Koukawa Oboro

UFS

* DSO

Club Persona

**Oboro** Koukawa (甲河 **朧**) or **Masked Taimanin** is one of the characters introduced in Taimanin Asagi 3.

A Koukawa clan Taimanin, of a side branch of the clan that protects the main branch. She's the original Oboro that in a fight with Black in the Koukawa Massacre, almost lost her life, she transferred her soul into a different host body. Her corpse was seized and turned into Asagi's arch enemy, "Oboro". She remained hidden afterward and joined the UFS, as a chief of the DSO Japanese branch. She has a strong, almost motherly bound to Asuka.

## Personality

Oboro is **mysterious** and **Stoic**, she gives off a certain air of respect, without a need for harsh words or violence. As more of a **pragmatist**, she thinks that some **morally gray** actions are justified, deceives friend and foe, working with unscrupulous people and dirty tricks are allowed if needed. Compared to Asagi, she has a hardliner approach against demons and preference to make her own choices over the government.

However, ultimately does so for the good of the people around her and not for personal gain and is willing to give her life for others.

Having a rather mocking chipper tone when fighting, she has also good acting skills is an expert of infiltration. Threatening people that try to dig into her real identity, she wishes to be just addressed with a code name. Possibly as her ability does only extend her life, she puts a lot of effort into her mentoring to create a future generation.

Viewing the Taimanin organization as ill-equipped to fight the threat of demons, as they are limited by the Japanese Government. She prefers to work as a Rogue Taimanin while still upholding most of the moral principles.

### Relationships

 Li Mayfeng | Both sisters dislike each other. However, the reason has not been explored. Could, however, be connected to Meifeng leaving the Koukawa clan. Edwin Black noted that he would not kill Li Mayfeng because he knew a woman, that would want to do it herself, if that was fully just normal Oboro or her "body Oboro" is unclear.

## Appearance

She looks like Oboro, pink/violet short hair with a bob head cut. She has a smaller to medium bust and below her mask violet/purple eyes.

Furthermore, she wears a black leotard-like battle suit, and over her clothes typically a red coat that she will take off if she fights serious.

Oboro also will wear a red dress, and again a mask when using her "Madame" identity for Club Persona.

## History

### Background

A Taimanin and one of the leaders of the prestigious Koukawa family. Probably born around the year 2044.

She is the oldest daughter of one of the sidearm of the Koukawa clan, which protect the main branch of the family. Oboro was put in charge as the guardian of the future clan head Koukawa Asuka. She is a user of a Ninja Art, which is considered especially powerful, which allows her to move her own soul into another target.

When the Koukawa arrived at Gosha Village, by the call of the Japanese Government, Oboro and her clan did not fully integrate into Gosha. Instead, they established a nearby settlement and observed. As powers shifted and the Igawa clan became the dominant power power over the Fuuma clan, they assisted against Fuuma Danjo's Revolt. Oboro knew already of Igawa Asagi, but unsure if her bluntness, was tactical or crazy. She still harbored some like for Asagi, as the "Igawa Elders" were far more hardliner than the daughter of the chief. As of the canon of RPGX, the Igawa clan of Igawa Asagi was helped in an internal conflict, fought and defeated the Igawa Elder Revolt Group, as these had always conflicted with the Koukawa. Both Asagi and Oboro met, at first skeptical but developed a level of trust.

Both her and Asagi became "somewhat" friends and went on some missions but not much else is known about that time. However, the clan and Oboro still remained isolationist, viewing a direct control over Taimanin missions by the government as dangerous, as it would make them unable to take out corrupted elements with governmental protection or even corrupt politicians in cahoots with the demonic forces.

All changed as on day, the Koukawa settlement, became a target of Nomad. Black himself, let and large raid against the Koukawa, which resulted in the massacre of the entire clan. A very young Asuka was taken hostage and Oboro, confronting Black in a fight in exchange for Asuka's freedom for the dual. Oboro was "killed" or "taken" but Asuka was left alone as promised. Oboro's corpse was used in experimentation by Fürst, which created the evil Oboro, that served Edwin Black and Nomad. Unbeknownst to Black and even the Gosha Taimanin that arrived later to save Asuka. The real Oboro used her ability **"Cicada Shell"** to escape her death/capture, and switches her soul into another body to stay alive. Leaving Asuka to be adopted by Asagi for the time, Oboro left the village without anybody knowing.

