- "Ku was built on warfare, with little regard for the people under it. But I want to change that. I want Ku to be a home to all, regardless of birth. A place where we look out for each other. In order to realize that, I would suffer any loss." —Hikari, when asked by Ritsu if he has ever felt the pain of living as a commoner in a country ravaged by war
Hikari Ku is one of eight playable characters in Octopath Traveler II. A kindhearted young prince of Ku who strives for peace, Hikari was driven from his homeland and now sets off to find his former comrades-in-arms, putting an end to his country's ceaseless bloodshed.
Profile[]
Appearance[]
Hikari is a young man with a slender build. He wears a red robe with golden accents over his black uniform, around the center of which is the sheath for his sword. Hikari wears black leggings and boots along with black gloves. He also has black hair tied in a ponytail.
Personality[]
Hikari represents none of Clan Ku's ambition and ferocity. Unlike his brother, he is a kindhearted and honorable prince who believes that the kingdom needs allies, community and peace for all rather than enemies and war, which makes his father want to give him the crown. Despite his kindness, he has a violent, sadistic inner demon created by his "accursed blood" a manifestation of everything Hikari stands against. Hikari demonstrates great willpower resisting this demon at every turn.
While Hikari advocates for peace and friendship and is a very gentle soul, he will not shy away from combat. He tends not to instigate battle, often fighting back in self-defense. Nevertheless, he is a skilled warrior and demonstrates the ability to master new techniques on his first attempt. As proven with Ritsu and Rai Mei, when his attempts for peace fall on deaf ears, he will resort to combat if it's the only way. Similar to Throné, Hikari dislikes unnecessary bloodshed and will avoid it when he can, but when he says he'll end someone's life, he will go through with it.
Hikari places great value on the idea of friendship, strongly believing that strength among friends is vital to ending senseless violence and stopping Clan Ku's warmongering. When he fought against his inner demons, the images of his friends helped him break free, showing that they give him strength just as much as he gave them strength.
History[]
"Your name is Hikari, and you are a warrior. Your tale begins in the desert region of Hinoeuma. You are the younger prince of Ku, a nation ever at war, and worry for your people who have suffered greatly from the ceaseless battles. “I pray for a world without conflict. Without bloodshed.” Hoping to bring peace to your nation, you strike out on a journey for your like-minded allies..." — Hikari's description when selecting him
(I don't think this is where I should be going at the moment...) The following section contains potential story spoilers! |
Prior to Story[]
Hikari is the son of Jigo Ku and a lowborn woman named Kura. Some time prior to the story, when Hikari and his mother lived in Ku Castle, he meets his new vassals, Rai Mei and her brother Jin Mei. Hikari challenges Jin Mei to a duel, where he learns the skill Hachimonjigiri, mastering the advanced technique on his first try. Several days later, as Hikari spars with Rei Mei, the Bell of Dawn rings, ushering the members of Clan Mei to war. Hikari expresses his desire to go, too, but Jin Mei tells him he's not ready yet.
At Jin Mei's urging, Hikari returns to town, where he finds his mother conversing with villagers. They are soon overtaken by bandits who seek to claim the young prince's life. Hikari manages to defend himself, but his mother is fatally wounded. In his grief, Hikari succumbs to his dark self "Hikari", slaughters the bandits, and is barely stopped by Jin Mei. Hikari had no memory of what occurred. He expressed fear of what flowed through his veins, and tried to apologize for Jin Mei's death.
During this period, Hikari meets Ritsu, who was then mourning the murder of his father.
Some time later, Hikari has been appointed captain and fights alongside Ritsu and Rai Mei in Ku's war against an enemy nation. Ku emerges victorious, but not before the enemy general calls the clan of Ku "accursed". This haunts Hikari, though he receives no answer from Mugen. Later, he meets with Ritsu, Rai Mei, and the tactician Kazan. Hikari promises to have a victory toast with his comrades once they end conflict in their nation, but they never got the chance as Rai Mei and Kazan left the army.
