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Pisa — Students
Spanish students' association:
Tropes applying to them all:
- Child of Two Worlds: At the time, the Iberian peninsula is still divided between Christian Spain and Muslim Al-andalus, and most, if not all, of Cesare's entourage is Jewish or recently converted; and they serve a Catholic cardinal. Through these differences, they all have a great open-mindedness and a capacity to admire even their enemies.
- Color-Coded for Your Convenience: The Spanish students all wear black. This makes them stand out even in the black-and-white manga.
Cesare Borgia:
Played By: Akinori Nakagawa (2023 musical)
- Ambadassador: Plays this role for his father throughout the series.
- Awesome Moment of Crowning: Indirectly, but when the news of his father's victory reaches him in Siena, the members of his entourage enter the cathedral where Cesare has been praying, and kneel to him. He stands, spreads his arms, and declares that their moment has come, with the lovingly-rendered brilliant mosaics of the Siena cathedral behind him.
- Badass Boast: He oozes these — and has the strength and the brains to back them up.
- Berserk Button: He is *very* protective of Miguel, though he won't admit it.
- Big Brother Mentor: To Lucrezia. He sees her talents before everyone else and encourages her to hone them in order to assist their father as he does.
- Child of Two Worlds: Half-Spanish, half-Italian, a Catholic with mostly Jewish friends, living in a world that is rapidly changing. His experiences here give him insights that help him see past the things others take for granted.
- Child Prodigy: He showed signs of high intelligence at an early age, which is why his father brought him into the palace and set him on such a rigorous educational path.
- Early Personality Signs: He recalls that as a young child, he used to let his brother cry his lungs out for their mother, so that he could enjoy her presence without asking for it.
- Even Bad Men Love Their Mamas: Is very protective of his mother, Vannozza Cattanei, though he has not lived with her for years.
- Frontline General: As the general of the Southern army during the battle reconstruction, he leads the charge at the head of the light cavalry - very much to his father's dismay.
- Manipulative Bastard: Though, as Angelo points out, his manipulations often have a positive effect, even if it's not what he intended.
- Minored In Ass Kicking: While his greatest weapon is Real Politik and manipulation, he can definitely hold his own with a sword... Provided Miguel is not too far behind in case he needs backup.
- Princely Young Man: Elegant, well-mannered, dignified, just what it takes of haughty classism - he fits the title to a tee... when he cares to.
- Young Future Famous People: He would go on to conquer large areas of Italy, and become the inspiration for The Prince, but before that, he was 16.
Miguel da Corella
Played By: Kenchi Tachibana (2023 musical)
- The Consigliere: He is Cesare's most loyal follower and friend, and for that he is as blunt as he needs to be.
- Happily Adopted: Was adopted more as a pet for Cesare than as a child for the Borgias, but he is happy and grateful about where this has led him in life.
- Informed Judaism: He is Jewish, and one of the Spanish students who never converted.
- Tall, Dark, and Handsome: Both in the manga and the musical.
- These Hands Have Killed: His skills with a knife have often been put to use in Cesare's service. While it hardly bothers him anymore, he does express some shame about it when he realizes that Angelo has only ever seen him with blood on his hands.
- This Is My Name on Foreign: He goes by Micheletto in Italy, but his true name is Miguel as he was born in Valencia, Spain.
Alvaro and Felipe
- The Big Guy: Alvaro especially, but they're both rather imposing. At the end of the day, the reason they're in Pisa is to be Cesare's bodyguards.
- Informed Judaism: They were both raised Jewish and later made to convert to Christianity. Felipe seems to have a little more respect for his new religion than Alvaro.
- Those Two Guys: The friendliest students of the Spanish association, and hardly ever far from each other.
Florentine students' association:
Angelo da Canossa
Taiki Yamazaki
Ryotaro Akazawa
Played By: Taiki Yamazaki (Squadra Verde) and Ryotaro Akazawa (Squadra Rossa) (2023 musical)
- Audience Surrogate: Knows close to nothing about politics and their reverberations at university, which allows other students to explain them to him.
- Bookworm: An avid reader - the reason he's so socially inept is that he's spending so much time in his books.
- Distressed Dude: Cesare has to rescue him a lot, once even remarking, "You again?". Eventually, Angelo returns the favor.
- Hair of Gold, Heart of Gold: A full head of bright blond hair and not an ounce of malice in him.
