Bodyguards

The Bodyguards (護衛者, Goeisha) are Katahara Metsudo's personal army. They are the Chairman's shield, and together with the Fang of Metsudo, they form half of the force that keeps Metsudo in power. They also serve as a pool from which Metsudo will choose his next Fang.

About[]

The Bodyguards are a massive institution for a personal army, numbering at 500, and they are divided into eleven squads, each of which is led by a captain. Rank-and-file Bodyguards are usually tasked with security detail; in the tournament, they also provide surveillance to ensure compliance with the rules. Each of the Bodyguards can easily match an average Kengan fighter in combat, though the Annihilation Tournament fighters can hold their own against them.

In addition to the eleven squads, there is a special task force called the Extermination Force. This team of four is led by Katahara's son, Retsudo, and they are reserved for special assignments. Each member of the Extermination Force can easily outdo a Bodyguard captain.

Finally, Metsudo has two personal bodyguards that protect his person: Omori Masamichi and Takayama Minoru, who are the fourth Fang of Metsudo and the closest contender to become the sixth Fang of Metsudo (at the time), respectively. Together with Kanoh Agito, the fifth Fang of Metsudo, they were known as the "Three Crows" (三烏, San karasu).

After the events of the Kengan Annihilation Tournament, the Heavenly Wolves became part of the Bodyguards as one of its special forces.^[1]

Most of the Bodyguards were orphans, who were taken into Katahara Metsudo's tutelage as children and trained to become fighters, with only the strongest being hired as Bodyguards.^[2] However, there are some rare exceptions, such as Yoshioka, who joined the Bodyguards as an adult and previously worked as an assassin.^[2]

The Bodyguards all dress in flat black suits, white shirts, and ties. Several captains and Extermination Force members have unique accessories to distinguish themselves.

Known Members[]

Katahara Metsudo's Personal Bodyguards[]

Omori Masamichi

Takayama Minoru

Extermination Force[]

Captain: Katahara Retsudo

Hawai

Kaike

Misasa

Special Forces[]

Captain: Nikaido Ren

Cai

Huang

Mei

Yan

Captains[]

IwakiKanji: いわき Romaji: Iwaki Age: 38(Kengan Ashura)[3]~40 (Kengan Omega) Birthday: July 19th[3] Height: 198cm[3] Weight: 127kg[3] Affiliations: Dainippon Bank Ashura Debut: Chapter 69 Omega Debut: Chapter 79 Info: Iwaki is the Commander of Katahara Metsudo's Bodyguards as well as the captain of the 1st Squad. He ranks the same as Metsudo's personal Bodyguards Omori and Takayama.[3] His most recent stress is that he hasn't been able to get a haircut.[3]

Yoshioka

JKanji: Ｊ Romaji: J Age: 36 (Kengan Ashura[4]~38 (Kengan Omega) Birthday: February 10th[4] Height: 179cm[4] Weight: 82kg[4] Affiliations: Dainippon Bank Ashura Debut: Chapter 68 Omega Debut: Chapter 77 Info: J is the captain of the 3rd Squad and utilises tonfa while fighting. J is in the same cohort as Takayama Minoru with the two remaining good friends to this day. His trademark glasses were apparently a gift from Metsudo.[4] Hailing from Kochi, his favourite sport is baseball and his personal hero is Sakamoto Ryoma.[4]

FunaokaKanji: 船岡 Romaji: Funaoka Age: 34 (Kengan Ashura)[5] ~36 (Kengan Omega) Birthday: August 19th[5] Height: 187cm[5] Weight: 91kg[5] Affiliations: Dainippon Bank Ashura Debut: Chapter 118 Omega Debut: Chapter 79 Info: Funaoka is the captain of the 4th Squad. His strength is great enough that when Metsudo was putting together the Extermination Force, he was scouted to be one of its members. However, Funaoka turned down the offer because he wanted to focus on protecting Metsudo.[5] Funaoka is proud that he doesn't get hangovers after drinking sessions.[5]

KetakaKanji: 気高 Romaji: Ketaka Age: 27(Kengan Ashura)[6] ~29 (Kengan Omega) Birthday: March 20th[6] Height: 181cm[6] Weight: 80kg[6] Affiliations: Dainippon Bank Ashura Debut: Chapter 118 Omega Debut: Chapter 79 Info: Ketaka is the captain of the 5th Squad. The youngest of the captains, Ketaka has a reserved personality so he doesn't talk much. He gets along well with the equally taciturn Bodyguard captain Mihagino and Extermination Force member Hawai; they often hang out on their days off.[6][7][8] He gets nervous when making eye contact.[6]

NawaKanji: 名和 Romaji: Nawa Age: 28 (Kengan Ashura)[9] ~30 (Kengan Omega) Birthday: October 2nd[9] Height: 163cm[9] Weight: 56kg[9] Affiliations: Dainippon Bank Ashura Debut: Chapter 118 Omega Debut: Chapter 79 Info: Nawa is the captain of the 6th Squad. A handsome young man, he fights with a short sword and is one of the most skilled in a fight, even among the captains. Retsudo is trying to recruit him into the Extermination Force.[9] Nawa has a rivalry with Misasa, the second-in-command of the Extermination Force.[10] His hobby is memorisation.[9]

