William James Moriarty

William has a distinctive and aristocratic appearance that serves as his perfect cover:
Face and physique: Tall (185 cm) and slender, even lean, in build. He has pale skin, a clean-shaven face, and fine features that often appear impassive. His expressive scarlet eyes are particularly striking.
· Hair: Light, ash-blond or golden, curly hair of medium length with a characteristic long fringe falling to the side.
Clothing Style: He dresses like an impeccable Victorian-era gentleman. His usual attire is a brown three-piece suit, a dull yellow waistcoat, a red tie with a green brooch, and a cane (which also serves as a blade).

William's character is a blend of charm, icy calm, and deep inner pain. His personality is multifaceted, and it can be viewed through several key aspects:
· "This World's Napoleon" and Benefactor. A brilliant mathematician and professor, he is also a secret "criminal consultant." His goal is to destroy the vicious class system by pitting the common people against the aristocracy. To this end, he commits perfect crimes, murdering cruel nobles and aiding their victims. This makes him both a serial killer and a benefactor to the oppressed.
Charisma and intelligence. William is incredibly charming, polite, and patient. People are literally drawn to him, trusting his professional manner and calm voice. He possesses encyclopedic knowledge, impressing adults with his intelligence from childhood, and his strategic thinking allows him to calculate many moves ahead.
· Duality of nature. On the one hand, he is cold, calculating, and rarely shows true emotion, even as a "kind professor." On the other, he is deeply compassionate towards those who have suffered injustice. He kills without hesitation, but his actions are driven not by a thirst for violence, but by the idea of ​​creating a new, just world.
· Loyalty to "family." Although he calls his team (Albert, Luis, Moran, and others) "pawns," in reality, he treats them like family and friends. He cares deeply for their safety and future, and it is this loyalty that drives his people to follow him to the end.
Evolution and the thirst for redemption. Despite his confidence in his mission, William acknowledges the gravity of his sins. By the end of the main story, he plans to die, believing it the only way to atone for the blood on his hands. A meeting with Sherlock Holmes, his first true friend and equal adversary, forces him to reconsider these views. Holmes saves him not only physically but also emotionally, giving him hope for a life filled with struggle and, perhaps, forgiveness.

William's past is key to understanding all of his motives. His real name is unknown. He was born in the slums of London's East End and, from an early age, was exposed to the cruelty and injustice of a world divided between the aristocracy and the disenfranchised poor. Thanks to his phenomenal intellect, he became an informal leader among the street children, but he understood that survival was not life.
His meeting with Albert Moriarty, a young aristocrat who also despised the system but didn't know how to change it, proved fateful. William and his "brother" (likely also an orphan, named Louis) made a huge impression on Albert. Soon, an opportunity presented itself: Albert, unable to bear the cruelty of his brother and father toward the servants and orphans, decided to murder his family. Together with William and Louis, they stage an accident—a fire in the mansion. Thus, the real William James Moriarty (the Duke's evil and spoiled son) dies, and the protagonist takes his place in Albert's household. From this moment on, his legal life in high society begins under an assumed name.

He has no real name. The name "William James Moriarty" belonged to someone else—the Earl's own cruel son, who died in a fire. Our hero is a boy from the slums, whose real name we will never know.
2. He was a genius from the cradle. As a child, living in an orphanage, he taught himself to read and analyze, simply by observing the world around him. He had no teachers—only hunger, cold, and an incredible mind.
3. His eyes are a mirror of duality. The scarlet eyes are more than just a beautiful design detail. They symbolize his dual nature: they burn with kindness to the downtrodden and a cold determination to kill.
4. He doesn't drink alcohol (almost). As a person who values ​​absolute control over himself, he rarely indulges in alcohol. Only on special occasions, when he allows himself to relax among his most trusted people.
5. He has a phenomenal memory. He remembers the faces and names of every East End child he's ever helped. To them, he's not a terrible criminal, but a kind wizard who comes bearing gifts and solves their problems.
6. He fears only one thing: losing his family. William, who doesn't fear death and can look even the most dangerous criminals in the eye, is terrified at the thought of something happening to Louis or Albert.
7. His cane isn't just an accessory. It contains a thin blade. But what's more interesting is that William carries it not for protection, but as a symbol of his gentlemanly status. He's so confident in his intellect that the weapon is more of a formality for him.
8. He has a sense of humor. Yes, yes, it's very dry, almost imperceptible. But an attentive viewer will notice how the corners of his lips sometimes twitch when he's making fun of Moran or Louis. Especially when the joke is a hit, and no one gets it.
9. His favorite color is green. Look at his brooch, his wardrobe details—green often appears as an accent. It's the color of hope, which is very symbolic for a man building a new world on the ruins of the old.
10. He doesn't know how to accept compliments. When someone sincerely praises him (not as a math professor, but as a person), he becomes slightly flustered and changes the subject. True praise is rare for him, and therefore especially valuable.

