History Characters / Gamaran

* BigDamnHeroes: Pulls one in [[http://www.mangareader.net/gamaran/110/21 chapter 110]], joining the battle against the Muhou School and forcing them to leave.

* AmbiguousGender: Shimon Kudo is uncertain about his/her sex, both Ranmaru and the Ogame Ryu Team treat her as a female and Jinsuke refers to him as a male. [[TheWikiRule The manga's wikia]] opted for female.
** WordOfGod stated that he originally tought of Arimaru as male, but his editor kept referring to him as a woman, so Naosuke decided to make Arimaru a woman, without changing her appearence one bit.

The supposed leader of the Kyosen Ryuu, Sakon is an extremely powerful warrior, but the hellish training forced on him by his ambitious elder brother Ryuugo ends up damaging his mind. Now Sakon is a beast-like warrior who fights only on istincts and fear.

* HandicappedBadass: His mind state isn't exactly good....

* TechnicalPacifist: Back when he was himself, he refused to kill his opponents, no matter how bad he got wounded. That didn't set well with Ryuugo.

* TrainingFromHell: Ryuugo [[spoiler: locked him in a dungeon and pitted him against a whole horde of adult prisoners, forcing him to kill them all or being mauled to death.]]

* AmbitionIsEvil: Ryuugo turned his adorable, peace-loving genius brother into a mindless killer machine for ''his'' plans.
* BystanderSyndrome: Sadly enough, Goro, despite being a better person than his brothers save for Sakon, did nothing at all to stop Ryuugo and the others.

* TokenGoodTeammate: Arguably Goro, who doesn't even take part to the fight.
* VirtueIsAWeakness: Ryuugo seems to think so, judging on what he did to Sakon.

* BadBoss: Try to desert? Good, you're in for being hit to death with your own weapon.

* FauxAffablyEvil: He was even referred to as "Devil", and yet he's incredibly affable and polite. That doesn't stop him for considering anyone who's not a good warrior as trash and have his underlings tortured in case of failure.

* ConservationOfNinjutsu: At first seemingly played straight when Iori infiltrates the Muhou Ryuu's HQ alone and bucthers nearly everyone who stands in his way. [[spoiler: However Ango Kuryuu later pointed out that Iori didn't got away unscathed and was actually injured to the chest, even if he was trying to hide it.]]

* AnAxeToGrind: Their weapon of choice.

* DualWielding: Both of them.

* BoringButPractical: When cornered, he makes use of his only secret technique "Koou Haga" (Tiger King Crushing Fang), which is, essentially, a reverse but proportionally stronger upward counterpart of Baian's own Tsubame technique (see above).

* ConfusionFu: What makes his Souen Sharin so dangerous, is the fact that this technique doesn't have a proper stance, but he can execute it from any stance, angle or place, each time delivering a different, deadly blow. Even Iori is taken aback at first.

* BladeOnAStick: A long package is seen near him in one scene, implied to be his weapon. Whatever it is, [[{{BFS}} it's taller than him]] and still unknown as of this writing. The narration in ''Shura'' lists his fighting style as "Chinese Martial Arts", like Tsuchiryu's, but doesn't reveal much.

* ShieldBash: And is difficult to dodge because of the sandy terrain and the size of the shield itself.

* LightningBruiser: Manages to combine Shidensen with Gurensen to deliver an attack powerful enough to chip a sword much bigger than his.

* StoneWall: Gloats about his Absolute Defense style (Kagi no Torou, literally Hooked Lantern). He seems to prefer the Douko no Kata style, which revolves about defensive attacks.

* CallingYourAttacks: "Houkaizan", a powerful vertical slash.

* PerpetualSmiler: Except for a OhCrap moment after seeing Arata's Haou Arrow cutting a man's arm off.

* HalfTheManHeUsedToBe: His secret technique "Nobori Hiryuu" (Rising Wyvern) can be summarized as an heavenward slash that can slice a man in half vertically. He first builds up momentum by sticking the spear in the floor and pushing the elastic shaft to its limits.

* DualWielding: A normal katana and what seems to be a shinobigatana on his back.

* CallingYourAttacks: Gousenga (Solid Fang Vortex), his strongest attack.

** MegatonPunch: Gaigou Resshin (Great Earthquake's Thundering Cover) focuses the strength of the whole body in one blow.

* {{BFG}}: His bow is very large compared to him.

%%* SissyVillain

* CallingYourAttacks: Saishigeki (Fiery Blow).

* GreatBow: The Reigetsu is enormous, squared and almost as thick as a man's wrist, and it takes a large amount of strength to prepare and wield it. In return, with such bow Arata can shoot the deadly Hao arrows.

