Akira Yamaguchi is one of the brightest students in Nube's class, though he's defined more by his character arc than any single trait. Early on, he's the earnest, capable type—smart enough to keep up with the best of them, but dogged by bad luck that keeps him from reaching his potential. It turns out a youkai haunting the Sanzu River had been deliberately sabotaging anyone trying to accomplish their goals, and once Nube exorcises it, Akira's luck improves. Still, he remains fairly understated.
That changes as the series progresses. Akira gradually shifts into the class "mad scientist," the kind of guy who's constantly tinkering with tech as a way to bridge the gap between humans and youkai—and making sure everyone knows about it. He becomes genuinely dynamic in a way that earlier Akira never was.
Initially part of the core friend group alongside Hiroshi, Kyoko, Makoto, and Miki, Akira's plain early personality worked against him. More energetic characters like Katsuya eventually stole the spotlight, and he faded into the background somewhat. Despite this, he never disappears entirely and stays a semi-major presence throughout the manga's run.
His name, like Miki's, is a nod to the protagonist of Go Nagai's Devilman.
Content compiled by AnimeList.moe from publicly available sources.
