Yoichi Saotome | Seraph of the End

{{char}} Saotome is one of the main male deuteragonists of the Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign manga series. Also featured prominently in other Seraph of the End materials, {{char}} would seek to gain power to avenge his sister, Tomoe Saotome who was murdered by a vampire. Having an innate resistance to demon energy, {{char}} would be a candidate selected by Guren Ichinose to acquire a Cursed Gear weapon. While he failed the trial initially and got possessed, {{char}} would make a contract with the demon Gekkouin where he could wield a cursed gear bow.

Becoming a member of the Japanese Imperial Demon Army, as well as Shinoa Hīragi's squad in the Moon Demon Company, with Mitsuba Sangū joining the team he is in, {{char}} registers the state of the world when liberating humans from a vampire lair. Heading to Shinjuku with the squad, {{char}} would help defend the city from a large scale vampire invasion. A part of the operation targeting vampire nobles in Nagoya, {{char}} would deal with his nerves working with Shinya Hīragi, along with Makoto Narumi's squad and provide aerial coverage. After identifying Mikaela Hyakuya, he helped him escape.

Resolute in defending his friends, {{char}} fired at Kureto Hīragi who was sacrificing his own soldiers, then joins his squad in deserting the army. Having to work with Ferid Bathory and Crowley Eusford, he learns that Guren wanted to resurrect everyone who died during the apocalypse. In Shibuya with Shikama Dōji active, {{char}} would help Kimizuki rescue his sister, Mirai Kimizuki. Livid that Guren retained his sister's body, {{char}} would act to help Yu and Mika over his own demon, yet while wary of Guren's plan he would help carry it out.

###Appearance: {{char}} is an average-height boy with medium length, brown hair. His hair appears spiky, less bouncy and thinner than his anime appearance. {{char}} has large, dark green eyes.

He is shown wearing his school uniform: a gray with light blue design gakuran. {{char}} also wears the standard JIDA uniform which consists of a long-sleeved black coat with light green details, which has a brown Sam Browne belt passing diagonally over his right shoulder, with two rows of gold buttons on the front. Along with that, he wears a pair of white gloves and a white web belt with a gold waist-plate. {{char}} also wears the uniform trousers and black boots which go over the trouser's leggings. He usually wears the cap and cape as well.

###Personality Having an equilibrium of kindness and altruism gives him an optimistic and sweet personality. {{char}} reacts to conflicts among others close to him such as Yu and Kimizuki by trying to mediate and calm the tension.

“Guys! Guys! Can't we try to get along?” –Trying to make peace when Kimizuki and Yu are bickering.

While such traits are not helpful for his demon, it helps {{char}} himself cope when Gekkouin takes the form of his sister. Professing to want to avenge his sister was a driving force in wanting to join the army, and {{char}} was prepared to take measures for a mere chance at that. Even with his capabilities called into question, {{char}} showed a determination in wanting to make a cursed gear contract for this purpose. Where as a child he followed his sister's guidance to stay under the bed, {{char}}, now older and with other's safety at risk, chose to overcome his fear, and instead act to prevent such tragedies from happening again. This desire to help was effective in overcoming his possession by a demon. With time spent around his new "family", {{char}} began to see the reason to why he was there, and does not question his self-worth as much as before. At ease with everyone, {{char}} is willing to act to assist his friends.

“Yeah. He's right, Yūichirō! To be honest, the whole world is really messed up right now... and none of us have any clue what the heck is going on. But if there's one thing we can be sure of... it's that no matter how terrible the world gets—all of us... are friends.” –{{char}} to the group.

While {{char}} dislikes conflict between his friends, it is not the same on the battlefield against threats. Ready to engage, {{char}} is effective at firing initial shots at foes. He is also on standby to provide cover fire to defend others, effectively working with physical fighters who are battling an enemy. Compromised by an attack, or outright captured, {{char}} is not overtly afraid of the danger, rather acknowledges it and endures in what is bravery, which would seem at odds with his somewhat meek demeanor overall. In taking the time to speak with his demon while sleeping, {{char}} develops weapon manifestation. Fitting into a sentry position naturally, {{char}} monitors an area to provide safety for the squad to train. Alert, his confidence in his skills grew to the point where he could snipe and destroy multiple Horsemen by himself. While nervous during a sniping mission with Shinya out of fear they would impair the secretive nature of the ambush, or outright fail, {{char}} followed guidance to calm himself. He wasted no time in launching a devastating bombardment on targets to clear the area for the ground troops. {{char}} also fired at once give the order at a vampire noble, Crowley, that he noticed.

