Back to Kongoh Bancho
open/close all folders
Tropes That Apply To All Banchos
General
- Asskicking Leads to Leadership: Their talents at fighting give them the power to hire as many henchmen as they can. Moreover the last Bancho standing among the 23 Banchos is supposed to reign over Tokyo.
- Code Name: People usually call themselves by their titles rather than their real names.
- No Name Given: Played with; all the Bancho have real names that they freely give out when they introduce themselves, but then they say their Code Name and we never hear their real names again, leading to Everyone Calls Them Bancho. Subverted with Kongoh, whose Code Name is his Meaningful Name.
- Red Baron: All Banchos are given a codename "X Bancho", but have real names.
- Übermensch: Ostensibly, the goal of the 23 District Project and its larger, nation-spanning expansion is to create one of these that will lead Japan to greatness. Whether the leader of this program Takeshi Kongou is an Übermensch himself or simply a Nietzsche Wannabe remains to be seen. Turns out to be the latter.
- Utopia Justifies the Means: While creating one is the supposed point of the 23 District project, nearly all the banchous have different ideas of what constitutes said utopia, and they're not always scrupulous in their methods of achieving it.
- Would Hit a Girl: In a fight between Banchos, everyone pretty much has no bearing whether the opponent is male or female.
Banchou Alliance
Banchos who eventually become allies with Akira.
Yuu Akiyama/Hikyou Banchou
- Artificial Limbs: His prosthetic left arm is modeled to fit a grenade gun inside it.
- Big Brother Instinct: When the orphanage he grew up in lost its funding and all the adults bailed, he took over the job of protecting the younger kids, and resorts to some very dirty criminal methods to do so.
- Combat Pragmatist: Uses traps to take care of his enemies.
- Crazy-Prepared: Hikyou Banchou takes the cake here. Seriously, this guy is like a Japanese Batman. Before a fight, he ends up giving a guy diarrhea by poisoning his food HOURS before the fight! Not to mention how much he is prepared to protect those he cares about. He makes the orphans swallow pills that will nullify poison, has a freaking machine gun under his own fake arm (which a lot of people had assumed was real for quite some time), and he has a bomb in the shape of a kid just in case his enemy will take hostages. This guy is Batman with a penchant for using guns and explosives on people!
- Expecting Someone Taller: Expecting A Complete Monster: The preview prior to his debut make him out to one of the evilest characters in shonen history, but he turns out to a Combat Pragmatist and likable character.
- Expy: Hikyou Banchou looks like Kato with a shorter shirt.
- For the Evulz: Apparently the reason why Hikyou Banchou transferred the rest of the Five-Man Band into Kongou's class.
- Happily Married: In the epilogue to Haruka.
- Handicapped Badass: His left arm is revealed to be a prosthetic hiding a grenade launcher.
- I Am Not Left-Handed: Kikyou Banchou has many tricks up his sleeves but was smart enough to only reveal a handful of them when he was recruited. Cue him revealing many trump cards during his fights.
- Noble Demon: Since his Heel–Face Turn, Hikyou Banchou takes every opportunity he can to remind everyone that he's only part of the Five-Man Band as part of his plan to be the last man standing. Even if there's some truth to it, there's the matter of going into a Tranquil Fury when Kongoh is killed by Machine Banchou, going so far as to take the latter on all by himself.
- Razor Floss: Ayatori, connecting threads of synthetic fiber between each of his fingers to sever opponents' ligaments.
Kiryu Touya/Iai Bancho
- Blind Weapon Master: Slashing his own eyes doesn't hinder his sword skills at all. Thankfully, he recovers later.
- Celibate Hero: Hinted very early on when he insists Hinako wear a kimono and comments that she shouldn't be showing her legs, played for comedy when he sees girls in skirts, and then played for plot against a later Bancho, who gives him a Nosebleed when he so much as looks at her, causing him to slash his eyes out and fight that way.
