Linne

Overview

Gameplay

Quotes

Gallery

Arcade

リンネ Linne
[Sys:Celes]UNIBBTAG
Profile
Name	Linne リンネ
Gender	Female
Birthday	March 18th
Height	141cm
Weight	34kg
Measurements	Bust: 69cm Waist: 50cm Hip: 72cm
Blood Type	AB
Affiliations
Alias	Princess of the Night Blade 夜刀の姫 Chitose Yoshio (by Hyde)
Organization	Night Blade
Ability	The EXS of Agility: Speed Star
Weapon	No Name (Long Sword) Nameless (Folding Knife)
Character Voice
Japanese	Ayane Sakura
English	Sarah Anne Williams
Appearances
Further information Games UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH (Playable) UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH Exe:Late (Playable) UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH Exe:Late[st] (Playable) UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH Exe:Late[cl-r] (Playable) UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH II [Sys:Celes] (Playable) Other Appearances BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle (Playable)

"Very well... We are the will of the 'Night Blade'.
I will traverse a mountain of corpses, if I must."

Linne (リンネ) is the deuteragonist of the UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH series and Kuon's younger sister. She is an immortal being who has been searching for the Insulator in order to end her cycle of reincarnation. She is always accompanied by Kuu.

Background

The mysterious girl who appears before Hyde.

UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH

A lady, young only in appearance, and the heroine of this story. She saves a high school student from being consumed by a Void, but cannot save him from turning into an In-Birth. After discovering his awakened powers, however, she asks for his help, "Use that power of yours, to end my life --". But before he can grant her wishes, a woman claiming to be the leader of "Amnesia" leaves them with a cryptic message. "I'll be waiting at the Abyss on this Hollow Night, Princess."

UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH II [Sys:Celes]

Linne is our heroine, a young girl of indeterminate age.

Linne detected Hyde's true potential and successfully defeated Hilda. That done, she tried to fulfill her original plan to destroy the ominous Power of Sealing engraved within her body... Until her brother, Kuon, stepped out of hiding before her.

Refusing to die alone, she decides to confront Kuon alone--and take him with her as she falls into the Night.

Appearance

Linne's current appearance is that of a young girl with short brown hair and brown eyes. She wears a yellow hoodie over a black shirt that goes up her neck, black spandex shorts and black zipper boots up to calf-length. Linne's first incarnation had very long, brown hair and wore a white robe.

After her Seal of Reincarnation was removed from her body in certain [Sys:Celes] Arcade Mode Stories, Linne now sports the appearance of a teenage girl with her hair growing to shoulder length. She wears a white school uniform with a blue tie and indigo skirt under her old yellow hoodie.

Personality

Linne is a stoic, aloof, and independent girl who tends to try resolving matters on her own regardless of how dangerous the situation is.

Underneath, she possesses immense guilt over how, because of her ability, she has destroyed the lives of countless innocent girls, believing that only her absolute death can cease this endless cycle. Even though Hyde possesses the means to give her a true death, she feels even more guilt on how she must ask him to bear the burden of killing her on his conscience.

Linne's stoic shell can also sometimes be broken under certain means. Perverse gestures can quickly anger her and she is easily swayed by food, especially candy and other sweet confectioneries, which is the result of the more childlike tendencies of her body taking effect.

Story

Scenario: Nighttime Void (虚ろの夜語り)
Hundreds of years ago, the Night Blade was divided into two groups: The Reformists, and Moderates, with Linne and her brother Kuon on the side of the Moderates with Kuon as their leader. A great battle broke out between the two sides, resulting in many lives lost. A surviving village elder decided to split the knowledge of EXS into the bodies of Kuon and Linne. From this, Linne's soul was cursed to become a parasite that, upon the death of her current body, would take over the body and soul of another currently living person, causing her soul to persist eternally. Kuon, burdened by his own curse, left and decided to leave his close ally Waldstein to follow and care for Linne. The two siblings went separate paths, and since then, Linne has been searching for a way to finally put an end to her curse of reincarnation.

Scenario: Power Beat (強者の鼓動)
In her present day body, Linne and Waldstein arrive just outside Kanzakai after hearing of the amount of new In-Births sprouting in the city that used to be the land of the Night Blade clan centuries ago. They reminisce on their past in the Night Blade, and how society has drastically changed since their age. The two express some concern over entering the city, knowing that it is populated with Night Blade members who believe the two betrayed the clan. They continue to discuss aspects of the Night Blade in the present day, such as Linne's encounter with Seth as her previous incarnation. Eventually, Linne falls asleep before setting off to Kanzakai the next morning.

