Kono the Sumo
Context
This obscure martial artist first appeared in 1983. He was part of a collection of international killers. These were meant to evoke C-list thriller movie cliché foreign henchmen. So of course, there was a sort-of-sumotori.
He was briefly brought back ten years later in Captain America. And received some development, because Mark Gruenwald was cool.
Background
- Real Name: Kono Sanada.
- Marital Status: Unrevealed.
- Known Relatives: Sheoke Sanada (aka Snapdragon, sister, sometimes deceased).
- Group Affiliation: Frequent employee of Damon Dran.
- Base of Operations: Often in Damon Dran’s bases.
- Height: 5’10” Weight: 340 lbs.
- Eyes: Brown Hair: Black
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Powers & Abilities
Kono is a martial artist of superior strength and durability. He can crush most common obstacles. Hurting him with punches and kicks is very difficult, even for strong and skilled fighters. He could even survive a nasty gunshot wound from a rifle round.
As a former sumotori he is skilled in wrestling, shoving and holding his ground. His style and weapons suggest additional training in a form of karate, a form of gusari-jutsu, and perhaps Western-style fencing.
Sanada often carries a melee weapon. If he can carry an obvious weapon he will have a large fighting chain (gusari). If he must be more discreet, he’s fond of carrying a sword-cane instead
History
The Sanada siblings both are excellent martial artists. It isn’t clear whether Kono and Sheoke were raised together, though. Sheoke seems more American, and Kono more Japanese.
Kono had a career as a successful sumo wrestler. It is possible that he is Japanese-American, but that his physique and fluency in Japanese allowed to compete as an early example of nikkei sumotori.
If so, he may have spent most of his adolescence and early adulthood in Japan rather than in the US. But this is hypothetical.
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Push comes to shove
Kono Sanada eventually abandoned wrestling to become a criminal mercenary. One gets the impression that by that point his little sister already had a career as the costumed mercenary Snapdragon. She thus may have convinced him that there was more money to be made that way.
Sheoke was a senior mercenary working for Damon Dran when Kono was first seen. Kono was part of a team of six international killers assembled by Dran. It is thus possible that Sheoke recommended Kono for the job.
In 1983, Dran clashed with the dreaded Black Widow (Natalia Romanova). Both Sanada siblings were defeated by the Widow. During the fray, Kono was hit in the head by a stray bullet from another mercenary, “Deadshot” Darrance.
Hey little sister what have you done
The hardy sumotori survived without apparent sequellae. However, in 1993 his sister was accidentally killed by Diamondback (Rachel Leighton). This was traumatic for Leighton. Thus, when it became unclear whether Sheoke Sanada was or wasn’t dead, Diamondback investigated.
This led her to New Orleans, where she discovered that “Kono the sumo” was Kono Sanada. He was still working for Damon Dran, who was running a large criminal organisation in the NOLA area. Kono worked with a squad of hugely muscular thugs, and another lieutenant was Golddigger (Angela Golden).
Dran’s operation was wrecked by Diamondback, Captain America (Steve Rogers) and Americop – plus some allies, including the Widow. Dran was apparently arrested, but one gets the impression that Kono saw where this was going and fled in time.
Time goes on, on and on
Kono Sanada hasn’t been seen since. Which is a shame. His sister resurfaced, though.
Description
When he knows he’ll be fighting, Kono dresses in a loincloth and sandal that evoke a sumotori’s look. Otherwise, he’s partial to tailored business suits that aim for an affluent, classy, conservative image.
He keeps his hair in a bun, which seems also meant to evoke sumo wrestlers.
Personality
Very calm, politely threatening, moves slowly. He sounds like a traditionalist, and is somewhat misogynistic and patronising.
If Kono gets a lot of screen time in your game (it *could* happen, eh ?) here is the skinny (so to speak) about sumotori diet and training .
Quotes
“Was that your best shot ?”
