List of Kill la Kill characters

The anime series Kill la Kill, produced by Trigger, features a cast of characters with a variety of designs and abilities. Honnouji Academy (本能字学園, Honnōji Gakuen), a fictional high school situated in Tokyo Bay, Japan, the characters consist mainly of students who wear Goku Uniforms (極制服, Gokuseifuku, lit. "high quality uniform", from gokusei (極製^?) + seifuku (制服^?) ), which give their wearers superhuman abilities. The main protagonist Ryuko Matoi is a transfer student who searches for her father's killer, going against the iron-fisted student council president, Satsuki Kiryuin, and then her mother's fashion empire.

Main characters

Ryuko Matoi

Voiced by: Ami Koshimizu^[1] (Japanese); Erica Mendez^[2] (English)

Ryuko Matoi (纏 流子, Matoi Ryūko) is a 17-year-old schoolgirl who transfers to Honnouji Academy in search of clues relating to the death of her father. She wields half of the Rending Scissors (断ち斬りバサミ, Tachikiri Basami), one-half of a giant pair of scissors created by her father with the other half stolen by his killer. Her weapon is capable of destroying uniforms empowered by Life Fibers.^{[ep 1]} At the start of the series, she acquires a special "kamui" uniform named Senketsu, which grants her special abilities.^{[ep 1]} She lives with the Mankanshoku family.^{[ep 2]} During the battle at the Honnouji Academy Cultural & Sports Grand Festival, it is revealed that Ryuko is Ragyo's presumed dead daughter and Satsuki's younger sister.^{[ep 19]} Ryuko was merged with Life Fibers when Ragyo Kiryuin performed an experiment to fuse Life Fibers into humans.^{[ep 18]}

Senketsu

Voiced by: Toshihiko Seki^[1] (Japanese); David Vincent^[2] (English)

Senketsu (鮮血, Senketsu, lit. "fresh blood")^{[ep 3]} is a talking sailor uniform that Ryuko finds beneath her house. He is a kamui (神衣, lit. "Godrobe"), an outfit made entirely of Life Fibers, which provides its wearer with superhuman abilities in exchange for their blood. Initially, it absorbs a large amount of her blood and only allows her to act for a limited time, however, it is soon able to fully synchronize with Ryuko as she gets over her embarrassment of wearing such a skimpy outfit.^{[ep 3]} Whenever Ryuko destroys a Goku Uniform, Senketsu absorbs its Life Fiber.^{[ep 3]} Mikisugi later reveals that Issei Matoi designed Senketsu for Ryuko so that they can go against the propagators of the Life Fibers.^{[ep 16][ep 17]} After Ryuko defeats Ragyo, Senketsu sacrifices himself in atmospheric entry to return Ryuko safely to Earth.^{[ep 24]}

Mako Mankanshoku

Voiced by: Aya Suzaki^[1] (Japanese); Christine Marie Cabanos^[2] (English)

Mako Mankanshoku (満艦飾 マコ, Mankanshoku Mako) is an energetic second-year student and Ryuko's classmate. She immediately befriends Ryuko upon the latter's arrival at the school.^{[ep 1][3]} Mako lives with her parents and younger brother in the slums of Honnō City.^{[ep 2]} She is described as an "uber air-head" whose "unbelievable actions never cease to shock and awe the people around her."^[3] Despite putting herself in dangerous situations, she has a good heart and cares for Ryuko, providing her with constant encouragement. Senketsu notes that Mako is vital for getting Ryuko to relax.^{[ep 3]} In the episode where she runs the Fight Club, she receives a two-star Goku Uniform styled like that of a delinquent.^{[ep 7]}

Satsuki Kiryuin

Voiced by: Ryōka Yuzuki^[1] (Japanese); Carrie Keranen^[2] (English)

Satsuki Kiryuin (鬼龍院 皐月, Kiryūin Satsuki) is the ruthless student council president of Honnouji Academy.^{[ep 1]} She administers Goku Uniforms to students using various hierarchical schemes such as a no-late day event and battle royale-esque tournaments such as the Naturals Election. She wields a katana named Bakuzan (縛斬) which can sever Life Fibers and dons the kamui named Junketsu (純潔, lit. "purity"^{[ep 3]}) early in the series.^{[ep 3]} She serves as a major opponent to Ryuko for most of the series. After having learned the true nature of the Life Fibers at an early age, she uses the Honnouji Academy Cultural & Sports Grand Festival to begin her rebellion against her mother and the Life Fibers.^{[ep 17][ep 18]} During the ensuing battle, Ryuko is revealed to be Satsuki's long-lost younger sister.^{[ep 19]}

