Kokuyo

> "Rocks this heavy are sure to do some damage!"
>
> — Kokuyo, *Dr. Stone (Manga)*, Chapter 57
>
>

**Kokuyo** (コクヨウ, *Kokuyō*) is the father of Kohaku and Ruri, and was the previous chief of Ishigami Village before Senku.

Despite not being the chief anymore, he serves as something of a co-leader of Ishigami Village, focusing on more practical concerns like food gathering, while Senku focuses on scientific advancement.

## Appearance

Kokuyo is a large, muscular middle-aged man with blond hair tied into a ponytail. He has gruff, hardened facial features with thick eyebrows, a somewhat large nose, and intense brown eyes. His long brown beard and goatee notably do not match his blond hair, and for clothes, he wears a blue robe with a white under cloth with a rope tied around his neck.

## Personality

Initially, he is a harsh man who threatens with disowning Kohaku as his daughter for constantly going against him, such as entering the village tournament and winning to prevent Magma from becoming the new chief and marrying Ruri or bringing an unknown figure to the village. He also didn't seem to mind Magma being the new chief, despite knowing that he didn't care for Ruri's well being. However, he does care for Ruri, as he worries for her health. He seems to want to become closer to his daughters and becomes saddened when they don't reciprocate. For example, he gave Kohaku her shield and when Senku suggested using it in one of his inventions, he shyly remarks that he is fine with it as long as Kohaku is, but clearly expects her to reject. He is saddened when she shows no sentiment towards the shield and quickly uses it in the invention. He seems to later reconcile with Kohaku, as he realizes how hard she worked carrying water for her sister every day to delay her illness.

He is wary of outsiders, especially Senku, but later grows to accept him and states that making him the leader was not a mistake.

He can be rather simpleminded, believing the tungsten that Senku brought was for throwing at enemies and not realizing that he was going to use it for an experiment. Ruri and Kohaku claim this is because he came from the older generation. Despite his practical and initially simple view of the world, he develops an appreciation for the comforts that the Kingdom of Science has brought his village and its people. He praises Senku for not only being an effective leader and worthy successor, but someone who has brought out a crucial element for survival: fun.

## Abilities and Skills

* **Physical Strength**: Kokuyo is one of the primary fighters of Ishigami Village. It can be said he is the strongest of his time as he was the winner of his Grand Bout. He is often seen leading an attack among the strongest villagers such as Kohaku and Magma.

* **Swordsmanship**: Kokuyo is seen using a katana to defend the village when they are attacked by Hyoga, and when he assisted in attacking the miracle cave.

* **Leadership**: Being the chief of Ishigami village for many years, he has become a strong leader, often thinking of the villagers safety. He is upset when the village rules are broken, even disowning his own daughter, Kohaku, for breaking said rules. When Homura was coming towards the village, Kokuyo immediately ordered seniors and children to take shelter, and told everyone else to surround her, and despite him no longer being chief, they do as he says anyways, showing the respect the village has for him as a leader.

## History

He won one of the previous village games and became chief. In commemoration of his victory, Kaseki made a shield for him. Some years later, he would pass the shield on to Kohaku. Ruri was stricken with pneumonia at some point in the past, and he began to make plans for Kohaku to learn the Hundred Tales and succeed Ruri as priestess in the event of her death. Kohaku refused to go along with this plan, creating a rift between Kokuyo and Kohaku that would continue into the present.

## Plot

### **Kingdom of Science Arc**

With Senku's arrival to the village, Kokyuo is appalled by Kohaku's disobedience. Angered, he says he might eventually disown her given how she constantly breaks village's rules.

After Senku, Chrome, Kohaku and Suika make ramen and goad some villagers into trying it, Kokuyo is becoming more and more concerned for the village. Jasper asks Kokuyo whether or not they should go out to eat themselves, which Kokuyo rebukes. The former gets elbowed by his wife for making such a suggestion, as Ruri gets worried about what Kohaku's business with an unknown figure is.

### **Village Games Arc**

Kokuyo compliments the weather on the day of the tournament, and asks Turquoise whether the preparations are set. When Turquoise berates her husband for allowing Kohaku into the fight, Kokuyo states that it's fine - he wouldn't let a village chief be someone who can't beat a woman. Jasper then informs Kokuyo that Senku has also joined the village games.

When Ruri approaches Senku to inquire him about his surname, she collapses from her ailment. Kokuyo rushes towards his daughter, scolding Jasper for letting her walk while feeling sick.

He comments on Senku's cunning nature as the latter uses an unorthodox technique with his spear to hit Ginro in the groin. Soon after, Senku wins by Chrome getting disqualified from fainting and becomes the village chief. An angry Kokuyo states that he won't accept an outsider like Senku as the village chief, only to be rebuked by Senku who calls him a former village chief and says he has no interest in what a former figure of authority has to say. Once Senku acquires alcohol for the antibiotic formula, he immediately divorces Ruri and drags Kohaku and Kaseki away with him, further shocking the former village chief who orders Senku to be caught but is stopped by Kinro who vouches for the mysterious scientist. Once the cure is finished, an uneasy Kokuyo observes Ruri taking a suspicious drug for her illness.

Once Ruri's condition worsens, Kokuyo blames Senku who fed the drugs to her beforehand. Senku confirms this, however he states that the reason behind the more critical condition is because bacteria in question is mobilizing forces as its existence is threatened. Kokuyo goes on to call it sorcery, still angry and attempting to attack him. His attack is stopped by Kohaku who states she believes in Senku, while the rest of the group also nods in unison. After continuous consumption of the drug, Ruri is finally able to walk normally again, having been cured of the ailment. Kokuyo and his other daughter cry tears of happiness, seeing their relative finally well again. The former chief officially crowns Senku the new leader of the Ishigami Village.

