Yamato Hotsuin

Yamato Hotsuin is a character from Devil Survivor 2.
== Appearances ==
*Devil Survivor 2 / Record Breaker: Major Character
**Devil Survivor 2 - Show Your Free Will 
**Devil Survivor 2 The Animation : Major Character
**Devil Survivor 2 The Animation: Cetus's Prequel: Protagonist
**Devil Survivor 2 The Animation (Manga) 
==Design==
Yamato is a young man who has messy, straight, silver hair and purple eyes with his bangs hanging over his right eye. He wears a JP's standard director uniform that consisted of white gloves, black heavy trench coat, black baggy trousers, and black leather boots.
In the anime, at the end of the last episode, he has a small scar on his cheek close to his mouth that he received from Hibiki in the last day before time was reset. In the manga epilogue, he wears normal black heavy trench coat instead of JP's uniform and he doesn't wear gloves.
In Record Breaker, Yamato sometimes takes off his JP's trench coat, showing his dark grey collar shirt with black tie.
==Personality==
Yamato has a calm composure when making decisions and deciding on actions while fighting the mysterious invaders. He has great leadership abilities, is smart, decisive and effective, but lacks common sense about "unnecessary" things that his parental figures never taught him about. He is also very unyielding in his views and unlike his opposite Ronaldo, who at least acknowledges the merits of Yamato's ways, refuses to give any thoughts to any views that opposes his. He can say cruel things and make harsh decisions without feeling remorse because he has no concept of compassion taught to him. Due to his upbringing, he judges the worth of an individual based on their capabilities and the results that they can achieve, rather than on their money or connections. He thus believes that the most capable individuals should lead the world. This is reflected in how he organizes the JPs, giving a large degree of freedom and authority to the members that have proven themselves. He has pride in his family name and cannot accept the current state of the world as he views it as being unworthy of his family's protection.
Because of his desire to create a meritocracy world, some of the other members interpret this as a Darwinian world where the strong would bully the weak or in Ronaldo's case, believing Yamato to be a true evil being. He is shown to be absolutely dedicated to this view and is willing to kill or sacrifice anyone that he does not deem worthy or a useful pawn or opposing him. He will also not be swayed to join the protagonist when he is beaten in the Anguished One's path or Ronaldo's path, choosing death rather than letting go of his ideal. 
Despite his cruelty, Yamato is not actually evil. He truly wishes what he believes to be the best for the world. Even in his own ideally created meritocracy, he never had any intention to rule the world himself and would be willing to cede to someone else as long as they are worthy. He can be convinced to join in the Daichi's Liberator and Restorer paths, provided the protagonist has developed enough of a bond with Yamato to convince him that his way has a chance. Even if their bond didn't develop enough, Yamato still accepts his defeat in stride and stays true to his promise to back down from the contest. If Yamato is convinced to join the protagonist, Yamato seems to have shown some change on his view towards the society, trying to understand the civilians and see a flaw in his ideal before fighting Polaris. In his route, Makoto has also commented that Yamato has changed for the better ever since he met the protagonist, the first person he ever considered his equal and friend.
Yamato's change is made apparent in Triangulum Arc where Yamato now has completely trusts not only the protagonist, but also the rest of his comrades. He no longer sees them as pawns and shows concern for them in his own way, as shown when he stayed by Daichi's side during the latter's last moment after the fight against Arcturus in the second world. At one point, Daichi was even able to have a small talk with Yamato, though Yamato's lack of normal social skill and ignorance of civilian life makes him misunderstand Daichi's intention to show his appreciation, which eventually leaves the protagonist to explain everything. Through watching the development of his comrades, he is finally able to believe that humans are capable of changing no matter what kind of people they are, letting go of his previous meritocracy view.
In the anime, Yamato is much more reserved and colder. He also has no qualms in recruiting civilians whereas his game counterpart looks down on them. Similarly to his game counterpart, growing up surrounded by greedy people who did nothing to make the world better, Yamato believed that the world was completely corrupted and already beyond saving. He is so dedicated to his goal in creating a meritocracy society to the point of believing it was the reason why he was born and chose to die preserving his goal rather than disregarding it. Beneath his cruel exterior, it was implied that Yamato was a lonely soul who tried too hard to shoulder the burden of the entire world all by himself. As opposed to how his game counterpart, his relationship with the protagonist, Hibiki, is far from friendly due to their contradicting views. However, Hibiki's steadfast determination and efforts to reach an understanding slowly broke through Yamato's shell, and Yamato began to accept what Hibiki taught him.
==Profile==
He is the director of JP's and leads the attacks against the Septentriones. Yamato's family created JP's and have led it for generations to protect Japan. It is revealed that his status as part of the Hotsuin family has deprived Yamato of a regular childhood and he has little knowledge about civilians. He didn't attend school and has already learned college level education ever since he was a child by various personal tutors and let the experts to handle everything else.
Some times before the beginning of the story, Yamato approached the Anguished One and seek his advice. From the Anguished One, he learned about the upcoming trial by Polaris and those who survived her trial would be granted a wish to recreate the world to their liking. Yamato then secretly decided to use Polaris' power to recreate the world following merit system and began preparations for the upcoming Septentriones invasion.
He also admitted to have killed a detective, later revealed to be Airi's father and Ronaldo's senior, who snooped on JP's. Unbeknownst to him and anyone else, the detective actually managed to fake his death and went into hiding.
