Issa Kiduku

* Original
* Stage
* Anime

### Unit(s)

**Issa Kiduku** (築 一紗 *Kidzuku Issa*) is an idol under TSUKINO TALENT PRODUCTION. He is a member of the unit VAZZY and is the older brother of his band-mate, Futaba Kiduku.

## Official Character Introduction

*"Futaba Kiduku’s older brother.*

*Ever since they were kids, he’s always been the genius type who excels even without trying.*

*Because of that, he seems to be the selfish, carefree, prideful, and [the great me] type of character but, he’s actually a very innocent character with no ulterior motives. He does adore his little brother a lot but, since the way he shows affection has changed, a lot of people can’t seem to understand it.*

*He was in a band during his high school days and they had planned for a professional debut but since he had his personal goals, he quit."*

## Appearance

Issa is a young man of average height with red eyes and collar length black hair, with long bangs on the left side of his face. He has a small mole under his right eye as well as four piercings in his right ear. He and his brother don't look particularly alike and do not share any physical similarities.

## Personality

Issa is someone who is generally described as a person having an *“ore-sama”* personality but in truth, his personality is a lot more complex and deeper than he lets on. Though, in general, he has a hate-to-lose kind of personality and is proud of the skills that he possesses.

On the surface, he seems to be rough, sharp-tongued, and rude. While he does portray those aspects in his personality, he is also shown to be playful, caring, and even doting towards Yuma and Nao in some instances. He is also shown to be fond of Vazz, the cat that VAZZY’s taking care of and plays with him, too.

He particularly likes tormenting his younger brother, Futaba, occasionally hitting him or smacking him. Issa’s used to getting his way by asking Futaba *(rather forcefully)* to do stuff for him, even calling him *“manservant”* at one point. But, he’s not completely heartless as some people would assume. He just has a different way of showing affection, much to the chagrin of those on the receiving end.

Naosuke seems to have been weirdly attached to him and likes challenging him to *“determine who’s the best”* between them. Issa doesn’t acknowledge Naosuke or the challenge at first, saying that it’s annoying but, he eventually plays along. While he calls Naosuke *“annoying”, “childish”*, and *“a brat”*, he still showed great concern when Naosuke fell ill after waiting in the rain for Issa to return. He even smiles a bit when Naosuke called him *“nii-san (big brother)”* but he shrugs it off by saying that he’s not Naosuke’s older brother. This part of him shows that he is capable of having a guilty conscience because he felt bad that Naosuke got sick because of him. Issa does like a challenge as long as he’s the one initiating it.

Issa’s the no-nonsense type of person who won’t indulge anyone if he thinks it’s a waste of his time. Issa is shown to be a bit of a sentimental person specially when it comes to memories of his former band. Though, he sometimes tries to shrug it off, he does have an honest side that’s not ashamed to show what he’s feeling.

Issa doesn’t like being teased and doesn’t take kindly to anyone having any *“blackmail”* material against him. This is evident when Takaaki teased him by saying that he’ll show a picture of Issa sleeping after Issa refused to participate in the VAZZRadi talk.

He is generally quiet and will only talk if he’s spoken to. Though, if annoyed enough *(specially by Naosuke or by Futaba)* he will speak in a rather annoyed tone.

He can be a bit demanding and unreasonable as shown when he smacked Futaba awake one midnight because he wanted to eat some bread. This is shown more when he said he wouldn’t eat the bread unless it’s freshly baked. He can be oblivious sometimes as shown when he didn’t notice how Takaaki curled his hair as a prank as payback for Issa waking VAZZY up to make bread at midnight.

He has revealed in an official tweet that he’s not the type to get into many things at once and that he’s the type who likes to have one hobby at a time. He is rather shy and tries to deny his closeness with his brother and tries to deny that he enjoys being in VAZZY a lot. Though, his actions normally fail him as he lets out a smile here and then. And it has been hinted that he does enjoy Futaba’s company time and again.

Lately, he has been more open about showing his emotions and gratitude towards the other VAZZY members. Takaaki describes Issa to be cat-like to which Futaba agrees.

