.: Psyche of a rose :.

 

By Vermillion Fox Kurama

This is the first character analysis I write. However, I ain't a YYH expert, just seen some episodes and read some volumes of the manga.
My views towards Yaoi and Yuri are neutral, so I won't be biased to a certain extent. It doesn't really bother me, I just think is as right as the rest of the issues commented around. So my views towards it are neutral.


Kitsunes.
Before going into the character analysis, I consider its better to fully understand what a kitsune is. Everyone knows a Kitsune is a fox demon from the Japanese mythology. And that a nine tailed kitsune is the strongest form of them.
I have researched several sites about them and all come to a conclusion. There is a lot of legends written about them, and there is a long book called 'Kitsune: Japan's Fox of Mystery, Romance, and Humour' by Kiyoshi Nozaki which has more than 300 legends about them. And its the main source used by the site I consulted. Hence, I believe it’s reliable.
I got this

The third option was to possess a child or a fox, either very young, or unborn. This method was the least taxing on the kitsune, and resulted in a hybrid of the kitsune and the person/fox possessed. If possessing a child/fox, the full possession takes longer, but if pre-born, it's instant.

This is easily the least taxing of the methods for a kitsune to show up. This also, incidentally, gives a kitsune a long-term physical body.

The kitsune who uses this method has no extra tails visible, and has to eat, drink, sleep, breath, and suffer the full range of mortal life, all 900 years of it. They also bleed, and can possibly get sick. A kitsune using this method can transform into a fox-form/human-form, and with development, possibly other forms as well. As an additional note, a kitsune who has an avatar can not be simply banished or exorcized.

Considering this, I believe that’s the exact case of Youko and Shuuichi. In the beginning he couldn't transform, but then he gained the skill when becoming more powerful through the series. The inflection point would be the moment after the fight against Karasu. When he thought he had died, but his own ningen body becomed stronger, allowing him to survive. Its also evident Kurama has never been shown with tails, unless when he is in his Youko form, but he has only one. Perhaps the other eight are represented in his long argent hair.

It’s certain the book mentions kitsunes create an illusion to attract men as well as women, which gives the idea of bisexuality. Its explained, throughout the book, they do them for fun. Kitsunes are quite amoral, they don't distinguish between good and evil, they make their own decisions under their judgment. That can also explain why Youko was a thief. But if that is the way of showing himself amoral, why didn't he also show lustfulness and use his skill to attract others. However, its certain there are 13 types of kitsunes. Not all are the same. Perhaps, Youko only dedicated to theft, instead of seducing other youkai. However, there are parts in the anime where Kurama is confused with a girl. That could be a reminiscence of the kitsune illusion skill to look like a girl. And certainly, his long hair helps a lot to confuse him with one. Another detail noted, Kurama's red hair has a slight wave which portrays a fox tail.


Kitsune are emotional and very vengeful. Kitsune will lose their temper at the slightest provocation. Once someone has earned a kitsune's enmity, the kitsune will begin enacting revenge that can become quite extreme. On the other hand, those who have earned a kitsune's trust and loyalty will see a friendship that can last through many trials.

I also considered this paragraphs quite useful considering Kurama's attitude towards his friends and enemies. Its self explanatory throughout the anime.


In an advanced paragraph of the book, it also explains the weaknesses of the kitsunes.

A kitsune's emotions are a weapon against a kitsune. Sorrow or guilt can paralyze them, and in the most extreme, it can kill them.

I believe this is also evidenced in the series and specially the movie Bonds of Fire when Yakumo's aide takes the form of Kuronue taking advantage of his emotions to defeat him. And I also think those spirits knew this that is why he chose to use that technique against him. If we consider Yakumo's minion had the skill to read his mind, then he would have found the proper weakness. Which was certainly his emotions based in the memories of his deceased friend. That would also explain why Kurama is so sensible to certain things others are not. Knowing he has an emotional side, that would explain the use of roses. Which are also considered flowers with emotion. So, meshed the sensitive nature of the demon and the ningen heart nourished with Shiori's love and care, will clearly explain his change throughout the series.


Before the Ningenkai.

To start with, I'll go chronologically. The story of the fox demon does not start with the series. After watching the YYH movie Bonds of Fire, we get to know more of his thieving past. Plus, the latest episodes of the anime when he meets Yomi. Certainly, I can't say who went first. Kuronue or Yomi. That is an issue the anime never states, since Kironue is never mentioned. But I have a feeling Yomi was first. Basically, after watching the episodes showing the past of Youko, they picture a youkai thieving gang, all dressed up as Youko. Afterwards, Yomi goes on his own and Youko sends a demon to slay him/punish him. The creature slashes Yomi's eyes and he loses his sight. Blindness has always been a metaphorical issue. Since the blind can't see the world with their eyes, but the lack of that sense allows the other senses to develop further, so they can 'see' the world with a different optic, placing them in a higher knowledge plane of perception. Unable to see the world, they are unable to be deluded by what their eyes see. So Youko, in a certain way gave Yomi more power. I guess after that scene Yomi was left alone to wander on his own.