Story[]
Chapter 1[]
Hikari has since been appointed lord for a district in Ku, earning the love of the people for befriending lowborn citizens. After Hikaru dismisses a quarrel at a tavern caused by one of Mugen's soldiers, he is called by Benkei to meet his father in private. Expressing regret for the bloodshed he caused while expanding their territory, Jigo confides in Hikari his intention to for the youth succeed him, revealing that Mugen is planning a coup.
Bribing the castle merchant for confirmation of his brother's plot, Hikari travels to the Crest of Heroes, a memorial for Ku's fallen soldiers, to wait Mugen out. But Hikari instead finds Ritsu, now a captain under Mugen, who reveals that the information given to Hikari was a lie meant to lure Hikari out into a trap as Mugen has his men set the city ablaze. Hikari fights Ritsu in order to make his way to the city and emerges victorious; but something within urges him to kill Ritsu. Hikari fights the urge off and makes his way to the city, where he finds many dead and dying, including his friend Tsuki.
He arrives in the throne room in time to see Mugen deal a fatal blow to his father. Before dying, King Jigo asks Hikari to lead their nation and advises him to seek out allies in order to defeat Mugen. After the King dies, Hikari confronts Mugen, demanding to know why he set fire to the town. Hikari is then surrounded by Mugen's men but is saved by Benkei, who also tells Hikari to seek out his allies and free Ku from Mugen's rule. Hikari rides out of Ku to Ryu, where he resolves to venture to Montwise, where Kazan is rumored to reside.
If Hikari isn't your first choice of your journey, he is seen defending a villager from ruffian soldiers in Ryu. Defeat the soldiers and Hikari will join the Party.
Chapter 2[]
Hikari finds Kazan in an Underground Arena where people bet on matches to the death. Hikari implores Kazan to join his cause. Kazan, in turn, asks a favor of Hikari--before he pushes Hikari into the ring. Once Hikari defeats his opponent, he confronts Kazan, who admits he needs Hikari's aid as a gladiator to pay off his gambling debt. Hikari accepts the arrangement. Their attention is pulled by another duel, this time between a formidable looking man and four opponents. The man, Bandelam the Reaper, fells his opponents easily. Bandelam and Hikari stare at each other briefly before Bandelam exits the stage.
Atop the Underground Arena, Hikari and Kazan discuss the "truth" of Montwise's "paradise" and Hikari's prospects as a gladiator. Hikari re-enters the arena, squaring off against multiple combatants at once and emerging victorious. Hikari spares his next opponent, Zeto the Butcher, despite demands from the audience, Zeto, and even his shadow self to kill. Hikari then protects Zeto from Bandelam, who takes an interest in Hikari and challenges him to a duel the following day.
As Hikari squares off against Bandelam, he tells his opponent that he fights for his friends, intending to become "a king unlike any other", and that he's willing to go through Bandelam to see his ambitions come true. Their conversation is interrupted by a revolt of the gladiators that cannot be squashed by the otherwise occupied Bandelam. Hikari fights Bandelam and defeats him, sparing Bandelam despite his request that he be slain. Kazan joins him on the arena stage, saying he will explain his plot after his windfall of 3 billion leaves is settled with Borneau. As the freed gladiators prepare to slaughter the high bettors, Hikari implores them to stop the cycle of bloodshed.
Hikari learns that Kazan's true plan was to liberate the gladiators out of a sense of kinship with them. Zeto and gladiators swear to follow Hikari to repay their debt to him. While Kazan and his men prepare at Ryu, Hikari announces his intentions to find Rai Mei before Kazan informs him of Mugen's weapon shipments at Wellgrove, believing that sabotaging them would be in their interests.
