Isuki Kawasumi is a Japanese journalist and author who has written extensively on the country’s politics and society. He has also been a regular columnist for the Japan Times, and has been a contributing writer to several other publications. Kawasumi is also an expert on East Asian politics and history. Kawasumi was born in Tokyo in 1965. After studying political science at Kyoto University, he worked as an editor at the Japan Times from 1995 to 2003. From 2003 to 2006, he was the paper’s senior editor in charge of news and opinion. From 2006 to 2009, he was the paper’s editorial director. In that role, he oversaw all aspects of its editorial content, including news writing, opinion pieces, and website design. Kawasumi is also a professor at Kyoto University’s Graduate School of Journalism where he teaches media studies and international relations. He has also been a visiting professor at Columbia University in New York City (2007), Stanford University (2009), and Princeton University (2011).
Appearance
Due to his curse series, Itsuki has light brown curly hair and dull eyes.
He seems to wear a sleeveless tunic over light clothing. He also wears leather gloves and boots and a green cape that looks like a hood around his neck.
He possesses the Legendary Bow, which he received when he was summoned from another world.
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Personality
Itsuki believes that he is the strongest Hero and undertakes stealthy missions in order to kill corrupt nobles and rescue villages. This almost always for the praise. Itsuki was bullied as a child and has always wanted to be different and better. This is what gives rise to his sense of justice and his need for praise. He also has an inability to deal effectively with Rishia Ivyred who reminds him about his weaknesses.
Itsuki, like the others heroes (Naofumi Iwatani excluded), believed the world they had entered was the same as a videogame. But he believes that Naofumi has met God. He was the game master and received powers from him to explain why he is so superior. He still believes that Rishia is stronger and more powerful than him, even after being a yes man. He believed he was immortal because the “game” would not let him die.
He claimed to be an ally of justice, and tried to implement it at least in the beginning. He lost the essence of justice and instead acted out of his selfish desire to be praised under the pretense of justice. He believed that his sense of justice was so strong that he would not listen to anyone else’s opinions and only believe his own version of justice. Although he speaks often about justice, his view is extremely self-indulgent. Because he believed that they were evil, he was willing and able to execute them all. He was even more affected by the Curse Series.
Motoyasu Kitamura can be a bit gullible and unobservant. However, Rishia is not as trustworthy as his teammates, who praise him constantly. He was satisfied with their praises, and they just fed his need to be praised. He can also be fooled by the Church of the Three Heroes, who lied about Naofumi’s misdeeds. They also claimed that Naofumi owned an item that could increase his EXP intake. He believed Naofumi was evil because he had slaves and turned away people who could be supposedly revived from the dead. Malty S Melromarc tricked his mind into believing the former was possible. He believed those who praised him, and not those who tried to reason alongside him.
He is a hero-compulsive, which means that he waits until people are in crisis before acting to save them. Sometimes he even lies about his ability to hide his inaction to prevent people from falling into dangerous situations. He is very petty and not very intelligent. He believes Naofumi guilty of false attempt of rape and later trying to claim credit for the things he did. This would be easy for anyone to do since Itsuki attempts to be a Robin Hood-esque hero, hiding his own actions often. Rishia was praised for her work against L’Arc Berg, exposing his pettiness once more. He framed Rishia and kicked her out to get revenge.
He’s stubborn, gullible and loves to be praised. Itsuki was enraged by the one thing Naofumi said to him: “I thought that you were better than these, my evaluation has dropped,” which led him to shoot the Shield Hero in his head.
Itsuki becomes depressed after experiencing Malty’s manipulation and the Pride Series events. He now obeys Naofumi’s commands without any argument.
Background
Itsuki was born in an alternate universe to the one where the story takes places. There, some people were born with supernatural-like abilities. Itsuki was born with “Accuracy”, a supernatural ability that allows him to fire any weapon or device at a distance and hit the target, even if it is not blocked. He was therefore admitted to a high school for children with disabilities.
He had a strong impression of himself as a special person because of his abilities from middle school. His ego crashed when he discovered he was among the most disabled students at high school. Because of his perceived weakness, he was bullied all through school and eventually turned to console gaming to escape the harsh realities. He was on his way back from prep school when he was hit by a fast truck without warning. Later, he was summoned to another dimension as one of The Bow Hero’s 4 Legendary Heroes.
Story Itsuki Kasumi
Volume 1
Itsuki is one of the Four Legendary Heroes summoned to another world as the Bow Hero. He was summoned together with three other Legendary Heroes from Melromarc. Itsuki, like the two other heroes, pretends that he doesn’t care about being summoned. He believes that he is in an even higher league than the rest.
Itsuki believed Naofumi was guilty because of his sense of justice. He used the opportunity to look better than any of his heroes and made everyone around him feel better.
