| Mitsunari Tokugawa | |
 | |
| Name | |
|---|---|
| Kanji Name | 徳川 光成 |
| Kana Name | とくがわ みつなり |
| First Appearance | |
| Anime | OVA |
| Manga | To the Fighting Holy Ground!! |
| Information | |
| Origin | Japan |
| Age | About 80 |
| Hair Color | None |
| Height | 147 cm (4'10") |
| Weight | About 50 kg (110 lbs) |
| Fighting Style | None |
| Original Dub | Naomi Kusumi (2001) Naoki Tatsuta (OVA) Mugihito (2018) |
| English Dub | Doug Burks (2001) Carter Cathcart (OVA) Matthew Yang King (2018) |
| Relations | Sabuko Tokugawa (Sister) Mitsunobu Tokugawa (Father) Noro (Pet) |
| “ | My ancestors have all loved the art of fighting. So it has carried on in this fashion endlessly! | ” |
– Mitsunari about the Underground Arena. | ||
Mitsunari Tokugawa (徳川 光成, Tokugawa Mitsunari) is a fictional character from anime and manga series of Baki the Grappler. Tokugawa is an old man of very small stature who runs the Underground Arena beneath the Tokyo Dome, where fighters of any style compete in hand-to-hand combat with no rules. He is not a fighter himself, but he is very knowledgeable not only about martial arts, but about the fighters as well.
He is referred to by the title "Noble Elder" (御老公, Gorōkō) as a sign of respect. Mitsunari is the 13th head of the Tokugawa clan. He is apparently descended from Tokugawa Mitsukuni, also known as "Mito Koumon".
Personality[]
The tournament runner and owner of the Underground Arena. While not a fighter himself, Mitsunari is very knowledgeable about the martial arts and can easily point out several fighting techniques, regardless of whether they are obscure or well-known due to having observed many fights in his Underground Arena. He has the final say in each and every one of the battles that take place in his arena.
Mitsunari's love for combat and watching bloodshed borders on a sociopathic, or even psychotic degree. While he usually prefers to keep every fight in order, he will sometimes bend the rules if it means amplifying the fight in some way, even going so far as to threaten one of his own doctors with a knife when they tried to stop the fight between Baki and Jack. At the first glance, Mitsunari doesn't seem to have too much empathy about most fighters fought inside his arena. This characteristic was prominently observed in Baki-Dou series, where he abducted and forced Pickle to fight with Musashi Miyamoto, completely neglecting the fact that Pickle is a priceless discovery for the human race and hence should be preserved. On the other hand, Mitsunari seems to have some "standard" on how much violence he allowed to occur inside his arena. Earlier in Hanma Baki series, Mitsunari notably opposed the idea of pitting human fighters against Pickle as the "prey" for the prehistoric caveman, as he considers cannibalism to be too much of a violence. He even attempted to stop Pickle from preying on Kaiou Retsu and Katsumi Orochi on separate occasions. Additionally, Mitsunari also displayed a rare moment of empathy whenever he witnessed his friend or fighters who he admired dying, such as when he cried after Doppo Orochi was almost killed by Yuujirou Hanma during the Maximum Tournament, and later when witnessed the gruesome death of Retsu at the hands of Musashi, going as far as to blame himself for lifting the "no weapons" rule for the fight as the cause of Retsu's demise.
Mitsunari is one of the few people to ever outsmart Yuujirou. When Yuujirou attempted to upset the balance of his tournament, he had his snipers, who he had secretly stationed around the arena, to shoot him with enough tranquilizer to put down a blue whale. This gives him the very rare achievement of being the only person who has ever knocked Yuujirou unconscious. While it is unknown if Tokugawa was once a fighter himself in his early days, his odd antics and physical appearance make him more likely to be nothing more than an eccentric billionaire who prefers to watch fights instead of participating in them.
It is worthwhile to note that while Mitsunari seems to be only interested in the underground fighting and his whole life seems to revolves around it, he is a very sociable person who has several connections of influential friends and the powers that be that allowed his arena to continue operating. He is close personal friend with Japan's prime ministers Yukio Hatoyama and Naoto Kanzaki, US Army General Gerry Strydum, as well as fighters such as Doppo Orochi and Igari Kanji. He is also acquaintances (though not exactly friendly) with Yuujirou Hanma. To get closer to powerful fighters or important figures, Mitsunari often hosted a tea party and discuss his guest about various topics, such as their fighting philosophy, their opinion about certain fighters or specific martial arts technique, or the match results.