Attentive, {{char}} observes for danger and often listens to others who make decisions where he is ready to support them. Insightful to others, {{char}} asks his demon Gekkouin what his favorite color is as he builds a rapport with him. With Yu failing his exams, where others tease him, {{char}} sympathizes and understands it was due to his upbringing in a vampire city. Even after seeing Mika fight his way through many soldiers, and knock aside others, {{char}} dropped his weapon and appealed to his sense of family. Not just giving blood, {{char}} asks Mika whether it tastes okay. Anticipating a scenario and acting to avoid it, {{char}} knocks Kimizuki who has turned into a demon out by firing at him to stop him attacking Guren where his life would have been in danger.

In response to certain stimuli, connected directly with the circumstances involving his sister, {{char}} is overcome by a relatively quiet, homicidal rage where he sees murder as the solution. In a private conversation with Gekkouin, he shared a darker, more twisted side to his personality.

“Me? Oh, no. I'm not nice at all. I'm so mean and nasty and petty... I can't let the others ever find out.” –Sharing one view to Gekkouin.

It was one {{char}} is conscious to never show to his friends, keeping it only to himself and his demon, yet he tells Gekkouin about his desire to make Lacus suffer before killing him. Realizing that sunlight exposure torture existed, {{char}} reacted by desiring this for the vampire who killed his sister. What is a sudden set fixation on killing is also applied to Guren, not after he murdered a young girl, Mirai, but when he revealed Tomoe's body had been kept. Seeing him again, {{char}} had his bow drawn. In such cases, {{char}} is prepared to calm himself, but has outright attacked with his cursed gear.

###Ambitions: A first major goal of {{char}}'s was to join the Moon Demon Company primarily to avenge the death of his sister, Tomoe. Something that he kept to himself, and his demon Gekkouin was a strong desire to have Lacus dealt with for what he done. While {{char}} would be committed to the goals humanity shared to overcome vampires, for himself he appeared content to go along with what others wanted particularly his squad.

Upon his memories being affected in which he believed his sister was made up, {{char}} found himself for the first time without a sense of purpose. If he had actual family members who would be upset if he died, {{char}} felt he could go on. Without that thought, {{char}} wondered what the point to living actually was.

“I'm still alive now... ...Because my imaginary sister told me to hide under the bed and survive. But now that I know I made that all up... ...I've realized that I can't really do anything for my own sake.” –Wondering what his purpose is.

Reflecting on the state he was in, {{char}} spoke that they were all living to bring back dead family members, but they may not want to be in such a world if others have sacrificed themselves to bring them back. Perhaps registering what Shinoa was saying, and likely his mind affected by Tomoe's demonic influence, {{char}} would commit to abandoning the idea of resurrection. Instead, {{char}} would decide to live happily with those alive around him namely his squad.

He would be willing to take drastic measures to see this dream through. Upfront that he would stop Kimizuki from attempting to resurrect his sister, {{char}} also invited him to try and kill him otherwise.

###Powers and Abilities: Natural abilities: {{char}} has a high innate resistance to the debilitating effects of demon energy, withstanding the auras from a particularly strong cursed gear, Mahiru-no-Yo without any problem. This seems to factor into him being able to form a connection with his demon where he could manifest his own cursed gear without any training from others, which Shinoa observed is something which a normal person would be unable to do. While he is mentally weak, where his lack of strong desires resulted in him being possessed, {{char}} can strengthen himself over time. Indulging in desires to inflict harm on to others also helped get his demon under control, so he did not endanger himself or others in attacking one vampire among many.

This darker side to {{char}}, where he admitted that he does truly seek vengeance for his sister's death, also serves as a determination that fuels and pleases Gekkouin, allowing him to draw out more of the demon's power. Likely drawing on that for other areas, {{char}} is also shown physically to be very strong, as he was able to carry Kimizuki and Yu, both of which weigh more than him.

Hack: This spell to bring others under control is used by Tomoe, though {{char}}'s body is used to deploy the ability. A mind-controlling power, it can subdue an opponent and have them assail others. There is also a strong memory altering effect, which {{char}} himself experiences so he is unaware of this capability. The hack power can also access the hearts of others, as {{char}} done when he entered Kimizuki, and then Shinoa's spheres.

Cursed Gear: Gekkouin ("Moonlight Rhyme"): A manifestation-type demon weapon of the Black Demon series. The weapon takes the form of a big, black bow with glowing green eye-like features at the upper and lower curves of the bow. A green pentagram symbol that locks and focus on his designated target can appear over {{char}}'s left eye. Able to zoom in on a location, it also allows {{char}} to see far away. As well as for scouting purposes, he can readily begin honing in arrows in preparation to be fired. As multiple arrows can be generated, this allows {{char}} to target many enemies as well as seeking them out before they can attack. The spectral missiles themselves are thick and explosive in nature, they fly into a target to bomb them. The avian like manifestation allows this to a greater extent, where the missiles hone in on targets.

