William James Moriarty (ウィリアム・ジェームズ・モリアーティ, Wiriamu Jēmuzu Moriāti) is the main protagonist of MORIARTY THE PATRIOT. He's a professor of mathematics, but behind the scenes he acts as the mastermind criminal titled "Lord of Crime", making him the arch-nemesis of Sherlock Holmes.
His real name is unknown, having assumed the name of his deceased adoptive brother at a young age.
Appearance
William is a pale, thin young man with blond hair of medium length with prominent side bangs. One of his most striking features are his scarlet eyes, a shade of color that reminds Sherlock of fresh blood and sends shivers down his spine.[2] Nonetheless, he's stated to have a beautiful face and look like an elegant gentleman.[3]
For clothing, he wore a brown three-piece suit with a red tie and a golden pocket watch. When operating as the Lord of Crime, he was often seen wearing a top hat, a long black coat with a hood and a cane. The cane would also frequently function as his weapon since it could be unsheathed and act as a sword.
Post-Timeskip
Following the fall, his left eye is scarred and permanently blinded, seemingly having lost some of its color as well. Because of this, he wears a black eyepatch. He now also wears a black tie and black three-piece suit instead of his previous brown one.
Young Appearance
As a child, when Moriarty lived in the orphanage, he donned a faded maroon-purple scarf, beige trousers, and a white dress shirt underneath a light brown coat. When Albert took him in, he dressed like a noble child in public, although never at home.
Personality
William is a kind and courteous, but also highly intelligent and incredibly knowledgeable man.
Even at a young age he could read and write well, using his mind and wit to help others. It’s said that he was often in a library without permission, where he learned much along with his brother. His knowledge impressed many adults and he was loved by fellow kids. He would preach to them that the corrupt nobility deserved to be punished.
Growing up he was a mathematics prodigy and excelled in academics, even becoming a King's Scholar alongside his brothers and becoming a university professor at an incredibly young age.
As an adult, he grew up to be an elegant gentleman, a head-to-toe perfect noble. He is charismatic and eloquent, easily earning the respect of most. Due to his intelligence, he has an easy time seeing through lies, understanding others and also planning crimes. William is well-versed on how to organize and execute flawless operations, known to leave behind no tracks and manipulate other parties to do what he needs.
Despite his violent deeds, William is an incredibly kind, compassionate and gentle person. He is friendly to everyone around him and cannot ignore those in need, willing to help anyone even if they don't utter a direct request. Since young he was determined to create a better world, wishing for more justice and equality. Knowing how much it takes to execute such a plan, William was selfless enough to pay with his death as the final step.
William deeply cares for his family and allies. He never showed them the stress he was under with the exception of Albert and always gave a calm, reassuring front. Although his allies were also ready to give their life for the plan, William planned from the beginning that he will be the only one to die.
During the Final Problem, the crimes and violence he commits begin to take a strong toll on him. He is visibly dejected and loses much of his expressiveness. William cannot forgive himself for all the murder and spilled blood, prepared to die not only for the plan but out of personal wish. He continues to keep his allies from harm, giving order for them to stay behind while he carries on with the murders.
Because of his unique genius and desire to protect, William feels a certain solitude from his family and friends despite their love and support. Due to this distance between him and his allies, they're also unable to persuade William from his determination to pay with his life. In Sherlock Holmes however, he finds his equal and the one person to truly understand him. Although William was always almost solely focused on executing his plan, he found himself wishing to be friends with Sherlock and even considered throwing everything away to be with him.
In the end, Sherlock is the one to save him and show him that death is no atonement. Following this, William struggled to find his way forward and an answer on how to go about his atonement. He's quite reserved and sentimental during this period, even crying multiple times. However, William eventually realizes that one correct answer doesn't exist and that constant wavering is part of life, making an oath with Sherlock to keep living and struggling together.
William is much more determined and cheerful after coming to this conclusion, even able to fight again. Three years later Paterson and Jack also point out that he smiles more again and that his personality is closer to when he was younger.[4] William is still resolute in atoning for his past until the end of his life.[5]
Origin
William is based off the character Professor Moriarty in the Sherlock Holmes novels by Arthur Conan Doyle. Professor Moriarty is a criminal mastermind, considered to be Holmes' arch-nemesis and one of the most recognizable villains of all time, though he only directly appears in one of the stories.
Trivia
- When meeting Sherlock at 221B, he wears the clothes shown in the infamous Professor Moriarty illustration by Sidney Paget and also mirrors the pose upon entering the apartment.
- While his birthday is officially listed as April 1st, it is merely another facet of identity he appropriated from the original William James Moriarty after killing him. His actual date of birth is currently unknown.[6]
- Due to assuming the place of Albert's biological brother he also attended Eton College, which the original William was scheduled to attend prior to his death.[7]
- He has a habit of suddenly falling asleep due to the exhausting use of his mind and thinking. This happens to him even during eating, while in the bath or mid-conversation.[8][9]
- William came first in both the first and second character popularity polls.
- He likes smiles and tea.[1]
- He dislikes tears.[1]
- His current goal is to atone for his past deeds, while his current worry is that people aren't mentioning his left eye to avoid making him uncomfortable.[1]
- William loves stargazy pie. He is happy to repeatedly eat it in the Volume 2 omake and one of the birthday illustrations also features him eating strawberry shortcake with fish heads poking out.[10][11]
Links
- Professor Moriarty at Wikipedia
- James Moriarty at Baker Street Wiki
- William James Moriarty at Baker Street Wiki
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Volume 17 Extras
- ↑ Light Novel Book 2, "Forbidden Games", Chapter 5
- ↑ Interview with Hikaru Miyoshi & Ryosuke Takeuchi, Dec 2022 issue of Jump SQ
- ↑ Chapter 66
- ↑ Chapter 64
- ↑ Birthday discussed on Hikaru Miyoshi's Twitter
- ↑ Eton attendance mentioned on Hikaru Miyoshi's Twitter
- ↑ Chapter 24
- ↑ art by Hikaru Miyoshi
- ↑ Volume 2: LOUIS THE DEPRESSED, PART 2
- ↑ Birthday illustration form Hikaru Miyoshi's Twitter