Masataka Takayanagi
Masataka is the younger brother of Mitsuomi Takayanagi, but the two are not on good terms. Masataka is an average high school student at first glance, but he is a surprisingly powerful martial artist. He is always a formidable fighter, but he becomes much more dangerous when he is serious or angered. He actually is easygoing and somewhat shy. However, his inner nature is perverted, even though he dislikes this part of himself. Masataka falls in love with Aya Natsume at first sight, but is disheartened when she falls in love with Souichiro Nagi instead. He has maintained a crush on her, yet is oblivious to the other girls who have a crush on him. After the incident at the bowling alley, when he is greeted by some blushing girls from Todo Academy, he is seemly ignorant of their intentions. Later Madoka Mawari develops a crush on him that he is also unaware of even though it is very obvious to some of the other characters.
Aya describes him as the calm surface that gently envelops the rapids, given his typically calm nature, power, skill, and disposition for protection. At one point, Shinichiro Kurei notes that Masataka is second only to Maya in the Juken Club, in terms of power and reliability in combat. Masataka seems to hold great respect for Bunsichi Tawara as Bunshichi is powerful and compassionate much like Masataka himself, yet Masataka sees Bunshichi’s ability as far surpassing his own. Bunshichi states that he wants him to create his own place in this world.
Details
Special abilities: Forged Needle, Spirit Universe Disintegrating Horse Hoove Fist (Shini Rikugou Batei Houken), Eight Way Fracas Blast (Hakka Soudoushyou), Massive Phoenix Spreading Wings Backpassing Fist
Age: 16
Birthday: November 23
Class: 2nd year student of Todo Academy
Known relatives: Takayanagi Dougen (Father), Takayanagi Mitsuomi (Brother)
Masataka is a practitioner of Xinyi Liuhe (????, Heart and Mind Six Harmonies), the Henan Branch of Xingyiquan (???), one of the three main internal styles. Information in chapter 70 suggests that the style is actually Xingyi, as he uses the 5-element theory, normally absent in the Xinyi Liuhe version of the art. His use of Hakka Soudou Sho indicates cross-training in Baguazhang, a common practice among Xingyi practitioners. In his fight with Madoka, he is revealed to be an anti-weapons specialist. When he is described as an anti-weapons specialist, it is mentioned that Kenpo waits for an opening before it attacks, and when it was created it was always assumed the opponent would have a weapon. He also has a transformation known as Rage although he has yet to control it.