Manglobe‘s Gangsta anime adaptation is a great watch, while obviously having some pretty big flaws. Now that I’ve written about Gangsta’s problems, I want to create some character-based lists, focusing on them and their past. In turn, I instantly set my sights on Nicolas Brown, a Tag with a bloody past, that literally made me sick to my stomach. While he’s not alone in having a messed up life, he’s the character who’s been impacted the most because of his struggles. Plus, he’s the most intriguing character from Gangsta, which makes him the most fun to write about!
I present to you, the 5 saddest things about Nicolas Brown from Gangsta! Grab a box of tissues and put on a brave face! This trip down this memory lane is painful!
This list is solely based on the Gangsta anime!
5. Bloodlust
Whenever Nic senses or smells a hostile Tag, his facial expression changes to wicked grimaces and disturbing smiles. Thus, I’d say he has bloodlust, and that he genuinelly enjoys fighting. I mean, that’s all Nicolas Brown knows, isn’t it? Considering his sickening past covered in blood, it comes as no surprise that he desires bloodshed. When you think about everything he’s been through, it makes perfect sense that he’d love a great scrap! Let’s not forget that he often disobeys Worick’s orders and whenever he senses someone, he darts after them. Whether he’s allowed to or not. After all, that’s what he was made for, and is still used for. In all honesty, Nic probably feels at home covered in blood, overdosing on Celebrer and fighting until he can’t move any longer. Talk about a death wish?
4. Short Lifespan
Considering that Nicolas Brown is a Twilight, his lifespan is short. He’s expected to die in his 30s or early 40s. In the anime, he’s already 34 years old, meaning that he’s somewhat living on borrowed time, considering his Celebrer abuse and constant fighting. Therefore, he’s living with the knowledge that he could die any day, and that’s downright depressing. While he’s a Hagure, a child of a normal parent and a Twilight, it’s unlikely he’ll reach his 40s, as he hasn’t taken care of himself. Childhood torture, countless battles and overdosing alone would shorten his lifespan. Thus, I’d say it’s undoubtedly one of the saddest things about Nicolas Brown.
3. Lack of Emotion
Nicolas Brown rarely shows emotion, and he’s often seen stone-faced, lacking any kind of facial expression. Whether he’s with Nina or speaking to people, he comes across apathetic. I mean, he doesn’t seem to show any interest in what he’s doing. It’s like Nicolas is just going through the motion, without care in the world, which is quite unsettling. Considering that he’s got plenty of demons and unhealed emotional scars, it’s likely that he just doesn’t care about living anymore. I mean, he only shows emotion when fighting Twilights and when he’s angry, but that is all!
In all honesty, it seems to me that Nicolas Brown has lost his humanity. Maybe there’s some left as he’s so wholesome at times, but it’s clear that he picks and chooses when to be nice towards someone. In turn, it’s a sad thing seeing him be so cold, while also showing signs of warmth. It is another thing that makes Nic’s story so tragic, but so heartwarming.
2. Forced, Used & Abused as a Child Mercenary
Imagine being a young kid, forced to be a Mercenary. Now imagine being abused by them, and your own father, who happens to be their leader. Isn’t that just horrendeous? But that’s the childhood of Nicolas Brown, who worked for the West Gate Mercenaries at the Arcangelo residents.
The way Nicolas was treated is equivalent to torture, as he was heavily medicated in order to keep him submissive. Why? So that he would follow orders. In addition, whenever Nic took initiative and did something good, he was met with verbal and physical punishment. I mean, just think about how Nic must’ve felt. He was belittled by hisfather and dozens of Mercenaries. They all took part in abusing Nic. I’m not talking about small things. Nicolas was seen bloody, with bruises, scratches and black eyes. It’s not something I’m used to seeing in an anime, and not portrayed in this gruesome way. But it was damn effective. It made my heart ache for Nicolas. He didn’t deserve any of it. None of it. Not even the verbal abuse. And it was hard to watch.
1. Abandoned by His Father, Gaston Brown
In all honesty, it’s difficult to rank the saddest things about Nicolas Brown. Perhaps it’s because he doesn’t deserve what happened to him, or maybe it’s because he’s genuinelly good hearted? Nevertheless, there’s nothing more heartbreaking than seeing Nicolas Brown’s only “family” sell him, and abandon him. While he was an abusive father, Nic still chased after him. Now, imagine being deaf and trying your hardest to say “father”, only to have him reply “stop pretending your a human, monster”. Not only that, but Gaston even laughed at Nicolas and said that he’s “good for nothing”, and not worth taking to Ergastulum. How do you react to this? In Nicolas’ case, he decided to stick with the only person who treated him like family, and the only one he considers a friend, Ricky.
