1069 lines
51 KiB
Plaintext
1069 lines
51 KiB
Plaintext
From: axolotl@socs.uts.EDU.AU (Iain Sinclair)
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Newsgroups: rec.arts.manga
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Subject: Oss!! Karatebu Guide (1000+ lines)
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Message-ID: <1jqrkjINNhan@syzygy.socs.uts.EDU.AU>
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Date: 23 Jan 1993 18:20:51 +1100
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Organization: University of Technology, Sydney
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Lines: 1060
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OSS!! KARATEBU
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$@2!G&(J!!$@6u<jIt(B
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Characters and Martial Arts Guide
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Original story & art Copyright 1986-93 Takahashi Kouji/Shuueisha
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===========================================================================
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0. About this Guide
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This is a comprehensive guide to the Oss!! Karatebu (OKB) manga.
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It covers the 28 volumes published so far, and an additional 3-4 volumes'
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worth of unpublished material.
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It consists of three parts - an introduction to OKB, a list of characters,
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and some background about the various martial arts in OKB. Even if your
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Japanese is nil or next to nil, you should be able to follow the manga
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with the help of this guide. (Important names and terms are listed in
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both English and JIS code.)
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A Postscript version of this guide is available for ftp from
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venice.mps.ohio-state.edu: anime-manga/manga-samples/okb-guide.ps.Z.
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This guide was written for the readers of the Usenet rec.arts.manga
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newsgroup, and may be freely distributed, provided it remains unaltered.
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Many thanks to:
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Hiroshi Haga, for general Japanese help.
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Michael Edwards, for access to his archives of Young Jump.
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Jim Elliott and Kunio "kunedog" Muto, for general Japanese help and
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help with recent plotlines.
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Tonghyun Kim, who proofread this guide in great detail.
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Any corrections, comments or updates are welcome.
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-- Iain Sinclair
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(axolotl@socs.uts.edu.au)
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1. Introduction to Oss!! Karatebu
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Oss!! Karatebu is currently the longest-running manga in Japan's biggest
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selling non-shonen magazine, Young Jump (circulation: 2.4 million copies
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weekly). So far, it has been running for seven years, with no immediate
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indications that it will finish soon. In terms of popularity, OKB is
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about as successful as a first-time manga can get, and there has recently
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been a big upsurge in fans.
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There isn't much to say about its author, Takahashi Kouji, except that
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OKB is the only manga he has ever done. His fellow mangaka seem to
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regard him as a bit of a weirdo. He likes golf and motorbikes, and
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also seems to be something of an anime fan, judging by the occasional
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references to various anime (especially Gundam).
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OKB follows in the Young Jump tradition of offbeat, outrageous manga
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with strong doses of H and/or violence (mainly violence, in OKB's case).
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Its story focuses on the exploits of Takagi, captain of the karate club
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in Kansai's toughest highschool. The emphasis is initially on comedy,
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and there is plenty of humour throughout the whole series, but the stories
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become increasingly serious as the conflicts escalate. Now, it is probably
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one of the greatest martial arts manga ever written. (The page count
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passed Hokuto no Ken some time ago.)
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OKB has been made into four OAVs and a live-action movie, but it is not
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very well known outside Japan. The subculture of highschool thuggery and
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student gangs, which are important in OKB, has historically been inaccessible
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or unappealing to non-Japanese readers. Japanese geography and martial arts
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also feature prominently, another possible turn-off for the Western reader.
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However, OKB offers excellent continuity, strong characterisations,
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highly stylised and effective artwork, great action, and a charm/ambience
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that is all its own. Anyone who likes manga with those characteristics
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should like OKB.
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If you haven't seen it before, I personally recommend starting with the
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more recent stuff (vol.26 onwards), and if that appeals, try the earlier
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stuff (vol.21 onwards or vol.11 onwards). If you're hooked, you'll probably
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end up buying the whole lot, but I don't recommend starting from vol.1 -
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the art in the first few volumes is very rough.
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==============================================================================
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2. Characters Guide
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Characters are (mostly) listed in order of appearance, and categorised into:
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Students and Staff of Kangokou High
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The Three Pillars of Kobe
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Student Gang Leaders of Osaka
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The Battle for Osaka
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Miscellaneous Kansai Characters
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Students and Staff of West Shinjuku High
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Thugs of Shibuya
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Gang Leaders of Dai-Tokyo Rengou
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The Kantou Treaty
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Treasures of the Taizen Temple
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Each character entry consists of:
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a name in romaji and Japanese;
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an "affiliation" (usually taken from the manga) in English and Japanese;
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some statistics like age and "Intro" (first appearance in the manga),
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if applicable;
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the voice actor in the OAVs, if applicable;
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and a description.
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The descriptions contain synopses of whichever part(s) of the story focus
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around that character. So you should be able to work out who everyone is
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and what's going on for anywhere in the manga. The more you read, the
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more spoilers there are, but most major spoilers (like deaths) have
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been deliberately omitted.
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-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Students and Staff at Kangokou High (vol.1-10)
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Matsushita Tadashi $B>>2<(B $B@5(B
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(Kangokou High 2nd Year $B4X8^9)3X9;FsG/@8(B)
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Voice actor: Matsumoto Honori $B>>K\J]E5(B
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Matsushita is an ordinary harassed, bullied student at Kangokou High, who
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joined the karate club to put an end to his suffering. But in the karate
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club, he was harassed and bullied worse. :-) The karate club was legendary
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throughout Osaka for producing hardened thugs, and sure enough, Matsushita
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was eventually able to defend himself in fights (though Takagi still ended
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up intervening in some cases).
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Matsushita's junior, Sakakibara ($B:g86(B), told him that he could
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be her boyfriend if he defeated her lover, Nomura ($BLnB<(B). (However,
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Nomura wasn't really her lover - just a punk after her affections, whom she
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disliked and wanted to get rid of.)
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Neither he nor his friend, Saitou, ever have much luck with women,
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especially if they say which highschool club they belong to. :-)
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The first few volumes of OKB are narrated by Matsushita.
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Saitou Takaaki $B@FF#9'><(B
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(Kangokou High 2nd Year $B4X8^9)3X9;FsG/@8(B)
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Voice actor: Horikawa Ryou $BKY@n(B $BN<(B
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Rarely seen without the company of Matsushita, his friend and classmate.
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Saitou seems to be the more short-tempered of the two (NB: Osaka people
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are supposedly short-tempered and unrefined. Most OKB characters from
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Osaka are stereotyped this way, and also speak with a strong Osaka accent).
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Like Matsushita, he is constantly being picked on and getting into fights.
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His classmate from junior high, Yamane Junji ($B;3:,=cFs(B), became
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a Yakuza, and one day he forcibly took the karate club money from Saitou.
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Kabada Wasaku $B2CGOED(B
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(Vice-Captain of the Kangokou High Karate Club $B4X8^9)6u<jItI{<g>-(B)
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Voice actor: Yoshimura You $B5HB<$h$&(B
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Kabada is tubby and sadistic, but also weak; he only earned the position
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of vice-captain because he came to the club every day, even in holidays.
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This once-bullied kid entered the karate club because he worshipped his
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sempai, Morigami (the former captain). He likes picking on Matsushita
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and Saitou when Takagi isn't around.
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Takagi Yoshiyuki $B9bLZ5A;V(B
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(Captain of the Kangokou High Karate Club $B4X8^9)6u<jIt<g>-(B)
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Age: 17, Height: 186cm,
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Weight: 93kg, Blood Type: RHO-
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Voice Actor: Genta Tetsushou $B8<EDE/>O(B
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The outrageously macho, tough, wisecracking anti-hero of Oss!! Karatebu.
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(Actually, in the first few volumes, Takagi is just one of the guys in
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the karate club, and doesn't appear all that much; but later, he becomes
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central to all the stories.) He boasts that no same technique will work
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on him twice, and so far, he's been proven right.
