A school gambling story that takes place in a prestigious school attended by wealthy upper-class students, where a strict class system based on gambling has been adopted. The highlights of the story are the absurdity of deceiving each other through gambling, reading each other's hands, and receiving large sums of money and popularity if you win, but humiliating treatment if you lose, as well as the negative side of capitalist society.
Ryota Suzui's profile
Source: Kakegurui ©Homura Kawamoto, Toru Naomura/SQUARE ENIX/Kakegurui Production Committee
He is a timid man with average thinking and almost no gambling talent, so he is not exactly suited to be a gambler, but he is quick to understand the superficial progress of the game, calculations, and probabilities, making him the Watson who explains things to the readers. In this work, where insane gamblers, including Yumeko, run rampant regardless of whether they are friend or foe, he is one of the few people with common sense and a conscience.
The conscience of Kakegurui
Source: Kakegurui © Homura Kawamoto, Toru Naomura/SQUARE ENIX/Kakegurui Production Committee
With a kind and considerate personality, he is the conscience of Kakegurui, and never takes part in the cruelty of the students who have been reduced to livestock. He was turned into a livestock by the gambling-addicted Yumeko, and even when Meari abused him, he did not take any revenge, and returned the 260 million yen check that arrived in his hands without hesitation. Also, perhaps because of his modest position as a third party, he is often treated as a small fry or mob character by influential people and fierce warriors, including Momobami Kiriri, but he never shows any signs of anger.
Source: Kakegurui © Homura Kawamoto, Toru Naomura / SQUARE ENIX, "Kakegurui" Production Committee
On the other hand, his conscience and kindness are a very desirable and humane charm for the sadistic Yumeko and Meari, who are gambling with their lives at stake, and he is also a spiritual oasis for them. Through these things, in both good and bad ways, he is the most kind-hearted boy in the work, and the girls have placed an immense trust in him.
Livestock: Pochi
Source: Kakegurui © Homura Kawamoto, Toru Naomura/SQUARE ENIX, "Kakegurui" Production Committee
Suzui is a straightforward and honest man, and it can only be described as unlucky that he enrolled in Hyakkaou Private Academy, where status is determined by gambling. After being defeated in a game of poker by the queen of the second-year Hana class, Saotome Meari, and falling into the borderline worst 100, he becomes a male livestock called "Pochi" (the female livestock is "Mike"). After becoming a livestock, he has a miserable school life, but when Yumeko transfers to the school, the situation changes completely.
Source: Kakegurui © Homura Kawamoto, Toru Naomura / SQUARE ENIX, "Kakegurui" Production Committee
As the class representative, she is tasked with showing Yumeko around the school. During this time, she explains the school's class system and gambling, and worries about Yumeko. However, during the "voting rock-paper-scissors" game, she is forced to side with Meari. After the battle was over, he found out that Yumeko knew about it, and apologized and tried to leave the school, but Yumeko gave him 5 million yen, saying, "Thanks to you, I was able to gamble in an exciting way!" With this, Suzui was freed from being a livestock.
Source: Kakegurui © Homura Kawamoto, Toru Naomura / SQUARE ENIX, "Kakegurui" Production Committee
Suzui understood that Yumeko was a genuine "gambler". Even though he was saved, he seemed to be a little in awe of her. On the other hand, after witnessing Yumeko's overwhelming gambling talent, she comes to place absolute trust in her. Even when Yumeko loses over 300 million yen in gambling, she borrows the money from her parents, saying, "Yumeko can win with 1 million yen in capital. It's a thank you for helping me on my first day at the transfer school," and gives it to Yumeko. Suzuki is such a nice person that it makes you feel even more sorry for her being at Hyakkaou Academy.
Voice actor
Source: Kakegurui © Homura Kawamoto, Toru Naomura / SQUARE ENIX, "Kakegurui" Production Committee
Voice actor Tokutake Tatsuya perfectly expresses the kind-hearted Suzui. His sweet and gentle voice is perfect for Suzui. The characters are all crazy about gambling, so Suzui's gentle voice is very soothing.
The relationship between Yumeko and Suzui
Source: Kakegurui © Homura Kawamoto, Toru Naomura / SQUARE ENIX, "Kakegurui" Production Committee
Usually a gentle and beautiful girl with a cute smile. However, once gambling is involved, she changes completely and mercilessly corners her opponents. Despite this, Yumeko is kind to Suzui, and saves him from being a farm animal after losing gambling. Moreover, she was aware that Suzuki had been involved in the cheating.
