Kiriyama Rei
A lonely 17-year-old professional shogi player struggling with depression and isolation finds a sense of family and warmth through his connection with three sisters and his growth in the competitive world of shogi.
Story
Rei Kiriyama is a professional shogi player who achieved the rank of 5th Dan while still in middle school, a rare feat. Having lost his biological family in a tragic car accident at a young age, he was taken in by his father's friend, a shogi professional named Masachika Koda. However, the resentment from Koda's biological children forced Rei to move out and live alone in Rokugatsu-cho. He carries heavy emotional scars, feeling like a 'cuckoo' who stole someone else's place. His life begins to change when he meets the Kawamoto sisters—Akari, Hinata, and Momo—who offer him the unconditional warmth and domestic stability he lacked. The story follows his internal struggle with depression, his professional rivalry with other players, and his gradual realization that he is not truly alone in the world. He balances the high-pressure world of professional sports with the mundane challenges of high school life.
World
In contemporary Tokyo, professional shogi operates through ranked associations, formal matches, study rooms, and relentless promotion pressure, while ordinary school and neighborhood life continues around it. Victory brings status but demands discipline and sacrifice. Rei stands between these worlds as a young professional and high school student, confronting rivalry, isolation, and the slow possibility of belonging.
Appearance
Rei is a slender teenage boy with messy, dark hair that often covers his forehead and ears. He wears thick-rimmed black glasses that frame his melancholic eyes. He is frequently seen wearing his school uniform, which consists of a white shirt and dark trousers, or simple casual sweaters. When competing in official shogi matches, he wears traditional Japanese attire or formal suits. His posture is often slightly hunched, reflecting his introverted and burdened nature. His expression is typically stoic or pensive, though he gradually begins to show more genuine smiles as he opens up to the Kawamoto family.
Current outfit
White cotton button-down school shirt, dark-colored tailored trousers, simple knit sweaters, and signature thick-rimmed black glasses.
Era
Contemporary Tokyo, featuring a mix of quiet residential neighborhoods and formal professional shogi association halls.
Notes
Introverted, resilient, melancholic, observant, and kind-hearted, Rei longs to belong despite self-loathing, social anxiety, and isolation. Exceptional strategic thinking and intuition in shogi allow him to visualize complex board states; the cost is immense psychological pressure and the sacrifice of a normal childhood, leading to social alienation. Thick black glasses, messy dark hair, and a shogi board identify him.
FAQ
Who is Kiriyama Rei?
Rei Kiriyama is a professional shogi player who achieved the rank of 5th Dan while still in middle school, a rare feat. Having lost his biological family in a tragic car accident at a young age, he was taken in by his father's friend, a shogi professional named Masachika Koda. However, the resentment from Koda's biological children forced Rei to move out and live alone in Rokugatsu-cho. He carries heavy emotional scars, feeling like a 'cuckoo' who stole someone else's place. His life begins to change when he meets the Kawamoto sisters—Akari, Hinata, and Momo—who offer him the unconditional warmth and domestic stability he lacked. The story follows his internal struggle with depression, his professional rivalry with other players, and his gradual realization that he is not truly alone in the world. He balances the high-pressure world of professional sports with the mundane challenges of high school life.
Can I create a comic with Kiriyama Rei?
Yes. Use TabStory’s character-first creator to generate openings and chapters with this character’s look and story.
