List of Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple characters

The characters of the anime and manga series Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple are created by Syun Matsuena.

The Ryōzanpaku Dojo

File:Ryozanpaku.jpg

From left to right: (back) Apachai and Hayato; (middle) Akisame and Shio; (front) Kensei, Kenichi, and Shigure

The Ryōzanpaku Dojo contains a variety of martial arts, and its masters are often challenged to single combat. Only Ma and Kōetsuji are shown to bring in any steady income.

Kenichi Shirahama

Shirahama Ken'ichi (白浜 兼一) Voiced by: Tomokazu Seki (Japanese); Josh Grelle (English)

• First appearance: Battle 1
• Type: Sei
• Type: Katsujin Ken
• Martial Arts: Karate, Jujutsu, Chinese Martial Arts, Muay Thai, Hybrid martial arts (Ryūsui Seikuken, Korui Nuki, Mūbyoshi), and Weapons.

Protagonist; currently in his second year of high school. A main point of humor in the series centers on the multiple, varied, and imaginative training methods his masters devise toward making Kenichi stronger, which often exhaust him. The manga follows Kenichi as he continues to train, and eventually live, at the Ryozanpaku dojo, fighting increasingly capable enemies.

His strongest ability, according to the masters, is that he lacks any form of sakki (killer intent); in expression whereof, he is kind, compassionate, thoughtful, timid, polite and moral to a fault, and adheres to a strict code of morals. As a result, Kenichi has made many friends, mostly of former enemies, and wins the affections of Renka Ma, Miu, Izumi, and Li Raichi. His attachment to Miu is usually used as comic relief, in her inattention thereto, though in the final chapter of the manga photographs on Kenichi's desk show he married Miu and they had a daughter. In most battles, Kenichi often fights by interchanging various techniques from the different styles of his masters, making his fighting unorthodox and hard to predict.

Miu Fūrinji

Fūrinji Miu (風林寺 美羽) Voiced by: Tomoko Kawakami (TV series), Rie Kugimiya (OAV) (Japanese); Carrie Savage (English)

• First appearance: Battle 1
• Type: Dou
• Type: Katsujin Ken
• Martial Arts: Hybrid Martial Arts, Pencak Silat

Miu Furinji is Kenichi's classmate and love interest: the granddaughter of Hayato Furinji and the daughter of Saiga Furinji, the leaders respectively of Ryozanpaku and Yami's One Shadow Nine Fists. Miu came into Hayato's care when his son (Saiga Furinji) murdered several of his friends and his wife, sparing Miu by accident. Thereafter Miu learned martial arts from her grandfather. Before Miu transferred to her present place, she attended a famous school, but was ill-treated by other girls for her high grades, her athletic ability, and especially her appearance. Although attractive, smart, athletic, and kind, Miu is often clumsy among her fellows, and requires Kenichi's support in making friends. Miu has a great fondness for kittens and becomes hostile towards anyone who harms one. She is prone to rash decisions in money-making. While her exact martial arts disciplines have not been stated, she has shown knowledge of several styles. Her fighting style is graceful and fluid, taking advantage of her agility, coordination, and flexibility, and makes heavy use of kicks. Her skills have been honed until where she will reflexively throw anyone who sneaks up behind her, especially Kenichi, which is a running gag of the series.

Hayato Fūrinji

Fūrinji Hayato (風林寺 隼人) Voiced by: Hiroshi Arikawa (TV series), Yuzuru Fujimoto (OAV) (Japanese); R Bruce Elliott (English)

• First appearance: Battle 6
• Type: Dou / Sei
• Type: Katsujin Ken
• Martial Arts: Hybrid Martial Arts/Furinji Style

Hayato is Miu's grandfather and the elder of the Ryōzanpaku Dojo. He is also known as mutekichōjin (無敵超人, lit. 'superman with no equals') (translated "The Invincible Superman" in English materials). He is very tall, very muscular, and possesses tremendous vitality despite his advanced age. Not much is known about Hayato's past, but flashbacks have revealed that he was very reckless and violent in his youth. It has also been shown that Hayato used to travel the world with Miu and help people in need. Hayato is a kind old man but still possesses a reckless streak and can be arrogant. He attempts to convey his plans to others through a blunt manner of speech. He is fond of Kenichi, calling him "Ken-chan", and is the only one who apologizes to him for difficult exercises.

Whilst fighting Kenichi and Miu at a tournament, Akisame comments that he still is the most powerful man in the world when he closes his eyes. In this state, he remains strong enough to tear a tree in half while simultaneously effortlessly battling Miu and Kenichi, using only 0.02% of his strength. He is capable of throwing kicks so fast that cameras slowed down to 1/1000 of a second can only catch a glimpse of them, and he can move fast enough to run on water.

Hayato is also shown to be pragmatic with his approach to martial arts, as when he asks Kensei Ma to help with Miu's training and encourages Miu to use what [a rival teacher] Junazard taught her.

It is hinted in the end that Kenichi somehow managed to surpass his strength since photos of Kenichi supposedly married to Miu are shown. He had always sworn he would only allow Miu to marry someone capable of defeating him first.

Shio Sakaki

Sakaki Shio (逆鬼 至緒) Voiced by: Unshō Ishizuka (Japanese); Christopher Sabat (English)

• First appearance: Battle 7
• Type: Dou
• Type: Katsujin Ken
• Martial Arts: Karate

Sakaki is a 30-year-old master of karate who claims to hold 100 dan. He is a tall man almost always seen wearing a leather jacket and has a long scar across the bridge of his nose. Little is known about Sakaki's past; but he has mentioned that he used to travel the world and fight, and he also at one point belonged to a group that consisted of himself, a French martial arts master named Christopher Eclair, and an Englishman named Mycroft; but left them when their activities brought harm to the innocent, and later buried them alive. It is unknown when he came to Ryozanpaku, but he is one of the junior members along with Apachai and Shigure. He is often depicted as fierce in conversation and embarrassed by trivial things, and tends to quarrel with others, especially Apachai. He also gambles and drinks frequently and often places bets on Kenichi.

Sakaki is well-versed in multiple forms of karate and can survive a fall from one of the top floors of a tall building without any noticeable injury. He has yet to be noticeably injured in any of his battles, including his fight with Yami assassin Christopher Eclair and his brief encounter with Silcardo Jenazad, a member of Yami's One Shadow Nine Fists. Silcardo was so impressed by Sakaki's skill that he seeks a battle to the death. His abilities are further cemented by the fact of his win/loss record of 125/126 against fellow Karate master Akira Hongō.

Apachai Hopachai

Apachai Hopachai (アパチャイ・ホパチャイ) Voiced by: Hiroya Ishimaru (Japanese); Sonny Strait (English)

• First appearance: Battle 7
• Type: Dou
• Type: Katsujin Ken
• Martial Arts: Muay Thai and Muay Boran

Apachai is a 28-year-old master of Muay Thai and is known as the "Death God" ("Grim Reaper" in the English anime) of the Muay Thai underworld fighting circuit. He is extremely tall and powerfully built, has tanned skin, and is usually seen wearing a tank top and shorts with bandages wrapped around his hands and feet. Apachai has been fighting life or death battles in underground Muay Thai fights since he was a teenager. Later, he was an enforcer for a cruel pirate who (accidentally) fed Apachai while he was starving in a harbor in Thailand. He served this man faithfully until Hayato Fūrinji brought his misdeeds to Apachai's attention. The two of them then defeated the pirates, and Apachai has been at the dojo ever since.

Apachai enjoys playing with children and animals. He has a habit of saying the syllables "apa" when he speaks and sometimes yells it while training or fighting. As a result of his violent past, Apachai subjected Kenichi to the hardest exercises; but is very fond of Kenichi and is the only master who consistently shows an open concern for him. Apachai has a voracious appetite, often consuming large meals with incredible speed, and even eating other people's shares. He can be easily distracted and persuaded by food. Apachai later becomes "legend of the giant", which famous for basketball players in Kenichi's school and firefighters. He is extraordinarily strong, able to shatter stone statues and kick down trees without any apparent difficulty. Despite his incredible size, he is able to dodge bullets while fighting. Even while holding back, Apachai was able to stalemate a master level fighter by the name of Kei Retsumin, a man who had once killed an entire village of people by himself. He was also able to hold his own against Hayato Fūrinji, although quite young when the fight took place. As a running gag, he is somewhat incapable of holding back during training.

