The Ha-Ha Brothers: Kazuki Jūmonji , Koji Kuroki, and Shozo Togano, are fictional characters of Eyeshield 21. Though constantly re-affirming that they are not brothers, the Ha-Ha Brothers give that impression since they are constantly together. They are so called due to their schtick of saying "Ha?" in rapid succession with a crescendo (rising volume) in response to a challenge or something they disbelieve. This 'routine' starts with Togano and ends with Kuroki. (Ex. Togano: HA?! Jumonji: HAA?!! Kuroki: HAAA?!!!) The Ha-Ha Brothers consist of three delinquents; "Ha-Ha Brothers" is even written in English in the anime and manga when they are VS somebody, along with all the other characters names.
History
They first appear in the series by ordering Sena Kobayakawa to buy items for them, much to Sena's disbelief, as he had only met them in class that morning. After Sena made a final dash and jumped into the MRT carriage, Yoichi Hiruma, who spotted Sena's talent for running and dodging, beat up the brothers and took pictures of them naked; he later kept the negatives for future blackmailing purposes. During the Zokugaku Chameleons exhibition match, they were searching for the negatives of the pictures when Kurita stumbled upon them. Kurita wrongly assumed they were intending to join the club as linemen. Later, because of the appearance of Kurita's apprentice, Komusubi (and his constantly looking down upon the brothers), they competed with him at the Tokyo Tower and managed to pass Hiruma's qualification test (fittingly called the Tower of Hell). The three decided to quit the team later and forget about the negatives of their pictures. However, after being beaten up by Banba of the Taiyo Sphinx, they changed their minds and set out to become great linemen. Kuroki and Togano were considered as trash by the editor of a sports magazine after their match against Taiyo Sphinx, but later proved themselves as linesmen during the games against NASA Aliens. During the game against the Americans, they also learned a new maneuver called the Sweep. It was here that Jumonji shows his respect for Eyeshield by promising to open a line for him to get through. During the Death March, they learn the proper method of pushing off with their entire body, rather than just their arms. In the anime, even Otawara of the White Knights found it difficult to hold them back.
The Ha-Ha Brothers have a running rivalry with Komusubi, who always shows them up in tests of strength and determination. Hiruma approves of this war of the linemen, which drives the Ha-Ha Brothers to become better players. During the Death March training in America, two of the Hah Brothers, Kuroki and Togano were about to abandon the team due to the harsh training and lack of determination, but they changed their minds once they learned that Hiruma and Kurita will no longer be able to play after their second fall season. This would be their final chance. Jumonji also pointed out that they earned more respect as linemen rather than as useless punks. It is also fair to note that their background as punks has come in rather handy in several games, where they've relied more on their streetfighting skills than actual lineman skills, like against Zokugaku and Seibu.
In the game versus Bando, when they are introduced individually, Machine Gun Sanada describes Juumonji as having the best technique, Kuroki the best speed, and Togano the most power. This is another sign of their branching out as individuals.
Kazuki Jumonji
Position Lineman(Offensive Tackle) Current team Deimon Devil Bats 40 yard dash 5.5 s Bench press 65 kg (initially), currently 85kg
(十文字 一輝 Jūmonji Kazuki) Jumonji is the apparent leader of the group. In some of the episodes including the NASA Aliens game and the Death March, we see him as a leader who urges the other two to follow. He sports an X-shaped scar on his right cheek, which was originally supposed to be used to get Kurita arrested. He is also the only one of the three to figure out that Sena was actually Eyeshield 21. He seems to be the most thoughtful (in a sort of positive way). He always seems to keep the three-some (includes him) together, and is considered the "eldest brother" of the three. He gets fired up a lot. He is also the only one so far of the three to score touchdown, and probably the only one in Deimon Devil Bats who has scored touchdowns from defense aside from Sena. The first is one scored when Sena caused a fumble against the Nagas and Juumonji took the ball and scored a touchdown. This in itself is a near-miracle, since his position almost NEVER handles the ball, still he managed to get across the goal line, dragging Agon along with him. The second time happened when Kurita crushed Marco; he caught a fumbled ball and unexpectedly scored a counter touchdown from defense. He is also the first to really become serious about football, occasionally sympathizing with Sena and vowing to become a better lineman in order to assist him. Juumonji also has an uneasy relationship with his father, since his father is always telling him not to associate himself with his friends, who he puts down as "trash" (like Agon does). During the match with Ojo, Jumonji takes the fullback position to assist Sena in his run. It is revealed that Juumonji is one of the smartest on the team- in an omake where the intelligences of the Devil Bats were compared, he ranked above everyone but Hiruma, Mamori, and Yukimitsu. (Musashi was not included.)
The show also implies that he is the most likely candidate for team captain when the founding members of Devil Bats graduate, effectively huddling the junior members together without their help.
