TV-Series
Description
Brother 1, also known as Ichinoji, is a fictional character from the anime and manga series Afro Samurai. He is the apparent leader of the Empty Seven, a clan of assassin monks who seek the Number One and Number Two headbands to achieve godhood, though this authority is never explicitly stated. He is a wizened old man with a long beard, marked by a tattoo on the left side of his head that reads Number 1. His right arm is a golden prosthetic that can transform into a machine gun.
Brother 1's personality and mannerisms are a distinct blend of an evangelical preacher and a street pimp, mixing fiery, evangelistic speeches with casual street vernacular. He is almost always seen in the company of a beautiful, scantily clad woman, and he frequently makes bold proclamations to large crowds of his followers and fellow monks. His primary motivation is rooted in the Empty Seven's obsession with the headbands; he believes they are the secret to godhood and has dedicated all his resources to obtaining them.
In the story, Brother 1 serves as an obstacle for the protagonist, Afro. He attempts to ambush Afro on the lift ascending Mount Shumi, but his attack is unsuccessful and he is easily defeated by Afro. This encounter is significant because it marks Brother 1 as the only member of the Empty Seven to engage Afro in direct combat and survive. His key relationship is with his fellow monks, particularly Brother 3. Following his crippling defeat, Brother 1 is left paralyzed and is rescued and cared for by Brother 3.
Brother 1 undergoes a notable development from a grandiose cult leader to a broken figure. In the sequel, Afro Samurai: Resurrection, he reappears in a drastically weakened state. He is now confined to a stretcher with a catheter, paralyzed and babbling nonsense, a shadow of his former self. He is found in this condition at a gambling house run by Brother 3, serving as a grim testament to the consequences of challenging Afro. Apart from his mechanical prosthetic arm that functions as a firearm, Brother 1 does not display any other notable supernatural abilities, and his fighting skills are ultimately inferior to those of his opponent.
Brother 1's personality and mannerisms are a distinct blend of an evangelical preacher and a street pimp, mixing fiery, evangelistic speeches with casual street vernacular. He is almost always seen in the company of a beautiful, scantily clad woman, and he frequently makes bold proclamations to large crowds of his followers and fellow monks. His primary motivation is rooted in the Empty Seven's obsession with the headbands; he believes they are the secret to godhood and has dedicated all his resources to obtaining them.
In the story, Brother 1 serves as an obstacle for the protagonist, Afro. He attempts to ambush Afro on the lift ascending Mount Shumi, but his attack is unsuccessful and he is easily defeated by Afro. This encounter is significant because it marks Brother 1 as the only member of the Empty Seven to engage Afro in direct combat and survive. His key relationship is with his fellow monks, particularly Brother 3. Following his crippling defeat, Brother 1 is left paralyzed and is rescued and cared for by Brother 3.
Brother 1 undergoes a notable development from a grandiose cult leader to a broken figure. In the sequel, Afro Samurai: Resurrection, he reappears in a drastically weakened state. He is now confined to a stretcher with a catheter, paralyzed and babbling nonsense, a shadow of his former self. He is found in this condition at a gambling house run by Brother 3, serving as a grim testament to the consequences of challenging Afro. Apart from his mechanical prosthetic arm that functions as a firearm, Brother 1 does not display any other notable supernatural abilities, and his fighting skills are ultimately inferior to those of his opponent.