In the movie Bonds of Fire, Kuronue and Youko are showed to be alone. Like no other youkai forming their gang. Perhaps after Yomi's incident Youko started working alone due to the fact the others were like Yomi. Too imprudent. Hence, he only associated with few youkai that were at his level. That could have been Kuronue's case. But its all an assumption. Or it could have been the other way round. After Kuronue's death, Youko decided to join more youkai in a gang and he couldn't stand Yomi's attitudes since he couldn't find someone who was as good as Kuronue. But I stick to the idea that after Kuronue's death comes Youko's defeat. Both seemed to be very close friends, and when losing him everything went downhill for the silver kitsune. Besides, its also true Youko's is 1,000 years old. According to the kitsune myth, when a kitsune ages by a century, they gain an extra tail. So at 100 years they have one, at 200 years they have two, and at 900 years they're the infamous nine-tailed fox. At 1,000 the only thing that changes is their fur colour, normally silver or gold. The anime only gives off the impression Youko lost contact with Yomi 1,000 years ago and that he met Kuronue and was partnered with him not long before he was reincarnated into Shuichi.


In the Ningenkai.

After being mortally wounded by an unknown hunter, the fox demon flees to the ningenkai and takes over the body of an unborn child (as everyone knows). He fused with the soul of a ningen, but in those times, I guess the demonic nature was stronger than the ningen heart. So his plans were clear. He would regain strength and then return to the Makai. As time passed and due to a determinant fact, Kurama gets to learn the true love of ningens, when his mother saved him from a nasty fall. After that day, he changed and became the best son for a mother. Even he was ready to give his life for her, with the Mirror of darkness incident. Then, the same affection is reflected during the dark tournament in the first fight against Roto he was ready to lose for her, by becoming passive and not attacking until he was sure he could give the demon a death shot with the Shimaneki seeds. Afterwards, very little is known about his family in the ningenkai. Only that his mother married a man who became his step father and has a brother who respects him and admires him. At the same time, Kurama protects him. That can be clearly seen when Yomi threatens to slay his brother if he didn't accept his proposal. Its certain Kurama has never told his mother about his true demon nature, what happened to him in the past. He has lived always keeping that secret. I’m sure in the beginning, when he was not as imbued in the ningen love. He didn't care at all. But then it must have become very hard for him to live masking the truth. It seems his ningen family never got to know about his life as a demon.

That double identity has been a trouble along his life and has determined several things about it. (more analysis further)
In the very end of the series, in his fight against Shigure. Kurama is bound to decide the life he wants to take. Either as a demon or as a human. And he chooses to be a ningen and live in the ningenkai. Shigure offers him the chance to operate him to get rid of his ningen side, but he refuses utterly. Even in the moment of the fight, when Shigure was defeating him, his body shifted to Youko's, but only for a few minutes. He didn't want to be a demon again so regardless of the disadvantages being in a ningen body could bring, he rathers it. Note this, unlike the fight against Karasu in the Dark Tournament where he wanted to be Youko to defeat him. But after that fight, as he says at the very end. His ningen body has also become stronger. We can clearly see the evolution throughout the series. In other words, not only he has increased the strength of his ningen body, but also he now trusts his ningen body. So, we can see how he changes from a very demon to a demon with a ningen heart, to finally become a ningen and stop being a youkai. Yet, after defeating Shigure in the second Dark Tournament, Yomi approaches and helps Kurama to stand quoting "Kurama, you abandoned the Youko self." and the fox replies "I never abandon anything in this life, Yomi. Anything." So regardless how important the change seems he'll never totally abandon his Youko self.


Personality

Kurama is certainly wise and intelligent. Wise, because he has lived over 900 years and its clear in all those years experience is inevitable. Its certain he has learned a lot over those years. Intelligent, because he is a fox. Those vulpine animals are known to have a witty intellect and have a natural cunning skill. Both things combined are truly deadly.

