No Game, No Life: Zero - Characters & Cast

Initially, his motivation is the grim survival of humanity. After meeting Schwi, it evolves into a passionate desire to end the Great War and create a world where no one has to die senselessly, proving that the "weak" can win.

Riku begins as a cold, pragmatic leader, crushed by the guilt of the sacrifices he's orchestrated. He sees himself as a monster, a "ghost" who has forfeited his humanity for the sake of survival. Meeting Schwi forces him to confront his trauma. Through their bond, he rediscovers hope and the will to fight not just to survive, but to win. His arc is tragic; he succeeds in his ultimate goal but dies before he can see the peaceful world he created, finding redemption through his final, selfless act.

Her primary motivation is to understand the human heart and why humanity has managed to survive against all odds. This intellectual curiosity transforms into a personal, emotional motivation: to be with Riku and help him achieve his dream.

Schwi starts as a logical, data-driven android, exiled from her collective for the error of trying to understand the illogical human heart. Her journey is one of profound discovery. Through her interactions with Riku, she moves beyond mere data collection to experience genuine emotions: curiosity, guilt, joy, and ultimately, love. Her arc culminates in her self-sacrifice for Riku, a completely illogical but deeply human act, proving she has finally found the heart she was searching for.

Her motivation is to protect her brother's spirit and ensure the survival and future of their family and the human race. She believes in Riku even when he doesn't believe in himself.

Corounne (or Couronne) serves as Riku's anchor to his humanity and the moral compass of their small community. She supports her brother unconditionally, even when his plans seem mad and the weight of his guilt threatens to consume him. Her arc is one of enduring hope and faith. She is the one who ultimately carries on their legacy, preserving the story of Riku and Schwi for future generations, becoming the ancestor of the Dola family (including Stephanie from the main series).

As a newborn god, his motivation is to fulfill the wish of his creator, Riku. He ends the war and establishes a world order predicated on games, honoring the sacrifice that gave him life.

Tet is initially presented as a story's narrator and an abstract concept. He is born from Riku's desperate, final wish for a "God of Games" to exist. He manifests from Riku's belief and the immense magical energy present at the end of the war. His arc is one of creation; he takes Riku's will and uses the Suniaster's power to reshape the world, establishing the Ten Pledges and becoming the One True God who governs Disboard based on Riku's ideals.