Roberto Katze

Roberto Katze (ロベルト＝カッツェ) is a side character introduced in Shinyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index. He is the current President of the United States of America in the Toaru Majutsu no Index series.

Appearance
A large man with a muscular physique, he has swarthy-skinned due to the fact that he is Hispanic. His most prominent feature is his swept hair and accompanying his thick chin curtain beard.

Personality
Unusual for a President, Roberto shows familiarity and openness to people nearly to the point of childishness. Although, his appearance says otherwise, he shows an intelligence uniquely his own.

Along with this, Roberto has the propensity to embellish the truth for his own gain. An example of this is when he exaggerates his father's apparent many deaths. He is a playboy and is rather perveted, having an erection even in front of world leaders.

Background
He is the third Hispanic President of the United States. His campaign was apparently backed up by Olay Blueshake, the queen of media. With his personality as well as his "verbal slips" on political matters, he is referred to a strange politician; because of this, his approval ratings do rather well from them, because the electorate feels more of a connection.

He is still single, although he has a fiance that he has already proposed marriage to.

Angel Fall Arc
In the anime series, though he didn't make a physical appearance, while in the form of Shirai Kuroko, Roberto made an appearance in a press conference due to one of his many political scandals. His only speaking line was "Yes, we can." Roberto's broadcasted appearance, as Shirai Kuroko, made Touma realize that his family, friends, and acquaintances weren't setting up a prank on him and a form of magic had made them change their outer appearance.

Hawaii Invasion Arc
He debuts the third volume of Shinyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index, showing his ability with the media, regarding the aftermath of World War III. He later escapes his own security forces, aware of a strange malaise that seemingly makes previous normal people turn against America, even within the core of his government, and decides to investigate on his own. His disappearance later leads his aide, Roseline Krackhart, to find him, who is also aware of the suspicious people in government.

Meanwhile, Roberto uses the Imperial Package to track the movements of suspicious persons, and discover a threat that could take the lives of thousands of people. He is later attacked by one of the persons who have their loved ones being controlled by Saronia Irivika of GREMLIN, but is able to subdue him using his negotiating prowess. Hither, he discovers that the only thing that all the controlled people have in common are the look in their eyes, a blank and spiritless gaze. Roberto discovers that the person who attacked him is not one of those people are directly controlled, and as such is determined to use him to get behind the controller's defenses. Roberto later arrives at the Coral Street Shopping Mall, just in time to save Accelerator from GREMLIN magicians, after Accelerator accidentally used magic. He later takes Accelerator away from the chaos, where they converse about the situation regarding GREMLIN's influence in the the United States. He later divulges to Accelerator about the Trigger who then reports it back to Kamijou Touma and company, regarding GREMLIN's plans to use it to erupt a volcano.

With things calming down, Roberto takes Touma, Accelerator, Misaka Mikoto, and Leivinia Birdway to Pearl Harbor, where the Trigger supposedly resides. With Leivinia's suggestions, they simply walk into the base and orders the grunt working (Nike Canox) there, knowing that Saronia would only require to control higher ups, this is confirmed when a military officer (Bax Silver) enters the based and complicates Saronia's plans. Later, with Touma and Mikoto, Roberto checks one of the cargo planes, wherein they discover Saronia herself. Here, Roberto is given protection by Mikoto, as Touma does battle with Saronia with back up from Mikoto. Eventually, after Mikoto destroys several of the containers, Saronia discovers that Trigger isn't here, shoots the pilot and parachutes out of the plane. After checking up on the pilot's condition, Roberto, Touma, and Mikoto states to the pilot that they would leave him behind, and would require him to make an emergency landing instead of crashing the plane. They are rescued just in time by Arc Daniels to see the eruption of Kileau, though they realized it is much more downplayed than they expected. They later realize that the use of Trigger for the eruption as well as the Narwhal anti-ship missiles used to attact their company after being rescued was used to isolate the entirety of Hawaiian Islands for a much bigger purpose.

