TV-Series
Description
Kyouichi Houraiji is a prominent character known as a notorious delinquent at Magami Academy, where he holds the title of Kendo Club Captain despite never attending meetings or meets. He is often referred to as a samurai for hire and is rarely seen without his bokutō, a wooden practice sword that originally belonged to his father. Kyouichi has a well-earned reputation for starting fights with gangsters from rival schools and street thugs, taking on anyone who causes trouble in his vicinity. His birthday falls on January 24.
Kyouichi's entire worldview and motivation are shaped by a traumatic event from his childhood. His father worked as a bouncer for a bar in Shinjuku's red-light district and was killed by local yakuza. Following this loss, a young Kyouichi picked up his father's bokutō and swore to take revenge against any wrongdoers, developing a strong yet brash sense of justice. He dedicates himself to cleaning up the streets of Kabuki-cho, acting as a self-appointed protector of the area.
Despite his noble intentions, Kyouichi’s immature self-righteousness nearly got him killed when he picked fights with older boys. He was saved by a mysterious ronin named Kyoushiro Kamui, who took the boy on as a student and began teaching him the way of the sword in an effort to calm his hardened spirit. Kamui also provided Kyouichi with a home at the drag club DIVA, where Kyouichi works as a bouncer in exchange for room and board, and introduced him to Dr. Iwayama at Sakuragaoka Central Hospital, a facility specializing in supernatural cases. When Kamui later disappeared, Kyouichi felt as though he had lost a second father. He keeps his father's bokutō wrapped in a purple cloth sheath, a gift given to him by Kamui.
On the surface, Kyouichi is a laid-back bad boy with a love for a local ramen shop and an eye for the ladies. He often displays a mean and careless attitude toward others, and he openly dislikes lectures or ideas he disagrees with, frequently clashing with characters like Hisui Kisaragi. He has a particular disdain for what he perceives as a weak or sheltered princess upbringing, yet beneath his harsh exterior lies a deeply protective individual. In the end, he always has his friends' backs and fights to protect the people of his city. His blunt, often cruel words are simply the only way he knows how to express himself, especially to those he cares about.
His role in the story is triggered by the awakening of latent supernatural powers within him. Along with four other students, Kyouichi’s abilities are unlocked by a surge of arcane energy from the Ryumyaku, also known as the Dragon Vein. Prior to this awakening, however, he already had some understanding of supernatural forces. He had previously bested and subsequently took under his wing a trio of Chinese Taoist renegades from the Triads, led by an old shaman named Yang, whom Kyouichi often turned to for otherworldly advice. Once his powers manifest, Kyouichi becomes a key member of the group defending Tokyo from invading demons and dark forces.
Kyouichi’s key relationships are central to his character. His closest friend is the mysterious transfer student Tatsuma Hiyuu. When they first met in class, Kyouichi’s distrustful reaction was to immediately engage Tatsuma in a sudden fight, which later proved to be his way of gauging the new student’s strength. Despite their contrasting personalities, they share an instant connection, with Tatsuma often acting as his friend's conscience, quietly teasing him and reminding him to keep his head. He also shares a long history with Yuuya Daigo, having fought against the brute while leading his own gang in their youth; despite their different temperaments, they hold a mutual understanding. With Aoi Misato, Kyouichi has a more complex dynamic. He first met her in middle school when she caught him beating someone and stood her ground against his yelling, a moment where something in her strong beliefs reminded him of Kamui. At Magami High, despite his open cruelty and disdain for her princess upbringing, he shows inner romantic feelings for her, constantly goading her to find strength and always protecting her when she cannot. Finally, his only family is the drag club DIVA, where the madame, Big Mama, has a motherly understanding of him and encourages him to make friends.
Throughout the story, Kyouichi shows notable development from an immature, self-righteous fighter into a more dependable and integrated member of a team. While he initially only recognizes those he views as strong and openly disagrees with having weaker individuals in battle, he eventually learns to trust and rely on his companions. His previously solitary mission of revenge evolves into a shared duty, protecting the city alongside his newfound friends. He begins as a bully with noble intentions and matures into a true protector who, though still rough around the edges, values the connections he has made.
In terms of notable abilities, Kyouichi is an expert swordsman whose powers greatly amplify his natural skills with his bokutō. He can focus supernatural energy through his sword to fight, projecting formidable force that can cause explosions or deliver devastating strikes. His agility and speed are enhanced to superhuman levels, allowing him to dodge incoming attacks, jump great distances as if teleporting, and even levitate. He also has a unique technique where he endows his bokutō with his own blood for spiritual purposes. His abilities are considered among the strongest of his group of friends.
