Mikado Ryuugamine

Mikado Ryūgamine (竜ヶ峰帝人, Ryūgamine Mikado) is a childhood friend of Masaomi Kida and the primary male protagonist of the series.

Characteristics
Mikado is a polite, soft spoken boy, whom at times can be quite childish and naive. This is likely a result of his small town upbringing; as he moves to Ikebukuro he was amazed and overwhelmed by the sheer size and energy of the city, and thus himself felt small and insignificant. He was bored of the average life he had previously led, and moved to Tokyo in search of adventure. To he himself, he feels that his name (which translates as "Emperor of the Dragon Peak") sounds odd and childish, however it seems that some people think it is unique or just okay, like Walker and Erika.

Despite his personality, he is shown to have a fairly strong will, and he does have moments where he speaks out his thoughts (such as when he tells Anri she should be proud of trying to surpass Harima Mika), which is one of the reasons Masaomi admires him.

As he often acts like a child, Masaomi feels he has to stay around Mikado and help him out, since he would not be able to manage on his own. While Mikado often envies Masaomi for his exciting life (for most of the series he is unaware of Masaomi's affiliation with the Yellow Scarves), Masaomi ironically envies Mikado's innocence and his ability to lead a quiet, happy life.

As the series progresses, Mikado gradually becomes more and more assertive, and becomes able to accept the chaos that life throws at him without attempting to run away.

As shown in the light novels (and to a lesser extent, in the manga as well) Mikado has a much darker side to his personality. While he doesn't show it fully until the end of Volume 6, this darker half of Mikado is hinted at in various events throughout the light novels. The first example is during his confrontation with Namie, where Mikado voices his utter disgust with her in his mind while still keeping his timid personality on the outside. He also states that, no matter what the situation or whom is involved, whatever action or decision Mikado makes must also benefit himself in some way. In other words, self preservation and self satisfaction trumps all. This, by extension, means that almost every aspect about Mikado's life, be it his friends, family, or even Dollars, are merely entertainment tools to make his life more interesting.

While in this mindset, Mikado is much more ruthless and manipulative than he appears to be and is very capable at using intimidation to reach his goals. While it may initially seem like Mikado has split personalities, it is theorized by Aoba that the colder version of Mikado is his real personality while his timid side is the fake one. Izaya Orihara and Aoba both state later in the novels that they have underestimated Mikado.

Background
Mikado grew up in the small town of Saitama, and led an unexciting life that he eventually grew bored with. People often commented that his name sounded like that of a manga character, and he wished that his life was more like a manga, with more unusual and exciting events. Whenever he met his childhood friend, Masaomi Kida online, Masaomi would always tell him stories about the exciting life in the big city. Eventually, when Masaomi decided he would be going to Raira Academy in Ikebukuro and invited Mikado to go with him, Mikado happily accepted, hoping to find a more exciting life.



It is also known that he created the online group the Dollars as a middle schooler. He created the group with some of his online friends as a joke, but shortly after they created the group, the group began to grow at an alarming rate, with people joining whom none of the creators had sent invitations to. This was actually the work of Izaya Orihara. The creators, unaware of this, became afraid of the group which was spiraling out of control, and all of the creators except Mikado left, leaving him as the only remaining creator and the sole leader of the group.

Mikado then became class representative along with Anri Sonohara. He also learnt about Mika Harima, Sonohara's missing friend.



Mikado regularly joined a chatroom with the handle "Taro Tanaka," where he chatted with "Kanra" and "Setton," who in reality were Izaya Orihara and Celty Sturluson respectively. It was mostly from Kanra that he learned about the gangs and incidents in Ikebukuro, including the rumors about human experiments carried out by Yagiri Pharmaceuticals.

After meeting Mika personally and seeing the scars on her neck, he confirmed Anri's previous suspicion that Mika Harima's disappearance had something to do with the human experimentation rumors. After he was attacked by people who worked for Yagiri Pharmaceuticals, he revealed that he was the leader of the Dollars, by organizing the first public Dollars meeting and using their sheer numbers to confront Yagiri Namie, the director of the pharmacy.

Not long after, the Yellow Scarves started attacking the members of the Dollars under suspicion that they were in league with the Slasher. Instead of fighting back, Mikado decided to disband the Dollars in order to prevent more people from getting hurt. However, the Dollars, particularly Kyohei Kadota's group, showed him that the Dollars were more than just the online group he started as a joke a long time ago, adding that since they were already invisible, they could not simply "disappear" even if their leader asked them to. He eventually decided that it was okay for the Dollars to exist, and brought the group back.

