OVA
Description
Daikoku is the sole shinki, or divine weapon, serving the poverty goddess Kofuku. His true name is Kuro, meaning black, and his vessel name is Koku, taking the form of a black Japanese hand fan when transformed. In his human-like form, Daikoku is a tall man with an intimidating presence, characterized by his sharp, dark red eyes, shoulder-length black hair combed back, and stubble on his chin. His typical attire consists of a pink shirt, brown trousers, white boots, and occasionally a black apron.
His personality initially comes across as stern and aggressive, particularly when he feels his master needs protection. This fierceness is often directed at the stray god Yato, especially when Yato gets too familiar with Kofuku. Despite this rough exterior, Daikoku is deeply loyal, stable, and capable of great gentleness and open affection towards those he cares for, most notably Kofuku. A defining aspect of his character is a profound soft spot for children, harboring a long-held wish to have been a father. This paternal instinct is a significant part of his identity and influences many of his actions.
Daikoku's primary role in the story is that of a protector and caretaker. He manages the household for Kofuku, whose very nature as the god of poverty brings disaster wherever she goes of her own free will. He dutifully restricts her movements for her own safety and the safety of others. He also operates a small shop with her, which Yato frequently visits to ask for money. Daikoku serves as a reliable and steady figure that others, including Yato, trust to turn to in a crisis. For example, Yato instructs the human Hiyori to seek out Daikoku and Kofuku if something should happen to him.
His key relationships are central to his character arc. His bond with his master Kofuku is one of deep devotion and love. He calls her my lady, and she in turn cares for him deeply, having felt it was love at first sight when she first named him. However, this relationship faced a severe trial due to Daikoku's love for children. Kofuku once found the spirit of a young boy named Daigo to become her shinki, hoping to make Daikoku happy. Daikoku grew to love Daigo as a son, but the boy became distressed when he realized he would never grow up. The emotional turmoil this caused Daikoku led him to inadvertently blight Kofuku, forcing them to sever their ties with Daigo. Daikoku also has a complex relationship with Yato, whom he frequently kicks out of the house but ultimately cares for, even worrying about Yato's safety and participating in an ablution to save him. He also becomes a mentor and father figure to Yato's young shinki, Yukine, allowing the boy to live with him and Kofuku and paying him to work in their shop.
Throughout the series, Daikoku undergoes significant development, largely centered on his paternal desires and his relationship with Kofuku. The painful incident with Daigo forced him to confront the limits and dangers of loving a shinki as a child. He was able to overcome this grief, with a little subtle help from Yato, by facing the pain himself rather than having it magically erased. This event solidified his understanding of his role and the unique responsibilities that come with being Kofuku's shinki. He also makes the conscious decision not to become a blessed regalia, a more powerful form of shinki, despite his devotion to Kofuku. He explains that should he become one, the power of the vents he opens would grow exponentially, allowing countless more phantoms to pour out from the underworld and potentially spell disaster for Japan.
As a shinki, Daikoku possesses several notable abilities. In his human form, like all shinki, he can create a borderline, a barrier that repels phantoms and can be used in purification rituals. His most unique and powerful ability, however, is only accessible when Kofuku wields him as the divine weapon Kokki. In this form, he can force open a vent, a direct connection between the Near Shore and the underworld, which unleashes a massive amount of Gloom, or bad luck. This formidable power is a direct reflection of Kofuku's status as the god of poverty.
His personality initially comes across as stern and aggressive, particularly when he feels his master needs protection. This fierceness is often directed at the stray god Yato, especially when Yato gets too familiar with Kofuku. Despite this rough exterior, Daikoku is deeply loyal, stable, and capable of great gentleness and open affection towards those he cares for, most notably Kofuku. A defining aspect of his character is a profound soft spot for children, harboring a long-held wish to have been a father. This paternal instinct is a significant part of his identity and influences many of his actions.
Daikoku's primary role in the story is that of a protector and caretaker. He manages the household for Kofuku, whose very nature as the god of poverty brings disaster wherever she goes of her own free will. He dutifully restricts her movements for her own safety and the safety of others. He also operates a small shop with her, which Yato frequently visits to ask for money. Daikoku serves as a reliable and steady figure that others, including Yato, trust to turn to in a crisis. For example, Yato instructs the human Hiyori to seek out Daikoku and Kofuku if something should happen to him.
His key relationships are central to his character arc. His bond with his master Kofuku is one of deep devotion and love. He calls her my lady, and she in turn cares for him deeply, having felt it was love at first sight when she first named him. However, this relationship faced a severe trial due to Daikoku's love for children. Kofuku once found the spirit of a young boy named Daigo to become her shinki, hoping to make Daikoku happy. Daikoku grew to love Daigo as a son, but the boy became distressed when he realized he would never grow up. The emotional turmoil this caused Daikoku led him to inadvertently blight Kofuku, forcing them to sever their ties with Daigo. Daikoku also has a complex relationship with Yato, whom he frequently kicks out of the house but ultimately cares for, even worrying about Yato's safety and participating in an ablution to save him. He also becomes a mentor and father figure to Yato's young shinki, Yukine, allowing the boy to live with him and Kofuku and paying him to work in their shop.
Throughout the series, Daikoku undergoes significant development, largely centered on his paternal desires and his relationship with Kofuku. The painful incident with Daigo forced him to confront the limits and dangers of loving a shinki as a child. He was able to overcome this grief, with a little subtle help from Yato, by facing the pain himself rather than having it magically erased. This event solidified his understanding of his role and the unique responsibilities that come with being Kofuku's shinki. He also makes the conscious decision not to become a blessed regalia, a more powerful form of shinki, despite his devotion to Kofuku. He explains that should he become one, the power of the vents he opens would grow exponentially, allowing countless more phantoms to pour out from the underworld and potentially spell disaster for Japan.
As a shinki, Daikoku possesses several notable abilities. In his human form, like all shinki, he can create a borderline, a barrier that repels phantoms and can be used in purification rituals. His most unique and powerful ability, however, is only accessible when Kofuku wields him as the divine weapon Kokki. In this form, he can force open a vent, a direct connection between the Near Shore and the underworld, which unleashes a massive amount of Gloom, or bad luck. This formidable power is a direct reflection of Kofuku's status as the god of poverty.