Marco

Kokonoe Rodem
Kanji:	マルコ
Romaji:	Maruko
Epithet:	"Devil of the Abandoned Building"
Characteristics
Status:	Alive
Nationality:	Japan
Gender:	Male
Relatives:	Kokonoe Tarou (adoptive father)
Debut
Manga:	Chapter 4
OVA?	no

“

Before you are kicked, KICK! Is what Baku onii-chan said. — Marco

”

Marco (マルコ, Maruko; "Marco"), whose given name is Kokonoe Rodem (九重ここのえ ロデム, Kokonoe Rodemu; "Rodem Kokonoe"), is one of the main characters of Usogui.

Appearance

Marco is a good looking young man with a heavily defined yet lean musculature. He has long black hair, a distinct lack of facial hair and generally boyish facial features with an equally matching expression.

In the earlier series he wore a suit, but later on he is most commonly seen wearing a short sleeved t-shirt, vest, and slacks.

Image Gallery

Personality

Due to his ruthless and savage upraising by his "father," Marco was conditioned to turn into his bloodthirsty Rodem persona whenever he was stabbed with a needle, turning him into a being that would mercilessly kill everyone in his path. However, since Marco joined Madarame Baku's side, he has avoided his intent to kill, even when reverting to his Rodem persona, showing a more caring individual, even refusing to harm someone when they hurt him.

Rodem

Rodem is Marco's other personality and is a violent individual. When Marco switches to Rodem, he doesn't exactly become more powerful, but he does become more aggressive.

History

Marco's past is seen in a variety of snapshot flashbacks. Marco was injected with a drug made for "reallocation," which would enhance physical capabilities to the extreme. Marco often resisted his adoptive father's commands, but one day when being injected by a needle he adoped a new persona - Rodem. Rodem is often found killing or doing ruthless things at Kokonoe Tarou's command. Rodem became Tarou's Ace in the Escape the Abandoned Building game.

Plot

When first meeting Madarame Baku and Kaji Takaomi, Rodem was under the influence of his adoptive father, Kokonoe Tarou. It is during this time that he attempted to kill them both in the life or death gamble. However, Baku was able to break through the 'spell' on Marco and free him from the influence of Rodem. For all of the killing and evil from before, Marco chose to atone with Baku, leaving Kokonoe Tarou for good.

Abilities

Mental Abilities

Marco is described as having less than proficient mental abilities. He is childish in nature and since he never got an education, does not know basic math. He often plays around with things he does not know (Kaji's phone ^{[citation needed]}) and relies on Baku to do the thinking for him. Marco sees other people as only "good" or "bad" and typically cannot think with nuance. Often times, his logic is flawed and requires correction from other characters.

This does not make him a totally mentally inept character, as he is very emotionally intelligent at times. He suppressed Rodem in the Tower of Karma,^{[citation needed]} and is typically aware of his surroundings. Although he may have very low logical skills, he is still very good in a fight and has excellent adaptive skill as well as battle IQ.

Physical Abilities

Due to being put through "reallocation"Reallocation", as explained by Kokonoe Tarou, is the process of changing the body's mapping that is stored in the brain's somatic sensation region. Reallocation relies on the application of a certain medicine that draws out the power of one's body to its limits; artificially interrupting the brain cells close to the reflex and ability controllers, by using medicine that contains dihydroxyphenylserine, results in forcing the reallocation process." from a very young age by his father, Marco possesses immense physical capabilities, with his physical strength, durability and agility being notably incredible. Initially, Marco was only able to access this "devilish" physical power when his "Rodem" persona took over, though he later circumvents this problem.^{[citation needed]}

In addition to his ridiculous physical capabilities, thanks to being trained in combat by his father, Marco is an amazing and very powerful combatant. It was noted by Chris Lee that Marco's strength is on par, or stronger than, that of the Referees.^{[citation needed]}

Relationships

• Kokonoe Tarou: Marco is originally frightened of his "father" but eventually defies him. He is freed of his adoptive father's curse after Tower of Karma.
• Madarame Baku: Marco is friends with Baku. The relationship can be described as a father(Baku)-son(Marco) situation. Marco frequently calls Baku "Baku-niichan."
• Kaji Takaomi: Marco is friends with Kaji. The two are sometimes seen together when Baku is away, and Kaji often is the one to correct Marco's mistakes.
• Kyara:
• Leo:

Notes & Trivia

• While he was under the employ of his father, he was feared as the "Devil of the Abandoned Building."