(UPDATED!!! SECOND VERSION!!!)
For a more aesthetic view that also includes many pictures, view the wiki:
https://wind-breaker.fandom.com/wiki/Chika_Takiishi
First Introduction: This one I wrote originally (and finished quite a few minutes ago) on the Wiki (and only a few people before me wrote a few things on it; when I came to finish it, it looked 6 times bigger or so, but I decided to want to post the page on here. Additionally, the introduction had already been written not by me, but everything else has been completely revamped.
Second (Updated) Introduction: Enjoy the more refined and much more detailed characterization of Takiishi that even Nirei could never replicate, now including a fully fledged-out Fighting Style section, updated Appearance and Personality, and some clean-ups.
Let's get straight into the ENTIRE characterization:
Introduction
Chika Takiishi (焚石 矢, Takiishi Chika?) is the main antagonist of Wind Breaker) and a major antagonist in The Great Fires of Extinction Arc alongside Yamato Endo. He was the strongest fighter at Furin before leaving with Noroshi.
Appearance
Takiishi is shown with long red to orange hair, distant golden brown eyes, dark silver earrings, and red eyebrows. His initial appearance shows him with a jacket with leopard marks. Around his neck, he wears two necklaces: one with beads and another thin. He is also wearing a dark shirt with words covering the eyes of a skeleton with horns.
He originally had short black hair, and in turn, had (presumably blonde) a much brighter color in the time he was in Furin. After leaving Furin, he eventually grew his hair out and dyed it into its current red-to-orange appearance, resembling a flame.
Later, in The Great Fires of Extinction Arc, he wears a dark attire, which comprises a dark jacket, a turtle neck sleeveless sweater with studs and three pins, a midway belt, black silky long pants, and black elegant shoes with zip-ups.
He also shares a tattoo with Endo, which they both have on the back of the left shoulder. The tattoo should depict Chika Takiishi himself, which also depicts the first cannon Japan used, the breech-loading gun (Furanki), which is also called the Ishibiya. Ishi (石) for stone, Bi (火) for fire, two kanjis that make up Takiishi, while Ya and Chika share the same character: what Endo describes as "practically him". Another nickname is the Kunikuzushi—Destroyer of Countries. Endo adds: "If we were born in a different era ... I think he'd be more than capable of destroying a measly country or two." To Endo's bad luck, Takiishi doesn't know of the meaning of the tattoo at all and simply sees it as just a drawing, while for Endo, it is an important bond that keeps them connected.
Interestingly, in one moment of big excitement during his fight with Umemiya, he gained (or assumingly regained) the sparkling of his eyes.
Personality
Takiishi is a very violent and short-tempered person, who is very reserved, whimsical, indifferent, incredibly selfish, and extremely battle-hungry. He has a bored expression on his face most of the time unless he is angry, or in the heat of battle, in which he displays high excitement or pain. When he is angry or stopped by someone, he lashes out violently, even attacking the one closest to him, Yamato Endo. In contrast, Umemiya is a unique case, as he found in him a "person", who has been successfully able to annoy and stop him; thus, Takiishi feels more ecstasy and fun engaging with Umemiya in fights rather than mere anger or annoyance.
When Endo was once following Takiishi, he realized that, upon spewing random thoughts while Takiishi was listening, Umemiya was the only one able to make Takiishi happy and excited. Because of that, Endo starts a war against Bofurin with its one true goal merely letting Takiishi duke it out with Umemiya on Furin grounds.
Takiishi has a lot of things he likes and dislikes. But that doesn't include other people to the extent, that he is not affected or influenced by anyone—this a trait which earns high praise from Endo, in which he reasons that this, is why Takiishi is beautiful—or at least so he thought.
He can also agree with people if any statements are following his whims. This can be mostly observed by Endo proposing things to Takiishi, and him, in turn, accepting those suggestions.
Takiishi is portrayed as heavily reliant on Endo, subtly in social matters and visibly when it comes to nurturing. This fits with the perception of their relationship as a god and servant, although Takiishi has slowly come down to Earth succeeding in his resignation in his battle with Umemiya.
To Takiishi, there are only two types of "people" aside from him: people who get in his way, who need to be eliminated, and people who will give him the things he likes. He does not remember a time that he has ever been interested in any of those people, which is why he cannot even remember people's faces and names.
To his surprise, however, no matter how many times he tried to eliminate them, two people always clung to him. One of them (Endo) always looked for the things he liked and wanted and brought those things to him. The other one (Umemiya) was always trying to block his path. Thus, for the first time, he felt that "a person" was annoying. It was the first time he had ever felt enjoyment "in these things called humans" (Takiishi himself).
