Kujaku is a Buddhist monk who specialize in exorcism, devil hunting. He is a member of Ura-Kouya, a secret organization in Japan that specialize in demon hunting. In the first 3 volumes, Ogino wrote independent short stories about Kujaku's demon hunting. But in volume 4, it evolves into an epic saga against Rikudoshu (六道衆), a secret evil organization led by The Teachers of Eight Leaves (八葉の老師). The goal of The Teachers of Eight Leaves is to revive Peacock King and Snake Queen, and allow them to fight each other to give birth to the ultimate Dark Vairocana (闇の大日如来). During the main story, The Teachers of Eight Leaves tried various methods to achieve their goal but were ultimately defeated by Kujaku and his friends.

• Kujaku (孔雀)

A young Kōya Hijiri monk of Ura-Kōya. Real name is Akira (明), the son of a monk named Jikaku and Ksitigarbha (地蔵菩薩, Jizō Bosatsu). He is the reincarnation of Mahamayuri (孔雀明王, Kujaku Myō-ō), Lucifer, and Melek Taus. Uses a Vajra in exorcisms.

Kujaku is portrayed as non-conventional monk, he likes porn, seafood, etc.

Played by: Toshihiko Seki (OVA 1-3), Kōji Tsujitani (OVA 4-5), Hiroshi Mikami (Movie 1), Hiroshi Abe (Movie 2), Yuen Biao (Movies, character Kǒng-Què)

• Onimaru Tarōja (王仁丸 太郎邪)

Half-demon half-human Jukondō master. His guardian god is Mahakala (大暗黒天, Daiankokuten).

Played by: Hiroya Ishimaru (OVA 1), Tesshō Genda (OVA 2-3), Yūsaku Yara (OVA 4-5)

• Ashura (阿修羅)

A girl who can control fire. Her guardian god is Asura King (阿修羅王, Ashuraō).

Played by: Arisa Andō (OVA 1-3), Miki Itō (OVA 4-5), Gloria Yip (Movies)

• Jikū Acarya (慈空阿闍梨, Jikū Ajari)

Kujaku's master.

Played by: Gorō Naya (OVA 1-3), Ichirō Nagai (OVA 4-5), Ken Ogata (Movie 1), Shintaro Katsu (Movie 2)

• Huáng Hǎi-Fēng (黄海峰, Kō Kaihō)

Master of Huáng-jiā Xiāndào (黄家仙道). Carries the sword Shikoken (獅咬剣)

Played by: Kazuhiko Inoue (OVA 2), Norio Wakamoto (OVA 4-5)

• Nikkō (日光)

Head priest of Ura-Kōya. His guardian god is Mahāvairocana (大日如来, Dainichi Nyorai).

Played by: Akira Kamiya (OVA 2), Ken Yamaguchi (OVA 4-5)

• Tsukuyomi (月読)

The mistress of the women's prayer room at Ura-Kōya. Loves Kujaku. Her guardian god is Candraprabha (月光菩薩, Gakkō Bosatsu)

Played by: Miina Tominaga (OVA 2), Hiromi Tsuru (OVA 4-5)

• Tomoko (朋子)

Kujaku's sister. Incarnation of the Rahu (天蛇王, Tenjaō)

Played by: Noriko Hidaka

Makoto Ogino used many religious references in Peacock king, including Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Taoism. The Bible is referenced multiple times, including Jesus, The Holy Grail, Satan, 666, Lucifer. In the manga, the Holy Grail is the skull of Jesus Christ, if it is filled with blood from Peacock King or Snake Queen, it would give birth to the dark Buddha. In Christianity, the general belief is Lucifer the fallen Angel became Satan. Lucifer, Peacock King and Snake King were fallen angels. Satan was reincarnated by another demon hunter from Ura-Koya, named Hōō.

Films

The manga has been adaptaed into two live action films, Peacock King and Saga of the Phoenix, both directed by Lam Ngai Kai. The former, released in 1988, stars Hiroshi Mikami and Yuen Biao as the two monks (Kujaku/Small Fruit and a new character Kông Chùe/Peacock, respectively), and Gloria Yip as Ashura. Gordon Liu and Philip Kwok appear in supporting roles.

Video games

Family Computer

• Kujaku Ō (孔雀王, Peacock King)

The first of two Family Computer (Famicom) adventure games. In it the player takes the role of a band of heroes fighting against evil demons. The player interacts with the story by selecting actions from a list of options on screen (look, take, talk etc) and by a simple 'point-and-click interface. The game was released only in Japan for the Famicom on September 21, 1988 by Pony Canyon.

• Kujaku Ō II (孔雀王Ⅱ, Peacock King II)

A graphic/point-and-click adventure. The player interacts with the story by selecting actions from a list of options on screen (look, take, talk etc) and by a simple 'point-and-click interface. The graphics have been improved over its predecessor. Its also available on the MSX Japanese computer. Released on the Nintendo Famicom by Pony Canyon in Japan on August 21, 1990.

Sega

• Kujaku Ō (孔雀王, Peacock King)

Sega Mark III, September 23, 1988 (Released as Spellcaster in western markets)

• Kujaku Ō 2: Gen'eijō (孔雀王２ 幻影城, Peacock King 2: Castle of Illusion)

Mega Drive, November 25, 1989 (Released as Mystic Defender in western markets)