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Takagi holds the title Soul of Osaka III, meaning that all the student
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gangs and hooligans in Osaka are under his direct control. So Takagi
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himself is a "bad guy", though he has certain principles - he loves
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freedom, and will never fight women. He also has a goofy sense of
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humour, often cracking terrible English puns like "Thankyou very macho!".
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Throughout the whole series, he never really loses his cliched Osaka
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sensibilities.
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Takagi is an orphan, but he believes Jinrai (Soul of Osaka I) to be
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his real brother.
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After an incident that forced him to reassess his life (at the end of
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vol.15), Takagi left Osaka and went to Tokyo, where he again became
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embroiled in escalating conflicts with thugs and student gangs. Dire
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circumstances forced his return to Osaka (in vol.29), bringing him in
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direct conflict with the Kansai Yakuza and some very powerful martial
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artists. (The saga continues.)
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Andou Makoto $B0BF#(B $B@?(B
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(Captain of the Kangokou High boxing club $B4X8^9)%\%/%7%s%0It<g>-(B)
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Andou once beat Takagi in a fight, but only because Takagi had bought some
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baby chickens that morning and was keeping them in his pockets. Later that
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day, Takagi defeats Andou soundly. (After the chicks grow up, half a year
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later, Takagi has them for dinner. :-) They occasionally reappear in
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various strange places.)
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As with most of Takagi's defeated opponents, Andou subsequently becomes
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his trusted ally, and teaches Takagi his fighting techniques. One of
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Osaka's five most powerful gang leaders, he also drives his own souped-up
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car.
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Gantetsu $B4dE4(B
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(Karate club adviser $B8\Ld(B)
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Takagi's former teacher, appointed to sort out the karate club.
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Gantetsu is a big fan of Seishun dramas, which is why he has the kanji
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for "seishun" ("youth", $B@D=U(B) shaved on his head. He is strong
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enough to crush apples with his bare hands.
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Arashiyama Kanjurou $BMr;3(B $B4*==O:(B
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(Student Guidance Counsellor $B@8EL;XF3C4Ev(B)
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A sadistic teacher who wields a cane with the inscription, "Kyouiku
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Seishin Chuunyuu-Bou" ("Character Building Stick", $B650i@:?@CmF~K@(B).
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(TK: He hates Takagi and his club bitterly. He presented the karate club
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with an obsolescence notice because Takagi fights too often.)
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Toufukuji $BElJ!;{(B
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(Kangokou High 2nd year $B4X8^9)9b9;FsG/@8(B)
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An expert in Seirinji Kempou ($B@:NS;{7}K!"w(B) who defeated Takagi,
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and took over his position as head tough guy in the class. The next day,
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Takagi read all the books on Seirinji Kempou he could find, and fought
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him again. He hadn't mastered Seirinji Kempou, but was able to distract
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Toufukuji by pretending he had.
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Honda Momochiyo $BK\ED(B $BEm@iBe(B
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(Manager of the Kangokou karate club $B4X8^9)6u<jIt!&%^%M!<%8%c!<(B)
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Age: 16, BWH: 81-59-86cm,
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Height: 156 cm, Blood type: B
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Voice actor: Hayashibara Megumi $BNS86$a$0$_(B
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The heroine of OKB. :-)
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When she first joins the karate club, she adorns the karate uniforms with
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hearts, gives the karate club sign to a rival gang, and has to share the
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dressing room with the rest of the all-male club...
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Though she was once the victim of ijime, Takagi's training enabled her
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to look after herself. She and Takagi came to like each other, and she
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eventually became Takagi's devoted girlfriend. A plain and innocent girl,
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she always calls Takagi "shuushou" (captain, $B<g>-(B), and stays with
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him through his worst defeats. She eventually left Osaka to live with him
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in Tokyo (briefly).
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Takagi has only been seen to kiss her once (though she was asleep at
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the time :-) I think she promised him some "H", or at least a kiss,
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at the end of the Kantou Chapter, but that hasn't eventuated. :-)
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Fukuma $BJ!4V(B
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(Kangokou High 2nd year $B4X8^9)9b9;FsG/@8(B)
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Voice Actor: Hanamura Kouichi $B2VB<900l(B
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Another member of the Kangokou High karate club, unassuming and
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completely bald.
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When he was out with Matsushita and Saitou, he ran into his old sempai,
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Narabayashi ($BF`NINS(B). Narabayashi took them to a disco and
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introduced them to some girls; that night, Fukuma got lucky with a girl
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called Takeda Mitsuyo ($BC]ED;0Be(B). She told Fukuma that she was
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pregnant, but she was lying so that she could squeeze money out of him.
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Takagi told Matsushita that Narabayashi is known for using his girls
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to extort money from gullible boys. However, Mitsuyo actually began to
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like Fukuma, moved by his sincerity and devotion. But Narabayashi wouldn't
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let her go because he still needed to use her in future schemes. :-)
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Morigami Shingo $B?9>e??8c(B
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(Former Captain of the Kangokou High karate club $BA0!&6u<jIt<g>-(B)
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Age: 18, Intro: vol.4
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Morigami has an enormous scar over the right side of his face, a reminder
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of the showdown with Jinrai that made him Soul of Osaka II ($BBg:e:2FsBeL\(B).
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(According to Kabada, Morigami was the only one left standing after that
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battle.) His second confrontation with Jinrai resulted in the loss of
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his right eye, and Morigami is now practically blind.
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He shares Takagi's distinctive star-shaped haircut, a symbol of the
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Soul of Osaka. He is one of Takagi's mentors, his "sempai of Soul",
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and it was Morigami who first saw Takagi's potential and appointed him
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as the next Soul of Osaka.
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Morigami is a stubborn and powerful fighter, but he is also very
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level-headed and good-natured. He has mastered the devastating
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Ryoutoushoutei-ken ("Both Open-Palm Knives Fist", $BN>Ea>8Dl7}(B).
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Morigami effectively exits the manga in vol.15, but recently he
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has reappeared (should be in vol.32).
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Ueda Hiroshi $B>eED$R$m$7(B
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(Kangokou High rugby club captain $B4X8^9)%i%0%S!<It%-%c%W%F%s(B)
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Intro: vol.6
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Voice Actor: Hayamizu Shou $BB.?e(B $B>)(B
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Ueda asked Takagi to play for his rugby side, because all his players
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were hopeless.
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Yoshimura $B5HB<(B
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(Kangokou High 2nd year $B4X8^9)9b9;FsG/@8(B)
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Intro: vol.10
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A very effeminate-looking mechanics geek, who helped Takagi to race
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Hirayama Keiji ($BJ?;37C0l(B).
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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The Three Pillars of Kobe (vol.7-9)
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Suenaga Zen $BKv1J(B $BA5(B
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(The Rokkou Oroshi $BO;9Cq$(B)
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Intro: vol.7
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Voice actor: Gousato Daisuke $B6?N$BgJe(B
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Suenaga earnt his nickname ("the icy wind blowing in from Rokkou Mountain")
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because of his brutality. He wanted to challenge Takagi, who was by now
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the most powerful man in the Kansai area. Takagi's encounter with Suenaga
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led to the involvement of the other two Pillars, who saw the outcome as
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a challenge to Kobe.
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Suenaga is bearded, bald, and usually wears a traditional split skirt.
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He uses the prayer beads slung around his neck (nenju, $BG0<n(B) as a
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fearsome weapon.
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Ryuuryuu $BN6N4(B
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Koryuu $B8WN4(B
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(Kobe's Gods of Death $B?@$N;`B?@(B)
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Twin brothers. They are practitioners of Tai Chi Chuan.
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Rick Powered $@%j%C%/!&%Q%o!<%I(B
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(Kobe's Black Demon $B?@8M$N9u54(B)
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Voice actor: Uchinomi Kenji $BFb3$8-Fs(B
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Rick is able to block nearly any kind of attack with the strength of his
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muscles, as long as he concentrates. He's a gaijin who owns the "Rick"
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bar in Kobe.