DC Universe History
He was originally meant to be a central casting type, so he can easily be plugged in everywhere. The League of Assassins would certainly make sense.
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Kono the Sumo
| Dex: 05 | Str: 05 | Bod: 05 | Motivation: Mercenary |
| Int: 04 | Wil: 03 | Min: 04 | Occupation: Mercenary, mobster |
| Inf: 05 | Aur: 03 | Spi: 04 | Wealth: 005 |
| Init: 016 | HP: 015 |
Powers:
Joined: 01
Bonuses and Limitations:
Joined is Form Function.
Skills:
Charisma (Interrogation, intimidation): 05, Martial Artist (AV, EV, OV): 06, Martial Artist (RV): 09, Weaponry (Melee): 06 and presumably Vehicles (Land): 03.
Advantages:
Probably Language (Japanese) and Familiarity (Sumo rules and rituals, Martial arts of the world).
Connections:
Underworld (Low), Damon Dran (Low).
Drawbacks:
Creepy Appearance (sumotori-like appearance, oft-notable clothing), Dependent (His sister, zero points).
Equipment:
- Sword-cane [BODY 03, EV 04 (06 w/STR, 07 w/Martial Artist), Insta-change, Misc.: note the low BODY for the STR-augmented EV].
- Manriki gusari [BODY 06, EV 04 (06 w/STR, 07 w/Martial Artist), Stretching: 01, Linking Enhancer (1 AP) (STR – only for Grappling/Wrestling) cap: 07, Limitation: Stretching has No Fine Manipulation].
Game Stats — DC Adventures RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Kono “the sumo” Sanada — Averaged PL6.8
| STR | STA | AGL | DEX | FGT | INT | AWE | PRE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04 | 03 | 02 | 01 | 06 | 01 | 00 | 01 |
Powers
Sumotori physique ● 7 points (Noticeable) ● Descriptor: Girth, conditioning
– Impervious Protection 2 (Limited 2 to blunt attacks).
– Enhanced Advantages (Defensive Roll 1, Second chance (being moved against his will), Diehard).
– Enhanced Fortitude 3, Enhanced Parry 1.
Combat Advantages
All-out Attack, Chokehold, Close Attack 2, Defensive Roll 2 (3).
Other Advantages
Contacts, Diehard, Equipment 1, Language (Japanese), Second chance (being moved against his will).
Skills
Athletics 1 (+5), Deception 2 (+3), Expertise (Sumotori) 6 (+7), Expertise (Martial arts lore) 4 (+5), Insight 3 (+3), Intimidation 4 (+5), Perception 3 (+3), Persuasion 1 (+2), Vehicles 2 (+3) (Limited to common land vehicles).
Equipment
Sword-cane Strength-based piercing Damage 2, Feature 1 (disguised as a cane) ● 4 points
Weighted chain Strength based blunt Damage 2, Improved Grab, Improved Trip, Reach 1 ● 5 points
Offense
| Initiative +2 |
| Unarmed +8, Close, Damage 4 |
| Sword-cane +8, Close, Damage 6 |
| Weighted chain +8, Close, Damage 6 |
Defence
| Dodge | 07 | Fortitude | 08 |
| Parry | 09 | Toughness | 03*/06/08** |
| Will | 04 |
* Without Defensive Roll
** With Defensive Roll and Protection
Complications
- Life of crime Hardened criminal with extensive mob ties.
- Appearance He’s hard to miss.
- Relationship Kono looks after his sister, though Sheoke is plenty tough.
Powers Levels
- Trade-off areas. Attack/Effect PL 7, Dodge/Toughness PL 7, Parry/Toughness PL 8, Fort/Will PL 6.
- Points total 78. Abilities 36, Defences 13, Skills 13, Powers 7, Devices 0, Advantages 9. Equiv. PL 6.
Source of Character: Marvel Fanfare and Captain America comics.
Helper(s): Darci.
Writeup completed on the 17th of May, 2017.