Source: Kakegurui © Homura Kawamoto, Toru Naomura/SQUARE ENIX, "Kakegurui" Production Committee
Yumeko once entrusted Suzuki with the role of dealer in a game where her life was at stake, which shows that she has a great deal of trust in Suzuki. What was it about Suzuki that moved Yumeko's heart when they met for the first time? "Since we're just friends, it's fine to call her Yumeko," she says, blushing and looking up. Despite being good at gambling, she treats Suzuki specially, even handing over the win to him in a game where the cake buffet is at stake. She also asks Suzuki to be her guide around the school.
Source: Kakegurui © Homura Kawamoto, Toru Naomura/SQUARE ENIX, "Kakegurui" Production Committee
When Yumeko and Midari Ikishima compete, Suzui is unable to bear the pressure of being responsible for Yumeko's life and is suffering. Yumeko's words at that time were different from usual Yumeko. Yumeko, who had boasted that a match where she is sure to win or lose is boring, told Suzuki "I will definitely win" and further declared that "I will make it a 100% draw"! It seems that she is not the usual Yumeko. When Suzuki is involved, does that mean she will gamble beyond her usual beliefs? Yumeko should not like a match where the outcome is already known. Is it possible that she challenged Suzuki to help Suzuki who was involved with Ikishima?! I'm curious about Yumeko's feelings.
What is Suzuki to Yumeko!?
His status is determined by gambling. He can't trust anyone but himself and he doesn't think about anyone but himself. Meanwhile, on the first day of her transfer, he warns Yumeko and prepares 1 million yen as a "thank you for helping" Yumeko, who lost 310 million yen in gambling. Yumeko may be attracted to the kind Suzuki who is able to worry about others even in such a situation. There's a scene where she hides behind Suzuki's back to escape from Ikishima, and Suzuki, who has nothing to do with gambling, may be a place of rest for Yumeko, who is crazy about gambling every day!
The relationship between Meari and Suzui
Source: Kakegurui © Homura Kawamoto, Toru Naomura / SQUARE ENIX, "Kakegurui" Production Committee
Meari beat Suzui in gambling and made her her servant, exultantly calling her "Pochi♡". She does whatever she wants with Suzui, even using her as a footstool. She is truly the queen of the Hanagumi. However, when he sees the newly transferred student Yumeko and Suzuki having a fun conversation, he grinds his teeth and behaves in a very inconsistent way for some reason. Perhaps he has a tendency to want to bully his favorite girl. When he teams up with Yumeko to gamble to escape being a livestock, he makes Suzuki the recipient of the check for his winnings, and in one way or another, he seems to trust Suzuki. After experiencing being a livestock and escaping it, he gives off a calm and cool impression and is able to talk to Suzuki on an equal footing.
Source: Kakegurui © Homura Kawamoto, Toru Naomura / SQUARE ENIX, "Kakegurui" Production Committee
Meari, who wins by her own efforts, and Suzuki, who is somewhat dependent on others, are contrasting characters, but they have something in common. That is, they trust their friends when they play. When Suzuki took Yumeko's life in his hands and acted as a dealer, he trusted Yumeko and chose cards, leading her to a brilliant victory. Before meeting Yumeko, Meari and her friends cooperated and won in competitions. Although Meari can be ruthless at times, both of them have a human side to them. They were once a queen and a farm animal, but perhaps they are a perfect match for each other?
Harem Highway is on the way!
Source: Kakegurui © Homura Kawamoto, Toru Naomura / SQUARE ENIX, "Kakegurui" Production Committee
Because of his involvement with Yumeko, Suzui often witnesses big gambling. The people who challenge him to big bets are always people with very strong personalities. Gamblers who are fascinated by Yumeko, even though they lose to her, gather around her and before they know it, she starts to follow him around. Ever since losing to Yumeko, Ikushima Mō has been showing up at every opportunity, looking for the thrill she can give. Ikushima wandering around is nothing but a nuisance, but Sumeragi is very active, bringing sweets and preparing tickets to the hard-to-get idol Yumemite Yumemi.
The World's Most Popular Mob is Suzuki
Also, when passing by, Mushibami Erimi, who was scared of Ikushima, cried to him, so maybe Suzuki is the most popular mob in the world? ! Maybe more people will join in the future? ! As the number of people with strong characters continues to increase, I hope that the plain Suzuki will also work hard to assert his presence.
Summary
Suzui is surrounded by beautiful women and enjoys a rather dangerous youth. He tends to be a little scared. Although he is usually obsessed with gambling, they are also girls. Will Suzuki be able to notice the flags that the girls are setting up?! Suzuki is a bit of a wimp, but he's also a gentleman, so maybe he'll be a rare breed at Hyakkaou Academy and become popular?! I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next.