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Osaka's Student Gang Leaders (vol.11-12)
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Kitamura Tsuyoshi $BKLB<(B $B9d(B
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(Captain of the Shinobugaoka Academy Sumo Club $BG&%v5V3X1`$9$b$&It<g>-(B)
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Intro: vol.1
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After Takagi defends Matsushita and Saitou from some Shinobugaoka
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Academy thugs, Kitamura challenges him to a duel. But that day, Takagi
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has the mumps.
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Sagawa Akio $B:4@n(B $B>OIW(B
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(Vice-Captain of the Japan National U. Affiliated High Karate Club
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$BF|K\9qBg3XIU209b9;6u<jItI{<g>-(B)
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Intro: vol.4
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The enmity between Sagawa and Takagi started after the previous year's
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Karate Championship match, which Sagawa won "officially", but which
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remained unresolved. The rematch is also indecisive. His specialty is
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the karate "five-step stab" ($B@57}8^CJFM(B).
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Kira Takashi $B4wMe(B $B9'(B
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(Kansai No.3 Industrial Karate Club Captain $B4X@>Bh;06u<jIt<g>-(B)
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Intro: vol.11
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Kira was Takagi's childhood training partner. As a kid, Takagi always
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got the attention and praise, and Kira (who was superior in most respects)
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eventually became bitterly jealous.
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Years later, they meet again when the local gang leaders get a letter
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warning of an invasion that will rain blood on Osaka. Kira thinks Takagi
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isn't capable of handling the crisis, and initiates a battle which he hopes
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will make him Soul of Osaka IV. However, he finally realises that one needs
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heart, as well as power, to win the respect of others.
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The "Fist of Wind" ($BIw$N7}"w(B) is Kira's original technique.
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Zaoh Rikiyama $BB"2&NO;3(B
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(Minou Kumayama High Judo Club Captain $BL'LL7";33X1!=@F;It<g>-(B)
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Sakuma Jujirou $B:45W4V==;zO:(B
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(Jusohokusai High's Streetfighting Expert $B==;0KL@>9b9;%1%s$+==CJ$3$H(B)
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Shinozaki Katsuo $B<D:j9nIW(B
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(Yao-Higashimachi High's Head Cheerleader $BH,HxElD.9b9;1~1gCDCDD9(B)
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Sotogawa Tetsuya $B30@nE/Li(B
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(Imamiya U. Wrestling Club Captain $B:#5\Bg3XIU209b9;%"%^%l%9It<g>-(B)
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Iimura Tooru $BHSB<(B $BF)(B
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(Benten-Chounakadai Academy's Muay Thai Savage
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$BJ[E7D.CfBf3X1!%`%(%?%$$NLT<T(B)
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Ooki Naoji $BBg<yD><!(B
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(Kishiwada-Minami Agricultural Academy's Iron Ogre
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$B4_OBEDFnG@6H3X1!E4$S$7$N54$3$H(B)
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Zaoh, Sakuma, Shinozaki, Sotogawa, and Iimura are other student gang
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leaders who recieved the letter. When Kira challenges Takagi to become
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Soul of Osaka IV, the gang leaders split their allegiances -
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Kira's side: Takagi's side:
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Iimura Sagawa
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Sotogawa Zaoh
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Shinozaki Sakuma
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Ooki
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Kitamura
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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The Battle for Osaka (vol.13-15)
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Jinrai Isao $B?@Mk(B $B8y(B
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(Soul of Osaka I $B=iBeBg:e:2(B)
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Age: 19
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Takagi's and Kira's mentor.
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Jinrai was the original Soul of Osaka, the leader of hundreds of
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students, hooligans and street thugs. He was able to fight his way
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to the top using the powerful Inazuma-shuraiken ("Lightning hand
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thunder fist" $B0p:J<jMk7}"w(B) technique, and the Tousaishou
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("Sword-Breaking palm" $BEa:U>8"w(B) technique.
|
||
He disappeared after a showdown with Morigami, but turns up again
|
||
during the battle for Soul of Osaka IV. However, Jinrai is now the
|
||
leader of the enormous Shikoku Alliance, and is hell-bent on bringing
|
||
Osaka to its knees. Jinrai was the author of the letter sent to the
|
||
gang leaders - he wanted to weaken Osaka before his return. But because
|
||
he was Takagi's childhood mentor, Takagi preferred to abandon Osaka
|
||
altogether than to fight him.
|
||
Jinrai's appearance marks the climax of the Osaka Chapter of OKB.
|
||
Much later in the manga, Jinrai turns up to save Takagi from otherwise
|
||
certain-death situations.
|
||
|
||
Gotou Itsuki $B8eF#25@8(B
|
||
(Waitress at the "I Need You" cafe $B5JCc%&%(!<%H%l%9(B)
|
||
Jinrai and Morigami were regular patrons at "I Need You", a hangout
|
||
for many Osaka gang members. The main attraction there was Itsuki,
|
||
a former model, with whom Jinrai was badly infatuated. One night,
|
||
when the cafe is deserted, he overhears Itsuki telling Morigami that
|
||
she loved him. She preferred Morigami's gentle nature to Jinrai's
|
||
viciousness.
|
||
After Morigami leaves, Jinrai confronts her. Despite repeated warnings
|
||
to keep away, she splashes the left side of his face with sulphuric acid,
|
||
but it doesn't stop him. Then he rapes Itsuki.
|
||
Morigami comes back, sees Itsuki cowering in a corner, and in a rage
|
||
says that he'll kill Jinrai. That night, there is a huge gathering of
|
||
the Osaka gangs, and the showdown between Morigami and Jinrai takes
|
||
place. Morigami, who still has some sympathy for Jinrai, lets Jinrai
|
||
take the victory. (As opposed to popular myth, which had Morigami
|
||
as the victor.) Then the gangs turn on Jinrai, but he defeats them
|
||
single-handedly. He leaves Osaka, vowing to one day return and destroy it.
|
||
(TK: Morigami was more powerful and more popular than Jinrai, but
|
||
he always yielded EVERYTHING to Jinrai because he considered Jinrai to
|
||
be his "Sempai of Soul" and that's why he adopted Jinrai's hairstyle.
|
||
Once, Jinrai was a man with a heart of gold, but Morigami's modesty deeply
|
||
wounded his pride and that, along with his unrequited love for Itsuki,
|
||
eventually drove him mad. Morigami realized his mistake when Jinrai came
|
||
back to Osaka, but it was already too late.
|
||
Jinrai's madness didn't stop until Takagi defeated him in vol.15; he was
|
||
sent to prison after the fight.)
|
||
|
||
Takanuki Katsumi $B9b4S9n8J(B
|
||
(The custodian of Tokushima $BFAEg8)$rMB$+$k(B)
|
||
Nakai Tooru $BCf0f(B $BF)(B
|
||
(The custodian of Kagawa $B9a@n8)$rMB$+$k(B)
|
||
Tanaka Hiroyuki $Bedcf9@G7(B
|
||
(The custodian of Ehime $B0&I28)$rMB$+$k(B)
|
||
Asakura Atsushi $B@uARFF;J(B
|
||
(The custodian of Kouchi $B9bCN8)$rMB$+$k(B)
|
||
Jinrai assigned each of these four hitmen to destroy police stations in
|
||
inner-city Osaka: Midousuji, Naniwa, Miyakojima, and Ooyodo respectively.
|
||
Their prime weapons are the chigirigi, claw, mallet, and tanto respectively.
|
||
|
||
Kou Ryuun $B2+(B $BN01@@h@8(B
|
||
(Caretaker of the Taizen temple $BB@A5;{N1<iHV(B)
|
||
An old master of Tai Chi Chuan, who lives in the mountains near Kobe.
