OVA
Description
Tasuki, originally named Kou Shun'u, grew up as the only son with five older sisters—Eimin, Fuyou, Rin'an, Manka, and Aidou—in Kounan's western province near Souun. Dominated by his sisters, who frequently bossed him around, dressed him in women's clothing, and played relentless pranks, he developed a professed hatred of women. This drove him to run away at fifteen and join the bandits of Mount Reikaku. Initially rejected by leader Hakurou due to his celestial mark and foreseen loyalty conflicts, Shun'u persisted. His superhuman speed earned him the nickname "Genrou" (Phantom Wolf). Among the bandits, he forged a close brotherly bond with Kouji and mastered martial arts including boxing, wrestling, swordsmanship, and archery. He discovered his ability to wield the fire-emitting Tessen iron fan, signifying his right to succeed Hakurou. He left the mountain seeking a cure for Hakurou's illness, allowing usurper Eiken to seize control.
Tasuki first encountered Miaka Yuki, the Priestess of Suzaku, when he kidnapped her during her search for celestial warriors, mistaking her for Eiken's wife. After a failed kiss attempt and subsequent revelations, he allied with Miaka's group to reclaim his leadership. He revealed himself as the fifth Suzaku warrior, bearing the "Wings" constellation on his right forearm. Despite initial reluctance stemming from loyalty to his bandits, he joined their quest, designating Kouji as temporary leader. Throughout the main series, Tasuki aided the group using his Tessen and talismans—papers materializing whatever is written on them. His initially reckless combat style sometimes misfired flames, accidentally injuring allies like Tamahome.
Personality-wise, Tasuki presents as loud, brash, and quick-tempered, using rough language and professing to despise women. Beneath this exterior, he is deeply emotional, loyal, and compassionate, valuing friendship above all. He openly wept at the deaths of comrades like Nuriko and Chiriko, whom he mentored as a brotherly figure. His fierce loyalty drove him to protect Miaka at all costs, even offering to die for her. He possesses a defining aversion to betrayal; when magically manipulated into nearly assaulting Miaka and attacking Tamahome (reincarnated as Taka) in the OVAs, intense shame led him to attempt suicide with his Tessen, prevented only when the spell broke. Despite his bravado, he harbors insecurities, including a fear of water (attributed to being a "man of the mountains") and lingering discomfort around women outside his trusted circle.
His character evolves across OVAs and spin-offs. In the second OVA arc, set two years post-main series, unresolved romantic feelings for Miaka surfaced under supernatural influence, challenging his self-perception and loyalty. By the third OVA, *Eikoden*, roughly a decade later at age 28–29, he exhibits a matured demeanor: his once-spiked hair is braided and flamboyant clothing replaced with understated attire. He returned to lead the Mount Reikaku bandits but remained connected to his friends, aiding them occasionally. His combat skills refined, allowing precise control of his Tessen's flames without endangering allies. The spin-off *Genrou Den* explores his early bandit days, emphasizing his perseverance in earning Hakurou's trust and his bond with Kouji. Another light novel, *The Reason I Started Hating Women*, delves into his childhood trauma and complex relationships with his sisters, particularly the harshly disciplinary Aidou.
Key relationships define his journey: his rivalry-turned-camaraderie with Tamahome involves constant bickering but mutual respect; his protective dynamic with Chiriko highlights his nurturing side; his partnership with Miaka shifts from sibling-like devotion to briefly fraught romantic tension before settling into enduring loyalty. Core traits persist through his growth—emotional transparency, dedication to his bandits, and occasional comedic relief through phobias and outbursts.
Tasuki first encountered Miaka Yuki, the Priestess of Suzaku, when he kidnapped her during her search for celestial warriors, mistaking her for Eiken's wife. After a failed kiss attempt and subsequent revelations, he allied with Miaka's group to reclaim his leadership. He revealed himself as the fifth Suzaku warrior, bearing the "Wings" constellation on his right forearm. Despite initial reluctance stemming from loyalty to his bandits, he joined their quest, designating Kouji as temporary leader. Throughout the main series, Tasuki aided the group using his Tessen and talismans—papers materializing whatever is written on them. His initially reckless combat style sometimes misfired flames, accidentally injuring allies like Tamahome.
Personality-wise, Tasuki presents as loud, brash, and quick-tempered, using rough language and professing to despise women. Beneath this exterior, he is deeply emotional, loyal, and compassionate, valuing friendship above all. He openly wept at the deaths of comrades like Nuriko and Chiriko, whom he mentored as a brotherly figure. His fierce loyalty drove him to protect Miaka at all costs, even offering to die for her. He possesses a defining aversion to betrayal; when magically manipulated into nearly assaulting Miaka and attacking Tamahome (reincarnated as Taka) in the OVAs, intense shame led him to attempt suicide with his Tessen, prevented only when the spell broke. Despite his bravado, he harbors insecurities, including a fear of water (attributed to being a "man of the mountains") and lingering discomfort around women outside his trusted circle.
His character evolves across OVAs and spin-offs. In the second OVA arc, set two years post-main series, unresolved romantic feelings for Miaka surfaced under supernatural influence, challenging his self-perception and loyalty. By the third OVA, *Eikoden*, roughly a decade later at age 28–29, he exhibits a matured demeanor: his once-spiked hair is braided and flamboyant clothing replaced with understated attire. He returned to lead the Mount Reikaku bandits but remained connected to his friends, aiding them occasionally. His combat skills refined, allowing precise control of his Tessen's flames without endangering allies. The spin-off *Genrou Den* explores his early bandit days, emphasizing his perseverance in earning Hakurou's trust and his bond with Kouji. Another light novel, *The Reason I Started Hating Women*, delves into his childhood trauma and complex relationships with his sisters, particularly the harshly disciplinary Aidou.
Key relationships define his journey: his rivalry-turned-camaraderie with Tamahome involves constant bickering but mutual respect; his protective dynamic with Chiriko highlights his nurturing side; his partnership with Miaka shifts from sibling-like devotion to briefly fraught romantic tension before settling into enduring loyalty. Core traits persist through his growth—emotional transparency, dedication to his bandits, and occasional comedic relief through phobias and outbursts.