Kohaku (Dr. Stone)

Kohaku is one of the two deuteragonists (Alongside Taiju Oki) in the anime and manga series "Dr. Stone". She is a young woman whose lineage traces back to modern humans. She happens to be Ruri's younger sibling and the child of Kokuyo. She plays a significant role as one of the central characters in the story. 
Upon encountering Senku and witnessing his remarkable bravery, courage, and incredible talents, Kohaku extends an invitation for him to visit her village. Senku's invaluable contributions and captivating scientific inventions quickly win the hearts of the villagers, leading them to believe that he might be the long-awaited savior mentioned in their ancestral stories. This newfound unity inspires the village's population to band together against Tsukasa's oppressive regime.
She was voiced by Manami Numakura in the Japanese version, and by Felecia Angelle in the English version.
==Biography==
=== History ===
Kohaku was born in Ishigami Villiage, roughly 3,700 years following the petrification event. When her sister, Ruri, fell gravely ill, Kohaku sought to keep her sister alive by any means possible. Although, due to the lack of scientific knowledge in the Stone World, she lacked the medical capabilities to heal her sister. 
=== Kingdom of Science Arc ===
Kohaku, born about 3,700 years after the petrification incident, dedicated herself to caring for her sister Ruri when Ruri fell seriously ill, ensuring she had hot spring water daily. Upon meeting Senku and witnessing his courage and scientific prowess, Kohaku invited him to her village. Senku's scientific inventions fascinated the village, rallying them to join forces against Tsukasa's oppressive regime. Kohaku, among Senku's most loyal supporters, frequently assisted Chrome in gathering materials and enlisted Kinro and Ginro for labor as well.
Her unwavering loyalty to Senku became evident when she confronted Tsukasa, who was about to sacrifice Senku to save Yuzuriha. Rather than answer Tsukasa's question about her identity, Kohaku launched an attack. She didn't believe introductions mattered when Tsukasa's actions would lead him to hell as a "sorcerer" killer. However, Tsukasa deduced that she wasn't a modern human but rather a descendant of those who weren't petrified in the past. He temporarily disabled her by trapping her under a fallen tree, only for Senku to rescue her. Grateful for Senku's help, Kohaku developed a deep admiration for his inventions and declared her liking for him, though she emphasized it wasn't love. Kohaku offered Senku an alliance against Tsukasa, and together with the others, they embarked on a journey filled with scientific marvels and challenges.
=== Village Games Arc ===
With the sulfuric acid acquired, Kohaku watched as Senku and his team synthesized different chemical compounds to create a cure for Ruri, her concern growing as she observed the substances' behavior. Kohaku was surprised to learn that Senku planned to participate in the Village Games alongside Kinro and Ginro, as they needed alcohol as the final component for the cure. Despite Kinro's dismay at the unconventional alliance between Senku, Chrome, and Ginro to cheat in the games, Kohaku confirmed her approval, greatly distressing Kinro, who preferred following the rules.
When Mantle warned the Kingdom of Science team about Suika's alleged predicament, Kohaku, despite her initial skepticism, rushed to help Suika, believing there might be some truth to the situation. She arrived in time to save Suika, who had been captured by Mantle, and embraced her, expressing relief that Suika was safe. Kohaku's concerns continued during the village games when she realized that neither Ginro nor Chrome stood a chance against Magma in the upcoming fight. However, to everyone's surprise, Chrome emerged victorious, stunning Magma and winning the match.
The group celebrated Chrome's victory, but the festivities were interrupted when Ginro misunderstood Ruri's words about marriage and attempted to forcibly win the title of chief, alarming Kohaku and the villagers. Senku intervened, cunningly defeating Ginro and accidentally becoming the winner of the village games. As the group prepared for Ruri's treatment, Kohaku, shocked by her worsening condition, eagerly participated in collecting the necessary ingredients for the cure. Despite moments of uncertainty and concern, Ruri was ultimately cured, bringing tears of happiness to Kohaku and her father.
=== Village Origins Arc ===
Kohaku was present when Ruri revealed the tale of the hundred stories to Senku. She was surprised to learn from Senku that the founder of Ishigami Village was actually Senku's adoptive father, Byakuya Ishigami. This revelation left her taken aback. Upon grasping the situation, Kohaku briefly wondered if everyone in the village was somehow related to Senku, a thought that made her blush. However, she was promptly informed that Senku and Byakuya were not blood relatives; Byakuya had been Senku's adoptive father.