Musashi has commented that Juumonji is 'the same kind of guy as him', in terms of attitude (stoic and samurai-esque). Juumonji and Musashi tend to react the same way to outrageous incidents- that is to say, with a deadpan or a reality check.
In the anime only, he suffers from acrophobia, a problem which Doburoku admits that not even finishing the Death March can fix.
His last name means "cross" most likely a reference to the scar on his cheek. It is possible the scar itself is hereditary as his father has the same scar on his forehead. But this is probably a coincidence as he is shown without the scar several times in chapter 1 of the manga.
In last play to score two-point conversion against Hakushuu, he became the center so that Kurita can utilize his full strength to face Gaou. He also seems to have a relationship.(Shown in the anime, Mentioned in the manga)
Currently, he's under coaching of Kakei, who gave him all his technique and knowledge to help Sena face the real Eyeshield 21.
Koji Kuroki
Position Lineman(Offensive Guard) Current team Deimon Devil Bats 40 yard dash 5.1 s Bench press 65 kg (initially), currently 85kg
(黒木 浩二 Kuroki Kōji) Kuroki sports dark hair of medium-length with noticeably longer eyelashes than the other two. He seems to be the most violent, and his usual weapon is his metal bat. He suggests that his specialty is to "Strike only once from behind," and he has claimed himself to be a coward more than once. When playing defense, Kuroki can sometimes play Linebacker. The other two stick to Defensive Line. He seems to be a prodigy at games, whether it be tossing hoops or an arcade game. (In the first book end-of-the-book character introduction, he is shown to be firing a Kikôha as he yells "HUH-DOE-KEN!!!") In the arcade when Deimon does their final prep work for facing Seibu the first time, Kuroki is shown to be furiously button-mashing, and a player comments that he is unexpectedly good at video games. Out of the three, Kuroki is the most hot-headed, and willing to fall back on his streetfighting skills when his lineman skills fail him. Later, as he and the others become more distinguished as individuals, Hiruma gives him his own nickname, 'fish mouth'.
He is surprisingly gifted musically as music is one of the few classes he excels in.
Currently, he is training with Mizumachi for the Christmas Bowl.
Shozo Togano
Position Lineman(Offensive Tackle) Current team Deimon Devil Bats 40 yard dash 5.5 s Bench press 65 kg (initially), currently 85kg
(戸叶 庄三 Toganō Shōzō) Has long spiky blonde hair, and constantly wears orange tinted sunglasses. Can usually be seen reading manga. He seems to be the most quiet of the three. Likes Jump, but puts it aside for a while when going to the United States, saying "Sigh, I guess American comics are alright." Compared to the others, Togano is fairly laid-back, preferring to read his manga, often just going along with what Juumonji and Kuroki want.
He is additionally the most artistically talented amongst the three (as well as perhaps the entire team except for Hiruma); his drawings sometimes mimic muscular men like those in Fist of the North Star.
In a DevilBat021 omake where a reader requests a page of his manga, the description is given that the manga is about a character with qualities from many of Jump's ultimate heroes, like stretchy arms, nen control, incredible skill at basketball or tennis, and ninjutsu. It seems that since the character is named Shozo and has recently developed skills as an amefuto lineman, he is who Togano would like to be.
In chapter 264, when Hiruma answers Musashi question about his damaged arm, he jokingly said that "he had replacements, so he just discarded his old bone and replaced it". Togano is the one who almost bought it, most likely inspired by Shaman King character who can do the same.
In the anime, he admits aloud that cheerleaders like Suzuna are "his type". While others in the team are put off by her initial cheers -due to her blunt and conspicuous attempts to stalk Eyeshield, Togano finds them attractive and charming. However, this event may have only been added for comedic factor as the issue has been dropped when she reappears in later episodes (and also as a bashful kind of affection is hinted at between Suzuna and Sena).
In the manga, he is currently training with Taiyo Spinx captain Banba.
Techniques and strategies
Screen Pass - They intentionally let their opponents break through the line, then shift over to make two-on-one blocks on the other side of the line of scrimmage. This creates a wide area for Eyeshield to go through once Hiruma laterals the ball to him.
Delinquent Death Blow - Also known as the Juvenile Deliquent Murder Method, the Scumbag Scuffle and Rascal Killing. The Hah Brothers practiced the technique with the Zokugaku Chameleons. The method involves grabbing the opposing lineman by the sleeve, taking a diagonal step up, then slamming the opponent face-first into the turf by using the opponent's driving force against himself (though technically, that move should be considered as Unnecessary Roughness/Unsportsmanlike Conduct). This is especially useful in getting past larger linemen in order to sack the quarterback. Jumonji uses this move the most often, while it is rarely, if ever, executed by Togano and Kuroki.