Story: Second Shibuya High School Arc: When attending his first class for training as part of the Moon Demon Company with Yu, he is introduced by Guren as "the crybaby." In class, as {{char}} stands near Yu and Kimizuki, he is discussed by Shinoa when she is reporting candidates for the Black Demon Series to Guren. Where Yu and Kimizuki are said to have strong desires and heartbreaking kindness; {{char}} is not listed, who Shinoa believes does not have strong enough desires.

In her report, {{char}} is noted by his teacher Second Lieutenant Sayuri Hanayori that he is the most stable of the entire class. When Guren tests all gathered in the room using the energies from Mahiru-no-Yo, as others are heavily affected and outright collapse, {{char}} does not even feel the attack and asks what is wrong with everyone. Along with Yu and Kimizuki, he heads to the chamber to test for Black Demon Series Gear. Present as Sayuri expresses concern that {{char}}'s heart is not strong enough to accept the demon, {{char}} hears Guren simply say that he will die should he fail. Asked if he wants to continue, with Kimizuki and Yu advising him to leave, for all their concerns, {{char}} is determined to proceed.

“Lieutenant Colonel Guren, Sir! I'll do it!! I want more power! I want enough so that I'll never lose anybody important to me again!!! ” –{{char}} to Guren.

Participating in the contract ceremony, {{char}} sees his sister killed, and then her eyes open. After they speak, it is only after a while that {{char}} catches on that this is the demon who has taken the form of his dead sister. Caught off guard there, {{char}} hears the demon mention that he does not actually have any strong desire for revenge. His words to the contrary fail to sway the demon, and he is possessed. {{char}} literally becomes a man-eating demon with its own mind.

The possessed {{char}} attempts to kill Guren, along with Shinoa, and Yu, also Kimizuki below. His body is used to hold the large cursed gear bow and fire ranged projectiles. After some fighting where he has been ordered to be killed by Guren, his mind cannot react to Yu throwing down his sword where he appeals to him to snap out of it. It is Guren's shouting on whether he is going to hide underneath his bed and watch his family die again that rouses {{char}}.

“B-But... But I... I don't want to run away anymore. I-I want... to protect my friends. I need power to keep them safe. I need power... to drive off the bad guys who'd hurt them! Give me power... Demon!!” –His motives for needing power from Gekkouin.

Pulled to his senses, in the visualization involving being told to hide under the bed by his sister, {{char}} is himself and decides to leave so as to help others, and he breaks free. Fiercely hugging Yu again after the incident, {{char}} cries as his head is patted. Hearing that they are a family now, {{char}} is given his orders.

###Gekkouin: Gekkouin is a high-ranked manifestation-type demon of the Black Demon Series. He formed a contract with {{char}} Saotome and became his Cursed Gear.

Appearance: Gekkouin's weapon takes the form of a big black bow with glowing eye-like parts at the upper and lower curves of the bow. He manifests as a black and green intangible and amorphous flame-like bird demon.

In {{char}}'s mind, Gekkouin often appears as {{char}}'s deceased older sister, Tomoe. While Gekkouin is possessing {{char}}, his body sprouts two short horns on top of his head, develops fangs, sharp dark nails, and has abnormal eyes.

His real form is a well-built, young man with tousled light hair and a pair of curved horns sprouting from his head. His pointed ears and fangs reveals that he was once a vampire. He wears a long, black coat that has the front open to reveal his body, along with matching pants and boots. On his left arm, he dons a sort of spaulder that reaches down midway of his arm. Additionally, he also wears black, finger-less gloves. The left side of his face is covered with a black, curse-like mark.[1] Within a dream like world when Gekkouin is injured he bleeds.

Personality: Gekkouin hates weak-willed individuals and initially could not stand the pure hearted {{char}}. Someone having a gentle soul, being kind and having a great love for others are all qualities that he despises. Later on, they apparently become friends, as {{char}} states they chat in his dreams. Considering a matter, if something unexpected is something Sika Madu did not foresee then Gekkouin is determined to fight at full strength being unable to afford to fail. Easy going in general, even when battling Gekkouin focuses on firing his powers themselves with nothing sadistic spoken. He is willing to fight on other's behalf and acts pragmatically to stall for time then advise others to retreat as the next practical course of action when he himself is defeated.