Dollars/ Mika Harima Arc
Mikado moves to Ikebukuro upon invitation by his childhood friend Masaomi Kida. He waits for him at the train station, where he is met by Masaomi. They go out of the station together and check out the town, with Masaomi chatting non-stop. Later, they met Kadota's gang. Masomi, after sensing Mikado's curiosity, cautions him to stay away from certain people, namely the Dollars, Simon, and especially Shizuo and Izaya as the two of them are super strong and dangerous. After that, they run to the sidewalk next to the highway just in time to spot the mysterious Black Biker.

After Mikado enters his apartment he starts chatting online with the users "Kanra" and "Setton" on a chatroom site. His chat name is "Tarou Tanaka". The trio discuss the Black Rider, with Kanra providing most of the information. Setton tells him that it is a mere rumor, and the 'Headless Rider' is probably a street biker. Kanra, however, informs Mikado that the rumor is true, and that the Headless Rider is a person with no head, creeping out Mikado as he goes to bed.

The next day, Mikado heads to Raira Academy for his first day of school. As he introduces himself in class, he worries that people will make fun of his name, but to his surprise, no one does. As Anri introduces herself, she turns around to look at Mikado, or so Mikado thinks she did. However, it turns out that she was actually staring at the empty seat behind him, Mika Harima's.

The day after, the teacher requests for two people in class to volunteer as class representatives. Anri volunteers, and the male population start to consider the post. Determined to make a move on Anri, Mikado volunteers even though he originally was unsure.

After school he walks with Masaomi around town. Masaomi thinks that Mikado is getting scared of the city, and tells him that he must overcome his challenges. Later, Mikado happens upon Anri being bullied. Mikado thinks of ways to save her. One way is where he jumps in and tells them to stop, but he rejects to do that due to the gangster that was with the bullies at the time. Shaking his head, he decides he'll walk in playing the "cool" guy, saying what a coincidence that Anri is there and bring her away casually.

About to walk in, he hears a voice behind him which belongs to Izaya Orihara. Izaya walks into the alley with Mikado, and Mikado watches Izaya scare the bullies away. Afterward, Masaomi and Mikado talk with him. Masaomi asks the reason for which Izaya has come to Ikebukuro, to which Izaya replies that he is looking for a certain person. Izaya says he met the person he wanted to meet, whom Mikado thought was himself. Suddenly, a trash can comes flying out and hits Izaya. Then Mikado sees Shizuo Heiwajima come in. When Shizuo says his name after Izaya calls him "Shizu-chan" Mikado gulps, remembering Masaomi saying to never piss off those two. Mikado gets even more scared, seeing the two preparing to fight in front of him.

Then gangsters (one of whom was the one Izaya scared off in the alley) come in saying they are The Dollars. Originally intending to fight Izaya, they shrink back upon seeing Shizuo. Mikado sees one gangster hit Shizuo in the head which makes Shizuo extremely pissed off. Here, Mikado sees Shizuo's brutal strength as he throws the gangsters everywhere. When Izaya tries leaving, Shizuo throws a vending machine at him. But Simon, who jumps in from above, catches it - which makes Mikado wonder if Simon can fly. He turns to Anri,and sees her shaking. When Masaomi says "Mikado! Time to split!", he grabs Anri's hand and runs.

Then the next day when Anri, Mikado and Masaomi walk home, Masaomi talks about the love triangle they are forming. Mikado doesn't say anything. Then Masaomi starts to hit on Anri where Mikado told him to stop - and almost confesses his love for her. Masaomi tells him that's enough talking about that and tackles Mikado down.

Later in the day they went to a park to eat ice-cream. Then they talk about Mika Harima. Anri said that Mika was a stalker. Hearing that, Mikado spat out his ice-cream all over her face, and apologizes. Then Mikado briefly wondered if she was a stalker, but soon changed his mind.

As Mikado was walking home he heard the black rider. Running towards the sound of the bike, he bumped into a girl with a scar on her neck. She screamed "Save me!". He then saw that the Black Rider riding towards their direction and realized it was chasing her.

So he grabbed her arm and she ran with him to his house. Then he suggests to her that she should go to the cops. But she refuses. Then when she falls asleep he calls Masaomi over to ask him on how to deal with her. Masaomi thought that he was lying, and believes that Mikado was dating her.

