The hugely popular Golden Kamuy. There are many reasons for its popularity, but it is a unique work that focuses on the Ainu people of Hokkaido and depicts the power relationships between them and the people around them, as well as Ainu culture, food, and traditional customs. The characters are also fascinating, and a variety of people appear in line with the historical background. While it may be a bit misleading to call it "good old," there are many elements reminiscent of the Meiji era, such as the occupations of fishermen, hunters, soldiers, and yakuza who controlled gambling. This time, we would like to introduce one of the characters, Tanigaki Genjiro.
[Golden Kamuy] Who is Tanigaki Genjiro?
Source: Golden Kamuy © Satoru Noda / Shueisha, Golden Kamuy Production Committee
Genjiro Tanigaki is a former Tohoku Matagi hunter and a private first class soldier in the 7th Division. As a Matagi hunter, he is knowledgeable about animals and mountains. When he first captures Asirpa, he is attacked by a Hokkaido wolf. He immediately identifies it as a Hokkaido wolf, and from there, he sets out to capture the wolf with Tetsuzo Nihei. He has a loyal and earnest personality, and feels a sense of obligation to have been assigned to him by Asirpa's grandmother, which is why he engages in combat with Private First Class Ogata. However, since Private First Class Ogata was originally a member of the 7th Division, he could also be called a comrade in arms, but it looks like it will be some time before the relationship between these two becomes clear.
[Golden Kamuy] Tanigaki Genjiro and Nihei Tetsuzo
Source: Golden Kamuy © Noda Satoru / Shueisha, Golden Kamuy Production Committee
Nihei Tetsuzo is a Hokkaido hunter and tattooed former prisoner. He is a legendary hunter, and it's said that if Nihei enters the mountains, all the bears there will disappear. He can even tell whether a bear will attack a human just by looking at its face. Female bears that have not given birth and are a certain age attack humans. That's what they say, but it's impressive that they can make that judgment just by looking at the past. The two team up to hunt down the Hokkaido wolf. The Hokkaido wolf has taken a liking to Asirpa, and the two devise a plan to attack her. Sugimoto and his men end up fighting Nihei and his men in the mountains, but are easily captured. However, Shiraishi's rope-escape technique works, and they are saved. Nihei then engages in a one-on-one duel with the Hokkaido wolf, which he unfortunately loses to. Meanwhile, Tanigaki is caught in a poisoned arrow trap and is unable to move. Asirpa and her grandmother come to his rescue. Unable to return to Tohoku, Tanigaki wanders around Hokkaido as part of the 7th Division, unsure of where to go. He seems extremely grateful to Asirpa and the other Ainu people for saving him.
[Golden Kamuy] Genjiro Tanigaki and Inkarma
Source: Golden Kamuy © Noda Satoru / Shueisha, Golden Kamuy Production Committee
While traveling with Sugimoto, Genjiro Tanigaki spends the night with Inkarma. It is still unknown whether Inkarama is using Tanigaki to his advantage or simply likes him, but the story of how the two met is introduced alongside a discussion of Ainu customs. An old man gives Inkarama some sea otter meat, saying that he is alone and cannot eat it. The Ainu believe that eating sea otter meat will make people lustful. It is said that if one of a sea otter's mate is taken by a human, it will become so susceptible to loneliness that it will die from uncontrollable lust. After eating the sea otter meat, the two spend the night together. When Cikapasi sees this, he is so frightened by the intensity that he begins to cry. Later, Tanigaki asks Inkarama what his purpose in sleeping with him was. Inkarama simply replies that it was for sea otter. What will happen to these two in the future?
[Golden Kamuy] Tanigaki Genjiro is a man of great loyalty
Source: Golden Kamuy © Noda Satoru / Shueisha, Golden Kamuy Production Committee
Tanigaki Genjiro is a man of great loyalty. He originally belonged to the 7th Division, but after being saved by Asirpa's grandmother and experiencing the warmth of the Ainu people, he began working with Sugimoto and the others. The incident takes place in the prison where Nopperabo is. Due to the betrayal of Ogata and Kiroranke, Sugimoto and Nopperabo are beaten. All around them, soldiers from the 7th Division are fighting with prisoners. Amidst this, Tanigaki immediately goes to Sugimoto's rescue, without regard for his own life. In Golden Kamuy, there are many betrayals where you wonder who is connected to who and whose side their true feelings are, but Tanigaki seems to trust Sugimoto and Asirpa with all his heart. He is a truly loyal man.
[Golden Kamuy] Genjiro Tanigaki's Gun is Stolen
Source: Golden Kamuy © Satoru Noda / Shueisha, Golden Kamuy Production Committee
Genjiro Tanigaki's Murata rifle was stolen while he was sleeping. It was stolen by Shidon Anebata, a rather unique character whose love for animals is so intense that he ends up injuring the ones he captures. Incidentally, the Murata rifle that was stolen was the No. 10 that Nihei had been using, which Tanigaki had been using in place of Nihei, who had died in the mountains. Tanigaki was arrested by the Ainu people, who mistaken him for the culprit who had injured an animal. Sugimoto and the others set out to search for the real culprit, Anebata. Tanigaki escapes when the guards are lax, and meets up with Sugimoto and the others just as Anebata is pointing something at a bear. That bastard has done it. It was a rather moving scene.
[Golden Kamuy] Tanigaki Genjiro Summary
Source: Golden Kamuy © Noda Satoru / Shueisha, Golden Kamuy Production Committee
The story is still in the middle. Tanigaki is currently working with Sugimoto, but it's unclear how things will develop from here. However, given his portrayal as a very earnest and loyal character in the story, I feel like Tanigaki is unlikely to betray Sugimoto. It will be a fascinating read.
