Gin Akutagawa

Gin Akutagawa (芥川 銀) is a member of the Port Mafia, acting as one of Black Lizard's commanders. working under the Black Lizard team as one of the battalion leaders.

Appearance
Gin is somewhat short, with pale skin, dark grey eyes, and long black hair. As a mafioso, they keep their hair in a spiked bun, leaving sections of shoulder-length hair down. Most of it falls to the right side of their face, whilst a strand falls over the middle.

Gin wears a grey, short-sleeved v-neck, black trousers, and black heeled boots. Over their shirt, they wear a long, flared black coat is seen dressed in an outfit comprising of a long black cloak with a hood and frayed trim. The right sleeve, tightened by a black band on her bicep, is long with an extended part with frayed trim, and the left sleeve appears torn off, exposing their arm. They wear red-grey gloves that extend just above their elbows, the right glove being complete whilst the left glove is fingerless.

In addition, they also wear a black choker with a white cross on it, and a white mask that covers their nose and mouth.

Their casual wear is much less elaborate. They leave their hair completely down, showing it to be silky and a bit wavy, falling past their waist. They wear a light, knee-length dress, black stockings, heels, and a stylish, buttoned coat. They also carry a purse. They are quite feminine in this attire, and they're noted as being exceptionally beautiful.

Personality
As an assassin, Gin is silent and stealthy, described by Michizō Tachihara as being able to sneak behind someone and slash their throats in an instant. This was demonstrated when they snuck behind Ichiyō Higuchi and put a knife to her throat before she could notice.

Fitting of an assassin, Gin is deathly quiet, seldom speaking, and pairs their silence with either indifferent or serious expressions. Similar to their brother, they're quick to lash out when provoked. Their fellow commander, Tachihara, has no problem antagonizing them, ending up as the target of their temper majority of the time. However, unlike their bother, their anger is often shortlived. Although they have a sense of humor, it's implied to be rather dry and sarcastic, such as writing "Congrats!" in the dirt to Tachihara when Atsushi Nakajima forces him to hold a baby during the Q Incident.

Hidden beneath their stoic personality, they easily become flustered and blush when embarrassed such as when Dazai mentioned how they were a "dainty little girl" when they were younger and when Higuchi saw them in their civilian clothes. They are also noted to have a very cute voice.

Gin uses multiple pronouns, depending on the situation and context. They don't seem to have a preference for being perceived one certain way and are generally referred to neutrally.

When it comes to others, it appears they prefer keeping the softer and more amicable side of them to themself, and dislikes being put on the spot about it. However, more recently, they have grown to become more comfortable with actually conversing with their coworkers and has also been shown to care about their wellbeing.

They are closest to Akutagawa, smiling fondly at him and returning home with him after their return from a mission. After Akutagawa promises to Atsushi Nakajima not to kill anyone for half a year, Gin notices Akutagawa's increasing irritability, attempting to find ways to pacify him, but knowing his demeanor leaves much to be desired in terms of relaxation.

Ability
Gin has no Ability but makes up for it by having incredible physical skills. They are naturally gifted in stealth as they were undetected by the assailants who killed their friends in the slums and has been noted as having eyes that "absorb sound" and being "so quiet that [it was like] they had been painted into reality". They are agile and poised, capable of sneaking behind her targets undetected, making them a valuable assassin in the Port Mafia.

Compared to their older brother, they are more physically fit and capable of handling long-term strenuous activity.

Background
Gin and Akutagawa were orphans and used to live in the slums along with about eight other kids. The other children happened to overhear a conversation regarding the time and location of a shipment the Port Mafia was supposed to deliver to subordinates. The men knew about this and sought out the children and mercilessly shot down everyone but Gin and Ryunosuke, who managed to escape thanks to Gin's quick-thinking. Afterward, Gin tended to their brother's wounds, and after he woke up stated their reservations about him seeking out vengeance against their assailants. He went anyways to prove the value of their friends' lives. After Osamu Dazai extends an invitation to the Port Mafia to Akutagawa, Gin joins as well, however, the full circumstances behind their decision remain unknown.

