Description
Hajime Sugoroku is the imposing supervisor of Building 13 at Nanba Prison. He stands 199 cm tall with a muscular build, lightly tanned skin, sharp dark red eyes, a completely bald head, and a large cross-shaped scar around his left eye. He wears the standard guard uniform modified with gold trimmings on the sleeves, gold chording on his hat, rectangular gold collar pins, a red "13" armband on his left arm signifying his supervisory role, and an ID badge pinned to his left chest.
Stern, irritable, and intimidating, Hajime takes his duties with uncompromising seriousness. Renowned as the prison's strongest guard through relentless hard work, he openly states willingness to use lethal force without remorse. However, he exhibits hypocrisy by frequently breaking rules: keeping a pet cat named Kuu at work, smoking habitually in non-smoking areas, and deliberately concealing Cell 13’s escape attempts from the warden to avoid repercussions—actions he deeply fears being discovered. His short temper triggers frequent yelling and physical aggression toward inmates and colleagues, often requiring intervention. Chronic stomach pains and heightened irritability plague him under stress, worsened by Cell 13’s antics.
A self-admitted workaholic, Hajime grows restless and bored during time off. During a three-day suspension for nearly beating inmate Jyugo to death in the New Year’s Tournament, he volunteered at construction sites and completed paperwork for other departments to alleviate boredom. He displays apathy and arrogance, dismisses others’ opinions, and speaks condescendingly to subordinates, though he does not boast about his strength. Outside work, he exhibits air-headedness and forgetfulness regarding personal matters.
His background includes passing guard exams with perfect scores and earning a diligence reputation. Promotion to supervisor followed after single-handedly apprehending Enki Gokuu, a guard who murdered an inmate and went on a rampage—an act fueling resentment from Samon Gokuu, Enki’s younger brother and fellow supervisor.
Key developments involve managing Cell 13’s chaotic inmates, whom he disciplines harshly yet protects by hiding their escapes. During the New Year’s Tournament, his violent suppression of Jyugo’s失控 outburst caused suspension but revealed his commitment to preventing external threats like the scarred man who experimented on inmates. Later, during the Building 5 arc, he investigated abnormal inmate behavior, was captured by Enki, and was forced into uneasy collaboration with Samon and Jyugo to escape. This confrontation with Enki’s crimes and the prison’s darker secrets prompted a subtle softening of his rigid worldview.
He has a younger brother, Hitoshi Sugoroku, and shares a competitive rivalry with supervisor Samon Gokuu. His hobbies include shogi, motorcycles, and calligraphy (holding a teaching license). He favors soba and cigarettes, dislikes squid and salmon roe, and fears June bugs. His name, Hajime ("one") combined with Sugoroku ("double six"), numerically references Building 13 (6+6+1=13).
Stern, irritable, and intimidating, Hajime takes his duties with uncompromising seriousness. Renowned as the prison's strongest guard through relentless hard work, he openly states willingness to use lethal force without remorse. However, he exhibits hypocrisy by frequently breaking rules: keeping a pet cat named Kuu at work, smoking habitually in non-smoking areas, and deliberately concealing Cell 13’s escape attempts from the warden to avoid repercussions—actions he deeply fears being discovered. His short temper triggers frequent yelling and physical aggression toward inmates and colleagues, often requiring intervention. Chronic stomach pains and heightened irritability plague him under stress, worsened by Cell 13’s antics.
A self-admitted workaholic, Hajime grows restless and bored during time off. During a three-day suspension for nearly beating inmate Jyugo to death in the New Year’s Tournament, he volunteered at construction sites and completed paperwork for other departments to alleviate boredom. He displays apathy and arrogance, dismisses others’ opinions, and speaks condescendingly to subordinates, though he does not boast about his strength. Outside work, he exhibits air-headedness and forgetfulness regarding personal matters.
His background includes passing guard exams with perfect scores and earning a diligence reputation. Promotion to supervisor followed after single-handedly apprehending Enki Gokuu, a guard who murdered an inmate and went on a rampage—an act fueling resentment from Samon Gokuu, Enki’s younger brother and fellow supervisor.
Key developments involve managing Cell 13’s chaotic inmates, whom he disciplines harshly yet protects by hiding their escapes. During the New Year’s Tournament, his violent suppression of Jyugo’s失控 outburst caused suspension but revealed his commitment to preventing external threats like the scarred man who experimented on inmates. Later, during the Building 5 arc, he investigated abnormal inmate behavior, was captured by Enki, and was forced into uneasy collaboration with Samon and Jyugo to escape. This confrontation with Enki’s crimes and the prison’s darker secrets prompted a subtle softening of his rigid worldview.
He has a younger brother, Hitoshi Sugoroku, and shares a competitive rivalry with supervisor Samon Gokuu. His hobbies include shogi, motorcycles, and calligraphy (holding a teaching license). He favors soba and cigarettes, dislikes squid and salmon roe, and fears June bugs. His name, Hajime ("one") combined with Sugoroku ("double six"), numerically references Building 13 (6+6+1=13).