You probably remember the first time Nacht Faust showed up in the manga. It was jarring. One minute the Black Bulls are reeling from Yami Sukehiro being snatched away by the Spade Kingdom, and the next, this shadowy figure is standing in the middle of their base acting like he owns the place. He didn't just walk in; he dismantled everything we thought we knew about the Black Bull hierarchy. Honestly, before Nacht, the concept of a Black Clover vice captain was basically a running gag because nobody actually knew who it was. We just assumed it was some lazy mage off on a mission, or maybe just another one of Yami’s eccentric hires who forgot to check in.
Then Nacht arrived and told the squad—and the readers—that he absolutely hated them.
He wasn't wrong, though. His critique of the Black Bulls’ chaotic, destructive behavior was the reality check the series desperately needed at that point. Up until then, we’d been cheering for their "surpass your limits" mentality. Nacht looked at that and saw a group of reckless individuals who only got lucky because of their captain's strength. That’s the thing about the Black Clover vice captain role; it isn’t just about being second in command. It’s about being the shadow that supports or corrects the light.
The Mystery of the Missing Vice Captain
For years, Yuki Tabata kept us in the dark. We saw every other squad's vice captain—characters like Langris Vaude of the Golden Dawn or Randall Luftair of the Crimson Lions. But the Black Bulls? Total radio silence. Fans spent a lot of time theorizing. Was it someone we’d already met? Was it a traitor?
The reveal that Nacht Faust was the Black Clover vice captain changed the power scaling of the entire Clover Kingdom. Unlike Yami, who relies on raw physical power and Dark Magic, Nacht is a strategist. He’s a Devil Host, but not like Asta. He’s refined. He has four mid-ranking devils—Gimodelo, Slotos, Lucifugus, and Plumede—at his beck and call. This wasn't just another power-up for the good guys; it was a shift in tone. Nacht brought a darker, more pragmatic edge to the story. He’s a guy who explicitly says he hates "good" people who do bad things just as much as he hates "bad" people. He values results. He values the effort of those who are actually good from the start.
Why Nacht's Introduction Was a Turning Point
It's easy to forget how dire things looked during the Spade Kingdom Raid arc. The Dark Triad—Dante, Vanica, and Zenon—had just absolutely wrecked the Clover and Heart Kingdoms. Asta was broken. No, literally, his arm was a mess and his spirit was crushed.
Nacht stepped in not as a mentor, but as a drill sergeant.
He’s the one who forced Asta into the Devil-Binding Ritual. Think about that for a second. The Black Clover vice captain essentially told the protagonist, "You have two days to master your devil or I will kill you." That’s a massive departure from Yami’s "just do it" attitude. Nacht knows the cost of failure because he’s lived it. He’s a character defined by a massive, soul-crushing regret regarding his own family and the devil Lucifugus. This backstory gives him a level of gravitas that few other characters in the series possess. He isn't just playing around with shadows; he's living in them.
Comparing Nacht to Other Vice Captains
If you look at the landscape of the Magic Knight squads, the role of vice captain is usually filled by someone who balances out the captain’s personality.
- Langris Vaude was the aggressive, elitist foil to William Vangeance’s calm demeanor.
- Randall Luftair provides a steady hand while Fuegoleon or Mereoleona are burning everything down.
- En Rinard of the Green Praying Mantises basically exists to make sure Jack the Ripper doesn't accidentally slice a civilian in half.
But Nacht? He’s the only one who seems to genuinely despise his own squad's culture while simultaneously being their greatest asset. It’s a weird dynamic. He didn't even show up for years because he was deep undercover in the Spade Kingdom. That’s commitment. Most vice captains are busy doing paperwork or leading small missions. Nacht was literally spying on the most dangerous mages in the world, living in the heart of enemy territory.
He uses Shadow Magic in ways that are frankly terrifying. It’s not just about hiding in shadows or moving between them. His "Mana Zone: Dark Prison Hunting Ground" is one of the most effective sensory-deprivation spells in the series. It strips away light and magic detection, leaving opponents completely blind while he picks them apart. It’s the ultimate "assassin" magic, which perfectly fits a Black Clover vice captain who works better in the dark than the light.