- Lost in Translation: His constant keigo (polite speech in Japanese) is a large part of his charm. The effect of his keeping to this speech pattern when talking to those of higher status, even when challenging them, is incredibly difficult to show in English — and, ironically, probably in Italian, as well.
- Naïve Newcomer: He arrives in Pisa knowing nothing, giving the story an excuse to have Roberto, and the Spanish association, explain everything to him.
- The Paragon: He's a devoted humanist; on of his teachers even compares his reasoning to that of the uomo universalis, the peak Renaissance man.
- Raised by Grandparents: He was raised by his maternal grandfather, a master sculptor who brought him up between art and humanist ideals.
- Scholarship Student: His schooling was paid for by Lorenzo de'Medici.
- Tall Poppy Syndrome: Speaking one's mind is not tolerated in the Florentine association unless one is Giovanni.
Giovanni de'Medici
Yujiro Kazama
Akira Kagimoto
Played By: Yuichiro Kazama (Squadra Verde) and Akira Kagimoto (Squadra Rossa) (2023 musical)
- Adaptational Dye-Job: He is blond in the manga, and brown-haired in the musical.
- Character Development: At first, he thinks he's the greatest thing in the world, but not long after the beginning of the series, he realizes there's a lot he needs to learn to measure up to the position he's been placed in.
- Foil: To Cesare. Both are very intelligent young men from powerful families, both clergymen, respected heads of their respective student associations, and their debates are the greatest animation during class. Initially, Giovanni was hinted to be as sneaky as Cesare. However, Giovanni is a meek pushover; Cesare is a major player with resounding authority. Giovanni is more of an artistic soul ; Cesare is a politically astute
Magnificent Bastard. Giovanni describes himself as plain ; Cesare is strikingly handsome. Giovanni's concerns are petty and worldly; Cesare is always looking at the bigger picture. Giovanni is extremely sheltered and initially very egocentric; Cesare makes himself aware of the evils of the world and knows his men. Finally, Giovanni is genuine in his friendship towards Cesare, despite being often annoyed by his antics; Cesare humors him for political reasons, but does enjoy teasing him. - Manchild: He initially expects everyone around him to bend backwards to obey him, and acts like a little boy when Draghignazzo berates him. While he's able to trade blows with Giuliano Della Rovere, the experience leaves him so scared he can barely walk, and he hides (literally) from Rodrigo Borgia after his brother betrayed him. This is still better than the time he tried to evade a political responsibility by faking a tummyache. He's also bawling, snot and all, upon hearing of his father's passing and it takes Rodrigo intervening to convince him to stay in Rome and fulfill his duties. Then again, he's only seventeen, so it makes some sense he would be more child than man.
- Non-Action Guy: One of the few students of the university who don't actively parttake in the mock battle.
- Spoiled Brat: At first, he can't stand to share the spotlight with anyone else. He's surrounded by flatterers.
- Strong Family Resemblance: Aquiline nose, fair hair, round face - he very clearly takes after his mother.
- Young Future Famous People: Becomes Pope Leon X in 1513.
Draghignazzo
Shori Kondo
Reo Honda
Played By: Shori Kondo (Squadra Verde) and Reo Honda (Squadra Rossa) (2023 musical)
- Adaptational Attractiveness: For this and other reasons, some have said that if you read the manga, you're not going to like Draghignazzo, but if you watch the musical, you're not going to not like him. Also, his name is a lot more fun to say out loud (or to hear) than to read.
- Bastard Bastard: His file names him the natural son of a Medici (possibly of Lorenzo himself, or his brother Giuliano), and he is not exactly a pleasant person.
- Dragon Ascendant: While he knows he officially belongs in the shadow, he keeps playing on Giovanni's weaknesses for flattery and authority to steer him where he wants.
- Foil: To Miguel. Draghignazzo to Miguel. Both are The Dragon to the head of their association, and Draghignazzo tells Miguel they aren't so different, with one being illegitimate and the other Jewish, depending respectively on the Medici and the Borgias to survive. Unlike Draghignazzo, though, Miguel is a Brutally Honest consigliere, and the closest thing Cesare has to an actual friend; while Draghignazzo just flatters Giovanni to better manipulate him into doing his will, and Giovanni laters blames himself for not being a better friend to him. It is quite clear that Miguel would follow Cesare to the end of the world, while Draghignazzo betrayed the Medici at the first hint of their power fading.
