Character Profile: Mamoru Kusanagi

Once the Aragami had reawakened, they began to take steps to ensure their continued survival. With that in mind, Orochi sought out a family that had been attempting to sacrifice the Kushinada and put the Aragami to sleep again. Orochi killed the parents...but for their baby son, Orochi had a special plan. Implanting within him seven mitama, seven Aragami souls, Orochi charged little Mamoru Kusanagi with the task of watching over the Kushinada and ensuring that no harm would come to her...until they were ready.

So even as he grew, Mamoru kept a watchful eye over little Kaede Kunikida, watching her grow and develop. He didn't know it then, but watching Kaede grow like this would stir up emotions later on he would have trouble controlling. For Kusanagi was not happy with his destiny. He sought freedom, and to do that, he thought, he would have to kill the Kushinada and let the pulse lock his masters in sleep.

Then Kaede disappeared, and Kusanagi realized that in order to win his freedom, he would have to seek out and kill her twin: Momiji Fujimiya.

That proved an impossible task. Not only was he constantly interrupted, but Momiji's face resembles Kaede's enough to trigger an impulse not to kill her. So he sought another way. He began to follow Momiji around like he had with Kaede. It didn't work out well at first. He was rather crude and frank (Momiji constantly yelled at him whenever he peeked at her panties or talked about her modest bustline). But under that rough exterior, Momiji realized that there lied underneath a tortured man himself fighting the Aragami for his freedom. Mamoru was himself tryng to figure out how he felt about Momiji. She was only 15, she lacked height and figure, but still...perhaps it was the fire in her eyes, her constant desire to fight (and her constant need of his help), and the fact that she was actually warming up to him (HIM of all people).

Then Kaede reappeared, and Kusanagi's emotions went on a roller coaster ride. It took him a while for him to figure out what to do, and in the meantime, it would be Momiji who would come to his aid. He then realized what he had to do. He would help Momiji by saving Kaede. He would fight to protect both Kushinadas...and hope that his efforts are enough.

Mutated as he is by the seven mitama on his body, green blood flows in Kusanagi's veins, and he has the ability to transform his body somewhat. He can make blades sprout from his arms, and he has incredible physical ability, including his penchant for long and high jumps. However, without an eighth mitama, he lacks the strength or the abilities to take on Murakumo. But Kusanagi is not one to give up easily, and his unusual connection to Momiji (she and he both received their mitama from Orochi) will play a crucial role in the late stages of the conflict.

As his name implies, "Mamoru" means protector, while "Kusanagi" comes from "Kusanagi-no-tsurugi", the Grass-Cutting Sword, a blade supposedly given by the Japanese gods to the emperor.