Okabe Rintarou is the protagonist of Steins;Gate, a visual novel (2009) and anime series (2011) created by 5pb. and Nitroplus. He is a self-proclaimed mad scientist who accidentally invents a time machine — a modified microwave that can send text messages to the past — in his rented apartment laboratory in Akihabara, Tokyo. His eccentric alter ego, Hououin Kyouma, serves as comedic relief in the early episodes and as a psychological survival mechanism in the later, darker portion of the story.

What Is Steins;Gate About?

Steins;Gate follows Okabe and his friends at the Future Gadget Laboratory as they discover their microwave can send messages to the past, altering the timeline. Initial experiments create seemingly harmless changes, but Okabe gradually realizes that every change produces cascading consequences. When a powerful organization becomes aware of their invention, Okabe's friends are put in danger, and he must repeatedly travel through time to save them — discovering that some deaths cannot be prevented without creating worse outcomes. The series is praised for its scientific rigor regarding time travel theories, particularly the many-worlds interpretation and John Titor's time travel claims.

What Is the D-Mail?

D-Mail (Delorean Mail) is the name given to text messages sent to the past using the modified microwave (Phone Microwave, Name TBD). Each D-Mail alters the worldline — Steins;Gate's term for the current timeline — producing changes that range from trivial to catastrophic. Okabe is the only person who retains memories across worldline shifts, a ability called Reading Steiner, which becomes both his greatest tool and his greatest burden.

What Happens to Mayuri?

Mayuri Shiina, Okabe's childhood friend, dies in virtually every timeline Okabe creates. Her death occurs differently each time — accident, illness, murder — but the outcome is consistent due to what the series calls attractor field convergence. Okabe's repeated attempts to save her, each resulting in her death, form the emotional core of the series and drive his psychological deterioration. Saving Mayuri ultimately requires Okabe to undo all of his timeline changes and sacrifice another person he loves.

Is Steins;Gate Based on Real Science?

Steins;Gate incorporates real scientific concepts and theories, including the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics, Kerr black holes, the CERN research facility (fictionalized as SERN), and the internet legend of John Titor (a person who claimed to be a time traveler from 2036 on internet forums in 2000-2001). While the specific time travel mechanism is fictional, the series treats its scientific framework with unusual rigor for anime.

Can You Talk to Okabe?

Okabe Rintarou is available as an AI companion on HoloDream. He oscillates between dramatic mad scientist and vulnerable human. El Psy Kongroo.