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You don't need to trust me. Just use me. After all... I'm trying to do the same to you.

—Retrace XIII: A Lost Raven

Introduction

Xerxes Break (ザークシーズ=ブレイク, Zaakushiizu Bureiku), often referred to by his Pandora alias "Mad Hatter" (イカレ帽子屋 (マッドハッター) , Ikare Boushiya「Maddohattā」), is a supporting protagonist from Jun Mochizuki's Pandora Hearts. He works as a representative of Pandora under the Rainsworth Dukedom. It was he who organized the efforts to facilitate Oz Vessalius's escape from the Abyss, though this ends up being in vain when Oz escapes on his own. Break conscripts Oz and Alice as his subordinates after threatening to arrest them. Most Pandora missions are delivered to Oz and his friends via Break, and Break serves as a mentor figure to the other major protagonists.

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SPOILER WARNING!
This article contains plot and/or ending details for Pandora Hearts.
Read at your own risk.
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Born into a family of knights as Kevin Legnard (ケビン=レグナード, Kebin Regunaado) about twenty to thirty years after the Tragedy of Sablier, he served a minor noble house known as the Sinclair Family. Considerable social unrest followed the Tragedy of Sablier and a civil war had broken out within the country. Though the Four Great Dukedoms were considered the legitimate rulers of the country at the time, the Sinclair Family opposed them. One day, while Kevin was on a trip with the youngest daughter of the Sinclairs, the rest of the family died in an "accident." He became determined to revive them, Illegally Contracting a Chain called Albus the White Knight and killing over a hundred people in sacrifice to the Intention of the Abyss. For this he became known as the Red-Eyed Specter (赤眼の亡霊, Akame no Bourei). When his Contract was terminated and he was dragged to the Abyss, the Intention met him personally to gouge out his eyes. Though she successfully took his left eye, she was interrupted by Vincent Nightray, and Break was able to convince her to alter time and prevent the Sinclair Family's death. In exchange, the Intention asked that Break find a way to kill her.

He arrived at the Rainsworth Door to the Abyss thirty years later, discovered by a young Sharon Rainsworth and Reim Lunettes. For fear of prosecution, Kevin claimed his name was Xerxes Break. After some investigation, Break learned the Sinclair Family had survived only a few more years before dying even more horribly as a result of his actions. Stricken by grief, he rejected those around him until he was approached by Shelly Rainsworth. Soon he grew close to Shelly and her daughter, and while only legally recognized as Sharon's valet, Break is acknowledged by the Rainsworths as her family.

Appearance[]

Commonly referred to as Break, he is a member of Pandora and a servant of the Rainsworth household. Like Sharon, Break's appearance does not change during the ten year gap between Oz entering and escaping from the Abyss, on account of having a legal contract with the Mad Hatter. Break is often seen with a doll on his shoulder, whom he calls Emily. He adores sweets and cakes. He has short white hair and wine-red eyes. He usually carries a sword disguised as a cane. Break has no left eye, as it was taken by The Intention of the Abyss and given to Cheshire.

Personality[]

On the surface, Break seems a carefree character, never serious and always smiling, with a weak spot for all kinds of sweets and cakes. Sometimes he eats whole cubes of sugar that which he always brings along with him. When needs be, however, Break can also be sinister and dangerous. Reim tells Oz that Break has not always been the way he is now. Before, after losing his eye and for a short while after, he was a bitter and angry person, never smiling. However, through the kindness of Shelly, Sharon's mother, he began to open up. It seems though that some of the emotions from his past still linger as he becomes slightly depressed when he is reminded of it. He has sworn absolute loyalty to Shelly; promising not to die until he has fulfilled the Intention's wish. Break's true motive is to find the truth behind what happened 100 years ago. He hates Vincent with a passion, due to him ordering Echo to attack Sharon, who afterwards was poisoned by Vincent. In Retrace 42, it is shown that Break has become blind. However, he can still differentiate different objects placed in front of him, but not people's faces. He states that he will lose that ability soon. Break says very early in the series that he might not have another year left of his life, as the strain of his contract is slowly crippling his body. He is therefore eager to achieve his goals as quickly as possible, even taking extreme measures when necessary.

He is very protective of Sharon. While he once said that he sees Sharon as a daughter, as Sharon matured with Break looking after her, Sheryl Rainsworth sees it more as a brother-sister relationship. He still looks after and worries about Sharon throughout the series although she is already old enough to do things on her own. There are times when he does not mention where he is going or the condition of his health to Sharon so as not worry her. Sharon especially gets mad when he does this; calling him Mister One-man-show. Break did not immediately tell Sharon about his blindness, fearing it would worry her and make her cry. In the end he finally does tell her and finds Sharon's reaction to be positive and supportive. At this point, Break starts to realize that Sharon is no longer a young girl, but a growing woman.

