[littlesophie]

IF YOU HAVE NOT GOTTEN TO VOLUME 7 YET, DO NOT READ THIS!!! SPOILERS!!!

I have some theories of who Ritsuka's fighter is going to be.

1) Soubi is not really a blank fighter, he was just assumed so because he was 17 and still had not yet met his match. His true name is LOVELESS, however, it cannot appear while Beloved is still written on his body. Ritsu said that as a blank fighter Soubi could cast off the written name, but didn't explain how. I think that Soubi and Ritsuka will fight against Seimei and Nisei, but instead of merely bleeding (as what happens whenever Soubi goes against the name) a tear will rip across the name each time Soubi attacks Seimei. The reason for this will be because he is not only going against the name, but he is going against the name TO the name. Once Soubi defeats Seimei (either by fully restraining him, or killing him) the name BELOVED will be completely erased from rips and tears, and LOVELESS will finally appear on both his and Ritsuka's bodies. (Or, maybe he really is a blank fighter, and maybe he will "cast off his name" in the same way, therefore Ritsuka can write LOVELESS on him instead...and then Ritsuka's REAL fighter will be theory #2)

I listed this theory first because it is my favorite, and what I hope will be true because Soubi and Ritsuka seem like the right match for Fighter and Sacrifice, as well as lovers.

2) Ritsuka's fighter will be female, and realizing that he has no interest in females she will have no interference in Ritsuka's relationship with Soubi. I've seen some people say that they think of Ritsuka as bi, well I think differently. I see Ritsuka as gay. However, being as young as he is, and unsecure with feelings of "like/love", he most likely hasn't given any thought as to dating, or romance, therefore unaware himself of his sexual preference. It makes sense that he would be gay for these reasons: The only female role model in his life horribly abuses him. The only one who seems to understand or love him, and in a deep intimate way (not intimate like sex, intimate like extreme passion), is a male, his brother. After Seimei's "death" the one he shares the deepest relationship with is Soubi, who he later discovers shares similar hardships of physical and emotion abuse as he does, creating a deeper understanding and feelings toward eachother. The only people Ritsuka has ever felt comfortable opening up to are men (not counting his councelor because she doesn't really know about his thoughts and feelings, she only knows about things he does in life).

3) Can your true name change? It seems likely, because Yamato's name disappeared! So why couldn't a new name appear on her body? Maybe, there will be a name switch! Seimei (BELOVED), the beloved one is now hated by all. Ritsuka (LOVELESS), the one without love, not from his mother, family, or anyone, is now loved by all. Could it be possible that their name's will change according to the present situation?...Seimei's name changing to LOVELESS because he is unloved?...and Ritsuka's name changing to BELOVED because now he is loved?

4) Theory from AIRanimechiic: Soubi is a blank fighter, no doubt about that. Ritsuka is probably a blank sacrifice! ta-da! Female or male true fighter may not be real! And if the story sticks with kouga-sensei's interview... the fighter will probably be ... I dunno Soubi's long-lost twin brother? (got the wrong agatsuma lol)

5) Theory from tragicxcrescendo (with my own theory added to it): My theory is the same as the first one posted. Soubi wasn't a blank fighter from the start. It was just assumed so. His true name is LOVELESS, but it cannot appear since Baka-Seimei carved that godd*mn name on his neck (Poor Soubi!). Seimei knew Soubi was the LOVELESS fighter (his brother's fighter), but he wants Ritsuka to be by himself and Soubi to be in his control. He abused Soubi, teaching him discipline and obedience, so that the only person Ritsuka can depend on is him (Seimei). Seimei's reason for this might possibly be because he views Ritsuka to be great (like himself) and feared that with a great fighter (as Soubi is) he might possibly go against him and defeat him.

What are your thoughts on these theories, and what are theories of your own?

[lord_of_high_judgement]

If I remember the interview with Koga-sensei correctly we'll eventually meet up with the Loveless fighter, so the first may be unlikely. However, it's the most interesting theory that I've seen to date.

[rhausagi]

well.. i dunno about Seimei and Soubi, but I think it's a fect that Ritsuka's name is Loveless.

