Line #210 Characters/BlackTorch


1	[[foldercontrol]]
2
3	!Characters of ''Manga/BlackTorch'':
4
5	!!Bureau of Espionage/Oniwaban
6
7	Established in the Edo period, the Bureau of Espionage deals with domestic and foreign threats to Japan. Originally, the [=BoE=] handled mononoke-related problems, but very few members have anything to do with mononoke in modern times.
8
9	[[folder:Black Torch]]
10
11	A new team under the supervision of the Onmitsu, the branch of the [=BoE=] dedicated to fighting mononoke. Created by Ryousuke Shiba, Black Torch is an experimental investigation team specializing in mononoke-related incidents.
12	----
13
14	* FreudianTrio: The three field agents:
15	** The Id: Jirou. He's by far the most emotionally-driven member. He relies on instinct rather than planning, but still manages to be an effective fighter.
16	** The Superego: Reiji. Logical and intellectual, he acts on facts instead of emotion. He easily parses important information from his surroundings and uses it to create a plan of attack.
17	** The Ego: Ichika. She can be hot-headed (especially when dealing with Jirou), but is usually calm and direct in her actions. She's the middle-ground between Jirou and Reiji in personality.
18	* HunterOfMonsters: They investigate incidents regarding mononoke and slay the perpetrators as necessary.
19	* TeethClenchedTeamwork: None of the field agents get along initially. Jirou butts heads with Ichika and Reiji, Ragou doesn't trust any of them, and Shiba could care less about any of this.
20
21	!Jirou Azuma
22
23	The main character. Born with the ability to speak to animals and trained in the ninja arts, Jirou regularly picked fights with people that abused animals. One day, he happens upon an injured cat in the woods. He soon discovers that the cat is actually a powerful mononoke named Ragou. The two end up fusing into one being, becoming the first human-mononoke hybrid.
24	----
25
26	* AllTheOtherReindeer: As a child, he got into fights with other kids regularly because they made fun of his ability to talk to animals.
27	* AudienceSurrogate: Jirou is completely new to the hidden world of the Oniwaban and mononoke, so he needs things explained to him (which also explains stuff to the audience).
28	* BookDumb: Doesn't really know anything academic and isn't really interested in learning.
29	* {{Determinator}}: Never gives up, not even when he's on the verge of death.
30	* {{Foil}}: To Reiji. Jirou is a rough-and-tumble guy with messy hair and a bad attitude. He's also been kept in the dark about the Oniwaban and mononoke his whole life, despite being trained in ninja techniques. Reiji is a calm, intelligent ChivalrousPervert with neat hair. He's been trained to take part in the Oniwaban since childhood.
31	* FriendToAllLivingThings: He'll help any animal, no matter what. He regularly got into fights with people that hurt animals, even before acquiring Ragou.
32	* HotBlooded: Easily riled up and prone to punching-first-and-asking-questions-never.
33	* ImpaledWithExtremePrejudice: Gets a huge hole through his heart from a mononoke. Ragou heals him by fusing with him.
34	* LeeroyJenkins: Planning is not something that Jirou does. He tends to leap into action fists-first without bothering with a plan.
35	* LivingMacGuffin: Mononoke are after him due to his connection to Ragou. They need Jirou to survive until they can figure out how to unfuse the two, but that doesn't mean that they have to be nice about it.
36	* ParentalSubstitute: He was raised by his grandpa and his gramp's dog, Nachi.
37	* PowerIncontinence: [[spoiler: Has great difficulty controlling Rago's power without the help of his partner.]]
38	* RedOniBlueOni: Red to Reiji's Blue.
39	* RookieMaleExperiencedFemale: The rookie to Ichika's experienced agent.
40	* SpeaksFluentAnimal: He can talk to animals, although how or why he has this ability is not explained.
41	* VitriolicBestBuds: Snipes at and teases Ragou, who in turn snarks at Jirou. They get along pretty well despite that, with Jirou considering Ragou his partner.
42	** He also has this relationship with his grandpa. Although they fight frequently and address each other rudely, they both seem to care deeply for each other.
43
44	!Ragou
45
46	At first glance, he looks like a black cat with a sun-like marking on his back. Ragou is in fact a very powerful mononoke that was sealed away until someone woke him up. He saves Jirou's life by fusing with the boy, becoming Jirou's new partner and literal headmate.
47	----
48
49	%%* BecauseYouWereNiceToMe: The reason why Ragou chose to fuse with Jirou.
