Kouichi Sakakibara

"Goodbye, Mom."

- Kouichi Sakakibara

Kouichi Sakakibara is the male protagonist of Another. He is a new transfer student to Yomiyama North Middle School's 9th Grade Class 3 (in May, 1998). He is 15 years old and is the only son in the Sakakibara family. His mother supposedly passed away 15 years ago after giving birth to him.

Background
Kouichi is a 15 year old boy who is a transfer student from Tokyo. In Yomiyama he lives with his grandparents and his aunt, Reiko as his father works in India, he no longer has a mother as she died shortly after giving birth to Kouichi. Kouichi has a great curiosity to the events 26 years ago that made the class such as beset the fear of death.

Story
Kouichi is first seen in the hospital when his lungs collapsed. He is visited by Yukari, Izumi and Kazami, each of whom introduces themselves to Kouichi. They begin to ask him strange questions, like if he ever lived in Yomiyama, something he says he hasn't done. Izumi Akazawa shakes his hand and in Episode 12, shows when Izumi met Kouichi when she hit him with a can due to her anger in her brother's death. Kouichi helps her get up. At the hospital, he also meets Mei in the hospital's elevator and she tells him that her poor 'other self' is waiting for her in the morgue. When he is discharged, he finally gets to go to school and meets the rest of the class. Later at P.E, Kouichi first meets Takabayashi who he tells to stay strong and to not let his heart conditions hold him back, and that he'll be able to run again. After he asks Yukari where Misaki was, she acts as if she doesn't know what he's talking about, but he sees her on top of the roof and runs up to meet her. He asks her some questions, but she rejects them saying that she hates being questioned. She turns around and tells him good-bye. In later episodes, Kouichi asks around the class for info about the class' curse, but no one was willing to tell him.



In Episode 3, he witnesses the death of Yukari after seeing her being quite shocked of his presence causing her to fall down the stairs and her throat being impaled by an umbrella. In Episode 4, he talks to Sanae on the phone, she tells him about what happened the moment she asked her brother about the curse, but while they are still conversing, he hears the sound of the elevator, which Sanae got on, crash, resulting in the nurse's death.

In Episode 5, Kouichi insists to know about the curse and so, while walking on the way home with Yuuya and Takabayashi, he asks again about Misaki Mei and when Takabayashi was about to answer, he had a heart attack and dies later on. This incident caused Kouichi to be completely ignored as if he doesn't exist. As he tries to understand what's going on and receives no answer until Yuuya leaves the class roster in his desk and leaving a note telling him to let Mei explain everything. This leads him to visit Studio M (Mei's house) and she explains why they were being ignored by the rest of the class. Their relationship develops after that, even leading Kouichi to fantasize about dancing in front of the class with Mei. Later on, they go to the library to look at the class year book, when they encounter Chibiki, who tells them more about the class' curse. At home, Kouichi tries to ask his family for info on the curse, but ends up empty handed. The next day, their homeroom teacher ends up coming to school with a knife and ends up stabbing himself in front of everyone. After the incident, him and Mei were back to being existent again. Later on, Teshigawara tells the others to meet up at the restaurant to discuss something. There, they meet Mochizuki's sister, Tomoka, who tells them that it had a man named Matsunaga, who stopped the calamity before, however he can't remember anything. Afterwards, Kouichi tells Mei about what they found out and Mei tells him that he shouldn't worry, because he isn't the one that is dead. They go to the beach to find Matsunaga, and decide to relax until he returns. He meets Mei and they talk about her family, and their hands touch. After, they go for different ingredients to eat. Mei asks Kouichi about the different sea foods she picks up, most of which aren't edible. She then finds an octopus, which latches onto her, and she tells Kouichi to take it off, afraid that it might eat her. After, they meet with Matsunaga, who tells them that though he can't remember much, he thinks someone died on the mountain when they went to the shrine. Suddenly, a strong wind blew the ball they were playing volley ball with out into the ocean. Nakao says that he'll go and get it, but drowns. Kouichi and Matsunaga try go to save him, but can't because a speedboat comes out from behind the mountain. Kouichi watches in uttter horror as the boat hits Nakao, cutting him up and sending him flying. Kouichi, still horrorfied, looks at Matsunaga, who remembers where he hid it, in the classroom. Kouichi went in the class trip. He took Mei's side when Izumi blamed her for the deaths along with Teshigawara and Mochizuki. Mei invites him in her room to show her the graduation photo of 1972, which it faintly shows Yomiyama Misaki. Kouichi said that he found that photo in a room Reiko usually used. After Kouichi recognized the dead guy, Mei tells him about her cousin who is actually her twin sister, Misaki Fujioka, and all the story behind this and her doll's eye, that can see the color of the death in all the deceased people, Kouichi asks Mei who is the dead person, and when Mei was about to say the name, suddenly Teshigawara opens the door with a terrified look, saying that he had done something terrible.

