Dōgen Takayanagi
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dōgen Takayanagi (高柳 道現 Takayanagi Dōgen?) is a character in the manga and anime series Tenjho Tenge. He is the former head of the Takayanagi Family.
Contents |
[edit] Character outline
Dōgen is the father of Mitsuomi Takayanagi and Masataka Takayanagi. He typically wears a hat, that casts a shadow over his face and glasses. He is a bald, elderly appearing man, who typically carries a cane with him. He was best friends with Kaima Natsume, until Kaima was killed by Shin Natsume. After Kaima's death Dōgen essentially raised Shin and trained him in the martial arts. This enabled Shin to steal the Takayanagi Family secret technique, the Forged Iron Needle Attack.
Dōgen typically acts as a catalyst to the story. Whenever the big events take place Dōgen usually makes an appearance. He typically handles things indirectly, merely pulling strings so things will go his way. If that doesn't work he is not above more direct intervention.
He is a relatively good person, however he will do immoral things to get what he wants. In his eyes the ends justify the means; he seems to be re-thinking this philosophy. During his time as the head of the Takayanagi family, he gathered power users from all over the world, so he could study the resonance effect. He has an unusual interest in the creation of an "ultimate warrior". He attempted to make his eldest son, Mitsuomi into one. He seems to believe that in order to make an ultimate warrior, their must be an evil to fight. He let Shin become that evil, as he allowed Shin to kill innocents in hope that it would force Mitsuomi to fight him. These less than moral means backfired, leading to Mitsuomi's heart condition and the eventual removal of Dōgen from power by Mitsuomi.
He has since been living in an apartment with Masataka and working in the business sector. Although no longer as powerful, he tries to correct his mistakes by indirect means such as supplying information and helping to coach Souichiro Nagi and Aya Natsume.
[edit] Techniques & Abilities
Dōgen likely uses the style of the Takayanagi Family, but he also knows other martial arts such as aikido [1]. He may be an old man, but he is still a very skilled martial artist.
[edit] Techniques
- Ryuukei Qigong - Tashinkou (Dragon Style Qigong - Forged Iron Needle)
- This technique is the greatest of secrets within the Takayanagi clan, passed down for generations. It is a technique which uses the fulcrum-based transference skill of "reverse striking" to transmit the user's power through the air. This is achieved by collecting the rotational force of one's motion until it forms unto a needle, forged by their own ki. At that point, that collected atmospheric force would then be directed from the circular motion into a straight line (via punch), where it is sent barreling into the target.
- ki dome
- The name of the technique is never said, but Dōgen can make a dome of ki around himself. In the anime, it seems to be used as some kind of protective shield, although it wasn't effective against Mitsuomi. In the manga it can knock back those around him preventing them from attacking.
[edit] Synopsis
[edit] Anime and OVAs
Dōgen initially appears living with his youngest son, Masataka, but his importance was not revealed until the flashback.
[edit] Flashback Arc
Shin was actually supposed to be killed by the 12 founding families since he awakened the power of the Dragon's Eye at the age of 8, since they correctly feared he couldn't handle it. Despite this, Dōgen protected him and trained him in martial arts for reasons other than he has let on. As Shin entered Todou Academy, Dōgen ordered Mana Kuzunoha to date him, so Shin can be under constant supervision. Mana eventually does fall in love with Shin, but still carries out her duties. Dōgen allowed Shin to keep Reiki, and evil ceremonial Nodachi despite the risks. As Reiki allows power users to use their power effortlessly, which lead to the likely hood Shin will lose control to his dragon and go insane.
Dōgen hires Fu Chi'en to train Mitsuomi with the aid of the technology provided by Pei. He planned to make Mitsuomi the ultimate warrior. Dōgen believed to do this, Mitsuomi would have to have an evil to fight and he would let Shin becoming that evil. He encouraged the insanity of Shin in an attempt to force Mitsuomi to fight him. This plan had a set back when, Mana gave Mitsuomi a video to watched that showed Shin's habit of killing innocents for a "distraction". This revelation to Shin's insanity caused Mitsuomi to be instilled with fear and inspired Bunshichi to fight Shin. Bunshichi tracks down Shin and finds him talking to Dōgen. A fight ensues, with Bunshichi coming out on top. During the fight, Reiki is taken away from Shin and he regains some semblance of sanity.
As Shin was no longer acting evil, Dōgen attempted to make Shin crazy again in the hopes he would kill innocents and Mitsuomi would have to fight him. Initially, he tried to return Reiki to Shin [2] saying he could kill as many people has he liked, but Shin rejected that offer[3]. Dōgen elects to go the even less moral road, ordering Fu Chien to attack Shin's sister, Maya Natsume. It worked rather well, in his rage Shin's Dragon's Eyes activate Reiki without being in possession of it and he goes on a rampage. Mana runs to get Mitsuomi, but as he arrives Shin had been calmed down by Maya. Mitsuomi is called out to by Maya making Shin jealous. Shin reactivates his Dragon's Eyes and blasts Mitsuomi with a large quantity of ki, leading to his heart condition. At the hospital, Dōgen is truly remorseful for having gotten his son injured.
After Mitsuomi fights Shin to determine the President of the Enforcement Group and Shin's death, he stages a coup d'état on his father removing him from power. Dōgen attempts to attack Mitsuomi, but is met with the Forged Iron Needle Attack and realizes he can't win. Mitsuomi then steps up as the head of the Takayanagi Family. On the way out, it is revealed that Dōgen was able to sneak out a copy of the data of his research from the main computer [4]. Dōgen then proceed to tell Masataka that their path diverge from Mitsuomi and that he should no longer to associate with his brother.
[edit] Manga
The Takayanagi Family has historically been supported by the 12 Founding Families. Sōhaku Kago created a new alliance of the families consisting of the head's children. Sohaku later assisted Mitsuomi as he overthrew Dōgen.
[edit] F Arc
Dōgen later appears as a favor to Souchiro's mother, Makiko Nagi, to train Souchiro to use his demon exorcist powers. Dōgen admits having made mistakes of the past and wants to undo them by assisting the Juuken Club in their training for the tournament. Souchiro refuses to train with them. In an attempt to reveal Souchiro's power, Dōgen has the former 12 Founding Family heads don masks and attack him. Dōgen even pretends to hold Makiko hostage, inciting Souichiro to awaken his powers. This eventually leads to Souchiro's agreement to train.
[edit] Tournament Arc
Dōgen's latest appearance may be the most surprising. As Shirō Tagami and Emi Isuzu enter a limo with Mitsuomi, Shiro is shocked to see Mitsuiro Tokuan Shōjō and Hirohiko Myouun Kabane in the limo as well; Mitsuomi tends to dislike members of Red Feather Families. Shiro is most perplexed as to why Dōgen is in the limo as well[5]. Although the purpose of the meeting hasn't been revealed yet, Masataka later points out Dōgen has not been home in several days.
[edit] References
- ^ "Tenjho Tenge" Manga; volume 8 tankōbon (Chapter 46, Page 27).
- ^ "Tenjho Tenge" Manga; volume 7 tankōbon (Chapter 40, Page 20).
- ^ "Tenjho Tenge" Manga; volume 7 tankōbon (Chapter 40, Page 28).
- ^ "Tenjho Tenge" Manga; (Chapter 73, Page 06).
- ^ "Tenjho Tenge" Manga; volume 16 tankōbon (Chapter 98, Page 126).
