Kouki Yukishiro (雪白幸姬, Yukishiro Kōki) is a student at Kami High who is currently being blackmailed by an unknown individual, forcing her to track down Momo Ayase and steal her powers against her will.
In the manga series Dandadan, she plays the role of the primary antagonist during the Kozuka Knives Arc, where her actions are driven by the threats and pressure placed upon her, positioning her in direct conflict with Momo.
Appearance
In Anime and Original Manga
Kouki is a slender young girl with long hair that typically covers most of her face, partially obscuring her round eyes, which feature large pupils. As a student at Kami High, she wears the standard school uniform: a dark buttoned-up blazer adorned with the school’s emblem on the left breast, a collared shirt, a bow, long socks, and sandals. Similar to Rin Sawaki, Kouki opts for a long, dark skirt instead of the standard short skirt, giving her attire a more modest appearance.
Later, Kouki changes her hairstyle, revealing more of her face. With her hair pulled back, her eyes are shown to be naturally almond-shaped, and her eyebrows, though small and delicate, become more noticeable, giving her a softer and more expressive appearance.
In Age-Restricted Manga
In Age-Restricted Manga, the character Kouki Yukishiro has not appeared yet. She might be introduced in Episode 1, Session 2, or possibly in Episode 2. Please stay tuned for her appearance. If you are interested in Age-Restricted Manga from Dandadan, you can read the wiki.
Gallery
In Anime and Original Manga
In Age-Restricted Manga
This manga contains content intended for mature audiences. It explores complex themes and may not be suitable for younger readers. The storyline delves into deep character development, intense drama, and emotional narratives. Viewer discretion is advised.
In FanArt
Discover stunning fanart featuring unique interpretations of your favorite characters. From dynamic action scenes to stylish outfits, explore creative artworks that bring them to life.
Personality
Kouki is a shy and melancholic girl who often struggles with feelings of loneliness and insecurity. During her childhood, she took great pride in being recognized as a talented pianist, finding joy and confidence in the admiration she received. However, as time passed and she faded from the spotlight, Kouki became increasingly isolated from her peers. Longing to recapture the sense of validation and recognition she once experienced, she grew desperate for acknowledgment—even if it meant resorting to questionable methods to achieve it.
Background
As a child, Kouki was celebrated for her exceptional piano-playing skills, earning widespread praise and being regarded by many as a prodigy. However, after losing to Aira Shiratori in a junior piano competition, Kouki began to doubt her abilities, believing she lacked true talent. This loss led her to quit playing the piano altogether.
By the time she entered high school, Kouki had become increasingly isolated, feeling like an outcast both among her classmates and within her own family. Her sense of inadequacy was further amplified by her younger sister, Alice, whose talents seemed to surpass her own, leaving Kouki feeling overlooked and overshadowed.
In a desperate attempt to regain the attention and validation she craved, Kouki anonymously posted a revealing photo of herself online. However, this act led to unforeseen consequences when an individual who recognized her from the photograph approached her. Exploiting her vulnerability, the person blackmailed Kouki into carrying out their demands: she was instructed to track down Momo Ayase and steal her powers using a small knife, with the threat that her secret would be exposed if she refused.
Faced with no other option, Kouki reluctantly agreed to their terms. As part of the coercion, she was cut with the knife, which unexpectedly granted her the ability to see pygmies—small, supernatural beings who were sent to accompany her and ensure she completed her mission. With their constant presence serving as a reminder of her task, Kouki found herself trapped in a situation where failure was not an option.
Synopsis
Current Saga
Kozuka Knives Arc
When a pygmy spots Momo Ayase in the library, Kouki decides to take advantage of the opportunity to approach her and seize her power after Momo’s friends leave the room. However, her plan is cut short when the school bell rings, forcing her to abandon her attempt and retreat in haste. Left alone, the pygmies criticize her strategy, pointing out that she failed because she did not first force Momo to submit. They encourage her to stop holding back and fully embrace her inner desires so she can transform into the person she aspires to be.
Sometime later, Kouki crosses paths with Momo again when the History and Culture Research Club starts searching for her, having been informed of the library incident by the shrunken girl. Reacting quickly, Kouki runs from the group and takes refuge in an Empty Space classroom. Using a special cloak that allows her to blend seamlessly with her surroundings, she hides herself from view. Despite her efforts, Momo eventually discovers her location and launches an attack, using her psychic abilities to fling a desk in Kouki’s direction.
After Momo’s attack leaves her unconscious, the pygmies quickly carry Kouki out of the classroom as they make their escape. They eventually arrive at Queen’s infirmary, where the nurse—who also resides within Empty Space—is present. Hoping to gain Queen’s favor, Kouki attempts to shift the blame by falsely accusing Jiji and the others of attacking her. However, as Kouki’s fabricated story begins to fall apart, the nurse intervenes, urging her to tell the truth. Pressured by the nurse’s insistence on honesty, Kouki reluctantly confesses to her wrongdoing, admitting that she was the one who attacked Momo. Outraged by her deceit and attempt to play the victim, Queen reacts by angrily slapping Kouki across the face.
Later, Kouki opens up to the History and Culture Research Club and Queen, explaining the reason she attacked Momo. She confesses that she was blackmailed into doing it but cannot remember the identity of the person who threatened her. She also mentions that her mission was to steal Momo’s powers, though she can no longer recall the exact conditions needed to complete the task. Additionally, Kouki reveals how she gained the ability to control the pygmies. Despite their efforts to support and protect her, she admits that she wants to distance herself from them and return to a normal life.