Injustice and cruelty towards the weak. This is an absolute trigger. Seeing an aristocrat humiliate a servant or mock a commoner, William loses his icy calm—a cold rage boils within him.
Stupidity and arrogance. Especially when stupidity is combined with power. Aristocrats who consider themselves superior to others simply by birthright infuriate him with their narrow-mindedness.
Loss of control. William hates situations that are beyond his control. That's why Sherlock's appearance initially unsettles him, and then... draws him in.
Lying to loved ones. He himself is constantly forced to lie and manipulate, but when it comes to Louis or Albert, he is always brutally honest. Deceiving them is taboo for him.
When he's underestimated. Not because of ego, but because it interferes with his plans. If someone views him as a "sweet professor who wouldn't hurt a fly," it can disrupt the delicate mechanics of his operations.
· Physical disorder. Remember how impeccably he's always dressed? It's not just a facade—he truly values ​​external order as a reflection of internal order.

· Intellectual challenges. He loves it when someone can hold a conversation on equal terms. Boredom is pure torture for him. That's why he values ​​Sherlock so much—the only one who makes his brain truly work.
Chess and strategy. It's no coincidence that anime often features a chessboard. For William, life is a giant chess game, and he enjoys the process of calculating his moves.
Children. This is perhaps the warmest aspect of his character. With the children of the East End, he becomes a completely different person—gentle, caring, and genuinely smiling. The children sense this and gravitate toward him, calling him "Mr. William."
Tea and cozy evenings. Despite his grim mission, William is a true aesthete. He enjoys leisurely tea parties with his family, where he can simply chat about nothing or read a book in silence.
· Helping the weak. It sounds paradoxical for a "crime lord," but in fact, it's the desire to protect those who can't protect themselves that has driven him since childhood.
· Silence and order. Having grown up in the chaos of the slums, he values ​​calm and order around him. Disorder distracts from reflection.

· Tea Cult: William loves tea, especially Earl Grey, and prefers the one brewed by his brother Louis. It's not just a drink, but a whole ritual for relaxation and reflection.
· Irregular sleep: Due to constant mental strain, he suffers from insomnia and can suddenly fall asleep anywhere: at the table, in the bath, or in the middle of a conversation.
· Sweet Tooth: He loves stargazy pie and at one birthday party he enjoyed strawberry cake with fish heads.

· Ideal image: William is always dressed to the nines and behaves like an impeccable gentleman to blend in with the aristocracy and lull their vigilance.
· Different voices: As a professor, he uses a clear "lecturer's voice," but at home he switches to a quiet, homely half-whisper.

· Chess and Mind Games: He loves mind games like chess or cards and is constantly thinking several moves ahead.
· Reading: William loves to read and has been devouring books from libraries since childhood, even without permission, to quench his thirst for knowledge.
· Journaling: He has a habit of writing down everyday things in a diary to organize his thoughts and plans.

· Right to be tired: After the events at Reichenbach Falls, he became more open, and those close to him noticed that he had regained the warmth and spirit of youth.
· Hidden experiences: He tries not to show his fatigue or pain, but those close to him know that he is tormented by a feeling of guilt for past sins.
· Caring rituals: He loves to pamper his loved ones, such as making breakfast in bed.

