Ralf Olsen

Ralf Olsen (ラルフ・オルセン, Rarufu Orusen) is one of the main characters of the NO\NAME manga series, written by Rafal Jaki and illustrated by Machine Gamu. He works for the Nordic Naming Bureau and is partnered with Ursula. Ralf's name power lets him summon wolves named Ett, Tvá, and Tre using a dog muzzle.

Appearance

Ralf wears a black hoodie jacket as his base layer. It has a simple design and is made from lightweight, moisture-wicking fabric. On top of the hoodie, he wears an olive green trench coat with pale yellow accents. This trench coat is made from durable, water-resistant material and has a modern, slightly oversized fit typical of techwear. The coat features a large "HOWL" printed on the back in bold letters and wolf symbols on each sleeve, which highlight his name power.

His shoes are heavy-duty and designed for toughness and functionality, with a rugged look and reinforced soles. Ralf also carries a crossbody bag, likely made from high-quality material with multiple compartments, similar to Swiss Army brands. Hidden under his trench coat, he keeps an axe shaft along his back. The axe is an important tool for his Name Power abilities and is carefully concealed so it doesn’t disrupt his movements. The handle is sturdy and practical for frequent use.

Gallery

Personality

Ralf Olsen, whose Name Power is "Wolf Commander," is an agent from the Nordic Naming Bureau. He is depicted as focused and professional, determined to solve the case of a missing child. His demeanor is serious, and he uses his powers with precision, such as summoning a wolf from a muzzle and using his wolves strategically. Ralf shows a calm, methodical approach even when faced with difficult situations, such as when Kára's Name Power attacks him or when Vivica expresses her anger.

Ralf is also portrayed as empathetic and driven by a sense of duty. His background includes growing up in foster care, which influences his desire to help others and repay the kindness he received.^[4] He is shown to be upset when Bodil uses his Name Power to control him and Ursula, indicating his strong sense of justice and respect for others' autonomy. Despite the challenging circumstances, Ralf remains focused on his goal of ensuring the safety of the missing child and securing justice.

Ralf is also shown to have a soft side as seen with how he will often try to calm Ursula down when she is stressed and has often offered to help wherever he can, he also seems to have dreams of the time he recieved his scar and uses his wolves as comfort to calm down, he also carries a stress ball in the form of a dog toy.

Plot

Background

Ralf Olsen, an agent from the Nordic Naming Bureau, has the Name Power "Wolf Commander." He uses this power to summon and control wolves, which he demonstrates during his work. Ralf grew up in foster care and was helped by many people but also shown to at some point be getting picked on by other kids needed to rely on his np to not get attacked, which has influenced his desire to repay that kindness through his work at the Bureau. He is dedicated to solving cases and helping those in need, as shown by his response to the case involving Kára and Bodil. Ralf has a dog muzzle that he uses to summon wolves, including Ett, who has the power to heal, and Tvá, who defends but does not attack.

Relationships

Ursula

Ralf Olsen and Ursula work together as agents from the Nordic Naming Bureau. Their relationship is professional, marked by a shared mission and a complementary dynamic. Ursula’s Name Power is "Bear," while Ralf’s is "Wolf Commander."

During their investigation, Ursula becomes frustrated with Ralf's decision-making and expresses her irritation, particularly when Ralf uses his wolf to navigate obstacles. Despite their occasional disagreements, such as Ursula's anger at Ralf for not keeping the wolf out longer and her annoyance at the way he handles situations, they generally collaborate effectively.

When they encounter Bodil Ipsen, Ursula reacts with anger after Bodil uses his Name Power to control them. Ralf, although equally upset, tries to stay focused on their goal of finding the missing child. Their partnership is tested further when Kára, Bodil’s wife, acts violently. Ursula’s quick action to shoot Kára to protect Ralf showcases their mutual reliance and trust in each other during dangerous situations.

Ralf

Ralf Olsen's relationship with the older Ralf began during his childhood at the Orphanage of Maria, where he first encountered Ett, his wolf, after being bullied by other children. The older Ralf, who introduced himself as being from the Nordic Naming Bureau, appeared in a dream sequence, symbolizing a significant moment in Ralf Olsen's life.^[1] Later in his career, Olsen encountered the older Ralf again who requested a private meeting with him at a ranch-style building. During this meeting, the older Ralf shared that the case Ralf Olsen and Ursula were working on would be closed soon due to a terrorist organization's claim, though he hinted at something more significant. He asked Ralf Olsen to discreetly investigate further and to keep the information secret, even from Ursula. The older Ralf's concern for the gravity of the situation and his trust in Olsen to handle it carefully underscored the depth of their relationship, with the older Ralf guiding Olsen in his duties and advising him on sensitive matters.^[5]

Abilities

Name Power

• Wolf Commander (狼 (おおかみ) 使 (つかい) い, Ōkami Tsukai): Ralf's Name Power is "Wolf Commander," which lets him summon wolves which each have their own unique roles, each wolf uses an item to summon faster however it is shown the items are not necessary. When he summons a wolf, it appears in a puff of smoke and takes a few seconds to fully materialize. Ralf can use these wolves for different tasks as they each have their own unique traits. After he's done, he can return them from either their item or from thin air, where they turn back into smoke and vanish. Ralf has used his "Wolf Commander" power to call wolves like Ett and Tvá to help protect himself and handle tricky situations.