|
||
Ryuuryuu and Koryuu, his disciples, brought Takagi to the temple after
|
||
Takagi had fled Osaka. Takagi needed a way to defeat Jinrai, and Ryuun
|
||
managed to teach him the fundamentals of Tai Chi Chuan in just ten days.
|
||
|
||
|
||
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
Miscellaneous Kansai Characters (vol.1-10)
|
||
|
||
Great Teacher of Hagou Shinmei-style karate $BGK9d?@L@N.6u<j"w!&Bg;UHO(B
|
||
Gantetsu invited this 86-year old instructor to the karate club, but
|
||
he was soon beating up everything in sight - the taxi he arrived in,
|
||
the local police...
|
||
|
||
Tada Yuuji $BB?EDM&<!(B
|
||
Formerly a close friend of Takagi's, and a talented shogi player.
|
||
While helping Takagi in a fight, he accidentally killed a thug. He was
|
||
sent to prison, and that meant the end of his career as a shogi player;
|
||
he held Takagi responsible, and wanted revenge.
|
||
|
||
Yamaguchi Bunta $B0p3@J8B@(B
|
||
(The Inagaki Ripper $B?M;B$j0p3@$3$H(B)
|
||
TK: A graduate of Kangokou and now a Yakuza. He was a member of the karate
|
||
club (thus a sempai of Takagi) and is well-known for his skill with the dosu
|
||
(Yakuza sword).
|
||
|
||
Ootsuka Naoya $BBgDMD>Li(B
|
||
(Kansai's Rocky $B4X@>$N%m%-!<(B)
|
||
Intro: vol.5
|
||
Some hoons were pestering Momochiyo to ride in their hot car, but
|
||
the handsome Ootsuka comes along and smashes it up with his bare hands.
|
||
Momochiyo gets sick of waiting on Takagi and starts going out with Ootsuka;
|
||
on her birthday, Ootsuka buys her hundreds of flowers. Andou tells Takagi
|
||
that Ootsuka is the local rising star in amateur boxing. And one of
|
||
Takagi's minions finds out something else: Ootsuka is the "chief mobilizer"
|
||
of Kitahara Rengou.
|
||
When Momochiyo visits Ootsuka in the Kitahara gym, he tears her clothes
|
||
off, beats her up and chases after her. Takagi turns up in time to save her,
|
||
and tells Ootsuka he'll destroy him. They fight it out in a public boxing
|
||
match (with Andou as Takagi's coach).
|
||
|
||
Fukushima $BJ!Eh@h@8(B
|
||
Intro: vol.7
|
||
An affable doctor, whose small surgery is frequented by Takagi, Morigami
|
||
and other toughs. After the Jinrai crisis had passed, Takagi was knifed
|
||
by a thug who was trying to gain a reputation by defeating Takagi.
|
||
This affected him deeply, and while he was being patched up, Fukushima
|
||
suggested that Takagi should leave Osaka forever.
|
||
Takagi agreed, and Fukushima helped to make this possible by faking his
|
||
death. Kira then became Soul of Osaka IV (by Takagi's appointment), and
|
||
Takagi left for Tokyo, known only to Matsushita, Saitou, Morigami and
|
||
Momochiyo.
|
||
|
||
Chiba Naoki $B@iMUD><y(B
|
||
(Assisting the Soul of Osaka in the North $BBg:e:2Jd:4KL$r$"$:$+$k(B)
|
||
Ookuma Masato $BBg7(2m?M(B
|
||
(Assisting the Soul of Osaka in the South $BBg:e:2Jd:4Fn$r$"$:$+$k(B)
|
||
Tadaki Yutaka $BB~LZ(B $BM5(B
|
||
(Assisting the Soul of Osaka in the West $BBg:e:2Jd:4@>$r$"$:$+$k(B)
|
||
Sononaka Atsu $B1`Cf(B $BFF(B
|
||
(Assisting the Soul of Osaka in the East $BBg:e:2Jd:4El$r$"$:$+$k(B)
|
||
These were replaced by new members when Kira became Soul of Osaka IV.
|
||
|
||
Satsuki Asuka $B8^7nHtD;(B
|
||
(The out-of-control Head of the Villainesses $BK=Av@{!&=w6'$NF,(B)
|
||
Intro: vol.9
|
||
She held Takagi responsible for the death of the two people she loved
|
||
most, her sister Satsuki Megumi ($B8^7n(B $B7C(B) and her best
|
||
friend Sano Yuuko.
|
||
|
||
|
||
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
Staff and Students of West Shinjuku High (vol.16-19)
|
||
|
||
Tsutsui $BE{0f(B
|
||
(Shuuei Alliance Executive Staff $@=81QO"9gN5F,2q44It(B)
|
||
TK: A well-known figure in the Yakuza world, and potentially very
|
||
deadly. But he has a gentle side, and a strong sense of jingi
|
||
("chivalry", $B?N5A(B). He becomes a patron of Takagi and his
|
||
gang, helping them on several occasions. He was well aware of the
|
||
fact that Takagi was the Soul of Osaka III.
|
||
|
||
Mikumo Marimo $BH~1@$^$j$b(B
|
||
(West Shinjuku High 2nd year $B@>?7=I3X1!FsG/@8(B)
|
||
The first person Takagi met when he came to Shinjuku. She develops
|
||
a crush on him, and at one point throws herself between Takagi and
|
||
his opponent's body-piercing blow. When Momochiyo visited Tokyo,
|
||
Marimo got very jealous, and forced her to go back to Osaka without
|
||
ever seeing Takagi.
|
||
Ootake has a crush on Marimo.
|
||
|
||
Shimotori Tatsuaki $BAzD;C$L@(B
|
||
(West Shinjuku High 2nd year $B@>?7=I3X1!FsG/@8(B)
|
||
A bespectacled dork who looks a bit like Marimo, from some angles.
|
||
He was the first person to join the WSH karate club when Takagi
|
||
reopened it. While visiting Takagi in hospital, he accidentally saw
|
||
Takagi lying on Marimo (Takagi had tripped and fallen :-) Then
|
||
he spread a rumour that there had been some H between them. (Neither
|
||
Marimo nor Shimotori are seen after vol.25.)
|
||
|
||
Hanamori Shizuka $B2V?9@E9a(B
|
||
(West Shinjuku High Headmistress $B@>?7=I3X1!9;D9(B)
|
||
|
||
Hayashi Yukiharu $BNS(B $B9T<#(B
|
||
(Vice-Captain of the West Shinjuku High Cheerleaders $B1~1gCDI{CDD9(B)
|
||
(TK: Hayashi and Takagi never really fought, although Takagi would have
|
||
easily beaten him. Hayashi doesn't have knowledge of any martial arts, but
|
||
he relies on his street fighting techniques. He has a GF whom he deeply
|
||
cares for.)
|
||
|
||
Yamamoto Kouji $B;3K\9@;J(B
|
||
(Former Captain of the WSH kendo club $B@>?7=I3X1!7uF;It<g>-(B)
|
||
Kobori Kazuya $B>.KY0lLi(B
|
||
(Former Captain of the WSH soccer club $B@>?7=I3X1!%5%C%+!<It<g>-(B)
|
||
Ishioka Takushi $B@P2,Bv;J(B
|
||
(Former Captain of the WSH judo club $B@>?7=I3X1!=@F;It<g>-(B)
|
||
(Their role is similar to that of the Kangokou karate club members.)
|
||
|
||
Sakamoto Tatsuya $B:dK\C#Li(B
|
||
(Captain of the WSH Cheerleaders $B1~1gCDCDD9(B)
|
||
Weight: 200kg, Height: 210 cm
|
||
(TK: Neither Sakamoto nor Hayashi were thoroughly evil, unlike most of
|
||
Takagi's opponents. But they were obeying their boss, Satou, because they
|
||
had no choice. Takagi's presence was a serious threat to the current order
|
||
of Shinjuku. As members of Shinjuku Force, Sakamoto had to eliminate Takagi
|
||
ASAP or face the consequences. Sakamoto was a member of the old WSH karate
|
||
club, and his specialty is the "six-step stab" ($BO;7}8^CJFM(B).