Shigure Kōsaka

Kōsaka Shigure (香坂 しぐれ) Voiced by: Mamiko Noto (Japanese); Trina Nishimura (English)

• First appearance: Battle 7
• Type: Sei
• Type: Katsujin Ken
• Martial Arts: Weapons

Shigure is a 23-year-old weapons master, who dresses in a small pink kimono; underneath she wears bandages over her chest and a fundoshi. When fighting seriously, she dons chain mail. Shigure's past has been shown more in depth than any of the other masters': in so far as that she lived initially with her father, a weapon maker and master who made swords for Yami. Akisame, seeking to find the maker of a particular sword, met Shigure's father, who requested that Akisame kill him. When Akisame refused, the man forced him into a fight, which Akisame won; whereupon Shigure's father stated that he wanted his daughter to see the fate of a weapons'-maker, and took his own life. After defeating some Yami members, Akisame took Shigure to live with an old man who taught her the Kosaka fighting style. She remained there until the old man died, after which Akisame took her to Ryozanpaku. There, she speaks very little and is given to sleeping, or walking, on the rafters of the building. Before Kenichi came to the dojo, she rarely interacted with its other residents except Akisame and Apachai and even refrained from eating with them. After Kenichi's arrival, she became more social. Despite her slenderness, she is very strong; even capable of cutting metal with a dull-edged spoon or dislocating the cannon of a tank. Shigure has a pet mouse, Tochūmaru, used mostly for comic relief but extraordinarily strong for a mouse, beating one of Boris's men with nunchaku and, in an omake, beating a cat with its tail.

Akisame Kōetsuji

Kōetsuji Akisame (岬越寺 秋雨) Voiced by: Jūrōta Kosugi (Japanese); Kent Williams (English)

• First appearance: Battle 7
• Type: Sei
• Type: Katsujin Ken
• Martial Arts: Jujitsu

Akisame is a 38-year-old Jujitsu master, and the first master to train Kenichi. He is an old friend of Miu's father, Saiga. Despite his apparent fragility, he is immensely strong and capable, and can easily interpret other characters' unspoken thoughts. Additionally he has mastered calligraphy, painting, pottery, and sculpting, and builds contraptions as both training devices for Kenichi and power sources for the dojo, including a treadmill generator. He also owns an orthopedic clinic and can reset bones with ease. He has proved to be a good trauma surgeon also, and speaks Russian fluently.

Kensei Ma

Ba/Ma¹ Kensei (馬 剣星) Voiced by: Issei Futamata (Japanese); Vic Mignogna (English)

• First appearance: Battle 7
• Type: Sei
• Type: Katsujin Ken
• Martial Arts: All Chinese Martial Arts (preferred fighting style is soft forms)

Kensei is a 42-year-old master of Chinese Kenpō. He is very short, balding, and always wears a hat. He has been training in martial arts since he was very young and was the leader of a large martial arts alliance in China, which has 10,000 followers, which he left behind. He has a wife and three children in China, including a 16-year-old daughter named Renka, and an older brother named Sougetsu, who is a member of Yami. Kensei himself is often shown trying to take pictures of attractive women, particularly Shigure and Miu; but results in pictures of other things nearby, which he sells to Kenichi. Kenichi has absolute trust in Ma and has stated that he has never questioned his convictions as a martial artist.

Ma is a very experienced martial artist, having been trained since he was very young, and purportedly knows all martial arts indigenous to China. In spite of his small size, he is able to destroy a small bridge with a single kick and to rend the flesh of Diego Carlo, a man said to possess a body hard as steel, with his bare hands. He is very agile, capable of jumping from atop one moving car to another. Ma runs an acupuncture clinic and usually, along with Akisame, mends the wounds of Kenichi and the others. The characters in his name of 'Kensei' are pronounced 'Jianxing' in Mandarin, or literally "Sword Star". This differentiates him entirely from Isshinsai Ogata's moniker Kensei, pronounced 'Quansheng' in Mandarin, literally "Fist Saint".

Ragnarok

File:Members of Ragnarok (from "Kenichi - The Mightiest Disciple").jpg

From top anticlockwise: Berseker, Loki and Number 20, Hermit, Thor, Kisara, Freya, Kenichi (non-member), Odin, Miu (non-member), Siegfried, Takeda, Ukita and Nijima (non-member)

Eight Fists

The Eight Fists are the leaders of Ragnarok, the eight strongest members of the organization. Each member wears a glove with a number (I – VIII) that corresponds to their position. Most of the Fists have adopted the names of legendary figures from Norse mythology. The First Fist, Odin, has the backing of Isshinsai Ogata, who gives him special training not available to the other Fists. The first three fists, known as the "Three of Cards", are the founding members of Ragnarok. After Ragnarok is disbanded, six of the eight fists [namely Freya (III), Loki (IV), Siegfried (V), Hermit (VI), Thor (VII) and Valkyrie (VIII) join or ally with the Shinpaku Alliance]. Odin (I) and Berserker (II) join YOMI; later Hermit (VI) does the same.

Odin

See YOMI's Ryūto Asamiya

Berserker

Bāsākā (バーサーカー) Voiced by Jōji Nakata (Japanese), Robert McCollum (English)

• Type: Dou
• Martial arts: Freestyle fighting

Shogo Kitsukawa, or Berserker, is the Second Fist of Ragnarok. He rarely speaks and has a calm disposition. He is said to be the most fearsome fighter in Ragnarok, but is afraid to fight Odin. His sleeveless jacket features Norway's flag pattern. Like his namesake, he becomes excited in battle until he is no longer aware of injuries to himself. After his loss to Hermit, Berserker joined YOMI and became one of Isshinsai Ogata (Kensei)'s disciples.

Freya

See Shinpaku Alliance's Kaname Kugatachi

Loki

Roki (ロキ) Voiced by: Keiji Fujiwara (Japanese); Travis Willingham (English)

• First appearance: Battle 48
• Type: Sei
• Martial Arts: Karate, especially utilizes the Spear Hand that uses Tame

Loki is the Fourth Fist of Ragnarok. He uses a Karate style that involves using all the joints in the arms. Besides being a powerful fighter, he is also quite intelligent, using information about his opponents to his advantage. He also plants seeds of doubt among the Eight Fists in order to have Ragnarok in disarray, and uses doppelgängers of himself to perplex his opponents. Berserker defeats him after Loki attempts a coup d'état against Ragnarok. Afterwards Niijima forces Loki into gathering information on Yomi for the Shinpaku Alliance.

Siegfried

Voiced by: Mitsuaki Madono (Japanese); Chris Cason (English)

Siegfried, was the Fifth Fist of Ragnarok. He is called "the immortal composer" because he composes music, using his battles and his opponents' emotions as inspiration for his melodies. He has a tendency to hum or sing classical music during his fights, and his attacks are named after different musical scores and compositions. When defeated by Kenichi, he seeks introspection, and later joins the Shinpaku Alliance.

Hermit

Tanimoto Natsu? (谷本　夏)

Voiced by: Ryō Horikawa (Japanese); Jason Liebrecht (Season 1), Eric Vale (Season 2) (English)

Natsu Tanimoto, as Hermit, was the Sixth Fist of Ragnarok. He learned martial arts from Sougetsu Ma, Kensei's older brother. He is the president of the drama club at Kenichi's school. Tanimoto acts the part of a kind and soft-spoken student except during fights.

Tanimoto transports members of the Shinpaku Alliance to the D of D tournament, but his intention is not to participate but to find his old master, Sougetsu. He is briefly believed dead after his boat is blown up by the missile defenses of the private island where the tournament occurs. He later finds Sougetsu on the island and trains under him. He comes to the aid of the Shinpaku alliance in their fight against Fortuna. He also helps when Boris Ivanov leads a YOMI attack against the Alliance.

In chapter 353, Hermit is training to become a member of YOMI. In chapter 355, he faces and defeats temporary YOMI member Enshin Chou for the seat.

Thor

See Shinpaku Alliance's Yūma Chiaki

Valkyrie

See Shinpaku Alliance's Kisara Nanjō

Divisional members

Taichi Koga

Koga Taichi (古賀 太一) Voiced by: Mayumi Yamaguchi (Japanese); Greg Ayres (English)

Koga, known as the Kicker, is the youngest known member of Kisara's team. Unlike Ikki and Ukita, he seems to bear grudges against Kenichi and Miu, whom he calls "Neko Shojo" (Cat Girl). Koga was originally teamed with Takeda and Ukita as part of the Three Man Army. His current whereabouts are unknown.

Ikki Takeda

See Shinpaku Alliance Takeda, called the Puncher, is a professional boxer who became Kenchi's friend after his left arm was healed of a long-standing immobility.

Kōzō Ukita

See Shinpaku Alliance

Shinnosuke Tsuji

Tsuji Shinnosuke (辻　新之助) Voiced by: Kazuya Ichijou (Japanese); Chris Rager (English)

• First appearance: Battle 24
• Type: Dou
• Martial Arts: Koppou

Shinnosuke is an ambitious rival of Kisara's. He has a rougher fighting style and fewer techniques than Kenichi, but greater experience. He had hoped to one day lead a gang stronger than Ragnarok and initially had hordes of men as followers, but after he was beaten by an unintentional sneak attack by Kenichi, he loses all but two of them. He gains respect for Kenichi, informs him of Takeda's impending punishment at the hands of Ragnarok, and warns him against Hermit. He finds a master and is later able to obtain a victory – of sorts – over Kenichi before the D of D tournament, whom he vows never to oppose again.

Shiratori

See Shinpaku Alliance

Saijo Tsukuba

Tsukuba (築波) Voiced by: Kiyoyuki Yanada (Japanese); Kyle Hebert (English)

• First appearance: Battle 4
• Name revealed: Battle 5
• Martial Arts: Mixes of karate & boxing

Tsukuba is an upperclassman at Kenichi's school and a black belt in the karate club. His style of martial arts is sport karate. He is the referee for Kenichi's fight against Daimonji and, following Kenichi's win, wants to test Kenichi's skills. He easily defeats Kenichi, but he is not satisfied with his victory because he finds bruises on his body after the fight. When he fights Kenichi a second time, Kenichi wins easily. He is then revealed to be a member of Ragnarok, then banished from town.