[AIRanimechiic]

your no. 2 theory makes more sense (that the real loveless fighter will be female and hopefully not yet anyone introduced yet). i also agree with your description of ritsuka's sexual orientation. (i have that situation in my real life. i know this 12yrold in my ice skating class and he's practically like that- a smart [skipped a grade] little emo kid who probably isnt aware that he may be gay).
however it's flawed. why would she not interfere with soubi's & ritsuka's relationship even if she realizes that ristuka's not interested in girls and especially if she's the "real" fighter and not soubi? consider the fact that all the fighter-sacrifice pairs that we've seen so far in the series have a strong bond- technically the true loveless pair (ritsuka and the possible-unknown-female-fighter) should be like that too.

now my theory- soubi is a blank fighter, no doubt about that. ritsuka is probably a blank sacrifice! ta-da! female or male true fighter may not be real! and if the story sticks with kouga-sensei's interview... the fighter will probably be ... i dunno soubi's long-lost twin brother? (got the wrong agatsuma lol)

[littlesophie]

Great theory AIRanimechiic! Why haven't I thought of that? Although, I'm going to take your theory and combine it with my first.

Soubi is a blank fighter. Ritsuka is a blank sacrifice. Soubi and Ritsuka fight against Seimei and Nisei, resulting in BELOVED on Soubi's neck ripping and tearing instead of merely bleeding, because he is going against the name TO the name. Soubi and Ritsuka will win by either fully restraining Seimei or killing him, causing BELOVED to be completely erased through harsh rips, therefore no longer belonging to the name. Ritsuka will be able to write LOVELESS on Soubi, and Soubi will be able to write LOVELESS on Ritsuka.

But there is one problem. Why does Ritsuka have the name LOVELESS then???

Interesting...*ponders...*

[littlesophie]

I've thought of another theory!

Can your true name change? It seems likely, because Yamato's name disappeared! So why couldn't she get another name?

Maybe, there will be a name switch! Seimei (BELOVED), the beloved one is now hated by all. Ritsuka (LOVELESS), the one without love, not from his mother, family, or anyone, is now loved by all. Could it be possible that they will switch names?

I'm going to add this to my original theories list, along with yours AIRanimechiic.

[littlesophie]

I've been thinking about how LOVELESS is going to end for a while, and I wanted to post some of those theories as well, and see what you guys think.

Ritsu
Has anyone ever noticed how much Ritsu and Soubi look alike? And they both need glasses to help them with their eye site? And I read somewhere (I don't know if this is true, and if it is then I missed it in the manga) that Ritsu's fighter was Soubi's mom (makes sense since he was at the hospital after Soubi's parents died). I think that Soubi's mom cheated on her husband, and Ritsu is Soubi's father. That is another reason why (other than Soubi being the son of his fighter) Ritsu took a special interest in Soubi. That also means that Soubi lost his ears to his own father! Woah right?

Seimei and Ritsuka
I think that toward the end Seimei is going to kidnap Ritsuka. He will be capable of doing this through the help of Soubi, because Soubi fears disobeying Seimei. Seimei isn't going to torture Ritsuka, or harm him in any way, he's just going to lock him up in a nice room. He will visit Ritsuka often, and speak to him of how together they can be great, Nisei at his side, and Soubi by his. He will talk to Ritsuka of how the world would bend to their power, of how they could control it, how it is their right to control it, for he sees that only he and Ritsuka are worthy of life, and everyone else is there for their use. He will try to convince Ritsuka of this, try to get him to rule with him.

I also think that while in captivity Seimei is going to take Ritsuka's ears....now before you think NO WAY! THAT WON'T HAPPEN! listen to my reasons.

