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From: axolotl@socs.uts.EDU.AU (Iain Sinclair) Newsgroups: rec.arts.manga Subject: Oss!! Karatebu Guide (1000+ lines) Message-ID: <1jqrkjINNhan@syzygy.socs.uts.EDU.AU> Date: 23 Jan 1993 18:20:51 +1100 Organization: University of Technology, Sydney Lines: 1060

OSS!! KARATEBU $@2!G&(J!!$@6u<jIt(B Characters and Martial Arts Guide

Original story & art Copyright 1986-93 Takahashi Kouji/Shuueisha

=========================================================================== 0. About this Guide

This is a comprehensive guide to the Oss!! Karatebu (OKB) manga. It covers the 28 volumes published so far, and an additional 3-4 volumes' worth of unpublished material. It consists of three parts - an introduction to OKB, a list of characters, and some background about the various martial arts in OKB. Even if your Japanese is nil or next to nil, you should be able to follow the manga with the help of this guide. (Important names and terms are listed in both English and JIS code.) A Postscript version of this guide is available for ftp from venice.mps.ohio-state.edu: anime-manga/manga-samples/okb-guide.ps.Z. This guide was written for the readers of the Usenet rec.arts.manga newsgroup, and may be freely distributed, provided it remains unaltered.

Many thanks to: Hiroshi Haga, for general Japanese help. Michael Edwards, for access to his archives of Young Jump. Jim Elliott and Kunio "kunedog" Muto, for general Japanese help and help with recent plotlines. Tonghyun Kim, who proofread this guide in great detail.

Any corrections, comments or updates are welcome.

-- Iain Sinclair (axolotl@socs.uts.edu.au)

1. Introduction to Oss!! Karatebu

Oss!! Karatebu is currently the longest-running manga in Japan's biggest selling non-shonen magazine, Young Jump (circulation: 2.4 million copies weekly). So far, it has been running for seven years, with no immediate indications that it will finish soon. In terms of popularity, OKB is about as successful as a first-time manga can get, and there has recently been a big upsurge in fans. There isn't much to say about its author, Takahashi Kouji, except that OKB is the only manga he has ever done. His fellow mangaka seem to regard him as a bit of a weirdo. He likes golf and motorbikes, and also seems to be something of an anime fan, judging by the occasional references to various anime (especially Gundam). OKB follows in the Young Jump tradition of offbeat, outrageous manga with strong doses of H and/or violence (mainly violence, in OKB's case). Its story focuses on the exploits of Takagi, captain of the karate club in Kansai's toughest highschool. The emphasis is initially on comedy, and there is plenty of humour throughout the whole series, but the stories become increasingly serious as the conflicts escalate. Now, it is probably one of the greatest martial arts manga ever written. (The page count passed Hokuto no Ken some time ago.) OKB has been made into four OAVs and a live-action movie, but it is not very well known outside Japan. The subculture of highschool thuggery and student gangs, which are important in OKB, has historically been inaccessible or unappealing to non-Japanese readers. Japanese geography and martial arts also feature prominently, another possible turn-off for the Western reader. However, OKB offers excellent continuity, strong characterisations, highly stylised and effective artwork, great action, and a charm/ambience that is all its own. Anyone who likes manga with those characteristics should like OKB. If you haven't seen it before, I personally recommend starting with the more recent stuff (vol.26 onwards), and if that appeals, try the earlier stuff (vol.21 onwards or vol.11 onwards). If you're hooked, you'll probably end up buying the whole lot, but I don't recommend starting from vol.1 - the art in the first few volumes is very rough.

============================================================================== 2. Characters Guide

Characters are (mostly) listed in order of appearance, and categorised into:

Students and Staff of Kangokou High The Three Pillars of Kobe Student Gang Leaders of Osaka The Battle for Osaka Miscellaneous Kansai Characters Students and Staff of West Shinjuku High Thugs of Shibuya Gang Leaders of Dai-Tokyo Rengou The Kantou Treaty Treasures of the Taizen Temple

Each character entry consists of: a name in romaji and Japanese; an "affiliation" (usually taken from the manga) in English and Japanese; some statistics like age and "Intro" (first appearance in the manga), if applicable; the voice actor in the OAVs, if applicable; and a description.

The descriptions contain synopses of whichever part(s) of the story focus around that character. So you should be able to work out who everyone is and what's going on for anywhere in the manga. The more you read, the more spoilers there are, but most major spoilers (like deaths) have been deliberately omitted.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Students and Staff at Kangokou High (vol.1-10)

Matsushita Tadashi >>2<(B @5(B (Kangokou High 2nd Year ^9)3X9;FsG/@8(B) Voice actor: Matsumoto Honori >>K\J]E5(B Matsushita is an ordinary harassed, bullied student at Kangokou High, who joined the karate club to put an end to his suffering. But in the karate club, he was harassed and bullied worse. :-) The karate club was legendary throughout Osaka for producing hardened thugs, and sure enough, Matsushita was eventually able to defend himself in fights (though Takagi still ended up intervening in some cases). Matsushita's junior, Sakakibara (:g86(B), told him that he could be her boyfriend if he defeated her lover, Nomura (<(B). (However, Nomura wasn't really her lover - just a punk after her affections, whom she disliked and wanted to get rid of.) Neither he nor his friend, Saitou, ever have much luck with women, especially if they say which highschool club they belong to. :-) The first few volumes of OKB are narrated by Matsushita.

Saitou Takaaki @FF#9'><(B (Kangokou High 2nd Year ^9)3X9;FsG/@8(B) Voice actor: Horikawa Ryou @n(B <(B Rarely seen without the company of Matsushita, his friend and classmate. Saitou seems to be the more short-tempered of the two (NB: Osaka people are supposedly short-tempered and unrefined. Most OKB characters from Osaka are stereotyped this way, and also speak with a strong Osaka accent). Like Matsushita, he is constantly being picked on and getting into fights. His classmate from junior high, Yamane Junji (;3:,=cFs(B), became a Yakuza, and one day he forcibly took the karate club money from Saitou.

Kabada Wasaku (B (Vice-Captain of the Kangokou High Karate Club ^9)6u<jItI{<g>-(B) Voice actor: Yoshimura You <$&(B Kabada is tubby and sadistic, but also weak; he only earned the position of vice-captain because he came to the club every day, even in holidays. This once-bullied kid entered the karate club because he worshipped his sempai, Morigami (the former captain). He likes picking on Matsushita and Saitou when Takagi isn't around.

