[Bakuten Shoot Beyblade] Kai/Takao

[laliho.livejournal.com]

Title: Time After Time
Author: Triste (laliho)
Fandom: Bakuten Shoot Beyblade
Pairing: Kai/Takao
Spoilers: The anime
Notes: Only a knowledge of seasons one and three of Beyblade are needed here, as I won't be covering season two for various reasons but mainly because it was pointless, uninteresting, and appallingly out of character. There will be no mention of the manga, since it and the anime follow entirely different storylines at points, and contains different characters/timelines/events. All screencaps were taken by me, and I also did the translations, seeing as there were never any fansubs for the series. Woe.



OVERVIEW:

What is Beyblade? Well, it's a show about pretty boys and their obsession with spinning tops. It's a lot less lamer than it sounds, for various reasons. The characters are diverse, and the ones most important to the storyline get a lot of development. It's a typical shounen series with action, humour and the occasional dash of angst, not to mention the obligatory references to ancient myths and legends. Although it might seem somewhat silly from a western point of view, it's very similar to series like Hikaru no Go and Yu-Gi-Oh. The Japanese take their gaming very seriously indeed, as do some of the characters in Beyblade.

Basically, it's more than the standard anime themes of love, friendship and justice. It's about the way the characters interact with each other, and the way they change and grow. A pretty neat aspect of Beyblade, which I've always found appealing, is the fact that the characters actually age. Each season covers a year in time, making the protagonist of the story thirteen at the start of it and sixteen by the end, and on a slightly more trivial note, we get to see the characters going from being kiddies to being hotties. That's always a bonus.


KINOMIYA TAKAO:



Every story needs a main character, and Takao fills all the requirements. At first, he's no different from any other shounen hero. He's loud, stubborn, brash, impulsive and not too bright. In other words, he's flawed, which is good for the audience because there's nothing more boring than a perfect protagonist. Takao is only thirteen when the series begins, so he still acts very much like a child, something I personally happen to find very refreshing. He isn't putting on pretences; he's only being like most boys his age. He doesn't have a tragic past either, just a wacky grandfather. The most traumatising thing he's ever seen at this stage of his life is probably just the old man stripping down to his skivvies in public and balancing a shinai on his nose like a seal.

Despite having a tendency to brag and get ahead of himself sometimes, Takao is very grounded and has a profound effect on the other characters. He's the one who teaches them about fair play, fun, and how to stand up for themselves and what they believe in. Takao makes up for his faults by being honest, hardworking, loyal and caring. He's the catalyst for change in many of the characters (Kai and Yuriy in season one, Garland and Brooklyn in season three, to name a few), and he's well liked by his peers. Happy and cheerful by nature, Takao makes everybody feel at ease. He brought Kyoujuu out of his shell, took away Max's loneliness, curbed Rei's arrogance, and as for Kai... well, we'll talk more about the effect Takao has had on him later.

As Takao matures throughout the series, he also goes through the mandatory teenage angst stage, and it's not just growing pains that he has to worry about. We soon learn than Takao has issues, and big ones at that. His mother died when he was very young, and his father and brother left home not long after. Takao is terrified of being abandoned and of being alone and his worst fears come to life when Rei and Max, two of his closest friends, ditch the team they've all fought on together. Kai leaves soon after, and the way Big Brother Hitoshi tries to cure Takao's anxiety and dependency is by hitting him and shoving him around, taking on a 'cruel to be kind' approach. Takao sinks into deep depression, becomes unbalanced mentally, and completely loses the plot for a while.

Fortunately, our hero recovers, gets his mojo back, and goes on to kick a whole lot of ass, but he's quieter and more self-conscious now, and he thinks before he acts. He's grown into a leader, someone worthy of respect. He's realised that he has the power to help not only himself but other people, too.


HIWATARI KAI:



When we first meet Kai in episode one, we aren't exactly given a good impression. He's the leader of a gang who call themselves the Blade Sharks, and in short, he's a bully. Rude, disrespectful, violent, Kai is not the kind of guy you want to have as your enemy. Unlike Takao, who is as quick to anger as he is to forgive, Kai can hold a grudge for years on end. He's relentless, aggressive and unforgiving by nature, and he can't bear the idea of anyone else being stronger than he is. He can angst better than anyone, though, and doesn't actually stop with the sulking and the brooding until right towards the end of the series. Solitary by choice and severely lacking in people skills, Kai detests the idea of having to work alongside others, and he doesn't hesitate to jump ship when being tempted by the promise of power.

Kai does have a very good reason for being so hostile, however. Although the anime never mentions them, we know that his parents are out of the picture, either because they're dead or because they abandoned their only son, leaving him with a dictator grandfather, one of the most powerful businessmen in all Japan. Sadly, Grandpa Hiwatari neglected to fulfil his duties by giving young Kai the love and care that he sorely needed and packed him off to Russia instead. Brainwashed into believing that the whole world was his enemy and that things like defeat and weakness were unacceptable and intolerable, Kai was sent to train in a place synonymous with hell on earth - Bolkov's Abbey. Kai later confesses to the rest of his teammates about having grown up in appalling conditions. We see shots of kids strapped upside-down by their ankles and being forced to do sit-ups in order to prevent falling onto a set of spikes, or hanging from bars and doing chin-ups while dangling above a pit of deadly snakes, and can only assume that Kai underwent the exact same treatment.

It's easy to understand Kai's attitude after learning something like that. Most of the people around him have lived easy lives in comparison, never knowing real loss or hardship, so it's not unreasonable to see why he views most others as not being worthy of his time.

Whereas Takao has a strong sense of justice and fairness, Kai is constantly struggling to do what is right. He makes a lot of poor decisions as a result of his own selfishness, but he also learns from his mistakes, and he's taught the value of love and trust and friendship.

Kai is probably the character that undergoes the biggest transformation, in my opinion. Compare with how he was in the very first episode to how is in the final, and the difference is striking. His earlier hatred and resentment is gone by the end of the series, leaving him a lot more mellow and likeable. Although he still has an intense desire to become stronger, he no longer possesses the type of mindset that made him trample over everyone else in order to achieve his own goals.