Oboro joined the DSO of the UFS, an Anti-Nomad faction, using a disguise. As a Rogue Taimanin, she used her mask to conceal her identity and people called her only; the **Masked Taimanin**. As she rose in the ranks, she became the chief of the DSO Japan Branch, at the Orange Industry Building. While Oboro caused trouble in the ONT Conflict, in 2069, and became known as the Traitor Taimanin, most Gosha Taimanin and the government, that Oboro herself had gone criminal rouge and had joined Edwin Black, with the real Koukawa Oboro now able to act like a phantom from foe and friend alike, she never revealed the truth.

Years later in 2080, when Asuka was much older, now also a Taimanin, she ignored the instructions of Asagi and rushed into a fight with Edwin Black alone. Driven by her desire for revenge for her clan, she was defeated and her limbs were cut, with her bleeding out. The evil Oboro, was tasked to kill Asuka, not knowing the truth Asuka tried to talk to her former mentor but without success. Asuka could only be saved with the arrival of the "Masked Taimanin", which pushed the evil Oboro back. Taking Asuka limbless body, both escaped in the chaos, leaving Black and Oboro unable to stop them and unable to decipher her identity. Bringing Asuka to the DSO, the Masked Taimanin, gave her an advanced prosthesis, and Asuka learning the truth of her mentor and mother figure, joined the DSO as well. Having great faith in Asuka as one of the last members of the Koukawa clan and hope for the clan's future, the "Masked Taimanin" helped to further the training of Asuka and both went on missions together for the DSO but did not reveal that Asuka was still alive for some time. Though Oboro did tolerate that Asuka would reveal, that she was still alive to her adopted brother Kosuke a year before the events of TA3.

### Visual Novels

In the year **2082**, early on in Taimanin Asagi 3, the "Masked Taimanin" attacked Nomad members in the UFS. Fighting some bear Beastman, looking for information about Black's current location. Getting in a short fight with Ingrid, the Masked Taimanin rivaled her in strength and was able to push back against her much to the surprise of Ingrid, which could not tell, who the mysterious Taimanin was.

Having already learned the information about Black's current movements, the Masked Taimanin just escaped the fight, without Ingrid able to follow, and made her way back to Japan. Hoping to gather more intel with the help of Asuka, she joined back with the DSO Japan Branch and Kotani Kenji, overseeing the current operations, that put further doubt on prime minister Asai. She was in command and ordered to go during a mission, in which Asuka created chaos in the Prime Minister's Official Residence, as a diversion, to enable Kotani to download multiple encrypted files in the hope to understand Asai's plans and his connection to Nomad.

Giving Asuka, some free time, she decrypted the data but learning of just a part of the plan called Asuka back from her short off time. Sending her to protect Nonomura Hiroo, a high ranking politician from Asagi, as Asai ordered his death and send Asagi to his location. Learning, over her communicator, that Nonomura killed himself before Asagi even arrived, the Masked Taimanin herself made her way to the location.

Understanding the full plan, knowing that Asai tried to frame Asagi and the Gosha Taimanin as traitors and killers. The Masked Taimanin arrived just in time to save Asagi, which ran right into the trap, only thinking she was on a secret retcon mission. A hit commando of the Kanda Brigade a part of the Japanese military started to attack and both the Masked Taimanin and Asagi defeated the Raiden unit in the unit. Explaining that both herself and Asagi had been fooled, they watched the current news broadcast learning that Asai blamed the Chinese Union for Nonomura's death in public to push for a fusion of Japan into the UFS, while explaining that the Taimanin themselves would now be targets with Gosha Village probably raided.

Without disclosing who she was, she used her **"Cicada Shell"** moving to a new body with Asagi still in the dark. While Asagi, started to destroy data servers in Tokyo, which contained information about all hideouts and Taimanin on undercover mission. The Masked Taimanin, herself rushed after Asuka, which in order to save her adopted brother rushed herself to Gosha Village recklessly.

When Asuka arrived in Gosha Village, and saved some Taimanin, she came face to face with Edwin Black, which revealed himself to be Asai as well. Alone she was completely outclassed by him, once more and almost killed but Oboro jumped in, giving Asuka time to escape, to DSO headquarters very damaged.

