Leo Akaba

Leo Akaba or Reo Akaba, also commonly known as the Professor, is a character in the Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V anime, the father of Ray, and then later husband of Henrietta and father of Declan, though he abandoned his second family before the adoption of Riley. Originally a resident of the Original Dimension, he is responsible for masterminding the Duel Academy's attacks on the Xyz Dimension to complete the Arc Area Project and Revival Zero. Due to his position and machinations, he is the primary antagonist of the series.

Appearance
Leo Akaba is a middle-aged tan-skinned bald man with light blue eyes. He wears a purple colored militaristic outfit with several black buttons which resembles the outfit of Vellian Crowler, a purple cape with a black ending, and a pair of gray boots. He also has a black belt with a red line which both end in a button on the front, and what appear to be red circular strings across his chest with a pair of black gloves on his hands. His perhaps most noticeable traits are the armored plate at the left side of his head with what appears to be a red circular lens, and pronounced blood vessels on the top of his head. The red lens can be used for scanning information.

In his youth, Leo had a full head of dark gray hair, and wore a light blue flannel shirt with gray slack pants. When he performed experiments on Duel Monsters, he wore a lab coat.

Personality
Before traveling to the Fusion Dimension he was inventive and benevolent expressing a desire to use the ARC System to innovate Dueling. He also considered Yusho to be a friend. However at a later point he seems to be heartless enough to abandon his home and family, seen when he forcefully sent Declan back to Paradise City, and malicious enough to commit genocide on the Xyz Dimension and during the Obelisk Force attacks on the Standard Dimension (and the Synchro Dimension). He is pragmatic; he does not punish his subordinates for their failures in contrast to his former subordinate Jean-Michel Roget.

He appears to have charisma and excellent leadership skills, as apparently everybody at Duel Academy obeys him and finds it extremely difficult to betray him (though not without exception). The only times he has authorized force has been with Yuri, Dennis, and Barrett's missions to capture Celina and her dimensional counterparts. Unlike many people in Duel Academy, Leo takes no joy in the pain nor suffering inflicted by his subordinates. He was shown to be visibly disturbed when The Doktor used Parasite Monsters to brainwash his daughter's dimensional counterparts and reacted in horror when Yuri ruthlessly sealed Alexis Rhodes into a card.

During his confrontation with Yusho, Declan, and Riley, Leo showed that he is a very serious man, and feels guilt after he inadvertently caused the sundering of the Original Dimension. Nonetheless despite his remorse his fixation with reviving his daughter Ray causes him to believe his attacks on the other dimensions are justified regardless of the suffering and maltreatment he engendered onto innocents.

Etymology
"零" ("rei") means "zero" or "nothing", while "王" ("ō") means "king". The normal reading of Leo's name would be "Reiō"; however, it is read as "Reo" instead, so Reo's name is pronounced exactly like "Leo" in Japanese.

His dub name comes from his Japanese Name: Leo/Lion is mostly known as "king of beasts". In addition, his name can be separated into "Le' 0" which means "the zero", both linking to his Japanese Name.

History
Leo was a resident of the Original Dimension and a professor developing new possibilities with the ARC System. He then decided to use Duel Monsters with it and found out the compatibility between them were perfect. After studying the monsters, Leo was able to give them mass and was praised all over the world for leading Dueling into a new era. However, a Duelist named Zarc started Dueling in a violent manner and declared his desire to destroy the entire world, surprising Leo. He watched as Zarc attacked everyone with his four dragons and escaped the stadium with his daughter. He heard her say that the monsters are angry at him and remembered these words: Duel Monster cards have souls. He watched Zarc with his four dragons to become Supreme King Dragon Zarc and was shocked that they became one.

