Shino Inuzuka

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Shino Inuzuka
Profile
Kanji	犬塚信乃
Rōmaji	Inuzuka Shino
Gender	Male
Age	18 (chronologically) 13 (physically)
Hair color	Purple
Eye color	Green
Relatives
Family	Tamazusa (mother) Father (deceased) Rio Satomi (half-brother)
Friends	Sosuke Inukawa Hamaji Rio Satomi
Professional Profile
Affiliation	Murasame Church
First Appearance
Anime Debut	Episode 1
Manga Debut	Chapter 1
Seiyū
Japanese	Tetsuya Kakihara (TV series) Romi Paku (Drama CD)

Shino Inuzuka (犬塚信乃, Inuzuka Shino) is an 18-year old boy who is the holder of the Devotion Bead. He is one of the three survivors of the destruction of Ōtsuka Village. He is the holder of the living sword of Murasame that is on his right arm, along with a peony birthmark. Because he has Murasame in him, he still looks like a 13-year old. He has also been known to be weak and due to familial traditions, dressed as a female. He is very close to Sosuke and Hamaji and regards them as siblings.

Appearance

Dressed as female

18 years old

Shino is a 18-year-old boy, with short ruffled blue hair and large green gold eyes. He is considered very attractive (in a feminine way) for a male, and has caught the eye of both Genpachi and Sosuke’s shadow, Ao. When younger, due to family traditions, he dressed like a woman. His beauty was paramount to this, as shown when Osaki states that he was of the knowledge that female survivor of the tragedy was very beautiful. He was unknowingly referring to Shino.

Hamaji refers to him as a "doll." As a human boy he wore ankle-long kimonos. They were usually a light color such a pink and were floral patterned. He often tied his then long hair back in a pigtail. Presently, Shino's main attire consists of knee-high black boots, three-quarter black cargo pants, and a t-shirt (though the type and color change). He is also iconically often seen wearing a knee-length, high collared jacket that is white with red sleeves, with the church's rosary stitched on the back. He bears a floral peony mark on his upper right arm. And when Murasame is sealed, he has a black tribal tattoo that ranges from his right hand to chest.

When he changes to being 18 years old, he is taller, but still said to be short, for a male of that age. He is well-built (though on the slim side) and his hair is once again long and straight. Again Shino is described as being very attractive by both Sosuke and Kobungo. He wears long black trousers and a plain white button up, and once again ties his hair back.

Personality

Shino is known to act very childish, and rash. He also often has outburst of emotions such as anger or sadness, he is very energetic, and loud, yet the boy has a very kind naïve and loving nature. Due to this many people are attracted to him including spirits and humans. He very easily makes friends with Genpachi, Kobungo, Hibiki, Yukihime, etc. Kobungo even comments on the fact that many people have gathered around this small boy. Shino is very straight forward usually talking or taking action without thinking which typically concludes with a scolding from Sosuke. Shino seems quite perplexed by the fact that Genpachi has shown a romantic interest in him, and this again points to his age and naivety.

Shino clinging to Sosuke in fear, upon seeing a bug

He cares deeply for those around him, to such an extent that he forced Sosuke to continue living after they were fatally injured five years ago and promotes guardian of Hamaji’s School to befriend her when he wishes her to be happy and make friends swiftly. Yet even though his exterior personality is happy and optimistic. He reveals himself to be quite burdened and knowledgeable of the events taking place around him; this is often seen when his thoughts travel to his immortality. He is shown to have a deep fear of the possibility of living alone one day. Other characteristics Shino is also known for: he loves meat, and he is petrified of the living dead and insects and is usually seen running away or clinging to Sosuke in fear when either things appears. Although Shino has his phobias, when he needs to fight he shows great bravery and is calmer especially with Murasame in hand.

History

Shino was born with the Devotion Bead. Up until five years ago, Shino, Sosuke, Hamaji and a sheep dog, Yoshiro, lived with Shino's father (his mother died when he was young) in Ōtsuka Village. The young Shino was made to dress as a girl due to family traditions, and was very sickly. Shino lists his symptoms as: puking blood, having difficulty breathing, bodily pains. He also had measles. Sosuke often read to him or entertained him when he was bed-bound

Shino and Sosuke in the hollow of a tree

When he was young Shino was told that he would not live into adulthood. He still openly welcomed Sosuke and Hamaji into his home and treated the two abandoned children as brother and sister. Shino even comments that he and Sosuke are brothers when he sees Sosuke’s peony mark. At this time the two went to get the young sick Hamaji chestnuts in the mountains. Sosuke unfortunately comes down with a fever and it begins to rain. The two then wait for Shino's father in the hollow of a tree, where Shino notices the peony mark.

Later the village is attacked and Shino, Sosuke and Youshiro were gravely injured and are left to die. Shino is utterly helpless. He is full of feelings of regret, and sadness as little Hamaji beat upon his chest, begging her brother not to die. In the midst of the flame, Rio Satomi appeared and offered Shino the blade Murasame in order to keep living. Using this power, Shino forces Sosuke to continuing living as well, unable to handle his possible death.

