Kaede

Kaede Manyuda (豆生田 楓) is a supporting character in Kakegurui. He was motivated to become the student council president because of his father's ambitions, before having his personality and motivations drastically changed following a shattering gambling loss. He's the treasurer of the Student Council. Kaede is a tall, pale-skinned student with well-kept black hair (his hair later turns white after his traumatic defeat at the hands of Yumeko Jabami) that has bangs hanging on the left side and dark eyes.

He wears black-framed glasses with his Hyakkaou Private Academy issued uniform, a red blazer with black trim lining the cuffs and collar, a white button up dress shirt, a black neck tie, and dark, plaid pants. He also wears the academy's issued footwear. Kaede appears to be a cold, ruthless and calculating person who is an extremely prudent and observant gambler, as he always takes the high road, which he himself often notes. His mindfulness allows for him to predict his opponent's actions and he often wins due to this. However, it is revealed he has insecurities, specifically, a deep fear of being deemed worthless and discarded. He won't allow for that to happen, no matter what the circumstance. In this aspect, he and Itsuki Sumeragi are very similar and he shows a bit of appreciation for her tenacity when he recommended that she join the student council.

After his loss against Yumeko Jabami, he is completely devastated and not motivated to do anything. He fell low from his high position and sees no meaning in life anymore and just does everything indifferently. However he did get his spirit back after a thrilling game. Kaede appears with the student council, discussing the recent defeat of Itsuki Sumeragi at the hands of Yumeko Jabami. It is revealed that he was the one who recommended Itsuki to the student council. Later, he appears after Yumeko loses to Yuriko Nishinotouin. He comments on the fact that it was barely a win for the latter. When Midari Ikishima hears about Yumeko wanting to gamble with the president and storms out, he is annoyed at her behavior. After Yumeko draws with Midari, Kaede once again comments on the fact that it is ignoble for the student council that two student council members have been baffled and nonplussed by Yumeko, one ruthlessly rejected and played and the other lost badly if not for the interference of the student council president. He is later seen along with the student council after the president leaves for some place kept secret, having not told the student council secretary Sayaka Igarashi nor the vice president about this. Due to this, the student council is in commotion and starts planning ahead in order to bout with Yumeko. They approve Yumemi Yumemite's suggestion that she take on Yumeko and Kaede later helps organize the event where Yumemi and Yumeko would gamble. After Yumemi loses to Yumeko, it is revealed how someone sent a torn letter's fan along with a recorder to Yumeko and told her to use it against Yumemi. The event resorts to lynching and fingers are later pointed at Kaede. He is coalesced into coming up the stage after Yumemi's fans call him out. Coming up the stage, he immediately denies the allegations (which appear to be actually false) and abruptly announces his bid for the student council president's seat. As it goes on, he is later challenged by Yumeko, only for him to reject her challenge. He nonchalantly confirms to himself that he simply has to not nod to the challenge. In response to this, Yumeko calls for right as a house pet for a public match against Kaede, wherein he can refuse. Kaede is forced to accept the challenge, and in the quandary, the student council vice president comes up the stage declaring herself to be the dealer of the match about to happen, and announces the game to be played: Choice Poker, an original card game. After hearing the conditions and rules, Kaede agrees to the game. As the match starts, Yumeko chooses to have 31 chips to bet, while Kaede immediately placing 100 chips to bet. The match begins with Kaede exchanging 1 card and Yumeko exchanging 2 with Manyuda losing 10 chips to Yumeko. Kaede then considers Yumeko's "madness" in gambling, factoring it into his winning equation and later wins against Yumeko in the second match, knowingly showing his whole hand before betting, then raises Yumeko's bet of 41 chips (her whole stack) by 1, winning the choice, and finally revealing Yumeko's high card to his stronger hand. Thinking he already won, Yumeko suddenly calls out to Itsuki as a patron, asking her to bet for her. Itsuki is hesitant and Kaede decides to mock her for her uselessness. He states that she has no guts to follow up on her big ambitions. This tips her over to join the game. A persuading battle ensues, revealing Kaede's calculation and condescending look on Itsuki. Yumeko successfully convinces Itsuki to bet for her, due to Itsuki wanting to defeat Kaede for looking down on her. The third match starts with Yumeko again discarding a pair like the earlier match (where she lost). Thinking she is vying for a weaker hand, another battle ensues, this time betting from 20 chips, 100 chips, then raising 10 and more, until it reaches 2 billion.

KaedePoker Kaede revealing his hand

The climax happens when Manyuda raises 100 chips, or 1 billion more and Itsuki has run out of money to bet. At this point, Yumeko tries to talk Itsuki into betting for her life, in which she succeeds. However, Kaede would reject the proposal and wanting to go on and reveal. The dealer however accepts the bet. This does not sit well with Kaede as he questions her authority to approve the bet. Suddenly, the dealer, the masked vice president removes her guise, revealing to actually be the president. Kaede is pushed to the edge as he too, goes ahead to bet for his own life, thus finally winning the choice. He chooses strongest and reveals his hand, a three of a kind with 8s. Despite his confidence, Yumeko later victoriously reveals a three of a kind with Js (notably a not very strong card) once again showcasing her "madness" in gambling. Kaede is distraught by this, as the president seals the cap with the cold words, "You're fired." We see Kaede later unconscious, his hair turned completely white due to shock and he is seen in a hospital afterwards.

Kakegurui XX Since Yumeko Jabami didn't need it, she gave his life to Itsuki Sumeragi who cared for and treated Kaede in the hospital. Itsuki tried to motivate him, by mocking him and calling him senile. He tells her to leave, for her own sake, since he doesn't want anything.

Aaamanyuda Kaede and Yumeko posing as the traitors

He is asked by Yumeko to join them in the Greater Good Game with Ibara Obami and Miroslava Honebami. He accepts but couldn't care less about the games outcome. Ibara also somewhat mocks him for losing his Council seat. When traitors suddenly appear, he deduces it must be Yumeko. But she then puts on an act with him, pretending that they are the traitors and will put nothing in the tax box. He states, he wants to take the rest down with him, since he is just "a senile old man" This worries the other players of a group loss, so everyone pays all coins. That is exactly what Kaede and Yumeko have hoped. But then Kaede figures out the real traitors, Itsuki and Miroslava. When Miroslava attacks Itsuki, Kaede wants to rush to and help her. Ibara keeps him back, stating Itsuki will be alright. Kaede comes in 4th place in the end and doesn't lose or gain any coins. He is confused by Itsuki's bet with Terano Totobami, whether or not he would get 40 coins. But Itsuki explains, that she simply wanted to see him with some spirit again. Deep down he realizes her affection for him and is left conflicted.

Advertisement

Kakegurui (Kakkokari) Manyuda kakkokari Kaede in Kakkokari

In the spinoff manga, Kaede usually maintains his serious demeanor. However, his personality differs from the anime in that he is shown to have a secretly perverted side. In another chapter, he misunderstands Midari Ikishima praising Yumeko Jabami's gambling skills and thinks she had sex with her.

After Chapter 129, Kaede is depicted with white hair.