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Kazuya Souma (ソーマ・カズヤ, Sōma Kazuya), later known as Souma A. Elfrieden (ソーマ・Ａ・エルフリーデン, Sōma Amidonia Erufurīden) and eventually Souma E. Friedonia, is the main male protagonist of the Genjitsu Shugi Yuusha no Oukoku Saikenki series. Originally an earthling, he was summoned to another world as a hero. Following the accurate announcement of the previous king, Albert Elfrieden, Kazuya became the King of the Elfrieden Kingdom. To prevent rebellions from those who might believe Kazuya had usurped the throne, the king arranged for his daughter to marry Kazuya.
Appearance[]
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Anime Artwork
At his debut, Kazuya is a 19-year-old youth with brownish-black hair and brown eyes. His physical appearance resembles that of a typical American-Japanese man. He usually wears basic trousers and a white shirt with a blazer, as this was the clothing he was summoned in and feels most comfortable wearing. For official duties, such as military campaigns or travel, he dons the royal military uniform of the Elfrieden Kingdom.
Personality[]
Kazuya is a realist, deeply influenced by the writings of Machiavelli and Sun Tzu. Initially unsure of himself after suddenly being crowned the ruler of Elfrieden, he gradually gains confidence in implementing reforms and improving the standard of living for his citizens. He cares deeply for his Queen Consorts and follows his late grandfather's advice to protect his family at all costs.
Despite his strengths, Kazuya is not perfect. He makes mistakes and sometimes overlooks important details. His decision to annex only the city of Van left him unprepared for absorbing the entire country of Amidonia. Additionally, he underestimated the scope of the corruption among the nobles he had exiled from Elfrieden, and was saved only by the plans of Georg Carmine and the power of the former Queen, Elisha Elfrieden.
Though not a glutton, Kazuya is passionate about food and cooking. He enjoys trying out new recipes with Poncho and was delighted to discover that the Mystic Wolf tribe could produce foods similar to those from Japan, allowing him to enjoy dishes from his homeland.
Biography[]
History[]
Kazuya, a 19-year-old modern Japanese/American young man and recent high school graduate, was preparing to enter university when his grandfather passed away. Before his death, Kazuya's grandfather advised him to get married and live a fulfilling life. Shortly after the funeral, Kazuya was suddenly summoned to the Kingdom of Elfrieden, which was desperate to pay war tributes to the Gran Chaos Empire.
Unwilling to be handed over to the Empire, Kazuya convinced the King of Elfrieden that he could raise the money needed for the tribute and implement reforms to solve food shortages, strengthen the army, and improve the overall economy. Impressed by Kazuya's proposals, King Alfred Elfrieden decided to abdicate the throne in favor of Kazuya and engaged his daughter, Liscia Elfrieden, to him.
To everyone's surprise, Kazuya managed to raise the tribute money within two days by selling unneeded national treasures. He also utilized the Royal Jewel Broadcast as a mass-media system to gather the subordinates needed to address the food crisis, boost the economy, and entertain and inform the populace. His application of modern-day tactics and ideas from Earth helped him win the One Week War against the rebelling dukes, Georg Carmine and Castor Vargas, and the invading Amidonia, leading to the annexation of Amidonia.
Kazuya married five women: Liscia Elfrieden, Aisha Udgard, Roroa Amidonia, Juna Doma, and Naden Delal. He also established a secret alliance with the Gran Chaos Empire and a Tripartite Medical Alliance with the Empire and the Republic of Turgis. Recently, Kazuya had been negotiating with the Union of Eastern Nations after his kingdom provided military aid to repel a demon invasion. Upon his return home, he discovered that his First Queen-consort, Liscia, had given birth to twins.
Powers & Abilities[]
Physical Abilities[]
As a regular person from Earth, Kazuya lacks extensive experience in combat or physical training. However, he begins training to improve his physical strength and learn swordsmanship for self-defense, eventually reaching the level of a fresh recruit soldier.
Sewing[]
Kazuya is highly skilled in sewing and clothing creation. He can repair damaged fabrics, create new garments, and even make plush dolls. Little Musashibo is one example of his sewing talents.
Cooking[]
Kazuya is a capable chef who can prepare a wide variety of dishes from his world. However, he acknowledges the limitations of what he can recreate on his own and often relies on Poncho for assistance.
Mental Abilities[]
Kazuya possesses a superior understanding of social economics compared to most in Landia. Leveraging his knowledge of modern civilization and its economic impacts, he enacts reforms and innovations that significantly improve the standard of living for the people of Elfrieden and, later, Friedonia. These successful methods and innovations even inspire imitation in the Gran Chaos Empire.
Additionally, Kazuya's familiarity with Sun Tzu's tactics and modern warfare grants him a strategic advantage in military matters. His use of deception tactics during the One Week War impresses Georg Carmine and causes Excel Walter to shudder at the thought of Kazuya's world having endured such experiences.
Magical Abilities[]
Dark Element: Upon being summoned to the Other World, Kazuya acquires the ability to use "Dark Element" Magic. This unique form of magic cannot be categorized under the conventional elements and is highly personalized. Due to its distinct nature, "Dark Element" Magic is considered a rare and uncommon magical element.
