Genma Saotome
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| Genma Saotome 早乙女 玄馬 |
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 Genma Saotome with his curse |
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| Alias: | Pops, by Ranma Mr. Panda, by Nodoka Kumahachi, by Yotaro Uncle Saotome |
| Gender: | Male |
| Age: | Late 30s/Early 40s |
| Curse: | Human to Panda |
| Family: | Ranma Saotome, son Nodoka Saotome, wife Saotome family ancestors |
| Love Interest: | Nodoka |
| Loved By: | Nodoka |
| Rivals: | Ranma Happosai Potential engagement breakers |
| Occupation: | Freeloader Cute Panda Assistant (briefly) to Dr. Tofu Ono |
| Residence: | Formerly: The Saotome Household Now: Tendo Dojo, Furinkan |
| Fighting Style: | Anything Goes Martial Arts |
| Attacks: | Cradle from Hell (Jigoku no Yurikago) Yamasenken Umisenken |
| Seiyū: | Kenichi Ogata |
| Voice Actor: | Robert O. Smith |
| 1st Appearance (Manga): |
Volume 1 |
| 1st Appearance (Anime): |
TV Series, Season 1 |
Genma Saotome (早乙女 玄馬 Saotome Genma) is a fictional, important supporting character in Rumiko Takahashi's anime and manga series Ranma ½.
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[edit] History
Genma Saotome is Ranma Saotome's father and the sensei of the Saotome Dojo of Musabetsu Kakutō Ryū karate ("School of Indiscriminate Grappling", more commonly known in the West as "Anything Goes Martial Arts"). During the time when Genma took Ranma on a decade-long training voyage to improve their martial arts skills, he insisted on going to Jusenkyo in China - a place which he believed to be a training ground. However, because of Genma's ignorance of the Chinese language, he did not realize that the ground was unfrequented because it was cursed. Genma realized all too late the mistake he made, after his son knocked him into a cursed spring during this fateful training session.
Genma was knocked into Shonmaoniichuan (Xióngmāoníquán 熊猫溺泉), the Spring of Drowned Panda. Due to the nature of the Jusenkyo curse, a victim who falls into the spring is cursed to turn into who or whatever drowned there when doused with cold water. Thus, whenever Genma is splashed with cold water, he becomes a giant panda. Hot water, as with the rest of the Jusenkyo-cursed characters, can change him back into human form. Occasionally the top half of Genma's gi as well as his glasses will remain when he turns into his panda form.
Genma is unique amongst the Jusenkyo-cursed characters of Ranma ½ for one reason; he is the only person with a non-human(oid) cursed form who automatically shifts back into his clothing when he returns to normal. The only other characters who share a similar trait are Ranma (who remains human but changes sex), Rouge (a manga character who transforms into a large, three-faced six-armed fire-breathing version of herself) and Pantyhose Taro (whose cursed form, a hybrid of Yeti, Ox, Eel, Crane and, later, Octopus, resembles a demon).
[edit] Story
Despite the fact that he and his son were cursed, Genma still brought Ranma back to Japan to fulfill a marriage engagement with his long-time friend and fellow martial artist Soun Tendo, the terms of which were as follows: Ranma would marry one of Soun's daughters and carry on the Anything Goes School of Martial Arts.
Genma and Soun decided that Soun's youngest daughter Akane would one day marry Ranma—after Akane's sisters made the ruling on their own—against their will, at least at first. Genma currently resides in the Tendo Dojo along with Ranma, in the hopes that one day Ranma and Akane will get married and fulfill the agreement made by the two families. He spends most of his time playing Go or Shogi with Soun, although he briefly had a job at Dr. Tofu's clinic.
[edit] Character
Genma follows his own interpretation of the Anything Goes Martial Arts code, which isn't exactly all that virtuous itself to begin with. Though he himself claims to be a model martial artist, and makes a point of telling Ranma about the right thing to do, it is evident that he does not practice what he preaches. He concerns himself with food, seems to look out for himself most of the time, and is a notorious coward when it comes to confrontational situations. He is by no means dishonorable or directly evil, but he has been known to attempt to justify what he has done through ridiculous logic and pleading tones of language. In short, Genma does have a sense of honor, but is definitely willing to bend the rules more than the average martial artist.
