Alrighty!

So far we established our main characters will be Kaoru and Kenshin with the others being side characters we share. We also decided that we'll be up to the point in the first season where Yahiki, Sano and Megumi are already established companions. We have decided to start with a rival dojo having moved into Tokyo. They teach pretty shady practices and the students are becoming a source of chaos around the city. Soon a tournament is announced and Kaoru decides to enter it to prove her Kamiya Kasshin Style is better and more worthy of victory than the other new rival's.

We should probably focus on who the new antagonist is. I figure he's some sexist brute, probably travels from town to town to unleash his students upon wealthy targets while ending up recruiting some more skilled bad guys. Maybe he has a son or daughter who could come into play somehow. I don't see this 'arc' or 'episode' being a quick cut and dry turn of events. I figure we'll have the sign up, the training, some rounds, some other small cute but poignant events, then the final battle, etc. I could also see the money prompting some kind of trip somewhere. Maybe a possible next arc for the gang.

Thoughts?

So, my idea for the antagonist. He is the master of his dojo and has several badass "instructors" under him, who will be the ones participating in the tournament. Personality wise, I'd say sexist brute works. Make him abusive to his students, especially the weaker ones. He extorts businesses for what they have, but moves on to another town once the authorities start putting pressure on him. He uses his dojo both to recruit new thugs and to launder his extortion money. He could have a son and a daughter, but gives his son preferential treatment since he is naturally stronger and better suited to his style of swordsmanship. His daughter secretly enters the tournament to prove herself to her father. Could be a bit of drama there as well; will she be reformed, or fall in with her corrupt father and brother? As for his name, how about Ryuuto Tajima?

That sounds good to me. Though the master won't be entering the tournament (probably finds it beneath him?) should we have his son be sort of the top contender, even among the other instructors who enter? I figure we'll need to focus on developing the main adversary and not worry too much about the others competing. So Ryuuto Tajima is the son. I do like the idea of the daughter (maybe they're both twins, around 16 or 17? Or are you thinking older?) reforming and seeing that her family's way of life isn't so great, possibly finding a friend in Yahilo and Kaoru.

Yea, I was thinking the top contender would be the son. Masters generally refrain from tournaments in general so their students can show off what they learned. Maybe they confront the master after the tournament, which Kaoru might need Kenshin's help with. I think 16 would be a good age for the daughter, maybe a little older for the son. As for Ryuuto, he's got a lot to live up to, wanting to be as successful as his father both in his swordsmanship an running the family business. I'd say he's diligent and in some ways more ruthless than his father. He'll use any dirty trick to win, including taking a hostage to make the toughest competitors throw their matches.

I think the idea of taking a hostage would be interesting to play with. Maybe Ryuuto ends up taking Yahiko hostage and while he's tied up (assuming his younger sister is around to keep watch) he could convince her that all of the dirty ploys are just rotten and that it doesn't have to continue, or she doesn't have to continue it at least. I agree with your other points. Do you think we should make a light CS for Ryuuto or at least pick some kind of picture so we'll be able to reference his appearance easily?

Maybe Yahiko can get kidnapped after the tournament as a means of luring Kaoru to their dojo so they can fight her with impossible odds. The daughter's feelings could be shaken during the tournament, but completely swayed during the kidnapping. She could then help get Yahiko out of the dojo safely. I think a quick CS for Ryuuto would be a good idea.

So if Kaoru beats Ryuuto, maybe his dad would kidnap Yahiko for a forced rematch without the issue of being moderated by the judges or tournaments organizers?

Yea, something like that. Because I don't think this dojo would accept defeat due to a tournament loss. They can also pull all kinds of cheap tricks that they would never get away with in a tournament.

Exactly.

I think this for maybe Ryuuto?

Yea. That looks good to me. Do we need to do any more planning, or are we okay to start?

Just letting you know, I'll be gone until Sunday

Thanks for the heads up. i'll try and get you an intro before you get back but I have a few other posts queued up first.

Urgh, I swear, I'll get the intro up tonight (unless you had something saved) sorry about the delay. I now figure post order shouldn't count until an IC has been kicked off at least. So if you're still game, I am!

Intro is pretty much done but I'd rather not post it until I know for sure if you're still interested. Someone did come to me about one but I do like what we have planned so if we're still a 'go' that's great, and I'll be a lot more active now that things start moving. But if not, I can just unsubscribe and we can try again another time.

Hey, I just checked up on this. I disappeared for a bit when no intro post came. If you're still up for this, I'd still like to do it. If not, I understand.

You're alive! ^^;

Yes I am still interested, I'll the intro up this afternoon.

So I left it open for Kenshin to step in if you'd like.

I didn't want to fill it with too much exposition since I know we're still finding our footing.

Looks good. I like that you're making Ryuuto nice and aggressive right off the bat. I'll start working on my post.

Thanks, I'm looking forward to it. :3

And feel free to snag Ryuuto in your post as needed.