Shu Aozaki (青崎 柊, Aozaki Shu), also known as the "street fighting executive" and the "Blue Ogre" of the Awakusu-kai, is a high ranking member of the aforementioned yakuza group and is the fierce rival of his counterpart Mizuki Akabayashi, who is regarded as the Awakusu's "Red Ogre."
Characteristics[]
Appearance[]
Aozaki is described as having wide shoulders and large bones. He has "muscles and fat combined in perfect proportions on his body" with an air like that of a predatory animal, and he wears a suit tailored only to his height that "looks like it could burst at any minute." He is also identified by the various scars marring his face which are known to have been put there by Kyouhei Kadota's father.
Personality[]
Aozaki and Akabayashi have shared a mutual rivalry even before Akabayashi joined the Awakusu. However, this rivalry is overshadowed by Aozaki's complete loyalty toward the Awakusu and its current leader, Dougen Awakusu. Aozaki states that he does not intend to settle the score he has with Akabayashi anytime soon and even warns Akabayashi of any of his enemies seeking revenge. Even though he states that he is loyal to the Awakusu, Aozaki is one of many in the organization who oppose the fact that Mikiya Awakusu, Dougen's second son, will inherit the organization, mostly due to Mikiya's lack of any noteworthy achievements.
Being rivals, Aozaki and Akabayashi are near polar opposites of one another. Where Akabayashi tends to fight on his own, Aozaki usually has subordinates to back him up. Also, while Akabayashi is adept at using new technology, Aozaki barely keeps up with it and only knows how to use the basic functions of his cell phone and computer.
Background[]
Five years before the start of the series, Aozaki and his men were harassing Sayaka Sonohara for money owed to their organization. Shizuo Heiwajima witnessed the events and attacked them, knocking all of them out and launching his reputation on the streets and underworld of Ikebukuro.
Synopsis[]
Dollars and Blue Squares Arc[]
After the grisly bodies of three Awakusu members are discovered, Aozaki, along with Haruya Shiki, Takaaki Kazamoto, Mikiya Awakusu, and Akabayashi, hold a meeting to discuss what to do about the prime suspect, Shizuo Heiwajima. When the prospect of Shizuo being framed is brought up, Aozaki is one of the people Shiki considers to be likely to orchestrate such an event, reasoning that if three members are killed under Mikiya's command, it would give a sign to other organizations that the Awakusu are at a weakened state with their new leader, thus discrediting Mikiya. This suspicion is later proven to be false once the Russian mercenary Slon is revealed to be the killer, hired by Mikiya himself. Aozaki and Akabayashi are shortly after sent to deal with Slon and Vorona, who have been hiding out in a construction site. One of Aozaki's subordinates shoots Slon in the legs, and Aozaki and his men bring Slon back to the Awakusu's headquarters, while Akabayashi hands Vorona over to Simon Brezhnev, Egor, and Denis.
Relationships[]
Mizuki Akabayashi[]
- Main article: Mizuki Akabayashi
Aozaki and Akabayashi have shared a long and fierce rivalry that has been placed in a standstill since they are both part of the same organization. Although Aozaki hates Akabayashi, this hatred seems to stem from professional pride if anything else. Aozaki frequently warns Akabayashi of old acquaintances seeking revenge and manages to maintain civil conversation with him when discussing important matters. Although the two do balance each other out and work well together, it can be safely assumed that, should Akabayashi ever betray or leave the Awakusu, Aozaki would pounce on the chance to resume his rivalry with him.
Etymology[]
- The name Shu means "holly" (柊).
- Shu's surname Aozaki means "blue, green" (青) (ao) and "cape, peninsula" (崎) (saki/zaki).