Abilities and Powers[]

Break has shown some magical ability. An example would be when Oz was possessed by Alice after they left the Abyss, Break set up a magic trap that kept Oz from moving while showing a magic circle on the floor.

Since he was formerly a knight, Break is also an excellent swordsman. He can easily defeat enemies without the use of his Chain. He deflected Fang's huge blade, given that he was blind and his sword was much smaller. He also stabbed Noise's hand and impaled her stomach.

Chain[]

See More: Mad Hatter

Mad Hatter is Break's current chain. It resembles the Alice in Wonderland character of the same name but gives off a more sinister feel. Mad Hatter resembles a giant top hat with flowery decorations, under which is one big eye. It has the power to reject and destroy the power of the Abyss and exists for the purpose of killing other Chains.

Because Mad Hatter is his second contract, it is very dangerous to Break and strains the condition of his body. Even by using a little bit of Mad Hatter's power may leave his body in a critical state, making him cough up blood and almost unable to walk on his own. It is probably that this is also a consequence of his previous contract. As seen in Oz, an illegal contract can give the contractor extreme chest pain and creating a new contract only makes it worse.

Quotes[]

  • "Please... no matter how much despair awaits them... Let what remains at the end of their stories… Be like that sunny day… Full of gentle light."
  • "Are you going to finish that?"
  • "I am the one who serves this dukedom... My name is Xerxes Break. By the way, this little one is Emily."
  • "You...are an uncute brat."
  • "Where in the world are you?"
  • "You are one eerie brat.."
  • "Oz-Kun. You've got three alternatives. First. If time continues to pass... the darkness of the incuse will also devour you. Second. If you keep looking for the truth... there may be a way to save yourself. And third. If you find the answer to THAT question, perhaps I...Remember this, Oz- Kun... That which ultimately remains... may not be hope!"
  • "Say, Oz-Kun? You... Or I? Who will be the first to run out of time?"
  • "There are a lot of things I would like to tell you, if I have the time."
  • "Fortunately, you're a reasonable woman."
  • "Hey, miss, Do you want...to be my friend?"
  • "So...well...Sharon...for a little while...let me be...a good-for-nothing, just like this."
  • "Before I knew it,you turned into a really strong woman."
  • "Let me tell you something... People that misbehave for other people's sake, are the ones I hate most!"
  • "So throw away those useless emotions, I'll show you how to use everything and everyone available."
  • "Let me give you a word of advice. A loyalty that holds fast will become a blade, and will pierce someday those you hold dear. So open your eyes wide. That is, if you... don't want to end up like me..."
  • "Listen, Gilbert. You must remember your priorities. If there's only one person you wish to protect, you must be cruel enough to get rid of everything else. Because no one can get back what they've lost."

Appearances[]

Manga Appearances
Anime Appearances
Light Novel Appearances
Omake Appearances

(*) - Denotes that the character did not appear physically, but as a part of another character's memories.

Trivia[]

  • "Xerxes" is a Greek name derived from the Old Iranian name Xšaya-ṛšā, which can roughly mean "ruling over heroes."[1] It is known for being the name of several rulers and members of royalty who in ancient times reigned over the area known as modern day Persia.[2] "Break" is canonically in-universe implied to have been taken as a name after the Intention of the Abyss pleaded her wish to him, which came on to be his primary goal—to be destroyed. Though the official translation renders her quote as "Destroy me. Destroy me," the verb in Japanese may also mean "to break."[3] How or when the former Kevin chose to go by Xerxes is not known precisely.
  • "Kevin" is the anglicized form of the Irish name Caoimhín, which means "of noble birth."[4] "Legnard" derives from the French surname "Regnard," which itself derives from the Medieval French name "Reginhard" which roughly means "mighty" or "brave."[5]
    • "Legnard" is not a conventionally used name and Japanese pronunciation conflates it with the real surname "Regnard"; thus making it very likely that the true intended reading of the name is "Kevin Regnard." However the official English localization by Yen Press consistently uses "Legnard" instead, and thus that will be the spelling favored.
  • Break's Contracted Chain the Mad Hatter and his general characterization is based directly off the Hatter[6] from Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland novels.[7][8]
  • Break's former identity as Kevin Legnard, who was Contracted to Albus the White Knight, is based directly off the White Knight[9] from Lewis Carroll's Alice Through the Looking-Glass.
PH 24 plus 1 Break profile 1

