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WARNING! |
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— Hero Killer's narration in Episode 1 | ||
Ihwa (이화) is the main protagonist and titular Hero Killer of the Webtoon Original action manhwa Hero Killer. She is a notorious Villain that zealously pursues a personal quest of investigating and avenging the death of her older sister Yeon, who was killed by corrupt heroes of the Hero Clan. She was once a member of the villainous organization The Nameless that was led by Engen, the Smiling Man but eventually left them after the Invasion of Castle Gray due to disagreements with the Smiling Man's ruthless methods.
Following her departure from The Nameless, Ihwa quickly began building her own independent power with the help of her "sidekick" Chaos. Forming a moderate alliance with Forlorn Hope, the third and weakest faction in the ongoing civil war within the Hero Clan's ranks, she has steadily hunted down and killed heroes that the allied group has deemed among the most corrupt, further fortifying her growing reputation as one of the deadliest Villains in the world.
Raised in District 17's Dust City, Ihwa was initially thought to have Yeon as her only relative, but she was eventually revealed to be the youngest daughter of Ijincheon, the Executioner of the Silver Forest of the Four Swordsmen and her late mother. After Yeon's death, most of her childhood was spent being fostered and trained by Yushin, a former Elder under whose care she was molded into a deadly warrior.
Appearance
Ihwa is a beautiful young woman with long silver-white hair and eyelashes, and red eyes that glow intensely whenever she uses her EST or displays her bloodlust. Her appearance is reminiscent of both her parents as she inherited her father's eyes and her late mother's hair color.
Her beauty is quite eye-catching, with her turning many heads upon seeing her. Ihwa has a slender yet extremely muscular build, and she is often seen working out. Pound for pound, she is one of the most powerful physical combatants in the world. Her signature outfit is an open red jacket with a black shirt underneath, black sweats or pants, and white tennis shoes or black heels. She also wears modern clothing that is quite fashionable and compliant with her stylish beauty.
While disguised as the Hero "Kasha," Ihwa's appearance was mostly the same except for her hair and eyelashes becoming jet black when using Appearance Change, and the various outfits she wore to conform more to Hero standards as she wore her signature clothing but with shorts.
Personality
Ihwa is an extremely calculating and cautious woman, constantly evaluating every situation and willing to eliminate anyone she perceives as a potential threat. This is evident in her initial meeting with the Nameless, where she was prepared to kill Vector, a stranger, despite him providing her care, simply on the chance that he was an enemy.[2]
She does not hesitate to use violence if it advances her goals. However, beyond her combat prowess, she is highly intelligent, resourceful, and a master tactician. She acknowledges that while she is powerful, her earlier victories are often the result of strategy, scrappiness, and luck rather than sheer strength.[3] Ihwa can also be unpredictable and recklessly confident.
Ihwa has a cynical view of the society created by the Hero Clan and harbors a deep hatred for the corrupt or hypocritical heroes that shape it. While much of this resentment stems from Yeon's death, she also appears disillusioned by the clan’s general corruption. Her hatred intensified after infiltrating the Hero Clan’s data banks and uncovering the extent of their actions, leaving her barely able to restrain herself from killing any hero in sight.
Despite her ruthless nature, Ihwa follows her own sense of right and wrong and holds contempt for Villains who harm innocent civilians. She avoids involving bystanders in her plans and, like Vector, will defend them against more sadistic individuals.[4] Ihwa has also shown a belief in reincarnation, hoping that Jade and other morally corrupt heroes would be reborn as something better.[5]
However, she does not attempt to justify her actions, believing she is simply fulfilling her role as the "Bringer of Punishment."[6] Firmly focused on avenging Yeon, Ihwa seeks "perfect revenge", desiring the satisfaction and absolute happiness of someone who has achieved it. After accomplishing her goal, she envisions herself lounging on a sofa with food in one hand while scratching her butt with the other, savoring the cold and sweet taste of victory.[7] She is also willing to form alliances with both heroes and villains if it serves her interests. This willingness was recently tested to its limit when she spared the life of the outrageously insane saint, Majesty.