The next day, the two walk through the city. Waldstein expresses some irritation at how much they stand out and attract attention, with Linne often having to make up an explanation on Waldstein's gear and large build, going so far as to pretend he is a foreign wrestler known as "Lion Man". When the two settle down at a restaurant, they discuss what they found regarding In-Birth activity in the city. Waldstein mentions he heard about a gathering of In-Births happening that weekend, and Linne brings up that it may be for a powerful organization she heard brought up earlier that day, Amnesia. She had even heard of its leader, Paradox, and the prevalent officers, including the one known as Persistent Survivor and his demise. Linne and Waldstein agree to investigate this gathering when the day comes, and they spend the rest of the week at a nearby inn until the weekend of the gathering.

The day of the gathering, Linne and Waldstein make a plan to sneak into the mansion where the event is being held. Before entering, Linne devises a plan for her to scope out the area to make sure things there will be safe. However, she was distracted by the food served at the event, thus she was caught, held by two guards, and brought to Hilda for questioning. Hilda quickly discerns that she is no ordinary child and an In-Birth. In conversation, when Hilda mentions she will be becoming a Re-Birth, Linne accidentally implies she is the Princess of the Night Blade. Waldstein, who was watching from a distance, immediately intervenes, picking her up and taking her away from the scene.

When brought to safety, Linne expresses guilt at letting her hunger get the better of her and revealing her identity to Paradox. However, Linne is at least glad to have seen her in person, and to know of her plan to become a Re-Birth. Linne and Waldstein have one last conversation of the powerful EXS emanating from Paradox and the likelihood that she may be connected to Kuon.

Scenario: Child of Darkness (漆黒の少年)
5 months after arriving at Kanzakai, Linne finds herself pondering out loud about recent Night activity in an after class meeting, at the school she must attend due to the age of her vessel. Her schoolmate, Chiharu, overhears her, somewhat confused. Linne attempts to keep the situation under control, as she needs to keep up the front that she is a child of school age. She continues to reflect on the current state of the Night, whispering to herself and trying to hide what she's saying whenever Chiharu overhears her. She often surprises Linne by coming to talk to her while she's lost in thought, but Linne recognizes that she's trying to be friendly. Eventually, Chiharu leaves to go home, and Linne decides to wander off instead of returning home to Waldstein.

Linne takes a stroll through the city, and ends up deciding to enter a toy store out of curiosity. As she was looking through the store, a clerk noticed her talking to herself about how toys were back in her time. She attempts to leave after realizing this, but accidentally runs straight into a boy in a school uniform. He expresses concern for her, helping her up and leading her to the exit. Linne promptly leaves the area as quickly as she can to get away from him. She worried she acted too coldly to him during their brief interaction, and spent time walking around the city more for the rest of the day.

Later in the afternoon, when trying to return home, Linne wanders near a school with students that have the same uniform as the boy she ran into earlier. While there, an angry-looking student bumps into her, knocking her down. The angry student attempts to fight her over this, and Linne considers a way to escape. But before any fight can occur, the boy from earlier came in to intervene. To save Linne from the situation, he told the angry student that he was here to pick up his brother "Yoshio", being Linne. This failed, so he instead picked her up and left the scene.

When brought to safety, Linne is somewhat grateful, but mostly embarrassed and irritated. The boy accidentally finds out Linne is a girl when attempting to put her down, resulting in Linne strangling him to the point of unconsciousness. When he wakes up, Linne thanks him for earlier and tries to go her own way, but the boy insists they walk around Kanzakai together. The two then properly introduce themselves. The boy's name is Hyde Kido.

The two spend the rest of the day walking around the city and eating at a crepe restaurant. When the sun sets, Hyde insists she stay at his place, but Linne declines and the two go their separate ways for the night.

The next day, Linne decides to investigate the school Hyde goes to, and to check on him if she can. She sees Hyde walking home with a female classmate, and immediately notices her refined and efficient way of movement, as if she may have been through some kind of training. It bothers Linne that someone like her would be close to Hyde.

When Linne sees Hyde go off on his own, she notices a frightening disturbance in the EXS surrounding the area, and attempts to run to Hyde to save him from a potential Void attack. She comes in in time and manages to save him from one Void, but is bitten by another. A sword immediately emerges from Hyde as he groans in pain, as Linne realized that he has become an In-Birth. She brings him to safety, ready to teach him about the Hollow Night that he had accidentally stumbled into.

Scenario: A Reluctant Hero (それでも俺は行くしかないだろ！？)
Linne spent a few weeks training Hyde and teaching him how to control the EXS within him. A day before the upcoming Night, she appeared in front of him as he was returning home with groceries he bought. She warns Hyde about the upcoming Night, and that he should not go out if she's not present. Hyde says he'll go anyway if she's in danger, bothering Linne as she doesn't want him risking his life. Just then, Waldstein reveals himself, who was hiding and watching them. Linne forgot to tell Hyde that he was there. He's disappointed by the lack of food Hyde brought back, and Hyde decides to go back and buy more groceries. Before he leaves, Linne tells him to be careful.

