Summary
Those who attend Hyakkaou Academy may attend classes like any regular student. However, at the end of the day, they are not assessed by academic merit but rather by their gambling capabilities! TheKakeguruifranchise features some of the most cut-throat gamblers in anime’s history, who have all been devoured by the rat race in the effort to emerge victorious.
The amount of votes amassed during the Election so far is arguably not an adequate measurement of each contender’s gambling skills, as there is so much behind-the-scenes politics that have influenced certain outcomes. Assessing overall performance is the safest bet, and the following content only involves characters from theKakegurui Compulsive Gambler,Kakegurui XX, andKakegurui Twinanime series.
Updated August 06, 2025 by Oluwatokiloba Folami:The Kakegurui anime is one of the best gambling series out there. The series, which follows Jabami Yumeko on her numerous gambling adventures, has depicted many intense situations in which even the smallest details can determine life or death.
While Jabami Yumeko has established herself as a super-strong gambler, many gamblers have portrayed themselves as having skills equal to or greater than hers. From Mary Satome to Kirari Momobami and even Jun Kiwatari, many gamblers have battled against Yumeko and showcased their skills. Following the saying, “He who gets caught is at fault,” Hyakkaou Private Academy portrays an environment where skills of deception are widely needed alongside pure gambling talent.
17Jun Kiwatari
Victimizing Gambler
Despite being a minor antagonist, Jun Kiwatari was a very good gambler. However, most of his gambling skills came from his ability to deceive and use others. Kiwatari had been playing the debt swap game by reporting false debts and winning the bet up until Yumeko and Mary defeated him.
The debt swap game involves players (housepets) who have debts, play a game to swap their debts, and hopefully come out with less. To play this game, Kiwatari used housepets, which he had under his control. However, as cheating in the game was not prohibited and had no punishment even if discovered, Kiwatari made himself shine. Moreover, as the son of the prefectural governor, Kiwatari had a lot of influence and liked to torment housepets.
16Yumemi Yumemite
The Ambitious Idol
Like many of the top gamblers portrayed in theKakeguruianime series, Yumemi is a member of the student council and the head of public relations for the council. Despite being one of the council members, Yumemi is uninterested in politics and seeks to become a world-famous actress. To achieve her dreams, Yumemi started as a part-time idol who learned everything about her fans.
While Yumemi doesn’t dabble in deceit to win her gambles, she makes sure all odds are in her favor, putting her in the most advantageous position she can be in. Using her knowledge of people, particularly her fans, Yumemi participates in gambles that involve her fans, and she memorizes all there is to know about them. Beating her at her specialty is more than an arduous task.
15Yuriko Nishinotounin
The Traditionalist
As alover of Japanese culture, Yuriko Nishinotouin is the head of the traditional culture club and a student council member. Yuriko maintained her seat on the student council for many years so that she would be able to preserve her tradition.
Using the life-or-death game that the traditional culture club created, Yuriko has forced many to become housepets and give up their dreams. Moreover, presumably because of Kirari Momobami’s interference and luck, she even defeated Jabami Yumeko. Yuriko’s methods in the life or death gamble do not always guarantee a win, and because of that, few of her adversaries can guess the trick she uses. However, with a slight advantage against her opponents, she slowly racks up a profit.
14Midari Ikishima
The Impulsive Sadomasichist
Midari Ikishima may have an entirespin-off series dedicated to her(manga only), but that does not automatically make her a great gambler. She may have the risk-taking aspect down to a tee, but her impulsivity and self-gratifying mentality often lead Midari down a self-destructive path, as the desire for pain overwhelms the rules of the game.
Many fans agree with Yumeko’s assessment of this deranged character, as she is infuriated every time Midari rigs the game in her favor, removing the risk factor in the process. Midari’s interest in winning money does not exceed the thrill of potential bodily harm, which is evident in her erratic playing style.
13Rei Batsubami
From Zero To Hero
For someone with a deep hatred for gambling and minimal experience in participating in these games, Rei surprises everyone when she rigs the system with an old-school ballot box, amassing an impressive amount of votes from her new fanbase.