Despite being cursed, Genma actually seems to like his panda form and freely goes about in public in it. He has even been known to use his panda form to get out of situations detrimental to his immediate future or otherwise use it to his advantage. If he cannot avoid the problem, he foists the obligation onto Ranma, which usually creates even more chaos.
Kumahachi is the name that Genma was adopted under in an episode of Ranma ½ while in his panda form, in which a young boy named Yotaro discovered him and took him in. Yotaro, having desired a panda of his own, thus begins to treat his newfound pet, affectionately named Kumahachi, like a king and bringing him large amounts of food, much to Genma's delight.
When his wife Nodoka visits, he turns into a panda in an effort to hide his and Ranma's curses from her. In this situation, he is known as Mr. Panda and is Ranko's (Ranma's female form's alias to Nodoka) pet.
Genma loves beating on Ranma since he believes that no matter what, "dear old dad" can always win. However like any father, there are a few times where it is shown that Genma cares about his son. A story in the manga shows Ranma training for a fight against Genma. While he is sleeping, Genma comes and covers Ranma with a blanket much like a father tucking in a small child. And, when teaching him the Body of Ice, he wept genuine tears when using the "Embarrasing Photo-Fu."
[edit] Special Techniques
As a former student of the master martial artist Happosai and the founder of the Saotome-Style Anything Goes Martial Arts, Genma is easily one of the more powerful warriors of his time. He regularly trains with his son Ranma, who is also one of the best, even superior to Genma now. Although his age, cowardice and laziness have reduced his abilities somewhat, Genma could still defeat most of his opponents through experience rather than sheer power.
- The Ultimate Skill of the Saotome School of Anything Goes Martial Arts: The Crouch of the Wild Tiger: This groveling technique is accompishled by first crouching, placing both palms on the ground, and then bowing and scraping for forgiveness. Genma says it is "named for the legendary wild tiger that fell from a cliff and..." but is cut off by a blow to the head from Ukyo. He taught Ranma this before apologising to Happosai for angering the old master.
- Battle Aura: Focusing all of his battle aura, Genma can create a giant version of himself. This special attack is extremely taxing for him and unlike Happosai, he can't keep this technique up for more than a few seconds. He uses this mostly when he's in panda form. In the anime, Genma is shown as being able to use this special technique more effectively.
- Jigoku no Yurikago: (Japanese for 'Cradle from Hell'): Genma's only remaining move that is still able to beat Ranma, a powerful grappling attack reminiscent of a parent embracing their infant child. It's so effective in part because it freaks out Ranma. Genma practiced this move by playing with a tire in panda form.
- Embarrasing Photo-Fu: A terrible technique, and one that can only be used by a father on a child. The user first clasps his hand to the inside of his shirt, before removing an extremely embarrasing photo from the target's childhood and displaying it to nearby members of the opposite sex. While very powerful, it takes a great toll on the user's mind, as his concience is wracked by pain. Genma used it to teach Ranma the Body of Ice, weeping all the while.
- Yamasenken: One of two secret and forbidden styles of martial arts that Genma developed when he was younger. This one is based upon burglary, specifically the movements and techniques of a noisy bandit who smashes through the front door of a house. Canon translates this style as "Noisy Thief" or "Mountain of 1000 Fists." Genma taught this set to Ryu Kumon's father years ago, which indirectly led to the poor man's death. Ryu now utilizes these moves as well.
- Opening Move: the user shouts something distracting at the opponent, such as "Freeze" or "Behind you." This stops the opponent in their tracks. The techniques are...
- Dokuja Tanketsu Shou (Japanese for 'Poisonous Serpent Searching Hole Palm'): Fierce open palm snake strike to the chest area.
- Kinshi Kinbakusho (Japanese for 'Gold Thread Tightly Binding Flight'): Throw a rope around your opponent, then tie them up with it.
- Geimon Tetsu Sen Shi (Japanese for 'Welcome Arch Iron-ribbed Fan Finger'): After "Kinshi Kinbakusho", an open palm strike to the throat.
- Kaichü Houju Satsu (Japanese for 'Jewel Held in One's Pocket Kill'): Armlocked Bearhug submission maneuver while holding one arm behind the back.
- Mouko Kaimon Ha (Japanese for 'Fierce Tiger Opening Gate Defeat'): Deliver a powerful kick through the opponent's guard by separating their arms.
- Kijin Raishu Dan (Japanese for 'Fierce God Assault Shot'): Spreading arm strike so powerful it creates vacuum arc projectiles that tear into anything.