Sweeper - A method in which linemen form a protective barrier in front of Eyeshield, thereby clearing a path for him in a diagonal direction. After the Death March, they are able to clear a very wide passage for him to go through.
Hip Explosion - During the Death March, the Ha-Ha Brothers learned the proper method of pushing out with their entire bodies, rather than just their arms. By thrusting out their hips, they can deliver more force against opposing linemen. Kuroki in particular exercises this move against the seemingly unbeatable Aoyanagi in the game against Amino.
Ha Ha Triple Attack - Shown in the anime first, a three-on-one tackle with each Ha Ha brother using their own strengths as a means of gradually nullifying quick and sturdy opponents. Kuroki leads, first using his speed to cancel the runner's sprint. Togano then uses his power to beat the force of the runner's counter. While the opponent is distracted, Juumonji uses his techniques (often being the Juvenile Delinquent Murder Method) to finish the move. Alternate versions include tackling from three different directions at once or tossing their opponents into the air. Recently, in the manga, this was shown when they saved the ball from Teikoku's possession after failed Christ Cross. In here, Kuroki and Toganou hold Reisuke Aki from holding/ securing the ball, while Juumonji batted the ball down. Jumonji's father seems to hold a different opinion of the gang as he watches the technique.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Tenichi Saba
Kicker of Seibu Wild Gunmen. Despite being a decent kicker, when the team got pressed down, he became nervous that Kid decides to do a 2 point conversion with Tetsuma instead at one instance, and had Riku putting his helmet in another instance.
teikoku alexander
Logo: a chibi Alexander the Great with spikey hair who wears a cloak and carries a knife.
One of the only teams revealed from the Kansai conference, located in Osaka. The symbol of the school is a twin-headed bird with the kanji their school on it (similar with Byzantium Empire and/or Roman Empire coat of arms), while their logo is a cartoon version of their namesake: ancient boy emperor Alexander the Great.
Uniform: black and old gold, giving a stronger New Orleans Saints resemblance than the charcoal grey of the Shinryuuji Nagas. However, the helmets are black, and the sides of the uniform are gold.
Since the very first Christmas Bowl in 1980, Teikoku has won every single game, defeating even Kanto powerhouses like Shinryuji to show the "western domination" of the sport.
Already known as a powerhouse in their own conference, they are also known for actively recruiting the best players from other teams to play for their school. Most of the players from the Bando Spiders were taken by their team and they were close to receiving star player Akaba prior to his decision to remain at Bando. (leading to his subsequent sitting out of most of the season from the Kanto tournament) The recruiters gave up on Akaba when they got confused about a metaphor of "a guitar getting its strings cut".
Due to their notability of being the best football school in Japan, they have a massive club composed of over two-hundred players and six separate teams. While each of these six teams is powerful, only the best of all the best make the "first-team" regulars. Their position on the team also determines their seating position in club meetings, where the 1st Team sit in front of the Greco-Roman style senate meetings.
To leave the sixth string (the lowest squad) must known the Alexanders playbook which contain over 1000 play or probably all the plays possible in football. According to one player, Teikoku's ultimate strength isn't its all-star mentality but its knowledge of every known play in football.
To be in the first string a player must have a 40 yard sprint that is under 5 seconds. Given the info that a 4.8 could make you an ace anywhere shows the all star nature of the team.
The team has never trailed in a game. Never letting the other team get the lead even once.
During the Chrismas Bowl, the Teikoku Alexanders have never called a time out ever which is a surprise to them.
this season the Teikoku Alexanders have never let a team score even with a field goal. until this Christmas bowl
As a testament to their strength, Kirio Ibarada, the previous quarterback ace of the Bando Spiders, is only on the fourth string of the Teikoku Alexanders.
Contents
1 Players
Players
Takeru Yamato
(大和猛) Although merely a player for the best team in Kansai, Yamato is in actuality the real and mysterious Eyeshield 21 from Notre Dame that once fought against Kyoshin Poseidon's Shun Kakei who played for Phoenix. He is said to be the perfect runner and has great strength, speed, technique, spin the ball on one finger and even perfect body balance. Basically, he is a fellow "perfect player" like Shin. So far no player has been able to stop his run. In example of this is said by one of his teammates who says that 10 players from the Teikoku 2nd string combined are not even capable of stopping his run. In fact his is shown to only really be challenged by his fellow ace, Taka Honjo in all of Teikoku. The original person believed to be this man was Hayato Akaba from the Bando Spiders, but Shun comments that his body type is slightly different from the one he played against. Near the climax of the game against the Hakushū Dinosaurs, Marco reveals that the team that this Eyeshield 21 plays for is Teikoku, shocking both Sena and Shun. With Deimon in the Christmas Bowl, the showdown between him and Sena is now a reality. When Sena, Monta, and Suzuna go to scout Teikoku's football team, he pairs up with Sena against 4th string players to see what Sena was capable of. However, his true goal is to meet someone who can match him to the point of being able to make him use his "true style", which has yet to be revealed.
