The story of Baki the Grappler’s titular character would be incomplete without a mention of his love interest and long-term girlfriend Kozue Matsumoto who played a vital role in his life’s journey and once went as far as bringing him back from the brink of death. They first knew each other as friends because Kozue’s mother owned the house Baki lived in. Unlike Baki a lot of the other characters, Kozue is not skilled in martial arts and is not a fan of the underground arena fighting which is how her father died.
When her appearance became limited compared to how pronounced it was, rumors among fans of the show said they had probably broken up, but that is not the case. The two are still very much a couple.
Baki’s Girlfriend, Kozue Matsumoto, is the Daughter of Baki’s Landlady
When we are first introduced to the beautiful Kozue, she is a teenager who is very focused on her studies and had a stable family life with her parents Taizan Matsumoto and Kinuyo Matsumoto. Her mother owned the house they lived in whereas her father was an underground martial arts warrior who was eventually killed in a fight. The storyline of her family often revolved around just three of them, so there is no reason to think that she has a sibling.
I’m late posting about this, but better late than never! 💁🏻♀️ I play Kozue Matsumoto in the @sentaifilmworks home video release of Baki. This show was such a blast to work on. The Netflix dub is also great, so make sure to check that out as well. Hope you guys enjoy it. 🌸😘💖🥰 pic.twitter.com/EwCcPFROeA
— Christina Kelly (@ChristinaMarieK) October 15, 2021
Kozue Matsumoto and Baki Were First Friends
Kozue Matsumoto first met Baki because they were neighbors. They live in the same compound that her mother owns. From the get-go, Matsumoto exhibits a caring attitude towards Baki. She assists him in caring for his beloved dog, Musashi, when he is not around. She also brings him food sometimes. Kozue is also concerned that Baki seems to be abandoning his schooling for his fights and advises him to change his ways.
Baki does not heed Matsumoto’s advice, but he nevertheless appreciates her caring attitude toward him and reciprocates it. They become friends, and he asks her to come and witness one of his underground arena fights. Kozue Matsumoto initially balks at this because her father died in the underground fighting. Baki remains adamant though, and she eventually comes.
Kozue Matsumoto witnesses Baki’s first match at the underground arena and is quite scared for his safety. After the whole thing is over, Baki confesses his love for her, and they end up sleeping together for the first time. It is believed that this encounter increases Baki’s strength.
Does this loving couple, Baki and Kozue have your vote for BEST COUPLE? #AnimeAwards
👊 VOTE: https://t.co/CuKsgxa8Uw pic.twitter.com/ZK98NZceMf
— Crunchyroll (@Crunchyroll) January 13, 2020
Kozue Was in a Love Triangle with Baki Hanma and Mohammad Alai Jr.
Although Kozue Matsumoto ended up with Baki Hanma, there could have been another outcome because she had another love interest in the shape of Mohammad Alai Jr. Mohammad Jr is the son of a great boxer named Mohammad Alai Sr and grows up to inherit his father’s skills. He hopes to fashion out a form of martial art that involves punching and engages in several fights.
During his activities, Mohammad Alai Jr encounters Kozue Matsumoto and comes to like her almost immediately. She also returns some of his affections. They go on coffee dates. He also consoles her when Baki is poisoned. Kozue Matsumoto develops some feelings for Mohammad Jr, but the one she has for Baki is much stronger. Nothing, therefore, comes out of their relationship.
Mohammad Jr is pained by this and declares to Matsumoto that Baki has two things he wants most – the title of the strongest person in the world and the woman he loves. Mohammad Jr asks Kozue to marry him, but she turns him down. He embarks on a brutal bout with Baki, but Baki defeats him, and this marks the last time he is seen.
Kozue Matsumoto Saved Baki’s Life
After being friends and neighbors for so long, Kozue and Baki’s relationship evolved into a romantic one after they confessed their feelings for each other. As a result of this, the creators dedicated an entire arc to exploring their relationship growth and the pitfalls they encountered especially as regards caring for each other and repelling outside forces that try to tear them apart. Among the different attacks, they rappelled are Baki saving Kozue after she was kidnapped and subsequently caring for and protecting her from any harm no matter where it came from.
On her part, Kozue Matsumoto supports Baki during his fights even though she was scared for his safety. In the manga’s 4th sag,a Baki is infected with a strong poison after his fight with Japanese ex-convict Yanagi. The poison leaves Baki shriveled and weak, and it is decided that he will compete in the great Raitai Tournament to see if he can regain his strength.
During the tournament, Baki comes up against a feared Chinese fighter with poisoned hands named Sea King Li. He beats Li comprehensively but is left on the ground battling for his life. Matsumoto is shocked by all this and runs down to cradle Baki’s body. She weeps over him and her tears that fall on his body set off a chemical reaction that helps him to recover fully.
Kozue Has a Simple Appearance
The creators of Baki Hanma did not go all out with Kozue’s appearance, rather, they stuck to the typical young girl-type appearance that was kind of open-ended with a lot of opportunity to do with it what they will in the future. Since she started as a teenager, she was 5 ft 3 inches tall and even though she aged, her height remained the same.
Her height is complemented by her long straight black hair which she wears in different styles in the course of the show. Her unsteady hairstyle led many to believe that she was experimenting with the hair, sometimes wearing it in a fringe, a pony, or part in the center and flowing down. She is often dressed in her school uniforms or very simple feminine clothing.
She Has a Shy but Courageous Personality
Kozue Matsumoto’s personality is presented in the light of feminine and soft with a very strong will which often comes to the fore whenever she speaks of how much she detests underground arena fighting. If we consider the fact that her father was well involved in underground fights which ultimately led to his death, her strong aversion to it becomes very much understandable.
But despite her aversion to it, she tolerates Baki being an underground fighter even though she tells him to quit any chance she gets. Even though it does not come between them, it is very obvious that she wants Baki to focus on other things and is frequently begging him to quit.