Red Blue - Ch. 175 - Kureishi fight begins!

[MangaDex]

 

[Kireato]

He's really getting beaten down. Let's hope Aoba's no motion does land and that he can drag things to the ground. Not that it'll be easy winning there either.

 

[TheGreatALBundy]

Aoba will win but his no-motion isn't going to land. Kureishi has obviously seen him use it before and is purposefully baiting it out of him right now. Aoba 100% wins this fight though and goes on to fight Orima as Kenshin's cheery sunshine protagonist facade continues crumbling away.

 

[Etanks]

Kenshin rattled was creepy, like he's scared of anyone else being acknowledged as a rising star.

 

[0takuDragonSlayer]

as Kenshin's cheery sunshine protagonist facade continues crumbling away.

Kenshin rattled was creepy, like he's scared of anyone else being acknowledged as a rising star

This is unexpectedly becoming one of my favorite parts of the story. When this manga first started I was anticipating the usual sports manga approach of them eventually becoming best friends but I absolutely respect the author and Aoba for sticking to this path for better or for worse cuz man has it been entertaining

Watching Kenshin being forced to come to grips with the fact that his privilege can’t and won’t get him everything he wants has been fun.

I just really hope Aoba’s win here is satisfying and not forced. He needs a legit strategy and not just a submission motivation to beat basically a better version of himself

 

[0takuDragonSlayer]

Also, I just find it incredibly hilarious that most people reacting to the news. Think the champion is just joking.

Like, not a single person is even trying to theorized that he wants to make sure his Anti-Grappling is at its best before competing in the states where most of the MMA organizations are absolutely freaking infested with Grappling Specialists.

Everyone thinks Kenshin will beat the champ. Everyone assumes the champion would want to fight someone he’s already beaten up. Everyone assumes the champ will just do what the boss man says but nobody’s asking what happens if the champ just says “I don’t wanna”🙄

Edit Thank you guys for the translation!!!!

 

[TheGreatALBundy]

Like, not a single person is even trying to theorized that he wants to make sure his Anti-Grappling is at its best before competing in the states where most of the MMA organizations are absolutely freaking infested with Grappling Specialists.
if the champ just says “I don’t wanna”🙄

This exactly. Orima has repeatedly shown that he doesn't like the bossman's view on grapplers/ground fighters and he's a true lover and competitor of the sport. Aoba is someone that he sees potential in and as a good way to ensure that his overall game is up to snuff. It's the same reason he keeps going: "I really felt like I had unfinished business with Yamamoto." because he wanted to learn more from the old dude in a fight rather than a gym setting.

 

[tsuylen]

Honestly all of this theory crafting is making me love Orima more and more as a character
Its that great combination of performing kindness and open selfish gain.

 

[fatherraga]

Kenshin rattled was creepy, like he's scared of anyone else being acknowledged as a rising star.

It’s that hidden cocky and arrogant attitude showing. Aoba´s BEEN realised that,and is unsurprisingly the only one who can make Kenahen show his non cheerful side lmao.

 

[fatherraga]

Honestly all of this theory crafting is making me love Orima more and more as a character
Its that great combination of performing kindness and open selfish gain.

He’s Kenshin but without the constant fake positivit and that is what I enjoy about his character.

 

[0takuDragonSlayer]

This exactly. Orima has repeatedly shown that he doesn't like the bossman's view on grapplers/ground fighters and he's a true lover and competitor of the sport.
I’m sorry in advance for this

This is what I like so much about Orima. Yes, him beating up that YouTuber in sparring was a dick move but I just think that’s how his brain is wired when it comes to the sport. If you tell him to give exactly 60% he’ll go 60%. If you tell him a previous fight was supposed to be for the belt, he’s going to demand that the guy who won that fight gets the belt. Since Grappling is arguably the most important part of MMA he’s going to respect fighters who specialize in it more than the average person, and if he sees bias he calls it out

Cuz nothing related to the sport is a joke to him. To the point he and Aoba are kinda similar. Just like Aoba low key viewed getting attention from a female fan was a distraction Orima views his current opponent using MMA to pick up girls as annoying. Neither of them really care about what’s “socially acceptable”.

Aoba is someone that he sees potential in and as a good way to ensure that his overall game is up to snuff. It's the same reason he keeps going: "I really felt like I had unfinished business with Yamamoto." because he wanted to learn more from the old dude in a fight rather than a gym setting.

And like ya said here they seem to BOTH equally value the knowledge that Yamamoto has. To the point I imagine that the champ is also a cerebral fighter(he adapts well and if he sees a weakness he punishes you for it)like Aoba who values fight IQ and accumulation of experience cuz that’s what he needs. With the main difference being, the champ is just objectively more athletic.

 

[TheGreatALBundy]

I’m sorry in advance for this

Lmao, no apologies needed!

Yes, him beating up that YouTuber in sparring was a dick move but I just think that’s how his brain is wired when it comes to the sport.

