Hibiki Kohaku

Hibiki Kohaku is a captain of the Novus Orbis Librarium who first debuted in BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma. He is Kagura Mutsuki’s loyal servant, and helped him in the coup d’état against Izanami.

As of BlazBlue: Central Fiction, he became a playable character.

Appearance
Hibiki is a young man with slender effeminate features, black hair styled in a bowl cut, and brown eyes. His skin is pale and his body is slender. Hibiki wears a typical jolting sapphire NOL jacket with yellow rimming resting upon his shoulders. Underneath this, he wears a collared white shirt with a red tie and black tights. He also wears white gloves while his jacket is open enough to reveal his legs.

As of Central Fiction, Hibiki’s eyes are now a golden yellow. He now wears a short jolting sapphire cape that obscures the lower half of his face, and has an extended clove that acts as a scarf. Underneath the jacket, he wears a standard NOL uniform that reaches just above his hips, and has black leggings to cover his lower half. He wears non-standard NOL boots, and has what appears to be lace-less trainers instead. On his back, Hibiki carries a large metal sheathe for his twin swords, both of which are short, straight blades with horizontal black lines.

Personality
Patience is one of Hibiki’s greatest virtues as he often has to put up with the constant antics that Kagura gets himself into. In comparison to Kagura, he is far more strict, organized, and disciplined as he often handles reports and takes care of finances. His relationship to the Black Knight is interesting as he would do anything in service to the man, but will criticise his actions often (such as excessive drinking or his behaviour towards women) – it’s stated that despite his attitude to his boss, he somewhat admires him. His behaviour and Kagura’s bounce off one another, though, leading to a complicated, but very deep relationship.

Hibiki has darker feelings towards himself, going so far to say that he doesn’t have a wish since he is, and always will be, empty. He only wishes to be used as a tool.

Biography
The eternally loyal servant of Kagura Mutsuki. Hibiki is one of the Kohaku’s, a family of assassins who have served the Mutsuki’s for generations as their guardians with unwavering loyalty. Hibiki serves Kagura as his assistant by running errands and making life easier for his superior – despite the obvious personality clash between the two, Hibiki has an unquestionable sense of admiration for the Black Knight. As a member of the Kohaku’s, his family is hardly mentioned in history books, but it appears Hakumen is aware of his family’s existence.

In 2197, during the Ikaruga Civil War, back when Hibiki was a First Lieutenant, he delivered a report to Kagura while a large amount of Zero Squadron guards protected the Mutsuki heir. The report detailed the NOL’s rejection of the Ikaruga Federation’s offer of a truce, something that Kagura had predicted; Hibiki noted how looters, in the aftermath of the destruction of 5th Hierarchical City of Ibukido, had begun destroying Ars Magus ships and causing general mayhem, leading Kagura to suggest that they be taken to the 13th Hierarchical City of Kagutsuchi as refugees, but Hibiki, being the voice of reason, respectfully disagreed. He soon left, but promised to return once had more to report, but he told one of the Zero Squadron guards outside about the plan to relocate the refugees.

In the 7th Hierarchical City of Kazamotsu, Hibiki was asked to greet Jin Kisaragi by Kagura. He did, but silently crept up on him and dodged a swipe, leaving Jin impressed but angered that he dare sneak up him. Jin willingly followed him back to Ibukido, but threatened to kill him should he ever use his abilities again on him. Under Kagura’s orders, Hibiki assembled the armies located in Ikaruga to take out Tenjou Amanohokosaka, and they regrouped to discuss Jin and how he wields the Nox Nyctores - Mucro Algesco: Yukianesa. A skirmish with Sector Seven allowed Hibiki and Kagura to move Homura Amanohokosaka safely out of Ikaruga and into hiding. The two acted under the false pretence that Kagura had been severely injured by Iron Tager, and Hibiki’s methods of persuasion had the Zero Squadron guards surrender to allowing Kagura to leave Ikaruga, something they had been ordered to prevent. On the ship out of the federation, Homura was stowed away, although Hibiki severely criticised Kagura’s awful acting.

Spiral Shift
Kagura and Hibiki organised an operation to "capture" Tager, but Jin had found himself in their way. Hibiki was present when Kagura jokingly chastised him.

