Hoshiguma

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Hoshiguma (星熊)
Species/Race	Oni
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Lungmen Guard Department; Major Crimes Unit
Occupation/Role	Guard Department officer and Major Crimes Unit inspector; formerly associated with Lungmen gangs
Status	Active
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Background / History

Hoshiguma leads the frontal assault during the Guard Department’s raid on a factory used by child traffickers. Using her shield, Hannya, she protects the assault team from crossbow fire, pushes through Molotov flames, and breaches the factory so Chen and Swire can enter from the flanks. The raid rescues every child and apprehends the traffickers. 1

Among the rescued children is Suika, a drunken young Oni who immediately clings to Hoshiguma and calls her name. Though she cannot identify any prior connection, Hoshiguma takes responsibility for Suika temporarily, attempts to locate her family, and later allows her to remain at her home. 1 2

Hoshiguma becomes increasingly involved in the cases surrounding Suika’s life in Lungmen. She investigates the robbery of Granny Wang, exposes the post-office supervisor who arranged for thugs to target Suika, and works with Suika, Chen, and Swire to uncover the Wang household murders and Ursus espionage network. 4 12 16 19 20

When Suika’s unusual power and unknown origins draw political scrutiny, Hoshiguma worries that Suika’s actions—including leaving Lungmen without authorization and killing an Ursus spy—will lead to severe punishment. She is distressed when the authorities order Suika to leave Lungmen within six months despite the reward granted for her service. 21 22

Hoshiguma witnesses Suika’s giant form and destructive strength during a kidnapping attempt, but focuses first on the fact that Suika saved her from the attacker’s Arts. Rather than interrogating Suika as a suspect, she speaks to her as an equal and accepts her explanation of being an oni in the supernatural sense. 26 27

She later accompanies Chen to Ursus in support of Talulah and the Reunion Movement. There, she participates in operations against the New Reunion Movement, assists in the campaign against Mephisto’s Herd, and returns to Lungmen with Suika and Scout after the fighting. 186 193 200 203

Appearance

Hoshiguma is a tall, imposing Oni woman whose distinctive features make her immediately recognizable as being from the Eastern Country Oni clan. 20

• Carries the massive shield Hannya, which she uses as both protection and a breaching tool. 1
• Has conspicuous Oni traits, noted by the Rat King as characteristic of an Eastern Country Oni. 20
• Maintains an upright, intimidating presence that Suika instinctively associates with authority. 19
• Later carries the Coiling Dragon Mace, forged for her by Suika and Nian. 259 260

Personality

Hoshiguma is direct, responsible, and protective. She can be blunt with Suika—especially over drinking, sneaking out, or avoiding training—but her concern is consistently rooted in fear for Suika’s safety rather than anger alone. 4 19 30 262

Her experience with both law enforcement and Lungmen’s underworld makes her practical. She knows that brute strength is not enough to stay safe, warning Suika that powerful people can still be trapped through schemes, coercion, and deception. 30

Despite her intimidating demeanor, Hoshiguma is compassionate. She insists that injured criminals receive medical treatment, mourns the fate of the Wang family, and reacts angrily to the suffering caused by the New Reunion Movement. 4 19 186

She is also notably accepting of Suika. After witnessing powers beyond her understanding, she judges Suika by her actions—particularly Suika’s decision to save her during the kidnapping attack—rather than by fear or suspicion. 26 27

Abilities & Skills

Physical Strength

Hoshiguma possesses exceptional natural strength even without using Originium Arts.

• Her punching-strength record at the Guard Department training ground is 1999. 25
• She throws a heavy table at a fleeing vehicle during Suika’s kidnapping. 26
• She lifts a one-ton barbell at Rhodes Island without Originium Arts and lowers it under control rather than dropping it. 255
• Her strength is suited to heavy blunt weapons such as the Coiling Dragon Mace. 259 260

Shield Combat

Hoshiguma is highly proficient with Hannya, using it to protect allies and force openings during assaults.

• Blocks multiple crossbow bolts aimed at the Guard Department assault team. 1
• Advances through a burning breach and smashes into the traffickers’ factory from the front. 1
• Uses a shield while carrying an unconscious civilian during the attack on Mephisto’s town. 193

Investigation and Law Enforcement

As a Major Crimes inspector, Hoshiguma is a capable investigator with experience handling both ordinary cases and political threats.

