Dr. Hiriluk

Dr. Hiriluk wears a top hat that remains prominent in all panels along with a dark coat marked with crosses and light ruffles at the collar. He carries a dark bag at his side while the coat flows behind him during movement across snowy bridges and grounds. Hiriluk's spiky hair and intense furrowed brows appear in close-ups during emotional declarations and he stands dramatically with arms spread wide inside his cluttered laboratory.12

Hiriluk dons a dark cloak marked with a cross emblem on the back and a cape decorated with crossbones when inside his laboratory or during pursuits. He holds a skull and crossbones flag while standing amid smoke after an explosion and later carries a large black mallet as a weapon when exiting the castle. His long hair flows during motion and he appears in silhouette charging forward through snow with arms raised.34

Dr. Hiriluk maintains unwavering conviction that there are no incurable diseases in this world and insists he will cure the country even if it is the last thing he does. He angrily rejects lectures from Kureha while declaring that doctor-hunts could never catch him and questions whether she means destroy instead of cure. Hiriluk tells the reindeer not to resent humans because both are outcasts who endured hardship and the kingdom is sick with hearts that are all ill.56

Hiriluk explains that the skull and crossbones flag laughs at the impossible and represents unwavering conviction with which he shall fight on like a true pirate. He recounts the story of a western thief healed by witnessing a mountain of cherry blossoms and vows to bring such cherry blossoms to the winter island to prove miracles exist. Hiriluk demands treatment at gunpoint while shouting that he needs only a little more time to finish the work spent over thirty years on.67

Dr. Hiriluk demonstrates advanced medical knowledge by creating an ointment that heals broken bones within three days and by completing a thirty-year research project that produces a panacea powder intended to cure the country's sick heart. He presents this pouch to Kureha and requests that she make cherry blossoms bloom in his place while also asking her to teach the reindeer medicine.89

During experiments inside the laboratory Dr. Hiriluk observes a beaker filled with dark bubbling liquid and recognizes the reaction he has waited over thirty years to achieve. He declares the research complete and states that he can now bring cherry blossoms to the winter island.10

Dr. Hiriluk shares tense exchanges with Kureha who teases him about appearing happy while perched on a sign and notes he would remain an outcast regardless. Kureha questions his non-medical actions and suggests he does not know when to quit yet later receives a pouch of mysterious powder from him along with a request to train the reindeer in medicine. Hiriluk pleads with Kureha to extend his life even a tiny bit longer so he can finish thirty years of work.516

Hiriluk forms a close bond with the reindeer he names Chopper after treating its gunshot wounds and later fights the creature inside the castle when Chopper expresses a desire to leave. He insists the reindeer stay in the grand castle as no better place exists and threatens to stop any escape over his dead body while calling the reindeer a cheeky little thing. Hiriluk ultimately asks Kureha to teach Chopper medicine so the reindeer can become a doctor.317