Takashi Furukawa

Furukawa Takashi (古川　たかし) Voiced by: Isshin Chiba (Japanese); Joel McDonald (English)

Takashi first appears in episode 8 with a group that tries to capture Kenichi. When he fights Kenichi, he initially holds his own, but he snaps after he starts to bleed from Kenichi's punch and resorts to using a knife. Miu knocks the knife out of Takashi's hand with Kenichi's belt. Later, Takashi tries again to take Kenichi to Kisara once again, but Kenichi defeats Takashi.

Number 20

20 gō (２０号) Voiced by: Rikako Aikawa (Japanese); Monica Rial (English)

A master of spying and stealth, Number 20 is Loki's assistant. She dresses in military fashion and is never seen without her night-vision goggles.

The Valkyries

The Valkyries ("Walkyria" in the English dub) are Freya's followers. Each is a specialist with a specific weapon, which they are taught by Freya's grandfather. When first introduced, they were sent to hunt down Kenichi and Kisara. Later, they all enter the dojo and request to assist Kenichi against Yami, but Shigure refuses.

Yami

Yami (闇) is a worldwide organization of martial artists with strong influence in crime syndicates. Yami is divided into a Hand-to-Hand Combat Division and a Weapons Division. Their objective, called Operation: The Eternal Sunset, appears the creation of a Third World War so their skills will not "rot away in these times of peace". They use elements as symbols.

One Shadow, Nine Fists

One Shadow, Nine Fists is the group of masters that controls both Yami's martial arts division and YOMI. Their counterparts in the Weapons division are the "Eight Blades". They fight to promote the Satsujin Ken (killing fist) style of martial arts. The group breaks up when eight of the Nine Fists realize that they had been manipulated by Sensui, Mikumo, and the Weapons division and defect to help stop the Eternal Sunset, after which they assert themselves as martial artists rather than mercenaries. The remaining six members (with the exception of Ogata) then go their separate ways as practitioners of Katsujin Ken from then on.

Sensui

• First appearance: Battle 573
• Type: sei
• Yami Symbol: Shadow
• Nickname: Ichiei/One Shadow
• Type: Satsujin Ken
• Martial Arts: Kuremisago Style

Sensui is the true primary antagonist of the series, one of the two masters of Kajima Satomi, and the current head of the Kuremisago Clan. He appears to be the true leader of Yami and the One Shadow Nine Fists, as he was masquerading as Saiga Furinji the entire time, and as "Saiga" was one of the real masterminds behind the rebirth of the Eternal Sunset. He was meant to be Shizuha's fiancée and was best friends with Saiga. He eventually turned on his friend, betrayed (and massacred) their clan and even framed Saiga by assuming his old friend's identity and killing Shizuha, thus making Miu believe that Saiga was the one who killed her mother. He choose to leave Miu alone out of respect towards Saiga and his love for Shizuha. Then some time later joined Yami and became the One Shadow of the One Shadow Nine Fists as well as one of the rulers of the organization itself. He then became the master of Kajima Satomi alongside Saiga who, at the time, was unaware that Sensui murdered his wife. He is responsible for taking James Shiba's right eye and leg (see chapter 174, page 19). During his final battle with Saiga, he committed suicide by immolating himself with a missile meant to kickstart the Eternal Sunset, as he knew that he stood no chance against Saiga in a straight fight. The missile was then destroyed mid-flight by Hayato, however, ending Sensui's plans.

Isshinsai Ogata

Voiced by: Akio Ohtsuka (Japanese); Jason Douglas (English)

• First appearance: Battle 119
• Type: Dou
• Yami Symbol: Flow
• Nickname: Kensei/Saint Fist/Sage Fist (in the English dub)
• Type: Satsujin Ken
• Martial Arts: Hybrid Martial Arts including Kung Fu, Jujutsu, some of Hayato Furinji's signature techniques and skills and a certain "Ancient Martial Art"

Ogata Isshinsai (緒方 一新斎), or Kensei (拳聖) would have been the first disciple of Ryōzanpaku; however, the Elder saw that he had evil intentions. He is the true power behind Ragnarok. He shows Kenichi the path of Asura, which the Elder wanted Kenichi to witness. He develops an interest in Kenichi and invites him to become his disciple, but Kenichi turns him down. He tries to stop the fight between Kenichi and Odin in order to have both as his disciples but the Ryōzanpaku crew dissuades him. After Ragnarok crumbles, he is revealed to be among the leadership of Yami. He is a prolific teacher/instructor, having multiple apprentices. He teaches a certain "Ancient Martial Art" to many of his apprentices and followers or subordinates. He has also trained apprentices in multiple styles, training Lugh in grappling techniques and helping Berserker develop his own style. His symbol is flow. He acts as the caretaker of YOMI. He and his disciples escape with the remainders of the Weapons division after the failure of the Eternal Sunset.

Alexander Gaidar

Voiced by: Toshinobu Iida

• First appearance: Battle 180
• Type: Dou
• Yami Symbol: Ice
• Nickname: Senmetsu no Kenshi/Fist of Destruction
• Type: Satsujin Ken
• Martial Arts: Command SAMBO

Gaidar specializes in command SAMBO, a martial art used by the Russian military. He is a colonel in the Russian army. He has taken up sculpting and painting in order to create an atmosphere of peace to distance himself from the constant fighting. He fights Akisame twice and is finally defeated by Akisame in chapter 304. He disowns his disciple Boris, surrenders to the authorities, and is held in an ultra-secret maximum security prison that even Yami knows nothing about, dubbed Big Lock. He is the first of the One Shadow, Nine Fists to be defeated.

Silcardo Jenazad

• Yami Symbol: King
• Type: dou
• Nickname: Kenmashajin/Demon Fist God
• Type: Gedou Ken
• Martial Arts: Pencak Silat

Silcardo is a master that specializes in Pencak Silat, or Supreme Silat as he calls it. He is well known for disposing of his disciples if they are not to his liking. He enjoys eating fruits and is almost never seen without one, even when someone remembers him. He was once a great hero who over time went down the path of darkness. At one time Hayato Furinji was a friend of his during which he taught him about the plants of his homeland. He is greatly respected by members of Yami and was said to have forced Hayato Furinji in to a "difficult fight". Despite being heavily advanced in age, to the point of being part of Hayato Furinji's youth, when his mask is removed he has the appearance of a man in his 20s or 30s. He is defeated and killed by Akira Hongō in chapter 476.

Diego Carlo

• First appearance: Battle 199
• Type: Sei (Smiling mask)/Dou (Angry mask)
• Yami Symbol: Steel
• Nickname: Waraukouken/Smiling Steel Fist/Angry Steel Fist
• Type: Satsujin Ken
• Martial Arts: Lucha Libre

Diego is a master level Lucha Libre wrestler. He is known for his flamboyant and goofy personality. His YOMI disciple is Rachel Stanley. He believes that a fight must always have an audience and that the fight is for the audience's enjoyment; he also believes that, after a fight, the loser must obey the winner's decision to kill them or not. During a fight against Ma Kensei, Diego loses his composure and takes off his "Smiling Mask", revealing another mask underneath. Ma Kensei refers to this as Diego's true face, "Angry Steel Fist". He is soon defeated and sent to Big Lock.

Akira Hongō

Voiced by: Wataru Yokojima

• First appearance: Battle 167
• Type: Sei
• Yami Symbol: Sky
• Nickname: Jinetsukenjin/God Hand/God Fist
• Type: Satsujin Ken
• Martial Arts: Karate

Akira is a master who uses karate. He scorns the use of science and technology as tools to measure one's level in the martial arts. He was the master of Kanō Shō and was a stern teacher so that his disciple would never lose a match. Shō was defeated in the D of D tournament and subsequently died, which caused Akira to challenge the other Yami masters, visibly angered over the death of his disciple. He and Sakaki have crossed paths before having had numerous battles.

Akira wears tight black clothing complete with gloves and has a muscular build, like all other masters, but has a few defining characteristics. He constantly wears sunglasses with triangular lenses, has a large scar running down his left eye, and has pointy ears. He also has scruffy facial hair, giving him the look of a thug (and a passing resemblance to Akisame).

During his rematch against Sakaki, the fight is interrupted by Silcardo Jenazad, to which both fighters fight him to save Miu from his clutches. When he escapes, the two agree there fight end as a draw. At the country of Tidat, Hongo helps Keinichi and Sakaki to rescue Miu and has a fight to the death with Jenazad, which he wins, narrowly escaping death from his severe injuries.

