Sousuke Hitsugi

Sousuke is confident to the point of arrogance and cares little about whether his attitude makes him seem unpleasant. His pride is supported by genuine ability: he comes from an elite exorcist family, performed exceptionally at the Academy and has spent much of his life expecting to reach the highest ranks of the profession.

Kiyoshi's overwhelming talent leaves him with a persistent sense of inferiority. Rather than accepting second place, Sousuke turns that frustration into motivation and openly declares his intention to surpass Kiyoshi. The rivalry is largely one-sided, since Kiyoshi regards him as a friend rather than an enemy.

His abrasive presentation conceals a fundamentally decent nature. Sousuke will assist people when they genuinely need him and takes his responsibilities as an exorcist seriously.

Sousuke specializes in holy-water exorcism. His Aqua Gun collects moisture from the surrounding air, converts it into holy water and fires it as concentrated ammunition. Provided sufficient atmospheric moisture is available, this effectively gives him a renewable supply of ammunition. Techniques such as 90-Gallon Bullet and 100-Gallon Bullet turn enormous quantities of holy water into powerful ranged attacks.

The Hitsugi Family specializes in healing holy-water techniques, and Sousuke can use Exorcist's Holy Water Technique: Panacea to purify demonic toxins. He is also an exceptional marksman with considerable Precept Power, durability and combat experience.

Sousuke later develops Perfect Blue, his Crest XR-Cism. It allows him to create and manipulate holy water without relying on the Aqua Gun and greatly expands his offensive capabilities, including high-pressure, heated and defensive water techniques. The power comes with severe physical backlash.

Sousuke is introduced as one of the clearest contrasts to Kiyoshi among the younger exorcists. Both graduated from the same Academy class, but Sousuke possesses the confidence, pedigree and social presence that the painfully shy Kiyoshi lacks. Kiyoshi nevertheless surpasses him in raw ability.

As a member of Tsurugi Hijiri's platoon, Sousuke participates in the attempt to eliminate Jack Joe. His involvement places him opposite Kiyoshi when Kiyoshi decides that protecting a peaceful demon is more important than blindly following conventional exorcist doctrine.

Sousuke's ambitions later culminate in his advancement to Grand Cross. His growth becomes especially important during the Black Parade and subsequent conflicts, where he develops his holy-water techniques beyond his original dependence on the Aqua Gun and establishes himself as a formidable exorcist in his own right.

Kiyoshi Harai is Sousuke's former Academy classmate and self-proclaimed rival. Sousuke is frustrated by Kiyoshi's superior ability and wants to surpass him, while Kiyoshi sincerely regards Sousuke as a friend.

Tsurugi Hijiri is Sousuke's superior in the Knights of Light and the leader of the platoon to which he belongs.

Karuta Jogasaki is a fellow member of Tsurugi's platoon who calls Sousuke "Hitsu."

Jack Joe is initially one of Sousuke's targets during the Knights of Light operation in Naraku. Sousuke later helps with efforts to save Jack Joe rather than continuing to regard him solely as an enemy demon.

Chosuke Hitsugi is Sousuke's father and a member of the distinguished Hitsugi Family.

Misono Hitsugi is Sousuke's mother and another accomplished member of the Hitsugi lineage.