50	* CatsAreMean: Ragou doesn't pull any punches in his jibes about Jirou's intelligence.
51	* CatsAreSnarky: He really likes to snark at anything and everything.
52	* HeadPet: Often pops up on Jirou's head when he wants to interact with the outside world.
53	* IneffectualLoner: Really just wants to be left alone. Unfortunately, he's a LivingMacGuffin with amnesia and he nearly dies in the beginning after being overwhelmed by other mononoke.
54	* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: Remains standoffish and sarcastic even to those that he likes. He saves Jirou's life even though he doesn't know the boy very well. [[spoiler: He also goes berserk after Amagi slaughters the boy and the village that he watched over.]]
55	* LaserGuidedAmnesia: Doesn't remember much initially after waking up. He has no idea who is after him or why they want him so badly.
56	* MacGuffinSuperPerson: As one of the most powerful mononoke, everyone and their grandma wants their hands on him.
57	* NotInThisForYourRevolution: Doesn't care about the feud between humans and mononoke, or about Amagi's plans of world domination. Ragou just wants to be left alone.
58	* PersonOfMassDestruction: When sufficiently angry, Ragou can destroy huge entire towns and huge swathes of forest with ease. This makes him very valuable to mononoke and very dangerous to humans.
59	* SealedBadassInACan: Sealed himself away centuries ago. Now Jirou functions as the can.
60	%%* TheMagnificent: The Black Star.
61
62
63	!Ichika Kishimojin
64
65	An experienced member of the Oniwaban, Ichika has been aware of the hidden world of mononoke since she was a child.
66	----
67
68	* ActionGirl: She's a skilled and experienced fighter.
69	* AnkleDrag: How Ichika got an unconscious Jirou into the transport vehicle.
70	%% Doesn't explain what the reaction is. * BerserkButton: Two: mononoke and men that look down on women.
71	* DarkAndTroubledPast: [[spoiler: Ichika's mom was killed in battle when Ichika was a child. She was also subjected to the doubts and misgivings of others who questioned whether a girl could be a suitable successor or not. Ichika eventually found out that her mom was still alive, but turned to stone by a mononoke. Her dad was forced to keep it a secret and nobody could figure out how to undo the curse. This caused Ichika to develop a deep hatred of mononoke.]]
72	* MissingMom: [[spoiler: As mentioned above, her mother was petrified by an unknown mononoke when Ichika was still a kid.]]
73	* MsFanservice: Her outfits are [[FormFittingWardrobe much tighter]] and reveal more skin than those of her companions. Her stealth suit shows her legs and has two belts framing (and accentuating) her breasts.
74	* MusclesAreMeaningless: Looks like a slender girl, but can punch hard enough to dent a wall.
75	* SmurfettePrinciple: The only female Black Torch field agent.
76	* StayInTheKitchen: Implied in a flashback. As a result, she hates people that look down on women.
77	* RookieMaleExperiencedFemale: The experienced agent to Jirou's rookie.
78	* TranquilFury: Remains relatively calm outwardly even when absolutely infuriated. She tends to only get riled up when [[NotSoStoic dealing with Jirou.]]
79
80	!Reiji Kirihara
81
82	The heir to the Kirihara family and member of Black Torch. He specializes in sword techniques.
83	----
84
85	* AlwaysSecondBest: Could never beat his older brother Shinji in anything. [[spoiler: It turns out that Shinji always thought that about ''him''.]]
86	* CainAndAbel: The Abel to Shinji's Cain.
87	* ChivalrousPervert: Loves to flirt with beautiful women, but never goes beyond that.
88	* DarkAndTroubledPast: [[spoiler: Reiji's older twin brother, Shinji, got possessed by a cursed sword and murdered their father and many others. Reiji was unable to do anything and had to watch his brother walk away.]]
89	* {{Foil}}: To Reiji. Jirou is a rough-and-tumble guy with messy hair and a bad attitude. He's also been kept in the dark about the Oniwaban and mononoke his whole life, despite being trained in ninja techniques. Reiji is a calm, intelligent ChivalrousPervert with neat hair. He's been trained to take part in the Oniwaban since childhood.
90	* GoodScarsEvilScars: Has a small scar on his left eyebrow.
91	* IaijutsuPractitioner: The Kirihara-style seems to specialize in quick draws.
92	* KatanasAreJustBetter: Wields a katana in battle.
93	* RedOniBlueOni: Blue to Jirou's red.
