Kenji Oja

Kenji Oja
Rice	400/500/600
Water	0
Hitpoints	--
Yin/Yang	1
Melee	Cutting
Missile/Ranged	None / Explosive
Strengths	None
Weaknesses	None
Passive	Inspiration: While Kenji is fighting, has a chance to give bonus damage to nearby allied units.

Kenji is a Zen Master of the Dragon Clan or the Serpent Clan in the original Battle Realms campaign, "Kenji's Journey". He serves as the game's one of the main protagonists, other being Grayback.

Background

Kenji Oja, also known as "the Serpent's Son", is the last heir to the throne of the Serpent Clan. He has an older brother named Taro who is a prideful coward that often pretends to be more powerful than he truly is. Kenji is also a direct descendant of Tarrant the Elder, the famous Serpent Clan leader who led his people away from a life-threatening force that mysteriously appeared from the north and who miraculously formed the protective island where the inhabitants of Battle Realms currently reside.

As a child, Kenji was known as "Little Dragon" for his fiery debates with his father, Lord Oja, who ruled over the Serpent people in a somewhat less honorable manner than Tarrant and his other ancestors once did. Whether he viewed his father's rule as merely ineffective or outright dishonorable is up for debate, and he made no secret about his misgivings. When Kenji was seen hovering over the body of his father's bloody corpse that one fateful night, he was immediately blamed for the murder of his father, and to avoid certain death Kenji fled the Serpent Clan for a self-imposed exile that lasted nearly seven years.

Kenji recently returned to his homeland to set things right... Although what Kenji Oja now classifies as "right" is anyone's guess.

While on his way back into the homeland, Kenji sees a peasant telling him to run from Shinja's men before fleeing the scene. The Bandits soon make their apperance, spot Kenji and tell him to slay some villagers if Kenji is interested in joining Shinja's "band" of bandits.

It is at this point where Kenji must decide the fate of his journey and his own moral path...

Kenji's Journey (Dragon Path)

The darkness will always be out there, trying to make us afraid. But we'll hide no longer. We face the future a united land. I am Kenji, Lord of the Dragon Clan. It's time to make the shadows afraid.

— Kenji Oja

Kenji decides to aid the peasants from the bandits, knowing that they will surely perish without his aid.

After a tiring battle, the peasants manage to rout the bandits, thanks to Kenji's aid. Kenji then meets Otomo, his old friend and mentor, though a peasant recognizes Kenji as a murderer exclaiming that "He killed his own father!". Otomo apologises for the peasant's behaviour (and reprimands the peasant), and invites Kenji to take tea in his house, an offer Kenji accepts.

In the aftermath of the ensuing discussion they decide that they must free the people from Shinja's Band of Bandits and the other Clans fighting over the rest of the land.

Kenji's Journey (Serpent Path)

I am Kenji, Lord of the Serpent Clan, and my ancestor broke the world. For two centuries, my people hid, praying for the Dragon's protection. But the Dragon was only a myth. The meek and useless are all gone now. The last of the cowards died with the traitor Otomo. We are purified at last. It's time to make the shadows afraid.

— Kenji Oja

Kenji decides that the villagers must learn their place and aids the Bandits in their assault.

Although the peasants try to fight off the bandits, they are helpless when Kenji joins the fight. With no mercy being given from neither Kenji nor the Bandits, the village is burnt to the ground and sacked. The Bandit Captain of the assaulting group recognizes Kenji as the heir to the Serpent Throne and offers his allegiance (and the allegiance of his men), which Kenji accepts.

Kenji then decides that he will rule the entire land and all its peoples with an iron fist, due to his belief that Shinja's and Otomo's rivalry and strife has weakened the Serpent Clan.

Outfits & Fighting Styles

Kenji goes through three different changes in both the Dragon & Serpent storylines:

Appearances

• Kenji's first appearance is that of a lone traveler, wearing peasant clothes, a straw hat, and a backpack with a bedroll where he places his sword.
• His second outfit goes for a military look; discarding the hat while wearing a shoulder plate, shinguards, a back scabbard, and a handguard for his sword. Kenji also carries a new flintlock pistol, giving him a ranged attack.
• Kenji's third and final form depicts him as a traditional Japanese warrior. His Dragon outfit consists of straw sandals, a kimono and hakama. His Serpent outfit discards the kimono and goes bare chested, exposing a serpent back tattoo. He places his katana inside a scabbard at his side, and still carries the same gun.

Fighting Styles

• As a traveler, Kenji's fighting style consists of simple slashes, thrusts, jumping stabs & spinning attacks (which inspire allies beside him).
• Kenji's second appearance emphasizes on technical strikes and kicks. His pistol gives him the ability to fight from afar and attack while placed on a watchtower.
• Wearing a Japanese outfit, Kenji's fighting style is now that of a Samurai, using quick slashes and jabs. He favors unsheathing his blade quickly, striking fast, then resheathing. He still retains his gun for long range attacks.

After receiving the Dragon's spirit in the Dragon Clan campaign, Kenji acquires a glowing aura, high stamina, and overwhelming attack power & hitpoints.

Trivia

• Kenji is the only character in the original Battle Realms who changes his outfit several times
• Kenji is only playable in the original Battle Realms Campaign, Kenji's Journey, excluding modified Skirmish games.
• Data found on file Battle Realms.dat indicates that Kenji's critical strike deal 160 Piercing damage as bonus damage, and thus, it is subject to the opponent's resistance against Piercing attack.
• When idling in his 2nd outfit, Kenji will perform a fighting exhibition, formally bowing once it's done.

Gallery

Kenji Concept Art

Kenji Concept Art

Kenji as a Dragon

Kenji as a Serpent

Quotes (Move)

Both

• "Yes"

Dragon

• "I move"
• "Uh"
• "Uh-huh"
• "Over there!"
• "Hmmm...?"
• "Agreed"

Serpent

• "(Grunting voices)"
• "For the Serpent!"
• "Alright"

Quotes (Attack)

Both

• "Charge!"
• "Attack!"

Dragon

• "Face your master!"
• "For the clan!"
• "Blood and honor!"
• "Forward!"

Serpent

• "I seek the enemy!"
• "I hunt!"
• "Die!"

Quotes (Kills)

Note: Kenji says these quotes often when inflicting death using Critical Strike as well in normal attack mode.

• "Evil Dog!"
• "Taste Steel!"
• "Beg!"
• "No Mercy!"
• "The Dragon strikes!"
• "Feel the Dragon's Power!"
• "Reclaimed!"
• "DIE!"
• "Pathetic!"
• "Learn your place!"
• "Take that!"
• "Oh, Did that hurt?"
• "Oh, I'm sorry"

Quotes (Heal)

• "Praises"
• "My thanks"

Quotes (Death)

• "I can't die..."
• "I have failed"
• "My people..."
• "This can't be...the end"