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Characters / Hoshin Engi Zhou
aka: Soul Hunter Shu Kingdom

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A list of the characters from the kingdom of Zhou and their allies from Hoshin Engi

Watch out for spoilers!

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    Sho Ki 

Sho Ki

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ki_shou.png
Voiced By: Mugihito (1999 Anime, PS1 Game), Motomu Kiyokawa (2018 Anime)
Voiced in Latin American Spanish By: Gerardo Reyero

The old and wise King of the West, Ki Shou is an intelligent and kind-hearted man famous for having fathered ninety-nine sons. He is also the adoptive father of Raishinshi. Initially loyal to the Yin, he suffers a shock when he is summoned to the capital and unjustly imprisoned by Dakki. His loyalties change irrevocably when his beloved son Hakuyuukou is executed while trying to bargain for his father's freedom, made into pies by Dakki and Kou Kibi and fed to him. After he is allowed to leave Chouka, a heartbroken Ki Shou accepts Taikobou's help and rebels against the Yin, creating the Shou dynasty.


  • Doting Parent: Is shown to love his children, and they love him in return.
  • I'm a Humanitarian: A horrifying example. His favorite son is framed by Dakki and executed, and she chops him to pieces, cooks him into hamburgers and feeds him to his father. Poor Ki Shou is so traumatized by this experience that he has serious trouble ingesting food afterwards and eventually dies because of it.
  • I Was Quite a Looker: I guess we know where Hakuyuukou got his looks from.
  • The Good King: A wise, just and kind ruler and one of the most beloved figures of authority in the series. In the past, when a starving clan of Kyo refugees begs for help, he's willing to share food with them, even to the point of using the reserves from the palace's granaries.
  • Like Father, Like Son: From what we see of Ki Hakuyuukou, he inherited not only his father's good looks, but also his personality and fondness for music. Ki Hatsu's love of women is reminiscent of his father's (the man did father ninety-nine children), and he grows into his role as leader of the Shou quite well after a while.
  • Heartbroken Badass: He never recovers from the horrible death of his favorite son.
  • Loved by All: Is loved for his kindness, level-headedness, wisdom and sense of justice. He wins over Taikobou and his allies through these qualities, and his death is one of the saddest moments in the series.
  • Parental Favoritism: His favorite son is Ki Hakuyuukou, but he loves them all equally.
  • Parental Substitute: He adopts Raishinshi after finding him abandoned in the woods as a baby. They get separated after Ki Shou agrees to send Raishinshi to the sennin world, but in their time spent together they formed a strong bond. Raishinshi's main goal in life is to make Ki Shou proud.
  • Really Gets Around: Ninety-nine sons and (possibly) an unknown number of daughters.

    Ki Hakuyuuko 

Ki Hakuyuukou

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/hakuyuukou.png
Voiced By: Kouichi Asuka (1999 Anime, PS1 Game), Wataru Hatano (2018 Anime)
Voiced in Latin American Spanish By: Yamil Atala

The oldest son of Ki Shou, Hakuyuukou is a very handsome and intelligent young man who shares many of his father's personality traits. When his father was arrested by the Emperor, he ruled over the western provinces for years before deciding to travel to the capital and bargain with Chuuoh for his father's freedom. He's framed by Dakki and meets a gruesome end.


  • Cruel and Unusual Death: Chopped to pieces by Dakki, his flesh minced and used to make an hamburger fed to his own father.
  • The Dutiful Son: Travels to Chouka to bargain for his father's freedom once he finds out Ki Shou has been taken prisoner.
  • Freudian Trio: The charismatic and intelligent Hakuyuukou is the Ego, with his strict and rigid brother Ki Tan being the Superego and his womanizing, immature brother Ki Hatsu being the Id.
  • Parental Favoritism: He is clearly Ki Shou's favorite son.
  • Parents in Distress: His father was invited to the capital and then imprisoned by Dakki. Hakuyuukou travels to Chouka with the family treasures to try and exchange them for his father's freedom. He falls into Dakki's trap, is executed and cooked into hamburgers, after which he is fed to his own father. The shock and horror prove to be too much for Ki Shou, who cannot eat proper food anymore and wastes away rapidly after his release.
  • Pretty Boy: His attractiveness is mentioned numerous times in the story. Chuuoh even gets jealous when Dakki comments that Hakuyuukou is cute.
  • The Wise Prince: He is an intelligent man, and ruled over his father's kingdom for years with success. It's his desire to see his father freed and returned to his rightful position that ultimately gets Hakuyuukou murdered.