- "Living Poltergeist": Kazuya's "Dark Element" Magic, known as "Living Poltergeist," allows him to manipulate objects by transferring his consciousness into them. This enables him to see and hear everything through the objects, which can even move independently without his direct commands. The power and functionality of this magic depend on the weight and form of the object, providing Kazuya with diverse applications. Kazuya's control becomes more proficient and easier if the object resembles a living creature, such as toys or dolls, allowing him to simultaneously control multiple objects. His full potential is realized when manipulating humanoid-shaped objects, as his transferred consciousness can maneuver them with greater ease. This includes making the humanoid dolls use various weapons and becoming proficient in their use. The effective range of "Living Poltergeist" is around 100 meters for non-doll objects, making it a versatile and powerful ability within this radius.
Equipment[]
To maximize the potential of his unique "Dark Element" Magic, "Living Poltergeist," Kazuya incorporates the use of various types of dolls, some of which he creates himself. These customized dolls enhance his ability to manipulate objects, allowing him to fully utilize the versatility and power of his magic.
Carved Wooden Mouse[]
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Kazuya utilizes small palm-sized wooden dolls, carved in the shape of mice, which he purchased in bulk from a shop, hoping they would be useful with his "Living Poltergeist" magic. He primarily employs these dolls for information gathering, scouting, and searching missions.
These dolls proved invaluable in locating people trapped in a landslide in the "God-Protected Forest," ultimately saving many lives.
Little Musashibo[]
「 ムサシ
Kazuya's adventurer "alter-ego," Little Musashibo, involves manipulating a large, costume doll with a plush humanoid form using his "Living Poltergeist" magic. This humanoid doll allows Kazuya to move freely without range limitations, observe his surroundings, and act when necessary. The doll, created by Kazuya himself, is empty inside and spacious enough for a person to fit, though it can be quite hot. Made from fibers that are bladeproof, bulletproof, and resistant to fire, cold, and acid, the doll is exceptionally durable.
Under Kazuya's control, Little Musashibo becomes a skilled melee fighter and proficient in any weapon it wields, although Kazuya does not personally gain this combat experience. Typically equipped with a naginata, it can also efficiently use bows and swords. Additionally, the doll has a wicker basket on its back, large enough to carry a person.
In Friedonia, Little Musashibo is known as "The Adventurer Who Wears a Kigurumi." Besides taking quests from the Adventurer's Guild, Little Musashibo often teams up with Juno's party and stars in the Jewel Broadcast Program "Singing with Big Sis." The design of Little Musashibo is inspired by the legendary Heian warrior monk Saitō Musashibō Benkei.
Flame Pierrot[]
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Flame Pierrot are dolls with a bizarre appearance, featuring patchwork bodies, tattered clothing, zombie-like movements, and flames blazing from their heads.
Kazuya created these dolls as part of a plan to secretly evacuate towns and villages that lay in the path of the invading Amidonian Army during the One Week War. By making the dolls pose as new variants of monsters, Kazuya aimed to damage the border towns and villages, creating the illusion of a monster outbreak. This ruse allowed for the safe evacuation of the residents without arousing suspicion. Additionally, the Flame Pierrot dolls caused the invading Amidonian Army to be cautious and avoid them, thus slowing their advance.
Factory Arm #1[]
「 コーボー・アーム１
"Factory Arm #1" is an experimental doll shaped like a prosthetic arm attached to an L-shaped platform, created by Genia Maxwell at Kazuya's request.
This doll enables Kazuya's "Living Poltergeist" to perform intricate hand movements, allowing him to grasp a pen and write smoothly—something not possible with his other dolls like "Little Musashibo." Its realistic appearance gives it a creepy look, often surprising or even causing some people to faint upon seeing it for the first time.
The primary purpose of this device is to allow Kazuya to sign paperwork remotely, even when he is not present at the castle.
Etymology[]
- The name Kazuya means "one" (一) (kazu) and "to be, also" (也) (ya).
- Kazuya's surname Souma means "phase, aspect, countenance, mutually, fellow" (相) (sou) and "horse" (馬) (ma).
Trivia[]
- Because Kazuya introduced himself to others using the Japanese convention of family name/surname first, most people in the Kingdom think that "Souma" is his given name, thus referring to him as "King Souma". Only a few know that "Kazuya" is his given name, while "Souma" is his family name. Due to this error on his part, the given name he is known by around the world is "Souma".
- During the coronation ceremony, he had to rename himself as "Souma A. Elfrieden". Thus, he gave up on his given name "Kazuya", while taking on the name of both the Amidonia and the Elfrieden family as his surname.
- Kazuya actually still gets to use his name, but only when he's undercover. Everyone only knows his family name.
- Liscia gave their daughter a similar sounding name (i.e., "Kazuha"), so that Kazuya's birth name isn't forgotten.
- According to Liscia Elfrieden, Souma has the greatest housekeeping skills in the royal family, exceeding the likes of Juna Doma and Roroa Amidonia.
- In Volume 6, during the talk with Tiamat, it's stated that Kazuya is not the same human race as the other humans in the current world. Souma suspects that he is similar to the "Old Ones" like Tiamat; however, it is still not known what exactly human being he is.