Mikumo Kushinada

• First appearance: Battle 258
• Type: Sei
• Yami Symbol: Water
• Type: Satsujin Ken
• Nickname: Youken no Urukiboshi/The Bewitching Fist
• Martial Arts: Jujutsu

She is the master of the Kushinada style of jiu jutsu, which is claimed to be unique in that it uses no raw power, but rather focuses entirely on skill. She is the only female member of the Nine Fists. She is far older than she appears; her mother is thought to have been born more than a century ago. Hayato has revealed that he and Mikumo had worked together against Yami in the past. It is not known what has turned her to Yami, but other characters have speculated that it was the loss of someone she held dear (heavily implied to be her biological child). Her disciple is Chikage Kushinada whom she adopted, a child prodigy and YOMI member. She is the only Fist who did not defect, as she was in league with Sensui and was totally loyal to him. She attempts to escape after the failure of the Eternal Sunset, but Ma manages to restrain her in mid-air. She is then taken to Big Lock, presumably for the rest of her life, and has Chikage taken out of her custody.

Agaard Jum Sai

• First appearance: Battle 266
• Type: Sei
• Yami Symbol: Flame
• Type: Satsujin Ken
• Nickname: Kentei Chuuou (The Sovereign of Fists and Emperor of Elbows)
• Martial Arts: Muay Thai, and Muay Boran

Agaard is Tirawit Kōkin's master and a Muay Boran (Ancient Muay Thai) master. He is very proud and firmly believes that Muay Boran is the strongest martial art in the world. He is responsible for the kidnapping of Freya and her grandfather, Danki. Apachai refers to him as the "Demon Emperor of the Underground Muay Thai World". He has unique pupils, which look like Plus signs. He was once Apachai's mentor and brother figure. Agaard's killing intent seems to soften when around Apachai, in turn, Apachai is the only person he would listen to. Despite accepting Apachai as family, he regrets that one day he must fight him as Apachai is also considered as his rival. Agaard and Apachai finally face each other and Agaard is overjoyed that Apachai has trained a fine disciple and that he is finally able to fight Agaard on equal terms. In the end, Agaard and Apachai both deal final, crippling blows, causing Agaard to collapse and Apachai to die but after hearing Kenichi's voice Apachai is able to rise up and save him. Agaard then concedes defeat because Apachai is the last one standing. Due to Agaard's injuries, the other masters of Ryozanpaku could not take him to the Big Lock. He apparently returns to Thailand, along with his disciple.

Cyril Rahman

• First appearance: Battle 266
• Type: Sei
• Yami Symbol: Nothingness
• Type: Satsujin Ken
• Nickname: Fists of Brahman
• Martial Arts: Kalarippayattu

Sehrul is Ethan Stanley's master and a Kalarippayattu master. He is the "supposedly" oldest among the One Shadow, Nine Fists. He battles Sakaki in chapter 350; the battle ends inconclusively.

Sougetsu Ma

Ba/Ma Sōgetsu (馬　槍月) Voiced by: Tessho Genda (Japanese); Rob Mungle (English)

• First Appearance: Battle 68
• Type: Dou
• Yami Symbol: Moon
• Type: Satsujin Ken
• Nickname: Kengou Kishin/Fierce-Fist God
• Martial Arts: All Chinese Kempo

Sougetsu is Kensei Ma's older brother and Renka Ma's uncle. He is a giant bearded fighter, whom people often fear and run away from. He spent most of his life training alone and feels that strength is the only thing to live for. He took in Hermit as a disciple and trained him to eliminate the weak. Along with many other masters, he is hired by Fortuna to defend the tournament but betrays him, defeating the other masters and leaving his disciple Tanimoto to finish Fortuna off.

Divisional members

Sai Kagerou

• First appearance: Battle 286
• Type: Sei
• Type: Satsujin Ken
• Martial Arts: Sword, especially Iaidō

Sai is a sword master, able to attack and re-sheath his sword without appearing to move. Because he is double jointed, he can attack people behind him as easily as if they were in front. His sword, Setsunamaru, was made by Shigure's father. He duels Shigure, who defeats him and takes his sword. He leaves Yami when he is promised another masterpiece created by Shigure's father, if he protects Kenichi and promises never to kill again; he instantly accepts. The masterpiece he is given is a hoe; he accepts it with joy and says he has found "a new love for slicing the ground".

Fortuna

• First real appearance: Battle 250
• Type: Dou
• Type: Satsujin Ken
• Martial Arts: ?

Fortuna is arms dealer and owner of the private island on which the D of D tournament is held. He is obsessed with children who have the potential to become Master Class and is the adopted father of the whole Pankration team. His martial arts style is unknown.

Christopher Eclair

Voiced by: Toshiyuki Morikawa

• First appearance: Battle 146
• Type: Sei
• Type: Satsujin Ken
• Martial Arts: Savate

Christopher is part of the assassination division of Yami. Christopher, Sakaki and an Englishman called Mycroft used to be a team who fought the mafia and helped the FBI. When Sakaki came to disapprove of their methods, Christopher and Mycroft attempted to ambush him, and Sakaki buried them alive in a desert. During the beginning of the YOMI arc, he fights Kenichi, but Sakaki intervenes and defeats him. He has a very feminine appearance.

Li Tenmon

Voiced by: Banjo Ginga

• First appearance: Battle 157
• Type: Dou
• Type: Satsujin Ken
• Martial Arts: Ditangquan

Li is a Yami member from China who was contacted by Isshinsai Ogata to help defeat Ryōzanpaku. His daughter, a YOMI member, is his disciple. He strikes his daughter whenever she refers to him as father, rather than master, though he does care for her. He shows mercy on the Shinpaku Alliance because Miu and Renka were among them and could not fight at full strength because he had a daughter of his own.

Ro Jisei

Voiced by: Hisao Egawa

• First Appearance: Chapter 266 (as a silhouette)
• Name Revealed: Chapter 353 (officially confirmed in 354)
• Type: sei
• Type: Satsujin Ken
• Martial Arts: Chinese style (Hikaken and Hakkyokuken)

Ro is a blind but fearsome master-class fighter. His disciple is Chou Enshin. Ro Jisei has been a temporary member of One Shadow, Nine Fists in Ma Sougetsu's absence.

YOMI

YOMI is first mentioned in the manga as Ragnarok's main rival. It is the juvenile subsection of Yami and has manpower and funds at its disposal; for example, Boris is able to command resources ranging from military helicopters to expensive solid gold insignia. The leading disciples of the One Shadow, Nine Fists form the executive committee of YOMI. There are eight active members within the executive committee following the deaths of Shou Kanou and Radin Jihan. YOMI, like Yami, uses elements as symbols; members bear the same symbol as their master bears in Yami.

Kajima Satomi

• First appearance: Battle 265
• Type: Dou
• YOMI Symbol: Shadow
• Type: Satsujin Ken
• Martial Arts: Hybrid Martial Arts (Furinji style) and Ninjutsu (Kuremisago style)

Kajima is the disciple of Furinji Saiga and Senzui (current head of the Kuremisago ninja clan). He has numerous scars and wears an eyepatch over his left eye. He becomes the leader of YOMI following Shou's death. Kajima has developed an interest in Kenichi and would like to fight him. In the recent chapters Kajima reveal that he has two masters and the reason that he interested in Kenichi is that he himself was told by both of his masters that he doesn't have any talent for martial arts and he had to work hard much like Kenichi did. He is defeated by Kenichi after a brutal fight in which Kenichi finally ascended to master class.

Shō Kanō

Voiced by: Daisuke Namikawa

• First appearance: Battle 167
• Type: Dou / Sei (specializes in Dou)
• YOMI Symbol: Sky
• Type: Satsujin Ken
• Nickname: Suparna
• Martial Arts: Karate(main), Sambo, Muay Thai, Muay Boran, Lucha Libre, Jujutsu, Pencak Silat, Kalarippayattu, Chinese Martial Arts, "Ancient" Martial Arts and others

Kanō Shō (叶　翔)

Shō's nickname, Suparna, is a mythical creature in Hindu mythology said to possess beautiful wings. He is the disciple of Akira Hongou and leads YOMI until his death in Battle 264. Shō was raised as a member of Kuremisago and had received extensive training in martial arts for all his life. More than one YOMI member has described him as "perfect". He possessed power and speed unrivaled by any martial artist below master-level. Although Shou's primary fighting style was karate, he received training from various Yami masters, because he was chosen as the Sole Successor of the One Shadow Nine Fists' martial arts.

Shō fell in love with Miu at first sight and invited Miu to join YOMI; when Miu refused, he attempted to kidnap her. Shō was defeated by Kenichi in the climax of the D of D tournament. Shortly afterward, he died shielding Miu from being shot by one of Fortuna's soldiers. His last wish was for Kenichi to protect Miu in his place.

Radin Tidat Jihan

Voiced by: Ryotaro Okiayu

• First appearance: Battle 176
• Type: Sei
• Type: Satsujin Ken
• YOMI Symbol: King
• Nickname: Nagaraja
• Martial Arts: Pencak Silat

Jihan was Silcardo Jenazad's disciple. He was the Crown Prince of Tidat, a fictional country located on the Indonesia Archipelago, and acted in an elitist, aristocratic manner, claiming that 99.9% of the world's population are worthless commoners.