* TrickArrow: His specialty. So far he has used three of them, called the "Crazy Arrows" (Kuruiya): Devastation (Ha), a heavy arrow with a lead tip, Circle (En), a special arrow which can curve midflight and Fang (Kiba), a sharp arrow made for slashing and maiming the victim. He also has non-lethal arrows used for making smoke screens and sending signals.
** [[spoiler:Post TimeSkip we have "Hao", Lord of Destruction, which can remove a man's limbs with ease and break down gates.]]

* FlashStep: Ryuugo can do a sort of "Flash Hop" in order to get close to the enemy in the blink of an eye.

* DualWielding: [[spoiler:His Secret Weapon, "Two Headed Bell Snake". It consist in two chains tipped with metal weigths.]]

* ChainPain: Kotaro's secret weapon, Mitsuboshi (Three Stars) is composed by three chains hanging from his sleeve. The "sickle" is now a BladeBelowTheShoulder attached to a bracelet.
* CombinationAttack: Their specialty, Orochi, is a twin attack that changes direction at the last second, making it nigh impossible to dodge.
* EpicFlail: A part from their Kusarigama, they both have a secret "Deadly Weapon". Jaki has Jagon (Golden Snake), a massive spiked flail with a short chain attached to his sickle's blade.

* {{Ninja}}: His style.

* TheParalyzer: Known for a secret technique that can paralyze a person. [[spoiler: It consist in throwing small but sturdy needles in the victim's joint and muscles.]]

* SmallNameBigEgo: Thinks he's more than a match for ''Kurogane Jinsuke''.

* ReligiousAndMythologicalThemeNaming: All the techniques of his spear come from Buddhist terms and are named after the Vajura (the adamantine thunderbolt associated with indian deities). For example, the Rakan Jikazuki (Strike of the Invicible Ahrat) refers to the Ahrat, a wise men who reached Nirvana but didn't became a Buddha.

* SpectacularSpinning: His secret move, Chigarami, involves a thrust delivered with a spinning motion that, because of the blade's asymmetrical shape, causes the shaft to sway, making the strike powerful and hard to predict.

* CallingYourAttacks: Jinshiki (Speed Style), Gousen and Nanausen (Five Bladed Fan and Seven Bladed Fan), Jasen and Soujasen (Snake Twist and Twin Snakes Twist) and, last but not least, Hassai Kaigan (Enlightnement of the Eight Stars).

** SuperSpeed: Hassai Kaigan can unleash eight thrusts in less than a second, bordering in this.

* ThisIsADrill: Jasen, Soujasen and Hassai Kaigan all revolve around using the spear's tube to spin the spear itself during a thrust, resulting in a drill-like, hard to predict strike. The last one is so fast and powerful that can apparently hit the target eight times ''simultaneously''.

* BoringButPractical: Also bordering with MundaneMadeAwesome, all his attacks are unnamed slashes delivered with such speed and power that all his opponents are left speechless at his might. He's become such a great swordman that these nameless attacks are all he need to win.

* CounterAttack: According to Kashitarou, Ranmaru's an expert of the "Intersection Style" (Kosahou), which involves this. [[spoiler: Coupled with his Eyes of Divine Sight, makes him nearly invincible]]. Curiously, the name of his style is actually associated with boxing.

* AwesomenessByAnalysis: [[spoiler: Manages to learn and master the Ultimate Technique Manjinuki on the spot after receiving the attack from Gensai ''once''.]]
* CallingYourAttacks: Nagisengetsu (Placid Crescent Moon) and Sagiuchi (Heron Strike).

* IaijutsuPractitioner: [[spoiler: Used to train under Gensai Kizaki, and has not lost his touch.]]

* ThrowingYourSwordAlwaysWorks: [[spoiler:Uses a QuickDraw to throw his katana at Gensai's face, blinding him for long enough to grab the sword and strike his face with his secret attack, Nagisengetsu (Placid Crescent Moon)]].

* CounterAttack: His main and only technique, referred to as "Musou Ranbu" (Peerless Chaotic Dance) consist in deviating an incoming attack with one axe while moving forward inside the opponent's dead angle to deliver a fatal attack.

* DualWielding: One weapon per hand. It's essetntial for his fighting technique.

* CallingYourAttacks: Tenmyaku Kisatsu (Heavenly Pulse Killer) and Senga Jinkei (Piercing Fang of Divine Power).
* CharlesAtlasSuperpower: The above mentioned Senga Jinkei? Is achieved by focusing all the strength in the fingers pointed as a spear and capable of piercing a human torso (ribs and all) all the way through. Even if it doesn't strike the chest it can still tear flesh away from the body.