In Episode 11, Kouichi and Mei learned from Teshigawara that he had accidentally pushed Kazami off the building and they went to look for his body. When they reached the hall, Kouichi notice the dining room door is open and he went to check, He found Manabu when Manabu grabbed him on his leg. Manabu is stabbed from behind the back and he told Kouichi that the dining room is on fire and the manager is inside. Kouichi went to open the door and found that the room is on fire, and the manager sitting dead in the room. Kouichi went to assist Manabu to look for help when Izumi came to check on the ruckus. They later heard Takako's scream and they went to check on it when they found the room is stained with blood and Takako is missing. Afterward, Takako appeared from behind holding a blade and tried to kill Mei. Kouichi defended Mei and brushes Takako off by removing her weapon. Takako escaped and Izumi told them that they had listened to the tape and Takako thinks that Mei is the dead person. After a second, Takako broadcasted the tape and telling everyone that Mei is the dead person and to send the "dead back to death." Many students came out of their room holding a weapon in attempt to kill Mei. Mikami-Sensei rushes over to the scene in order to defend Mei. Mikami is then hit, and Kouichi and Mei make a run for it. Kouichi protects Mei, but is later caught by surprise when Takako stabs him in the arm. She swings at Mei, but misses, and gets tangled in a few metal cords. The ceiling falls, causing the cords go upward, choking Takako to death. Izumi arrives shortly after and finds Kouichi and Mei standing underneath Takako's dead body. Izumi becomes horrified and enraged, thinking Mei killed her. Izumi vows to kill Mei. Mei runs up the stairs, and the ceiling falls behind her blocking the path. Kouichi is left behind, but is still able to move.

In Episode 12, Kazami tries to kill him, but Izumi arrives in time to stop that. Later, Kouichi protects Mei from Izumi who tries to kill her. When Izumi finally gets a hold of Mei and Kouichi, she attempts to kill them both, but at that moment, lightning strikes. The glass shards are sent flying towards them. Izumi ends up being skewered against the wall by the glass shards. Kouichi is shocked and removes her from the wall. While lying on the floor bleeding, Izumi tells Kouichi that they had actually met before, one and a half years ago, Kouichi doesn't remember and says that he doesn't, Izumi smirks and tells him that he should have at least pretend to remember and she dies. Mei then disappears. Kouichi called her and asked her where she is, she told him and also said that he doesn't want to come there. Kouichi realised Mei is trying to kill the dead one and goes there only to find out that, his aunt, Reiko as Mikami-Sensei is the dead one. At first he didn't believe it, but Mei comes with strong reasons, claiming that she witnessed Reiko's murder, Koichi comes to realization that Reiko is actually dead and offers himself to kill her. Before killing her, his memory flashes back to when he visted Yomiyama a year and half ago, the main purpose of his visit was Reiko's funeral (his memory has been altered). They are later seen at Reiko's grave and talking about the incident with Chibiki. Afterwards, Kouichi and Mei then walk together, talking about what happened and that only they can see Reiko in the photo taken in the class trip. And also telling Mei that he tried to call her when he was in the hospital but he couldn't connect, with her saying that she threw her phone because she hates those devices but would probably get a new one. He then asks her if he could sometimes call her by the time she gets a new one and she said "Sure, sometimes". Then they talk about how they're the only ones to see Reiko in the class trip picture and claiming that they're the only ones to remember her but Kouichi suddenly was sad about the fact that maybe later forgetting everything that's happened. And he later asks: "It's over now, isn't it?", but Mei only replies with a smile.

