Take two white-haired dog yokai mixed martial artist brothers, three spiky-haired brothers with one being a panther yokai pro-wrestler and two being clinching strikers, and two auburn-haired sisters with one incorporating sharp blows in her attacks and the other incorporating fluid choreography in her moves, and you have seven of the most powerful martial artists Japan and the world have ever seen. There is no doubt that 41-year-old Sesshoumaru, 40-year-old Inuyasha, 39-year-old Hakkaku, 40-year-old Shuran, 39-year-old Ginta, 37-year-old Ayame, and 36-year-old Shunran have found themselves winning any and nearly every martial arts tournament in the world. There is no doubt that they have trained their bodies, minds, and spirits to achieve higher ground as well as honor their code as martial artists and individuals. Nevertheless, they always find time to chill out and enjoy each other's company when they are not sparring let alone giving their opponents a significant beating. So, we'd like to be more acquainted with these seven fabulous martial artists known for their brutal attacks and a strong sense of teamwork.
41-year-old Sesshoumaru and 40-year-old Inuyasha are the sons of Toga and InuKimi. The martial arts have always played a significant part in their lives, considering that their father Toga was a prominent Karateka mostly specializing in Shotokan, Wado-Ryu, Goju-Ryu, and Kyokushin and their mother InuKimi was a fine aikidoka who also specialized in Shotokan Karate as well as Kyokushin Karate to the point where their parents still compete in their respective martial arts plus teach karate, Kenpo, judo, jujitsu, aikido, taido, and Kobudo to their students. Toga always made sure that both Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha used their combat prowess to help each other grow as fighters and as individuals, not hurt each other or show off. InuKimi always saw that both her dear sons were disciplined, honorable in the martial arts code, and determined to never settle for anything less. If it is any wonder how Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha grew up to be such amazing martial artists from their toddler years to childhood to adolescence to adulthood, they have their parents to thank from the bottom of their hearts.
Both Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha have had prominent MMA and Shootfighting careers together competing in Bellator, UFC, Shooto, and Kumite 1 League just to name a few mixed martial arts organizations; however, their fighting styles, while similar, are rather different. Sesshoumaru's background as a mixed martial artist is deeply rooted in Japanese martial arts, particularly Karate, Kenpo, Judo, and Jujitsu, with special focus placed on Kyokushin Karate, Ashihara Karate, Nippon Kenpo, Shorinji Kenpo, Judo, Japanese Jujitsu, and Shoot Boxing. Inuyasha's background as a mixed martial artist may have started with Kyokushin Karate, Nippon Kenpo, Judo, Jujitsu, Boxing, Wrestling, and Kickboxing, but he has also expanded his repertoire with Pankration, Vale Tudo, Kapu Kuialua, Combat Sambo, Brazilian Jujitsu, Kajukenbo, and Shoot Wrestling, thus bearing some Greek, Brazilian, and Hawaiian influences in his fighting style as well as his multicultural martial arts training. While both brothers had Karate, Kenpo, Judo, and Jujitsu under their belt ever since they were toddlers, they use their skills to expound their repertoire and their ever-growing fighting prowess as they came of age from childhood to adulthood.
Given the shorts and MMA gloves that Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha are wearing, they are also called the Ice and Fire brothers because their attire reflects their moves and personalities. With Sesshoumaru deeply rooted in Japanese martial arts such as Kyokushin Karate, Nippon Kenpo, Judo, and Jujitsu, he has a clear focus, icy intimidation, oodles of honor, and accurate speed, power, and timing reflected when he does Kata, takes part in breaking bricks, boards, tiles, and ice blocks, and/or takes on the 100-man Kumite, thus illustrating that he is one with his toned body, focused mind, and relentless spirit. His white shorts with the silver icy flame on his right thigh and his magenta-red gloves delineate the cool yet deadly precision he possesses in his spear-hand strikes, knife-hand strikes, ridge-hand strikes, ox-jaw strikes, low kicks, foot sweeps, and leg wheels. Inuyasha's experience particularly in Pankration, Vale Tudo, Combat Sambo, and Kapu Kuialua signifies his ferociousness, fierceness, passion, and aggression when punching, kicking, and grappling boulders, metal tiles, steel dummies, and heavy punching bags; partaking in weightlifting and strongman contests, and engaging in hand-to-hand combat against a huge army of boxers, wrestlers, and kickboxers, thus showing that he is all muscles, blood, and guts. His black shorts with the fire design on his left side and his blackish red gloves illustrate the brutally ruthless way he charges at his opponents with his double axe handles, ground-and-pounds, Superman punches, hammer fists, tracheal grip chokes, rear-naked chokes, and armbars. Whether Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha are fighting in the octagon cage, in the arena, in the dojo, or in the ring, their yin-and-yang fraternal chemistry demonstrates that they mean business when they are taking down their opponents in the most brutally epic and gloriously gory fashion ever. They have the muscles and the moves to show for it with abandon, and they will never relent against any foe.