* TheParalyzer: Induce paralysis with carefully placed hits. He calls the technique "Tenmyakusastu" (Heavenly Nerve Killer).

* BigDamnHeroes: [[spoiler: In ''Shura'', upon learning that Jinkuu and Ryogo are putting their lives in jeopardy to infiltrate Edo Castle and assassinate the Shogun, Gama leads an attack on the castle alongside some of the members of the Muhou Ryuu to rescue him.]]
* DeathOrGloryAttack: [[spoiler: How Kamui works: it's a slash aimed at deviating the enemy sword and slice him dead at the same time. However a failure will result in death.]]

* FlashStep: The Narukami and the Kagenui attacks involves this.

* LightningBruiser: His favourite style is the Ikazuchi Kata (Lightining God Form), which relies on speed.

* FlashStep: His Hoarfrost Thunderclap attack, which allows him to perform a slicing attack which also takes advantage of the opponent's own movement.

* MegatonPunch: His fists too are extremely dangerous. Specifically, the "Swordless Tiger Drill".

* NotDistractedByTheSexy: The idea of carrying Senka on his back so that he can feel her breasts doesn't even mellow him a bit. Senka also calls him out on this.

* NotSoInvincibleAfterAll: Despite being a seemingly unstoppable MasterSwordsman, it's quickly shown that Iori, while powerful, isn't completely invicible: he did plowed through the Muhou School soldiers and Division Commanders garrisoning the castle like a hot knife through butter, but he received numerous wounds, one of which debilitating. Later on, he's nearly killed twice in a single combined attack of Banri, Riichiro and Ango, and [[spoiler: ultimately lose to Jinsuke after a heated duel.]]

* InstantDeathRadius: His Gurensen attack, thanks to his very long sword.

* ArtisticLicense: The "bisento" is actually a Chinese weapon, essentially a Chinese Naginata. While there's a "Japanese Bisento" used in certain schools of martial arts, those examples are NewerThanTheyThink.

* BoringButPractical: His signature "Tsubame" technique is just a simple overhead vertical slash which extends forward as it's falling down. That been said, its speed and reach are more than enough to kill or catch by surprise his opponents.

* CombinationAttack: The secret, triple attack of the Tengen School, Renge (Combined Flowers), performed by Baian, Eima and Hiyoshi: It involves breaking the enemy stance and weapon before delivering the finishing blow.

* EyeScream: Junnosuke is killed by Gama who slice his eyes open.

** TheChick: Yukimura. (The most noticeable of the group).
* GracefulLoser: Yukimura chuckles on his death throes, when Gama refers to his naginata as a "mere piece of steel".
* HotBlooded: Junnosuke and Yukimura.

* OnlyOneName: Hiyoshi.

* WeHardlyKnewYe: Junnosuke, Yukimura and Hiyoshi have no meaningful background, appears out of nowhere and are killed before we can learn more of them.

* TookALevelInJerkass: [[spoiler:It seems that each new victory is making Gama more and more arrogant and conceited, as seen when he angrily dismiss Naoyoshi when he asks him to spare Ranmaru when he was about to finish him off. Alternatively, it was a [[HiddenHeartOfGold facade]]. By the time of ''Shura'' he's seemingly set for his old, nice self when out of combat.]]

* ThoseTwoBadGuys: When introduced.

* ThoseTwoBadGuys: They're always seen together, and implied to be buddies.

* BladeOnAStick: A long package is seen near him in one scene, implied to be his weapon. Whatever it is, [[{{BFS}} it's taller than him]] and still unknown as of this writing. The narration in ''Shura'' lists his fighting style as "Chinese Martial Arts", like Tsuchiryu's.
* DefiantToTheEnd: [[spoiler: Stranded alone in the middle of an hostile castle and surrounded by two of the Shogunate's top enforcers, Shinkuu refuses to surrender and is ready to cause as much collateral damage as possible before being killed himself. He does land a seemingly fatal attack on Kyoyasai Yagira.]]

* OnlyOneName: Again, like Tsuchiryuu. [[spoiler: And just like him, ''Shura'' he adopts the alias of "Shirasu Jin", 63rd member of the Hyakka Bakken.]]

He returns in ''Shura'' and gets involved with the Bakufu Tournament to seek the strongest man in Japan, getting the rank of Hyakken #5.

* KatanasAreJustBetter: Sometimes averted, but he still can use them well nevertheless.

!!Jinkuu

[[spoiler: In ''Shura'', he appears as the 63rd member of the Hyakka Bakken under the name of Shirasu Jin, and is revealed that he's an exponent of the fabled "Wisteria Clan", a secret corps of master ''onmitsu''.]]