Crossed Paths, Part 1[]
Hikari and Agnea arrive in Ryu, where they hear a "pleasant sound", which Hikari recognizes as a lute. They approach the source: a traveling musician named Yomi. At Agnea's urging, Hikari pays to hear another song from her, but she claims she must make preparations and asks the duo to come back the following night.
They meet Yomi again at the requested time, finding her dressed in a new kimono. However, she informs them that her lute was damaged and she needs a horse's hair to repair it. After Agnea entreats the material needed, Yomi asks them to return yet again asked, annoying Hikari. The following night, they meet Yomi on a nearby hill, where she plays "By the Light of the Heart", a song that Hikari recognizes from his late friend, Tsuki. He notes that Yomi plays it in a more melancholic manner.
Chapter 3[]
Hikari arrives in Wellgrove, where he reminisces about meeting Ritsu at his father's memorial eight years ago. He locates and bribes the merchant Azuma into revealing where the weapon shipments are being conducted. Hikari goes to that location, interrupting the Ku unit's departure. He pleas to General Rou are rejected, as Rou's loyalty is to the nation regardless who wears the crown. During Hikari's challenge, his shadow-self takes over his body. Hikari manages to stop himself from killing General Rou, who, before escaping, warns Hikari that the darkness within him will eventually consume him. General Rou later warns Ritsu about the "accursed blood of Clan Ku", a state of possession on the battlefield "which leaves no survivors".
Hikari delivers the weapons to Kazan in Ryu, where he is informed that Rai Mei is in a stronghold located in Stormhail.
Chapter 4[]
Hikari makes for Castle Mei immediately upon reaching Stormhail. He is obstructed by Kunzo by Rai Mei's command. Upon defeating Kunzo and his allies, Rai Mei herself appears, informing Hikari of Mugen's decree to kill Hikari should he be found. She destroys the bridge where he stands. In the aftermath, Hikari has a flashback to when his mother was still alive, and he met the Mei siblings Rai and Jin for the first time--just before his mother was killed by bandits.
Hikari comes to in a jail cell, where he is informed by Rai that he is to be executed the following day. Though she recalls Hikari's fortitude on the battlefield, she nonetheless says there are things she cannot forsake, for her clan and for her brother. Hikari is later visited by Kunzo, who frees him while beseeching him to free Rai Mei of the fear that drives her actions. Hikari makes his way through Castle Mei to Rai, with whom he tries to reason, only to be forced to fight her. Revealing that he knew his mother's death was arranged by Mugen, he explains that has no animosity toward Clan Mei's role and tells Rai that he will await her at Ku with the utmost faith in her.
Chapter 5[]
Meeting with Kazan once preparations are complete, and reunited with Benkei, Hikari leads an army of gladiators and Ku citizens to storm Castle Ku through the front gate under the cover of a sandstorm of Kazan's making. Hikari and his army proceed to the Bell of Dawn, where they are seemingly trapped by Ageha, until Hikari rings the bell, ushering the signal for hidden allies to emerge. Among these allies is Rai Mei and her retune, who battle Ageha while Hikari storms the castle; but Hikari finds his way to Mugen impeded by Ritsu, now a general in Mugen's army. Hikari is forced to kill his old friend in order to proceed into the throne room where Mugen awaits. Before dying, Ritsu implores Hikari to "create a world...where Mikka...can be happy..." Hikari promises to create a world that Ritsu would be proud of.
Hikari confronts Mugen and overpowers him. Enraged, Mugen explains that he had Hikari's mother killed because of the blood of her clan, who "had once, long ago, attempted to save the world". Hikari's shadow self urges Hikari to kill Mugen, to show whose bloodline is best of all, but Hikari again resists, forcing him to do battle for his soul. For a brief moment Hikari's shadow self takes hold of him, but the memories of his friends helps him shake off the shadow's influence and defeat it for good. He tells a shocked Mugen that he will do whatever it takes to achieve his goal. Mugen takes up the Darkblood Blade, transforming into a monster. Hikari engages in one last, decisive battle against his brother, at the end of which he finally sees Mugen's aged face after many years.