Many have portrayed him as a vain character. But I think he is utterly humble about his beauty. On one hand, the vanity he has shown in the series in only regarding power. In the Dark Tournament after the fight against Ura Urashima, and his transformation back to his demon form, Kurama shows a bit of vanity when they are deciding who would take the next fight. He tells Hiei and Kuwabara he wants to take the fight against Shishi, but all of them want to fight against him. So, they decide it with the traditional game Rock, Scissors, paper. In that same scene, Hiei tells Kurama vanity is a dangerous thing. But that only regarded power, nothing related to beauty as many think. Also in the scene when he met Karasu and Bui in the corridor, the raven demon points out Kurama doesn't take care of his hair. I think Kurama doesn't care for his appearance. Nor he is vain when the ningen girls at school speak out loud how little he cares about having the highest marks in the exams. Kurama shows himself relaxed and uninterested about it. Like he is praised, but he doesn't respond to it in an egotistical way. When dressing as a ningen civilian, his clothes are quite tasteless. I mean, he wears suspenders. That’s totally.. out of fashion. In my opinion I'd take that as a symbol of he could care less of being attractive and wearing fashionable clothes. Certainly, he is not a pretty boy. Even if lots of fangirls like him, at school and in the Makai (note the Makai tournament when the girls from the audience cry out so they don't kill Kurama in a fight ). He certainly doesn't care for fangirls. Many have taken this as a homosexuality symbol (but that is to be analyzed afterwards).

Even if Kurama is a teenager (his ningen body has around 15 years old when the series started), he does not act like one. He avoids the arcade and spends his time reading. Also the fact he speaks with a sophisticated language. Basically, that can be considered because he is an ancient spirit inside a young body. Hence, his mind is the one of an adult. That also implies he behaves different from the other teenagers. While all are in their very top of his rash to get girlfriends and such, he shows serene and calm. Again, he behaves like a calm adult surrounded by kids. That can also be a reason why he is a loner and relates between with youkai than ningens of his age.


Techniques and Skills

As everyone knows, his skills are related to biochemical alteration and complementation of plants. The manipulation of plant's organisms, modifying their form, density and size. Most techniques are based on growing a plant from the Makai compressed in seeds. It’s not necessary to repeat the list of techniques. But I believe behind each one there is an aspect to consider. First of all, its important to note the fat Kurama always studies his opponent before he starts fighting seriously. In every fight, you'll be able to see there’s a lapses where he allows his opponent to show his skill, to know him and understand him. Once he has figured out how his enemy works, he schemes a strategy to defeat him. This also shows his foxy nature. ( This tactic has been used in several fights throughout the series. )

I believe the techniques when he uses roses such as the Rose Whip (in all forms) and the Fuuka enbu jin represent an elegant side. Roses have always been plants representing love and passion. But in any moment of the anime he is shown with this characteristics. Perhaps he uses them to represent the affection he cannot show due to his double life as a human and demon.

The plants he summons when he is in his Youko form, are evidently far vicious and scary compared to the ones he uses when he is in his ningen form. Pristine it is, Youko cruel and arrogant, delights to induce fear in his opponent by using the monstrous plants (like in the fight against Ura Urashima) Further in the series, Kurama uses an ominous plant known as the Janen-Ju or Sinning tree, as you like the most. This shows a cruel side of him. Its a tree capable of bringing forlorn horror and fear until the moment of death (if the victim can die of course). Kurama shows this merciless side of him after being forced to slay the Game Master. Certainly, when defeating the kid, he knew the boy was bound to die due to his own territory. But Kurama chose the less evil possible. It was one death against the world's disaster. That was why he chose to defeat him and clear the way to go after Sensui. Though, he felt truly guilty and appalled for it. He had to renounce to mercy so as to go ahead and defeat the Game Master. Those feelings helped him to summon the vicious Sinning tree.

The last technique he uses in the anime series, does not have a name, but its related to the sakura trees. In the tournament fight against Shigure, the rumbles took place in a sort of huge petrified trees. After a deep confusion and the crucial decision to choose a ningan life over a demon one, Kurama uses his youki to revive the tree where they were fighting. Sakura petals swirled in the scene when Shigure is defeated. Also, the fight shows some flashbacks of Kurama's past as a kid with his ningen mother.
After researching on the web about the meaning sakura flowers have for the Japanese culture (besides being the national flower).

 

Cherry blossoms are the flowers most beloved by the Japanese. Because cherry blossoms have short blooming times and are fragile, they have been used to symbolize the transience of life; this symbolism meshed well with the teachings of Buddhism. Also, since cherry trees blossom en masse, they have also been used as metaphors for clouds. Fallen blossoms, not to be ignored, are likened to snow and later, as a metaphor for a warrior killed early in life.

