
Enki
Enki |
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Japanese | 延麒 |
Rōmaji | Enki, Rokuta |
Personal Information | |
Title | Taiho |
Race | kirin |
Gender | Male |
Hair | bright gold |
Eyes | Violet, Brown younger |
Kingdom | En |
Portrayal | |
Japanese Voice |
Aya Ishizu (young) |
English Voice | Dave Wittenberg Michelle Ruff (young) |
Personality

Appearance in Anime
Enki is rebellious, blunt, and highly independent, possessing a strong will and a sharp tongue. He is far less reserved and formal than most kirin, often speaking casually and even teasing his king, Shouryuu, in ways that would be unthinkable for other kirin-ruler relationships. This informal dynamic reflects their deep bond and mutual trust.
Having suffered abandonment and starvation as a child in Japan, Enki deeply resents monarchs, seeing them as warmongers who bring suffering to their people. Initially, he refuses to choose a king for En, believing that no human is worthy of ruling a kingdom. However, through a powerful realization and a chance encounter with Shouryuu, he learns to place faith in the right ruler.
Despite his tough and cynical exterior, Enki is deeply compassionate and cares about the well-being of the people. His experience growing up in war-torn Japan instilled in him a strong sense of justice, and while he dislikes politics, he remains deeply invested in ensuring the prosperity of En.
Appearance
Enki differs significantly from other kirin in both age and demeanor. Though kirin typically appear as refined and noble figures, Enki takes on the appearance of a mischievous and outspoken young boy. His small stature and youthful face often cause others to underestimate him, but his sharp wit and intelligence quickly prove otherwise.
In his kirin form, he transforms into a golden-scaled, deer-like creature with a flowing mane and delicate antlers, much like other kirin. However, his personality remains distinct, making him one of the most unconventional kirin in the Twelve Kingdoms.
Background
Enki was born during a time of civil war in Japan and was abandoned by his parents as a young child. Left to starve, he was on the brink of death when his nyokai found him and took him to the Twelve Kingdoms.
Because of his traumatic past, Enki developed a deep hatred toward rulers, believing them to be selfish individuals who destroyed countries through war. His disillusionment with monarchy made him reluctant to choose a king for En, as he saw no human fit to rule justly.
Role in The Twelve Kingdoms
Enki’s perception of kingship changed when he met a desperate woman who begged him to choose a king, telling him that people were starving and abandoning their children, just as his parents had abandoned him. Struck by her words, Enki invoked a meishoku (dimensional rift) and returned to Japan, where he encountered Naotaka Komatsu, the son of a seafaring leader and a fellow taika from the Twelve Kingdoms.
Despite his deep distrust of rulers, Enki recognized something different in Naotaka, he saw a man who could lead with wisdom rather than greed. He ultimately realized that Naotaka was the rightful king of En, and despite his initial hesitation, he accepted him as his master.
Upon returning to the Twelve Kingdoms, Naotaka ascended the throne as King Shouryuu, and over time, their bond grew stronger. Their trust was cemented when Shouryuu was forced to suppress a rebellion, proving to Enki that he was a ruler worth serving.
When the Kingdom of En decided to support Youko Nakajima in rescuing Keiki and freeing Kei from its false ruler, Enki took on a proactive role in the mission. Alongside Rakushun, he traveled through various provinces of Kei, persuading local governors to abandon the impostor and pledge their loyalty to Youko as the rightful queen.
His quick thinking and strategic influence played a crucial part in weakening the false queen’s hold on the kingdom, allowing Youko to reclaim her rightful throne.
As a taika himself, Enki felt a personal connection to Taiki, the young kirin of Tai, who had also been born and raised in Japan. Understanding the immense confusion and struggles Taiki faced upon returning to the Twelve Kingdoms, Enki took a mentor-like role, helping him accept his identity as a kirin.
Since Enki had gone through similar hardships, he provided Taiki with crucial guidance, ensuring that he did not feel alone in his journey. This further established Enki as one of the most influential kirin in the series, bridging the gap between taika and the Twelve Kingdoms.
Relationships
King Shouryuu
Enki’s ruler and closest companion. Their relationship is one of mutual trust and respect, built on a unique dynamic where they treat each other as equals rather than master and servant.
Youko Nakajima
Enki played a key role in supporting Youko’s rise to the throne, ensuring that she had the political backing necessary to overthrow Kei’s false ruler.
Keiki
Unlike Enki, Keiki is extremely formal and dutiful, creating a stark contrast between the two. However, despite their differences, Enki respects Keiki as a fellow kirin.
Taiki
As fellow taika, Enki has a protective and mentor-like bond with Taiki, helping him understand his role as a kirin.
Legacy
Enki is one of the most unconventional kirin in The Twelve Kingdoms, defying the traditional expectations of his kind. His initial skepticism toward monarchy, his deeply personal reasons for rejecting kingship, and his eventual growth into a wise and influential kirin make him a compelling and multi-dimensional character.
His relationship with King Shouryuu, built on mutual respect and lighthearted banter, contrasts sharply with the formal and distant relationships between other kings and their kirin. This dynamic adds depth to both characters, showing that leadership does not always have to be rigid and solemn.
Furthermore, his role in aiding Youko and mentoring Taiki solidifies him as a guiding force for young leaders, ensuring that the Twelve Kingdoms continues to grow and evolve under the right rulers.
Despite his youthful appearance and rebellious nature, Enki proves that wisdom and leadership do not always come with age, they come from experience, self-awareness, and the courage to challenge what is unjust.