Yuichiro Takiguchi
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Yuichiro Takiguchi (滝口優一郎 Takiguchi Yūichirō) is a character in the novel Battle Royale, and the film and manga of the same name. In the film he was played by Junichi Naitou.
[edit] Pre-Program
Yuichiro Takiguchi is one of the class of third-year students at the fictional Shiroiwa Junior High School. He was a short boy, who looked younger than his age. He was a big anime fan, and many of his classmates thought of him as an otaku. He had been close friends with Tadakatsu Hatagami since primary school. He found it very easy to sympathise with people — for example, he did not believe that Mitsuko Souma was an evil person, but that she must have some deep seated reason for acting the way she does. He also had a slight crush on Mitsuko.
[edit] During the Program
Yuichiro's issued weapon in the novel was an aluminium baseball bat. In the manga version, he is issued with a Colt Anaconda, but swaps weapons with Tadakatsu. He manages to meet up with his friend Tadakatsu, and they choose to travel together. When Mitsuko creeps up on Tadakatsu, intending to kill him, Yuichiro interrupted her. The two of them took Mitsuko hostage, Tadakatsu refusing to trust her. While Tadakatsu sleeps, Yuichiro releases her from the ropes tying her hands, and the two of them chat.
Later on, Mitsuko tries to kill Tadakatsu after seducing him. Tadakatsu puts up a fight, and chases Mitsuko with his gun. Yuichiro steps in her way to protect her, and is shot twice in the stomach. As he dies, Mitsuko kisses him, then shoots him three more times to put him out of his misery.
Throughout the whole story, Yuichiro is the only person Mitsuko shows compassion for, and the only person whose death upsets her.
In the manga, Mitsuko rapes him during his death throes, under the delusion that it would ease his pain and then stabs him in the face. She does not seem to be concerned for him after he dies, for he was "taking her trust." Apparently he broke his promise by leaving her.
In the film, it is implied that Mitsuko lures both Yuichiro and Tadakatsu to their deaths with the promise of sex. After stabbing the two to death, Mitsuko is seen getting dressed and leaving behind their naked corpses.