- Kijin Gun-Dai Ran Bu (Japanese for 'Group of Gods Great Boisterous Dance'): Perform a strange whirling dance as one throws multitudes of Kijin Rashuu Dans in every direction.
- Sai Dai Kyuu Kijin Raishü Dan (Japanese for 'First-Rate Demon God Assault Bomb'): An extremely powerful Kijin Raishu Dan. Larger, faster, and much more powerful than the basic Kijin Raishu Dan because it's charged with the user's ki.
- Opening Move: the user shouts something distracting at the opponent, such as "Freeze" or "Behind you." This stops the opponent in their tracks. The techniques are...
- Umisenken: The other of a pair of secret and forbidden styles created by Genma. Like the last one, this too is based upon burglary, however, this one is specifically designed upon the movements and techniques of a quiet thief who sneaks in through the back door. Canon translates this style as "Quiet Thief" or "Sea of 1000 Fists." When Ryu arrived to find the scroll for this partner martial art, he took on Ranma's identity. Genma had no choice but to teach the Umisenken to Ranma to restore his son's identity.
- Opening Move: the user takes a stance like that of a ghost, hands limp in front of their abdomen on slightly bent arms. The user then hides their ki. Once the user moves, they become invisible. The techniques are...
- Gai Ko Retsu Ga Dan (Japanese for 'Armored Door Furious Fang Dismissal'): Counter a hand attack, like the Geimon Testu Senshi, by biting the opponent's attacking limb.
- Goshin Dai Ryuusei Fu (Japanese for 'Self-protection Big Falling Star Cloth'): Whirling a star designed cloth around the user's body and vanish from sight.
- Goshin Ryusei Fu (Japanese for 'Self-protection Falling Star Cloth'): Wrap a star cloth around your opponent's head to blind them and stop their attack.
- Yasha Tan Kai Hou (Japanese for 'She-Demon Deep Sea Bundle'): After "Goshin Ryusei Fu", place a large bundle of earth into the star cloth, flip over the opponent who is then crushed by the dirt. If one's ki is properly infused in the cloth, it will allow the user to hold an opponent's attack within the cloth, so that it can be unleashed against them.
- Ri Giyo Hon Shin (Japanese for 'Carp Fish Bodyflip'): Flip out of a hold, then move behind an opponent while wrapping them in the star cloth.
- Haizan Toukai Tai (Japanese for 'High Mountain Reverse Sea Plight'): After "Ri Gyo Hon Shin", drive one's feet into the back of the opponents legs while pulling down on the cloth.
- Haku Dato Shin Shou (Japanese for 'White Snake Spitting True Palm'): Slipping under one's opponent while striking along both sides of their back.
- Shichuu Rakuchi Sei (Japanese for 'Brace Falling Down Strength'): Force one's opponents feet apart, striking their legs, so they drop into a split.
- Opening Move: the user takes a stance like that of a ghost, hands limp in front of their abdomen on slightly bent arms. The user then hides their ki. Once the user moves, they become invisible. The techniques are...
[edit] Trivia
- Genma can translate into 'dark or mysterious horse.' Saotome means 'rice-planting girl.'
[edit] References
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Ranma ½ Characters
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| Saotome Family | |
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| Ranma Saotome | Genma Saotome | Nodoka Saotome | |
| Tendo Family | |
| Soun Tendo | Kasumi Tendo | Nabiki Tendo | Akane Tendo | Mrs. Tendo | |
| Chinese | |
| Shampoo | Mousse | Cologne | Jusenkyo Guide | Pantyhose Taro | |
| Kuno Family | |
| Tatewaki Kuno | Kodachi Kuno | Principal Kuno | Sasuke Sarugakure | |
| Notable Furinkan Residents | |
| Ukyo Kuonji | Hikaru Gosunkugi | Dr. Tofu Ono | Hinako Ninomiya | Konatsu | |
| Major Adversaries | |
| Ryoga Hibiki | Happosai | Mariko Konjo | Herb | Ryu Kumon | Saffron | |
| Recurring / Other Characters | |
| Akari Unryu | Tsubasa Kurenai | Shinnosuke | Ranma ½ minor characters | |
| Other Articles | |
| Locations in Ranma ½ | Anything Goes Martial Arts | Chinese Amazons | |