After Jihan was defeated by Kenichi, Silcardo disowned him as a disciple, saying that Jihan brought shame to Pencak Silat and was no longer of any use to him. Silcardo created an avalanche to bury Jihan and Kenichi. Jihan rejected Kenichi's offer to help him escape and was buried alive. Since then, he is presumed to be dead, until he reappears at Tidat after Jenazad's death to retake his country.

He reveals how he survived the avalanche, when Jenazad betrays him and created an avalanche to kill both Tidat and Kenichi, he let himself to be buried while saving Kenichi from the avalanche. Knowing that Jenazad will come after him if Tidat is found alive, Tidat hid himself covered in snow until Jenazad's subordinates and the YAMI's army cannot find Tidat's body and leaves, and think that Tidat is already dead. Once Jenazad and his army left, Tidat rises and tries to find a safer place to hide from Jenazad. Feeling hungry and dying due to an extreme cold weather, Tidat is found by the owner of a noodle shop nearby his restaurant and feeds Tidat a warm noodle, thus paying the owner's debt for his kindness and decide to do a greater good on helping the owner's family restaurant. Once he heard the news about a civil war in his country Indonesia caused by Jenazad, and Kenichi and Tidat's sister, Lona are involved on that war, Tidat must return to his country to restore its civilization, and bid farewell to the noodle shop's owner and his family. Despite his master’s betrayal, Tidat still respect him as a father figure and respect of his now standing deceased master, after Hongo killed him in a death battle.

In the final chapter, he, Lona and Sham goes back to Japan to visit Hongo. There, he met an old friend from the noodle shop he took a job as a part-timer, whom rescued Tidat in the past.

Tirawit Kōkin

• First appearance: Battle 188
• Type: Sei
• Type: Satsujin Ken
• YOMI Symbol: Flame
• Nickname: Narasimha/The Lion God King
• Martial Arts: Muay Thai and Muay Boran

Tīrawitto Kōkin (ティーラワィット　コーキン)

Tirawit takes control of the school's karate club when he and three other YOMI members transfer to Kenichi's school. He is a good strategist and plans things carefully in advance. He is also an excellent teacher, able to teach several people some of Muay Boran's offensive techniques in a very short period of time. Tirawit has said more than once that, despite defeating Shō Kanō, who was one of YOMI's strongest members, Kenichi would need more experience before facing him. During a battle, he kills Kenichi, but Kenichi is later resuscitated.

After causing what he thought was Kenichi's end, he transfers schools. When he is informed of his failure, he attempts to set off to deal with him again, but Kajima forbids him to engage Kenichi. He is currently with his master in Okinawa. After being located by Apachai and Kenichi, Tirawit battles Kenichi while his master Agaard, and Apachai fight around them. Agaard and Apachai's fight is fierce and results in a draw with both men too crippled to move or stand. The 'victor' is left to be decided by result of Tirawit and Kenichi's battle. Tirawit and Kenichi's battle is equally as fierce, with Tirawit trying to understand why Kenichi keeps fighting. Eventually Kenichi and Tirawit simultaneously land debilitating kicks on each other. Kenichi then resolves to finish the fight using only Apachai's Muay Thai style, which causes Tirawit to laugh, the first time he has ever shown any true emotion. Having accepted that he will never be able to 'analyze' Kenichi, the two decide to let their final attack speak for them. In the end, Kenichi managed to catch Tirawit by surprise using Apachai's most basic techniques in full force and defeats him.

Ethan Stanley

Voiced by: Koji Takeda

• First appearance: Battle 176
• Type: Dou
• Type: Satsujin Ken
• YOMI Symbol: Nothingness
• Nickname: Pollux
• Martial Arts: Kalarippayattu

Ethan is one of the four YOMI members who transfers to Kenichi's school. He and his sister, Rachel, fight as Team Gemini in the D of D tournament. He is shown to possess immense strength in chapter 278. He performs extra missions for YOMI in order to prevent anything from happening to his sister, who has fallen from YOMI's graces. He requests that Kenichi "die" as a martial artist and return to normal life; when Kenichi refuses, Ethan issues a challenge, despite being injured because of the extra missions he has undertaken but is defeated in the process. However, Kenichi helps save his sister Rachel from Jenazad, to which Ethan thanks him and, after Kenichi brings his classmates to see him off to prove his friendships with them was real, Ethan, for the first time, smiles happily and shakes Kenichi's hand. However, he asked him to look after his sister, much to his chagrin.

Rachel Stanley

Voiced by: Hoko Kuwashima

• First appearance: Battle 176
• Type: Dou
• Type: Satsujin Ken
• YOMI Symbol: Steel
• Nickname: Castor
• Martial Arts: Lucha Libre

Rachel is Ethan's twin sister. She and her brother participate in the D of D tournament as Team Gemini. She has a flamboyant personality, is an attention seeker, and is more aggressive than her brother. Rachel transfers to Kenichi's school, where she greatly enjoys school life, becoming the star player on the basketball team (which reminds other players of Apachai's legend) and joining the gymnastics club.

Ethan has asked Kenichi to look after Rachel, who continues to look for a new master.

Boris Ivanov

Voiced by: Masashi Sugawara

• First appearance: Battle 175
• Type: Sei
• Type: Satsujin Ken
• YOMI Symbol: Ice
• Martial Arts: Sambo

Boris is Alexander's leading disciple. He is the 2nd YOMI member to fight Kenichi in a duel and is one of the four YOMI members who transfer to Kenichi's school. He often wears a military uniform and leads a troop of similarly attired underlings. Boris ignores the orders of everyone except his master, even those of the YOMI leader Shō Kanou.

When he first battles Kenichi, Boris is confused by Kenichi's ability to counter all of his Sambo moves; the fight ends in a draw.

Boris later holds a camping trip, which he uses as an opportunity to attack Shinpaku and attempt to kill Kenichi with the aid of troops belonging to his master. In order to save their teacher, Boris and Kenichi briefly fight together against the troops, resuming their battle once she is safe. Kenichi defeats him in chapter 304, and he leaves to search for his master.

Boris is the first opponent who has acknowledged Kenichi's strength; all opponents prior to him have regarded Kenichi as inferior. In chapter 533 Boris returns having found his master outside Big Lock and awaits for him to break out.

Ryūto Asamiya

Ryūto Asamiya Voiced by: Ken Narita (Japanese); Jerry Jewell (English)

• First appearance: Battle 48
• Type: Sei / Dou (specializes in Sei)
• Type: Satsujin Ken
• YOMI Symbol: Flow
• Nickname: Odin (Ragnarok and YOMI Nickname)
• Martial Arts: Hybrid Martial Arts including Karate, Boxing, a bit of modern Pankration and possibly Ogata's "Ancient Martial Art"; uses Seikuken

Ryūto, as Odin, was the leader and the strongest member of Ragnarok. He is currently a member of YOMI and has mastered Seikūken (制空圏 lit. sphere/circle of created/built void/space), a technique which allows him to create a barrier that can neutralize attacks.

Ryūto was Kenichi's friend when they were young, before Kenichi moved out of the neighborhood. They witnessed Miu's martial arts skills when they were six years old, prompting them to make a vow to become stronger. He had coveted the Yin-Yang badge Miu gave to Kenichi and challenges him to fight for its possession. Kenichi defeats Ryūto but concedes to him, of which Ryūto reacts unkindly too. It's shown afterward that he plays the coin machine until he's gotten a Yin-Yang badge of his own. Before Keinchi moves out of his neighborhood, Ryūto declares they both become stronger learning martial arts and challenging each other again when they're older. When he finally meets Kenichi again he quickly defeats him and takes the badge.

Later, when he faces Kenichi again, Kenichi appears to have the upper hand until Ryūto shows his true strength. Kenichi's skills then prove to be no match against Odin's Seikūken. Kenichi manages to overpower Odin by imitating his masters' style and techniques, but Ryūto becomes enraged and combines the ki of both Sei and Dou to and once again overpower Kenichi. Doing so places a great strain on Ryūto's body, and eventually he is unable to avoid Kenichi's final attack. As a sign of his defeat, he gives Kenichi his Yin-Yang badge back.

The self-inflicted damage of combining Sei and Dou turned his hair white, blackened one eye, and left him wheelchair-bound, but he remains a formidable opponent, able to execute his Seikūken and Gungnir techniques despite his condition. However, in Chapter 516, Ryuto manages to regain his leg strength and control the usage of Seidou Goui while fighting against his master with Kenichi. Following this incident, Ryuto and Rimi leave YOMI.

He is named after Odin, the chief God in Norse mythology.

Chikage Kushinada

• First appearance: Battle 188
• Name Meaning: 'Chi' (Thousand) 'Kage' (Shadow) = Thousand Shadows
• Type: Sei
• Type: Satsujin Ken
• YOMI Symbol: Water
• Martial Arts: Jujutsu

Chikage is a child prodigy and is currently a first year student at Kenichi's school, as well as being Mikumo's disciple and adopted daughter. She is incredibly naive, despite her profound knowledge in many areas; for example, she believed that, though a seed takes four months to bloom, she could plant a seed that was four months old and it would bloom the next day. Despite her first cold appearance, she has gradually warmed up to the group and "secretly" befriended Kenichi, now often seen in "child mode", which comes from whenever sweets or children's books are presented to her. This is because due to her martial arts style training, she has a strict diet that she must abide and sweets are not allowed. Recently, she seems to be aiding Kenichi and his friends by helping Ukita during a battle. She is supposed to be there to watch them, but Kenichi, Miu, and Nejima know her identity, and are, in fact, watching her. Her martial art style is famed for using no strength and all skill to defeat opponents. This style is regarded to other martial arts as impossible since to them, they use mostly strength and less skill. She is taken out of Mikumo's custody at the end of the series and, no longer having to abide by her teacher's strict diet, has begun to grow.