Appearance
In the anime, Kouichi has a younger face, and had short brown hair and brown eyes. In the manga, he had black hair and black eyes and slightly looked older. He wears Yomiyama Middle's school uniform most of the time. For his casual clothes, he always wears two layers of clothing, consisting of a long sleeve shirt and t-shirt.

Personality
He has a very curious personality and is determined to find out what happened 26 years before the main storyline. He and Mei became friends in later episodes, after the class decided to treat Kouichi as if he doesn't exist as well. He used to love running, something he was forced to give up after being diagnosed with Pneumothorax. Also, he is very calm, friendly and sociable, making new friends since his first day at Yomiyama North Middle School and getting along fairly well with everyone. Kouichi is very determined and decided to resolve the mystery of the 9th grade class. He wants nothing more than to find out who the dead person is and stop the calamity. He is usually serious, but also funny when the moment calls for it.

Kouichi likes to read, which is what causes him to form a friendship with Sanae Mizuno. He seems to favor American horror works, including Stephen King and HP Lovecraft.

Mei Misaki
He feels very strange about her because of the class treating her as though she "doesn't exist". He met her in the elevator in the hospital during his last day hospitalised. When he finally enters school, he sees Mei sitting alone with no one to talk with, and her desk is far older than the others. Everytime he sees her, he goes to her place and asks questions. Even though Mei and his other classmates warned him to stay away from Mei Misaki, he still hesitates and decides to visit her everytime he sees her. He also seems to be very concerned about her. In chapter 10, he slightly blushed when he saw Mei, which confuses her. In episode 6, Kouichi daydreamed about dancing in the classroom with Mei, and seemed embarrassed when he snapped out of the daydream, even telling himself that he had to stop doing that, perhaps indicating that he is developing some kind of feelings for her. At the beach in episode 8, he is the first one to notice Mei is there, and he goes over her and helps her to re-build what seems to be a sand-castle and while doing so, their hands touch within the mound of sand. It is this scene which seems to show that they have a good friendship. He also helped her when her hand was covered by an octopus. In episode 10, he also stood up for Mei when Izumi told Mei to apologize for all the bad luck and mishap that has happened to their class. In episode 11, Mei was accused of being the dead one by Takako. (although she was not really, as seen in episode 10 ) Kouichi protected Mei and helped both of them escape the situation- as Takako along with their fellow classmates tried to kill Mei. In the end of the series, he and Mei are seen walking home together.

Naoya Teshigawara
Kouichi and Naoya are in good terms. Naoya was the first one to talk with Kouichi in his first day at Yomiyama Middle School. Also, Teshigawara apologies for the fact that he is obligated to ignore him when he became a non-existent person. Kouichi thinks that Naoya's casual flowerish t-shirt is too attractive and embarrassing.

Yuuya Mochizuki
Yuuya was the closest person to Kouichi early in the series, when he was a newcomer at Yomiyama North Middle School. Also, Yuuya was the one who left Kouichi a message in which he says to talk with Mei about the class mystery, as he was obligated to keep quiet about this. They are on good terms.