• Investigates the robbery targeting Granny Wang and searches for Suika when she is believed to be involved. 4
• Follows up on Suika’s suspicions about the postal supervisor’s connection to local thugs. 12
• Investigates the Wang household fire and murder alongside Suika. 16 20
• Recognizes the danger posed by the Rat King and cautiously handles their encounter. 20

Underworld Contacts

Before joining the Guard Department, Hoshiguma ran with gangs in Lungmen. Her former connections remain useful in the slums and black market. 4 203

• Calls old gang contacts to help search for the missing Suika in the slums. 4
• Has informants in Lungmen’s slums. 203
• Offers to introduce Scout to reliable black-market weapon suppliers and maintenance specialists. 203

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Hannya — Hoshiguma’s enormous shield; used to block ranged attacks and break through enemy positions. Nian later restores it to near-new condition using her Forging authority. 1 251
• Coiling Dragon Mace — A long mace forged by Nian with Suika’s assistance and imprinted with Suika’s Great Fortune Sigil. Its weight, length, and balance suit Hoshiguma’s strength and close-quarters fighting style. 259 260
• Guard Department shield — A replacement shield used during the Ursus operations while Hannya is not with her. 200

Relationships

• Ibuki Suika — Suika’s guardian and housemate in Lungmen. Hoshiguma initially tries to return her to a family, then becomes a protective older-sister figure who worries over Suika’s safety, choices, and habit of causing trouble. 1 2 30 262
• Chen Hui-chieh — Her Guard Department partner and trusted colleague. They investigate cases together, search for Suika, and travel to Ursus in support of Chen’s mission. 1 4 186
• Swire — Fellow Guard Department officer and frequent collaborator. The two work together during the search for Suika and remain part of Suika’s close Lungmen circle. 4 232
• Jiu — Her superior within the Guard Department, who assigns operations and handles Suika’s official questioning. 1 5 9
• Nian — A friend of Suika who repairs Hannya and helps forge the Coiling Dragon Mace for Hoshiguma. 251 259
• Scout — A Rhodes Island Elite Operator whom Hoshiguma assists after the Ursus campaign by offering access to Lungmen’s black-market contacts. 203
• Yuugi Hoshiguma — A separate Oni who shares Hoshiguma’s name and bears a resemblance to her. The two meet in Ursus and acknowledge the coincidence as fate. 192

Story Role / Major Arcs

Child-Trafficking Raid and Suika’s Arrival

Hoshiguma commands the frontal breach in the raid on the traffickers’ factory. The operation introduces her to Suika, whose rescue begins their guardian-and-ward relationship. 1 2

Lungmen Investigations

She investigates crimes linked to Granny Wang, the Wang household fire, and Ursus spies operating in Lungmen. Her work repeatedly intersects with Suika’s instinctive deductions and direct interventions. 4 12 16 20

Suika’s Deportation and Kidnapping Attempt

Hoshiguma struggles with the order forcing Suika to leave Lungmen. During a later kidnapping attempt, Suika saves her and reveals a fraction of her true strength, prompting Hoshiguma to accept Suika without demanding full explanations. 22 26 27 30

Ursus and the Reunion Movement

Hoshiguma accompanies Chen to Ursus and fights beside Suika, Talulah, and the Reunion Movement. She assists in attacks against Mephisto’s forces and helps protect civilians caught in the conflict. 186 193 200 201

Return to Lungmen

After the Ursus campaign, Hoshiguma returns to Lungmen with Suika and Scout. She helps secure their entry, provides local support, and remains involved when new conspiracies target Suika in the slums. 203 207 208

Rhodes Island Exchange

Hoshiguma joins Lungmen’s exchange delegation to Rhodes Island alongside Chen and Swire. There, she trains with operators, receives the repaired Hannya and Coiling Dragon Mace, and continues acting as Suika’s guardian. 250 251 255 260 264

Trivia

• Hoshiguma’s recorded punching-strength score of 1999 is the Guard Department training ground’s standing record before Suika’s test. 25
• She is one of the few people able to keep Suika disciplined; on Rhodes Island, other operators note that Suika becomes especially compliant around her. 262
• Suika considers Hoshiguma a person she could rely on indefinitely, joking that Hoshiguma should support her for more than one lifetime. 262