Wolves

• Ett: Ett is a smaller, light-colored wolf with a prominent eye on its forehead. Its ability is to heal wounds by licking them, initiating the healing process. So far, Ett has only been shown healing a large bite wound on Ralf's face, which, despite being healed, left a scar.^[6]
• Tvá:Tvá is a larger, grey wolf whose primary role is to defend Ralf at all costs. It has been shown to take gunshots for Ralf without sustaining long-term injuries, demonstrating its sturdiness. Tvá is also strong enough to carry Ralf, as seen when Ralf rode Tvá to jump over a large gate.^[7]
• Tre: Tre is a black and fierce wolf that Ralf summons using a Tomahawk Tactical axe. Tre is utilized to immobilize targets by catching the thrown axe in its mouth and then charging at them.^[8]

Summoning Equipment

Fanny Pack

Ralf uses a medical fanny pack to summon Ett.^[9][6] This compact and functional waist pack is designed for convenience, particularly when Ett needs to be summoned for healing. Constructed from durable, weather-resistant material, it includes multiple pockets and compartments for organizing medical supplies. The main compartment is large enough to hold essential items. Adjustable straps ensure a secure and comfortable fit around the waist. Its design allows Ralf to quickly access supplies while on the move, making it a crucial tool for his tactical operations.

Tomahawk Tactical Axe

Ralf uses the TF1 Tomahawk Tactical Axe to summon Tre. This versatile weapon is designed for both outdoor survival and tactical use. It features a silver axe head crafted from high-carbon steel, ensuring durability and resistance to rust. The black handle, made from reinforced materials such as fiberglass, nylon, or sturdy polymers, combines strength with lightweight properties. The metal components have a black powder-coated finish to prevent rust and minimize reflectivity, enhancing its tactical appearance. The handle is ergonomically designed for a secure grip, often including textured surfaces or rubber coatings to prevent slipping, making it easy for Ralf to wield during combat.

The axe blade is razor-sharp, ideal for chopping, cutting, and splitting. It may include a beveled edge for improved cutting efficiency. On the reverse side of the blade, there is a spike for piercing and a hammerhead for striking and breaking. Some designs also feature five holes in the blade.

The hammerhead provides Ralf with additional defensive capabilities, offering reach and impact power in close-quarters combat. For convenience and safety, the axe is typically carried in a nylon sheath, which Ralf keeps concealed on his back.

Dog Muzzle

Ralf uses a dog muzzle to summon Tvá. This practical tool is designed to safely control supposed Tvá's biting behavior. The muzzle is made from sturdy, breathable materials such as mesh, with adjustable straps to ensure a secure fit. It covers the Tvá's snout while allowing for breathing and panting, preventing it from biting or snapping. The design helps Ralf manage Tvá effectively, addressing past incidents where Tvá bit him during bullying situations.^[10]

Etymology

The name Ralf comes from "Ralph," which itself comes from the Old Norse name "Ráðúlfr." In Old Norse, "Ráðúlfr" means "wise wolf," where "ráð" means "counsel" or "advice" and "úlfr" means "wolf." The surname Olsen is Scandinavian and means "son of Ole." Ole is a Scandinavian version of the Old Norse name "Óláfr," which means "ancestor's heir" or "descendant of the ancestors."

Trivia

• Ralf can summon his wolves more quickly by using specific items: a medicine fany pack^[6][9], a dog muzzle^[7], and a Tomahawk axe^[8].
• Each of Ralf's wolves has an eye count that corresponds to their number. For example, Ett, being number 1, has a single large eye positioned in the center of its forehead, which nearly covers the entire forehead area. Tvá has two normal eyes on either side of its face, while Tre has one eye on the left side and two on the right side.^[11]
• The size of Ralf's wolves reflects his age: when he was a child, his wolves were also smaller and behaved accordingly. For instance, Tvá was more timid and reluctant to fight.
• Ralf has recurring dreams about the time he received his scar, and he is often startled awake, indicating ongoing stress related to the event.
• When Ralf is upset, he calms himself by pulling out and squeezing a squishy toy.^[12]

References