Takagi Yoshiyuki ;V(B (Captain of the Kangokou High Karate Club ^9)6u<jIt<g>-(B) Age: 17, Height: 186cm, Weight: 93kg, Blood Type: RHO- Voice Actor: Genta Tetsushou <EDE/>O(B The outrageously macho, tough, wisecracking anti-hero of Oss!! Karatebu. (Actually, in the first few volumes, Takagi is just one of the guys in the karate club, and doesn't appear all that much; but later, he becomes central to all the stories.) He boasts that no same technique will work on him twice, and so far, he's been proven right. Takagi holds the title Soul of Osaka III, meaning that all the student gangs and hooligans in Osaka are under his direct control. So Takagi himself is a "bad guy", though he has certain principles - he loves freedom, and will never fight women. He also has a goofy sense of humour, often cracking terrible English puns like "Thankyou very macho!". Throughout the whole series, he never really loses his cliched Osaka sensibilities. Takagi is an orphan, but he believes Jinrai (Soul of Osaka I) to be his real brother. After an incident that forced him to reassess his life (at the end of vol.15), Takagi left Osaka and went to Tokyo, where he again became embroiled in escalating conflicts with thugs and student gangs. Dire circumstances forced his return to Osaka (in vol.29), bringing him in direct conflict with the Kansai Yakuza and some very powerful martial artists. (The saga continues.)

Andou Makoto #(B @?(B (Captain of the Kangokou High boxing club ^9)%\%/%7%s%0It<g>-(B) Andou once beat Takagi in a fight, but only because Takagi had bought some baby chickens that morning and was keeping them in his pockets. Later that day, Takagi defeats Andou soundly. (After the chicks grow up, half a year later, Takagi has them for dinner. :-) They occasionally reappear in various strange places.) As with most of Takagi's defeated opponents, Andou subsequently becomes his trusted ally, and teaches Takagi his fighting techniques. One of Osaka's five most powerful gang leaders, he also drives his own souped-up car.

Gantetsu (B (Karate club adviser \Ld(B) Takagi's former teacher, appointed to sort out the karate club. Gantetsu is a big fan of Seishun dramas, which is why he has the kanji for "seishun" ("youth", @D=U(B) shaved on his head. He is strong enough to crush apples with his bare hands.

Arashiyama Kanjurou ;3(B *==O:(B (Student Guidance Counsellor @8EL;XF3C4Ev(B) A sadistic teacher who wields a cane with the inscription, "Kyouiku Seishin Chuunyuu-Bou" ("Character Building Stick", @:?@CmF~K@(B). (TK: He hates Takagi and his club bitterly. He presented the karate club with an obsolescence notice because Takagi fights too often.)

Toufukuji !;{(B (Kangokou High 2nd year ^9)9b9;FsG/@8(B) An expert in Seirinji Kempou (@:NS;{7}K!"w(B) who defeated Takagi, and took over his position as head tough guy in the class. The next day, Takagi read all the books on Seirinji Kempou he could find, and fought him again. He hadn't mastered Seirinji Kempou, but was able to distract Toufukuji by pretending he had.

Honda Momochiyo \ED(B @iBe(B (Manager of the Kangokou karate club ^9)6u<jIt!&%^%M!<%8%c!<(B) Age: 16, BWH: 81-59-86cm, Height: 156 cm, Blood type: B Voice actor: Hayashibara Megumi $0(B The heroine of OKB. :-) When she first joins the karate club, she adorns the karate uniforms with hearts, gives the karate club sign to a rival gang, and has to share the dressing room with the rest of the all-male club... Though she was once the victim of ijime, Takagi's training enabled her to look after herself. She and Takagi came to like each other, and she eventually became Takagi's devoted girlfriend. A plain and innocent girl, she always calls Takagi "shuushou" (captain, <g>-(B), and stays with him through his worst defeats. She eventually left Osaka to live with him in Tokyo (briefly). Takagi has only been seen to kiss her once (though she was asleep at the time :-) I think she promised him some "H", or at least a kiss, at the end of the Kantou Chapter, but that hasn't eventuated. :-)

Fukuma !4V(B (Kangokou High 2nd year ^9)9b9;FsG/@8(B) Voice Actor: Hanamura Kouichi <900l(B Another member of the Kangokou High karate club, unassuming and completely bald. When he was out with Matsushita and Saitou, he ran into his old sempai, Narabayashi (`NINS(B). Narabayashi took them to a disco and introduced them to some girls; that night, Fukuma got lucky with a girl called Takeda Mitsuyo (]ED;0Be(B). She told Fukuma that she was pregnant, but she was lying so that she could squeeze money out of him. Takagi told Matsushita that Narabayashi is known for using his girls to extort money from gullible boys. However, Mitsuyo actually began to like Fukuma, moved by his sincerity and devotion. But Narabayashi wouldn't let her go because he still needed to use her in future schemes. :-)

Morigami Shingo ?9>e??8c(B (Former Captain of the Kangokou High karate club !&6u<jIt<g>-(B) Age: 18, Intro: vol.4 Morigami has an enormous scar over the right side of his face, a reminder of the showdown with Jinrai that made him Soul of Osaka II (:e:2FsBeL\(B). (According to Kabada, Morigami was the only one left standing after that battle.) His second confrontation with Jinrai resulted in the loss of his right eye, and Morigami is now practically blind. He shares Takagi's distinctive star-shaped haircut, a symbol of the Soul of Osaka. He is one of Takagi's mentors, his "sempai of Soul", and it was Morigami who first saw Takagi's potential and appointed him as the next Soul of Osaka. Morigami is a stubborn and powerful fighter, but he is also very level-headed and good-natured. He has mastered the devastating Ryoutoushoutei-ken ("Both Open-Palm Knives Fist", >Ea>8Dl7}(B). Morigami effectively exits the manga in vol.15, but recently he has reappeared (should be in vol.32).

Ueda Hiroshi >eED$7(B (Kangokou High rugby club captain ^9)%i%0%S!<It%-%c%W%F%s(B) Intro: vol.6 Voice Actor: Hayamizu Shou .?e(B >)(B Ueda asked Takagi to play for his rugby side, because all his players were hopeless.

