Souichiro Nagi
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Souichiro Nagi (凪 宗一郎 Nagi Sōichirō) is the main character in the manga and anime series Tenjho Tenge. He is a member of the Jyuuken Club and the Knuckle Bombs.
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[edit] Character outline
Souichiro is a blonde, spikey haired teenager, who enjoys fighting. Later in the series, he cuts the majority of his hair off, and wears an eyepatch after the loss of his right eye. As a child, Souichiro was bullied and tormented because his family consists of demon exorcists, and were not well liked as a result. The apartment he shared with his mom was covered in offensive messages etc... Souichiro started fighting early as a result, beating up those who tormented him. In elementary school, he met up with his best friend Bob Makihara[1], and they started calling themselves the Knuckle Bombs. The pair go school to school beating up everyone they find until they have been proven the strongest. Upon arriving at Todou Academy, Souchiro quickly learns he is nowhere near as strong as he thought.
Souichiro fights using street fighting methods as opposed to real martial arts. He prides himself on being a thug and therefore he fights without honor, usually with cheap shots, etc... However, he does seem to draw line when it comes to hitting women. After training with Maya Natsume, he learns more martial arts moves including the Forged Needle attack. Throughout the Manga, it is shown that Souichiro and Aya Natsume have some sort of mental connection between them that calls to the other when they are in trouble [2][3][4] [5].
Souichiro is a teen obsessed with fighting and takes a lot of pride in that. Ironically, he believes that fighting doesn't resolve anything[6]. Initially, he is believed to have an average, or below average intelligence. He is very cocky and gets angered easily, and always has wise cracks. He isn't very good with being around girls, because he had little contact with them up until high school because they thought he was creepy[1]. When he enrolled into Todou Academy, he fought Masataka Takayanagi resulting in him losing his first major fight. He falls in love with Maya Natsume, because she is similar to him. Through out the series, he repeatedly has shown he has trouble showing any affection towards people he cares about. Souichiro is slowly changing, and starting to become more intelligent and starting to build the charisma of the leader. For example, Souichiro actually gets Kagesada Sugano (almost solely referred to by his nickname asshat in the manga or scum in the anime) to once again become an active Juuken Club member. Their initial encounter seems to inspire Kagesada to quit his typical cowardly behavior and fight.
Aya is in love with him, but he seems uninterested in her because he is actually in love with Maya. Maya's feelings for Souichiro are unknown. Later on, Shidzuru Kamura also develops a crush on Souichiro and views Maya as an enemy as a result.
[edit] Technique & Abilities
Souichiro is a self-proclaimed thug, and has no real martial arts style. Later he does start to develop more skill and becomes a pretty formidable fighter. He advances very quickly learning picking up reverse striking in a matter of days, even without knowing what he is doing.
[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. Shin Natsume 'stole' this technique while in the service of Dōgen Takayanagi. 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. Maya taught Souichiro this technique, whom, in turn, was taught by her brother Shin.
[edit] Magabarai (Demon Exorcist) Form
The Magabarai blood that runs through Souichiro's veins allows him to tune into the Red Wing Resonance of anyone of the Red Wing blood lineage. This Red Wing Resonance Effect allows Souichiro to transform, turning his arms and hair black as ki enters into him and exits through his dragon gates, activating his chakra thusly. In this form, the limitless amount of ki flowing through him greatly strengthens his supernatural abilities. However, Souichiro was inexperience with this phenomenon and the resulting surge of ki forced tremendous strain of his body, and in some cases, was on the verge of being consumed by his own dragon; with the possibility of going mad. Only while in Sohaku's custody, he was able to freely access his chakra, without the assistance of the Red Wing Resonance Effect.
[edit] Dragon's Fist
Each of the six Red Wing families possesses a unique chakra, or dragon gate. The Nagi family possess the Dragon Fist. This a powerful punch gives him the ability to seal the dragons of others, and use them for himself. It is this most unique and powerful ability of the Red Wing families that Souhaku, Souichiro's father, wants so badly. As he plans to gather all the powers and abilities in one entity his son, Souichiro, and then take all that power onto himself.
- Looping Red Earth Dragon Gate
- The first chakra and true nature of Souichiro's ki: "earth ki". When his gate opens, Souichiro can harness the earth's electrical fields and generate electricity. However, this works as long as his legs are connected to the earth. If no contact is made between the ground and his legs, his power remains idle. The full form of the Red Earth Dragon's chakra is the "Thunderous Lighting Rapid Strike"; the "Red Emperor Dragon - Lightning Arrow Step" (in the CMX translation). [7]
- Looping Orange Water Dragon Gate
- The second chakra with power over "water ki". Using his Dragon Fist, Souichiro inadvertently sealed Ishiyumi's dragon within him. But with this chakra, as long as there is contact with water, Souichiro can manipulate it using his ki. Learning from Ishiyumi, Souichiro can fashion water bullets as strong as steel using his ki; and using Ishiyumi Style Archery, he can fire them at deadly velocities. Souichiro, however, can substitute water with his own blood to fashion his bullets.
