Hotarubi Ghouls

The Hotarubi House is one of the seven active houses in Darkwick Academy, with it being one of the two houses led by Professor Moby as its advisor. Its captain is Subaru Kagami, supported by vice captain Haku Kusanagi. Hotarubi is well known for its carefree, art-loving students. Appearance The Hotarubi grounds are shown to resemble a traditional Japanese garden surrounded by trees blossoming in purple flowers. A Japanese-style house can be seen in the distance. It rains all-year round, the gentle sounds of rain accompanying the quiet air. The MC describes it as "rain-scented air tinged with an odd sense of melancholy" and remarks the place to be "pretty magical" and "wistful." It is also covered in thick mist that causes "many first-time visitor [to] find themselves lost upon entrance" according to Professor Moby, who serves as the house's advisor. The interior is described to be beautiful, although it "is in sore need of a renovation" according to the vice-captain, Haku Kusanagi. The entrance to the captain's room is a sliding door, matching the traditional Japanese style of the dormitory. There is also a reception room, mainly purposed for serving tea and sweets for guests. Deep inside the grounds, there lays a lake shore hidden in thick mist. Students can row across the lake in one of the small boat at the harbor. On the other side of the lake, there is a cave that has dimly lit and damp corridors. Along both sides of these corridors are cells, containing anomalies. According to the MC, the place almost resembles a prison. Behind a massive metal door is the sturdy cell Lyca Colt was previously imprisoned in. Throughout the story, it is implied multiple times that Lyca was badly mistreated and neglected during the two years he was confined in his cell. According to Haku, this form of imprisonment could happen to any of the ghouls inhabiting Darkwick if they don't cooperate or behave or are "deemed as a threat to humanity". It is later revealed that this cave/facility used to be managed by one of the lost house, Ultio, but is now being run by Darkwick to "keep anomalies deemed too dangerous for human contact." Notable Facilities Gardens Teahouse History Not much is known about Hotarubi's past, except that one of its ghoul members, Zenji Kotodoma, succumbed to his injuries during the events of The Clash, and that Haku Kusanagi transferred from Frostheim to Hotarubi. Hotarubi was also part of the dissidents. Missions Missions in Hotarubi often have a theme involving the culture of Japan. Notable Members The students of Hotarubi are known to be one of the finest in Darkwick Academy, holding a pristine reputation amongst students and professors alike. The residents are typically "busy with their own creative pursuits" and "rarely venture out without reason." Despite most of them being holed up in their rooms all day, they are shown to be very welcoming to guests and "seem to have a lot of respect for each other's time and space." Hotarubi students mostly specialize in anomalies endemic to Japan, meaning they focus on anomalies that regularly appear in Japan. Although their slim field of expertise allows a relatively peaceful and calm school life, the captain, Subaru Kagami, states that it usually makes it harder for the residents of Hotarubi to leave significant academic marks. Haku Kusanagi is a third year student at Darkwick Academy and the vice-captain of the Hotarubi House. Despite his insistence that he's lazy, easygoing Haku is frequently relied on to clean up his fellow ghouls' messes. He is the heir to a prominent Shinto shrine, and often sees things others can't. Appearance Haku has green-colored hair with two red ribbon-like earrings. His eyes are yellowish green and sharp like a cat. Personality Haku is a kind and polite person, often caring about others. Although he appears to be quite lazy, he still completes the tasks assigned or mentioned. The one who always rescues Subaru when he gets stuck or difficulty communicating. He also helps often Zenji in his video work and being his manager. As stated by Zenji, he has a kind of "devilish charm" similar to Don Juan. He is fond of the MC, sometimes scaring her to see her reaction and teasing her. He is shown to be sympathetic when she tries to run away in Episode 1, gently persuading her to stay and stating that running away won't end well for neither of them. Background Haku is the heir of a long line of mediums and is part of the Kusanagi clan, which is recognized for their spiritual affairs. This is described as giving him the innate ability to sense the supernatural particularly well, like allowing him to see ghosts that even the other ghouls can't see. It's implied that Haku doesn't have a good relationship with his family, mentioning that his family was glad to have him gone (to Darkwick). He was in Clementia in his first year at Darkwick before transferring to Frostheim in his second year, then to Hotarubi in his third year. Abilities Skillset Flute-playing Video-editing — In his Affinity 12 voiceline, Haku mentions he also does the video editing whenever Zenji asks Haku to film him. Unique Abilities Stigma — Enhanced recovery — Ghouls can recover from their physical injuries five times faster than that of their non-ghoul counterparts as long as they are tended to correctly. Enhanced physical strength — One of the traits unique to ghouls are their enhanced strength. Enhanced durability — In