THE PAIRING:




To say Takao and Kai's relationship was rocky in the beginning would be an understatement. Like every guy with a sense of honour and decency, Takao hates the Blade Sharks' bullying ways, challenging and then defeating Hiruta, only to bump into Kai shortly afterwards. Despite Takao being a total rookie, Kai accepts his demands for a battle and crushes him mercilessly, trashing his beyblade and then stalking off in search of other prey.

After a brief shock to the system of having been beaten so easily, Takao bounces back, determined to avenge his loss. He admits to himself that he can't stop thinking about Kai, and when they meet again at the Japanese regional championships it's Kai's turn to suffer defeat, something that he never really recovers from. Takao has gotten so much stronger in such a short space of time and Kai, ever the perfectionist, refuses to accept the fact that Takao might be better than he is. It sparks the beginning of an obsession that lasts for three whole years, and is ultimately what drives Kai to do some rather unscrupulous things later on in the series.

The BBA team is formed, and together, Kai, Takao, Rei and Max head off to China and then to America, but it's on their way to the final stage at Russia that things really start to change. Takao suffers a humiliating defeat at the hands of Ralf Jurgens, and he's so shaken by it that he actually forgets about his 'never give up' mentality and contemplates quitting while he's ahead. Kyoujuu, Max and Rei quickly assure him that there's nothing to worry about, but Kai is the only one whose words get through to Takao. It's extremely rare for Kai to give advice to anyone, but it's something that he does for Takao repeatedly. He doesn't offer the same support that Takao gets from the other team members, but then friendly encouragement can only go so far. Kai's bluntness borders on harshness, but it's the kind of thing Takao needs to keep moving forward, and it has much more of an effect on him than anything Rei, Max or Kyoujuu might say.

Unfortunately for the BBA team, it soon turns out that Ralf isn't Europe's only strong blader. Kai suffers a defeat similar to Takao's when he battles Johnny McGregor, and suddenly the roles are reversed. Kai is the one to sulk over his wounded pride and Takao is the one to snap him out of his funk, keeping Kai's spirits up and training together with him before they challenge the Euro Team to a rematch.

For a while, it looks as though Kai might lose to Johnny yet again, but Takao gives out a valuable hint, despite the fact that Kai told him not to interfere. It's even rarer for Kai to take advice than to offer it but he actually does as Takao tells him, although he's not too happy about being offered help afterwards. He's so angry that he grabs Takao and looks as though he might hit him, then changes his mind and storms off. Rei and Max are upset by Kai's insolence (and by seeing him treat Takao so badly), but Takao just smiles and says that it's okay. It shows how he's the only one who has a true understanding of Kai, and it's an understanding that's returned in kind when Kai shows up during Takao's match with Ralf. Rei and Max immediately rush to Takao's aid when Ralf gets the upper hand, but Kai holds them back and says they have no right to get in the way. He wants to see Takao win and prove his worth, but more importantly, he *believes* Takao will emerge the victor, unlike Max and Rei, who both have their doubts.

After their stint in Europe it's back on track to Russia and the final stage, but then things never go as smoothly as planned. Headaches and nightmares quickly follow, and it turns out that Kai has amnesia and never even knew. He breaks into the Abbey to find laboratories and prison cells, and the memories start seeping back. Bolkov kindly fills the missing gaps and informs Kai that he was sent to train there as a child, and that the reason he lost all recollection of these events is because young Kai did something he wasn't supposed to.

Black Dranzer is then introduced, as is Kuro Suzaku, the 'dark' versions of Kai's original Dranzer blade and the Suzaku spirit. It's apparently the most powerful beyblade in the world, and one that Kai tried to steal for himself in his youth. Its power was too much for him to handle though, and Kai lost his memory as a result.

"You shouldn't have a problem with it now," says Bolkov, and he makes his offer. He'll give Kai Black Dranzer, but only if he joins Team Borg and take away his old companions' sacred spirits. After a moment of hesitation, Kai agrees. His desire to grow stronger overrides everything, even friendship, and he has to obtain that strength alone, without having to rely on anyone but himself.

Meanwhile, Takao is worried over Kai's absence, missing out on sleep in favour of standing in the freezing cold and staring at the moon. It may be the first time he contemplates Kai by the light of the moon but it's definitely not the last. He does it again in episodes eight and fifty of season three, and he continues to show his concern even when he reaches the stadium the next day.

Sadly, Kai neglected to tell anyone else that he jumped ship, so it's a surprise to say the least when he emerges as the third member of Team Borg in the exhibition match against the PPB. Takao can't understand why Kai would abandon them, and he runs down into the arena in an attempt to talk some sense into Kai, only to get punched aside for his efforts.

Everyone is taken-aback at how much Kai has changed. His cruelty causes Kyoujuu to remark that it's like he's reverted to how he used to be as the leader of the Blade Sharks. He steals away the PPB members' sacred spirits, not because Bolkov ordered him to, but because he's doing it out of his own ambition. Black Dranzer feeds on sacred spirits, and its ability increases with every one it devours.

Kai is now unbalanced and detached, caring nothing for others and only for himself. It's this startling behaviour that leads Takao and co. back to the Abbey in order to get an explanation out of Kai, but while they all go in as a team, Takao is the only one who gets to reach Kai, with Rei telling him to go on alone and track Kai down, which Takao does, but he achieves devastating results.


Kai: "I don't know why you came here, but perfect timing."
Takao: "Th-this is..."
Kai: "I have no use for it anymore."
Takao: "That can't be! Dranzer has always fought alongside you!"
Kai: "That may be true, but right now, I have no need for things like friendship. I'll summon you for our battle later."
Takao: "What happened, Kai?"
Kai: "I'll let you leave today, but next time we meet it'll be to settle our score."


Kai turns his back, not only on his former teammates, but also on his beloved Dranzer. He also has a new goal now, to defeat Takao at any cost. He trains obsessively with the simulation machine, memorising Takao's tactics and battle style, and he tells Takao that he intends to get even with him, alone, with no outside interference.

Takao is hurt, not just by Kai's rejection, but also by what Kai is turning into. It's bad enough that Kai has thrown him away, but to cast aside Dranzer so easily is more than Takao can take, and he's in tears as he leaves the Abbey, refusing to be consoled by Kyoujuu, Max and Rei.

