Kurotora is one of three Kai Ken brothers, alongside Akatora and Chūtora. Abandoned as puppies in the mountains, they nearly died to a snake before killing and consuming it. A later marten attack blinded Kurotora in one eye and tore Chūtora's ear until Ben intervened and saved them, forging Kurotora's unwavering loyalty and willingness to die for Ben.

He exhibits an aggressive, impulsive, and short-tempered personality, reacting harshly to provocation and refusing retreat under any circumstances. Childhood trauma fuels a specific hatred for snakes, leading him to aggressively confront serpentine enemies like the wolf Hyakkiga. Despite his harshness, he shows fierce loyalty and protectiveness towards family.

During the conflict with the bear Akakabuto, Kurotora and his brothers joined Ben's platoon. Akatora sacrificed himself to blind Akakabuto, while Kurotora survived the final battle with Chūtora. In the Wolf Arc, Bill's forces captured Kurotora and Chūtora until Gin freed them. Kurotora later battled Hyakkiga, enraged by the wolf's serpent-like armor, and was revealed as the destined Ran Daryuushin Battouga warrior, a lineage tied to the Sirius Hakkenshi. He traveled to Hokkaido to confront the wolf lord Gaia, surviving severe injuries.

Years later, in Ginga Densetsu Weed, Kurotora became the sole surviving brother after Chūtora's death. He cared for his nephews—Shōji, Dodo, Buru, and Shigure—while raising his sons: Harutora, Kagetora, and Nobutora. When Genba, brother of antagonist Hōgen, threatened Ōhu, Kurotora ordered his sons to find Gin's heir, Weed, while he and his nephews defended Gajou fortress. Akame forcibly removed Kurotora from the battle, resulting in three nephews dying. This loss plunged Kurotora into grief and vengeful fury, driving him to swear revenge on Genba and Hōgen. He later attempted to push Hōgen off a cliff, failed, fell himself, but survived. He witnessed Weed's victory over Hōgen, acknowledging Weed's resilience.

In Ginga Densetsu Weed: Orion, Kurotora was among the Ōhu veterans incapacitated by a volcanic eruption and imprisoned by Jinemon Kurohabaki. After liberation, he fought in the final battle against Jinemon's son, Masamune.

During Ginga: The Last Wars, Kurotora aided the nearly blind Gin against threats from Akakabuto's offspring. He defied orders by joining the battle against the bear Monsoon, sustaining serious injuries from Monsoon's paw. Imprisoned with other veterans under rocks, he resigned himself to death but survived. He later admonished Sunny and Maru for their willingness to die pointlessly.

Kurotora appears in Ginga Densetsu Noah, though specific contributions are not detailed.

His relationships highlight complexity: deep reverence for Ben, frequent clashes with the rational Akame, and harsh but devoted mentorship of his nephews and sons. The deaths of his nephews tempered his rigid "no retreat" philosophy, though he retained his combative nature into old age. Physically, he is a dark-furred Kai Ken with a distinctive eye scar from the marten attack, later depicted with blue eyes in updated character designs.