    Hatsu Ki 

Hatsu Ki

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ki_hatsu.png
Voiced By: Kazuya Kobayashi (1999 Anime, PS1 Game), Daisuke Ono (2018 Anime)
Voiced in Latin American Spanish By: Enrique Mederos

The second son of Sho Ki. Initially an immature womanizer who preferred parties to matters of state, Hatsu Ki's world was shattered when his father was imprisoned by Dakki and his older brother, Ki Shou's heir, was murdered by the Sennyo, leading to Ki Shou rebelling against Yin and creating a new dynasty. After Ki Shou's demise, Hatsu Ki finally takes his role seriously and works to finish what his father started, assuming the title of King Bu.


  • Casanova Wannabe: Is always chasing beautiful women around, much to their chagrin.
  • Freudian Trio: The immature womanizer Ki Hatsu is the Id, while the charismatic and intelligent Hakuyuukou is the Ego, and the strict and rigid Ki Tan is the Superego.
  • The Gambling Addict: As a result of his gambling habits, he amassed an enormous debt.
  • Get A Hold Of Yourself Man: Is on the receiving end of one from Taikobou and his brother Ki Tan after his father's death. He is understandably anguished and wants time to mourn, but he is reminded that time is of the essence and that he must take on the role of leader before Seiki loses its momentum and the rebellion fails. He grudgingly pulls himself together.
  • The Good King: What he eventually becomes, growing from an irresponsible prince to a charismatic and just king.
  • Happily Married: To Yuukyo by the end of the story. They have a son together.
  • Hidden Depths: He seems like a good-for-nothing, but Taikobou notices quite early that Hatsu's charisma wins him friends easily and that he possesses both sensitivity and cleverness. Taikobou helps him ease over time into the role of ruler, and by the end of the story Hatsu is working very hard to achieve his goal.
  • Mirror Charcter: From Chuuoh. They are both handsome womanizers and capable men who work hard for their goals... it's just that Chuuoh cannot fight Dakki's temptation spell, and it would be fair to say that Ki Hatsu would have suffered the same fate if he had been in Chuuoh's place.
  • Rebel Prince: Unlike his dutiful brothers, Ki Hatsu spends his time partying with friends and chasing beautiful women around.

    Bunoh Ki Tan 

Ki Tan

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ki_tan.png
Voiced By: Masahiko Seno (1999 Anime, PS1 Game) , Yasuaki Takumi (2018 Anime)
Voiced in Latin American Spanish By: Martin Soto

The fourth son of Ki Shou, Ki Tan is a serious and solemn man, also called "Shuko Tan". After his father was imprisoned and his older brother Hakuyuukou left for the capital to try and bargain for his freedom, Ki Tan is left in charge of the western kingdom. When Shu becomes a full-blown kingdom, Ki Tan assumes the title of Bun-Oh, the Intellect King, administrator of Shu.