Takao cries for Kai a lot throughout the series, and his loyalty never falters. Kai can do the most horrible things he can think of, but Takao would never turn his back on Kai the way Kai so often does on him. It's this faith and inner strength that always leads Kai to salvation, that guides him back towards his rightful path and shows him that there's more to life than power and victory.

Sure enough, Kai calls Takao out to Lake Baikal, and while he's not terribly thrilled that Rei and Kyoujuu have decided to accompany him ("I told you to come alone!"), he figures what the hell, and tells them all to attack him at once.

It has to be noted that Takao is the only person aside from Kai who has ever gotten to launch Dranzer. Kai is far too possessive and suspicious to let other people touch his belongings, but Takao is the one who summons Suzaku and helps bring Kai back to his senses.

Lost amid his confusion, Kai goes down in defeat. Black Dranzer, the object he always saw as the strongest, the ultimate, has turned its back on him the way he turned his back on Dranzer and his teammates. It's shown him just how human he really is, and that he's nowhere closer to attaining true strength than he was as a child.

It's at this point the frozen lake begins to crack, and Kai would have willingly allowed himself to drown, if not for Takao. He just wants to be left alone with his guilt and his shame, but Takao reaches out for him, giving Kai a lifeline to grab onto.





Kai: "You want to *save* me? Even though I betrayed you?"
Takao: "Of course! We're your friends aren't we? I can't just ignore you when you're in a crisis! TAKE MY HAND!"
Kai: "I... I..."


Their hands clasp and Takao pulls Kai away from death and doubt, saving him in body and in soul.

Season three starts off with the introduction of a new character, Sumeragi Daichi, but he isn't quite the amateur Takao had expected, and it's a shock to everyone when they learn the name of Daichi's beyblade (Gaia Dragoon), most of all Kai. Until now he's been apart from the others and minding his own business, but he quickly sits up and takes notice when Takao starts being driven into a corner. Kyoujuu states that Takao has no chance of winning, and Rei goes ballistic when he hears this. "You're the world champion!" he says. "I won't allow you to lose!"

Takao continues to stumble, and it's only when Kai shouts out advice that he's able to win the match. Kai accomplished what Rei could not, and, his good deed of the day done, he disappears for a while. Max and Rei then quit the BBA team and Takao takes their departure very badly indeed. He vents his anger on the nearest available target, Kyoujuu, by hitting him, then goes on to have nightmares where Rei and Max are walking out on him, unable to catch up with them, and getting dragged down into the ground by clawed and menacing-looking hands.

Takao snaps out of his depression for a while but it's the start of a new mania. With two of his best friends out of the picture, the only person he has left now is Kai, but it's an unhealthy dependency that isn't doing him any good at all. Takao refuses to accept anybody else ("Kai is the only one for me!" he yells repeatedly), but there's a problem when he goes to sign up for the tournament to find that Kai's name isn't on the roster.

Takao flies into a state of complete panic, going from angry, to crushed, and then to elated when Kai finally makes his dramatic entrance. Only Kai is the one who possesses the ability to make Takao run the gamut of all three emotions in as many seconds, and it's one of the things that establish him as Takao's most important person.

The Goddess of Luck doesn't grant Takao many blessings during the beginning of the season, however. Although Kai showed up for the tournament, Takao's brother Hitoshi (in his Shippu no Jin guise) planted the first seeds of doubt in Kai's mind, making him question what it is that he really wants and why he's actually fighting. He knows that Rei and Max have left but hasn't yet figured out whether or not he wants to do the same. Overhearing the conversation between Takao, Daichi, Kyoujuu and Hiromi only makes things worse. Displaying his usual immaturity, Daichi yells that he doesn't want to battle with Takao as part of a tag team, he wants to fight against him, and that "being number one alone is fine!"

Once again, Takao makes it clear that the only person he wants as a partner is Kai, rejecting Daichi outright. Even the title of the episode is カイ しか いねえ! (Nobody But Kai!).

While Takao knows exactly what he wants, Kai's mind is still clouded. He doesn't make much of an effort when battling Daichi, refusing to answer when Takao calls out for him repeatedly. Kyoujuu dares to suggest that Kai will lose if he doesn't do something soon and Takao goes ballistic, grabbing Kyoujuu by the scruff of the neck and shaking him like a rag doll. Hiromi mentions that Kai seems to be acting out of sorts, but it's only when Daichi pushes Kai too far that he finally retaliates. "Don't underestimate me!" he yells, and while Daichi is devastated when he loses, Takao couldn't care less. He's got his wish and now he and Kai are off to take on the world, together.

"Together," Kai repeats dully, severely lacking Takao's enthusiasm.

It's in episode seven that Kai at last chooses. Instead of focusing on his own training, Takao takes the liberty of admiring Kai's display of skills, but Kai has made his decision, and it's not an easy one judging by his body language. His head is lowered and his eyes are in shadow, and the hand that holds Dranzer is shaking.





Takao is impersonating Kai in humour here, but it's interesting to see that he actually starts to imitate all of Kai's poses more and more throughout this season (arms crossed over his chest, an uncaring or superior expression on his face). He's acting more and more like the old Kai, the one who never cared for his teammates, growing defensive and self-absorbed, not wanting to accept responsibility for his increasingly erratic behaviour.

Even when Takao is asleep, Kai is still the only thing on his mind. Takao's little dream is an insight into his current mental state - his self-esteem is very low at the moment, and he's desperately in need of praise and approval. He dreams of being congratulated by his authority figures (Hitoshi, his grandfather, Daitenji and Max's father) and also by his peers (Daichi, Hiromi, Kyoujuu and Max).

However, Kai is the first to approach Takao, and he's also the one to embrace him. It's not only approval that Takao craves but also protection and security, and Kai is the one that he wants it from.





Reality intrudes, and Takao and Daichi combine their strength in order to work together for the very first time in order to put out the forest fire. They're in complete synchronicity, and their teamwork pays off. They look at each other and the last few flames separating them then burn out. It's symbolic in that Kai (whose element is fire), the one who's been keeping them apart until now, has finally been let go by Takao, as he and Daichi put aside their differences and shake hands.

Takao has moved on from his moping and he's ready to accept Daichi, both as a partner and a friend.