Beyond her pragmatic nature, Ihwa is brutally honest, often disregarding tact. She also has a comedic side, frequently displaying overconfidence, odd naivety, and an exaggerated sense of values. Her insatiable appetite is a defining trait, as she is constantly hungry, even in life-threatening situations, and always thinking about food. She has attempted to eat nearly anything in sight, including imagining a sword covered in honey, nibbling on Lyca’s neck, biting the Crimson Dragon’s tail,[8] consuming highly poisonous spores, and often tried to eat butterflies as a child.[9]
Additionally, Ihwa is extremely greedy, particularly when it comes to money and treasures. She boldly demands compensation, whether in food or money, for her services[10] and frequently steals valuable items like weapons, treating them as "treasures." Her kleptomania is so extreme that she is willing to fight or kill to keep every stolen item.[11] When Engen destroyed the One Hundred-Sided Blade, Ihwa mourned her treasured sword, recalling a wholesome date in a completely imaginary memory. She was visibly enraged at the Smiling Man and later demanded that he give her his Elder Symbol.
Aside from her greed, Ihwa is capable of gratitude, unexpectedly expressing thanks to all the heroes, villains, and Gift Users she had killed throughout her adventures, despite having once been their enemy.[12]
Battles & Events
Etymology
- 이 (Yi): A Korean surname meaning "plum tree," symbolizing resilience and perseverance.
- 화 (Hwa): Often symbolizing beauty, grace, and the blossoming of life.
Quotes
| “ | ” | |
— Ihwa/Hero Killer after using One Blade - Thunderous Slash for the first time. | ||
Trivia
- Kkulbeol & Beolkkul initially planned for Ihwa to wear a wooden mask during the initial planning stages of the series, but the idea was abandoned.[13]
- Ihwa has a hobby of collecting weapons taken from her opponents and victims. This was originally just a running gag, but her father appears to have the same hobby with his nicknamed of "Sword Hunter" which indicates that it runs in the family.
- Ihwa is capable of eating more than hundred hamburgers.[14]
- Surprisingly, Ihwa will talk formally to those who are not in the same field as her.
- Ihwa was the third youngest of the Nameless.
- Ihwa took the alias of "Kasha" as it was the same name her sister once used for her work in Black Hand and found those with a connection to it.
- Ihwa is a Master Chef.
- Ihwa is a violent drunk, as a single slip causes her to rampage.
- Ihwa is one of four people to have wielded Chain in his Sword of Rewinding - Reconquista Form.
- Ihwa developed a habit of naming the techniques of her Gifts after the users she's killed.
- Ihwa has Engen in her phone contacts listed as Darkness, Rachel as Rachel🤍 and who is assumed to be one of the Gold-Blood Gang brothers as Gold Tooth.
References
- ↑ TMI Insignificant 2022#1
- ↑ Hero Killer Episode 7
- ↑ Hero Killer Episode 138
- ↑ Hero Killer Episode 98
- ↑ Hero Killer Episode 2
- ↑ Hero Killer Episode 70
- ↑ Hero Killer Episode 185
- ↑ Hero Killer Episode 79
- ↑ Hero Killer Episode 124
- ↑ Hero Killer Episode 30
- ↑ Hero Killer Episode 63
- ↑ Hero Killer Episode 159
- ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/CO2IvmHDkp4/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA
- ↑ TMI Insignificant 2023#2
| Villains | |
|---|---|
| Independents | Hero Killer • Yushin • Pudding • Chain • Rendo • Nugal • Silver Knight • Voltaire • |
| New Nera | Smiling Man • Rachel Sinclair • Vector • John Nash • Baek-Ji • Abyss Dancer • Puppeteer • SJ • Needles • Hound • Orange-Haired Man • Mind Shocker |
| The Nameless | Nenya • |
| Jintae's Gang | Jintae Yang • Sapphire • Condor • Daemon |
| Vendetta | Tokata • Scar • Dave • |
| Gold-Blood Gang | Office Staff • Rezo Gold-Blood • |
| Ex-Villains | Hekate • |
| Groups and Gangs | Old Nera • The Nameless • New Nera • Gold-Blood Gang • Dusty Cloaks |
| Defunct | Jintae's Gang • Vendetta • |