While Supreme King Dragon Zarc destroyed the city, Leo created four cards with natural energy to seal him away. When he was about to go battle Zarc, Ray took the cards from him so he couldn't sacrifice himself. He chased after her and from behind a barrier saw Ray using the cards to split her and Supreme King Dragon Zarc. He then found himself in a strange town where there wasn't any Fusion, Synchro, or Xyz Summonings but standard Duels. He tried to touch the monster but his hand went through it and learned it was Solid Vision. With no memory of his former life, Leo began to recreate the ARC System due to the knowledge left in his brain's subconscious.

Leo then met with Yusho Sakaki and showed him the ARC System, which gave Thunder Kid mass. He told Yusho about how you can't fantasize about Dueling with it. The two joined forces and developed the ARC System.

Leo was the original founder of Leo Corporation, as well as Leo Institute of Dueling. At some point, he scanned his memories to figure out why he had a memory of the future. As his memories returned bit by bit, Leo began to obsess with the thought of Ray living somewhere in the Four Dimensions. One day, he left for the Fusion Dimension without telling anyone in his family to search for Ray, thereby abandoning the company. He took control of Duel Academy and used it as a frontline base to enact his plan to unite the Four Dimensions into one supreme world. At some point, he gave Yusho "Binding Swords of Impact", but was unaware he couldn't use it in Duels due to a bug where it doesn't disappear when the ARC System goes offline.

When Leo first met Celina, he decided to scan Celina's memories for any traces of Ray’s memories due to the resemblance and bracelet, but found nothing. When Leo started to worry about it, he remembered that Ray's shadow split into four with Zarc and the world and thought what she was divided and sent to each of the Four Dimensions. He then created the Arc Area Project and Revival Zero for purpose of restoring his daughter and the United World.

One day, he and Celina met Yuri and told him of his crucial role in the Arc Area Project.

Eventually, Declan stumbled into Duel Academy through a teleportation device intending to confront Leo about abandoning his family, but Leo caught up to him. Celina, who was attempting to escape with Declan's aid, complained to Leo about being stuck at Duel Academy while her comrades were preparing to attack the Xyz Dimension, but he refused to add her to the vanguard squad. Declan also protested that Leo had abandoned Leo Corporation, to which Leo asked him if he had crossed dimensions just to find him, confusing Declan even further. The Obelisk Force troops apprehended Celina, and Leo told her that he would definitely find her and bring her back to Duel Academy, regardless of where she ran. He then used a wristwatch-like device to send Declan back to Standard, but not before telling him about the Fusion Dimension and about him using Duel Academy to help him bring the worlds together.

Arc League Championship
Leo was first mentioned by Shay when Declan first confronts him. Both Shay and Declan consider Leo their enemy, with Declan insisting he is preparing Duelists to confront and defeat Leo.

When Declan and Shay were watching the Duel between Yuto, Sora Perse, and Yuya Sakaki, Yuto revealed that Duel Academy invaded the Xyz Dimension. Declan stated that this was due to Leo Akaba's ambition. After Sora was transported back to Duel Academy within the Fusion Dimension, Leo was watching over a machine absorbing cards into itself. At the time, he was informed by the aide that the forced return program activated once Sora revealed his mission to their enemies within the Standard Dimension. However, Leo clarified that the Standard Dimension was not their enemy and that investigating Sora's memories would explain the situation. After doing so, he informed Yuri about Zuzu Boyle's existence, claiming that she might be the fourth piece that he was looking for. Because of this, he ordered Yuri to bring Zuzu to Duel Academy.

When Sora asked Leo directly to let him return to Standard, Leo granted his request, under the conditions that Obelisk Force would accompany him and that he would retrieve Celina and bring her back to Duel Academy.

Friendship Cup Finals
After hearing Dennis' report that Zuzu and Celina were in the Synchro Dimension's City, Leo gave Barrett a new mission to go to the Synchro Dimension with the Obelisk Force and capture Zuzu and Celina. He also informed him that Yuri would also come to the Synchro Dimension.

