Nico

Lore & Background

Nico is one of the nine bishops ruling over the walled city of Dema, a dystopian metropolis that symbolizes mental illness, depression, and societal conformity. While fan theories often link his name to 'Nicholas' (as in Nicholas Bourbaki), the band has not officially confirmed this derivation. Nico is a prominent bishop, but in official canon—such as the 'Nico and the Niners' music video—the bishop who directly interacts with Tyler is not explicitly identified as Nico, and the lyrics refer to 'Nico' as a character without confirming he is the one speaking. Additionally, the band has not assigned specific vices or psychological traps to each bishop in canon.

In Their Own Story

In the dim, neon-lit streets of Dema, Nico stands atop a crumbling tower, his eyes scanning the city below. He watches as a lone figure, Tyler, struggles to climb the walls, his hands bleeding from the sharp edges. Nico's voice echoes, a low hum that vibrates through the air: 'You cannot escape. This is your home.' Tyler pauses, feeling the weight of Nico's words, but then he sees a flash of yellow—a Bandito signal. He grits his teeth and continues climbing, knowing that Nico's power is only as strong as the fear he inspires.

Reader's Guide

Nico is a central figure in the Twenty One Pilots lore, introduced primarily through the album 'Trench' and its accompanying narrative. He is one of the nine bishops of Dema, a city that represents the internal and external struggles with mental health. The bishops, including Nico, are depicted as controlling the citizens through a system of vials, which symbolize the numbing of emotions or the suppression of individuality. Nico's name is often linked to the 'Nico and the Niners' track, which hints at a rebellion against his rule. Fans interpret Nico as a personification of the negative thoughts that hold people back, making him a relatable yet terrifying antagonist. His presence is felt throughout the band's music videos, especially in 'Jumpsuit' and 'Nico and the Niners,' where he appears as a hooded figure or a silhouette. Understanding Nico is key to grasping the larger themes of escape, hope, and resistance in the Twenty One Pilots universe.

Did You Know?

• Nico's name is not derived from the Latin word 'Nico' meaning 'victory'; the Latin word for victory is 'victoria,' and 'Nico' has no such meaning in Latin.
• The claim that Nico is often depicted with a vial of blue liquid is not confirmed in official canon; the blue liquid (Ned's vial) is associated with the character Ned in the 'Jumpsuit' video, not Nico, and its symbolism
• The nine bishops, including Nico, are said to represent different aspects of mental illness, though their exact meanings are left to fan interpretation and have not been officially assigned.
• Nico is first visually depicted as a bishop in the music video for 'Nico and the Niners'; the hooded figure in 'Jumpsuit' is not identified as Nico in official canon.