The next day Mikado goes to school worrying about the girl. Masaomi tells some guys in the class about Mikado and the girl with a scar on her neck, but laughed him off. Later on Mikado,and Masaomi go up to the roof to see if Ryo Takiguchi is a part of the Dollars. Masaomi asks him straight out, where Mikado was yelling at him, telling him that is not necessary. Ryo replies with no hesitation confirming that he is indeed in the Dollars, and adds on that most Dollars members would also reveal their identity freely. Later he comments that Dollars its not really a color gang, but rather, a colorless gang.

As Mikado,and Anri were about to leave, Ryo walks up to them informing them that Masaomi has a meeting with student council members,and he's not going to walk home with them. Masaomi makes a window appearance as Mikado and Anri were outside where he suddenly sticks his head out and yells at them from a school window, telling Mikado to take care of the fine chick.

At the school gate, Mikado and Anri were stopped by one of Anri's bully with her boyfriend, who yelled at them, pissed at being disgraced by Orihara Izaya (and how he destroyed the girl's phone) and pissed at the fact that Mikado was a friend of Izaya. The bully's boyfriend tried to beat up Mikado but was stopped by Izaya and the Headless Rider.

After that, Mikado continued walking home, but was trailed by Izaya and the Black Rider. Annoyed, he turned around and yelled at them, asking them why they are following him. The Black Rider explained that her name was "Celty Sturluson" and that she wanted her niece back, but Mikado did not buy that.

Celty then told him the whole truth: She told him she is a Dullahan and that the girl may have her head. When they arrived at Mikado's house, Mikado asks her what's inside her helmet, and she show him. He smiles, and says he needs to tell the girl that they are coming before Celty, and Izaya may go in. Mikado goes in, only to see that she is not there.

He gets pinned down by two Yagiri pharmaceutical workers. They asked him where the girl was was,but Mikado told them he didn't know. The men threatened to kill Mikado right there. Luckily Izaya barges in to save Mikado and the worker fled when Celty came in.

Mikado thought about the Dollars, then the girl with a scar on her neck, Yagiri Pharmaceuticals, Seiji Yagiri, and Celty. Then he pulls his chair out and got on his computer. He goes to the Dollars website, and types down the password "BACCANO" with a grin on his face. There, Izaya figures out that Mikado is the leader of the Dollars.

Then when it was night Mikado goes out to a street,and meets with the owner of Yagiri Pharmaceuticals - Namie Yagiri, Seiji Yagiri's older sister. Then Mikado asks her about Seiji,and Mika Harima. Namie denies everything he asks then said he shouldn't be in the underworld.Then Mikado dug through his pocket for his phone, Namie tries sending her men after him but Mikado finds it, and says "You are right. I shouldn't go in the underworld. And I shouldn't do stuff on my own. But that's why I rely on NUMBERS!"

He presses a button on his phone, and other people phones rang. He tells Namie that he owns the Dollars, and walks off. Then he smiles when Celty come in and takes care of the workers. but then Seiji runs at him with a knife,and yelling at him where his love is. But Celty gets in the way. The tries to knock Seiji out, but the girl screams stop. She confessed that she was Mika Harima.

The next day Mikado goes to school. When it was about lunch Masaomi tells him about the Dollars meeting,and the black rider really not having a head,and Mikado only says that he doesn't have any idea what Masaomi is talking about. Then Mikado goes to the roof of the school to find Masaomi hitting on Anri. So he kicks Masaomi, and apologizes to Anri. Then he eats lunch with her.

Saika Arc
In the beginning Mikado was at school. Then he asks Anri if she wanted him to give the teacher her notebook for her,but Anri refuses. Then after school he walks with Masaomi,and Anri. Masaomi tells him about how Takashi Nasujima was going after Haruna Niekawa one time.

In the chat room he notices a person named Saika was spamming their chat. Then in the chat Kanra pulls up that there's a slasher in Ikebukuro and also that the yellow scarves were in town too. Then they say the slasher attacked a Raira girl the other night. Mikado thinks it's Anri and is about to go but Kanra in private mode tells him its not Anri. But Mikado goes ahead and checks. He goes to the police office and picks up Anri.

He walks with her for awhile. Then he walks away telling her to be super careful for now on. Then later he gets on the chatroom,and Saika is back on spamming. He didn't know what was up with Saika. In the end of the Arc he meets Anri in the hospital after she had a little run in with the slasher.

Yellow Scarves Arc
At first he helped Anri out of the hospital, and Masaomi was really excited to see her again. Then Mikado yells at him for hitting on her. The next day he notices that Masaomi is acting strange. Then he talks to Ryo about how's he going. Later when he's walking home Masaomi ran off somewhere without them. Mikado wonders what's up with him.

