Ren Fujita

**Ren Fujita** (1931 -) was an extraordinary character in the captivating story of Flock'⁴⁵: Battling for Pacifica. Born in Korea (**Chōsen rule**) to Korean heritage, Ren was fortunate to be raised by General Haruki Fujita, the third son of the Emperor. Ren's journey as the first person of Korean descent to become an Imperial Guard of the Japanese Army is truly inspiring. He also had the honor of being Asuka's beloved servant and personal bodyguard, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to her and the Royal Japanese Imperial Family. Additionally, Ren took on the role of an adopted older brother to Asuka and an elder brother to Hitachi, forging a deep bond within their unconventional family.

## Etymology

* "Heuk-gu" is a name of Korean origin. "Heuk" (흑) means "black" in Korean, while "gu" (구) means "dog." This name reflects Ren's physical traits and his connection to his Korean heritage. His slightly pointed ears and canine-like teeth, reminiscent of the Jindo breed, contribute to his unique appearance.
* "Ren" (蓮) is a Japanese name that means "lotus," symbolizing purity and enlightenment. This name could be seen as representing Ren's journey of growth and transformation throughout his life.
* The surname "Fujita" (藤田) is a common Japanese surname. "Fuji" (藤) refers to the wisteria flower, which holds cultural significance in Japan, symbolizing elegance and beauty. "Ta" (田) means "rice field," representing a connection to the land and agricultural traditions.

## History

Heuk-gu, born around 1931, inherited some physical traits from his Black Korean Jindo genes. His teeth included canine-like features, and he had slightly pointed ears similar to those of the Jindo breed. At the age of eight, Heuk-gu grew up working and living in a freakshow under the care of a Korean shaman who planned to sell him in America. One fateful day, a Japanese ship attacked a Korean ship, and both vessels were engulfed by a sudden and powerful storm, resulting in the loss of all those on board. In the midst of this chaos, General Haruki Fujita, the third son of the Japanese Emperor, managed to save young Heuk-gu from drowning. Interestingly, Heuk-gu had initially expressed distrust towards non-mammalbreeds like Haruki, which may have played a role in his rescue. After the storm, the two found themselves washed ashore on a small, isolated island. Although they were fortunate to have survived, there were only a few coconuts left as rations. Heuk-gu, feeling the need to search for help and sustenance, decided to separate from Haruki. He ventured out to find coconuts and even took one of Haruki's katanas to hunt, but his attempts were unsuccessful. Weary from his efforts, Heuk-gu stumbled upon a cave that was inhabited by bats for over a week. He attempted to protest, but Haruki dismissed his concerns, saying that Heuk-gu, with his dog-like instincts, needed to rely on his senses. Over the course of 121 days, Heuk-gu searched tirelessly for Haruki, believing he had perished. Despite his own hunger, he scoured the surroundings for more food, but there was still no sign of Haruki. Finally, in a state of extreme emaciation, Heuk-gu spotted Haruki near the water, lying on the sand. To his astonishment, Haruki was alive but appeared just as famished as he was. It was then that Heuk-gu realized that Haruki had managed to survive by consuming his own two legs, succumbing to the same hunger that plagued them both.

## Real-Life Comparison

* Ren Fujita, a young and ambitious pilot, has drawn comparisons to the legendary Japanese flying ace Sakai Saburo, famously known as the "Sky Samurai." Ren's journey as a pilot in the Imperial Japanese military has been closely observed, and his exceptional skills have earned him recognition and admiration, much like Saburo.
	+ - In exploring the dynamics of Ren and Toyo's relationship, we find a unique blend of student-mentor dynamics and a profound bond of brotherhood. Despite their differing roles as instructor and pupil, Ren and Toyo have forged a connection that goes beyond their professional association. They have become partners in the skies, relying on each other's expertise and support to navigate the challenges of their military careers, On the other hand, the relationship between their archetypes, Kaneyoshi and Saburo, offers an interesting perspective. While the exact nature of their connection may remain open to interpretation, it is plausible to imagine that Kaneyoshi and Saburo were either friends, close friends, or even colleagues. They might have shared a mutual respect and camaraderie, much like Ren and Toyo do now.
	+ Ren Fujita, also known as An Chang-nam, was a pioneering Korean pilot who served in the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force during World War II. He holds the distinction of being the first Korean aviator to fly a plane within the Korean peninsula.
		- * Ren's exceptional skills as an ace fighter pilot led him to achieve numerous victories in aerial combat. His journey into aviation began when he was inspired to learn how to fly after witnessing an impressive aerobatics demonstration by American pilot Art Smith in either 1916 or 1917. Additionally, Ren had the opportunity to further his knowledge and expertise in aerobatics through his friendship with Misha Kasyanov, a female Russian pilot. During his time in Russia in 1927, Misha mentored Ren, helping him develop his skills as a pilot.
			* Ren escaped from a freakshow and stole money from a Korean shaman. He fled to northern Siberia where he learned to drive and worked as a porter for a Russian military base. He crossed paths with Misha Kasyanov, a female Russian pilot, However, he was deported back to Korea, which was under Japanese control. Ren returned to the Korean shaman and the freakshow briefly, but the shaman planned to sell him in America, Before that could happen, General Haruki Fujita, the third son of the Japanese Emperor, intervened. Ren and Haruki were the only survivors of a shipwreck during a storm, enduring for 121 days. They were eventually rescued and Ren was adopted by Haruki, joining the Japanese Imperial Empire. This story has similarities to the real-life journey of An Chang-nam, who also ran away after stealing money from his stepmother. He traveled to Japan, attended a driving school, and succeeded in his new life.
		- In Japan, Ren's character excelled as a Kendo player, earning the nickname "The Emperor" due to his exceptional left-handed skills. Ren's dominance extended not only to Kendo but also to his ability to effortlessly control the handle of every vehicle and plane he encountered. This unique trait, shared with the renowned Korean-Japanese baseball player, Masaichi Kaneda, further solidified the amalgamation of their characters, both aptly known as "The Emperor."