|
||
|
||
Ootake Jin $BBgC](B $B?N(B
|
||
(West Shinjuku High Cheerleader B-squad boss $B1~1gCDBT96BbD9(B)
|
||
Ootake always wears a long white school coat and a red scarf, knitted for
|
||
him by his late girlfriend (a victim of gang warfare). He eventually
|
||
becomes Takagi's most trusted friend.
|
||
He is a clever and skillful fighter, who can deliver especially powerful
|
||
kicks. Though his primary martial art is Okinawan Karate ($B2-Fl6u<j(B),
|
||
he later trained in Muay Thai (kickboxing).
|
||
|
||
Satou Shouji $B:4F#><Fs(B
|
||
(Leader, Shinjuku Force $B?7=IItBbF,(B)
|
||
Satou targeted Takagi because Takagi's love of freedom posed a threat
|
||
to the way he rules Shinjuku. (TK: Satou is the former captain of West
|
||
Shinjuku High Karate Club, he was expelled from the school after an
|
||
incident. He has mastered many martial arts including Crane and Monkey
|
||
Styles. His deadliest weapon is his "Bear's Paw" which Satou claims to have
|
||
the same bestial power of a real bear's paw. To him, money and power were
|
||
the only things that mattered, but the fight with Takagi opened up his eyes.)
|
||
|
||
Mizaru $B8+1n(B
|
||
Iwazaru $B8@$o1n(B
|
||
Kikazaru $BJ9$+1n(B
|
||
(The See-not, Hear-not, Say-not monkeys)
|
||
Satou's ninjas, who wear Noh-type masks to conceal their identity.
|
||
Later, they were used to infiltrate Tanabe's massage parlour.
|
||
|
||
Taguchi $BED8}(B
|
||
(West Shinjuku High senior, 2nd year $B@>?7=I3X1!FsG/@8(B)
|
||
Able to disguise himself as Takagi, he provided a vital diversion in the
|
||
battles against Satou and Majima.
|
||
|
||
|
||
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
Thugs of Shibuya (vol.19-22)
|
||
|
||
Takeuchi Retsu $BC]Fb(B $BNu(B
|
||
(Ringleader, Shibuya Killers $B=BC+6rO"AmD9(B)
|
||
Takeuchi's gang of hooligans was competing with Shibuya Force for control
|
||
of Shibuya. (TK: Takeuchi just wanted to be "free" and to be with those
|
||
who share the same feeling. Takeuchi never had any money for opening up
|
||
a store. His ice cream store was leased to him by Tsutsui, thanks to Takagi.)
|
||
|
||
Ogawa Sayuri $B>.@n(B $B>.I49g(B
|
||
(Leader, Shibuya Force $B=BC+ItBbF,(B)
|
||
Ogawa wanted to rule Shibuya with terror, which brought her into conflict
|
||
with Takeuchi.
|
||
|
||
Igari Katsuhiro $BCv<m9nM5(B
|
||
(Deputy leader, Shibuya Force $B=BC+ItBbI{F,(B)
|
||
Intro: vol.20
|
||
Igari is the true power behind Shibuya Force; his fists move with such
|
||
blinding speed that they can't be seen. Takagi only fought him after eating
|
||
"Machi Coffee + Snack" and using matchsticks to prop open his eyelids. :-)
|
||
Because of his crush on Ogawa, Igari followed her orders, even though he
|
||
hated her brutality. But when he found out that she had no faith in him,
|
||
he deposed her.
|
||
|
||
Majima Boku $B??Eg(B $BKQ(B
|
||
("Dead bone" serial killer)
|
||
Intro: vol.21
|
||
When Majima was released from maximum security prison (where he was
|
||
serving time for murdering nine people), Ogawa was waiting for him. She
|
||
wanted to use him in her revenge against Takeuchi. But Majima enjoys
|
||
killing, and went far beyond what Ogawa wanted. When he came up against
|
||
Takagi and his henchmen, Takagi himself was weak after donating blood to
|
||
a critically injured Takeuchi.
|
||
|
||
|
||
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
Gang Leaders of Dai-Tokyo Rengou (vol.22-24)
|
||
|
||
Majima Sabu $B??Egh5Ip(B
|
||
(Leader of Roppongi Force $BO;K\LZItBbF,(B)
|
||
Intro: vol.22
|
||
The brother of Majima Boku, with whom he has an incestuous and homosexual
|
||
relationship. He shares his brother's skull-like features and gloomy eyes.
|
||
He's also the owner of a Roppongi disco and the de facto boss of Dai-Tokyo
|
||
Rengou (the Great Tokyo Alliance, consisting of the gangs of Shinjuku,
|
||
Shibuya, Roppongi, Ikebukuro, Ginza, and Sumida).
|
||
Sabu tolerated Takagi after he took over Shinjuku and Shibuya, but when he
|
||
crippled his brother, it was the last straw. The remaining members of
|
||
Dai-Tokyo Rengou moved to destroy Takagi, and Takagi opted to take on the
|
||
gang leaders in one-on-one combat. (Jinrai tried to stop Takagi, since
|
||
he thought Takagi didn't stand a chance.) However, Takagi was using morphine
|
||
to improve his endurance, on Tsutsui's advice.
|
||
Sabu is a master of Toujutsu, and uses Houshitou in the later battle
|
||
against the Bloodbath Alliance. Takagi's showdown with Sabu marks the
|
||
climax of the Tokyo Chapter of OKB.
|
||
|
||
Tanabe Katsunari $BEDJU>!@.(B
|
||
(Leader of Ikebukuro Force $BCSB^ItBbF,(B)
|
||
Tanabe is a monstrous man, "bigger than Andre the giant". Owner of the
|
||
"F" Fashion Massage brothel in Ikebukuro, his lieutenants are the toughest
|
||
in Dai-Tokyo Rengou. Sometimes he wields a demolition ball on a chain,
|
||
but his real power comes from his knowledge of Tai Chi Chuan. (In the
|
||
battle against the Bloodbath Alliance, he also uses Drunken Fist
|
||
($BCf9q7}K!?l7}(B) techniques.)
|
||
|
||
David Furuya $B%G%S%C%I8EC+(B
|
||
(Leader of Ginza Force $B6d:BItBbF,(B)
|
||
While he knows no martial arts, he has two dangerous weapons -- his
|
||
gun, an Israel Military Industries Jericho 941, and his formidable
|
||
intellect (300 IQ).
|
||
|
||
Raiden Taro $BMkEEB@O:(B
|
||
(Leader of Sumida Force $BKOEDItBbF,(B)
|
||
With two electrified gloves and his "Electric Death Fist" ($B;`EE7}"w(B),
|
||
"shorty" Raiden can hold onto his dream of being the biggest guy in Sumida.
|
||
He can increase the range of his "Electric Death Fist" by using two
|
||
beryllium whips. Typically, he wears a suit, or a long schoolboy's coat
|
||
and sandals. He also has a strong physical resemblance to Matsushita,
|
||
which he was able to exploit in his showdown with Takagi.
|
||
|
||
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
The Kantou Treaty (vol.25-28)
|
||
|
||
Urushibara Mutsuo $B<?86KSIW(B
|
||
(Commander of the Kantou Alliance $B4XElO"9gAm?c(B)
|
||
Age: 21, Intro: vol.25
|
||
Years ago, Urushibara was the victor in the Kantou region's most bloody
|
||
and protracted gang warfare. To ensure that it never happened again, he
|
||
put together the Kantou Peace Treaty, which prevented the various members
|
||
(Gunma, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Chiba, Saitama) from fighting
|
||
amongst each other. But the treaty was solely reliant on Urushibara's
|
||
power, and Teramoto (Ibaraki's leader) formed the Bloodbath Alliance
|
||
to remove Urushibara, smash the treaty and take over Kantou.