===Devil Survivor 2 / Record Breaker===
==== Septentrione Arc ====
===== 1st Day Sunday's Melancholy =====
Yamato is introduced to the group by Makoto in JP's headquarters as guests brought in for interrogation (which was a lie made by Makoto as an excuse to provide first aid for Io). He is seen shortly after talking to Makoto about isolating the group into cells, out of suspicion of irresponsible use of the Demon Summoning App.
Later, he appears with Makoto and several other JP's members to aid the group after the battle with Dubhe, announcing all suspicions have been cleared, and that he will provide them with shelter for the night.
===== 2nd Day Monday's Turmoil =====
Yamato invites the protagonist and the others to come with him to Osaka where they may be able to get some information regarding the disaster. At Osaka, he later shows them the result of the disaster at several different places, which shocked Daichi, Io and Joe.
===== 5th Day Thursday's Shock =====
Yamato is first seen staring at a tower, and explains to the protagonist their purpose. Shortly after, a strange bulb-shaped object falls from the sky and explodes, creating a small toxic area which kills the JP's members who accompanied Yamato. Several more objects falls from the sky, and the group is tasked with the job of protecting Yamato while he scans the toxic areas. After finishing his work, Yamato discovers that the strange objects came from Alioth, and orders that the tower should be temporarily shut down. Shortly after Alioth passes the tower, he assigns the protagonist with the task of finding a way to shoot down Alioth. After successfully capturing Kama, he takes Kama to Sapporo and threatens him to shoot Shiva and then floats him near Alioth's core as Shiva unleashes Pasupata. After defeating Alioth, he reveals to all summoners of his goal to create a world based from merit system, and gives them some times to think through whether joining him or not.
===== 6th Day Friday's Partings =====
Yamato invites the protagonist to join his cause and become his right-hand man.
After the protagonist encounters Mizar, the protagonist offers an idea to use the Dragon Stream as countermeasure against Mizar by using the magic circle beneath the government building. Yamato warns him that using the Dragon Stream would require the stakes at the three remaining cities to be removed and thus, leaving the cities without barriers that protected them from the Void. Without any option left, they decided to use the Dragon Stream to defeat Mizar. While the party prepares to summon Lugh with Io as the medium, Yamato activates the magic circle, giving the Dragon Stream a form that swallows Mizar.
After defeating Mizar, the summoners are once again arguing about the fate of the world after Polaris is defeated. Since they don't have any much times left with the barriers destroyed, Yamato resolves that he will lead his team starting today, which agreed by Makoto, Fumi and Keita. Ronaldo interrupts and reveals his plan to create a world of equality, which agreed by Airi, Joe and Otome, while Daichi, Hinako, Jungo, and Io prefers a way with all of them able to work together since both Yamato's and Ronaldo's goals are way too extreme. The three factions decided that the ones who are losing must back down and whether to join the winning team or not it depends on the individual.
===== 7th Day A Saturday Towards Hierarchy =====
If the player sides with Yamato, he is joined by Fumi, Keita, and Makoto (if both survive from their death clip), and together they set out to help achieve his dream of a merit system.
On Daichi's route, Yamato is fought alone at the Tsuutenkaku, where he soon reveals that he can channel the Dragon Stream to allow him to act twice during a skirmish and increase the rate at which he earns his turn. After he is defeated, the player can persuade him to join the party and then he officially disbanded the JP's. If the player persuade him first before Ronaldo, he will talk with Ronaldo along with the protagonist and make him understand that his way won't bring the peace he wished for.
On Ronaldo's route after the player defeats him, the Tsuutenkaku tower begins to collapse due to Yamato's overuse of the Dragon Stream. He calls forth a powerful blast that knocks away the protagonist's party in time, saving them, but is crushed and killed by the falling rubble. However, Yamato is content since he cannot fulfil his goal and tells the protagonist and Ronaldo that he will watching over the world they will create.
===== Last Day Sunday's Fruition =====
On Angushed One's route, Yamato will be fought in the terminal, stopping them from encountering Polaris. After he is defeated, he reveals the Anguished One's true nature as Alcor, the last Septentrione and tries to convince the protagonist he is merely deceiving him. However, seeing the protagonist still regards the Anguished One as his comrade, Yamato uses the last bit of his power as his last resort, but this effort ultimately failed by the Anguished One. Refusing to give up his ideal, Yamato jumps down from the terminal to his death.
On the Triumphant ending, Yamato is coming out of the Diet Building alongside Makoto to enter a large limo with JP's in view. It can be speculated that in this ending, JP's is now bigger and more popular than before.
On Yamato's route, after defeating Polaris, a meritocracy is created according to his ideals. Polaris warns that over time, as the characters themselves grow old, they will eventually lose their strength and be eliminated within that society. In the new world, demons still run rampant with the Demon Summoning App still functional, and the weak are discriminated against unless they strive to prove their worth. Meanwhile, those who have produced good results, regardless of age, gender or other circumstances, are given due credit and respect.
:Polaris' power reformed man's consciousness and a new world order dawned.
:All disparities arising from wealth and breeding were eliminated...
:Only one's performance as an individual proves one's worth as a member of society.
:Power... Knowledge... Reason...
:Those who survived live by marshaling their talents to the fullest.
:And of course... Yamato and his retinue continue to reign supreme above all.
After the credits, the protagonist's phone receives a message from Nicaea:
:You now have a new order.