The next day Masaomi acts even stranger around Mikado. Then when they are walking home they see Ryo,and told him to be careful because the Yellow Scarves are going after the Dollars. The next day Mikado is informed by Masaomi that Ryo got attacked by the Yellow Scarves. So during the evening Mikado goes to Ryo's hospital room saying sorry to him about what happened.

Then Ryo said it's okay,and asks Mikado if he was in the Dollars. Mikado jumps up yelling I'm not. Then Ryo said to calm down. Later at night Mikado meets Kyohei,and Kyohei offers him a soda called "Red Snake". Then they talk about recent events. Then Mikado asks Kyohei if he's in the Dollars. But Kyohei only says to stay away from them,and leaves.

The next day he sees Seiji, and Mika on a bench. Then Seiji called him over. Mikado walks up to them. Then Mika asks him about how's Anri going. He says the answer "She going good." Then Seiji leaves saying to be careful of the Yellow scarves. Then Mikado wonders what should he do to the Dollars.

When he goes home, he reads the Dollars log. It turns out that Anri is being chased by the Yellow Scarves. So when he reads that he tells everyone to help her. Then they do,and because of that incident Mikado disbands the Dollars,and shutting down BBS. Then he wonders in his bed if he made a good decision. Later into the night Celty paid him a visit.

Mikado told Celty he disbanded the Dollars to protect Anri. But Celty told him that she didn't come for that. She wanted to tell Mikado the truth about his friends. She tells him Anri had control of the Saika blade,and Masaomi is the leader of the Yellow Scarves. Mikado gets in shock,and asks Celty if he can see them to where she agrees. Before they went he heard that Anri ran out into the night for some reason after seeing Shizuo's wounds from being shot twice in a row.

They go into the night driving around. Then Celty stops to see Simon. Then when she came back she typed to Mikado if he was ready of what's going to happen even though it might be really ugly, and Mikado accepts. So they drive to the Yellow Scarves hideout to see Anri with the Saika Blade, a bloody Masaomi,and the Yellow scarves teaming up with Horada.

Then Horada orders his men to finish off Mikado, and the other. Surprisingly the Yellow Scarves battle each other. Then Mikado notices that Kyohei caused it all. Then Mikado, Kyohei, and the others surround Horada. Then when Masaomi punches Horada he falls down. Mikado holds him up, and tells him to wake up. Masaomi does wake up, but then goes out cold again.

Mikado then goes to Masaomi hospital room seeing that he is alive and okay. Then Mikado meets Anri at school, and notices that Masaomi left Ikebukuro. Then in the chat a man named Bakyura joins, and Saika not a spammer anyone. Then Mikado notices Bakyura is Masaomi, and tells him to come on more often. In the end of the Arc Mikado brings back the Dollars.

Hollywood Arc
Mikado is watching the news just in time to see Celty being chased by Kinnosuke Kuzuhara on screen. He is slightly worried but knows that Celty should be able to handle it. He logs on to the chatroom and Kanra posts a link to a website. When Mikado clicks on it, he sees a wanted poster for Celty with a 10 million yen reward for her capture, the ones who put up the reward being Yadogiri Shinning Corporation. Mikado briefly wonders if he should mobilize the Dollars to help but decides that they probably wouldn't be able to do much in this situation and may actually even draw more attention to Celty than the wanted ad already did.

The next day, after the opening ceremony for the new year, Mikado and Anri are approached by a new student named Aoba Kuronuma. The two of them are quickly overwhelmed by Aoba's hyperactive personality and they are persuaded (forced) into giving Aoba a tour of Ikebukuro since he was new to the area. Mikado and Anri then meet up with Erika and Walker for advice on showing someone around since neither Mikado or Anri are very talkative. Erika Karisawa and Walker Yumasaki agree and even offer to accompany them while they show Aoba around.

The next day, shortly after the trio gets together, Mikado is suddenly threatened by a small group of former Yellow Scarves members out for revenge. Before things get too serious, however, Kyohei and the gang ride in and pull Mikado, Anri, and Aoba into the van. Mikado notices Mairu Orihara and Kururi Orihara also in the van but has not time to question it as Saburo Togusa begins speeding away on the road. Mikado looks out the window and sees several members of a biker gang called Toromaru riding after them. Kyohei apologizes for dragging them into this. Several hours into the chase, Celty pulls in along side the van along with even more Toromaru members, explaining that they were after the ten million yen reward.