1) Seimei does not understand true love. He does not TRULY love Ritsuka. He sees himself as great, and being his brother, of the same flesh and blood, Ritsuka is also great. Therefore, Ritsuka is the only one worthy of the same things he is. Not even Nisei is worthy of the same things (I believe Seimei told him that he was the dog, or something?). Viewing other people in this way, as disgusting vile creatures, he finds it repulsive if they touch him...but not Ritsuka. He allows Ritsuka to touch him, hug him, and even bathe with him.
2) Having no true understanding of love, Seimei does not crave for human passions. He does not feel the need for sexual pleasures, therefore has no sexual desire to be satisfied (nor does he feel anyone is worthy of this deep intimacy with him) that is why he has not lost his ears yet.
3) Having ears appears childish, and even laughable at his age. Being a strong, overpowering enemy requires gaining respect and fear. He needs to be rid of his ears, and Ritsuka as well needs to rid of his ears in able to be great.
4) Ritsuka being his equal, and everyone else being creatures in his eyes, Ritsuka is the only one he sees as capable of doing this for him. He will take Ritsuka's ears (and get rid of his own) for the same reason Ritsu took Soubi's (without the sexual desire, as was obvious in Ritsu's case).
5) Seimei will NOT enjoy it. He will simply do enough to rid them both of their ears, and then withdraw. It will be seen by him as merely maturing, and adding a stronger effect of power and fear to others. He will view this as a necessary change for them both.

Soubi
Soubi will have either been captured with Ritsuka, or left behind (I personally think he will be left behind, he will probably be injured by Nisei or something, idk). Either way, he is going to try to help Ritsuka escape (as long as Seimei doesn't know, he isn't disobeying him). Somehow Seimei is going to know when Soubi comes. He is going to let Ritsuka out and he, Ritsuka, and Nisei will wait for Soubi's arrival. While waiting Seimei will speak to Ritsuka of how he needs to take control of Soubi, and teach him discipline, of how he and Nisei will watch over him in case Soubi or he (Ritsuka) gets out of line. When Soubi enters Seimei will tell him to obey Ritsuka's command, but not directly order him to (confident that Ritsuka will want the greatness he spoke to him of, and if not, confident that Nisei will take control, if Soubi doesn't obey HIS command) and then instructs Ritsuka on what he wants him to make Soubi do. Soubi, at first, feels pressured by Seimei and is ready to do as he says...but once he notices Ritsuka's ears are gone (as well as Seimei's), and understands what has happened, he becomes utterly shocked. Seimei noticing Soubi's look explains to him in complete calmness the importance of losing their ears. Meanwhile Soubi becomes outraged (because he has his own personal experience in this, plus he loves Ritsuka and wanted that to be a passionate bond between them, and he knew the sensitivity Ritsuka would have had felt about it, and knew that Seimei would not have been understanding of that sensitivity), and at Seimei's first command he disobey's and instead attacks him. This goes into one of my theories on who the LOVELESS fighter will be. Soubi and Ritsuka are going to fight against Seimei and Nisei (Ritsuka now allowing the battle because he finally realizes how crazed his brother really is). Each time Soubi attacks a tear will rip across BELOVED. Once Soubi and Ritsuka win (either by fully restraining Seimei or killing him, I personally think killing him) the name BELOVED will be "cast off" (as Ritsu said) for it will be torn beyond being read (then one of my fighter theories will apply). Ritsuka will take Seimei's death hard at first, and go through a deep depression. But with the help of Soubi he will get through it, and he and Soubi will be closer than ever (now that Ritsuka's hope of a close brotherly relationship with Seimei is no more, the only one left is Soubi). Also, now Ritsuka and Soubi both share basically the same life experience. No parents/guardians who truly love them, abused physically and emotionally, ears taken unwillingly by those who are supposed to protect and care for them.

Ritsuka's and Soubi's relationship
As Ritsuka gets over the depression of his brothers TRUE death, Ritsuka and Soubi will begin to love each other deeper than ever. Ritsuka will finally open up about his feelings (most likely by kissing Soubi) and then take it to the next level. Maybe he'll say something like, "Let's lose our ears now..." meaning, "Let's TRULY lose our ears...by OUR choice...and not count the time when they were stolen."

Those are some of my theories of what's going to happen throughout the LOVELESS manga. What do you think? Agree? Totally wrong? Post YOUR thoughts and theories here!

[Esty]

personally i think the fighter unit is someone we dont know. i dont know weather the loveless fighter is the same figther from the novel or not but i still think its going to be somebody we dont know still.

[littlesophie]

I have a theory on why Ritsuka's name is LOVELESS!!!

Originally I thought that Seimei was BELOVED because he was the loved child, whereas Ritsuka is LOVELESS because he is the abused child. Also, Seimei was popular and loved by all, while Ritsuka is reserved and independent and not loved by all.