At Kazan's urging, Hikari announces that the war has ended and that he and his allies have emerged victorious. Many days later, on his coronation, Hikari removes his crown (thinking it's "too heavy") and announces he is not just the people's king, but their friend. He denounces Ku's past stained in blood and proclaims a bloodless future, freeing the territories and clans Ku had subjugated while honoring the lives lost in the process. Later, Hikari meets Mikka at the Crest of Heroes, apologizing for Ritsu's death. She notices that, unlike the first time they met, the sky is cloudless.
Crossed Paths, Part 2[]
Hikari and Agnea visit Ku after its liberation from Mugen's rule. Agnea asks about the paper laterns, which Hikari explains are meant to resemble the human soul. Benkei then approaches with the suggestion that they hold a celebration for the end of the war. Hikari rejects the idea, feeling it is too soon to celebrate after so much was lost. Agnea instead proposes a festival of remembrance to honor the departed, which both men approve of. Agnea proceeds to gather the necessary items for the festival. After giving them to Benkei, Hikari states that they need music to accompany Agnea's dancing.
Going off a rumor that Benkei heard about on lute music being played at the Tranquil Grotto, the duo investigate the area, finding Yomi at the end of its path. She was reminiscing about her late sister, who is revealed to be Tsuki. Blaming Clan Ku for her death, Yomi then engages Hikari in a one-on-one battle, only to be defeated. Despite this, they invite her to perform at the festival. She agrees to do so, playing "By the Light of the Heart" once again alongside Agnea's dancing.
Relationships[]
Battle[]
Talent[]
Hikari's Talent is Learned Skills. It allows him to learn skills from opponents he defeats using his Challenge path action. Each townsperson has a specific skill associated with them, of which Hikari can learn up to 5 at a time. Hikari can then use these skills in battle.
Latent Power[]
Hikari's Latent Power is Shadow's Hold, which allows him to use certain special skills without consuming SP:
- Tenretsuzan: A highly powerful Sword attack on a single foe.
- Hienka: A powerful Sword attack on a single foe twice. Gain additional turn once.
- Sougetsusen: A powerful Sword, then Polearm attack on all foes.
After beating his story, Hikari's Latent Power is renamed to Light's Radiance. The skills themselves do not change.
Warrior Skills[]
Skill Name | SP | Type | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Aggressive Slash | 9 | Unleash a sword attack on random foes 3/4/5/6 times. | |
Piercing Thrust | 12 | Unleash a powerful polearm attack on a single foe, and have 25%/50%/75%/guaranteed chance to deal a critical hit. | |
Abide | 4 | Raise your physical attack for 3/5/7/9 turns. | |
Enervating Slash | 7 | Nullify all positive status effects on a single foe, then unleash a sword attack. The more status effects you nullify, the more potent the attack.[1] | |
Stout Wall | 4 | Raise your physical defense for 3 turns. | |
Incite | 4 | Draw foes' single-target attacks to yourself for 3/5/7/9 turns. | |
Vengeful Blade | 6 | Grant yourself the ability to counter physical damage with a sword attack 2/3/4/5 times. The counterattack reduces the enemy's Shield Points regardless of their weak points. | |
Brand's Blade | 30 | [Divine Skill] Unleash an extraordinarily powerful sword attack on a single foe. |
[1] Enervating Slash actually nullifies all positive status effects from the user, not a single foe.