After receiving some unexpected assistance from Kinnosuke Kuzuhara, the group continue to get chased by Toromaru until they come to an overpass. Celty tells the others to run away while she holds the gang at bay. Kyohei and Togusa drop everyone off several blocks away before the two of them drive back to help Celty. Mikado and the others run back despite being told to get the police but find Egor and Ruri Hijiribe beating up the Toromaru members while Celty, Kyohei, and Togusa watch in awe. A few days later, after things have finally quieted down, Mikado and several others take part in the hotpot party being held at Celty and Shinra's apartment.

Akane Arc
In the chatroom, Mikado is pulled into private chat with Kida. Mikado asks Kida what the problem was. Kida tells Mikado not to go out during golden week as well as to make sure no one finds out his connection to the Dollars or that he's even a member at all. Kida goes on to say that Dollars is in danger but isn't sure what the reason is. Mikado is confused but agrees to lay low, trusting Kida's judgement (in truth, this was Izaya trying to manipulate Mikado by posing as Masaomi).

The next day, after a student counsel meeting, Mikado and Anri are approached by Aoba who wanted to go on another tour of Ikebukuro since their last one was interrupted by Toromaru. Mikado, remembering Kida's warning, tries to turn Aoba down so that he could look up info on what was endangering the Dollars. Mikado states that he can't go with Aoba, saying he had some urgent business. Upon hearing this, Aoba began to (not so) subtly flirt with Anri about accompanying him. Anri is oblivious to Aoba's advances but Mikado panics and says that he will show him around but can't go at night, saying it gets too crowded during golden week. Aoba and Anri agree to meet the next day.

Later, at his apartment Mikado starts asking on the chatroom about anything that might have happened to the Dollars. Kururi and Mairu point him to another website which contains a news report. Mikado learns that several members of Toromaru were attacked in Saitama and beaten severely to the point where many of the were sent to the hospital. Along with several burned and destroyed motorbikes, Mikado notices the word DOLLARS spray-painted over Toromaru's logo on a wall in the background of a picture.

Mikado, as the founder, feels responsible for the incident and wonders what he should do. Mikado then gets a call from Izaya. Having no one else to turn to at the moment, Mikado talks to Izaya for advice on the matter. Izaya mentions the captain of Toromaru, Rokujo Chikage, is in town looking for revenge and suggests that Mikado simply quits the Dollars but Mikado denies that option almost immediately. Izaya takes this as a sign that Mikado is more attached to Dollars than he initially expected and deduces that Mikado is worried that the Dollars are getting out of control. Izaya also states that even though Mikado wants to solve the issue, he is actually excited about the whole situation. Mikado doesn't entirely deny this and Izaya ends the conversation by offering his help should Mikado need it, hinting at ulterior motives in the process.

Mikado tries to think of a plan to resolve the incident but keeps drawing a blank. The feeling of excitement begins to swell up in Mikado at the recent turn of events but he pushes it out of his mind. Someone then knocks on Mikado's door and it is soon revealed to be Aoba. Before Mikado can ask what is happening, he notices several thuggish looking individuals wearing blue standing behind Aoba. Wearing the same cheerful yet eerie smile, Aoba tells Mikado to come with him.

Mikado, Aoba, and the rest of the delinquents arrived at an abandoned factory warehouse. Aoba asks Mikado if he was looking into the incident in Saitama. Mikado confirms that he was but is shocked when Aoba casually admits that "We did it." the thugs who accompanied them began to chuckle when Aoba gave his confession. Aoba states that it was revenge for chasing everyone halfway across the city several months ago. He also goes on to say that although they attacked Toromaru in the name of the Dollars, Aoba and his group also go by the name Blue Squares. As Mikado absorbed this information, his cell phone, along with everyone else, began to ring with a message that Rokujo Chikage was attacking Kyohei and his gang.

Ignoring the message, Aoba offers the role of leadership over to Mikado. Mikado is perplexed at the offer and suspects an ulterior motive. Aoba explains that he wouldn't be the leader of the Dollars but specifically of the Blue Squares who would act as a special unit that only answered to him. Mikado tries to turn him down, saying he wouldn't get involved in something like that. Aoba then asks why Mikado is smiling if he didn't want what was offered.

Dollars and Blue Square Arc
Mikado tries to deny Aoba's statement but can't get over a strange sense of joy that emanated from the bottom of his heart. Mikado then realized that Aoba was correct but he didn't know why he smiled in the first place. As several thoughts swirl around in Mikado's head, Aoba draws attention to the countless messages left by other Dollars members. Mikado tries to stall for time but Aoba brings up the meeting with Anri they had set up the day before. Aoba makes subtle threats towards Anri which causes a sudden surge of "black emotions" to well up in Mikado which he pushes to the back of his mind.