order to successfully become a ghoul, a person's durability must be able to take the devouring of a demon after a pact is done without suffering any fatal consequences or losing all willpower. Immunity to Mesmer Matches — Like the effect of the Kyklos' curse on the MC, it is revealed in Episode 4 that ghouls are also immune to the effects of the mesmer matches. Artifacts Special Artifact Flute — Haku uses in Episode 5 to give the ghosts of children sold by a temple a proper memorial. MC describes the sound as carrying away all of her burdens, but Haku also states that the flute itself does not quell spirits, rather it is his innate abilities that do. Miscellaneous Mesmer Matches — In the prologue, he tries to use Mesmer Matches on the MC, but because of her curse, it overrides the effects of the matches. Warding Card — In Episode 1, he offers to lend the MC his Warding Card. However, the exact protective abilities the one he had was not mentioned. As revealed in one of Tohma's campus stories, Haku used to smoke but is trying to quit, as he declines Tohma's offer. He appears to be left-handed, judging by his writing animation on campus. In Episode 5, he reveals he has a koi pond that is currently being taken care of by the institute. In Episode 15, Haku reveals he doesn't watch much TV, despite this, Zenji reveals Haku has one in his room. Subaru Kagami is a third year student at Darkwick Academy and is the captain of the Hotarubi House. However, his strong sense of responsibility often leads him to bottle things up. Though earnest and hardworking, Subaru's strong sense of responsibility often leads him to bottle things up. An esteemed kabuki actor since childhood, he is currently on hiatus for certain reasons. Appearance Subaru is a young man of average height and build with a pale complexion. His eyes are a warm toned iris purple and he has ear length fluffy medium-brown hair that is longer in the nape of his neck. He has very slightly downturned friendly eyes, always has a soft, friendly smile on his face, and has a small beauty mark under his left eye. He is considered to be very handsome, a beautiful young man. He has his right ear pierced and wears a purple wisteria earring in that upper lobe piercing. Personality Subaru is a gentle person, always fretting and apologizing if he thinks he did any wrong. Even though he was assigned a role to investigate if Lyca really did kill anyone, Subaru decided to befriend him, teaching him words and telling him about the outside world. Subaru thinks lowly of his stigma, with its ability he can read residual thoughts from almost anything he touches, calling it gross. He can essentially read the memories of anything and anyone he touches. However he sees this as a breach of privacy and wears gloves and rolls his sleeves over his hands when giving his hand to someone he doesn't want to read the memories of. He is critical of people, breaking away from his kind and meek demeanor and making comments that humans are much nastier than any anomalies. Background Subaru is the heir of a famous kabuki family, the Fujinoya guild, that had traditions dating back to the Edo period. He had been a kabuki actor since childhood but mysteriously disappeared from the public when he came to Darkwick. In Episode 15, it's revealed that his hiatus was due to word that he abused another actor. Whether or not this is true has not been confirmed. Abilities Kabuki-acting — TBA Culinary expertise — When asked to take care of Sho's bike, Bonnie, in Episode 11, he was able to adjust to the bike's palate preferences and make barbecue sandwiches it enjoyed eating. Drawing — In Episode 15, it is revealed that, like Lyca, he is an exceptional traditional artist. Unique Abilities Stigma — Subaru's stigma makes him capable of psychometry, the ability to read residual thoughts from objects, people and anomalies. He activates his ability with "Talnandio", but states it happens even when he doesn't mean it to or says his incantation.[1] From the time he uses it in Episode 5, after only 3 phrases of information gained, he passes out and has to sleep before he can recover. Zenji states that Subaru always looks in agony whenever he uses his stigma. However, at the time, he still claims it is an ability to communicate with Tsukumogami instead. Enhanced recovery — As revealed in Episode 3, and Lucas' Chapter 1 Affinity conversation with the MC, ghouls can recover from their physical injuries five times faster than that of their non-ghoul counterparts as long as they are tended to correctly. Enhanced physical strength — According to Professor Hyde in the prologue, one of the traits unique to ghouls are their enhanced strength. Enhanced durability — In order to successfully become a ghoul, a person's durability must be able to take the devouring of a demon after a pact is done without suffering any fatal consequences or losing all willpower. Immunity to Mesmer Matches — Like the effect of the Kyklos' curse on the MC, it is revealed in Episode 4 that ghouls are also immune to the effects of the mesmer matches. Trivia From the B's-LOG magazine October 2024 issue: Stigma: Incantation: Talnandio Effect: It's said to be a power that allows him to communicate with the "Tsukumogami" that resides in objects, but...? He appears to be right-handed, judging by his Campus writing animation. In Leo's Affinity 13 line, it's said that Subaru has an older sister who is married to someone