Kabaneri

Kabaneri is a race in the anime Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress.

Kabaneri are neither fully human nor Kabane, but rather individuals with Kabane bodies who have managed to save their minds from entering a Kabane-state. Formerly human, Kabaneri have been infected by the Kabane virus and have successfully prevented it from entering the brain, usually using an asphyxiating restraint. Because of this feat, Kabaneri are able to continue as Kabane/human hybrids, possessing drastically enhanced speed, superhuman strength, reduced sensation to pain, high physical resistance, and rapid healing. What distinguishes a Kabaneri from a Kabane is their self-control and preserved human minds.

Visually, they can be distinguished from humans by their glowing heart and sometimes exhibit pulsing crimson lines under their skin, which resemble the glowing cracks on a Kabane’s skin. In some cases, such as that of Ikoma, the color of one’s skin and hair can undergo changes, which may be side-effects of the virus having spread further before being stopped.

Mumei and Ikoma both possess restraints around their necks. In Mumei’s case, removing the restraint grants access to physical power closer to that of a Kabane’s, but she becomes exhausted from fighting without it for too long. It can be assumed that removing Ikoma’s restraint would yield similar results. Additionally, due to their Kabane bodies, they require blood as nourishment and are still at risk of succumbing to the virus without having a restraint on or not receiving enough blood to drink.

List of known Kabaneri

 * Ikoma
 * Mumei

Trivia

 * The word kabaneri is composed of the words kabane (カバネ) and hito (人), meaning human. Here, the word hito (人) is pronounced as -ri, this pronunciation being the less often used one for this word when employed as a suffix, like in nihonjin (日本人) or Japanese people, compared to -jin, -nin or even -to. It has still be chosen surely for its better sounding with the word kabane compared to the other more widespread pronunciations and also for the fact that this pronunciation doesn't have the connotation of people belonging to a coherent group (e.g. a nation) contrary to what -jin would imply.