Xia Ji (
Quick Answers
What is the significance of Xia Ji's Worm tattoo on his right hand?
What is the meaning behind Xia Ji's mischievous eyes?
How does Xia Ji's physical appearance contribute to his character in Kengan Ashura?
What does Xia Ji's lax and shrewd demeanor reveal about his character?
Appearance[]
Xia Ji possesses a defined musculature with a lean, tall physique, a mane of long shaggy white hair and thin, mischievous eyes; his Worm tattoo is on the back of his right hand. He is always seen wearing a sleeveless purple chángshān with detached loose forearm sleeves.
Personality[]
On the surface, Xia Ji, presents himself with a lax and shrewd demeanor, seemingly unfazed by problematic incidents as though everything his under his control. He expressed no worry when informed that all of his students that had marked Gaoh Ryuki had been killed and seemed more interested in the show he was watching.[2] He likes absolutely winning games.[1] As noted by Lu Tian, he would do anything in his power to achieve his goals.[3]
He seems to be wary of those stronger than him due to his, comparatively, poorer fighting skills.
However, this cool and collected facade quickly shatters when things do not go his way, such as when his brother, Xia Yan, was chosen to be the Head of the Worm over him—a lifelong goal Ji had thought was assuredly handed to him from an early age, thinking him being born into wealth and high status within the Worm were key factors into his promotion—or whenever he is confronted by dangerous people like Lu Tian, who violently eliminated a retinue of elite bodyguards in front of him in the past, being cornered by Tokita Ohma and Kure Raian while attempting to escape following a failed ambush against Yamashita Kazuo, and hanging around with Edward Wu, who would constantly admonish and even bully him around for his incompetence throughout the Kengan Association VS Purgatory Tournament behind the scenes.
When stressed out and not in his element, Xia Ji is arrogant, impulsive, reckless, and extremely temperamental, prone to emotional outbursts and panicking. This erratic behavior also tends to mesh with his shrewd assassin persona, which elevates his already unpredictable nature. He tends to berate and scream at his enemies, but at the same time, cower and be terrified at the prospect of them hurting him back, often resorting to retreating as soon as the moment presents itself. He doesn't hesitate to let everyone know that he doesn't want to fight, often yelling (in vain) that he is much stronger or deadlier than anyone thinks, but at the same time, applies his powerful but limited fighting skill set and surprise attacks to try and eliminate his enemies as quickly as possible.
Because of his contradictory and unpredictable nature, he has been described as a "dragon that should have been born a rat", describing his naturally gifted physique and position of power that is negated by his innate incompetence and spoiled, incompetent personality.
History[]
Xia Ji was initially a candidate for the human Gu ritual, similar to that of Kanoh Agito and Lu Tian, but escaped that fate.[3]
At some point Xia Ji, with sights on becoming the next head of the Worm, met a young Lu Tian, the student of The Other Tokita Niko. Xia Ji asked him to join his cause, but Lu Tian refused, calling him unnecessary. In retaliation, Xia Ji called three of his henchmen to kill Lu Tian. However, the three were easily slaughtered, while Lu Tian chose to spare the terrorized assassin, respecting his drive to achieve his goals.[3]
Xia Ji had his father, then current head of the Worm, assassinated to take his place. However, the Connector instead chose Xia Yan to become the Head of the Worm.
Plot[]
Kengan Ashura[]
In Hong Kong, he appeared with Edward Wu as well as a cloaked Fei Wangfang, discussing the failed retrieval and supposed loss of Tokita Ohma.
Kengan Omega[]
Informed by his student that he was engaging Gaoh Ryuki, Xia Ji called Edward Wu and asked him if he could lend a hand, mentioning that he was "busy" and that Edward was better at fights anyway. Not long later, Edward rung him back telling him that his student had failed and Ryuki had got away, noting that "Yuzaki" had left them with a big mess. With Edward voicing some concerns, Xia Ji told him not to worry about it, mentioning that they should have fun with Purgatory, before he hung up and went back to watching TV.
Having been called by "Kashio Toru" and informed that his cover had been blown, Xia Ji told him it was okay and he should go to the "hot spring". "Kashio" then informed Xia Ji that Narushima Koga had become an official fighter and could be used as bait, with Xia Ji commending him for his work.
Xia Ji was later seen with one of his underlings, having stolen a DNA sample belonging to Tokita Ohma, while noting that they would have Yamashita Trading Co. to thank for their meddling.
Three months later, having been keeping tabs on Yamashita Kazuo, he intimidatingly greeted Kazuo and Koga in their own home. Just then, Koga kicked him into their stairs before instantly fleeing, leaving Xia Ji humorously calling Koga rude and impatient. He eventually cornered Kazuo with an army of Worm goons. As he was about to kill Kazuo, Kure Raian and Tokita Ohma showed up to save Kazuo. During their fight with the Worm Xia Ji was punched twice by Raian but was able to survive and escape without anyone noticing.
During the Kengan Association VS Purgatory Tournament, he met Edward Wu in the Hot Pool Springs of Mt. Godslayer. Enraged due to not securing Tokita Ohma and Kure Raian, he was also confused with Edward using his candidate fighter, Alan Wu, instead of fighting himself. In the fifth round, Xia Ji was surprised to find out that the Gladiator Naidan Mönkhbat was not only a Worm, but one of the Head's direct subordinates.
Though he also knew that Lu Tian was another Worm in the competition, Ji refrained from revealing it to Edward earlier. He was attacked by the irate Wu, who couldn't stand the Worm's paranoia. Ji lied, and insisted to Edward that he didn't know Lu Tian was a Worm.
During the seventh match Edward and Ji went to watch from the gates and witnessed Alan's demise at the hands of Raian himself, who promptly went after Edward. Confused and scared, Ji was then punched by Edward who sought revenge for what Raian did to his "other half".
Power & Abilities[]
Xia Ji is a dangerous assassin. He was able to assassinate Ranjo, after the latter had been captured, without being noticed by the Bodyguards.[4] Despite being more of an assassin than a fighter, he possesses a ridiculous level of durability, able to endure two lethal punches by Kure Raian, who was also using the Removal, as well as a brutal beatdown by Kureishi Mitsuyo and Narushima Joji, managing to slip away unnoticed from his attackers every time.
Xia Ji is one of the dozen or so people in the world to have "Superman Syndrome", however, his case is on the lower end, being only twice as strong as a normal person. Despite this short coming Xia Ji is still powerful, able to scale a wall by crushing holes in it with his grip, break Ryo Inaba's hair, and easily beat around Akoya and Ryuki. His acumen for martial arts is also noted to be almost unmatched and is said to be wasted on someone like him, his brother declaring him "a dragon with the heart of a rat." Despite all these impressive feats he is at a clear disadvantage in majority of his fights such as with Himuro, Joji and Kureshi, mostly due to his cowardice.
One of Xia Ji's special skills is his ability to detect danger.[1]
The Heavy Whip[]
A technique where the user swings their arms around like a whip. It involves moving the whole body in tandem, to concentrate all their weight onto their arms. It uses centrifugal force to shift the body's weight from the feet, to the hips, trunk, shoulder, elbow and finally to the fingers. This allows the user to slice through metal and flesh with their bare hands. A number of Chinese wushu schools teach a similar technique.
Etymology[]
- Xia means "summer" (夏).
- Ji means "avoid, envy, shun, abstain form, be jealous, fear, scruple, dread" (忌).
Trivia[]
- Xia Ji likes fights, but only those he's guaranteed to win.[1]
- Xia Ji was originally going to wear a veil, like those belly dancers wear, but this idea was later scrapped.[1]
