Ryuen Kakeru

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Ryuen Kakeru (龍園翔)
Alias(es)	Tyrant of Class C; “Dragon Boy” 81 139
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Class C / later Class 2-C; the Ryuen Faction 34 528
Occupation/Role	Class representative and faction leader 34 81
Status	Active student 528
First Appearance	Chapter 27

Background & History

Ryuen was a delinquent before entering the school, spending his middle-school years fighting or avoiding fights. The principal personally recommended him for admission, and Ryuen became interested in the school after learning that even poor academic performers could rise through class competition and gain access to preferred universities or careers. His stated goal was to reach Class A, a feat he believed no prior Class C had achieved. 130

Soon after enrollment, Ryuen seized control of Class C through violence, intimidation, and compulsory point collection. He built an inner circle around Albert Yamada, Daichi Ishizaki, Rei Ibuki, Kaneda, and Shiina Hiyori, valuing Albert's strength and Hiyori's judgment alongside his own leadership. 32 33 54

He terminated Class C's involvement in Houtarou Oreki's shop-opening scheme after discovering that his classmates were losing their initial points. This decision consolidated his authority but began his long-running conflict with Oreki. 35 81

Appearance

Ryuen is a tall, imposing student with red hair parted down the middle. He is noted for wearing a black dress shirt rather than the more common uniform colors; he is later stated to be approximately 1.7 meters tall. 34 493

• Center-parted red hair. 34
• Usually wears a black shirt with his uniform. 34
• Carries himself with an intimidating, domineering presence. 81
• Considerably shorter and less physically imposing than Kazuomi Housen. 493

Personality

Ryuen is relentlessly focused on victory and advancement. He regards Class A as both his goal and a challenge, refusing to accept a stagnant future for himself or his classmates. His ambition lets him inspire followers, even while his coercive methods make him feared. 96 130

He is ruthless, impatient, and highly vengeful. Rather than relying solely on physical superiority, Ryuen exploits pressure points in people’s lives, harassing Albert into submission and using fear to make opponents yield. 307

Despite his brutality, Ryuen is pragmatic about points and agreements. He honors contracts when they remain useful, seeks long-term income for his class, and is willing to protect classmates when their loss would weaken his position. 35 130 247

Abilities & Skills

Class Control and Intimidation

Ryuen unified Class C through violence, mandatory point payments, and psychological pressure, turning it into a faction centered on his authority. 32 81

• Demanded 50,000 points from classmates shortly after enrollment. 32
• Broke Albert’s resistance through sustained harassment rather than defeating him directly. 82 307
• Used Albert as his bodyguard and Ishizaki as an enforcer. 34 115
• Pressured students suspected of betrayal by confiscating and inspecting their phones. 297
• His control is vulnerable when followers gain independence or lose faith in his methods. 287 320

Strategic Planning and Information Warfare

Ryuen combines open intimidation with contracts, spies, surveillance, and special-exam manipulation.

• Had Class C memorize exam papers daily for ten days, producing a perfect 100-point exam result and an additional 10,000 points per student. 96
• Arranged surveillance and infiltration through Ibuki, Ishizaki, Kaneda, and other classmates. 158 164
• Used school-phone GPS functions and a planted spy in an attempt to psychologically pressure Kei Karuizawa for information about Oreki. 301 304
• Proposed supply agreements designed to exchange immediate assistance for continuing living allowances or base points. 130 131
• Exploited first-year classes during a special exam by offering protection in exchange for 70% of their rewards. 528

Combat and Endurance

Ryuen is an experienced street fighter whose style centers on opportunistic, vicious attacks rather than overwhelming physical power. 130 307

• Uses sudden kicks and attacks aimed at openings to create fear in opponents. 307
• Endured repeated calibrated strikes from Oreki despite severe injuries. 308
• Was outclassed by Rokosuke Kōenji, who defeated Albert in one move, and by Oreki, who defeated Ryuen and his group alone. 83 306 309
• Could not match Kazuomi Housen’s combat ability directly and instead manipulated circumstances to secure Housen’s expulsion. 493 513

Relationships

• Houtarou Oreki — Primary rival and recurring adversary. Oreki repeatedly exploits Ryuen’s aggression for points, exposes his schemes, and defeats him in their rooftop confrontation. 84 209 304 309
• Shiina Hiyori — Strategist within Ryuen’s inner circle. She later prevents his expulsion and retains him as a useful force for future exams. 33 54 423
• Daichi Ishizaki — Former resister turned loyal subordinate and enforcer. Ishizaki follows Ryuen’s orders, including reconnaissance and recruitment efforts. 32 420 430
• Albert Yamada — Bodyguard whom Ryuen subdued through persistent harassment. Albert protects Ryuen during confrontations, including Housen’s attempted attack. 82 307 513
• Rei Ibuki — Early recruit and frequent operative who initially opposed Ryuen’s rule. Ryuen later exempts her from monthly fees to support her academic goals. 32 115 304
• Rokosuke Kōenji — Physical and strategic rival. Kōenji humiliated Ryuen’s group by instantly defeating Albert and later misled Ryuen during the deserted-island exam. 83 158
• Kazuomi Housen — Violent underclassman and former acquaintance. Ryuen provoked and maneuvered Housen into repeated fights, contributing to his expulsion. 493 513
• Kei Karuizawa — Target of Ryuen’s attempted psychological operation against Oreki; Oreki intercepted the plan before Karuizawa could be trapped. 301 304

Story Role / Major Arcs

Rise of the Class C Tyrant

Ryuen takes over Class C, builds a core faction, and cuts off Oreki’s shop project to stop his classmates’ point losses. His rule establishes Class C as a unified but fearful force. 32 35 81

Conflict with Oreki

After confronting Oreki in Class A, Ryuen becomes the target of Oreki’s countermeasures. Oreki engineers evidence of Ryuen’s violent behavior, forcing Ryuen to pay 800,000 points to avoid class deductions; Oreki receives 500,000 points from the settlement. 34 84

Deserted-Island Exam

Ryuen remains on the island after his class withdraws, acting as Class C’s leader and attempting to identify other classes’ leaders. His own continued activity reveals his identity, allowing every other class to guess him correctly and inflict a 100-point deduction on Class C. 157 158 164

Sports Festival and Defeat

Ryuen’s rule violation during the pole-toppling event exposes him to severe penalties. Oreki offers financial aid in exchange for ten kowtows, then later uses the rooftop confrontation to crush Ryuen’s confidence through a one-sided fight. Ryuen temporarily withdraws from class competition afterward. 247 248 309

Return as a Useful Asset

Hiyori arranges protection to prevent Ryuen’s expulsion, treating him as an indispensable tool for future exams. Ryuen subsequently manipulates Housen into expulsion and extends his influence to Class 1-D during the first-years’ special exam. 423 513 528

Notable Quotes

“As for me, my goal is Class A.” 130

“My hobby, or rather, my goal, is to collect 800 million points.” 678