Down by the pier, Kai is also moving on, by making an alliance with Yuriy and becoming an official member of Neo Borg. Kai never shakes hands with people, so for him to do so with Yuriy is extremely significant. It shows how much he's prepared to sacrifice for the sake of being able to fight Takao.

Takao's brief moment of clarity during his training with Daichi is immediately ruined upon the start of the tag team tournament. It's tough enough to see Rei and Max on opposing teams, but it's more than he can take when he sees Kai standing with Neo Borg. He ignores his own teammates in favour of chasing after Kai, but Kai refuses to speak with him.




Takao is furious. He's angrier now than he's ever been, and Hiromi is frightened when she sees the look on his face. She has good reason to fear Takao, too. He's lost it completely, both looking and acting deranged. He's violent and aggressive, and he lashes out at anyone who dares to provoke him. He doesn't care about old friendships anymore, viewing Rei as just another obstacle that he has to smash his way through in order to get to Kai. It only gets worse when Hitoshi later takes Takao off the team, saying bluntly that his reason for doing so is "for victory's sake."

Hitoshi is challenging Kai directly here and Kai responds by launching his beyblade at Hitoshi's head, losing to Daichi on purpose and walking away without saying a word. After all, he has absolutely no intention of fighting the BBA Revolution without Takao.

Finally back on track, Takao meets Kai in the finals. Takao admits that Kai's departure was a big shock, and that it caused him to forget about what was most important to him for a while. "It's not just about winning and losing," Takao says. "That's why I love beyblading! That's why I'm so passionate about it!" and Kai replies that he feels the same way. They go to "a time and place for just the two of us", a sort of inner world consisting only of the beach, the ocean, the night sky and an endless cascade of stars.





Kai: "If this moment... if this instant could continue for all eternity, I would... I would..."


It's here that they reach a total understanding, not even having to speak out. Instead, they relay their thoughts by a kind of mental telepathy, but they both know they can't stay in their little haven forever, and when they return to reality it's to find that the BBA Revolution are victorious.





Kai isn't bitter about his loss, and as he walks away from the arena, he acknowledges the fact that "Takao is strong". It's the first time he's ever called Takao by name, having always addressed him as 'Kinomiya' until now, but finishes his sentence with, "Even so I... I..."

Things are relatively peaceful after that until Bolkov, the villain of season one, appears. He tries to convince everyone that he's changed his ways, but of course he's simply out for world domination again, tearing down BBA headquarters and creating the BEGA organisation in its place. To fight against this threat the old BBA team reforms, but there's one member missing. Much to Takao's dismay, Kai sides with the enemy, as does Hitoshi, but Kai is the one he's most upset about. Takao doesn't have too much time to dwell on it since he, Rei, Max and Daichi are trying to master Kyoujuu's latest invention, the Heavy Metal System, but Kai is never far from his thoughts.

Unfortunately, Kai has made yet another mistake. Hitoshi states that the only reason Kai joined BEGA was to fight Takao again, to which Kai responds by snarling, "What would *you* know about him and me?" Kai treats his battles with Takao as something almost sacred, and he absolutely will not tolerate other people getting in the way of that. Nobody has the right to interfere, least of all Takao's brother.

Still, he loses miserably to Brooklyn and, distraught by seeing Kai fail so badly and by seeing him get so hurt, Takao frantically shakes the television set as the announcement of the Justice Five's formation comes on and shouts, "Who cares about *that*! Where's Kai? Show me Kai!"

Takao is later questioned as to who the fifth and final member of the G Revolutions team will be, but he's reluctant to answer, going out onto the veranda while the others squabble among themselves to ponder his predicament. Kyoujuu leaves Dranzer MS in Takao's care, and they hope against hope that Kai will throw away his pride and come back to them.

Bizarrely enough, Romero is the one who helps Kai train with the new Dranzer, explaining that the Heavy Metal System only responds to the intensity of the blader's emotions. Kai is still consumed by his anger and his hatred, which Romero tries to rid him of, but it's only when Romero asks what he's fighting for that Kai realises his true intentions after picturing Takao in his mind and remembering their dream world.

Meanwhile, Takao is training down by the canal, but he refuses to listen to Kyoujuu and Hiromi when they tell him not to overexert himself. Even though everybody else is wiped out, Takao is determined to keep on going, only stopping when Kai appears, framed by the backdrop of the setting sun, the two of them having eyes only for each other before Takao tells Kai shakily, "You're late."

Episode 48 is titled 愛 だ…! (It's Love!), and it marks just how much Kai has grown throughout the series. He doesn't push away other people's support anymore but accepts it gladly. He's still stubborn, still determined, but he knows now what's most precious to him. He puts everything on the line for his rematch with Brooklyn, saying that he'll battle until his life burns out, and even when everyone else has given up on him, Takao remains ever faithful. He's willing to protect the promise he made with Kai at all costs, preventing Rei and Max from trying to end Kai's fight, actually begging them to stay out of it, and crying as he pleads.





When Brooklyn uses his King of Darkness attack it looks as though Kai will lose the way he did the first time they fought, but, instead of sinking into the murky depths of his soul alone, Takao's hand reaches out to him, just like it did in Russia three years previously, pulling Kai from darkness into light. It's then that Kai makes his greatest speech, saying that he has something Brooklyn doesn't - friends, rivals, varied battles, the experience of victory and defeat - adding that he could never lose to a person who possesses none of these things before shouting out, "THIS IS MY LOVE!"

The only people who have ever explicitly said the word 'love' in this series are Kai and Mao, both in regard to, and as a result of, their most important people (Takao and Rei respectively). Kai's love is far stronger and purer than his hate, and it's the emotion that enables him to beat Brooklyn once and for all. After searching for so long, he's finally learned the meaning behind true strength and, exhausted, he collapses into Takao's arms, knowing that Takao will always be there to catch him when he falls. Kai loathes being touched and yet he doesn't mind being held by Takao. It's a sign of how much trust he places in him, and we see this again in the final episode. It's like Kai has found peace somehow, and he's a lot calmer and more relaxed as he sneaks off with Takao so that they can be alone together, side by side and smiling, the atmosphere around them quiet and intimate.

Of course, Takao has a promise to keep, and he gives Kai what he's been wanting all along - that one last beybattle.