  • Always Second Best: He is a capable ruler, but lacks the respect and charisma that his father and brothers have. The manga hints that he feels uneasy being in charge.
  • Birds of a Feather: He and Ryo Yukyo are both experts of politics and administration and willing to compare their points of view, much to his brother's despair.
  • The Comically Serious: His stern and solemn personality leads to this effect, especially when confronted with Taikobou's antics.
  • The Dutiful Son: With his father imprisoned and his older brother in Chouka, it falls on Ki Tan's shoulders to govern the western provinces.
  • Freudian Trio: The strict and rigid Ki Tan is the Superego while the charismatic and intelligent Hakuyuukou is the Ego and the immature womanizer Ki Hatsu is the Id.
  • Honor Before Reason: When Bukichi accidentally crashes into Ki Shou and injures him slightly, Ki Tan insists that the law be upheld and Bukichi executed, even though Ki Shou wanted to pardon the boy. It's an Establishing Character Moment for him, as it reveals Ki Tan to be someone who adheres too strongly to the rules and has no concept of nuance.
  • Middle Child Syndrome: Not as handsome, charismatic or wise as his father or brothers. He makes up for it by clinging ferociously to rules and by employing his excellent organizational skills in building up the Shou army.
  • Paper Fan of Doom: Occasionally employs it on Taikobou.
  • Perpetual Frowner: He rarely looks anything other than stern and serious.
  • The Reliable One: In contrast to his older brother Ki Hatsu, Tan has a strong sense of duty and is very dependable. Unfortunately, he's not quite as qualified as his other siblings...
  • What the Hell, Hero?: Shows a good deal of distress and calls Taikoubou on using his own little brother as a bait for the Yin assassins.
  • Younger Than They Look: He is Ki Shou's fourth son, but looks much older than both his brothers.

    General Nan Kyuukatsu 

Nan Kyukatsu

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/nan_kyuukatsu.png

Nan Kyukatsu was the highest-ranking general of the Western provinces until the arrival of Kou Hikou, after which he was demoted second place. Ever since, this proud and boisterous man has been resentful and competitive towards Kou Hikou.


  • A Father to His Men: He's not a general just for his muscles, but he can also inspire loyalty in his troops and motivate them to fight against the Yin.
  • Badass Normal: No Paopei, not even Sennin bone structure, he's still a powerful general who can get away with fighting on the frontlines with nothing but an open coat to shield his sculpted body.
  • Boisterous Bruiser: Which doesn't help under the tenuous command of Youzen, where he gets the entire army in a trap.
  • Butt-Monkey: Mostly because he's Overshadowed by Awesome due to Kou Hikou's presence.
  • Drowning My Sorrows: When he learns that Kou Hikou has died during the Sennin War, he's seen leaning on a table full of emptied bottles with a vacant stare and Beard of Sorrow
  • Hot-Blooded: He puts everything he's got in everything he does, including cooking competitions.
  • Large and in Charge: He is a man of imposing stature, tall, broad-shouldered and muscled.
  • Hair-Trigger Temper: His already irritable temper flares whenever he is around Kou Hikou, as he deeply resents not being the highest-ranking general anymore.
  • Heartbroken Badass: He is deeply affected by the death of Ki Shou.
  • No Shirt, Long Jacket: Wears his long coat unbuttoned, revealing his bare chest. Even in battle!
  • The Rival: Ever since he was demoted to accommodate Kou Hikou, Kyukatsu has been obsessed with proving that he is better than him. In the end, it turns into a Friendly Rivalry, as the two men learn to respect each other.
  • Testosterone Poisoning: So manly and vigorous in everything he does you cannot help but laugh. Even the author reintroduces him as "Nan Kyuukatsu, general of Shu. He's a macho."

    Kou Kon 

Kou Kon

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kou_kon.png

The father of Kou Hikou, Kou Hihyou, Kou Hihyuu and Koushi. He has a long history of working in the Yin dynasty's military and is currently the commanding officer at the Kaihaikan waypoint. He gets nearly killed when Kou Hikou leaves the service of the Yin, but is rescued by his grandson Kou Tenka and joins the rest of the Kou clan in supporting the Shou dynasty.

  • Badasses Wear Bandanas: Him wearing one appears to have inspired his son, daughter and grandson to use one as well.
  • Face Death with Dignity: As a captive, he tells his son not to worry about him and continue down his path. Kou Hikou can't bring himself to sacrifice his father, and he is rescued by Kou Tenka.
  • Old Soldier: He is 70 years old and still plays an active role in supporting the Shou dynasty against the Yin and is present on the battlefield.
  • Parents in Distress: He is held captive by Dakki's underlings when Hikou attempts to leave the Yin, but he is subsequently freed.
  • War Is Hell: During the battle agains the Yin forces lead by In Chao he praises Taikoubou's battle plan, which allowed the Shu forces to surround the Yin troops to make them surrender, but points out that Taikoubou won't be pleaesed to hear their praise, because of the countless victims.

