Shaman King, a manga series originally published in Weekly Shonen Jump and now celebrating its 20th anniversary, is about shamans, the link between the living and dead. While the series was discontinued, it was concluded with a complete edition and continues to garner a loyal fanbase, garnering a diverse and fascinating cast of characters. This time, we'll take a closer look at Tao Ren, one of the most popular characters in Shaman King and the rival of the protagonist, Yoh Asakura.
Tao Ren: A Cruel Shaman from China!
Tao Ren is a member of the Taoist family, a family of shamans from China that has long prospered. He has sharp, horn-like hair and a sadistic personality, strict with both himself and others. Since childhood, he has undergone rigorous training by his father to become the Shaman King, and due to his history of torture, he tends to resolve things through force. He also seeks meaning in his existence by destroying others, and treats his spirits like tools, a completely opposite way of thinking to the protagonist, Yoh Asakura. However, after meeting Yoh, he begins to grow little by little.
The Cruel Shaman from China! Tao Ren's Possessed Spirit
Tao Ren's possessed spirit is the Chinese warrior Ma Sun. A spear wielder, he wields the Ma Sun Dao, the weapon of Ma Sun's past. When Oversouling, he uses the Ma Sun Dao or the Treasure Thunder Sword to materialize Ma Sun and fight. Tao Ren excels not only in swordsmanship but also in martial arts, and is himself a master of martial arts. Later, he was chosen by the god-class shaman Sati as one of the five chosen, and obtained the Spirit of Thunder, which he uses as his spirit. In battle, he primarily controls lightning, allowing him to strike opponents with lightning to inflict natural damage.
Characters Closely Related to Tao Ren
So far, we've introduced Tao Ren's basic character information. So, what are his relationships with other characters? Let's take a look at his relationships with other characters, as they allow us to see a different side of Taoren.
Eternal Rivals!! Asakura You
First, let's introduce a character closely related to Taoren: Asakura You. Asakura You is the protagonist of Shaman King and is characterized by his orange headphones. His spirit is that of a samurai named Amidamaru. He met Taoren before the Shaman Fight began, and they have battled many times. They are at odds over the nature of their spirits, but seeing You deflect any attack he makes makes him reconsider what true strength is.
Since Horohoro was completely defeated by Tao Ren, he recognizes him as a rival, and although they work together, they are also enemies.
Teammates at odds! Horohoro
Horohoro is an Ainu shaman from Hokkaido. He is characterized by his bandana and light blue, spiky hair. He possesses the spirit Kororo, a Koropokkuru, and attacks by turning moisture in the air into ice. Horohoro and he are members of the same group, Team the Lotus, and while they often fight, they respect each other's abilities and share the same goal: defeating Asakura Yoh.
Boke-san!! Chocolove McDonnell
Chocolove McDonnell is an American shaman and comedian. He met Taoren during the Shaman Fight finals, and since he happened to be a spare member, he became a teammate on Team the Lotus. Distinguished by his afro and tanned skin, he is a former gangster who fights by oversouling his spirit, Jaguar Mick, through his claws and eyeballs. While he was once the weakest member of Team the Lotus, he gained significant spiritual powers through training in Hell. Together with his new spirit, Aba, he trains Taoren to become even stronger. Chocolove often makes silly jokes, and every time she does, she's guaranteed to get stabbed in the nose with a sword.
The Jiangshi Master's Sister!! Dojun
The next character closely related to Doren is Dojun. Dojun is a slender woman with long green hair held back by pins, and is characterized by her Chinese dress. She is usually demure and caring towards her younger brother, but can be frightening when angry. Her spirit is the Jiangshi Li Pailong, and she fights using her modified body and precise control via talismans. Tao Ren and Tao Jun are brothers, and while they dislike their father's upbringing, they reconciled after a fierce clash.
The beautiful woman who would later become his wife! Iron Maiden Jeanne
Iron Maiden Jeanne is the leader of the X-Laws, one of the three major factions in Shaman Fight, dedicated to defeating Hao. She has long light blue hair and a gentle personality, but she is merciless towards evildoers. This is evidenced in the original manga, where she oversouls the god Shamash onto screws and other objects to restrain and torture her enemies at the speed of light. Jeanne married Taoren after the X-Laws disbanded, and later gave birth to a boy.
Doen: A Controlling Father!
The last character closely related to Taoren is Doen. He is Taoren's father. Because he is extremely cautious and doesn't open up to anyone, he usually uses his Oversoul to appear larger. In reality, he is a thin man with a long beard. He is possessive and ambitious, and wishes for the prosperity of his family. He also gave Taoren a strict upbringing and abused him, but his heart changed after seeing him compete against Asakura You and others.
What is the appeal of Tao Ren?
So far, we've introduced basic information about Tao Ren and his relationships with other characters. So, what exactly is Tao Ren's appeal? Let's take a closer look at his appeal based on an episode from the original work.
Taoren's Appeal Part 1: Battles Boasting Overwhelming Power
First, let me introduce Taoren's appeal: his overwhelming power. Taoren was a powerful shaman from the beginning, even bringing You Asakura to near fatal injury. He is known for his impressive spiritual powers and technique, often resulting in overwhelming victories in matches. Therefore, Taoren's matches are often characterized by intense and powerful battles. Another appealing feature of Taoren is his many special moves, such as the Golden Chinese Feast and the punch he unleashes when he oversouls Ma Sun. He's truly a character worthy of an eternal rival, and his strength is truly captivating.
Taoren's Charm #2: His Assertive Personality Hides His Sensitivity
The next charm of Taoren is his assertive personality, which hides his sensitivity. Early on, Taoren was a dangerous and cruel character, even killing opponents and the Ten Priests. However, this was also due to his father's teaching that destruction was everything. However, he also has a gentle side, and meeting Asakura You leads him to repent of his humanity and the actions he has taken up until now. He chooses to live his life to the fullest without hesitation, taking responsibility for the people he has wronged. Although he usually acts tough, he is actually a person who thinks more than most about his past mistakes and his friends, and this contrast is what makes him so appealing.
Douren's Charm #3: His Will to Forge His Own Path
Douren has been training since he was a child, dreaming of becoming the Shaman King. During this time, he meets Yoh Asakura, loses a fight, and learns what true strength means. Even after his defeat, he continues to train and become stronger in order to become the Shaman King, refusing to give up. His stubborn determination to forge his own path without wavering is what makes him so appealing.
[Shaman King] A Thorough Introduction to the Charm of Tao Ren, the Brutal Shaman from China
Today, we've introduced the charms of Tao Ren, a popular character in Shaman King. Shaman King is a popular series with many fascinating characters, popular with both men and women. So, even though it's an older work, it still has a dedicated fan base, so why not give it a try?