WHY I SHIP THEM:

It was pretty difficult not to be attracted to the pairing when I first saw the Russian arc in season one. Even though I knew nothing about Beyblade or the characters, the relationship between Kai and Takao jumped out at me right from the start. I found Takao's concern for Kai, his tears, and the way he saves his life to be appealing and endearing, and as I became more familiar with the series, my love for the couple only grew. It's the way they interact with and inspire one another. It's the connection that formed between on their first meeting and only continued to strengthen over time. It's a strange kind of relationship in that it manages to be as subtle as it is obvious, and everyone around Kai and Takao acknowledges and accepts how tightly bonded they are.

There's just something special about the pairing that tends to draw people, I think. They're two characters who contrast and compliment each other so perfectly, and they just fit in such a way that it's hard not to imagine them being together. Although Takao never hesitates to express his admiration of Kai by constantly telling him how awesome and amazing he is, his feelings are far from being one-sided. Takao is the only person on earth who's managed to earn total respect from Kai, not to mention his trust. Takao is the only person he'll allow to get close, both physically and emotionally, and he eventually reaches a point where Takao is simply all that matters to him.

Cheesy as it sounds, they accomplish more together than they do apart. They need each other's guidance and support in order to overcome whatever obstacles life throws in their path, and it's their utter sincerity and devotion that enables them to share the same dreams and the same passion.


THE FANDOM:

Places to hang out:

The KaiTaka LJ community -- tysonxkai

The KaiTaka C2 archive -- @ fanfiction.net

The KaiTaka DA Club -- @ DeviantArt

The KaiTaka forum -- @ kaitaka.net

Recommended reading:

Dust Bunny by White Dog 2

Forever by Ereshkigali

Once a Thief by Yami Firekali

The One Who Got Away by Glay

Through the Sea of Memories by Timberwolf220

The Secret by TechnoRanma

Recommended viewing:

I'll Be the One by TechnoRanma

Somebody Who Cares by Yanny Fuichi

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

Yo, Ereshkigali here. ^^()
Argh...just suck me right back into this black hole of a fandom why dontcha...and you recced my fic! And you didn't rec any of your own gorgeous work, you naughty little creature.
I'm so impressed by how you went through everything. You analysed the dream scene perfectly, and so much *heart* for Kai's love speech. I've been hoping for a manifesto for Takao/Kai for so long, and this is wonderful.
...your last sentence is spot-on. Yesh, yesh, the passion.

[laliho.livejournal.com]

Argh...just suck me right back into this black hole of a fandom why dontcha...

Ehhh? You mean you *left* the fandom? Why am I always the last person to know these things?! ::flails:: Anyway, forget about that. Come back! Your fellow fangirls need you! ::clings::

and you recced my fic!

Well of course I did! You only write some of the best fics around~!

And you didn't rec any of your own gorgeous work, you naughty little creature.

No, that would have been very egotistical of me, ahaha... ^^;;

I've been hoping for a manifesto for Takao/Kai for so long, and this is wonderful.

Yeah, I was surprised to see that this pairing hadn't been claimed already, but I'm glad I finally got round to completing the manifesto. It only took me nearly a month, but I got there in the end. ♥

[technoranma.livejournal.com]

OH MY GOD!!! YES!! YES YES!!!!!!!!!! You've got me cryin tears of joy and love. They are so inspirational, and the way they change each other and change their feelings is something that will always make me feel this way. THANK YOU SO MUCH for writing this. For a long long time, ever since I heard of thus manifesto thing, I thought, Takao and Kai don't need to be justified like this, but yknow what? I'm so damn glad you put this out there to explain just why Beyblade isn't just some kiddie game anime. The writing of this manifesto is clear, concise and presents Takao and Kai's relationship in an unbiased and unforceful way that I don't think anyone could've written better.

Yknow there's SO MUCH more evidence and progress that wasn't put in there, but you hit all the important defining parts. I definitely recommend Beyblade for anyone who enjoys the powerful friendship and love that can occur between two people and spark something special inside your own heart too. I have proudly been a KAITAKA (or TYKA for dub!) fan for 4 years even after the series ended a while ago. These two share so many scenes and moments that sparkle (WAY more than a lot of boy/girl ships get!!) that I'll always carry love for Kai/Takao.

Oh yeah, thanx for reccin' my fic and amv!! I think I'm just gonna print this out and stick it on my wall. Thanx so much for writing this, you are so fantastic!!!

KAI & TAKAO 4- EVER!!!!

[laliho.livejournal.com]

Yknow there's SO MUCH more evidence and progress that wasn't put in there, but you hit all the important defining parts.

The original draft for this essay was actually quite a bit longer, but I had a word limit to think about and so had to cut out everything but the really important stuff. Like you said, I think I managed to cover most of what really matters, so that's something. XD

These two share so many scenes and moments that sparkle (WAY more than a lot of boy/girl ships get!!) that I'll always carry love for Kai/Takao.

Exactly! KaiTaka is a special pairing in that it's pretty much timeless, really. It doesn't matter that the anime and the manga ended a while ago. The sparkly gayness shall remain eternal~!

Oh yeah, thanx for reccin' my fic and amv!!

Oh, come on, I *had* to. You and glayish are the most influential people in the fandom, after all! How could I *not* rec your stuff? You've both done so much for the pairing, and you deserve buckets of praise as a result. ♥

[glayish.livejournal.com]

Oh my.... just..... yes... I'm just really having my own little sparkling world here reading your words that mirror my thoughts about this ship so PERFECTLY. Brilliant. I was almost just gonna stay speechless but you deserve to hear my appreciation because I really REALLY mean it what I said.

[laliho.livejournal.com]

I was almost just gonna stay speechless but you deserve to hear my appreciation because I really REALLY mean it what I said.

Aww, thank you~! I really appreciate hearing your comments, and knowing that I managed to hit all the right notes with this essay. KaiTaka is like the OTP of OTP's, so I wanted to at least try to do it justice with ship_manifesto. ♥

[maccadole.livejournal.com]

I agree with the rest of the people. This is amazing and I really, truly thank you for writing this. It gave lots of information and most of all it was fun to read!

I couldn't have said it better myself. You got all the important parts perfectly and I can really feel their love in the air.