Heartland City
After Mamoru sent a report about Pendulum Summoning being used in the Xyz Dimension, Leo sent Gloria and Grace Tyler to Heartland City to help defeat the Lancers. As a precaution he also sent the Obelisk Force as backup in case the Tyler sisters lost. After Leo received Celina's report that she had captured Zuzu, he mused that it was time for Yusho Sakaki to learn the truth, while he watched Yusho arrive at Duel Academy with The Doktor.

As Doktor monitored how his "" made Rin follow his orders, Leo recognized his results but warned him that Rin and her counterparts are important to the Arc Area Project and not to be harmed. He then looked over to the other monitor to see Yusho and Alexis Rhodes. When Sanders contacted him about the Lancers landing on the island's north side, Leo told him to carry out the mission according to the plan and take Yuya Sakaki down. Leo watched Shay and Kite argue over Lulu's sanity while listening to the Doktor wondering if the siblings bond could beat the Professor's will, and merely watched as the Doktor ran to do more improvements after Shay defeated Lulu. He watched the Duel between Alexis and Yuri, but was horrified at Yuri's wish to seal everyone in all dimensions into cards to prove he's the strongest, evening standing up when Yuri sealed Alexis into a card. He then watched Yuya Dueled Lulu and noticed something when Yuya told Lulu he was Yuto. He then stood up in surprise when Yuya turned into Yuto and wondered if the second personality in Yuya was something else. He was informed by the Doktor that he captured Yuya and had his students bring in Declan, Riley, and Yusho, telling the latter he's been waiting for him.

Duel Academy
He saw Riley, wondering who he was and told Yusho he wasn't a genius since the ARC System was just reproduced from existing technology. He revealed to them that it was developed in the United World and asked them why the only difference between the Four Dimensions were the Summoning methods. He then revealed how the United World had all of them and the ARC System was already put to practical use there. He wanted to give new possibilities and create a ARC System that was more vivid, lively, and flexible. He then used Duel Monsters with it and found out there were perfectly compatible but unintentionally opened Pandora's Box. His research brought forth powerful monsters with mass and was praised as the person for leading Dueling into a new era. But the technology led the world to ruin due to the people's frenzy and the appearance of Zarc. He also revealed how Zarc evolved Fusion, Synchro, and Xyz with their finest dragons and stood at the top of the Dueling world. Then, when the people celebrated that day, Zarc declared he'll the world and Summoned his four dragons to attack everyone. He then remembered how Duel Monsters had souls, which appeared in the worst possible way by giving them real bodies, thereby materializing their anger. Since they a body made from Solid Vision, normal weapons had no affect on them and had begun to take revenge. He told them how the four dragons swallowed Zarc's and became the Ultimate Monster: Supreme King Dragon Zarc. The only thing that could fight Zarc, who had godlike power was a Duelist just as strong. Leo felt responsible for creating that demon and couldn't afford to give up, even if it meant sacrificing himself to save his world. When Declan called it a myth to calm Riley, Leo angrily told him it did, since took place in front of his eyes and that world would enter its final moments because of Supreme King Dragon Zarc.

When Yusho questioned him about Zarc, Leo told him how the four dragons were responsible for combining into that monster and when it split, the world did as well for each summoning method. He was then contacted by a Duel Academy member who told him that Yuya escaped from the Doktor's lab, surprising him. He then told the Doktor to bring the girls as fast as he can and saw Yuya enter his inner chambers. As Yusho tried to convince him not to involve the children and tell him the full story, Leo told Yuya he's finally gotten this far and told Yusho that Yuya isn't his son. When Yuya told him to give Zuzu back, Leo told him, he's trying to bring back the truth. Zuzu and her counterparts then appeared behind him in tubes and was told by the Doktor that is ready. When the Doktor wanted to deal with Yuya, Leo thought he couldn't win and listened to him express confidence in his work. When the Doktor told him that they should be sharing a similar curiosity in confronting challenging research as fellow researchers, Leo turned him into a card due the Doktor's dangerous thinking and his own past curiosity that caused the Supreme King Dragon's birth.