The Tragedy of the Faust Family
We can't talk about Nacht without talking about Morgen. This is where the "human" quality of his character really shines through. Nacht wasn't always the brooding, shadow-hopping pragmatist we see now. He was a rebel. He was the "bad" twin, while Morgen was the "good" twin who joined the Grey Deer (which later became the Black Bulls and Azure Deer).
Morgen was actually friends with Yami. They were the original duo.
When Nacht’s obsession with devil possession went wrong and he tried to summon the high-ranking devil Lucifugus, Morgen stepped in to save him. Morgen died so Nacht could live. That’s the core of his self-hatred. It’s why he tells Asta that he can’t stand people who "act" like heroes but cause trouble. He sees his younger self in every reckless mistake the Black Bulls make.
It’s heavy stuff for a shonen manga.
💡 You might also like: Who Was the Winner of Dancing with the Stars: The Legacy of Season 34
This backstory makes his role as the Black Clover vice captain feel earned. He isn't just strong; he’s a survivor of his own arrogance. When he trains Asta, he isn't just teaching him how to fight; he's trying to prevent Asta from making the same catastrophic mistakes he made years ago. He’s a mentor who uses trauma as a teaching tool. It's harsh, but in the world of Black Clover, it's effective.
The Power of Union Modes
One of the coolest things about Nacht is how he uses his devils. Asta has Liebe, sure, but Nacht has a whole squad.
- Union Mode: Canis (with Gimodelo) focuses on agility and creating shadow clones.
- Union Mode: Equus (with Slotos) is all about defense and brute toughness.
- Union Mode: Felis (with Plumede) grants him incredible speed.
- Union Mode: Gallus (with the bird devil) allows him to use "characteristic" abilities like paralyzing screams.
This versatility makes him one of the most tactical fighters in the series. He doesn't just "power up." He switches modes based on the opponent's weaknesses. It’s a refreshing change from the "hit it harder" philosophy that dominates most of the early fights in the series.
What This Means for the Future of Black Clover
As the series moves toward its final conclusion (and the manga's transition to GIGA), Nacht’s role remains pivotal. He’s the bridge between the human world and the underworld. He’s the one who understands the true nature of devils better than anyone else in the Clover Kingdom.
Honestly, the Black Clover vice captain is more than just a rank. For Nacht, it’s a form of penance. He doesn't want the glory. He doesn't even really want the title. He does the job because he’s the only one capable of doing the dirty work that Yami can’t or won't do. He’s the pragmatist in a world of idealists.
If you’re looking to really understand the themes of redemption in Black Clover, you have to look at Nacht. He doesn't believe he can ever be "forgiven" for Morgen's death. He doesn't seek a happy ending. He just seeks a world where the "good" people he loves—like Yami and the rest of the idiots in the Black Bulls—can survive.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Theory Crafters
If you're following the final chapters, pay close attention to how Nacht interacts with the concept of "Fate."
👉 See also: Why the Bigger Than the Sky Movie is the Best Indie Film You Probably Forgot
- Watch the Shadows: In many panels, Nacht’s positioning in the shadows isn't just artistic; it often hints at his emotional distance from the scene.
- Devil Comparisons: Compare Nacht’s "Contract of Equals" with his devils to Asta’s "Contract of Friendship." It shows the two different paths a Devil Host can take.
- The Yami Connection: Notice how Yami treats Nacht. There’s a deep, unspoken level of respect and guilt there. Yami knows Nacht is only there because of Morgen, and that weight hangs over every interaction they have.
Nacht Faust redefined what it meant to be a leader in the Clover Kingdom. He proved that you don't need a golden cape or a flashy personality to be the most important person in the room. Sometimes, the most important person is the one you didn't even know existed until everything went to hell.
Go back and re-read the Spade Kingdom invasion. Look at the way Nacht coordinates the teams. You'll see a level of tactical brilliance that wasn't present in the earlier arcs. He’s the reason the Clover Kingdom didn't fall in the first five minutes of that war. That’s the true power of the Black Clover vice captain. Not just magic, but the will to do what is necessary, no matter the personal cost.
Make sure you’re keeping up with the official releases on Manga Plus or Shonen Jump. The nuances of Nacht's Shadow Magic and his ongoing evolution are best captured in the high-quality spreads of the later volumes. If you've only watched the anime, you're missing out on some of his best moments, as the anime ended right as he was becoming a central figure. The depth of his character arc is a masterclass in how to introduce a "late-game" character without it feeling forced or unearned.