Yoshimura <(B (Kangokou High 2nd year ^9)9b9;FsG/@8(B) Intro: vol.10 A very effeminate-looking mechanics geek, who helped Takagi to race Hirayama Keiji (?;37C0l(B).

------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Three Pillars of Kobe (vol.7-9)

Suenaga Zen (B (B (The Rokkou Oroshi ;9Cq Intro: vol.7 Voice actor: Gousato Daisuke ?N(B Suenaga earnt his nickname ("the icy wind blowing in from Rokkou Mountain") because of his brutality. He wanted to challenge Takagi, who was by now the most powerful man in the Kansai area. Takagi's encounter with Suenaga led to the involvement of the other two Pillars, who saw the outcome as a challenge to Kobe. Suenaga is bearded, bald, and usually wears a traditional split skirt. He uses the prayer beads slung around his neck (nenju, <n(B) as a fearsome weapon.

Ryuuryuu (B Koryuu (B (Kobe's Gods of Death ?@;`B?@(B) Twin brothers. They are practitioners of Tai Chi Chuan.

Rick Powered $@%j%C%/!&%Q%o!<%I(B (Kobe's Black Demon ?@8M(B) Voice actor: Uchinomi Kenji $8-Fs(B Rick is able to block nearly any kind of attack with the strength of his muscles, as long as he concentrates. He's a gaijin who owns the "Rick" bar in Kobe.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Osaka's Student Gang Leaders (vol.11-12)

Kitamura Tsuyoshi <(B (B (Captain of the Shinobugaoka Academy Sumo Club &%v5V3X1`$9$&It<g>-(B) Intro: vol.1 After Takagi defends Matsushita and Saitou from some Shinobugaoka Academy thugs, Kitamura challenges him to a duel. But that day, Takagi has the mumps.

Sagawa Akio :4@n(B >OIW(B (Vice-Captain of the Japan National U. Affiliated High Karate Club |K\9qBg3XIU209b9;6u<jItI{<g>-(B) Intro: vol.4 The enmity between Sagawa and Takagi started after the previous year's Karate Championship match, which Sagawa won "officially", but which remained unresolved. The rematch is also indecisive. His specialty is the karate "five-step stab" (@57}8^CJFM(B).

Kira Takashi (B '(B (Kansai No.3 Industrial Karate Club Captain @>Bh;06u<jIt<g>-(B) Intro: vol.11 Kira was Takagi's childhood training partner. As a kid, Takagi always got the attention and praise, and Kira (who was superior in most respects) eventually became bitterly jealous. Years later, they meet again when the local gang leaders get a letter warning of an invasion that will rain blood on Osaka. Kira thinks Takagi isn't capable of handling the crisis, and initiates a battle which he hopes will make him Soul of Osaka IV. However, he finally realises that one needs heart, as well as power, to win the respect of others. The "Fist of Wind" (}"w(B) is Kira's original technique.

Zaoh Rikiyama "2&NO;3(B (Minou Kumayama High Judo Club Captain 'LL7";33X1!=@F;It<g>-(B) Sakuma Jujirou :45W4V==;zO:(B (Jusohokusai High's Streetfighting Expert ==;0KL@>9b9;%1%s$+==CJ$3(B) Shinozaki Katsuo <D:j9nIW(B (Yao-Higashimachi High's Head Cheerleader ,HxElD.9b9;1~1gCDCDD9(B) Sotogawa Tetsuya @nE/Li(B (Imamiya U. Wrestling Club Captain :#5\Bg3XIU209b9;%"%^%l%9It<g>-(B) Iimura Tooru <(B )(B (Benten-Chounakadai Academy's Muay Thai Savage [E7D.CfBf3X1!%`%(%?%$NLT<T(B) Ooki Naoji <yD><!(B (Kishiwada-Minami Agricultural Academy's Iron Ogre @6H3X1!E4$7$3(B) Zaoh, Sakuma, Shinozaki, Sotogawa, and Iimura are other student gang leaders who recieved the letter. When Kira challenges Takagi to become Soul of Osaka IV, the gang leaders split their allegiances - Kira's side: Takagi's side: Iimura Sagawa Sotogawa Zaoh Shinozaki Sakuma Ooki Kitamura

------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Battle for Osaka (vol.13-15)

Jinrai Isao ?@Mk(B (B (Soul of Osaka I =iBeBg:e:2(B) Age: 19 Takagi's and Kira's mentor. Jinrai was the original Soul of Osaka, the leader of hundreds of students, hooligans and street thugs. He was able to fight his way to the top using the powerful Inazuma-shuraiken ("Lightning hand thunder fist" :J<jMk7}"w(B) technique, and the Tousaishou ("Sword-Breaking palm" :U>8"w(B) technique. He disappeared after a showdown with Morigami, but turns up again during the battle for Soul of Osaka IV. However, Jinrai is now the leader of the enormous Shikoku Alliance, and is hell-bent on bringing Osaka to its knees. Jinrai was the author of the letter sent to the gang leaders - he wanted to weaken Osaka before his return. But because he was Takagi's childhood mentor, Takagi preferred to abandon Osaka altogether than to fight him. Jinrai's appearance marks the climax of the Osaka Chapter of OKB. Much later in the manga, Jinrai turns up to save Takagi from otherwise certain-death situations.

Gotou Itsuki #25@8(B (Waitress at the "I Need You" cafe %&%(!<%H%l%9(B) Jinrai and Morigami were regular patrons at "I Need You", a hangout for many Osaka gang members. The main attraction there was Itsuki, a former model, with whom Jinrai was badly infatuated. One night, when the cafe is deserted, he overhears Itsuki telling Morigami that she loved him. She preferred Morigami's gentle nature to Jinrai's viciousness. After Morigami leaves, Jinrai confronts her. Despite repeated warnings to keep away, she splashes the left side of his face with sulphuric acid, but it doesn't stop him. Then he rapes Itsuki. Morigami comes back, sees Itsuki cowering in a corner, and in a rage says that he'll kill Jinrai. That night, there is a huge gathering of the Osaka gangs, and the showdown between Morigami and Jinrai takes place. Morigami, who still has some sympathy for Jinrai, lets Jinrai take the victory. (As opposed to popular myth, which had Morigami as the victor.) Then the gangs turn on Jinrai, but he defeats them single-handedly. He leaves Osaka, vowing to one day return and destroy it. (TK: Morigami was more powerful and more popular than Jinrai, but he always yielded EVERYTHING to Jinrai because he considered Jinrai to be his "Sempai of Soul" and that's why he adopted Jinrai's hairstyle. Once, Jinrai was a man with a heart of gold, but Morigami's modesty deeply wounded his pride and that, along with his unrequited love for Itsuki, eventually drove him mad. Morigami realized his mistake when Jinrai came back to Osaka, but it was already too late. Jinrai's madness didn't stop until Takagi defeated him in vol.15; he was sent to prison after the fight.)

