| “ | Though Otokojuku's textbooks have the word "death", they do not have the word "defeat"! | „ |
| ~ Momotaro Tsurugi |
Momotaro Tsurugi, also known as Momo by his friends, is the main protagonist of the Shonen Jump Martial arts swordfighting comedy manga and anime, Sakigake!! Otokojuku, a supporting character in its sequel Akatsuki!! Otokojuku: Seinen yo, Taishi wo Idake and a recurring character in the spin-off manga Sora Yori Takaku. He is the head of the first-year class of Otokojuku and later on the Prime Minister of Japan and father of Shishimaru Tsurugi.
In the anime he is voiced by Hideyuki Hori, who also voices Ryu Hayabusa in the Ninja Gaiden series and Phoenix Ikki in Saint Seiya. In the live action film he is portrayed by Tak Sakaguchi.
Appearance[]
In line with other manly manga protagonists originated in the 80's, Momotaro is an imposing young man, standing at 6'1 and showing a great muscular build for his age. As opposed to most of his classmates he lacks facial hair and scars, being the most traditionally handsome out of his class. He has short black hair and is always seen wearing a white headband which he can also infuse with Ki to use as a weapon during fierce battles. It is also noted in the prequel that Momo greatly resembles his father Jotaro, while his son Shishimaru seems to have inherited his looks too.
Momo wears the traditional uniform of Otokojuku like all his classmates do, though he occasionally discards it during his toughest fights, fighting bare-chested. He can be seen wearing bandages under his clothes, wrapped around his waist and wrists. True to the spirit of Samurai, Momo owns a sword that he carries at all times sheathed under a red hilt.
Years later in the sequel and spin-off manga, Momotaro can be seen with a more formal look, fitting for his age and status. He wears classy suits when discussing politics and he combs his hair back. When he is called back into action though he reverts back to his old looks, wearing his Otokojuku uniform and headband albeit with an aged appearance. He has various scars all over his torso as a reminder of the battles he fought in his youth, something he reflects proudly on.
Personality[]
Momo is known among his friends for his calm demeanor and cool attitude. While the manga starts out with him already a part of the school and a leader to his classmates, the anime instead fleshes out their relationships from Momo's arrival, showing how he becomes the voice of reason and a role model to the other students by pushing them to improve themselves. At first his outlook clashes with his classmate Genji Togashi and his reckless behavior but the two quickly become good friends, with Togashi sticking his neck out for him more than once.
As a honorable warrior, Momotaro is not as quick to pick a fight as his classmates, instead choosing to keep an analytical view before jumping in. Nevertheless, he will always step in when he witnesses an injustice, being more than capable of severely punishing those he considers to be scum.
Despite his many rivalries over the series, Momo can show a respectful side towards his foes. He has a tendency to befriend his main opponents after their defeats. He also develops a brotherly bond with some of his upper classmen such as Gouji Akashi and Daigouin Jaki who despite starting out as enemies were also honorable fighters deep down, earning Momo's respect.
Momo also shows a soft spot for animals, having peacefully tamed a tiger and befriended him during one of the school's challenges.
History[]
Background[]
Momotaro is the son of politician Jotaro Tsurugi. While there's little known for certain about Momotaro's past, it is shown in the prequel that his father met and befriended the principal of Otokojuku, Edajima Heihachi, some time after World War 2 when the two worked at Japan's National Diet. This would lead to Momotaro being enrolled in the Otokojuku school for young men where he would find his place as a man of Yamato much like his father would have intended.
Sakigake!! Otokojuku[]
The anime differs slightly from the manga in that it first covers Momo's arrival and first days in Otokojuku. Here he is introduced as a dropout from an elite high school whose tough character puts him at odds with his elders and even fellow students.
Once in Otokojuku he meets the core group of his class, led by Genji Togashi. When he first joins the main group they don't get along too well, with their differing views making them clash often but eventually Momo gains their trust and even friendship after a showing his qualities, so he becomes the leader of the First Years. After this the plot follows the manga closely.
During his first days in Otokojuku Momo and his team face various opponents and dangers, ranging from the cruel 2nd years of the school led by fellow swordsman and warrior Gouji Akashi and the merciless Otokojuku instructors, to a class of American exchange students trained in the military represented by a young boxer named J. Through his iron will and martial arts prowess coupled with the support of his friends, Momotaro is able to overcome these challenges, even befriending rivals like Akashi and J in the process.
At the Gakuensai festival, the school was nearly hit by the Kanto Gogakuren army. Momotaro picked out J, Genji Togashi and Ryuji Toramaru to fight against the Gogakuren president, Omito Date and the San Menken at the Kyoura Daiyon Kyousatsu. He was rescued at the end of the competition along with his comrades secretly by the 3rd years of Otokojuku.
The 3rd years then challenged Momotaro, his old allies and his new allies, the somehow rescued Date and the San Menken to the Dai Ishin Pa-Lien Seiha tournament. The 1st years won the tournament, but with a cost. Later, Momotaro and his group participate in the Tenchou Gorin Dai Bukai under instructions from Heihachi Edajima. He also survived the tournament.
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