RaiNet Kakeru

RaiNet Kakeru is a popular in-universe media franchise. It started with a manga that serialized in LocoLoco Comics that later received an anime adaptation of which its third season is airing every Sunday at 9 AM on ToTV during the events of Steins;Gate. The anime has its own theme song named Masquerade ~NOAH A New Era from the Third Chapter of Kings~. In the Science Adventure universe various versions of its mascot Upa, a card game named RaiNet AccessBattlers and other merchandise relating to the media franchise can be bought. Faris NyanNyan, Mayuri Shiina and Luka Urushibara, because of Mayuri's influence, are all fans of RaiNet Kakeru, though while Luka is rather interested in its story and Mayuri is interested in both the story and the Upas, Faris is more interested in the card game. RaiNet Kakeru follows a fifth-grader named Kakeru Yumehara and his friends battling viruses sent by terrorists (hackers) in cyperspace.

Characters
An exceptional hacker, a Net Guardian and a fifth-grader who transferred to Kaigyou Elementary at the start of the series. He is athletic and smart, but does not stand out too well. He learned his computer skills from his father. Later, he befriends Kirari and Tamaru. Kakeru is the hero of RaiNet Kakeru. A smart and athletic fifth-grader who is very knowledgeable about computers and who is part of Kaigyou Elementary's computer club. She is cute, passionate about fashion, has a good personality and is rich. She dislikes mushrooms, though. She is friends with Tamaru and later befriends Kakeru. She is the heroine of RaiNet Kakeru.
 * Kakeru Yumehara
 * Kirari Nishimura

According to one of Mayuri's cosplay costumes, Kirari's outfit consists of a short, pink mini dress with off shoulder sleeves and a red bow topped by a small, yellow crown just over the chest. The outfit also comes with a yellow crossbody bag. A fifth-grader who is part of Kaigyou Elementary's computer club, and who is friends with Kirari and later becomes friends Kakeru. His typing skills are very good. He develops RaiNet Cards and seems to be very knowledgeable about hacking. He is a friend and informant of Kakeru and aids him with RaiNet Cards.
 * Tamaru
 * Nagaya-san


 * Pipo-kun


 * Kazuma


 * Cyber Dragon


 * Ayumi

Antagonists
An overarching antagonist, a grade-schooler and a hacker who is in possession of the Monster Program "Vaios". He is described as a pretty boy and seems to act as a rival to Kakeru or as an antihero. He managed to best Kakeru with "Vaios" and successfully launch a cyber attack on the Department of Defense in Episode 1, and seems to be on par with Kakeru. Time and time again he would face Kakeru, once even making him question himself in Episode 11 to the point that he almost quit being a Net Guardian, but later in the series J winds up becoming part of Kakeru's RaiNet team.
 * J

An antagonist and a hacker who attacked one of the servers of an online video game in Episode 2. He almost managed to defeat Kakeru, but was beaten after Kirari and Tamaru helped Kakeru.
 * Beesman


 * Red


 * Bishop

Terminology
A warrior who protects the order of the Internet. Kakeru became one to make use of his knowledge and skills.
 * Net Guardian


 * Upa


 * RaiNet Card

Nine types of these legendary, destructive viruses, that are thousands of times stronger than normal ones, exist. Monster Programs look like strangely shaped CD-ROMS and are unreproducible. The one who collects them all is said to be able to control the entire Internet. Known Monster Programs are "Vaias", "Terios" and "Upa".
 * Monster Programs

Plot
These episode summaries can be attained by receiving specific in-game mail in the Steins;Gate visual novel. Every episode is titled "Access No. [number]".

Access No. 1: The rumoured guy is no good?! Mystery Transfer Student
A net café in New York City. Someone types an email. "In an hour, start the cyber attack against the Department of Defense..."

Kakeru Yumehara is a fifth grader who just recently transferred into Kaigyou Elementary. Although flawless in academics and sports, he doesn't particularly stand out. His classmates, Kirari and Tamaru, are members of the school's small computer club, and try to get Kakeru to join with the reasoning that they need anybody to increase their numbers. But Kakeru isn't interested.

Kirari: "He's probably not good with computers. It can't be helped."

Then one day, during computer class. Tamaru shows off his touch-typing skills to Kakeru. While rebuking Tamaru for that, Kirari displays her abundant knowledge of computers and the internet.

