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“Leaving you alone is probably the most dangerous thing we can do. So, we'll kill Sojo, and in the meantime you covertly rescue the kid.” ― Hagiwara suggests a plan to Chihiro.[source]
Ikuto Hagiwara (
He is a major ally in the Vs. Sojo Arc.
Appearance[]
Hagiwara possesses a tall, robust physique, distinguishing himself as a member of the Kamunabi's elite forces. His hair is shaven at the sides and cut at a standard length on the top, braided at the tufted section near the rear. Hagiwara typically dons the standard Kamunabi uniform, resembling a modern black haori kimono over a white dress shirt accompanied by black pants fastened with a black belt. He wears glasses, implying impaired vision to an unspecified level.
Personality[]
Hagiwara normally cuts a lackadaisical figure, talking casually with those above him such as Togo Shiba or Azami as well as with fellow members of his squad, but can instantly grow serious when the moment requires it, such as when he was fighting Genichi Sojo. Even in dire combat situations, his less serious side can come out at times, Hagiwara mocking Sojo twice during their battle in the skies. However, he rapidly lost his composure after Sojo landed devastating blows on his comrades Kugara and Kasahara, being incredibly shocked by Sojo's increase in strength and frantically calling out for Kazane to activate his sorcery.
Relationships[]
Anti-Cloud Gouger Special Forces[]
As the captain of his squadron, Hagiwara is on very good terms with his squadron, easily talking with all of his comrades. He holds a degree of trust in his subordinates and cares for them; shock was evident on his face when Sojo landed fatal blows on Kugara and Kasahara.
Shiyumi Harima[]
As her captain, Harima holds a degree of respect for Hagiwara, following his commands in battle. Outside of battle, she talks more casually with him, on one occasion lampshading the spontaneity of his inclusion of Chihiro within their plans.
Hajime Kugara[]
Despite his energetic nature, Kugara respects his captain, generally playing down his antics around him. The two's coordination in battle is top-notch, Hagiwara spontaneously coming up with a tactic incorporating both of their sorcery and Kugara immediately falling to Hagiwara's position at his command without questioning why.
Kiyohiko Uzuki[]
Uzuki and Hagiwara are among the more rational of the squad, being the ones mainly responsible for retelling the Kamunabi's perspective on the current situation to Chihiro and Shiba. Hagiwara placed enough trust in Uzuki to leave finishing Sojo off to the two of them.
Kazane Machi[]
Despite Kazane being new to the squad, Hagiwara holds trust in him like any other member, and included Kazane's sorcery as a backup plan against Sojo.
Makoto Kasahara[]
Being part of the same squad, Kasahara and Hagiwara work fluidly in battle, able to coordinate attacks one after another against Sojo without verbal communication.
Other[]
Soshiro Azami[]
As his superior, Hagiwara has displayed respect for Azami. Likewise, Azami places great trust in Hagiwara and his squad, having informed them of Chihiro's secret-at-the-time relation to Kunishige.
Chihiro Rokuhira[]
Hagiwara engaged in dialogue with Chihiro in order to decide on a plan to handle Sojo and Cloud Gouger, patiently listening to his advice and acquiescing to his demands with a few minor conditions. While Chihiro externally maintained a mostly cool composure, Hagiwara could read that Chihiro was also quite hot-headed internally, taking it into account when including him in the operation to counter Sojo. Hagiwara was ultimately grateful for Chihiro's information on Cloud Gouger prior to his squad's battle with Sojo.
Genichi Sojo[]
When facing Sojo, Hagiwara readily bantered with him prior to their confrontation, though was internally serious, struggling to read Sojo's expression. He was acutely aware of the threat Sojo posed with Cloud Gouger, analysing Sojo carefully during their battle.
