Headcanon. [Takasugi, Joui]
Everything You've Ever Wanted to Know About Takasugi (Maybe).
Takasugi Shinsuke, Pre-Canon.
Body and Appearance
1. Describe the character's height and build. Is he heavyset, thin, short, rangy?
Seeing as this is a much younger Takasugi than the one we meet in the current timeline of Gintama, I've pinned him at about 5"2-5"3 - short is therefore an understatement. I suppose, however, that in traditional Japanese standards, this might be all right...
He's a thin one: not scrawny, of course. It's obvious that he's spent his life training, learning how to fight, and applying what he's learned on the battlefield. Still, he'd probably be better off with just a bit more meat on his bones. The war has taken a physical toll on him; who knows the sort of conditions he's had to slug through so far, for the cause?
2. How old is he?
Sixteen years and a couple of months. Canon still isn't clear on exactly when Shouyo's boys picked up their swords and participated in the Amanto War, so I've taken some liberties in that direction.
3. Describe his posture. Does he carry himself well or does he slouch?
Tall and upright, as if he isn't sixteen and isn't on the short side at all. Slouching is unbecoming of a samurai!
4. How is his health? Is he fit or out of shape? Any illnesses or conditions? Any physical disabilities?
Definitely fit as a fiddle and then some, with absolutely no physical disabilities whatsoever.
5. How does he move? Is he clumsy, graceful, tense, fluid?
Anyone watching Takasugi move about will find it hard to believe that he's just a kid - he carries himself with 100% confidence and not a single ounce of bravado, or any of the usual swagger that boys his age tends to possess. The only thing that might betray his age would be his doggedness, his restlessness: it's almost like he can't really sit or lounge around quietly unless something or someone manages to command his attention, or be worthy of it. When that is found, however, it's almost eerie how quickly he'll go still.
On the battlefield, Takasugi seems to become a different person. All of the pent up energy he possesses focuses with deadly precision, commanding every reflex, every twitch. He wastes no time and no movement. It's almost as if he was born on the battlefield, and is therefore one with it.
6. How attractive is this character physically? How does he perceive himself in the mirror?
With his clean face, smooth looks and steady gaze, it should be safe to say that Takasugi is VERY attractive. He doesn't think all that much about it, however, beyond the fact that he understands on a pragmatic level that being fastidious about one's appearances and the way one conducts himself makes it easier for him to connect with people, and therefore get them to trust him or give him what he needs when he requires it.
Suffice to say, it's not his looks and self-image that bother Takasugi. More on that in the succeeding questions.
7. Describe his complexion. Dark, light, clear, scarred?
Sun-touched, definitely, given all the time he's spent on the battlefield, and clear.
8. Describe his hair: color, texture, style.
Shortis, a little tousled, maybe even messy to some. It's a strange sort of black that borders on being purple/violet, and it's thin, which might be strange to some (it's easy to think that he has thick hair, given the way it looks). He just happens to have a lot of it on his head.
9. What color are his eyes?
A deep moss green, which must be very odd for many of his own countrymen, with their usual shades of brown, to look at.
10. Does the character have any other noteworthy features?
None.
11. What are his chief tension centers?
Around his mouth, between his eyebrows and his shoulders.
12. What is the character's wardrobe like? Casual, dressy, utilitarian? Bright colors, pastels, neutrals? Is it varied, or does he have six of the same suit?
Casual and utilitarian, with a clear preference for dark colors and neutrals... about the only "bright" color that he goes for is red, and it would be next to impossible to catch him in anything pastel or lively looking (and don't bother trying to get him in them, he'll cut you). He's not picky about what he wears, and while he isn't the type who'd subsist on the same damned thing for an entire week, he certainly won't spend hours shopping for just that right pair of pants or that perfect shirt.
13. Do his clothes fit well? Does he seem comfortable in them?
Yes, and yes. He seems to be the type who could look comfortable in anything, or nothing at all.
14. Does he dress the same on the job as he does in his free time? If not, what are the differences?
No. Takasugi will never go to the battlefield without his 'uniform' - his trademark coat with samurai armor, or traditional garb for the top with dark pants, then the headguard/bandana of the Joui cause - on his person. He'd never wear that sort of thing off the field: that would be dishonoring what those clothes represent for him.