outside of their troupe. His given name, Subaru (加賀見), in Japanese means "to add, include, augment." and also "to have an effect on something or someone". Towa's nickname for Subaru, shameplant, refers to the Mimosa pudica, its species epithet, pudica, is Latin for 'shame', 'bashful', or 'shrinking', alluding to its shrinking reaction to contact. Subaru's WickChat icon is of the leaves of the Wisteria tree within the Hotarubi grounds. Subaru's stigma incantation, "Talnandio," is an anagram of the Ars Goetia demon Dantalion. He is a Great Duke of Hell who teaches all arts and sciences, and also declares the secret counsel of anyone, given that he knows the thoughts of all people and can change them at his will. He can also cause love and show the similitude of any person, show the same by means of a vision, and let them be in any part of the world they will. In physiognomy, a mole under the eye is often referred to as a teardrop mole or a tear mole. Therefore, the position of his mole might indicate an unfavorable love life, as it is said those who have a mole under their eye often face challenges in their romantic relationships. Taro Kirisaki, known by his pen name, Zenji Kotodama, is a former student at Darkwick Academy and a former member of the Hotarubi House up until his sudden death the year prior. A self-proclaimed "inspired man of the quill." Others struggle to understand his unique sensibilities, but he never lets this faze him. Though eccentric, he cares deeply for others and can be a bit of a worrywart Appearance Zenji has thin, red eyes. He has long hair gathered in a side ponytail towards the left and asymmetrical bangs, he also dons a pair of glasses with round lens that sit on his nose. He wears a Hotarubi uniform with suspenders and a jacket over his shoulders. His spirit is too weak for other people to see him. Personality Zenji is an eccentric poet, speaks in metaphors and thinks that every student at Darkwick is talented. He often compliments others and is very sociable. Even though Zenji died at the hands of Darkwick, he doesn't seem to harbor a grudge, on the contrary, he always finds a way to compliment with it. Zenji seems to be very friendly and has no problem talking to people or receiving criticism. Though, oftentimes he seems to not be aware that the rumors of a ghost or a floating biwa in the music room of Hotarubi were referring to Zenji himself. Background Zenji is a ghost who has been living in Hotarubi since his death. Haku, Subaru, Towa, and MC are the only characters known who can see Zenji's spirit. Lyca can sense Zenji but mistakes him for Zenji's doll. Darkwick does not know of Zenji's existence, because according to Haku, if they did, they would try to put his ghost to rest, and Zenji still has things he wants to do. He died during The Clash after succumbing to his wounds at Darkwick General Medical Center, but specific details about his death are unknown. Abilities Natural Abilities Wide intellect Knowledge on Japan's history — Zenji is able to pinpoint the time period of when the tree in Gen'enji Temple was planted, commenting on how that was during the Bunka-Bensei period. Ghost physiology — Due to being a ghost, he is able to levitate and pass through physical objects, he also can't be harmed by regular means that would normally harm living beings. He can also change his outfit any time he wants using his ghost powers. Skillset Poem and song-writing — As a writer, he composes his own songs and poems. Singing — He is often seen singing or reciting his original works in his spare time. Biwa-playing — Whenever he sings the songs he writes, he often plays an accompanying tune on his biwa. Sewing — he tells the MC he put a graveyard party outfit out of the leftover cloth he could find so he could match with his brother, Jiro. Unique Abilities Stigma — Zenji's stigma is still unknown. Weaponry Artifact Doll — His artifact looks exactly like his younger brother in his youth and he calls the doll "brother". MC gives the doll the name Saburo, meaning "third-born son" in Japanese — following the naming scheme of the Kirisaki brothers. His given name, Taro, means "eldest son" in Japanese, befitting of the naming convention given to the brothers, as his younger brother, Jiro's name means "second/younger son". Towa's nickname for Zenji is "Iris" which is a symbol of communication, positivity and wisdom. Furthermore, Iris represents a good omen for the future and the possibility of going through a positive period after many difficulties. He appears to be right-handed, judging by his Campus writing animation. His folk story recitals are widely avaliable online as animated children videos. Haku mentions the popularity of the videos, despite Zenji not particularly invested in making them. He reveals that he and Jiro never been to an amusement park before, and that Zenji worked as a paperboy at one point. Other students describe his biwa as "floating", and while this initially seems to describe anomalous behavior of the instrument when left alone, it is actually referring to Zenji carrying it and playing it whilst invisible to other students. When Haku is recording Zenji on his phone, MC asks what he's recording a video of- not 'what are you two up to', but instead 'why are you pointing your camera at nothing'. When Haku performed the ritual with his flute to bring rest to the temple's resident spirits, Zenji covered his ears to avoid hearing it.