Aikuro Mikisugi

Voiced by: Shin-ichiro Miki^[1] (Japanese); Matt Mercer^[2] (English)

Aikuro Mikisugi (美木杉 愛九郎, Mikisugi Aikurō) is Ryuko's enigmatic homeroom teacher. He secretly observes and aids Ryuko by leading her to Senketsu.^{[ep 3]} Whilst generally having the appearance of a frail, shaggy teacher, he is actually a glamorous smooth-talker with a habit of slowly stripping his clothes and making moves on Ryuko whenever they are in private, much to Ryuko's embarrassment.^{[ep 3]} Aikuro reveals to Ryuko the existence of Nudist Beach and his being one of its members (though she did not believe him due to the organization's ridiculous name). Whenever he strips, pink light radiates from his nipples and from his crotch, obscuring them.^{[ep 6]} Mikisugi's character design is based on people such as TM Network's vocalist Takashi Utsunomiya and Kenji Sawada, people who appear smart and good-looking.^[4]

Honnouji Academy Elite Four

The Honnouji Academy Elite Four (本能字学園四天王, Honnōji Gakuen Shitennō) are the leaders in Satsuki's student council. They wear Three-Star Goku Uniforms.

Ira Gamagoori

Voiced by: Tetsu Inada^[1] (Japanese); Patrick Seitz^[2] (English)

Ira Gamagoori (蟇郡 苛, Gamagōri Ira) is a large, muscular man who is Satsuki's loyal enforcer who leads the disciplinary committee at Honnouji Academy. His three-star Goku Uniform is the Shackle Regalia (縛の装, Shibari no Sō), which takes the form of bondage gear. By enduring such masochistic attacks, he can activate its second transformation, Scourge Regalia (死縛の装, Shibaki no Sō), which covers his body in thorny whips.^{[ep 8]} His upgraded uniform, Shackle Regalia MK.II, resembles a sarcophagus,^{[ep 15]} and his ultimate uniform is the Shackle Regalia: Ego Burst.^{[ep 23]} He is 20 years old, having waited two years after graduating middle school before enrolling at Honnouji to assist Satsuki with her plans. He drives a pink 1959 Cadillac Eldorado.^{[ep 8]}

Uzu Sanageyama

Voiced by: Nobuyuki Hiyama^[1] (Japanese); Grant George^[2] (English)

Uzu Sanageyama (猿投山 渦, Sanageyama Uzu) regulates the athletic clubs at Honnouji Academy, including the Boxing Club and the Tennis Club. He himself specializes in kendo and possesses the three-star Goku Uniform, Blade Regalia (剣の装, Tsurugi no Sō), which takes the form of a large armored bōgu. He initially possesses Tengantsū (天眼通, Clairvoyance), which allows to him to predict his opponent's moves with super fast eyesight. However, after suffering a defeat from Ryuko, he chooses to have his eyes sewn shut, heightening his other senses and giving him a more powerful Shingantsū (心眼通, eyes of the mind), which allows him to perceive things with no blind spots.^{[ep 6]} During the final battle with Ragyo, he unseals his eyes, not wanting to hold back against her. He also receives upgraded uniforms such as Blade Regalia MK II,^{[ep 6][ep 11]} Blade Regalia MK.III,^{[ep 15]} and Blade Regalia: Secret Unsealed.^{[ep 23]}

Nonon Jakuzure

Voiced by: Mayumi Shintani^[1] (Japanese); Sarah Anne Williams^[2] (English)

Nonon Jakuzure (蛇崩 乃音, Jakuzure Nonon) regulates the school's non-athletic clubs, such as Gardening Club and Biology Club.^{[ep 5]} Among the members of the Elite Four, she has been with Satsuki since kindergarten and thus claims that she knows her best.^{[ep 5]} She possesses the three-star Goku Uniform Symphony Regalia (奏の装, Kanade no Sō), which transforms into a giant sound system that produces powerful soundwaves and can transform into a flying airship.^{[ep 10]} Later, she receives an upgraded version, Symphony Regalia MK.II, that miniaturizes the airship in a jetpack.^{[ep 15]} Her ultimate uniform is Symphony Regalia: Finale.^{[ep 23]}

Houka Inumuta

Voiced by: Hiroyuki Yoshino^[1] (Japanese); Steve Cannon^[2] (English)

Houka Inumuta (犬牟田 宝火, Inumuta Hōka) is in charge of Honnouji Academy's information and strategy committee, aiding the student council by analyzing the performance of Goku Uniforms and kamui in battle, and helping the Sewing Club with upgraded uniforms. His three-star Goku Uniform, Probe Regalia (探の装, Saguru no Sō), allows him to quickly calculate attack trajectories and use optical camouflage to hide from his opponents.^{[ep 10]} Upgrades include Probe Regalia MK.II, that makes him appear as a polygonal model,^{[ep 15]} and his ultimate uniform of Probe Regalia: Truth Unveiled.^{[ep 23]}

Supporting characters

Mankanshoku family

The Mankanshoku family (満艦飾家, Mankanshoku-ka)^[5] is Mako's family that resides within Honnō City's slums. They take Ryuko in after the latter transfers to Honnouji Academy.

