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Kyō Shiranui (不知火匡, Shiranui Kyou) is a demon hired by the Chōshū Domain who enjoys fighting and sees it as a game. He uses a gun instead of a sword which ignites his frenemy relationship with Sanosuke Harada.
Shiranui is a fictional character and does not have a historical prototype. He has his own interests but he often joins Kazama in his attempts to kidnap Chizuru from the Shinsengumi as he finds it entertaining.
Appearance
Shiranui is a tall dark-skinned oni who keeps his long, wavy indigo hair pulled back into a ponytail, and is always seen in all-black western-style sleeveless attire and with a turquoise scarf. He wears a long glove on one arm and a very short one on the other hand which reveals a huge tattoo on his shoulder.
Personality
Shiranui Kyou is a cocky, arrogant man who uses a gun to fight in battle. He always calls it "dancing" when he challenges Harada and he seems to enjoy shooting people. Shiranui seems reckless and hellbent at first, however, he shows his sensible and soft sides, along with his demon dignity. He never seems to actually try to kill Harada, moreover, he saves his life a couple of times and is able to unite with him against the real enemy (Koudou and his new Rasetsu). Shiranui also partially reveals his attachment to a human who died before the events of Hakuouki, as he quotes that person and talks to Harada about it before his death. As for the pride he takes in being a demon, Shiranui shares the view of despising Rasetsu as fake abominable creatures who can never be equal to real demons and need extermination.
Story
Shiranui often appears as Kazama's companion along with Amagiri. Even though at the beginning of the story they work for opposing Domains (Satsuma and Chōshū), when the Satsuma switch sides and create the Satchō Alliance, all three demons seem to work together.
First Season
Shiranui's first appearance
Shiranui's first appearance happens during the Kinmon Rebellion, more specifically at the Kuge Gate where Harada's squad is fighting the Chōshū. Shiranui kills one of the men and introduces himself engaging into a fight with Harada and taking a liking of him. He disappears quite quickly and reappears only at the end of Episode 6 when the demon trio attempt to kidnap Chizuru.
The next time Shiranui appears, he explains that Satsuma and Chōshū now work together, which makes it easy for their forces to ambush the Shinsengumi cooperatively. Although he watches the action, he does not participate actively and, unlike Amagiri, does not take anyone down.
Second Season
Despite the fact that Shiranui had a rivalry with Sanosuke Harada, the two seem to be getting along better in the second season, since they call a truce to fight against the Rasetsu and Koudou. In fact, Shiranui "sacrifices" himself so that the Shinsengumi can escape the battlefield.
Shiranui's last battle
Later on, he informs Harada that Koudou is trying to create another war so he can feed the new Rasetsu with blood. He reminisces about his late friend who used to say the same phrase all the time, and this phrase is the one Shiranui uses to explain to Harada his decision to stop Koudou.
Shiranui's last appearance is in Episode 6 where he fights the Rasetsu alongside Harada, almost gets bombed by Koudou (which Harada prevents) and decides to visit his friends grave while watching Harada lose consciousness after the battle has been won.
Sweet School Life
In the short OVA, Shiranui is shown very briefly as a student at Hakuou Academy. He and Amagiri appear by Kazama's side when Kazama walks onto the stage to make an announcement as the President of the Student's Council. Shiranui is shocked that Kazama has decided to organize a dance in their school since Chizuru is the only girl and everyone else would have to dance with boys, but Kazama makes it clear that he is not going to dance with a boy.