In response, Queen explains the pygmies’ origins and their unwavering loyalty to anyone who can see them. Kouki becomes emotional as memories of her loneliness resurface, and her tears prompt the pygmies to use their abilities to stitch the words “Hang in there, Kouki” onto the couch, a gesture that deeply moves her. Realizing that Kouki can understand the pygmies, Momo asks if they know how to restore a shrunken person to their original size. Kouki consults the creatures but, unfortunately, they have no knowledge of a way to reverse the shrinking.
As the club gathers to discuss their next steps, they agree to monitor Kouki closely, anticipating that the enemy might return to target her. If that happens, the group plans to seize the opportunity to ambush the enemy and eliminate any evidence of Kouki’s involvement. During their conversation, Aira turns to Kouki and asks for her name. Upon hearing it, she immediately recognizes her, her expression shifting with surprise. Curious, Kouki listens as Aira explains how she knows her, and realization dawns on Kouki as she recalls their connection. She admits that Aira was the reason she stopped playing, though she doesn’t go into detail. However, Kouki is caught off guard when Aira reveals that she also quit playing later on, having grown tired and bored of it.
Abilities and Powers
Natural Abilities
Skill Set
Perfect Pitch: Kouki is a naturally gifted pianist with the ability to recognize musical notes accurately and reproduce them without needing a reference. She describes this talent as the capacity to visualize sounds.
Supernatural Abilities
Pygmy Awareness
After acquiring a special ability from an Asura given by Murakami, Kouki developed the ability to perceive tiny creatures known as pygmies with great clarity. As a result, these pygmies have pledged loyalty to her, following her wherever she goes, protecting her in times of danger, and obeying her commands.
Piano Playing Power
Upon resuming piano playing, Kouki discovered that her melodies had the extraordinary ability to summon swarms of flies.
Equipment
Asura
Kouki wields a black-handled Asura knife, a weapon given to her by Murakami with the purpose of stealing Momo’s psychic abilities.
Capabilities
Yokai Power Absorption
Like its origin, the black-handled Asura knife has the ability to extract powers from yokai, provided that the target surrenders before being cut. Although primarily designed for use against yokai, the knife also appears to have the capability to absorb powers from non-yokai entities.
Usage
Kouki attempted to use the Asura on Momo when she was alone in the library.
Etymology
- The name Kouki carries the meanings of “happiness,” “good luck,” or “fortune” (幸, kō) combined with “princess” (姬, ki), symbolizing both joy and nobility.
- Her surname Yukishiro is composed of the characters for “snow” (雪, yuki) and “white” (白, shiro), evoking imagery of pure, pristine snow.
Trivia
- Kouki’s surname, “Yukishiro,” translates to “snow white,” referring to the character Snow White from two German fairy tales written by the Brothers Grimm. While her surname relates to both versions of Snow White, it bears a stronger connection to Snow-White and Rose-Red, as the character’s name in Japanese translates to “Yukishiro” (雪白), whereas the Snow White from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs translates as “Shirayuki” (白雪).
- Additionally, the bow-shaped headband Kouki wore as a child closely resembles the accessory worn by Snow White in Disney’s animated adaptation, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
- The presence of pygmies accompanying Kouki further parallels the seven dwarfs who accompany Snow White in the classic fairy tale.
- Ironically, despite these similarities, Kouki’s role aligns more closely with the Huntsman, a character tasked with attacking the heroine using a knife.
- The bow headband that Kouki wore as a child closely resembles the one worn by Snow White in the animated film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
- The “ki” in Kouki’s name means “princess,” and Momo once referred to Kouki as the princess of the pygmies, further connecting her to Snow White, who is recognized as a famous Disney Princess.
- Kouki’s companionship with pygmies mirrors Snow White’s association with the seven dwarfs.
- Her close relationship with the school nurse named Queen references Snow White’s antagonistic dynamic with the Evil Queen.
- Ironically, her role bears more resemblance to the Huntsman, a character forced to attack the heroine with a knife.
- Kouki has a distinctive mole located on her left breast.
- She is the first character shown to have acquired a special ability through one of the Asura knives while also possessing an innate supernatural power.
- Additionally, Kouki shares several notable similarities with Kousei Arima, the main protagonist of Your Lie in April:
- Both began playing the piano at a young age and possess perfect pitch. However, the way they experience this ability differs: Kouki’s perfect pitch is linked to vivid sound visualization, whereas Arima’s is rooted in an acute perception of sound.
- Both participated in piano competitions during their childhood and became the youngest winners.
- Both were trained by their mothers, whose influence led to their eventual loss of passion and ability to play the piano until adolescence. Their inability to play was metaphorically depicted as being submerged underwater, where they could not produce sound from the piano keys.
- Both inspired and connected with others through their piano playing, forming friendships in high school and rekindling their passion for music with the support of their friends (Aira and Kaori Miyazono).
- Coincidentally, both characters experienced death in their respective series.
References
- Dandadan Manga: Chapter 175, Page 19
- Dandadan Manga: Chapter 170, Pages 4-8
- Dandadan Manga: Chapter 170, Pages 9-12
- Dandadan Manga: Chapter 168, Pages 6-18
- Dandadan Manga: Chapter 169, Pages 16-19
- Dandadan Manga: Chapter 170, Pages 15-17, 19
- Dandadan Manga: Chapter 172, Pages 17-19
- Dandadan Manga: Chapter 174, Pages 1-4, 7-15
- Dandadan Manga: Chapter 174, Pages 16-19
- Dandadan Manga: Chapter 175, Pages 1-13
- Dandadan Manga: Chapter 175, Pages 14-18
- Dandadan Manga: Chapter 170, Page 10
