ONA
Description
Kiyosumi Katou is a fictional martial artist from the Baki series, known by the nickname the "Dangerous Lion of Shinshinkai". He is a Japanese fighter around 25 years of age, standing approximately 180 cm (5 feet 11 inches) tall and weighing about 80 kg (176 lbs), with a slim but well-built physique, black hair slicked back, and black eyes. Following a brutal battle with the convict Dorian, he acquires several prominent scars on his face.
Katou is a top student of the Shinshinkai Karate master Doppo Orochi. However, his path as a martial artist took an unusual turn when he became disillusioned with what he perceived as a weak training regime at the dojo and left to live as a yakuza, immersing himself in the brutal world of gangster fighting. His attitude is best described as arrogant and hot-tempered; he hates losing and being underestimated and is often quick to anger, frequently serving as the butt of jokes among stronger fighters like Baki Hanma and Katsumi Orochi. Despite this bravado, he has a deep-seated awareness of his own limitations compared to the series' elite fighters, which fuels a frustrated obsession with proving his worth.
Katou's philosophy on combat contrasts sharply with that of his master. While Doppo Orochi sees karate as a way of life, Katou views it primarily as a tool—a practical art of killing refined over thousands of years. This pragmatic, no-holds-barred approach to fighting is his defining characteristic. He has no qualms about attacking vulnerable areas such as the eyes or groin and is known for using cunning and brutal tactics. In one notable instance, he crafted a makeshift weapon from rubber tubing and fishing line to sever the ear of his opponent, the deadly convict Dorian, demonstrating his willingness to use any means necessary to gain an advantage.
Katou's role in the story begins with his reintroduction to the martial arts world. After a chance reunion with Doppo, he learns of the existence of the Tokyo Dome Underground Arena, a place with no rules where true fighters compete. Intrigued, he returns to the Shinshinkai dojo and becomes a participant and observer of the underground tournaments. He shares a complex relationship with Doppo, whom he truly admires and cares for despite often being the one his master criticizes the most. This deep respect is most powerfully illustrated during his fight with Dorian, who had severed one of Doppo's hands. Enraged, Katou proclaimed that Doppo Orochi's fist is harder and more valuable than a diamond, revealing the profound loyalty beneath his arrogant exterior.
Katou's most significant story arc is his confrontation with the escapee Dorian. After wounding the convict, Katou pursues him to a hidden underground bunker, where he falls victim to Dorian's hypnotic suggestions, which play on his deep-seated frustrations and desire for victory. A one-sided and brutal beatdown ensues, leaving Katou horrifically injured and discovered stuffed inside a punching bag. Despite his grievous wounds, including a cut to his throat with a thin wire, he survives. Later, after Doppo defeats Dorian, a wheelchair-bound Katou is brought before his opponent and, mustering his remaining strength, lets out a fearsome cry that forces Dorian to declare his own defeat. This event solidifies his role as a resilient fighter who possesses high durability and an unbreakable will. In later story arcs, he continues to appear as a loyal member of the Shinshinkai, supporting his fellow fighters and undergoing further sparring sessions with his master, though his role becomes less prominent as the series progresses.
Katou is a top student of the Shinshinkai Karate master Doppo Orochi. However, his path as a martial artist took an unusual turn when he became disillusioned with what he perceived as a weak training regime at the dojo and left to live as a yakuza, immersing himself in the brutal world of gangster fighting. His attitude is best described as arrogant and hot-tempered; he hates losing and being underestimated and is often quick to anger, frequently serving as the butt of jokes among stronger fighters like Baki Hanma and Katsumi Orochi. Despite this bravado, he has a deep-seated awareness of his own limitations compared to the series' elite fighters, which fuels a frustrated obsession with proving his worth.
Katou's philosophy on combat contrasts sharply with that of his master. While Doppo Orochi sees karate as a way of life, Katou views it primarily as a tool—a practical art of killing refined over thousands of years. This pragmatic, no-holds-barred approach to fighting is his defining characteristic. He has no qualms about attacking vulnerable areas such as the eyes or groin and is known for using cunning and brutal tactics. In one notable instance, he crafted a makeshift weapon from rubber tubing and fishing line to sever the ear of his opponent, the deadly convict Dorian, demonstrating his willingness to use any means necessary to gain an advantage.
Katou's role in the story begins with his reintroduction to the martial arts world. After a chance reunion with Doppo, he learns of the existence of the Tokyo Dome Underground Arena, a place with no rules where true fighters compete. Intrigued, he returns to the Shinshinkai dojo and becomes a participant and observer of the underground tournaments. He shares a complex relationship with Doppo, whom he truly admires and cares for despite often being the one his master criticizes the most. This deep respect is most powerfully illustrated during his fight with Dorian, who had severed one of Doppo's hands. Enraged, Katou proclaimed that Doppo Orochi's fist is harder and more valuable than a diamond, revealing the profound loyalty beneath his arrogant exterior.
Katou's most significant story arc is his confrontation with the escapee Dorian. After wounding the convict, Katou pursues him to a hidden underground bunker, where he falls victim to Dorian's hypnotic suggestions, which play on his deep-seated frustrations and desire for victory. A one-sided and brutal beatdown ensues, leaving Katou horrifically injured and discovered stuffed inside a punching bag. Despite his grievous wounds, including a cut to his throat with a thin wire, he survives. Later, after Doppo defeats Dorian, a wheelchair-bound Katou is brought before his opponent and, mustering his remaining strength, lets out a fearsome cry that forces Dorian to declare his own defeat. This event solidifies his role as a resilient fighter who possesses high durability and an unbreakable will. In later story arcs, he continues to appear as a loyal member of the Shinshinkai, supporting his fellow fighters and undergoing further sparring sessions with his master, though his role becomes less prominent as the series progresses.