I believe the most significant meaning of the cherry blossom tree (AKA Sakura) is the transcendence in life. Certainly, in the fight against Shigure, where the sakura petals are shown and the tree is revived, it means the trascendace of the character through his life. Kurama, in that fight changes, he decides to become a ningen and fully adopt his life, forfeiting his life as a demon to a certain extent of course. Thats how I see the changes of the character through the series. Certainly it is, that the change may not appear as drastical as Hiei's personality evolution. It does happen but in a swifter way.

However, he only changes to his Youko form vrey few times in the series. First when he fought against Ura Urashima, then when fighting Karasu. The time his body changes but his personality doesn't is when Yusuke is slain by Sensui. The three of them, Kuwabara, Hiei and Kurama show themselves appalled and furious due to their friend's death. In that moment Kurama looks like the silver kitsune, but while they were traveling through the pseudo-space, Kuwabara asks him if he was Youko, and Kurama replies only his appearance has changed. So in a way its showing there are two personalities? Maybe one is totally a demon while the other has ningen remnant, making him kind and compassionate (to a certain extent of course). Then he turns into the fox form another time when he fights one of Yomi's generals, the second stronger following Yomi (can't remember his name). And the last time he shifts is during the fight against Shigure. But unlike before, he willingly returns to his ningen form so as to end the fight.

Friends/Allies

After knowing the nature of the kitsune, and the love that has been taought to him by his ningen mother. It’s clear how honorable he is towards his friends. However, it not easy to win a demon's trust. In the manga there is a quote which clearly explains it. He says something like "To win a demon's trust, you have to trust him first". And thats what Yusuke did by giving him the Mirror of darkness, trusting Kurama would return it in three days. Basically that time was needed until there was a fullmoon for the mirror to work. Yusuke trusted him and so he got Kurama's trust in return.


Red roses.
Red roses symbolize romance, beauty, respect, courage, passionate love and unity and are the most popular of all roses. If we consider the way they are used as weapons, I believe they'd represent beauty, respect and courage. And maybe at the same time, they express the feelings Kurama is forced to hide due to his double existence. In the One Shot story, Kurama never uses a rose to fight. So it can be really possible the fact the rose represent the feelings he cannot express. In the One Shot episode, he uses a sort of blade made out from a vine, which is weird, since everyone knows Kurama's main weapon is the rose whip, so not using it in those times meant he was free to show his feelings, as he did towards Maya, but was bound to abandon it so as to protect Maya. In other words, the rose would represent what he doesn't permit himself to feel. That is why, I believe the red roses hold that meaning. There is something special to consider about roses. As everyone knows, every rose has thorns in the stem, I can see this as cruelty hues and evidence in the fox's personality. That cruelty shown during the fight. They can also represent his demonic side, always craving to kill. Hence, the rose could be a summary of the character, in very wide and general terms. I believe the author didn't choose roses without a purpose, ne?


The controversial love.

Certainly, this is the most controverted topic of the essay. In the internet, fanfics and fanart there are countless pieces showing him as a gay couple with different characters. The most famous is with the half Koorime Hiei. There are quite solid arguments to defend this idea. First of all it’s true that Kurama never shows interest for girls (in the anime) neither he worked with women when he was in the Makai as Youko. And also considering the myth of kitsunes about deluding men and women, makes them bisexual. Its also true Hiei was the first demon Kurama found in the ningenkai. And they became close friends. Very true it is that there are plenty of YYH original pictures of Kurama and Hiei, and the fox touching Hiei's face both seeming very comfortable. Its also true, in several parts of the anime both, Hiei and Kurama are gone and no one knows to where. Those, between others are the strongest and more solid arguments to evidence both are a gay couple. Or at least that Kurama is bisexual. However, in the manga there is a section in the 7th volume dedicated to Kurama's past when he was a preteen. He did love a girl named Maya, but their small relationship ended before it could truly develop, due to the fact Kurama feared for Maya's safety after some unfortunate incidents. Knowing it was too dangerous for her, he decides to erase her memory with a special pollen from a plant.

I believe that has been a hard incident for Kurama, and thats why he decided to hide his feelings. Not only for the fact Shiori could nevr know he was a youkai, but also because everyone related to him would be in danger. Like it happened to his brother and the threat Roto made about his mother. I believe Kurama has his glacial attitude towards love and girls because he fears all go through the same experience Maya went. In other words, he protects the ones he really cares, so instead of risking them, he rathers keep his relationship bonds to a very few ningens and some powerful youkai. The nature of the kitsune, as posted before is very loyal and protective. Hence, tends to be like that, following his nature.