### **Vs. Hyoga Arc**

He stops Kohaku from getting involved in the battle with Kinro and Hyoga, saying that she would have no chance fighting a spear wielder on a thin bridge.

Kokuyo later defends the village from Hyoga and his men with the katanas that Senku, Chrome, and Kaseki make. Kokuyo and the rest of the warriors are quickly dispatched by Hyoga, whose spear breaks upon exerting too much force - thanks to Gen tampering with it prior to the second invasion.

Kokuyo attempts to fight Homura after she sets the village on fire, but she escapes. He leads the evac efforts for the village as it burns down. Kokuyo later congratulates Suika on leading the enemy away and celebrates with the village their win over the first battle in the war.

### **Communications Arc**

Once the cotton candy machine is crafted as a part of the cellphone making process, Kokuyo enjoys the taste of the sweet along with the rest of the villagers.

While discussing the problem of manpower in preparation of the cellphone, Kokuyo mentions that a portion of people needs to be delegated to ready the village for the winter. As Senku comes up with an idea of utilizing gears to ease the burden on the working force, Kokuyo is shocked to see that Kohaku readily gives up her shield which he gave her as a memento of the past to be used as a gear itself.

Kokuyo is amazed by a method to preserve meat over winter by bottling the food in a glass pots. The village leader announces the sunrise of a new year, and is bewildered by the properties of tungsten, a material needed for Kingdom of Science's progress. Once acquiring various types of jewels, a satisfied Kokuyo states that they will be useful in defending the village, comically misunderstanding what they're designed for.

He is later seen when Senku plays the record his father left him, being amazed to hear the village founder. Kokuyo sadly remarks to himself that Kohaku is even more of a distant child after she calls Senku's treatment of his father cold.

### **Treasure Island Arc**

He travels on the Perseus to gather a way of creating more revival formula.

During the voyage, he is upset at the possibility of the Why-man being on the new island. He complains to Soyuz after he revealed the truth about himself and his past. However, he relents after realizing how hard it was for him.

He is shocked to discover Suika stowed away after Ryusui discovered her hiding.

He is petrified by Kirisame but gets revived by Senku.

Kokuyo is petrified once again, because of Ibara's last resort.

### **New America City Arc**

Kokuyo bears witness to the training of his daughter and Kirisame, remarking on their skill.

Kokuyo returns to Ishigami Village while his allies journey to America.

### **South America Arc**

He witnesses the Petrification beam heading over the Horizon and knowing the meaning he tells his fellows to assume a defensive position so they will not be damaged while stone. He is then petrified with the villagers.

### **Globetrotting Arc**

Nine years after petrifying, Kokuyo and the others were revived by the returning members of the Kingdom of Science. He is elated by the return of Kohaku and her friends. He and Ruri soon explains they and the others did not create the wall, which protected the petrified villagers before it is revealed that it was made by Sagara and Chalk.

## Trivia

* His name is derived from the Japanese word for obsidian, 黒曜石 (こくようせき)  made up from the characters Black (黒, *Kuro*) and Jewel (曜石, *Youseki*).

## References

1. ↑ Dr. Stone Manga: Volume 22 — Extras
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Dr. Stone: Kingdom of Science Encyclopedia, Page 68
3. ↑ Dr. Stone Manga: Volume 19 — Extras
4. ↑ Dr. Stone Manga: Chapter 212, Page 5
5. ↑ Dr. Stone Manga: Chapter 193, Page 12, Kokuyo is petrified along with the rest of the world.
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Dr. Stone Manga: Chapter 23, Page 2
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Dr. Stone Manga: Chapter 20, Page 4
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Dr. Stone Manga: Chapter 52, Page 11
9. ↑ Dr. Stone Manga: Chapter 48, Page 4
10. ↑ Dr. Stone Manga: Chapter 62, Page 7
11. ↑ Dr. Stone Manga: Chapter 31, Page 7
12. ↑ Dr. Stone Manga: Chapter 33, Page 13
13. ↑ Dr. Stone Manga: Chapter 34, Page 4
14. ↑ Dr. Stone Manga: Chapter 39, Page 14
15. ↑ Dr. Stone Manga: Chapter 40, Page 21
16. ↑ Dr. Stone Manga: Chapter 41, Page 18
17. ↑ Dr. Stone Manga: Chapter 46, Page 13
18. ↑ Dr. Stone Manga: Chapter 47, Page 17
19. ↑ Dr. Stone Manga: Chapter 48, Page 15
20. ↑ Dr. Stone Manga: Chapter 49, Page 18
21. ↑ Dr. Stone Manga: Chapter 51, Page 13
22. ↑ Dr. Stone Manga: Chapter 53, Page 10
23. ↑ Dr. Stone Manga: Chapter 54, Page 16
24. ↑ Dr. Stone Manga: Chapter 57, Page 3
25. ↑ Dr. Stone Manga: Chapter 60, Page 9
26. ↑ Dr. Stone Manga: Chapter 102, Page 4
27. ↑ Dr. Stone Manga: Chapter 103, Page 7
28. ↑ Dr. Stone Manga: Chapter 139, Page 7
29. ↑ Dr. Stone Manga: Chapter 192, Page 21
30. ↑ Dr. Stone Manga: Chapter 212, Page 11