- Meaningful Name: "Draghignazzo" (Dra-gii-NYA-ttso) means "dragon-like", and it's the name of a demon that tortures sinners in a lower circle of Dante's hell. It leads one to wonder who chose that name for him, and if he has any other.
Roberto
Yuya Kido
Played By: Yuya Kido (Squadra Verde) and Kento (Squadra Rossa) (2023 musical)
- Mr. Exposition: He tells Angelo about not just their school, but also the larger political situation.
French students' association:
Henri
Played By: Seiya Inagaki (2023 musical)
- Amusing Injuries: Cesare breaks his nose badly during the bullfight, and again after the melee; it heals very crookedly, and Alvaro can't help but burst out laughing at it.
- Animal Motifs: He is the bull in the bullfight.
- Barbaric Bully: Thick-headed, brutal, and intolerant.
- The Big Guy: He seems to be the most imposing student at the university.
- Foil: To Cesare. Both are proud, strong-headed, hot-blooded, highly respected by their classmates, very attached to their origins, they have similar interests in warfare and horse breeding; but unlike Henri, Cesare is able to reflect on himself and others, to see past his own delusions of grandeur to learn about others and respect them. Henri is so obsessed with himself and the values he was raised in that he will run face-first into a wall before questioning himself... Literally.
- French Jerk: He is from Marseille and at the head of the French association.
- Frontline General: During the mock crusade, as the general of the Northern army and at the head of the heavy cavalry.
Pisa — Others
Raffaele Riario:
Played By: Haruki Kiyama (2023 musical)
Archbishop of Pisa. Was involved in the Pazzi Conspiracy, though he was essentially bait, and not aware of his uncles' plans.- Break the Cutie: When he was only 17, he was made a cardinal, and his uncles held a mass in his honor to commemorate the promotion, in the famous Duomo of Florence, as a way to lure the Medici brothers to be assassinated — Lorenzo escaped, but his brother Giuliano (Giovanni's uncle) was murdered. Raffaele played no part in this scheme, and now lives in shame, and in terror of retaliation.
- Corrupt Church: Cesare buy his support early on, with sugar from the Americas. He proceeds to play cardinals against each other during the very Conclave he is supposed to arbiter.
- The Dragon: To Rodrigo during the Conclave, even though he is supposed to be an unbiased organizer.
- Ephebophile: Makes little secret of his attraction towards Cesare — or towards Donatello's David. He even has backup dancers costumed as the statue.
- Know When to Fold 'Em: He is fully conscious that the Pazzi conspiracy has ruined any chance of the Riario family to birth a Pope for generations to come, and supports other claimants instead.
Francesco Remolines
- Private Tutor: He is Cesare's preceptor and Rodrigo's trusted man.
- Sexy Priest: He is a rather dashing gentleman. He joined the orders even though he was married at the time, breaking his holy commitment in favor of another.
Rome
Cardinals
Rodrigo Borgia:
Played By: Tetsuya Bessho (2023 musical)
Cesare's father, a cardinal. He becomes pope in the end of the manga.- Kavorka Man: Very successful with the ladies, despite his rather coarse features.
- Parental Favoritism: He dotes on Lucrezia, his little princess, thinks back proudly on Pedro-Luis, the valiant war hero, and guides Cesare, the genius; but he sees Juan as dead weight.
Giuliano della Rovere
Played By: Kojiro Oka(2023 musical)
- Rags to Riches: Grew up in misery and abuse, only to become one of the most influent and wealthiest cardinals of the Holy See.
- Refuge in Audacity: How he rose so high in the Church despite his humble origins: he's loud, angry, confident, and scares the meeker cardinals.
Ascanio Sforza
- Screw the Money, I Have Rules!: He is rather comfortable navigating the schemes and corruption of the Curia, but when Della Rovere tries to buy his faction's votes for a staggering sum, after having completely wrecked the ties between Rome and his home city of Milan, he is absolutely furious.
Borgia household
Juan Borgia
- Annoying Younger Sibling: How Cesare sees him. They shared everything as toddlers, but grew to dislike each other as Cesare's advancement made him their father's favorite.
- Attention Whore: Lives in the constant shadow of his older brothers, and compensates this way.
- The Casanova: Making a name for himself as such in Rome.
- The Unfavorite: His father does not like him nearly as much as his siblings and does nothing to hide it.