Tamaru: "Hey, Kirari, look at the transfer student. He's only using one finger to type."

Kirari: "Come on, stop that, Tamaru. He's just a transfer student, so he can't help it, can he?"

Everyone in the class looks down on Kakeru's lack of ability when they see him slowly press keys one by one, as if confirming each indivudal keystroke. It is at that moment that a low whirring sound emerges from Kakeru's bag. As everyone looks on in amazement, he reaches in and pulls out a subnotebook PC that would make any kid jealous. Moreover, it has a unique design.

Tamaru: "This guy can't be for real! A subnotebook even though he types one-fingered?!"

Kirari: "That's not it, Tamaru. Look, that subnotebook doesn't have a display!"

Tamaru: "Ki-Kirari! I've never seen anything like that! It's making a screen!"

The "Upa" inside Kakeru's notebook delivers an emergency mail from Nagaya-san. Written in the mail is the surprising news that the Department of Defense has been hacked. Upon confirming the contents of the mail, Kakeru's eye colour changes and his movements accelerate to a surprising rate. The entire class stares in disbelief as he removes the screen from the special subnotebook and connects the keyboard to a school computer.

As an emergency countermeasure, he uses the school computer to begin persuit of the cracker. Kirari and Tamaru are astonished when Kakeru starts operating the keyboard with violent force. Kakeru pursues the traces of the cracker who hides his identity by using servers throughout the world. Easily exterminating obstacles such as trap viruses, he draws close to his opponent.

The net café in New York City. A window opens up on the monitor. Kakeru finally corners the opponent. Faster than cyber police units throughout the world and the CIA, Kakeru reaches the culprit's computer and accosts him through chat. The culprit calls himself "J". J releases viruses. They are powerful things, which have the ability to force other people's computers to freeze. But Kakeru defends himself by shooting a precise vaccine, slowly approaching the culprit's whereabouts. The location is found to be somewhere around New York. In just a few moments, he'll have the exact adress...

J is surprised by Kakeru's ability. "I never thought I'd have to use this..." he says as he takes out a strangely shaped CD-ROM. Kakeru is unable to defend against the viruses unleashed from the CD-ROM. Furthermore, all of the computers in the classroom are destroyed by that mystery programme. The battle has ended in Kakeru's complete defeat. The computer room teacher's face reddens with rage. At that time, the school dismissal bell rings. While feeling regret, Kakeru rollerblades to his meeting with Nagaya-san.

Kirari and Tamaru, wanting to know what sort of person Kakeru is, chase after him. Nagaya-san tells him that the computer virus J used is the very dangerous Monster Programme "Vaios". The mystery Monster Programme made for an unknown purpose. Their destructive force is said to be thousands of times stronger than normal viruses. There are nine types of the unreproducible Monster Programmes. It is said that he who collects all of them can control the entire internet world. Simply put, this Monster Programme is legendary on the internet. And a hacker has appeared who can use it. This is a global state of emergency.

"What should we do?!", Kakeru cries. In reply, Nagaya-san takes out a gaudy-looking input card. "We're not just going to stand here and watch. We're just about finished with developing a new RaiNet Card." What is this RaiNet Card? And what is Kakeru's true identity?

Meanwhile, in New York City... The net café opens and out comes a pretty boy. "Kakeru, huh... What an interesting guy." While putting away a strangely shaped CD-ROM, he laughs like he's enjoying himself. That boy is the grade-school hacker who shook the world in the past. "J"...

Access No. 2: On to the future! RaiNet Formation!
Completely engrossed by their discussion, Kirari and Tamaru raise their voices. "Just what sort of person is Kakeru?"

Kakeru is actually a warrior who protects the order of the internet: A Net Guardian. Kirari and Tamaru wanted to tell their friends how cool that was. But Kakeru forbade them due to the risk that he may have to fight the culprit.

At that time, they receive news that the mystery hacker "Beesman" has attacked an online game server. Kakeru immediately challenges him using Nagaya-san's newly made RaiNet Card and the unique browser Alpha Gate. The first use of a new RaiNet Card. Despite his lack of experience, Kakeru successfully casts his Boot Spell.

