This article contains information found in chapters 156+ of the Ousama Ranking manga. If you are avoiding post-anime spoilers please proceed with caution!
Oyabu (オヤ—ブ, Oyabu) is a character in Ousama Ranking.
He is the leader of a bandit gang that is affiliated with the Geslan Kingdom, and participated in the attempted overthrow of the Kuhya Kingdom.
Appearance[]
Oyabu is a tall, well-built man with light golden eyes and shoulder-length black hair. He typically wears lightweight armor, but infiltrated the Kuhya Kingdom in civilian clothing consisting of a white, long-sleeved shirt, red pants, and black boots.
As a part of his disguise, Oyabu used a crutch and affected a severe limp, but in reality he is completely healthy.
Personality[]
Though he looks like a fairytale knight, Oyabu is anything but. He's repeatedly shown himself to be a cunning and ruthless bandit, and is more than happy to sacrifice his own men in the pursuit of his own goals.
Plot[]
The Hazy Past[]
Oyabu is the leader of a powerful bandit gang that seems to predate the rise of the Geslan Kingdom. Though the exact circumstances are unknown, Kage remembers seeing Oyabu's gang sack and pillage a town when he was a small child.
Bandit for the Geslan Kingdom[]
At some point Oyabu's gang became affiliated with the expansionist Geslan Kingdom, serving as its agents out in the field. Treated as separate from the Geslan Kingdom's military, Oyabu's gang was used to attack smaller kingdoms bordering Geslan's territory, harrying their peasants and exhausting the small kingdoms' armies.
This was all part of a larger plan by the Geslan Kingdom, whose army would then swoop in and "rescue" the citizens of the attacked kingdom, winning over the peasants who would then agree to join Geslan's territory for protection.
An Injured Warrior[]
When the Geslan Kingdom set its sights on the Kuhya Kingdom Oyabu chose to infiltrate Kuhya, posing as an injured warrior who required a crutch to walk. This was part of a larger plan to gain access to the Kuhya Kingdom palace and conquer it from within.
As a part of this plan, Oyabu rescued a local merchant who was being menaced by Oyabu's own men. Impressed, the merchant offered to introduce Oyabu to the Kuhya Kingdom's royal family. This encounter was witnessed by Bojji and Kage, the latter of whom almost recognized Oyabu.
Seemingly unbeknownst to Oyabu, the Geslan Kingdom had already pursued a similar strategy and infiltrated the Kuhya military with their own spy, Ringi.
This would come to a head during the attempted overthrow of the Kuhya Kingdom, with a standoff between Oyabu, Ringi, Oyabu's second-in-command, and the Kuhya Kingdom's royal family in their own throne room. In spite of Commander Sadi's attempts to save the royal family's lives, all seemed lost, until Bojji arrived.
The young prince swiftly turned the tables, disabling every enemy of the Kuhya Kingdom and immediately ending the threat to the royal family.
True Colors[]
Sensing an opportunity, Oyabu first fled, then killed several of his own men in the Kuhya Kingdom's castle and pretended to change loyalties, following after Bojji with sinister intent.
Relationships[]
Kage[]
Kage seems to be the only person in the Kuhya Kingdom who had ever encountered Oyabu in the past. Though it took him a bit, Kage recognized Oyabu as a cold-blooded murderer, and attempted to warn everyone possible.
Bojji[]
Bojji felt an immediate kinship with Oyabu while watching him easily fight two local thugs in spite of his apparent disability. This, accompanied by an odd dream, gave Bojji an oddly favorable attitude toward Oyabu for quite some time. This attitude was only dispelled when Bojji saw Oyabu's cruelty first-hand. Although, through an insincere yet adamant apology, Oyabu was able to win Bojji's favor once more.
Ranking Organization Member[]
The traveling judge from the Ranking Organization is an enemy of Oyabu, earning his ire after humiliating him in battle. There was initial interest shown by the association member in Oyabu's murderous intent, but he quickly deemed Oyabu a poor fit for a king. Oyabu has sworn to enact revenge on the judge should they ever meet again.
Abilities[]
Bandit Leader[]
Oyabu is an extremely-competent leader of his gang of henchman bandits, which has been active for quite some time, possibly since before the fall of the Bo Kingdom. Oyabu's men are extremely loyal, though he does not return the sentiment.
Swordsman[]
Oyabu is a very capable swordsman, though his strength relative to other characters is unknown. He has judged himself far inferior to Bojji.
Deception[]
Oyabu has shown that he is willing to play whatever role necessary to gain the upper hand in any situation, whether it be a coward groveling for forgiveness, bursting into tears on command, or faking an injury/disability.
Quotes[]
"What the hell is that kid...?" — after first witnessing Bojji's swordsmanship
"I will find that infernal bastard and rip him to pieces." — referring to the ranking judge
"Don't underestimate me just because I have legs like these. Next, I'll take your lives." —threatening a rowdy group of bandits
Trivia[]
- Oyabu's name likely derives from the Japanese word for "boss" ( 親分, oyabu).