OVA
Description
Hikoichi Yakō is a prominent character in Usogui, serving as a high-ranking referee for the clandestine gambling organization known as Kakerou. He is officially designated as Referee #2, though he is later recognized as Referee #0 and is regarded as the perfect referee for his role. As one of the oldest referees in the organization alongside his colleague Nowa Mitoshi, Yakō possesses a wealth of experience that makes him an indispensable figure within Kakerou's hierarchy. His responsibilities extend beyond merely overseeing gambles, as he is also an expert in collecting debts, a duty that has earned him the nickname the Debt Collector.
In terms of appearance, Hikoichi Yakō is depicted as an older gentleman with grey hair and a well-kept mustache. His most distinguishing facial feature is his eyebrows, which curl distinctively at the outer sides. He has an identical twin brother named Yakō Jōichi, and the two share a nearly exact physical likeness. However, they can be differentiated by their hairstyles, and Jōichi bears a large scar that runs diagonally across his face from above his right eye down to his left cheek.
Yakō’s personality is characterized by a dual nature that makes him a uniquely effective referee. On the surface, he behaves as a perfect gentleman, consistently using honorifics and maintaining a polite and proper demeanor toward others. However, beneath this composed exterior lies a savage side that emerges either to satisfy his intense curiosity or during the high-stakes battles and confrontations that define his work. This combination of calm, proper judgment and ruthless efficiency allows him to settle bets and manage the powerful members of Kakerou with authority. He owns a butler-themed café called Hyakki Yakō, where he is known to serve his infamous coffee, a detail that adds a layer of eccentricity to his character.
Within the story, Yakō holds the significant position of being the exclusive referee for the protagonist, Madarame Baku. His role is defined by his deep involvement in Kakerou's operations, where he not only presides over high-level gambles but also participates in major arcs, including the Escape the Abandoned Building arc, the Tower of Karma arc, and the Protoporos arc. His long history in the organization connects him to past events, including Baku's initial downfall when he challenged the 21st Royal Leader, Kiruma Sōichi, and lost everything after his own army was revealed to be under the Leader's control.
Yakō maintains several key relationships that shape his actions and development. He holds great respect for Kiruma Tatsuki, a former leader. His relationship with his twin brother, Jōichi, is notably vitriolic and tense, contrasting sharply with his otherwise polite nature. As Baku's exclusive referee, he forms a crucial alliance with the protagonist, witnessing firsthand Baku's strategies and resurgence. Throughout the series, Yakō undergoes significant physical development, particularly during the ranking battle with Kiruma Tatsuki, where his hand is greatly damaged and later covered in stitches, marking him with a permanent reminder of the risks involved in Kakerou's world. His abilities include possessing strong insight, making calm and proper judgments, and being an expert in debt collection and physical enforcement.
In terms of appearance, Hikoichi Yakō is depicted as an older gentleman with grey hair and a well-kept mustache. His most distinguishing facial feature is his eyebrows, which curl distinctively at the outer sides. He has an identical twin brother named Yakō Jōichi, and the two share a nearly exact physical likeness. However, they can be differentiated by their hairstyles, and Jōichi bears a large scar that runs diagonally across his face from above his right eye down to his left cheek.
Yakō’s personality is characterized by a dual nature that makes him a uniquely effective referee. On the surface, he behaves as a perfect gentleman, consistently using honorifics and maintaining a polite and proper demeanor toward others. However, beneath this composed exterior lies a savage side that emerges either to satisfy his intense curiosity or during the high-stakes battles and confrontations that define his work. This combination of calm, proper judgment and ruthless efficiency allows him to settle bets and manage the powerful members of Kakerou with authority. He owns a butler-themed café called Hyakki Yakō, where he is known to serve his infamous coffee, a detail that adds a layer of eccentricity to his character.
Within the story, Yakō holds the significant position of being the exclusive referee for the protagonist, Madarame Baku. His role is defined by his deep involvement in Kakerou's operations, where he not only presides over high-level gambles but also participates in major arcs, including the Escape the Abandoned Building arc, the Tower of Karma arc, and the Protoporos arc. His long history in the organization connects him to past events, including Baku's initial downfall when he challenged the 21st Royal Leader, Kiruma Sōichi, and lost everything after his own army was revealed to be under the Leader's control.
Yakō maintains several key relationships that shape his actions and development. He holds great respect for Kiruma Tatsuki, a former leader. His relationship with his twin brother, Jōichi, is notably vitriolic and tense, contrasting sharply with his otherwise polite nature. As Baku's exclusive referee, he forms a crucial alliance with the protagonist, witnessing firsthand Baku's strategies and resurgence. Throughout the series, Yakō undergoes significant physical development, particularly during the ranking battle with Kiruma Tatsuki, where his hand is greatly damaged and later covered in stitches, marking him with a permanent reminder of the risks involved in Kakerou's world. His abilities include possessing strong insight, making calm and proper judgments, and being an expert in debt collection and physical enforcement.