Leon S. Kennedy
Rookie cop at the Raccoon City Police Department and one of the main protagonists of the series
After debuting as a rookie cop at the Raccoon City Police Department, he grows into an agent and becomes one of the central protagonists of the Resident Evil series. Possesses innate talent for handling firearms and high physical abilities.
Quotes
- Game over
- I'm used to being led around by women
- Who are you? Why are you helping me this much? (to Ada Wong)
- The lighter is a memento from my father. It gives me courage.
- Maybe we should take her out before she becomes a threat to us...
Trivia
- His initial weapon 'Matilda' (H&K VP70) was adopted due to enthusiastic recommendation by Jun Takeuchi.
- Non-smoker but frequently chews gum.
- Due to physical growth, his hand-to-hand combat focuses on kicks but also uses judo throws.
- The sight of the police officer protecting his father inspired him to become a cop.
- In the RE:2 remake, he has a cleft chin design.
- Voice actor Paul Haddad passed away in 2020.
Alternate names
Leon S. Kennedy
Leon
Rookie Cop
Agent
Profile
- Species
- Human
- Gender
- Male
- Birthday
- unknown
- Birth year
- 1974
Appearance
- Overall appearance
- Handsome appearance; short brown hair in the early series, blonde thereafter. Often sports a thin mustache from RE6 onwards. Height around 180cm, muscular build.
- Height
- Approximately 180cm
- Weight
- 75kg
- Eye color
- Brown
- Hair color
- Brown
- Distinguishing features
-
- Cleft chin
- Thin mustache (mainly in middle age)
- Handsome features
- Iconic items
-
- Lighter with pendant
- Bomber jacket (leather flight jacket)
- H&K VP70 (Matilda)
- Desert Eagle (Lightning Hawk)
- Sentinel Nine (SG-09 R)
- Rocket Launcher (RPG-7)
- Motorcycle (Resident Evil 6, etc.)
Personality and abilities
- Core personality
- Calm
- Detailed personality
- Possesses unshakable calmness and flexible judgment in all situations, even showing the composure to crack jokes in crises. His straightforward sense of justice and sincerity often lead him to be led around by women, but he is loyal to his comrades and has a strong sense of responsibility.
- Keywords
-
- Calm
- Brave
- Strong sense of responsibility
- Honest
- Skilled gunslinger
- High physical ability
- Adaptable
- Humorous
- Motto
- 'Nakeruze' is his catchphrase (feature of the Japanese version)
- Talents
-
- High shooting skill
- Combat ability
- Tactical judgment
- Survival skills
- Physical flexibility
- Strong mental fortitude
- Skills
-
- Close-quarters combat (kicks, throws)
- Use of various firearms
- Infiltration operations
- Espionage activities
- Negotiation skills
- Driving (jeeps, motorcycles, etc.)
- Motivation
- Investigate the causes of biohazards, save survivors, and expose injustices
- Habits
- Often led around by women and has catchphrases like 'Nakeruze' in the Japanese version. Non-smoker but frequently chews gum.
- Favorite foods
- Gum
- Apparel
- Leather bomber jacket
- Favorite places
- Raccoon City, White House
History
- Backstory
- Lost his family in a vicious crime during childhood and aspired to become a police officer inspired by the cop who protected him. After graduating from the police academy, assigned to the Raccoon City Police Department. Grows into an agent through involvement in biohazard incidents. Affiliated with the government special unit DSO, confronting numerous bioterror events.
- Debut date
- January 21, 1998
- Work title
- Resident Evil 2
- Media type
- Game
Raccoon City Incident (Resident Evil 2)
- Significant event
- Raccoon City Incident (Resident Evil 2)
- Description
- Assigned to Raccoon City as a rookie cop but arrived late. Cooperated with Claire, Sherry, and others to escape while fending off attacks from zombified citizens.
Agent promotion and Operation Javier
- Significant event
- Agent promotion and Operation Javier
- Description
- Becomes a government agent and tracks a South American mercenary group. Resolves the incident at the Javier facility.
Ashley Rescue (Resident Evil 4)
- Significant event
- Ashley Rescue (Resident Evil 4)
- Description
- Dispatched to Europe for the kidnapping of President’s daughter Ashley, successfully rescues her while battling the parasitic Las Plagas.
Harvardville Airport Incident (Degeneration)
- Significant event
- Harvardville Airport Incident (Degeneration)
- Description
- Handles a massive zombie outbreak as on-site commander. Cooperates with Angela to resolve the incident.
White House Attack Incident (Infinite Darkness)
- Significant event
- White House Attack Incident (Infinite Darkness)
- Description
- Encounters zombies at the White House during an investigation into a hacking incident targeting classified files.