When Yuya tried to run to Zuzu, Leo blocked his path and told everyone how he created four cards that could defeat Supreme King Dragon Zarc but were stolen by his daughter Ray, who used them herself to prevent Leo from sacrificing himself. When she defeated Zarc, he was sent to a strange town where only standard Duels happened and recreated the ARC System while meeting Yusho around that time. He revealed that the devil also divided into four due to Ray's sacrifice and became aware of it due to his memories coming back. He then obsessed with the possibility that Ray must be somewhere in the Four Dimensions. When Declan revealed why he was looking his father, Leo stated how he came to the Fusion Dimension and told him he didn't go to Duel Academy for a war of aggression. He believed in Ray's survival and found it in Duel Academy, which was Celina due to her spitting image and bracelet. However, she didn't have Ray's memories and remembered that Ray's shadow spilt into four when the Supreme King Dragon divided. He then thought that what if Ray was also divided in each of the Four Dimensions. He then revealed that the girls are reincarnations of Ray and plans to revive her, using the Arc Area Project for that purpose. He then revealed ARC-V to everyone, which will bring back the fifth dimension and Ray completing Revival Zero. He asked Declan to lend his power to defeat Yuya because he is the reincarnation of Zarc and Ray sacrificed and spilt herself to defeat him. He then revealed how Yuya merged with Yuto and increased in power, saying they have to bury that destructive power to prevent the devil's revival. When Declan refused to help him and follow his beliefs with Yuya, Leo told him that belief will bring about a ruined world and challenged them to a Duel.

Leo revealed that he already started the process to fuse the girls back into Ray and the Four Dimensions back into one. When Yuya brought out "", Leo remembered it as "" which angered him. He watched Declan Pendulum-Fusion, Synchro, and Xyz Summon, saying he took up arms while he was gone. His Extra Deck was sealed away when Declan used "Dark Contract with the Monopoly Seal" to prevent him from using the three summoning methods Declan used. Leo told Declan that Yuya is an avatar of Zarc and shouldn't deny it any longer by joining him but Declan still refused. When Declan told him that if he don't fuse the dimensions with ARC-V, Zarc won't revive and the Four Dimensions will be at peace. However, Leo still believed that Zarc would revive even if he didn't create ARC-V, especially since Yuya already absorbed Yuto. Leo then surprised everyone when he set the Pendulum Scale with two "Spirit Reactor's" and used the effect of one to copy Yuya's "" Pendulum Scale in order to Pendulum Summon "Spirit Tech Force - Pendulum Governor" and "Spirit Crystal - Salamander Core". He then used the effect of "Pendulum Governor" by Tributing "Salamander Core" to destroy "Odd-Eyes" and "", unsealing Fusion Summon, and inflict damage to Yuya and Declan. Leo used the second of "Pendulum Governor" to prevent Declan from attacking with "" and "". He told them that they couldn't do anything nor his plan will be disturbed. Leo criticized Declan's leadership with the Lancers and that their one plan don't the consider the possibly of the enemy exceeding their expectations. When the girls capsules started to glow, Leo revealed it was only a matter of time until ARC-V starts up and that Ray's revival is at hand. Leo tried to convince Declan one more time but noticed Yuya's awakening and revealed its Zarc dwelling inside him. He told Declan to make the decisive decision and join him to prevent the devil's revival. Leo took 2400 effect damage from the effect of "" and was about to lose when Yuya used the second effect of "Gatling Ghoul" to destroy "Pendulum Governor" and inflict damage to "Pendulum Governor's" ATK.