Natsu Tanimoto

See the Shinpaku Alliance

Divisional members

Chou Enshin

• First appearance: Battle 188
• Nickname: Pure Dragon
• Type: Dou
• Type: Satsujin Ken
• YOMI Symbol: Moon
• Martial Arts: Piguaquan and Bajiquan

Chou was a temporary YOMI member, to be removed when Natsu Tanimoto became YOMI-level. He refused to give up his YOMI position, challenging Natsu to a death match for the seat. In chapter 355, he lost the death match.

Li Raichi

Voiced by: Iori Nomizu

• First appearance: Chapter 157
• Nickname: Spark
• Type: Satsujin Ken
• Type: Dou
• Martial Arts: Zui Quan

Li Raichi, a YOMI assassin, is the daughter and disciple of Yami member Li Tenmon. She is sent to measure Kenichi's skills in battle. She is a ruthless fighter, willing to use any means necessary to win; however, Kenichi defeats her without having to harm her physically. Kenichi convinces her that it is not right to kill and from this gains feelings for him. She and Kenichi both are interested in gardening. She reappears on Diego's cruise ship as a bodyguard to one of the many rich socialites attending to watch the fight.

Meatman

Meatman is a large and arrogant luchador who is an assistant instructor in that style. He has said that he does not have the potential to become a master, and that some people are "given more" than others in that regard, a position Miu disagrees with.

Seta and Hayami

Seta and Hayami are teenagers who act as Shō Kanou's personal bodyguards. They try to prevent Kenichi from pursuing Shō but are defeated by Ryūto Asamiya. Following Shō Kanō's death, Akira Hongou seems to take them on as his disciples. They follow their master to Shō and Miu's birthplace, combating Kenichi and Miu though losing to them.

Rimi Kokorone

Rimi is one of three disciples candidates to Isshinsai Ogata. Her speed is shown to be extremely high-leveled, able to perform a body search on people while running past them without them noticing. She is a slight airhead, shown when she tells members of the Shinpaku Alliance everything that she was explicitly told not to say. She has a crush on Ryūto Asamiya and declares Miu her enemy due to his feelings for her. Her shoes are shown to be made of a very dense type of gold, which Miu covets and vowed to take as a "spoils of war" if she were to defeat her in battle. After Thor accidentally destroys the data CD she was attempting to steal in the first place, she flees and returns to Ogata. She is shown training with Ogata later.

After undergoing intense training with Ogata, Rimi returns for a rematch with Miu. Miu is overpowered at first by her enhanced speed and techniques, but gains the upper hand after successfully releasing her Dou Ki and control it. In a last effort, Rimi asks her master to assist her to unleash both her Sei and Dou Ki at the same time, the same technique that Ryūto used on his fight with Kenichi that ended up crippling him. Despite Ryūto's protests, Ogata grants her request and despite having increased her abilities, she ends up defeated by Miu and thought to be dead, but in later chapters she is seen in a hospital with Ryūto.

Lugh

• First appearance: Battle 491
• Nickname: Lugh/Submission
• Type: Satsujin Ken

He is a blind grappler knowing at least some Jiujitsu and some other grappling arts. He is part of the team named Mabinogion. He appears to be able to understand people very well.

Shinpaku Alliance

File:Shinpaku Alliance.JPG

From left to right: Kenichi, Miu, Takeda, Natsu, Ukita, Kisara, Freya, Siegfried, Nijima, Yuma Chiaki and Renka

The Shinpaku Alliance is a group of fighters created by Niijima Haruo to increase his own status. The name derives from the first characters in the names of Niijima (新) and Shirahama (白). The Alliance is composed mostly of students and former members of Ragnarok. Following the dissolution of Ragnarok, the Shinpaku Alliance becomes known as the town's strongest martial-arts club. In the YOMI arc, the Shinpaku Alliance participates in the D of D Tournament and attains the final round of the "Chi" group; but are induced to forfeit the match. Yami and YOMI consider the Shinpaku Alliance part of Ryōzanpaku.

Commanders

Haruo Niijima

Niijima Haruo (新島 春男) Voiced by: Takumi Yamazaki (Japanese); Todd Haberkorn (English)

• First appearance: Chapter 1
• Martial Arts: Personal Niijima-style Escape Art

Niijima is a member of the Newspaper Club at Kenichi's school and has a broad range of expertise, including stealth, lock picking, tinkering, programming, and blackmailing. He retreats from most physical danger; but is also a skilled tactician. If forced to battle, Niijima relies on hit-and-run and psychological tactics to un-nerve his opponents. In the beginning of the series, Niijima is constantly bullying Kenichi and setting him against other bullies; but as Kenichi becomes stronger, Niijima constantly relies on Kenichi to protect himself, and persuades the Shinpaku Alliance that Kenichi is their leader and defender. In addition to this, Niijima is jokingly accused of extraterrestrial origin through instances of brainwashing, hiding in plain sight, eating dangerous chemicals for lunch, swimming with ease, and discovering personal information within seconds of encounter.

Assault Commander

Kenichi Shirahama

See The Ryōzanpaku Dojo

Captains

The Captains are the Alliance's most capable fighters, besides Kenichi. A majority of them are former Ragnarok members.

Natsu Tanimoto

Hāmitto (ハーミット) Voiced by: Ryo Horikawa (Japanese), Jason Liebrecht (Season 1), Eric Vale (Season 2) (English)

• First appearance: Chapter 48
• Name revealed: Chapter 49
• Type: Dou
• Nickname: Hermit
• Martial Arts: Chinese Martial Arts (specializes in Hikaken and Hakkyōken)

Natsu Tanimoto (谷本　夏, Tanimoto Natsu), as Hermit, was the Sixth Fist of Ragnarok. He learned martial arts from Sougetsu Ma, Kensei's older brother. He is the president of the drama club at Kenichi's school. Tanimoto perceives popularity as a way to control people. His disposition slowly changes when he rescues Honoka at a local shopping center, and she (not knowing his opposition to Kenichi) insists on befriending him. When Loki kidnaps her and hands her over to his right-hand woman, Number 20, Tanimoto, distracts the latter and urges Kenichi to kill Loki. He is later shown to still attend school and maintain the appearance of a kind honor student in the presence of others. Honoka still visits him whenever she can. Though others treat him as a member of the Shinpaku alliance, he is adamant in refusing the relationship.

In chapter 353, Hermit is training to become a member of YOMI. In chapter 355, he faces and defeats temporary YOMI member Enshin Chou for the seat.

Ikki Takeda

Takeda Ikki (武田 一基) Voiced by: Kazuki Yao (Japanese); J. Michael Tatum (English)

• Type: Sei
• Nickname: Takeda the Puncher
• Martial Arts: Boxing

Takeda, known as the Puncher, is a former boxing star paralyzed in his left arm. He fights Kenichi to test the latter's strength; and when victorious, Kenichi spares him and takes him to Akisame's clinic, where Akisame fixes his left arm. Takeda later joins the Shinpaku Alliance and comes to Kenichi's aid on several occasions. In the second arc, Takeda seeks a master equal to Kenichi's, and trains under James Shiba (ジェームズ　志場, Jēmuzu Shiba), an underworld former boxing champion. He later participates in the D of D tournament and wins his first match in the quarterfinals of the "Chi" group. He is defeated and severely injured by Shō Kanou during an attempt to rescue Miu Fūrinji, causing him to forfeit the remaining matches.

Takeda is usually seen with some type of plant in his mouth. In chapter 267, he and Ukita fail to graduate. In later chapters Takeda challenges Kenichi to a sparring match. Though the match is close, Takeda's master throws in the towel to end the match, too concerned with his disciple's well-being to let the match continue. During this match, it is revealed that Takeda, like Kenichi, is enamored of Miu.

Hibiki Kugenin

Jīkufurīto (ジークフリート) Voiced by: Mitsuaki Madono (Japanese); Chris Cason (English)

Kugen'in Hibiki (九弦院 響)

• First appearance: Chapter 48
• Type: Sei
• Nickname: The Immortal Composer Siegfried (Ragnarok act)/Super Siegfried (D of D tournament act)
• Martial Arts: His style of Go no Sen, possibly based on Pi Qua Quan

Hibiki Kugenin, or Siegfried, was the Fifth Fist of Ragnarok. He is called "the immortal composer" because he composes music, using his battles as inspiration for his melodies. He has a tendency to hum or sing classical music during his fights, and his attacks are named after different musical scores and compositions. After his defeat by Kenichi, he joins the Shinpaku Alliance.