Karin Koizumi
(小泉香燐) Although she appears like a very feminine, girlish person, Karin is in actuality the quarterback for the Alexanders. First seen around the showy fourth-stringer Ibarada, Yamato is forced to defend her whenever she isn't on the field. Karin is first seen in chapter 275 where she is revealed to be the first string quarterback for the Alexanders. She has Sena's immensely shy personality, which everyone noticed right away (since both of them bowed, flustered, to each other at the same time, asking for the other to be gentle). Hiruma told the team that Karin was actually a man so that they would go all out on her (although Sena and Monta knew that she was a girl already). She has many male fans in the audience because of her beauty, including those from Shinryuji.
Kureji Hera
(平良呉二) A large-set player for Teikoku's first team and the official captain of Alexanders' squad, he has a bizarre sense of humor and lets his roots in Kansai show compared to the others. Sena, Monta and Suzuna meet him as he offers the tour of the Teikoku campus (though Yamato mostly gives the words and comments to their Deimon guests). Though cheerful, he is a tad eccentric, to the point of wearing costumes to fit the role he holds such as a tour guide for Deimon's visit and as a "Roman Senator" during the football strategy meeting in the forum. During the game, he even mimics Karin words behind her, threatening Devil Bats while Karin smiling innocently.
Taka Honjō
(本庄鷹) A long-haired player for Teikoku, he unexpectedly demonstrated his catching ability to Monta by catching a ball one handed without even looking up from the book he was reading. He is most likely the one to whom Honjo, history's strongest fielder and Taka's father, was referring to when he said Monta would meet "someone" at the Christmas Bowl. Finding out Taka's lineage, Monta realizes that Honjo-senshu came looking for a strong opponent for his son to beat, thus making Monta nothing more than a "sacrificial lamb" to make Taka the best. Similarly, Mamori asked Hiruma to cut out any Teikoku article even mentioning Taka out of fear that Monta would discover his idol's son was the best receiver on the best team in Japan, notable for making 1st team in his first day just like Yamato. His record at the long jump is 8.25m(this is very impressive given the world record is 8.95m)and he holds the Japanese record at the high school level by a wide margin.
Reisuke Aki
A player who is considered to be an idiot (compared on a scale, Hiruma considered him 60%, whereas players such as Yamato, Taka and Karin were 0% and Taki was 100%). Unlike many of the current first squad, he was the only one who played in the previous Christmas Bowl, where he learned firsthand about Agon Kongo (even though Teikoku did defeat Shinryuji in the game). Was there when Agon tried to join the team. He appears to have a crush on Karin, as he asks her to be his girlfriend at the start of the game, but was pounded by Heracles before finishing the sentence.
Orio Tokashiki
Orio Tokashiki is the former captain of the Okinawa High Boxers and uses his boxing stance to his advantage against his opponent's linemen.
Mikoto Sano
Mikoto Sano is the former ace Receiver of the Shachi Goldens team. Gets crushed by Kurita in a catching contest.
Doujirou Tenma
Doujirou Tenma is the former ace Runningback on the Shinryuuji Nagas and was one of the two people to get into Shinryuuji through the sports program along with Yamabushi. He was recruited into Teikoku to join their football team. He is called "The Sideline Edge's Magican" because he is able to run on the sidelines really close at high speed without losing his balance or momentum. He also has 5 girls who are head over heels for him. Doujirou also likes listening to his music when he is playing during the game.
Hotei
Kansai's number one kicker, with the success rate of 99%. He is a rather pudgy and jolly person with good humor. When Monta jumped to try and catch the kicked ball, Hotei laughs and says that even though Monta was so close, he wouldn't feel any pressure. However, Monta manages to knock the ball off target the pressure of his hand moving through the air or that the ball grazed the side of his glove.
Kirio Ibarada
(棘田キリオ) Originally the quarterback of the Bando Spiders, he abandoned his former team when he was recruited by Teikoku, thinking that Bando wasn't strong enough to get to the Christmas Bowl on their own. Attending the Kanto final with the (supposed to be) manager of the team, he was confronted by former teammate Kotaro Sasaki for leaving a team that was close to making the Christmas Bowl themselves the previous year. But Akaba held Kotaro back from attacking him, letting him leave the Tokyo Dome without further difficulty. He is also said to be a good quarterback. However although he was considered the best quarterback in Tokyo in the previous year, his quarterback skills were only good enough to make him reach the 4th team, making him resentful for main team (and female) quarterback Karin. Whether it is sexism or hatred that he himself is not on the 1st team always puts him at odds with the entire team.
