Isshin Matoi

Isshin Matoi (纏 一身) is the late father of Ryūko Matoi and the man who created Senketsu. He was a scientist who researched Life Fibers. He was murdered by Nui Harime.

Appearance
Isshin Matoi is a very old man. He has a thin frame, a hunched back, white hair and a very long beard. His clothes are ragged and he uses an eyepatch in his right eye.

It is possible that he made Senketsu in his image, since his eyepatch and mustache greatly resemble Senketsu's features.

History
Isshin was a scientist who worked alongside Tsumugu Kinagase, Aikurō Mikisugi and Kinue in his research of Life Fibers.

Six months before the events of the main story, Isshin was attacked by Nui Harime, who was sent to his laboratory to retrieve the Scissor Blade under Satsuki Kiryūin's orders. He fought against Nui using the scissors, but was eventually overwhelmed and mortally wounded by the scissors when Nui managed to snag them from his hands. In a moment of distraction upon hearing Ryūko's voice, who went to the house following a letter from Isshin asking her to have a conversation, Nui ended up having her left eye taken by Isshin, who broke the scissors in two halves. She took the sicssor half used to damage her eye and fled. Ryūko found Isshin laying on the ground with the other scissor half driven through his body. He told her that, if she wanted to have a peaceful life, she was to leave him there and walk away. If she wished to fight in his place, however, she should take the very Scissor Blade that was used to wound him. According to him, she would be sure to find Isshin's assailant, but a cruel fate would be in store for her.

Before he could say anything else, Ryūko saw Nui wielding the Scissor Blade, but couldn't make out the silhouette. With the other half of the scissor in her hands, she immediately gave chase, ignoring the pleas of her father, who said he still had much to say. The mansion then exploded, Isshin still inside.

At some point before his death, Isshin sent a letter to Aikurō asking him to lead Ryūko to Senketsu.

Relationships
Ryūko Matoi

"According to Ryūko herself, they never had a close relationship and were constantly at odds with each other. Isshin spent a great part of his time with his research, leaving him little time to spend with his daughter, which, added to the lack of a mother, led her to lead a lonely life and become a juvenile delinquent. However, he obviously cared for her, as seen when he sent a letter to Aikurō requesting him to aid her."