Shōga

Fort Uragiri's commander, Major Shōga

***Shōga*** is a *Dragons of Azuma* character. He was the commanding bandit major of fort Uragiri until he was killed by Zō. He was the main target of bandit hunter Daikon for, yet an unknown reason.

## Appearance

Shōga is seen wearing a partial golden armor (including shoulder pads and a helmet, bull-themed). He wears a dark jacket with the bandit symbol on his left side, navy-blue sash belt, light pants and white tank top under his jacket. He also wears a classic bandits' tie on his legs. Under his helmet Shōga has black hair, with a 'horned' hair cut.

## History

### Before Uragiri

Shōga (a native Yasaian) for an uknown period of time was a commander of a fort in Yasai Empier. For an unknown reason he crossed paths with a bandit hunter, named Daikon, who forced him to leave his fort and change them every few monts until Shōga became the commander of fort Uragiri in Honyūrui Empire.

### Fort Uragiri

Major Shōga wasn't very liked or trusted in his last fort, Uragiri, as because of his arrival the previous commander of the fort was transfered to Kudamono. Because he was still on the run, Shōga convened a meeting of the four of the five captains of Uragiri (as Buta was residing in Nikukyū Village) to chose a new commander of the fort (suggesting the absent captain, as he saw him the strongest of the five). The meeting was interrupted by a lieutenant because of some intruders (Nashi, Cropper and Neko) standing in front of the fort.

### Battle of Uragiri

Major Shōga (who at first thought that along with the 'kids' is also Daikon) came out to welcome the fort's 'guests'. Being annoyed by Nashi's insults he choses one of the captains to fight the kids but the officer loses his fight with Cropper. The Major decides to fight the kids by himself but is stopped by Daikon who wanted to fight with Shōga alone. Shōga terrified by Daikon's presence started to fall back which anoys one of his captains (namely, captain Zō), who sends him on the ground. The Captain declares that because of this Shōga isn't allowed to be bandit in Uragiri but give him a chance to leave Honyūrui unharmed - he must defeat the bandit hunter, Daikon. The major fights the youngster in a seemingly aligned fight but is then defeated by his real strenght. Shōga tells Daikon to end his pain and finish him but the hunter refuses. Short after Captain Zō kills him with a single hit.

## Strenght

Shōga seems to be a strong character, compared with the others captain (excluding Zō) and the youngsters. The strenght of Cropper, Daikon (who are equal in physical strenght) and Nashi (who is stated to be stronger than Cropper) would be enough to defeat the Major. Also the four captains where defeated with ease by Nashi and Cropper, and a evident powerful blow from Daikon was strong enough to defeat Shōga, thus not to knock him out.

## Inspirations

In *Red Dragon**,* a look-alike of Shōga appears in the series, wearing the same armor. The two characters differs each from another with some clothing detail and the hair cuts (*tRD* 'Shōga' has a bun instead of a 'horned' hair). His helmet is a reference to Taurus Aldebaran a character from *Saint Seiya* series.

His name in japanese means 'ginger'.

## Others

* Shōga is the first characters in the series that actually died (not off-panel). Many of the bandits in the series were defeated, thus it wasn't stated if they are dead or not.
* He also was the first high-ranked bandit which has a great among of soldiers (circa 200 men).
* In *Shōga's Last Chance* another reference to Taurus Aldebaran is made - Shōga loses the same (left) horn as Aldebaran. Also the horn also sticks up to the ground.

## References

1. ↑ *Shōga's cameo appearance*http://dragonsofazuma.thecomicseries.com/comics/128/
2. ↑ http://dragonsofazuma.thecomicseries.com/comics/147/
3. ↑ http://dragonsofazuma.thecomicseries.com/comics/157/
4. ↑ http://dragonsofazuma.thecomicseries.com/comics/201/
5. ↑ http://dragonsofazuma.thecomicseries.com/comics/158/
6. ↑ http://dragonsofazuma.thecomicseries.com/comics/179
7. ↑ http://dragonsofazuma.thecomicseries.com/comics/184/
8. ↑ http://dragonsofazuma.thecomicseries.com/comics/189/
9. ↑ http://dragonsofazuma.thecomicseries.com/comics/196/
10. ↑ http://dragonsofazuma.thecomicseries.com/comics/228/
11. ↑ http://dragonsofazuma.thecomicseries.com/comics/229