One of the only teams revealed from the Kansai conference, located in Osaka. The symbol of the school is a twin-headed bird with the kanji their school on it (similar with Byzantium Empire and/or Roman Empire coat of arms), while their logo is a cartoon version of their namesake: ancient boy emperor Alexander the Great.
Uniform: black and old gold, giving a stronger New Orleans Saints resemblance than the charcoal grey of the Shinryuuji Nagas. However, the helmets are black, and the sides of the uniform are gold.
Since the very first Christmas Bowl in 1980, Teikoku has won every single game, defeating even Kanto powerhouses like Shinryuji to show the "western domination" of the sport.
Already known as a powerhouse in their own conference, they are also known for actively recruiting the best players from other teams to play for their school. Most of the players from the Bando Spiders were taken by their team and they were close to receiving star player Akaba prior to his decision to remain at Bando. (leading to his subsequent sitting out of most of the season from the Kanto tournament) The recruiters gave up on Akaba when they got confused about a metaphor of "a guitar getting its strings cut".
Due to their notability of being the best football school in Japan, they have a massive club composed of over two-hundred players and six separate teams. While each of these six teams is powerful, only the best of all the best make the "first-team" regulars. Their position on the team also determines their seating position in club meetings, where the 1st Team sit in front of the Greco-Roman style senate meetings.
To leave the sixth string (the lowest squad) must known the Alexanders playbook which contain over 1000 play or probably all the plays possible in football. According to one player, Teikoku's ultimate strength isn't its all-star mentality but its knowledge of every known play in football.
To be in the first string a player must have a 40 yard sprint that is under 5 seconds. Given the info that a 4.8 could make you an ace anywhere shows the all star nature of the team.
The team has never trailed in a game. Never letting the other team get the lead even once.
During the Chrismas Bowl, the Teikoku Alexanders have never called a time out ever which is a surprise to them.
this season the Teikoku Alexanders have never let a team score even with a field goal. until this Christmas bowl
As a testament to their strength, Kirio Ibarada, the previous quarterback ace of the Bando Spiders, is only on the fourth string of the Teikoku Alexanders.
Contents
1 Players
Players
Takeru Yamato
(大和猛) Although merely a player for the best team in Kansai, Yamato is in actuality the real and mysterious Eyeshield 21 from Notre Dame that once fought against Kyoshin Poseidon's Shun Kakei who played for Phoenix. He is said to be the perfect runner and has great strength, speed, technique, spin the ball on one finger and even perfect body balance. Basically, he is a fellow "perfect player" like Shin. So far no player has been able to stop his run. In example of this is said by one of his teammates who says that 10 players from the Teikoku 2nd string combined are not even capable of stopping his run. In fact his is shown to only really be challenged by his fellow ace, Taka Honjo in all of Teikoku. The original person believed to be this man was Hayato Akaba from the Bando Spiders, but Shun comments that his body type is slightly different from the one he played against. Near the climax of the game against the Hakushū Dinosaurs, Marco reveals that the team that this Eyeshield 21 plays for is Teikoku, shocking both Sena and Shun. With Deimon in the Christmas Bowl, the showdown between him and Sena is now a reality. When Sena, Monta, and Suzuna go to scout Teikoku's football team, he pairs up with Sena against 4th string players to see what Sena was capable of. However, his true goal is to meet someone who can match him to the point of being able to make him use his "true style", which has yet to be revealed.
Karin Koizumi
(小泉香燐) Although she appears like a very feminine, girlish person, Karin is in actuality the quarterback for the Alexanders. First seen around the showy fourth-stringer Ibarada, Yamato is forced to defend her whenever she isn't on the field. Karin is first seen in chapter 275 where she is revealed to be the first string quarterback for the Alexanders. She has Sena's immensely shy personality, which everyone noticed right away (since both of them bowed, flustered, to each other at the same time, asking for the other to be gentle). Hiruma told the team that Karin was actually a man so that they would go all out on her (although Sena and Monta knew that she was a girl already). She has many male fans in the audience because of her beauty, including those from Shinryuji.
Kureji Hera
(平良呉二) A large-set player for Teikoku's first team and the official captain of Alexanders' squad, he has a bizarre sense of humor and lets his roots in Kansai show compared to the others. Sena, Monta and Suzuna meet him as he offers the tour of the Teikoku campus (though Yamato mostly gives the words and comments to their Deimon guests). Though cheerful, he is a tad eccentric, to the point of wearing costumes to fit the role he holds such as a tour guide for Deimon's visit and as a "Roman Senator" during the football strategy meeting in the forum. During the game, he even mimics Karin words behind her, threatening Devil Bats while Karin smiling innocently.
