Kunou, Kodachi
Summary
Kodachi, widely recognized in the gymnastics world as "The Black Rose," is the sister of Tatewaki Kuno and a student at St. Hebereke School for Girls, also known as St. Bacchus School for Girls in the manga. This distinguishes her from many regular cast members who attend the co-ed Furinkan High. As the captain of her school's team and a master of Martial Arts Rhythmic Gymnastics, she frequently initiates attacks using weapons such as swords or a giant mallet to incapacitate opponents before a match even begins, thereby securing a default victory. She justifies this aggressive tactic as "fighting in all fairness before the match," a strategy that left her with an almost undefeated record prior to her encounter with Ranma. When these direct assaults failed, she resorted to more deceitful methods, such as hiding thumbtacks between her fingers during a handshake. She also has a particular fondness for using paralysis gas and sleeping powders on people, often without any clear motive. Kodachi develops a strong infatuation with male Ranma after he saves her from falling off the roof of the Tendo Dojo, acting as her knight in shining armour. This makes her the only suitor among his rivals who lacks an official or semi-official claim to him. Despite this, she regards him as her lover and is determined to possess him by any means necessary. Her perspective on Ranma is opposite to that of her brother, Tatewaki. Tatewaki despises Ranma’s male form because of his engagement to Akane and his perceived enslavement of the mysterious pigtailed girl. Consequently, Kodachi dislikes Ranma’s female form, viewing her as a romantic rival. However, Tatewaki enthusiastically gives his blessing for them to date, secretly imagining that they would have a miserable life together, which would free Akane for himself.