Barazo Mankanshoku

Voiced by: Kenyu Horiuchi^[5] (Japanese); Michael Sorich^[2] (English)

Barazo Mankanshoku (満艦飾 薔薇蔵, Mankanshoku Barazō) is Mako's father. He is a doctor that runs a back-alley clinic in Hannō City's slums. Barazo admits that he may have killed more patients than he has saved.^{[ep 2]}

Sukuyo Mankanshoku

Voiced by: Yukari Fukui^[5] (Japanese); Erika Harlacher^[2] (English)

Sukuyo Mankanshoku (満艦飾 好代, Mankanshoku Sukuyo) is Mako's mother. She is a carefree housewife who is kind to Ryuko, and makes croquettes with mystery meats.^{[ep 2]}

Mataro Mankanshoku

Voiced by: Ayumi Fujimura^[5] (Japanese); Lindsey Eaton^{[2][ep 19 credits]} (English)

Mataro Mankanshoku (満艦飾 又郎, Mankanshoku Matarō) is Mako's younger brother. He is a delinquent who initially tries to rob Ryuko when he first encounters her.^{[ep 1]}

Guts

Voiced by: Katsuyuki Konishi^{[note 1][5]} (Japanese); Derek Stephen Prince^[6] (English)

Guts (ガッツ, Gattsu) is the Mankanshoku family pug. He is dressed in a light bluish-grey hooded sweater. In episode 2, Mataro says that they named him Guts "because he eats with a lot of gusto".^{[ep 2]}

Shiro Iori

Voiced by: Yūji Ueda^[7] (Japanese); Todd Haberkorn^[2] (English)

Shiro Iori (伊織 糸郎, Iori Shirō) is the president of Honnouji Academy's Sewing Club, which works on improving and upgrading the Goku Uniforms. Shiro is also the nephew of Satsuki's butler Misuzo. ^{[ep 6]} His three-star Goku Uniform is called Tailor's Regalia (誂の装, Atsurae no Sō).^{[ep 22]}

Tsumugu Kinagase

Voiced by: Katsuyuki Konishi^[8] (Japanese); Kaiji Tang^[9][10] (English)

Tsumugu Kinagase (黄長瀬 紬, Kinagase Tsumugu) is a scientist at the Nudist Beach organization and an acquaintance of Aikuro who sports a red mohawk on top of short black hair. He bears a strong hatred of kamui, which stems from an experiment where his close sister, Kinue (絹江), died when the kamui she had volunteered to test ran her blood dry.^{[ep 17]} His weapon is a sewing machine pistol that fires needles which severs the connections between the Life Fibers in kamui and Goku Uniforms and their wearers. The needles also act like acupuncture, in that it can immobilize opponents and invigorate them afterward. His catchphrase is "There are two things you need to know" (2つ、いいことを教えてやる, Futatsu, ii koto o oshieteyaru, also "Let me tell you two useful pieces of information").^{[ep 5]}

Nui Harime

Voiced by: Yukari Tamura^[11] (Japanese); Stephanie Sheh^[9] (English)

Nui Harime (針目 縫, Harime Nui) is the Grand Couturier (High Order Tailor) of the Kiryuin family, initially appearing as a petite twin tailed girl with a parasol and wearing an eyepatch. She has sociopathic tendencies, smiling and acting cheerful even when revealing to Ryuko that she killed her father and stole half of his Rending Scissors, at the cost of her eye.^{[ep 11]} She later reveals that she is part Life Fiber,^{[ep 20]} with superhuman abilities such as tearing apart Life Fibers in Goku Uniforms and kamuis,^{[ep 12]}, manipulating people's minds with Mental Stitching, healing from severe cuts to her body, cloning herself, and changing her appearance.^{[ep 18]}. The only time in the series where she loses her cool is when Ryuko severs her arms at the Life Fiber level. She helps create Ragyo's kamui Shinra-Kotetsu and sacrifices herself at Ragyo's request to help the latter attain her ultimate power.^{[ep 24]}

Isshin Matoi

Voiced by: Kinryū Arimoto^[12]