But just when Kakeru thinks that he has easily won against the cracker, Beesman, who has complete control of the game server, overwrites the game system, sealing Kakeru deep within the game loop's dungeon. Kakeru is in danger. At that moment, somehow, Kirari and Tamaru also Server Dive. They came to rescue Kakeru! Furthermore, the two are well versed in this game. As game players, they couldn't forgive the hacker who had taken over the game server and toyed with the game players, so they decided to join forces with Kakeru. With their magnificent assistance, and Kakeru's Shoot ability, they successfully defeat Beesman. And when they do, suddenly, an unknown chat window opens on their monitor.

It's a signal from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. "By any chance, are they here to praise us?", they think in delight, but... The police turn to them and say: "You're under arrest!"

Access No. 3: Pi-po-pi-po! The Net Police Trap!
Japan's Net Police do not think well of Kakeru, despite his commendable deeds. They threaten to prosecute Kakeru under the Unauthorized Access laws. They don't press charges this time, but they take credit for Beesman's arrest and warn Kakeru to keep his nose out of police business.

"What can children do?" ridicules Red, a member of the Net Police. This angers Kakeru and the others. They know their hacking skills are a match for any adult's. Just then, the Police Department's mascot character, Pipo-kun, appears on their screens saying "I heard everything!" Suddenly, Pipo-kun challenges them to a contest.

Cybercrime is getting worse by the day. There's no denying the police need all the help they can get. But still, there's no way they can just let untrained kids disrupt an investigation. Therefore, Pipo-kun wants to test just how capable Kakeru and friends are. Kakeru and friends win if they can infiltrate the deepest part of the Metropolitan Police Department's server, where Pipo-kun lives. If Kakeru and friends win, they will be granted arrest privileges equal to the Net Police. Thinking himself unbeatable, Red agrees to the contest. Thus, the Metropolitan Police Department's server becomes the stage for the hacking battle.

However, the cowardly Red closes every port to the server. Ports are like doors that open to the outside. In other words, Kakeru and friends need to penetrate a building without entrances. Without a foundation, Kakeru and friends are at a loss. However, an idea comes to Kakeru. He skates into town with Kirari and Tamaru. With their help, Kakeru successfully infiltrates the Police Department building. Attaching his subnotebook through their public phone, with abundant knowledge and splendid technique, he steadily heads to the depths, successfully reaching the server!

Pipo-kun declares Kakeru the victor. As promised, they will receive complete backing from the police. Kakeru and his friends are overjoyed. However, Red protests. "What right does Pipo-kun have to do that?! This isn't authorized!" Just then, the image of Pipo-kun dissolves, revealing none other than the Police Commissioner himself! That was Pipo-kun's true identity all along! When he says "Isn't youthful strength like theirs necessary to fight against cybercrime?" Red is unable to object.

And thus, the police-sanctioned "RaiNet Guardians" are born!

Access No. 4: Computer Club Head Kazuma's pride
Kirari and Tamaru implore Kakeru to join the Computer Club. But the head of the Computer Club, Ichikawa Kazuma from class 4, says "Unless I see Kakeru's true skill, I won't recognize his entry into the club!"

Afterward, a personal challenge arrives from the computer of Shidou Elementary. Shidou is a rival school competing in the typing tournament "Typing Masters." There's no way they can turn down the challenge. And so the Typing Battle Game between Kazuma and the Shidou Computer Club Head, "Ima Pyuuta" began. At first, Kazuma dominates with a steady score. However, his opponent, taking advantage of the fact that he cannot be seen in an online battle, underhandedly sends a virus program to Kaigyou Elementary's PC, slowing down its processing speed. Before he knows it, Kazuma starts losing. Kakeru, having noticed their opponent is cheating with a dirty virus, asks to switch places.

Kazuma: "The honor of Kaigyou Elementary hangs on this fight. I'm not just going to switch places with you."

But Kazuma is blinded by pride. The match is gradually turning against him. At this point, even Tamaru and Kirari start pressuring Kazuma to listen to Kakeru. The whole class holds their breath as the baton is passed to Kakeru under grave conditions. Kazuma has already given up. He bows his head and turns his back. But from behind him comes the sound of typing unlike any he's ever heard before. Kazuma looks back in shock after hearing a noise echoing like a jackhammer. It's Kakeru, crushing the cheater fair and square, typing at a ferocious pace!

What follows is a splendid victory! Kazuma throws his arms around Kakeru in relief, exclaiming "Please join our Computer Club!" And then Nagaya-san calls. An online bank cracking incident has occurred! The enemy is the infamous bank robber, "Bishop!"