[laliho.livejournal.com]

You got all the important parts perfectly and I can really feel their love in the air.

Oh yes, feel the love~! Try not to be blinded by the sparklies, too. Kai and Takao have many of them, after all. ^_~

[mushroom18.livejournal.com]

This is JUST what I needed. It's beautifully written and Kai/Takao is just PURE LOVE. I feel sad because there are more Kai/Rei shippers out there for some unknown reason.

I used to ship Kai/Rei during Season one but in the Russian arc I realized that it's truly Kai/Takao all along, they are just made for each other. ♥

And that last episode? WOW.

Thank you very much.

(Can I please take a few pictures and post them in my journal? I shall credit and direct them here. Thank you.)

[mushroom18.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, placed it my memories. ♥

[laliho.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, placed it my memories.

Thank you~!

And oh, icon LOVE. Not a Patronus, then, hmm? XD

[mushroom18.livejournal.com]

WAAAH Icon love, too! I love Mai Otome. ♥

Dang it, I think I should go and friend you now. xD

[laliho.livejournal.com]

I love Mai Otome.

Me too~! Mai-Hime was about a thousand times better, though. I loved the drama and the tears and the backstabbing. It's just a shame nobody ever stays dead in the Mai series, but anyway, much fun to be had there. XD

Dang it, I think I should go and friend you now.

Yayness~! ::adds::

[laliho.livejournal.com]

I feel sad because there are more Kai/Rei shippers out there for some unknown reason.

Oh well, what can you do. The number of KaiTaka fans may be small in comparison, but they're all very dedicated. There are some amazing fanfiction writers and fanartists out there who produce plenty of work for the pairing, so that makes me sparkly happy. ♥

I used to ship Kai/Rei during Season one but in the Russian arc I realized that it's truly Kai/Takao all along, they are just made for each other.

Fufu, I said in my essay that the episodes from the Russian arc were the first ones I saw, and once I got over the 'wut? An anime about spinning tops?' thing, the KaiTaka just blew me away. I'm always a sucker for the 'one character saving the other's soul' thing, and Takao does that time and time again with Kai. It's very touching.

And that last episode? WOW.

Well, for the KaiTakaness, then yes, it *is* wow. Everything else about it is pretty retarded ::coughcough:: like Brooklyn making a swirly vortex in the sky and everyone else uniting as one to defeat the Big Bad Evil ::coughcough:: but hey, it's a pretty standard anime ending. The good guys win, the bad guys are shown the error of their ways, and we get lots of happy sparkles from our main couple. What more could you want?

Can I please take a few pictures and post them in my journal? I shall credit and direct them here. Thank you.

Sure, take as many as you like! Pretty things were meant to be admired, after all. ^_~

[mushroom18.livejournal.com]

Ooh, even if I never EVER imagined myself to be reading Beyblade fanfiction and obsessing over them, I shall try your recommendations. ♥

I find it funny that they use tops to conquer the world. I mean, COME ON, NOW THAT'S CREATIVE! *points at Hollywood and laughs* Bet nobody ever thought of that! One thing that also tickled me was the Beyblading became a popular world sport. xD Next to tennis and football and stuff.

[laliho.livejournal.com]

Ooh, even if I never EVER imagined myself to be reading Beyblade fanfiction and obsessing over them, I shall try your recommendations.

Yes, please do so! They're all excellently written fics, and the people who write them are very lovely indeed. ♥

I find it funny that they use tops to conquer the world. I mean, COME ON, NOW THAT'S CREATIVE! *points at Hollywood and laughs*

Oh, Hollywood pales in comparison to Japan, Land of Loli the creator of all things weird and wonderful. And, y'know, an anime about spinning tops isn't that retarded. There are other shows about baking bread and the like. XD

[mushroom18.livejournal.com]

I know--Yakitate! Japan, right? xDxDxD And Japan has anime for all known sports already. Including yoyo battles! Wheeee!!

[emlee.livejournal.com]

... Inspiring. That's what this is! Inspirational to anyone who enjoys Beyblade, whether they like this pairing or not, because their relationship is one of the biggest plot line in the story and cannot be ignored <3

I love how you described the characters at the beginning too, and you told it how it is, without using bias opinions about them. Especially about Kai, not many have the guts to describe him how he truely is in the beginning without mellowing it down somewhat.

But woah, you went through their relationship so perfectly and described the scenes and sparkles and everything so wonderfully *_* I can see the effort you went through with this to get the screen caps and quotes (plus translating them), and I congratulate you for being so dedicated! You've done KaiTakao proud <3

It isn't like other pairings, KaiTakao, there's so much development and trust and love that went and goes on between them and the endings of both the anime and the manga were perfect *_* Absolutely timeless and perfect.

Thank-you for writing this~

[laliho.livejournal.com]

I love how you described the characters at the beginning too, and you told it how it is, without using bias opinions about them. Especially about Kai, not many have the guts to describe him how he truely is in the beginning without mellowing it down somewhat.

Oh no, I never mince words when it comes to Kai, as much as I love him. Yes, he's hot, yes, he's cool, but he was also a complete and utter BRAT early on in the series. He said and did some horrible, horrible things, but he does grow up along the way and stops being so much of an ass. That's probably the main reason why he appeals to me so much, not for the superficial reasons that most other fans seem to like him, but because he gets so much development, thanks to Takao's influence. It's like you said in that the relationship between Kai and Takao is one of the most important parts of the story as a whole. The world of Beyblade would be a pretty boring place without those two around. XD

It isn't like other pairings, KaiTakao, there's so much development and trust and love that went and goes on between them and the endings of both the anime and the manga were perfect

Precisely! A story where the characters never change and grow would be the most boring thing ever, but thankfully, that isn't the case with Beyblade. Kai and Takao both change for the better at the end of the series, and it's because of each other that it happened. They're just so influential and inspiring to one another, and to the fans. *__*

Thank-you for writing this~

Thank *you* for reading and commenting! ♥

[emlee.livejournal.com]

Yep, he's far more likeable at the end, when Takao's finally gotten through his thick skull. His development was pretty amazing to watch, along with Takao's and the other main characters ^_^ Kai went through the most, which just shows how much thought is placed into his character. And hell yeah, Kai and Takao's relationship is important, being the main characters as well. It adds humour, rivalry, friendship and of course love to the series ^_~ Running from the first episode to the last... definately the most important relationship.