## History

Prior to joining TSUKIPRO, the only revealed past he had was how he had a band of his own during his high school that has since disbanded. Though, he mentions that some of those band members have continued on with music. He has history in the industry, but not much is revealed about what it is aside from modelling jobs here and there.

## Plot

### 2018

* **Age:** 23
* **Height:**  178 cm

He was asked to join the VAZZROCK Project but prior to joining, he has notable experience in the industry since Ouka and Takaaki know who he is and what kind of personality he had.

### 2019

* **Age:** 24
* **Height:**  178 cm

### 2020

* **Age:** 25
* **Height:**  178 cm

### 2021

* **Age:** 26
* **Height:**  178 cm

## Relationships

### VAZZY

**Futaba Kiduku** – Issa’s younger brother and undoubtedly, the person who’s closest to him. Futaba admires and greatly respects Issa as both a talent and as his older brother. Issa enjoys the doting that Futaba does and sometimes takes advantage of Futaba’s kindness towards him. Futaba is the more open brother and the one who speaks up for Issa when the latter doesn’t know how to express his emotions or when Issa’s being shy about it. He treats Futaba like a servant sometimes, much to Ouka’s displeasure.

Still, despite all the mean attitude and harsh words that Issa throws at Futaba, he still is proud that Futaba is his younger brother. Specially after Futaba has shown an affinity for being an idol. He has given Futaba a lot of advice *(which Futaba takes to heart)* and has given his brother silent support on occasion. Though Issa vehemently denies that he’s close with Futaba, they have mutual respect for each other and consider each other as rivals, too. Futaba doesn't want Issa to quit being an idol because he enjoys working with his brother a lot.

When they were younger, Futaba was a very sickly child and so Issa was concerned for him a lot. Once, when Futaba was sent to the hospital, Issa got mad at him because he was afraid that Futaba was going to die.

Since they are brothers, Issa refers to Futaba by first name whereas Futaba always refers to him as *“Nii-san”.*

**Takaaki Mamiya** – Takaaki is the leader of VAZZY and as such, Issa needs to listen to him, much to his dismay. Though, Issa’s not too obedient towards Takaaki, Takaaki doesn’t take it too seriously and often teases Issa. Issa has a hate-to-lose personality and Takaaki is one of the people he definitely does not want to lose to, such as the time he challenged Takaaki to a drinking challenge *(which he lost)*. Takaaki doesn’t seem to mind Issa’s outbursts and challenges. Amid all of these though, Issa still respects Takaaki as the leader.

**Ouka Kira** – Issa and Ouka aren’t exactly on *“best friends”* term because their personalities contrast a lot. Ouka doesn’t like how Issa treats Futaba and Issa is quick to retaliate when Ouka’s speaking. However, since there are some parts of their personalities that are similar, they have a silent understanding about how the other feels and aren’t afraid to voice it out in front of everyone. What Ouka’s oblivious to in his personality, Issa’s aware of. And what Issa’s oblivious to in his personality, Ouka points it out without hesitation.

They are on a first name basis as well, referring to each other as *“Issa”* and *“Ouka”* respectively. Though, he will call Ouka, *"Ouka-chan"* when he's trying to tease the latter.

**Naosuke Oyama** – Naosuke is bent on challenging Issa and winning against him in anything. Naosuke wants to be more popular than Issa but Issa keeps telling him that it’s too early for Naosuke to accomplish that. Issa calls Naosuke *“annoying,” “noisy,” “a brat,”* *“kid,” “puppy,” “stupid,”* and *“stupid dog”* on multiple occasions. Naosuke is persistent and has a hate-to-lose personality similar to Issa’s which causes them to argue a lot.

Despite how Issa might act towards Naosuke, he does show concern for the younger one specially when Naosuke fell ill. He became concerned for Naosuke when he got too nervous during a photoshoot *(seeing as how Naosuke is still a newbie to the industry),* and he even got concerned when Naosuke cried too much during his birthday. He does indulge and acknowledge Naosuke’s challenges from time to time and is seen to be enjoying it despite how much he tries to deny it.