40-year-old Shuran and 39-year-olds Hakkaku and Ginta are the sons of Izayoi, who is also InuKimi's sister and Toga's sister-in-law. Their mother, just like their aunt, was also an exceptional aikidoka who also dabbled in Koppojutsu, Judo, Nippon Kenpo, and Shorinji Kenpo to the point where she not only competed in those martial arts let alone practiced them but also teaches them to this day. Izayoi's wisdom and tactfulness have always been great sources of inspiration to her three sons who have always sworn to each other that they would work efficiently as a team. Furthermore, she continues to be just as impressed and happy for her three sons when they work together, especially when Shuran's grappling skills as a wrestler are combined with Hakkaku's and Ginta's predominantly clinching and striking skills. When Izayoi sees her sons in action, she always cheers for them because she has taught them well and has even introduced specific masters and coaches for her sons to polish their respective martial arts. With her basic principles of respect well-established in her sons, they have also grown wonderfully with honor.
Shuran's career as a Pro Wrestler, Hakkaku's as a Muay Boran practitioner, and Ginta's as a Lethwei fighter may seem vastly different from each other, but they are united by teamwork, camaraderie, brotherhood, and respect. Whether Shuran mainly competes in WWE and TNA, Hakkaku competes for Thailand's rulers, or Ginta takes down Myanmar's most lethal combatants, they always respect the codes of respect, allegiance, discipline, and confidence. While Shuran is mainly a grappler and both Hakkaku and Ginta are mainly clinchers and strikers, these three combatants are all drawn together by the deep fraternal bond they have for each other. Shuran's wrestling roots may be deeply ingrained in the American and British styles, specifically where Professional Wrestling and Hardcore Wrestling are concerned, but he is also phenomenal in Mongolian Wrestling, Ssireum, Sumo Wrestling, Lucha Libre, Turkish Oil Wrestling, Pehlwani, and Malla-yuddha, thus adding Mongolian, Indian, Mexican, Korean, and Turkish influences to his wrestling style. Hakkaku's combat style is thoroughly planted in Thai roots, as he has Muay Boran, Muay Lerdrit, Muay Chaiya, and Muay Thai under his belt, but he is also adept in Panantukan, Yaw-Yan, and Buno or traditional Ifugao wrestling, thus learning the Filipino way of striking and clinching. Ginta's fighting style is greatly planted in Burmese roots, specifically in Lethwei, Pongyi Thaing, Naban, and Bando, but he adapts himself superbly in Pradal Serey, Bokator, and Khmer traditional wrestling, thus integrating the Cambodian way of striking and clinching well. Combining Shuran's predominant wrestling prowess with Hakkaku's and Ginta's striking and clinching abilities truly makes them a formidable and diverse trio.
Shuran dons a green speedo, green gauntlets, and green ankle braces. Hakkaku dons dark brown shorts, white hand wraps, and forest green foot wraps. Ginta dons mahogany shorts, white hand wraps with a mahogany string tied to them, and yellow ochre foot wraps. The colors they wear denote the unity these three combatants have with the earth and nature as a whole, thus freeing themselves from the artificial let alone the superficial, especially with the trees they have associated themselves with. Empty prestige and hubris mean nothing to them, as Shuran, Hakkaku, and Ginta show their opponents why they should never underestimate them. Therefore, Shuran, Hakkaku, and Ginta rise and grow like trees without respite. Shuran's towering height does make him truly formidable in Professional Wrestling, Hardcore Wrestling, Lucha Libre, and Mongolian Wrestling when he practices his moves on dummies, lifts heavy weights, does deadlifts, and thoroughly engages in circuit training as the physically strongest fighter of the seven martial artists rich in size, muscle, and power. His all-green attire exemplifies his attachment to nature as well as his constant drive to have a go at his foes thanks to his bearhugs, piledrivers, sharpshooters, torture racks, full Nelsons, German suplexes, and suplex power slams. Hakkaku's prowess in Muay Boran, Muay Lerdrit, Muay Chaiya, and Muay Thai makes him committed to launch himself with enthusiasm when he strikes banana trees and harder trees with his elbows, knees, head, fists, heels, insteps, and shins; swims in rivers and oceans, and runs triathlons, for he demonstrates physical and mental relentlessness in all his triumphs and trials. Hakkaku's ensemble of brown shorts, white hand wraps, and forest green foot wraps indicate how unified he is with the earth and the heavens when he unleashes his elbow slashes, horizontal elbow strikes, spinning elbow strikes, upward headbutts, overhand punches, flying knee strikes, and knee bombs. Ginta's skills in Lethwei, Bando, Pradal Serey, and Bokator solidify his undeniable zeal in launching his punches, kicks, takedowns, and strikes on striking posts, huge trees, punching bags, and dummies; doing intense cardio sessions whether it is running marathons or swimming in oceans, and being committed to calisthenics, for his charming personality shines in his physical and psychological endurance. Ginta's attire consisting of mahogany shorts, white hand wraps with a mahogany string tied to them, and yellow ochre foot wraps demonstrate how superbly he can use aerial and ground attacks found in his thrusting headbutts, side headbutts, spinning backfists, cross punches, flying elbow strikes, jumping knee strikes, and push kicks. Fighting organizations better be prepared to launch great deals for these three brothers because Shuran's grappling combined with Hakkaku's and Ginta's clinching and striking makes for great shows to be witnessed by viewers all around the world and fighters itching to do intense battles with them, especially with Shuran's excruciating torture rack complimenting Hakkaku's and Ginta's barrage of elbow strikes, knee strikes, shin kicks, and overhand punches to brutal effect.