According to the legend, the unborn child possessed by a kitsune spirit, which is Youko's and Shuuichi's case, ends up being a hybrid. Perhaps that means he has tendencies to be asexual. Meaning he likes none. And followed by the fact he is bound to bring distress to the ones he loves due to his youkai life, he can easily end up preventing himself from liking none. The important thing about Maya and his mother are that both femenine figures helped him to become friendly towards ningens. So, I don't see why he should despise women (unlike Hiei's case, but that’s another story for a Hiei expert*, not me). Also by analyzing the image songs, you can clearly see how they show the evolution through the story. But the glacial mask upon his feelings is over there. Even in one of the songs it mentions the 'Frozen lake of my heart'. Which shows how emotions are forged to be frigid and hidden. But then in the same song, ends up explaining the love for his friends. It always mentions his friends instead of a girl or a man.

Because of all the facts listed before, I’m bound to believe Kurama has chosen to be asexual because he is forced to hide his emotions. Many would say that this argument can only be used towards ningens. Since they are the ones defenseless. But youkai are another story. To explain why I believe the asexuality is total (not only towards ningens) is quite simple. The anime has several homosexual references, such as Miyuki (a crossdresser), Suzuki ( evidently sissy), the imaginary kiss of Yusuke and Kuwabara when Yusuke needed someone to kiss him to revive and the anime shows their lips censored, the gay couple Itsuki and Sensui form, also the declared statement Karasu makes towards Kurama. In other words, if the author had wanted to show Kurama as a gay demon he would have freely done it. Since there were no restrictions to show homosexuality in the show.

Another fact that is important to consider for this controversial love issue is the Eizou Hakusho, which is a special video with several music videos showing the characters. Not many have heard of it, but it has introductory videos to every character. In Kurama's video, nothing special is shown about Hiei or any other character that can be paired with Kurama. All are shown in equal importance. There is no special moment for Hiei. And in Hiei's clip, there is nothing shown about Kurama. Only Yukina and Mukuro are marked as important. Finally, the scene of the episode before the ending of the series. Kurama returns to the ningenkai after the tournament, and found himself with Hiei, who gives him a hiroseki jewel. Kurama explains he won't accept a gift from Hiei in such a way. And in other translation I saw (Spanish one) Kurama says 'I’m not one of those..' Like saying he is not gay. Hiei sweatdrops and explains it’s for Yukina. That could have been such a clear scene to show their yaoi relationship.

To conclude with, many have said the YYH author stated there is nothing beyond friendship between Hiei and Kurama. But others have said this isn't real and that he only said he'd leave this issue open to fans. I personally believe the yaoi supporters argument is more evident. Since if the author leaves it to the audience, he can have both, yaoi and non yaoi fans, hence, more $. Plain and simple.

I’m not sure when or how, but the YYH author publicly stated he didn't intend both characters to be a homosexual couple, but he'd leave it up to the audience to decide. This interview took place after the manga, anime and movies were finished, so its certain he left no hints, just as he said, he didn't try to make them a couple. However, after all the pictures published afterwards, which may resemble some hints are bound to the increasing yaoi fandom. They aren't totally gay, but they aren't tonally straight in the images used for calendars and other original pictures. Hence, I believe role-playing gay the character is OOC since in the series those attitudes and feelings doesn't exist and weren't meant to exist. But fans are free to involve their characters in all the relationships they want. Just as the author said. But if you care to role-play and truly show you can portray Kurama in a believable way, homosexuality isn't the way. Yet, not many care to be IC.


About rping Kurama

Many people like to role-play Kurama. However, some are a mess. Literally, appalling and pathetic. I feel the character is being insulted. But no one can stop them.
I believe that to role-play Kurama in a believable way, the player has to think his/her posts. Basically because Kurama won't use informal language, and his phrases must have a witty meaning. Word games are very useful when role-playing as him. Also you have to show yourself intelligent in the story. Realize about things the other players hadn't noticed. The one, who plays Kurama, has to try to go beyond the written and when fighting find the enemies plans before they succeed. Certainly, it quite hard.
Personally, I don’t like to role-play Kurama in role-plays which are meant to be fun. Because going funny would only make him OOC, because he is certainly a boring character in some aspects. When everyone goes doing funny things and laughing, Kurama is bound to remain serious and mildly sweat drop and make a witty comment. I find no fun in that. The serious role-plays filled with drama and fights are the best to show your thinking skills and idiomatic mastery to create linguistically webs upon your enemy and your allies to achieve what you want. Certainly, if you like to think and challenge your own self, playing Kurama in these genre is utterly amusing.



More to add:
- Relationship with other characters (Hiei, Yusuke, Kuwabara, Botan)
- Fix the spot about character development
- More Eizou Hakusho analysis
- Song lyrics.