:Let's survive.
The player receives the Meritorious title for reaching this ending.
====Triangulum Arc====
In the world created after the Purge of Polaris, new invaders appear. Yamato disappeared, his whereabouts unknown. Instead of him, Makoto and Otome reveal that JP's is led by Miyako Hotsuin as the bureau chief. Miyako also claims that neither she nor the people of the Hotsuin household ever heard of his name. When Miyako looks into it, she can't find Yamato's name in the Hotsuin family's history record. Everyone ponders at the possibility that either the world might change into a world where Yamato doesn't exist or Yamato exists but not as part of the Hotsuin family.
===== Wednesday =====
Yamato appears in the party's dream except the protagonist, where he approaches the dying Daichi while everyone else is dead after the fight against Arcturus. Daichi dies soon after telling Yamato he might be able to save the world, but Yamato turns out to be also severely injured. Seeing everyone but him died and the world already destroyed, Yamato refuses to accept this kind of ending. The Anguished One then appears, offering Yamato a chance, which he accepted. The "dream" ends there when they awaken.
===== Thursday =====
Yamato appears again in the party's dream. This time, Yamato is discussing the Triangulum with the party except the protagonist. He explains that the Triangulum is different from the Septentriones; they attack to destroy the world instead of testing mankind. When talking about the protagonist, the dream started to fade, and the party was only able to hear about the protagonist disappearing.
When the party successfully awaken Saiduq, the latter reveals that after the battle against Arcturus in the second world, Yamato is taken to the Akasha Stratum, alive. Since the Dragon Stream can only be handled with another Dragon Stream, the party concludes that Yamato is needed to free Saiduq from the machine created by Miyako, but doesn't know how to get to the Akasha Stratum.
While fighting Arcturus, the whole party finally remembers that they have fought against Arcturus before in the second world. Daichi recalls that before he died, Yamato and Saiduq survived with Arcturus nowhere to be seen, which means that somehow Yamato and Saiduq were able to defeat Arcturus. Convinced that both Yamato and Saiduq are needed to defeat Arcturus, the party searches for a way to go to the Akasha Stratum and meet Yamato.
After several searchings, Fumi finally found a way to Akasha Stratum: using the Terminal inside Sky Tower. While thinking for a plan to infiltrate the Sky Tower, the party received Yamato's death clip that shows him being killed by invaders in Akasha Stratum. At the Akasha Stratum, Yamato was having a hard time against the invaders and is cornered until the party arrives. Defeating the invaders, Yamato reveals that all this time, he's been salvaging the protagonist's data to prevent it from disappearing by using the Astrolabe since the Triangulum keeps attacking his data, which explains the protagonist's absence in the second world and fading body in the present. If he leaves the Akasha Stratum, the protagonists' data will deteriorate again until he ceases from existence completely and will never be able to be revived again even if the world is regressed.
Furthermore, humans cannot control the Astrolabe but Yamato's Dragon Stream power enables him to control it, meaning that Yamato is the only one able to control the Astrolabe. Since Yamato is crucial to defeat Arcturus and save Al Saiduq, the protagonist persuades him to leave by convincing that they defeat Arcturus first before he disappear. Relented, he leaves with the others and tells them that they need a demon, Shiki Ouji as countermeasure against Arcturus' special skills. Releasing Shiki Ouji's seal and made contract with it, the party goes to confront Arcturus.
Unfortunately, Yamato's weakened Dragon Stream power can't do much against Arcturus even with Shiki Ouji's power until Miyako assists him by binding Arcturus' movement and shares her Dragon Stream power to Yamato, effectively damaging Arcturus. Before Yamato can finish it off, Miyako interferes and imprisons Arcturus like she does with Denebola and Spica. She introduces herself to Yamato whom she refers as "Brother", but Yamato responds that he doesn't have a sister and questions her identity, but Miyako only tells them to wait until she contact them.
Back at JP's Nagoya base, Yamato informs the whole party that even though they have defeated the Triangulum, the Void does not stop, though at the very least the protagonist's data is saved. Not only that, he feels that his control over the Dragon Stream is weaker than Miyako, and intend to investigate a way to restore his power like in the previous worlds. Miyako contacts them and reveals that her plan is to sacrifice them including herself so that Saiduq can become the true administrator. She gives them a whole night to think of her plan.
===== Friday =====
If the protagonist chooses to agree with Miyako's plan, Yamato personally disagrees with him, but still follows the plan out of respect for the former and is sacrificed along with the others, reaching a bad ending.
If the protagonist refuses, they will prepare to fight against Miyako. Yamato's first preparation involves restoring his power over the Dragon Stream so that he can be a match for Miyako. After conducting the proper ritual at Mt. Fuji, Yamato regains his full power, and the party prepares to confront Miyako at 12:00 and rescue Daichi and Saiduq whom she holds captive. During the fight, the player has a choice of either engaging Miyako head-on, or guiding Yamato to the control panel of the Administrator device which will free Saiduq and end the battle.
After defeating Miyako and convinced her to join them, the player can choose to discuss with Yamato about a way to defeat Canopus and what to do with the world afterwards. While talking with Miyako, he finally comes up with a solution - to use the party's collective Administrator's Authority to create a new world separated from Akashic Record and the Administrator system. While this may result in a primordial world with mankind having to start from scratch, an alternative is devised where the Administrator's Authority can be spread across the collective will of the entire human race, forming the basis of the new world. Experiencing these events, along with maxing out Saiduq's and Miyako's Fates in the Triangulum Arc, will unlock the Record Breaker ending.