Support Skills[]
Support Skill Name | No. of Skills Unlocked | Total JP | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Bolstering Break | 4 | 130 | Raises the equipping character's physical attack when breaking an enemy. |
Summon Strength | 5 | 630 | Raises the equipping character's physical attack by 50. |
Latent Power Plus | 6 | 1630 | Raises the equipping character's latent power. |
Deal More Damage | 7 | 4630 | Increases the maximum damage that can be dealt by the equipping character to 99,999. |
EX Skills[]
EX Skill Name | SP | Damage Type | Description | Unlock Method |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ultimate Stance | 10 | Extend the reach of your Attack to all foes for 3/5/7/9 turns. | Visit the Altar of the Thunderblade with Hikari | |
Shinjumonjigiri | 32 | Unleash a sword attack on all foes, then a powerful sword attack on a single foe. | Complete Hikari's story |
Subjobs[]
Below are the sprites and appearance changes for Hikari with each basic Subjob:
Each time a subjob is selected the appearance of the character will also change. The first sprite is the appearance with no Subjob equipped.
Recommended Subjobs[]
- Armsmaster is a popular choice for Hikari due to its high damage output and access to all weapon types, which Ultimate Stance and Learned Skills greatly favor from. The subjob's ability to quickly detect enemies' weapon vulnerabilities only adds to this great synergy. Lastly, Warrior and Armsmaster passive skills both focus on increasing damage. However, while passively its a perfect match, the subjob's active skills paint a vastly different picture. For Hikari, who already has great damage output, having to deal with Armsmaster's restriction of having to equip specific weapons to use some of the subjob's abilities may not make it worth it.
- Apothecary's self-sustain allows Hikari to easily win Challenges by alternating between Vengeful Blade, Healing Touch, and the occasional Brand's Blade or Learned Skill. This strategy is SP-intensive, but can be rectified using the subjob's Vigorous Victor and Inspiriting Break support skills.
- Merchant can be used by Hikari in much the same way as Apothecary. Just replace Healing Touch with Sidestep stacks; alternate between Vengeful Blade, Sidestep, and the occasional Brand's Blade or Learned Skill. Like Apothecary, the strategy is SP-intensive but can be supplemented by party members if needed.
- Arcanist turns Hikari from a damage-dealer into a support-character. The Subjob's Seal of Diffusion skill turns self-buffs into party-wide ones, and Hikari has the largest number of unique self-buffs out of any character. Its Of Equal Might Support Skill also makes his base elemental stat equal to his base strength stat. This job pair's only major flaw comes from resource management; Hikari's innate his BP and SP generation is lackluster, forcing him to rely on his teammates to feed his needs.
- Hunter's situational kit, which is mostly focused on breaking bow-weak enemies, becomes much more well-rounded when used by Hikari. Ultimate Stance and Learned Skills provide Hunter with means to break and damage whole packs of enemies while Hikari gains access to two more weapon types and the Salt in the Wound passive skill, which gives an extra action after breaking an enemy. However, it is best to only stick to his subjob for Salt in the Wound and move on to other jobs once unlocked.
- Conjurer turns Hikari from a damage-dealer into a shield-breaker. It comes with the Conjure skills, which give the whole party an extra hit of Fire, Ice, Lightning or Wind damange after a weapon attack. The subjob is missing Light and Darkness, but the Learned Skills Ancient Teachings and Sacred Teachings give him self-buffs for these. With Hikari having swords and spears innately and this subjob giving him bows and staves, using Learned Skills for axes and knives will allow him to expoit all twelve weaknesses and empower his allies against four. Finally, Hikari can mitigate the "lose your next few turns" downside of Rite of the Sun with Incite and Vengeful Blade.
- Inventor's first two Support Skills, A Step Ahead and Upgraded Accessories, work well on any character, since they allow them to automatically go first at the start of combat and improve the effects of items respectively. However, this subjob has nothing else to offer Hikari and it is thus best to move on once these skills have been acquired.
Due to the flexibilty of subjobs, any character can fill any role with the right equipment and skills, with proper planning, any of the travelers can perform decently on any subjob.
