Luka Kiyomine

**Luka Kiyomine** (清峰 (キョミネ) 琉 (ル) 鹿 (カ) , *Kiyomine Ryūka*) is one of the characters in Yuto Sano's manga series, *Gokurakugai*.

## Appearance

Luka possesses a compact stature, gentle facial features, slightly larger eyes, and short, curled hair complemented by extended bangs.

While he is currently enrolled in school, his typical attire comprises a conventional school uniform—a buttoned shirt paired with a tie, akin to formal wear. This is coupled with knee-length pants and a bag that resembles a portfolio, complete with a detachable sling for versatile backpack-style carrying.

During more relaxed occasions, as observed when he encountered Alma in the vicinity of the Troubleshooter's Office, Luka donned an ensemble that included a shirt reminiscent of a qipao, layered beneath a V-neck sweater. His pants were stylishly cuffed just above his ankles, and he completed the look with boots.

## Personality

Luka displays a certain level of authority and outspokenness, attributed in part to his status as the offspring of a renowned zaibatsu, which affords him a degree of influence. Despite harboring apprehension towards Tao's composed yet intimidating demeanor, Luka possesses a grounded nature, particularly in matters concerning his sole confidant, Yuki.

## Plot

### Background

Luka's aspirations of pursuing an artistic path were met with disapproval from his father, and he also faced rejection from most of his peers at school. In response, he channeled his frustration towards a bench near his residence, where he started sketching in his notebook with a different artistic approach.

His initial encounter with Yuki, a beastman who admired his artistic talent, marked a significant turning point. Despite his father's cautionary words against forming connections with beastmen, Luka chose to overlook the advice. He engaged with Yuki, who was on the verge of leaving the vicinity, and this marked the beginning of their interaction. Through this interaction, he forged a friendship with Yuki, eventually leading to their close companionship.

### The Missing and Disfigured Bodies Case

After completing some errands for Tao, Alma was on his way back to the Troubleshooters' Office when he noticed Luka engrossed in working on a mural not far from their headquarters. Driven by a sense of responsibility, Alma was compelled to deliver a punch to Luka's head, given that his unauthorized actions were likely to invoke reprimands from Tao and Auntie, as Alma anticipated.

Luka obediently followed Alma back to the Troubleshooters' Office, where they were met by the slightly unhinged Tao, who demanded payment for certain repairs. In a state of trepidation, Luka resorted to a threat, insinuating that he would report their supposed extortion to his parents. Clutching the money he had been saving to find his missing friend, Yuki, Luka portrayed a facade of confidence. Meanwhile, Alma presented a hand-drawn pamphlet, meticulously crafted by Luka himself, containing detailed information about Yuki's appearance in hopes of facilitating his location.

Tao's curiosity was piqued by this development, prompting Luka to recount his predicament—a situation where Yuki had suddenly vanished. Luka recounted the discovery of Yuki's hat in an alley he frequented, which set off his search for his friend. This friendship had been forged against the backdrop of Luka's father's prohibition against associating with lower-class beasts. Luka's self-reliance in the matter stemmed from his inability to enlist parental aid. Upon learning of this, Alma extended his assistance, but a cardboard sign in disarray caught Luka's attention, prompting his proclamation about the state of the Troubleshooters' Office before his departure.

Luka continued his solo quest for Yuki, eventually stumbling upon what he presumed to be another lifeless animal in an alley. To his astonishment, he found Yuki there, covered in wounds, pleading for release. However, an enigmatic creature emerged from the shadows, seizing Yuki and attempting to devour him. Driven by his determination to save his friend, Luka confronted the creature with unwavering resolve. Despite his valiant efforts, he proved powerless, and just as Luka and Yuki faced imminent consumption, the timely arrival of Tao and Alma thwarted the threat, rescuing both Luka and Yuki from their dire predicament. The assailant revealed itself as a "maga," a gruesome amalgamation of human and animal remains brought back to life.