Armed Detective Agency vs. Port Mafia Arc
Gin makes their entrance meeting up with Tachihara and Hirotsu, arriving from the darkness in their silent manner. Tachihara insults them, calling them a "freak". Gin lashes out, putting their knife to Tachihara's throat. In return, Tachihara presses the muzzle of his gun against Gin. Hirotsu threatens to use his ability on them if they do not stop, and Gin coolly backs down under his threat.

With Black Lizard united, Higuchi gives them the order to kill the Armed Detective Agency. The squadron easily enters the building the Agency's located in, attempting a surprise attack as part of the Port Mafia's effort on chasing down Atsushi Nakajima, to hand over to the Guild in exchange for a massive reward. However, Black Lizard is overpowered, and Gin is defeated by Kenji.

They later make their move alongside Black Lizard confronting Higuchi after Akutagawa's defeat by Atsushi. They sneak behind Higuchi, demonstrating that they could easily slit Higuchi's throat if they had to. Despite Akutagawa's grave injuries, Gin and the others question Higuchi's judgment, trying to act without receiving orders. However, despite their cold front, Gin arrives to assist Higuchi in saving Akutagawa from a rival group attempting to get revenge against the Port Mafia. Given their participation, Gin shows their respect for Higuchi's drive. During Akutagawa and Higuchi's reunion, Gin stands outside the room, seeming to nod in approval.

The Guild Arc
It's implied Black Lizard assisted in killing an assassin sent by the Guild alongside Motojirō Kajii and Chūya Nakahara. When Port Mafia's boss makes his entrance, Gin promptly shows their respect.

During the three-way war between the Port Mafia, the Armed Detective Agency and The Guild, Gin attempts to monitor Dazai and Atsushi's movements, following Dazai when he starts walking away. Dazai had noticed them the entire time and asks them to reveal themself. Shocked Dazai noticed them, Gin instinctively lashes out, drawing their knife to Dazai's neck. They demonstrate an understanding of Dazai's reputation when calmly putting their knife away at his request, staying out of his and Higuchi's meeting over the released Q, acting as "guards" to Dazai.

Dazai brings up how they used to be much shorter and cuter when first in the mafia. His comment catches Gin off guard, and they look away, asking him to change the subject. After Q's kidnapping by the Guild, Black Lizard participates in defending their territory from further damage of Dogra Magra's widespread mania.

Later, during Mori and Fukuzawa's secret meeting, they—along with the other Black Lizard leaders—act as the boss's escort detail. The group did not hesitate to try attacking Fukuzawa when tensions overflowed, only to be deceived by Tanizaki's Light Snow ability.

The Guild Aftermath Arc
After a long-term absence during the three-way conflict, Gin returns after being absent on a mission during the incident. They are seen by Katai in her civilian attire, and Katai sees them as a beautiful young woman that he falls in love on first sight. The next time they are seen is by Higuchi, who spots them smiling fondly at Akutagawa and mistakes them as Akutagawa's lover.

Pursued by Katai (along with Atushi and Kunikida and Higuchi, Gin attempts to run away. However, they are forced to speak to them when they catch up to them. They explain they asked Akutagawa, revealed as their older brother, to take care of their work clothes after they were done in at a laundromat.

Their appearance and relation to Akutagawa shock the group, leaving them further exasperated. When Katai finally tries to develop a relationship with them, Gin promptly shuts him down.

Cannibalism Arc
With the arrival of the "masked assassin", Black Lizard gets assigned to scoping out and raiding his hideout. However, their target already fled the scene. This failure leads to Fyodor's "cannibalism" scheme. Assigned to "siege duty" during the raid on the Agency, Gin and the rest of the mafia's most prominent Mafiosi move in to kill Fukuzawa to save Mori's life. The group nearly ends in a massive face-off against the Agency, only to be deceived by Tanizaki's Light Snow once more. Black Lizard apprehends him and holds him hostage.

