Hajime Kokonoi

Hajime Kokonoi, or Koko (ココ), is a member of the top administration of the Kanto Manji Gang. Prior to his membership in Kanto Manji, he was the 10th Generation Black Dragon Elite Guard Captain and later, a member of the First Division Tokyo Manji Gang. Koko once joined Tenjiku as its Treasurer.. He is a major antagonist in the Black Dragon and Tenjiku Arcs.

Appearance
Koko has a lean build and tall stature with wavy black hair fashioned in a death hawk style combed to the right, leaving the left side of his head trimmed and split in equal furrows. He appears to have brown almond-shaped eyes in the manga but black irises in the anime adaptation. He has thin arch eyebrows, ovular ears, and fair skin. Koko also wears a golden dangling earring on his right earlobe. He is most often seen wearing the standard Kanto Manji Gang uniform.

When he was younger, Koko's hair was straighter and styled with bangs and a middle part. In the year 2004, Koko had his hair neatly gelled to the right. He would wear the mandatory school uniform, and later, the 10th Generation Black Dragon uniform upon its establishment. During his time in Toman, Koko was only seen sporting casual clothes.

In an alternate present timeline where he is an executive in Bonten, Koko grows his hair to shoulder-length and dyes it white while still maintaining his unique parted hairstyle from his teenage years. He wears a different set of dangling earrings on his right ear and has the Bonten logo tattooed on the left side of his head.

Personality
Koko sees the world as a series of calculations. This was a result of a traumatic mishap he encountered at a young age, when he failed to save Akane Inui from a house fire that gave her multiple third-degree burns and sent her in critical condition. This event was Koko’s stepping stone to spending his childhood as a leader for an organized band of thieves to illegally amass money for Akane’s costly treatment plan, and simultaneously the beginning of his inclination toward monetary gain. Although seemingly materialistic at first, Koko’s past proves that this obsession was out of hopelessness.

Due to his financial capabilities, Koko is also sought-after by reputable gangs to use him to their own advantage. For this reason, he was regarded as a pawn and his obsession toward money intensified.

Upon hearing of Akane’s passing, Koko was unable to face reality and cope with the tragedy as he had failed to earn enough funds to keep her alive, selflessly taking the blame to himself. At a complete loss, he soon attached himself to Akane’s younger brother Inupi as a substitute for her absence, as well as a means of preventing himself from collapsing internally. Eventually, Koko learns to detach himself from Inupi and continue a life of delinquency alone, by which his protectiveness toward him, who he views as a living remnant of Akane's existence, is shown.

Financial Capability
Koko has unparalleled financial capability that contributes to his prodigious money-making reputation. After the Inui family's house fire, Koko researched multiple forms of making money by reading books, where he learned profitable methods that a minor like him could execute. As a result, he was capable of initiating criminal schemes specific to theft for wealthy clients, then would cyclically invest money in growing his syndicate to perform schemes on a larger scale. This methodology would in turn create greater profits for himself.

His monetary ability is recognized as a well-sought asset among organizations, therefore making him a major figure in multiple present timelines in which he serves as a top executive in the more well-structured and dangerous gang organizations. Usually in charge of the finances, Koko is known as a central piece for an organization's success.

Authority
Koko would often take the position of a Treasurer in a gang and be ranked as a member of the top administration. His authoritative duties are focused on finances, but he once assumed the position as Elite Guard Captain in the 10th Generation Black Dragon.

Fighting Prowess
Koko is shown to be a capable fighter, having the capacity to fight in par against Inupi.. He was also shown to be quite a capable opponent to Keizo Arashi during the final battle between the Second Generation Toman and the Kanto Manji Gang.

Appearances
{{Appearances|1=Chapters|2= ==== Valhalla Arc ====
 * Chapter 71 - Same old same old
 * Chapter 72 - An old tale
 * Chapter 75 - Let one down (visualized)

Black Dragon Arc

 * Chapter 78 - Hey, pal
 * Chapter 79 - Fuck off
 * Chapter 80 - Thicker than water
 * Chapter 81 - Stand alone(flashback)
 * Chapter 84 - Run errands
 * Chapter 87 - Strange bedfellows
 * Chapter 92 - Whip up morale
 * Chapter 97 - Sibling rivalry
 * Chapter 98 - Strive together
 * Chapter 99 - A verbal shot
 * Chapter 101 - Keep mum
 * Chapter 104 - Christmas night
 * Chapter 105 - No one can match
 * Chapter 106 - Dawning of a new era
 * Chapter 107 - Tight-knit
 * Chapter 111 - Season opener
 * Chapter 113 - You have my word(visualized)

Tenjiku Arc

 * Chapter 132 - The big baddy
 * Chapter 133 - Sell out
 * Chapter 139 - Make an exception
 * Chapter 140 - Back-stab
 * Chapter 141 - Lay out a plan
 * Chapter 142 - Family tree
 * Chapter 153 - NocteKing
 * Chapter 156 - A den of iniquity
 * Chapter 157 - Money monger
 * Chapter 158 - Untamed heart
 * Chapter 159 - I know in my head
 * Chapter 165 - Things change, but not all
 * Chapter 166 - Brave heart
 * Chapter 167 - Who wouldn't
 * Chapter 168 - Headliner
 * Chapter 169 - The home front
 * Chapter 170 - Homecoming
 * Chapter 176 - What was been left
 * Chapter 185 - Meet his fate
 * Chapter 186 - It's been real

Bonten Arc

 * Chapter 196 - Can say that again
 * Chapter 206 - Let you down(flashback)

Three Deities Arc

 * Chapter 207 - The final act
 * Chapter 221 - Ups and downs of his fate
 * Chapter 225 - Free-for-all
 * Chapter 226 - Dynamic duo
 * Chapter 228 - Beat hell out of
 * Chapter 229 - Go easy on
 * Chapter 233 - Better late than never
 * Chapter 234 - There is no mending

Kanto Manji Arc
{{Appearances|Episodes|2===== Valhalla Arc ====
 * Chapter 236 - Band of brothers (visualized)
 * Chapter 237 - Make allies (flashback)
 * Chapter 243 - Wide array of
 * Chapter 244 - The showdown battle
 * Chapter 247 - Hey dude
 * Chapter 248 - Long time no see
 * Chapter 250 - Turn the table
 * Chapter 251 - Get out of hand
 * Chapter 252 - Bring back
 * Chapter 253 - The worst is come
 * Chapter 262 - To rout and ravages
 * Chapter 266 - Make vision a reality
 * Chapter 268 - Another such
 * Chapter 274 - No holding back
 * Chapter 275 - Cold hearted
 * Chapter 277 - At last
 * Chapter 278 - Revengers}}
 * Episode 24 - A Cry baby
 * Episode 25 - It is what it is (visualized)

Black Dragon Arc

 * Episode 26 - Gotta go
 * Episode 27 - Stand alone
 * Episode 28 - Family bonds
 * Episode 30 - Whip up morale}}

Quotes

 * "I did whatever it took! Anything they requested!! Anything that paid!! Then one rumor led to another... and all kinds of people approached me. Izana Kurokawa!! Taiju Shiba! Everyone who came to me had one simple thing in mind. Money." Koko's frustrations about being used for monetary gain

Etymology

 * The name Hajime means "one" (一).
 * Hajime's surname Kokonoi means "nine" (九) (kokono) and "well, mine shaft, pit" (井) (i).

Trivia

 * His special skills are standing behind others (he does not like being in the front) and being a big eater.
 * His hobby is fortune telling with playing cards (Inupi does not trust him).
 * He loves swimming.
 * He does not like ball games because he has bad eyesight.
 * He does not ride motorbikes.