Masataka Takayanagi
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Masataka Takayanagi (高柳 雅孝 Takayanagi Masataka?) is a character in the manga and anime series Tenjho Tenge. He is a member of the Juuken Club.
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[edit] Character outline
He is the younger brother of Mitsuomi Takayanagi, but the two aren't on good terms. Masataka is your average high school student at first glance, but he is a surprisingly powerful martial artist. He is always a formidable fighter, but he becomes much more dangerous when he is serious or angered. He actually somewhat shy, despite his inner nature being perverted. Masataka falls in love with Aya Natsume at first sight, but is disheartened when she falls in love with Souichiro Nagi instead. He has maintained a crush on her, yet is oblivious to the other girls who have a crush on him. After the incident at the bowling alley, he is greeted by some blushing girls from Todou Academy, he is seemly ignorant of their intentions. Later Madoka Mawari develops a crush on him that he is also unaware of even though it is very obvious to some of the other characters.
Aya describes him as the calm surface that gently envelops the rapids[1],given his typically calm nature, power, skill, and disposition for protection. Masataka's skill seems to have earned him the respect of Tetsuhito Kagiroi, even though they are technically enemies. Similarly Masataka seems to hold great respect for Bunshichi Tawara.
[edit] Techniques & Abilities
Masataka's style isn't named, but it is likely the style of the Takayangi family. In his fight with Madoka, he is revealed to be an anti-weapons specialist. When he is described as an anti-weapons specialist, it is mentioned that Kenpo waits for an opening before it attacks, and when it was created it was always assumed the opponent would have a weapon. It's unclear if the intent is to say his actual style is Kenpo or if it is just a comparison to the way Masataka fights.
[edit] Techniques
- Hakka Soudou Shyou
- A ki based technique in which the user places their hands on the opponent, then twists so one hand points up and the other down. This combines with the users ki to create a blast that throws the opponent backwards. In the manga, Souichiro refers to it as a kamehameha, Goku's signature move from Dragon Ball Z.
- Shinrikugou Batei (Spirit Universe, Disintegrating Horse Hoof Fist)
- What this technique is exactly is never shown, Souichiro interrupts it with his "Barrier" before Mastaka finishes doing it.
- Mental Universe, Massive Phoenix Spreading Wings Back-Passing Fist
- One hand is extended palm outward, and ki is shot forward. Masataka actually blasts this technique through Bob Makihara, thus using it clearly takes a high quantity of skill. This move is also very powerful as it appears to have damaged a cement column it merely grazed as it blasted Madoka into a building.
[edit] Synopsis
[edit] Anime and OVAs
[edit] Story Setup Arc
Masataka is setup early as a great fighter, but is later ignored. At one point in the OVAs, Souichiro refers to him as a supporting character. Despite being a great fighter, and one of the more powerful characters, Masataka is one of the most poorly treated characters. Because his elder brother is the president of the Enforcement Group, Masataka purposely joins the opposing Juuken Club[2].
Soon after he meets Aya for the first time and falls in love with her, Masataka and Maya Natsume come across Bob Makihara and Souichiro. The two new freshmen are beating up everyone they come across in the hall, Maya and Masataka are asked by other students to take care of it. Masataka is concerned when he finds out Souichiro has just been knocked out a window and into the shower room with Aya, so he merely trips Bob and leaves. Masataka is heart broken when he discovers Aya kissing Souichiro, even though Souichiro is uninterested in Aya. Bob actually seems impressed with Masataka. He even asks Masataka who is stronger than him at Todou, however Souichiro runs in and starts a fight with Masataka before he can answer. Using nothing but a wooden chopstick, Masataka blocks Souichiro's first punch, which was intended to be a cheap shot while Masataka wasn't looking. He flowed his ki into the chopstick preventing its break, then hits Souichiro with a ki move, Hakka Soudou Shyou sending Souichiro across the room. Bob is amazed someone can make Souichiro seem so helpless in a one on one fight, as Masataka beats up on Souichiro. In an unusually arrogant comment from Masataka, he says if Souichiro can land even one hit, he wins. After what should have been a knockout blow, Aya yells at Souichiro "waking him up", as well as dishearten Masataka with a comment referring to him as a low level martial artist. Angered by this, Masataka says for the first time he actually feels like beating up Souichiro, and does another ki attack. Souichiro distracts him by using his "barrier", where he shoves the unwanted bento Aya made for him in Masataka's face. He then proceeds to punch Masataka in the stomach. Now fully enraged by his rejection by Aya, Souichiro's rude treatment of a gift from Aya, and his cheap shot; Masataka attacks Souichiro in a berserker rage. Souichiro is pushed back to the wall by the enraged Masataka who gives him a severe beating, Maya and Aya tried to stop Masataka, but they are tossed away. In the Anime, this is the most violent fight shown, at one point he hits Souichiro in the stomach so hard he vomits. In the end Masataka misses his finishing blow (most likely intentionally), shattering the concrete wall behind Souichiro.
