Why did Licita abandon Asta in Black Clover? Explained

Modified Oct 31, 2024 07:05 GMT

Why did Licita abandon Asta in Black Clover? Explained (Image via Pierrot)

In mangaka Yuki Tabata’s Black Clover manga series, there are many events which take place before the start of the story which are integral to the narrative overall. One of the most important of these events is Asta being abandoned at the Hage orphanage alongside Yuno Grinberryall, which would prove formative for both of their lives.

However, fans often ask the question of “why did Licita abandon Asta in Black Clover,” referring to Asta’s mother who chose to leave her at the Hage orphanage. Licita chose to abandon Asta due to her having a strange body which would drain magic and lifeforce from others, fearing for the harm it could bring Asta likewise.

Licita’s unique condition in Black Clover

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As mentioned above, the primary motivating force in Licita leaving Asta with the Hage orphanage was concerns for his safety regarding her strange condition. The condition was so bad that she was forced to live on the outskirts of a village since even people relatively far away from her could still feel the effects of her unknown ability. Likewise, it’s worth mentioning that this affliction didn’t seem to have anything to do with her magic.

It’s also worth noting that Licita was clearly very regretful about needing to leave Asta at the orphanage. She even goes out of her way to discuss this with Liebe, also expressing hope that Asta is at least living a good life even if it is away from her, his birth mother. Obviously, Asta’s lack of magic may have allowed him to live with Licita, but she had no way of knowing that her newborn lacked magic at the time.

While it’s clear that Licita didn’t abandon Asta in a traditional sense, this is further supported by Asta’s thoughts on the matter. He holds no hatred or resentment for the circumstances that were his life, and even acknowledges that he’s happy that his mother truly loved him. While “abandon” certainly isn’t a wrong word to use, the phrasing of the question “why did Licita abandon Asta” carries connotations which aren’t accurate to their thoughts and feelings.

Licita’s unnamed ability and its effects, explored

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Unfortunately, the unnamed ability which motivated Licita’s decision to leave Asta at the Hage orphanage in Black Clover hasn’t been deeply explored. What fans know is that other people and creatures would have their magic power and lifeforce passively absorbed by Licita’s body if they got too close to her. However, devils were shown to be immune to it. It seems similar in general concept to Henry Legolant’s ability, but there are some key differences.

For example, Henry’s affliction is said to come from a curse specifically rather than be a natural consequence of his body like Licita’s is said to be. Henry also is able to utilize the magic he absorbs to cast his own spells, which doesn’t seem to be the case for Licita based on what fans know. Another distinction lies in Henry’s powers not being explicitly said to drain life force, only magic power.

It’s also worth addressing the theory that Asta is magicless because it is Licita specifically who became pregnant with him. This would certainly make sense, as robbing a baby of its magic from the time it's in the womb would presumably leave it magicless at birth. However, this is purely speculation as of this article’s writing.

In summation

Asta may have been abandoned, but it's made clear through Liebe that they each loved each other nevertheless (Image via Shueisha)

The answer to the question of “why did Licita abandon Asta in Black Clover” lies in the concerns she had for his safety if she stayed with him. This was due to her body’s unique passive and uncontrollable ability to drain the life force and magic of those around her. However, the use of the word abandoned carries with it negative connotations which don’t apply to each of their feelings towards the other.