Protagonist (The Caligula Effect)

*This article is about the player character in the games. For the main character in the anime, see Ritsu Shikishima.*

## Protagonist (The Caligula Effect)

* Male
* Female
* Catharsis (M)
* Catharsis (F)
* Lucid

## Character Information

* Mobius
* Reality

### Height

172cm (M)
159cm (F)

### Height

172cm (M)
159cm (F)

## Affiliation

### Affiliation

Go-Home Club
 Ostinato Musicians (As Lucid)

## Media

### Voice Actor

Chiharu Sawashiro (M)
 Miyuki Sawashiro (F)

The **protagonist** of The Caligula Effect is a second-year student at Kishimai High School and, like many others in Mobius, entered it to escape the harshness of reality.

Following their realization of Mobius not being the real world and encountering μ and Aria, they join Shogo Satake and eventually replace him as President of the Go-Home Club.

## Appears In

* *The Caligula Effect*: Protagonist
* *Caligula Overdose*: Protagonist
* *Caligula*: Main Character (as Ritsu Shikishima)

## Appearance

The male protagonist is a young man with neat black hair, bangs mostly curved off to the left. He has gray eyes, and like most of the people in Mobius, wears the school academy uniform, though slightly altered in that he wears it open with a red flower pendant or tie around the collar of his shirt. This pendant is the same flower as their Catharsis Effect's flowers.

The female protagonist, much like her male counterpart, wears a modified version of the school uniform and wears it open with the same ribbon/tie/pendant around her neck. However, her shirt is colored white and wears suspenders over her shoulders. She has short brown hair and gray eyes.

As the Ostinato Musician Lucid, their appearance changes drastically. Their face is masked by a black skull, similar to a Digihead, and is dressed in a black coat with a scarf and pants, along with a black fedora hat. The scarf has several "X's" printed on it, with only a single "X" on the right side. Strangely, their torso is completely invisible and shows the red interior of their coat. It is also shown in their in-game introduction cutscene that their entire body is invisible except for their head, and it is a characteristic many characters comment on in-game. Depending on the angle of the camera in-game, faint outlines of a skeleton are visible in the chest area. The interior of the coat has a silver design of a rose. Connected to their pants are white suspenders that criss-cross over each other but don't reach up to their shoulders. Two white straps also hang down from their waistline. The coat has a gold cross pinned to the left side, where the emblem of Kishimai Academy would be. Curiously, in Lucid's portrait and artwork, the skull is incomplete with several holes and a smokey appearance, but in-game cutscenes and model show the head is complete and lacks any holes or smoke.

Regardless of gender, the protagonists' Catharsis Effects are relatively the same. It takes the appearance of two gun-like shapes, with two extra protrusions on the top and bottom, as well as several connecting rods near the front of the guns. The protagonists' arms will be blackened up to the forearms and the Catharsis Effect ends at the sleeves; the male protagonist's collar also exhibits this effect. In-game, these guns have some sort of flower sigil on their sides in white, and also exhibit a red vein-like appearance on them.

As a Musician, Lucid will lack the classic Catharsis Effect spike, flowers, or outfit adjustment, but their weapons remain the same. Their gun models will also lack the flower sigil visible on the protagonist's guns.

## Personality

The protagonist is usually silent, thereby allowing the player to depict how they can be portrayed in the game. Like most denizens of Mobius, they entered because they felt as if they no longer had a place in the real world or simply didn't belong there. When first introduced, they are naturally stunned upon seeing a classmate who should have graduated already being introduced as a first-year student and realize that there is something wrong with Mobius.

A defining trait of the protagonist is that, like the other members of the Go-Home Club, they are willing to return to the real world, despite having suffered from circumstances that led them there, showcasing a resolve to face this trauma head-on. However, in *Overdose*, it is possible for this resolve to falter when questioned on it by Thorn, thus leading to their eventual betrayal.

## History

The protagonist's life before entering Mobius is relatively unknown, though during the process in which they awaken to their Catharsis Effect for the first time, there are various choices for the player to decide. Among those is a dark secret that caused them to be judged harshly and wanted to escape from the criticism, an event to where they wanted to forget what happened but were unable to, or a combination of the two.

## Parallel

The Protagonist, unlike their sequel counterpart, has a parallel in Kensuke Hibiki. This parallel is very evident in Overdose. Kensuke and the Protagonist have both been aligned with the Go-Home Club and Ostinato Musicians at some point in time, and are both traitors.

This parallel makes them intrigue each other. Kensuke joined the Go-Home Club because of the protagonist, and he tends to question them about whether they truly want to go home.

However, in the Musician Ending, this parallel makes Kensuke detest the Protagonist. At this point, they have fully switched sides. Lucid is a musician, and Kensuke is a Go-Home Club member. The president and Kagi-P are no more. Kensuke remarks that he never expected this, and he goes all-out against Lucid alongside the rest of the Go-Home Club, only to lose and die.

