Hayase

Lore & Background

Hayase is a warrior who tries to sacrifice young March and later kills her. She takes an obsessive interest in Fushi and his ever-developing otherworldly abilities. She serves as a primary antagonist for the first few arcs of the manga and first season of the anime. Her descendants and reincarnations then entirely devote themselves to protecting Fushi in her stead and intend to carry on her twisted bloodline for future generations as devoted cult-like unit called the Guardians. One of the Nokkers, shapeshifting and parasitic entities, merges with Hayase and continues to have some power over her many reincarnations and descendants over the centuries.

In Their Own Story

Hayase captures March, Parona, Pioran, and Fushi after March's escape from the sacrifice ritual. Though they escape, March dies shielding Parona. Later, Hayase manipulates Tonari into luring Fushi onto a prison ship bound for Jananda Island. In gladiatorial combat, Hayase reveals she murdered Parona and impersonated her, infuriating Fushi. Overpowered, Fushi is saved by Tonari's intervention. When Nokkers attack, killing Tonari's allies, Fushi destroys them and abandons Hayase at sea. Centuries later, Hayase's reincarnations continue to pursue Fushi—Hisame, her granddaughter, leads the Guardians; Kahaku, a distant male descendant, leads them; and Mizuha, the eighteenth reincarnation, becomes obsessed with Fushi in the modern era.

Reader's Guide

Hayase is a warrior who tries to sacrifice young March and later kills her. She takes an obsessive interest in Fushi and his ever-developing otherworldly abilities. She serves as a primary antagonist for the first few arcs of the manga and first season of the anime. Her descendants and reincarnations then entirely devote themselves to protecting Fushi in her stead and intend to carry on her twisted bloodline for future generations as devoted cult-like unit called the Guardians. One of the Nokkers merges with Hayase and continues to have some power over her many reincarnations and descendants over the centuries. Hayase's granddaughter is Hisame; her distant male descendant is Kahaku; the eighteenth reincarnation is Mizuha.

Did You Know?

• Hayase kills March, who had been destined as a sacrifice to a monstrous bear called Oniguma.
• Hayase murders Parona and later impersonates her to manipulate Fushi.
• A Nokker merges with Hayase and continues to influence her reincarnations over centuries.
• Hayase's granddaughter Hisame leads the Guardians, a cult-like unit devoted to protecting Fushi.
• The eighteenth reincarnation of Hayase is Mizuha, who becomes obsessed with Fushi in the modern era.