Appearance[]
Mitsunari Tokugawa is a very short and slim old man. He has a bald head, as well as grey and slightly bulging eyes. He is always dressed in a special Japanese kimono that the leaders of a certain family are wearing. In the first and second series of anime, his kimono is green, and in the third series is blue and brown.
History[]
Baki the Grappler[]
Childhood Saga[]
Tokugawa and Kanji Igari.
Mitsunari Tokugawa is shown in a scene where he talks to Kanji Igari, a well-known professional wrestler, at the Tokugawa's household. The old man tells the wrestler that it is hard to find really special fighters those days, and then Igari starts recounting him about Baki Hanma, the son of "the Strongest Creature on Earth" (Yuujirou Hanma). Tokugawa is in heavy shock when Igari tells him about various strong fighters that Baki beat at the age of 13. At some point their conversation is interrupted by Shuumei Kanou, Tokugawa's main bodyguard. Kanou snucks from behind to Igari to test the old wrestler's fighting spirit. When the atmosphere between two fighters becomes tense, the old man tries to calm them down and separate them. Eventually, Igari decides to leave, and Tokugawa says goodbye to him. On the same day, Tokugawa has another guest. He is visited by the aforementioned Baki Hanma, who defeated all the bodyguards of the Tokugawa's household (including Shuumei Kanou) and asks the old man to allow him to take part in fights in the Underground Arena. The old man is surprised to see all the bodyguards lying unconscious at the ground and to see the boy kneeling humbly. Tokugawa agrees to his proposal and he's very pleased.
Underground Arena Saga[]
Tokugawa, Doppo and Katou.
For the first time in the Underground Arena Saga, Tokugawa is shown when Doppo Orochi and Kiyosumi Katou arrives in the Underground Arena. When the old man sees Doppo, he jumps right into his arms. In this scene Tokugawa is accompanied by some two bodyguards, but these characters never shows up again in the series. He goes with Doppo and Katou to the basement of the Tokyo Dome. Tokugawa tells the story of the Underground Arena and mentions that he is a descendant of the legendary "Mito Koumon". At first they watch the fight between Ryuukongou and Kouhei Kuzumi and then the fight between Baki Hanma and Koushou Shinogi begins. The old man tells Doppo and Katou about Baki and praises him, saying that he is the youngest and most exciting Underground Arena champion in history. Alongside his guests, he constantly comments on the champion's match and in the meantime he also tells them how he was moved when Baki once came to Tokugawa's house asking for the opportunity to take part in battles of the Underground Arena. He also tells a story where he once met Shinogi Koushou in Spain and saw how he brutally murder a bull at the sanfermines festival. Tokugawa asked him then why he did it and the young karateka replied that he was just looking for an opponent to fight. When the Baki and Koushou's clash is over, Tokugawa tells Doppo and Katou that Baki is the son of "the Strongest Creature on Earth".
In the anime version, the first appearance of Tokugawa looks completely different. There is a scene in which Tokugawa visits Doppo in the Shinshinkai dojo. They're talking about Baki Hanma and Katsumi Orochi, son of Doppo. Suddenly they are interrupted by breathless Atsushi Suedou, who says that Kiyosumi Katou has invaded the dojo and is attacking all the karatekas. Tokugawa meets Katou for the first time in this scene in the anime version. The old man is delighted to have met him and invites Katou and Doppo to the Underground Arena. This whole situation happens even before Baki and Koushou Shinogi fight.
Tokugawa decides that the next opponent of Baki will be Junichi Hanada, a professional wrestler. He is visited by Naitou, Chan, Satou, Takada and Kurokawa, traditional martial artists, who wants Tokugawa to change his decision. At some point Hanada comes and Tokugawa's house, and the old man proposes him to face each of the guests to prove his worth. Hanada reluctantly agrees, and then Tokugawa watches how the wrestler beats all his guests. A few days later, it turns out that Tokugawa is changing his decision about another opponent of Baki. Mount Toba, the famous giant of pro wrestling, attacks and defeats Hanada in a battle, and Tokugawa is very excited that Toba will replace Hanada in another arena match. Eventually, after the fight of Baki and Toba, Yuujirou Hanma suddenly appears in the arena. He approaches to Tokugawa and tells him that he wants to fight as a participant in the Underground Arena. Ultimately, Tokugawa announces a great clash between Yuujirou and Doppo Orochi.
