Rikuo Nura possesses a dual nature, being three-quarters human and one-quarter yokai, manifesting in two distinct forms. His human "day" form presents as a youth with brown eyes and two-toned hair—brown on top, dark brown underneath. He wears glasses despite perfect eyesight and typically dresses in casual attire like a red sweater with khaki pants or his school uniform. His yokai "night" form undergoes a drastic transformation: he becomes taller, gains red, narrowed eyes, and long black-and-white hair resembling his grandfather Nurarihyon, with a deeper voice, always clad in a blue cloak over a black kimono. This form originally manifested only during darkness or in shaded areas. Initially rejecting his yokai heritage due to childhood ostracization after classmates teased him about yokai's malevolent reputation, Rikuo performed human-centric good deeds to distance himself from the Nura Clan’s leadership legacy. His perspective shifted when the yokai Gagoze attacked a school bus carrying his friend Kana. To mobilize the clan’s Hyakki Yakō (Night Parade of One Hundred Demons) for rescue, he awakened his night form for the first time, defeated Gagoze, and declared his intent to become the Third Head of the Nura Clan. This event marked the beginning of his acceptance of his dual identity. His character development centers on balancing human empathy with yokai leadership. In his day form, he relies on strategic cleverness, such as outmaneuvering adversaries during clan meetings. As night Rikuo, he embodies confidence and strength, inspiring fear-based loyalty among allies. Over time, he ceased pretending to forget his night-form actions and actively formed his own Hyakki Yakō, aiming to protect both humans and yokai. His resolve hardened after losing a duel to his grandfather, leading to training in Tono Village. There, he discovered his specific demon type and honed abilities like Fear Manipulation—using abstract concepts of "fear," "awe," and "respect" to empower himself or suppress opponents' powers. Key conflicts shaped his growth. During the Gyūki Arc, he confronted the yokai Gyūki to prevent a suicidal attack, solidifying alliances through formal sakazuki exchanges with followers like Zen and Tsurara. In the Shikoku Arc, he navigated internal clan dissent and rival factions, such as Tamazuki’s group, while defending humans from rogue yokai. His most significant battles involved thwarting the immortal fox spirit Hagoromo Gitsune in Kyoto—avenging his father’s murder—and later uniting clans against the onmyōji sect Gokadoin House. These events emphasized themes of unity, as he leveraged his mixed heritage to bridge human-yokai divides. Rikuo’s relationships underscore his leadership philosophy. He maintains deep bonds with human friends like Kana Ienaga and Kiyotsugu, protecting them without revealing his yokai side early on. Among yokai, Tsurara (Yuki-onna) and Aotabō serve as loyal bodyguards, accompanying him to school in human disguises. He also forges alliances with former enemies, such as the onmyōji Yura Keikain, through mutual respect. His weaponry includes the exorcism blade Nenekirimaru, later repaired after being shattered, and the fear-channeling artifact Takimaru. Abilities like Matoi (fusion with allied yokai) and Fear-based empowerment evolved as he embraced his role, culminating in techniques like "Sakura," which requires a sakazuki cup to unleash.