[General Information][Gau's Past][Gau's Personality]
[Memorable Quotes][Black Howling's Development in the Anime]
Yes, we all love Gau Ban! Who doesn't? *ignores groans from the Kuruda Mailing List* Alright, so maybe its more like everyone wants a piece of Gau. *mischievous grin* I know I do...*blushes and fans herself* Hoo boy! Anyway, not to get sidetracked, this section is titled Born Legend because well, this is the section on who Gau Ban is, a bit of his past and his progression in the TV Series. If you like Gau Ban then you know why I titled this section as is, if not, well...Confucius says: "One cannot please everyone in this world." -_-;
Gau Ban is Elle Ragu's adopted younger brother. He's 14 years old and trains under his sister. Gau is like Ella's housekeeper, nanny, practice dummy and all-around gopher. Let's not forget, pack-mule, especially in the TV Series.
He always tries hard to try and defeat Elle but always gets his butt kicked, although once or twice he actually gets to get some of his shots in.
Physically, Gau is the shortest of all the characters, except of course for Feorina. He has a slight build but is well-muscled. His hair is generally brown, ranging from chestnut brown to a rich caramel, short, tied back in a low ponytail and his eyes are an expressive deep green or amethyst blue depending on the anime you are watching (OVA or TV Series)
He works along with Faury, Elle and Kyo to pay off the debts incurred by Ell, er, the group. He also braids Elle's hair and generally worries about Elle. I think everything is actually Elle in Gau's brain, that's why I'd like to see them get together. And if anyone is of like mind, please visit Sevalle Dreams link. ^__^V
That's the time a young girl, older than Gau, but still a girl, intervened to help the set upon youngling. Elle defeated the bandits with her already fearsome Shadow Skill and asked Gau if he wanted to be stronger. Knowing Elle, you can guess just how she put up that offer right? *remembers how she let Kyo joins the group and shakes head* She's such a softie...Anyway, Elle's words in the OVA were, and I quote, "Do you want to be stronger, brat?" -_-;. This is where the TV Series and the OVA slightly differs...
Gau's town/village was attacked by bandits when he was ten. Everyone was killed including his parents. The grieving and justifiably angry youngster sought to fight the bandits on his own. He was doing a creditable job of it but was overpowered by sheer number and strength.
In the TV Series: Gau follows Elle and that's it. We see them next as the happy duo with Elle drinking away the profits and Gau being the pack-mule.*sweatdrops as she sees Elle atop the big pile on Gau's back* well, at least one of them is happy.
In the OVA: Gau Ban follows Elle only to steal all her money away when he has the chance. He doesn't talk, not ever, and follows Elle around silently. Eventually, he decides to stay and study Elle's Shadow Skills. He only starts to talk to Elle after the battle with Cor Iks. (For further details of the OVA go to Invincibility's Kurudan Archive where I have a very detailed screencaps gallery and summary of Acts 1 & 2 of the OVA or go to the Kingdom of Kuruda)
Gau is a sensitive modest young man who won't admit to the great deeds he has done most of the time. I say MOST of the time because in TV Episode 15, Gau did, er, sort of bragged about his abilities to the group of men in the training field...Remember the line: "Ok, I'm finished practicing now. You fellows can have it back." and the scattered cracked wooden practice dummies? So he isn't always modest but Elle's always there to keep him in line...(snickers and imagines the time Gau fainted because Elle almost strangled him)
Gau thinks most of the time about why he should fight, especially in the anime. He can't fight unless he has something to fight for. If he can't find a reason to fight, he's usually beaten up silly. Like when Low fought him for Kyo in the TV Series. He didn't stand a chance against the older valle until Kyo stood between him and Low...with something to fight for, Gau's strength shows itself.
So 'ware when he does have something to fight for because then he becomes like a "beast". (Remember the time in Dias' cottage where he beat off the army, thousands! This was the time he took for himself the name "Black Howling")
Aa, now that I've sung my adorable Black Howling's praises and lauded his greatness, it is now time to point out his... His biggest weakness, as M'Lady Starshadow constantly tells me, is that the dear boy is absolutely, uncontestably CLUELESS about love. And that is one thing I cannot contest. *grin* I bow to the superior judgement of my liege lady. Gau is really clueless. You'd have to bonk him over the head with a hammer or maybe throw yourself at him before he'd even notice that you do love him. And even then, I have my doubts...*sigh* although this boy is really to die for.
