TV-Series
Description
Hyakka is an onmyoji who wields fire-based techniques and hails from the Heian period. He is a former classmate and fellow disciple of Mao, having been part of a group of five apprentices known as the Five Disciples of the Five Colored Hall. Due to a powerful curse cast upon the group, Hyakka’s physical growth stopped when he appeared around thirteen or fourteen years old. As a result, he has lived for over nine centuries, being approximately 914 years old during the Taisho era of the 1920s. He comes from the Otori family, a prominent clan of fire users, and is the eighth son of that household. He was chosen to replace an elder brother in the Five Colored Hall, joining the apprenticeship only ten days before Mao did.
In terms of personality, Hyakka embodies the traits of his fire attribute. He is hot-tempered, impulsive, abrasive, and often cocky, rarely hesitating to voice his opinions. He has a tendency to seek attention and admiration, and despite being younger than Mao in actual age, he likes to act as the senior disciple, a pretense that Mao generally indulges. After living for 900 years and experiencing many hardships, he shows a more mature and laid-back demeanor in the Taisho era compared to his younger days, though his core temperament remains fiery. Despite his brash exterior, he is straightforward and deeply loyal once his trust is earned.
Hyakka’s primary motivation for much of the story is rooted in a misunderstanding from the distant past. He initially harbors an intense grudge against Mao, believing that Mao was responsible for the death of a girl named Sana, who was connected to their training grounds. This belief is what drove him to participate in a ritual to assassinate Mao centuries ago and fuels his hostility when they reunite. However, after collaborating with Mao and the girl Nanoka Kiba on several occasions, and eventually learning the truth that Mao was framed for Sana’s death, his hostility fades. His motivations shift to clearing up the past and fighting alongside his old friend.
Hyakka serves as a key supporting character and ally to the protagonists. Initially a rival with a chip on his shoulder, he becomes a close comrade-in-arms to Mao. His role in the story is to provide combat support, comic relief through his boastful yet simple-minded nature, and a direct link to the events of the Heian period that drive the central mystery. He has lived a wandering life over the centuries to hide from enemies, taking on various jobs including work as a farmhand, a carnival performer in a circus doing a bullhead act, and eventually running a udon stall near Mao’s residence after the Great Kanto Earthquake.
His most significant relationship is with Mao. The two were close during their apprenticeship, forming a bond akin to brothers. Despite ten years of believing Mao had murdered someone dear to him, Hyakka eventually reconciles with him and their friendship is restored, making him the most amicable of Mao’s former disciples. He maintains a wordless truce with another fellow disciple, Kamon, and they often end up fighting on the same side despite underlying tension. He also interacts frequently with Nanoka Kiba, often seeking her admiration and trying to act as a heroic figure in her eyes. He has a long and bitter rivalry with Hakubi, a metal user, who bears a deep-seated inferiority complex and resentment towards Hyakka, believing Hyakka only received his position due to his family lineage.
Throughout his long life, Hyakka undergoes significant development. The most important change is the resolution of his 900-year grudge against Mao, transforming him from a misguided enemy into a loyal ally. He also endures a harsh physical development; in a drawn-out battle with Hakubi, he lost one of his eyes, leading him to wear an eyepatch. He later receives a curse from Hakubi that plagues him for centuries. Over time, he learns from his repeated tactical mistakes, such as adapting his fighting style when his fire attacks are blocked by obtaining earth-based items to counter water-attribute enemies.
Hyakka possesses notable abilities centered on his fire attribute. He is a gifted practitioner capable of launching powerful fire attacks. However, his skills are often considered the most basic or least refined among the Five Disciples. Beyond direct combat, his abilities have unique applications. According to the principles of yin-yang and the five elements, flying creatures are classified under the fire attribute. Therefore, Hyakka can use insects such as dragonflies, moths, butterflies, and bees, as well as small birds like sparrows, to spy on others and gather information remotely.
In terms of personality, Hyakka embodies the traits of his fire attribute. He is hot-tempered, impulsive, abrasive, and often cocky, rarely hesitating to voice his opinions. He has a tendency to seek attention and admiration, and despite being younger than Mao in actual age, he likes to act as the senior disciple, a pretense that Mao generally indulges. After living for 900 years and experiencing many hardships, he shows a more mature and laid-back demeanor in the Taisho era compared to his younger days, though his core temperament remains fiery. Despite his brash exterior, he is straightforward and deeply loyal once his trust is earned.
Hyakka’s primary motivation for much of the story is rooted in a misunderstanding from the distant past. He initially harbors an intense grudge against Mao, believing that Mao was responsible for the death of a girl named Sana, who was connected to their training grounds. This belief is what drove him to participate in a ritual to assassinate Mao centuries ago and fuels his hostility when they reunite. However, after collaborating with Mao and the girl Nanoka Kiba on several occasions, and eventually learning the truth that Mao was framed for Sana’s death, his hostility fades. His motivations shift to clearing up the past and fighting alongside his old friend.
Hyakka serves as a key supporting character and ally to the protagonists. Initially a rival with a chip on his shoulder, he becomes a close comrade-in-arms to Mao. His role in the story is to provide combat support, comic relief through his boastful yet simple-minded nature, and a direct link to the events of the Heian period that drive the central mystery. He has lived a wandering life over the centuries to hide from enemies, taking on various jobs including work as a farmhand, a carnival performer in a circus doing a bullhead act, and eventually running a udon stall near Mao’s residence after the Great Kanto Earthquake.
His most significant relationship is with Mao. The two were close during their apprenticeship, forming a bond akin to brothers. Despite ten years of believing Mao had murdered someone dear to him, Hyakka eventually reconciles with him and their friendship is restored, making him the most amicable of Mao’s former disciples. He maintains a wordless truce with another fellow disciple, Kamon, and they often end up fighting on the same side despite underlying tension. He also interacts frequently with Nanoka Kiba, often seeking her admiration and trying to act as a heroic figure in her eyes. He has a long and bitter rivalry with Hakubi, a metal user, who bears a deep-seated inferiority complex and resentment towards Hyakka, believing Hyakka only received his position due to his family lineage.
Throughout his long life, Hyakka undergoes significant development. The most important change is the resolution of his 900-year grudge against Mao, transforming him from a misguided enemy into a loyal ally. He also endures a harsh physical development; in a drawn-out battle with Hakubi, he lost one of his eyes, leading him to wear an eyepatch. He later receives a curse from Hakubi that plagues him for centuries. Over time, he learns from his repeated tactical mistakes, such as adapting his fighting style when his fire attacks are blocked by obtaining earth-based items to counter water-attribute enemies.
Hyakka possesses notable abilities centered on his fire attribute. He is a gifted practitioner capable of launching powerful fire attacks. However, his skills are often considered the most basic or least refined among the Five Disciples. Beyond direct combat, his abilities have unique applications. According to the principles of yin-yang and the five elements, flying creatures are classified under the fire attribute. Therefore, Hyakka can use insects such as dragonflies, moths, butterflies, and bees, as well as small birds like sparrows, to spy on others and gather information remotely.