TV-Series
Description
Harunobu Nikaidō is a professional shogi player who serves as both a close friend and a self-proclaimed lifelong rival to the series' protagonist, Rei Kiriyama. Born into a wealthy and distinguished family, Nikaidō stands approximately 152 centimeters tall and has a short, chubby build, straight brown hair, black eyes, and a complexion that is often pale and flushed. His typical attire consists of polo shirts with slacks or button-down shirts paired with sweater vests, with coats added in colder weather and suits worn for formal shogi events.
Since childhood, Nikaidō has contended with a serious and incurable chronic kidney disease that has significantly shaped his life. This condition contributes to his portly physique and requires constant medical supervision. His family's butler, Hanaoka, accompanies him at all times to manage his health needs, and Nikaidō has even been equipped with a GPS tracking device in case he collapses while out. While some people observe his physical frailty, the full extent of his illness remains confidential at his own request, known in detail only to a few individuals such as Rei, their mentor Kai Shimada, and the shogi association chairman. His health struggles frequently lead to periods of hospitalization and physical limitation, and the swelling caused by edema from his kidney condition contributes to his larger frame. He follows strict dietary restrictions, limiting protein and salt intake, but occasionally succumbs to temptation which exacerbates his health problems.
Nikaidō's personality is characterized by earnestness, cheerfulness, and a persistent, stubborn determination. He approaches both shogi and life with unwavering resolve, refusing to let his illness diminish his ambitions. He becomes emotional after losses, often crying privately, but maintains a strong public composure and quickly resumes his training. His stubbornness manifests in his refusal to concede defeat easily and his insistence on continuing matches even when visibly unwell. Despite his privileged upbringing, Nikaidō is portrayed as gentlemanly, kind, and respectful toward others, showing consideration for his senior shogi players and teaching the game to beginners by picking out key points appropriate to their level.
Nikaidō met Rei Kiriyama at a children's shogi tournament long before either became a professional, and he persistently declares Rei his best friend and eternal rival, although Rei remains more reserved about their bond. Their competitive connection extends into their professional careers, with Nikaidō continuously challenging Rei despite frequent losses. He serves as an emotional motivator who openly admires Rei's dedication, and his genuine care for Rei is demonstrated when he buys furniture for Rei's sparsely furnished apartment out of concern for his well-being. Nikaidō is a junior disciple of Kai Shimada and belongs to Shimada's study group, calling him brother and following him devotedly. His family background includes having his butler Hanaoka always nearby to attend to his needs.
As a shogi player, Nikaidō holds the rank of 4-dan in Class C2 at the beginning of the series, later advancing to 5-dan in Class C1. His preferred strategy involves static rook positions, specifically the Static Rook Anaguma (fortress) formation, which reflects his deliberate and tenacious playing style. Shogi is central to his identity, and he devoted himself to the game during a childhood where illness often kept him bedridden, honing his skills to the point that no one his age could match him, which initially led him to look down on weaker opponents until his encounters with Rei made him recognize his own arrogance. The shogi expert who supervises the manga has noted that while it is difficult to map each character to real-life models, Harunobu Nikaidō strongly resembles the late Satoshi Murayama, a real-life shogi prodigy who similarly battled nephrosis syndrome and achieved top rankings before his death at a young age.
Key moments in the story highlight Nikaidō's physical struggles during matches, particularly in hot conditions which exacerbate his health issues. During one childhood tournament, he persisted through visible discomfort against Rei on a sweltering day, sweating heavily and growing pale, before ultimately losing and crying afterward. Similar scenarios occur in their adult matches, where he plays Rei intensely into the evening despite declining physical condition, demonstrating his refusal to yield. On one occasion, he collapsed during a match and, after being hospitalized, received from his opponent not words of health concern but a notation showing how the game would have proceeded, which Nikaidō treasured as a promise of future matches. His health has caused him to lose important matches that he was close to winning, and he has collapsed while in visible distress during play.
Nikaidō's character development emphasizes perseverance, balancing his vulnerability from illness against an unwavering passion for shogi and loyalty in his relationships. His rivalry with Rei evolves beyond competition into mutual respect and concern, especially during health setbacks, and he has become an important figure who helps Rei confront his own problems by example, living in the moment and fighting desperately despite his condition in contrast to Rei's tendency to retreat into gloom. Beyond shogi, drawing has been a hobby since childhood, and Nikaidō has created a shogi picture book for children at his own expense, giving copies to young relatives and to the Kawamoto sisters who wanted to learn the game.