Isshin Matoi (纏 一身, Matoi Isshin) is Ryuko's deceased father, and the creator of Senketsu and the Scissor Blades. He was murdered by Nui, who stole the purple blade, whilst he left the red blade to Ryuko.^{[ep 12]} He is also the founder of Nudist Beach, an organization created to oppose Revocs.^{[ep 16]} He is actually Soichiro Kiryuin (鬼龍院 総一郎, Kiryūin Sōichirō), Satsuki's father and Ragyo's husband, who faked his death and took on the identity of Isshin Matoi to raise Ryuko.^{[ep 19]}

Ragyo Kiryuin

Voiced by: Romi Park^[13] (Japanese); Laura Post^[9][14] (English)

Ragyo Kiryuin (鬼龍院 羅暁, Kiryūin Ragyō) is Satsuki's mother and the main antagonist of the series.^{[ep 11]} She is the CEO of the Revocs Corporation, a conglomerate that manufactures and supplies a preponderance of the world's clothing.^{[ep 11]} She is also the academy director of Honnouji.^{[ep 17]} She is a figure of great elegance and power; her appearances are typically accompanied by multicolored light which also emanates from her hair.^{[ep 11]} She has merged her body with the Life Fibers, able to heal any injuries she receives and even survive being decapitated, so long as a single Life Fiber thread remains.^{[ep 18]} One of her abilities is Mind Stitch which uses the Life Fibers to control humans like puppets.^{[ep 18]} She eventually dons the ultimate kamui, Shinra-Kotetsu, which allows her to perform Absolute Domination (絶対服従, Zettai Fukujū?), an area attack that renders opposing Goku Uniforms and kamui powerless. After Ryuko reverses the Life Fiber takeover, Ragyo, unwilling to accept defeat on anyone's terms but her own, crushes her own heart, but not before she warns Ryuko that the other Life Fibers in the universe will come.^{[ep 24]}

Other characters

Rei Hououmaru

Voiced by: Ayumi Fujimura (Japanese); Cristina Vee^[15] (English)

Rei Hououmaru (鳳凰丸 礼, Hōōmaru Rei) is a Revocs corporate officer and Ragyo's personal secretary.^{[ep 11]} In the OVA episode following the series, Rei disrupts Honnouji Academy's graduation ceremony using clones of Satsuki Kiryuin and the Honnouji Academy Elite Four.^{[ep OVA]}

Takiji Kuroido

Voiced by: Kōsei Hirota^[16]

Takiji Kuroido (黒井戸滝司, Kuroido Takiji) is the head steward to the Kiryuin family. He reports directly to Ragyo and takes care of the Kiryuin Mansion.^[17]

Mitsuzo Soroi

Voiced by: Akio Nojima^[18]

Mitsuzo Soroi (揃 三蔵, Soroi Mitsuzō) is Satsuki's personal and trusted butler, having served her since her early childhood. He is also Shiro Iori's uncle. He often serves tea to Satsuki, but he also serves tea to the Elite Four, and later the Nudist Beach members when they go to rescue Satsuki.^{[ep 19]} He wears a three-piece suit.^[19]

Kaneo Takarada

Voiced by: Makoto Awane^[20] (Japanese); Ben Diskin^{[21][ep 15]} (English)

Kaneo Takarada (宝多 金男, Takarada Kaneo) is the student council president of Naniwa Kinman High School in the Osaka region. His family's wealth rivals that of the Kiruyins. Using Takarada-printed money, he bribes locals to fight Kiryuin's forces.^{[ep 15]} After Ragyo and the Covers take over Japan, he spends his fortune to build the battleship Naked Sol to help Nudist Beach.^{[ep 20][22]}

Honnouji Academy club leaders

Several of the school's club leaders challenge Ryuko in early episodes of the series. They include:^[23][24]