A lot of animes sadly don't cover a time sequence, and if do, only a handful have character development, which is a shame. Seeing them as young kids with flaws to hot almost-adults with their flaws mellowed was definately fun to watch XD Their personalities as a whole encourage the other to change as well, which is wonderful ^__^~

You're welcome~!

[(Anonymous)]

Hi! redbird here. What you've done is truly fabulous. I am in awe of your sheer energy and dedication in getting this out. And it made such a lovely reading. I especially like what you wrote about the way Kai and Takao encouraged each other during the Euro challenge. Your characterisation was spot on. But can I just add something more to what you've said about Kai? In Season 1, he was all that you described him and a lot more too, but you forgot to add that he had a terrific sense of responsibility. He was probably arm-twisted into joining the team but he took his role as a team leader seriously and even though he cribbed constantly about being a glorified baby-sitter, he did look after his team. Remember his dramatic rescue of Max in America, his way of egging Rei on during the latter's match against Mariah? He may not have been on backslapping terms with his teammates but he understood them enough to know just which buttons to press to get results from them. Kai was a bit of an anti-hero but he earned his team-mates' respect.

[laliho.livejournal.com]

[RE: Your covering of Kai's better personality traits during the early series]

I'll agree that you certainly bring up a valid point when you mention Kai's sense of responsibility, but there's a word limit with these essays and I could only devote a very small amount of time on the individual character studies as opposed to the relationsip analysis. I had to leave out quite a lot of things as a result, but like I said, you do bring up a good point. It's all the more interesting when you consider that he was never actually captain of anything in the original. Daitenji assigns him the role in the English dub, but there's no mention of anybody getting the position of team captain. In actual fact, Kyoujuu is probably the one who fits it best, since he doesn't blade but was made manager/technician of the team by the BBA's president.

Kai wasn't arm-twisted into joining the group either, he did it of his own free will. At first he isn't interested, but then Daitenji mentions the fact that other sacred spirits exist elsewhere in the world, something that really catches Kai's susprise since he only thought they existed soley in Japan. That's the reason for his joining (and because he wants to fight strong opponents, of course), and then the next episode before the team flies out to China, we see Kai meeting with his grandfather. It's here that he first starts working under orders, obtaining sacred spirits because the old man wants him to (but also because he himself does, too).

Sorry if my points on Kai seem a little harsh, but that's really how he is at first. I know they cut out all the violence and alter a lot of what he says for the dub, which is possibly why most people forgive him for the things that he does so easily. I'm guessing it would be slightly different if they knew what he was really saying. XD

But yes, thank you kindly for your comments, and for reading the essay. Sorry for talking your ear off there, too. I do ramble on sometimes. ^^;;

[(Anonymous)]

Hey, your points on Kai are spot on, like I said. I completely agree with you. And I have only seen the English dubbed version, so I don't know what they actually say in the original. (Which is why I was so keen on getting hold of your clips, btw). I just feel that, despite being what he was, Kai really earned a place in his teammates hearts because of his last-minute dramatic rescue operations and his way of looking out for them. And that is what makes that ultimate betrayal in Russia so hard to take. I know we're talking the ship points here. I feel it's this dependence on Kai that continues into G-Rev.(I haven't seen G-Rev yet but I feel I've heard and read enough to write a thesis on my own~lol~) The feeling deep down, that no matter what, Kai will always turn up and save the day. And well, that's what happens too. It's just that the foundation of that faith in Kai was laid all along in Season 1, right from the start, maybe right from that HongKong episode, when he turns up and saves Takao from being hit by Rei's(?) blade. It was this faith that Takao held on to as he waited for Kai to turn up in the end.
I think I'm beginning to veer of course, so I'll stop. I'm glad you understood what I meant to say.

WOW!

[(Anonymous)]

Hey triste, another fabulous piece of work from you, HazelSoul here, I absolutely adore what you've done! It's so bril, and those pictures of the abbey definately shocked me, I haven't seen that episode yet, so it was a shock!
But anyway, this is just fabulous, I'm in awe yet again, I must say us Kai/Takao fans are lucky to have a person like you on our side, beat this Kai/Rei fans, you suck!
KAI/TAKAO FOREVER!

Re: WOW!

[laliho.livejournal.com]

those pictures of the abbey definately shocked me, I haven't seen that episode yet, so it was a shock!

Well, they did cut all that stuff out of the dub, and they altered the sign on the outside walls of the Abbey, too. In the original it's in Russian, but they switched it to English for the dub. They also changed it to make Kai say that the animals floating in formaldehyde were 'still alive', when in actual fact, that were all as dead as doornails. That cracks me up. XD

Thank you for reading and commenting on the essay, anyway, and I'm glad to know that you enjoyed it! ♥

Re: WOW!

[technoranma.livejournal.com]

uh.. sorry I'm kinda hijackin your comment, but we ain't in competition with other pairing fans anymore. I mean its pretty obvious how important and deep Takao and Kai's relationship is, so you don't gotta bash on those fans without any reason.... they like what they like, and it's just their decision if they don't wanna support the emotions between Takao and Kai.

Re: WOW!

[laliho.livejournal.com]

Yes, play nicely please. It's not good to bash other peoples pairings in an open community like this, and besides, I'm pretty sure it's against the rules. ^^;;

[kotomine.livejournal.com]

YOU HAVE MOVED A BEYBLADE ORGY LOVER. I HAVE SEEN THE LIGHT AND CONVERTED TO THE LOVE THAT IS OF KAITAKA ♥


I was originally a KaiMax fan long ago when I saw the 1st series (it was all Kai's fault, molesting saving Max like that XD). While I may see other pairings in the show, I have now discovered my true Beyblade OTP. And it's all your fault XD

Can I use your screencaps for icons? I promise to credit you and offer you my dark little heart in return ^__^

[laliho.livejournal.com]

Can I use your screencaps for icons? I promise to credit you and offer you my dark little heart in return

Sure! I didn't exactly put a huge selection up here, but feel free to take whichever ones you like! I have a bad habit of making screencaps anyway. I have about a ton of them on my harddrive. x__x

Glad you enjoyed reading the manifesto, and since I'm a nosy so-and-so, I browsed your usericons and memories section and noticed that you seem to have read most of my IshiIchi stuff, fufufu. ^_~

[kotomine.livejournal.com]

Thank you! You've inspired me so much that I'm actually going to create fanworks for this pairing. Thank you!