Tall Oaks Incident (Resident Evil 6)
- Significant event
- Tall Oaks Incident (Resident Evil 6)
- Description
- Confronts an incident intertwining a presidential assassination attempt and bioterrorism, pursuing Simmons.
Slav Republic Civil War Intervention (Damnation)
- Significant event
- Slav Republic Civil War Intervention (Damnation)
- Description
- Investigates B.O.W. deployment in a nation amid civil war, getting caught in the conflict between government and rebels.
New York Bioterror Suppression (Resident Evil: Vendetta)
- Significant event
- New York Bioterror Suppression (Resident Evil: Vendetta)
- Description
- Cooperates with BSAA to thwart bioterrorist Glenn Arias, an arms dealer.
Relationships
Claire Redfield
Teammate
Comrade who cooperated during the Raccoon City incident and frequently fights together thereafter.
Chris Redfield
Ally
Builds a strong trust as key members of BSAA and DSO, cooperating with each other.
Sherry Birkin
Protector
Prioritizes Sherry's safety above all since the Raccoon City incident.
Ada Wong
Ambiguous
Complex relationship mixing enemy and ally, yet harbors special feelings.
Angela Miller
Ally
Fought together in Degeneration.
Helena Harper
Teammate
Partnership in RE6.
Ark Thompson
Friend
Collaborator in government investigations.
Raccoon City Police Department
Raccoon City Police Department: unknown
U.S. Government Direct Agent
U.S. Government Direct Agent: agent
DSO (Division of Security Operations)
DSO (Division of Security Operations): agent
Media appearances
Resident Evil 2
Game / Protagonist
1998
Resident Evil 4
Game / Protagonist
2005
Resident Evil 6
Game / Protagonist
2012
Resident Evil: Degeneration
Anime / Protagonist
2008
Resident Evil: Damnation
Anime / Protagonist
2012
Resident Evil: Vendetta
Anime / Protagonist
2017
Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness
Anime / Protagonist
2021
Resident Evil: Retribution
Movie / Protagonist
2012
Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City
Movie / Protagonist
2021
Resident Evil RE:2
Game / Protagonist
2019
Resident Evil RE:4
Game / Protagonist
2023
PROJECT X ZONE 2: BRAVE NEW WORLD
Game / Supporting
2015
Dead by Daylight
Game / Supporting
2021 DLC
Voice cast and creators
Toshiyuki Morikawa
- Voice actor
- Toshiyuki Morikawa
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- RE6, ORC, Damnation, Revelations 2, Vendetta, RE:2, ID, RE:4, Death Island, etc.
- Notes
- Voices many recent games, anime, and dubbing for overseas works
Tsuyoshi Maeda
- Voice actor
- Tsuyoshi Maeda
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- Resident Evil 2 Drama CD
Jin Miyanoi
- Voice actor
- Jin Miyanoi
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- Degeneration
Atsushi Miyauchi
- Voice actor
- Atsushi Miyauchi
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- Resident Evil: Retribution theatrical and home video versions
Yuki Kaji
- Voice actor
- Yuki Kaji
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- Welcome to Raccoon City
Paul Haddad
- Voice actor
- Paul Haddad
- Language
- English
- Version or series
- Resident Evil 2 original English voice actor
- Notes
- Deceased
Paul Mercier
- Voice actor
- Paul Mercier
- Language
- English
- Version or series
- Resident Evil 4, Degeneration, Darkside Chronicles, etc.
Matthew Mercer
- Voice actor
- Matthew Mercer
- Language
- English
- Version or series
- Resident Evil 6, Damnation, Revelations 2, Vendetta, Death Island
Nick Apostolides
- Voice actor
- Nick Apostolides
- Language
- English
- Version or series
- RE:2, Infinite Darkness, RE:4 English versions
Capcom
- Creator name
- Capcom
- Role
- Original author
unknown
- Creator name
- unknown
- Role
- Character designer
unknown
- Creator name
- unknown
- Role
- Writer
unknown
- Creator name
- unknown
- Role
- Animation studio
Capcom
- Creator name
- Capcom
- Role
- Publisher
Related goods
Leon model Desert Eagle airsoft gun (Tokyo Marui)
- Item name
- Leon model Desert Eagle airsoft gun (Tokyo Marui)
- Category
- Accessory
- Availability
- Regular
Leon's lighter (merchandise)
- Item name
- Leon's lighter (merchandise)
- Category
- Accessory
- Availability
- Limited
Leon image T-shirt
- Item name
- Leon image T-shirt
- Category
- Apparel
- Availability
- Limited
Sentinel Nine custom handgun (in-game weapon)
- Item name
- Sentinel Nine custom handgun (in-game weapon)
- Category
- Digital
- Availability
- Regular