Lucrezia Borgia
- Arranged Marriage: Spends most of the series betrothed to a young Spanish aristocrat. During the Conclave, her father promises her to a Sforza cousin in exchange for the support of the Milanese cardinals.
- Annoying Younger Sibling: To Cesare, at times; she is too adorable to stay mad at, however.
- Beware the Nice Ones: She is by far the sweetest of the Borgias, but there is definitely spice in her sugar.
- Big Brother Worship: Bordering on Big Brother Attraction, towards Cesare, who both dotes on her and respects her for the cunning and intelligent girl she is. Leading to...
- Father, I Want to Marry My Brother: Considers herself the only woman who could ever be a match for Cesare. People tend to dismiss her when she says that, but she means every word.
- Fille Fatale: Very good at getting her way and learning, at 12, how to attract looks and more from her entourage.
- Troubling Unchildlike Behavior: While sweet and innocent, she occasionally shows signs of being wise far beyond her years, and shows a clear level of detachment when it comes to her projects, such as when she giggles when learning that the Pope is dying, because it means Cesare will be returning to Rome.
Giulia Orsini, née Farnese
- Mentor Archetype: She stealthily teaches Lucrezia, who is raised by her mother-in-law, how to make her way in the world.
- The Mistress: To Rodrigo, who is thrice her age.
- Sexless Marriage: With Orsino, her husband. She is repulsed by his disfiguring infection, and having an affair with Rodrigo to boot.
Adriana Orsini
- Apron Matron: Raised Rodrigo's children with stern authority and seems to be at the head of his household.
- Kissing Cousins: She used to have an affair with her cousin Rodrigo.
- Woman Scorned: She despises Vannozza Cattanei, and is scorned on behalf of her son at how Rodrigo sleeps with his wife.
Vannozza Cattenei
- Doting Parent: We know little of her, except that she takes loving care of her children and that at least Cesare and Lucrezia adore her in return.
- The Ghost: Often mentionned, but did not actually appear on page or do anything until the very last virtu, in which she writes to Cesare her concerns for him and his siblings.
- Give the Baby a Father: She was married off shortly after Cesare's conception so he could have a legitimate father. The arrangement worked for many years, as she had three other children with Rodrigo.
- The Mistress: Was this to Rodrigo until fairly recently, as their youngest child Gioffre is only eight years old.
Others
Florence
Lorenzo de'Medici
Played By: Takura Kon(2023 musical)
The patriarch of the Medici family.- The Good King: Revered and respected all over Italy as a paragon of a ruler, despite being a commoner.
- Just the First Citizen: Calls himself the first citizen of Florence in public. Cesare immediately catches the reference, and the subtelty of his game.
- Secretly Dying: Hides his condition for the first ten books, before passing away to everyone's surprise.
Piero de'Medici
- Big Brother Bully: Played With. He genuinely loves Giovanni, but he does not really respect him and expects him to follow his commands without question.
- Freudian Excuse: Was traumatized as a young child by a bloody revolt by the people of Florence, and was raised in his mother's contempt and distrust of them.
- Inadequate Inheritor: Despite his father's desperate warnings, he decides to destroy all of his alliances. History went on to remember him as "the Unfortunate".
- Momma's Boy: He seems to be very influenced by the ghost of his mother, and decides to rest entirely on her family, despite his father warning him of how fickle aristocrats can be.
Giorgio
- Identical Grandson: Warm, generous, open-minded, talented, passionate about the arts - it is blatant how much he has influenced Angelo while raising him.
- Outliving One's Offspring: His daughter Anna, Angelo's mother, passed away several years prior to the story.
Milan
Ludovico Sforza
- Bad Boss: From Da Vinci's point of view, his aggressiveness and flightiness seem to be a pain in the ass to work for.
- Evil Uncle: To Caterina, and most importantly to her brother Gian Galeazzo, whose dukedom he is usurping.
- Red Baron: Il Moro, the Moor.
Caterina Sforza
- Everyone Is Related: She is Cardinal Ascanio's niece, and Archbishop Riario's aunt by marriage.
- Hero of Another Story: The complexities of her story are discussed at several points by other characters. She actually goes on to play a large part in Cesare's life later on, though the series is set before they actually meet.
- Mama Bear: She is deeply devoted to her son Ottaviano, and to protecting him.
Leonardo da Vinci
- The Man Behind the Man: Despite being before all an artist and an engineer, he clearly influence's the dukedom's politics as well.
