Tao, Men
Summary
Tao Men serves as the second heir to the Tao Family, succeeding his father, Tao Ren. Born from the union of Ren and Iron Maiden Jeanne, Men’s appearance reflects his dual heritage. As an infant, he shares his father’s chestnut hair, yet he also possesses the silver hair and blood-red eyes inherited from his mother. During his primary school years, he dons a school uniform similar to Ren’s, distinguished by a ribbon-bow instead of a tie. His hair remains chestnut and retains the characteristic ability to stand straight when he is agitated or shocked, though it is slightly wavier, mirroring Jeanne’s traits. In his initial debut, Men displays few distinct personality traits, notably burping the word 'baka' at Horohoro, whether by accident or design. As he matures, he becomes increasingly impulsive and brash like his father, while his haughty demeanor and speech patterns echo those of his mother. Blessed with exceptional shamanic talent, he can perform an Over Soul. He commands the spiritual allies inherited from both parents: Bason, wielding the legendary Guan Dao previously used by his father’s ally, and Shamash, from his mother’s lineage. Men first appears near the conclusion of Shaman King as a baby. Tao Ren brings him to the reunion of the Five Elemental Warriors, arriving at the train station in a chariot. Men exits first while Ren speaks from inside, creating the illusion that the child is talking. Due to his resemblance to Ren, the group briefly mistakes him for his father until Ren steps out, picks him up, and introduces him as Men. Later, while waiting for Asakura Yoh and Asakura Anna, the group visits a family restaurant. Men eats from a kids menu, sparking discussion among the others about his unknown mother. When Lyserg hints at her identity to Horohoro, Men looks at the Spirit Warrior and calls him a dummy. In Shaman King: Flowers, Men is seven years old and resides at Funbari Onsen, protected by bodyguards Blocken, Zhang-Ching, and Big Billy. He is there for his Tao Family-Style Royal studies, which he describes as a test to experience the lives of the lower classes. His name, Men, signifies industry and is constructed using the first kana from Maiden and the last kana from Ren, a naming convention identical to that of Asakura Hana.