Fighting Black on her own, "The Masked Taimanin" used her **"Cicada Shell"** multiple times on the corpses of soldiers Asuka killed before, to escape Black's attacks, but her Ninja Art became weaker over time. Black is able to figure out who she really is, and commends about the strength of her art and skill. Able to injure him and force Black to use his true strength, she was not, however, able to win and was killed. Stabbed and sliced by his shadow mist, her cicada shell became too slow, and she was unable to escape this time. Though, Edwin Black does commend, that she pushed him close to defeat.

It is somewhat hinted that her soul returned to her old body, the corrupted Oboro, as she commented on this to Fürst. However, if this made any significant change for evil Oboro is unclear, it could be that she gained knowledge about the DSO headquarter, but it isn't 100% clear. Asuka later only encounters evil Oboro as well, devastated that her mentor had died. However, in her own route, is the one that kills that "body" and gives her mentor **Koukawa Oboro** peace.

### Timeline TABA

Events of TA3 do not play out, but TABA takes place instead. Plays between 2082 and 2086, in which Oboro remains alive until the TABA Reset.

In year **2082**, Disguised herself as Oboro from Nomad, and hired Fuuma Kotaro (TABA) to close a Otherworld Gate and obtain a Philosopher's Stone. Both encounter some G, agents on their way and a Demon Murasaki, which was forced to awaken with the help of the stone. Regardless of the deal, Oboro only left Kotaro 2 million yen and has yet to pay the 18 million she promised after the job was done.

Worked with him afterwards as the "Masked Taimanin", in Amidahara again on a mission involving a Philosopher's Stone and the UFS actions. Kotaro is later able to discover, that she is Koukawa Oboro and the one that took his money, he also assumes that their must be at least two but is unsure why, with Oboro not revealing all of her secrets yet. She later often either informs Kotaro himself with new intel or sents Koukawa Asuka to support him on missions.

She assists in the first capture of Saya Neo and asks Kotaro later on to help to recapture her, as Saya likes to escape and just wander around. When Kotaro houses a Brain Flayer, she calls it dangerious and demands its destruction, as it can make the worlds unstable. While, both come to an agreement, she is overpowered by the Brain Flayer, thanks to memories of another world and starts to attack. After being calmed, Kotaro uses his chance to get close with her, something Oboro finds later on rather akward.

Her support against Fuuma Danjo revolt is mentioned, supporting Kotaro with intel and the assistance of Asuka. Encounters and worked together with Fuuma Kotaro. Unlike the Gosha Taimanin, that are far more opposed to the Fuuma Organization, she shares both information and troops for missions that could benefit both sides, even sending Koukawa Asuka to help Kotaro at times. As "G" is introduced, an evil group of the UFS which is in conflict with the DSO and Fuuma Organization, both fight G together and gather information about Kotaro's father Danjo that had joined "G". More members of the DSO are also introduced that work under Koukawa Oboro. The Masked Taimanin, also provides the most help to find Danjo and before this Tokiko when she was captured by Danjo. Comes to the rescue a few times and could be considered a bit of a partner, even if she is double crossed she will not stop until things are done right.

Works at multiple times with Igawa Asagi, even moreso after Kotaro kills his father and obtains a dangerious ability in her eyes. As Kotaro sets his eyes on Fürst, he obtains the powerful Amamiya Shisui and asks both the Masked Taimanin and Asagi to stand down with a display of power, until he solved the matter. As a sign of good faith, he also returns some of the kidnapped members of the Taimanin, including Kamimura Maika and Shido Rinka. The Masked Taimanin is the first one to agree, as she did not dislike their time working together.

In the Final Battle, year **2086**, the Masked Taimanin is mentioned to hold back Task Force G, while Taimanin and Fuuma Organization take care of Nomad.

### Timeline RPGX

TA3, does not take place. Certain timed events are changed, as such it is unknown when the ONT conflict took place if at all.

During the Fuuma Revolt, in **2068**, Oboro observed the conflict between Igawa and Fuuma. However, did not fully ally with either side as the Igawa Elders pushed for the destruction of the Fuuma.

Finding, Fuuma Tokiko on her way with Fuuma Kotaro, to get into contact with Gosha Village and Asagi to stop the fighting. Oboro allowed them to move unhindered, and was impressed.

Oboro, helped in the defeat of the Igawa Revolt Group of the Igawa Elders in the year **2070**. Koukawa clan moved afterward closer, with their Koukawa village but still layed far outside from Gosha.