Reiko Mikami
Kouichi is very close to his aunt, Reiko. She gives Kouichi lots of advice on how to get by living in Yomiyama. Also, Kouichi is often seen talking to her. In episode 12, Kouichi was shocked when he finds out Reiko is the extra one. Before killing her, Kouichi said "Goodbye, mom". This fact claims that their relationship was very close and Kouichi consider her the mother he never had. In the manga, Kouichi often refers to Reiko as "Reiko-nee" (as in nee-san, Japanese for "big sister"); he was more affected by her death as he was seen crying. In the manga they seem to have a stronger bond, and often she makes him blush.

In episode 12 it is hinted why Kouichi does not remember going to Yomiyama a year and a half ago. The reason for his coming is Reiko's funeral and thus his memory of going there and meeting Izumi Akazawa is altered.

Yousuke Sakakibara
Koichi freely admits to Reiko Yousuke isn't a very good dad, and is often frustrated with his apparent lack of parental interest, among other things having learned to cook as a result of his father's frequent absences.

In the anime, Yousuke seems to be a bit better of a father, explaining he'd never mentioned his own lungs problems to Kouichi for fear of someone telling him it was a hereditary problem, suggesting he didn't want Kouichi to develop a complex over it.

Yousuke is only indirectly mentioned in the live action film.

Sanae Mizuno
They were quite close, having met while Koichi was in the hospital. The two met outside the hospital a few times, and Sanae had his phone number, which she used to help him research the Curse. She often called him nicknames, such as "Mr. horror lover", and wanted to know about the mystery of class 3. Her death devastated him, especially in the manga, as he can be seen crying.

Izumi Akazawa
Their relationship differs very differently from the manga. In the anime they appear to be somewhat close and in someway in good terms. As she died, she made amends and called him terrible, saying that even if he didn't remember meeting her, he ought to pretend. It is revealed that she was fond of him. She remembers Kouichi being in Yomiyama a year and a half ago because this memory has not been altered. This is because even though this memory is connected to Reiko Mikami's death, her name is not mentioned. The reason Kouichi does not remember his meeting with Izumi is because, he knew before that the reason he was in Yomiyama before was because of Reiko's death (this memory was altered by the phenomenon making him forget.)

Gallery
Main article: Kouichi Sakakibara/Image Gallery

Quotes

 * "You don't have to hide it. I think it's beautiful, Misaki."
 * "Will you kill your own classmate?"
 * "Goodbye, Reiko. Goodbye, mom."

Trivia

 * His first name, Kouichi, means "permanent one" while his last name, Sakakibara, can be translated as "the truth of the sacred Shinto tree field". His surname refers to Reiko as being the assistant homeroom teacher of the 9th grade class 3 and also being the death one as her last name, Mikami, means "three gods".
 * He is ranked A+ in Another characters ranking.
 * In the manga, when Reiko asked him about the club he was joining in his previous school, he replied by saying 'Cooking Club'. Because of his father who can't cook, he has to cook for his family.
 * Another 85.jpg home address is 5-1 Furuikecho Yomiyama City.
 * In the original novel, Kouichi was a target of bullying at his previous school in Tokyo due to his last name "Sakakibara" being the same as a real life middle school murderer from Kobe. On the other hand, he shows a slight cruelness to Mochizuki.
 * In the manga Chapter 16 (Anime Episode 10), it wasn't Daisuke who suddenly fell sick, but him. When Izumi was arguing with Mei, blaming her and Kouichi for all that had happened, Kouichi tried to protect Mei, putting all the blame on himself, but he suddenly collapsed. Chibiki tried to call an ambulance, but his phone was out of range. The anime follows the original novel on this point.
 * In the manga, Kouichi was more affected by Sanae's and also Reiko's death than in the anime.
 * The nicknames Sanae gives Kouichi regards to him reading Mystery/Horror novels. Interestingly, the genre of the original Another novel is Horror/Mystery.
 * Greg Ayres, who plays Kouichi in the English dub, has an older brother, Christopher, who plays Yousuke, Kouichi's father in the dub.