Aster (character)

*This page is about the character. For the song, see Aster.*

Aster (アスター) is the protagonist of Aster.

## Appearance

Aster has pink skin and purple eyes, with matching uneven purple hair. She wears a purple shirt with "Aster" written on it, an oversized jacket and skirt.

## Personality

Aster is a person who always has an emotionless expression. In the artbook, Harumaki Gohan described her as "the saddest character". As Aster (the song) is from her point of view, she's seen through the lyrics to be quite cynical, describing the world as a fantasy and warning people not to dream too much.

Although she's an NPC, she others herself from them, based on the lyric "It’s become just the NPCs and us", suggesting that she may believe she's human.

## Story

**Warning**

This section contains spoilers. Proceed with caution.
According to the Neo Dream Traveler artbook, Aster was an NPC in a virtual reality game. She was created to be a child that people can raise within the virtual reality, and she was purchased by an unnamed couple who she refers to as her Mama and Papa. Eventually, the couple stopped visiting the virtual world, leaving Aster by herself.

At some point, a virus started to spread, killing NPCs like Aster. She had been waiting her parents to return until she lost her best friend to the virus. Aster became angry and shot every NPC who was related to antivirus software called "Doctor", causing the virus to spread faster. Having thus destroyed the world, she decides to commit suicide by drinking poison.

## Theories

### Gun

Arguably the most popular theory is that she shot and killed herself with a gun at the end of the MV. This theory contradicts the artbook canon.

### Symbolic Shooting

Before the release and fan translation of the Neo Dream Traveler artbook, some fans believed that the final scene in which Aster shot herself was symbolic of her killing off the most sincere parts of herself. Fans who believed this theory usually thought that Aster was alive at the end of the MV, and simply became a shell of her former self.

Given the fact that she canonically dies of poisoning, it's likely that the final scene of the MV actually was symbolic. This theory is defined by the belief that Aster is still alive.

## Relationships

### "Couple"

Aster seems to have cared for the couple who bought her and always refers to them as her parents and seems to miss them very much. The lyrics of Aster show that she still thinks of them often, wishing that she could meet them again, or for them to notice the turmoil she goes through. She seems to acknowledge that these wishes are implausible, which is what drives her to suicide.

### Unnamed best friend

Aster's best friend is a girl NPC. Since Aster decided to make such a drastic decision to end the world after her death, we can conclude that she was the only person Aster still held dear to her.

### Drink-kun

Drink-kun is a living cup filled with poison that Aster is seen drinking from throughout the MV. He is shown to run toward her as she lies on the floor in her room, implying that he, or rather the poison that he provides, is a comfort to her.

## Trivia

* The artbook states that she actually has no name. It's likely that NPCs such as herself were created without names so that the people who adopt them will be able to personally name them. If this is the case, then the fact that Aster's parents didn't name her may suggest that they didn't care much for her, even before they abandoned her.
* Although the status of many of Harumaki Gohan's characters is ambiguous, Aster is the only one who is canonically deceased.

## Gallery

A picture comparing all versions of Aster.[1]Aster's concept art.[2]Muffler Towel featuring Neo Dream Traveler characters.[3]Commemoration art for 1,000,000 views on Aster.[4]A drawing featuring Aster, along with other characters.[5]"A painting of Aster displayed in one of the offices."[6]A sketch of Aster and Drink-kun(s).[7]Muffler Towel featuring Neo Dream Traveler characters.[8]A drawing to celebrate Harumaki Gohan's 6th anniversary.[9]Commemoration art for Aster's 2nd anniversary.[10]"Sometimes analog is good!"[11]A drawing of all characters to celebrate Harumaki Gohan's 8th anniversary.[12]