Character study on Kurama

 

By Venka Lefay

 

 

The character I like most is Kurama. He is one of the more mysterious characters of the series. Just when you think you got him figured out he shows a completely different side to him. He's caring to his friends and is a genius academically at least as far as Math and Science are concerned. (He is a Biology Major.) But at the same time he's ruthless and dangerous and would do anything to protect his loved ones. We know next to nothing about his Youko self other then what the series tells us. We never learn officially why he became a thief or his real motives for being one. It can be safe to assume that he never used the artifacts he stole for himself. Because he could have become lord of the Demon World along time ago if he wanted. I can imagine that if you strip away all the bravado you would find a lost and lonely child.

 

 

-The relationships Kurama has with other cast members

 

Yusuke:  Kurama and Yusuke are close. They first met when Kurama stole the Mirror Of Darkness from the Spirit World. Kurama trusted Yusuke to let him hear him out. Yusuke in turn believed him and risked his life to help Kurama. Kurama now owes Yusuke a debt of gratitude that he feels that he could never repay.

 

Hiei: Kurama and Hiei know each other through mutual backgrounds. But they officially met when Kurama was in grade school. Hiei had first attacked Kurama believing him to be a henchman of a demon named Yatsude. During the fight a wound Hiei had received previously reopened causing him to pass out. Kurama then carried him home and healed his wounds.  The two went their separate ways but Kurama quickly followed after Hiei upon learning that one of his class mates was in Yatsude's clutches. The two became partners from then on. Hiei doesn't always show it but he really respects Kurama as a friend as well as partner.

 

Kuwabara: Kuwabara and Kurama met when Kuwabara and Yusuke were sent to fight the Saint Beasts. Kuwabara at first was unsure about Kurama because he believed Kurama to be snobbish. But he grows to see Kurama as fellow team mate as well as friend. Kurama believes Kuwabara can do anything as long as he keeps his mind to it. He even helps train Kuwabara for the Dark Tournament. 

 

Botan: Kurama and Botan don’t interact often. But when they do they get along pretty well. Kurama does respect Botan for the job as assistant for the Spirit Detectives. He doesn’t treat her like a child like Yusuke and the others do because he believes she can hold her own if she has to.                 

Genkai: Kurama and Genkai don’t interact much. He respects her for her power and wisdom. He was the only one who obeyed when Genkai told Hiei and Kurama to watch the Toguro team’s semi-final battle. He was also the first person that figured it was Genkai who was behind Yusuke’s kidnapping.

 

Koenma: Kurama and Koenma don’t get along very well. Kurama tolerates Koenma because since Kurama was so cooperative he felt the former thief would make a better asset then threat. Kurama likes helping to protect the human world. But he doesn’t like being used as a weapon. At some points he even calls Koenma about with holding information about an enemy.

 

Keiko (Kayko): There is little to no interaction between these two. Kurama respects Keiko but he does find her naiveté about the other two worlds a little bothersome. Especially in dangerous situations.  He also doesn’t approve of the way Yusuke plays with her heart.

 

-Pairings

Yusuke /Kurama: This pairing could be possible since Yusuke is extremely protective of Kurama. And respects Kurama for his wisdom. Lots of the fics involving this pair are kind of Sappy. And can involve Kurama being assaulted in someway or another.

 

Hiei/ Kurama: This is one of the more popular pairings. People like this pairing because there are many moments where these two are together and also many pics of them in subjective poses. I know Kurama believes that Hiei doesn’t mean every word he says. And that may be true. But that doesn’t mean the barbs don’t have a sting. I can’t really imagine Kurama wanting to spend his life with someone who ridicules him everyday. 

 

Kuwabara/ Kurama: I think Kuwabara’s reaction to having to kiss Yusuke in episode five is proof enough to know that Kuwabara paired with anyone male wouldn’t work.

 

Karasu and Kurama: This relationship is one sided at best. Karasu only wants to dominate and brutalize Kurama. Kurama on the other hand doesn’t feel the same. Often this pairing involves non-consent.

 

Shiori and Kurama: This may be possible. Kurama does after all have an Oedipus complex. And Oedipus was known for killing his father and marrying his mother. When we meet Kurama he informs Yusuke his human father had died long ago. When and how are unknown but we can assume Kurama was rather young. Ever since then Kurama has been looking out for his mother and wanting her to be happy. When his mother remarried in season four he is happy for her but at the same time there is a little resentment towards his new step father because he does sort of feel replaced. 

 

Shizuru and Kurama: These two have nothing in common. The only thing they have in common is that their both the eldest members of the group save for Genkai and Koenma. But all the same Kurama has more ambition in life and Shizuru’s ambition in life is for her brother to not be like her.

 

Botan and Kurama: This is another popular pairing.  Though many people argue that it won’t work. I can believe given a lot of time it could work but at the same time these two are so opposite their polar. Botan likes to express her self and Kurama likes to keep to himself. So they can end up driving each other crazy by their personalities alone. At most they would just become an unofficial brother and sister and leave it at that.  

 

Yukina and Kurama:  This pairing I don’t think can really happen. Kurama hardly interacts with Yukina. He respects Hiei’s wish for her not to know her brothers identity. But at the same time he feels she does deserve to know who her brother is.

 

-Fashion

Kurama is hardly seen without ugly magenta private school uniform or his trade mark Chinese style fighting outfits. The rare time he is he is usually dressed in a way that is kind of preppy. He is fortunately the only person at his school who makes the school uniform even wearable.