- Dragon's Claws
- The unique "Red Feather Power" of the Shyukyou family a branch of the Kabane family. The chakra of the Dragon's Claws narrowly focuses one's ki into razor-thin blades as its passes through their fingertips; effectively transforming them into nigh-impossibly sharp spears. Souichiro was able to steal the Dragon Claws from their wielder, Mataza Tsumuji, using his Dragon's Fists.
- Looping Green Wind Dragon Gate: Imperial Deer Kick
- This technique is that of the Kamura family. It appears to be some kind of jumping technique, what exactly it consists of is unclear. Later on, Souichiro uses this technique to jump a high wall to get at another team, but does not understand how he got there [8].
[edit] Synopsis
[edit] Anime and OVAs
[edit] Story Setup Arc
Souichiro and Bob arrive at Todou Academy and proceed to pick a fight with anyone in the general vicinity. Soon they are confronted by Maya Natsume and Masataka Takayanagi. Maya puts Souichiro through a window and he falls into the shower room and meets Aya Natsume. Aya immediately falls in love with him, much to Souichiro's surprise and disapproval. Aya declares Souichiro will be her husband; Souichiro is not enthusiastic of the idea and spends most of the day running from her. He proceeds to pick a fight with Masataka, who easily beats Souichiro until Souichiro uses a cheap shot. Enraged by the fact the girl he loves, Aya, likes Souichiro instead and the fact he has been hit with a cheap attack, Masataka no longer holds back. Souichiro is beaten badly and the final punch just misses his head (most likely an intentional miss), shattering the concrete wall behind him.
Souichiro claims he will never lose again after that, but his actions have caught the attention of the Enforcement Group. An enforcer named Tsutomu Ryuuzaki comes to handle the two new students, Souichiro and Bob. Ryuuzaki torches Bob's motorcycle, and goes after Bob's girlfriend Chiaki (in the anime, he merely assaults Chiaki; in the manga, he actually rapes her). Bob and Souichiro show up and are both beaten. The two decide to join the Juuken Club, that Maya, Masataka, and Aya are members of in hopes they can get stronger and get revenge. Souchiro manages to improve at an astounding rate, performing techniques that should take years to master.
Not long afterward the Enforcement Group attacks the Juuken Club at a bowling alley. Souichiro fights Kōji Sagara(Saga Mask), and defeats him. He later encounters Mitsuomi Takayanagi, the Enforcement Group president; he somehow manages to keep getting up despite being hit with the Takayanagi family secret technique, but the fight is interrupted by Bunshichi Tawara. Following the incident, Bob and Souichiro find out the history behind the Juuken Club, Maya, and Mitsuomi.
A rivalry is setup between Mitsuomi and Souichiro, as they both seem to love Maya. In the process of preparing to fight Mitsuomi at the schools tournament, Souichiro awakens his demon exorcist-self, his hair is no longer spiked up and turns black. Souichiro has an unlimited amount of ki in this form. Neither the anime nor the OVAs have proceeded farther than this.
[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 also goes into more depth on the dragon's gates that allow Souichiro to use his demon exorcist powers and Aya and Shin Natsume's Dragon eyes.
The manga has proceed much farther than the anime or OVAs. After awakening his demon exorcist-self, Souichiro learns the Takayanagi family is traditionally supported by the 12 founding families as represented on the family's crest, the Rising Phoenix. The families are further split into Red Feathers and White Feathers. The setup was disturbed by Mitsuomi's takeover, anew alliance has formed called 'F'.
[edit] F arc
While F is supposed to obey Mitsuomi's orders, they attack Souichiro and the other members of the Juuken Club despite Mitsuomi's orders to wait for the tournament. In an interesting turn of events, it is revealed Souchiro has the ability to steal the special techniques of others after fighting them. These people subsequently lose the ability to do their techniques afterward. He does this by his Dragon's Fist which "eats" the other persons dragon.
The first of these opponents is Tessen Ishiyumi. At the end of this fight, Souichiro "loses" his left leg to his own dragon, but steals Tessen's powers. Later he encounters Jushi Mataza Tsumuji, on Jushi's quest to find a computer chip hidden within the Enmi Family (Enmi is one of the 36 branch families) Scroll. He defeats Jushi, but loses control of his dragon thanks to Jushi tainting him with his hatred. His mother sucks away all his power saving him, but loses her only remaining arm in the process.
[edit] Sohaku Arc
Soon it is discovered that someone else is controlling F besides Mitsuomi, Souichiro's estranged father Sōhaku Kago. Souichiro is kidnapped and forced to fight various other people including other members of the 12 Founding Families, and 36 Branch Families and steal their powers. He is known to have fought Katsumi Kabuto and Shidzuru Kamura.