Yūma Chiaki

Tōru (トール) Voiced by: Naomi Kusumi (Japanese); Bob Carter (English)

Chiaki Yūma (千秋 祐馬)

• First appearance: chapter 70
• Type: Dou
• Nickname: Thor
• Martial Arts: Sumo

Yūma Chiaki, or Thor, was the Seventh Fist of Ragnarok. After he is defeated by Kenichi, he honors Kenichi's condition for the match, that he quit Ragnarok. He later joins the Shinpaku Alliance as a favor to Siegfried. He participates in the D of D tournament as part of the Alliance and is injured in the attempt to rescue Miu. He is named after Thor, the Norse thunder god.

Kisara Nanjō

Nanjō Kisara (南條 キサラ) Voiced by: Minami Takayama (Japanese); Colleen Clinkenbeard (English)

• First appearance: chapter 12
• Type: Dou
• Nickname: Valkyrie
• Martial Arts: Taekwondo, later Nekokwondo.

Kisara Nanjō, or Valkyrie, was the most recent member of Ragnarok to be made a Fist. Suspected of being a spy for the Shinpaku Alliance, she is attacked by the Valkyries, Freya's female subordinates. Kenichi and Shigure come to her aid, and she resigns from Ragnarok. Siegfried later convinces her to join the Alliance. After Odin's defeat, she trains with Freya often and her skills have increased to the point where she can fight members of Yami's Weapon Division. Her style revolves around extremely acrobatic Taekwondo techniques, which she later combines with cat-like movements. Kisara participates in the D of D tournament with the Alliance. She is also very fond of cats. Ukita has a crush on her, and she has shown a similar interest in him, such as hitting him when he takes an interest in another girl. May be bisexual from chapter 383. Shows interest in Freya in the nude.

Kaname Kugatachi

Fureia (フレイア) Voiced by: Atsuko Tanaka (Japanese), Stephanie Young (English)

• First appearance: chapter 48
• Type: Sei
• Nickname: Freya
• Martial Arts: Weapons (preferred style is jōjutsu)

Kaname Kugatachi, or Freya, was the Third Fist of Ragnarok. She joined Ragnarok to learn from Ogata. Freya is well-versed in a variety of weapon forms, specializing in fighting with a staff, and leads a squad of weapon-using "Valkyries". Kisara defeats her during the final battle against Ragnarok by breaking her staff, after which Freya concedes the fight. After Ragnarok disbands, Nijima conducts numerous attempts to recruit Freya to the Shinpaku Alliance, succeeding after he tells her that the Alliance is preparing to battle YOMI. Freya fights with the Alliance during the D of D tournament. She later graduates from high school and enrolls in a university. She is named after Freyja, a Norse fertility goddess and leader of the Valkyries.

Miu Fūrinji

See The Ryōzanpaku Dojo

Renka Ma

Ba/Ma Renka (馬 連華) Voiced by: Mika Kanai (Japanese); Kate Oxley (English)

• First appearance: Chapter 66
• Type: Dou
• Martial Arts: Chinese Kempo

Renka is Ma Kensei's 16-year-old daughter. In chapter 313, she is transferred to Kenichi's school. She is able to perceive martial techniques at a level unusual for non-Master-class martial artists. In chapters 309–312, during the fight between Apachai and Kei Retsumin, she was able to read most of the "shockwave orbits" that surrounded the 2 combatants and guide Kenichi through them.

Vice Captains

Kōzō Ukita

Ukita Kōzō (宇喜田 孝造) Voiced by: Tōru Ōkawa (Japanese); Mike McFarland (English)

• Type: Dou
• Nickname: Ukita the Thrower
• Martial Arts: Judo

Ukita, known as the Thrower, is originally a member of the Judo club before becoming a member of Ragnarok. He stands with Takeda after Takeda quits Ragnarok. Along with Takeda, he later joins the Shinpaku Alliance. In chapter 267, he and Takeda fail to graduate. Ukita also has feelings for Kisara Nanjo. Each time Ukita shows feelings for another girl Kisara hits him

Others

Shiratori

Shiratori (白鳥) Voiced by: Junko Minagawa (Japanese); Joel McDonald (English)

Shiratori was Kisara's principal lieutenant and joins the Alliance along with Kisara. She accompanies Shinpaku to the D of D tournament but does not participate in the fighting. It is at first believed she is a boy because of how she dresses but it is revealed in chapter 489 she is in fact a girl and also has a crush on Ukita. She possessed some skills in taekwondo (revealed in chapter 487-488) and according to James Shiba, Kenichi recommended her as one of "the one who has".

Matsui

Voiced by: Katsumi Toriumi (Japanese); Z. Charles Bolton (English)

Matsui always carries the Alliance flag and has been a member since the beginning. He is fiercely loyal to Niijima and acts as his personal assistant.

Mizunuma

Voiced by: Masahito Kawanago (Japanese); Chris Burnett (English)

Mizunuma joins the Shinpaku Alliance after Kenichi saves him from bullies. In the D of D tournament, he fights in the first round in order to avenge his master, because YOMI had taken over his school. He loses but is later avenged by Takeda.

Kamioka

Voiced by: Shigeru Shibuya (Japanese); Eric Cherry (English)

Kamioka attempts to attack Hermit when Hermit first confronts the newly formed Alliance, only to be tossed aside. Niijima manages to rescue Kamioka and subsequently trains him in information gathering and hacking. He has a talent for fortune-telling through the use of tarot cards, which is displayed during the D of D tournament.

Kurokawa

Voiced by: Eiji Yanagisawa (Japanese); Bruce Lewis (English)

Kurokawa is another founding member of the Shinpaku Alliance. He primarily serves as an information gatherer and is often seen reporting directly to Niijima.

Others

The Alliance is made of many young teenagers and fighters, who follow Niijima fanatically. Many of these are former Ragnarok members.

D of D Participants

Tsutomu Tanaka

• First appearance: Battle 218

A mysterious man dressed as an office worker who first appears in battle 218, Tanaka is the only one-man team other than Shō Kanou. He married at age 18, has a young child, and is seemingly timid. However, his fighting style, Tenchi Mushin Ryū, is fierce, and he defeats an enemy who is at least three times his size with one finger. He is looking for Ogata, and he decides to forfeit when he learns Ogata is not on the island.

He appears again in battle 368, during a bank robbery. In the course of the robbery, he bends the barrel of a gun and defeats three of the five robbers; meanwhile, Kenichi and Miu defeat one robber each. Although Kenichi doesn't remember Tanaka, Miu does. Tanaka returns to Ryōzanpaku with Kenichi and Miu to ask Hayato for information about Ogata. Hayato politely refuses because Tanaka follows the Killing Fist, but he suggests that Tanaka spar with Kenichi.

Tanaka appears again in Chapter 497. He appears while Miu was trying to sense her surroundings. Miu wonders if Tanaka increased in strength. He then talks with the elder about Ogata not being at his castle and states he's been looking for information on him and that he discovered he's training in the mountains with his disciple. Tanaka makes it clear that he will kill Ogata. When he finally does fight Ogata to the death, it is revealed he doesn't just want to kill him for murdering his master, but also cause of murdering his wife and unborn child. He later fights Ogata to avenge the loss of his family, but ultimately is defeated and killed by the Yami master, but not before telling Kenichi to never become like him lest he share the same fate.

Tanaka exhibits many of the same personality traits as Kenichi. Both have incredibly high work ethics, were viewed as weaklings with no talent, and trained under notoriously harsh masters. They both also took up martial arts in order to become stronger, and later to protect the women they loved. Because of this, Tanaka's death has a profound impact on Kenichi, who takes the older man's last words to heart and dedicates himself to his training even more.

Pankration Team

• First appearance: Battle 201

A team of five of Fortuna's adopted children, the Pankration Team is one of the strongest teams in the competition and the favorite to win the tournament. The team is led by Spartacus, a calm, spiritual person who, despite his power, hates fighting. Their true goal is to attain freedom by escaping from Despair Island. Shō Kanou unexpectedly lends them a hand, replacing them in the tournament and covering up their escape plan by claiming that he killed them.

Capoeira team

A group of five people whose members only reveal their full prowess in their match against the Shinpaku Alliance.

Leader (Andrew / Andre)

Apparently the smartest and strongest of the team, he fights Kisara but is defeated when Kisara discovers a new fighting style that imitates the movements of a cat.

Aisha

The only girl on the team, Aisha takes on a team of five people at once and wins without a scratch. She fights Kisara but is defeated by Kisara's imitation of Miu's style.

Silvio

Silvio's secret crush on Aisha is exposed by Niijima, and he subsequently succumbs to Niijima's taunts and is thrown out of the competition by Ukita. He is the first one to be eliminated.

Eliot

Eliot tried to strangle Siegfried but was defeated.

Fifth member (name unknown)

The fifth member of the team was easily defeated by Siegfried.

Three Headed Dragon

• First appearance: 201

Hailing from the Black Tiger White Dragon Alliance in China, the team is represented by Kaku Shin Ten, Chou Yin Lin, and Yo Tekai. They are Kenichi and Miu's first opponents in the tournament. The team fights in a formation that combines the circular movements of the Baguazhang, straight movements of the Shin Yi-ken, and the spiral movements of the Taichiquan. Kenichi wins the match, defeating Kaku after a long and grueling duel. Upon their defeat, the team leaves their organization; in chapter 309, they are shown to have returned to Japan with Renka Ma.

