Kabaneri

Ikoma and Mumei, two of the known Kabaneri.

Kabaneri are a hybrid race of human/Kabane people.

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 long periods of time. 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.

In Episode 8, it was revealed that Mumei transformed into a Kabaneri via Blood Injection with the help of Biba. The difference between Mumei and Ikoma is that Ikoma became a Kabaneri after being bitten, and managed to stop the virus from reaching his brain. Mumei says that she has never been bitten by a Kabane. A 'flashback' reveals that Mumei was transformed into a Kabaneri from a Blood Injection given by Biba.

In Episode 10, one of Biba's men have stated that male Kabaneri are hard to find, it is currently unknown why this is the case.

According to Mumei, Kabaneri has the abilities to copy techniques.

List of known Kabaneri

• Ikoma
• Mumei
• Horobi
• Biba Amatori

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.
• Enoku mentions to Mumei that she should complete her mission "While she is still human". This would imply that the kabaneri will eventually turn into kabane. It is unknown if Enoku said this to provoke and motivate Mumei to complete her mission, but Mumei's reaction seems strongly lean toward the fact that this is true. (Note: Mumei's way of making fights "timed" would support this theory that the kabaneri act on "borrowed time".)