Takanuki Katsumi (B (The custodian of Tokushima )$+(B) Nakai Tooru (B )(B (The custodian of Kagawa @n8)$+(B) Tanaka Hiroyuki @G7(B (The custodian of Ehime &I28)$+(B) Asakura Atsushi @uARFF;J(B (The custodian of Kouchi )$+(B) Jinrai assigned each of these four hitmen to destroy police stations in inner-city Osaka: Midousuji, Naniwa, Miyakojima, and Ooyodo respectively. Their prime weapons are the chigirigi, claw, mallet, and tanto respectively.

Kou Ryuun +(B @@h@8(B (Caretaker of the Taizen temple @A5;{N1<iHV(B) An old master of Tai Chi Chuan, who lives in the mountains near Kobe. Ryuuryuu and Koryuu, his disciples, brought Takagi to the temple after Takagi had fled Osaka. Takagi needed a way to defeat Jinrai, and Ryuun managed to teach him the fundamentals of Tai Chi Chuan in just ten days.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Miscellaneous Kansai Characters (vol.1-10)

Great Teacher of Hagou Shinmei-style karate ?@L@N.6u<j"w!&Bg;UHO(B Gantetsu invited this 86-year old instructor to the karate club, but he was soon beating up everything in sight - the taxi he arrived in, the local police...

Tada Yuuji ?EDM&<!(B Formerly a close friend of Takagi's, and a talented shogi player. While helping Takagi in a fight, he accidentally killed a thug. He was sent to prison, and that meant the end of his career as a shogi player; he held Takagi responsible, and wanted revenge.

Yamaguchi Bunta @J8B@(B (The Inagaki Ripper ?M;B@$3(B) TK: A graduate of Kangokou and now a Yakuza. He was a member of the karate club (thus a sempai of Takagi) and is well-known for his skill with the dosu (Yakuza sword).

Ootsuka Naoya >Li(B (Kansai's Rocky @>%m%-!<(B) Intro: vol.5 Some hoons were pestering Momochiyo to ride in their hot car, but the handsome Ootsuka comes along and smashes it up with his bare hands. Momochiyo gets sick of waiting on Takagi and starts going out with Ootsuka; on her birthday, Ootsuka buys her hundreds of flowers. Andou tells Takagi that Ootsuka is the local rising star in amateur boxing. And one of Takagi's minions finds out something else: Ootsuka is the "chief mobilizer" of Kitahara Rengou. When Momochiyo visits Ootsuka in the Kitahara gym, he tears her clothes off, beats her up and chases after her. Takagi turns up in time to save her, and tells Ootsuka he'll destroy him. They fight it out in a public boxing match (with Andou as Takagi's coach).

Fukushima !Eh@h@8(B Intro: vol.7 An affable doctor, whose small surgery is frequented by Takagi, Morigami and other toughs. After the Jinrai crisis had passed, Takagi was knifed by a thug who was trying to gain a reputation by defeating Takagi. This affected him deeply, and while he was being patched up, Fukushima suggested that Takagi should leave Osaka forever. Takagi agreed, and Fukushima helped to make this possible by faking his death. Kira then became Soul of Osaka IV (by Takagi's appointment), and Takagi left for Tokyo, known only to Matsushita, Saitou, Morigami and Momochiyo.

Chiba Naoki @iMUD><y(B (Assisting the Soul of Osaka in the North :e:2Jd:4KL$"$:$+(B) Ookuma Masato (2m?M(B (Assisting the Soul of Osaka in the South :e:2Jd:4Fn$"$:$+(B) Tadaki Yutaka ~LZ(B (B (Assisting the Soul of Osaka in the West :e:2Jd:4@>$"$:$+(B) Sononaka Atsu `Cf(B (B (Assisting the Soul of Osaka in the East :e:2Jd:4El$"$:$+(B) These were replaced by new members when Kira became Soul of Osaka IV.

Satsuki Asuka ^7nHtD;(B (The out-of-control Head of the Villainesses =Av@{!&=w6',(B) Intro: vol.9 She held Takagi responsible for the death of the two people she loved most, her sister Satsuki Megumi (^7n(B (B) and her best friend Sano Yuuko.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Staff and Students of West Shinjuku High (vol.16-19)

Tsutsui {0f(B (Shuuei Alliance Executive Staff $@=81QO"9gN5F,2q44It(B) TK: A well-known figure in the Yakuza world, and potentially very deadly. But he has a gentle side, and a strong sense of jingi ("chivalry", ?N5A(B). He becomes a patron of Takagi and his gang, helping them on several occasions. He was well aware of the fact that Takagi was the Soul of Osaka III.

Mikumo Marimo ~1@$^(B (West Shinjuku High 2nd year @>?7=I3X1!FsG/@8(B) The first person Takagi met when he came to Shinjuku. She develops a crush on him, and at one point throws herself between Takagi and his opponent's body-piercing blow. When Momochiyo visited Tokyo, Marimo got very jealous, and forced her to go back to Osaka without ever seeing Takagi. Ootake has a crush on Marimo.

Shimotori Tatsuaki ;C@(B (West Shinjuku High 2nd year @>?7=I3X1!FsG/@8(B) A bespectacled dork who looks a bit like Marimo, from some angles. He was the first person to join the WSH karate club when Takagi reopened it. While visiting Takagi in hospital, he accidentally saw Takagi lying on Marimo (Takagi had tripped and fallen :-) Then he spread a rumour that there had been some H between them. (Neither Marimo nor Shimotori are seen after vol.25.)

Hanamori Shizuka ?9@E9a(B (West Shinjuku High Headmistress @>?7=I3X1!9;D9(B)

Hayashi Yukiharu (B <#(B (Vice-Captain of the West Shinjuku High Cheerleaders ~1gCDI{CDD9(B) (TK: Hayashi and Takagi never really fought, although Takagi would have easily beaten him. Hayashi doesn't have knowledge of any martial arts, but he relies on his street fighting techniques. He has a GF whom he deeply cares for.)

