Ginji Matsuzaki
Context
Black Lagoon is a 2002+ manga series, which began receiving its anime adaptation in 2006. It is about a band of modern-days pirates and mercenaries. They are based in Roanapur, a mobs-dominated pisshole of a city in Thailand.
Black Lagoon is steeped into the aesthetics of ultraviolent 1990s and early 2000s action movies and “gun opera” movies, with a dark overall tone. It is a seinen manga, meaning that it is aimed at older and more kanji-literate readers than shōnen manga (aimed at boys).
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Background
- Real Name: Ginji Matsuzaki.
- Marital Status: Presumably single.
- Known Relatives: None, but it is worth noting that he is a family retainer to the Washimine Yakuza group.
- Group Affiliation: Washimine Yakuza group.
- Base Of Operations: Tōkyō, Japan.
- Height: 6’2” Weight: 200lbs.
- Eyes: Brown Hair: Black
Powers and Abilities
Ginji is a master of kenjutsu (swordsmanship). He’s able to cut bullets in mid-air with his sword and engage multiple men armed with guns.
His speed and precision will seem superhuman to most opponents, demoralising them.
History
Ginji is a wakagashira (lieutenant) of the Washimine Group Yakuza gang. He used to be an enforcer, but then retired to become a street stall vendor.
When Yuriko Washimine became the boss of the Group he returned to duty as his bodyguard. Ginji first put an end to the enforcer Chaka’s attempted rebellion.
He then eliminated mafiya enforcers, before leaving Japan with Yuriko. This attempt at leaving the past behind did not work, and Ginji was killed by Revy.
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Description
Tall, neatly-trimmed beard, sunglasses.
Personality
Ginji was retired, but his sense of honour and duty — and his personal loyalty toward Yuriko — meant that he had to pick up his word again. Though he’s reluctant to fight, once steel is drawn Ginji is a nigh-unstoppable killer.
DC Universe History
He could be inserted anywhere to add a little Japanese flavor to any campaign. Adding Yuriko as well or at least giving him a suitable young charge to look after would seem appropriate as well.
Marvel Universe History
He could easily be an agent opposing the Hand. A connection with Daredevil’s mentor Stick also seems like a nice touch.
Quotes
“Do you want to see my sword that badly ?”
“If you’re lucky… no, if you’re unlucky, there will be a chance to fight.”
“We’re all the same. No matter how far we go, we’re not normal.”
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Ginji Matzuzaki
| Dex: 09 | Str: 04 | Bod: 05 | Motivation: Upholding the Washimine Yakuza group |
| Int: 06 | Wil: 06 | Min: 07 | Occupation: Bodyguard and enforcer for the Washimine Yakuza group, formerly a street vendor |
| Inf: 05 | Aur: 04 | Spi: 07 | Resources {or Wealth}: 008 |
| Init: 022 | HP: 090 |
Powers:
Empathy: 08, Reflection/Deflection: 11
Bonuses and Limitations:
- Empathy is a skilled power (+5 BC) and only usable with other killers such as himself (-1). It seems that he had some sort of rapport with Revy and that they were able to communicate somewhat despite the language barrier.
- Reflection/Deflection is reflect only (-1) and only usable against bullets (-1) and requires him to wield a katana (-2).
Skills:
Acrobatics (dodging)*: 09, Charisma (intimidation, interrogation): 07, Detective (clue analysis): 04, Evasion (Ranged only): 12, Martial Artist: 06, Weaponry (sword): 10, Vehicles (land): 03
Advantages:
Intensive Training, Iron Nerves, Lightning Reflexes, Shticks (quick draw, mystique {yakuza}, stance assessment, zanbato strike), Sharp Eye, Yakuza Rank (gang boss).
Connections:
Washimine Yakuza group (high), Yakuza Council (low), Yukio Washimine (high).
Drawbacks:
Enemy (Hotel Moscow), SIA (upholding the Washimine Yakuza group and protecting Yukio Washimine), Minor Rage, Misc. (doesn’t speak English).
Genre:
Gritty.
Equipment:
- Katana [BODY 09, Enhance (EV): 02 (cap is 09), Descriptor: Slashing, Piercing]. Obviously his main weapon. He never goes on a job without it.
- AK-74 assault rifle [BODY 04, Projectile weapons: 06, Ammo: 08, R#02, Advantage : Autofire]. He did more of less use this as a prop while impersonating Hotel Moscow commandos, but I really don’t see him ever using it aside from clubbing someone with it if he was somehow without his katana.
- Van [STR 07 BODY 07 Flash: 03, Running: 05, R#03. Bonuses & Limitations: Flash can only be used to provide a continuous light source (headlights)]. He and Yukio were briefly seen driving this towards the end of their careers.
What idiot would bring a sword to a gunfight ?
Well, Ginji would actually. His overall high stats make him extremely hard to hit in a firefight. That said as per the rules he doesn’t need Reflection/Deflection and could default to the more standard blocking rules with the need for a power. If you play in a more strict interpretation of the rules then he could easily do without it.
The core idea of giving him Reflection/Deflection is to keep with the thematic flavor of the “you ain’t ever gonna hit this guy with bullets” character. Likewise Ginji opperates in the Gritty genre and to keep him impressive in a Mock Real or above genre with superheroes he would need R/D.
Previous Statistics
Although Ginji has taken a few years off to allow Yukio to live a normal life it is not unreasonable to assume that he may have actually been a lot tougher in his prime to similate this up ALL his stats by 1 and up his HP total to 110.
Source of Character: Black Lagoon (animated series).
Helper(s): Wikipedia, Sébastien Andrivet, Kal el Vigilante, Roy Cowan, Frank Murdock, Surbrook .