While thinking for a way to defeat Canopus, Shard of Canopus appear, attacking civilians and the protagonist. When Yamato arrives at the scene, he is immediately attacked, prompting Miyako to defend him. The moment the two are near each other, their Dragon Stream powers react, causing the Shards of Canopus to seize up, allowing the party to permanently kill them. Fumi surmises that this happened because of Yamato and Miyako existing together - Miyako was supposed to be Yamato's replacement and should not continue to exist now that Yamato has returned. This caused an irregularity that cannot be comprehended by the system, thus allowing both of them to destroy the invaders. With knowledge of this, and the potential ability to Skill Crack Canopus' Factors to use against it, the party is left with what to do once Canopus is defeated.
Sharing the solutions they able to come up with, they eventually decide to leave their fate to the protagonist.
===== Saturday =====
In the Endless Battle Ending, Yamato follows the protagonist's choice to reset the world back and continue fighting against the other invaders until every single one of them is destroyed.
In the Guardian Ending, Yamato follows the protagonist's choice to make one of them an Administrator. Saiduq, Miyako, and the protagonist tells them that they will decide who the one will be the Administrator after Canopus is defeated, but Yamato sees through their lies and knows that the protagonist intends to become the Administrator himself, but doesn't object with his decision since it's the path he chooses. After defeating Canopus, he joins the Saiduq and Miyako as the Administrator device is being prepared, promising that he will guide the new world to the best of his ability. When Daichi arrives, Yamato holds him back, telling him that the protagonist made the choice himself. He then watches along with Miyako and Daichi as the protagonist becomes the administrator with Saiduq as his Sword.
In Break Record/Record Breaker Ending, the protagonist follows Yamato's solution to create a new world separate from Akashic Record. Before creating the new world, Yamato acknowledges Miyako as both the head of Hotsuin household and a human being as well as telling Saiduq, whom he finally refers with the name for the first time that there's no need for him to worry any longer and leave everything to them. In the new world, he is seen still working with Makoto, though no longer as JP's bureau chief, and ready to travel the world. Both of them then are picked by Ronaldo and goes to a beach where they are gathering with the rest of their friends, including Miyako and Saiduq who are now reborn as humans.
===Devil Survivor 2 The Animation===
====History====
Twelve years before the start of the main storyline, Yamato studied college level material, living a life sheltered from outside world, specifically civilians. One day, he was able to easily summon Cerberus on his first try and tamed him, though this killed several people who accompanied him in the process, making him comment that they are incompetent. Sometimes after, he is visited by Alcor, who refers to him as the Shining One and played chess with him. Even though he lost, he refused to admit defeat and asked for a rematch. During these times, due to this upbringing, he already had the mindset that the weak are incompetent and worthless, and only the strong ones are necessary in the world.
Three years before the storyline, he succeeded on becoming JP's leader and talked with Alcor for the last time before the Purge of Polaris. He tells him that he will create his ideal world where the strong ones would guide the others, believing it would be a splendid world and he will carry out the fate of humanity. Alcor reminded him that Polaris' purge is merciless, which Yamato confidently replies that he will survive till the end. Accepting his answer despite his disappointment, Alcor bid Yamato farewell as he says that he wished he'd been the Shining One. A year afterwards, he somehow found Makoto, seeing her potential and recruited her into JP's, who later becoming his right-hand woman. During the year, Ronaldo, who was also recruited, found Hotsuin family's secret and Yamato's goal, refused to follow Yamato, leading Yamato tried to kill him since he deemed Ronaldo useless if he refused to obey, but Ronaldo able to escape.
====1st Day Sunday's Melancholy====
Yamato is first seen observing Hibiki, Daichi and Io, fighting against Dubhe. After Hibiki defeated Dubhe with Byakko, Yamato ordered for them to be taken into custody. At JP's base under the Diet Building, he personally explains to Hibiki that there's no summoner as powerful as him in the Tokyo branch of the JP's and reveals that he already knew that the disaster would happen, angering Hibiki since he made no attempt to evacuate the civilians in the vicinity. Without denying Hibiki's accusation, he explains further that the enemy he had defeated is much weaker than the other six remaining enemies left. He then reveals the enemies' identity as Septentriones and commands Hibiki to obey him before he left when Makoto asked for his cooperation.
====2nd Day Monday's Turmoil====
Yamato gives Hibiki, Daichi, and Io, who had decided to join the JP's, their first order of finding and rescuing their missing head scientist, Fumi Kanno in Osaka. Shortly after, Alcor visits him, questioning why Yamato didn't keep Hibiki by his side, to which Yamato simply replies that Hibiki would not die very easily. Realizing that Yamato has high hope for Hibiki, Alcor states that he would hope for the new Shining One, before disappearing.
During a hacker attack, during which the magical defenses over Osaka were slowly broken, Yamato gives orders to use the prototype Almadel virus to briefly impede the demons summoned by the hacker (who happens to be Fumi Kanno herself). Unfortunately, despite their efforts, the barrier that protected Osaka was destroyed. As a result, the second Septentrione, Merak, appears to destroy Tsuutenkaku. Yamato orders Hibiki and Io to stand by while other JP's personnel and Hinako gather information about Merak, acting as human shields. Disgusted by Yamato's methods, Hibiki defied his order and reunited with Hinako. With Hibiki gone, Yamato orders Io to carry out his shirked task. After Hibiki finally defeats Merak, Yamato briefly applauds Hibiki's power and victory before receiving intel that JP's base in Nagoya has been taken over.