- Deliberate Injury Gambit: his secret technique involves using his own body to hide a ricocheting blade which will go through him, thus a guaranteed wound in exchange for a surprise attack.]]
- Distracted by the Sexy: Played with; he can't look at the sexy and pays dearly for it.
- Handicapped Badass: Iai Bancho slashes his own eyes so that he doesn't have to look at his opponents. The bandages have yet to be removed, and he's still an excellent swordsman.
- Implausible Fencing Powers: Iai Bancho's "Grave" technique, which is slashing everything around him at such high speed that it becomes a perfect defense. Or Iai Bancho managing to chip Kenpei Bancho's sword into deadly shards he sends against him. Yep definitely.
- Manly Tears: Sheds these with grace and dignity upon discovering that Akira has been killed by Machine Bancho.
- Put on a Bus: Gets taken out by Kenpei Banchou at the start of the Dark Student Council Arc.
- Samurai: Has traits of a Knight in Shining Armor as well considering how he treats women.
Shirayukinomiya Kobushi/Gouriki Bancho
- Big Eater: Presumably because of the calories she burns off, she eats huge helpings of food.
- Dumb Muscle: Lampshaded by Kangoku Bancho in reference to Gouriki Bancho, when he wonders if her brain is made of muscle as well. After her attacks end up having an effect after all, he wonders if she's really a Genius Bruiser... which she promptly shoots down when she panics.
- Heel–Face Turn: She quickly became friends with Akira after her defeat since both of them share similar views on justice.
- Idiot Hero: Gouriki Bancho. Unusual in that she's not the main character, but someone he fights.
- Made of Iron: Her body is so tough to the point that the spikes in The Arena of Quick Sacrifice got dented from her fall. This manages to surprise all the banchos allied with Akira and her opponent, with the exception of Akira, which he calmly states that she could withstand several of his Double Hammer attacks without getting hurt.
- Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: She goes around destroying facilities and organizations she deems evil and is completely oblivious of the after-effects of the collateral damage and disasters she causes. She finally learns her lesson when she breaks a tank filled with Delodohydroxylene, a poisonous chemical that is 100,000 times more potent than cyanide and capable of melting anything that comes in contact with it. Just as the leaked liquid was gradually flowing towards the sea, she was horrified by the thought of the consequences that would happen around the area once the sea has been contaminated. Luckily, Akira arrives with a tank antidote and neutralizes the threat before it reaches the sea.
- Red Herring: A subordinate called Onji Kairiki who looked like someone who had Herculean Strength, cue to the end of his debut to the real one that is Kobushi.
- She's All Grown Up: In the Epilogue, she has become a very famous fashion model.
Master Raionji/Nenbutsu Bancho
- Balloon Belly: The expanded diaphragm is the secret of his power.
- Blow You Away: The secret behind his mystical powers is the manipulation of breath.
- Breath Weapon: The true nature of his power. Nenbutsu Bancho inspires a lot of air which he violently releases in order to make a shockwave.
- Kick the Dog: Intends to have his minion eaten alive by piranhas for his failure. Fortunately, Akira saved him before it resulted in a Family-Unfriendly Death.
- Manipulative Bastard: He used his powers to earn people's faith for his own purposes until Akira beat him.
- Mind Manipulation: Nenbutsu Bancho is a hypnosis expert, able to slightly hypnotize another hypnosis master in the middle of a fight, and has the merit of NOT being a Hypno Fool since he is only on guard when it comes to hypnosis attempts.
Haruka Kodama/Sasori Bancho
- Pressure Point: Her Scorpion Killing Technique allows her to paralyze her opponent's movement or stops the body function normally by poking at their acupuncture points.
- Promoted to Parent: To raise Rai in the memory of his mother, the past leader of the Red Scorpion, while his father was trying to shape the country to his will.
Five Dark Vows
A team of five Banchous who've united to take down Kongou Banchou.