Overwhelmed by the baffling turn of events, Luka sought answers from Tao, who wielded a firearm capable of dispatching magas. In response, Tao defined their role as hunters combatting malevolence. Alma, who possessed the unique bloodline that granted the magas their extraordinary abilities, signaled Tao's proclamation of a "solution" by withdrawing a blade from his chest. In truth, Alma was a "half-maga child," born of a union between a maga and a human. Saved from his imminent transformation into a maga, he had become a specialized maga hunter in collaboration with Tao within the ranks of the Troubleshooters.

Alma's decisive strike incapacitated the maga, ensuring the safety of Luka and Yuki. Refusing compensation for their intervention, Tao and Alma offered an alternative—a proposition for a meal, contingent on the success of Luka's artwork sales, before making their exit. Subsequently, Luka expressed his gratitude by crafting a visually appealing replacement sign for the Troubleshooters' Office, replacing the hastily drawn cardboard original, and presented it as a token of appreciation during a subsequent visit.

## Relationships

### Familial

* **Luka's Father:** Luka's relationship with his father is strained. His father disapproves of Luka's interest in drawing and has conflicts with him over his artistic pursuits. Luka's father's disapproval also extends to associating with people he deems beneath them, such as lowly beastmen. This strained relationship with his father is a part of what drives Luka to form connections and friendships outside of his family.

### Non-Familial

* **Yukiharu Nishi:** Yuki is Luka's missing friend. They had a strong bond as friends, with Yuki being the first person who appreciated Luka's artistic talents and befriended him despite his wealthy background and father's disapproval. Luka's determination to find Yuki is a central motivation in the story. When Luka finally finds Yuki, he's overjoyed and willing to put himself in danger to protect his friend.
* **Alma:** Alma is someone Luka met through a series of events involving graffiti and a missing person poster. At first, Luka found Alma and his partner Tao suspicious, but they were the only ones who truly listened to his story about his missing friend Yuki. Alma and Tao intervened to help Luka save Yuki from a dangerous creature. Through this encounter, Luka's initial mistrust turned into appreciation and gratitude for Alma's bravery and assistance. Luka sees Alma as a heroic figure and acknowledges that Alma's agency played a pivotal role in saving Yuki's life.
* **Tao:** Tao is Alma's partner and plays a significant role in helping Luka. At first, Luka perceives Tao as intimidating due to her demeanor, and they have a somewhat contentious interaction involving the cleaning expenses for graffiti. However, Tao's genuine interest in Luka's story and her assistance in the battle against the creature show her true character. Tao explains the nature of their agency's work, revealing that they are Maga killers who deal with dangerous creatures. Despite the initial tension, Luka comes to see Tao as an important ally.

## Abilities

Luka possesses a remarkable ability for artistic dedication. He is skilled at creating intricate murals and detailed hand-drawn pamphlets, showcasing his artistic talent and attention to detail. This skill is not only a creative outlet but also a means for him to communicate information effectively. Luka's dedication to his artistic pursuits is evident in the efforts he puts into his work, whether it's designing a mural or creating a pamphlet to find his missing friend, Yuki. His artistic dedication becomes a significant aspect of his character, illustrating his commitment to expressing himself and helping others through his artwork.

## Etymology

* The Japanese name "Kiyomine Ryūka" is composed of two components: Kiyomine (清峰) and Ryūka (琉鹿). "清峰" (Kiyomine) can be interpreted as "clear peak" or "pure summit." It could convey an aspiration for personal excellence, reaching a higher state of being, or embodying a sense of purity. "琉鹿" (Ryūka) can be understood as "gemstone deer" or "jewel-adorned deer." This combination conjures imagery of something precious and elegant, symbolizing a unique and valuable individual. Together, "Kiyomine Ryūka" appears to express a name that combines the concepts of purity, excellence, preciousness, and grace. It might embody the aspiration to achieve personal heights while maintaining a sense of inner beauty and uniqueness.

## References

*Gokurakugai* Manga: Chapter 1 (Page 24).
*Gokurakugai* Manga: Chapter 1 (Pages 26-30).
*Gokurakugai* Manga: Chapter 1 (Pages 17-21; 31-35).
*Gokurakugai* Manga: Chapter 1 (Pages 43-63).