Kenshirō: Difference between revisions

: Kenshiro ('''Ken''' for short) is the main character of the ''[[Hokuto no Ken]]'' manga, anime and related media. He is the 64th successor of the ''[[Hokuto Shinken]]'' style and considered one of the greatest successors in its history.

: Kenshiro was originally an orphan from [[Taiseiden]], [[Shura no Kuni|Shura]] and a descendent of the [[Hokuto Sōke]] bloodline. He was sent to the mainland by [[Jukei]] as a baby to be adopted by [[Ryuken]], master of Hokuto Shinken. Ryuken named him after his older brother [[Kenshirō Kasumi]], since they shared the same Big Dipper-shaped birthmark on their heads.

: Kenshiro watched his adoptive brothers train in the art of Hokuto Shinken and decided to join them in the fight to become Ryuken's successor. Despite being younger and more naive than his older brothers, Kenshiro was a promising student who ultimately earned the title of successor.

: Kenshiro survived his ordeal and spent the next year wandering the wasteland for revenge. During this time, he learned the killer instinct needed to survive in the war-torn age and befriended two young orphans, [[Bat]] and [[Lin]], who followed him on his journey. He discovered that Shin had assumed the title of 'King' and was leader of the eponymous [[King organization]]. After defeating Shin's henchmen, he infiltrated his headquarters, [[Southern Cross]], to settle things once and for all. Driven by his new strength, Kenshiro soundly defeated Shin but he was too late to rescue Yuria. Before his death, Shin revealed that Yuria had already committed suicide to stop his violent ambition. Refusing to die from Kenshiro's technique, Shin leapt to his death from the palace balcony, as Yuria did before him.

: The grieving Kenshiro continued to journey the wasteland, never staying at one place for long, as the curse of Hokuto leaves only chaos in its wake. He made a career of destroying those who preyed on the weak and innocent, such as the [[Golan]], [[Jackal]] and the [[Fang Clan]], which earned himself the reputation as a 'savior' of the people. He also discovered that his three older brothers and fellow Hokuto Shinken practitioners: [[Jagi]], [[Toki]] and [[Raoh]], had all survived the nuclear holocaust. Jagi, the second-youngest, had always hated Kenshiro and was now committing acts of carnage in his name. It was also revealed that Jagi manipulated Shin into taking Yuria. Kenshiro caught up with Jagi and delivered him a gruesome death. Kenshiro then fought against his second-oldest brother, [[Toki]], who had succumbed to madness after the apocalypse, but this was in fact [[Amiba]] posing as Toki. The real Toki was imprisoned at [[Cassandra]] by Raoh, the eldest brother, who had taken the name Ken-Oh (拳王 '''King of Fists''') and aimed to conquer the world with an iron hand. With the help of [[Rei]] and [[Mamiya]], Kenshiro toppled the great prison and was reunited with Toki. Toki became a valuable ally to Kenshiro and intervened during his first fight with Raoh, as they were on the verge of killing one another.

: Kenshiro joined forces with [[Shuh]], leader of a guerilla outfit against [[Souther]], the Holy Emperor and master of ''[[Nanto Hōō Ken]]'', who enslaved young children to build his empire. Kenshiro was trumped by Souther when his vital point attacks had no effect on Souther's body. Close to death, Kenshiro was rescued by Shuh's son, [[Shiva]], the young boy sacrificing his life in the process. However, Shuh was later executed by Souther at the summit of the [[Holy Cross Mausoleum|Holy Pyramid]] in retaliation. Kenshiro recovered from his wounds and this time he uncovered Souther's secret (his heart was on the opposite side and the position of his vital points were reversed). Kenshiro took pity on Souther's tragic past and killed him with a merciful technique, bringing an end to the Holy Emperor's empire.

: With the final battle with Raoh drawing ever near, the mysterious [[Last Nanto General]] appeared to challenge Raoh's conquest. It turned out the General's identity was none other than Yuria, Kenshiro's betrothed. In truth, she had been saved by the [[Nanto Goshasei]] after attempting suicide at Shin's palace and her survival was kept a secret to protect her from Raoh. Kenshiro fights Raoh using the ultimate Hokuto Shinken technique, ''[[Musou Tensei]]'', drawing on his profound sadness, which causes Raoh to retreat in fear. However, Raoh kidnaps Yuria during his escape and prepares to kill the woman he loves if it will grant him the same sorrow. Kenshiro and Raoh have their final battle at the [[Hokuto Renkitōza]], with Raoh having killed Yuria to unlock Musou Tensei. Kenshiro's greater understanding of death and sacrifice gives him the edge over his older brother and leads him to victory. Yuria awakens after the battle, as Raoh had actually put her in a false state of death when he realized she was terminally ill. After Raoh's death, Kenshiro spends his next few years living in peace with Yuria, whose disease had been subdued by Raoh's power.

: The latter half of the manga (and the corresponding ''Hokuto no Ken 2'' anime adaptation) sees Kenshiro joining forces with the grown-up Bat and Lin, who have formed the [[Hokuto Army]] to oppose the tyrannical [[Jakou]] and his Imperial forces. The story eventually takes Kenshiro to his birthplace, the Land of Shura, where he learns of his heritage and fights against the warlords who oppress the land. This includes his estranged blood-brother, [[Hyoh]], and the nefarious [[Kaioh]], Raoh's other blood-brother. The final story arcs of the manga (which were not adapted for the TV series) see Kenshiro taking Raoh's orphaned son, [[Ryu]], under his wing before continuing on his own where he settles the love triangle between himself, Bat and Lin. At the end, Kenshiro heads into the desert alone to fulfill his destiny as the Hokuto Shinken successor.