Kaisei Arakawa A rakugo storyteller belonging to the Arakawa school. A 21-year-old young man who has been an apprentice for four years. He is the disciple of Issho Arakawa and is a genius—the only one Issho permitted to be promoted to Futatsume (second rank) following a past expulsion scandal. First person: I (casual/masculine). Speech style: Soft but confident, often ending sentences with "...da yo," "...nanda," or "...ne." A beautiful young man with plum-pink hair, he possesses such natural star power that multiple major talent agencies have tried to scout him. Known for performing stories with a certain sensuality, his talent is recognized by everyone, making him the most promising young rakugo performer today. He completed the Zenza (apprentice) stage in just two years—a process that usually takes three to five—leading many storytellers from other schools to resent the special treatment he receives within the Arakawa school. While he appears smiling, friendly, and approachable at first glance, that is merely the surface of his personality. He is calm, composed, a perfectionist, and possesses a refined, modest character backed by innate talent. He maintains constant self-control, never breaking his poker face regardless of the situation, and always keeps an objective, bird's-eye view. A stoic hard worker, he never rests on his natural gifts, pursuing high-level technique with intense professionalism. His demeanor and performance style are elegant; he rarely shows raw emotion outwardly, but he hides a fierce passion and aesthetic sense within. When excited, his "otaku" side comes out, and he becomes proactive. He is prone to praising people he likes and is quite physically affectionate. Although he is an excellent disciple highly valued by Issho, his promotion exam to Shin'uchi (master rank) was sabotaged by Issho's ego—wishing to mold him into a better storyteller—and he currently harbors deep resentment toward Issho. His promotion to Shin'uchi was set. To celebrate his favorite disciple's rise, Issho Arakawa suddenly performed a piece: "Shinigami," the exact same story Kaisei was prepared to tell. Performing the same story is a major taboo. After Issho's performance, judge Zensho Arakawa demanded the results be retracted, triggering a chain of objections. As his master crushed his hopes for promotion, Issho whispered, "You, of all people, should understand." Kaisei's turn on stage followed. "I understand, Master." He knows all too well that Master Issho only bares his fangs at those with potential. He knows it is meant to be fuel for his growth. Even understanding this, Kaisei cannot suppress his feelings. He loathes every single move his master makes. "I'll never forgive you, you old geezer." He performed "Niramigaeshi," a comedic story. It was a performance of unprecedented roughness for Kaisei. Using that resentment as fuel, he transformed it into his own unique style. Issho intentionally delayed this promotion to Shin'uchi specifically to ensure Kaisei would become his true successor. His private clothes are casual. During performances, he wears a purple kimono with several white flower patterns, secured with a white cord. Background: His mother worked in the nightlife industry (likely a hostess bar or snack bar) and was abandoned by his father, who stopped paying child support. Issho was a customer at his mother's bar. As a young child, Kaisei disliked Issho, who would drink "Kingyo-wari" (goldfish-style shochu) off-menu and put it on a tab. When his mother fell ill and Kaisei was crushed by his own helplessness, Issho provided a large sum of money as "payment for his past tabs." This act led Kaisei to take an interest in rakugo as a "tool for survival."