Many anime fans worldwide are captivated by the intricate narratives and compelling characters that span across different series. It's not uncommon for beloved characters to become so popular that fans wonder if they might make a surprise appearance in other favorite shows. So, if you've found yourself asking "how old is Oikawa Tooru in Steins;Gate?", you're certainly not alone in your curiosity!
Let's cut right to the chase: Oikawa Tooru, the charismatic setter from Haikyuu!!, does not appear in Steins;Gate. Therefore, he has no age within the Steins;Gate universe. While both are incredibly popular and critically acclaimed anime series, they belong to entirely separate fictional universes with distinct characters, settings, and storylines. One explores the thrilling world of competitive volleyball, and the other delves deep into the mind-bending complexities of time travel and alternate realities. For those interested in , we have a dedicated guide that clarifies the crossover confusion.
This article, however, is your ultimate hub for understanding the ages of the characters who do inhabit the captivating world of Steins;Gate. We'll journey through the original series, its sequel, and explore how age plays a crucial role in their personal journeys and the fate of multiple worldlines.
The Core Cast of Steins;Gate: Ages and Backgrounds
Steins;Gate is a masterpiece of science fiction, setting its main story in Akihabara, Tokyo, in 2010. It introduces us to a group of friends who stumble upon a revolutionary discovery: the ability to send messages to the past. This groundbreaking invention quickly plunges them into a world of danger, mystery, and profound ethical dilemmas, forcing them to confront the true consequences of tampering with time.
The original series focuses on a tight-knit group of individuals known as the Future Gadget Lab members. Their youth and varied backgrounds create a dynamic ensemble that resonates with audiences. Understanding their ages helps contextualize their maturity levels, decision-making, and relationships as they navigate impossible choices. To , our comprehensive guide breaks down every key player.
Rintaro Okabe: The Mad Scientist's True Age
At the heart of Steins;Gate is Rintaro Okabe, known by his eccentric alter ego, Hououin Kyouma. When the series begins in 2010, Okabe is 18 years old, born on December 14, 1991. His youthful age is a stark contrast to the immense burdens and responsibilities he is forced to shoulder as the story progresses.
Okabe's journey through multiple worldlines, repeatedly experiencing traumatic events, truly tests the limits of his mental and emotional resilience. His age highlights the profound impact of his choices on his young mind. For an in-depth look at , check out our dedicated article.
Kurisu Makise: The Genius's Youthful Brilliance
Equally central to the narrative is Kurisu Makise, the brilliant neuroscience researcher whose intellect is matched only by her pragmatism. Like Okabe, Kurisu is also 18 years old at the start of the series, having been born on July 25, 1992. Her prodigious talent often makes her seem older, yet her age underscores the pressures she faces as a young prodigy in a competitive scientific field.
Kurisu's scientific background makes her indispensable to the Future Gadget Lab's time travel experiments. Her relationship with Okabe, often playful and argumentative, deepens as they face life-or-death situations together, shaped partly by their shared youthful struggles and intellectual curiosity. Our guide will .
Mayuri Shiina & Itaru "Daru" Hashida: The Lab Members' Ages
The Future Gadget Lab wouldn't be complete without its other core members, Mayuri Shiina and Itaru "Daru" Hashida. Mayuri, Okabe's childhood friend and self-proclaimed "hostage," is 16 years old in 2010, born on February 1, 1994. Her innocent and cheerful demeanor provides a vital emotional anchor for the group, making her eventual fate a driving force for Okabe's desperate time leaps. You can in our dedicated piece.
Daru, the super hacker and Okabe's closest confidant, is the oldest of the initial trio at 19 years old, born on May 19, 1991. His technical prowess is crucial for the lab's operations, and his future connections are vital to the overarching plot. Despite his often lewd jokes, Daru is a loyal and invaluable friend. Dive deeper into in his comprehensive profile.
Other key characters and their ages in the original series include:
- Luka Urushibara (Lukako): 16 years old (Born August 30, 1993)
- Rumiho Akiha (Faris NyanNyan): 17 years old (Born April 3, 1993)
- Yugo Tennouji (Mister Braun): 32 years old (Born March 12, 1978)
- Nae Tennouji: 11 years old
Ages in Steins;Gate 0 and Other Spin-offs
The story of Steins;Gate doesn't end with the original series. The critically acclaimed sequel, Steins;Gate 0, explores an alternate worldline where Okabe fails to save Kurisu and is left traumatized. Set approximately one year after the events of the original series, most returning characters are naturally about one year older.
This includes an 18-year-old Mayuri, a 19-year-old Okabe, and a 20-year-old Daru, though their emotional states are vastly different. Steins;Gate 0 also introduces new characters, such as the brilliant but melancholic neuroscientist Maho Hiyajo, who is 21 years old. For a complete picture, .
Furthermore, the Science Adventure franchise extends beyond Steins;Gate, with characters occasionally appearing or being referenced in other series like Robotics;Notes. Nae Tennouji, for example, who is 11 in the original Steins;Gate and 12 in Steins;Gate 0, appears as an adult in Robotics;Notes, showcasing her significant growth and the vast timeline of the interconnected universe. You can to appreciate her full character arc.
Why Character Ages Matter in Steins;Gate
In Steins;Gate, character ages are more than just numbers; they are integral to the narrative's emotional depth and thematic resonance. The relative youth of most of the main cast amplifies the impact of their terrifying discoveries and the profound ethical dilemmas they face. Imagine being 18 and holding the power to alter history, with the lives of your closest friends hanging in the balance.
Their young ages highlight themes of responsibility, regret, and the loss of innocence as they grapple with consequences far beyond their years. It also shapes their relationships, from Okabe's paternalistic bond with Mayuri to the developing romantic tension between Okabe and Kurisu, born out of shared struggle and intellectual camaraderie. The weight of their decisions on their youthful shoulders makes their journey all the more poignant and unforgettable.
While Oikawa Tooru may not be sprinting across timelines in Steins;Gate, the characters who do inhabit this incredible world offer a rich tapestry of ages and experiences that are central to its enduring appeal. El Psy Kongroo!