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Character notes, Getbackers
Mar. 29th, 2010 03:43 pmThe irony of Uryuu Toshiki is that he hungers for high position (the firstborn but illegitimate son, not understanding why his superior strength is not acknowledged) but he shies from claiming that position for /himself/. Rather he seeks out powerful people to support in their rise to high position (the only time he feels really alive as he says, first Kazuki, then Lucifer, then Makubex when Juubei sees the pattern and offers that as a suitable new place), staying that one step separated from the seat of power itself. As if he were afraid to reach for it in his own name.
The dynamics of Kazuki and all his people are very tied up with this question of finding one's place. When asked why he did not take the last step to rule Lower Town for himself, Kazuki says it's because he felt Ginji was the one who should do that and that his place was at Ginji's side. Which actually makes a certain amount of sense of the way Kazuki leaves the Volts in Ginji's wake. I think he needs the sense of direction and rightness that Ginji, and later Makubex, have--and which he does not.
This is more speculative, but Kazuki was raised to be the head of a vast clan, raised to lead and command. But his clan falls. And, like Toshiki, I think Kazuki shies away from the reminder of what he lost or was denied. I speculate that the reason Kazuki lacks that sense of rightness that allows Ginji and Makubex to lead is that he has refused to accept his position as a leader. Difficult to do while leading the most powerful gang before the Volts, but if you recall his words when he reconvenes Fuuga: he tells Sakura that he is not the lord of Fuuchouin and not to call him -sama; that he is only another warrior seeking to avenge his clan. Even while leading he does everything he can to not be a leader. Hence his lack of that rightness-sense and his refusal to take a leader's responsibility. He doesn't bring his people into the Volts, he disbands them. He doesn't take them with him when he leaves the Volts, he just goes.
This, I think, is what makes Juubei actually willing to regard Kazuki as his enemy. Juubei is inflexibly traditional, and I think his sense of betrayal when the lord he swore himself to and followed into exile finally and inarguably denies his part of the liege relationship just hit critical. Of course, all it takes is for Kazuki to assert a) his dominance and b) his sense of rightness and morality for Juubei to fall right back into line, but you note that in the process he did force Kazuki to assert a sense of right direction. Sneaky, sneaky.
Which, no doubt explains why I now have a deep urge to write a little arc in which the regathering of his people leads Kazuki to actually accept his place as their leader. *wry*
The dynamics of Kazuki and all his people are very tied up with this question of finding one's place. When asked why he did not take the last step to rule Lower Town for himself, Kazuki says it's because he felt Ginji was the one who should do that and that his place was at Ginji's side. Which actually makes a certain amount of sense of the way Kazuki leaves the Volts in Ginji's wake. I think he needs the sense of direction and rightness that Ginji, and later Makubex, have--and which he does not.
This is more speculative, but Kazuki was raised to be the head of a vast clan, raised to lead and command. But his clan falls. And, like Toshiki, I think Kazuki shies away from the reminder of what he lost or was denied. I speculate that the reason Kazuki lacks that sense of rightness that allows Ginji and Makubex to lead is that he has refused to accept his position as a leader. Difficult to do while leading the most powerful gang before the Volts, but if you recall his words when he reconvenes Fuuga: he tells Sakura that he is not the lord of Fuuchouin and not to call him -sama; that he is only another warrior seeking to avenge his clan. Even while leading he does everything he can to not be a leader. Hence his lack of that rightness-sense and his refusal to take a leader's responsibility. He doesn't bring his people into the Volts, he disbands them. He doesn't take them with him when he leaves the Volts, he just goes.
This, I think, is what makes Juubei actually willing to regard Kazuki as his enemy. Juubei is inflexibly traditional, and I think his sense of betrayal when the lord he swore himself to and followed into exile finally and inarguably denies his part of the liege relationship just hit critical. Of course, all it takes is for Kazuki to assert a) his dominance and b) his sense of rightness and morality for Juubei to fall right back into line, but you note that in the process he did force Kazuki to assert a sense of right direction. Sneaky, sneaky.
Which, no doubt explains why I now have a deep urge to write a little arc in which the regathering of his people leads Kazuki to actually accept his place as their leader. *wry*