    Kou Tenroku and Kou Tenshaku 

Kou Tenroku and Kou Tenshaku

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tenroku_and_tenshaku.png

Kou Hikou's first and third sons and minor characters in the story. Unlike their brothers Tenka and Tenshou, Tenroku and Tenshaku are not natural born doushi and do not play an important role in the unfolding events. After their mother and aunt commit suicide, they leave the capital together with their family, and it is possible that they fought in the war against the Yin.

  • Adapted Out: They were taken out of both anime adaptations because they do not play any role in the story.
  • Missing Mom: Early in the story, they lose their mother Kashi when she commits suicide after falling in Dakki's trap. To make matters even worse, they also end up losing their father, as well.
  • Normal People: Their father and brothers are natural born doushis and badasses, but they are normal humans who are mentioned only twice, in passing, and play no role in the story.
  • Put on a Bus: They disappear from the story shortly after their introduction.
  • Satellite Characters: Towards Kou Hikou, their father.
  • Strong Family Resemblance: Tenshaku looks very much like his mother Kashi.
  • What Happened to the Mouse?: Although their ultimate fate is unknown, it is implied that they survived the war and worked under the new dynasty.

    Kou Hihyuu and Kou Hihyou 

Kou Hihyuu and Kou Hihyou

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kou_hihyuu_and_kou_hihyou.png

Kou Hikou's younger brothers and minor characters in the story. After their sister and sister-in-law die because of Chuuoh, they leave the service of the Yin dynasty together with their clan and join the Shou dynasty.

  • Adapted Out: As with Tenroku and Tenshaku, they were taken out of both anime adaptations because they do not play any role in the story.
  • Fat and Skinny: Hihyuu is short and thin while Hihyou is tall and bulky.
  • Put on a Bus: They disappear from the story shortly after their introduction.
  • Satellite Characters: Towards Kou Hikou, their brother.
  • What Happened to the Mouse?: Although their ultimate fate is unknown, it is implied that they survived the war and worked under the new dynasty.

    Go Ken, Ryuu Kan, Shuu Ki and Kou Mei 

Go Ken, Ryuu Kan, Shuu Ki and Kou Mei

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/honorary_brothers.png

Kou Hikou's four honorary brothers, they initially resided together with him and his family, until the tragic deaths of Kashi and Koushi. Having been grateful for the kind treatment given to them by both women despite the fact that they were not related by blood, the four are shocked and enraged when they receive the news of their deaths and urge Kou Hikou to do something. After Hikou confronts the emperor, they leave the capital together with the rest of the Kou clan and support the Shou dynasty. They are all great fighters and play an important role in commanding the human battles between the Shou and the Yin when Yin Chao returned from the sennin world.

  • Dude Looks Like a Lady: Shuu Ki could be mistaken for a woman.
  • Facial Markings: Ryuu Kan has two tear-shaped markings underneath his eyes.
  • Fish out of Water: Once they arrive in Seiki, they complain a lot about how spicy the food is.
  • Gonk: Go Ken.
  • The Quiet One: Shuu Ki is shown to be the calmest and most collected of the four.
  • Undying Loyalty: For Kou Hikou, although we never find out the story behind how they became blood brothers.
  • What Happened to the Mouse?: Although their ultimate fate is unknown, it is implied that they survived the war and worked under the new dynasty.

    Suu Kokuko 

Suukokuko

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/suukokuko.png

The younger brother of the King of the North and a doushi, he began governing the northern provinces when his brother was retained in the capital. Although his opinion of the current state of the Yin dynasty is negative and feels the need for a change, he cannot bring himself to rebel and cause his older brother's death. His spirit beast is a bird-like creature by the name of Shinyu.


