Gilbert Nightray

Gilbert Nightray is one of the main characters from the Pandora Hearts anime and manga.

Gilbert, commonly referred to as ' Raven' by many people within Pandora because of the Legal Contract he managed to form with Raven. Gilbert was originally a valet to the Glen Baskerville at the time, Oswald, who had the intention of being succeeded by him one day. When he was prepared to inherit Raven from Oswald during his first Succession Ceremony, his younger brother Vincent opened the Baskervilles' Door to the Abyss, thus allowing the connection between Raven and Gilbert be formed, but making it impossible for the Contract's formation for the time being. Gilbert was pulled into the Abyss with the rest of Sablier during the Tragedy of Sablier, only to be released around 100 years later.

Gilbert became a valet to the Vessalius family after his release, more specifically - Oz, but left after being manipulated into helping the Baskervilles drop him into the Abyss. Gilbert was convinced to join the Nightray family by Xerxes Break after this, making it his life's goal to save Oz from the Abyss by forming a Legal Contract with Raven.

Recently, Gilbert had rejoined his old master - Oswald after he took over Leo's body, and shooting Oz as he ordered. Feeling guilty about this, Gilbert had Raven burn off his left arm, breaking his contract with Raven and reforms it as an Illegal Contract. However, as he was formally adopted by the Baskervilles 100 years ago (thus having a 'legitimate contract' as a Baskerville), the arms on the clock won't move and he won't be sucked into the Abyss as the other illegal contractors have been. Gilbert is currently an enemy of Pandora and the Baskervilles for saving Oz from his execution by Oswald's hand, thus returning to Oz's side as his valet.

Appearance
Gilbert has black hair of longer-length which he often has styled in an untidy manner (thus earning him the nickname 'Seaweed-head' from Alice) and golden eyes. Ten years prior to the plot, when he was still a child and a servant of the Vessalius dukedom, he wore a blue outfit resembling a sailor boy's clothes, as well as black boots. Currently, he wears a collared shirt with some buckles on it, a cravat over it, a pair of white gloves, black pants with a strap around his right leg - close to the hip - which holds his gun. He also has a black coat, black boots that are pointed at the tips, and a black hat given to him by Ada which he treasures greatly. He also has a curved gold earring cuff on his left ear. Gilbert is currently 182cm tall, and lacks his left arm, which he had Raven burn off because of a spell which Jury had placed on him (more specifically his arm) in order to bind him to Glen Baskerville.

Personality
He is a wonderful cook who happens to be terrified of cats. Ten years earlier, he was very shy and very emotional. He also was constantly picked on by Oz, who was a kind and loyal boy nevertheless. Ten years later (current setting), Gilbert seems to have developed a cold and reserved exterior but despite this, his caring and kind personality remains intact. He is Oz's servant and is completely loyal to him. He has numerous times, expressed and shown his commitment to him. (eg. breaking free of Doldum's control rather than harming Oz).

He can be harsh at times; especially towards Alice, likely due to her contract with and the threat it poses to his master. He hates it and

Gilbert and Alice in their first week-encounter becomes furious when Oz withholds information pertaining to the contractor's seal from him. He does this out of concern for him. Sometimes (for example when drunk) he reverts to his old self again, crying easily and calling Oz "Young Master." Rufus Barma revealed that he tried to quit smoking eight times and failed. According to Break, the reason he began smoking is because he idolizes Oscar Vessalius.

In Retrace 21, it is revealed that he holds respect for his younger brother Vincent Nightray for surpassing his own gun skills in two months, when it took him a year to practice and perfect his own skills. Before the Tragedy of Sablier he had many a time tried to leave Vincent when they were living on the streets, but he could never bring himself to do so. He also couldn't bring himself to shoot Xai Vessalius which he has attempted twice already.

Gilbert often argues with Alice and calls her "Stupid Rabbit," and in retaliation Alice calls him "Seaweed Head." Despite all their bickering, it appears that he may have developed a soft spot for her. He is a very protective person - he has risked his life for Oz and has saved Sharon Rainsworth from danger several times. He has even rescued Alice when they were in Sablier, as the overhang from which she stood collapsed. He has a very strong character, despite Oz's teasing, and will endure much to protect his friends.

Gil was gossiped when he finished made Contract with Raven.

Over the 10 years since Oz was sent to the Abyss, Gilbert has murdered and done some less then amiable things to save his master and this has changed him from a timid and shy person to a potentially harsh and cruel one that would do anything without hesitation to protect Oz, even if this means killing his friends and family.

Abilities
As former Baskervilles member, it makes Gil to have some of their powers and abilities trait which made him now become a good fighter.
 * Talented with guns - Gil use a gun effectively, as shown in many occasions to protects himself or protects Oz. Gil also shown to has nice skills to care his gun.
 * High physical resistance (Baskerville trait)
 * Speed
 * Enchanced stamina

Chain
"See more: Raven"Raven's appearance is similar to that of a normal raven. However the flesh around its face seems to have deteriorated and its skull is clearly visible. Raven is also wrapped in chains and appears to be about the size of a house. Gilbert contracted with Raven quite sometime after he became a Nightray. He was the only one able to do so due to the fact that he had originally contracted with it 100 years prior, when he was to become the new Glen.
 * Chains of Condemnation - Raven is able to pass judgment on those who have been accused of a sin and can summon the Chains of Condemnation, after opening a path to the Abyss, to drag the offender into the depths of the Abyss. This is an ability that it shares with its fellow Black Feathered Chains, though Raven has yet to be shown using it.
 * Flames - Raven can create blue flames that are dangerous even the Baskervilles. It is assumed that after too much exposure, these flames would eventually be able to kill the Baskervilles.
 * Sealing Powers - Raven is able to contain the powers of other Chains.
 * Teleportation - Raven has the ability to teleport to other dimensions, such as the Abyss and Cheshire's Dimension, but doing so causes extreme strain to the contractor.
 * Illusions - Raven can create many huge copies of menacing eyes to intimidate its victims and can also manipulate darkness to seemingly become one with it, although it's power over illusions is not as powerful as Dodo's

Trivia

 * Gilbert's name means "bright pledge" in Old German.
 * His zodiac sign is Aquarius.
 * It was shown in an omake that he likes dogs because he hates cats.
 * Gilbert's fear of cats is a reference to "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland", when Alice scared off a mouse and some others animals by talking about Dinah (Dinah was the cat). Gilbert is probably based on this mouse, as his brother Vincent is based on the Dormouse, the other rodent in the book.


 * In the one-shot of Pandora Hearts, he is shown to be more of a serious and emotionless person unlike of his main story line persona.
 * In the Official Guide Book 8.5 Mine of Mine, it was said that Gilbert was suppose to be the protagonist of the story instead of Oz.
 * It was shown that Ada gave him his hat.
 * Gilbert was first adopted by the Baskerville Dukedom.
 * His character song is named Truth
 * In one piece of artwork, Gilbert's right hand is missing. It was later after this piece was released that he burned off his left arm. It is unknown why his right hand is missing if he were to lose his left one instead.
 * Gilbert has multiple admirers due to his looks and the Nightray name.
 * Gilbert has ailurophobia, which is an overwhelming fear of cats.
 * Since all blood related Nightrays are dead, Gilbert is now technically Duke Nightray.
 * His voice actor, Kosuke Toriumi, is the same voice actor in Naruto as Kiba Inuzuka and Bleach as Szayel Aporro Granz.