Tessen returns looking to reclaim his powers that Souichiro stole from him. As they are about to kill each other Maya and Mitsuomi stop the two of them. Afterwards, they all head out to take on Souichiro's father together. Even though he leaves himself open to attack Nagi can't bring himself to hit his father. The fight is short-lived, however as Mitsuomi quickly beheads Sohaku. Through Aya's flashbacks to ancient times we learn Sohaku has power over death, and has the ability to store his conscientious in his right eye. Later it is shown Noriko Shindayuu Inue poking out Souichiro's right eye, and it is implied that Sohaku's eye is implanted.
[edit] Tournament Arc
In chapter 98 the story suddenly jumps back to the present timeline. Souchiro has cut off the majority of his hair (for reasons unknown) and is now wearing an eyepatch. He mentions he doesn't recall much about what happened to him. Near the end of this chapter one of Aya's dragon eyes activate, and shows Souichiro morphing into Sohaku. After Sohaku speaks in riddles for a moment Aya snaps out of it and everything returns to normal. So far it is unclear why Sohaku has not gained complete control of Souichiro body.
During training, Maya asks each of the members what they fight for which causes Souichiro to examine what has happened to him up to that point. He confesses to Aya that he wasn't aware that his mother was still sealing powers and that he would like to take up her mission to spare her any more pain. He admits that the tournament will most likely be his last act as a student. After leaving a saddened Aya, Souichiro runs into Saga Mask, who has come for their rematch. Souichiro tells him that he will die if they fight but Saga Mask proceeds to say this is the next step in his goal of reaching the pros. However, before he can finish, Souichiro moves up to him and strikes him in the stomach in an instant. The strike is so powerful that it explodes Saga Mask's entrails out his back all over the ground. In stunned shock, Saga Mask asks a gloomy Souichiro who he is and if he is 'human'. Though this action is most likely an illusion created by Souichiro's intent to kill Saga Mask. Most likely this was done in order to prove the point to Saga Mask that Souichiro was far stronger than he was.
After Masataka wins the first round of the tournament for them, Souichiro is pestered by their next round opponents. They stand on a high ledge and throw rocks at him, greatly annoying him. The others try to plan out what to do, but Souichiro just jumps his way up and hits them with the Forged Iron Needle Attack wiping them all out at once. When Bob asks how he got up there, he comments that he doesn't know.
In the 3rd round Souichiro starts to step up as the Advance Guard but Kagesada (asshat) Steps up and takes that role for himself. Souichiro starts to argue but is stopped by Masataka. Souichiro is shocked to see Kagesada can actually handle it. Once the newly enhanced captain of the Jujutsu Club arrives the tide turns against Kagesada and Souichiro and Bob try to get the judge to stop the fight to no avail. Kagesada insists they not interfere, seemingly inspired by his first encounter with Souichiro. Even so Kagesada's arm is broken by his opponent.
[edit] Trivia
- Souichiro is like the opposite of a Saiyan, in his normal state he has spikey blonde hair, but in his Demon Exorcist form his hair turns black and spikes down.
- Souichiro likes and collects Kamen Rider stuff.
- At one point in the manga, when Souichiro is training with the Ex-12 family leaders, they ask him to turn into his Demon Exorcist form, Souichiro does a mock version of the fusion dance from DBZ saying "fuu-ha" instead of fushion-ha. He then does a charge up, drawn to look like Goku in his Super Saiyan form from Dragon Ball Z and the words "Kame" appear on his shirt.
- Souichiro also bears a resemblance to Hiei of Yu Yu Hakusho, particularly in that his hair is a blond variation off Hiei's when in his full demon form. When he takes of his jacket to fight Masataka, he wears clothes similar to Hiei's. In one image released in the manga he even has a black dragon tattoo wrapped around his arm - another Hiei similarity.
- Souichirou shares the same first name with his Seiyuu.
[edit] References
- ^ a b "Tenjho Tenge" Manga; volume 10 tankōbon (Chapter 61, Page 116-117).
- ^ "Tenjho Tenge" Manga; volume 2 tankōbon (Chapter 11, Page 135).
- ^ "Tenjho Tenge" Manga; volume 8 tankōbon (Chapter 47, Page 60).
- ^ "Tenjho Tenge" Manga; (Chapter 78, Page 32).
- ^ "Tenjho Tenge" Manga; (Chapter 79, Page 22).
- ^ "Tenjho Tenge" Manga; volume 3 tankōbon (Chapter 15, Page 72).
- ^ "Tenjho Tenge" Manga; volume 9 tankōbon (Chapter 54, Page 94-95).
- ^ "Tenjho Tenge" Manga; (Chapter 101, Page 11-12).