The two are interrupted by Celty's ringtone echoing through the warehouse. Having been spotted, Celty explains that she was watching to make sure nothing bad happened and told the others to continue as though she weren't there. Before Mikado or Aoba can question her further, several Toromaru members also rush in, recognizing Aoba and his gang as the ones who attacked them. Aoba calls Mikado "Captain" which causes the Toromaru members to turn their attention towards him. Celty takes Mikado onto the back of her motorbike while Aoba and the Blue Squares hold off Toromaru.

Celty explains the situation to Mikado as they meet up with Anri and Akane who are surrounded by members of the Awakusu. Before they can speak, even more Toromaru members arrive demanding they hand over "The Kid" (Mikado). The Awakusu take it as a threat against Akane and begin to fight the Toromaru members, telling Celty to take Akane to a safe place. Celty transforms her motorbike to a horse and carriage to accommodate the larger passenger count and the four of them ride away to a parking lot halfway across town.

Mikado takes a moment to sort out all that's happened and realizes that Aoba's goal is probably to take control of Dollars and use him as a figure head. As Mikado thinks of a solution, he gets another disturbing text message on his phone. "Nakura" posts a picture of one of Rokujo Chikage's girlfriends, Non, eating with Rio Kamichika and several others. He goes on to suggest that the Dollars kidnap them to try and threaten Toromaru into calling off their attacks on Dollars. Without Thinking, Mikado rushes off to the cafe where they were seen with Anri and Varona chasing after him.

Mikado arrives just as Non, Rio, and their friends are about to be kidnapped. He tells the others to stop as a fellow member of the Dollars but gets insulted and kicked as a result. The men shove the girls into the back of the van and drive off, leaving a few of their friends (including Hiroshi), behind to finish Mikado off. As they beat down on him, Mikado doesn't feel fear but another surge of "black emotions" that he felt earlier as he falls unconscious. When Mikado comes to, he sees Anri dispatching the rogue Dollars members with Saika. Mikado is ashamed at his helplessness as Anri helps him up. Mikado gets another message, saying that the kidnappers are on their way to stop Kyohei and Chikage at Raira Academy. Mikado and Anri head off while Varona tails them silently.

At Raira, they can see Kyohei and Chikage fighting off in the distance and the kidnappers and the girls approaching slowly in their van. As mikado turns around, he sees Varona appear out of nowhere and attack Anri. Anri tells Mikado to run but is stunned by Varona's flash bomb. Mikado is left on the ground while Anri and Varona run off to continue their fight. Mikado is frustrated at being glossed over like that as he waits for his vision to return.

When it does, he sees Shizuo standing over him with Varona's motorbike on his shoulder. Shizuo looks Mikado in the eyes and declares that he's resigning from the Dollars, saying that he wasn't going to be part of a group that was low enough to resort to kidnapping high school students. The "Black emotions" returned, this time aimed at himself for being so useless at such a crucial time.

After the fighting has ended and the victims were rescued, Mikado sees Non and Chikage limping away on the sidewalk. Mikado runs up to them and apologizes as the leader of the Dollars. Chikage appreciates the gesture but can't believe that someone as ordinary as Mikado could possibly be the leader. Although it wasn't meant as an insult, for someone like Mikado who strives to live an un-ordinary life, it was the last push he needed to go over the edge. Mikado crumples down and cries at all that's happened.

The next day, Mikado calls Aoba and the Blue Squares back to the old Warehouse to settle their agreement. He explains that the direction Dollars is heading isn't right. He knows that he can't set rules for the Dollars since that goes against what the Dollars were made for. Mikado decides to opt for the next best thing: power. Mikado says that if Aoba and the Blue Squares offer him their strength, then they can use him however they want. Mikado pulls out a sheet of paper and a ballpoint pen to make the agreement official.

Aoba is perplexed but walks over to sign the paper anyway. Just as Aoba sees that there is nothing on the paper at all, Mikado jabs the pen into Aoba's hand, piercing it all the way through, the blood splattering all over the paper. Aoba looks Mikado in the eyes and sees nothing but a cold, contemptuous glare staring back. Mikado states that regardless of what Aoba planned to do to him, he still put Anri in danger by drawing her into the conflict with the Dollars and Toromaru. As his first order, he demands that Aoba "Stomach the full wrath of his anger."