Issa is a person who likes being respected though so, when Naosuke forgets to add the *“-san”* honorific when referring to Issa, Issa always corrects him.

They are on a first name basis as well, referring to each other as *“Naosuke”* and *“Issa-san”* respectively.

**Yuma Shirase** – While Issa finds Naosuke too annoying, he finds Yuma a little bit of a goody-two-shoes. He has, on occasion, referred to Yuma as *“Prince”* or *“Honor student”* for the way Yuma acts around his peers and his *senpai*. Yuma seems to be fond of Issa despite Issa’s brazen attitude. Issa has been shown to be a bit *“weaker”* to Yuma’s demands compared to Naosuke’s since Yuma rarely asks for anything. He is a bit nicer to Yuma and generally enjoys teasing him. Yuma still greatly respects Issa though and goes to him for advice from time to time. Issa *(and Futaba)* even accompanied Yuma to talk with the agency staff when Yuma was having difficulty scheduling his work days and his school days.

They are on a first name basis but, Issa generally prefers calling Yuma by his nickname *“Prince”* while Yuma calls him *"Issa-san"*.

### ROCK DOWN

**Gaku Oguro** – They have never interacted in drama CDs but, it is shown that they are on friendly terms and that Issa has never said one bad thing about Gaku yet. Gaku has once taken care of Issa when the latter was getting annoyed about the excessive heat.

**Haruto Kujikawa** - Issa incidentally first met Haruto when Haruto visited Futaba's room to return clothes that he borrowed. Futaba was absent, so Issa was the one who answered the door. Issa finds Haruto and his rather strange habits very interesting, and has since taken a liking to him. Haruto is younger and so Issa has a soft spot for him *(as he does with all his juniors)*. Issa does think of him as a little weird, but he enjoys Haruto's company to the point that he invites him out to go eat and to go shopping. Issa has mentioned on multiple occasions that Haruto reminds him of a dog.

They are on a first name basis, with Issa calling Haruto by *"Haruto"* and Haruto calling Issa *"Issa-san."*

**Reiji Amaha** - They get along well. Issa doesn't mind Reiji much, though when they interact it seems as if they're on the same wavelength. Issa has offered to cook Reiji dinner when he couldn't find Haruto to invite. Reiji genuinely finds Issa interesting and is quick to look for a reaction whenever he does something Issa wouldn't expect. They're both very professional and take work seriously since they have been in the industry for quite a long time.

Issa also referred to Reiji as a *"stray dog"* once. Reiji also feels comfortable enough around Issa to not worry about keeping up appearances. They both respect each other as artists.

They are on a first name basis, referring to each other as *"Issa"* and *"Reiji"* respectively.

**Ayumu Tachibana** - the first official interaction between Issa and Ayumu was during 2019's voice actor event *(VAZZROCK Festival 2019 in Hulic Hall Tokyo)*. They seem to be in friendly terms since Issa offered to help Ayumu with the event program while they wait for Naosuke to come home. Issa has mentioned in the event that he finds Ayumu interesting.

They are on first name basis as well, referring to each other as *"Issa"* and *"Ayumu"* respectively.

## Etymology

* The unique character of his surname (**築**) means "fabricate, build, construct".
* The first character in **Issa** (**一**) means "one", while the second kanji (**紗**) means "gauze, gossamer".

