Scars and tattoos are recurring visual motifs, expanding on the novel’s exploration of trauma and identity. These physical markers reveal the characters’ subjection to abuse and coercion while also providing evidence of their survival.

Neil’s scars stem from his father’s torture and a childhood on the run. The protagonist’s fastidious concealment of his torso, even in the changing rooms, is driven by the knowledge that his scars make him identifiable to those hunting him. A permanent reminder of the past, they resist his attempts to completely reinvent his identity. Similarly, scars on Kevin’s hand are also the result of familial abuse, inflicted by his adoptive brother Riko. Meanwhile, the scars on Andrew’s arms are markers of the adult world’s failure to protect vulnerable minors. When his uncle failed to take his report of sexual abuse seriously, Andrew’s pain was expressed in self-harm. While these bodily marks are records of others’ attempts to hurt and control them, the characters refuse to be defined by their abusers. Although Riko intended to end Kevin’s Exy career prospects by breaking his hand, Kevin defied these expectations, returning to the sport by playing with his non-dominant hand. In the cases of Neil and Andrew, their scars ultimately become a sign of mutual affiliation and loyalty. By revealing their long-concealed wounds to each other, they establish their shared history of trauma and forge absolute trust.

Like the scars, the numbers tattooed on each Raven’s cheekbone are evidence of the abuse of power. They symbolize dehumanization and the complete erasure of individual identity. The tattoo is a permanent brand that marks the player as the Moriyama family’s property. When Neil first sits opposite Jean Moreau, he observes, “The black three tattooed on his left cheekbone meant he could be no one but Jean Moreau” (89). The phrasing emphasizes that the number defines Jean, reducing him to his rank and function within the Ravens’ hierarchy. This symbolism illuminates the theme of The Interplay Between Lies, Identity, and Survival by presenting the alternative to Neil’s struggle. While Neil fabricates identities to survive and remain free, the Ravens have their true identities forcibly stripped away in exchange for a perverse form of stability.

The tattoos are the ultimate symbol of subjugation, representing a loss of self so profound that the person becomes interchangeable with their number. Throughout the novel, they serve as a visible reminder of the fate that Riko believes is Neil’s birthright. When Neil emerges from Castle Evermore with a number “4” tattooed on his cheek, his initial frantic attempt to cut it away conveys his determination to resist becoming a pawn of the Moriyama family. However, by the novel’s end, the tattoo ultimately reinforces Neil’s resolve to take revenge, redefining its meaning to serve his own motivations.