Kakeru Niimi is a second-year student at Hakusen Academy, known for his tall stature and serious demeanor. Though initially a lone wolf with little interest in making friends, his quick thinking, strong sense of responsibility, and surprising kindness beneath a stern exterior gradually draw others to him. An avid fan of games and model kits, he faces comical mishaps with his hobbies but forgives easily if others show true remorse. His complicated relationship with his younger sister Sora and the mysterious artifacts he encounters thrust him into the center of supernatural events, making him a pivotal figure in the struggle against Iris.
Height: 180cm
Kakeru stands out with his notable height and often has a stern expression. His presence is both reliable and somewhat intimidating, adding to his reputation as a dependable yet unapproachable classmate.
Kakeru may come off as blunt and unfriendly at first glance, but he is actually driven by a deep sense of responsibility. He is observant, catching on quickly to small details, and is remarkably forgiving to those who apologize sincerely.
Group activities are not his strong suit, and his resting serious face often gives the wrong impression. Nevertheless, once others get to know him, his genuine and honest nature becomes apparent, making him the kind of person people can rely on in tough situations.
Kakeru is a second-year student at Hakusen Academy. Early on, he accepted his solitary role, content to be an isolated figure at school. However, after Yoichi Fukazawa reaches out to him, he takes on the "tough but good guy at heart" label among his peers.
He began living alone when his younger sister Sora told their father she wanted her own room. The doting father proposed Kakeru move out, and Kakeru started living in an apartment near the academy at the beginning of his first year.
Initially, he tried cooking for himself, but quickly defaulted to convenience store meals for breakfast and lunch and café dinners. This diet led Miyako Kujou, concerned for his health (and using artifact investigation as an excuse), to regularly cook dinner for him.
Despite his gruff attitude, Kakeru deeply loves Sora as both a sister and family, instantly willing to risk himself if she is ever in danger.
After the Mobius Festival, Kakeru unintentionally absorbs a fragment of the divine artifact 'Eye of the World,' granting him the ability to construct doors to other worlds. Because he only possesses a fragment, his power is extremely weak, remains active at all times, and does not manifest a stigma, leading him to be unaware of his abilities at first.
Through this fragment, Kakeru becomes connected to an alternate-self who possesses the artifact 'Overlord,' an ability to see into the past, present, and future. By leveraging this connection, Kakeru receives indirect access to these precognitive insights, which can lead to the branching of parallel worlds due to his actions.
In Episode 2, Sophitia lends Kakeru an artifact that creates soul-burning flames to help him deal with Ghost. While intending to return the artifact afterward, she tells him to keep it, anticipating future need.
By Episode 3, preparing to fight Iris, Kakeru wields as many as four artifacts at once: the flame artifact, the 'Magic Eye' received from Yoichi, and an artifact tied to phantom bodies. Nevertheless, wielding such power tempts him into nearly lethal action against another artifact user.
He is considered a crucial player in the quest to defeat Iris.
Sora Niimi: Younger sister. He acts annoyed by her but treasures her deeply and would protect her at all costs.
Miyako Kujou: Schoolmate, ally, and the object of his admiration. She often visits to cook for him and involves him in artifact investigations.
Yoichi Fukazawa: The classmate who first broke down Kakeru’s solitary walls, helping shape his reputation as a good, trustworthy person.
Sophitia: An ally who provides critical artifact support during moments of crisis.
Ghost: A formidable foe whom Kakeru ultimately bests using the soul-burning flame artifact.
Hobbies: Model kit building, playing games.
Favorite food: Meat dishes.
Pet peeve: People who break promises.
Kakeru has terrible luck with his collections—games get deleted, models thrown out—yet he rarely holds grudges if sincerely apologized to.
His lone wolf status was self-chosen, but he gradually finds himself pulled into the company of others, even if grudgingly at first.
"If you show me you're serious, I won't hold a grudge."
"No matter what happens, Sora is—my family."
Everyday Life & Early Challenges
Kakeru begins his independent life when his sister Sora’s wishes prompt their father to encourage Kakeru to move out. Despite initial good intentions, Kakeru’s self-sufficiency falters, leading to a diet of convenience food and frequenting local cafés. Miyako begins visiting to cook for him, ostensibly to discuss artifact cases, but in reality out of genuine concern for his well-being.
Though he originally tries to avoid friendships, Yoichi’s persistent efforts see him integrated into classmates' circles, albeit as the "tough but kind" archetype. Privately, his gaming and model-building pass the time, though bad luck—the deletion of saved data and his mother throwing away his models—follows him.
Discovery of Abilities & Supernatural Incidents
Kakeru's reluctant adventure into the supernatural begins after he hears about artifacts from Miyako. His interest is partly piqued by his admiration for her and a budding curiosity about the strange incidents shaking their world.
Unbeknownst to him for a while, he has absorbed a fragment of the 'Eye of the World' artifact, which connects him to a parallel-self possessing the mighty artifact 'Overlord.' Because this connection reveals glimpses of the future, Kakeru's actions sometimes even affect which parallel dimension reality branches into.
Key Battles & Critical Choices
During the climax of Episode 2, Kakeru receives a soul-burning flame artifact from Sophitia, giving him the edge needed to confront Ghost. Though he means to return it, she entrusts it to him for unforeseen battles ahead.
As threats escalate in Episode 3, Kakeru prepares by simultaneously wielding multiple artifacts, including the Magic Eye from Yoichi and a phantom-related artifact. This vast power weighs on him, nearly costing him his humanity in a confrontation with a hostile artifact user. Even after defeating Iris, Kakeru hesitates to break his contract with the artifacts, fearing reprisals.
Kakeru’s journey explores the balance between strength and restraint, the meaning of family, and the difficulties of opening up to others. He remains a central figure in the Hakusen Academy saga, especially in 9-nine- Shihaisha no Oukan, where his decisions ripple across worlds.
Despite his intimidating presence, he grows into an anchor for both close friends and the fate of parallel universes, establishing him as one of the key heroes in the series.
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