TV-Series
Description
Kinzō Shima is the fourth son of the Shima family, a prominent lineage of Buddhist exorcists based in Kyoto. At twenty years old, he serves as a Middle Second Class exorcist, having earned qualifications in both the Aria and Knight Meisters. He stands at 175 centimeters tall with a slim build, long wavy blond hair, and typically wears a long black tunic with distinctive fur accents over a white under-tunic. His weapon of choice is a traditional krik, a type of Buddhist staff that he uses in combat.
Personality-wise, Kinzō is defined by his impulsive, emotionally driven, and sometimes confrontational nature. He is quick to anger and quicker to action, often leaping into fights without hesitation. Despite being described by his older brother Jūzō as something of an idiot, Kinzō possesses a sharp memory, particularly for the incantations required of an Aria. He is deeply proud of his family heritage and intensely loyal to his kin, though he expresses affection in rough and unconventional ways. A notable example is his habitual greeting to his younger brother, Renzō, which consists of a sudden kick to the back. Outside of his exorcist duties, Kinzō channels his considerable energy into his role as the lead singer of a death metal band called Death Strider, where he also plays the shamisen.
Within the Kyoto Saga, Kinzō appears as an established exorcist operating out of the Kyoto branch of the True Cross Order. His primary role is that of a supporting family member and a veteran fighter during the crisis surrounding the Impure King. He is first seen bickering with members of the rival Hōjō family, demonstrating the longstanding tension between the two houses. During the crisis, he shows a reckless enthusiasm for battle, declaring his readiness to die an honorable death as a member of the Shima family. He fights alongside other exorcists to combat the Impure King and its corruption, receiving a blessing that imbues his krik with Ucchusma's purifying flames. In a key moment that reveals the family's hidden burden, he and Jūzō later disclose to Renzō's friends that their younger brother has been acting as a spy within the Illuminati, a secret they have kept to protect him.
His key relationships are centered almost entirely on his family. His bond with his younger brother Renzō is particularly complex, characterized by outward aggression that masks genuine concern. He physically bullies Renzō but also tries to shield him from danger, ordering him to hide during the Impure King attack. He shares a more balanced but equally rough camaraderie with his elder brother Jūzō, with whom he often teams up in combat and arguments. His relationship with his father, Yaozō, is one of respect, though his eagerness to prove himself sometimes requires his father to hold him back. He also maintains a hostile rivalry with Mamushi Hōjō, which eventually softens to reluctant acceptance when she becomes engaged to Jūzō.
In terms of development, Kinzō experiences a subtle shift from a purely hot-headed fighter to a more reliable and trusted ally. While he maintains his impulsive nature throughout, his willingness to stand on the front lines and his protective instincts toward his younger brother demonstrate his growth. By the end of the saga, he is shown to be a dependable member of the reinforcement squad, and his fierce personality is balanced by moments of genuine emotion, such as being moved at his brother's wedding.
His notable abilities draw from his training as a Buddhist exorcist. As a Knight, he is proficient in close-quarters combat using his krik. As an Aria, he uses sutras and incantations to empower his attacks, a skill aided by his excellent memory. In a specific technique, his brother Jūzō recites a chant that significantly increases the speed of Kinzō's thrown krik. During the battle against the Impure King, his weapon is enhanced with special flames that can corrode corruption, making him an effective asset against powerful demonic foes. Beyond exorcism, he is an accomplished musician, a skill that complements his ritualistic training.
Personality-wise, Kinzō is defined by his impulsive, emotionally driven, and sometimes confrontational nature. He is quick to anger and quicker to action, often leaping into fights without hesitation. Despite being described by his older brother Jūzō as something of an idiot, Kinzō possesses a sharp memory, particularly for the incantations required of an Aria. He is deeply proud of his family heritage and intensely loyal to his kin, though he expresses affection in rough and unconventional ways. A notable example is his habitual greeting to his younger brother, Renzō, which consists of a sudden kick to the back. Outside of his exorcist duties, Kinzō channels his considerable energy into his role as the lead singer of a death metal band called Death Strider, where he also plays the shamisen.
Within the Kyoto Saga, Kinzō appears as an established exorcist operating out of the Kyoto branch of the True Cross Order. His primary role is that of a supporting family member and a veteran fighter during the crisis surrounding the Impure King. He is first seen bickering with members of the rival Hōjō family, demonstrating the longstanding tension between the two houses. During the crisis, he shows a reckless enthusiasm for battle, declaring his readiness to die an honorable death as a member of the Shima family. He fights alongside other exorcists to combat the Impure King and its corruption, receiving a blessing that imbues his krik with Ucchusma's purifying flames. In a key moment that reveals the family's hidden burden, he and Jūzō later disclose to Renzō's friends that their younger brother has been acting as a spy within the Illuminati, a secret they have kept to protect him.
His key relationships are centered almost entirely on his family. His bond with his younger brother Renzō is particularly complex, characterized by outward aggression that masks genuine concern. He physically bullies Renzō but also tries to shield him from danger, ordering him to hide during the Impure King attack. He shares a more balanced but equally rough camaraderie with his elder brother Jūzō, with whom he often teams up in combat and arguments. His relationship with his father, Yaozō, is one of respect, though his eagerness to prove himself sometimes requires his father to hold him back. He also maintains a hostile rivalry with Mamushi Hōjō, which eventually softens to reluctant acceptance when she becomes engaged to Jūzō.
In terms of development, Kinzō experiences a subtle shift from a purely hot-headed fighter to a more reliable and trusted ally. While he maintains his impulsive nature throughout, his willingness to stand on the front lines and his protective instincts toward his younger brother demonstrate his growth. By the end of the saga, he is shown to be a dependable member of the reinforcement squad, and his fierce personality is balanced by moments of genuine emotion, such as being moved at his brother's wedding.
His notable abilities draw from his training as a Buddhist exorcist. As a Knight, he is proficient in close-quarters combat using his krik. As an Aria, he uses sutras and incantations to empower his attacks, a skill aided by his excellent memory. In a specific technique, his brother Jūzō recites a chant that significantly increases the speed of Kinzō's thrown krik. During the battle against the Impure King, his weapon is enhanced with special flames that can corrode corruption, making him an effective asset against powerful demonic foes. Beyond exorcism, he is an accomplished musician, a skill that complements his ritualistic training.