Iron Tager

""Seems like you've got experience as a soldier.""

Iron Tager (テイガー), also known as TR-0009 Tager or the Red Devil (赤鬼), is an agent of Sector Seven, infamous for his color and stature. Despite his appearance, Tager is much more gentle and intelligent than one would initially believe, and he is infinitely loyal to Kokonoe. In his life before becoming the Red Devil, Tager was the captain of Bullet's Mercenary Squad.

Tager debuted as one of the original twelve playable characters in BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger. He was revealed for BlazBlue Alternative: Dark War on January 28th, 2021.

Appearance
Tager towers at 240cm, yet his most noticeable feature is his crimson skin. His face remains stoic in most situations, and he sports pointy black hair with a singular white streak on the left side. Tager has a square jaw, with two sharp canines protruding from his bottom teeth. He wears small orange glasses that do not seem to fit his face. On his forearms are large, magnetic gauntlets that come up past his wrists; Tager's hands are covered in metal gloves with a single red dot on their palms.

Complimenting his muscular physique, Tager wears a tight fitting, sleeveless jacket that leaves his thick arms bare. This jacket is a light red in front and cinnabar on the sides, separated by white zips with two metal zippers. He wears a large brown belt attached to a red skirt and two metal pleats that cover his thighs. Finally, Tager's look is completed by a pair of beige boots with red metallic toecaps.

Personality
"Tager's unwavering loyalty and excellent situational awareness have earned him a great deal of respect from Kokonoe. Although he holds the nickname of “Red Devil,” in truth he is a calm, reasonable, and honest man."

Despite his intimidating appearance and size, Tager is serious, affable, and kindhearted; quite literally a 'gentle giant'. He will refuse to leave people behind on a battlefield, and shows infinite loyalty towards Kokonoe, whom he is closer to than as a mere commander and soldier. Even though Tager is usually only focused on his mission, there are times when he will follow his instincts and take initiative to help innocents around him. Tager never aims to kill his opponent, but always aims to deliver as little damage as possible to not bring permanent harm, showing compassion to even those who would attack him.

Tager is well-studied, being versed in the history of both the Dark War and Ikaruga Civil War, as well as in numerous sciences. In his spare time, he can be found enjoying mystery novels or building ships in bottles. Tager is an avid fan of the Six Heroes, and especially of Valkenhayn R. Hellsing, which Kokonoe has teased him about.

Powers & Techniques
Tager's fearsome appearance matches his prowess in battle. His huge muscles are capable of easily throwing opponents and delivering powerful blows designed to incapacitate his enemies. Having been injected with demon cells, Tager is the only known person to have survived the procedure. His heavily modified body includes the ability to use magnetism to bring opponents closer to him and launch attacks. This is reflected in gameplay where his Drive is  - should Tager hit an opponent with his Drive, then certain throws, normals, specials, and Drive attacks will bring his opponents closer. Tager can discharge electricity from across his body, although it is primarily let loose from his fists.

Kokonoe is nearly always in contact with Tager, acting as his mission coordinator. The two are a fearsome pair, and if Tager is unfamiliar with an opponent then Kokonoe will nearly always have a strategy or information for him that can help him route his enemies. Prior to becoming the man known as 'Tager', he was able to land a scarring blow on Azrael, being the only known person to have done so. Because of the modifications that Kokonoe has made on Tager's body, he is able to act as a locator for mechanical teleportation and can deploy an Eclipse Field. Kokonoe's other major augmentation on Tager is the Idea Engine, which has equipped during Central Fiction. As it imitates the power of a Nox Nyctores, Tager's power output is comparable, but slightly inferior to them.

Although physically strong, Tager is not as powerful as other BlazBlue characters. He does not wield a Nox Nyctores or Legacy Weapon, and can be incapacitated by someone like Hazama. His overwhelming size and weight makes him slow and easy to flank, meaning that he has to commit to a fight and cannot retreat. Although strong, his attacks can still easily be blocked by Jubei, and his many sensors can be disrupted by the Sealed Weapon Izayoi. His association with Sector Seven also means that he does not deploy Ars Magus, putting him at a distinct disadvantage over other cast members since he relies on science instead.

BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger Official Site Profile
''Originally the captain of a battle unit based on physical strength, he suffered fatal injuries during the Ikaruga Civil War and was forced to leave the frontlines. At that time, the scientist Kokonoe revived him as a cyborg. He is currently assigned as a subordinate under Kokonoe's direct control. He seems to be pursuing Ragna, but his reason is unknown. ''

BlazBlue: Continuum Shift Official Site Profile
''A cyber soldier serving Sector Seven. From his appearance, he has gained the nickname "Red Devil." He received an order from his savior, creator, and superior, Kokonoe, to "Secure the Successor of the Azure, Noel Vermillion." Once again, he heads out alone for Kagutsuchi. ''

BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma Official Site Profile
A cyber soldier serving Sector Seven. From his appearance, he has gained the nickname "Red Devil." After completing his task at Kagutsuchi, he accompanied Noel and Makoto back to Sector Seven's headquarters, where he received a message from Kokonoe to go to Ikaruga.

BlazBlue: Central Fiction Official Site Profile
Originally the captain of a battle unit based on physical strength, he suffered fatal injuries during the Ikaruga Civil War and was resurrected as a cyborg by the scientist Kokonoe. After this, he was assigned as Kokonoe's subordinate, and now pursues the "Grim Reaper" who possesses the "Azure Grimoire." Of the soldiers of his squad, his subordinate Bullet alone escaped the annihilation. ''Tager's unwavering loyalty and excellent situational awareness have earned him a great deal of respect from Kokonoe. Although he holds the nickname of “Red Devil,” in truth he is a calm, reasonable, and honest man. ''
 * Story
 * Personality

BlazBlue: Central Fiction Library Entry
''A cyborg warrior who works under the jurisdiction of Sector Seven. From his appearance, he gained the nickname, ‘Red Devil.'
 * TR-0009 Tager

''He used to be a military man, but after becoming gravely wounded during the Ikaruga Civil War, Kokonoe retrieved his body and rebuilt it into the cyborg that he is today. Thanks to combining his devil-like cells with a transplanted replica of Nirvana's core, his life is spared, but not his memory. The devil-like cells also have an effect on his appearance.

''Contrary to his outward appearance, he is gentle and honest. When it comes to missions, he is loyal and versatile, making him Kokonoe's instant favorite to carry out her orders. In addition to tracking the escaped Hakumen in Kagutsuchi, he retrieved Noel after she became the Eye of the Azure. Kokonoe would be at a loss without his prowess.

''After bringing Noel and Makoto to Sector Seven HQ, he is dispatched by Kokonoe to Ikaruga… for his next mission.

BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle Official Site Profile
''By the scientist 's hand he was revived as a cyborg. Those around him call him the due to his appearance and fear him, but he is actually kind and honest.''

''Possessing heavy attacks and command throws, he is a power character. His movements are sluggish, but magnetism allows him to bring his opponent to him and attack. Settle it, ! ''

BlazBlue 10th Anniversary Official Site Profile
''Although feared as the "Red Devil of Sector Seven", he's actually an honest and mild-mannered cyborg. Loyal to his mission and excellent at decision-making during dire situations, both Kokonoe and his subordinate Bullet deeply trust him.''

Appearances in other Media

 * The mobile game Mabinogi Duel stars Tager as a playable card.
 * The Korean-style horror game White Day: A Labyrinth Named School has outfits based on Tager's appearance.

Trivia

 * In the BlazBlue 10th Anniversary Character Poll, Tager placed 34th out of the 84 candidates. He scored one place above Mu-12 and Valkenhayn R. Hellsing, beating them by one point, and one place below Arakune. He had 565 votes.
 * Tager's movelist mainly references electricity and various power sources.
 * Tager was the third character to be revealed for BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger after Ragna the Bloodedge and Jin Kisaragi.
 * "Iron Tager" is not his real name. This name was created for Tager by Kokonoe on a whim; his real name is unknown.
 * Tager is illustrated in the following Grimoire for BlazBlue Alternative: Dark War:
 * 鬼の細胞 (Devil's Cells).