Taka Honjō
(本庄鷹) A long-haired player for Teikoku, he unexpectedly demonstrated his catching ability to Monta by catching a ball one handed without even looking up from the book he was reading. He is most likely the one to whom Honjo, history's strongest fielder and Taka's father, was referring to when he said Monta would meet "someone" at the Christmas Bowl. Finding out Taka's lineage, Monta realizes that Honjo-senshu came looking for a strong opponent for his son to beat, thus making Monta nothing more than a "sacrificial lamb" to make Taka the best. Similarly, Mamori asked Hiruma to cut out any Teikoku article even mentioning Taka out of fear that Monta would discover his idol's son was the best receiver on the best team in Japan, notable for making 1st team in his first day just like Yamato. His record at the long jump is 8.25m(this is very impressive given the world record is 8.95m)and he holds the Japanese record at the high school level by a wide margin.
Reisuke Aki
A player who is considered to be an idiot (compared on a scale, Hiruma considered him 60%, whereas players such as Yamato, Taka and Karin were 0% and Taki was 100%). Unlike many of the current first squad, he was the only one who played in the previous Christmas Bowl, where he learned firsthand about Agon Kongo (even though Teikoku did defeat Shinryuji in the game). Was there when Agon tried to join the team. He appears to have a crush on Karin, as he asks her to be his girlfriend at the start of the game, but was pounded by Heracles before finishing the sentence.
Orio Tokashiki
Orio Tokashiki is the former captain of the Okinawa High Boxers and uses his boxing stance to his advantage against his opponent's linemen.
Mikoto Sano
Mikoto Sano is the former ace Receiver of the Shachi Goldens team. Gets crushed by Kurita in a catching contest.
Doujirou Tenma
Doujirou Tenma is the former ace Runningback on the Shinryuuji Nagas and was one of the two people to get into Shinryuuji through the sports program along with Yamabushi. He was recruited into Teikoku to join their football team. He is called "The Sideline Edge's Magican" because he is able to run on the sidelines really close at high speed without losing his balance or momentum. He also has 5 girls who are head over heels for him. Doujirou also likes listening to his music when he is playing during the game.
Hotei
Kansai's number one kicker, with the success rate of 99%. He is a rather pudgy and jolly person with good humor. When Monta jumped to try and catch the kicked ball, Hotei laughs and says that even though Monta was so close, he wouldn't feel any pressure. However, Monta manages to knock the ball off target the pressure of his hand moving through the air or that the ball grazed the side of his glove.
Kirio Ibarada
(棘田キリオ) Originally the quarterback of the Bando Spiders, he abandoned his former team when he was recruited by Teikoku, thinking that Bando wasn't strong enough to get to the Christmas Bowl on their own. Attending the Kanto final with the (supposed to be) manager of the team, he was confronted by former teammate Kotaro Sasaki for leaving a team that was close to making the Christmas Bowl themselves the previous year. But Akaba held Kotaro back from attacking him, letting him leave the Tokyo Dome without further difficulty. He is also said to be a good quarterback. However although he was considered the best quarterback in Tokyo in the previous year, his quarterback skills were only good enough to make him reach the 4th team, making him resentful for main team (and female) quarterback Karin. Whether it is sexism or hatred that he himself is not on the 1st team always puts him at odds with the entire team.
Taiyo Sphinx
Logo: Sphinx 
Team colours: sandy yellow, turquoise-blue (closest NFL match: Jacksonville Jaguars). Team uniform is striped.
This strong team is one of the best in the Kanagawa prefecture. Their players act like Egyptians because their headmaster, after excavating a ruin, became obsessed with the Egyptians and opened a school that looks like a pyramid. Their philosophy is based on the importance of the line and they are reputed to have the heaviest. However, their backfield is substantially less than Deimon's.
Due to their philosophy of the importance of the line, Taiyō is considered more of a defensive team. They focus on stopping the advance of the opposing side and protecting the quarterback.
They were originally chosen to go against the Nasa Aliens, due to the fact that just about every member of Taiyo Sphinx was massively built, in which the sponsors assumed they could take the hits from the large American players. However, thanks to Hiruma's computer hacking skills, they get involved in a match against the Devil Bats for the chance to play against the Americans.
Their game against Deimon ends in a tie (20-20), but Banba surrenders the chance to play against the Nasa Aliens to his opponents after they had shown his team the true spirit and drive to win, despite the difference in power, size, and especially climate (the Taiyo field is an arid dustbowl). One thing to note is that all of the students look somewhat Egyptian (their skin is dark). This is explained in a small snippet: all the students are into surfing since Shonan beach is right next door, hence the tans.
Players
Mamoru Banba
(番場衛 Banba Mamoru) The massive center of the team, Banba is the Sphinx's ace player and captain. He holds the high school record for squats, and is distinguished by his massive physique, complete baldness, and, during the Kanto Tournament, multiple scars on his face. Banba commands a great deal of respect from his teammates and other linemen. He is strong-willed, matter-of-fact, demanding, and not afraid to point out the errors of his teammates. Despite this, he appears to be on friendly terms with the other seniors of the Sphinx.
