| Swindler | |
|---|---|
| Akudama Drive character | |
&sq=Envato&lang=en&file=File:AkudamaSwindler.png) Promotional illustration of Swindler | |
| First appearance | "Se7en" (2020) |
| Created by | Kazutaka Kodaka, Tomohisa Taguchi |
| Voiced by | Tomoyo Kurosawa (Japanese), Macy Anne Johnson (English) |
| In-universe information | |
| Alias | Ordinary Citizen |
The Swindler (Japanese: 詐欺師, Hepburn: Sagi-shi), also known as Ordinary Person (一般人, Ippanjin), is the protagonist of the anime series Akudama Drive by Studio Pierrot and Too Kyo Games. A young woman working at the Kansai Seal Office who accidentally becomes a criminal when meeting the Akudama Courier. After saving what she thought was a black cat, the girl pretends to be a criminal named "Swindler" to avoid being killed by the other Akudama. As a result of this, Swindler is the target of justice and often escapes from the policemen known as Executioners. Eventually, Swindler embraces her transformation into an Akudama to bodyguard two children known as Brother and Sister who Executioners from Kansai wish to kidnap. The character has also appeared in the series' manga adaptation. She is voiced by Tomoyo Kurosawa in Japanese and Macy Anne Johnson in English.
In the making of the series, writer Kazutaka Kodaka had different plans for the character, envisioning as a mysterious character who would come across as an equal to the Akudama but stands out as well. However, after multiple discussions with director Tomohisa Taguchi, Swindler was rewritten to be as a more common character that might come across as the audience surrogate but still share her role as an assemble. The character was adapted by Cindy Yamauchi who aimed to give Swindler first an innocent design and later altered her into a more mature-like persona to symbolize her character arc.
Swindler was originally the subject of a mixed reception by anime and manga critics due to how she comically becomes a member of the main cast by accident, but still has no reason for staying with them, making her characterization appear forced and weak. However, Swindler's embracement of her criminal life was the subject of a more positive reception for becoming stronger as she wishes to protect two children regardless the cost. Kurosawa's voice acting as Swindler was also praised by the staff in charge of making the series.