General
Douke Bancho/ Yoruko and Asasko
Click here to see true form
- Conjoined Twins: Looks like this but turns out to be two separate women.
- Fearful Symmetry: An interesting variation with Douke Bancho; Yoruko hides behind Asako and does everything exactly as she does, hiding her presence from the blinded Iai Bancho, and even the heroes, but not the villains who have a different perspective.
- Freudian Excuse: The fact that people paid no attention to their hard work and thus they went on to become gang members.
- The Reveal: Not only that Douke is a girl, but actually two of them.
- Single-Minded Twins: A variation; Yoruko and Asako had to train to gain the ability to invoke this at will.
- Stage Magician: The real identities of Douke Bancho.
- Yamato Nadeshiko: The dark-haired, quiet Yoruko comes across like this, in contrast to the brash blonde Assako.
Kasauga Sora/Nenchaku Bancho
- Body Horror: Covers his body with slimy mucus, but even without it, he has an extremely long tongue.
- Bishōnen Line: Played straight when he goes from the image above to this
◊, but immediately defies it.◊
- Covered In Slime: It hides his true form, and he can manipulate it to harden around his opponent.
- Crystal Prison: His mucus can form crystals to trap his opponents when it hardens.
- Gonk: Turns out to be a disguise for a prettier boy form, only to be defied immediately afterward.
- Insult Backfire: Tries to insult Raionji by calling him bald, only for the latter to grow hair instantly to prove him wrong.
- Humanoid Abomination: He emits enough mucus to cover himself, walks on all fours, and has a tongue that is freakishly long and razor-sharp, even when he's in his true cute form.
Haruya Kaburagi/Kabuki Bancho
- Cool and Unusual Punishment: Hikyou Bancho's tactics leave him unable to eat his favorite foods again. We never learn what he does exactly.
- Dirty Coward: The use of puppet arms and the fact he rigs an explosion to leave his teammates to die.
- Hypocrite: He uses hidden puppet arms, yet decries Yuu for being a coward which he hates most of all. Especially when he tries to have his own team and Akira's group die in an explosion so he can rule over their territories after being defeated by Yuu.
Komori Shizuka/Kangoku Bancho
- Master of Illusion: "Illusionary Cube". Using his body weight while inside his box to quickly move randomly, he creates the illusion of multiple boxes.
- Our Genies Are Different: His lower torso being in a box brings a djinn to mind.
- Our Giants Are Bigger: Smaller than Onji and Homura, but still bigger than Akira.
- Quirky Mini Boss Squad: Definitely a quirky member of the Dark Vows, preferring to stay in boxes. And put others in boxes. And fight with boxes. Boxes boxes boxes.
Homuraya Ryougen/Bakunetsu Bancho
- Ax-Crazy: Due to his Hot-Blooded nature, he comes off as very psychotic.
- Blood Knight: Elated when Akira defeated his men, seeing him as a Worthy Opponent from then on.
- Determinator: In keeping with his Hot-Blooded nature, he doesn't give up. Ever.
- Disney Death: Along with Akira. Even does the image in the sky parody before they return on the next page.
- Honor Before Reason: Bakunetsu Bancho's "reason" for saving everyone else after Kabuki Bancho activates the Self-Destruct Mechanism is because he couldn't call himself hot-blooded otherwise.
- In the final issue, Bakunetsu Banchou becomes a member of the Japanese government, and he has been causing quite a lot of commotion. He's made good on his promise to inject Japan with hot-blooded spirit.
- Quirky Mini Boss Squad: Along with Kangoku Bancho, he has the quirkiest traits among the Five Dark Vows. He also has a Terrible Trio version under him called the "3 Enjou Brothers".
Wolf Pack
General
- Big Damn Heroes: Leading to the moment where they save their boss
- We Hardly Knew Ye/The Worf Effect: Subverted. While they all lose easily to Kenpei Bancho, they manage to make a turnaround when they defeat Juujika Bancho.]]
- Not Quite Dead: They show up in the finale completely fine.