Tension once again runs through Kakeru and friends!

Access No. 5: Encounter with Bishop, online bank hacker"
These days, Online Banking is widespread. Sometimes, even billions of units of currency are transferred wirelessly. The current enemy, "Bishop," is a tough opponent, cracking through a mobile connection while driving to mask his location. But Kakeru reads his opponent's moves one by one and gradually corners him. In order to close the distance, Kakeru and friends don rollerblades, moving between hotspots and public phone lines in town! With Kakeru's swift techniques and precise strikes, along with Tamaru's group's teamwork, they successfully corner Bishop!

Out of options, their target uses his last resort! One of the nine existing phantom Monster Programs, "Terios"! Its capacity for wanton destruction instantly turns the tables on Kakeru. Bishop prepares to use Terios to deliver the finishing blow. The vile virus approaches! Checkmate for Kakeru! But then, as if to protect them, something flies out of Kakeru's PC! It's the virtual pet Upa that Kakeru cared for! Upa intercepts the hit meant for Kakeru. Will Upa be okay?!

Access No. 6: To the trial, upaupa! Upa's secret
Upa has taken a direct attack from the Monster-level virus. But he is unscathed. And of all things, he devours the attack itself. Kakeru has successfully countered Bishop with Upa's great efforts. On top of that, he has obtained Bishop's Monster Program "Terios." But he doesn't understand. Why could Upa devour such a strong Monster-level virus program?

Not even Nagaya-san knows. But the mystery Site Master "Cyber Dragon" might.Cyber Dragon, who has information about every program in existence, is like a sage with knowledge of the entire net world. Kakeru and friends begin searching for Cyber Dragon's site immediately. In order to obtain the URL for Cyber Dragon's site, it appears they'll need to clear the online game, "Cyber Dragon Trial." This is a typing battle with increasing viral attacks, which wear Kakeru down. But he keeps going, cheered on by his friends.

After a grueling struggle, Kakeru successfully gets the URL for Cyber Dragon's site. They finally manage to meet Cyber Dragon. As his name suggests, he takes the form of an elder dragon. He inspects Upa's program. What he discovers is that Upa is also a Monster Program. Kirari worries Upa is dangerous. Cyber Dragon, however, explains that based on the user's will, a deadly weapon can also become a tool to protect. Unfortunately, that also means it will be necessary to awaken Upa's inner Monster Program. And if Kakeru fails to fully master it, he may lose control of the awakened form.

Without knowing how to awaken Upa, Kakeru and friends leave Cyber Dragon's site. In order to overcome the vile programs, Kakeru pledges to discover Upa's Monster Program boot process. Before long, rumors spread around the world of Kakeru and friends, the amazing grade schoolers who possess a Monster Program.

Access No. 7: First in aircraft history! Ground hijack!
Japan prepares to send a team to the Typing Masters world championships in Los Angeles. Among Japan's representatives is Kakeru, who has become an instant celebrity for solving numerous cybercrimes. Tamaru accompanies as second, and Kirari's wealth lets her pay her own way. While they're chatting on the plane, an emergency suddenly occurs.

The cabin crew frantically approaches them. It appears that someone has hijacked the jumbo jet. Moreover, the culprit is not onboard. Somehow, he hijacked the computer systems from the ground. The crew cannot not switch to manual control, letting the hacker decrease the plane's altitude along with its 276 passengers. Without needing a single explosive, the culprit instead is bringing the plane down by halting its engines electronically: the century's first "Ground Hijack"! The hacker wants the Monster Program "Upa."

Kakeru infiltrates the jet with his subnotebook and tries to trace the hacker, but can't. The only line that connects to the jet is the heavily protected control tower's. Searching for the core of that line... results in failure. There is no suspicious activity from the tower. Kakeru and friends grow impatient. Only special radio waves should be able to reach the plane's height from the tower.

However, considering other possibilities, Kakeru comes up with another idea: via satellite. "Bingo!" Kakeru was right. The ground base is connected to the satellite through an external line. The culprit broke the satellite's firewall to connect to the plane's computer systems. Both a satellite and a plane were hijacked in this major incident. Kakeru figures this out and corners the culprit.

The first war fought at the core of an orbiting satellite begins. A quick victory. The opponent is clever, but not enough to match Kakeru's methods. Kakeru and friends watch the first space battle unfold on-screen. The jumbo jet is almost as beautiful as a shuttle floating in space. Stars are reflected in Kakeru's eyes.