But I started thinking...that doesn't make sense because Soubi loves Ritsuka, and Ritsuka loves Soubi, and their love is TRUE...while Seimei doesn't understand love...he only knows greatness and power.

What if Ritsuka's name is LOVELESS because one day, later on in the manga, he will lose Soubi's love? Or lose Soubi entirely?

If you don't want to read all that below V then here is a summary. Ritsuka's name is LOVELESS because either Soubi is going to be killed, or he is going to fall out of love with Ritsuka. If you want to know why I think he might fall out of love with Ritsuka read theory 2 (which is basically this whole thing...sorry XD!).

Theory 1) Later on Soubi and Ritsuka fight against Seimei and Nisei, they succeed by killing Seimei, yet his two sacrifices (Nisei and Soubi) both die as well because they are connected through the name. Or, since Soubi is a blank fighter maybe this won't apply to him. Maybe he will die from the fight anyway, from wounds. Therefore Ritsuka truly becomes loveless.

Theory 2) I read a theory in another forum by someone else that they think Seimei did something to Ritsuka to cause him to forget his past, hoping to cause upset and separation between Ritsuka and the family, and making himself (Seimei) the only one Ritsuka could go to for help, the only one who (it seemed) understood Ritsuka. I completely agree with this theory. I don't believe it is a coincidence that Ritsuka is suffering from amnesia, I think it was intentional. Seimei's plan worked better than I think he even thought it would, because not only did it upset Ritsuka's mother that he forgot everything and became totally different, but she even went as far as telling him that he was no longer her son. This causing extreme emotional grief for Ritsuka and causing him to become emotionally unstable.

This next part of the theory is a bit extreme...I will admit to that before I list it...but I believe that it is a possibility.

We've already seen that Seimei is extremely patient, as most intelligent and insane people are (pretending to be dead for two years, while staying calm and maintaining a strong hold on his plan while he waits for it to carry out). What if Seimei captures Soubi and then goes into hiding. What if he hides himself and his prisoner (Soubi) so well that Ritsuka can't find them for weeks...months...years? His reasons? He believes Soubi and Ritsuka have become too emotionally attached, instead of creating the master-servant relationship he intended. He believes Soubi is beginning to see himself as an equal to Ritsuka, and believes he needs to reteach him discipline and obedience. Seimei will also decide to wait for Ritsuka's TRUE fighter to come along, and keep Soubi as his own again (now having two fighters) because he will believe that if Soubi is given to Ritsuka again, they will only continue to deepen their "inappropriate" bond. He will believe that these years of separation will eventually erase the bond they began.

He will also see this as an opportunity to effect Ritsuka in a similar way as when he gave him amnesia. Losing his memory caused their mother to accuse Ritsuka of "not being her son". During the years that Soubi is imprisoned Ritsuka will change, becoming different physically, mentally, and emotionally. It is obvious that Ritsuka will grow and mature. He will become taller, his face will change, his voice will deepen. His mind will change as well. He will develop new thoughts and ideas about life and other things. He will simply grow up. Also, losing Soubi will cause him to become even more emotionally unstable, and I think he will become less sympathetic towards others because of the cruelty he's suffered. I also think that in this time Ritsuka is going to lose his ears.

Reasons:
Ritsuka spent years searching for Soubi (desperately searching no doubt). At first he had the help from Ritsu, Youji and Natsuo, Kio, and others...for the first year probably. After that, one by one, they stop helping. It's seen as pointless to them, thinking Soubi is most likely dead. Both Ritsuka and Kio being Soubi's best friends, a strong brotherly bond will form between them. Kio will be the last to give up helping Ritsuka look for Soubi (in the end he will only go along with Ritsuka to support him, but not really believing they will find Soubi). During this time everyone will tell Ritsuka to stop wasting his life, to move on, to find another love (as it will be obvious to them his feelings for Soubi)...and eventually even Kio will tell Ritsuka it's pointless...Kio, Ritsuka's last help and hope in finding Soubi. I think Ritsuka is eventually going to know that his searches are pointless (know, but not believe they are...not wanting to believe anyway). He's eventually going to slow down his searches to the point that he's basically not searching anymore. Deciding this is life, that he has lost his only love, his only love that will ever be true, he won't believe that there is anyone else suited for him. Kio being his closest friend, he will turn to him for comfort, and decide to give up his ears with him. I don't believe Kio will love Ritsuka or want a relationship with him, Kio will only decide to go along with it because he will feel that it will help Ritsuka to move on, help him to think of creating a relationship with someone else (because now Ritsuka won't have the romantic idea of losing his ears to Soubi, and won't feel like he needs to save his love anymore). This idea of Kio's will work in a sense, but also backfire. Ritsuka will decide that maybe he'll give love a shot, but instead of trying to build a relationship with others, he will constantly compare them to Soubi, and only think of Soubi...and as he is no longer a virgin, he won't see any harm in being intimate in these relationships...thinking that this is his only source of love now...it's all he has.