Kiminari Harao
(原尾 王城) Harao Kiminari) Taiyo's quarterback, Harao often whines when his team does not perform well and at first tends to point out his teammates' shortcomings without acknowledging his own. He is very popular with the ladies and has his own harem. He is considered sub-par as a quarterback and is overly dependent on the protection his offensive line gives him. He also tends to hold the ball too high when passing, which can lead to fumbles when he is tackled. Before Taiyo's match against Hakyushuu, Harao reveals himself to be aware of and sensitive to the criticisms he receives because of his lack of skill. Much like Sakuraba prior to the Fall Tournament, he is considered the Sphinx's ace by fans, but his abilities do not live up to this hype. In addition, despite Taiyo's ability to advance to the Kanto Tournament year after year, Harao is intimidated by the might of teams that also compete in this higher tournament. After the match against Deimon in which Harao was more of a liability than a help, Harao worked extremely hard to improve himself.
Niinobu Kasamatsu
Kasamatsu (笠松新信 Kasamatsu Niinobu) is the second-largest lineman on the Pyramid Line, though he is more rotund than muscular. He is loud and boastful, and apparently not very intelligent. Against Deimon, he falls prey to the Devil Bats' shifting block schemes, and is also defeated on two occasions by Juumonji while on offense. Like the rest of Taiyō's line, he is severely injured against Hakushu.
Ken Kamaguruma
(鎌車ケン Kamaguruma Ken) Kamaguruma is a tall first-year who plays cornerback. He is rather simple-minded but decently skilled. While rather slow and tall for his position, he presents a challenge to Monta in the match against Deimon due to his powerful bump technique, the "Chariot Bump." The bump is incredibly strong, as demonstrated by his accidentally knocking over a sixty-foot tall pyramid-shaped watch tower while practicing with it. However, Monta manages to overcome the bump by the end of the game, and the technique is shown to have no effect on Tetsuma of the Seibu Wild Gunmen.
Team colours: sandy yellow, turquoise-blue (closest NFL match: Jacksonville Jaguars). Team uniform is striped.
This strong team is one of the best in the Kanagawa prefecture. Their players act like Egyptians because their headmaster, after excavating a ruin, became obsessed with the Egyptians and opened a school that looks like a pyramid. Their philosophy is based on the importance of the line and they are reputed to have the heaviest. However, their backfield is substantially less than Deimon's.
Due to their philosophy of the importance of the line, Taiyō is considered more of a defensive team. They focus on stopping the advance of the opposing side and protecting the quarterback.
They were originally chosen to go against the Nasa Aliens, due to the fact that just about every member of Taiyo Sphinx was massively built, in which the sponsors assumed they could take the hits from the large American players. However, thanks to Hiruma's computer hacking skills, they get involved in a match against the Devil Bats for the chance to play against the Americans.
Their game against Deimon ends in a tie (20-20), but Banba surrenders the chance to play against the Nasa Aliens to his opponents after they had shown his team the true spirit and drive to win, despite the difference in power, size, and especially climate (the Taiyo field is an arid dustbowl). One thing to note is that all of the students look somewhat Egyptian (their skin is dark). This is explained in a small snippet: all the students are into surfing since Shonan beach is right next door, hence the tans.
Players
Mamoru Banba
(番場衛 Banba Mamoru) The massive center of the team, Banba is the Sphinx's ace player and captain. He holds the high school record for squats, and is distinguished by his massive physique, complete baldness, and, during the Kanto Tournament, multiple scars on his face. Banba commands a great deal of respect from his teammates and other linemen. He is strong-willed, matter-of-fact, demanding, and not afraid to point out the errors of his teammates. Despite this, he appears to be on friendly terms with the other seniors of the Sphinx.
Kiminari Harao
(原尾 王城) Harao Kiminari) Taiyo's quarterback, Harao often whines when his team does not perform well and at first tends to point out his teammates' shortcomings without acknowledging his own. He is very popular with the ladies and has his own harem. He is considered sub-par as a quarterback and is overly dependent on the protection his offensive line gives him. He also tends to hold the ball too high when passing, which can lead to fumbles when he is tackled. Before Taiyo's match against Hakyushuu, Harao reveals himself to be aware of and sensitive to the criticisms he receives because of his lack of skill. Much like Sakuraba prior to the Fall Tournament, he is considered the Sphinx's ace by fans, but his abilities do not live up to this hype. In addition, despite Taiyo's ability to advance to the Kanto Tournament year after year, Harao is intimidated by the might of teams that also compete in this higher tournament. After the match against Deimon in which Harao was more of a liability than a help, Harao worked extremely hard to improve himself.
