TV-Series
Description
Genjirō Obu is the owner of Midori Farm, located in the town of Mukawa in Hokkaido, Japan. He is the younger brother of Masatora Obu. Genjirō is a man driven by a deep-seated dream of participating in and winning classic horse races, a passion that persists even as he suffers under the weight of overwhelming debt. To achieve this ambitious goal, he made the significant decision to breed his mare, Midoriko, with Tamakin, a celebrated winner of the Arc de Triomphe, hoping to produce an exceptional foal.
Genjirō possesses a warm, sentimental, and passionate personality. He cares for the animals on his farm with an almost paternal devotion, treating them like his own children. This passionate nature coexists with a notable eccentricity; he is famous for his unusual habit of running outdoors in only his underwear, even during the harsh Hokkaido winter, making him an unforgettable sight to those around him. Despite his good heart, his initial reaction to the newborn Makibao was one of disappointment. Finding the foal's appearance strange and un-horselike, he was so discouraged that he considered selling the young horse for meat. This decision was dramatically overturned by his older brother Masatora, whose anger upon seeing Makibao chained up forced Genjirō to give the foal a chance to prove himself by running with the other young horses.
From this turning point, Genjirō’s relationship with Makibao becomes the central pillar of his life and his role in the story. He evolves from a disillusioned breeder into Makibao’s most ardent and emotional supporter, forming a bond that is fiercely protective and filial in nature. This bond is tested repeatedly. When Makibao loses control during his first race, it is Genjirō who bravely intervenes to stop him. He is also shown to be profoundly remorseful for his past poor management that contributed to the loss of Midoriko, Makibao's mother, demonstrating his sincere and responsible side. Perhaps the greatest demonstration of his devotion occurs when Makibao suffers a life-threatening injury at the Dubai World Cup. Faced with the grim prognosis and even his brother Masatora acknowledging the severity of the situation, Genjirō breaks down in tears, adamantly refusing to allow euthanasia. He vows to care for the horse for the rest of his life, a promise that ultimately leads to Makibao’s recovery.
His relationship with his older brother, Masatora, is a strong and defining one, characterized by a blend of conflict and deep familial love. Masatora often presents a stern and disciplined exterior, which frequently clashes with Genjirō’s more emotional and eccentric approach, yet it is Masatora’s forceful intervention that saves Makibao and sets the farm on a new path. Together, they navigate the countless hardships of the racing world, demonstrating the strength of their family unit. As the story progresses, Makibao’s racing success directly contributes to improving the dire financial situation of Midori Farm, validating Genjirō’s lifelong hopes. In the sequel story, Taiyō no Makibao, Genjirō steps away from his role as a racehorse owner to embrace a new chapter as a dedicated breeder.
Genjirō is not defined by flashy abilities but by his unyielding spirit and unconventional methods. His most notable feature is his eccentric habit of running in his underwear regardless of the weather, an oddity that becomes a signature part of his identity. More importantly, his greatest strength lies in his capacity for genuine, unfiltered emotion, which fuels his relentless cheerleading from the stands and his fierce determination to protect his horses against all odds.
Genjirō possesses a warm, sentimental, and passionate personality. He cares for the animals on his farm with an almost paternal devotion, treating them like his own children. This passionate nature coexists with a notable eccentricity; he is famous for his unusual habit of running outdoors in only his underwear, even during the harsh Hokkaido winter, making him an unforgettable sight to those around him. Despite his good heart, his initial reaction to the newborn Makibao was one of disappointment. Finding the foal's appearance strange and un-horselike, he was so discouraged that he considered selling the young horse for meat. This decision was dramatically overturned by his older brother Masatora, whose anger upon seeing Makibao chained up forced Genjirō to give the foal a chance to prove himself by running with the other young horses.
From this turning point, Genjirō’s relationship with Makibao becomes the central pillar of his life and his role in the story. He evolves from a disillusioned breeder into Makibao’s most ardent and emotional supporter, forming a bond that is fiercely protective and filial in nature. This bond is tested repeatedly. When Makibao loses control during his first race, it is Genjirō who bravely intervenes to stop him. He is also shown to be profoundly remorseful for his past poor management that contributed to the loss of Midoriko, Makibao's mother, demonstrating his sincere and responsible side. Perhaps the greatest demonstration of his devotion occurs when Makibao suffers a life-threatening injury at the Dubai World Cup. Faced with the grim prognosis and even his brother Masatora acknowledging the severity of the situation, Genjirō breaks down in tears, adamantly refusing to allow euthanasia. He vows to care for the horse for the rest of his life, a promise that ultimately leads to Makibao’s recovery.
His relationship with his older brother, Masatora, is a strong and defining one, characterized by a blend of conflict and deep familial love. Masatora often presents a stern and disciplined exterior, which frequently clashes with Genjirō’s more emotional and eccentric approach, yet it is Masatora’s forceful intervention that saves Makibao and sets the farm on a new path. Together, they navigate the countless hardships of the racing world, demonstrating the strength of their family unit. As the story progresses, Makibao’s racing success directly contributes to improving the dire financial situation of Midori Farm, validating Genjirō’s lifelong hopes. In the sequel story, Taiyō no Makibao, Genjirō steps away from his role as a racehorse owner to embrace a new chapter as a dedicated breeder.
Genjirō is not defined by flashy abilities but by his unyielding spirit and unconventional methods. His most notable feature is his eccentric habit of running in his underwear regardless of the weather, an oddity that becomes a signature part of his identity. More importantly, his greatest strength lies in his capacity for genuine, unfiltered emotion, which fuels his relentless cheerleading from the stands and his fierce determination to protect his horses against all odds.