Kingo Hirato

**Kingo Hirato** (平戸キンゴ, *Hirato Kingo*) is the main protagonist in the manga series *Wild Strawberry*. Growing up in an orphanage alongside Kayano, who shares a similar background, he assumes a brotherly role towards her. Kingo works as one of the cleaners responsible for tidying up the aftermath when a Jinka blooms and subsequently gets incinerated in the inner parts of Tokyo.

## Appearance

### Human Form

Kingo, as a human, possesses an average height and a slim build. His appearance includes unkempt, long hair that often obscures his face due to a prolonged lack of haircuts. When going about his daily activities, particularly when procuring food for himself and Kayano, he takes precautions by wearing a hoodie jacket, a dark-colored cap, and a face mask, along with comfortable clothing underneath.

### Jinka Form

A significant turning point in Kingo's journey occurs when Kayano enters him to revive him, preventing him from succumbing to fatal injuries inflicted by the chief of the Flower Funeral Force. As a result of this unique circumstance, Kingo transforms into a Jinka that has yet to bloom. After saving the doctor who previously explained the life-saving act performed by Kayano within him, Kingo undergoes a transformation into a Jinka himself. This metamorphosis is marked by the darkening of his left eye and the emergence of root-like appendages from the blooming flower within him, akin to the appearance Kayano possessed upon becoming a fully developed Jinka.

#### Jinka Body Transformation

Kingo's body is intricately woven together with the Jinka entity residing within him. This presence of Jinka becomes apparent through delicate, sinuous stems that traverse his skin, resembling a network akin to veins. These stems create the impression of vitality flowing throughout his being. Particularly noteworthy is Kingo's right eye, where a flower resembling a poppy anemone, similar to Kayano's, has bloomed from the eye socket. Enhancing this enigmatic appearance, root-like structures extend from Kingo's body, further entwining with the Jinka's presence.

Kingo, younger daysKingo - Jinka FormKingo - Jinka Form (Colored)
## Personality

Displaying a sense of responsibility and seriousness, Kingo fulfills the role of a dedicated brother figure to Kayano, his companion at Nozomi-en Orphanage during their upbringing. His commitment to this sibling-like bond is unwavering, as he goes to great lengths to ensure Kayano remains protected from the Flower Funeral Force, preventing her from facing the risk of being captured and incinerated, especially as she approaches the critical stage of becoming a Jinka, with the flower within her on the verge of blooming.

In the midst of a life-threatening situation, when he faced the imminent danger of being shot by the Flower Funeral Force for obstructing their duty to incinerate the newly transformed Jinka, Kayano, Kingo remained steadfast. Despite being in a critical condition, he fervently voiced the promises he had made to her, including the pledge to take her to a family restaurant. Even after enduring a gunshot wound to the head by the chief, he continued to console Kayano, displaying remarkable resilience and dedication to their bond.

## Plot

### Background

During their earlier years, Kingo and Kayano found themselves among the orphans residing at Nozomi-en Orphanage. Eventually, a couple adopted them, fostering hope for a nurturing environment. However, their perceptions were shattered one fateful night when Kayano woke Kingo to overhear the couple's unsettling argument regarding their sinister intentions. The couple contemplated consuming one of the two children.

Caught in the act of eavesdropping, the situation quickly escalated, and the couple attempted to devour the young siblings. Fortunately, just in the nick of time, Kayano's Jinka, still in its early stages of development and had just bloomed, came to their rescue, averting the dire fate that loomed over them.

## Relationships

### Familial

* **Kayano:** Despite not being biologically related, Kingo takes on the role of an elder brother figure for Kayano and holds deep affection for her, treating her as if she were his own real younger sister. This close bond between them develops as they grow up together within the confines of the orphanage. During a critical moment when Kingo's life hangs in the balance after being shot by the chief of the Flower Funeral Force, Kayano retaliates by attacking and injuring only the officers. In a desperate bid to save Kingo from his life-threatening injuries, she parasitically enters his body, utilizing her Jinka abilities to resuscitate him and prevent him from succumbing to the gunshot wound.

### Non-Familial

* **Makino:** Previously associated with the Flower Funeral Force, Makino encountered a threatening situation with Jinka, but fortunately, he was rescued by Kayano's Jinka residing within Kingo's human form. Subsequently, he provides Kingo with valuable information regarding the Jinka's origin, suggesting it is situated atop Tokyo Tower in central Tokyo. However, that much of this information is based on his theories.

## Operational Proficiency

### Abilities and Skills

* **Jinka Transformation**: Kingo has the ability to transform into a Jinka, a supernatural being with plant-like characteristics. Inside his Jinka form, he can communicate with Kayano, his little sister, who aids him in his transformations and plays a significant role in his abilities. This transformation seems to be involuntary and connected to his sister, Kayano.

* **Regenerative Healing:** While the series doesn't focus on this aspect, Kingo, after becoming a Jinka due to Kayano, possesses a remarkable ability to heal himself even after severe injuries or decapitation inflicted by other Jinkas he has battled.

* **Enhanced Strength:** In his Jinka form, Kingo exhibits extraordinary offensive prowess by delivering devastating blows to other Jinkas using only his left arm. His lethal technique involves one-shotting his opponents by precisely squeezing their stomachs to force their hearts to burst.
	+ **Combat Skills**: Kingo is capable of engaging in combat as a Jinka. He uses Jinka roots and branches to attack and defend himself. He also displayed the ability to break a Jinka's heart, a critical part of their anatomy.

## Etymology

The name **"平戸キンゴ" (Hirato Kingo)** has two components: the surname "平戸" (Hirato) and the given name "キンゴ" (Kingo), which combines a surname that could be associated with peacefulness or level-headedness with a given name that seems to prioritize phonetic harmony rather than specific meaning.

* **平戸 (Hirato - Surname):** could be interpreted as a surname that may symbolize a peaceful or level-headed family, though the exact meaning can vary based on the family's history and origin
	+ **平 (Hira):** This kanji character means "level," "flat," or "peaceful." It is a common element in Japanese surnames and often signifies attributes associated with calmness or peacefulness.
	+ **戸 (To):** This character typically represents a "door" or "gateway." It can also be associated with houses or entrances. When used in surnames, it may carry various meanings or associations depending on the specific family's history.

* **キンゴ (Kingo - Given Name):** appears to be a given name that focuses more on its phonetic qualities than its inherent meaning. It's not a traditional Japanese name, and its origin might be influenced by foreign names or creative combinations.
	+ **キン (Kin):** This part of the given name does not have a specific meaning in Japanese on its own. However, it may be a phonetic element chosen for its sound rather than its inherent meaning.
	+ **ゴ (Go):** Similarly, the "go" sound is a common ending for male given names in Japanese. It doesn't have a standalone meaning but serves as a name suffix.

## Trivia

* Kingo and Kayano were initially introduced as orphans residing at Nozomi-en Orphanage.

## References

*Wild Strawberry* Manga: Chapter 7 (Page 12).
*Wild Strawberry* Manga: Chapter 2 (Page 44). — Colored page of Chapter 2.
*Wild Strawberry* Manga: Chapter 3 (Pages 3-6). — Kingo indicated he was also eaten by the Jinka alongside Makino.
*Wild Strawberry* Manga: Chapter 3 (Page 34). — Kingo's wounds healed up after fighting the Jinka.
*Wild Strawberry* Manga: Chapter 2 (Pages 44-46).
*Wild Strawberry* Manga: Chapter 3 (Pages 3-5).
*Wild Strawberry* Manga: Chapter 3 (Pages 28-32).
*Wild Strawberry* Manga: Chapter 1 (Pages 20-22).