37-year-old Ayame and 36-year-old Shunran are the granddaughters of The Wolf Elder who has also been a great friend and surrogate father figure to Toga, InuKimi, and Izayoi. Their grandfather in human form was a renowned boxer and kickboxer who still competes, despite his old age, but mostly dedicates his time to coaching children, teenagers, and adults alike in boxing and kickboxing. As Ayame's and Shunran's grandfather, he always imparts words of wisdom to his two precious granddaughters, and they provide him with their unconditional love and respect in return. They show him this by encouraging each other to be the best fighters and people they can be and championing each other's efforts with all of their hearts, minds, and souls. He even champions Ayame being married to Inuyasha who he also loves as if though he were also his grandson, Shunran being married to both Hakkaku and Ginta with whom he has appreciated and encouraged to be the best men they can be, and even Sesshoumaru and Shuran for being extremely supportive brothers as well as brothers-in-law.
Ayame and Shunran are sisters who always have lethal, rapid, ferocious, and well-timed strikes at their disposal, hence both of them compete in tournaments and partake in martial arts demonstrations where they would break bricks and boards as well as demonstrate how fast, strong, fast, and graceful they really were with their movements. Both sisters can outrun their enemies with their limbs and timing, considering the martial arts they have been practicing since early girlhood. Ayame involves herself in Korean martial arts thanks to their emphasis on speed, power, timing, and balance, and she is particularly exceptional in Taekwondo, Hapkido, Yongmudo, Kuk Sool Won, Tang Soo Do, Hwa Rang Do, and Taekkyeon. Shunran, on the other hand, forms her basis in Chinese martial arts thanks to how they emphasize accuracy, speed, grace, and timing, and her proficiency in Shaolin Kung Fu, Northern Praying Mantis Kung Fu, White Crane Style Kung Fu, Monkey Kung Fu, Baguazhang, Wushu, and Bajuquan. While their signature martial arts are rich in striking and takedowns to give their enemies a world of pain, the aspects that unite them are how they place speed, power, timing, and accuracy in great balance with each other.
Ayame wearing all red and Shunran wearing mostly pink with hints of magenta demonstrate their different approaches to femininity, with the former representing passion and spice while the latter represents beauty and grace, as well as the flowers they represent which are red roses for Ayame and pink cherry blossoms for Shunran. Their respective colors also illustrate how their personalities and moves mesh together in harmony and syncopation. Ayame's boundless ferocity, fierceness, strength, and speed are all in full swing, especially in Taekwondo, Hapkido, Yongmudo, and Hwa Rang Do when she unleashes her zero-gravity kicks, punches, and strikes up in the air to cause collateral damage when she lands, launches her high-impact strikes onto punching bags and hard objects with loads of formidability, and shows thorough perseverance in everything she does inside and outside the dojang. Ayame's all-red ensemble from her dobok to her fingerless gloves to her footguards illustrates the sheer beauty found in the excruciating pain specifically in her uppercuts, jabs, hooks, liver punches, reverse punches, spinning axe kicks, and spinning roundhouse kicks. Shunran's elegance, energy, vivacity, and velocity are put on full blast specifically in Shaolin Kung Fu, Northern Praying Mantis Kung Fu, White Crane Style Kung Fu, and Monkey Kung Fu when she engages in acrobatics, gymnastics, and trampolining; meditation, and balancing acts on top of staffs and spears alongside the Shaolin monks. Shunran's pink hanfu with magenta ribbons and sash tied around her waist and magenta slippers emphasize her flexible elegance combined with her ferocious velocity, especially when her leopard blows, finger strikes, palm strikes, nerve strikes, tornado kicks, double flying kicks, and split kicks are in full force. Red roses and pink cherry blossoms may blossom and incense the garden with sweet, fragrant smells, but the moment when Ayame and Shunran strike with ferocity is the moment in which their brambles and thorns blind their enemies.
Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha, Shuran, Hakkaku, Ginta, Ayame, and Shunran may be powerful martial artists who can make their opponents and foes head for the hills and make them suffer nearly fatal blows. Nevertheless, they are seven Yokai warriors who treat each other like family and are utterly close-knit. Nothing and nobody can ever separate them, and they have teamwork and camaraderie to prove it.
I hope you all enjoyed this, and I will see you in the next submission. Take care, stay safe, and keep on kicking butt in the upcoming year, everybody.
Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha, Shuran, Hakkaku, Ginta, Ayame, and Shunran from Inuyasha belong to Rumiko Takahashi and Sunrise.
