Ponosuke Ninokuru

Ponosuke is intensely loyal to Soga and consistently places his master's interests ahead of his own. He monitors potential threats, gathers information and tries to help whenever Soga becomes involved in a difficult supernatural situation.

His loyalty extends into Soga's personal life. Ponosuke understands his master's severe awkwardness around women and sometimes tries to encourage situations that might help him become more comfortable, particularly when Matsuri is involved.

Ponosuke's relationship with the Ninokuru family is notably warm for an ayakashi living among exorcists. He is not treated merely as a captured spirit or expendable servant, reflecting the mutual affection that developed after Soga spared him.

Ponosuke specializes in reconnaissance rather than direct combat. His small birdlike body allows him to observe people and locations unobtrusively, making him useful for an exorcist ninja who needs information before acting.

He can conceal his presence effectively enough to conduct surveillance without attracting ordinary human attention. Early in the story, Soga sends him specifically to verify what has happened to Matsuri after Shirogane's Gender Swap Awakening.

Ponosuke is an ayakashi and therefore possesses the spiritual characteristics of his species, but the manga does not give him a major named offensive technique. His value to Soga is primarily scouting, communication and companionship.

Ponosuke first appears while investigating Matsuri on Soga's behalf. He confirms that Soga's former male rival has indeed been transformed into a girl and reports his findings back to his master.

He later spots Shirogane in his reduced cat form and informs Soga, setting up Soga's attempt to exorcise the weakened King of Ayakashi. Matsuri intervenes because killing Shirogane could eliminate his best chance of reversing the transformation.

From that point onward, Ponosuke remains Soga's regular companion. As Soga's feelings toward Matsuri become increasingly confused, Ponosuke often understands his master's emotional situation more clearly than Soga does and tries to support him through it.

Soga Ninokuru is Ponosuke's master, closest companion and the person who spared him during an exorcist mission. Soga regards Ponosuke Ninokuru as a friend rather than merely a subordinate, and Ponosuke repays that kindness with unwavering loyalty.

Muga Ninokuru is the head of the Ninokuru family and accepts Ponosuke within the household.

Haya Ninokuru is Soga's younger sister and another member of the family with whom Ponosuke has a friendly relationship.

Matsuri Kazamaki begins as the target of Ponosuke's reconnaissance but later becomes his ally and friend. Ponosuke also encourages the increasingly complicated bond between Matsuri and Soga.

Suzu Kanade becomes friendly with Ponosuke through her close connection to Matsuri, Soga and the ayakashi world.

Shirogane is one of the powerful ayakashi Ponosuke monitors for Soga, particularly during the period when Soga intends to exorcise him.