tsuzuki shiori

Shiori is a first generation Neo-gene introduced alongside Soho Reina. The volutupous young woman serves as Reina's secretary within the NSWF, a job she takes a great deal of pride in. Although Reina draws little attention to it, Shiori is infatuated with "Soho-sensei". During her first appearance (episode four, "Movement") she dutifully offers to clean up after Reina so that her superior can leave early. After Reina departs, Shiori embraces and kisses her tea cup and coos "Reina-sama".

Shiori is the first Cloneblade to engage Masane in battle and is also the first Cloneblade to break down. After fighting briefly with Masane, Shiori becomes addicted to the rush it provides and cannot satisfy her bloodlust in any other way. Reina, concerned for her sister's well-being, eventually has to slap her and confine her to the NSWF hospital facilities for treatment. Shiori is overwhelmed at being treated by Reina personally and uses the opportunity to grope her.

Although unimpressed by Shiori's actions, Reina becomes increasingly concerned for the young woman's mental stability and the implications it could have for all Cloneblade wielders, herself included. At one point she logs her research into Shiori's condition:

Increased stimulation to the limbic lobe, particularly the cortical column. Why does it synchronise like this? It stimulates the wearer's instincts and guides her to fight further. Does this make the subject... spellbound?

Shiori soon loses all self-control and begins murdering hospital employees to satisfy her bloodlust. Before she can be forcibly detained, she escapes to seek out Masane. What follows is a brutal battle between the two women on Takayama's yacht. With Masane injured, Shiori is disappointed that the battle is not what she had hoped but is quickly excited again by Takayama's presence. She identifies him as "Takayama Reiji... Sensei's..." and, ignorant of her blade cracking, attempts to rape him. Fortunately for Takayama the most Shiori can do is strip, kiss and scratch him before her Cloneblade cracks completely and she turns to dust.

After the boat docks, Reina comes to retrieve Shiori only to discover she has died a rather horrific death. Noticably upset (albeit only for a moment) Reina is able to retrieve Shiori's remains for her continued research, but not before she leaves Takayama with some startling words.

Shiori died because of the Cloneblade. I may end up like her in time, but that applies to the Witchblade too. After all, the Cloneblades are copies of the Witchblade. The Witchblade can destroy its wielder and the Witchblade will only come off when its wearer is dead. I wonder which will fall apart first.

relationship

Shiori is the first Neo-gene to really taste the pleasures of battle and as such, is the first to be destroyed by the immense power her Cloneblade wields. While Reina is unnerved by Shiori's death, she shows little attachment to the girl otherwise. Shiori, on the other hand, displays an open sexual interest in Reina and goes to great lengths to be by her side. Even as she dies in her bid to rape Takayama, Shiori is aroused at the thought of tasting someone who has been intimate with Reina.

As both are relatively minor characters, there is nothing particularly deep or involved about the relationship we are shown between Shiori and Reina. An emotionally disturbed woman lusts after her superior only to meet her demise in a sudden and horrific manner. In the end, all Reina can take away from Shiori's brief life and sudden death is a reminder of her own mortality.