Since childhood, Nikaidō has contended with a serious and incurable chronic kidney disease that has significantly shaped his life. This condition contributes to his portly physique and requires constant medical supervision. His family's butler, Hanaoka, accompanies him at all times to manage his health needs, and Nikaidō has even been equipped with a GPS tracking device in case he collapses while out. While some people observe his physical frailty, the full extent of his illness remains confidential at his own request, known in detail only to a few individuals such as Rei, their mentor Kai Shimada, and the shogi association chairman. His health struggles frequently lead to periods of hospitalization and physical limitation, and the swelling caused by edema from his kidney condition contributes to his larger frame. He follows strict dietary restrictions, limiting protein and salt intake, but occasionally succumbs to temptation which exacerbates his health problems.
Nikaidō's personality is characterized by earnestness, cheerfulness, and a persistent, stubborn determination. He approaches both shogi and life with unwavering resolve, refusing to let his illness diminish his ambitions. He becomes emotional after losses, often crying privately, but maintains a strong public composure and quickly resumes his training. His stubbornness manifests in his refusal to concede defeat easily and his insistence on continuing matches even when visibly unwell. Despite his privileged upbringing, Nikaidō is portrayed as gentlemanly, kind, and respectful toward others, showing consideration for his senior shogi players and teaching the game to beginners by picking out key points appropriate to their level.
Nikaidō met Rei Kiriyama at a children's shogi tournament long before either became a professional, and he persistently declares Rei his best friend and eternal rival, although Rei remains more reserved about their bond. Their competitive connection extends into their professional careers, with Nikaidō continuously challenging Rei despite frequent losses. He serves as an emotional motivator who openly admires Rei's dedication, and his genuine care for Rei is demonstrated when he buys furniture for Rei's sparsely furnished apartment out of concern for his well-being. Nikaidō is a junior disciple of Kai Shimada and belongs to Shimada's study group, calling him brother and following him devotedly. His family background includes having his butler Hanaoka always nearby to attend to his needs.
As a shogi player, Nikaidō holds the rank of 4-dan in Class C2 at the beginning of the series, later advancing to 5-dan in Class C1. His preferred strategy involves static rook positions, specifically the Static Rook Anaguma (fortress) formation, which reflects his deliberate and tenacious playing style. Shogi is central to his identity, and he devoted himself to the game during a childhood where illness often kept him bedridden, honing his skills to the point that no one his age could match him, which initially led him to look down on weaker opponents until his encounters with Rei made him recognize his own arrogance. The shogi expert who supervises the manga has noted that while it is difficult to map each character to real-life models, Harunobu Nikaidō strongly resembles the late Satoshi Murayama, a real-life shogi prodigy who similarly battled nephrosis syndrome and achieved top rankings before his death at a young age.
Key moments in the story highlight Nikaidō's physical struggles during matches, particularly in hot conditions which exacerbate his health issues. During one childhood tournament, he persisted through visible discomfort against Rei on a sweltering day, sweating heavily and growing pale, before ultimately losing and crying afterward. Similar scenarios occur in their adult matches, where he plays Rei intensely into the evening despite declining physical condition, demonstrating his refusal to yield. On one occasion, he collapsed during a match and, after being hospitalized, received from his opponent not words of health concern but a notation showing how the game would have proceeded, which Nikaidō treasured as a promise of future matches. His health has caused him to lose important matches that he was close to winning, and he has collapsed while in visible distress during play.
Nikaidō's character development emphasizes perseverance, balancing his vulnerability from illness against an unwavering passion for shogi and loyalty in his relationships. His rivalry with Rei evolves beyond competition into mutual respect and concern, especially during health setbacks, and he has become an important figure who helps Rei confront his own problems by example, living in the moment and fighting desperately despite his condition in contrast to Rei's tendency to retreat into gloom. Beyond shogi, drawing has been a hobby since childhood, and Nikaidō has created a shogi picture book for children at his own expense, giving copies to young relatives and to the Kawamoto sisters who wanted to learn the game.