Kannagi

Kannagi (カンナギ, Kannagi) is a member of the Twelve Shinshou. He plays as an antagonist during the first few arcs of the series, later on he joins Hinohara's group and becomes one of the main characters. He is the Shinshou of Fire who wields the blazing Hayagami, Homura.

Appearance
Kannagi has long white hair and amber colored eyes. His Twelve Shinshou symbol is located on his forehead. He wears a short sleeved jacket that is held together by a clamp on his chest and a gauntlet on his shoulder. He wears shorts that reach his knees. Kannagi is usually displayed as haughty, in a higher-than-thou attitude.

Personality
Kannagi is extremely hot-headed and can be easily annoyed. Kannagi's fiery temper is a pun of his hayagami, Homura. His arrogance is a joke in the series since, even after losing his Hayagami, he claims he will beat Arata. He also tends to misinterprets things people explain to him and usally twists their words around to benefit his needs. Kannagi is also quite knowledgeable about Hayagami and the environment; and will sometimes lend helpful advice to the group on how to avoid getting into trouble. Of course, Kannagi doesn't always willingly offer advice since he frequently points out he only joined them to get Homura back. Kannagi acts as an older brother figure to Hinohara's group and serves as Hinohara's mentor. Kannagi does care for his friends, but chooses to hide his concern under a veil of arrogance and indifference. He does get slightly embarassed whenever someone mentions him doing something honorable and does feel guilty over his intial antagonism towards Hinohara and Kotoha. Kannagi is sometimes displayed as misogynistic when he refuses a job of helping women bathe since it was a woman's job to bathe him. Ironically, Kannagi's relationship with fellow Shinshou, Akachi, mirrors Arata and Kadowaki. Despite some of the cruel deeds Akachi performed, Kannagi forgives him since Akachi has been both his most loyal and trusted friend since childhood. Overall, Kannagi is a multifaceted character, he wants to be the good guy but doesn't always make the wisest decisions.

History
His past reveal a little mysterious about how he became a Shou. Kannagi caught a fever and it last for almost three days. His lover, Emisu was worried about him, so she went up to the hill to get some herbs to heal him. However, when Kannagi heard that Emisu was burning to death, he rushed to her, but he failed to save her. The fire burned at his right shoulder and Emisu died. After her death, Kannagi mourn over her and attempted to kill himself to be with her. Eventually it stopped when Homura's torch start flaring at his blade and chose him as it Shou.

Emisu's importance to him to his regard and the submission battle between Akachi explains more into his further past. Back when Kannagi was little went to the market with his father to see the "accused slave" who was carried out their sins and Akachi and Emisu is one of them. They were taken to Kannagi's family and thus he formally meet Akachi and Emisu. Kannagi cheerfully greet them with respect and they became friends. As time passed, Kannagi's and Akachi's friendship became stronger and Kannagi developed some feeling toward Emisu. Their happier time was ruined when the former ruler of Okoro had passed away without choosing a successor. Kannagi save Emisu from robbers and from Akachi's observations, Akachi asked Kannagi to marry Emisu and after he told the truth to Kannagi. Kannagi painfully told the truth back to Akachi that he is one who brought them, trapped them within 50 feet and their owner all along. The revolt begins and the three of them (Kannagi, Akachi and Emisu) escape from the rebellion slaves. Akachi left both of them leaving Emisu in Kannagi's care.

Around the exact year of the incident and after Kannagi became the Twelve Shinshou, he reunited with Akachi, but not a happy one when he cringed to reveal to his friend that Emisu died within the flames and he fail to protect her. Kannagi kept begged for forgiveness repeating. Akachi then calmly forgave Kannagi that friends forgive and help each other. But Kannagi suspects that Akachi didn't truly forgive him and fear that one day Akachi will get revenge.

Amawakuni/Japan Arc
Amawakuni

He was introduced along with the other Shinshou members bowing at Himeou's throne. Kannagi along with other Shinshou informed they will give their powers to the new Himeou for the divine protection. The Twelve Shinshou are at the meeting for the upcoming ceremony for Himeou's replacement. The Shinshou members implied they leave everything to Kannagi, while he smirkiy licks his Hayagami.

