Suou
Suou |
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| Kanji | スオウ |
| Alias | “Suocchi” (by Ginshu) |
| Statistics | |
| Gender | Male |
| Type | Unmarked |
| Birthday | April 10 |
| Status | Alive |
| Affiliation | Mud Whale |
| Occupation | Mayor of the Mud Whale |
| Debut | |
| Manga | Chapter 1 |
| Anime | Episode 1 |
| Actors | |
| Japanese | Nobunaga Shimazaki |
| English | Bryce Papenbrook |
Suou is a character in the anime and manga series Children of the Whales. He is one of the Unmarked, the minority group comprising roughly 10% of the Mud Whale’s population. Unlike the Marked, Unmarked individuals cannot use thymia and have normal life expectancies. Suou plays a prominent role in the internal affairs of the Mud Whale, often participating in political and administrative decisions.
Personality
Appearance in Anime
Suou is known for his kindness, patience, and unwavering sense of fairness. He treats everyone equally, regardless of their status as Marked or Unmarked, and consistently seeks peaceful resolutions over conflict. His calm and dependable nature earns him the trust of Chakuro and many other residents of the Mud Whale, including those with thymia abilities.
Although Suou may appear overly innocent and naive, these qualities are also the source of his greatest strength. He holds deep faith in the goodness of others and expresses sincere love and concern for all inhabitants of the Mud Whale. His complete trust in Rochalizo even after being betrayed became a pivotal moment that contributed to the eventual escape of the Mud Whale’s citizens from the Empire’s control. His belief in others, though sometimes risky, is a testament to his deeply rooted idealism and compassion.
Appearance
Suou has long, light green hair, which he typically ties back into a low ponytail, and striking blue eyes. His usual attire consists of a flowing white robe with green trim, fastened at the waist with a green bow. He also wears white pants and brown shoes, presenting a calm and refined appearance.
After the death of his younger sister, Sami, Suou begins wearing one of her hair ribbons around his wrist as a memento. He also bears noticeable scars on his hands, a result of frequently clasping them tightly in an effort to suppress and conceal his emotions.
History
In the year 90, Suou and his younger sister, Sami, lost their mother, an event that had a profound effect on both siblings.
As a child, Suou was deeply committed to discovering a way to extend the lives of the Marked, who suffer shortened lifespans due to their use of thymia. He frequently enlisted the help of Chakuro and Sami to gather data in support of various hypotheses. His theories included the possibility that the Marked inhaled more sand while on the Mud Whale or that their bodies reacted negatively to Oomasugochiku roots, the island’s primary food source. Although many of the Mud Whale’s residents viewed his efforts as childish or amusing, Suou remained earnest. When laughed at for his ideas, he tearfully insisted that his research was serious and intended to help others.
At some point before turning 17, Suou was named the primary mayoral candidate to succeed Taisha. His selection was based on his unwavering devotion to the Marked and his sincere desire to protect all residents of the Mud Whale, regardless of their status.
Relationships
Chakuro
Suou and Chakuro share a respectful and supportive friendship, strengthened by their mutual bond with Sami. After Sami’s death, the two comfort each other, and Suou gives one of her hair ribbons to Chakuro, acknowledging the depth of Chakuro’s feelings for her.
Sami
Sami was Suou’s younger sister, and the two were deeply devoted to one another from a young age. Aware that her life would be shortened as one of the Marked, Suou always cared for her with quiet understanding. After her passing, he kept one of her hair ribbons as a keepsake and gave the other to Chakuro.
Ouni
Suou makes a deliberate effort to reach out to Ouni, a rebellious and isolated figure on the Mud Whale. He shows genuine concern for Ouni’s well-being and works to ensure he feels accepted within the community.
Taisha
Suou was chosen as Taisha’s successor in the role of mayor. The two share a strong dedication to the protection of the Marked and a similar leadership philosophy centered on compassion and care.
Shuan
While their interactions are limited early in the series, Suou and Shuan grow closer during and after their time in Amonlogia. Suou expresses concern for Shuan’s mental state, particularly noting his withdrawn behavior following Sienna’s death.
Rochalizo
After the events of the Amonlogia arc, Rochalizo decides to remain on the Mud Whale and gradually forms a close bond with Suou. Their relationship deepens over time, and in the final chapter of the manga, the two are shown to have married, symbolizing the strength of their connection and the peaceful future they helped build together.