* LetsGetDangerous: [[spoiler: Upon being revealed as a member of the fabled ninja group "Wisteria Clan", Jinku uses the full extent of his martial arts against Kyoyasai and Rin, knocking them both out as they attack him simultaneously.]]

* {{Ninja}}: Seems to share this role and theme with Tsuchiryu. [[spoiler: He even infiltrates the Edo Castle in ''Shura'' to assassinate the Shogun, revealing during the mission that he's a member of the deadly "Wisteria Clan" (Fuji no Ichizoku), a secret group of powerful shinobi working for the very own Tokugawa Clan.]]

* MaskPower: Unlike Tsuchiryu, he wears a full mask with a vaguely avian look.

* GoOutWithASmile: How he dies, [[GracefulLoser admitting Gama's strength]] and apologizing to Eima.

* {{Ninja}}: Seems to share this role and theme with Tsuchiryu. [[spoiler: He even infiltrates the Edo Castle in ''Shura'' to assassinate the Shogun, revealing during the mission that he's a member of the deadly "Wisteria Clan" (Fuji no Ichizoku), a secret group of powerful shinobi.]]

[[spoiler: In ''Shura'', he appears as the 63rd member of the Hyakka Bakken under the name of Shirasu Jin.]]

* {{Ninja}}: Seems to share this role and theme with Tsuchiryu. [[spoiler: He even infiltrates the Edo Castle in ''Shura'' to assassinate the Shogun.]]

* ThoseTwoBadGuys: He and Tsuchiryuu.
* WeHardlyKnewYe: Though he didn't die, he appeared only three times, talked once and we didn't even learnt his fighting style. As the manga ends, we still haven't known a thing about this guy. ''Shura'' rectifies this a little.

* OffscreenMomentOfAwesome: [[spoiler: His "fight" with Yoshimori Genu isn't shown, he only remarks that his opponent was quite strong... while showing the latter crucified, headless corspe.]]

* WeHardlyKnewYe: Though he didn't die, he appeared only three times, talked once and we didn't even learnt his fighting style. As the manga ends, we still haven't known a thing about this guy. ''Shura'' reveals more about him.

* EasilyForgiven: Apparently, he's working for the Shogun himself in ''Shura'', despite being part of the anti-government Muhou School.

* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: It seems like Naosuke forgot about him, so if he died during the bakufu attack or survived is unknown. He apparently reappears in ''Shura'' working for the Shogunate.

* DareToBeABadass: When he notices how scrawny Shingo was, he called him weak but also goaded him into training harder to master the Onidachi. It worked.

[[spoiler: Returns unexpectedly in ''Shura'', under the alias of Shinzo Ikariya, agent of the Shogunate.]]

* TheMole: [[spoiler: His role as Shinzo Kariya, right hand of Kyoyasai Yagira. He's been doing this for the last five years.]]

* SimpleStaff: Fights with a bo.

Naosada's advisor, is a creepy-looking man who's in charge of the tournament. He usually explain the situation to Naosada and describes the rules of the tournament. [[spoiler: He later ditch his master and join Jinsuke in his quest.]]

* TheDragon: Possibly to Naosada. [[spoiler: Later to Jinsuke.]]
* FaceHeelTurn: [[spoiler:He's hired by the Muhou Ryuu post TimeSkip, and was working with Jinsuke from the beginning]].

* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: [[spoiler:It seems like Naosuke forgot about him, so if he died during the bakufu attack or survived is unknown. He apparently reappears in ''Shura'' working for the Shogunate]].

[[spoiler: Appears in ''Shura'' as the 69th Hyakken, under the name of Kurose Ryu.]]

* DualWielding: One weapon per hand.

* MaskPower: The lower side of his face is covered, and he also has a grinning mask which is soon discarded.
* {{Ninja}}: His overall appearence, he has also performed stealthy actions.
* OnlyOneName: A trait shared by other onmitsu characters like Jinku and Tsukikage. [[spoiler: In ''Shura'', he uses the alias of "Kurose Ryuu", 69th member of the Hyakka Bakken.]]
* UndyingLoyalty: [[spoiler: His boss is dying, most of the elites are gone and the enemy has an army of 1000 and more soldiers? Not a problem, he still kills Tsukikage for his boss.]]

The oldest and most powerful of the bodyguards, he's Baian Maki's master. Jinsuke sent him to Edo to act as a spy on the forces of the Shogunate.

[[spoiler: Returns unexpectedly in ''Shura'', under the alias of Shinzo Kariya, agent of the Shogunate.]]