Yamamoto Kouji ;3K\9@;J(B (Former Captain of the WSH kendo club @>?7=I3X1!7uF;It<g>-(B) Kobori Kazuya >.KY0lLi(B (Former Captain of the WSH soccer club @>?7=I3X1!%5%C%+!<It<g>-(B) Ishioka Takushi @P2,Bv;J(B (Former Captain of the WSH judo club @>?7=I3X1!=@F;It<g>-(B) (Their role is similar to that of the Kangokou karate club members.)

Sakamoto Tatsuya :dK\C#Li(B (Captain of the WSH Cheerleaders ~1gCDCDD9(B) Weight: 200kg, Height: 210 cm (TK: Neither Sakamoto nor Hayashi were thoroughly evil, unlike most of Takagi's opponents. But they were obeying their boss, Satou, because they had no choice. Takagi's presence was a serious threat to the current order of Shinjuku. As members of Shinjuku Force, Sakamoto had to eliminate Takagi ASAP or face the consequences. Sakamoto was a member of the old WSH karate club, and his specialty is the "six-step stab" (;7}8^CJFM(B).

Ootake Jin ](B ?N(B (West Shinjuku High Cheerleader B-squad boss ~1gCDBT96BbD9(B) Ootake always wears a long white school coat and a red scarf, knitted for him by his late girlfriend (a victim of gang warfare). He eventually becomes Takagi's most trusted friend. He is a clever and skillful fighter, who can deliver especially powerful kicks. Though his primary martial art is Okinawan Karate (-Fl6u<j(B), he later trained in Muay Thai (kickboxing).

Satou Shouji :4F#><Fs(B (Leader, Shinjuku Force ?7=IItBbF,(B) Satou targeted Takagi because Takagi's love of freedom posed a threat to the way he rules Shinjuku. (TK: Satou is the former captain of West Shinjuku High Karate Club, he was expelled from the school after an incident. He has mastered many martial arts including Crane and Monkey Styles. His deadliest weapon is his "Bear's Paw" which Satou claims to have the same bestial power of a real bear's paw. To him, money and power were the only things that mattered, but the fight with Takagi opened up his eyes.)

Mizaru +1n(B Iwazaru @(B Kikazaru $+1n(B (The See-not, Hear-not, Say-not monkeys) Satou's ninjas, who wear Noh-type masks to conceal their identity. Later, they were used to infiltrate Tanabe's massage parlour.

Taguchi }(B (West Shinjuku High senior, 2nd year @>?7=I3X1!FsG/@8(B) Able to disguise himself as Takagi, he provided a vital diversion in the battles against Satou and Majima.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thugs of Shibuya (vol.19-22)

Takeuchi Retsu ]Fb(B (B (Ringleader, Shibuya Killers =BC+6rO"AmD9(B) Takeuchi's gang of hooligans was competing with Shibuya Force for control of Shibuya. (TK: Takeuchi just wanted to be "free" and to be with those who share the same feeling. Takeuchi never had any money for opening up a store. His ice cream store was leased to him by Tsutsui, thanks to Takagi.)

Ogawa Sayuri >.@n(B >.I49g(B (Leader, Shibuya Force =BC+ItBbF,(B) Ogawa wanted to rule Shibuya with terror, which brought her into conflict with Takeuchi.

Igari Katsuhiro <m9nM5(B (Deputy leader, Shibuya Force =BC+ItBbI{F,(B) Intro: vol.20 Igari is the true power behind Shibuya Force; his fists move with such blinding speed that they can't be seen. Takagi only fought him after eating "Machi Coffee + Snack" and using matchsticks to prop open his eyelids. :-) Because of his crush on Ogawa, Igari followed her orders, even though he hated her brutality. But when he found out that she had no faith in him, he deposed her.

Majima Boku ??Eg(B (B ("Dead bone" serial killer) Intro: vol.21 When Majima was released from maximum security prison (where he was serving time for murdering nine people), Ogawa was waiting for him. She wanted to use him in her revenge against Takeuchi. But Majima enjoys killing, and went far beyond what Ogawa wanted. When he came up against Takagi and his henchmen, Takagi himself was weak after donating blood to a critically injured Takeuchi.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Gang Leaders of Dai-Tokyo Rengou (vol.22-24)

Majima Sabu ??Egh5Ip(B (Leader of Roppongi Force ;K\LZItBbF,(B) Intro: vol.22 The brother of Majima Boku, with whom he has an incestuous and homosexual relationship. He shares his brother's skull-like features and gloomy eyes. He's also the owner of a Roppongi disco and the de facto boss of Dai-Tokyo Rengou (the Great Tokyo Alliance, consisting of the gangs of Shinjuku, Shibuya, Roppongi, Ikebukuro, Ginza, and Sumida). Sabu tolerated Takagi after he took over Shinjuku and Shibuya, but when he crippled his brother, it was the last straw. The remaining members of Dai-Tokyo Rengou moved to destroy Takagi, and Takagi opted to take on the gang leaders in one-on-one combat. (Jinrai tried to stop Takagi, since he thought Takagi didn't stand a chance.) However, Takagi was using morphine to improve his endurance, on Tsutsui's advice. Sabu is a master of Toujutsu, and uses Houshitou in the later battle against the Bloodbath Alliance. Takagi's showdown with Sabu marks the climax of the Tokyo Chapter of OKB.

Tanabe Katsunari >!@.(B (Leader of Ikebukuro Force ^ItBbF,(B) Tanabe is a monstrous man, "bigger than Andre the giant". Owner of the "F" Fashion Massage brothel in Ikebukuro, his lieutenants are the toughest in Dai-Tokyo Rengou. Sometimes he wields a demolition ball on a chain, but his real power comes from his knowledge of Tai Chi Chuan. (In the battle against the Bloodbath Alliance, he also uses Drunken Fist (}K!?l7}(B) techniques.)

David Furuya %G%S%C%I8EC+(B (Leader of Ginza Force :BItBbF,(B) While he knows no martial arts, he has two dangerous weapons -- his gun, an Israel Military Industries Jericho 941, and his formidable intellect (300 IQ).