- Satellite Character: For Ourou Bancho
Hanazaka Bancho
- Affably Evil: Creepy and genuinely polite at the same time.
- Bunny-Ears Lawyer: He seems to be a person who gets excited very easily, and when he gets too wound up, he recklessly spreads his seeds with complete disregard for those around him, although he does apologize after he calms down.
- Calling Your Attacks: Housenka (Flash of Flower Cannon).
- Green Thumb: Uses his great knowledge of plants to create his poisonous weeds and flowers.
- Poisonous Person: Via poisonous flowers.
- Red Baron: Hanasaka (Blooming Flower) Bancho.
- The Worf Effect: Along with the rest of the Wolf Pack by Kenpei Bancho.
- We Hardly Knew Ye: Gets very little development before Kenpei Bancho comes along. Subverted when it turns out that he's survived alongside the rest of the Wolf Pack
Hazami Bancho
- Blade Below the Shoulder
- Calling Your Attacks: Zangiri (Slicing Out).
- Catchphrase: "Not so violent now!"
- Informed Ability: Her attack powers said to be the either the best or the second best among the Wolf Pack due to her sharp scissors being able to cut through metal like paper. We never really get to see her do that.
- Red Baron: Hazami (Scissor) Bancho.
- The Worf Effect: Along with the rest of the Wolf Pack by Kenpei Bancho.
- We Hardly Knew Ye: Kenpei Bancho takes her out before much is learned about her. Subverted when she and the rest of the Wolf Pack turn out to be fine.
Kaiten Bancho
- Abnormal Limb Rotation Range: Has an abnormal body that allows for 360-degree rotation of any part of his body; the rotation he generates can even deflect bullets.
- Anime Hair: A twirl of one.
- Battle Tops: How he fights.
- Calling Your Attacks: "Tornado Proof".
- Spin to Deflect Stuff: By spinning his whole body, he deflects anything thrown at him.
- Red Baron: Kaiten (Spinning) Bancho.
- The Unintelligible: Due to his words being twisted into gibberish.
- The Worf Effect: Along with the rest of the Wolf Pack by Kenpei Bancho.
- We Hardly Knew Ye: Offed by Kenpei Bancho along with the rest of the Wolf Pack. Subverted when it turns out they all survived.
Tekkou Bancho
- Calling Your Attacks: Artistic Weld.
- Improbable Weapon User: He uses a welding torch that's somehow able to weld anything to anything.
- Mad Artist: The given description of his abilities.
- Red Baron: Tekkou (Iron) Bancho.
- The Smart Guy: For the Wolf Pack.
- The Worf Effect: Along with the rest of the Wolf Pack by Kenpei Bancho.
- We Hardly Knew Ye: Offed by Kenpei Bancho along with the rest of the Wolf Pack. Subverted when it turns out they all survived.
Candy Bancho
- Calling Your Attacks: Burst Candy.
- Having a Blast: With exploding sweets.
- Improbable Weapon User: Exploding candy.
- Red Baron: Candy Bancho.
- The Worf Effect: Along with the rest of the Wolf Pack by Kenpei Bancho.
- We Hardly Knew Ye: Offed by Kenpei Bancho along with the rest of the Wolf Pack. Subverted when it turns out they all survived.]]
Dokuro Bancho
- Calling Your Attacks: Chain Crush Kicks.
- Dem Bones: He's a bone man.
- Made of Iron: His skeleton is four times thicker than a normal person's one, granting great resistance and the ability to withstand any strike.
- Red Baron: Dokuro (Skull) Bancho.
- Skull for a Head: Implied to be a skeleton though.
- The Worf Effect: Along with the rest of the Wolf Pack by Kenpei Bancho.
- We Hardly Knew Ye: Offed by Kenpei Bancho along with the rest of the Wolf Pack. Subverted when it turns out they all survived.]]
Kyouya Shiga/Ourou Bancho
- Animal Motif: Wolf.
