Tatewaki Kuno

Personality: self-absorbed blow-hard
Psychology: obsessive but indecisive
Nicknames: Kuno baby - by Nibiki

Kuno is the Furikan High School kendo champion and rising star of the high school kendo scene (so he says). Kuno wears a kimono and speaks in Shakespearian overtones. Called ‘Blue Thunder' (so he says this week). Constantly carrying around a bokken (wooden kendo sword), he is in love with Akane and brazenly states in a school assembly that those that who wish to date Akane must first defeat her in combat. As a result, Akane is attacked by every boy in school before the first bell. She easily defeats them only to be challenged by, and defeat, Kuno.

Upon discovering Akane is engaged to Ranma, Kuno challenges Ranma-kun to a duel. Ranma suggests a short cut outside by way of a window. The problem is that the window is on the third floor and above the school swimming pool. Plunging into the pool Ranma is changed into Ranma-chan. The fight continues below water until Kuno gropes Ranma-chan. Ranma retreats to a tree to dry off. Kuno, not the sharpest tool in the shed either, declares that the cowardly Ranma has substituted a girl in his place. Akane brings a kettle of hot water to Ranma-chan to change and races to fight Kuno to delay him. Akane boots Kuno into the tree, who lands on the kettle and spots Ranma-chan. Ranma promptly stomps Kuno. The next day Kuno sends a challenge to "the tree-borne kettle girl." Ranma, never to lose a challenge, shows up as Ranma-chan. Instead of attacking, Kuno declares his eternal love for "his pigtailed goddess." Needless to say, Ranma is horrified.

Although he still is obsessed with Akane, Kuno chases after Ranma-chan for the rest of the series never realizing Ranma's secret (showing clearly that Kuno is an idiot). This is used as a source of enormous humor throughout the series. Ranma has used this attraction in order to fool Kuno on numerous occasions to get what he needs. Kuno's obsession over both Akane and "the pig-tailed girl" never ceases and he is never able to choose which he truly desires. Both Akane and Ranma are disgusted by the entire situation and never lose a chance to give him a stomping. Nabiki of course uses his obsession to make a little money off him at every opportunity.

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