On a casual day, he'll go either for traditional clothes - kimono top, hakama and all - contemporary casual or something remarkably similar to Sakata Gintoki's get-up, although with no white and less color.
15. You knew it was coming: Boxers, briefs or commando?
FUNDOSHI.
No, really. If he was going traditional, that's what he'd use. If he's in anything else, however, he's a briefs sort of guy.
Speech
1. What does this character's voice sound like? High-pitched, deep, hoarse?
A little deep and low for his age. He's only recently picked up smoking, so that habit hasn't quite destroyed the clarity or strength of his voice yet.
2. How does he normally speak? Loud, soft, fast, evenly? Does he talk easily, or does he hesitate?
Quietly and evenly, with a distant, stiff sort of politeness - it isn't easy to impress this boy, and with good reason given how sharp he is. He rarely ever hesitates; it's almost like he knows exactly what needs to be said in any situation, or, in the cases where his temper takes over, he doesn't care WHAT he's saying, only that the other party hears him clear as crystal.s
3. Does the character have a distinct accent or dialect? Any individual quirks of pronunciation? Any, like, you know, verbal tics?
Accent neutral. People will notice, off the bat, that he speaks like an adult, and doesn't use slang. He doesn't swear all that often either - he saves that for dramatic effect.
4. What language/s does he speak, and with how much fluency?
Japanese with complete fluency, Chinese with confidence (from school), Korean with confidence (from personal study), and bits of Portugese, Dutch and English from contact with foreign sailors. He's also picked up some Amanto dialects - one must know thy enemy, correct?
5. Does he switch languages or dialects in certain situations?
No, he wouldn't. He's a bit of a purist in that direction... you don't BLEND languages together. That's just uncouth.
6. Is he a good impromptu speaker, or does he have to think about his words?
He's an incredibly good impromptu speaker. Having to think about what to say next isn't something he's had to experience very often.
7. Is he eloquent or inarticulate? Under what circumstances might this change?
Incredibly eloquent and fluid enough to deal with just about any situation. In matters of the heart, however, along with personal issues - like, let's say, family, friends, or his comrades - he may find himself at a loss for words. Also, he's got a temper: if he's provoked, he might not be able to be nearly as cutting or witty as he usually is.
Mental and Emotional
1. How intelligent is this character? Is he book-smart or street-smart?
Both - Takasugi is, in fact, nothing short of brilliant. He's one of those blessed few who just absorb information of all kinds with the same sort of ease that people have with breathing.
2. Does he think on his feet, or does he need time to deliberate?
Definitely the kind who can think on his feet and respond immediately to almost any situation he's given. Furthermore, the response he has is often the correct one.
3. Describe the character's thought process. Is he more logical, or more intuitive? Idealistic or practical?
Takasugi would personally like to believe that he's logical and pracical at all times, but that could not be farther from the truth in many circumstances. His instincts often react faster than his mind and heart do, giving him inklings, suspicions and feelings that he may not be able to fully comprehend for himself. It only comes together later - be it a few seconds later, or minutes, or hours, or days - once the connections have been made.
It's also important to note that Takasugi's an incredibly idealistic person. His perceived pragmatism is directed by his need to fight and live for what he believes in, even if it'll end up costing him.
4. What kind of education has the character had?
Takasugi's family, I think, bounced him back and forth between different private tutors - the best that money could buy for literature, philosophy, math and swordplay. The young lord, however, did not take to ANY of them, and as such, they did not last very long... that many of them did not know how to handle a child that temperamental and brilliant certainly didn't help things. Things only changed after he became a part of Shouyo's school. It was that man's teachings that make Takasugi who he is at present.
5. What are his areas of expertise? What, if anything, is he interested in learning more about?
Swordplay, wielding a variety of other traditional weapons (especially if they're blades, or possess some sort of short edge), strategy and philosophy. He's content with learning whatever he needs to in any given circumstance.
6. Is he an introvert or an extrovert?
It might be hard to pin him as either. He doesn't feel the need to reach out to people in general, but he doesn't isolate himself completely, nor is he intimidated by crowds or one-on-one encounters with strangers. Perhaps he's closer to an introvert, given how private he is.
