Description
Houzuki Sanzou holds the position of junior guard in Building Five of Nanba Prison. He possesses grey hair and distinctive purple eyes highlighted by long red-outlined eyelashes. Multiple facial piercings adorn him, including studs beneath his eyes, nose piercings, lip rings, and neck and ear piercings. His guard uniform is modified: a long white robe with gold sleeve trimming, a purple cloth draped over his left shoulder secured by a gold ring, and a yellow checkered-pattern sash at the waist. He wears standard white gloves, a red tie, and white-and-gold boots. His attire includes a white hat decorated with gold accessories and a veil. A green armband signifies his Building Five affiliation, and he typically carries a staff topped with gold rings.
Personality-wise, he presents as cheerful and well-mannered, showing strong dedication to his guard duties. He worked diligently to attain his position out of admiration for senior officers Samon and Enki. Fundamentally, he possesses a timid and shy disposition, manifesting in jumpy behavior, avoidance of eye contact, and difficulty interacting with strangers—traits persistent since childhood. Despite this, he demonstrates fierce protectiveness toward his older sister Noriko, willing to confront danger for her sake. Kind-hearted by nature, his resolve strengthens following personal tragedies, driving efforts to overcome his cowardice.
His background originates in China. There, he discovered Noriko's existence against parental wishes and arranged their first meeting in a hospital-like setting. During a subsequent medical examination confrontation, Noriko shielded him from harm, resulting in her falling down stairs and sustaining injuries. Medical treatment after this incident altered his memories of the event. The siblings later reunited and bonded, though Houzuki often hid nervously from Samon and Enki during their visits. Their father eventually reclaimed Noriko, only revealing her location on his deathbed. Houzuki found her imprisoned in stone; her subsequent escape involved killing captors by absorbing surrounding Ki energy, after which she vowed to protect him.
Within Building Five's storyline, he assists officer Inori during Samon's absence, showing disappointment at Inori's lax supervision. Utilizing a shared doukidoukon technique, he allows Noriko to possess his body to access Enki's memories and attempt rescues, leading to apparent betrayal against Building Five. Fearful for Noriko's deteriorating condition, he later severs their connection and implores officer Hajime for help, confessing his secondary motive to kill inmate Jyugo. Hajime attacks and mocks his vulnerability until Noriko intervenes. Deeply affected, Houzuki seals Noriko's Ki with a charm, reconciles with her, and embraces her before Hajime defeats them both. Post-battle, while expressing desires to atone through death, Samon redirects him toward living and making amends.
Later developments show him apologizing timidly to Hajime during the latter's temporary Building Five command. He participates in Cell Thirteen's training, overcoming nervousness to immobilize escaping inmates through acupuncture—a skill also employed to aid inmate Liang's post-exercise relaxation. Socially, he shares breaks with fellow guard Seitarou, though their peace is disrupted by conflicts involving other guards where Houzuki apologizes profusely for failing to intervene.
Etymologically, his given name combines "law/rule" (法) and "moon" (月), while his surname Sanzou means "three" (三) and "warehouse/cellar" (蔵). His character alludes to Genjou Sanzou from Journey to the West, aligning with his Buddhist-inspired attire. Personal interests include crafting incense and assisting others.
Personality-wise, he presents as cheerful and well-mannered, showing strong dedication to his guard duties. He worked diligently to attain his position out of admiration for senior officers Samon and Enki. Fundamentally, he possesses a timid and shy disposition, manifesting in jumpy behavior, avoidance of eye contact, and difficulty interacting with strangers—traits persistent since childhood. Despite this, he demonstrates fierce protectiveness toward his older sister Noriko, willing to confront danger for her sake. Kind-hearted by nature, his resolve strengthens following personal tragedies, driving efforts to overcome his cowardice.
His background originates in China. There, he discovered Noriko's existence against parental wishes and arranged their first meeting in a hospital-like setting. During a subsequent medical examination confrontation, Noriko shielded him from harm, resulting in her falling down stairs and sustaining injuries. Medical treatment after this incident altered his memories of the event. The siblings later reunited and bonded, though Houzuki often hid nervously from Samon and Enki during their visits. Their father eventually reclaimed Noriko, only revealing her location on his deathbed. Houzuki found her imprisoned in stone; her subsequent escape involved killing captors by absorbing surrounding Ki energy, after which she vowed to protect him.
Within Building Five's storyline, he assists officer Inori during Samon's absence, showing disappointment at Inori's lax supervision. Utilizing a shared doukidoukon technique, he allows Noriko to possess his body to access Enki's memories and attempt rescues, leading to apparent betrayal against Building Five. Fearful for Noriko's deteriorating condition, he later severs their connection and implores officer Hajime for help, confessing his secondary motive to kill inmate Jyugo. Hajime attacks and mocks his vulnerability until Noriko intervenes. Deeply affected, Houzuki seals Noriko's Ki with a charm, reconciles with her, and embraces her before Hajime defeats them both. Post-battle, while expressing desires to atone through death, Samon redirects him toward living and making amends.
Later developments show him apologizing timidly to Hajime during the latter's temporary Building Five command. He participates in Cell Thirteen's training, overcoming nervousness to immobilize escaping inmates through acupuncture—a skill also employed to aid inmate Liang's post-exercise relaxation. Socially, he shares breaks with fellow guard Seitarou, though their peace is disrupted by conflicts involving other guards where Houzuki apologizes profusely for failing to intervene.
Etymologically, his given name combines "law/rule" (法) and "moon" (月), while his surname Sanzou means "three" (三) and "warehouse/cellar" (蔵). His character alludes to Genjou Sanzou from Journey to the West, aligning with his Buddhist-inspired attire. Personal interests include crafting incense and assisting others.