Some time later Tokugawa comes up with an idea to add another duel on the day of the fight between Doppo and Yuujirou. He invites Baki to his house and tells him that he has found an opponent for him, Kureha Shinogi, Koushou's older brother. Tokugawa wants Baki's fight to be the main event right after Doppo's duel.
Tokugawa after Doppo's match.
On the day of fight, Tokugawa, excited, visits Doppo in the locker-room and wishes him good luck. Unfortunately, the old man's mood changes with the end of the match, during which Doppo almost loses his life. Tokugawa starts crying and screaming at his subordinates to take Doppo to the Doctor as soon as possible. Eventually Tokugawa calms down when Doppo's life is saved by Kureha Shinogi, who is not only a fighter but also a brilliant doctor. Later, the arena owner comes to watch Baki's match.
Maximum Tournament Saga[]
Some time after the events of the previous saga and the recovery of Doppo, Tokugawa decides to organize a great martial arts tournament. He comes to the Shinshinkai dojo to personally inform his friends about it. Then the old man meets many influential people from all over the world to tell them about an upcoming big tournament and the unusual pankration belt (the old martial art from ancient Greece) that will be given to the tournament winner. Tokugawa also selects fighters for the tournament on his own. A scene is shown where he watches a private fight between Kiyosumi Katou and Junichi Hanada. This duel aims to choose one of them as a competitor (Katou wins the fight). When the tournament time comes, Tokugawa, excited, announces the start of a great festival in the Underground Arena.
Tokugawa's role in this saga is mainly focused on watching tournament fights, but the old man does not decide to become just a passive spectator. At some point it turns out that he brought a big mountain ape, Yasha-Zaru Jr, to the tournament. Yasha-Zaru Jr appears as an unexpected guest and fights against Kiyosumi Katou.
Tokugawa during Yuujirou's arrival.
At some point, Yuujirou Hanma arrives at the tournament and kills one of the competitors to introduce his companion, Yuu Amanai, to the tournament. Tokugawa comes to Yuujirou, asking him not to destroy this festival, which is an old man's life dream. Yuujirou agrees and later watches most of the fights in a special seat next to Tokugawa.
When Baki is defeated by Zulu, who attacked him by surprise before the official start of the fight and quickly knocked him out, the audience starts protesting, not wanting the fight to end in such an unfair way. Then Tokugawa enters the arena and starts explaining that a real fighter shouldn't lose focus, and losing the fight by an unexpected dirty attack is a permitted thing in the Underground Arena. When Baki wants to leave the arena, he is attacked again by Zulu, and Tokugawa recognizes that their fight is not over yet, letting them continue the match.
During the battle between Iron Michael and Chiharu Shiba, Michael's second throws the towel, but the American does not agree with his decision and says he wants to continue the fight. Then Tokugawa enters the arena and starts talking to Michael, who tells him he doesn't want to end the duel yet. Tokugawa resumes the fight, ignoring Michael's second. Ultimately, Chiharu Shiba wins the fight, but due to his injuries he is no longer able to participate in the rest of the tournament and Tokugawa decides to bring in Alexander Gallen, the Russian wrestler, to replace Chiharu in the tournament.
Tokugawa and Baki.
When Yuujirou Hanma doesn't hold out and starts making a fuss in the tournament during the fight between Doppo Orochi and Yuu Amanai, Tokugawa decides to stop Yuujirou. Old man's snipers, hidden among the audience, start shooting to the Ogre with tranquilizer bullets (strong enough to put down a blue whale), and he falls to the ground. Thanks to this, Yuujirou is later harmless for some time and Tokugawa can freely enjoy the further part of the tournament.
Before the final, Tokugawa makes a big speech in the arena. And when the fight is over and Baki defeats Jack Hanma, Tokugawa goes down to the middle of the arena again and gives the pankration belt to Baki by himself.
