KOKUTO NEJI (JACK JEANNE)
Who is Kokuto Neji?
Kokuto or Kuro is one of the love interests (LIs) in the otome game titled Jack Jeanne. He is the Boss/Leader/Director/Playwright/Lyricist of Quartz Class, he is also one of the third year students alongside Kai and Sarafumi.
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This is going to be a long ass post because this dude got me on CHOKEHOLD and second, WHY THE FUCK DID THEY MADE HIM SO FREAKIN' HOT?!
I have standards in otome games y'know? I like smart, kuuderes, serious/villain characters, well Kokuto is kinda opposite, he's so freakin' loud, whimsical and eccentric for my taste.
When I started playing the game I was aiming for Mutsumi Kai, I was attracted to him because he is a classically handsome otome LI, and definitely exudes kuudere vibes lol. Despite the urge of playing Kai's route first, I decided to stick with the reviews, I've played Suzu, Fumi and Kai's route.
Wait whut? So where is Soshi and Mitsuki?
Okay, believe me—I really intended to finish all the routes before Kokuto, but I just couldn’t take it anymore. I ended up skipping Soshi and Mitsuki for him (I’m so sorry). I was completely drawn in—it honestly felt like he was watching me from behind, urging me, “Please, just play my route already.” You have no idea how intense it was, or how hard it was to resist the urge to jump straight into his route because what the hell???
Why he got me on CHOKEHOLD [May Contain Minor/Major/Out of Context Spoiler]
Character Design: 10/10
Yeah I know, some of you will probably attack me for this rating because some players hated his hair, but let's not talk about that, I love his hair it suits him perfectly, period. I like his uniform a lot! He looks so neat and likes wearing long polo sleeves which I sooooo fuckin' love! I like his aesthetic. I actually realized that he really does look like a film director. Also, those jaded eyes dude, those freakin' eyes, he looks like a CAT and I love cats! I think he deviates to the "usual" otome handsome LI due to his design that is very Tokyo Ghoul(ish), but nevertheless he is very very handsome and attractive, 100/10 would smash, lol.
Talent: 10/10
LISTEN. Kokuto Neji is INSANELY TALENTED, it's not even an exaggeration. He excels in writing and directing, but I was at complete shock that he can also ACT, SING, DANCE, and even WRITE A SONG! And oh, the fact that he can play both Jack and Jeanne roles is a major WOW to me. At first, I was not taking his acting seriously because he picks a role that is so so so random lol, but not until he played as Domina in Oh! Rama Havenna! like urgh! His acting is superb, there's already a foreshadowing about his personal story there. His singing voice is so gooooood as well, I love Ghost Party and Intense Confessions at the Confessional, he ate those songs up!
Kisa's inner monologue (same girl, same)
Yep he did that!
Personality: 9/10
Fuck my life and why I haven't met a person like him in real life? Haha! Kokuto is too complex since you'll never know what's going on inside his head, in fact, Kai mentioned that Kokuto doesn't know how to communicate very well. And despite all his eccentricity, Neji can be surprisingly serious—iykyk. It's a no brainer, Kokuto is a gifted one, a genius as many would call him and because he had egocentric tendecies, he is somewhat inconsiderate, unreasonable and brutally honest at times, I think this is a conundrum with intelligent people in general. I also believed that the writers (Sui Ishida and Shin Towada) perfectly convey the word "genius" through Neji. While I admit that he is quite a self-centered I think Neji just wants the best for the members and for the Quartz, he is the class leader and has the responsibility over them.
Neji realizing that he went overboard, lol, he is so precious huhu
This hit me like a train
Of all LIs Kokuto's dialogues are my favorite, they are deep but at the same time very sensible, I like introspective people in real life. Also, Kokuto is so freakin' FUNNY! Oh good lord, you have no idea, there were no dull moments with him! I had to admit, his role as Crowley in their final performance almost got me so emotional but his comedic lines ruined it for me and ended up laughing instead, LOL! Despite being a troublemaker to Quartz and to his previous class, I love how his teachers acknowledged his talent and even waited for him to finish the final script when they had an option to use the Univeil archive instead (Neji best boy >.<).
LMAO! This is probably one of his unforgettable dialogues!
STORY: 10/10
Despite all the spoilers I've read, his story still surprised me to a great extent. Okay, perhaps the main reason why I liked Kokuto is because his story and my personal story is similar even his contemplations/sentiments are the same as mine. Of course, unlike him I am no genius, but I also like doing things that piques my interest, we have the same blood type and love over food especially rice lol. I've read reviews about his route being lackluster or Kokuto being irrational, some even said that his route has a great potential but went down hill for some reason. I'd say Neji's route is not for everyone, of course he has flaws. With his experience with his father Kokuto formed a certain defense mechanism channeling his emotional burden to somebody else. Despite the trauma, Kokuto still respects his father, admired him as an excellent director, and even inspired him to become an excellent playwright. My mind and heart were so conflicted when Neji got his writer's block because huh? Why he can't accept the fact that he's inlove, of course he cannot think of anything duh? I emphatize with Kisa like it's not her fault to begin with, however I can't also invalidate Neji's feeling because after all he's protecting himself from potential heartache and because of his trauma *sob*. Moreover, it so refreshing too see Neji in stage acting as a lead actor, and bringing his own script to life. He's always been working so hard behind Quartz and let other members shine. Also, I am convinced that Neji purposely wrote the Sissia of the Central Nation for Kisa even before his route, I said this because I've played 3 routes prior to him and to think that the final play was actually based on Kisa's story is quite a mystery, perhaps he knew her secret after all?
Yes Chui, I agree.
ROMANCE: 100/10
Hoo boy, we’ve come this far, haven’t we? I remember saying he really deviates from the classically handsome otome type. At first, I was like, “This character is so random—what’s with the hair? Can he even romance me? What’s that route going to be like?” Those questions ended up being exactly what pushed me to finally give in. BRUH?! Kokuto’s affection events left me in awe, my heart really went “doki doki” did I also mentioned that I liked Kai?! Yes, Kai’s affection events were good but Neji went TRIPLE! He got me kicking my feet, giggling and twirling my hair, I had to put down my switch in order to process my emotions because goddamn what was even that for?! He was such a tease like I didn’t even expect those.
KYAHHHHH!!! This one left me in SHOOKT! Yep this is not an acting anymore lol
Despite JJ's limited romantic offerings, Kokuto's affection events can compete with Piofiore or other similar games I've played even without kissing CG or 18+ CGs, that's how impactful his route is. I'd say his route had a right amount of romance. His antics and exaggeration makes him even more adorable his lines were the best! I guess it all boils down to him being a writer and an actor, gosh he knows exactly how to play with words! My favorite line of his is probably during the Univeil Performance, the scene where Sissia (Kisa) and Crowley (Kokuto) where about to perform the final song: Sissia: I can’t understand 80% of what you say. Crowley: Though it may be trouble for you, I absolutely love the time I spend with you. DUDDDEEEEEEE this line particular is so touching! :( please help me to hold all these feels. After playing his route I can say that Kokuto and Kisa really fit and compliment each other and could make a power couple! (Me to myself: you wish that was you huh?) which actually make sense since Kokuto has always been looking for a "gear" as he claimed himself as the "mechanic"
That's it for my Kokuto Neji appreciation post, I am officialy brainrotting but I have to keep going I have like 9 otome titles to play with lol. I will be thinking about him until I'm 40. Ciao!