=== Vs. Hyoga Arc ===
Kohaku's anxiety escalates when Gen informs them about a formidable warrior named Hyoga, rumored to be as dangerous as Tsukasa. The idea of someone matching Tsukasa's strength terrifies her deeply. She is further shocked when Ginro reports an attack, and her fear intensifies as she witnesses Hyoga defeating Kinro, her comrade and friend. Although she attempts to rush to Kinro's aid, her father restrains her, recognizing the peril. Fortunately, Senku, with assistance from Gen, crafts a clever ruse that forces the enemy to withdraw temporarily. As the initial clash subsides, Kohaku anxiously ponders Hyoga's ominous presence and whether Senku can devise a scientific solution to counter this powerful adversary. She notices a powerful wind signaling Tsukasa's army's return, and she is armed with katanas forged by Senku and Kaseki to confront the enemy head-on. Kohaku swiftly dispatches the initial wave of Tsukasa's warriors, showcasing her combat prowess, but her confidence is tested when Hyoga enters the battlefield with exceptional spearmanship. Despite her efforts alongside Kinro, she narrowly avoids being stabbed by Hyoga, saved only by Gen's sabotage of his weapon.
Later, Kohaku's horror deepens when she learns that Hyoga has another ally who sets fire to the village. Witnessing the arrival of the culprit, Homura Momiji, Kohaku takes charge of the situation, ordering Ginro to escort the village children to the safety of the science storeroom. After Homura adeptly dodges attacks from her father, Kohaku attempts to engage the enemy, but she finds herself outmatched. Nonetheless, her determination remains unwavering as she later assists Senku in retrieving Suika, who cleverly leads the enemy away from danger. By providing her friend with a mask, they manage to survive the remaining gas and reunite with their comrades, ready to face the ongoing challenges posed by Hyoga and Homura.
=== Communications Arc ===
After the battle concludes, Senku reveals the alarming growth of the enemy's army, with Gen confirming the escalating threat, exacerbated by their lack of a crucial gunpowder ingredient. Kohaku, displaying her fervor, enthusiastically supports Senku's call for a preemptive strike. To their astonishment, Senku announces his intention to create the most powerful weapon in history—a cellphone. Kohaku and many villagers are taken aback by the concept of such advanced communication and its potential as a wartime tool. Amid their scientific endeavors, including cotton candy testing for cellphone wire, Kohaku, like the rest of the village, is swept up in the excitement of Senku's ambitious plan.
Concerned about the safety of Taiju and Yuzuriha, Kohaku, alongside Chrome, seeks reassurance from Senku, who explains they are hostages. She willingly contributes her father's shield as a component for gear creation to aid in Senku's inventions, despite her father's reluctance. Kohaku also plays a pivotal role in training Kinro and Ginro for the impending clash with Tsukasa's forces and marvels at the craftsmanship of an ornamented tree created by the crafting club. She expresses concerns about the labor shortage during resource gathering but later delights in discovering tungsten, a material crucial for their projects. Kohaku joins the village in preparing a surprise observatory for Senku's birthday and assists in the intricate process of creating a tungsten filament. 
Intrigued by the cellphone's properties and communication possibilities, she learns that more components are needed for it to function as intended, eagerly awaiting Chrome's conversation with Ruri. However, she is disappointed when the discussion revolves around science instead of romantic feelings. Kohaku then participates in opening Byakuya's time capsule, where she listens to the village creator's voice and witnesses a poignant moment between Senku and his father. Finally, she notices Homura's presence in the village, leading to a thrilling chase and confrontation that ends with Kohaku emerging victorious.
=== Age of Exploration Arc ===
Kohaku experiences the thrill of flying in a hot air balloon, but her annoyance flares when Senku playfully calls her a lioness. Utilizing her incredible eyesight, she spots the oil fields and promptly informs Senku and Ryusui about the harsh living conditions in her village due to food scarcity. Her spirits are lifted when Ryusui decides to kickstart farming activities, although his unsettling behavior disturbs her, leading her to draw a comparison between him and Gen.