I browsed your usericons and memories section and noticed that you seem to have read most of my IshiIchi stuff, fufufu.

*embarrassed* You've ignited my love for the pairing with your fics that I had to recc it to every Bleach fan I know~! You'll always be my favorite IshiIchi writer no matter what ♥

[bromantic.livejournal.com]

I don't think words can express how happy I am to finally have a TyKa essay on this site.

*sobs* This-This is beautiful. Thank you so much.

[bromantic.livejournal.com]

And you recced me *speechless*

[laliho.livejournal.com]

And you recced me *speechless*

I did, yes! Picking out fics to rec was probably one of the most difficult parts of the essay, probably because it made me realise just how little I read. ::looks guilty:: I'm glad yours made it up there, anyway. XD

Thank you very much for commenting, though, and I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed reading the manifesto~!

[overstreets.livejournal.com]

That was amazing. Just, WOW. Thank you so much for writing this! I've kinda been dormant in this fandom for the longest time, but reading this really reminded me why I love this pairing. Ahhhh~ *melts into goo* I LOVE TYSON AND KAI! Bravo!

[laliho.livejournal.com]

I've kinda been dormant in this fandom for the longest time, but reading this really reminded me why I love this pairing.

But that's the true wonder of KaiTaka! You try to wander away from the fandom for a little while, then the pairing always comes back to bite you on the ass and makes you fall head over heels in love all over again. ♥

Thanks for commenting! I really had fun writing this so I'm grateful to know that you enjoyed reading it just as much~!

[siegfried-sys.livejournal.com]

Hey, i am here because of a closed (or almost...) forum ^^U
I was looking for some videos and... i found this!!
I have to say (even if my native languaje is spanish and was hard to read) the things that you have said are really true, they aren't "fangirl" (ejem...) non-sense words ^^
When i saw Beyblade for the first time (episode 1 XD, about several years) i inmediatly fall in love with them (i have a tendency with this kind of thing XD).
Sorry for the non sense here ^^U, I only want to thank you for write this (even if only pick this up from nowhere XD).

Exellent

[(Anonymous)]

!!!!! I loved this- It's excellent, you're a grate analyzer! I loved your analysis so much!! I want the original series in Japanese! i'm going to get them!! no matter how long it takes me i will! Congratulations. Really, Grate GRATE job. go on like this! You're grate!

Re: Exellent

[(Anonymous)]

hey me names claire! i was just looking around here for kai info and i was happy when i found this, all info that i never knew that i wanted to know, but i missed the whole russia episodes when kai left his team for boris team and i only watched the one when kai fights spencer so it sucks that i missed it, so i know whats going on but i want more details, like what in the japanese version has been taken out of the english version. everyone thinks bb is for kids but i think the relationships is what makes the anime show interesting to watch, when you think about it would you even watch the show about spinning tops if kai and tyson wan't in the show.

[(Anonymous)]

Being a KaixRei shipper myself, I wasn't going to read this but since I didn't have anything else to do, I did anyway. It's beautifully written and I can see why you have such a faith in this pairing. :) The pictures you used for emphasis are great as well.
All in all I just wanted to praise a good work. Keep it up!
~Nay

[animegl.livejournal.com]

^_^*speechless* You worte so in character it made me laugh actually.
Anywho, this was amazing to read and makes the best bio for these two then all the websites I've ever seen! You recagnized the moments between them and didn't just blow past them like others do. ( Hence the fangirl tile LOL) Anyways my point is you did a wonder manifesto and I now ship you ^^. *bows*

KaTaka 4 ever!!!

[sopoliini.livejournal.com]

Aaargh extremely late comment, I know (i just discovered this community today though)

I was 16 when I saw Beyblade(dutch dubs x_x) and I instantly fell for Kai/Taka. I will go as far as to say this was my first step into the yaoifandom and I devoured fanfics that year. The dubs got cancelled and I forgot about it.

After 4 years you reignited my love for my first ship. You pointed out perfectly why shipping Kai/Taka is so very easy and natural and not to mention it's canon like whoa!(even more than in my memory by the way you point everything out.)So thank you for reminding me about one of my old fandoms!~

[emo-chii.livejournal.com]

FWEEEEEEEH.

To think that the fandom will be revived again after reading this. It has been 2 years already since the fandom was last rekindled. This the second time it was revived. XD;;

Reading the entire thing just... brought me to tears and reminded me of just how lovely the entire TaKa is! The way ye explain everything to words, not to mention the choice of images, are just perfect and it deeply moves any reader. I didn't watch the most of the important parts Russian arc of the first season (especially the Kai with Black Dranzer vs. Takao with Dranzer), but after reading this, I guess most of the gaps are filled. xD;

I'm glad someone had brought it upon themselves to write glories such as this. It made my day better. <3 And thanks for the recs too! XD Now I'm not bored anymore~

[cgholy.livejournal.com]

Yeah Takoa and Kai really do belong together after everything they've been through. Amazing they turned from rivals to soulmates.

[quatre-001.livejournal.com]

So then, me being Takao and married in a chat room to a Kai is supported by canon?

I KNEW IT!

Er I mean. This is a very nicely detailed, and completely supported by fact, piece of writing you have here. Now I want to find actual Japanese episodes to find the things I missed ;_;

amazing

[(Anonymous)]

hey i'm kirstie [randomer]
Kai's been my favourite charecter every since the first episode of beyblade [love his attitude xD] so i'll read anythig about him - but i've got to say i was seriously amazed at how well you've analysed their relationship! you've pointed out so many little things that i thought only i had noticed lol! really good essay (Y)

one question - do you know where i can watch the japanease version (subbed) because i've only ever seen the english dub and i know they skipped out alot of things (like when Kai and Brooklyn first battled - they hacked that episode to pieces) but from what you've said theres so much more in the orginal.

thank you anyways! xxx {you rock}