Kudoh (English: [ˈkʰuɾəʊ̯]: Japanese: [kɯ̟doː]) is Aki's classmate and also Misao's childhood friend. The two grew apart as they became older. Kudoh distanced himself from Misao due to the fact that his classmates made fun of him for hanging out with a girl, and that Yoshino was bullying Misao and that Kudoh didn't want to also be bullied, similar to Aki.
In the Misao novelization, his full name is revealed to be Mamoru Kudoh (工藤 守 Kudō Mamoru) - (making Kudoh his surname).
Appearance[]
Kudoh's appearance consists of having dark green hair that flicks in an upward motion, a fully up-buttoned shirt accompanied by a well tied tie. His overall appearance is neat. His face bares a mature and calm expression. The creator (Sen, better known as Miscreant's Room) stated he is supposed to look "gloomy" and polar opposite in personality and attitude to Tohma.
Personality[]
Kudoh is depicted as a 'calm and early-maturing youth' when he was first introduced in the opening cutscene in Aki's classroom. The creator of the game stated that Kudoh is supposed to be a contrast to Tohma's wild personality, so he is rather gloomy yet he has a strong moral compass (which is first displayed when Kudoh helped Misao when she was bullied as a child).
However, he is rather cowardly due to the fact that he abandoned Misao so he wouldn't seem stupid in front of his friends in middle school. In high school, Kudoh is shown to be rational and much more mature than the others in his class. He is shown to be very empathetic (shown in his death cutscene where he talks about Misao to Aki) but he is rather hateful of others (especially if they're horrible to others) and self-deprecating also. He also doesn't say much unless it's required.
History[]
Before the Curse[]
Kudoh is first seen in the classroom with Tohma, Saotome and Yoshino, talking about the strange activities that have been happening since Misao disappeared. When Tohma says that the paranormal activities might be caused by Misao's "curse", Kudoh sharply tells him that it isn't the time for jokes. Tohma and Yoshino continue talking about the curse, and Kudoh interjects when Yoshino asks why she would be cursed, adding that she frequently bullied Misao. Kudoh remains mostly silent for the rest of the scene.
Death[]
When Aki leaves the school through the fire exit for the first time, Kudoh is found in the middle of the road, injured. Kudoh blames himself for what has happened, saying that he's sorry. The player then has two choices: Watch him, or help him.
By helping him, both Aki and Kudoh will be run over by an oncoming car, which will result in a game over.
By watching him, Misao's ghost will appear in front of Kudoh. Kudoh will then say something along this lines of "We can now be together forever" and "I love you" which is then countered by Misao's harsh words of "You're mistaken. I never liked you at all" and "Now die." Whilst proclaiming her hatred for him she disappears before he then gets run over by a car which results in his death with his final words being "MISAOOO!"
He is reborn in the Truth ending by Onigawara where he is turned into a baby. He is last seen with Tohma and Ayaka being taken care of along with Yoshino and Saotome.
Relationships[]
Misao[]
Kudoh is Misao's childhood's friend and it is said to have been close with her in his younger years. However, they grew apart as he was teased in middle school for hanging out with a girl. Kudoh harshly told her not to talk to him ever again and ignored her as she was getting bullied. When they become High School students, while Kudoh would stop Yoshino from bullying other students, he turns a blind eye on Misao when she was harassed by Yoshino. In one flashback, he secretly mock her - blaming what happens to her is the consequence of dating Tohma.
As for Misao, she always fond him in their younger years as she always waited for him and both always went home together until he shunned her away. As he ignore her plead when she needed him the most, this making her feels betrayed and abandoned. Thus making Kudoh one of her most hated as she came to meet him personally before kill him. According to Library in 2024 Remastered Edition, Kudoh did not feel that he deserves Misao's forgiveness and she doubt neither Misao could forgive him, even if he apologize to her and made up for his mistakes as their relationship is already beyond reconcilation.
Nonetheless, among those whom Misao hated the most, Kudoh the different one as he truly did try to save Misao and Library using his efforts to encourage Aki to free other soul to save Misao in Truth mode of 2024 Remastered Edition. In the 2017 Remake and the 2024 Remastered Editions, as he trapped in the other world, he lament his action towards her and blame himself for what's happening. Although Kudoh already cut off with Misao, their old friendship did allow Kudoh to hears Misao's cry for help like Aki. In the Definitive Edition and 2024 Remastered Edition, it is demonstrated that aside Aki, Kudoh also actively try to find her before being crushed to death by the light in the gymnastic room. Even after death, he still help Aki finds Misao before "coming to her".
He says he's always loved her but Misao only saw him as a brother figure, so his love was unrequited. Although the creator (Sen) hints later that Kudoh's love was most likely sibling love.
Aki[]
They are classmate and accquaintance, but whether or not they talked often is currently unknown. In Aki's perspective, Kudoh always looking gloomy but nonetheless mature and rational. Aki feel bad about the fact that he/she was unable to save Kudoh.
Yoshino[]
Kudoh's classmate. Kudoh knew that Yoshino had bulled Misao, but did not take action, and condemned him to becoming a target of Misao's wrath during the curse. She is on his most hated list: 1. Tohma 2. Yoshino 3. Himself.
Rec Room[]
About Kudoh[]
Kudoh is a character who's never rewarded. But in the true ending, his feelings save him. But was that last Misao real...? Or just another illusion...? I'll let the players decide that one. Anyway, Kudoh was like a big brother to Misao. No love involved. So no, Misao didn't hate Kudoh. But Kudoh's love was never requited. Kudoh looks like a nice guy, but he's not so nice in personality. He's gloomy, and I bet he makes posts badmouthing people on the internet.
(Bonus: Kudoh's Hate-Rank) 1. Tohma 2. Yoshino 3.Himself
Kudoh Design Secrets[]
Originally named Kawamura. Way too stupid, so I thought of something more serious, and Kudoh was born. He's made to contrast Tohma on the inside and outside. Just looks like this weird boy now... *laughs*
Trivia[]
- In the Definitive edition of the game, Kudoh's death scene was changed to take place in the gymnasium where he was injured on stage and killed by a large stage light that falls from the ceiling.
- It's unknown if Misao helped Kudoh in the truth game mode, since Sen said in the Rec room that it's the player decision if it was Kudoh's imagination or not.
Gallery[]
Click here to be redirected to Kudoh's image gallery.