Plot[]
Vs. Sojo Arc[]
On the 7th of October, when Sojo and Chihiro Rokuhira were fighting in the streets, Hagiwara arrived with his squadron (barring Kazane Machi) as well as Shiba and Azami. Their combined presence dissuaded Sojo from attacking and Sojo left after throwing up a cloud of mist with Kou.[1]
Within five days afterwards, Hagiwara and the Anti-Cloud Gouger Special Forces investigated the site of Sojo's base as reported by Norisaku Madoka through Shiba's interrogation, but Sojo had already evacuated it.[2]
Five days after their encounter with Sojo, on the 12th of October, Hagiwara and his squadron (barring Makoto Kasahara, who was searching for the location of Sojo's newest base), met with Chihiro at Azami's request. There, Hagiwara requested for info on Cloud Gouger to refine their strategy for dealing with him. Chihiro agreed, but only on the condition that he could join the operation. Recognising Chihiro's hot-blooded nature and the futility of declining his request, Hagiwara negotiated that Chihiro could rescue Char Kyonagi while the Kamunabi dealt with Sojo, which Chihiro approved of.[3]
The group moved to the roof as they continued discussing, where Chihiro told them of Cloud Gouger's three abilities. When Azami informed Hagiwara's squad that the six of them would be the only ones confronting Sojo, Hagiwara explained that the Kamunabi couldn't throw all of their fighting power in one area, since they had many other concerns, like the Rakuzaichi and the Hishaku. Hagiwara then stated that dealing with Enchanted Blades was less about having more or less people but more about strategy, prompting Chihiro to tell them his plan.[4]
The male Kamunabi members present later took a collective bathroom break, and Chihiro followed in order to continue the discussion. When Hagiwara questioned why Sojo would use Mei with Kou, Chihiro replied that Kou would increase Mei's area of effect, compensating for the lower-charge Mei's resulting lower level of power. Hagiwara inquired what they should do in response to that, and was audibly confused when Chihiro replied they needed to let Sojo hit them with the Kou-Mei combination attack. Chihiro then elaborated they needed to let Sojo buy time to perform a fully-charged Mei, as it would leave Sojo wide open. Hagiwara affirmed that they would hit Sojo with a barrage of attacks in order to lure out the Kou-Mei combo and the fully charged Mei.[5]
More than 49 hours afterwards, on the 14th of October, Hagiwara and his squadron tracked Sojo to a bathhouse and engaged him.[6] Harima sent pieces of the ground into the air and moved them towards the ocean to prevent damage to civilians, while Kazane protected her as she did so. Following the strategy, Hagiwara and his squad charged in and continuously attacked Sojo, Hagiwara using throwing knives that Sojo initially blocked with Yui. Hagiwara utilised Jikai to force them through the wall of ice as Kasahara attacked from above, but Sojo was able to dodge both attacks.[7]
Sojo then unleashed Kou, spraying water over the surrounding area including over the four attacking Kamunabi members, before using a Mei with little charge. Hagiwara took this attack and fell to the ground, as did his subordinates, and Sojo used the opportunity to begin charging Mei. When Sojo was nearly finished charging, Hagiwara ordered his subordinates to jump out of the way as he unleashed Jikai onto the ground, cracking the earth, the impact also sending Sojo and the water flying into the air, just as Sojo unleashed a fully-charged Mei, which flowed uselessly through the water around him, to Hagiwara's glee. Kugara, Uzuki and Kasahara then rushed Sojo down, taking advantage of the 10-second interval they now had before Sojo could use Mei again.[8]
Noticing Sojo preparing to counterattack, Hagiwara called Kugara to move towards him just as Sojo cast Yui, the water in the air flash-freezing and spiking upwards at the three Kamunabi. Kugara dropped downwards towards Hagiwara while Kasahara and Uzuki flew towards Sojo, managing to immobilise him after a brief confrontation. Sojo then crackled with lightning, leading Hagiwara to mentally note that might be Cloud Gouger's 'true realm'. He ordered Kugara to prepare his iron transformation and cast Jikai to utilise the lightning radiating off of Sojo to launch Kugara towards him like an electromagnetic cannon. As Kugara launched Sojo off the floating earth, Kasahara grabbed Cloud Gouger. Seeing they held possession of Cloud Gouger, Hagiwara proclaimed they should have a much easier time, and prepared to jump in with Uzuki to finish Sojo off.[9]
At that moment, the still-crackling Sojo cast Mei, Cloud Gouger responding and also crackling with lightning. The attraction force between the two sources of lightning sent Sojo flying upwards to his blade, destroying much of Kugara's side and also eviscerating Kasahara's side, before catching Cloud Gouger in his mouth. Hagiwara shouted to Kazane that they were entering Phase 2 and Kazane needed to 'use it', and as Kazane cast Kaichi Sojo flew from the air to his position, slicing off Kazane's arm and thereby cancelling the attack, and also gashing out the side of Harima's head.[10]
The ensuing battle was unseen, but Sojo easily managed to defeat the Kamunabi, sending the pieces of earth crashing to the ground, one of them trapping Hagiwara's legs underwater.[11] Hagiwara managed to survive, but had lost both his legs and was still unconscious ten days after the battle.[12]
Abilities[]
Overall Abilities: As leader of the Kamunabi's Anti-Cloud Gouger Special Forces, Hagiwara has authority over the other members of his squad, reflected in him generally being the one making tactical decisions in combat, as well as being the main spokesperson when discussing plans to counter Sojo with Chihiro.[13]
Hagiwara also possesses a skillful ability to read people, as indicated when he easily picked up on Chihiro's hot-blooded nature and his desire to get involved.[14] However, he noted that Sojo was quite hard to read.[15]
Befitting his status as leader of an elite squadron, Hagiwara is a powerful individual. As a sorcerer, Hagiwara has naturally accomplished the first stage of spirit energy usage, being able to use his spirit energy to strengthen his body to superhuman levels.
