Asato Ichijo

Asato “Ichio” Ichijo
Name
Kanji	一条麻遠
Rōmaji	Ichijō Asato
Alias	Ichio
Characteristics
Race	Vampire
Vampire Level	Aristocrat
Height	182 cm (6'0")
Gender	Male
Eyes	Blue
Hair	Blond
Professional Status
Affiliation	Ichijo Family Council of Elders
Occupation	Head of the Vampire Council
Personal Status
Status	Deceased
Relatives	Unnamed Son Takuma Ichijo (Grandson)
Debut
Anime	Episode 8
Manga	10th Night
Voices
Japanese	Kōji Ishii
English	Jamieson Price

Asato Ichijo (一条 麻遠, Ichijō Asatō) aka "Ichio" was Takuma's grandfather and head of the Senate and was known as Ichio. He was a memeber and the Head of the Ichijo Family and an Aristocrat Vampire.

Appearance

Asato Ichijo had the same hair color as his grandson Takuma Ichijo, pale blonde. However, rather than having green eyes, his are icy blue. Asato was said to be very old, but had the appearance of a man in his late 30s or 40s.

Personality

Though appearing to be a cold and cruel man, he showed some concern for his grandson Takuma, and said that he had wanted Takuma to be his successor in the Council. He also expressed intense dislike for Purebloods, due to fear of their power over other vampires. His age and demeanor inspired in fear many other vampires.

History

He was the head of the most distinguished clan of aristocrats and one of the oldest vampires on the Council. Asato made the Ichijo Group so large that today all human business transactions involve his company.He wanted to become Kaname's guardian after the death of his parents, but Kaname did not accept. He has allowed Takuma to attend Cross Academy for the purpose of spying on Kaname.

Plot

Ichiou visited the Cross Academy to warn Takuma about his involvement with Kaname, warning him that Kaname threatened the regime of the Council. Kaname and the other vampires paid their respects to Ichiou. Ichiou was later revealed to be involved with the President of the Vampire Hunter's Association. He invited Takuma to meet with Senri who was being possessed by Rido Kuran, referring to him as the true ruler of the vampires.

After the destruction caused by Kaname, he faced Kaname and revealed that he knew that Kaname is one of the ancestors. Ichiou declared that he believed everything he did was right and claimed that Kaname was the one at fault. Before he could elaborate, Takuma interrupted them and said that he did not believe that the ends justifys the means and had decided to end it for both of them and killed his grandfather. 

Powers & Abilities

Like all aristocratic vampires, Asato had healing powers and aged slowly. It is not known in detail what his specific aristocrat powers were. In the anime, his enhanced strength was demonstrated  when he snapped the neck of the former head of the Hunter's Association.

Relationships

Takuma Ichijo

Takuma Ichijo was his grandson and he had intended to pass down the role of Senior Councilor to him when he passed away. He attempted to make Takuma spy on Kaname, but Takuma refused to betray his friend. In the wake of Rido's attack on Cross Academy, his grandson approached him, siding with Kaname and ultimately killed him.

Kaname Kuran

Kaname Kuran was under his care after his parents' deaths. He wanted Kaname to become his ward but Kaname refused. He was against the idea of Kaname's existence and the power he wielded over the rest of the vampire society.

About Asato

• Asato Respects: The Head of the Kuran Family two Generations ago.
• Asato’s Taste In Women: A Graceful, classy, modest and mischievous Lady (Like the actress Sayuri Yoshinaga or Hitomi Kuroki.)
• Asato’s Hobbies: Laido (Traditional Japanese Sword and Martial Art), Polo.
• Asato’s Favorite Fashion: Formal Clothes.

Gallery

Manga

Anime

Etymology

• The name Asato means "hemp, flax" (麻) (asa) and "far off" (遠) (tou).
• Asato‘s nickname Ichi-ou (一TBA) means "one" (一) (ichi) and "a honorific when referring to an older man" (TBA) (ou).
  • His nickname means One Old Man or The Old Man.
• Takuma's surname Ichijo means "one" (一) (ichi) and "muscle, tendon, sinew, vein, artery, fiber, fibre, string, article, clause, item, line, stripe, streak, ray" (条) (jo).
  

Trivia

• According to the Editor's Notes; Ichijo can mean a "ray" or "streak." Asato's first name is comprised of asa, meaning "hemp" or "flax," and tou, meaning "far off." His nickname is ichi, or "one," combined with ou, which can be used as a honorific when referring to an older man.
• Asato seems to be the only vampire in the series to have identical similarities to Dracula from vampire folklore, such as his appearance and nature.