Raiden Taro @O:(B (Leader of Sumida Force ,(B) With two electrified gloves and his "Electric Death Fist" (;`EE7}"w(B), "shorty" Raiden can hold onto his dream of being the biggest guy in Sumida. He can increase the range of his "Electric Death Fist" by using two beryllium whips. Typically, he wears a suit, or a long schoolboy's coat and sandals. He also has a strong physical resemblance to Matsushita, which he was able to exploit in his showdown with Takagi.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Kantou Treaty (vol.25-28)

Urushibara Mutsuo <?86KSIW(B (Commander of the Kantou Alliance "9gAm?c(B) Age: 21, Intro: vol.25 Years ago, Urushibara was the victor in the Kantou region's most bloody and protracted gang warfare. To ensure that it never happened again, he put together the Kantou Peace Treaty, which prevented the various members (Gunma, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Chiba, Saitama) from fighting amongst each other. But the treaty was solely reliant on Urushibara's power, and Teramoto (Ibaraki's leader) formed the Bloodbath Alliance to remove Urushibara, smash the treaty and take over Kantou.

Kimura Kouichi <9@0l(B (Kanagawa's Esteemed Official ?@F`@n.8x;R(B) Age: 17 Kimura is a brilliant practitioner of I-ken, his own martial arts system. He fought by the side of his mentor, Urushibara, in the battles that led to the Kantou Treaty. However, when Kanagawa was approached by the Bloodbath Alliance, he sided with them, because he had a responsibility to protect his followers. But after fighting Haruno (Urushibara's brother), he couldn't repress his feelings any longer, and went against Teramoto. Kimura later became Takagi's other trusted aide (along with Ootake).

Teramoto Seiichi ;{K\@60l(B (Ibaraki's Spring Breeze >k=UIw(B) Age: 19 An extremely tough, competent martial artist, whose skill enabled him to form and command the Bloodbath Alliance (Satsuriku Rengou, ;&Y"9g(B), comprising the gangs of Ibaraki, Tochigi, Chiba and Saitama). He practices Shaolin 18 Arhat Hands, and can use his long pigtail as a deadly "third arm". Takagi's final confrontation with Teramoto marks the climax of the Kantou Chapter of OKB.

Iwamoto Tetsuo \E4IW(B [/CK(B?] (Tochigi's Crude Engineer ;;U(B) Age: 20 The oldest and largest member of the Bloodbath Alliance. His spiked clubs have the power to smash hardened steel.

Munemasa Osamu =!@/(B <#(B (Chiba's Raging Bull @iMU(B) Age: 19, Weight: 130kg His enormous body can withstand an incredible amount of damage, which is maybe why he has "MSF-91" tattooed on his left shoulder. (TK: He has that tattoo because Gundam F-91 sucked. Munemasa isn't a very impressive character after all, other than he defeated Takagi once.) Like other members of the Bloodbath Alliance, he has investigated the weaknesses of all members of Dai-Tokyo Rengou. He is a practitioner of Super-hard Muscle style.

Takei Toshihiko (B (Saitama's Praying Mantis :k6L'(B) Age: 18 The third member of the Bloodbath Alliance, who fought with Tanabe, Kimura and Takagi. He is a master of Praying Mantis style ('7}(B).

Urushibara Haruno <?86=ULn(B (Deputy Leader of the Gunma Alliance "9gI{F,(B Intro: vol.26 The younger brother of Urushibara Mutsuo, who becomes consumed by the desire to avenge Mutsuo's death. He manages to persuade Takagi to find Mutsuo's teacher and learn the techniques which enabled Mutsuo to keep the peace in Kantou. He is a practitioner of Southern style kung fu.

Kou Chinchin +(B !9@h@8(B (Shrine keeper ,<i(B) Ryuun's elder brother, a hermit who lives in the treacherous Gunma mountains. Though initially unwilling to teach Takagi, he ends up sacrificing his right arm (and more) to pass on the ultimate secret of Shinkyokuken.

Shirai (B Intro: vol.27 A member of Ibaraki Force who betrayed Ootake's plans to Teramoto, since it was obvious (to him) that Teramoto would win the resulting fight.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Treasures of the Taizen Temple (vol.29-)

Kiriyama Shuuzou ;3=$(B (Don, Shuueikai $@=81Q2qAHD9(B) The most powerful Yakuza boss in the whole Kansai region. He is obsessed with securing the Taizen temple, where a 1 trillion yen treasure (consisting of hundreds of years of visitors' donations) is hidden. (BTW, Shuueikai is a fictional yakuza clan which turns up in other Shuueisha mangas.)

Kou Ankai +(B $(B Intro: vol.29 The youngest of the three Kou brothers (the other two being Ryuun and Chinchin), and a master of Jakyokuken. He is also interested in protecting the treasures of the temple, which include the scrolls of the Tattenshou - describing the most powerful martial arts known to man. To further these ends, he teams up with Kiriyama, and enlists the help of his best disciples.

Gaoh Keiji &(B =;J(B (Suenaga Union Special Forces Commander "9gFC96ItBb(B) Kiriyama's scheme entails the manipulation of the enormous Kansai student gangs, and Ankai offers Gaoh to do the job. Gaoh is a daunting figure, with a scar between his eyes, two studded belts across his monstrous chest, and two rings in his ears. Articulate and brutal, it isn't long before Gaoh has intimidated the gangs into submission and become Soul of Osaka V. Helping him is Suenaga, who by this stage had been bought out by Kiriyama (and had turned on his former partners).

Nishijin Kikumaru @>?X5F4](B (Kyoto's envoy ~ET;H@a(B) Endou Hikosuke #I'2p(B (Nara's envoy `NI;H@a(B) Tendou Maki ;??5*(B (Wakayama's envoy ;3;H@a(B) Intro: vol.30 The Tattenshou scrolls were stored in a vault at the bottom of the pool by the Taizen temple. The three keys to the vault were given to the best martial artists of Kyoto, Nara and Wakayama, and the keys were passed down to the best students of these martial artists. Takagi, who needs the Tattenshou to avenge Kira, must defeat the three holders of the keys (to get the scrolls). Nishijin is a practitioner of Enchanted Swords (Youtouken, "w(B) and Tendou is a practitioner of Flower Style kung fu (Kakaken, }(B).

Tonton $@%H%s%H%s(B Gengen $@%2%s%2%s(B Ankai's most accomplished disciples, who were called back from China to defend the treasures of the Taizen temple. Tonton is the large, pigtailed one who carries a hoe. Gengen is the one in the cap and shorts. He carries a trident dagger (sansensa, ;0@g:5(B) and knows the strongest Jakyokuken technique.

