This week, for our character featured post, we decided to do a post on one of the characters in the story. A man who we all know has been a fan favorite for a long time now.
Our very own mentalist.
In chapter 189 of the story, we saw Gen visibly freaking out over Taiju’s physical state. Taiju had gotten attacked head on by Stanley’s people, tanking an entire bomb explosion by himself. This left him in a charred state, and he was unable to get up. The entire moment was rather dark and bleak. But it did provide us some food for thought over Gen’s characterization over the course of the manga. Especially in certain moments.
Gen was introduced into the story as a potential antagonist. At the time, he revealed that he is the type of person who likes siding with the winners. An opportunist. Which is why he was initially weighing the pros and cons of siding with either Senku or Tsukasa.
This side of him has been pretty much a staple over the course of the series. As he was getting onto the Perseus, Kohaku realized that this was a ruse. For appearance’s sake, he does like putting on a show at times. Much like a magician performing in front of a crowd.
But what happens when the mask slips? When he cannot help but reveal his true self? We get a glimpse of this a few times over the story.
No, we are not referring to him to freaking out over one of Senku’s countless scientific ideas.
Or him lamenting the thought of manual labor.
There are also his reactions when danger was imminent. Such as Tsukasa showing up at the miracle cave. Or Stanley first showing up in front of his group with Kohaku and Chrome. These reactions are normal, expected of anyone who would be in the same scenario.
What we are referring to here are more heartfelt moments.
For example, his reaction to the platinum that lay in the treasure chest, on Treasure Island.
This bit was remarkably interesting, a rare reaction from Gen. Normally his reaction to witnessing any invention or chemical is one of amazement. Shock even (Like with the nitroglycerin) But here, he was moved. Wondering just how long it would take to gather so many specks of platinum. And realizing just how similar Senku was to his father.
He also had tears when he saw the petrified statues on the Perseus. Though this is a moment we had already pointed out in the analysis of Chapter 190. At the time, he was checking in on the ship since the signal was cutting out.
A short moment of anic-paying, but he managed to recollect himself shortly after. And even stop Kohaku from charging towards the ship herself, which would put the group in farther danger.
When the group was headed to America on the Perseus, Senku and Ryusui had a poker match. To decide how long the trip to the States would take. Gen sided with Ryusui, but he ended up losing. At the end of that poker match, we learned that he is a bit of sore loser. What was supposed to be a simple game, was something he took to heart.
In the old world, he and Tsukasa first met on a game show on television. Tsukasa won at the time, but Gen pretty much expected that. Additionally, it was meant to be a mere show. Something for the masses to watch and enjoy. Not to ponder too much over. On the ship, the comfort of the crew was at stake. Of course, Gen would side with this, being someone who only wants to take it easy in life.
He was mulling over this loss later, reflecting on how he needed to do some self-growth of his own.
And true enough, he ended up saving the day with his bluff about the Medusa.
More recently, we had the Taiju incident. Gen was there when Moz attacked them at the cave. At the time, he was Taiju get knocked down by Mozu, and get right back up.
Which gave him a general idea of what kind of a person Taiju is. He had enough faith in his abilities to endure, to the point where he outed him as the scientist on the Perseus.
He did it to protect Senku of course, but why Taiju specifically? Because he knows what kind of a person he is. Taiju is also someone who would never fight back when threatened, instead choosing to take all the damage on himself.
Despite knowing this, Gen did apologize once Stanley set out to snipe Gen. A hint of remorse/regret over singling out Taiju?
So, no matter what the Americans threw at Taiju, he would be okay. Or so Gen believed……
There are other notable moments involving Gen, such as his talk to Xeno when they were about to harvest rubber from trees. At the time he appealed to his love of Science, saying that it is the one thing he would never betray. He did not have to give him a knife. He could have simply told him,” Why don’t you use those fingers you are so proud of to harvest rubber?” So, this act could have been viewed as a power play to get Xeno on their side. As someone who has seen how much fun Senku has had with Xeno around, he should have realized just how much it would mean to Senku to have another scientist aboard.
Though this is something that Gen has done a lot over the course of the series. Appealing to people’s psychologies and using those moments to strike a truce with them.
Another interesting thing to note. In chapter 191, Gen raised a white flag. A clear sign of surrender. A gesture that could be viewed in two ways. As a self-proclaimed opportunist, this could be interpreted as him siding with the superior party here. But as a full-fledged member of the Kingdom of Science, this act could be viewed as a surrender of the whole group. An act, which Xeno declared would save their lives. It does make you wonder what the meaning was.
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