Despite the fact that Naofumi lost against Motoyasu in the duel, Ren and Itsuki called out Myne and declared Motoyasu the loser.
Volume 2
He does not think about the consequences of his actions and vanquishes evildoers he sees. He and his companion travel together in secret to defeat evildoers. Sometimes, the castle asks him to deal with corrupt nobles. One such instance is the Northern Territory.
Itsuki Kawasumi Relationship
Legendary Heroes
Naofumi Iwatani
Itsuki looked down upon Naofumi as he thought he had the weakest weapon. He was so gullible that he believed Malty’s claim that Naofumi tried to rape him and he blasted Naofumi for not hearing his side. Even though there was no evidence, he believed Naofumi guilty of taking his achievements and he continued to believe it even after it was proved false. He believed Naofumi was an evil person, and he readily accepted all accusations against him.
After Naofumi was cleared of his name, he accepted the queen’s suggestion of giving Naofumi a little preferential treatment in order to compensate for all the past misdeeds against Naofumi. However, Naofumi felt that he was only saying it for show and was certain that he would throw an angry tantrum. Itsuki dislikes the idea of Naofumi being more powerful than he actually is. But, he felt that Naofumi’s job as The Shield Hero should be less important than his own. He also felt that he was bossing him and other heroes. To try to outshine Naofumi, he openly accused him of cheating. This led directly to his involvement with the spirit tortoise incident.
Itsuki was possessed by the Pride curse and became more hostile to Naofumi due to the lies Witch had told him. He believed Naofumi was evil after this. Naofumi admitted that Itsuki’s accusations that he worked his slaves hard and kept all the profits for himself were true. However, everyone on Naofumi (including his slaves) denies this and say that he was like their parent.
Naofumi also didn’t see Itsuki in a positive light. He views Itsuki a self-centered and approval-seeking individual. Itsuki then kicked Rishia from his party because he was weak.
Itsuki stood by Naofumi after the rigged Duel, pointing out Malty’s involvement. He demanded to know why Naofumi was denied payment, as he couldn’t find a job in the guild to sustain himself.
Ren Amaki
Itsuki, Ren, and Motoyasu battled the wave bosses. Ren was able to talk with Itsuki about the fact that there was very little evidence to prove Naofumi was responsible for Itsuki’s success. Although he believes Naofumi is a villain, Itsuki was open to Ren’s suggestion to investigate the backstory of the kidnapping to find out if Naofumi really was telling the truth.
Naofumi bought Ren to talk with him during the curse series’ effects on Itsuki. This was despite their closeness. During the times of rigged duel, they were shown sitting next to one another. This shows that they have a certain level of trust.
Itsuki, despite fighting alongside him was as shocked as Naofumi when he learned Ren’s method of working with his comrades.
Motoyasu Kitamura
Itsuki was jealous of Motoyasu’s preferential treatment. Itsuki, Ren and Motoyasu battled the waves and defeated the last bosses. Itsuki and Ren both called out Motoyasu for his rigged duel against Naofumi. After being misinformed about Naofumi’s involvement in their deaths, Motoyasu saw Ituski as a friend and began a savage attack on Naofumi. He later joins Naofumi in fighting against the Pope for that same reason, vowing to avenge them, and giving them a proper funeral. But he is shocked when they are alive.
Vassal Weapon Holders
Glass
Itsuki is defeated by Glass with great ease. Glass believes him to be an ordinary adventurer and wonders aloud about the other heroes. She recognizes Naofumi as her only hero.
Companions
Rishia Ivyred
Itsuki saved Rishia from an evil Nobleman. Rishia followed Itsuki’s orders, even though she was often mistreated by her peers. Rishia reminded Itsuki mainly of his childhood and tried to forget it. Itsuki and his comrades made it difficult for her to concentrate on her weak areas rather than improving her strengths. Itsuki was finally able to see the light when Rishia was praised by the queen for his skill in handling L’Arc. He framed her and kicked out her because of it. Naofumi asked him why, and he said that she was too weak to do it for her own benefit, which led to her suicide attempt. Risha, who was raised by Naofumi, proves Itsuki that her strength can be a strength and is able to stand beside him.
Rishia is aware of Itsuki’s shortcomings in personality and methods but she still loves him. She still loves Itsuki, even though she is now a member of Naofumi’s party.
Rishia decides to save Itsuki when Itsuki is influenced by the curse of his weapon. Itsuki continued looking down on Rishia, believing that she was just an obstacle to reaching Naofumi. Rishia proves him wrong and defeats him with his bow, which grants Rishia the power to use a Vassal Weapon.
Itsuki finally lets go of the curse and accepts its consequences, where he is apathetic. Malty leaves him in debt and he asks Rishia to forgive him. He decides to stay in Naofumi’s village while he heals.
