Viral

Seiyuu / Dub

Hiyama, Nobuyuki· Japanese

Nath, Tobias· Japanese

Yang, Seok jeong· Japanese

Coryn, William· French

Lepore, Davide· Italian

López, Óscar· Spanish

Pizzuto, Michael· English

Riegel, Sam· English

Tejedor, Jorge· Spanish

Summary

Viral is a recurring antagonist who eventually becomes a crucial ally to Team Dai-Gurren in the Japanese anime Tengen Toppa Gurren-Lagann. As a shark-type Beastman with feline genetics, he serves as a Vice Commander and Warrior. His appearance is notably more humanoid than most of his kin, distinguished by cat-like eyes, shark-like teeth, and large clawed paws replacing his hands. He is highly skilled in both Gunmen piloting and unarmed combat. His relationships include rivalry and eventual alliance with Simon and Kamina, while he serves under superior officers Thymilph, Adiane, and Cytomander, and ultimately the Spiral King, Lord Genome. His first encounter involves attacking Kamina while hunting for food, leading to a clash with Kamina’s Gunmen Enki after Yoko intervenes. Although Viral overcomes the initial attacks from Simon and Kamina, he retreats before the battle concludes. The following day, he returns as part of the Human Execution Squad to carry out his mission, facing Kamina and Simon again. This time, he is defeated by the newly formed Gurren-Lagann and uses missile barrages to cover his escape. He swears revenge on Kamina for the humiliation of having Enki’s helmet taken during their fight. Viral later returns with Supreme General Thymilph and the Dai-Gunzan to crush Team Gurren using the upgraded Enkidu. He is severely injured in the battle, which leads to the Dai-Gurren’s capture and the death of his superior. Seeking another chance to fight, he attempts to join Supreme General Adiane, despite her treating him poorly and blaming him for Thymilph’s demise. Despite this, Viral saves Adiane from being crushed by the Dai-Gurren’s foot. After Adiane’s death by the Dai-Gurren’s attack, Viral becomes the sole survivor of the Dai-Gunkai. He curses the Gurren-Lagann, vowing to bring pain and punishment to those who killed his superiors and robbed him of his honor. Under Supreme General Cytomander’s command, Viral participates in an aerial attack on the Dai-Gurren. His battle with the Gurren-Lagann, piloted by Simon and Yoko, extends to the control room of Cytomander’s aerial fortress, the Dai-Gunten. There, he learns of Kamina’s death and realizes he lost to a human, specifically a child. He challenges Simon to a one-on-one mecha duel, but the fight is interrupted when Cytomander takes Yoko hostage and orders Viral to destroy the defenseless Gurren-Lagann. Viral disobeys, knowing that such an outcome would not restore his lost pride and honor. Cytomander seeks permission from the Spiral King to execute him for treason. Viral’s final request is to hear from the King himself about the true nature of the human race. Lord Genome dismisses Cytomander and reveals the truth behind the Beastmen’s existence to Viral before granting him immortality. Viral’s final confrontation with the Gurren-Lagann takes place in the Spiral King’s throne room. Believing he can finally achieve vengeance after becoming immortal, he is soundly defeated. Lord Genome explains that he granted Viral immortality not to fight Simon, as no one without "Spiral Energy" could withstand his power, but to serve as an eternal witness to the King’s triumph over Team Dai-Gurren. Throughout the series, Viral uses various Gunmen including Enki, Enkidu, Dai-Gunkai (temporarily), Enkidudu, Gurren, Tengen Toppa Gurren-Lagann, and several others in drama CDs such as Enkidududu, Enkidudududu, Dai-Gunzankai, and Tengen Toppa Enki Dulga from the Lagann-hen. The name Viral derives from the word "viral," aligning with the Beastmen’s genetic themes, though other theories exist. One suggests it is an anagram for "rival," reflecting his constant rivalry with Kamina that transfers to Simon until the series' end. Another theory links him to Enki Bilal’s Nikopol Trilogy, as Viral’s first Gunmen is named Enki, and "Bilal" sounds like "Viral" in Japanese. This is supported by his theme song, titled "Nikopol," on the anime’s soundtrack. Additionally, the name of his Gunmen may reference the Sumerian deity Enki, though there is likely a deliberate connection between his second Gunmen, Enkidu, and the character Enkidu from the Epic of Gilgamesh, who seeks to challenge King Gilgamesh but eventually befriends him.