While resting during the Fall of Pearl Harbor, Roberto discusses with Touma, on how he suspects that many of the people working for Saronia and part of his government may not actually be controlled by magic by Saronia at all. Sowing the seeds of doubt on Touma's mind, as he rethinks Birdway, Cendrillon and Saronia's actions. Roberto then speculates that Saronia's true power may not be mind control at all. Roberto further states that the mercenaries that GREMLIN hired for the invasion of Hawaii maybe Trident, due to the technology used, and is one of the largest privitized military corporations in the world. After using the Imperial Package, Roberto states that the most likely person who has assets outside of the United States that could hire an army such as Trident would be the media queen, Olay Blueshake.

In a phone conference with the rest of Leivinia and Touma's group, he discusses Free Compound Eyes, a supposedly defunct free camera service which can be accessed by the search engines owned by Olay, maybe used to monitor their actions. Roberto further provides evidence to Olay's involvement by stating that Olay is as powerful as an entire house in Congress. Roberto continues his explanation that Olay tried to get herself elected but due to the onset of the Third World War, was unable to direct the country to the ways she wanted, and maybe the reason why she contacted with GREMLIN and Trident. Roberto states that she cannot be arrested as her current whereabouts are unknown. He later learns that Roseline has begun her move against Olay by gathering troops in order to make Olay's daughter, Lindy Blueshake, as a bargaining chip against her, with the variable that the troops may kill her. With Touma's determination, Roberto agrees to get to Lindy first before Roseline.

Roberto accompanies the entire Leivinia company, and uses the Imperial Package to find Lindy's current whereabouts. He is later part of the team for Lindy's rescue along with Shiage and Leivinia. They are later delayed as Roseline's troops are in a military engagement with Trident troops, leading with the latter's decimation and allowed Roseline's troops to take control of one of the northeastern beaches in Kauai, allowing them to search for Lindy in earnest. They later arrive at Lindy's residence which was in the process of being overtaken by Trident, however, Roberto managed to successfully collect Lindy at the cost of her manservant, where Roberto states that he will be much safer if he was not with Lindy. Mikoto later rendezvous with them, whither Roberto gives Mikoto advice to woo Touma, after she haphazardly mentions mentioning giving a gift, much to her consternation. She later tries to stop a tank while Roberto and company brace themselves from Cutter bullets, figuring out it maybe members of his countr's military attacking them. With their transportation wrecked, Roberto and Shiage are dragged off, while they take Lindy by marines. Although one of the marines were hostile and tried to attack Roberto, the large part of the unit led by Corporal Martin Flowers were allied with Roberto. He later calls Roseline to tell her to lay off her search for Lindy in order to use her against Olay, and states that they need only to subdue Trident's commander in order to stop Trident. Roberto arrives along with Roseline to confront the commander, Cinesic Evers, and forces him to back down his forces, threatening the future of Trident and allies attacking the United States with a threat of being slaughtered by them. However, Cinesic does not acquiese and instead orders all his troops to converge in Napali Coast and support Saronia. Later, after Saronia is defeated by Touma, Roberto once again tells Cinesic of terms of his surrender, lest they face a more brutal punishment, which the latter agrees to.

Roberto later returns to a hotel along with everyone, reporting on the missing GREMLIN operatives in Trident uniforms. Roberto later laments on Olay still being uncaptured, however, he uses this opportunity of her being missing to transfer all of her companies assets to Lindy, her daughter, putting Olay in a tough spot, without allies and without money.

Lance of Gungnir Arc
Noting the destruction and violence GREMLIN has wrought, not only in Hawaii, Roberto Katze has calls together many different nations and powers to prepare for a unified attack on GREMLIN. Roberto is with Roseline Krackhart in New York City, after calling forth the leaders that of the countries that have been affected by GREMLIN's reign of terror. Here, they talk on the streets near the United Nations building, knowing that people will surely think they are joking as they talk of states secrets casually out on the open. Roberto asks why the couldn't use the White House since it would've been much safer, to which Roseline states that the residence of the President has too much political pressure, and that those that do not want the United States leading the solution to their debacle might not want to gather there. Moreover, she is bothered by the journalists there, and sees that it will be easier if the meeting be done in New York. Roberto mentions that New York is also filled with journalists, to which Roseline states that they are merely paparazzi. Roberto mentions an emergency financial meeting of the G14, to which Roseline says that they interfered with the stock market, to prevent the gathering of the heads of state from looking unnatural.