|
||
|
||
Kimura Kouichi $BLZB<9@0l(B
|
||
(Kanagawa's Esteemed Official $B?@F`@n$N5.8x;R(B)
|
||
Age: 17
|
||
Kimura is a brilliant practitioner of I-ken, his own martial arts system.
|
||
He fought by the side of his mentor, Urushibara, in the battles that led
|
||
to the Kantou Treaty. However, when Kanagawa was approached by the Bloodbath
|
||
Alliance, he sided with them, because he had a responsibility to protect his
|
||
followers. But after fighting Haruno (Urushibara's brother), he couldn't
|
||
repress his feelings any longer, and went against Teramoto.
|
||
Kimura later became Takagi's other trusted aide (along with Ootake).
|
||
|
||
Teramoto Seiichi $B;{K\@60l(B
|
||
(Ibaraki's Spring Breeze $B0q>k$N=UIw(B)
|
||
Age: 19
|
||
An extremely tough, competent martial artist, whose skill enabled him to
|
||
form and command the Bloodbath Alliance (Satsuriku Rengou, $B;&Y$O"9g(B),
|
||
comprising the gangs of Ibaraki, Tochigi, Chiba and Saitama). He practices
|
||
Shaolin 18 Arhat Hands, and can use his long pigtail as a deadly "third arm".
|
||
Takagi's final confrontation with Teramoto marks the climax of the Kantou
|
||
Chapter of OKB.
|
||
|
||
Iwamoto Tetsuo $B4dK\E4IW(B [$BE/CK(B?]
|
||
(Tochigi's Crude Engineer $BFJLZ$N9S5;;U(B)
|
||
Age: 20
|
||
The oldest and largest member of the Bloodbath Alliance. His spiked clubs
|
||
have the power to smash hardened steel.
|
||
|
||
Munemasa Osamu $B=!@/(B $B<#(B
|
||
(Chiba's Raging Bull $B@iMU$NLT5m(B)
|
||
Age: 19, Weight: 130kg
|
||
His enormous body can withstand an incredible amount of damage, which is
|
||
maybe why he has "MSF-91" tattooed on his left shoulder. (TK: He has
|
||
that tattoo because Gundam F-91 sucked. Munemasa isn't a very impressive
|
||
character after all, other than he defeated Takagi once.)
|
||
Like other members of the Bloodbath Alliance, he has investigated the
|
||
weaknesses of all members of Dai-Tokyo Rengou. He is a practitioner
|
||
of Super-hard Muscle style.
|
||
|
||
Takei Toshihiko $BIp0fBIRI(B
|
||
(Saitama's Praying Mantis $B:k6L$Nj0j'(B)
|
||
Age: 18
|
||
The third member of the Bloodbath Alliance, who fought with Tanabe, Kimura
|
||
and Takagi. He is a master of Praying Mantis style ($Bj0j'7}(B).
|
||
|
||
Urushibara Haruno $B<?86=ULn(B
|
||
(Deputy Leader of the Gunma Alliance $B72GOO"9gI{F,(B
|
||
Intro: vol.26
|
||
The younger brother of Urushibara Mutsuo, who becomes consumed by the
|
||
desire to avenge Mutsuo's death. He manages to persuade Takagi to find
|
||
Mutsuo's teacher and learn the techniques which enabled Mutsuo to keep
|
||
the peace in Kantou. He is a practitioner of Southern style kung fu.
|
||
|
||
Kou Chinchin $B2+(B $BDD!9@h@8(B
|
||
(Shrine keeper $Bc,<i(B)
|
||
Ryuun's elder brother, a hermit who lives in the treacherous Gunma
|
||
mountains. Though initially unwilling to teach Takagi, he ends up
|
||
sacrificing his right arm (and more) to pass on the ultimate secret of
|
||
Shinkyokuken.
|
||
|
||
Shirai $BGr0f(B
|
||
Intro: vol.27
|
||
A member of Ibaraki Force who betrayed Ootake's plans to Teramoto,
|
||
since it was obvious (to him) that Teramoto would win the resulting fight.
|
||
|
||
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
Treasures of the Taizen Temple (vol.29-)
|
||
|
||
Kiriyama Shuuzou $B6M;3=$B$(B
|
||
(Don, Shuueikai $@=81Q2qAHD9(B)
|
||
The most powerful Yakuza boss in the whole Kansai region. He is obsessed
|
||
with securing the Taizen temple, where a 1 trillion yen treasure
|
||
(consisting of hundreds of years of visitors' donations) is hidden.
|
||
(BTW, Shuueikai is a fictional yakuza clan which turns up in other
|
||
Shuueisha mangas.)
|
||
|
||
Kou Ankai $B2+(B $B0E3$(B
|
||
Intro: vol.29
|
||
The youngest of the three Kou brothers (the other two being Ryuun and
|
||
Chinchin), and a master of Jakyokuken. He is also interested in protecting
|
||
the treasures of the temple, which include the scrolls of the Tattenshou -
|
||
describing the most powerful martial arts known to man. To further these
|
||
ends, he teams up with Kiriyama, and enlists the help of his best disciples.
|
||
|
||
Gaoh Keiji $B2f2&(B $B7=;J(B
|
||
(Suenaga Union Special Forces Commander $BKv1JO"9gFC96ItBb(B)
|
||
Kiriyama's scheme entails the manipulation of the enormous Kansai student
|
||
gangs, and Ankai offers Gaoh to do the job. Gaoh is a daunting figure,
|
||
with a scar between his eyes, two studded belts across his monstrous chest,
|
||
and two rings in his ears. Articulate and brutal, it isn't long before
|
||
Gaoh has intimidated the gangs into submission and become Soul of Osaka V.
|
||
Helping him is Suenaga, who by this stage had been bought out by Kiriyama
|
||
(and had turned on his former partners).
|
||
|
||
Nishijin Kikumaru $B@>?X5F4](B (Kyoto's envoy $B5~ET$N;H@a(B)
|
||
Endou Hikosuke $B1sF#I'2p(B (Nara's envoy $BF`NI$N;H@a(B)
|
||
Tendou Maki $BE7F;??5*(B (Wakayama's envoy $BOB2N;3$N;H@a(B)
|
||
Intro: vol.30
|
||
The Tattenshou scrolls were stored in a vault at the bottom of the pool
|
||
by the Taizen temple. The three keys to the vault were given to the
|
||
best martial artists of Kyoto, Nara and Wakayama, and the keys were
|
||
passed down to the best students of these martial artists. Takagi, who
|
||
needs the Tattenshou to avenge Kira, must defeat the three holders
|
||
of the keys (to get the scrolls).
|
||
Nishijin is a practitioner of Enchanted Swords (Youtouken, $BMEEa7u"w(B)
|
||
and Tendou is a practitioner of Flower Style kung fu (Kakaken, $BCf9q2V2M7}(B).
|
||
|
||
Tonton $@%H%s%H%s(B
|
||
Gengen $@%2%s%2%s(B
|
||
Ankai's most accomplished disciples, who were called back from China to
|
||
defend the treasures of the Taizen temple. Tonton is the large, pigtailed
|
||
one who carries a hoe. Gengen is the one in the cap and shorts. He
|
||
carries a trident dagger (sansensa, $B;0@g:5(B) and knows the strongest
|
||
Jakyokuken technique.
|
||
|
||
Wakasugi Tatsuya $B<c?yC#Li(B
|
||
(Deputy Leader, Kanagawa Alliance $B?@F`@nO"9gI{F,(B)
|
||
Intro: vol.27
|
||
Kimura's long-time friend, ruthlessly assassinated by Kiriyama in order
|
||
to isolate Kimura from Takagi. His death led to Kimura being captured,
|
||
drugged and starved until he became Kiriyama's mindlessly obedient slave.
