ONA
Description
Kaioh Retsu, known as Retsu Kaioh, is a central figure in the martial arts world of his series, recognized as a master of Chinese Kenpo who holds the prestigious Kaioh title, a designation meaning Sea King reserved for the mightiest of Chinese martial artists. Standing 176 centimeters tall and weighing 106 kilograms, Retsu began his lifelong journey into martial arts at the age of four, entering the Bailin Temple in Heilongjiang, China, to study under masters such as Liu Haowang and later Guo Haikun. By the time he is introduced as a competitor in the underground arena tournament, he had already devoted twenty-five years to perfecting his craft, embodying the culmination of ancient techniques passed down through millennia.
True to the meaning of his name, which conveys fierceness and intensity without straying from the righteous path, Retsu is defined by an overwhelming pride in Chinese martial arts, which he genuinely believes to be the strongest and the origin of all other fighting systems. This confidence initially manifests as arrogance, as he openly dismisses other disciplines and demands respect for the four-thousand-year history of his own art. However, this pride is not merely hollow boasting; it is backed by immense skill and a deeply ingrained warrior spirit. Following his defeat by Baki Hanma in the tournament's semifinals, a near-death experience where his neck was broken, Retsu undergoes a subtle but significant transformation. He begins to open his mind to the value of other martial arts, and surprisingly strikes up a friendship with Katsumi Orochi, the very fighter he had previously crushed in the ring. This leads him to collaborate with the Shinshinkai Karate dojo, appearing to want both to teach and to learn, marking a shift from rigid traditionalist to a more rounded martial philosopher.
Despite this growth, his core nature as a ferocious and chivalrous man remains unchanged. He is known for his warm heart and a strong sense of honor, demonstrated vividly during the arc involving the condemned prisoners. After being knocked unconscious by Jack Hanma, his body was protected through the night by his enemy, the British convict Doyle. In return, Retsu famously carried the injured Doyle across a river, walking on the water's surface using his extraordinary skill, to bring him to safety and prepare restorative meals based on secret Chinese medicinal recipes. Another of his defining traits is a reckless, almost unshakable courage encapsulated in his personal motto I dont care. He uses this phrase to declare that regardless of the danger whether facing an ancient primordial man or a legendary swordsmans blade he will confront all elements with his Chinese martial arts. This attitude drives him to volunteer as bait to fight the prehistoric creature Pickle, a battle that costs him his right leg, which is bitten off and devoured. Even after losing his leg, he shows no regret, continuing to challenge himself by developing a professional boxing career in America, where he defeats top-tier fighters.
Retsus role in the story evolves from a powerful rival for the protagonist to a beloved ally and a benchmark of true martial prowess. His key relationships are central to his development. His rivalry and subsequent friendship with Baki Hanma creates a bond of mutual respect, and he becomes a crucial ally, even taking a poisoned Baki back to China for treatment. His friendship with Katsumi Orochi is particularly significant; after their initial brutal fight, Retsu becomes a mentor-like figure, and his legacy endures in a very literal way long after his death. His relationship with his fellow Kaioh is also notable, such as when he refuses to fight Dorian, a senior he once admired, on the grounds of martial family loyalty, only to defeat him with a single devastating blow when forced.
Retsus journey ends in a final, violent duel against a clone of the legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi. Having traveled from America specifically to challenge the revived samurai, Retsu learns the ultimate technique of Force Dissipation, a method of relaxing the body and spinning in mid-air to nullify an opponents power, to counter Musashis blades. Despite his best efforts and nearly killing Musashi in the exchange, a moment of carelessness costs him his grip, and he is cut down. His final thoughts are not ones of regret but of reflection, believing that what he learned in the battle would surely be useful next time. However, his legacy does not end with his death. His right arm is preserved and later grafted onto his friend Katsumi Orochi. During a subsequent fight, Retsus spirit manifests through that arm, allowing Katsumi to suddenly use Chinese Kenpo, proving that Retsus martial soul and his obsession with challenging the limits of strength continue to resonate beyond his physical end.
In terms of ability, Retsu is a highly versatile and technically brilliant fighter. His arsenal is vast, including the Spinning Lotus, where he wraps his legs around an opponents neck to break it; the formidable Crushing Fist, a powerful mid-level thrust utilizing internal energy that he used to defeat Katsumi; and the Air Arrow, a compressed blast of air shot from his mouth. He is renowned for his extraordinary footwork and kicking techniques, with toes dexterous enough to grab an opponent by the hair or beard to execute throws and knee strikes, a skill that bewildered even Baki. His mastery of pressure point attacks allows him to temporarily paralyze or knock out opponents with a single precise strike. Beyond unarmed combat, he is a master of various traditional Chinese weapons, including knives, nine-section whips, and staffs. Physically, his capabilities are superhuman, granting him immense strength, durability, and the speed to outperform supersonic Mach punches. His defeat at the hands of Pickle and Musashi highlights that even his incredible abilities have limits, yet his unwavering spirit, technical genius, and noble heart cement him as one of the most memorable and respected masters in the series.