7. Describe the character's temperament. Is he even-tempered or does he have mood swings? Cheerful or melancholy? Laid-back or driven?
Even if he's calm and quiet on the surface, Takasugi's actually a bit like a pendulum. When he's up, he's really up. When he's down, he's really, really down. Another possible way of describing Takasugi might be a storm. Still on the get go, but one bad turn of the weather can unleash the full fury of all that energy, rage, frustration and whatever else on his oftentimes unsuspecting victims.
It must also be said that Takasugi takes pretty much everything very seriously, for better or for worse, and his cause defines him. He lives and breathes the fight and his master's beliefs, and does not take to slights towards these things lightly.
8. How does he respond to new people or situations? Is he suspicious, relaxed, timid, enthusiastic?
Well enough, albeit on the guarded, often disinterested side. This shouldn't be too surprising, given the fact that he can read people with frightening accuracy. Most meet up exactly to his expectations, and thus quickly become uninteresting to him until proven otherwise.
9. Is he more likely to act, or to react?
Act, always and ever.
10. Which is his default: fight or flight?
Fight, fight, fight.
11. Describe the character's sense of humor. Does he appreciate jokes? Puns? Gallows humor? Bathroom humor? Pranks?
Dry, witty and a bit on the dark side. Jokes and puns are well and good, provided that they're intelligent. He feels that he is beneath toilet humor, and thinks pranks are childish.
12. Does the character have any diagnosable mental disorders? If yes, how does he deal with them?
Perhaps if dangerous idealism and a tendency towards obsession towards his master and the cause Shouyo espoused in him were disorders, then that would be that. He hasn't been tipped off the edge just yet, but, as canon will prove, all of that loss and death and destruction does drive him over the edge in the end. I'll elaborate on this in my other headcanon thing, for the older Takasugi.
13. What moments in this character's life have defined him as a person?
At the moment, the biggest defining instance was probably Takasugi's encounter with Shouyo, and the time he spent as the man's student. Canon has not provided us any information on how this actually happened, but I am one to believe that, as mentioned in the section on Takasugi's education, Shouyo was the last and greatest of Takasugi's teachers. Had this man not touched Takasugi's life, it is almost certain that Takasugi would be a very, VERY different person.
In that light, one wonders if that contact was ever good or bad in the long run, given what Takasugi becomes later on in Gintama.
14. What does he fear?
Takasugi's greatest fear is abandonment. In actuality (and this probably would come as a surprise to people who have encountered him), Takasugi does not think very highly of himself. He believes, fundamentally, that he's a useless person, and that his skills and talents will never be enough. The fact that Gintoki and Katsura - his brothers-in-arms - appear to be better than he is in all departments does not help things. He has often wondered if there will come a day when the two will end up leaving him behind for good.
His next big fear is that he'll end up dying before he can accomplish anything. Takasugi feels that he's one of the only people who can truly fulfill Shouyo's vision for the future, and live every word and tenant of the man's philosophy - it's the one purpose he's given himself. If he fails in this, then he feels that he truly is worthless.
In Soul Campaign, the fear that takes precedence over everything else is that he might already be walking down the wrong path. Gintoki and Katsura have already told him what he becomes in the future - this news was, suffice to say, incredibly disturbing. It made Takasugi doubt himself completely, made him wonder about every decision he's made and also made him think back to the times where he was weak, where a darker side of his personality - the one that likes the challenge and lives to fight, the one who knows how to read people and make them bend any which way on a word - appeared to take over. He knows that he ultimately loses, that his friends end up having to leave him, and that he ends up wanting to kill them. He fears that he may not have the strength to be worthy of their attentions in the second chance that they've been given in Death City, with the war.
15. What are his hopes or aspirations?
To live the cause, fight the good fight, and kick the Amanto out of his country. As long as this happens, he doesn't mind dying.
In Soul Campaign, however, when he already knows that Japan loses and the aliens destroy all that he holds dear AND he snaps, Takasugi only wants to be worthy of his friends. He wants to protect them somehow, and doesn't want to be a burden. They've already got to deal with the fact that in the future, there is no room for reconciliation between them. Maybe in Death City, it can be different.