====3rd Day Tuesday's Disquiet====
Yamato continues observing as his subordinates inform him the condition of Nagoya and Hibiki's current whereabouts. With the communication in Nagoya all cut off, including Hibiki's once he entered the center, he concludes that Hibiki was kidnapped. After ordering Makoto to rest, he later picks his cellphone that has been connected to Nicaea and reminisces his past. Alcor once again and is told by Yamato that the world that Alcor desires has and will never exist, stating that strength is the only thing able to change the world. Alcor comments that Yamato's ideals have never changed, to which Yamato spitefully agrees vice-versa. Before disappearing, Alcor questions Yamato's confidence in Hibiki's power and victory. At this point Yamato, much to his surprise, receives Hibiki's death clip. However, when he turns to face Alcor, he finds that he had already disappeared.
At JP's Nagoya branch, before Phecda could kill Hibiki, Yamato appears and empowers Cerberus to defeat Phecda, saving him. Upon being questioned by Hibiki about his power, Yamato simply replies that he makes sacrifices to protect exceptional pawns such as Hibiki to fight for him and save the world. Yamato also mocks Ronaldo for his egalitarian stance and underestimation of the power of the Septentrione. At this point, Ronaldo reveals Yamato's goal to rule the world, as one of the stronger remaining people, once the Judgment Day had passed, something that Yamato freely admits. The resistance members along with Hibiki surround him, to stop him. Alcor appears during the skirmish, amused by the argument between the two Shining Ones. Alcor then tells Hibiki that Yamato came to Nagoya because he saw his death clip, much to Yamato's annoyance, causing him to deny this concern for Hibiki. His annoyance is furthered when Alcor implies his concern for Hibiki by saying that his timing had saved Hibiki. However, Yamato rebukes this claim, dismissing the idea of a set fate. Afterwards, Yamato denies the existence of a Shining One, and claims that one only requires to judge the intelligence of a human to decide their worth.
He then reveals to that a Septentrione will appear in three different locations the next day. He plans that the strategy against it would be co-ordinated simultaneous attacks, implying that Hibiki is to defend Osaka. Hibiki stops him, saying that he has no intention to be his pawn, to which Yamato questions his ideals. Hibiki explains that he won't entrust his power to anyone anymore and will follow his own will. Uncaring of his reply, Yamato allows him do as he pleases as long as the Septentriones are defeated. However, he is amused when Hibiki declares he will stop him if he intends to create a misguided future. Accepting Hibiki's challenge, he looks forward to the day he will defeat all enemies. Before leaving, he entrusted Ronaldo to lead the operation against Megrez in Nagoya, due to the reckless actions taken, losing a lot of firepower, Ronaldo has no other option but to co-operate or face Nagoya's destruction.
On his way back to Tokyo within the train, Yamato wonders why he used his power to his cell phone's limit over something he considers trivial, remembering his past with Alcor when he had finally became JP's chief, and muses that concepts such as the Shining Ones and friends are all complicated.
====4th Day Wednesday's Changes====
Back in Tokyo, at the Diet Building, he is having a lunch with the Japanese governments. They asked why Yamato left Tokyo yesterday, reminding him of his duty to protect Tokyo since that is the sole purpose of Hotsuin family and JP's. Yamato is disgusted seeing and hearing them talks casually and how they only think about their own constituent, inwardly calling them garbage. 
As the operation to defeat Megrez begins, Yamato is in charge on protecting Tokyo, stating that he alone is more than enough. Using Baal, Cerberus,  and the magic circle beneath the Tokyo tower, Yamato single-handedly holds off Megrez, informing Ronaldo and Hibiki that he'll match his attacks with their timing. After defeating Megrez, Yamato informs Makoto that the battle has ended, and meets with Fumi to check on an enchanted weapon called Brionac, which has been kept by the Hotsuin family for generations. He reappears to watch as the world is slowly being erased by "The Void," saying that he doesn't believe that the world can be saved.
====5th Day Thursday's Shock====
Yamato is seen in his personal room, thinking that once all the remaining Septentriones, a proper world would start. He then observes the operation against Alioth in Sapporo from the command center with Hibiki, Makoto, and Fumi. After Sapporo is crushed by Alioth's shell, Hibiki questions Yamato for this, which Yamato admits and says that if he has another way to tell him.
He prepares a feast for the remaining summoners as reward for the success of the plan against Alioth, but Airi won't eat after watching Sapporo destroyed right in front of her. Yamato tells her that to survive means shouldering the burden of lives and if she's unable to carry out the burden, she'll be the one to die next, angering Airi. Yamato then reveals that the battle will be over in two days and he'll create a meritocracy world using Polaris power, giving all of them a chance to think everything through and warns them that those who doesn't obey him may die. Hibik chases after Yamato and argues that Yamato's way is too rigid, but Yamato persists that he just say what he will do and those who disobey him are unnecessary. He tells Hibiki that if he thinks his existence is a sin, then he should deliver judgment, challenging Hibiki to promise it, which Hibiki agrees.