Wakasugi Tatsuya <c?yC#Li(B (Deputy Leader, Kanagawa Alliance ?@F`@nO"9gI{F,(B) Intro: vol.27 Kimura's long-time friend, ruthlessly assassinated by Kiriyama in order to isolate Kimura from Takagi. His death led to Kimura being captured, drugged and starved until he became Kiriyama's mindlessly obedient slave.

============================================================================== 3. Canned Martial Arts Guide

This is just a quick and dirty guide to the martial arts portrayed in OKB. I deliberately ommitted karate, since I don't know much about it. :-) Some terms:

Wushu (Japanese: Bujutsu, =Q(B) This just means "(the) martial arts". The Cantonese term, Kung Fu ((B), means "activity requiring effort" and refers more specifically to the southern Chinese martial arts. In OKB, the various Chinese styles are referred to as Chuugoku kempou (}K!(B).

Oss! ("Yessir!" $@2!G&(J!) An exclusively Japanese word, often written in katakana. It is used as an acknowledgement or greeting (eg. "Yessir!" or "Yo!"), and only in certain contexts (eg. to your karate teacher or gang leader).

Chi ($"x(B) (Japanese: Ki, Vietnamese: Khi, Indonesian: Ihru, Hindu: Prana, Greek: pneuma) There isn't really a good English translation for "Chi". Probably "spirit" or "intrinsic energy" come close. It refers to the energy which is part of the universe and all living things. According to Chinese history, it was noticed about 4000 years ago, and martial applications began to be developed about 2000 years ago. Chi exists in all functioning parts of the body, and can be generated in the Dan Tien ((B), an area just above the navel. This is done by special breathing techniques; there are Buddhist and Taoist methods. The sounds "Hen" and "Ha" (}(B) are issued during Chi generation. (This is why some OKB characters do all that fancy grunting.)

Kiai ("yell", $9g(B) The idea of the Kiai is to scare the shit out of your opponent, possibly even paralysing them -- or at least momentarily distracting them, enough to gain the upper hand in a fight. It is also used for concentrating. Most of the things OKB characters utter in mid-fight are just primal screams, but some of characters prefix their most powerful techniques with something vaguely meaningful-

Takagi: Bakuretsu!! (Exploding!! (B) Bakuretsu Part II!! $@GzNv%Q!<%H&0(B) Super-great Bakuretsu!! $@D6!&%0%l!<%H!&GzNv(B) Tanabe: Gekisai!! (Pulverising!! :U(B) Munemasa: Gekiha!! (Crushing!! (B) Teramoto: Bakusatsu!! (Rip to shreds!! ;&(B)

(Now, the various martial arts themselves:)

Tai Chi Chuan, Taikyokuken ("Grand Ultimate Fist" @6K7}(B) Tai Chi is the Chinese term for the Grand Ultimate, the fusion of Yin and Yang (it also refers to that circular Yin-Yang symbol). In Tai Chi Chuan, the practitioner progresses from a state of Wu Chi ((B), representing the void, to a state of Tai Chi, at the end of the sequence. The 13 Tai Chi postures correspond to the 8 trigrams and the 5 elements. The eight trigrams are:

$@",(B Earth Mountain Water Wind Thunder Fire Lake Heaven $@!C!!!!:%!!!!!!:1!!!!!!T,!!!!!!]U"x!!!!!!?L!!!!!!N%!!!!!!Q<!!!!!!4%(B $@!C!!(,!!(,!!(,(,(,!!(,!!(,!!(,(,(,!!!!(,!!(,!!(,(,(,!!(,!!(,!!(,(,(,(B $@!C!!(,!!(,!!(,!!(,!!(,(,(,!!(,(,(,!!!!(,!!(,!!(,!!(,!!(,(,(,!!(,(,(,(B $@!C!!(,!!(,!!(,!!(,!!(,!!(,!!(,!!(,!!!!(,(,(,!!(,(,(,!!(,(,(,!!(,(,(,(B $@!C(B $@!C(B Strong Yin Weak Yang Weak Yin Strong Yang $@!C!!!!!!B@1"!!!!!!!!!!!!>/M[!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!>/1"!!!!!!!!!!!!B@M[(B $@!C!!(,(,!!!!(,(,!!!!(,(,(,(,(,(,!!!!!!!!(,(,!!!!(,(,!!!!(,(,(,(,(,(,(B $@!C!!(,(,!!!!(,(,!!!!(,(,!!!!(,(,!!!!!!!!(,(,(,(,(,(,!!!!(,(,(,(,(,(,(B $@!C(B $@!C(B Yin Pole Yang Pole $@!C!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1"57!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!M[57(B $@!C!!(,(,(,(,(,!!!!!!!!(,(,(,(,(,!!!!!!!!(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(B $@!C(B $@!C(B Tai Chi $@!C(B $@B@6K(B $@!C!!(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(,(B

The five elements are Metal (Forward), Wood (Left), Water (Back), Fire (Right) and Earth (Centre) (!!$?e!$2P!(B).

Kongoutousui ("Metal Strength Pound Whip" (B) Senpuukyaku ("Whirlwind of Legs" @{Iw5S(B) Shishushikousui ("Four-handed Deadly Tiger Whip" ;M<j;`8WYY(B) Shuuchiryuu ("Dragon Furrowing the Earth" -CON5(B) Hakkei ("Emit Jing" /R&(B) In Chinese, Fa Jing. "Jing" (&(B) is power, specifically the strength stored in tendons, and oxygen+Jing=Chi. Many Chinese martial arts have Jing techniques, but Tai Chi Chuan emphasises Jing expression (at the higher levels) more than any other art. To perform Hakkei (the specific type Takagi uses seems to be Tzuann Jing, &(B), both legs must be firmly rooted in the ground, because that's where Jing is generated. Then the Jing flows around the waist and coils in the non-outstretched arm. If you do things right, the result is an explosive discharge of Chi, which will badly disrupt your opponent's internal organs. Hakkei can also be performed via the elbow, waist, legs, etc. by advanced practitioners.

Chi Kung, Kikou ($8y(B) The kung fu of Chi cultivation. Primarily used for health and healing, though there are specific martial techniques, and Chi applications are found in most Chinese martial arts. (Kujaku-Oh was the first manga to popularize Chi Kung and Hakkei.)