94	* WillfullyWeak: [[spoiler: Shinji accuses him of being this after a childhood incident where Reiji beat Shinji in a practice bout. Reiji denies doing this, but Shinji suggests that he held back subconsciously so as not to shame his brother.]]
95
96	!Ryousuke Shiba
97
98	The Section Chief of Special Section 2, the arm of the Oniwaban dedicated to dealing with mononoke-related incidents. He establishes a new unit called Black Torch and recruits Jirou, Ichika and Reiji into it.
99	----
100
101	* FantasticRacism: Averted. He's pretty chill with mononoke despite being the Section Chief of the mononoke-hunting arm of the Oniwaban.
102	* GoodIsNotNice: Has Jirou listed as a missing person by the police and taken into custody by his section. Jirou's individual rights and freedoms don't mean shit to Shiba so long as Jirou/Ragou pose a potential threat.
103	* MissionControl: Plans and oversees missions, but doesn't directly take part.
104	* PermaStubble: It doesn't look like he ever shaves, but he doesn't have enough facial hair to make a goatee or a beard.
105	* SmokingIsCool: Never seen without a cigarette in his mouth.
106	* TheStoic: Pretty much nothing fazes him.
107
108	!Hana Usami
109
110	Shiba's subordinate, she handles all the administrative and non-combat related work.
111	----
112
113	* MyFriendsAndZoidberg: Lampshaded in Volume 5 when Usami points out that she's technically a part of Black Torch as well.
114	* NiceGirl: Cheerfuly and friendly, Usami is always there to lend a listening ear to her teammates.
115	* PluckyOfficeGirl: Does most of the menial administrative stuff that Shiba can't be assed to do. Her boss' carelessness doesn't seem to get her down though.
116
117	!Fuyou
118
119	A mononoke working closely with Shiba. She specializes in illusions and support.
120	----
121
122	* DynamicEntry: Tries this (and fails) in her introduction.
123	* FriendlyNeighborhoodVampire: Works with an organization that hunts her own kind. She can be grouchy, but isn't harmful to humans.
124	* GirlishPigtails: Part of her youthful appearance.
125	* LotusEaterMachine: Almost literally. Her ability traps people in large lotuses where they must battle illusions.
126	* MeaningfulName: One of the ways 'Fuyou' can be written translates to lotus blossom.
127	* OlderThanTheyLook: Looks like a little girl, but is likely much, much older.
128	* PsychicLink: Can allow others to communicate with her and with each other telepathically through magic lotus petals.
129	[[/folder]]
130
131	[[folder:Black Cloak]]
132
133	An elite squad of fighters in Division 1.
134	----
135	* BareFistedMonk: Neither Inui nor Himezuka use weapons in a fight. They both rely exclusively on martial-arts.
136	* CharlesAtlasSuperpower: Both Inui and Himezuka are just normal humans, yet they're both able to send mononke flying with a simple punch.
137	* ElitesAreMoreGlamorous: They're much more competent than the fledgling Black Torch. They aren't brought in unless the situation has already gone tits up.
138	* SharpDressedMan: Their suits look very nice, but they're actually specially-designed armor made to withstand a bazooka blast.
139
140	!Touka Kusumi
141
142	The no-nonsense chief of Section 1. Doesn't like Shiba.
143	----
144
145	* GoodScarsEvilScars: Has a jagged scar through her eye. She's also much colder and harsher in demeanor than Shiba.
146	* HighHeelPower: Kusumi wears a pair of stiletto heels that add to her intimidating image. She's in charge of the biggest section of the Oniwaban and judging by the scar on her face, she didn't get her position by sitting pretty in an office somewhere.
147	* PerpetualFrowner: Always looks grumpy.
148
149	!Inui
150
151	A loud, boisterous member of Black Cloak.
152	----
153	* BewareTheSillyOnes: Sure, he's a loud, [[BoisterousBruiser boisterous fighter]] that makes up silly attack names and gets no respect from his partner, but he's part of Black Cloak for a good reason.
154	* ButtMonkey: Constantly gets scolded and literally kicked in the ass by his partner, nearly gets killed by a [[spoiler: berserk Jiro]]...
155	* IncomingHam: Introduced via flying kick, while screaming "SUPER DETERMINATION" at the top of his lungs.
156	* LargeHam: Loud and easily excitable.
157
158
159	! Himezuka
160
161	A much calmer and quieter member of Black Cloak.
162	----
163	* GirlishPigtails: Adds to her girlish appearance.