He possesses great speed, as seen when he dashed around the battlefield when confronting Sojo. He also has great leg strength, kicking off of surfaces to achieve high-velocity travel. Hagiwara's arm strength is visible when he launches multiple throwing knives at high speed simultaneously despite holding them between his knuckles. Hagiwara's endurance is evident as well, able to endure a lightning strike from Sojo and strike back with Jikai afterwards.
Sorcery[]
Hagiwara using Jikai to force Sojo and the water upwards.
- Jikai (
磁戒 Jikai, VIZ: Magnetize): Hagiwara can utilize magnetic forces to attract or repel. He used the force of attraction to telekinetically shoot knives at Sojo after they were blocked by ice. He used the force of repulsion to repel a large amount of water from Kou.[16] He was also capable of utilising Sojo's lightning and Kugara's iron-hardening to form an impromptu electromagnetic cannon with Kugara as the projectile.[17]
Equipment[]
Throwing Knives[]
Hagiwara charging at Sojo, throwing knives in hand.
Hagiwara utilises throwing knives in combat, holding them between his knuckles and launching them at high velocity at his opponents. He boosts their capabilities with his sorcery technique Jikai, causing the knives to fly faster and further.[18]
Etymology[]
The name Ikuto Hagiwara (萩原幾兎 Hagiwara Ikuto) can be broken down as follows:
- His surname Hagiwara (萩原) consists of the kanji for 'bush clover' (萩) and the kanji for 'plains' (原).
- His given name, Ikuto (幾兎), contains the kanji used to ask 'how many' and the kanji for 'rabbit' (兎).
References[]
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 10 (Pages 9-13).
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 11 (Page 14).
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 11 (Pages 12-19).
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 13 (Pages 2-4).
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 13 (Pages 10-13).
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 12 (Pages 14-16).
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 13 (Pages 2, 4-7).
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 13 (Pages 9-16).
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 16 (Pages 7-11).
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 16 (Pages 12-15).
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 17 (Page 6).
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 18 (Page 12).
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapters 11-13.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 11 (Page 16).
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 12 (Page 16).
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 13.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 16.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 13 (Pages 5-7).
[]
| List of Characters | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Chihiro's Allies | Rokuhira Swordsmith | Chihiro Rokuhira • Kunishige Rokuhira† | |
| Sorcerers | Togo Shiba • Soshiro Azami • Hakuri Sazanami • Hiyuki Kagari • Tafuku Mihara • Iori Samura | ||
| Other | Hinao • Char Kyonagi | ||
| Kamunabi | Leaders | Kudo • Soshiro Azami | |
| Anti-Cloud Gouger Special Forces | Ikuto Hagiwara • Kazane Machi • Shiyumi Harima† • Hajime Kugara† • Kiyohiko Uzuki† • Makoto Kasahara† | ||
| Other Members | Hiyuki Kagari • Tafuku Mihara | ||
| Masumi | Ro • Sumi • Moku | ||
| Seitei War Enchanted Blade Wielders | Misaka† • Yoji Uruha† • Seiichi Samura • Subaru • "Master Swordsman" | ||
| Hishaku | Yura • Hishaku Sorcerer • Hiruhiko • Kuguri • Toto | ||
| Sazanami Clan | Kyora Sazanami† • Soya Sazanami‽ • Tenri Sazanami† • Tamaki Sazanami • Enji Sazanami | ||
| Other Characters | Sojo's Group | Genichi Sojo† • Norisaku Madoka† • Mohawk Henchmen† | |
| Independent Sorcerers | Clone Sorcerer† • Trauma Sorcerer† • Oni Mask Sorcerer • Yojiro Sengoku† • Itsuo Shirakai‽ | ||
| Non-Sorcerers | Yuu • Ikura | ||