|
Benizakura (紅桜)
| |
|
| |
|
Breed
|
Tosa
|
|
Affiliation
|
|
|
First appearance
|
GNG vol 8, GNG ep 15
|
|
Last appearance
|
GNG vol 12, GNG ep 19
|
|
Status
|
Deceased (drowned)
|
|
Family or owners
|
Chako (mother), Jirokichi and 1 unnamed brother, the Ishii family (original owners), mister Aoshima (2nd owner and trainer), Nobuo (3rd and last owner)
|
|
Voiced by
|
Takeshi Aono
|
|
Meaning of Name
|
Crimson Cherry Blossom
|
|
Place of Birth
|
Sannohe, Aomori Prefecture
|
|
Age
|
12 years old
|
Benizakura is a legendary fighting dog also known as Umibōzu and the world's strongest dog.
Appearance
Benizakura is a dark brown Tosa dog.
He had paler belly and white above his black eyes.
He originally had drop ears but he lost them and also got scars on his face during the battle against Tsuna Arashi.
In the GNG anime, his belly was darker in color than his back, while in the manga it is other way around.
Personality
Benizakura is a serious and fearless dog. He was like that even as a young dog and he showed no fear even when facing much bigger dogs.
He is helpful and quite a gentleman, as he helps the young orphan boy and then Cross.
Being an old fighter, he enjoys the idea of meeting opponents strong enough to give him a challenge. He doesn't want to return to dog fighting, though, because what happened to Tsuna Arashi made him dislike the idea of dog fighting.
Benizakura is very humble, often just calling himself an old man and not boasting about his strength nor glorious past. Being an old dog, he wants to be a role model to the youngsters.
Though experienced, he can be a bit impulsive and grumpy at the times. And though very strong, it should be noted that he isn't very skilled fighter.
Benizakura in Ginga Nagereboshi Gin
Benizakura was once raised and trained as a fighting dog, and was undefeated until he met Tsuna Arashi. However hard either dog fought, their battle ended in a draw, with Benizakura losing both ears to Tsuna Arashi. Benizakura trained for years, preparing for his next fight with Tsuna Arashi - when the opportunity never came, he grew restless and escaped his masters to challenge Tsuna Arashi on his own. Eventually finding his old rival, he was shocked to discover that the former champion, now blind, had been retired and was used as a punching bag for other fighting dogs in training.
Benizakura in the anime
In his anger, Benizakura killed the dogs that were attacking Tsuna Arashi and fled back into the woods. Wilson told Benizakura's story to Gin, and Gin was so impressed he decided to find the fighting legend and recruit him to their cause.
With Wilson's guidance, Gin found Benizakura fighting a bull, and challenged him as an excuse to meet him. Although Benizakura pinned Gin at the end of their fight, he was impressed by the bearhound's courage and decided to join Gin's pack.
During the battles against Akakabuto's generals, Benizakura was credited with being the only dog capable of solo fighting a bear (Mosa), but was critically injured while trying to save Moss. Eventually he dragged Mosa down to the bottom of a lake and tied him to a log, but his leg was caught in the rope he had used. Gin came down to save Benizakura, but Benizakura hit him with his front paw and sent him back to the top of the lake, thereby sacrificing himself to ensure Mosa died with him. Upon his death, the blood from his injuries rose to the lake's surface in the form of a cherry flower - Benizakura's namesake - and the pack mourned the passing of, truly, the strongest dog in the world.
Benizakura in Ginga Densetsu Weed
In the anime, Benizakura appears as a spirit in the final battle and as one characters in the sky in the ending. In the manga and anime, he appears among the Ohu spirits in the last fight against Hougen. In the manga, he talks while in the anime, he does not speak.
Quotes
"The last responsibility of an old soldier is to be an example for young fighters!"
- Benizakura as he attacks Ginga Nagareboshi Gin, volume 12
"I die for my friends! There is no better end!"
- Some of Benizakura's last thoughts. Ginga Nagareboshi Gin, volume 12
"To leave a guide for the next generation of bear dogs... This is the way a fighting dog dies!"
- Benizakura before taking Mosa under water Ginga Nagareboshi Gin, episode 19
"Goodbye, Gin. Become a great warrior!"
- Benizakura's last thought in the anime Ginga Nagareboshi Gin, episode 19
Trivia
- He is Yoshihiro Takahashi's favorite character.
- He is mentioned to be 10 years old by mistake in both the manga and the anime. He is 12 years old.
See more pictures in Benizakura (Photo Gallery).