Shiba Takeru and Tani Chiaki Parallels
It’s really cool how Shinkenger gives us little moments that show just how similar the delinquent Chiaki is to Takeru when he isn’t being the unbeatable Lord.
When we’re introduced to Takeru in Act 1, he compares parts of his life and his position to a Period Drama. Then in Act 2, we have Chiaki making the same comparison. In both cases, they use it somewhat mockingly, commenting on the ridiculousness of some of their traditions.
I find this especially interesting because when Chiaki makes the comparison, it’s in frustration towards their training. Takeru confronts him about his attitude after, but he doesn’t question the period drama comment. He doesn’t find it disrespectful, if anything he may respect it as he made a similar comment. His gripes were with Chiaki’s skill level and the need for him to train to improve those skills, not his attitude. To establish some similarity between these two characters so early on is great since the one-sided rivalry for Chiaki is a huge part of his motivations.
Playing With Their Origami
Throughout the series, we see the Shinken-Oh Origami acting like little pets for the samurai. However, we mainly see this happen with Chiaki and Takeru.
I wanted to highlight these two times in particular from Act 10 and Act 12 because they’re a great parallel. In Act 10, Takeru is playing with the Shishi Origami as he speaks with Jii in private about Chiaki and Takeru gives insight into Chiaki and how to train him. Similarly, in Act 12, Chiaki is speaking with Mako about Takeru and trying to imagine being in his shoes as he plays with his Origami. This creates a great parallel between the two — as they try to think about and like the other, they are passively shown doing a shared habit that shows their inherent similarities.
In a funny turn of events, Takeru leaves the room when Genta makes his introduction to the team at the Shiba Residence in Act 18. He leaves so he can let out the uncontrollable laugh he has towards his friend in private. It’s a fun parallel to show who Takeru is beneath his persona as Lord because we see Chiaki laughing too for the same reasons in the background of the scene prior!
The last thing I want to bring up is their relationship with Mako. The way they work with Mako as characters highlights some of their similarities as a whole. They’re both a bit of hotheads, and we see that as well with their shared period drama opinion.
But due to that part of them, they’re not always the easiest to talk with but Mako can. She can get through to them in a way that the others can’t. She becomes an older sister figure to Chiaki and the only authority figure he really listens to, meanwhile she is the only one who can read and confront Takeru.
In Act 28, Mako and Kotoha both eat disliked food to help Genta get over his fear of sushi. They both end up falling afterwards and we have Takeru and Chiaki both going to Mako.
These all feel very purposeful. For Chiaki, Takeru is a goal. Chiaki wants to be as strong of a Samurai as Takeru and even surpass him. To create parallels between them as people, the humans they are behind the samurai lifestyle, is such a great extension of this!
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