====6th Day Friday's Partings====
Yamato observes as Io is possessed by Lugh, ignoring Hibiki's plea to spare Io and find another way since Mizar's self-replication ability won't give them enough times. He controls Lugh through controlling device to give form to the Dragon Stream until it consumes Mizar a whole. Once Lugh fully possessed Io, he informs it that it only has a few minutes until Io's body is destroyed and request for it to stay still so he can kill it quickly, but Lugh refuses and flies towards the Diet Building to kill Yamato.
Yamato saves Hibiki from falling and summons Baal to kill Lugh. However, Hibiki stops him with Byakko and Suzaku. This enraged Yamato who tells Hibiki to accept that Io is dead and throw away his naivety, but Hibiki still keeping his word to protect Io. Lugh then launches its spear towards both Hibiki and Yamato, prompting Hibiki to push the latter out of the way. To his his shock, Hibiki is chosen by the dragon Shakko and harness the Dragon Stream's power. Yamato once again offers a partnership to Hibiki, but is once again rejected. He watches as Hibiki successfully saved Io, commenting that Hibiki has brought a miracle.
He slow down Hibiki and Io's landing when the former runs out of power due to inexperience use of the Dragon Stream. He calls a medical team to retrieve him, assuring Io that they won't kill him and use all of their magical ability to heal Hibiki since he belongs to him. Io declares that she won't follow Yamato and move with Hibiki, which Yamato replies he doesn't mind since even if he must fight all of them alone, it's just a trial for humanity to evolve, telling her that he will kill all of them when the time comes.
====7th Day Saturday Toward...====
Yamato protects the base with his magical barrier by using all of the Dragon Stream's power while other summoners attacks Benetnasch. He then summons Cerberus and Baal to back them up. However, Benetnasch releases a frequency that sends their demons back to their cell phones. Unable to protect all of them with his remaining power, he lowered the barrier to himself and attacks Benetnasch on his own.
Hibiki arrives as he questions Yamato's way of abandoning his own comrade, to which Yamato simply replies that he has no use for a nuisance. He won't change his mind on creating a new order of the world with Polaris power since it's the only way to lead humanity to the right path. He questions what Hibik wants to do and disagress with Hibiki's idea to restore the world the way it is, believing that humans won't be able to change the world they way they are as there's no hope for the weak. He expresses his disappointment that Hibiki refused to follow him. Both are interrupted by much stronger attack from Benetnasch, causing their barriers to break.
In the nick of time, Daichi summons Black Frost, stopping Benetnasch's attack. With Daichi and Hibiki's cooperation, they able to expose Benetnasch's core, allowing Yamato to destroy it, killing the Septentrione for good. With them survived the seven days of judgment, Yamato prepares to meet Polaris. Hibik halts him, declaring he won't let him go. Yamato threatens that if Hibiki intends to stand on his way he will kill him instead. At this, Alcor arrives and declares he won't let him kill Hibiki.
====Last Day Sunday's Fruitions====
Yamato accepted Alcor's challenge and lures him to the tower as he defends against his attack. He officially ends his relation with Alcor and states that Alcor is either delusional or broken when the latter told him his change ever since meeting Hibiki. He denies Alcor's guess of him pay attention to Hibiki, stating that he neither his mind nor his intention have ever changed and Hibiki is just a tool for his plan. Yamato offers a place for Alcor to the future he will recreate if he just stop thinking and act like a system, but Alcor refuses since his future has no choices. Each of them then received each other's death clip, encouraging them to kill each other.
Yamato continues to avoid Alcor's attack but starts to run out of stamina. Alcor reminds him that even though he can use the Dragon Stream, his body still has its limits. Yamato summons Cerberus but its defeated easily by Alcor. Unable to summon any demon soon, Yamato reminds Alcor that Nicaea allows him to summon demons that depends on the human's growth. Realizing that Yamato intends to summon strong demons since he has defeated Benetnasch, he attacks Yamato again as Yamato dodges while waiting for the demons to be fully downloaded. However, one of Alcor's chains stabs through his leg, immobilizing him. Before Alcor could kill him, however, Makoto uses herself to protect Yamato and take the attack in his stead, shocking him. This gives Yamato enough time to download his new demons, Nebiros and Zao Gongen, quickly turning the tide.
As Alcor lays beaten, he asks why did he follow him. Alcor says that Yamato is intriguing and he thought he could be the Shining One he had hoped for. Alcor asks back has Yamato ever amended his decision. Yamato, without a hitch, answers that the world had already been corrupted since he was born, so he must enact a change.  He is the only one who was able to do so and was already prepared to carry out the sin. Alcor refused to let Hibiki be killed and traps Yamato along with him as he apologizes.  Yamato was made to realize that Alcor intends to kill him along with himself. Hibiki arrives only at a moment too late as Alcor self-destructs himself along with Yamato, much to Hibiki's grief. However, it turns out that Yamato has survived the attack with the Dragon Stream's power and admits that he killed both Alcor and Makoto. They are interrupted when the ground started to shake, revealing that the transport terminal that lead to Polaris. Yamato makes his cell phone run amok so that Nebiros and Zao Gongen will handle Hibiki while he goes to where Polaris is. 
