Knives Millions

Knives is intelligent, uncompromising and profoundly distrustful of humanity. His experiences aboard Project SEEDS convince him that humans will exploit or destroy beings they regard as different, and he increasingly sees coexistence as submission rather than peace.

His attachment to Vash is one of the few emotional bonds that survives this worldview. Knives wants his brother beside him and repeatedly attempts to force Vash to accept his conclusions rather than treating him as simply another enemy.

The manga and Stampede give Knives's concern for exploited Plants particular prominence. His outrage has a real basis in the conditions under which Plants are used, but his response rejects the value of human lives and turns liberation into extermination.

As an Independent Plant, Knives possesses superhuman durability, longevity and abilities far beyond ordinary humans. He understands Plant biology and can manipulate his own Plant capabilities with far greater willingness than Vash initially does.

In the manga, Knives can manifest enormous bladed structures from his body and deploy destructive energy associated with his Plant nature. He can survive catastrophic injuries and regenerate under circumstances that would kill a human.

Stampede reimagines his powers around vast numbers of flexible blade-like tendrils capable of slicing through structures, shielding him from gunfire and overwhelming groups of enemies. His control and combat experience make him one of the most dangerous beings on No Man's Land.

Knives's influence is present long before Vash confronts him directly. The Gung-Ho Guns, Legato and the disasters surrounding Vash's past gradually point toward the brother whose beliefs stand opposite Vash's commitment to preserving life.

Knives sabotages Project SEEDS and causes the Great Fall, intending to destroy the humans carried by the fleet. Rem's intervention saves many of the ships, while Vash and Knives reach No Man's Land separately from the colonists.

The manga expands Knives's campaign into a conflict over the Plants sustaining human civilization. He begins absorbing other Plants into himself, creating an enormous collective entity while pursuing the eradication of humanity and attempting to free his species from human control.

Vash the Stampede is Knives's twin brother and ideological opposite. Knives wants Vash to reject humanity and join him, while Vash insists that humans and Plants can coexist.

Rem Saverem raises Knives and Vash aboard Project SEEDS. Knives's relationship with her becomes inseparable from his growing distrust of humanity.

Legato Bluesummers is Knives's devoted subordinate and carries out much of the campaign designed to torment Vash.

William Conrad works with Knives in the manga and Stampede continuities, applying his scientific knowledge of Plants to Knives's plans.

Tesla is connected to the twins' early understanding of humanity. Discovering the horrific experimentation performed on Tesla becomes a decisive event in Knives's hatred of humans.