The momentous occasion of tasting freshly baked bread leaves Kohaku in awe. Later, when it's determined that a skilled chef must be revived, she's surprised that Ryusui can't recall the gender of the chef, but Francois promptly appears. Kohaku revels in learning the proper way to cook bread.
Kaseki's new clothing impresses her, but their destruction, thanks to his signature pose, leaves her bemused. As the group discovers a new signal and debates whether the newcomer is friend or foe, Kohaku acknowledges the strategic roles of Senku, Ryusui, Ukyo, Gen, and Chrome, though she has some reservations about Chrome. When Senku constructs a radar, Kohaku correctly anticipates that one component will enable them to detect others, a revelation that takes her by surprise.
=== Treasure Island Arc ===
Kohaku and the power team embarked on the ship, with Ryusui mentioning their names afterward. Despite the risk of leaving their friends alone with Hyoga and Homura around, Kohaku was surprised to discover that they were prisoners on board. During their voyage, Kohaku asked Chrome about platinum, a substance they needed to produce more revival fluid, and Chrome stated that he didn't have it in his collection. Senku announced their plan to free more people with platinum, prompting an unnamed villager, Soyuz, to come forward and reveal his identity as someone not from Ishigami Village.
With Soyuz's revelation, the group learned of another human tribe on the island they were heading to, astonishing Kohaku. They realized that some of the humans from this tribe had traveled to Japan in the past and were the ancestors of Ishigami Village's current residents. Kohaku watched as her father questioned Soyuz and reassured him after he shared his story. Kohaku affirmed that Soyuz was now part of their group, aligning with Senku's belief that curiosity brought them all together. She was also surprised to hear that they would reach land in a few hours and chuckled at Yuzuriha's ability to endure long lectures. Kohaku eagerly anticipated their arrival on land.
After reaching the island, Kohaku joined the scouting squad with Senku, Soyuz, and Gen. While exploring the island, Kohaku spotted a flash coming from the direction of the ship. Kohaku and Senku were alerted by Soyuz and Gen about a strange phenomenon before they encountered their petrified allies. Enraged, Kohaku attempted to attack the new enemy, but Gen intervened. The group realized that the enemy possessed a petrification device and decided to befriend a female island resident to help them counter this threat. Following the woman's trail, they witnessed her being proposed to by several men, leaving Kohaku perplexed.
The group continued to observe the woman, Amaryllis, as she rejected her suitors. Kohaku believed that this situation would help them understand the natives better. However, her alarm grew when Amaryllis mentioned a "master." They contemplated how to communicate with her until Senku took the initiative. Amaryllis noticed Soyuz and, due to a supposed resemblance, thought he was the island leader. When the villagers started rioting, Kohaku wanted to use brute force, but Gen stopped her, emphasizing the importance of gaining allies. They resorted to using teargas to quell the riot, impressing Amaryllis, who then allied with them.
Amaryllis shared her history with the group, shocking Kohaku, who also learned about her plan to infiltrate the harem. Amaryllis sought the group's help, as their goals aligned. When they realized they needed another woman, Kohaku unexpectedly found herself in the spotlight. Though her tomboyish nature posed a challenge, they decided to give her a makeover. Kohaku and her allies noted that the enemy had taken control of the ship. When Kirisame approached, she attempted to resist but found her dress restraining her movements. In a bid for survival, Kohaku shouted the word "lab," a signal recognized by her allies. Gen improvised a story to make it appear as though she and Senku were a couple, with Kohaku kissing him as part of the ruse.
Eventually, her strategy succeeded as Ginro survived, although Kohaku was somewhat disappointed that it wasn't a more useful ally. Nonetheless, she accepted his plea for help, and with assistance from Suika, they retrieved the mobile lab. Since the islanders were unfamiliar with science, they presented it as an animal, though Kohaku was disgusted when Senku created fake feces. Later, Kohaku underwent a makeover to ensure she was selected alongside Amaryllis. They also disguised Ginro as a girl before infiltrating Ibara's forces.
Before their departure, Senku gifted Kohaku earphone earrings, which could relay messages to her. However, she was unable to use them effectively. Working together with Amaryllis, the girls (along with Ginro) infiltrated the harem. Amaryllis covered for Kohaku to potential witnesses, and the pair cooperated in their mission. When Ibara suspected an intruder, he ordered the destruction of Ryusui's statue. Kohaku was initially outraged by the damage to her ally's statue and nearly blew her cover. To prove her innocence, Senku instructed her to destroy the statue, which she did, with Amaryllis sending the pieces back to the science team.
