Takayanagi Masataka (SFW)

Character Outline

He is the younger brother of Mitsuomi Takayanagi, but the two aren't on good terms. Masataka is your average high school student at first glance, but he is a surprisingly powerful martial artist. He is always a formidable fighter, but he becomes much more dangerous when he is serious or angered. He actually is easygoing and somewhat shy. However, his inner nature is perverted, even though he dislikes this part of himself. Masataka falls in love with Aya Natsume at first sight, but is disheartened when she falls in love with Souichiro Nagi instead. He has maintained a crush on her, yet is oblivious to the other girls who have a crush on him. After the incident at the bowling alley, he is greeted by some blushing girls from Toudou academy, he is seemly ignorant of their intentions. Later Madoka Mawari develops a crush on him that he is also unaware of even though it is very obvious to some of the other characters. Aya describes him as the calm surface that gently envelops the rapids, given his typically calm nature, power, skill, and disposition for protection. At one point, Shinichiro Kurei notes that Masataka is second only to Maya in the Juken club, in terms of power and reliability in combat. Masataka seems to hold great respect for Bunshichi Tawara as Bunshichi is powerful and compassionate much like Masataka himself, yet Masataka sees Bunshichi's ability as far surpassing his own. Bunshichi states that he wants him to create his own place in this world.

Techniques

Masataka is a practitioner of Xinyi Liuhe (心意六合, Heart and Mind Six Harmonies), the Henan Branch of Xingyiquan (形意拳), one of the three main internal styles. Information in Chapter #70 suggests that the style is actually Xingyi, as he uses the 5-element theory, normally absent in the Xinyi Liuhe version of the art. His use of Hakka Soudou Sho indicates cross-training in Baguazhang, a common practice among Xingyi practitioners. In his fight with Madoka, he is revealed to be an anti-weapons specialist. When he is described as an anti-weapons specialist, it is mentioned that Kenpo waits for an opening before it attacks, and when it was created it was always assumed the opponent would have a weapon. He also has a transformation known as Rage although he has yet to control it.

Abilities

Uraate (裏当て; lit. "Backing", CMX Translation: "Reverse Striking"): This is a fulcrum-based transference skill, an example of KI transmission that teaches one to shift the point and force of impact by striking the dead center of an object. At expert-levels, a practitioner can transmit the force of impact wherever they please, as long as a medium exists to transmit their power through. This technique forms the basis for most KI-based techniques used throughout the series. Ryukei Qigong Tashinkō (龍形気功鍛針功; lit. "Dragon Qi, Forged Iron Needle"): This technique is the greatest of secrets within the Takayanagi clan, passed down for generations. It is a technique which uses the fulcrum-based transference skill of Uraate to transmit the user's power through the air. This is achieved by collecting the rotational force of one's motion until it forms unto a needle, forged by their own KI. At that point, that collected atmospheric force would then be directed from the circular motion into a straight line (via punch), where it is sent barreling into the target.

Abilities Part 2

Hakka Soudou Shō (八掛双撞掌; lit. "Eight Triagrams Double Pulsating Palms", CMX translation: "Eight-Way Fracas Blast"): A move that uses the palms to transfer momentum from the fighter to opponent in one fierce action, normally yielding incredible force. Shin'irikugō Bateihōken (心意六合 • 馬蹄崩拳; lit. "Heart & Mind, Six Harmonies: Trampling Horse Fist", CMX Translation: "Cosmic Thundering Horse Hoof Death Attack"): This is a Beng Quan horse move (馬形; pinyin: mǎ xíng) throwing a punch from the drawn-arrow stance. The martial artist delivers an overhead smash, digging into the heart with wrist bent and elbow facing downward. The end result can lead to cardiac arrest from blunt trauma to the heart. Masataka was interrupted during his attempt on Souichiro. Allegedly, Japanese master Kenichi Sawai was fond of this technique. Shin'irikugō Taihōtenshi Tsūhaiken (心意六合 • 大鵬展翅通背拳; lit. "Heart & Mind, Six Harmonies: Giant Phoenix Spreading Wings Over Back Fist", CMX Translation: "Heart & Earth, Giant Bird Wings Through Back Fist"): This KI-based technique is fundamentally similar to the "Ryukei Qigong Tashinkō", but the martial artist transmits their KI through a solid medium (such as a tree, a concrete construct or even a living being) rather than air.

Abilities Part 3

Hakkashō Jūshichishiki Kandōka (八掛掌十七式貫銅花; lit. "Eight Binding Palms, 17th Variation Piercing Bronze Flower", CMX Translation: "Eight Binding Palms, 17th Variation Piercing Bronze Flower"): A move that can pierce iron with the softness of a flower. Shin'irikugō Kongōtaihō (心意六合金剛体法; lit. "Heart & Mind, Six Harmonies: Tempered Diamond Body"): A secret Chinese martial arts technique that enables the body to become as solid as diamond. It works by instantaneously concentrating the water in one's body to a certain area, since the strongest water pressure can stop even bullets. Masataka used this technique, stopping two of Emi Isuzu's anki, one with his palm and one with his forearm.