TV-Series
Description
Keiki is a kirin, a sacred and noble creature, and holds the title of Saiho for the kingdom of Kei. As a kirin, his fundamental nature is defined by a deep-seated abhorrence of violence and a strong preference for peaceful resolutions to conflict. He appears as a quiet and unemotional individual, often coming across as stoic, gruff, and somewhat unapproachable. This reserved exterior can make him seem inflexible or blunt in his interactions. However, beneath this composed surface lies a being of genuine sincerity and deep loyalty, particularly towards the monarch he is bound to serve.
Keiki's personal history is marked by the tragic failure of his previous ruler, a queen known posthumously as Yo-ou. He had taken a very long time to select her, but her reign proved disastrous. She became obsessed with Keiki, leading to irrational and tyrannical acts such as expelling all women from the kingdom. Her unworthiness as a ruler caused Keiki to contract shitsudou, a fatal illness that afflicts a kirin when bound to a corrupt monarch. To save his life, the queen abdicated and took her own life after a mere six years on the throne. Cured of his illness, Keiki immediately set out to find a new, rightful ruler for Kei, an experience that left him deeply cautious and hesitant.
This quest leads him to Youko Nakajima, a young woman living in Japan with no knowledge of the Twelve Kingdoms. Believing her to be the true monarch, he forcibly brings her to his world. Keiki's primary motivation becomes serving and protecting Youko, acting as her advisor on statecraft and politics. Despite his loyalty, his past failures cause him to worry about Youko's ability to rule well, especially given her initial ignorance of the realm. He is, however, supportive of her willingness to learn and dedicated to ensuring her success as the new queen of Kei.
In the story, Keiki's role is established immediately when he crosses worlds to find Youko. Upon their arrival in the Twelve Kingdoms, they are separated, and Keiki is quickly captured and placed under an enchantment by Kourin, the kirin of the neighboring kingdom of Kou. The spell prevents him from speaking, summoning his shirei (spiritual beasts), or returning to his true form. He is forced to appear before a pretender to the Kei throne until Youko, with outside aid, rescues and frees him. After Youko liberates Kei and ascends the throne, Keiki continues to serve as her most crucial ally and mentor, providing guidance even as he struggles with his own interpersonal challenges.
Keiki's key relationships are central to his character. His bond with Youko Nakajima is the most significant; he is her sworn protector and advisor. While he initially doubts her capabilities, he grows to genuinely respect her leadership as she matures. He also shows a notably caring and protective side towards Taiki, the young kirin of Tai, showing a rare softness in these interactions. His fraught history with his predecessor, Jokaku, is a source of caution and painful memory that shapes his actions. His relationship with the pragmatic King of En is one of respect, and En's support for Youko helps bolster Keiki's own confidence in her.
Throughout the narrative, Keiki undergoes development as he adapts to a new monarch with a very different temperament. He is forced to confront his own inflexible nature and learns to better support Youko, moving from a position of cautious doubt to one of steadfast loyalty and admiration for her growth. His initial failure with the previous queen serves as a crucial learning experience that informs his more patient, if still anxious, approach to Youko's reign.
Keiki possesses several notable abilities as a kirin. He has the divine power to choose the rightful ruler of a kingdom. He can transform between a human form, appearing as a tall man with pale gold hair and violet eyes, and his true kirin form, which resembles a majestic, golden-scaled unicorn-like creature with a flowing mane and antlers. He also has the ability to summon and contract shirei, which are spiritual beasts or yoma that serve him. Examples include Kaiko, a female monster, and Hyoki, a dark red leopard or wolf-shaped yoma. A kirin's physical and spiritual well-being is directly tied to the virtue of their chosen ruler; an unworthy monarch will cause the kirin to fall ill with shitsudou, a fatal condition from which they can only be saved by the ruler's abdication or death.
Keiki's personal history is marked by the tragic failure of his previous ruler, a queen known posthumously as Yo-ou. He had taken a very long time to select her, but her reign proved disastrous. She became obsessed with Keiki, leading to irrational and tyrannical acts such as expelling all women from the kingdom. Her unworthiness as a ruler caused Keiki to contract shitsudou, a fatal illness that afflicts a kirin when bound to a corrupt monarch. To save his life, the queen abdicated and took her own life after a mere six years on the throne. Cured of his illness, Keiki immediately set out to find a new, rightful ruler for Kei, an experience that left him deeply cautious and hesitant.
This quest leads him to Youko Nakajima, a young woman living in Japan with no knowledge of the Twelve Kingdoms. Believing her to be the true monarch, he forcibly brings her to his world. Keiki's primary motivation becomes serving and protecting Youko, acting as her advisor on statecraft and politics. Despite his loyalty, his past failures cause him to worry about Youko's ability to rule well, especially given her initial ignorance of the realm. He is, however, supportive of her willingness to learn and dedicated to ensuring her success as the new queen of Kei.
In the story, Keiki's role is established immediately when he crosses worlds to find Youko. Upon their arrival in the Twelve Kingdoms, they are separated, and Keiki is quickly captured and placed under an enchantment by Kourin, the kirin of the neighboring kingdom of Kou. The spell prevents him from speaking, summoning his shirei (spiritual beasts), or returning to his true form. He is forced to appear before a pretender to the Kei throne until Youko, with outside aid, rescues and frees him. After Youko liberates Kei and ascends the throne, Keiki continues to serve as her most crucial ally and mentor, providing guidance even as he struggles with his own interpersonal challenges.
Keiki's key relationships are central to his character. His bond with Youko Nakajima is the most significant; he is her sworn protector and advisor. While he initially doubts her capabilities, he grows to genuinely respect her leadership as she matures. He also shows a notably caring and protective side towards Taiki, the young kirin of Tai, showing a rare softness in these interactions. His fraught history with his predecessor, Jokaku, is a source of caution and painful memory that shapes his actions. His relationship with the pragmatic King of En is one of respect, and En's support for Youko helps bolster Keiki's own confidence in her.
Throughout the narrative, Keiki undergoes development as he adapts to a new monarch with a very different temperament. He is forced to confront his own inflexible nature and learns to better support Youko, moving from a position of cautious doubt to one of steadfast loyalty and admiration for her growth. His initial failure with the previous queen serves as a crucial learning experience that informs his more patient, if still anxious, approach to Youko's reign.
Keiki possesses several notable abilities as a kirin. He has the divine power to choose the rightful ruler of a kingdom. He can transform between a human form, appearing as a tall man with pale gold hair and violet eyes, and his true kirin form, which resembles a majestic, golden-scaled unicorn-like creature with a flowing mane and antlers. He also has the ability to summon and contract shirei, which are spiritual beasts or yoma that serve him. Examples include Kaiko, a female monster, and Hyoki, a dark red leopard or wolf-shaped yoma. A kirin's physical and spiritual well-being is directly tied to the virtue of their chosen ruler; an unworthy monarch will cause the kirin to fall ill with shitsudou, a fatal condition from which they can only be saved by the ruler's abdication or death.