At the Akasha Stratum, he is confronted by Hibiki, who was able to follow him thanks to Daichi and Io's sacrifice. Hibiki declares he will fulfill his promise to stop him. Yamato, realizing that Polaris will only appear after they settle everything, accepts Hibiki's challenge and summons Cerberus, fighting Hibiki to decide who will meet Polaris and the fate of the world. Realizing that Hibiki's anger towards him is based from the fact that he had sacrificed too much people, Yamato comments how naive Hibiki is and reveals that the reason behind their survival is because it has already been predetermined by Polaris, and Alcor is the proof that Polaris is no different from a broken system due to its own nature.
Hibiki points out that while the world may change for the better if rewritten, if it's forced onto them then it's no different from death and that kind of choice is just too sad. Yamato retorts that Hibiki is too naive and his way is just a rambling of a peace-loving fool, believing it's already too late for humanity to change. He further explains that if he hadn't taken control no one would have survived to this day since it's the responsibility for those born with power, whether they like it or not. Hibiki then questions why Yamato received his death clip that was supposed to only be sent to friends since humans without a heart shouldn't be able to have friends, but Yamato only dismisses this question as he coughs out blood for overusing his power, allowing Byakko to defeat Cerberus. Hibiki pleads for Yamato to stop and fix everything together as friends, making Yamato comments that Hibiki is interesting and he hoped he should've looked for him sooner.
However, Yamato decides to continue to fight to preserve his dignity, telling Hibiki that if he thinks he is a friend then he has to kill him. He merges Nebiros and Zaou-Gongen using the demon fusion app, merging them into Satan, who easily overpowers Hibiki. To his shock, Hibiki survives the attack thanks to Black Frost that followed by his friends' demons being sent to his phone. Hibiki merges all the demons until it changes into Lucifer, launching a counterattack against Yamato. As both of their demons clashed, Yamato lost and is embraced by Hibiki who tells him there's no need for him to shoulder everything alone anymore, causing Yamato to muse how Hibiki really succeeded on stopping him shortly before falling in his arms.
Once the world is restored, Hibiki, who retained his memories of the seven days battle, approaches Yamato as he left the Diet Building. The person beside him asked whether he knew him, to which Yamato replies that he doesn't since he has no friends but giving Hibiki a knowing smile, wordlessly telling him that he remembers. As he left, he grazed the scar that he received from his previous battle with Hibiki, commenting it's a good day.
=== Devil Survivor 2 The Animation (Manga) ===
Yamato's role and personality is similar with his anime counterpart, though Yamato shows his cold smile more often than he does in the anime. In the epilogue, instead of meeting Hibiki when he's going out with limousine, he directly meets Hibiki outside the Diet Building when Hibiki gave up on trying to enter the Diet Building. Upon meeting Yamato, Hibiki falls to his knees while letting out a long sigh, stating that he is relieved that Yamato is alive in the present world. Shocked and at the same time touched by Hibiki's concern, Yamato offered his hand as he told Hibiki to stand up, which Hibiki happily accepted and the two reconcile their friendship.
==Fate System==
At Fate 1 he gains Physical resistance, at Fate 3 he unlocks Deity Mithra (Lv. 49) and at Fate 5 Deity Baal (Lv. 65).
=== Septentrione Arc ===
Yamato's Fate System focus on his view on society's potential. Throughout Yamato's Fate system, Yamato views people, civilians in general, as mere plebeians without a care for the world and thinks that weak people use him, his family and people with strong potential as pawns, clinging to them and dragging them down and wasting their talents. This makes him believe that only the strong ones are worthy to live. The protagonist's achievements and understanding made Yamato understand that there's a lot of potential and strength that exist in the world beyond his purview and open to discovering it.
=== Triangulum Arc ===
Yamato's Fate System focus on how he is adjusting with normal interaction. At the beginning of his route, Daichi and the protagonist are trying to find out what he likes to give him a present as a token of appreciation for his help, but Yamato misunderstood them since he never interacted with his peers due to his sheltered life as the head of Hotsuin family and JP's chief. Yamato was oblivious of this fact until Miyako points this out, making him realize how little he actually knows about the world. At this realization, Yamato decides to take up Miyako's suggestion to go on a journey so he can learn more about the world, not as JP's chief nor the head of Hotsuin clan, but as an individual.
==Stats==
Yamato takes a middle ground between Io Nitta and Makoto Sako, maximizing both his Strength and Magic growth without favoring either, while sacrificing his Vitality and Agility in the process. His Fate-granted Phys resistance, combined with the Anti-Most skill (which he can most likely use due to his high Magic) can cover for his lack in resilience. Some issues with Yamato include limited availability on certain routes, in addition to competition with easily-available, faster and more dedicated physical- or magic-oriented tamers.
===As an Ally===
<tabber>
Septentrione Day 7 =
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Triangulum Day 3 =
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Level 99 =
</tabber>
=== Delta Battle, as an Ally ===
If Keita Wakui was killed on day 2 and team Osaka is chosen, Yamato will fill in for him as a temporary party member, similarly to Makoto on day 1.
===Poisonous Day, as an Ally===
Yamato must be escorted around the map as he calculates Alioth's position. He must survive the battle, though his excellent stats and team make it difficult for him to be killed.
=== Barrier Failure, as an Ally ===
If Keita Wakui was killed on day 2 and team Osaka is chosen, Yamato will fill in for him as a temporary party member, similarly to Makoto on day 1.
