| “ | That place... began from the resonance of intersecting points... They are memories replaced by ens and naught and etched into stone. Blood, young sprouts, sky--and the one with the ability to control beings created from light... In that world, it is said that if one should wish it one can bring back the souls of the dead... But to trespass upon that land is strictly forbidden... | „ |
| ~ Emon in the opening narration. |
| “ | Poor ungodly soul... Now, no man shall ever trespass upon this place again. Should you be alive... If it's even possible to continue to exist in these sealed lands... one day, perhaps you will make atonement for what you've done. | „ |
| ~ Emon taking pity on Wander. |
Lord Emon is the main antagonist of Shadow of the Colossus.
He is the enigmatic shaman who once imprisoned the spirit Dormin by fragmenting them into sixteen parts and deemed their land "forbidden", however, after learning that a young man was trying to free the spirit, he and his men rode into the Forbidden Lands to stop him.
He was voiced by Naoki Bandō.
History
Past
Many years ago, Emon battled the spirit Dormin, the ruler of the Forbidden Lands whom he deemed evil. Emon won the battle, and split Dormin's essence into sixteen colossi and set them loose in the Forbidden Lands. He then imprisoned Dormin's spirit in the Shrine of Worship before leaving the Forbidden Lands, with the only way in or out being a tall bridge connected to the Shrine. He then became a guardian of sorts, protecting the Lands and ensuring Dormin could never return.
Shadow of the Colossus
However, years later, a young man named Wander stole an Ancient Sword and trespassed into the Forbidden Lands, hoping that the spirit that resided there (Dormin) could resurrect his deceased lover Mono, who had been sacrificed unjustly because it was prophesied she would have a cursed fate. Dormin agreed as long as Wander killed all sixteen colossi, tricking Wander into performing the forbidden spell that would return his essence and body.
Emon and his warrior men did not find out about the theft and trespassing until much later, and immediately set off for the Forbidden Lands to stop Wander before all sixteen colossi were destroyed. They arrived too late, however, and viewed the statue of the sixteenth colossus Malus crumble, signifying its death. Wander then arrived, possessed by the essence of Dormin. Though Lord Emon had seen Mono's body and understood why Wander had done what he did, he rebuked him for his actions and now horned, dark appearance. He sends his warriors to kill Wander, and they shoot him in the leg and stab him. However, Dormin takes control of his body and attacks, trying to kill them. Emon and his men flee, but Emon performs one final spell by throwing the Ancient Sword into a Shrine well, banishing the evil spirit but presumably killing Wander in the process, reverting him back to the form of a baby.
Lord Emon and his men leave the Forbidden Lands as the bridge crumbles, with him taking pity on Wander and wishing that, if he did survive, he would further face the consequences of his actions.
Personality
Lord Emon is strict and stern, and does everything he does for the sole purpose of making sure Dormin does not return and take his revenge. Though his goals, intentions, and plans are noble in cause, his methods are extreme, even to the point of taking both innocent and guilty lives to ensure the evil from the past does not return. He is even wrathful, extremely angry when Wander performs the forbidden spell and demands he be punished in brutal and even barbaric ways.
It's important to note that Lord Emon first started to demonize and attack Dormin not out of any real danger, but due to fear of the dark spirit's nature, their horns and their ability to manipulate souls and raise the dead, which might indicate that beneath the good intentions and wishes to protect the people, there is an obsessive, fanatic and delusional nature that operates by fear and hate rather than logic.
Quotes
| “ | Only a little more to go. | „ |
| ~ Emon to his men on their way to the Forbidden Lands. |
| “ | I don't believe this... So it was you after all. Have you any idea what you've done?! Not only did you steal the sword and trespass upon this cursed land, you used the forbidden spell as well... | „ |
| ~ Lord Emon confronting Wander. |
| “ | To be reduced to such a sight... you were only being used. | „ |
| ~ Emon to Wander. |
| “ | Eradicate the source of the evil. | „ |
| ~ Emon commanding his men to kill Wander. |
| “ | Look... He's possessed by the dead. | „ |
| ~ Emon about Wander. |
| “ | It is better to put him out of his misery than to exist, cursed as he is. | „ |
| ~ Lord Emon on Wander. |
| “ | He's been resurrected...! | „ |
| ~ Lord Emon witnessing Dormin's resurrection. |
| “ | Place a seal over the entire shrine before it's too late! | „ |
| ~ Lord Emon commanding his men. |
| “ | Ready my horse. | „ |
| ~ Emon commanding his men. |
| “ | Be gone foul beast! | „ |
| ~ Emon banishing Dormin. |
Trivia
- There are many fan speculations about Lord Emon, his past and his relationship with the protagonists.
- A popular theory is that Lord Emon was more than the protector of the Forbidden Lands and that he was the shaman and even ruler of Wander and Mono's village.
- Another theory states that it was Lord Emon himself who foresaw Mono's supposed "cursed fate" and he was the one who sacrificed her.
- It's speculated that the Ancient Sword was originally Lord Emon's and was used to seal Dormin when they first fought.
- If Wander wears the Shaman's Mask during the fight with the 12th colossus, Lord Emon will not be wearing his mask during the cutscene following the colossus' defeat. Wearing the Shaman's Cloak, however, does not affect the cutscene.
Gallery
Images
Videos
 Villains
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Shadow of the Colossus Colossi ICO The Last Guardian Others | ||