Zero Kiryu

Zero Kiryu (錐生 零, Kiryū Zero?) is unique being both a Vampire Hunter and a vampire. Yuki's close friend and the only other Cross Academy Guardian, he was trained to be a Vampire Hunter by Toga Yagari. Zero carries the anti-vampire gun named "Bloody Rose”. Zero lives with Kaien Cross and Yuki, after being bitten by a pureblood vampire who also murders his family. Due to the attack, Zero developed a deep hatred and distrust of vampires, despite originally being a gentle character by nature. Matsuri Hino described Zero as exemplifying her justice side.[2]

Zero is a 17 year old male. The first arc of the story is spent dealing with Zero trying to overcome his fall into the madness, helped by Yuki when she pledges to feed him her blood. Yuki continually oversteps boundaries in helping Zero and he ends up preventing her from trading her humanity to Shizuka Hiou in exchange for preventing his fall to Level E vampire. Zero swears never to allow Yuki to become a vampire and attempts to help her with her own issues. Zero clashes with Kaname Kuran, who only allows Zero to live because Zero protects Yuki and Zero is eventually forced to drink the blood of Kaname to delay becoming a level E vampire. Following the discovery of Yuki's true nature as a pureblood vampire, Zero and Yuki sever their friendship. Perceived as dangerous, Zero is arrested by the Hunters Association and it is revealed that Kaname had been grooming Zero in order for him to defeat Rido Kuran. Zero is shot by his dying twin brother, forcing him to "eat" Ichiru to complete the Twin Hunter fragment. With this final act and carrying the blood of three purebloods,[3] Zero becomes one of the most powerful characters appearing in the series. Zero and Yuki work together and defeat Rido, but Zero reveals his intention to end everything, to kill all pureblood vampires including Yuki. Zero hesitates to kill her revealing he has been in love with her since he met her. The two part, as Yuki promises to run from Zero forever to give him a reason to live.

Following the one year timeskip, Zero has progressed from his dangerous state of mind, more concerned with maintaining peace between vampires and hunters,[4] enough to find himself poised as the future president of the Hunters Association. Zero continues to hunt vampires and seeks the truth about the Hunter's death at the party, but he is still dealing with issues regarding his loss of his humanity and intense vampire hunger. However, falling to level E is no longer a concern, as he is a level D, and his body no longer rejects blood tablets. When he meets up with an injured Yuki, Zero finds himself assisting her and even almost allowing her to bite him.

Voiced by: Mamoru Miyano (Japanese), Vic Mignogna (English)