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
==============================================================================
|
||
3. Canned Martial Arts Guide
|
||
|
||
This is just a quick and dirty guide to the martial arts portrayed in
|
||
OKB. I deliberately ommitted karate, since I don't know much about it. :-)
|
||
Some terms:
|
||
|
||
Wushu (Japanese: Bujutsu, $BIp=Q(B)
|
||
This just means "(the) martial arts". The Cantonese term, Kung Fu
|
||
($B8yIW(B), means "activity requiring effort" and refers more
|
||
specifically to the southern Chinese martial arts. In OKB, the various
|
||
Chinese styles are referred to as Chuugoku kempou ($BCf9q7}K!(B).
|
||
|
||
Oss! ("Yessir!" $@2!G&(J!)
|
||
An exclusively Japanese word, often written in katakana. It is used
|
||
as an acknowledgement or greeting (eg. "Yessir!" or "Yo!"), and only
|
||
in certain contexts (eg. to your karate teacher or gang leader).
|
||
|
||
Chi ($B5$"x(B)
|
||
(Japanese: Ki, Vietnamese: Khi, Indonesian: Ihru, Hindu: Prana,
|
||
Greek: pneuma)
|
||
There isn't really a good English translation for "Chi". Probably
|
||
"spirit" or "intrinsic energy" come close. It refers to the energy
|
||
which is part of the universe and all living things. According to
|
||
Chinese history, it was noticed about 4000 years ago, and martial
|
||
applications began to be developed about 2000 years ago.
|
||
Chi exists in all functioning parts of the body, and can be
|
||
generated in the Dan Tien ($BC0ED(B), an area just above the
|
||
navel. This is done by special breathing techniques; there are
|
||
Buddhist and Taoist methods. The sounds "Hen" and "Ha" ($BR}(B)
|
||
are issued during Chi generation. (This is why some OKB characters
|
||
do all that fancy grunting.)
|
||
|
||
Kiai ("yell", $B5$9g(B)
|
||
The idea of the Kiai is to scare the shit out of your opponent, possibly
|
||
even paralysing them -- or at least momentarily distracting them,
|
||
enough to gain the upper hand in a fight. It is also used for
|
||
concentrating.
|
||
Most of the things OKB characters utter in mid-fight are just primal
|
||
screams, but some of characters prefix their most powerful techniques
|
||
with something vaguely meaningful-
|
||
|
||
Takagi: Bakuretsu!! (Exploding!! $BGzNv(B)
|
||
Bakuretsu Part II!! $@GzNv%Q!<%H&0(B)
|
||
Super-great Bakuretsu!! $@D6!&%0%l!<%H!&GzNv(B)
|
||
Tanabe: Gekisai!! (Pulverising!! $B7b:U(B)
|
||
Munemasa: Gekiha!! (Crushing!! $B7bGK(B)
|
||
Teramoto: Bakusatsu!! (Rip to shreds!! $BGz;&(B)
|
||
|
||
(Now, the various martial arts themselves:)
|
||
|
||
Tai Chi Chuan, Taikyokuken ("Grand Ultimate Fist" $BB@6K7}(B)
|
||
Tai Chi is the Chinese term for the Grand Ultimate, the fusion of Yin
|
||
and Yang (it also refers to that circular Yin-Yang symbol). In Tai Chi
|
||
Chuan, the practitioner progresses from a state of Wu Chi ($BL56K(B),
|
||
representing the void, to a state of Tai Chi, at the end of the sequence.
|
||
The 13 Tai Chi postures correspond to the 8 trigrams and the 5 elements.
|
||
The eight trigrams are:
|
||
|
||
$@",(B Earth Mountain Water Wind Thunder Fire Lake Heaven
|
||
$@!C!!!!:%!!!!!!:1!!!!!!T,!!!!!!]U"x!!!!!!?L!!!!!!N%!!!!!!Q<!!!!!!4%(B
|
||
$@!C!!(,!!(,!!(,(,(,!!(,!!(,!!(,(,(,!!!!(,!!(,!!(,(,(,!!(,!!(,!!(,(,(,(B
|
||
$@!C!!(,!!(,!!(,!!(,!!(,(,(,!!(,(,(,!!!!(,!!(,!!(,!!(,!!(,(,(,!!(,(,(,(B
|
||
$@!C!!(,!!(,!!(,!!(,!!(,!!(,!!(,!!(,!!!!(,(,(,!!(,(,(,!!(,(,(,!!(,(,(,(B
|
||
$@!C(B
|
||
$@!C(B Strong Yin Weak Yang Weak Yin Strong Yang
|
||
$@!C!!!!!!B@1"!!!!!!!!!!!!>/M[!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!>/1"!!!!!!!!!!!!B@M[(B
|
||
$@!C!!(,(,!!!!(,(,!!!!(,(,(,(,(,(,!!!!!!!!(,(,!!!!(,(,!!!!(,(,(,(,(,(,(B
|
||
$@!C!!(,(,!!!!(,(,!!!!(,(,!!!!(,(,!!!!!!!!(,(,(,(,(,(,!!!!(,(,(,(,(,(,(B
|
||
$@!C(B
|
||
$@!C(B Yin Pole Yang Pole
|
||
$@!C!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1"57!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!M[57(B
|
||
$@!C!!(,(,(,(,(,!!!!!!!!(,(,(,(,(,!!!!!!!!(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(B
|
||
$@!C(B
|
||
$@!C(B Tai Chi
|
||
$@!C(B $@B@6K(B
|
||
$@!C!!(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(B
|
||
|
||
The five elements are Metal (Forward), Wood (Left), Water (Back), Fire
|
||
(Right) and Earth (Centre) ($B6b!$LZ!$?e!$2P!$EZ(B).
|
||
|
||
Kongoutousui ("Metal Strength Pound Whip" $B6b9dYqYY(B)
|
||
Senpuukyaku ("Whirlwind of Legs" $B@{Iw5S(B)
|
||
Shishushikousui ("Four-handed Deadly Tiger Whip" $B;M<j;`8WYY(B)
|
||
Shuuchiryuu ("Dragon Furrowing the Earth" $B7-CON5(B)
|
||
Hakkei ("Emit Jing" $BH/R&(B)
|
||
In Chinese, Fa Jing. "Jing" ($BR&(B) is power, specifically the
|
||
strength stored in tendons, and oxygen+Jing=Chi. Many Chinese martial
|
||
arts have Jing techniques, but Tai Chi Chuan emphasises Jing expression
|
||
(at the higher levels) more than any other art.
|
||
To perform Hakkei (the specific type Takagi uses seems to be
|
||
Tzuann Jing, $BoTR&(B), both legs must be firmly rooted in the
|
||
ground, because that's where Jing is generated. Then the Jing
|
||
flows around the waist and coils in the non-outstretched arm. If you
|
||
do things right, the result is an explosive discharge of Chi, which
|
||
will badly disrupt your opponent's internal organs. Hakkei can
|
||
also be performed via the elbow, waist, legs, etc. by advanced
|
||
practitioners.
|
||
|
||
|
||
Chi Kung, Kikou ($B5$8y(B)
|
||
The kung fu of Chi cultivation. Primarily used for health and healing,
|
||
though there are specific martial techniques, and Chi applications are
|
||
found in most Chinese martial arts. (Kujaku-Oh was the first manga
|
||
to popularize Chi Kung and Hakkei.)
|
||
|
||
Hyappo Shinken ("Hundred Steps for Divine Fist" $BI4Jb?@7}(B)
|
||
In this technique, the right arm is extended, and Chi is discharged
|
||
from the open palm into the air. It can be used to hit something
|
||
without touching it, though normally it does very little damage.
|
||
However, the Hakkei leaves the body with very little power at the
|
||
instant before its release; even a weak technique can cause massive
|
||
damage. So the Hyappo Shinken is ideal for countering the
|
||
Hakkei before it hits you.