164	* MusclesAreMeaningless: She looks even smaller than Ichika, but she hits like a truck.
165
166	[[/folder]]
167
168	[[folder:Other Members]]
169
170	!Toshimasa Azuma
171
172	Jiro's grandfather and a retired member of the Onmitsu.
173	----
174	* DopeSlap: Frequently employed on his grandson, although with considerably more force than is typical.
175	* ParentalSubstitute: Raised his grandson from childhood.
176	* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: Even though he's often stern and gruff, he cares deeply for his grandson. He also lacks any particular prejudice against mononoke, unlike many other Onmitsu members.
177	* RetiredBadass: Used to be a part of the Onmitsu [[spoiler: and Kusumi's instructor]].
178
179	[[/folder]]
180
181	!!Mononoke
182
183	Mysterious beings that live in humanity's shadow. Although they once walked among humans, the efforts of the Oniwaban pushed the mononoke to the fringes of society. Now the mononoke have united under a leader to subjugate and rule over humanity.
184	----
185
186	* CastingAShadow: They can summon weapons and doorways made of a shadowy substance.
187	* FantasticRacism: Many mononoke hate humans. They resent being hunted by the Oniwaban and forgotten by the rest of humanity.
188	* FlashStep: Mononoke do this often, even the [[LightningBruiser really big, hefty ones.]]
189	* HealingFactor: Can heal from most major wounds, if they're well fed.
190	* HornedHumanoid: The majority of mononoke (bar Ragou) appear human. They have horns, which they can hide when not using their powers. The horns help mononoke control their abilities.
191	** HornsOfVillainy: Most of the more evil mononoke have bigger racks. The heroic mononoke either have no horns (Ragou) or relatively small horns (Fuyou).
192	* ImAHumanitarian: In order to become more powerful, mononoke can eat humans to steal their vitality.
193
194	[[folder:Amagi's faction]]
195
196	!Amagi
197
198	A powerful mononoke with a mysterious connection to Ragou.
199	----
200
201	* AnArmAndALeg:[[spoiler: Gets an arm blown off by a pissed of Ragou. He's fully healed by the time he appears in the modern day.]]
202	* AGodAmI: [[spoiler: Amassed a following of humans in the past, ordering shrines built in his name and demanding that the humans worship him as a god.]]
203	* CreepyShadowedUndereyes: Adds to his creepy appearance.
204	* EntitledBastard: Amagi wants respect from humanity, but doesn't earn it through good deeds. He feels that humans should respect and fear mononoke because they're more powerful than humans and can eat/kill them as they please.
205	* ImAHumanitarian: [[spoiler: His particular talent involves eating other mononoke for more power.]]
206	* ManipulativeBastard: [[spoiler: Pinned the blame for a slaughtered village on Ragou by provoking the other mononoke into a destructive rage. The Oniwaban would naturally blame Ragou, which meant that the cat-mononoke had two options: 1) join Amagi against the humans or 2) kill Amagi and have both humans ''and'' mononoke hunting him down.]]
207	* MasterRace: He firmly believes that mononoke are vastly superior to humans, which means that the natural order of the world is one where mononoke rule over humanity.
208	* SharpDressedMan: Wore a distinguished kimono and cloak in Ragou's flashback [[spoiler:and a three-piece suit in the present day.]]
209	* WeCanRuleTogether: [[spoiler:Presents this offer to Ragou multiple times. Ragou consistently refuses, causing Amagi to attack him.]]
210
211	!Kouga
212
213	A mononoke dressed like a punk. He confronts Jirou and Reiji at the Killing Stone shrine.
214	----
215
216	* {{BFS}}: Creates a massive axe-like blade.
217	* CreepyShadowedUndereyes: Either that or he wears a ''lot'' of eyeliner.
218	* SlasherSmile: Does this a lot when fighting.
219	* StarterVillain: The first mononoke that Black Torch fights as a team (minus Ichika, who is stuck outside of the barrier with Shiba). He's also an example of a WakeUpCallBoss, since he proves more difficult to defeat than Reiji or Jirou had anticipated. He's still weaker than the mononoke that they face later though.
220	* SweetTooth: Implied by all the Snickers bars that he munches prior to fighting.
221	* WeCanRuleTogether: Offers to fuse with Ragou in Jirou's place and rule as immortal kings.