Leo used the Pendulum Effect of "Spirit Reactor" to negate the attack by using Declan's monsters. Leo contacted a Duel Academy member for ARC-V's energy reading and told him to increase the input speed before Zarc revives. When Declan brought out "", Leo thought it was futile because he won't take much damage until Declan used "Illegal Dark Contract with the War God" to lower "Pendulum Governor" and increase "Doom King Armageddon's" ATK. However, Leo used "Dis-swing Fusion" to stop Declan's attack, take control of "Doom King Armageddon", and Fusion Summon "Master Spirit Tech Force - Pendulum Ruler". He laughed and told Declan he hasn't changed, making him easy to read and a second rate Duelist. He then declare he'll destroy "Gatling Ghoul" and Yuya but Yuya used "Twin Big Shield" to protect "Gatling Ghoul". Leo told Yuya he will defeat him before Zarc could absorb his Synchro and Fusion alter egos and revive completely. He Pendulum Summoned "Salamander Core" and "Spirit Crystal - Silpheed Core" but had to return "Salamander Core" back to his hand due the effect of being Special Summoned from the Extra Deck. He told Celina that the effect of "Salamander Core" can only activate when Pendulum Summoned from his hand. He then used the effect of "Pendulum Ruler" to use the effect of "Silpheed Core" twice by tributing it. He destroyed "Twin Big Shield" and "Illegal Dark Contract with the War God" to deal double damage to Yuya and Declan. He was then informed that ARC-V will reach 30% and was happy he was closing in on daughter's revival. He told them to keep adding energy since it should able to accept faster and activate ARC-V as soon as possible. Leo destroyed "Gatling Ghoul" and used "Doom King Armageddon", giving Declan's monster the honor to kill Zarc's alter ego, to attack directly but Yuya used "Evasion" to dodge it. When Yuya threatened to bury him, Leo told Yuya it was useless due to "Pendulum Ruler" and "Doom King Armageddon". When Yuya brought back Odd-Eyes" and Summoned "", Leo see it as Zarc's and declared that Yuya no longer exists. He was surprised when Yuya brought out "" and all cards except "Pendulum Ruler" and "Doom King Armageddon" were negated and destroyed by the effect of "Raging Dragon". When Yuya destroyed "Doom King Armageddon", Leo didn't damage due to the effect of "Dis-swing Fusion" causing Declan take damage instead. Leo learned that ARC-V will enter the designated range and told them to hurry and revive Ray. He was then attacked and sent flying into his chair but before he could be defeated, Yusho used "Binding Swords of Impact" on Yuya, which terminated the Duel, surprising him. He learned Yusho that the card he gave was a failure due to a bug where it doesn't disappear when the ARC System goes offline. He also learned that Yusho brought the card to remind Leo the basics and thought of using it to bind him but never on his own son.

He then learned that ARC-V was at fifty percent and left his throne room to watch over ARC-V. As the throne room sealed itself off, Leo said that they can no longer turn back. He wondered how long Yuya's binding will last, wanting to revive Ray first. He stated that by putting the girls into ARC-V first, the world would be one and Ray could revive along with a certain card. He then told the staff to hurry up and increase the life energy. He was then told that ARC-V's energy was at sixty percent and Zuzu being transferred into it. After watching Yuri absorb Yugo and getting close to Yuya, Leo ordered his staff to hurry up and transfer Lulu into ARC-V, so Ray could come back as soon as possible. He then had Rin transferred into ARC-V and wanted Yusho to endure his Duel with Yuri so Ray could revive soon. As he watched Yuya and Yuri's Duel, Leo was worried about Zarc reviving if it ends and hurried up Celina's transfer into ARC-V. He was then informed about her transfer and had his throne move away from ARC-V as it activated. After being informed about ARC-V's startup and the Fusion Dimension's interference, Leo stated that ARC-V will expand and capture the Four Dimensions to mix into it and revive as a original united dimension and Ray. He then activated the Isolation Dome to prevent Zarc's integration into ARC-V until those four cards and Ray return. He wondered why Ray hasn't revived yet and asked for a life reaction inside the core. When it couldn't be confirmed, he wanted her to hurry and come back. As his throne gets close to ARC-V, Leo checks to see why Ray wasn't reviving and wondered if the life energy was insufficient. He then screamed Ray's name in anger.