Quotes[]
- "Good, good. It's seems my sword won't be left to rust after all." —Accept to join the Party
- "Well then, shall we depart?" —Joined the Party
- "Raise your weapon." —Using Challenge
- "You have much to learn." —After Challenge
- "Here I come." —Start of turn
- "Prepare yourself!" —Start of turn
- "My turn." —Start of turn
- "Now it begins." —Start of turn
- "My blade sings!" —Using Aggressive Slash
- "My spear does not err!" —Using Piercing Thrust
- "Be shorn of strength!" —Using Ennervating Slash
- "Show me your might!" —Using Stout Wall
- "I'm waiting." —Using Incite
- "Choose your next move wisely." —Using Vengeful Blade
- "I return your wrath twofold." —Triggering Eye for an Eye
- "I summon Brand, the Thunderblade!" —Using Brand's Blade
- "Shinjumonjigiri!" —Using Shinjumonjigiri
- "Know the depth of my skill!" —Using Ultimate Stance
- "I shall heal your wounds!" —Using Heal Wounds
- "Divine light!" —Using Holy Light
- "The veil hardens!" —Using Prayer to the Flame
- "The rod shan't be spared." —Using Mystical Staff
- "Shine with divine brilliance!" —Using Luminescence
- "The heavens shield." —Using Sacred Shield
- "The Flamebringer walks among you." —Using Revive
- "I summon Aelfric, the Flamebringer!" —Using Aelfric's Blessing
- "Fierce, like a lion!" —Using Lion Dance
- "I'm sorry." —Using Ruinous Kick
- "Proud like a peacock!" —Using Peacock Strut
- "The winds blow." —Using Sweeping Gale
- "Go a step ahead." —Using Stimulate
- "Here!" —Using Dagger Dance
- "What will it be?" —Using Bewildering Grace
- "I summon Sealticge, Lady of Grace!" —Using Sealticge's Seduction
- "May my arrow strike true!" —Using Arrow of Fortune
- "That's better." —Using Rest
- "My apologies." —Failing Collect
- "Light up the sky!" —Using Ember
- "Have at it." —Using Donate BP
- "I've read your next move." —Using Sidestep
- "Come!" —Using Hired Help
- "I summon Bifelgan, the Trader!" —Using Bifelgan's Bounty
- "To ashes with you!" —Using Fireball
- "The winds cut into you!" —Using Icewind
- "Strike them down!" —Using Lightning Bolt
- "I see..." —Using Analyze
- "I see." —Using Stroke of Genius
- "Succumb to the elements!" —Using Elemental Barrage
- "For victory." —Using Advanced Magic
- "I summon Alephan, the Scholarking!" —Using Alephan's Wisdom
- "Apologies." —Using Steal
- "The darkness approaches." —Using Darkest Night
- "Your lifeblood is mine." —Using HP Thief
- "I'm a step ahead." —Using Surprise Attack
- "Keep up!" —Using Swift Step
- "Your defenses weaken!" —Using Armor Corrosive
- "Your claws have been clipped!" —Using Shackle Foe
- "I summon Aeber, Prince of Thieves!" —Using Aeber's Reckoning
- "I hope this helps." —Using Healing Touch
- "The chill take you!" —Using Icicle
- "Be unburdened." —Using Rehabilitate
- "Cleave through my foes!" —Using Sweeping Cleave
- "A creeping death!" —Using Poison Axe
- "To soothe the pain." —Using Replenish Health
- "This pain will linger." —Using Weak to Poison
- "I summon Dohter, the Charitable!" —Using Dohter's Charity
- "Strike true!" —Using Precise Shot
- "Soar!" —Using Thunderbird
- "It ends here." —Using Cleaving Blow
- "A small mercy." —Using Mercy Strike
- "Don't try to run." —Using Take Aim
- "Stay still!" —Using Leghold Trap
- "Prey must be weakened" —Using Abating Orb
- "I summon Draefendi, the Huntress!" —Using Draefendi's Bow
- "Flames grow within you." —Using Conjure Flames
- "Be embraced by the snow." —Using Conjure Ice
- "The heavens swallow you." —Using Conjure Lightning
- "Wind whips at you." —Using Conjure Gusts
