After the one-week break, Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku returned in its ninth episode, taking massive strides in the development of the series. More specifically, episode 9 was the first look at the series' main antagonists as a group, with a brief introduction to each of the seven who are the immortal rulers of Kotaku.
While we are yet to fully delve into the Hо̄rai arc, episode 9 served as the first in what is going to be an incredible series of Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku episodes. So, now that they've all introduced themselves, just who, or what, are the Tensen?
Tensen-sama
As Hо̄ko explains in Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku episode 7, the land known as Shinsenkyо̄ ("Kotaku" to its inhabitants) is the "land of the gods", and these gods are specifically the group of beings who preside over the entirety of the island and live in the innermost part known as Hо̄rai. The Tensen are seven hermits living on Kotaku who are, at least from Hо̄ko's perspective, perfectly beautiful beings who do not age and cannot die. There are seven of these beings, all of whom achieved their immortality through varying means of training that are yet to be revealed in the series. As is seen from their introduction earlier in the series, the Tensen are capable of changing their gender presentation at will, and most will pendulum between the extremes of male and female. Interestingly, the Yang (masculine) aspect of each Tensen has been gifted the voice of Junichi Suwabe (Sukuna, JUJUTSU KAISEN), whiel the Yin (feminine) aspect in each is voiced by Yūko Kaida (Isabella, The Promised Neverland)
Each of the Tensen has a distinct temperament and personality; however, as of the ninth episode of Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku, not too much has been revealed about the Tensen as individuals just yet. The names and monikers of the Tensen are revealed to the audience by Senta, who is extremely knowledgeable about theology, philosophy and religion among other things, and understands the religious overtones found across Kotaku to some degree. As hermits or "sennin", the Tensen are beings who have ascended to a high level of mastery over a certain path within the Dao – the Way. Having trained for centuries, they have gained special abilities like regeneration and the ability to manipulate Tao, and as a result, they consider themselves to be superior beings in the grand scheme.
The Seven Hermits
Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku borrows the concept of these immortals from the Chinese mythological xian (or hsien); an immortal being who has transcended. Such individuals had supernatural abilities; could withstand elemental extremes and have an unprecedented level of wisdom or knowledge which has enabled them to become enlightened. While episode 9 of Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku is the first time in the anime series that we see the Tensen in their full complement with some level of introduction, there are three Tensen whose faces remained covered – evidently, the only Tensen we've really gotten to know at all at this point are the pairing of Ju Fa and Tao Fa, as well as Zhu Jin. Interestingly, each of the Tensen is named after a flower.
-
Ju Fa
One of the first Tensen encountered by any members of the Vanguard Party sent to Shinsenkyo by the shogunate, the golden-haired, golden-eyed Ju Fa goes by the moniker Great Emperor Akshobhya ("Ashuku Taitei" in Japanese). The name "Ju Fa" is the Japanese pronunciation of "Jú Huā", the word for chrysanthemum in Mandarin. Ju Fa's personality is generally irate and abrasive, and they are usually in a very bad mood, and this is fuelled by a uniquely passionate hatred of the human race. Ju Fa is also the partner of Tao Fa, and the two are like mirrors of each other; the depth of their relationship is evident in Ju Fa's protectiveness towards Tao Fa. Despite the fact that each of the Tensen is capable of changing their gender at will, in episode 9 of Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku, Ju Fa expresses a preference for his Yang-form. Other Tensen expressed the opposite opinion, while Tao Fa noted no real preference for either Yin or Yang. Ju Fa was the series' first display of the incredible physical abilities and combat potential of the Tensen, which were revealed during Ju Fa's bout against the Bandit King, Chōbei Aza.
-
Tao Fa
As mentioned earlier, Tao Fa is the partner to Ju Fa, and much like a fraternal twin or mirror entity to Ju Fa, and their moniker is Great Sage Ratna ("Ratna Taisei" in Japanese). "Tao Fa" is the Japanese pronunciation of "Táo Huā", the Mandarin word for "peach blossom". Unlike Ju Fa, Tao Fa is extremely friendly, cheerful and never expresses negative emotions like rage. While the anime is yet to delve into the Tensen's origins, Tao Fa's provocative introduction – in which they were in the middle of engaging in sexual acts with Ju Fa – is due to the twins' journey to Tao mastery via a path known as Bōchū Jutsu (The Art of the Bedchambers). Due to this connection, Tao Fa is characterized as a flirtatious, sexually charged member of the Tensen who is incredibly interested in very little except issues of intimacy. Tao Fa expressed a preference for her Yin form, due to taking a liking to feminine form and appearance. As such, Tao Fa is rather feminine in her mannerisms and general presentation. Tao Fa's hair and eyes that are the colour of cherry blossom petals are radiant like Ju Fa's, with the possible connection being gold and rose gold, which is a pinkish alloy of gold and copper.
-
Zhu Jin
Going by the moniker Yuanjun Tathātā ("Nyoi Genkun" in Japanese), Zhu Jin is perhaps the most tired Tensen at this point in the Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku anime, Zhu Jin has been the most active in terms of engaging the members of the Vanguard Party. Like the other Tensen, Zhu Jin is also named after a flower: hibiscus. Their personality is rather listless, and they often have a pained expression on their face whenever they find themselves having to exert their energy. Zhu Jin sighed and fell to the ground when they saw Gabimaru standing outside Hōrai because they didn't want to have to get into the tiring dance that is combat a second time in a single day (especially considering that the fight against Tenza forced Zhu Jin to regenerate a few times). Despite their apparent laziness, Zhu Jin is extremely powerful and doesn't waste any time in combat. Unlike Ju Fa or Tao Fa, Zhu Jin constantly changes between their Yin and Yang forms, which ties in to the fact that the hibiscus is a plant that bears both male and female reproductive organs within the same flower.
-
Mu Dan
One of the three Tensen that remain masked in the Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku anime series as of episode 9, Mu Dan's moniker is Jiujun Amoghavajra ("Fukū Jūkun" in Japanese, Enthroned Amoghavajra). Since the entire top part of Mu Dan's head is covered in their namesake flower, the peony, their appearance remains a bit of a mystery in the anime; however, they maintained a big smile on their face throughout their episode 9 appearance.
-
Ran
Like Mu Dan, Ran is yet to reveal their face, and in their episode 9 appearance, their head was also mostly covered in purple orchid leaves in reference to the word "Ran" being the Mandarin word for the flower. Their moniker is Deified Dijun Cundi ("Jundei Teikun" in Japanese).
-
Rien
With the moniker Shangdi Samantabhadra ("Fugen Jōtei" in Japanese), Rien is the leader of the Tensen as a group and the one behind the majority of the bizarre creatures and occurrences on Shinsenkyō. While she hasn't been shown until this point, the visibility of her face communicates a significance of character, and it actually makes her the fourth Tensen to be revealed to the audience. She has been researching the secrets of eternal life for centuries, and as a result of her efforts, the Tensen regularly partake of Tan to replenish their youth and vigour.