## Catharsis Effect

The Protagonist/Lucid is by far the most versatile unit in the game. To be able to break shields, counter Melee and Ranged attacks fairly quickly and have a number of multi-hitting attacks to keep enemies in the air for combo potential means they have what it takes to adapt in battle depending on the team setup. Along with being able to greatly recover HP and get rid of any debuffs is a big plus too. Do note that even though Lucid is the Musician counterpart of the Protagonist, they share the same skillset, the only difference is the name of their Overdose Skill. Here are their Catharsis Effect Skills and Support Skills.

**Catharsis Effect**

* **Singularity Zero (シンギュラリティ・ゼロ)** (Male)
**Singularity Ray (シンギュラリティ・レイ)** (Female)
**Singularity • Omega (シンギュラリティ・オメガ)** (Musician)
	+ Must fill the Stress Meter
	+ Uses 0 SP
	+ Power 1180
	+ Attack Skill Level 3 / Defense Skill Level 3
	+ Hit 1
	+ [Overdose Skill] Kick the enemy into the air, then unload a salvo of bullets into it.
* **Dual Trigger (クアッドトリガー)**
	+ Requires 8 Skills Points to upgrade
	+ Shooting Skill
	+ Uses 40 SP in first phase, 32 SP in second phase, 20 SP in third phase
	+ Level 1: Power 85  >  Level 2: Power 97  >  Level 3: Power 110
	+ Attack Skill Level 1 / Defense Skill Level 2
	+ Hit 4
	+ A hail of deadly bullets.
* **Vintage Strike (ヴィンテージストライカー)**
	+ Requires 12 Skills Points to upgrade
	+ Rush Skill
	+ Uses 80 SP in first phase, 64 SP in second phase, 40 SP in third phase
	+ Level 1: Power 110  > Level 2: Power 126  > Level 3: Power 130
	+ Attack Skill Level 1 / Defense Skill Level 2
	+ Hit 3
	+ [Ranged Counter] Launch the enemy into the air if guard is successful. (In-game description is wrong. It launches the enemy into the air if the enemy performs a Shooting Skill).
	+ Triggers "**Somersault Slaughter**", a Rush Skill that kicks the enemy up in the air and those closeby. Hits 2 times.
* **Disruption Trigger (ディスラプショントリガー)**
	+ Requires 8 Skills Points to upgrade
	+ Shooting Skill
	+ Uses 65 SP in first phase, 52 SP in second phase, 32 SP in third phase
	+ Level 1: Power 20  >  Level 2: Power 23  > Level 3: Power 26
	+ Attack Skill Level 1 / Defense Skill Level 1
	+ Hit 12
	+ [Melee Counter] Leap backward while firing forward.
* **Shadow Pierce (シルエットピアサー)**
	+ Requires 8 Skills Points to upgrade
	+ Shooting Skill
	+ Uses 50 SP in first phase, 40 SP in second phase, 25 SP in third phase
	+ Level 1: Power 220  > Level 2: Power 253  > Level 3: Power 286
	+ Attack Skill Level 1 / Defense Skill Level 1
	+ Hit 1
	+ Break the target's shield with a powerful blow.
* **Rapid Fire (ラピッドファイア)**
	+ Requires 16 Skills Points and reach Level 15 to unlock and upgrade
	+ Shooting Skill
	+ Uses 40 SP in first phase, 32 SP in second phase, 20 SP in third phase
	+ Level 1: Power 10  > Level 2: Power 11  > Level 3: Power 13
	+ Attack Skill Level 1 / Defense Skill Level 1
	+ Hit 18
	+ Barrage the enemy with a multitude of bullets.
* **Impulse Spinner (インパルススピナー)**
	+ Requires 8 Skill Points and reach Level 20 to unlock and upgrade
	+ Shooting Skill
	+ Uses 60 SP in first phase, 48 SP in second phase, 30 SP in third phase
	+ Level 1: Power 165  >  Level 2: Power 189  >  Level 3: Power 214
	+ Attack Skill Level 1 / Defense Skill Level 2
	+ Hit 2
	+ Fire off powerful shots with both guns. Deals 150% damage to enemies in the air.
* **Leaden Retort (スピーキングラッシュ)**
	+ Requires 12 Skill Points and reach Level 30 to unlock and upgrade
	+ Shooting Skill
	+ Uses 70 SP in first phase, 56 SP in second phase, 35 SP in third phase
	+ Level 1: Power 35  > Level 2: 40  > Level 3: Power 45
	+ Attack Skill Level 1 / Defense Skill Level 2
	+ Hit 8
	+ A burst of bullets from short range. Launches enemies Risk 4 or higher.
	+ Triggers "**Vanguard Break**", a Shooting Skill that launches bullets from a short range in the form of an X, launching the enemy. Hits 6 times.
* **Ninth Sense (ナインセンシズ)**
	+ Requires 48 Skill Points and reach Level 35 to unlock and upgrade
	+ Shooting Skill
	+ Uses 150 SP in first phase, 120 SP in second phase, 75 SP in third phase
	+ Level 1: Power 150  >  Level 2: Power 172  >  Level 3: Power 195
	+ Attack Skill Level 1 / Defense Skill Level 2
	+ Hit 3
	+ On enemies with Risk 5 or higer, executes a relentless combo-and-launch combo, finishing with a devastating air laser.
	+ Triggers "**Punishing Rain**", Protagonist's/Lucid's Ultimate Skill, a Shooting Skill that appears to be a deadlier version of Vintage Strike and Somersault Slaughter with a much larger AOE and broad firing range shooting out a laser. Hits 8 times.