AioiKanji: 相生 Romaji: Aioi Age: 33 (Kengan Ashura)[11] ~35 (Kengan Omega) Birthday: November 8th[11] Height: 199cm[11] Weight: 126kg[11] Affiliations: Dainippon Bank Ashura Debut: Chapter 118 Omega Debut: Chapter 79 Info: Aioi is the captain of the 7th Squad. Just like Yoshioka, he was scouted to join the Bodyguards. Surprisingly, Aioi has no martial arts experience and was formerly the captain of Japan's national rugby team. He is the kind of "genius" who made it to the rank of captain with physical strength alone.[11] His motto is "punch before you think".[11]

KatsuramiKanji: 桂見 Romaji: Katsurami Age: 46 (Kengan Ashura)[12] ~48 (Kengan Omega) Birthday: June 14th[12] Height: 208cm[12] Weight: 136kg[12] Affiliations: Dainippon Bank Ashura Debut: Chapter 69 Omega Debut: Chapter 79 Info: Katsurami is the captain of the 8th Squad. The oldest of the captains, his Herculean strength is his greatest weapon.[12] Katsurami worries about the generation gap between him and his subordinates.[12]

MochigaseKanji: 用瀬 Romaji: Mochigase Age: 31 (Kengan Ashura)[13]~33 (Kengan Omega) Birthday: January 2nd[13] Height: 180cm[13] Weight: 69kg[13] Affiliations: Dainippon Bank Ashura Debut: Chapter 118 Omega Debut: Chapter 79 Info: Mochigase is the captain of the 9th Squad. He was once an assassin who attempted to take Metsudo's life and was acquainted with Yoshioka prior to them becoming Bodyguards. He wears the nose mask not to cover any wounds, but for style.[13] Mochigase is skilled in covert operations and has a sense of smell as good as a dog's.[13]

SannohKanji: 山王 Romaji: San'nō Age: 38 (Kengan Ashura)[14] ~40 (Kengan Omega) Birthday: December 26th[14] Height: 190cm[14] Weight: 116kg[14] Affiliations: Dainippon Bank Ashura Debut: Chapter 69 Omega Debut: Chapter 79 Info: Sannoh is the captain of the 10th Squad. He is a karate master but has never been affiliated with any particular school of karate; he has taught moves to his senior members of the Bodyguards. Sannoh loves manga and video games, occasionally incorporating techniques from those works into his karate.[14] His favourite karate move is the "Circular Block".[14]

MihaginoKanji: 美萩野 Romaji: Mihagino Age: 33 (Kengan Ashura)[7] ~35 (Kengan Omega) Birthday: March 4th[7] Height: 178cm[7] Weight: 64kg[7] Affiliations: Dainippon Bank Ashura Debut: Chapter 118 Omega Debut: Chapter 79 Info: Mihagino is the captain of the 11th Squad. While his appearance may look bizarre, he has a reputation among the Bodyguards for being a very nice person. Mihagino is a silent person, but is trusted by his subordinates. He is skilled in poisoning tactics.[7] He gets along well with Bodyguard captain Ketaka and Extermination Force member Hawai; they often hang out on their days off.[7][6][8] The latest thing he is into is throwing surprise birthday parties for his subordinates.[7]

Others[]

NagiraKanji: 奈喜良 Romaji: Nagira Age: 38[15] Birthday: June 3rd[15] Height: 211cm[15] Weight: 175kg[15] Affiliations: Dainippon Bank Ashura Debut: Chapter 177 Info: Nagira is a Bodyguard in Metsudo's employ, ranking slightly below Omori Masamichi and Takayama Minoru but on the same level as the Bodyguard captains. He is able to take command immediately when the Bodyguards are split up, highlighting his competency.[15] Nagira gets pissed off whenever someone messes with his haircut, so it's a taboo subject among the Bodyguards. Surprisingly, he was a chef before he became a Bodyguard.[15]

HiezuKanji: 日吉津 Romaji: Hiezu Age: 37[16] Birthday: January 14th[16] Height: 194cm[16] Weight: 109kg[16] Affiliations: Dainippon Bank Ashura Debut: Chapter 32 Info: Hiezu is one of Metsudo's Bodyguards. After being caught in the crossfire of Kiryu Setsuna's illogical rampage, he was left in a critical condition. He is probably alive. Probably.[16] He is interested in permanent beard removal.[16]

YasunagaKanji: 安長 Romaji: Yasunaga Affiliations: Dainippon Bank Omega Debut: Chapter 79 (mentioned) Info: Yasunaga was a member of the 5th Squad and used to work under Misasa. He was killed by Yumigahama Hikaru while he was escaping from Katahara Metsudo.

YodoeKanji: 淀江 Romaji: Yodoe Age: 36 (Kengan Ashura)[17] 38 (Kengan Omega) Birthday: April 15th[17] Height: 197cm[17] Weight: 114kg[17] Affiliations: Dainippon Bank Ashura Debut: Chapter 30 Omega Debut: Chapter 39 Anime Debut: Episode 5 Info: Yodoe is one of Metsudo's Bodyguards. He is the type of person who is always grinning, but never smiles with his eyes. After defeating Hassad on board the S.S. Kengan, he was nearly killed by Kiryu Setsuna later on.[18] He was later crushed by Hassad in revenge.[19]

Notes & Trivia[]

• The Bodyguards are known only by their codenames, a system implemented by Metsudo because "it's cool, like a spy movie". The majority are named after locations within the Tottori Prefecture, with some exceptions.^[3]
  • J was not named after a location within Tottori, but was instead named after the initial of Sandrovich Yabako's friend's nickname.^[4]

References[]

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