16. What is something he doesn't want anyone to find out about him?
He doesn't want anybody to see just how deep his doubts and insecurities about everything, most especially himself, lie. He feels they may end up turning on him.
Relationships
1. Describe this character's relationship with his parents.
There's no real relationship to describe since they were never really there for them. It wasn't that they didn't love him - it was that they were too busy doing too many other things. They tried to spoil him with the best that money could get him - toys, books, clothes, the best education, the best servants, the best play mates - but nothing can really compensate for the absence of a father and mother.
2. Does the character have any siblings? What is/was their relationship like?
No siblings. He's the one and only young master of the Takasugi Family.
3. Are there other blood relatives to whom he is close? Are there ones he can't stand?
None. The clan didn't really get together all that often, and he had no cousins close to his age.
4. Are there other, unrelated people whom he considers part of his family? What are his relationships with them?
Shouyo, the last and best of his teachers, basically became Takasugi's surrogate father. He gave everything the boy needed and was looking for, and Takasugi attempted to reciprocate this in undying affection and devotion.
5. Who is/was the character's best friend? How did they meet?
Best friends and rivals, actually: Sakata Gintoki and Katsura Kotaro. He met the two of them at Shouyo's school, and after some serious childhood clashes, the three were eventually inseperable. They balanced each other out precisely because they were all so different, and thus compensated for whatever the other lacked.
Those are the basic details, anyway. Words can't really describe, accurately, the complexities behind the relationship Takasugi has with Gintoki and Katsura. Perhaps the closest analogy one can think of is to regard them as each other's limbs, hearts and lungs. They really can't function without each other; to attempt to do so would be devastating. Even with all the insecurities he has and the way he lashes out at them, Takasugi can't ever cut these two out of his life. He does, of course, end up trying to chase after them to the bitter end.
6. Does he have other close friends?
Sakamoto Tatsuma, a young man that he, Gintoki and Katsura end up meeting during the Amanto War. Sakamoto, no doubt, irritated Takasugi off the bat the first few times, but there was no denying the fact that they shared similar beliefs. The fact that Sakamoto was an amazing swordsman and charismatic leader probably helped.
7. Does he make friends easily, or does he have trouble getting along with people?
While he can get along with people incredibly easily, developing friendships is another thing altogether. Takasugi is a private and guarded individual, slow to trust and very quick to clam up and lock people out when he feels threatened in any fashion. The friends he DOES have, so far, were the sort that forced themselves into Takasugi's life and held on to him, beating the stubbornness out of him.
8. Which does he consider more important: family or friends?
Friends, since they become his family. It's his means, perhaps, of replacing the blood relatives who were never there for him.
9. Is the character single, married, divorced, widowed? Has he been married more than once?
Technically, he's single. In reality, he's married to the cause.
10. Is he currently in a romantic relationship with someone other than a spouse?
Nope. He's had a lot of flings, of course - he's a growing boy, after all, with needs - but he makes it a point to never get serious.
11. Who was his first crush? Who is his latest?
He's never had any. Eyes on the fight, baby.
12. What does he look for in a romantic partner?
Nothing to look for, because he isn't interested.
13. Does the character have children? Grandchildren? If yes, how does he relate to them? If no, does he want any?
Haha, no and definitely no.
14. Does he have any rivals or enemies?
The only 'rivals' he acknowledges are Gintoki and Katsura. The only enemies he has are the Amanto, and all who deign to aid them.
15. What is the character's sexual orientation? Where does he fall on the Kinsey scale?
A solid three, if only because he doesn't have any experience with other boys or men. He's not homophobic in the slightest, although he will respond to the subject of homosexuality and to homosexual men and boys as most typical teens his age would: with a bit of natural aversion, and some frowning. With some persuasion, however, or in odd circumstances, he might just bend.
16. How does he feel about sex? How important is it to him?
Sex is a biological need to him, just as much as eating, defecacting, urinating or passing wind are. He'll fulfill this need when he has to, and make it as pleasurable as he can for both parties.