• Takaharu Fukuroda (袋田 隆治, Fukuroda Takaharu) (Voiced by: Mitsuo Iwata (Japanese); Ben Diskin^{[ep 1]} (English)) is in charge of the Boxing Club, reporting to Uzu Sanageyama. His gloves become iron through his two-star Goku Uniform.^{[ep 1]}
• Omiko Hakodate (函館 臣子, Hakodate Omiko) (Voiced by: Chiaki Takahashi (Japanese); Karen Strassman^{[ep 2]} (English)) is the captain of the Tennis Club with a type of lens over her right eye. She has a two-star Goku Uniform where the bottom of her skirt is full of tennis balls.^{[ep 2]}
• Maiko Ogure (大暮 麻衣子, Ōgure Maiko) (Voiced by: Marina Inoue) is part of the Discipline Committee. She wears glasses and pretends to be a struggling student that helps Ryuko and Mako to clear the obstacles for No Late Day, but in reality she is the one in charge of setting the obstacles and traps. She gets busted by Ira for conspiring against Satsuki and is expelled.^{[ep 4]}
• Kusanosuke Yaguruma (矢車 草之助, Yaguruma Kusanosuke) (Voiced by: Ryo Naitou) is the general manager of the Gardening Club Terrace. He confronts Kinagase on the rooftop. Kusanosuke wears a blue hat cloth with yellow polka dots and wears a two-star Goku Uniform. His plant weapons resemble carnivorous plants. ^{[ep 5]}
• Kusatao Uwabami (蟒 草田男, Uwabami Kusatao) (Voiced by: Norihisa Mori) is the general manager of the Gardening Club Backyard Garden. He tries to avenge Kusanosuke's defeat. Kusatao wears a yellow hat cloth with pink polka dots and wears a two-star Goku Uniform. His plant weapons resemble vines.^{[ep 5]}
• Ryōsuke Todoroki (轟 輌輔, Todoroki Ryōsuke) (Voiced by: Kiyohito Yoshikai) is the president of the Automotive Airsoft Club, which merged the Auto Club with the Airsoft Club. He has flaming red hair. They chase down Gamagoori during the battle royal week of the Naturals Election and are defeated by him.^{[ep 8]}

Some additional club leaders make an appearance in episode 7 when Satsuki offers upgraded Goku Uniforms and perks for club presidents.^{[ep 7][25][26]}

• Jack Naito (ジャック内藤, Jakku Naitō), the president of the Knife Throwing Club.
• Kagesaburo Kagero (陽炎 陰三郎, Kagerō Kagesaburō), the president of the Nanjing Lily Club.
• Masuyo Watari (渡 益代, Watari Masuyo), the president of the Tightrope Walking Club.
• Maimu Okurahama (御倉浜 舞夢, Okurahama Maimu), the president of the Folk Dance Club.
• Three Toki Brothers (陶器三兄弟, Tōki Sankyōdai), the president of the Pottery, Arts, and Crafts Clubs.
• Aizenbo Fuguhara (河豚原 愛善坊, Fuguhara Aizenbō), the president of the Ping Pong Club.
• Tatamu Otte (追手 タタム, Otte Tatamu), the president of the Origami Club.

Kami-Kobe High School

Located in Kobe, the Kami-Kōbe High School (神神戸高校, Kami Kōbe Kōkō) is the target assigned to Ira Gamagōri's party during the Tri-City Schools Raid Trip. With Kobe being a port city, the school building is modeled after a sailing ship. Among its known students are:

• Kyuji Obayashi (大林 九二, Ōbayashi Kyūji) (Voiced by: Ryota Takeuchi^[27]) is the alliance representative of the Kami-Kobe High School Armed Faction in the Kansai region.^{[ep 14]}.^[28]
• Kenta Sakuramiya (桜宮 健太, Sakuramiya Kenta) (Voiced by: Masaya Onosaka^[29] (Japanese); Lucien Dodge^[30] (English)) is the deputy armed faction alliance representative of the Kami-Kobe High School Armed Faction in the Kansai region.^{[ep 14][31]}

Abekamo Academy

Located in Kyoto, the Abekamo Academy (安部加茂学園, Abekamo Gakuen) is the target assigned to Nonon Jakuzure's party during the Tri-City Schools Raid Trip. The student council leaders of Abekamo Academy consist of four guardians:^[32]

• Taro Genbu (玄武 太郎) (Voiced by: Rintarō Nishi^[32]), Guardian Student of the North, dressed as the Black Tortoise.
• Jiro Suzaku (朱雀 二郎) (Voiced by: Kenjiro Tsuda^[32] (Japanese); Lucien Dodge^[30] (English)), Guardian Student of the South, dressed as the Vermilion Bird.
• Saburo Seiryu (青龍 三郎) (Voiced by: Hiromichi Ogami^[32]), Guardian Student of the East, dressed as the Blue Dragon.
• Shiro Byakko (白虎 四郎) (Voiced by: Go Shinomiya^[32]), Guardian Student of the West, dressed as the White Tiger.

Reception

Kill la Kill won multiple prizes during the 4th Newtype Anime Awards, including Best Character Design. In the Best Mascot category, Senketsu placed third and Guts placed ninth. In Best Female Character, Ryuko placed second, and Mako placed third. Aya Suzaki, who voiced Mako, placed fourth in Voice Actor Award (female), while Ami Koshimizu, who voiced Ryuko, placed seventh.^[33]

Notes

References

Kill la Kill anime

Other references

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cosplay of Kill la Kill.

• Official website