The events of the Koukawa Massacre, occur in the year **2073** on Valentines Day, and are changed. The group that attacked wasn't "really" from Edwin Black but the Corpse Lord "Teutates" which sought an item the clan had collected unknowingly, in the Tesserac. Asuka again was in danger of death and was only saved with Koukawa Oboro fighting Teutates on her own, pushing the demon to reveal his true form. Teutates "second form" looking like "Edwin Black", calling himself the "true black" and the true chaos. Koukawa again, is defeated but able to escape by her Art. Her body is given once more to Fürst, which in this canon works in secret for the Corpse Lord. Turning Oboro into a double agent within Nomad.

Once more, the "Masked Taimanin" starts working for the DSO but also, uses a cover group of the DSO called Club Persona to gain intel and power in Tokyo Kingdom. In it, known as Madame, she is known to be one of the best info brokers. Otherwise, the "Masked Taimanin" again joined the DSO and at times helps the Independent Rangers but keeps enough secrets to make full trust complicated.

In year **2083**, the Masked Taimanin asked the Taimanin and Ryomanin for assistance in a mission against Task Force G. G lost, Saya Neo and tried to recapture the bio weapon, and the DSO wished to destroy it because of the inherent danger it could cause. However, when Kotaro arrived and helped Saya to escape from Hestia, an agent of G, Saya became extremely attached to him. Kotaro decided not to kill her, and together with Shido Rinka made his way to Gosha. Both Ryomanin and DSO members attacked his group half hearted, which allowed him to come really far. However, the MT arrived to stop Kotaro and Saya herself, as the girl collapsed, MT was attacked by Mizuki Yukikaze lighting and surrounded by both Clear Lobel and Igawa Asagi. The Masked Taimanin threatend that this could break the peace treaty between Japan and UFS, which Asagi agreed with stating that attacking a guest within the Gosha perimeters would indeed violate the treaty between them. The Masked Taimanin dropped her weapons, and agreed to leave for now leaving Saya to the Taimanin afterward.

In the year **2084**, the Masked Taimanin defended a DSO base, from Mizuki Yukikaze (Future) and Fuuma Kotaro, which had infiltrated to destroy the Tesserac which was stored there. Both the MT and Asuka fought against the Yukikaze from a Post-Apocalyptic Future Universe, which tried to destroy the object to avoid a repeat of her own timeline. As a Brain Flayer, Arsal arrived, all their attenion was directed against it and its goal to reach the Tesserac as well. After, they were able to kill it, Asuka destroyed the Tesserac, believing this version of Yukikaze.

### Timeline Action

TA3 did not take place.

Helps in the training of two Taimanin juniors, "Kannazuki Sora" and "Igawa Sakuya". As the Masked Taimanin she provides information to the Taimanin Task Force about Momochi Toyo, a Task Force G base and active Death Wraiths.

Sends Granie Province to also study in Gosha Village, which connects with Fuuma Saika. Once more the DSO works much closer with the Taimanin but Club Persona is also mentioned. At some point Oboro disguises herself as the Masked Taimanin, in a very confusing interaction.

## Additional Material

* Does not appear in the OVA of Taimanin Asagi 3 and seems not to exist in the OVA at all.
* In the manga, she only appears in the form of a memory of Koukawa Asuka, in which she pushes Asuka to think her way out to the good ending.

## Powers/Abilities

**Main Weapon**: Two Knuckle Blades or Claws

* **Ninja Art**: "**Cicada Shell**" Oboro is able to possess other people, at which point they will look just like her, including the clothes.
	+ This Ninja Art can be used long distance and even on corpses. However, without a true body to return to, it cuts the life of the user shorter. The ability could be limited, in a way, that she can only take over targets significantly weaker. This skill can be used quick, but if performed rapidly can miss the timing.
	+ In some attack animations, she is also seen blinking into lifeless objects shortly.
* **Expert Knife Combat**: Close in strength to Asagi.
* **Expert Long distance**: Kunai's and throwing chakrams.
* **Claw User**: Used to fight with claws like Oboro but has changed to knifes.
* **Particle Control**: Taimanin are able to manipulate Taima Particles to enhance their physical strength, speed and defense. The particles are also used to counter demonic influences and strengthen damage to demons.