- "The heavens cry." —Using Prayer for Rain
- "Don this veil of light." —Using Dance of Immunity
- "A divine boon to all." —Using Rite of the Sun
- "The pace quickens." —Using BP Boost
- "For my friends." —Using Seal of Diffusion
- "Time to switch things up." —Using Seal of Inversion
- "You're in for it now!" —Using Sixfold Strike
- "You won't catch me unawares." —Using Bulwark
- "Sword of the conqueror!" —Finishing Conqueror's Sword: Cosmic Roar
- "Spear of the warlord!" —Using Warlord's Spear: Giant Swing
- "Blade of the dancer!" —Using Dancer's Blade: Mischievous Step
- "Axe of the lionheart!" —Using Lionheart's Axe: On the Hunt
- "Bow of the hunter!" —Using Hunter's Bow: Flurry of Arrows
- "Staff of the spiritlord!" —Using Spiritlord's Staff: Deliverance
- "No quarter." —Using Changeable Catapult
- "Spring to action!" —Using Springy Boots
- "You're exposed." —Using Critical Scope
- "Your collapse is nigh." —Using Elemental Bomb Bottle
- "This may hurt." —Using Hastening Hammer
- "This should help." —Using Tin Horn
- "There's still a fight ahead..." —Using Arkar's Coil
- "Almost there." —Using All-Purpose Tool
- "Tenretsuzan!" —Using Tenretsuzan
- "Hienka!" —Using Hienka
- "Sougetsusen!" —Using Sougetsusen
- "What... is this?" —Using Shadow's Hold
- "My blood boils!" —Using Shadow's Hold
- "I won't... be afraid." —Using Light's Radiance
- "I'll keep my friends safe." —Using Light's Radiance
- "You're broken." —Breaking an enemy
- "Not this time." —Using Defend
- "Out of my way, Ritsu!" —Battling Ritsu (Chapter 1)
- "You will not stop me." —Battling Bandelam
- "Rai Mei, listen to me!" —Battling Rai Mei
- "You've forced my hand, Ritsu." —Battling Ritsu (Chapter 5)
- "Mugen!" —Battling General Mugen
- "I'll cut you down!" —Battling "Hikari"
- "Farewell, imposter." —After defeating "Hikari"
- "I will not lose!" —Battling Enshrouded King
- "Light will prevail!" —Battling Vide
- "Pray call upon me whenever you have need of my blade." —In taverns
- "The future hinges on this battle." —Start of optional boss fight
- "Who's next?" —Defeating an enemy
- "Good!" —Defeating an enemy
- "Stand aside, or fight!" —Start of battle
- "For the pride of Ku." —After battle
- "I still have much to learn." —After battle
- "There's no need for flattery. It'll rust my sword." —After battle
- "I fight for my friends!" —Max Boost
- "Too slow." —Dodging an enemy attack
- "Predictable." —Dodging an enemy attack
Gallery[]
Etymology[]
Hikari is a Japanese name meaning 'light'.
Kū (or kyū) is a Japanese term used in several martial arts to indicate rank or level of experience. It is also a Chinese surname, meaning 'ancient'. (Pronounced as "kù” in Chinese.)
The pronunciation of Kū may be a play on 'coup d'état', the forced overthrow of a ruler. This is both the inciting incident and goal of Hikari's story.
The combination of his given and surname could be interpreted as 'a coup of light', symbolizing his goal of freeing his nation and himself of the Shadow.
Trivia[]
- Hikari is the only character whose story has a chapter boss rematch, with him fighting Ritsu twice: once in his first chapter, and again in his final chapter before battling Mugen.
- Hikari has the most main boss battles in his story, at six in total with three of them fought in his last chapter.
- Hikari is tied with Alfyn as the youngest male traveler, as both are 21 years old.
- The 2023 art book implies that Hikari is around 170cm (5'7) in height, shorter than Therion.[2]
- Ochette calls Hikari "Hikarin."