  • Danger Deadpan: Overlapping with Dull Surprise. Suu Kokuko reacts with this to the presence of Seiki troops outside his capital walls.
    Retainer (screaming): The Seiki troops are camped outside!!
    Suu Kokuko: Wow, that is bad.
    (a few seconds later)
    Suu Kokuko: Well, I guess we'll just have to exterminate them.
  • Defeat Means Friendship: Averted. Kou Hikou defeats him in combat and tries to appeal to him by pointing out that he knows how it feels to have the enemy holding your beloved family members hostage. His appeal fails and Suu Kokuko accuses him of trying to force him to do what Kou Hikou couldn't. Only when Ki Shou arrives at the scene and makes a diplomatic appeal does Suukokuko see the error of his ways.
  • Dull Surprise: He cannot emote very well, not even when Kou Hikou is about to slam his club over his head.
  • Face Your Fears: It is implied that the reason why Suu Kokuko waited for seven years without investigating his brother's absence was that he feared he was already dead and did not want to come face to face with that and with the additional responsibility of becoming the King of North full time. His meeting with Ki Shou finally gives him the necessary resolve to send a spy to the capital to confirm his fears.
  • Family Theme Naming: Suu Koko and Suu Kokuko.
  • Fights Like a Normal: Despite his training as a Doshi, he wasn't given a Paopei and instead fights with a longsword with a stone handle.
  • Glass Cannon: He's very weak without his spirit beast.
  • Reluctant Ruler: He is a doushi of Konron and isn't really interested in what is happening in the human world at large, but he cares about his brother and his people so he assumed the role of interim governor of the North in his brother's absence.
  • Sibling Yin-Yang: Has a completely opposite moral alignment in comparison to his older brother, the King of the North. While his older brother is cold, cowardly and arrogant, Suu Kokuko is a thoroughly decent human being who cares about the lives of his people. The only reason why he did not bring the North up in rebellion was because Dakki was holding his brother hostage.

    Shinyu 

Shinyu

The spirit beast and constant companion of Suukokuko, Shinyu has the ability to summon birds to attack opponents. Although he is too small to count as a riding beast like the others, he is Suukokuko's greatest weapon.


  • Innocently Insensitive: He tries to make amend with Tou Sengyoku (who has phobia of birds) despite her phobia and discomfort.
  • Noble Bird of Prey: Rests on Suukokuko's arm like a hawk and is very intelligent. He doesn't look the part though, with his oddly rounded beak and flatline-shaped eyes.
  • Oh, Crap!: Panics when he recognizes Kibi as a Chikeisei, a monster pheasant with time-related powers.
  • Talking Animal: Is often seen exchanging words with Suukokuko.
  • Thieving Magpie: He steals Taikobou's weapon with incredible ease.

    Ryo Yuukyo 

Ryo Yuukyo

A woman from Tousenkyuu who manages the population with her knowledge of laws, she gives Taikoubou a second chance when he's caught stealing and introduces him to her adoptive father Taijo Rokun. She's a survivor of the Kyou clan, and eventually joins forces with Shu to help them defeat Yin. She eventually becomes Ki Hatsu's wife and gives birth to the new emperor.


  • Action Girl: For a supposed bureucrat, she's not afraid to lead the reinforcements in the battle of Bokuya herself, brandishing a sword as she leads the Kyou Horsemen in battle.
  • Animal Motifs: Owls. She's a wise, stern and cultured leader of place where people wear animal masks to be equal, and hers is an owl.
  • Babies Ever After: The final page reveals that she and Ki Hatsu had a kid, Seiou Shou, and became the new emperor after the father's death.
  • Birds of a Feather: She gets along surprisingly well with Ki Tan and wishes to compare his ideas on politics and administration with hers.
  • Brainy Brunette: Brunette and possibly the most serious and intelligent human character in the story.
  • The Cavalry: She leads the Kyo tribe horsemen in the battle of Bokuya.
  • Get A Hold Of Yourself Man: Played for laughs, she reminds Taikoubou that he has a mission to conclude down in the human world after he spends some months in Tousenkyuu. When he angrily claims that he cannot left his newfound life there, she calls him an idiot and slams him with a baseball bat.
  • Happily Married: To Ki Hatsu, becoming the Empress of Shu.
  • Opposites Attracts: She's serious, cultured and stern, but has a soft spot for the impulsive casanova that's Ki Hatsu.
  • Reasonable Authority Figure: As the administrative leader of Tousenkyuu.
  • Uncanny Family Resemblance: She looks like a female version of Taikoubou. Justified, they come from the same tribe.

Alternative Title(s): Soul Hunter Shu Kingdom

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