222
223	!Tetsuwa, Roren and Naruko
224
225	A trio of mononoke responsible for a series of killings around the city.
226	----
227
228	* TheBrute: Tetsuwa is easily three times the size of his companions and he hits extremely hard. He's not stupid though and gives Jirou a run for his money until Ragou reveals a new power.
229	* MasterOfIllusion: Roren's specialty. He can evoke YourMindMakesItReal, so if someone falls off an illusionary platform, then they'll die for real.
230	* MindControl: Another one of Roren's powers. He has difficulty controlling a large number of people at once or the minds of children.
231	* PickyEater: Tetsuwa doesn't like eating human heads. Apparently they're too hard to eat.
232	* SleepyHead: Naruko. Understandable, considering that she's maintaining a large barrier all by herself. [[SleepsWithBothEyesOpen Her eyes stay open]] even while unconscious.
233	* SmugSnake: Roren spends a lot of time taunting Ichika, but quickly gets his ass kicked.
234	* {{Stripperiffic}}: Naruko only wears a [[CollaredByFashion leather collar]] and strategically-placed black strips of fabric on her upper body. It's very clear that she's not wearing anything underneath, not that she has anything to show.
235	* TooKinkyToTorture: Roren reeeaaallly likes it when Ichika gets rough with him.
236
237	!Shinji Kirihara
238
239	Reiji's twin brother.
240	----
241
242	* AlwaysSomeoneBetter: Felt inferior to his brother no matter how hard he trained.
243	* AxCrazy: [[spoiler:SlasherSmile? Check. MadnessMantra? Check. MoodSwinger? Double check.]]
244	* CainAndAbel: The Cain to Reiji's Abel.
245	* [[spoiler: DemonicPossession: Gets possessed by the demon sword Yamakaze. He kills his father and several others, but can't bring himself to kill Reiji.]]
246	* IaijutsuPractitioner: Just like his brother.
247	* INeedYouStronger: [[spoiler:Spares his brother because Reiji is too weak to give him a good fight. He tells Reiji to get strong enough to kill him before leaving.]]
248	* LockedIntoStrangeness: Used to have black hair like Reiji. [[spoiler: His hair turned white after being possessed.]]
249	* MadnessMantra: More more more more more more more more more...
250	* MoodSwinger: [[spoiler:Switches from cheerful, to angry, to obsessively murderous, then back to cheerful very quickly.]]
251	* RiteOfPassage: The Blade Ceremony, the succession ceremony of the Kirihara family. The next head of the family needs to enter a cave containing the demon sword Yamakaze and wield it without succumbing to its influence. [[spoiler: Shinji failed.]]
252	* [[spoiler:SelfMadeOrphan: [[OffWithHisHead Beheads his father during the failed Blade Ceremony.]]]]
253	* SlasherSmile: [[spoiler: Does this a lot when fighting Reiji.]]
254	* WellDoneSonGuy: Really wanted the approval of his father as a kid, [[spoiler: especially after Reiji, the younger son, beat him in a practice match. His father didn't like that the older son and heir lost.]]
255	[[/folder]]
256
257	[[folder:Other Mononoke]]
258
259	!Ibuki
260
261	The mononoke residing in Avidya Forest.
262	----
263
264	* HugeGuyTinyGirl: Only in relation to her husband, Monjumaru. Otherwise she's about as tall as Jiro.
265	* SinkOrSwimMentor: Trains Jiro by pitting him and Monjumaru against each other repeatedly. No actual lessons or anything, just making him fight until he gains control of Rago's power.
266	* SnakesAreSinister: Averted. She's actually pretty helpful. Makes sense, since she can take the form of a white snake, which are considered lucky in Japan.
267	* {{Stripperiffic}}: Her rather generous assets are on full display. It's a wonder that she isn't spilling out of her top every time she moves.
268	* VoluntaryShapshifting: Can assume the form of a white snake or a voluptuous woman.
269
270	!Monjumaru
271
272	A skull-headed mononoke and husband to Ibuki.
273	----
274
275	* HugeGuyTinyGirl: Towers over Ibuki, who isn't exactly short herself.
276	* InLoveWithTheMark: Monjumaru was originally an Onmitsu ninja sent to kill Ibuki. After promising to dedicate his life to her, Monjumaru eventually fell in love with Ibuki and married her.
277	* SinisterScythe: Wields a huge scythe.
278	* SkullForAHead: Has a giant deer-like skull for a head.
279	* WasOnceAMan: Used to be human, until Ibuki shared her power with him, thus making him a half-mononoke.

Context Characters / BlackTorch