Following this and their defeat at the hands of Tsutomu Ryuuzaki, Souichiro and Bob join the Juuken Club, and Masataka trains Bob. Shortly afterward the Enforcement Group attacks the Juuken Club at a bowling alley, this is the last real fight Masataka gets in the anime and OVAs. Masataka smashes the floor and tells Souichiro to go through the hole to find Maya and Aya, and he proceeds to take on 80 guys at the same time. Bob protects Chiaki, his girlfriend, but is little help in this fight. After single handedly defeating 80 men, and with little trouble at that, Chiaki accidentally hits him in the groin (drops his pants in the manga, he ends up zipping up on his privates in a frantic attempt to pull them back up). Now limping and leaning on Bob as he leaves, he comes across his brother Mitsuomi. Mitsuomi calls him weak for having to be carried out after fighting "only 80" people, and back hands him across the room. Another member of the Enforcement Group, Shinobu Kagurazaka, takes on Masataka from then on. Still feeling the effects of the groin pain and his brothers backhand, Masataka seems to be losing. Once he regains himself, he gains the advantage with his fight with Kagurazaka, when his brother interferes and drops him again.
[edit] Aya and the Reiki Arc
As Maya notices Reiki missing, she realizes Aya has it. As Shin Natsume had Dragon's Eyes as well and was driven insane by them, there is a huge uproar about this. Masataka was not informed about this and not knowing the significance of the Reiki any more than Aya did, he lets her stay at his place for awhile.
For the remainder of the anime and OVA's he is mainly in the background training Bob, and gets little attention.
[edit] Manga
The manga is far more graphic than the anime, although this is edited out of the CMX version. The manga has a large quantity of nudity and sex related material, not present in the anime. It is also contains more blood, and shows more graphic techniques than the anime. The manga has gone far beyond where the anime left off, and Masataka gets a little more attention later.
[edit] F Arc
For awhile Masataka's only relevance was telling Bob what to do for training, but as Bob gets better he starts having sparring sessions with Masataka. As Bob starts to lose in his fight against the sword expert, Madoka Mawari, Masataka steps up and takes the fight for him. In his first move he actually places his hand on Bob's shoulder and blasts ki through him. A good display of Masataka's skill as Bob was uninjured by this. Masataka actually gets serious in this fight, saying he is angry "for the first time in a long time". This is when it is revealed he is an anti-weapons specialist [3]. After defeating Madoka, and her subsequent release from Sōhaku Kago’s manipulation jutsu, she falls in love with Masataka although he doesn't notice.
Shortly after Aya entrusts Masataka to guard the computer chip F is after, Fu Chi'en is sent to attack the Juuken Club under the control of Sōhaku's manipulation jutsu. Masataka protects Madoka, resulting in Fu slashing his shoulder. He attempts to counter attack, but is electrocuted; Aya rushes in to help. Masataka takes Madoka to Bunshichi's store, thinking he could help. Masataka is actually afraid of Fu's power, exactly how Mitsuomi was afraid of Shin.