*Sees citizens of Kuruda smirk and sighs* Yes, I admit he has weaknesses. But then again, his weaknesses are actually what makes him endearing.
“You told me to protect Dias. Scarface told me to protect Dias!” -Proruhan battle to protect Dias
“Please watch me, my brother Dias, I will become the strongest shield in history.”-Proruhan battle to protect Dias
“If that is not a sevalle, then what is a sevalle?” -Soludufan soldier in Proruhan battle, referring to Gau
“I pay the greatest respect to all of you who are about to be defeated and to all who have been defeated. So then I have decided to name myself. From now on, my name is Black Howling.” -Proruhan battle to protect Dias
“My body is filled with the love of so many people. I’m not alone, as long as I have the love they have for me.” -Proruhan battle to protect Dias
“I fight, probably for the pride of being a Kuruda mercenary and also, in order to become a shield for someone…” -to Scarface, in answer to Scarface's question of why he fights
“It is said that when a man fights an irreplaceable friend, the mercilessness of a fight is at its maximum. However, after the fight, if even one teardrop remains in each friend’s eye, then they will forever be great friends.” -Narrator, after Low and Gau's battle
“I want to be strong…I want to be strong. That’s why I fight.”
“Everyone has a different way of thinking…” -talking to Dias, night time in Kuruda when G comes to the city
“The honor of a Kuruda mercenary was taught to me by Low himself. Low as well is seeking to be strong. When Low fought me, his eyes were as clear as the sky, definitely not the eyes of a madman.” -distraught Gau at Dias' words of the fine line between valle and beast
“I will not cross. I will never cross the line. Ever!” -Gau's denial that he won't succumb to the madness of the beast
“He is the beast.” -referring to G after seeing G's work on the soldiers
“I am an attendant of Shadow Skill.” -talking to King Iba Stolla as he presents himself to fight G
“I will fight together with my own friend’s soul.” -Gau putting on Low's earrings as he is about to fight G
“If I become much stronger than G, can I see you again?” -beaten silly by G, Gau reminisces about his past and remembers father and mother, addressing them
“I must get up, I must get up.” -Gau struggling to get up from G's punishing blows
“Dad…mom…I want to be strong. I couldn’t protect you because I was weak…I want to be strong. I want to be strong.” -battling G and remembering the past
“I must admit you are very strong, but I don’t want the kind of strength you have.” -Gau's comment to G
“I was fighting because I needed to survive, because I needed to live and kill to protect myself.” -Gau with a slashed throat, thinking on Darkness' comments
“I might not make it Elle…I’m scared. I’m scared.” -Gau with a slashed throat, thinking on Darkness' comments
“It doesn’t matter who I’m fighting…I am going to defeat this.” -Gau with a slashed throat, struggling to stand up and defeat Darkness before he dies
“I’ve had enough Elle. I don’t care about anything.” -Gau after Dias dies, on their training ground
“There is no difference between a single life and a thousand lives.” -to Lean, in response to Lean's comment to leave him, Kuruda vs. Soludufan battle
“Ying Style? Is it a style that branched off from Shadow Skill?” -A very innocent answer to Ren Fuuma's constant comment on his Ying style. You should see Ren's face after this, the incredulity is just hilarious.
“Just like you believe that your style is the best, I too believe that Shadow Skill is an invincible force. That’s why…I stand!” -Gau struggling to stand up after punishing blows from Ren Fuuma
“I can’t do it. I can’t do it alone! Elle!” -Gau's thoughts while lying on the ground afterbeing overtaken by fear, Gau vs Ren Fuuma
“I don’t want to be a beast, I want to be a human being. A human being cannot be a beast.” -to Darkness in mindscape, where Darkness is telling Gau that in order to survive he needs to be like the beast, Gau vs Ren Fuuma
“Please give me courage, give me courage so I can stand up!” -thoughts to oneself, Gau vs Ren Fuuma
“The courage and the soul that will defeat the fear that is in my mind. Give me wings! Give my Shadow Skill wings to fly forth.” -scene where Gau raises the Talisman of Evil that came from Kain Phalanx (G) and Dias in angel form swoops forth to push Gau forward, Gau vs Ren
“Everybody. You gave me this victory.” -after the fight with Ren Fuuma
Gomen, nothing yet! But as soon as I can I'll hop right to it!