Shaman King's 2021 anime reboot changes some details here and there from the original 2001 show to align more closely with the manga. One completely original change, however, is the reboot introducing Hao right in the first scene, making the villain a much more central character from the get-go. Despite this, his motivations, at least for those less familiar with the series, remain mysterious.
The Season 1 finale of Shaman King shed some light on who Hao is, but it keeps his actions somewhat enigmatic to reveal at a later date. There are several clues throughout, however, that inform newcomers as to why Hao has a vendetta against almost all who stand in his path. Here's a look at what the show's revealed about Hao so far and what viewers can draw from it.
Hao's Actions in the Shaman King Reboot
Hao is seen briefly throughout the first part of Season 1, giving him a cold and discerning presence that makes it clear how much of a threat he poses. When the Shaman Fight officially begins, Hao attacks several friends of protagonist Yoh Asakura, callously mocking them while being fawned over by his followers.
Lilirara of the Seminoa Tribe shows Yoh and company the history of her people and the Patch Tribe, who are not the benevolent shamans Silva had led them to believe. A massacre from centuries ago is relayed where a man led the Patch against the Seminoa, slaughtering much of their number. This leader somewhat resembled Silva, but also bore a huge resemblance to Hao. This being a previous identity of the reincarnated Hao is confirmed when he later kills Lilirara and tells her this is simply one of his lives. As she dies, he also states his intentions are to exact revenge upon the human race for a previous slight.
Why Hao Is the Villain in Shaman King
Keep in mind that Shaman King has a particularly environmental premise behind all of its fighting, which can be used to explain why Hao does what he does. He wants to be Shaman King in order to gain power and control over the world, then reshape it in his image. Thus, we can ascertain that this new world order of Hao's won't involve humans.
Humans and modern society are treated somewhat disdainfully in Shaman King, with the idea of balance and being one with nature and spirits shown as a much more praised mentality. Humans are seen as having the weakest spirits due to their personal agendas, ambitions and arrogant ways, with Silva's animal totems even scoffing at human spirits. Thus, removing the nature-abusing, non-shaman humans from the world would remove the weak and supposedly bring balance to the planet.
There's also the element of prejudice that the show has briefly touched on so far. Manta's materialistic parents are shocked and ashamed of their son being friends with a hippie shaman like Yoh, afraid of how it might impede his and their lives. Yoh's girlfriend Anna also comments that Yoh never had many friends because normal humans would ostracize him due to his shaman powers, making his happy-go-lucky nature something of a shield. Hao's revenge against humans could be for similar reasons, wanting to lash out at them for trying to oppress shamans such as himself.
Longtime fans of the source material will already know the ins and outs of Hao's driving motivation, but those diving into Shaman King with the reboot can put these pieces together and begin seeing where the villain is coming from before Season 2 arrives.