Hyde returns after a long time, bringing bad news on why he was late. He had ran into Paradox because a mysterious child told him to go to her location, and accidentally disclosed his identity, putting a target on the back of him and Linne. This greatly disappointed her, but she also immediately recognized this mysterious child as her brother, Kuon, based on the description Hyde gave. She told him everything about him, about the Secret Arts and why the two separated. She once again warns Hyde to not get himself into danger under any circumstances, with him responding the same way as he did previously. Irritated, but somewhat understanding, she said she would follow and accept his choice.

Arcade Mode (アーケードモード)
Feeling that Hyde isn't yet strong enough to fight Paradox, Linne and Waldstein set off without him to fight her themselves.

Linne encounters various people across the way, including Merkava, Orie, and Seth.

Finally, Linne arrives at the Altar of Light and Dark, meeting Hilda. Hilda states her intentions to become a Re-Birth and destroy both Licht Kreis and the Night Blade. Linne says Hilda's overconfidence is similar to what caused the Night Blade's internal conflicts, and states that Hilda will either destroy herself, or be destroyed by Linne.

Once Linne defeats Hilda, she speculates that her own brother, Kuon, is likely to be the one pulling the strings here. She declares that this body will be her last, and that Hyde and the Insulator will be the key to her finally attaining death.

UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH II [Sys:Celes]

Arcade Mode (アーケードモード)
As the final night is about to begin, Linne thinks about how there's an extremely high chance things could end horribly. Regardless, she knows she still has to settle things with Kuon and thinks about how Hyde said he would save her, and while she appreciates it, she says that she can't let anyone who lives in the present risk their lives. She then begins to state that she avoids forming relationships with people since it causes her to care about them. Regardless, she thanks Hyde, Seth, and everyone else who tried to save her, and declares that it's time for her to end the cycle on her own.

On her way to The Abyss: Altar of Aeon, she runs into Gordeau, who she considers to be a roadblock. Despite taking slight offence, Gordeau doesn't deny this and points out that he heard about Linne having "family troubles", and while he says he doesn't particularly care about that, he states that he won't just take a beating without hitting back. Linne doesn't deny that Kuon is causing a lot of trouble, but she then points out that Hilda is also causing trouble during The Night, which Gordeau also doesn't deny. Gordeau then states that he still has unfinished business with the Litch Kreis, and that he may never get a chance to handle both her and Kuon. Stating that the bonds of Amnesia continue to grow sicker, Linne agrees to battle him.

Later on, she encounters Yuzuriha, though she doesn't feel all that surprised as she says that there's only fate in The Night, not coincidence. Yuzuriha then tells Linne that what she really needs is closure with her, stating that it wouldn't feel right for everyone living in the present to leave their responsibilities to those who have been around for ages, according to what Seth had said to her earlier. While Linne thinks that she shouldn't burden others with the Night Blade's ancient problems, Yuzuriha says that what really needs to be settled is who will end that conflict, even stating that The Dual Moon Clan has some responsibility to change the system. Although Linne seems annoyed at this, she accepts the request to battle, stating that Yuzuriha needs to prove herself capable if she wants to change the system.

Once Linne arrives at The Abyss, Kuon is waiting to welcome her, stating that he plans to use the Hollow God's hemicorpus to "go into The True Night and hunt down the one who escaped." Linne then proceeds to question his sanity while Kuon vehemently denies that he's lost it. Knowing that Kuon seems to be beyond reason at this point, Linne realizes that the only way this could end is with force, rejecting any notion of becoming one with Kuon.

After she defeats Kuon, his power of sealing starts to overflow into her, overwhelming her. Despite knowing that she can't let it dwell inside her, Linne considers the possibility of embracing it and living on as a Void, believing it to be a fitting end. With this, she says goodbye and accepts her fate. However, before she can die, Hyde and Seth come in to save her, stating that they won't let her die here. Ignoring all the warnings that she gives, the pair proceed to use the two Indulgence Weapons to overcome the situation.

Sometime later, Linne thinks about how peaceful things have gotten since the battle, seemingly in disbelief about how things are really over and that she's been freed from the curse of immortality. While unsure about how much time she has left, she knows that she'll continue to live with the ones who gave her more life.

Abilities

Linne wields the EXS of Agility: Speed Star (疾駆のEXS 「スピードスター」), which, naturally, gives a massive boost to her agility. Interestingly, the ability actually belongs to the body which Linne is currently possessing, meaning that Linne has most likely used other abilities in the past. It is a fairly average ability, which only boosts body functions. Linne also likes to mention her ability name often to evade being suspected as the Princess of the Night Blade.

