Yoru / Jin Saotome

Yoru (夜よる), formerly known as Jin Saotome (早サ乙オ女ト ジン, Saotome Jin) before his death and transformation into a Maga, is one of the characters in Yuto Sano's manga series, Gokurakugai. Jin was the younger brother of Tao. Yoru represents an alternate personality of Jin, emerging to protect him in critical situations. For instance, Yoru was responsible for killing their father when he was harming Jin. Yoru is a handsome young man of average height and build. He has long, shaggy black hair with bangs that conceal a prominent scar on the upper right part of his forehead, extending to his eyebrows. His deep-set eyes and noticeable dark eye bags suggest a lack of sleep. He has two small hoop piercings in his right eyebrow. His right ear features a cross earring on the helix, three hoop earrings on the snug, and a thicker hoop earring on the lobe, with the left ear mirroring this arrangement. Yoru also wears a black choker with visible patterns, hiding a neck scar from a childhood suicide attempt. His attire includes a contemporary collared changshan jacket over a black shirt and loose black trousers, combining modern and traditional elements. Additionally, he wears rings on his index, ring, and pinky fingers on both hands. Yoru's personality has a darker, more unsettling side. When Alma first encountered Jin Saotome himself at the entrance of Meito Shrine,[4] Jin initially seemed flustered and anxious. He explained that he had been casually exploring and unintentionally ended up at the shrine, which made him appear suspicious and uncertain. Despite this, Jin showed a sense of honesty and vulnerability, as he was visibly emotional and even shed tears when Alma comforted him.[4] Although, after that interaction, Jin's demeanor shifted dramatically in different circumstances. Initially, he appeared as a somewhat timid and easily emotional individual who enjoyed sweets despite his age, indicating a softer, almost childlike side to his personality. His interaction with Alma, where he accepted a snack and expressed a liking for sweets, further highlighted this gentler aspect of his character. When Jin was later approached by Yomi, his behavior took a drastic turn.[5] He demonstrated a cold and ruthless nature, as seen when he used some form of unseen strangulation to harm two inebriated women.[5] His lack of compassion was evident in his actions towards the dark-haired woman, whom he forced to swallow a capsule that transformed her into a distorted creature. This incident revealed Jin’s alternate personality capable of cruelty and manipulation, known as Yoru.[5] This personality is very unsettling and manipulative , often marked by his creepy and constant smile that makes people uneasy.[6] When Tao meets him at Meito Shrine, he greets her with a smile that reminds her of her dead brother, Jin, and makes mysterious comments about who he is, claiming to be the other Jin that Jin created within himself. Even when Tao questions him aggressively and fires a warning shot, Yoru stays calm and threatening.[6] Throughout their conversation, Yoru never stops smiling, showing his confidence and enjoyment in emotionally manipulating Tao.[6] He remains calm under pressure and taunts Tao with hints about Jin’s death, revealing his cold and calculating nature.[6] Yoru clearly enjoys causing distress, suggesting that Tao already knows the truth about her brother's death and blaming her for it.[6] His manipulative and cruel behavior is further shown when he tries to strangle Tao while still wearing that unsettling smile. His smooth shift from verbal manipulation to physical violence illustrates his ruthlessness and lack of empathy.[6] He further manipulates Tao by purposely bringing out Jin, resulting in Jin having a mental breakdown. Jin is gentle, caring, and resilient. He faced tough times with quiet strength, always putting his sister Tao's well-being first and staying hopeful despite their hardships.[7] Even as a child, Jin showed his concern for Tao by checking on her and being considerate. Despite their father's abuse, Jin remained supportive and close to Tao, seeking comfort from her. Jin's sensitivity and emotional depth were clear in how he interacted with his older sister.[7] He would ask about her day and worry about their father's mistreatment. When their mother disappeared, Jin's innocent question about her visiting "God" showed his struggle to understand their harsh reality. Tao's gentle reassurance and promise to protect him highlighted their mutual care and dependence.[7] As Jin grew older, he stayed emotionally sensitive but became more aware of their difficult situation.[7] He endured his father's abuse without anger or resentment towards Tao, understanding her efforts to protect him. Jin's strength and resilience were evident as he continued to support Tao emotionally, even when she felt guilty for not being able to fully shield him.[7] Despite everything, Jin kept a sense of hope and optimism. On Tao's birthday, he surprised her with a cupcake, showing his thoughtfulness and desire to bring joy to their lives.[7] He constantly worried about Tao's safety and expressed his concerns about her dangerous work.[7] Jin's longing for a better life and his wish for Tao to quit her risky job showed his deep love and care for her. Jin, who now goes by Yoru, had a very difficult and traumatic past. As a child, he lived with his sister Tao and their abusive father. Their mother, a devout follower of an unseen deity, mysteriously turned into a stack of money, leaving Jin and Tao to suffer under their cruel father. He threatened to sell them piece by piece if they ever spoke about their mother's fate, creating a terrifying and hostile environment. Tao and Jin had a strong bond. Tao often comforted Jin and promised to protect him from their father's anger. Despite her efforts, their father’s abuse continued. When Tao was fifteen, their father, deeply in debt to a violent organization, sold her into servitude under a beastman. Tao’s life became a cycle of violence and hardship as she worked to pay off their father’s debts, enduring constant beatings and degradation. Jin also suffered during this time. Even though Tao tried to protect him, their father’s abuse extended to Jin, leaving him with bruises and emotional scars. Jin didn’t want to wear short sleeves because of the bruises, and he often winced in pain. He was deeply worried about Tao’s safety as she continued to work under the beastman, fearing she might end up like their mother. On Tao’s birthday, Jin made her a cupcake with chocolate and biscuit candles, showing his love and concern for her. However, he still worried about her safety and wished she would stop taking risks. Tao reassured him that their freedom depended on earning enough money to escape their abusive situation. Tao’s time with the beastman continued to be brutal, with relentless beatings. Realizing she couldn’t ask for release, she decided to take extreme measures. She freed herself from heavy chains by cutting off her own arm and killed her tormentor. When she returned home, she found their house destroyed and their father dead, but Jin was missing. Despite the chaos, she hoped Jin had survived, even if he had to do something terrible. In the present, Tao encountered Yoru at the Meito Shrine and was unsettled by his resemblance to her younger brother Jin. Yoru revealed a scar hidden under his bangs and another concealed by a choker, saying he started calling himself Yoru after getting the scar. He teased Tao, suggesting she was responsible for Jin's death and showing how he had changed from the boy she knew to someone unrecognizable. Yomi is fascinated by Yoru, recognizing both his harsh actions and past difficulties. He sees Yoru as a key player in his plans, valuing Yoru's role in achieving their goals and noting how Yoru's actions have been crucial in their current situation. Yomi also reflects on how Jin became Yoru and how Yoru has accepted his new identity. Yomi views Yoru as an essential ally who has been shaped by their shared experiences. His support and promise of a safe place show his commitment to Yoru and his intention to include him in a broader family setup. Utsuro Utsuro describes Yoru as a dark-haired guy with split personalities, originally known as Jin Saotome. She mentions that Yoru once tried to strangle her, leading to her hatred for him