Before the other Blue Squares can react, Aoba tells them to back off. Aoba meekly agrees to Mikado's terms, realizing that Mikado isn't going to back down...or release his grasp, until he did so. As Aoba swears loyalty, Mikado went through a complete change in his personality and reverts back to his usual cheerful self, yanking the pen out of Aoba's hand and proceeding to expertly bandage up the wound he left. Aoba whispers in his heart that both he and Izaya had underestimated Mikado and mentions that he has "Far from shown his true character."

Adabashi Arc
Mikado realizes that, while there are idealists like Kyohei and his group in the Dollars, there are several others (thugs, gangs, etc) that would exploit the name of the Dollars to further their own reputations such as those who went rogue during the Toromaru incident. Mikado decides to perform a "Cleansing" where he chases down those specific groups that are dragging down the name of the Dollars and "expelling" them from the gang (i.e. beating them up and banning the from the website). He even starts an "invitation only" section of the website for people who he feels he can use for this purpose. After several members were banned, Mikado got a word of another rogue member by the name of Adabashi Kisuke who burned down Ruri Hijiribe's house under the orders of Yadogiri Jinnai.

Mikado, Aoba, and the Blue Squares searched for information on him and they warned Celty and Shinra, saying that Shinra might be in danger because he was caught on camera several months ago leaving Kasuka's apartment just before Ruri and Kasuka were revealed as a couple and that Adabashi has been targeting those who may be connected to Ruri. This information arrived far too late as Celty and the others found a bloody and beaten Shinra on the floor of their apartment.

Finally managing to corner Adabashi and his followers, Mikado and the Blue Squares confront them about what they've done. Adabashi attacks Mikado, severely injuring him. However, Masaomi arrives in time to save Mikado from getting killed. Before they could exchange greetings, Mikado pours gasoline on Adabashi as he tries to get up. Mikado then calmly lights Adabashi on fire, causing the stalker to run out of the building they were in and into Tokyo bay. While Masaomi is shocked at Mikado's behavior, Mikado continues to remain eerily calm. He then tells Masaomi that they "shouldn't meet yet", as he is "Still creating a place where Masaomi and Sonohara-san can return".

Dragon Zombie Arc
Masaomi and Anri get worried by Mikado's recent behavior, therefore Masaomi tried to private chat with Mikado, who refused, then left the chatroom.

Kadota's Coma Arc
In the beginning of the arc Mikado is holding a meeting for the Blue Squares with Aoba. He starts looking at the news for the Dollars in front of everyone and sees that a lot of Dollars members are having a huge dispute over Kadota's accident. Mikado is disturbed by the news. Later he finds out that Shizuo has been arrested and put in police custody. Mikado is glad that Shizuo was arrested right after he quit Dollars.

Then Aoba told Mikado that Celty was nearby and Celty was nearby the entire time the meeting took place. Mikado was very surprised since he hasn't seen Celty for a long time and wondered how did Aoba made contact with her. When Celty asks Mikado about his injuries he replies that the 'bad people' did it. While Celty kept on asking him questions Akabayashi entered the room,and asked Mikado if he join the conversation. Mikado is scared at first and then calms down.

Akabayashi asks Mikado if he wants to be allies with the Yakuza. Mikado accepts after a couple of minutes of talking. Then Shuiji walks in and asks Mikado if he could help him find Haruna. Later, Mikado talks with Celty. When Celty asks him what he was going to do with the yellow scarves, Mikado replies that he is going to start an all out war with them. Celty is really surprised at the news and tries to to stop Mikado.

Durarara!!x11
After seeing Celty's head on the news, Mikado calls Izaya to test how much the information broker is involved. They also discuss Mikado's recent actions, and Izaya warns Mikado that it is his last chance to step out of 'this world' now that Akabayashi knows Mikado's identity. Mikado asks if Izaya is the one who told Akabayashi his identity and Izaya denies this, though Mikado correctly deduces that Izaya is the one who told Kida of his status. However he actually expresses gratefulness for Izaya telling Kida because it pushed him to take more responsibility for Dollars. Mikado confesses that his goal is to bring Dollars back to the way it was during the initial meeting he called, and he will destroy all the 'unnecessary things' including the Yellow Scarves and even himself. Izaya is overjoyed at the proclamation because he feels that Mikado is expressing the epitome of humanity, surprised by Mikado's actions but highly satisfied with them. Mikado further surprises Izaya by revealing that he knows about Izaya's past with the Yellow Scarves and Blue Squares, but he's willing to let it slide for the moment and let Kida resolve it with Izaya. He expresses that he would be happy if Izaya would be on his side in the ensuing conflict, but knows it might not be possible.

