Hanayama Kaoru is one of the most popular characters in the Baki series. His distinctive appearance and fighting style captivate viewers. While many characters have roots in various martial arts, Hanayama Kaoru is the only one who has become so strong through a single fight, without any background. In this article, we will take a look at Hanayama Kaoru's characteristics, personality, and strengths.
1. What are Hanayama Kaoru's characteristics?
Source: Baki © Keisuke Itagaki (Akita Shoten) / Baki Production Committee
Kaoru Hanayama was 15 years old when he first appeared, and was already appointed as the second boss of the Hanayama-gumi gang. Even from this time, he maintained an unarmed, untrained mentality, and as can be seen from the phrase "bare-handed fighting," his fighting style, which involves fighting any battle barehanded, earned him the nickname "Japan's No. 1 Fighter." He usually wears a white suit and has a large cut on his face. On his back is a tattoo called "Kyokaku-dachi", which has been passed down from generation to generation of Hanayama-gumi bosses. In fact, this "Kyokaku-dachi" has crisscrossing slash marks, which Hanayama himself made when he invaded a rival gang. It is said that he intentionally made the scars because he believed that "a kyokaku-dachi without scars is not a kyokaku-dachi". Hanayama Kaoru is known for his many techniques, which are unleashed with his superhuman grip strength. Here we introduce some of the techniques made possible by Hanayama Kaoru's incredible grip strength.
① Grip Attack
Source: Baki ©Keisuke Itagaki (Akita Shoten) / Baki Production Committee
No discussion of the brawler Kaoru Hanayama can leave out this technique. With a powerful grip, he grabs his opponent's arm with both hands, compressing the blood vessels and causing the trapped blood to burst. It can inflict more lethal damage than a striking technique, and once Hanayama grabs you, there's no escaping.
② Yakuza Punch
Source: Baki ©Keisuke Itagaki (Akita Shoten) / Baki Production Committee
This is a one-hit, kill-deal punch delivered from a discus-throwing style. The combination of his powerful grip, weight, and speed creates a powerful punch. This move is powerful enough to send opponents flying, even if they're guarding.
2. What's Kaoru Hanayama's Personality Like?
Source: Baki ©Keisuke Itagaki (Akita Shoten) / Baki Production Committee
Kaoru Hanayama is usually quiet and rarely expresses his emotions. His large size and title as boss of a yakuza gang give him an intimidating presence, but in his natural state he is a kind and caring person, and has a clear aesthetic view of violence, never laying hands on ordinary people. Although he is underage, he enjoys drinking Wild Turkey bourbon whiskey and smoking Parliament cigarettes. He also rejects the idea of training his body to become stronger, and it is clear that Hanayama Kaoru's strength is 100% innate talent.
3. How strong is Hanayama Kaoru?
Source: Baki ©Keisuke Itagaki (Akita Shoten) / Baki Production Committee
When it comes to Kaoru Hanayama's strength, there's a bit of a disconnect between his image and his track record. His strength is acknowledged by all, but he suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Hanma Yujiro as a child, and in the Maximum Tournament arc, he showed overwhelming strength and won against Inagi Fumiyuki, but in the second round against Orochi Katsumi, he fought well but lost, leaving him with no notable results in the Maximum Tournament arc. In the Most Evil Death Row Convicts arc, he fights Spec and is seriously injured when a bullet is forced into his mouth, causing it to explode and destroying his cheek, but he never falls and, using his natural grip strength, crushes Spec's throat and wins. Looking at his fighting record alone, he is by no means outstanding, but his distinctive fighting style and aesthetics still make him a fascinating character. Wielding a one-hit kill weapon, he blocks his opponent's attacks without any defense, which is just brimming with coolness.
Source: Baki ©Keisuke Itagaki (Akita Shoten) / Baki Production Committee
Summary
Source: Baki ©Keisuke Itagaki (Akita Shoten) / Baki Production Committee
Kaoru Hanayama is one of the most popular characters in Baki among men. His demeanor and fighting style are captivating to watch. When Kaoru Hanayama fights, many of the fights are particularly impressive, so be sure to keep an eye out.
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