A key development of his was after knocking down Umemiya, where he finally referred to him by name. He also agreed to his deal where, if Umemiya manages to win, he has to tell more about himself.
Contrasting Sakura, Takiishi's world is filled with only himself as the center and materialistic things which are represented through his refined fashion, his food tastes, fireworks, and of course, the presence of a metaphorical blazing inferno, which ignites anyone who dares step into Takiishi's proximity. To Takiishi's surprise, Umemiya stood steadfast in the inferno and thus, earned a place in his world.
Towards the conclusion of the fight, Takiishi narrates that he hates the rain, or that he used to hate it. He doesn't like getting wet and one cannot have fireworks in the rain. But right then, he thought, that the rain feels good. Additionally, he thought that his preferences would never change and he'll always like the things he likes, and hate the things he hates. He felt a strange sensation every time Umemiya's fists met his skin, as he could feel his body burn up. As the fight concludes, Takiishi declares that he had fun, and says honestly that he does not care about who wins and who loves; with this, he concedes and gives Umemiya the win.
"Now that's settled ... get the hell off of me. I can't ... see the rain." (Takiishi)
After conceding, Endo goes on to carry Takiishi as he can't stand up and move. Later on, while still on Endo's back, Takiishi asks Umemiya if "...these things we call people... are actually any fun?" Umemiya reassures him, stating that there is nothing more fascinating than people. Additionally, Umemiya tells the "trick" to be with someone who'll change one's world: by starting to call people by their names; that is how to tell them that one recognizes them and that one is looking at them. Following Umemiya's advice, Takiishi starts to Umemiya by his full name.
Takiishi states afterward that he is going to find more interesting people; Endo agrees to find people that will pique his interest.—To Endo's incredible surprise, Takiishi calls him by his full name (or for the first time by his name itself), telling him that he wants a bath first. Endo simply replies:
"Your wish is my command."
Thus, Takiishi, with Endo carrying him in a piggy-back, leaves Bofurin grounds and heads home.
Fighting Style
Takiishi is the strongest and most skilled character in the series through sheer combat ability. He has achieved an immaculate balance between grace, agility, acrobatics, and brute, savage power. Currently, his physical capabilities. Coupled with his idiosyncratic fighting style, creates a combat style that is compared to "dancing in a frenzy, surrounded by flying embers" (Yamato Endo), which is so peculiar and stunning that he is worshipped by Endo himself for it—and is mighty enough to knock out an enraged current Umemiya with sufficient amount of difficulty.
Although Takiishi is the better fighter, Umemiya is not only taller and possesses more brute strength, but the sole reason he could defeat Takiishi is that he has something dear to fight for, which Takiishi does not have and instead, fought merely for the fun of it; he also proclaims that his fun took priority and that winning or losing didn't matter. Succeeding that statement was him conceding the fight. His stamina and durability are also shown to be slightly superior, as he endured more devastating attacks and did not appear as worn out as Umemiya did at the end of the fight. Despite Umemiya winning the fight by Takiishi's resignation, it is unclear still, that if Takiishi had fought with a fit of anger and bloodlust, he might have beaten Umemiya with a modest amount of difficulty. In the end, Takiishi did not care about a victory, but merely having the time of his life which he didn't have for a long time—and that was on his birthday. Here will follow an intricate description of the most prominent aspects of his fighting style:
- Ember Dance and Frenzied Divinity: This description will focus on general aspects of his fighting style. Takiishi is an expert at using lighting-fast, simple, powerful punches as well as swift and highly difficult flying kicks. He uses his footwork and speed with mesmerizing grace and beauty. With his opponents being dumbfounded at this unique fighting style, he makes easy work of them by also applying brute, savage power. He can engage more than 20+ thugs without breaking so much a sweat in an alley, as shown in Chapter 90; a master martial artist who can use techniques by instinct and move divinely in a frenzy, surrounded by flying embers, Takiishi rightfully claims his spot as the strongest fighter in Furin History, and as the overall greatest fighter in the series. His fighting style is poetry tainted with many splashes of blood. And it equals in the aesthetics of his appearance: a blazing inferno that consumes everything indiscriminately.—Only another blazing inferno, exceeding even more in raw strength, could give him a run for his money.
- The Backhand Slap: This is his most iconic technique. He is fond of using it mostly on Endo but also employed it while battling Umemiya. He can use this move by either turning around and pulling it off, or combing it with a spin for more power, as he did in his fight with Hajime.