**Support** (Exclusive Skills)

* **Field Clearance (フィールドクリアランス)**
	+ Requires 24 Skill Points to unlock
	+ Uses 45 SP in first phase, 36 SP in second phase, 22 SP in third phase
	+ Removes all debuffs from nearby allies.
* **Calamity Prophet (ジーザスカラミティ)**
	+ Requires 32 Skill Points to unlock
	+ Uses 150 SP in first phase, 120 SP in second phase, 75 SP in third phase
	+ Drastically increase your Accuracy and Critical for a time.
* **Heal Virtue (ヒーリングヴァーチャー)**
	+ Requires 12 Skill Points to unlock
	+ Uses 80 SP in first phase, 64 SP second phase, 40 SP third phase
	+ Restore a large amount of health to an ally.

## Flower language (Hanakotoba)

*"Also... the Hidden? Couldn't that be something even you don't want to know?"***The following content contains spoilers.** Please proceed at your own risk.
### Torch Ginger

Symbolizes large presence, putting up a front, person being adored and respected, charisma, questioning the meaning and "useless things".

### Ties to the character

Large presence, being adored and respected are all the signs of a leader, as Protagonist serves as a President of the Go-Home Club. They also represent their ability to easily make connections with people, as both student and a musician. Putting up a front, front in this case being Lucid. Themes of questioning the meaning can be both seen in the lyrics of a song they created as Lucid and choosing to see both sides in the first place. Trait of "useless" is meant to be ironic.

## Gallery

Portrait of LucidPromotional artwork of the male protagonist for OverdoseChibi artwork of the female protagonistOverdose fan art published by the developersThank you message for 50,000 sold copies, by OguchiDLC concept art
## Video

The Caligula Effect Overdose Walkthrough Gameplay Part 1 - No Commentary (PS4 PRO)The Caligula Effect Overdose Walkthrough Gameplay Part 2 - No Commentary (PS4 PRO)The Caligula Effect Overdose Walkthrough Gameplay Part 3 - No Commentary (PS4 PRO)The Caligula Effect Overdose Walkthrough Gameplay Part 4 - Miyabi Hot Springs & Stork Boss (PS4 PRO)The Caligula Effect Overdose Walkthrough Gameplay Part 5 - No Commentary (PS4 PRO)The Caligula Effect Overdose Walkthrough Gameplay Part 6 - No Commentary (PS4 PRO)The Caligula Effect Overdose Walkthrough Gameplay Part 7 - Sea Paraiso & Kuchinashi Boss (PS4 PRO)The Caligula Effect Overdose Walkthrough Gameplay Part 8 - Aquarium & Mirei Boss (PS4 PRO)The Caligula Effect Overdose Walkthrough Gameplay Part 9 - Papiko & Ike-P Boss (PS4 PRO)The Caligula Effect Overdose Walkthrough Gameplay Part 10 - Landmark Tower & Shadow Knife (PS4 PRO)The Caligula Effect Overdose Walkthrough Gameplay Part 11 - Kishimai HS & Wicked Boss (PS4 PRO)The Caligula Effect Overdose Walkthrough Gameplay Part 12 - Bad (Musician) Ending & Final Boss (PS4)The Caligula Effect Overdose Walkthrough Gameplay Part 13 - Good Ending & Final Boss (PS4 PRO)
## Trivia

* In the game, the protagonist was the first character to develop the Catharsis Effect, and afterwards, Shogo developed one. However, in the anime, Shogo has already developed a Catharsis Effect. According to Aria during Episode 3, Ritsu wasn't capable of developing one until Episode 6.
* Regardless of the protagonist's gender, their identity as the Ostinato Musician, Lucid, will look the same. Each time Lucid is introduced to members of the Ostinato Musicians, they will express confusion over the gender of Lucid.
* The word "lucid" refers to being clear in mind and perception, which is ironic as both Lucid's origin and the theme of their song Suicide Prototype stem from the Protagonist's uncertainty regarding returning to reality.
* Both genders of the protagonist wield the same Catharsis Effect.