- Authority Equals Asskicking: Within the Wolf Pack.
- Badass Longcoat: Wears one with fur trim.
- Battle Aura: He's capable of projecting one of a gigantic snarling wolf.
- Calling Your Attacks: Fenrir Claw and Fenrir Hunt.
- Catchphrase: "Hear the howl of death!"
- Lightning Bruiser: Wild Warning.
- Red Baron: Ourou (Wolf King) Bancho.
Independent Banchous
Independent Banchous
Harito Takaradzuka/Shirobara Bancho
- Dirty Coward: Holds Yuu's brother hostage after being outmatched by both him and Akira, and tries to get them to kill each other.
- Even Evil Has Loved Ones: He stopped attacking Yuu the first time because the latter threatened to harm his parents with his resources.
- Walking Shirtless Scene: Wears his outfit open to flaunt his perfect body.
- Weak, but Skilled: His status is low on the power charts, but he's very skilled in swordsmanship.
AT-KM-100/Machine Bancho
- Calling Your Attacks: Lightning Fist, Double Lightning Fist, Solid Screw, Riot Piercer, Assault Fist, Riot Hold, Crisis Cannon and Punishment Bolt.
- Curb-Stomp Battle: Dishes these out regularly to the remaining Banchos of the 23 project, the Bancho Alliance, and Kongoh Bancho.
- Deceptively Human Robots: Looks normal even by this series' standards, but is actually a robot.
- Hero Killer: Briefly kills Akira, as well as defeating several other Bancho.
- Handicapped Badass: Annihilates the Bancho alliance with only one arm, since the other was torn off by Yuu.
- Hollywood Cyborg: Looks very human, but is a cold, logical machine obeying his master. At first, anyway.
- In Their Own Image: Built to resemble his creator, Dr. Kagimiya.
- Laser-Guided Amnesia: Machine Bancho seems to be suffering from this, but it would be justified since he's, well, a machine.
- Nigh-Invulnerability: No one was able to put a dent in him except Akira and Yuu.
- Our Robots are Non-standard: Well, not only looking the most normal out of all the Bancho except for his hair and eye color, he learns to have emotions by the end of his character arc.
- Pet the Dog: Saves a cat from horrible weather.
- The Stoic: Being a cyborg, he comes across as this.
- Too Good for This Sinful Earth: Died right after admitting he's a nice person.
- Villainous Breakdown: When the realization of Tsukime and Dr. Kagimiya's desires contradict one another, leading to"I'M A BATTLE MACHINE"!!
- What Is This Thing You Call "Love"?: His character arc involves coming to learn about emotions before his demise.
- Younger Than They Look: He looks like a teenager, but his mindset is that of a child—plus the implications that he was built recently.
Mikio Makishima/Dokusen Bancho
- Pokémon Speak: All he can say is "Anti-Trust Law", which is then translated for the readers.
Arashi Kodai/Kyouryuu Bancho
- We Hardly Knew Ye: Gets beaten by Machine Bancho before we learn anything about him.
- Wolverine Claws: Likely uses them as his fighting style, but he gets taken out so fast that it's impossible to be sure.
Zakuro Hariyama/Kyokumon Bancho
- Spikes of Doom: Since he was trying to complete the 23 Districts Project, his accessories count as this.
- We Hardly Knew Ye: Gets beaten by Machine Bancho before we learn anything about him.
Anga Darutani/Shageki Bancho
- The Gunslinger: Wants to use guns to protect people. He's got Gun Fu and Guns Akimbo, as well as a team of other gunmen, one of which is a teammate with a Sniper Rifle for backup. Predictably, the Guns Are Worthless against Machine Banchou.
- Pet the Dog: Saves a father and son before being offed by Machine Bancho.
- We Hardly Knew Ye: To be fair, we at least knew he was an Anti-Villain and his goals before he was offed, unlike the ones defeated by Machine Bancho earlier.