===Strong Breaker/Test of Might, as an Enemy===
<tabber>
Daichi's & Ronaldo's Route =
Yamato is challenged at the Tsuutenkaku. However, he soon reveals that he chose this location as he can easily channel the Dragon Stream from there, allowing him to sharply raise his otherwise pitiful speed. He comes accompanied with Remiel and Arioch, with the former restoring his MP and the latter allowing him to destroy teams with a double-cast Megido from afar. Should any of them go down, he is also capable of reviving them with his Auto Skill and healing them with Prayer, giving his team more longevity. All members of his team have a degree of immunity to Physical attacks, deterring obliteration via Multi-Strike.
Bring Dragons or Viles to match his range, or use Avians to close the gap quickly. High-level Jaki can also cripple his ability to move and fight with an Evil Bind. As the final boss of the faction fights, Yamato is the most dangerous due to his unique "Dragon Power" skill. With huge range, the ability to attack twice in one round, and the potential to get 3-4 turns to attack a team before that team even gets one, if you do not defeat him quickly or have powerful defensive demons, you are almost certain to lose a team or two.
Do not try to take out the teams that will cluster around him, unless you have enhanced range or movement which lets you continue focusing on Yamato. Defeating the rabble causes Yamato to upgrade his Dragon Power ability to True Dragon and Final Dragon, which will boost his turn speed to ludicrous levels.
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Anguished One's Route =
Yamato attacks the party at the enhanced Shinsekai Terminal, and gains the ability to start up a magic circle within the center of the battlefield, dealing damage to each member's HP and MP while they are there. If all members manage to escape the area, Yamato disables this harmful effect. 
Unlike the battles with him at the Tsuutenkaku, Yamato neither has long range nor boosted speed, but instead uses the Magic Yin + Megidolaon combo to wreak havoc on opposing teams (even worse if it gets double-cast by Dual Shadow), and keeps his MP replenished via boosted Drain. The Norn team in the corner of the battlefield can also use Samarecarm to revive his defeated demons, and if that is defeated, he has several other demons that can revive them. Have Avians around to quickly escape the central area of the battlefield, and Megami or Prayer to remove the Curse ailments that his Purple Mirror will inflict. Alternatively, due to the confines of the map, you can reach him within your very first turn using a Dragon with Evil Flow.
</tabber>
===Shadow Yamato, as an Enemy===
Shadow Yamato is fought alone, on a team all by himself.
===The World's Truth, as an Ally===
Yamato can engage and destroy Canopus agents that approach him, but will otherwise return to his usual position in restoring the protagonist's data. He must survive the battle.
==Gallery==
== Etymology ==
* The name Yamato means "big, great" (大) (yama) and "harmony, peace" (和) (to).
* Yamato's surname Hotsuin means "peak, ridge" (峰) (ho), "haven, port, harbor, ferry" (津) (tsu) and "hospital" (院) (in).
==Trivia==
*It can be inferred that Yamato's yellow cell phone model is standard-issue among all JP's staff, since they also carry similar phones. In the anime, however, his cell phone model is the only one different from all JP's staff.
*His Fate route unlocks demons that hold high ranks in their respective mythologies, referencing his role as the leader of JP's and his (perceived) ruthless behavior.
*According to Fumi, his ancestors were missionaries to Tang China during the Nara period.
*His name was romanized in the trailer and JP's big screen in anime as Yamato Houtsuin.
*If the player fails to save Keita on Monday, Yamato will replace him in missions that requires players to choose between three groups such as Delta Battle and Barrier Failure.
*After tasting takoyaki during one of his fate events, he seems to develop fondness for takoyaki. If the player choose his route, Yamato will offer the protagonist and his group plates of takoyaki as a reward. In his latest profile in anime episode 11 and character archives, takoyaki became his favorite food when he doesn't have time for a proper meal and even learned how to make it himself.
*In the game, he eventually refers the protagonist with his first name, unlike other characters whom he still refers with their family names, not including Anguished One who doesn't have any last name and Miyako who shares the same last name as himself.
**In the anime, he refers Makoto with her first name and Ronaldo as "former detective," instead of their family names like he refers to others.
*He is the first Shining One that Anguished One chose before the protagonist.
*In the anime flashback, it's hinted that he used to live in Kyoto until he became the chief director of JP's three years before the storyline.
*According to his personal data, he states that he doesn't get days off for vacation or holiday. He also claims to not ponder any specific activity deemed as hobby, so he doesn't have one.
*In the anime, he summoned Cerberus, a demon that he summoned on Monday in the game, and later Baal, the demon unlocked at the end of his fate route.
*In the anime, he has a death clip on the last day, Sunday's Fruitions Part I. It's revealed in the manga that his death clip is being stabbed by Alcor's wires, which was prevented with Makoto's interference.
*In the anime, he has two cell phones, first is his JP's cell phone and his own black cell phone. 
*He's the only known male who has Male Tico as his Nicaea contact.
*To Yamato, to live is to continue protecting.http://ds2.atlusnet.jp
*In the anime, Yamato summons the most demons onscreen among the main cast, with six in total.
*In the anime, he has a habit to fixing his gloves before going into battle. This is most likely based from his in-game render pose.
*He is the only character to have two Record Breaker character trailers. First is his Septentrione Arc trailer and then his Triangulum Arc trailer.
*In the original game's character popularity poll, he ranked 3rd.http://dsexp.atlusnet.jp/2011/10/post-19.html
*In the ending of the manga adaptation of the anime, Yamato is not wearing his JP's uniform, which might indicate that he's no longer the bureau chief of JP's in this version.
==References==
Category:Devil Survivor 2 Allies