|
||
(TK: Of course, it's a lie that Hyappo Shinken is a nemesis of Hakkei,
|
||
although it really exists. You can kill someone with this techinque
|
||
without your victim even noticing it. You also set when your target will
|
||
die. However, this technique is EXTREMELY diffcult to acquire and that's
|
||
why it has the character "Shin" in its name. It's called HYAPPO Shinken
|
||
because this technique can affect even the target one hundred steps away.)
|
||
|
||
|
||
Toujutsu ("Blade technique" $BEa=Q(B)
|
||
(Also: kenjutsu, etc.) Here, "toujutsu" refers to the Chinese sabre-wielding
|
||
art. The movements of the toujutsu practitioner are based on the movements
|
||
of the dragon, tiger, chicken and bear (respectively $BN6!$8W!$7\!$7'(B).
|
||
|
||
Zansatsuyourakuken Senpuuketsuhana $B;B;&M[Mn7u!V@{Iw7|2V!W(B
|
||
("Murderous Setting Sun Sabre, Blood Blossom Whirlwind")
|
||
|
||
Juuousoutouken ("Beast King Pair of Swords Fist" $B=C2&APEa7}(B)
|
||
Juuouhaisuigeki ("Beast King Water-defying Attack" $B=C2&GX?e7b(B)
|
||
|
||
|
||
Houshitou ("Roc wing rings", $BK1fB>b"x(B)
|
||
An exotic martial arts weapon, used in pairs. It resembles a thin ring
|
||
of steel, with the blade on the outside, and curvy "wings" growing out from
|
||
the "grip" (kind of like $B&8(B). There is a small crescent of metal
|
||
inside the ring, to stop opponents from kicking/grabbing the houshitou out
|
||
of the practitioner's hands (looks like $BQ:(B).
|
||
|
||
Houshitou Nichirinsatsu ("Corona Slaughter" $BK1fB>bF|NX;&(B)
|
||
Houshitou Yourakusatsu ("Swooping Hawk Slaughter" $BK1fB>bBkMn;&(B)
|
||
Houshitou Hienkisatsu ("Returning Swallow Slaughter" $BK1fB>bHt1mMh;&(B)
|
||
The Houshitou return to the wielder after flying a predefined path.
|
||
Houshitou Hakkeisatsu ("Fa Jing Slaughter" $BK1fB>bH/R&;&(B)
|
||
The last-resort Houshitou technique, where Hakkei is performed via
|
||
the weapon itself.
|
||
|
||
|
||
Super-Hard Muscle Style ($BD69E6Z7}"w(B)
|
||
Through sheer muscle power, the practitioner of this style is able to
|
||
withstand damage caused by normal blows, electricity, and weapons.
|
||
|
||
"Raging Bull Fist" ($BLT5m7}(B)
|
||
"Soaring Bodily Rock Smash" ($BfFBN:U4d(B)
|
||
|
||
|
||
I-ken ("Mind Fist", $B0U7}"w(B)
|
||
This martial art is primarily founded on Hsing I Chuan ($B7A0U7{(B)
|
||
and Wushu.
|
||
|
||
Houkyuu Hatsuryoku (Flung Spherical Power Discharge) $BYF5eH/NO(B
|
||
|
||
|
||
Shaolin 18 Arhat Hands ($B>/NS==H,Me4A<j(B)
|
||
The martial art used by the Arhats (Buddhist disciples who achieved Nirvana).
|
||
|
||
Shorin Juuhachirakan Shou
|
||
("Shaolin 18 Arhat Palms" $B>/NS==H,Me4A>8(B)
|
||
The ultimate technique of this martial art, extending the force of
|
||
Hakkei 18 times over. Teramoto used this technique on David, Sabu,
|
||
Kimura and Takagi.
|
||
|
||
Souhikyaku ("Flying Leg Pairs" $BAPHt5S(B)
|
||
Gekitoushou ("Attack with Supporting Palm" $B7bF5>8"x(B)
|
||
Youhosui ("Crooked Step and Whip" $BY9JbYY(B)
|
||
Self-explanatory techniques that Teramoto used against Ootake.
|
||
|
||
Shorin Juuhachirakan Ryuumakishou
|
||
("Shaolin 18 Arhats' Coiling Dragon Palm" $B>/NS==H,Me4AN64,$->8(B)
|
||
A barrage of fists.
|
||
|
||
Shorin Juuhachirakankou Takutensei
|
||
("Shaolin 18 Arhats Deed, Request Heavenly Force" $B>/NS==H,Me4A8yBqE7@*(B)
|
||
The ultimate body-reinforcing technique, whereby "fervour is heightened".
|
||
(This technique is so high-level that it causes an organ between the
|
||
eyebrows, representing the terminus of a Chi channel, to protrude out
|
||
of the skull.)
|
||
|
||
|
||
Southern Style ($BFn7}(B)
|
||
Similar to karate and Muay Thai.
|
||
|
||
Gansaishou "Rock smashing palm" $B4d:U>8(B
|
||
Bakuraishou "Exploding thunder palm" $BGzMk>8(B
|
||
|
||
|
||
Shinkyokuken ("Gods' Ultimate Fist" $B?@6K7}"w(B)
|
||
This martial art is based on the best features of all existing martial arts.
|
||
|
||
Tenchi-shinmeishou ("The Heaven and Earth Gods' Palm" $BE7CO?@L@>8(B)
|
||
(TK: This technique is basically creating a massive blast by tapping into
|
||
one's hidden potential. Since it completely uses up virtually all the
|
||
energy in one's body, this should be used ONLY as the last resort. The
|
||
effect of this technique depends on the size of one's potential power
|
||
(senshinryoku, $B_*?4NO(B), rather than the current power level.)
|
||
|
||
|
||
Jakyokuken ("Evil Ultimate Fist" $B<Y6K7}"w(B)
|
||
A style evolved to defeat all other martial arts (including Shinkyokuken).
|
||
|
||
Bakutenjutsu ("Binding technique" $BG{eu=Q(B)
|
||
With this technique, the practitioner can paralyse an opponent by causing
|
||
their earring to vibrate at a certain frequency.
|
||
|
||
Juushinshou ("Beast God's Palm" $B=C?@>8(B)
|
||
The ultimate Jakyokuken technique, consisting of a progression from
|
||
snake->eagle->bear->tiger.
|
||
|
||
|
||
Kyuukyokuken ("Final Ultimate Fist" $B5f6K7{"w(B)
|
||
The most powerful martial arts system devised. Its founder is the father
|
||
of the Kou brothers.
|
||
|
||
Tattenshou ("Dragon Heaven Ascension" $BN6E7>:(B)
|
||
The invincible technique of Kyuukyokuken, whose secrets are written
|
||
on scrolls in Sanskrit.
|
||
|
||
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
NOTES:
|
||
|
||
The 8 trigrams/Tai Chi diagram was taken from "Advanced Yang Style Tai
|
||
Chi Chuan", by Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming (great book!).
|
||
|
||
$@"w(B This martial art or technique is fictional.
|
||
|
||
$@"x(B These characters are only approximations to the actual characters.
|
||
|
||
$@5$(B: Usually written with the old form.
|
||
|
||
$@]U(B: This is a Chinese-only character meaning "wind (trigram)".
|
||
|
||
$@>b(B: Written as $B6b!\E^(B or $B6b!\F2(B.
|
||
The former kanji is made-up, but the latter character is a real
|
||
Chinese-only character (Tou) which means "gong or bell sound".
|
||
|
||
$BF5(B: This is a Chinese-only character (Tou), with "palm" as the
|
||
radical on the right-hand side, meaning "support".
|
||
|
||
|
||
$@!H!V2!G&(J!!$@6u<jIt!WC19TK\$b$h$m$7$/$M!*!I!!%K%c!A!A(B
|
||
- Takagi, vol.16.
|
||
|
||
|