Hyappo Shinken ("Hundred Steps for Divine Fist" ?@7}(B) In this technique, the right arm is extended, and Chi is discharged from the open palm into the air. It can be used to hit something without touching it, though normally it does very little damage. However, the Hakkei leaves the body with very little power at the instant before its release; even a weak technique can cause massive damage. So the Hyappo Shinken is ideal for countering the Hakkei before it hits you. (TK: Of course, it's a lie that Hyappo Shinken is a nemesis of Hakkei, although it really exists. You can kill someone with this techinque without your victim even noticing it. You also set when your target will die. However, this technique is EXTREMELY diffcult to acquire and that's why it has the character "Shin" in its name. It's called HYAPPO Shinken because this technique can affect even the target one hundred steps away.)

Toujutsu ("Blade technique" =Q(B) (Also: kenjutsu, etc.) Here, "toujutsu" refers to the Chinese sabre-wielding art. The movements of the toujutsu practitioner are based on the movements of the dragon, tiger, chicken and bear (respectively !$8W!$7\!$7'(B).

Zansatsuyourakuken Senpuuketsuhana ;B;&M[Mn7u!V@{Iw7|2V!W(B ("Murderous Setting Sun Sabre, Blood Blossom Whirlwind")

Juuousoutouken ("Beast King Pair of Swords Fist" =C2&APEa7}(B) Juuouhaisuigeki ("Beast King Water-defying Attack" =C2&GX?e7b(B)

Houshitou ("Roc wing rings", >b"x(B) An exotic martial arts weapon, used in pairs. It resembles a thin ring of steel, with the blade on the outside, and curvy "wings" growing out from the "grip" (kind of like &8(B). There is a small crescent of metal inside the ring, to stop opponents from kicking/grabbing the houshitou out of the practitioner's hands (looks like :(B).

Houshitou Nichirinsatsu ("Corona Slaughter" >bF|NX;&(B) Houshitou Yourakusatsu ("Swooping Hawk Slaughter" >bBkMn;&(B) Houshitou Hienkisatsu ("Returning Swallow Slaughter" >bHt1mMh;&(B) The Houshitou return to the wielder after flying a predefined path. Houshitou Hakkeisatsu ("Fa Jing Slaughter" >bH/R&;&(B) The last-resort Houshitou technique, where Hakkei is performed via the weapon itself.

Super-Hard Muscle Style (}"w(B) Through sheer muscle power, the practitioner of this style is able to withstand damage caused by normal blows, electricity, and weapons.

"Raging Bull Fist" (}(B) "Soaring Bodily Rock Smash" (:U4d(B)

I-ken ("Mind Fist", }"w(B) This martial art is primarily founded on Hsing I Chuan ({(B) and Wushu.

Houkyuu Hatsuryoku (Flung Spherical Power Discharge) /NO(B

Shaolin 18 Arhat Hands (>/NS==H,Me4A<j(B) The martial art used by the Arhats (Buddhist disciples who achieved Nirvana).

Shorin Juuhachirakan Shou ("Shaolin 18 Arhat Palms" >/NS==H,Me4A>8(B) The ultimate technique of this martial art, extending the force of Hakkei 18 times over. Teramoto used this technique on David, Sabu, Kimura and Takagi.

Souhikyaku ("Flying Leg Pairs" (B) Gekitoushou ("Attack with Supporting Palm" >8"x(B) Youhosui ("Crooked Step and Whip" (B) Self-explanatory techniques that Teramoto used against Ootake.

Shorin Juuhachirakan Ryuumakishou ("Shaolin 18 Arhats' Coiling Dragon Palm" >/NS==H,Me4AN64,$->8(B) A barrage of fists.

Shorin Juuhachirakankou Takutensei ("Shaolin 18 Arhats Deed, Request Heavenly Force" >/NS==H,Me4A8yBqE7@*(B) The ultimate body-reinforcing technique, whereby "fervour is heightened". (This technique is so high-level that it causes an organ between the eyebrows, representing the terminus of a Chi channel, to protrude out of the skull.)

Southern Style (}(B) Similar to karate and Muay Thai.

Gansaishou "Rock smashing palm" :U>8(B Bakuraishou "Exploding thunder palm" >8(B

Shinkyokuken ("Gods' Ultimate Fist" ?@6K7}"w(B) This martial art is based on the best features of all existing martial arts.

Tenchi-shinmeishou ("The Heaven and Earth Gods' Palm" ?@L@>8(B) (TK: This technique is basically creating a massive blast by tapping into one's hidden potential. Since it completely uses up virtually all the energy in one's body, this should be used ONLY as the last resort. The effect of this technique depends on the size of one's potential power (senshinryoku, *?4NO(B), rather than the current power level.)

Jakyokuken ("Evil Ultimate Fist" <Y6K7}"w(B) A style evolved to defeat all other martial arts (including Shinkyokuken).

Bakutenjutsu ("Binding technique" {eu=Q(B) With this technique, the practitioner can paralyse an opponent by causing their earring to vibrate at a certain frequency.

Juushinshou ("Beast God's Palm" =C?@>8(B) The ultimate Jakyokuken technique, consisting of a progression from snake->eagle->bear->tiger.

Kyuukyokuken ("Final Ultimate Fist" {"w(B) The most powerful martial arts system devised. Its founder is the father of the Kou brothers.

Tattenshou ("Dragon Heaven Ascension" >:(B) The invincible technique of Kyuukyokuken, whose secrets are written on scrolls in Sanskrit.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------ NOTES:

The 8 trigrams/Tai Chi diagram was taken from "Advanced Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan", by Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming (great book!).

$@"w(B This martial art or technique is fictional.

$@"x(B These characters are only approximations to the actual characters.

$@5$(B: Usually written with the old form.

$@]U(B: This is a Chinese-only character meaning "wind (trigram)".

$@>b(B: Written as !\E^(B or !\F2(B. The former kanji is made-up, but the latter character is a real Chinese-only character (Tou) which means "gong or bell sound".

(B: This is a Chinese-only character (Tou), with "palm" as the radical on the right-hand side, meaning "support".

$@!H!V2!G&(J!!$@6u<jIt!WC19TK\$7$/!*!I!!%K%c!A!A(B - Takagi, vol.16.