Then, Elizard just arrived with her bodyguard Kanzaki Kaori, arousing Roberto, who says that he wants Elizard to tell him where she hired Kaori as he wants to add some beauty to his security team. There, Elizard tells him that she is a Saint despie her appearance, though Roberto already knows this and wishe he already has one, much to Roseline's chagrin. Kaori herself grimaces at the scene.

Then, the Russian Orthodox Church representatives arrive, Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Klaus R. Shiarutsky, Vasilisa, and Sasha Kreutzev. The latter are arguing about Vasilisa having "faith" in something other than "Japanimation" and American culture, despite being a member of the Russian Orthodox Church. Sasha then says that Vasilisa should be afraid of falling victim to an inquisition for saying such things in front of the Patriarch. Klaus hears this and says that he woulnd't do it. Roberto then asks where there others are while reading a lewd magazine in front of the others. Roseline says that the French are already inside the United Nations building, the Roman Catholic representatives should arrive shortly along with the Italian Foreign Minister. Thus the meeting of the Anti-GREMLIN Alliance draw near.

Roberto complains about not being able to contact Aleister Crowley of Academy City, despite knowing that the City might take the leadership of the attack on GREMLIN from the United States. However, Roberto is disturbed by the City's lack of cooperation, as it would mean that they might take their own actions against GREMLIN and would likely hinder the Alliance as well. Roberto tells them to enter the United Nations building, but is told by Roseline to close his lewd magazine and stop his erection. Roberto jokes that she could always take care of it for her, annoying Roseline to the point of hitting him on the back with her heel, much to the present Secret Service personnel's shock. Roseline's anger later forced the representatives into he building, including Roberto. Here, he asks about the "illegals" (like Leivinia Birdway) taking part in the meeting, to which Roseline says that they cannot enter the building but will be connected by a line that will leave no records, taking part with the meeting in real time from the other side of the globe. Here, he muses about what kind of persons they are if they are able to stand on the same levels as a representative of an entire nation.

They are in a small conference room as they discuss the events related to GREMLIN that have transpired. After everyone has been briefed on the fantastical topics of the current situation of GREMLIN, the lance of Gungnir, and Sargasso, Roberto speaks to summarize and clarify what they just discussed.

Elizard says that he is correct and that the information comes from a spy in GREMLIN. She then says that what matter most is the creation of the lance at Sargasso as it is very dangerous. Roberto doesn't understand and compares it to a nuclear weapon. After the other state heads take turns explaining the danger of the lance of Gungnir, Elizard says that it must be stop before it is finished. Roberto then asks how they will find it, noting the extremely difficulty of such a task in such a short timeframe. Elizard says that it is not impossible, surprising Roseline. Elizard not only gives an example but confides to them that England had a secret secret transportation network that allowed them to fill the entire world with their magicians. Elizard comments on the Roman Catholic Church and its countless followers, assuming that the Church may have a large scale magic to utilize each member of the Church who is wearing a symbol of their Church. Pope Pietro Yogdis says that he can think of a few but has shut them all down since the dissolution of God's Right and shall never see the light of day so long as he is around. And thus it is revealed that already know the location of Sargasso, apparently waiting for a proper deliberation from all the members of the conference before making a decision. Elizard suggests the use of standard forces comprising of America, Russia, England, and France, while the magical forces however, will be led by England, Rome, Russia, and France, though requiring other countries to double duty. Hearing this, Russia and France readily agreed.