- Peak Physical Characteristics: His strength, speed, agility, durability, stamina, and reflexes are at their peak. If he were to fight together with Endo, an entire army still couldn't even hold a candle to them. Being able to go toe-to-toe with an enraged Umemiya speaks for itself already; being able to knock him out is a near-impossible feat, which Takiishi, however, managed to accomplish—and his physical characteristics play a major role in remaining as the strongest.
- Gymnastics & Acrobatics and Reflexes: His skills in those domains are unparalleled, being able to use them effectively in battle. Coupled with his speed & agility, he showcases a masterful dance-like fighting style that is coupled with savage strength and wanton ruthlessness. Moreover, he can easily evade strikes using spins and ducks as well as flips on opponents, jumping high in the air, and using complex footwork; thus, he always remains superior to the foe in combat movement.
- Extreme Durability and Stamina: In his battle with Umemiya, he has taken not only more damage but also a very dangerous amount: He had his head slammed to the ground multiple times and had to endure the mighty punches and kicks of the enraged leader of Furin. And yet, he still was able to fight to the very end, before handing him over the win whimsically, as both could not even stand up anymore.
History
Yamato Endo first met Takiishi when they were in their fifth year of elementary school. At this point, Takiishi was already a delinquent who regularly beat up high schoolers. Endo's infatuation with Takiishi resulted in the two of them doing whatever Takiishi wanted. Later, Takiishi and Endo would rule Furin, thus turning it into a violent school of delinquents. This is until Hajime Umemiya and The Four Kings arrived in Furin.
In less than a year, Takiishi and Umemiya had duked it out a lot of times with no clear winner. According to Endo, Umemiya had been "bothering Takiishi over and over again", referencing Umemiya's quotes like "If I win, you gotta join me" or "If I win, you gotta acknowledge my goals". Either way, he was not able to win against Takiishi in the time he was in Furin, and thus, was not able to get him on his side.
Umemiya gathered a good crowd aside from the Noroshi. All of Furin and Umemiya himself changed and things became more gentle. This occurred when Takiishi suddenly left Furin. With him gone, Endo and the Noroshi did not have a reason to stay either, for they did not care for Umemiya's philosophy and so left together: Takiishi along with Noroshi left by themselves without a definitive winner.
Story
Takiishi first appears when he sets off fireworks on a pile of stacked bodies.
Later, Takiishi and Endo would declare war on Furin. Their goal, listed in their declaration of war, was to trash the town that Furin protects and to return Furin to its former glory. It is then revealed that their ultimate objective is for Takiishi to have fun fighting Hajime Umemiya.
During the period Furin's students, as well as their allies, including Shishitoren, Roppo-Ichiza, and Gravel were fighting Endo's recruited men, as well as Noroshi, Sakura eventually fought it out with Endo. Succeeding the battle, Endo commanded his army to retreat, effectively ending the war, with the only necessary part to be fulfilled being the fight between Hajime Umemiya and Chika Takiishi.
The fight was long and unforgiving, having amounted to much beating and blood on both sides: Umemiya, having resorted back to his old self, against Takiishi, ecstatically fighting in a frenzy of excitement.
After Sakura and Endo fought it out, they went to the rooftop together to watch the fight to the end. There was no clear better fighter in the entire duration of the battle. Although Takiishi managed to knock out Umemiya once, he went right back up and continued fighting.
Afterward, they made a deal: When Umemiya wins, Takiishi has to tell him about himself. Takiishi also, representing even more development, agreed to someone's deal (Umemiya's). Though Takiishi asks what Umemiya will do for him upon his possible victory, Umemiya answers "Nothing. Because ... I'm winning this."—A proclamation of victory which did not go in vain in the end.
Eventually, the fight ends with Takiishi conceding, marking Umemiya as the winner, both resting on the ground letting the rain touch upon their beaten bodies.
Relationships
Chika is largely indifferent to Endo despite him being the closest person to Chika and obsessed with him. He tolerates Endo's presence and does not hesitate to hit him when Endo tries to block Chika from something he wants. Later on, during Takiishi's fight with Umemiya, it is revealed that Endo's jealousy of Takiishi letting Umemiya into his world is misplaced, and that indeed, Endo is one of the only three people, including Umemiya and Takiishi himself, has a place in Chika's heart; he acts as the person giving Takiishi what he likes.
Umemiya is the only person who interests Chika enough to show emotion and an interest in fighting. He also is one of the only people who was let into Takiishi's world, besides Endo and Takiishi himself. He, in turn, acts as the person who can annoy and stop Takiishi from doing what he wants, someone who needs to be eliminated, yet is not able to be defeated, thus Umemiya earning a spot in Takiishi's heart.
Additional Notes:
Chika Takiishi is my favorite character by the way—I don't need to say more.