Kyouichi's entire worldview and motivation are shaped by a traumatic event from his childhood. His father worked as a bouncer for a bar in Shinjuku's red-light district and was killed by local yakuza. Following this loss, a young Kyouichi picked up his father's bokutō and swore to take revenge against any wrongdoers, developing a strong yet brash sense of justice. He dedicates himself to cleaning up the streets of Kabuki-cho, acting as a self-appointed protector of the area.
Despite his noble intentions, Kyouichi’s immature self-righteousness nearly got him killed when he picked fights with older boys. He was saved by a mysterious ronin named Kyoushiro Kamui, who took the boy on as a student and began teaching him the way of the sword in an effort to calm his hardened spirit. Kamui also provided Kyouichi with a home at the drag club DIVA, where Kyouichi works as a bouncer in exchange for room and board, and introduced him to Dr. Iwayama at Sakuragaoka Central Hospital, a facility specializing in supernatural cases. When Kamui later disappeared, Kyouichi felt as though he had lost a second father. He keeps his father's bokutō wrapped in a purple cloth sheath, a gift given to him by Kamui.
On the surface, Kyouichi is a laid-back bad boy with a love for a local ramen shop and an eye for the ladies. He often displays a mean and careless attitude toward others, and he openly dislikes lectures or ideas he disagrees with, frequently clashing with characters like Hisui Kisaragi. He has a particular disdain for what he perceives as a weak or sheltered princess upbringing, yet beneath his harsh exterior lies a deeply protective individual. In the end, he always has his friends' backs and fights to protect the people of his city. His blunt, often cruel words are simply the only way he knows how to express himself, especially to those he cares about.
His role in the story is triggered by the awakening of latent supernatural powers within him. Along with four other students, Kyouichi’s abilities are unlocked by a surge of arcane energy from the Ryumyaku, also known as the Dragon Vein. Prior to this awakening, however, he already had some understanding of supernatural forces. He had previously bested and subsequently took under his wing a trio of Chinese Taoist renegades from the Triads, led by an old shaman named Yang, whom Kyouichi often turned to for otherworldly advice. Once his powers manifest, Kyouichi becomes a key member of the group defending Tokyo from invading demons and dark forces.
Kyouichi’s key relationships are central to his character. His closest friend is the mysterious transfer student Tatsuma Hiyuu. When they first met in class, Kyouichi’s distrustful reaction was to immediately engage Tatsuma in a sudden fight, which later proved to be his way of gauging the new student’s strength. Despite their contrasting personalities, they share an instant connection, with Tatsuma often acting as his friend's conscience, quietly teasing him and reminding him to keep his head. He also shares a long history with Yuuya Daigo, having fought against the brute while leading his own gang in their youth; despite their different temperaments, they hold a mutual understanding. With Aoi Misato, Kyouichi has a more complex dynamic. He first met her in middle school when she caught him beating someone and stood her ground against his yelling, a moment where something in her strong beliefs reminded him of Kamui. At Magami High, despite his open cruelty and disdain for her princess upbringing, he shows inner romantic feelings for her, constantly goading her to find strength and always protecting her when she cannot. Finally, his only family is the drag club DIVA, where the madame, Big Mama, has a motherly understanding of him and encourages him to make friends.
Throughout the story, Kyouichi shows notable development from an immature, self-righteous fighter into a more dependable and integrated member of a team. While he initially only recognizes those he views as strong and openly disagrees with having weaker individuals in battle, he eventually learns to trust and rely on his companions. His previously solitary mission of revenge evolves into a shared duty, protecting the city alongside his newfound friends. He begins as a bully with noble intentions and matures into a true protector who, though still rough around the edges, values the connections he has made.
In terms of notable abilities, Kyouichi is an expert swordsman whose powers greatly amplify his natural skills with his bokutō. He can focus supernatural energy through his sword to fight, projecting formidable force that can cause explosions or deliver devastating strikes. His agility and speed are enhanced to superhuman levels, allowing him to dodge incoming attacks, jump great distances as if teleporting, and even levitate. He also has a unique technique where he endows his bokutō with his own blood for spiritual purposes. His abilities are considered among the strongest of his group of friends.