Description
Kenshirō Yozakura supervises Building 4 at Nanba Prison, holding the position of the facility's second strongest guard. He stands 183 cm tall with a slim build, dark complexion, and a distinctive buck tooth. His striking appearance features white hair tipped pink, styled in a ponytail that curls at the end, deep pink eyes, long white eyelashes, and a black eyepatch covering his right eye. His standard uniform consists of a modified guard outfit accented with spikes, a pastel pink haori patterned with cherry blossoms, petal-shaped collar pins, and a white armband designating his building assignment.
Personality-wise, Kenshirō projects a calm, reserved, and cool-headed demeanor, rarely displaying strong emotions. While this contributes to his popularity, it also leads others to perceive him as arrogant or cold. He possesses strong confidence in his abilities and maintains a one-sided rivalry with Hajime Sugoroku, Nanba's strongest guard, fueled by romantic feelings for Warden Momoko Hyakushiki. Kenshirō becomes visibly jealous of those receiving Momoko's affection and struggles to conceal his emotions, making him a poor liar. Despite his rigid professionalism, he shows flexibility, such as permitting dogs in staff areas and demonstrating a fondness for animals. A deep-seated resentment toward unpunished criminals can trigger uncharacteristic anger, contrasting sharply with his usual composure.
His background reveals he was formerly a police officer specializing in training police dogs. During this service, he uncovered cases of illegal human experimentation on inmates and submitted repeated reports to superiors. When these reports were dismissed as rumors and colleagues appeared complicit, he resigned to investigate independently by joining Nanba Prison as a guard, underscoring his dedication to justice and personal integrity.
Across the series, Kenshirō's development focuses on his evolving approach to duty and relationships. In the New Year's Tournament arc, he competes fiercely against Hajime to impress Momoko; their confrontation is interrupted by inmate Musashi's pyrokinetic outbreak. Kenshirō coordinates with other supervisors to subdue Musashi, showcasing leadership, though Hajime ultimately claims victory. Later, during Musashi's interrogation, Kenshirō negotiates access to inmate Jyugo in exchange for information, revealing pragmatism. As Musashi shares his past, Kenshirō relates his own failed police investigation, signaling a shift toward greater empathy and pledging to pursue the perpetrators of human experimentation.
In the Building Five arc, he participates in conflicts triggered by Enki Gokuu's escape. After Enki declares intent to kill Musashi, Kenshirō engages him in combat but is overpowered until aided by Inori Hakkai. He later observes Jyugo's combat abilities during Noriko Sanzou's attack and collaborates with Kiji Mitsuba to manage inmates amid chaos. Following Enki's death, Kenshirō and Kiji reflect on the events, acknowledging Enki's resolve while minimizing losses. His protective instincts extend to Momoko when she expresses distress over superiors questioning her leadership after Enki's incident; he privately vows to safeguard her, reinforcing his loyalty.
Trivia includes the meaning of his name: "Ken" (dog), "shi" (academic officer), and "rou" (common suffix), while "Yozakura" translates to "four cherry blossoms" or "night sakura," referencing his building number. He represents the dog in the supervisors' collective allusion to the "Momotarou" folklore. His favorite color is white, and he owns a handmade Momoko doll purchased for ¥10,000, which he cherishes despite conflicts over its value.
Personality-wise, Kenshirō projects a calm, reserved, and cool-headed demeanor, rarely displaying strong emotions. While this contributes to his popularity, it also leads others to perceive him as arrogant or cold. He possesses strong confidence in his abilities and maintains a one-sided rivalry with Hajime Sugoroku, Nanba's strongest guard, fueled by romantic feelings for Warden Momoko Hyakushiki. Kenshirō becomes visibly jealous of those receiving Momoko's affection and struggles to conceal his emotions, making him a poor liar. Despite his rigid professionalism, he shows flexibility, such as permitting dogs in staff areas and demonstrating a fondness for animals. A deep-seated resentment toward unpunished criminals can trigger uncharacteristic anger, contrasting sharply with his usual composure.
His background reveals he was formerly a police officer specializing in training police dogs. During this service, he uncovered cases of illegal human experimentation on inmates and submitted repeated reports to superiors. When these reports were dismissed as rumors and colleagues appeared complicit, he resigned to investigate independently by joining Nanba Prison as a guard, underscoring his dedication to justice and personal integrity.
Across the series, Kenshirō's development focuses on his evolving approach to duty and relationships. In the New Year's Tournament arc, he competes fiercely against Hajime to impress Momoko; their confrontation is interrupted by inmate Musashi's pyrokinetic outbreak. Kenshirō coordinates with other supervisors to subdue Musashi, showcasing leadership, though Hajime ultimately claims victory. Later, during Musashi's interrogation, Kenshirō negotiates access to inmate Jyugo in exchange for information, revealing pragmatism. As Musashi shares his past, Kenshirō relates his own failed police investigation, signaling a shift toward greater empathy and pledging to pursue the perpetrators of human experimentation.
In the Building Five arc, he participates in conflicts triggered by Enki Gokuu's escape. After Enki declares intent to kill Musashi, Kenshirō engages him in combat but is overpowered until aided by Inori Hakkai. He later observes Jyugo's combat abilities during Noriko Sanzou's attack and collaborates with Kiji Mitsuba to manage inmates amid chaos. Following Enki's death, Kenshirō and Kiji reflect on the events, acknowledging Enki's resolve while minimizing losses. His protective instincts extend to Momoko when she expresses distress over superiors questioning her leadership after Enki's incident; he privately vows to safeguard her, reinforcing his loyalty.
Trivia includes the meaning of his name: "Ken" (dog), "shi" (academic officer), and "rou" (common suffix), while "Yozakura" translates to "four cherry blossoms" or "night sakura," referencing his building number. He represents the dog in the supervisors' collective allusion to the "Momotarou" folklore. His favorite color is white, and he owns a handmade Momoko doll purchased for ¥10,000, which he cherishes despite conflicts over its value.