aroma, using her whips and fans to direct the scent toward her targets.
• Keen Intellect: Midnight was perceptive and intelligent, often using her experience to analyze combat situations and adjust her strategies accordingly. She was capable of understanding complex battle dynamics, which helped her excel in fights.
• Modern Art Expertise: In addition to her combat abilities, she taught modern art history, showcasing her knowledge and skills in this field.

Stats:

• Power: 2/5 D
• Speed: 3/5 C
• Technique: 5/5 A
• Intelligence: 3/5 C
• Cooperativeness: 3/5 C

Equipment:

• Whips of Love: Midnight wielded a flogger-style whip in combat, skilled in its use. She also used a bullwhip-style whip during her First Term Final Exam.
• Feather Fans: She employed a pair of hand fans to better spread her sleep-inducing fragrance, enhancing the effectiveness of her Quirk.
• Ultra Thin Fabric Suit: Her suit was designed to expose enough skin to release her aroma while adhering to hero costume regulations. It was made from thin material that she could easily rip through when necessary.
• High Density Weights: During the Final Exams Arc, Midnight and other teachers wore these weights to handicap themselves while fighting their students.

Midnight’s Relationships

U.A. High School:

• Shota Aizawa: They maintain a good working relationship despite their differing personalities. Nemuri played a pivotal role in getting Shota to become a teacher at U.A. They share a mutual respect and frequently communicate about their work and personal lives. Following her death, Shota mourns her loss while focusing on his students.

• Hizashi Yamada: Nemuri and Hizashi share a supportive friendship that began during their time as students. They worked together as heroes and teachers, and both mourn her death after the Paranormal Liberation War.

• All Might: Although they don’t interact often, Midnight respects All Might and appreciates his role as a hero. Their relationship remains professional, with some playful banter.

Former School Friends:

• Oboro Shirakumo: They had a close friendship during their U.A. days, working together in a team. Midnight deeply mourns Oboro after his death, which impacts her relationship with Shota and Hizashi.

Class 1-A:

• Minoru Mineta: During their battle, she expresses sadistic joy in pursuing him, but later compliments his clever tactics after he manages to outsmart her.

• Momo Yaoyorozu: Midnight recognizes Momo’s potential as a leader and entrusts her with significant responsibilities. Momo mourns Midnight's death after the war.

Pro Heroes:

• Mt. Lady: Initially had a contentious relationship, but they learn to cooperate better over time, especially during team activities.

Vigilantes:

• Kazuho Haneyama (Pop☆Step): Midnight befriends Kazuho after working together to solve a case. She supports Kazuho’s crush on Koichi and shows deep concern for her well-being, especially when Kazuho faces danger.

Midnight's Synopsis Summary:

Nemuri Kayama, known as Midnight, is a former U.A. High School student who initially participated in the Hero Work-Studies at the Purple Revolution Agency. During her time there, she formed a friendship with fellow students Shota Aizawa, Hizashi Yamada, and Oboro Shirakumo. Their bond deepened when Nemuri caught them eating on the rooftop, where she praised their rebellious spirit and named a stray cat "Sushi." She later invited Aizawa and Shirakumo to join her Work-Studies, forming the "Team Purple Revolution."

The team faced a significant challenge when they encountered a villain named Garvey. Although they managed to capture him, the encounter resulted in the death of Oboro, leaving Nemuri and the others devastated. Following this tragedy, Nemuri graduated and became a Pro Hero, establishing her own agency with sidekicks known as the Midnight Boys.

In her subsequent adventures, Midnight dealt with a criminal organization called the Villain Factory, which caused an Instant Villain outbreak. Alongside other heroes, she helped suppress this threat and later took on the role of a teacher at U.A., continuing to support her friends and fellow heroes. As her story unfolds, Midnight balances her duties as a hero and a teacher, navigating various challenges, including new villain threats and maintaining her connections with Shota and Hizashi.

U.S.J. Arc: During an attack on the Unforeseen Simulation Joint (U.S.J.) led by Tomura Shigaraki and Kurogiri of the League of Villains, the U.A. staff, including Midnight, arrive to save Class 1-A. They successfully rescue the students and defeat several villains, though Shigaraki and Kurogiri escape.

U.A. Sports Festival Arc: Following the U.S.J. incident, U.A. High temporarily closes. Midnight participates in a conference with the police, discussing the attack and Shigaraki's child-like behavior. The U.A. Sports Festival is held, where Midnight serves as chief referee. She introduces the Obstacle Race, oversees the Cavalry Battle, and manages the one-on-one fighting tournament, displaying her authority and quick judgment during matches. She also intervenes to prevent Katsuki Bakugo from confronting Shoto Todoroki after their final match.

Vs. Hero Killer Arc: After the Sports Festival, Midnight helps Class 1-A select hero code names, providing guidance and feedback on their choices.

Final Exams Arc: Midnight is featured on a talk show discussing her costume and the necessity of its design. Later, she participates in Class 1-A's final exams, using her Quirk to put Hanta to sleep during their match and demonstrating her combat skills.

Forest Training Camp Arc: Concerned about the League of Villains' attack during the students' training camp, Midnight expresses unease over the school's security and potential traitors within.

Provisional Hero License Exam Arc: After the attack, Midnight aids in preparing Class 1-A for their Provisional Hero Licenses, emphasizing the importance of developing Ultimate Moves.

Shie Hassaikai Arc: Midnight supports Izuku during his discussions with All Might about participating in Hero Work-Studies, emphasizing the need for student support.

U.A. School Festival Arc: During preparations for the School Festival, Midnight informs Izuku and Mirio about the conditions set by the Police Force. She expresses concern for their performance but ultimately enjoys the festival's success.

Joint Training Arc: As the year ends, Midnight observes a Joint Training Battle between Classes 1-A and 1-B. Her excitement for the students' enthusiasm contrasts with All Might’s caution about their experiences, and she acknowledges the growth of Class 1-B despite their losses.