Ray Akaba
Leo has shown complete devotion and love for his daughter Ray having placed her above all others (including his second family). He is determined at all costs to bring her back with Revival Zero no matter what.

Zarc
Leo absolutely hated Zarc and refers to him as a "Devil". He blames himself for causing Zarc's rampage and is devoted to ensure he will not revive once the Four Dimensions are merged.

Declan Akaba
Leo appears to be apathetic to his son as Declan asserted his father would not ransom him if he were kidnapped. Declan is shown to have a deep grudge towards Leo for neglecting him and his mother and created the Lancers to fight against him. He also displayed a hatred for his father's ambition due to the suffering he and his army have caused, and for abandoning his family.

However, after revealing the truth about the Four Dimensions and his plans to revive Ray, Leo asked his son to help him destroy Yuya in order to prevent Zarc's revival, and was infuriated when Declan rejected the offer. Throughout the Duel, Leo repeatedly tried to convince Declan to join his side and criticized his moves when they backfired. Declan on the other hand continued to reject Leo's offers and accused him of being the true "devil" for sacrificing thousands of lives for his plans.

Celina
Celina is shown to be annoyed the fact that Leo doesn't allow her to go to the front lines and forces her to stay in Duel Academy. Leo is shown to be interested in Celina's unknown ability and Celina is often trying to impress Leo so that he can allow her to join the war with her comrades.

It was later revealed that Leo's confinement of Celina is due to her being one of Ray's reincarnations.

Yuri
Despite his origin, Yuri is shown to be Leo's most trusted student, as it is seen he entrusted him to capture Zuzu and her counterparts knowing how he will handle the situation carefully and is confident in his abilities. In return Yuri is very loyal to him and will carry out his orders without question, albeit he does so to fulfill his malicious pleasure, as seen when Yuri threaten to card Zuzu, but doesn't do so because Leo's order. But in reality, he greatly fears Yuri as evident that he watched Yuri carding Alexis Rhodes.

Sora Perse
Leo appears to trust Sora as much as he trusts Yuri, and when Sora requested to return to the Standard Dimension, Leo allowed him to go and ordered him to return Celina to Duel Academy. Unlike Yuri, Sora ignores his orders in favor of his more personal goals, tracking down Shay instead of Celina, and eventually betrayed him.

Yusho Sakaki
According to Yusho they apparently had a fruitful professional relationship due to their collaboration in developing Action Duels and the ARC System.

Yuya Sakaki
Leo fears and despises Yuya due to him being one of Zarc's reincarnations. Out of all of Zarc's reincarnations, he feels threatened by Yuya the most as he has already absorbed Yuto. He wants to destroy Yuya at all costs to prevent Zarc's return before continuing with Revival Zero.

Deck
Leo runs a "Spirit" Deck focused on Pendulum Summoning "Spirit Tech Force - Pendulum Governor" and the "Spirit Crystal" monsters. Leo's strategy is oriented towards Tributing the "Spirit Crystal" monsters with the effect of "Pendulum Governor" so he can use the Tributed monster's effects twice during the turn. As the "Spirit Crystal" monsters have effects that destroy cards on the field and damage the player that controlled the destroyed card, this allows Leo to simultaneously remove multiple opposing cards at once and heavily damage the opponent.

To prevent the opponent from destroying "Pendulum Governor", Leo can use its effects to keep the opponent from attacking it, along with the Pendulum Effect of "Spirit Reactor" to keep it from being destroyed by card effects. For additional offensive power, Leo can Fusion Summon "Master Spirit Tech Force - Pendulum Ruler", whose monster effects are augmented versions of those found on "Pendulum Governor", which it uses as a Fusion Material.