Kaku Shin Ten

• First appearance: 201
• Martial Arts: T'ai chi ch'uan

The leader and strongest member of the team, Kaku sees his teammates as decoys to be manipulated. Upon his teammates' defeat, he engages Kenichi in a duel, but Kenichi defeats him.

Chou Yin Lin

• First appearance:201
• Martial Arts:Baguazhang

After Yo is defeated, Chou duels with Miu, but she is defeated when Kaku refuses to come to her aid, opting to observe Miu's power level instead.

Yo Tekai

• First appearance:201
• Martial Arts: Xingyiquan

Yo wears an eye patch over his right eye and has a strange sense of humor. He is the first one on the team to be defeated, by Miu.

Team Gemini

A team composed of the YOMI twins Rachel and Ethan Stanley, who are initially one of the teams favored to win the tournament. Team Gemini eventually forfeits their match against Shō Kanou when Diego Carlo orders Rachel to retreat.

Black special force

A team defeated by the Shinpaku Alliance in the first round of the tournament. Despite being rated very high and considered proven assassins, Takeda and Thor managed to defeat four out of its five members easily in an open brawl.

Flaming Wire K

Flaming Wire K, the leader of the team, uses metal wires as a weapon to kill his opponents. He avoids Takeda and Thor's rampage but loses against Freya in a weapon battle.

Shirahama family

Honoka Shirahama

Shirahama Honoka (白浜 ほのか) Voiced by: Sakuragawa Tomoe (Japanese); Cherami Leigh (English)

• First appearance: Chapter 2

Honoka is Kenichi's 12-year-old sister, who often interrupts his training and seems to distrust Miu, but befriends Shigure and Apachai. Honoka is an extremely skilled Othello player, often defeating Apachai and Tanimoto. She befriends Natsu Tanimoto (Hermit) after he saves her from some thugs, and he saves her when Loki kidnaps her.

Mototsugu Shirahama

• First appearance: Chapter 9

Shirahama Mototsugu (白浜 元次)Voiced by: Daisuke Gōri (Japanese); John Swasey (English)

Mototsugu is Kenichi's father. He is an expert marksman, able to reload a hunting rifle one-handed; but is also excited over insignificant decisions. He also obsesses over his guns, naming them and obsessively cleaning them. He is fully aware of what kind of training Kenichi undergoes and often attempts to rush into Ryōzanpaku armed with one of his shotguns to liberate his son, but his wife stops him every time.

Saori Shirahama

Shirahama Saori (白浜 さおり) Voiced by: Ai Orikasa (Japanese); Cynthia Cranz (English)

• First appearance: Chapter 2

Saori is Kenichi's mother. In the anime, she has been seen to hit her husband with a frying pan whenever he tries to 'save' Kenichi from a fight.

Other characters

Saiga Fūrinji

• First appearance: Battle 192
• Type: sei, Katsujin Ken
• Martial Arts: Hybrid Martial Arts

Saiga is Miu's father and the son of Hayato Furinji. After his former ally Senzui betrays him and Shizuha, and framed him for killing his own wife, Saiga goes into hiding until he and Miu find Shizuha's murderer in person. Disguised as John, the mercenary, Saiga let himself be captured by Jenazaad's forces and reveals himself in chapter 466 to protect Kenichi and Miu from Jenazaad's soldiers. He later overcomes Senzui. Saiga has a very youthful appearance with wild, spiky hair, and dresses in fine clothing. He wears a newer set of gauntlets similar to his old pair (now worn by Kenichi), as well as a matching set of greaves on his lower legs.

James Shiba

Voiced by: Masashi Hirose

• First Appearance: Chapter 173
• Type: Dou
• Martial Arts: Boxing

A former champion boxer nicknamed "The God of Destruction", James lost his right leg and eye in a fight with a man whom he thought to be Miu's father, who is actually Senzui in disguise. After Takeda witnesses him defeat a team of thugs outside a Pachinko parlor, he becomes James' disciple.

"Sensei"

Voiced by: Shiro Gō (Japanese); John Swasey (English)

A former professional wrestler who first appears when his men, while searching for Miu, attack Kenichi and Akisame. He later appears at a race track, where Sakaki takes him out with one punch. His name is not mentioned; his men call him sensei.

Yūka Izumi

Izumi Yūka (泉　優香) Voiced by: Makiko Omoto (Japanese); Brina Palencia (English)

Izumi is the president of the gardening club and the only member aside from Kenichi. She is a shy girl who harbors a crush on Kenichi, unknown to him.

Daimonji

• (大門寺) Voiced by: Kazuya Ichijo (Japanese); Christopher Ayres (English)
• First appearance: Chapter 2

Daimonji is a member of the Karate club. He often bullies Kenichi and one day offers Kenichi a chance to stay in the Karate club if Kenichi is able to beat him. After Miu trains Kenichi, Kenichi wins the match but leaves the club anyway. Daimonji, humiliated by his defeat, fights Kenichi again later and swiftly loses.

During the YOMI invasion arc, Daimonji is used to lure Kenichi into a trap. As he runs from a fight between Kenichi and Tirawit, Daimonji summons the Shinpaku Alliance and inadvertently assists in buying time for Akisame to revive Kenichi.

Naoki Yamato

• First appearance: Battle 63

Naoki appears only in the manga. He is the son and disciple of the Yamato style Jujitsu master, and he defeats Kenichi in their first match. Kenichi trains himself to counter Naoki's techniques and wins a second match. He and Kenichi become friends, promising to some day fight again. He sometimes appears in flashbacks.

Ryō/"Hakubi" Ma

Ba/Ma Ryō (馬　良) Voiced by: Yuzuru Fujimoto (Japanese); Barry Yandell (English)

Ryō is Kensei Ma's uncle, who owns his own restaurant in Yokohama Chinatown. He goes by the alias "Hakubi" (白眉) and is currently sheltering and employing Renka Ma.

His name originates from historical figure Ma Liang during the Three Kingdoms period at late Han dynasty, who bears the same nickname.

Jennifer Gray

First introduced during the D of D tournament, Jennifer is an undercover FBI agent working for the U.S. military on Fortuna's private island. Her father, a famous gunman named Lancelot Grey, was murdered by Fortuna. During the military raid on the island, she displays master level marksmanship. She considers herself Sakaki Shio's fiancée.

Genson Ryū and Kōan Shokatsu

Ryū Genson (劉　玄孫) Voiced by: Nobuyuki Hiyama (Japanese); Cris George (English) Shokatsu Kōan (諸葛　孔暗) Voiced by: Daisuke Namikawa (Japanese); Jon Duckworth (English)

Ryū and Shokatsu, Ryō Ma's two best students, are sent to retrieve Renka. After being defeated by Kenichi, both apologized, since the cause of the fight was a simple misunderstanding: they only wanted Renka to return to the restaurant to calm Ryō down. Ryū uses Tang lang quan (蟷螂拳) and Koan uses Chuōjiǎo (戳脚門). They reappear in chapter 317, fighting a master class opponent who was intent on fighting Kensei. They defeat him with some assistance from Takeda.

Fukujirō Yasunaga

Yasunaga Fukujirō (安永 福次郎) Voiced by: Katsuhisa Hoki (Japanese); Greg Dulcie (English)

• First appearance: Chapter 1
• Name revealed: Chapter 77

The 53-year-old Japanese history teacher and Kenichi's homeroom teacher. He and Kyōko Ono visit Ryōzanpaku to investigate Kenichi's status there.

Kyōko Ono

Ono Kyōko (小野 杏子) Voiced by: Kaoru Shimamura (first voice), Tōko Aoyama (OVA) (Japanese); Caitlin Glass (English)

• First appearance: Chapter 26
• Name revealed: Chapter 77

Yasunaga' scatterbrained assistant, who accompanies his visit to Ryōzanpaku. Both Kenichi and Boris believe that she might secretly be Master Class because of her ability to sneak up on Boris and to peacefully sleep during Russian troops' attack on a campsite.

Chihiro Takashima

Takashima Chihiro (鷹島 千尋) Voiced by: Aya Hisakawa (Japanese); Leah Clark (English)

• First appearance: Chapter 3

Chihiro was the ace of the Rhythmic Gymnastics Club before Miu surpassed her, and is therefore envious.

Shizuha Fūrinji

Fūrinji Shizuha (風林寺　静羽)

• First appearance: Chapter 192

Shizuha is Miu's mother and Saiga Fūrinji's deceased wife. She was a strong fighter from the Kuremisago clan, but she was killed at age 36, betrayed by her former fiancé Sensui, who attacked her disguised as her husband.

Danki Kugatachi

Danki is Freya's grandfather and a retired weapons master. He came out of retirement to train Freya and her Valkyries as well as Thor. He is still considered a very powerful and knowledgeable fighter, and is prepared to fight side-by-side with Kenichi against Yami. He is implied to feign loss of memory.

External links

• (in Japanese) Official Shinpaku site