- In travel banter, Ochette claims that she can smell two distinct scents on Hikari: one very warm, the other pungent. She describes the second scent as coming from deep inside him, reporting that it's "not very pleasant."
- As revealed in travel banter with Osvald, Hikari enjoys reading military chronicles. Kazan taught him the importance of reading at a young age, often creating mock war councils to stimulate Hikari's mind.
- The second Crossed Path episode of the Dancer and Warrior unlocks after the completion of Hikari's Chapter 5, regardless of whether Agnea's story has been finished.
- Like Ophilia and Cyrus, Hikari spends one of his chapters being imprisoned and waiting for an ally to set him free.
- During his playable flashback as a child in his Chapter 4, Hikari possesses the following abilities:
- Wild Cut (9 SP): Deals 3 sword strikes to a single target.
- Polearm Rush: Performs a spear attack on a single target, and moves up the user's action by 1.
- As revealed by tavern banter, Hikari has a tendency to become increasingly solemn when drunk.
- Designer Naoki Ikushima mentions that he designed Hikari to be slighter and appear the type to rely on technique rather than power. By contrast, Olberic was designed as well-built and as someone who swung his sword with great power.[3]
- Both Olberic and Hikari fight in a series of arena battles during their second chapters. During his arena tournament, Olberic fights alongside his fellow travelers and faces foe with full boss sprites, but Hikari's battles (with the exception of Bandelam) take place in the one-on-one Challenge mode and use his opponents' small NPC sprites rather than larger boss versions.
- Writer Kakunoshin Futsuzawa mentions that Hikari's story was inspired by Asian war chronicles.[3]
- When asked by Osvald to theorize, Hikari suggests that the seventh source is friendship.
- When composing Hikari's theme, Yasunori Nishiki emphasized Hikari's Asian-themed roots by using Chinese instruments, pentatonic scales, and quartal harmonies. Nishiki sought to express the feelings that were unique to Hikari—such as his relationship to his currently declining homeland and his brother—along with the powerful emotions he hides within his elegant frame.[4]
- When composing Hikari's unique final battle theme, "The Journey for Kingship Ends," Yasunori Nishiki sought to support Hikari's fierce sense of duty and devotion to his country and its people. The theme is as regal as the name suggests - the kind of music for which heightening the intensity is easy. Nishiki was able to give detailed directions about exactly which lines of dialogue the music should start on, and he is particularly pleased with the timing he chose for Hikari’s piece: “Even so, I will allow you no quarter.” (← Please start the music here!) “One way or the other, we fight for the final time, Brother.”[5]
- The melody line in “In Pursuit of Kingship” is slightly altered compared to the phrasing in Hikari’s original theme. The original version has a slow tempo with a grand, sweeping breadth to the melody, and when the tempo is increased, that sense of breadth is inevitably stifled, making the result feel a little hurried. For his Battle Extend track, in order to preserve the grandeur of the original while still creating the necessary pre-combat tension, Nishiki “thinned out” the phrasing.[6]
- Yasunori Nishiki particularly likes Hikari's Battle Extend music ("In Pursuit of Kingship"), as well as the set pieces leading up to Hikari's boss battles - the battle with Rai Mei, the battle with Mugen and so on.[7]
References[]
- ↑ https://www.jp.square-enix.com/octopathtraveler2/traveler/hikari.html
- ↑ The Art of Octopath Traveler 2020-2023, page 11.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 https://www.square-enix-games.com/en_US/news/making-octopath-traveler-ii
- ↑ https://note.com/yasunori_nishiki/n/n57d540669e89?magazine_key=mceb3c1ed9da8
- ↑ https://note.com/yasunori_nishiki/n/ncbe4c04e0bdd
- ↑ https://note.com/yasunori_nishiki/n/n1c227cd7732c
- ↑ https://note.com/yasunori_nishiki/n/naf48c8c7518a