Tokyo Revengers Creator's New Hero is Takemichi's Opposite in One Big Way

Summary Unlike Takemichi from Tokyo Revengers, Hibaru in Astro Royale has a major advantage with combat experience.

Hibaru has been training for years, whereas Takemichi had no prior combat skills before his journey.

Wakui's protagonists, Takemichi and Hibaru, represent different ideals - resilience in Tokyo Revengers, and determination in Astro Royale.

Hibaru Yotsurugi, the protagonist of Ken Wakui’s latest Shonen Jump manga Astro Royale, is a natural-born fighter. During chapters 3 and 5 of the manga, the young delinquent is shown fighting against his siblings, demonstrating amazing strength and incredible stamina. Compared with his predecessor, Tokyo Revengers’ Takemichi, Hibaru has a major advantage; combat experience.

Throughout his time-traveling journey, Takemichi had to fight various opponents, most of whom easily overpowered him. Despite his impressive resilience and determination, the time-traveler never had the same abilities that Hibaru displayed during the first chapters of Astro Royale, one of the many differences between Wakui's two most popular series.

Related Shonen Jump's New Delinquent Manga Is Nothing Like Tokyo Revengers (& That's Great) Astro Royale is the latest series from the author of Tokyo Revengers, and fortunately, it's already looking to be a very different story.

HIbaru Has an Unjust Advantage Over Takemichi

Hibaru has spent most of his life training, unlike Takemichi

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When Tokyo Revengers began, Takemichi was introduced as a young man who regretted the life he had. The young protagonist had no combat ability or knowledge about fighting. This was made clear early in the series, with Takemichi being easily defeated by one of Toman’s weakest members. Nonetheless, the young delinquent did show outstanding resilience, never being one for backing down against any opponent. From the beginning, Takemichi was at a major disadvantage, as most of the enemies he encountered throughout his adventure had some kind of combat training.

Due to his criminal upbringing, Hibaru has been involved in fights since he was a child. In chapter 1 of Wakui's new Astro Royale manga, his father Kongo could be seen dealing with a criminal who had robbed some villagers. Hibaru has probably been training for years, hoping to become as proficient a fighter as his father was. His siblings seem to be aware of this, as characters like Terasu and Kou have called Kongo’s biological son out for constantly being involved in conflicts. Unlike Takemichi, Hibaru is capable of defending himself.

The difference between the two protagonists' fighting styles is hard to miss. Despite his reckless approach during battle, Hibaru seems to be a proficient fighter. He was able to overpower Kou during chapter 5 of the manga, despite the latter’s powerful Astro ability. Takemichi was never shown to be able to fight on his own, having to rely on the help of his comrades or his premonition abilities. While Toman’s second in command always kept fighting despite his grave injuries, he never once tried to learn how to act during a physical confrontation.

An Unstoppable Force and an Immovable Object

Takemichi and Hibaru’s approach to combat represents the ideals of their series

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Wakui’s Tokyo Revengers series is based on the idea of never giving up, no matter what kind of obstacles stand in your way. Takemichi may not have been an illustrious combatant, but he was a reflection of humanity’s unwillingness to surrender. Even when faced against virtually unbeatable opponents like Mikey, the young man would never back down from a fight. He was not a good fighter, but he was almost impossible to defeat. His resilience is what made him a perfect protagonist for a series as emotionally driven as Tokyo Revengers.

Each of their fighting styles seems to be a representation of their moral values and their motivations.

Astro Royale is a series with a significantly different message, focusing more on the Yotsurugi Family desire to create a new future. Hibaru is the living embodiment of this ideal, using his fist to shatter the hurdles in his path. Kongo’s biological son is not the best fighter in the series, seeing as he relies mostly on powerful frontal attacks that can be easy to predict. Yet, he has never shown signs of slowing down, even when faced with opponents who can stop his techniques.

Each of their fighting styles seems to be a representation of their moral values and their motivations. Takemichi was determined to correct the mistakes of his past and help his friends overcome their traumas, which is why his amazing resilience was one of his best weapons. Hibaru wants to create a better future in which his family’s organization once again acts as a force of good, with the help of his siblings. Takemichi’s resilience to never admit defeat and Hibaru’s determination to win, no matter what, is what makes these characters so endearing.

Both of Wakui’s works have their lessons for audiences to learn from. While Tokyo Revengers is a story about overcoming regret and letting go of your mistakes, Astro Royale focuses on fulfilling your dreams and helping those around you. Each series’ protagonist perfectly fulfills their role, being exactly what their stories need from them at any given moment.