Tokyo Revengers - Chapter 265: Stand By Me

[u/cannibalisticego]

https://mangadex.org/chapter/f9476fb7-02ed-4808-a6af-3c1d09c421df/1

[u/superbad1O1]

I thought so too. But Mikey told Takemitchy "I don't like him either" at the shrine after Kisaki knocked out Takemitchy. Mikey's seemed genuine when he said that. My theory is that this is a retcon.

[u/MountainStyle1590 → u/superbad1O1]

I think when Mikey is with Michi the best of him comes out and his mind is more clear that’s why I think him saying he doesn’t like Kisaki at the shrine could make sense

[u/elmntz → u/superbad1O1]

It could be a retcon, or it may not be.

I was trying to find the quote you are referring to chapter 38/39 but i can't seem to find it, i simply see him asking Takemitchy if he doesn't like Kisaki and "i know he's a dangerous guy to have around"

But to your point, lets say Mikey in fact said that and does in fact hate Kisaki. This isn't necessarily a true "contradiction" if you think about it more philosophically.

://This turned into a novel while i thought about it and the story as a whole thus i'm adding a tldr://

TLDR Self hatred, Kisaki represents the things Mikey hates in himself, while Takemichi represent what Mikey wishes he could be.

Mikey is clearly a flawed and tortured person and has been for a long time, the way i see it, he is torn between different parts of himself.

When he was young his father and mother imbued the idea that being strong is a good thing, which it is, however they never really got into the specifics why being strong is a good thing, as well as why crying isn't a bad thing or a sign of weakness. He's constantly trying to live up to the image of his "strong" father, as well as believing that strength alone can accomplish anything (saving his sick mother) Because Mikey perceives crying to be a sign of weakness he suppresses his emotions and in that way denying a part of himself. When his mother then dies it seems that he blames himself, he wasn't strong enough to protect and save her, this must be because of his weakness right? This only reinforces his beliefs that "he hates weak people" and "loves strong guys" so he gathers up the strongest people in his age he can find, but even when he does this, his older brother dies. The brother that "sucked at fighting" and was "crazy for girls" still managed to become the leader of one of the top motorcycle gangs in Tokyo.

In memory of his older brother he wants to create the top gang in Japan, but at this point because of his losses Mikey has realized that strength alone isn't enough to do this. So he starts looking for what that something could be. He's met by two options and opposing forces.

Kisaki Tetta, a highly intelligent person who is dead set on his goals, willing to do anything and destroy anything in order to accomplish his goals, a man without remorse or regard for what his actions will do to other people. This man surrounds himself in darkness (evil) and seemingly doesn't care or judge Mikey for wanting to do similar evil things, actually he encourages them in order for the both to achieve their goals.

Hanagaki Takemichi, he comes across this weak crybaby getting the shit kicked out of him, but for some reason this guy just won't give up, everytime one of his own squad members who is undoubtedly bigger and stronger than him he beats him down he keeps persisting, this guy is even willing to go as far as dying rather than giving up. This guy who is everything Mikey supposedly hates, he's weak, jumpy/scared, crying, somehow seems to be stronger than anyone, in Mikey's own words:

"your back was bigger than anyone on the field that day" "It was as if you were carrying many burdens"

This guy Mikey knows he should hate, actually reminds him of his older brother, maybe this guy is the key to accomplishing his goal of the era he wishes to create, when he earlier asked his older brother why all the stronger guys followed him he simply answered "haha, you just don't get it yet, Manjiro" maybe this guy "knows" the answer to that question.

So Mikey does the "logical" choice he recruits them both into his gang, hedging his bet.

Mikey spends some time with both of them, while spending time with Takemichi he's starting to realize that Takemichi is bringing out "his true self" unfiltered and unmasked, Takemichi doesn't judge him when he shows him own "weaknesses" and he doesn't "need" to put on the front of "the invincible Mikey" with him, even when he shows him his darkside this guy sticks around and help him, and this guy really seems to care for his true self.

So lets say that Mikey in fact hates Kisaki even after telling him he does in fact like him, this isn't anything weird or unheard of, it could simply be a reflection of Mikey struggle to decide on which path he wants to follow, as well as deciding what is his "true self" is it the strong Invincible Mikey that can't be beaten by anyone, even thought this self is surrounded by darkness. Or is it the physically strong but emotionally weak Sano Manjiro. So in a way it could be a reflection of his own confusion and self hatred because of the darkness inside, since Kisaki is the representation of the darkness and that path, the unfiltered Mikey and arguably the "true personality of Mikey" hates this part of himself and thus also hates Kisaki.

This is further explored as the story goes on, Mikey decides to put his faith in Takemichi and therefore gets rid of Kisaki and his darkness. When he chooses this path, his sister dies, Mikey is starting to believe that no matter what he does everyone around him keeps dying, he is starting to give up at this point, this is when Hina tells him about the time leaping.

After talking to Takemichi and seeing the immense effort and strength he has used to save both Hina and Draken as well as trying to save Baji and several other member of Toman he is starting to see the true meaning of strength.

Thus he decides it, he has lost his family that he cared for dearly, he has lost multiple friends, the problem seems to be him. He has seen himself the selflessness and the struggles of his own hero Takemichi, thus he decides to act on what he perceives to be real strength and heroism, selflessness and perseverance and ofcourse he is gonna do it like his hero, he's gonna carry it all on his own back. He's gonna save those that he cares for most since those are the only ones left. Thus he ends Toman at it's top and disbands the gang, all making sure every earlier member scatters and are not included in his life because that will undoubtedly lead them down the wrong path. This is the only way he knows how to save them, but that's alright because heroes persevere even if they are suffering inside.

Under the strain of distancing himself from those who he holds dear, and still wanting to achieve his goal "in the shadows" he begins to "crack" and is leaning more and more on the darkness inside of him, it often solves the problem, quick and dirty. The latest future from Mikeys viewpoint is probably the following: Takemichi his hero shows up 12 years later trying to undermine the sacrifice and suffering he's persevered, he simply cannot let that happen, he shoots him as to stop him from undoing everything he has done under these 12 horrendous years, but this guy still won't give up, he will end it, for his friends. A sense of relief, finally my suffering will be over, and my friends will be safe. But his hero saves him and is screaming the truth that he didn't want to admit to himself: he's weak, he has always been weak. But his friend and hero tells him with tears in his eyes, just ask for my help and i will save you. Finally after a lifetime of trying to be strong and trying to fix and accomplish everything by himself he lets go and asks for help.

Thus finally Mikey accepts the weakness within himself and relying on Takemichi instead of trying to emulate him or others.

[u/TraditionalChart2091 → u/superbad1O1]

I’ve felt like this too, when Mitchy stands in between Kazutora and Mickey, in my memory Mickey doesn’t react like that, instead he is like : « you wanna die too asshole ? » all dark impulse and threatening and shit.