Variable Heart
Mai Natsume, Noel Vermillion, Makoto Nanaya, and Tsubaki Yayoi arrived in the 2nd Hierarchical City of Iwatsuchi's NOL branch, and greeted Tsubaki warmly. Mai was shocked as she knew about the Kohaku's and their hidden reputation as assassins. He put the girls to work helping with the medal ceremony for Jin has he had just ended the Ikaruga Civil War. He helped Tsubaki with some work after telling her about Jin's promotion by two ranks. By this time, Hibiki had been promoted to captain, and Meifang Lapislazuli lured Mai into a trap under the guise of Hibiki's orders, of which he was not aware.

Chrono Phantasma
Under Kagura’s orders, Hibiki was to bring Jin back to the headquarters in Ibukido since his assistance would make Kagura’s planned coup d’état go far more smoothly. He discovered the major lurking in the 9th Hierarchical City of Aktisu-kou, and delivered a letter to him detailing what Kagura wanted. Before they left, Jin asked about the city and its weather system, so Hibiki detailed him on damaged cauldron within the local NOL branch; reluctantly, he followed Jin to the cauldron after making him promise to come back to see Kagura. He briefly left Jin to his own devices at the Cauldron, but unknowingly interrupted his battle with Relius Clover – the two departed for Ibukido.

When they arrived, Hibiki and Jin met up with Kagura and Kokonoe. He gave his report to Kagura, detailing him on the [Colosseum]’s status and Tsubaki’s observation under 12 guards. He then apologised to Kokonoe for any damages sustained to the equipment in the Colosseum before stating that Makoto was being watched per Kagura’s orders. Hibiki also, rather nonchalantly, chimed in that Kagura’s personal bank account was paying for the “astronomical” electricity bill. A little while afterwards, he was quite angry with Ragna the Bloodedge and Celica A. Mercury for taking 2 hours to get to the main office of the Ibukido branch when the prison district is merely a 10 minute walk away; however, he did offer to take Ragna to Kushinada’s Lynchpin if he needed guidance.

Hibiki put his cooking skills to good use as he rustled up a buffet for Kagura, Rachel, Ragna, Jin, Kokonoe, Celica, Nago, Gii, Makoto, Taokaka, and Noel Vermillion. Rachel thanked him for the meal, calling it outstanding, and thoroughly complimenting him for his cooking prowess; so impressed was she that she trusted Hibiki enough on which particular brew of tea should be selected for her. He later watched as Ragna threatened Kokonoe and watched him learn about Celica being the key to activating the Lynchpin, and was introduced to Valkenhayn R. Hellsing, Rachel’s butler and a former member of the Six Heroes.

As promised earlier, Hibiki navigated Ragna, Noel and Celica to the entrance of Kushinada’s Lynchpin, but left them to return to Kagura and Homura's side. However, he was restrained by Nine the Phantom and Hades: Izanami when trying to defend Homura alongside Jin and Kagura. He failed in his duty to defend Kagura and was forced to watch Izanami cruelly beat him to a pulp. In the aftermath of the loss of seithr, Hibiki helped gather survivors into one area so the electricity wasted wouldn’t be too high. He praised Homura for managing to hold the NOL together, and noted that the Amaterasu Unit and the Embryo are still above Ibukido; not only this, but he sourly said that Jin was in critical condition. He then connected Kokonoe and Kagura via intercom so they could freely communicate about future plans, such as how to restrain Azrael. Oddly, the Black Knight apologized to him, and asked for his help, but Hibiki retaliated with the retort that he’s always needed.

Powers and Techniques
As a member of the Kohaku family and a captain of the NOL, Hibiki’s abilities as an assassin are near perfect. He has an ability that allows him to move about undetected by even the sharpest of senses and can activate it at will. His mobility is to be complimented, too, as he can perform highly gymnastic feats and move at lightning quick speeds. Should the need arise, he can use his Drive, Double Chase, and create a shadow clone of himself as a distraction so he can move in for the kill with his twin blades, both of which he wields with deadly accuracy and intricate skill; multiple elongated knives are also part of his arsenal. Double Chase also allows him to physically replace the clone as a feint when fighting an opponent.

Hibiki Kohaku
''Kagura’s right-hand man.

''He belongs to the NOL, and currently holds the rank of Captain. In lieu of the extremely lazy Kagura, he handles a vast majority of the administrative duties within Ikaruga.

''He’s a bright bulb, but can at times be extremely blunt and even hurtful. Despite that, he places absolute trust in Kagura’s decision-making.

Appearances in other Media

 * The mobile game, Mabinogi Duel, stars Hibiki as a playable card.