Rei also singlehandedly organizes the Hundere Vote Auction and does quite well for herself,almostwinning 3 billion yen and monopolizing the votes in the process. Unfortunately,this underdog should have leftYumeko off the invite list, as she quickly unraveled Rei’s scheme and exposed her trickery, defeating Rei in the process.
12Miyo Inbami And Miri Youbami
The Twister Sisters
Whether or not Miyo Inbami and Miri Youbami even deserve a spot here is debatable, considering the deceitful style in which they “gamble.” Much like Midari, these twisted sisters make great efforts to eliminate the uncertainty involved in gambling by poisoning their opponents, rendering them incapable of adequately performing in the game.
Before the pair wereseparated due to family drama, Miri and Miyo developed a secret language and can subsequently communicate without actually speaking; a trick that has become invaluable in their sinister games. Miyo is older and, therefore, more dominant and maintains a firm grip on her claim to the presidency title (so far) inKaegurui XX.
11Kurumi Kurume
The Poser
The delightfully alluring Kurumi Kurume charms everyone with herGanguro style and flirtatious personality, but that may just all be part of her master plan. During the Coupling Party inKakegurui Twin, Kurimi has most believing that she is simply a sleazy air-head. However, she proves to be much more perceptive! Kurumi is the only other player to deduce that Chitose Inui might be the traitor, effectively assisting with Mary’s unspoken plan to uncover the truth.
Although the Coupling Party is the only time viewers have watched Kurumi gamble, it would be fun to see her in a room with Yumeko, as they both get great satisfaction from extreme betting scenarios. Not only does Kurimi personally finance the girl’s team, but she insists they each offer to “spend the night” with the boys if they lose, just to spice things up a bit!
10Itsuki Sumeragi
The Trickster
Unfortunately, Itsuki Sumeragirelies quite heavily on cheating, thanks to her collection of trick decks, dice, etc., supplied by her father, a renowned toy maker. She may be the youngest member of the Student Council, but Itsuki’s gambling skills have backed up her prestigious position (although it is unclear how many games didnotinvolve cheating…) Nevertheless, Yumeko sees potential in the youngster, and she is yet to be wrong, so that’s a good indicator!
Itsuki’s most valuable trait is arguably her devoted drive to succeed, as once she puts her mind on a goal, there is little anyone can do to stop her. Thankfully, Itsuki’s strange obsession with collecting fingernails seems to have subsided, making hera more likable characteroverall.
9Sakura Miharutaki
The Critical Thinker
Sakura Miharutaki gives off very similar vibes as Sayaka Igarashi, both having exceptional intellect but are subsequently handicapped by their formulaic approach to life. However, Sakura is more assertive and takes more initiative, which is a crucial component for the leader of the Beautification Committee (essentially the Law of Hyakkaou Academy.)
Sakura can assess a situation at seemingly superhuman speeds, displayed best during her run-in with Midari inKakegurui Twin. Within what seemed like milliseconds, Sakura scans the room, analyzes the shelvesjam-packed with countless games, and instantly figures out Midari’s grand plan. Interestingly enough, Sakura essentially wins by pure luck, as she does not factor her opponent’s mental instability into her equation. She also gives Mary a run for her money but again overanalyzes the situation to her detriment.
8Kaede Manyuda
Mind-Games and Manipulation
An analytical mind is a prerequisite to being the Treasurer ofthe prestigious Student Council, and Kaede Manyuda takes his position very seriously indeed! His attention to detail, combined with a superb ability to read people, allows Kaede to accurately predict his opponent’s next move in most cases and has big aspirations for the future (such as dethroning Kirari).
Kaede’s keen insightfulness is best observed during the Greater Good Game, whereby he immediately caught on to Yumeko’s scheme, seemingly without even having to discuss the plan with her. Kaede feigns being an “imposter” without hesitation, subsequently influencing everyone to pay their taxes before they all suffer the consequences.