Ritsuka will now be a "true" adult. Grown up, no ears. Eventually he will meet his true fighter (whom I think will be female, read first post to read that theory). Along with her help (and the Seven Moons) they will find a location where they believe Seimei and Soubi might be (even though they weren't looking for Soubi, they are still aware of what's happening around them...and due to suspicious happens around this particular location they will believe it might be Seimei's hiding spot.......and I think that Seimei will have purposely exposed his hiding spot, now that Ritsuka has paired with his true fighter). Ritsuka will immediately go to the discovered place, along with his female fighter (and possibly Kio, maybe others too *shrug*), and it will be Seimei's hiding spot...and Soubi will be there.

Wrapping this up now (so long, I know sorry! Just kinda typing out all my thoughts) Ritsuka will sneak in, go to Soubi's cell, Soubi will think it is Seimei at first and say a few nasty things, taking a closer look he will realize it's Ritsuka (United at last! After so many years! Very emotional time in the manga), they will escape when OH NO! SEIMEI CAUGHT THEM! They will fight, Ritsuka will instruct Soubi to kill Seimei for he no longer has sympathy for his obviously crazed brother (So unlike Ritsuka!...thinks Soubi in complete shock!), Seimei's killed, the name BELOVED is "cast off" of Soubi (as Ritsu said). *takes a breath* Now...the CONCLUSION to my theory!!! (What you've all been waiting for!) Soubi is now, once again, a zombie. He lost all hope of having a relationship with Ritsuka (as it never appeared that Ritsuka loved him anyway, and now years had past in which Ritsuka had surely moved on). And now Ritsuka is totally different...he is "no longer Ritsuka" to him (sound familiar? Seimei's plan worked out). He is used to Ritsuka being very short, and small...a child. Now Ritsuka is almost as tall as he is, and has a deep voice. And not only has he grown, but he no longer has ears...confirming his fear that Ritsuka has moved on, and making that deep passionate bond of losing their ears together no longer possible (because Soubi hasn't REALLY lost his virginity, his "intimate" moment was brief to simply rid him of his ears, therefore it would still be a sensitive bond for him). Also, Ritsuka is more mature mentally (logically deciding to kill his brother, instead of letting his emotions get in the way). To Soubi he is no longer Ritsuka...not the Ritsuka he knew at least. And now, Ritsuka has met his true fighter, and Soubi no longer has a sacrifice, he will be out of place. Already feeling numb like a zombie, and no longer having the Ritsuka that he loved, he will not love the Ritsuka now (even though he wants to...he just can't because it is so different for him, he can't accept the changes that took place in his absence, no matter how hard he tries). He will leave them, as he no longer has a purpose, and Ritsuka will be loveless.

If you read all that I applaud you!!! Now, what are YOUR thoughts to this? And theories of your own?

[tragicxcrescendo]

Interesting theories, indeed.
My theory is the same as the first one posted.
Soubi wasn't a blank fighter from the start. He just assumed it. His true name is LOVELESS, but it cannot appear since Baka-Seimei carved that goddamn name on his neck. (Poor Soubi!) Seimei knows how to change and re-write name and he wants Ritsuka by himself, since he's aware that Soubi is his brother's fighter, he abused Soubi so that the only person Ritsuka can depend on is him.

STUPID SEIMEI!
I WANT TO KILL HIM!