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Under construction

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Mikado's 'plan' reaches its peak when he confronts his best friend Masaomi.

On the rooftop of Tokyo Hands, near where the original offline Dollars meeting took place, the young men confront each other. Mikado explains to Masaomi what he has been planning all along, his desire to turn Dollars into an urban legend so that it will constantly be changing and evolving. Masaomi argues with him, trying to reach his best friend. However, through their argument it is revealed that Mikado is in possession of two guns, one of which he has already fired at Dougen Awakusu's home. Another gun, in name of the Dollars is fired at the police station thus making Dollars the most wanted gang above and below ground in Ikebukuro. Mikado threatens Masaomi with the gun, noting that he doesn't know how to aim and isn't sure what he will hit. Masaomi fights to get the gun away from Mikado. It ends with Mikado shooting his best friend in the knee and while Masaomi is on the ground Mikado loses his grip on sanity. He launches into a long rant, shouting about how he would likely shoot anyone or do anything to achieve his goals and that this makes him unnecessary. He comes to the conclusion to shoot himself, and that this will provide himself with the opportunity to see the other side, claiming he might even become like Celty.

He pulls the trigger, but right before the bullet could hit his skull, Celty's shadows stop it, saving the young man's life.

Mikado seemingly comes to his senses and Masaomi forgives him for everything, taking him from the Tokyo Hands building. At this point they meet up with Anri. As the friends are leaving the scene Nasujima, a teacher from their school who is currently controlled by Haruna's Saika, comes to attack Anri. Mikado throws himself in the way of the blade taking the hit for her and ending up in the hospital. Mikado's parents show up to check to make sure he's alright. Anri and Masaomi make up the story that Mikado was hurt by a branch during a camping trip. Mikado's parents apologize that their son has caused them trouble and ask them to take care of Mikado before leaving.

Upon waking up from his coma, Mikado collapses into a fit of tears.

Durarara!! SH
Mikado is revealed to have been held back a year, due to his hospitalization period after the incident at the end of the original series. After watching Yahiro leave the school grounds from the third-floor window, he remembers Masaomi, and Anri's faces, along with his days spent with them walking the streets of Ikebukuro. He then chuckles, and--turning his back to the window, simply welcomes Yahiro to Ikebukuro, and wishes him luck.

Differences between LN, Manga, and Anime

 * In the anime they meet Kyohei, Saburo, Walker, and Erika when they bump in to them in the street, but in the manga Mikado meets them at the manga shop.
 * They never ask about the Dollars to Kyohei in the light novel and manga.
 * Seiji does talk to Mikado about Mika in the manga, but never happens in the anime because Seiji ditches school.
 * In the manga there's a picture of him thinking of Anri killing Masaomi when he thought she was a stalker.
 * In the manga there were no gangsters coming in the battle of Shizuo and Izaya, and in the light novel Simon doesn't catch the light post Shizuo threw.
 * Masaomi is not with Mikado as much in the manga as in the anime.
 * In the LN and manga, there was no gangster with Anri's bullies.

Trivia

 * His mother's name is Hiromi (ひろみ), while his father's name is probably read as Ryūgamine Tatsuya (竜ヶ峰竜也) (there is no official romanization for his parents' names).
 * His given name's kanji usually read as Teijin instead of simply Mikado.
 * His hometown is in Saitama.
 * He ranked 1st in Raira Academy's entrance test, tying with Anri. Anri has developed a small admiration for Mikado because of this, although it is not noticed much.
 * He's born with 2982 gram weight.
 * His favorite subject is IT when his least favorite subject is P.E. as he states that he's weak at sports.
 * His favorite quote is "Supreme rule of life is to adapt without compromising," the words of a German Philosopher, Georg Simmel.
 * He has the same name of the European version of pocky.
 * A man simply known as the photographer who appears in the very first volume of Baccano appears to live in the apartment right next to Mikado's. The ending of the first volume takes place in present day Ikebukuro as the photographer returns from his vacation in New York.
 * His password for his Dollars account is "baccano", as can be seen in the anime
 * He sang Gakuen Tengoku in the rapping CD.
 * In Durarara!! SH volume 1, it is revealed that he is now dating Anri.
 * His hobby according to the official DVD 1 released character profile card is: Internet surfing
 * His favorite food according to the official DVD 1 released character profile card is: Skewer-grilled chicken in miso sauce
 * His least favorite food according to the official DVD 1 released character profile card is: Anything that's too hard.