Overview
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Canti is a robot with a television set for a head. He was manufactured by Medical Mechanica. It is later revealed that Atomsk was contained inside him. Atomsk’s symbol appears on Canti’s screen when he fuses with Naota. |
Canti (Kanchi in Japanese) is a robot with what looks like a television set for a head. He was manufactured by Medical Mechanica, but goes over to Haruko’s side after Haruko smashes (and breaks) his TV head with her guitar. It is later revealed that Atomsk can manifest through him, with Naota being the catalyst. Atomsk’s symbol appears on Canti’s screen when he absorbs Naota; the symbol is a corruption of the kanji character for “adult.”
The emotions of Canti are very human-like, despite his looks. He is embarassed about his broken head (where haruko hit him) and is looking for the pieces to glue back together in episode two. He wears the box on the back of his head for the same reason- shame. Canti also dons a halo (which Haruko was wearing in early episode two) and fake wings. As he shleps around, even Mamimi is convinced she is seeing an angel. Canti’s desire to be pure, like an angel, his modesty/shame, and his willingness to please anyone [he runs errands for the nandaba family and even tries to bake] are a contrast to the actions of the real humans. For example, in the fifth episode, Naota acts the opposite of Canti, being very conceited and demanding.
There is much speculation about what Canti symbolizes. It is possible he represents the sexual drive and emotions of the adolescent mind. In intense situations he fuses with Naota to destroy the attacking robots. In the following episodes he often feels ashamed and guilty of his actions, trying to mask it with normal “human” things such as eating.
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