Retsu Kaioh is a practitioner of Chinese martial arts with 4000 years of history, and a master who has inherited the high title of "Kaioh" in the Chinese martial arts world. He is also a strong man with top-class abilities even in the Baki series. Retsu Kaioh has skills worthy of the name Kaioh and takes great pride in the history of Chinese martial arts, and there are many battle histories and episodes in the story. In this article, we will look at Retsu Kaioh's achievements so far and consider his characteristics, personality, and strengths.
1. What are Retsu Kaioh's characteristics?
Source: Baki © Itagaki Keisuke (Akita Shoten) / Baki Production Committee
As a practitioner of Chinese martial arts with a 4000-year history, he unleashes a number of techniques not found in other martial arts. In addition, the training required to become Kaioh is unimaginable, and even with Kaioh's ability, it was a tough road to inherit the name of Kaioh. Kaioh Retsu's skills as a Chinese martial artist are very high, and he uses a variety of unique techniques. Here, we will introduce the techniques used by Kaioh Retsu.
① Tenrenge
Source: Baki ©Itagaki Keisuke (Akita Shoten)/Baki Production Committee
This technique involves grappling with the opponent in a piggyback position, fixing the opponent's neck with both legs as if sitting cross-legged, and rotating to destroy the opponent's neck.
② Invisible Blindness
Source: Baki © Itagaki Keisuke (Akita Shoten) / Baki Production Committee
This technique involves inhaling a large amount of air using a special breathing technique, compressing it with the fist, and then blowing it sharply into the opponent's eyes, blinding them. In the story, this technique was used in the fight against Orochi Katsumi.
③Astonishing footwork
Source: Baki © Itagaki Keisuke (Akita Shoten) / Baki Production Committee
This technique allows him to freely control his feet like hands, and includes techniques such as grabbing and throwing opponents with just his toes, or clenching his toes to make fists and strike. He can also tear off his opponent's whiskers with his toes.
④ No-inch power
Source: Baki © Itagaki Keisuke (Akita Shoten) / Baki Production Committee
Also known as the "No-inch punch." It is a powerful blow that is unleashed at incredible speed, with no gap, and is unleashed from a completely closed position.
2. Kaioh Retsu's personality is
Source: Baki ©Keisuke Itagaki (Akita Shoten) / Baki Production Committee
Baki has a 4000-year history of Chinese martial arts, and there was a scene where he looked down on other martial arts because of his pride. In the fight against Katsumi Orochi, he overwhelmed Katsumi Orochi, who uses karate, by saying, "The place where you are is already a place we passed through 2000 years ago!" Kaioh Retsu gives the impression of being stoic and serious, but he also had a rough side during his training. He complained about his master not recognizing him as Kaioh despite his excellent skills, but was inspired by his teacher's words that the only condition for being recognized as a Kaioh is skill, and from then on he trained in silence. After losing to Baki, he also showed an appreciation for karate and other martial arts, and developed a friendship with Katsumi Orochi, showing this side of him.
3. How strong is Kaioh Retsu?
Source: Baki © Itagaki Keisuke (Akita Shoten) / Baki Production Committee
Retsu Kaioh's strength is evident from his past battle history. In the Greatest Tournament arc, he has overwhelming power, instantly killing Sergei Taktarov, Mount Tou, and Katsumi Orochi, until he was defeated by Hanma Baki in the semi-finals. In the Most Evil Death Row Convicts arc, he is hit by a flame attack from Dorian, who appears at the Shinshinkai, and is forced to escape, but he later defeats him completely. Another episode that shows Retsu Kaioh's strength is when he uses only his own body to turn a huge block of obsidian into a perfect sphere with a diameter of about 2 meters. In terms of skill, he is one of the best in the series.
However, he has been treated badly in recent manga, having his leg eaten by Pickle, and dying when his spine and intestines are severed in a battle with Musashi. He is also the only main character to die in the series.
Summary
Source: Baki © Itagaki Keisuke (Akita Shoten) / Baki Production Committee
Retsu Kaioh has a unique presence in the story as a practitioner of Chinese martial arts. You can see that his strength and personality are the result of his rigorous training in the past. Another part of his charm is how he gradually comes to respect Baki and the others as the story progresses. Keep an eye on Retsu Kaioh, who will also be playing an active role in the Most Evil Death Row Convicts arc that will be animated in 2018.
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