Description
Hōzuki Sanzou serves as a junior guard in building five of Nanba Prison. His gray hair and purple eyes are highlighted by distinctive red makeup tracing his long eyelashes. Multiple piercings adorn his face and neck, including studs beneath each eye, nose piercings, lip rings, and ear piercings. His uniform is a long white robe with gold trimming on the sleeves, featuring a purple cloth draped over his left shoulder secured by a gold ring at the chest and a yellow checkered-pattern sash around his waist. Standard guard accessories include white gloves, a red tie, and a white hat decorated with gold accessories and a veil. His building five affiliation is marked by a green armband, and he carries a staff topped with gold rings.
Cheerful and well-mannered, he takes his guard duties seriously, having worked diligently to earn his position due to admiration for senior officers Samon and Enki. Despite this dedication, he remains fundamentally shy and timid, a trait stemming from childhood when he hid from strangers. As an adult, he is easily startled and struggles to maintain eye contact when intimidated. His kind-hearted nature is evident in his deep care for his older sister Noriko, revealing a protective side that contrasts with his usual timidity. Following events involving Noriko, he actively strives to overcome his cowardice and become braver.
He grew up in China with his parents and later discovered the existence of an older sister, Noriko, whom his parents refused to discuss. Persisting in meeting her, he accompanied Isou to her location at a hospital-like facility. During their meeting, Noriko expressed happiness at having a sibling but tried to leave to avoid causing him trouble; he refused and promised to protect her. Isou intervened, attempting to take both for medical examinations. Noriko resisted and warned Hōzuki to stay away, but when examiners dragged her away, he intervened physically. In the struggle, examiners pushed him aside, and Noriko took a blow meant for him, causing her to fall down a flight of stairs and sustain injuries. After this incident, Hōzuki received medical treatment that altered his memories.
Hōzuki and Noriko subsequently grew up together, with Noriko helping others manage emotional burdens. He encountered Samon and Enki during this time, often hiding from them due to nervousness. Their father later reappeared and took Noriko away, only revealing her location on his deathbed. Hōzuki found Noriko imprisoned in stone; she broke free and killed her captors while he watched. Realizing she had survived by stealing the Ki of her surroundings, she promised to protect him.
Within prison operations, Inori assigns him to supervise building five's inmates during Samon's meeting; he shows disappointment at Inori's lack of dedication. Later, he uses the doukidoukon technique to lend his body to Noriko, enabling her to learn about Enki's past and attempt a rescue. This action creates the appearance that he and Inori betrayed building five. Concerned for Noriko's deteriorating condition, he severs the connection and begs Hajime to save her. Hajime mocks him, prompting Hōzuki to admit his desire to kill Jyugo. Hajime responds violently, threatening him and criticizing his weaknesses until Noriko arrives to protect Hōzuki. Deeply affected by Hajime's words, Hōzuki seals Noriko's Ki with a charm, declares his intention to save her, and embraces her. They reconcile moments before Hajime defeats them both. After the battle, expressing guilt over his cowardice and wishing to die to atone, Samon empathizes with his frustration and encourages him to live and make amends.
Later, he apologizes timidly to Hajime during the latter's temporary takeover of building five. He participates in mandatory training sessions with cell thirteen, overcoming initial nervousness to use acupuncture skills and immobilize escaping inmates. He also applies acupuncture to Liang post-training to aid relaxation. During a break with fellow guard Seitarou, his attempt at a peaceful interlude is disrupted by a conflict involving Youriki, Kokoriki, and Rokoriki, leading him to apologize profusely for failing to prevent the altercation.
His name combines "Hō" (法, law/rule) and "zuki" (月, moon), while his surname "Sanzou" (三蔵) incorporates "san" (三, three) and "zou" (蔵, warehouse/cellar). He shares thematic connections with Genjou Sanzou from *Journey to the West*, alongside characters Samon Gokuu and Inori Hakkai. His hobbies include making incense and helping others.
Cheerful and well-mannered, he takes his guard duties seriously, having worked diligently to earn his position due to admiration for senior officers Samon and Enki. Despite this dedication, he remains fundamentally shy and timid, a trait stemming from childhood when he hid from strangers. As an adult, he is easily startled and struggles to maintain eye contact when intimidated. His kind-hearted nature is evident in his deep care for his older sister Noriko, revealing a protective side that contrasts with his usual timidity. Following events involving Noriko, he actively strives to overcome his cowardice and become braver.
He grew up in China with his parents and later discovered the existence of an older sister, Noriko, whom his parents refused to discuss. Persisting in meeting her, he accompanied Isou to her location at a hospital-like facility. During their meeting, Noriko expressed happiness at having a sibling but tried to leave to avoid causing him trouble; he refused and promised to protect her. Isou intervened, attempting to take both for medical examinations. Noriko resisted and warned Hōzuki to stay away, but when examiners dragged her away, he intervened physically. In the struggle, examiners pushed him aside, and Noriko took a blow meant for him, causing her to fall down a flight of stairs and sustain injuries. After this incident, Hōzuki received medical treatment that altered his memories.
Hōzuki and Noriko subsequently grew up together, with Noriko helping others manage emotional burdens. He encountered Samon and Enki during this time, often hiding from them due to nervousness. Their father later reappeared and took Noriko away, only revealing her location on his deathbed. Hōzuki found Noriko imprisoned in stone; she broke free and killed her captors while he watched. Realizing she had survived by stealing the Ki of her surroundings, she promised to protect him.
Within prison operations, Inori assigns him to supervise building five's inmates during Samon's meeting; he shows disappointment at Inori's lack of dedication. Later, he uses the doukidoukon technique to lend his body to Noriko, enabling her to learn about Enki's past and attempt a rescue. This action creates the appearance that he and Inori betrayed building five. Concerned for Noriko's deteriorating condition, he severs the connection and begs Hajime to save her. Hajime mocks him, prompting Hōzuki to admit his desire to kill Jyugo. Hajime responds violently, threatening him and criticizing his weaknesses until Noriko arrives to protect Hōzuki. Deeply affected by Hajime's words, Hōzuki seals Noriko's Ki with a charm, declares his intention to save her, and embraces her. They reconcile moments before Hajime defeats them both. After the battle, expressing guilt over his cowardice and wishing to die to atone, Samon empathizes with his frustration and encourages him to live and make amends.
Later, he apologizes timidly to Hajime during the latter's temporary takeover of building five. He participates in mandatory training sessions with cell thirteen, overcoming initial nervousness to use acupuncture skills and immobilize escaping inmates. He also applies acupuncture to Liang post-training to aid relaxation. During a break with fellow guard Seitarou, his attempt at a peaceful interlude is disrupted by a conflict involving Youriki, Kokoriki, and Rokoriki, leading him to apologize profusely for failing to prevent the altercation.
His name combines "Hō" (法, law/rule) and "zuki" (月, moon), while his surname "Sanzou" (三蔵) incorporates "san" (三, three) and "zou" (蔵, warehouse/cellar). He shares thematic connections with Genjou Sanzou from *Journey to the West*, alongside characters Samon Gokuu and Inori Hakkai. His hobbies include making incense and helping others.