Bunshichi opens the door and Masataka and Madoka collapse inside. Given his nature, Bunshichi is initially hesitant to help; so Masataka decides to do it himself, leading Madoka to worry that he might be killed. Bunshichi does actually step up to fight, but Masataka does the Majority of the fighting. When Masataka references that he wishes he was as strong as his brother, Bunshichi smacks Fu on the head and tells him to chill out for a bit, he then lectures Masataka on how he shouldn't want to be a "cripple" like Mitsuomi. He warns Masataka that he is currently the only one outside of the "wheel of fate" and he shouldn't rush to throw himself into it. At the conclusion of his lecture, Masataka's fear goes away and he wonders if it is the same thing his brother has been fighting against for so long. Suddenly half the city blacks out and Bunshichi realizes Fu is sucking all the electricity into himself to vaporize everyone, including himself. As Bunshichi tells everyone to run Masataka rushes Fu, and hits him hard. It actually shatters the amulets in Fu's eye sockets and sends him over a building, freeing him from his mind control and stopping the attack.
Tetsuhito and Katsumi Kabuto observed the fight. While Katsumi initially doubted Masataka, Tetsuhito had faith in his skill and actually seemed impressed. Tetsuhito is grateful to Masataka for stopping Fu since his suicide attack could have killed them also. He heals Masataka and Madoka with the Dragon's Palm to show his gratitude. Fu thanks Masataka for saving him and freeing him of his mind control; however, he mentions going for revenge which leads Tetsuhito to kill him. Tetsuhito then points out him healing Masataka was showing his gratitude to God, for giving him an opponent as worthy as Masataka[4]. Before a fight can start however Katsumi points out the fight in the city was unplanned and they don't want to have to deal with the police. Tetsuhito and Katsumi elect to leave instead.
[edit] Sohaku Arc & Tournament Arc
For awhile Masataka was sitting on the curb with some others waiting to see how things turned out, as his brother and Maya went to rescue Souichiro from Sohaku. Now the tournament has finally started. The first round of which was won entirely by Masataka, thanks to Shirō Tagami showing him a shortcut to the Archery Club's position. Souichiro subsequently defeats the 2nd round opponent with one Forged Iron Needle Attack. As Kagesada Sugano (almost solely referred to by his nickname: asshat in the manga or scum in the anime) attempts to claim the role of advance guard in the 3rd round, Masataka supports him by holding the others back. Masataka seems to base this faith on the grounds Kagesada has been around the captain (Maya Natsume) the longest of any of them.
Masataka's faith is placed correctly in Kagesada, as he defeats nearly the entire Jujutsu Club himself. When the newly enhanced captain of the Jujutsu Club arrives, Masataka notices she's fighting way different than she should be. She displays crude and brutish skill; Masataka notes she is renowned for having the most beautiful form in the school. He knows there is no way she should be fighting like that, but it doesn't seem he understands why she is as of yet.
[edit] Relationship with Mitsuomi
It's worth noting that while early on Mitsuomi and Masataka seem to hate each other (Mitsuomi insults him, beats him up, and tells him to stay away from him after he took over as head of the family). Later Mitsuomi makes comments indicating that is not the case. Masataka does seem to blame his brother for what he has done to their father and the school, but after his fight with Fu Chien, he comes to understand his brother a little better.
Mitsuomi shows more concern for his brother as the story progresses. He did seem strangely happy that his brother had surrounded himself with good friends, after he noticed Souchiro's rage at seeing Masataka on the ground in the bowling alley. At one point he punched Noriko Shindayuu Inue in the face after telling her not to touch Masataka. Many of the times Mitsuomi has acted cold it's simply a misunderstanding, for example he called the fight with Madoka a "farce" as soon as Mastaka took the fight, and refused to watch. Initially it seems it's because he dislikes Masataka, in actuality its because he knows Madoka has no chance against his brother.
It is starting to be implied Mitsuomi is hard on his brother, because he wants him to be stronger; not because of the Juuken Club issue like it was originally indicated. Masataka's distaste for his brother is genuine however, he blames him for all the bad things happening in the school right now.
[edit] Trivia
- A running joke throughout the Manga series is that he is insecure about the size of his manhood and has recurring problems with wet dreams.
- Bunshichi references that an opponent with Masataka's fighting style is the type of opponent he least wants to face[5]