* HeelFaceTurn: Downplayed in ''Shura'', [[spoiler: where he's persuaded by Shimon to become the next leader of the Muhou Ryuu, though he seemingly has his own agenda, separated from his father's.]]

* BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor:
[[spoiler:After the tournament, he's both the Daimyo and close to his mother... however, he's nothing but a puppet in hers and Jinsuke's hands]].

* DarkAndTroubledPast: Yup, being the son of a concubine and growing up with 30 othe brothers that treat you like crap isn't nice.

Iori becomes the protagonist of the sequel story ''Gamaran Shura'', set in Edo where he's trying to make a living.

* ButtMonkey: Often called monkey, even his own partners expect him to lose in a battle.

[[spoiler: Appears in ''Shura'' as the 69th Hyakka Bakken, under the name of Kurose Ryu.]]

[[spoiler: In ''Shura'' we learn that he's the 6th Hyakka Bakken and the and after Jinsuke's death joined the Shogunate forces, only to betray them when he heard that Gama was going to become the next head of the Muhou Ryuu.]]

* BladeOnAStick: A long package is seen near him in one scene, implied to be his weapon. Whatever it is, [[{{BFS}} it's taller than him]] and still unknown as of this writing.

* OffscreenMomentOfAwesome: [[spoiler: His "fight" with Yoshimori Motohada isn't shown, he only remarks that his opponent was quite strong... while showing the latter crucified corspe.]]

* FlashStep: His Hoarfrost Thunderclap attack.
* OldMaster: He trained Gama in the past.

* ThrowingYourSwordAlwaysWorks:
[[spoiler:Tries to kill Tsuchiryuu by throwing a sword at him.]]

* SadistTeacher: According to Zenmaru.

* AbhorrentAdmirer: To Senka. In this case, abhorrent because of his unhealthy quirks...

* StalkerWithACrush: [[spoiler:Has become one towards Gama]].

!!Sasuke Sakakibara

Wields the spear Beninuki(Crimson Extractor). He became the successor after killing all of the other potential successors. Despite his cute looks, he's a mad killer.

* EarAche: Suffers an extreme version when the Sadanaga chops off his hear along with a generous tract of skin around it.

* InformedAttribute: Jinno notes that Sasuke has developed ''thousands'' of techniques for Beninuki. Whether this claim was hyperbolic or literal, we only see a few attacks in his single fight.

* MasterSwordsman: [[spoiler: He can unleash up to six slashes in a row effortlessly. This when even Iori can do only three]].

* WhiteHairBlackHeart

* TheDragon: Likely to Jinsuke.

* OhCrap: Post TimeSkip, when Gama snaps his sword in half.
* PetTheDog: His friendship with Naoyoshi.

* ThrowingYourSwordAlwaysWorks:
[[spoiler:Uses a QuickDraw to throw his katana at Gensai's face, blinding him for long enough to grab the sword and strike his face with his secret attack, Nagisengetsu (Placid Crescent Moon)]].

* OnlyOneName: A trait shared by other onmitsu characters like Jinku and Tsukikage. [[spoiler: In ''Shura'', we find out that his former identity was that of "Kurose Ryuu", 69th member of the Hyakka Bakken.]]

The oldest and most powerful of the bodyguards, he's Baian Maki's master.

* PermaStubble: Has traces of beard.
* UndyingLoyalty: As a warrior, he has this for Jinsuke.

* BladeOnAStick: A long package is seen near him in one scene, implied to be his weapon. Whatever it is, [[{{BFS}} it's taller than him]].

* {{Ninja}}: Seems to share this role and theme with Tsuchiryu.
* OnlyOneName: Again, like Tsuchiryuu. [[spoiler: And just like him, ''Shura'' reveals his former identity as "Shirasu Jin", 63rd member of the Hakka Banken.]]

* ChronicBackstabbingDisorder:
[[spoiler:He has no qualms about stabbing the Ogame Ryu in the back once is clear that they don't need them anymore]].

%%* FacialMarkings

* WhatAnIdiot: InUniverse,
[[spoiler:this is what Shinkuu and Tsuchiryuu ultimately thinks of him, as he stayed the whole time ''inside'' the castle even with two skilled ninjas like them still around. To be fair, they're not too wrong of that]].

* DualWielding: His Style.

* BladeOnAStick: A Polearm.

* BladeOnAStick: A Nagamaki

* RoyalRapier: His sword, which he can twist and move at high speed so that his blows can't be predicted.

%%* WeHardlyKnewYe: Textbook example.

!!Jin Azuma

* AnimeHair: Both.

* OnlyOneName