I honestly didn't even view it as a dick move, really. I actually like Musuke myself -- man's just trying to make a living and enjoy his life. However, Orima did go: "Uhh you sure you want me at full power?" and kept to what the other side corrected. It's just that you can't tell a fighter like Orima: "Okay, get in this ring and use 60% but don't take it seriously." The muscle memory alone is going to make that impossible. Let alone the pride in their training and the fact injuries due to 'bad luck' instead of 'skill' aren't exactly uncommon.

Since Grappling is arguably the most important part of MMA he’s going to respect fighters who specialize in it more than the average person, and if he sees bias he calls it out Cuz nothing related to the sport is a joke to him. To the point he and Aoba are kinda similar. Just like Aoba low key viewed getting attention from a female fan was a distraction Orima views his current opponent using MMA to pick up girls as annoying. Neither of them really care about what’s “socially acceptable”.

I do think Aoba and Orima have a fair few similarities like you said. At least in terms of their demeanor during a fight and how they respond to fans. I don't think it's specifically a thing with girls but rather that Aoba has a track record for despising cheering in his direction. Kuroishi is 100% a scumbag though for trying and failing to pick up groupies lol

And like ya said here they seem to BOTH equally value the knowledge that Yamamoto has. To the point I imagine that the champ is also a cerebral fighter(he adapts well and if he sees a weakness he punishes you for it)like Aoba who values fight IQ and accumulation of experience cuz that’s what he needs. With the main difference being, the champ is just objectively more athletic.

100%, Yamamoto is far from the most talented fighter in the world but he's got a powerful foundation and a wealth of experience which has rounded him out well. Aoba is also right in his thinking in that one chapter about 'fight IQ' when he says that Kenshin's record of short fights are: "Entertaining but a waste" because Kenshin isn't gaining any real experience out of his gym. The main difference between Aoba & Orima though lies in one simple thing.

Yes, Aoba is a talented grappler/submission specialist but Orima has the talent + the physical fitness which Aoba simply doesn't have and likely is unable to get. Stamina for Aoba will always be his biggest weakness because the longer he strains himself the higher likelihood of him inciting an Asthma Attack. Despite that, Orima and Aoba share the experience & IQ which is probably a major reason Orima has little to no interest in Kenshin.

It's not: "Oh I beat him already." it's: "I'm not interested in humoring some nepotism child with little to no experience."

 

[0takuDragonSlayer]

I honestly didn't even view it as a dick move, really. I actually like Musuke myself -- man's just trying to make a living and enjoy his life. However, Orima did go: "Uhh you sure you want me at full power?" and kept to what the other side corrected. It's just that you can't tell a fighter like Orima: "Okay, get in this ring and use 60% but don't take it seriously." The muscle memory alone is going to make that impossible. Let alone the pride in their training and the fact injuries due to 'bad luck' instead of 'skill' aren't exactly uncommon.

That’s a fair stance. At the end the day you cannot tell a champion to hit you with over half their power and expect it to end well😅I say this as someone who has also gotten their shit kicked in by a pro fighter

Aoba is also right in his thinking in that one chapter about 'fight IQ' when he says that Kenshin's record of short fights are: "Entertaining but a waste" because Kenshin isn't gaining any real experience out of his gym.

this is honestly in my opinion, potentially his biggest crutch as a fighter. I’m probably being way too judgmental of a literal fictional teenager but no matter how many times I reread this series. It often feels like his family gym gives off less of the vibe of a hypercompetitive environment, and more of a Kenshin fan club.

Even someone who supposed to be his “Senpai” feels more like a Kouhai with the way he views kenshin. Which isn’t inherently bad, but it’s not HELPING. Even his most recent showing against the yoga master doesn’t feel like an improvement of skill, but rather just weaponizing his already crazy reflexes. I could be reaching here, but it feels like his gym mainly builds up his ego and athleticism rather than his mind as a fighter.

Stamina for Aoba will always be his biggest weakness because the longer he strains himself the higher likelihood of him inciting an Asthma Attack. Despite that, Orima and Aoba share the experience & IQ which is probably a major reason Orima has little to no interest in Kenshin.

WELL SAID

It's not: "Oh I beat him already." it's: "I'm not interested in humoring some nepotism child with little to no experience."

Yeah, his rocket metaphor when talking to the promoter perfectly reinforces this. Brother is having absolutely NONE of it.

 

[Henryvolt]

Nobkukichi Seems to have a not have lost yet in his professional fighter run. Kensington is considered undefeated despite only having 3 fights in his professional run. If Aoba beats a guy with bigger winning streak than him than what would that say?

 

[stephencry]

Not gonna lie can't wait to see kenshin's development.

He represents the type of people that have ability to compete, dominate and enjoy what they love (similar to top 1% in a profession). Adding to that is the fact that Japan in this manga enjoy fist fights - flashy and exciting, which is good to promote MMA but fail to reach the top notch of fighting - the beauty of grappling and lock (sorry for the terms, I dont watch real MMA). The setting makes his characteristic quite like a 10 years old boy: not afraid of anyone, thinking about a straight future, having all privilege to himself

That's why his reaction when the defending champion called out a "creep" like Aoba feel like a baby boy cant get the candy from the supermarket when he goes with his mom to shopping 🤨

To be honest I enjoy the rising figure of Aoba and keeping track of his goal: beat kenshin so bad