Baki[]
Most Evil Death Row Convicts Saga[]
Tokugawa comes to Baki's school to tell him about synchronicity, the phenomenon of unexpected coincidences. Baki is surprised by the old man's story and Tokugawa informs him that five escaped convicts from different parts of the world are headed for Tokyo at the same time and each of them is looking for "defeat".
Tokugawa and Sikorsky.
Later Kanji Igari introduces Tokugawa to Tateoka, a young judoka who wants to take part in the fights of the Underground Arena. The three of them talk about it in a restaurant, when suddenly a Russian named Sikorsky, one of the five convicts, appears and attacks the judoka. When Tateoka is brutally defeated, Igari challenges Sikorsky, but also loses. Tokugawa recognizes who Sikorsky is and wants to show him the Underground Arena. When they arrives at the place, it turns out that the other convicts have also arrived at the arena. Surprised Tokugawa asks what brought them here and everyone answers something different. Soon, Doppo Orochi, Kaoru Hanayama, Gouki Shibukawa, Kaiou Retsu and Baki Hanma also arrives in the Underground Arena. Tokugawa tells convicts that his competitors are real fighters whose martial arts are not based on sport. Then the old man proposes a kind of "war" between both sides, and the two teams agree.
Tokugawa crying.
When Baki loses his fight against Ryuukou Yanagi, the five main fighters meets Tokugawa at his home. The owner of the arena is seriously disappointed by the failure of the champion and completely desperate. At some point, the conversation is interrupted by Dorian, one of the convicts, who unexpectedly comes to Tokugawa's house and tries to make a big fuss. Eventually, the situation ends with Dorian throwing a grenade and causing an explosion at the old man's household, but fortunately nobody dies.
Hanma Baki[]
Pickle Wars Saga[]
At a request of General Gerry Strydum, Mitsunari allowed the US Army to use his Underground Arena as a "feeding ground" for the prehistoric caveman Pickle. Mitsunari helped a team of scientists led by Dr. Albert Payne to feed Pickle by smuggling various exotic animals and pit them against him in a fight, since Pickle is noted to have never eaten anything that is not attacking him. After several attempts of feeding him with animals failed due to most of them fled from Pickle in fear, Mitsunari has no choice but to smuggle a giant Siberian tiger and starving it for five days to forcing it into fighting Pickle.
Later, Mitsunari met with Kaiou Retsu and Katsumi Orochi, who volunteered themselves to be a "prey" for Pickle so that they can have a chance to fight with him. Mitsunari at first refused as he doesn't like the idea of cannibalism happening inside his arena, but later relented after the two fighters showed determination to face the caveman.
Strongest Father and Child Quarrel Saga[]
In an anticipation of the father-and-son fight between Yuujirou and Baki, the recently elected Japanese prime minister Naoto Kanzaki met with Mitsunari to discuss about his plan to stop the fight, as he feared that it will result in civilian casualties, but the elder instead assured that the fight would cost no harm to anybody else and thus should be allowed, even went as far as bribing Naoto with a "truck loads of money" to scrap his plan.
Despite (reluctantly) accepting the bribe, Naoto went through with his plan to stop and contain the fight anyways and commanded the Japanese Self-Defense Force to evacuate civilians and attempting to convince Yuujirou and Baki to stop the fight. However, Mitsunari confronted Naoto off-screen and slap him in the face to "teach him a lesson" and met with Yuujirou and Baki to assure that they can fight without restraint, as he will keep things under control himself. Mitsunari and Naoto then observed the fight until the end on top of a van, and the elder later comes off and accepting "standing ovation" from the crowd after the fight is concluded.
Abilities[]
He never does any fighting of his own, but is very knowledgeable in the world of martial arts due to decades of observing fights and enjoys spectating battles. He is the tournament runner and owner of the underground arena, where many big fights of the series are held. Despite physically useless, Tokugawa is very rich and has extensive authority in Japan as the head of the Tokugawa dynasty and even to abroad, which makes him dangerous in his own right.
Techniques[]
- Slap - used against Naoto Kanzaki.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- His namesake is clearly based on Ieyasu Tokugawa and Mitsunari Ishida, the opposing commanders at the Battle of Sekigahara.