When Ginro was wounded, Kohaku saved him, and he shared the information he had learned. Realizing that she could use this to her advantage, Kohaku allowed herself to be petrified to save Ginro, as the revival formula would heal him. Before being petrified, she wished her comrades luck. Unfortunately, her oversight of not disposing of her earphone earrings allowed Ibara to overhear Senku's plan. Once Ibara was defeated, Senku learned the location of Kohaku and Ginro's statues. He revived them, and Kohaku, filled with gratitude, hugged Senku. Onboard the ship, she kept the device away from the speaker when Why-man attempted to use it.
==Personality==
Kohaku is a spirited and kind-hearted young woman with a tomboyish nature. She possesses a strong sense of protectiveness towards her family and friends, going to great lengths, even risking her own life, to ensure their safety. She cares deeply for her sickly older sister and participated in a tournament for her hand in marriage to shield her from harm. Kohaku is also a dedicated friend, especially to Suika, taking on the role of an older sister.
She is empathetic and provides emotional support to those going through difficult times, such as Mirai when she lost her brother. However, she can be cautious and even threatening towards those she doesn't trust, and it takes time for her to build that trust. She has a choleric and impulsive personality, prone to bursts of anger and reckless actions when provoked, especially if her friends are endangered. While she has made attempts to control these reactions, they persist, but as she spends more time with her close-knit group of friends, she encounters fewer situations that trigger her explosive responses. Despite her violent tendencies, Kohaku has reservations about taking a person's life and often seeks the approval or orders from others when making such decisions.
==Powers & Abilities==
* Combat Prowess: Kohaku is highly skilled in combat, acknowledged by her village and even Tsukasa as a formidable fighter. Tsukasa noted that if Kohaku had the discipline of proper training, she could have actually defeated him in their first fight.
* Exceptional Strength: She regularly carries a heavy pot, nearly 50 kilograms in weight, for her sister without tiring, showcasing her extraordinary physical strength.
* Swift and Agile: Kohaku's speed and agility make her a proficient close-quarters combatant, allowing her to deliver rapid strikes in battle.
* Quick Reflexes: She possesses lightning-fast reflexes, effortlessly parrying attacks from opponents like Kinro and Ginro, instilling fear in them.
* Multitasking: Kohaku can juggle and manage multiple tasks simultaneously, demonstrating exceptional multitasking abilities.
* Superior Eyesight: Her incredible eyesight enables her to spot distant details like the misalignment of stars and locate resources like oil from aerial photos.
* Expert Hunter: She excels in hunting, capturing wild animals like boars with ease, contributing to the kingdom's food supply.
* Keen Instinct: Kohaku's sharp instinct aids in making accurate judgments and decisions in various situations.
* Basic Scientific Understanding: While not a scientific expert, she quickly grasps scientific concepts and strategies, even using coded communication tactics effectively.
* Fine Motor Skills: Her precision in tasks like opening a delicate time capsule and carving objects from crystals demonstrates fine motor skills.
==Trivia==
* Her name is the Japanese word for amber, which is fossilized tree resin.
* Kohaku is the first woman to walk on the moon.
* On the cover of Chapter 17, her eyes were mistakenly shown as yellow/brown even though it was stated that she has blue eyes. This mistake was later fixed with the cover of Chapter 22.
** On the cover of Volume 26, her eyes were colored green.
* Kohaku ranked 2nd in the 1st Character Popularity Poll.
** She was close to rivaling with Gen who ranked third place.
* She is the first girl to kiss Senku.
* Kohaku only hits Chrome (and occasionally Ginro) for calling her a gorilla even when Senku does the same.
** Senku did, however, get a roughening from her in the side story accompanying Chapter 18.
* After the second global petrification, Suika remade Kohaku's shoes with knots like hers since she is her best friend.
* She was originally a bit less than two years younger than Ruri, but after the second petrification event, the sisters are now the same age.
* Befitting her almost comical physical prowess, Kohaku's hair is also just as amazing. In the sequel 4D Science, Kohaku cut her hair to make a rope to demonstrate a model of Chrome and Suika's hypothesis; it grows back extremely quickly.
== External Links ==
* Kohaku on the Dr Stone Fandom Wiki
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