They appeared at the ceremony the next day as Arata and Himeou are there. After Kikuri finish the first part of the ritual, Kannagi ran toward the center area and slashed Kikuri's chest in front of Arata. He smiled as Kikuri attempt to fire Amatsuriki at him, but fail and Kannagi rudely confront her how weak she is. After Kikuri fell, Kannagi then strike at Arata and ripped his upper female garment discover that Arata is a boy. One of the Shinshou, call out his name which Kannagi now ready to kill Arata for the sake of revolution. Kannagi quickly attempt to stab Arata, but he dodge by jump over the area down to the water. Others tell him he can release his Hayagami's Kamui so they can start the "battle for submission". He step down to the main public interior to announced the whole citizens falsely claiming Arata the responsible for Kikuri's murderer and the soldiers to hunt down Arata and execute him. Kannagi along with the soldiers ride their Hanima chase after Arata at the Kando Forest. The soldiers stop and replied to Kannagi that Arata have ran to the Kando Forest, which amuse Kannagi that he is a fool for him to be "devour" to the other side to the world.

Kannagi later appear at front of the Kando Forest shouting Hinohara (who take the form of his counterpart Arata) for Himeou's murderer which of course completely this confuse and frighten Hinohara. He and the soldiers later come across a group of pilgrims, and seriously keep in eye of the pilgrims including Hinohara and Kotoha under the disguise. He suspiciously stop Hinohara and Kotoha, only the tell them they "drop" a red bell on the ground and to be careful as Hinohara quickly pick up the bell.

Later Kannagi took Kotoha as hostage in his hand and ordered the soldiers to check all the places in the house reclaiming he knew there was suspicious in the count of all the pilgrims back at the capital. The soldiers notified Kannagi with no sign of Arata. Kannagi's frustrated by this and had no choice bu to demanded Kotoha for Arata's whereabouts. Kotoha lied to Kannagi she didn't know, and knowing she is lying. He threatening Kotoha by tightening and twisting her wrist. But Kotoha still refused to to tell where's Arata believing Arata would never do something despicable. This caught Hinohara's attention and reveal himself to free Kotohoa. Kannagi pushes Kotoha out of the way letting her free and releases Homura's Kamui. Letting out a blast of fire, Hinohara manages to dodges it. Kannagi is about to attack again, but is distracted by when Hinohara picked up the Goshinta shaking. Kannagi is astonished thought the Goshinta could be a Hayagami, but eventually came to his sense give his soldiers nodded to attack. Hinohara dodges all of their attacks and braked one of their blade; which has fell on Kannagi burning it with Homura. Kannagi stated he was impressed by Hinoahara's skill and went full charge toward Hinohara. Hinohara deflected his Kamui by using the word "appear" that Makari told him. Surprised by this, he decided to retreat with his troops and proclaim this isn't over.

Abilities
Homura (火焔, Homura)


 * Shakun Shourin

Relationships

 * Emisu: Kannagi's lover. Ever since she and Akachi came to Haniyasu as a slave,Kannagi brought a close friendship together with them. Kannagi care for Emisu and always there to help her in need and to make her happy. It unknown how Emisu really feel about Kannagi, but according to Kannagi, he reveal that she didn't have eyes for him and only on Akachi. It has been said by Kannagi that the one Emisu loved was Akachi, her half brother and not himself. It may be note that he and Emisu are pseudo-couple.


 * Akachi: Kannagi's best friend. He held a grudge against Kannagi for not being able to protect Emisu, his half sister. In the end, he submitted to Kannagi and said he wished to be accepted as Kannagi's equal.

Trivia

 * Kannagi's Shinshou status is 132 years and his favorite food is meat.
 * Kannagi has a habit of choking Arata whenever he annoys him.
 * Kannagi and Yataka have several spats mostly over cleanliness. Kannagi picks on Yataka about his relationship with Kikuri.