Elizard then asks President Roberto Katze on how much firepower they could use. Roberto answers that since the House of Representatives is still itching for revenge over the invasion of Hawaii, he can get immediate approval from them for an attack on Sargasso. Roberto states that he can officially use the military stationed at four overseas bases in allied nations and if Sargasso is in international waters or the territorial waters of America, the European Union, or any other allied nation, he can have ballistic missiles fired in the name of having a test launch. And though he cannot use any nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons, he can at least have them fill the warhead with bunker clusters. Concerns over straining of the relationships between the countries later arise after Roberto's politically dangerous suggestion, to which he concludes by saying that he'd rather have countries gaining grudges with each other for what they will do than have the world destroyed today. Klaus R. Shiarutsky then asks where the Sargasso might be, to which Elizard states may be in the North Sea or the sea near Iceland. And thus begins the Anti-GREMLIN Alliance attack on the North Sea Sargasso. After receiving word of the disastrous mission, the members do not have time to grief over their failure as immediately after they are forced to counter GREMLIN who has begin their move, an invasion of Tokyo.

The alliance have their work cut out for them as GREMLIN puts pressure on their enemies, distributing what people desired to gain in order to prevent their enemies to unite and defeat just like what happened against Fiamma of the Right during World War III. With this, the alliance could not launch a counteroffensive against GREMLIN quickly enough. Roberto chastises a Japanese representative over the phone, asking why they have yet to make a move against GREMLIN, demanding consent that the United States should intervene. After the representative doesn't give a satisfactory response, Roberto ends the call. Elizard says that he should've asked what Academy City intends to do, though Roberto doubts that they would've known anyway. Roseline says that the Japanese government is divided on the issue, and Academy City has made no announcement. She is amazed at GREMLIN for intentionally created this current balance of power. With the clock ticking and with the Japanese government neutered into focusing in moving their government elsewhere before taking action, Roberto deliberates on his choices. Pietro then says that Academy City will make their move soon, though he has doubts if Academy City will bother distinguishing between friend or foe. The Maiden of Versailles then says that she doubts that Academy City even completely trust them, conjecturing that they another magical group will try to attack them within the confusion caused by GREMLIN, something that is only favorable to GREMLIN itself. Klaus the Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch reminds them that doubts and constraints are all part of GREMLIN's attempt to buy time, and that they need to have as many people they can at least trust. However, no one agrees with his assessment as there was no time. Roberto then asks Elizard if the Anglican Church have a hotline with Academy City, as they have joined forces during World War III. Elizard points out that it was the Anglican Church's doing and the British Royal Family was barely involved. Elizard then sates that the Church as well wasn't able to contact Aleiser since the end of the War. Out of allies, out of options, and out of time, Roberto contemplates what they should do. His stupor is later broken by Roseline, and there Roberto gave a small smile. He says that what they should do hasn't changed, and tells them that they should make a vote. One of the people there asks if they are using democratic decision to distribute responsibility, to which Roberto says that only those who go along with their plan will become responsible. Thus the alliance finally makes their move against GREMLIN.

Design evolution
Roberto Katze's design remains the same throughout the series. According to Haimura, he toned Roberto's "intensity" in order to lessen the similarities between him and Misaka Tabigake.

Trivia

 * Since his appearance and quirks, he often referred to as Iskander of Fate/Zero fame by the fandom.

Quotes

 * (To a reporter in NT volume 3): "When I truly go after a woman, I give her such a memorable experience that any previous complaints are blown away."
 * (To Accelerator in NT volume 3): "I’m the goddamn president."
 * (To Cinesic Evers in NT volume 3): She uses those techniques that a certain sadistic British princess (who would make a good tsundere) showed us during British Halloween and that we saw all too much of during World War 3.
 * (To Misaka Mikoto in NT volume 3): "She’s right, girl. If you want to get yourself a guy, you need to change into a skimpy swimsuit and have a beer in one hand. All you have to do then is press your chest up against him and undo your bikini. Your point will be even more obvious if you do it near a beachside motel."
 * (To the Anti-GREMLIN Alliance, from NT 8): "Any true fools who aren’t afraid of deathwill come with me."