Linne fights using a combination of an one-handed sword and a pocketknife or side-opening switchblade. The sword is called No Name (無銘), a dull grey sword with a brown hilt and wrappings which has almost no sharp edges, leaving it nearly completely blunt. It was forged by Linne herself a long time ago, having received guidance from Waldstein, who is known for his knowledge on weapon smithing. Linne hasn't thought up of a title for the sword yet, hence the sword's current "name".

The knife she uses is a regular knife that can be sold in an ordinary store. It's referred to as Nameless (名無), simply because Linne has yet to give the knife a name. Linne chose to use a knife because it's light and easy to use in tandem with her small physique.

Most of Linne's combat prowess comes from her years of experience and good gut feeling. She can read her opponent like a book and disorientate them with dodges and other evasive maneuvers, and slowly whittle them down. In order to make the most of her ability, she only uses the two weapons she has on her and nothing else. Linne also states that she likes to yell out the name of her attacks during a fight as it supposedly helps her bring out as much power as possible from her small body.

During some of her most strongest moves, Linne channels some of the power contained within the Seal engraved within her soul. This power envelops her blades with a bright light. Linne can either use her weapons in tandem with this, or she can merge them into one blade.

Musical Theme

OfficialExe:Late[st] only

Title	Description
Night Walker	Linne's theme
Night Walker [UNI2 Mix]	[Sys:Celes] Linne's theme

Title	Description
Nightwalker	Linne's theme

Introduction Text

Exe:Late[cl-r] (Art Book)Exe:Late (EN)Exe:Late (JP)OriginalLocation Test

She repeats. To unearth the truth behind her eternity and settle a score with her brother.
The sword she sought and the encounter with its wielder... Therein lies the path that will
change her fate. The rusty cogs begin to turn once more, their ripples
beckoning her to the end of her tale.

She repeats. To unearth the truth behind her eternity, and settle a score with her brother.
The sword she sought, and the encounter with its wielder... In there lies the path that will
change her fate. The rusty cogs will begin to move once more, its ripples,
beckoning her to the end of her tale.

She repeats. For a conclusion with the source of old eternal cause and effect, and an elder brother.
The sword for the first time is one for which it has searched long.
Encounter with the holder. Conversation of the stagnant fate.
The rusty gear makes the sound which is the surroundings heavily and creaked.
Probably, the ripple shows the last arrival of her tale soon.

She repeats. For the origin of ancient eternal fate, for the settlement with her brother.
Her long sought sword. An encounter with the owner.
The conversion of stagnated destiny. The rusty gear wheel starts to slowly spin and creaks.
The consequence will soon indicate the terminal of her story.

Something by which her ability seems to be a girl friend
and finds much freedom.
She's freed from a large number of chains.
The sky is danced, a place, the ability which runs freely will be
big help of her war.

Creation & Development

Story
In an earlier version of the story, Linne was a test subject referred to as "Reincarnation", who had the ability to absorb the injuries of others and heal them in turn. She was experimented on by the organization Ouroboros and then rescued by Hyde. She had no weapon and would stick close to Hyde during battles. The name "Linne" stuck with her after Hyde did not understand she called herself "Reincarnation".

Eight years later, Linne's power has since been sealed. She was kidnapped by Ouroboros and made plans to escape. She now had no special powers and fought with two swords.

In another early version of the story, Linne was a female researcher who store her soul in the body of a young girl moments before her powers went berserk and were about to destroy her body. This incident was caused by her underling Hilda and was made to look like an accident. After Linne seemingly disappeared, Hilda went into hiding.

One day, Linne fought against a pure-blooded Void, and ended up saving the students Hyde and Ageha. The main story began from then on.

Theme
Linne's theme was one of the first tracks to be created after Hyde's. The piano was decided early on to be a crucial part of her theme. Series composer Raito did not expect Night Walker to become as popular as it is due to its structural complexity.

Trivia

• Her name comes from the Japanese word "Rinne" (輪回, lit. samsara), which refers to the "transmigration of souls".
• In the UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH II [Sys:Celes] Product Survey & Character Popularity Poll held in 2024, Linne came in 2nd place, with 241 votes.
• Linne shares her Japanese voice actor, Ayane Sakura with Kuon's younger form.
• Her ability to dual wield two different length swords possibly nods to a "daishō" set (a sword set of a katana and wakizashi), often used by famous samurai in the past such as Jubei Yagyu and Musashi Miyamoto.
• In BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle, Linne's dash cancel and dashing roll are respectively given these new names, while her Force Function has a new version:
  • [Dancing Leaf] Dancing Grass (舞草)
  • [Whirlwind] Wind Ring (風輪)
  • [Divine Chains] Heaven Wedge: Twenty Flashes (天楔: 十二閃)
• The text in Linne's original Arcade Mode ending illustration is in Greek. the words could possibly read "αξτ" (Octet), “δαηακα” (Dawn), “αξ” (Value) and “λαηαχα” (Thankful).