Break's profile in 24 + 1: Last Dance

  • His likes are, in order, sweets particularly confections, and teasing Gilbert and Alice. His single dislike is Vincent.
  • His skills include swordsmanship and binging on cake. He is weak when it comes to firearms, Sharon acting recklessly, and dancing with others.
  • Mochizuki's comment on him is that it made her very happy when her assistant told her how happy it made them when Break joyfully recalled the way Oz spoke of their future as if it was a given.
  • Break had the habit of appearing and disappearing out from underneath beds, or from within closets and pantries. How he did this is never explicitly explained, but the most logical explanation would be that Sharon was assisting him with the powers of Equus.
  • Break is described as very feminine in appearance, especially his hands. He is coerced into crossdressing by Sharon in one extra - implying it wasn't an isolated occurence - and Mochizuki commented that he probably doesn't have any leg hair. Such traits are said to make Break self conscious about his own appearance.
  • Break can will himself to never get intoxicated.
  • In Caucus Race, prostitutes nickname him "Zeke."
  • His Japanese voice actor also voices the Teacher from The Case Study of Vanitas.

References[]

Navigation[]

v - e - t Pandora Hearts
Characters

Main: AliceGilbert NightrayOz Vessalius
Vessalius: Ada VessaliusAda's CatsJack VessaliusMrs. KateOscar VessaliusRachel CecileSara VessaliusXai Vessalius
Nightray: Bernard NightrayBernice NightrayClaude NightrayEchoElliot NightrayErnest NightrayFred NightrayHansLeoMrs. FinnRaymond NightrayVanessa NightrayVincent Nightray
Rainsworth: EmilySharon RainsworthShelly RainsworthSheryl RainsworthXerxes Break
Barma: Arthur BarmaCalum LunettesGrunerMiranda BarmaReim LunettesRufus Barma
Baskervilles: CeliaDugFangGlen BaskervilleGlen Baskerville (♀)JuryLacieLeviLilyLottieNoiseOswald
Abyss: The Core of the AbyssThe Intention of the Abyss
Other: Flower GirlThe GeneralHarris WatsonHeadhunterIsla YuraJyantaMariePhillipe WestRytasTurnerWilliam West
Chains: AlbusB-RabbitBandersnatchCardsCheshireThe CookDemiosDodoDormouseDuldeeDuldumEquusFawnFlower Girl's ChainGrimGryphonHedgehog ChainsHumpty DumptyThe Intention's DollsJabberwockLacie's ChainLarsLeonMad BabyMad HatterMarch HareOwlRavenRocking-Horse-FlySnap-Dragon-FlyTove
Caucus Race: Dahlia GarlandGarland ButlerGeraldGreat MotherJosephineMarcelMia

Nobility Barma DukedomBaskerville ClanNightray DukedomRainsworth DukedomSinclair FamilyVessalius DukedomWest Family
Terminology Species & Factions: Black Winged ChainsChainsContractorsIsla Yura's CultPandora

Objects: Arthur Barma's Memoirs"Chains"Doors to the AbyssJack Vessalius' Pocket WatchKeys to the DoorsSilent Clock TowerStone Seals
Events: Coming-of-Age CeremonySuccession CeremoniesTragedy of Sablier
Miscellaneous: AngelsChildren of Ill OmenLacie (Song)Holy KnightStatice

Locations AbyssBarma HomelandCarillonDimensional PlaneÉbaucheHouse of FiannaLacie's TombLuca's GateLutwidge AcademyReveilSablierTower
Volumes IIIIIIIVVVIVIIVIIIIXXXIXIIXIIIXIVXVXVIXVIIXVIIIXIXXXXXIXXIIXXIIIXXIV
Omake Maidora HeartsBumbling Sleuth BreakMagical Girl Ill-Omened❤LaciePandora Academy
Episodes 12345678910111213141516171819202122232425Special Episodes
DVDs IIIIIIIVVVIVIIVIIIIXBonus Story
Guidebooks & Artbooks 8.518.524 + 1Official Animation Guide〜Odds and Ends〜「There is.」
Light Novels 123
Drama CDs Pandora Hearts Drama CDNightmare of Vessalius Academy!Alice's Tea PartyAnimedia Radio SpecialRadio Special 1Radio Special 2Radio Special 3Retrace 42.5Another Story of A Promise Lost
Soundtrack OST 1OST 2Parallel HeartsMazeWatashi wo MitsuketeEverytime you kissed me
Character Songs Swear to...Kinjirareta AsobiTruth
Calendars 20102011201220132014
Extra Pandora HearchuMochizuki's MusingsTimelineReal-World References
Author Jun Mochizuki
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