Kim Kitsuragi

Kim Kitsuragi
First game	Disco Elysium (2019)
In-universe information
Origin	Revachol

Kim Kitsuragi is a fictional character in the 2019 detective video game Disco Elysium. As a non-playable companion to the player character, he is defined by his Asian-inspired culture, private queerness, and calm, stoic personality. Kitsuragi is known for his fleeting responses to the player's actions, ranging from deadpan quips to moments of approval and vulnerability.

Created by the Estonian studio ZA/UM, Kitsuragi was based on lead designer Robert Kurvitz's experience with tabletop role-playing games. The designers tried to innovate on typical dialog trees seen in role-playing video games, revealing Kitsuragi's character only in specific scenes and situations. The studio wanted the character to have a "vaguely French" accent, leading them to cast actor Jullian Champenois for his voice performance. Champenois worked closely with the team to capture the character's nuances, aligning with the game's themes and tone.

Kim Kitsuragi received acclaim as a standout character from Disco Elysium. Critics highlighted his subtle responses, moral integrity, and endearing presence, describing how his interactions contributed to the game's most memorable moments. Kitsuragi was also celebrated as one of the best video game characters of 2019, with journalists noting his exceptional writing, design, and voice performance. His portrayal is recognized for reflecting Disco Elysium's themes, and offering a nuanced representation of queer and cultural experiences.