Gin stands behind Tanizaki, with Hirotsu warning Tanizaki that if he doesn't cooperate with the interrogation, Gin will kill Naomi. Naturally, this enrages Tanizaki. His violent mood swings unsettle Gin. The situation escalates, and Tanizaki escapes just as Tachihara tries to shoot him. Light Snow nearly gets Gin killed, until Hirotsu warns Tachihara he might shoot an ally. Gin hears the door lock, barely evading Tanizaki trying to kill them from behind. Hirotsu comes to Gin's aid, but Tanizaki escapes.

After Alexander Pushkin's defeat and Mori's recovery, Gin accompanies the combined forces of the Agency and Port Mafia to confront him.

Decay of Angels Arc
With Black Lizard assigned to the Agency's protection after they are framed for several accounts of murder, Gin holds their peace on the subject, leaving Hirotsu and Tachihara to argue over whether or not it's worth the trouble of protecting them when Yosano and the others leave a hidden base against Mori's instructions. They watch in shock as Kenji Miyazawa takes the bait of a car that explodes, mistaking it for Atsushi's.

Government agents attack the group, with Black Lizard protecting Tanizaki and Yosano whilst they help Kenji. The assault leads to the appearance of a mysterious, hooded figure with the ability to manipulate metal. With the drastic turn, Black Lizard and the others make a retreat. Gin remains silent throughout the whole discussion.

The figure tracks Yosano down, revealing the dog tag of the soldier she befriended. In her shock, she's nearly killed, but Gin comes to her rescue, sustaining a gash on their arm. Tachihara later comes to their aid. After their escape, Gin keeps a hand on their injury, assuring Yosano that the door, rigged with explosives, will keep them safe. Doubtful, Yosano tells them to escape on the boat without her.

They listen in on Tachihara's conversation with Yosano, suddenly walking towards him. They only say his name before stabbing him in the stomach. They shout that their blade is moving on its own, forcing them to stab Tachihara and try attacking Yosano. When they fail, they're forced to stab themselves, collapsing while the knife floats away.

It is later revealed that Gin and Hirotsu had survived his attack against them and had ended up being treated in the hospital for their injuries and he had gone to visit them. As Hirotsu greets Tachihara and expresses relief that he is alright and had "survived" with only light injuries, Tachihara experiences intense feelings of discomfort from his comments. Gin notes the light nature of all of their injuries to which Hirotsu agrees, stating the attack only seemed like a mere "performance". As Tachihara laughs in response to his comments and tries to leave the room due to having "another job" to do, Gin expresses curiosity about what he means. After Tachihara thinks about his status as a Hunting Dog and asks Hirotsu if he is suited for the Mafia, Gin looks to Hirotsu in awe and begins laughing with him as Tachihara looks to them with a sorrowful look. Hirotsu expresses to Tachihara that he is a "Mafia among the Mafia" and a person with qualities that are befitting of one (i.e. recklessness, bravery, and hot bloodedness) as an example that everyone should look to which Gin agrees in their silence.

When Tachihara asks Hirotsu what he thinks about the Detective Agency and their innocence, Hirotsu looks to him in amazement and notes he must be more injured than they were to not know the answer. When Hirotsu says anyone in the Mafia would know the answer and turns to Gin for their opinion, they answer back that there is no question that the Detective Agency is innocent, as it is impossible for them to ever be terrorists.

Trivia

 * Gin's name references Ryunosuke Akutagawa's work Ogin. The cross on their choker, while most likely aesthetic, could be interpreted as an allusion to the Christian themes found in Ogin.
 * The anime simplified Gin's design. Their heels are instead boots, and the cross completely omitted.
 * Harukawa often illustrates Gin with completely black eyes, harkening to Gin's hardened soul and their ruthless demeanor as a mafioso. However, their eyes soften somewhat when not at work.