Hitsujirou Munakata (宗像 羊朗, Munakata Hitsujirō) is a supporting character in Suzume. He is the grandfather of Souta Munakata.
Background[]
Munakata was a former Closer and a friend of Sadaijin. Sometime in his line of duty, he lost his right arm. During the 2011 Great Earthquake, he used Sadaijin to stab and seal the Worm in Tokyo underground ruin.[1]
In Suzume[]
The old man was hospitalized in 2023 and was unable to come to Souta's aid while he was sealing the Worm of Tokyo on September 28. On the next day, he was visited by Suzume Iwato, who informed him of his grandson's fate. Although Munakata asked her to let it go, Suzume insisted that she would find a way to save Souta, much to Munakata's surprise and amusement. He told her to find a special door that can let mortals enter the Ever-After. After she left, Sadaijin appeared by his window. He congratulated the cat for escaping its bounding and asked it to look after Suzume.
Behind the Scenes[]
Portrayal[]
Souta Munakata is voiced by Matsumoto Hakuō II. In the English dub, he is voiced by Cam Clarke.
Etymology[]
- The name Hitsujirou means "sheep" (羊) (hitsuji) and "melodious, clear, bright, serene, cheerful" (朗) (rou).
- Hitsujirou's surname Munakata means "religion, sect, denomination, main point, origin, essence" (宗) (muna) and "image, statue, picture, figure, portrait" (像) (kata).
- Munakata is taken from the Three Munakata Goddesses (宗像三女神, Munakata san jojin).
- In the mythology, Susano-o Mikoto (素戔嗚尊, Susano-o Mikoto) went to bid his sister Amaterasu-ōmikami (天照大神, Amaterasu-ōmikami) goodbye, however, Amaterasu doubted his intention; to prove his sincerity, Susano-o gave Amaterasu the Sword of Totsuka (十束剣, Totsuka-no-Tsurugi) which Amaterasu shattered and used to create the Three Munakata Goddesses from the sword's debris. The Three Munakata Goddesses were believed to be the sea goddesses.
- Munakata is taken from the Three Munakata Goddesses (宗像三女神, Munakata san jojin).