Raoh
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Raoh (ラオウ?), or Ken-Ō (拳王 Ken-Ō, lit.King of the Fists?) —as he dubbed himself— is the central antagonist of the Fist of the North Star manga, anime, and other related works. He is also the protagonist of Youkow Osada's manga, Ten no Haō - Hokuto no Ken: Raō Gaiden.
He is the oldest of Kenshiro's brothers who were trained in Hokuto Shin Ken, though they are not related by blood. As a young child , he dreamed of being of the strongest , and Hokuto Shinken provided the means. Ryuken, the 63rd successor of Hokuto Shinken, took Raoh under his wing.
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[edit] Voice actors
Raoh was portrayed by seiyu Kenji Utsumi in the original 1980's anime series, as well in the 1986's film adaptation. He later got to reprised the role in a few video games based on the series as well. Before the character was formally introduced though, Norio Wakamoto provided his voice in a flashback scene in episode 32 of the series. Nobuo Tobita provided Raoh's voice as a young boy in flashback scenes during certain episodes. In Streamline Pictures' English dub of the film, he was played by by Wally Burr.
Takashi Ukaji is currently providing Raoh's voice in the Shin Kyuseishu Densetsu (True Legend of the Savior) series of theatrical films and OVAs. Shigeru Shibuya provides Raoh's voice as a young boy in this series.
[edit] Youth
Raoh and his younger brother Toki were robbed of their parents at an early age. They decided to focus on training in martial arts in hopes of becoming the "strongest brothers". One day while Raoh and Toki were talking in a cave they stored their training equipment, Ryuuken of the Hokuto Shinken school approached them asking where he could find Raoh. Ryuuken informed them he would only take one brother to train as a successor. As a test, Ryuuken traps both boys on the bottom of a ravine and says he'll take the first boy who makes it up the cliff. Toki is injured in the fall and unable to climb. Raoh defies the odds and hauls Toki up the cliff with his other hand, yelling he'll only go if Ryuuken takes them both. Ryuuken catches them both as they pass out from the exhausting climb, thinking that Raoh will surpass his wildest imaginations.
[edit] Training
Raoh completely devoted himself to the perfection of his fighting technique. He spared his younger brother no quarter in sparring, and later claimed he would never cry again, for tears were useless. Instead they should be transformed into ambition and strength.
[edit] Known Styles of Combat
Raoh started the Prison of Cassandra with the intention of learning the martial arts secrets of every school in the world. He would force the fighters to give up their "scroll" which would contain techniques he would use to become undefeatable.
-Sūzan Tsūhi Ken (Songshan Passing Elbow Fist)
-Nanto Kōkaku Ken (South Dipper Crimson Crane Fist)
-Rakan Niō Ken (Arhat Deva King Fist)
[edit] Emperor of the fist legend
Physically massive, Raoh is seen as a brutal and, most of the time, cruel man who cares for nothing but world domination in the wasteland as the "Emperor of the fist", as Kenshiro described his personality to Rey "After the fall of civilization his ambition dream is finally fulfilled". He even personally murdered his adoptive father and mentor Ryuuken (through pure luck as Ryuuken had a heart attack just before he was going to 'seal Raoh's fist').
Although Raoh shows no mercy in the battlefield, he does respect strong or brave enemies that he fights. Also, most of the atrocities that were committed under his name towards civilians can be attributed to his low ranking thuggish soldiers acting on their own. Raoh does order the executions of these soldiers who commit atrocities towards civilians.
No matter how brutal and cruel he may be, Raoh is set to conquer but not to destroy, unlike other self serving warlords in the wasteland. There are numerous towns and peoples who praise Raoh as their saviour or as a benevolent dictator figure.
His horse "Black King" only allows Raoh to ride him.
It is unknown who gave birth to Ryu, however, it shows that Raoh was married before or had a serious relationship with a woman in the past.