## Trivia

* Issa shares his voice actor with Six Gravity's manager Kanade Tsukishiro.
* He once won 10,000 yen in the lottery, during New Year's he and Futaba went to go eat *yakiniku* with the money he won.
* Issa played spicy chocolate Russian Roulette with Naosuke during Valentine's Day, which he won. Nao got the spicy chocolate on his first draw.
* He's one of the members of the unofficial *"men who are great at cooking!"* group in VAZZROCK.
* According to info revealed by Ruka *(via a text from Futaba)* during a special edition of VAZZRadi, Issa resembles his mother in both face and personality while Futaba resembles their father in both face and personality.
* During VAZZROCK's 1st anniversary tweets, Takaaki referred to Issa as VAZZY's *"fashion expert"*.
* Ruka has dubbed Issa a member of the *"Energy-saving brothers"* group in VAZZROCK, a.k.a. people who don't like to speak much during broadcasts. This group includes Ayumu and Ouka.
* Takaaki thinks that Issa's sensitivity is cute.
* Some things that he's shown a great liking to at some point in his life are: cacao nibs and piercings.
* Issa doesn't like playing video games but he knows what the *"Dragon Quest's"* opening theme sounds like because he watches Futaba play it a lot.
* He thinks that Nao would look good in a *jinbei*, a casual *yukata-style* summer outfit for young boys.
* Futaba doesn't want Issa to cut his hair short.
* He was on Team Wolf during the TSUKIPRO Harajuku Shop Fairy Tale Collection set. VAZZY's theme was *"Little Red Riding Hood"*.
* Issa's nicknames include:
	+ *"Older Kiduku"*
	+ *"Icchi"*
* He has thrown a tantrum once when they were children, because Futaba wouldn't give Issa his bag.
* Issa's likes include: studying, sleeping, music, physical activities, his younger brother, his juniors, cooking, spicy food, massages, lazing around.
* He loves acting cold towards people he likes, but he also likes to be spoiled by them a lot. He's been referred to as a cat.
* Issa hates artificial wind *(i.e. air conditioners)*.
* He hates speaking about his old band days.
* Issa stays a lot in his brother's dorm.
* Takaaki mentioned before that Issa and Reiji have a lot of similarities.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 VAZZROCK Official Website *(translations by: ryota-kunstranslations)*
2. ↑ VAZZY Unit Song CD Vol. 1 - Drama Track 2 *(fan translations available here)*
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 VAZZROCK Official Tweets
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 VAZZROCK bi-Color Series Vol. 3 - Topaz Drama Track 2 (fan translations here)
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Kiduku Issa and Kiduku Futaba Official Birthday Tweets 2018
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 VAZZROCK bi-Color Series Vol. 4 - Ruby Drama Tracks 1, 2, and 3 (fan translations here)
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 7.9 VAZZROCK - VAZZRadi Tweets + VAZZROCK bi-Color Series Completion Tweets
8. ↑ VAZZROCK bi-Color Series 2nd Season Vol. 1 Amethyst x Diamond - Drama Track 1 (fan translations here)
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Kiduku Issa Official Birthday Tweets 2019
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 VAZZY Unit Song CD Vol. 1 - VAZZY Start
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 VAZZROCK New Year's 2019 Official Tweets
12. ↑ bi-Color Series S2 Vol. 7 - Topaz x Aquamarine - Fan translations here.
13. ↑ Kira Ouka Official Birthday Tweets 2018
14. ↑ Oyama Naosuke Official Birthday Tweets 2018
15. ↑ VAZZROCK "Typhoon No. 7's name is kinda cute" Tweets (06/30/2018)
16. ↑ VAZZROCK Play of Colors Series Vol. 2 Drama Tracks (fan translations here)
17. ↑ VAZZROCK "Sensitive or not..." Tweets (07/10/2018)
18. ↑ bi-Color Series S2 Vol. 4 - Sapphire x Ruby - Fan translations available here.
19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 bi-Color Series S2 Vol. 5 - Ruby x Emerald - Fan translations here.
20. ↑ Compiled by & English translation provided by Ryota-kunstranslations on Tumblr.
21. ↑ VAZZROCK Valentine's Day 2019 Official Tweets
22. ↑ Mamiya Takaaki Birthday Tweets 2019
23. ↑ VAZZROCK 1st Anniversary Tweets
24. ↑ VAZZROCK "An afternoon to see yukatas" Tweets (08/03/2018)
25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 VAZZROCK Official Tweets (08/06/2018)
26. ↑ TSUKIPRO Fairy Tale Tweets – [08/27/2018]
27. ↑ VAZZROCK Tokuten Drama CD - VAZZRadi - VAZZY Chapter (fan translations here)
28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 TSUKIPRO Info VAZZY Profiles - Translations here.