True to the meaning of his name, which conveys fierceness and intensity without straying from the righteous path, Retsu is defined by an overwhelming pride in Chinese martial arts, which he genuinely believes to be the strongest and the origin of all other fighting systems. This confidence initially manifests as arrogance, as he openly dismisses other disciplines and demands respect for the four-thousand-year history of his own art. However, this pride is not merely hollow boasting; it is backed by immense skill and a deeply ingrained warrior spirit. Following his defeat by Baki Hanma in the tournament's semifinals, a near-death experience where his neck was broken, Retsu undergoes a subtle but significant transformation. He begins to open his mind to the value of other martial arts, and surprisingly strikes up a friendship with Katsumi Orochi, the very fighter he had previously crushed in the ring. This leads him to collaborate with the Shinshinkai Karate dojo, appearing to want both to teach and to learn, marking a shift from rigid traditionalist to a more rounded martial philosopher.
Despite this growth, his core nature as a ferocious and chivalrous man remains unchanged. He is known for his warm heart and a strong sense of honor, demonstrated vividly during the arc involving the condemned prisoners. After being knocked unconscious by Jack Hanma, his body was protected through the night by his enemy, the British convict Doyle. In return, Retsu famously carried the injured Doyle across a river, walking on the water's surface using his extraordinary skill, to bring him to safety and prepare restorative meals based on secret Chinese medicinal recipes. Another of his defining traits is a reckless, almost unshakable courage encapsulated in his personal motto I dont care. He uses this phrase to declare that regardless of the danger whether facing an ancient primordial man or a legendary swordsmans blade he will confront all elements with his Chinese martial arts. This attitude drives him to volunteer as bait to fight the prehistoric creature Pickle, a battle that costs him his right leg, which is bitten off and devoured. Even after losing his leg, he shows no regret, continuing to challenge himself by developing a professional boxing career in America, where he defeats top-tier fighters.
Retsus role in the story evolves from a powerful rival for the protagonist to a beloved ally and a benchmark of true martial prowess. His key relationships are central to his development. His rivalry and subsequent friendship with Baki Hanma creates a bond of mutual respect, and he becomes a crucial ally, even taking a poisoned Baki back to China for treatment. His friendship with Katsumi Orochi is particularly significant; after their initial brutal fight, Retsu becomes a mentor-like figure, and his legacy endures in a very literal way long after his death. His relationship with his fellow Kaioh is also notable, such as when he refuses to fight Dorian, a senior he once admired, on the grounds of martial family loyalty, only to defeat him with a single devastating blow when forced.
Retsus journey ends in a final, violent duel against a clone of the legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi. Having traveled from America specifically to challenge the revived samurai, Retsu learns the ultimate technique of Force Dissipation, a method of relaxing the body and spinning in mid-air to nullify an opponents power, to counter Musashis blades. Despite his best efforts and nearly killing Musashi in the exchange, a moment of carelessness costs him his grip, and he is cut down. His final thoughts are not ones of regret but of reflection, believing that what he learned in the battle would surely be useful next time. However, his legacy does not end with his death. His right arm is preserved and later grafted onto his friend Katsumi Orochi. During a subsequent fight, Retsus spirit manifests through that arm, allowing Katsumi to suddenly use Chinese Kenpo, proving that Retsus martial soul and his obsession with challenging the limits of strength continue to resonate beyond his physical end.
In terms of ability, Retsu is a highly versatile and technically brilliant fighter. His arsenal is vast, including the Spinning Lotus, where he wraps his legs around an opponents neck to break it; the formidable Crushing Fist, a powerful mid-level thrust utilizing internal energy that he used to defeat Katsumi; and the Air Arrow, a compressed blast of air shot from his mouth. He is renowned for his extraordinary footwork and kicking techniques, with toes dexterous enough to grab an opponent by the hair or beard to execute throws and knee strikes, a skill that bewildered even Baki. His mastery of pressure point attacks allows him to temporarily paralyze or knock out opponents with a single precise strike. Beyond unarmed combat, he is a master of various traditional Chinese weapons, including knives, nine-section whips, and staffs. Physically, his capabilities are superhuman, granting him immense strength, durability, and the speed to outperform supersonic Mach punches. His defeat at the hands of Pickle and Musashi highlights that even his incredible abilities have limits, yet his unwavering spirit, technical genius, and noble heart cement him as one of the most memorable and respected masters in the series.