Next, the world Typing Masters championship begins.

Access No. 11: Prince of J, redux
J starts another cyberterror incident. Kakeru starts off in pursuit, but is repelled by the enemy. He and his friends are struck with a freeze program by the Monster Program "Vaios." While they're left defenseless, J talks to Kakeru via voice chat.

J: "Kakeru, why do you try to stop me?"

Kakeru: "Why are you doing this?! Is causing suffering really that fun for you?!"

J's answer is that he is merely testing his own power. To see if he can break the unbreakable, steal the unstealable. To test himself... is that not why Kakeru became a Net Guardian? Kakeru says that's not true. After saying that Kakeru's not being honest, J departs.

After hearing J's words, Kakeru finds himself wavering, wondering why he really became a Net Guardian. He wanted to make use of his brilliant knowledge and technique handed down to him by his father. He didn't gain power with the goal of becoming a Guardian.

Kakeru: "Did I become a Guardian just to test my own power?"

Kakeru is troubled. Sitting in front of his computer, he doubts his own heart.

Without Kakeru's interference, J's invasion reaches the Japanese Traffic Ministry's main computer. Accidents are happening everywhere. While tragic news-flashes continue, Kakeru is unable to fight back. One report catches his eye. Someone's father has died. The circumstances also seem familiar to him. Snapping out of it, Kakeru turns back to his keyboard. The battle between Kakeru and J begins anew.

Access No. 12: Upa awakens
J unleashes his monster program repeatedly. Kakeru's fighting spirit returns. Unfortunately, he still has no idea how to use Upa's Monster Program. While outnumbered, Kakeru realizes something. The way to awaken Upa... His father once mentioned something about it.

Kakeru's Father: "Never sink to underhanded techniques. True strength is in the cards."

The way to awaken Upa is to seal the entirety of his program into a RaiNet Card, producing an attack card. Since taking Upa out of the computer means uninstalling (killing) him, Kakeru knows it's risky. However, Operation Awaken Upa is a huge success!

Upa's power increases beyond comprehension. While Kakeru's overwhelming technique and Upa's awakened power manage to overcome J, he manages to find an opening and flee. J sends the words "That was fun" to Kakeru's chat window, angering him.

As if nothing happened, Upa returns to being a cute desktop accessory. Cyber Dragon saw it all. He looks at how they've grown, pleased.

Cyber Dragon: "Persevere, Kakeru..."

Although J regrettably escaped, Cyber Dragon felt that Kakeru and friends had grown. What is Cyber Dragon's true identity?!

Access No. 13: Legendary elementary schoolgirl hacker, Will China, goes to Japan!
(Preview) There are still many hackers aiming for the world of the internet. The RaiNet War has just begun! With renewed resolve in our hearts, we race to protect the order of the net.

Toward the vast future!!

But wait, what's with this new title?! An elementary school girl?!

RaiNet Kakeru Access No 13. "Legendary elementary schoolgirl hacker, Will China, goes to Japan!"

Until next time, Dual Access!

RaiNet AccessBattlers
Main Article: RaiNet AccessBattlers

RaiNet Kakeru has its own card game spinoff, named RaiNet AccessBattlers, in which two players compete against each other. Each player gets four "Link" cards and four "Virus" cards that they can aligne however they want on their side of the board, in the so-called "Stack Area", at the start of a game. The players additionally have four "Terminal" cards each that they can use up. Avid players of the board game are Faris NyanNyan, who allegedly has won over 400 unofficial matches, and 4℃. Official tournaments started being hosted in 2010, at which exclusive Upa plushies are handed out to the participants.

In Steins;Gate
Faris NyanNyan hosted her own RaiNet AccessBattlers contest called "Faris Cup" on August 1, 2010, at MayQueen+Nyan² on at least some of the possible Alpha World Lines. Those who managed to beat Faris would get from her own home cooking as a prize, which led to Itaru Hashida and many others interested to participate in the contest. Even though Faris battled against 10 different opponents in 10 different games at the same time, no one managed to defeat her. At the contest, the theme song of the RaiNet Kakeru anime played.

On some Alpha World Lines, Faris would often participate in official tournaments. In one such tournament on one world line, she managed to win against 4℃ with help from Rintaro Okabe who took out 4℃'s accomplices who were distracting Faris.