Tao, Ren
Summary
Tao Ren is a Chinese shaman who travels to Japan to compete in the Shaman Fight in Tokyo and to challenge Yoh Asakura. While this premise is omitted in the American dub, his age varies by version: he is thirteen in the manga and original Japanese anime, but fifteen in the English anime. Raised by his father, Tao Yuan, Ren developed a deep hatred for humanity and a desire to eliminate them, viewing his spirit companion, Bason, merely as a tool rather than a friend. His traumatic childhood, stripped of normalcy by forced training, fueled his anger toward his father. Initially serious, logical, and emotionally distant, Ren’s worldview shifts after forming bonds with Yoh and his nakama. Witnessing their kindness allows him to let go of his hatred, prompting him to return to China to defeat his father and forge a new path. Although Ren initially refuses help, Yoh and the others intervene to rescue him from his father’s dungeon. Together, they defeat Tao Yuan, enabling Ren to finally move forward. He maintains a tough, confident, and somewhat arrogant exterior, often displaying impatience and a short temper. Ren is egotistical, naming his group "Team the Ren," which annoys his teammate Horohoro. Despite his defiance and reluctance to follow instructions, he is intuitive, quick-witted, and deeply loyal, willing to risk his life for his allies. His combat skills are extensive, encompassing powerful shamanic abilities, martial arts, and swordsmanship, along with techniques learned from Mikihisa Asakura. The manga also hints that he can play the erhu. As the series progresses, Ren’s trust in others grows, particularly in his bonds with Yoh and Horohoro. Despite frequent conflicts with Horohoro, their relationship deepens after Ren sacrifices himself to save his friend, leading Horohoro to protect Ren’s unconscious body while Faust works to heal him. Ren’s name reflects traits of benevolence, toughness, and sharpness, while his actual Chinese name, Lián, means lotus. In the English dub, he speaks with a British accent. He is obsessed with milk and the number three. His Furyoku is recorded at 100,001. According to the Shaman King Character Book, Ren prefers girls who are smaller than him and not annoying, a preference that aligns with his marriage to Iron Maiden Jeanne and the birth of their son, Men Tao.