They then go to live in a church with their grandfather, and an unidentified priest. Shino, under Murasame's curse, does not age in this time. They are labeled as outcasts, and unfairly treated by the residents of that village. The villagers believe that Shino, Sosuke and Hamaji bring disease, due to the fact that they are the only living survivors of the fire.

Plot

Five years previously everyone in Ōtsuka village died in a plague, but there were 3 survivors, Shino Inuzuka, Sosuke Inukawa and Hamaji. They took shelter in a church near another village, which happens to be near a dark and dangerous forest. The church, as well as the survivors, are viewed with suspicion by the villagers. Now the Imperial Church comes in search of "Murasame" the demon blade that contains "life" which Shino possesses.

Shino and Sosuke travel to the city to find Hamaji. Satomi Rio, one of the four beast clans, drops them at an inn telling them that they'll meet Hamaji the next day. Shino goes around the city with Murasame, where he hears a rumor of a demon which eats spirits. He meets a man named Kobungo fighting with some priests and their head Seiran, while searching for someone named "Genpachi". Seiran claims that Genpachi is a demon and not a "person" and that he cannot be freed, since he believes that the demon may begin to eat humans after its done with spirits. Kobungo treats Shino to lunch after which Shino is picked up Murasame and Sousuke (in a dog form). Back in the inn, Sousuke leaves for a walk when Satomi arrives with his spirit beast. Rio comments that while Shino remembers him from 5 years ago, Sousuke doesn't seem to. Also, Rio is surprised that Shino hasn't aged because of Murasame. The sword of Murasame is a mystery, about which no one has much knowledge of, if it's good or bad, since Murasame has the power to "tear through all magic, make all spirits cower and subdue everything formless on earth". Rio states that Shino's stunted growth is a result of hosting such power in him which will consume him in the end with a horrible death.

A demon insect, which is a minion of Seiran, is seen to be keeping watch on Shino. 

Shino and Sosuke was reunited safely with Hamaji at the Villa. Shino told Sosuke that they were saved by Satomi Rio five years ago. Satomi gave Shino and Sosuke their marble that represents them as one of the eight beast and asked them to gather all eight of them.

The demon appearing in the middle of town chasing after Shino wanting to eat him and the monks that hunt demons chasing after. They managed to escape from the monks and the demon return to its own human form who is Inukai Genpachi. Inuta Kobungo, Genpachi's good friend stated to Shino that three years ago, Genpachi and Kobungo's soldier team was attacked by a demon that served in the hostage crisis in the north eating people. Originally they were supposed to die but something stranged happened and ever since then, their bodies have some changes and they are immortality. On the other hand, the demon huntimg monk saw Shino with Murasame and hoping to get his hand on Murasame Sword.

Due to the new moon, Sosuke sleeps for an abnormally long time while Murasame becomes strangely quiet. Shino then bumps into a white-haired, red-eyed girl from the Snake Clan, Mizuki Ayane, that occupies the other half of the abode.

Shino shows interest in a incident that was reported in the newspaper. Apparently six villagers were visiting Perquisite Mountain in search of a new water sorce, but become lost. A "beautiful woman" appeared before them and showed the villagers the way back to the village, where they died of an unknown illness. Sousuke searches for Shino, who has gone to the mountain to investigate. While on the mountain, Shino's and Sousuke's beads begin to glow. Destracted by this, Shino loses his footing and falls down, dropping the two beads. While waiting at the train station, Sousuke meets Kobungo, who decides to join Sousuke. After losing Sousuke's bead, a monkey deity appears before Shino and gives him a huge rock of gold. A group of traveling musicians come to the village to perform during the festival, and it is revealed that one of the musicians is Asakeno.

Relationships

Sosuke Inukawa

Shino's relationship with Sosuke is that of an older and younger brother with some mild differences. Shino often misbehaves and is scolded severely. Sosuke, however, doesn't have some of his memories, and therefore doesn't realize what exactly happened. This is being kept secret by Shino. They both care very much for each other and have shown themselves to protect, and even be injured for each other.

Hamaji

Though he dislikes Hamaji's new health concoctions and is sometimes frightened of her, he regards her like a little sister. She is also the reason he wanted to live because she cried for him to not leave her alone.

Quotes

• “You think I am as good as dead. Sorry, but as you can see, I have plenty of life left in me.” (To Satomi)
• “If you wish strongly enough, it will definitely be granted.” (To Sosuke)
• “I didn’t know some things were better left forgotten.” (To Kohaku)
• “I told you that I’m afraid of dying, but I think that being left alone in this world is much more painful than death.” (To Kohaku)
• “Promising to do something tomorrow with someone is the same as promising that you'll be alive tomorrow.” (To Hibiki)

Trivia

• He is okay with living ayakashi and sometimes even befriends them, but dead things or ghosts creep him out.
• He is terrified of bugs and has an obsession with cleanliness, due to him being raised in a sterile place.
• His favorite food is meat and he hates liver.
• His character songs are called WING IN THE DARKNESS, Muteki no Buddy (with Murasame) and Junketsu (with Sosuke).