Their relationship goes from curiosity to an existential connection.
Intellectual Twins: From their first meeting on the ship, they recognize each other as equals. Sherlock is fascinated by William, and William is intrigued by Sherlock. They both suffer from boredom in a world where no one understands them, and suddenly find "their soulmate." Their dialogue is an intellectual flirtation and a game of cat and mouse.
"The Tainted Flower" and "The Fallen Angel": William sees Sherlock as an ideal of justice, one he wants to "corrupt" by showing him the world's imperfections. Sherlock, however, sees William as an angel who has fallen into the filth of this world and wants to "save" him—not from justice, but from his desire to die.
Judge and defendant: William initially casts Sherlock as the judge who must execute him (the London Ripper). He needs Sherlock, a man of crystal-clear principles, to make his death legitimate.
Breaking Through the Mask: Sherlock is the only one who manages to penetrate William's armor. With his illogical yet sincere actions (like jumping off a waterfall), he proves that William's worth as a person is greater than his sins. Sherlock's line, "I won't let you die, William. Not just because you're my enemy, but because you're my friend," becomes key for William, ruining his plan for self-sacrifice.

Protection and unconditional devotion
Louis is the only one who has been with William since the very bottom, from the slums. Their connection is the closest and most emotional.
Savior and meaning of life: For Louis, William is the god who created him anew. When William found him, sick and dying, and gave him a name, Louis found purpose. His devotion is absolute and knows no bounds. He is willing to kill, die, or become a monster for his brother.
· Anger and protectiveness: William is well aware of Louis's dark side (his cruelty and jealousy) and embraces it. He forbids Louis from getting his hands dirty not out of mistrust, but because he wants to protect his innocence, to preserve the part of him that remains pure as a child from the slums.
The Only Witness: Unlike Albert and the others, Louis saw William as weak. Therefore, William allows himself to be more open with him. He confides his deepest thoughts to Louis, knowing he will never betray him.

Albert is the one who gave William his name and title, and the one who shares with him the primary responsibility for the "sin" of murdering the Moriarty family.

Ideological affinity: Albert is more than just a patron. He is the first person to share William's hatred of the corrupt aristocratic system. He is not a follower, but a full partner, financing and supporting their operation using his status as an earl.
Silent Support: Albert understands the weight of William's burden. He rarely intrudes, but is always there to lend a shoulder. Their relationship is filled with unspoken, yet absolute trust.
· Discreet Concern: Albert constantly worries about his younger brothers. It is he who sets out to find them in the finale, abandoning everything because he cannot imagine his life without them. William responds with deep respect and gratitude, understanding that Albert sacrificed his own future for their shared dream.

William gathers around himself not just a gang of thugs, but people who have been cast aside by society. For them, he becomes not a boss, but a liberator.
With Colonel Sebastian Moran: Respect and Friendship on Equal Terms
Moran is the oldest and most experienced member of the team, a former military man. His relationship with William is unique in that it is built on mutual respect between two professionals.
William didn't order Moran around. He freed him from his debt of honor to a tyrant aristocrat (My Lord Bellwood), giving him the opportunity to take revenge. Moran saw in William not just a smart youth, but a man worthy of his service.
A Close Friend: Over time, Moran becomes more than just an enforcer for William, but a confidant and friend. He's the only one who can afford to be familiar and forthright in conversation. William values ​​his military experience and composure, and Moran sees him as the son he never had and is willing to follow him into the thick of things.
With Fred Porlock and Jack:
William recruits former street children to his team, giving them a home and work.
Fred Porlock: A quiet and unassuming courier, William entrusts him with the most dangerous assignments, knowing Fred would rather die than tell. For Fred, William is a role model, an older brother who pulled him off the streets.
The "Informers" Gang: The children of the East End adore "Mr. William." They see him as a gentle and caring guardian, who comes bearing gifts and solves their problems. This shows the better, more human side of his nature.
With Miss Hudson (Martha) and the others: They become part of a large family on Baker Street and in Moriarty's mansion. They all know who William really is and willingly accepted his mission because he gave them more than just money, but a sense of belonging and significance.