17. What are his turn-ons? Turn-offs? Weird bedroom habits?
Definitely a bit of a conservative in bed: he doesn't go for anything incredibly wild, and prefers to sleep with his partners in clean, civilized and private places. He also likes to know that the person he's sleeping with isn't going to give him anything strange.
He'll always take a shower after sleeping with anyone. Nothing personal: it's just more comfortable that way.
Beliefs
1. Do you know your character's astrological (zodiac of choice) sign? How well does he fit type?
It's not possible to check up on Takasugi's Chinese Zodiac sign since the dates in Gintama are vague, so we'll go for the zodiac. As he was born on August 10, he'd be a Leo.
Yes, it fits him very, very well.
2. Is this character religious, spiritual, both, or neither? How important are these elements in his life?
Religion is an abstraction to Takasugi, and he doesn't feel particularly spiritual about anything. He's one for the concrete, the tangible, the achievable - perhaps it's odd, then, that he's so protective of Shouyo's philosophy.
3. Does this character have a personal code of morals or ethics? If so, how did that begin? What would it take to compromise it?
Takasugi follows the code of bushido down to a tee, with its sense of personal honor, dignity, obedience towards one's superiors and fighting spirit. He will not compromise this, no matter what.
4. How does he regard beliefs that differ from his? Is he tolerant, intolerant, curious, indifferent?
He's tolerant in so far as other beliefs will not get in his way. He is, however, inclined to think less of people who don't adhere to the same, strict moral code that he does.
5. What prejudices does he hold? Are they irrational or does he have a good reason for them?
He's definitely got a grudge against the Amanto. Human foreigners were one thing; these invaders from outer space are quite another. They are the demons he seeks to exorcise from his country, even if exorcism entails him cutting down every last one of them.
I suppose he has a very good reason for hating these guys. They took Shouyo away from him, after all.
Daily Life
1. What is the character's financial situation? Is he rich, poor, comfortable, in debt?
He was incredibly rich and comfortable by merit of his family. He has, however, taken his inheritence and abandoned his family in order to form the Kihetai and fight against the Amanto. The money he makes from here on doesn't stay with him personally: it goes straight to the war effort. He lives frugally and relishes in it.
2. What is his social status? Has this changed over time, and if so, how has the change affected him?
Currently the leader of a very young but powerful group of fighters, all of which are bound together by their deep-seated hatred of the Amanto and their deep admiration for Takasugi. This has affected him in a positive light, as he knew very little happiness as the one son and heir of the Takasugi Family.
3. Where does he live? House, apartment, trailer? Is his home his castle or just a place to crash? What condition is it in? Does he share it with others?
He lives wherever the winds of the battle against the Amanto take him, no matter how grand or squallid they happen to be. He's always sharing it either with his men from the Kihetai, or with Gintoki, Katsura and Sakamoto.
4. Besides the basic necessities, what does he spend his money on?
Snuff, tobacco and cloves for his pipe, and the occasional geisha from the pleasure quarters or the teahouses.
5. What does he do for a living? Is he good at it? Does he enjoy it, or would he rather be doing something else?
He's the leader of the Kihetai, he's very, very good at it, and he enjoys it to the fullest.
6. What are his interests or hobbies? How does he spend his free time?
Outside of everyting related to the cause and bettering himself as a warrior, Takasugi's only really interested in reading. Nothing else can hold his attention.
7. What are his eating habits? Does he skip meals, eat out, drink alcohol, avoid certain foods?
Being constantly on the battlefield and living in all sorts of conditions has made Takasugi prone to eating on the go and occasionally skipping a meal or two altogether. He's not messy regardless of the circumstances he may find himself in at any given time, and does enjoy a good cup of sake once in a while. He's also got a preference for clean flavors, and does not like sweet things.
Associations
Which of the following do you associate with the character, or which is his favorite:
1. Color? Crimson or purple
2. Smell? Cloves
3. Time of day? Dawn
4. Season? Autumn
5. Book? Albert Camus' The Stranger
6. Music? Alternative rock and industrial
7. Place? Shouyo's school
8. Substance? Fine sake
9. Plant? Japanese Maple Tree
10. Animal? Wolf
END
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