Legendary Heroes
Naofumi Iwatani
Itsuki looked down upon Naofumi as he thought he had the weakest weapon. He was easy to believe and believed Malty’s claim that Naofumi tried to rape her. He then blasted Naofumi for not hearing his side of the story. Even though there was no evidence, he believed Naofumi guilty of taking his achievements and he continued to believe it even after it was proved false. He believed Naofumi was an evil person, and he readily accepted all accusations against him.
After Naofumi was cleared of his name, he accepted the queen’s suggestion of giving Naofumi a little preferential treatment in order to compensate for all his past misdeeds. However, Naofumi felt that he was only saying it for show and was certain that he would throw an angry tantrum. Itsuki dislikes the idea of Naofumi being more powerful than he actually is. But, he felt that Naofumi’s job as The Shield Hero should be less important than his own. He also felt that he was bossing him and other heroes. To try to outshine Naofumi, he openly accused him of cheating. This led directly to his involvement with the spirit tortoise incident.
Itsuki was possessed by the Pride curse and became more hostile to Naofumi due to the lies Witch had told him. He believed Naofumi to have evil intentions. Naofumi admitted that Itsuki’s accusations that he worked his slaves hard and kept all the profits for himself were true. However, everyone on Naofumi (including his slaves) denies this and say that he was like their parent.
Naofumi also didn’t see Itsuki in a positive light. He views Itsuki a self-centered and approval-seeking individual. Itsuki expelled Rishia from his party because he was weak.
Itsuki stood by Naofumi, pointing out Malty’s role in the rigged duel. He demanded to know why Naofumi was denied payment, as he couldn’t find a job in the guild to sustain himself.
Ren Amaki
Itsuki, Ren, and Motoyasu battled the wave bosses. Ren was able to talk with Itsuki about the fact that there was very little evidence to prove Naofumi was responsible for Itsuki’s success. Although he believes Naofumi is a villain, Itsuki was open to Ren’s suggestion to investigate the backstory of the kidnapping to find out if Naofumi really was telling the truth.
Naofumi bought Ren to talk with him during the curse series’ effects on Itsuki. This was despite their closeness. During the times of rigged duel, they were shown sitting next to one another. This shows that they have a certain level of trust.
Itsuki, despite fighting alongside him was as shocked as Naofumi when he learned Ren’s method of working with his comrades.
Motoyasu Kitamura
Itsuki was jealous of Motoyasu’s preferential treatment. Itsuki, Ren, and Motoyasu battled the waves and the last bosses. Itsuki and Ren both called out Motoyasu for his rigged duel against Naofumi. After being misinformed about Naofumi’s involvement in their deaths, Motoyasu saw Ituski as a friend and began a savage attack on Naofumi. He later joins Naofumi in fighting against the Pope for that same reason, vowing to avenge them, and giving them a proper funeral. But he is shocked when they are alive.
Vassal Weapon Holders
Glass
Itsuki is defeated by Glass with great ease. Glass believes him to be an ordinary adventurer and wonders aloud about the other heroes. She recognizes Naofumi as her only hero.
Companions
Rishia Ivyred
Itsuki saved Rishia from an evil Nobleman. Rishia followed Itsuki’s orders, even though she was often mistreated by her peers. Rishia reminded Itsuki mainly of his childhood and tried to forget it. Itsuki and his comrades made it difficult for her to concentrate on her weak areas rather than improving her strengths. Itsuki was finally able to see the light when Rishia received praises from the queen for her ability to handle L’Arc. He framed her and kicked out her because of it. Naofumi asked him why, and he said that she was too weak to do it for her own benefit, which led to her suicide attempt. Risha, who was raised by Naofumi, proves Itsuki that her strength can overcome all obstacles.
Rishia is aware of Itsuki’s shortcomings in personality and methods but she still loves him. She still loves Itsuki, even though she is now a member of Naofumi’s party.
Rishia decides to save Itsuki when Itsuki is influenced by the curse of his weapon. Itsuki continued looking down on Rishia, believing that she was just an obstacle to reaching Naofumi. Rishia proves him wrong and defeats him with his bow, which grants Rishia the power to use a Vassal Weapon.
Itsuki finally lets go of the curse and accepts its consequences, where he is apathetic. Malty leaves him in debt and he asks Rishia to forgive him. He decides to stay in Naofumi’s village while he heals.
Etymology
Itsuki is a Japanese name that means “tree” (Shu). Itsuki’s surname Kawasumi is “river stream” (Chuan) ( Kaawa), and “clear, pure” (Cheng) ( Sumi).
Trivia
Itsuki claims that this world is very similar to Dimension Wave on the console, but he was first to admit that there are some differences. Spider-Man is not actually in his world, despite the famous “with great power comes great responsibilities” line.