## Media

* Taimanin Asagi 3
	+ Manga
* Taimanin Asagi Battle Arena
* Taimanin RPGX
* Action Taimanin

## Trivia

* As the original Oboro only lives using borrowed bodies alive or dead, it is hinted that this could shorten her life span if she used **Cicada Shell** too much.
* It is often suggested that Oboro knows about other worlds and dimensions. In ZERO, she knows that the world has been reset as soon as she sees Black. In TABA, she makes a strong effort to collect all Philosopher's Stones, which can be used to open Gates to the Otherworld or parallel Universes, and can destabilize reality. She also acts relentless when one of the stones is not given to her by Kotaro, until she has it. Furthermore the same thing happens, when encountering Brain Flayers, that can have a power that also interacts with dimensions. In RPGX, she stored the Tesserac a powerful tool of the Brain Falyers as well, hinting that she somehow has knowledge about these things.
* As her life is running on bought time. It could explain her strong desire to make Asuka grow fast and become the real Koukawa clan heir.
* Her age is hard to pin down. Only April fool material of the age of the evil Oboro is given with 28 but without disclosing if around TA or TA3. She should be at least a few years older than Asagi regardless. Meaning, Oboro should be around 34-38.
* In Taimanin Asagi ZERO, seeks out to corrupt that Oboro for her **Cicada Shell** ability, something he learned from the TA3 timeline.
* Why the Koukawa clan was attacked in the normal canon is not said, however, it could be as simple as it would weaken the Taimanin overall and was a save attacking target.
* It is also implied that after the real death of Oboro her soul returned to her body but was corrupted, however the wording is vague.
* She has no H scenes in Taimanin Asagi 3.
* Kotaro in TABA, mentions his frustration she will not pay back her dept.
* The attack on the Koukawa happened on Valentine's Day. The year between RPGX and Canon have to be different to fit into their timelines.
* In Taimanin RPGX she uses the Club Persona, as a front to interact with some of the criminal underworld directly and gain intel.
* Oboro is portrayed as a few years older than Asagi. She is class teacher in Taimanin Asagi ZERO, when Asagi is a (late but still) student. In the RPGX flashbacks she is much older than both Asagi and Mizuki Shiranui, making her one of the oldest Taimanin outside, of characters like Inage Natsu or Sakura Fuunsai.

## Quotes

**Masked Taimanin**: "*Well, even I don't know that much. All I can say is that you and me are on the back foot. This time, Black is serious.*"
**Asagi**: "*You, and me? Who are yoiu, to know that much? The skill with which you killed those soldiers, it looked like a Taimanin hand-to-hand technique, but...*"
**Masked Taimanin**: "*Hmm, I wonder who ♪ I'll set that pleasure aside for the end. Igawa Asagi.*"
— Interaction of Asagi and the Masked Taimanin in Taimanin Asagi 3.[src]

**Ingrid**: "*Let's hear your name.*"
**Masked Taimanin**: "*Hmph. Masked Taimanin, shall I have you call me that?*"
**Ingrid**: "*Mocking bitch! I'll interrogate you by burning you a little.*"
**Masked Taimanin**: "*Ah, that's a coincidence. I was just thinking of interrogating you by chopping you up.*"
— Masked Taimanin and Ingrid fighting in Taimanin Asagi 3.[src]

**Asuka**: "*I understand that, but, um... Can I not go to school anything anymore? Ah, no, no. That's alright. Everyone will be busy after this, so I won't blithely go to the academy.*"
**Masked Taimanin**: "*Asuka, spending your days as an ordinary girl is crucial for you as well.*"
**Asuka**: "*Chief...*"
**Masked Taimanin**: "*Go do it. While you can. Make lots of normal memories as a student. I can't say anything but that.*"
**Asuka**: "*Yes!*"
— Masked Taimanin allows some off-duty time for Asuka.[src]

**Masked Taimanin**: "*That's something you'll never understand your whole life, immortal.*"
**Black**: "*At that time, you saved that girl by sacrificing your body. And it was tainted with darkness by Fürst's hand. Actually, my subordinate, Oboro, is in good health...Kukuu, humans really are interesting.*"
**Masked Taimanin**: "*That's a fake. It's nothing more than an evil soul put into my former body.*"
— Black asking why the Masked Taimanin saved Asuka.[src]

## Gallery

TA3 vs Beastman bearsVs Edwin BlackDeath in Canon UniverseVs IngridConcept Art Masked OboroOboro and smaller demonArsal fighting Koukawa Oboro, Koukawa Asuka and Mizuki Yukikaze (Future)With Taimanin SuitUnmasked and hair knotIn Taimanin Saga artbookMask OffMask OffDuring Igawa and Fuuma revolt (Used also for Asagi ZERO)