Koo

Overview

Koo is a magical white creature -- described variously as a dog and a wolf-like creature -- and the deuteragonist of Beast of Reincarnation. Despite being technically classified as a Malefact -- one of the corrupted creatures that threaten the world -- Koo forms an unbreakable bond with Emma and fights alongside her throughout their journey from the eastern countryside to the Capital.

Koo's presence is constantly felt by the player's side through the game's command system. While Emma handles real-time sword combat, Koo battles by unleashing skills via commands, executing powerful abilities called Blooming Arts at the player's direction. This creates a hybrid combat system that blends fast-paced katana action with strategic command-based support.

Appearance

Koo is a white dog (described variously as a "dog" and a "wolf-like creature" in different sources) distinguished by a tail made of vines and branches. His tail specifically connects him to the Blight -- it is a visual marker that sets him apart from ordinary animals and identifies him as a Malefact. His vine-tail mirrors Emma's vine-ponytail, visually reinforcing their shared Blight Power. Both carry matching vine-like markings that hint at a connection between them that goes far deeper than simple companionship.

Origin and Bond

Koo is described as an abandoned dog that Emma encounters during her duties as a Sealer. His alliance with Emma is deeply unusual and paradoxical. As a Malefact, he belongs to the same category of creatures that Emma, as a Sealer, is tasked with hunting and destroying. The paradox of their partnership -- hunter and hunted, Sealer and Malefact -- is central to the game's narrative tension.

Their bond begins when Koo resurrects Emma during a fierce battle, causing a shakuyaku (Chinese peony) flower to sprout from her hair. This resurrection marks both the beginning of their partnership and the first of many flowers that will chronicle Emma's progression through the game. From this point forward, they are inseparable, traveling together from the eastern lands westward toward the Capital.

Like Emma, Koo carries great secrets. The nature of his Malefact existence, the source of his power, and the reasons behind his loyalty to a Sealer are mysteries that unfold throughout the story. The game emphasizes that every character carries heavy secrets, and Koo is no exception -- he harbors truths hidden even from Emma.

Blooming Arts

Koo's special abilities are called Blooming Arts (also referred to as "Bloom Arts" in some sources). These are activated through a command menu that can be opened at any time during combat using the Triangle button on PS5. When the menu opens, time slows but does not fully stop, maintaining tension while giving the player strategic breathing room to assess the battlefield and select the most effective ability.

Blooming Arts are powered by FP (Fuel Points), which Emma earns through successful parries. This creates a direct connection between Emma's defensive mastery and Koo's offensive capabilities. Confirmed Blooming Arts effects include:

Blooming Arts can be enhanced with mods that provide additional effects, such as HP regeneration per hit or FP generation against burning enemies. These mods allow players to create self-sustaining combat cycles. Director Furushima noted: "The command menu for Koo can be opened at any time, allowing players to move seamlessly between action and command-based combat. Through this flow, Koo's presence is constantly felt by your side."

The Command System

The command system is the primary interface through which players interact with Koo during combat. It represents the command-based half of the game's hybrid combat system. The system was designed to evoke what director Furushima called "the joyful dilemma of choice" -- a sensation he developed through years of Pokemon battle planning. Players must decide not only which Blooming Art to deploy but when to deploy it, balancing immediate tactical advantage against saving resources for more critical moments.

Koo can also be directed to lead in and strike first before Emma engages, providing one of several tactical approaches to encounters. This flexibility ensures Koo is not merely a passive support character but an active participant whose presence shapes every combat encounter.

Passive Skills and Affection

In addition to Blooming Arts, Koo has passive skills that provide ongoing benefits during combat, such as stat boosts, damage resistances, or enhanced resource generation. The number of passive skill slots available increases as Emma and Koo's bond deepens, with a maximum of six slots achievable at full affection.

Affection is built through in-game interactions: feeding and petting Koo during downtime. This mechanic directly impacts gameplay progression -- higher affection unlocks more passive skill slots, making the bond between player and companion a tangible gameplay system rather than a purely narrative element. The affection system reinforces the game's central theme of the relationship between a lonely woman and her loyal companion.

Skill Trees

Koo has three distinct skill trees that mirror Emma's: close-range combat focus, long-range combat focus, and stealth focus. The two characters' skill trees are designed to synergize -- skills from one character's tree can enhance the other's effectiveness, encouraging players to develop complementary builds that reinforce their preferred playstyle.

Equipment

Koo can be equipped with Charms -- his equivalent of Emma's Spirit Stones. These items provide unique effects and can be discovered through exploration. Charms allow players to further customize Koo's role in combat, whether emphasizing his offensive Blooming Arts output, his survivability, or his passive support capabilities.

Narrative Role

The emotional bond between Emma and Koo forms the heart of Beast of Reincarnation. Director Furushima described his original vision as simply wanting to tell the story of a woman and her pet. Koo's presence transforms Emma's journey from a solitary quest into something warmer and more human -- ironic, given that Koo is not human at all, and Emma herself struggles with what it means to be one.

The combat design reflects this bond at every level. Every parry Emma performs feeds into Koo's power through FP generation. Every Blooming Art Koo executes creates openings for Emma's attacks. The command system ensures that Koo's presence is constantly felt by the player's side, making him not just a companion character but a fundamental part of how the game feels to play.

Koo's paradoxical nature -- a Malefact fighting alongside a Sealer whose purpose is to destroy Malefacts -- raises questions about the nature of the Blight, free will, and whether corruption is truly irreversible. These questions deepen as the story progresses, intertwining with the secrets both characters carry.