Niinobu Kasamatsu
Kasamatsu (笠松新信 Kasamatsu Niinobu) is the second-largest lineman on the Pyramid Line, though he is more rotund than muscular. He is loud and boastful, and apparently not very intelligent. Against Deimon, he falls prey to the Devil Bats' shifting block schemes, and is also defeated on two occasions by Juumonji while on offense. Like the rest of Taiyō's line, he is severely injured against Hakushu.
Ken Kamaguruma
(鎌車ケン Kamaguruma Ken) Kamaguruma is a tall first-year who plays cornerback. He is rather simple-minded but decently skilled. While rather slow and tall for his position, he presents a challenge to Monta in the match against Deimon due to his powerful bump technique, the "Chariot Bump." The bump is incredibly strong, as demonstrated by his accidentally knocking over a sixty-foot tall pyramid-shaped watch tower while practicing with it. However, Monta manages to overcome the bump by the end of the game, and the technique is shown to have no effect on Tetsuma of the Seibu Wild Gunmen.
Taiga Kamiya
Kamiya is the captain and ace running back of the Misaki Wolves, the team that represents Hokkaido in the Kanto Tournament. Kamiya has a high opinion of himself, and he often boasts of his long legs, which help him to run faster. He has short, light-colored hair, a horizontal scar across his nose, and fangs that poke out of his mouth. Despite his boasts, he is made short work of by the Gunmen, and is easily bested by Kaitani Riku's speed when his team loses to the Seibu Wild Gunmen 14-82. However, in the anime, Kamiya is portrayed as a player with outstanding skill, presenting a great challenge to Riku and the Gunmen and leading his team to a 21-0 lead before the Gunmen make a comeback and the Wolves lose 21-46.
suzuna Taki
Position: Cheerleading Captain (self-appointed)
1st year student (Grade 10)
Suzuna is a cute blue-haired girl who's always wearing rollerblades. She came to the United States and hitched a ride with one of the bikers of a bike gang. Sena first met her after he got lost halfway through the Death March and was surrounded by a whole lot of American bikers - Sena being Sena, he couldn't really communicate with them. However, one biker mentioned the words 'Japanese girl', 'Football player', and 'Japan', and Sena assumed said biker was talking about Mamori, and immediately went off in search of the aforementioned Japanese girl. The 'Japanese girl' term was actually referring to Suzuna, and 'Football player' Natsuhiko, her brother. Suzuna was looking for her brother, and in that same respect, met up with the 'Football player' assuming that it was Natsuhiko. The bikers then assumed they were boyfriend and girlfriend (cheering them on with "C'mon, hug! Kiss! Hug!", but the fact was that Suzuna and Sena were not in a relationship). She eventually finds her brother and jumps and rolls her skates across his back while still on her feet as punishment for taking the family savings to fly to America. She also witnesses Sena in action as Eyeshield 21.
Later, Suzuna follows the team back to Japan after her brother accepts Sena's offer to join the Devil Bats (he didn't get picked for the American football team he was trying to enter). She then becomes a cheerleader for the Devil Bats even though she's not from Deimon High School (and the captain for the otherwise all-American cheerleading team). Now, the club has a second female member in the group. Fitting to her fiery personality and dislike of being by her surname, Suzuna loudly cheers for the Devil Bats, no matter what the situation as long as it's a competition, and gives many of them nicknames, even Hiruma.
Suzuna is built like that of a young girl, and is often teased mercilessly by others because of that. One thing to note is that she does not like to be addressed by her family name or be called Miss, (in Japanese, using the term 'san') however she does not mind being called Suzuna-ojōchan (little miss, young lady or even madame) by Doboroku.
In the anime, Suzuna was introduced earlier in the timeline as a part-time reporter, working for the magazine American Football Monthly to discover Eyeshield 21's identity. Her reason was to find her long-lost brother, whom she suspected was Eyeshield 21. Realizing that Eyeshield 21 was too short, however, she then leaves for America due to a tip from Hiruma. She later meets up with the Devil Bats during their Death March training. She even came up with the Devil Bats cheer:
GO! GO! LET'S GO!
GO! GO! DEVIL!
FLY! FLY! BATS!
RUN! RUN! BATS!
COME ON! COME ON! 21!
EYESHIELD 21! 21!
COME ON OUT, EYESHIELD 21!
Character Info:
The first time Sena and Monta (and Yukimistu in the anime) saw her in her cheerleading outfit, they were shocked as if they had just seen a ghost (here she teases Sena about liking her). She even made a special cheerleading outfit for Mamori and Monta was extremely happy to see it (he had a massive nosebleed there and then).
Hiruma managed to get American cheerleaders for the team mostly via threatening them (two of the cheerleaders appear to look distinctively like the two American girls who were featured in an episode in the anime).
In the 100th chapter (a whole chapter consisting of cute 4-column panel omake), Suzuna got Mamori to wear the Eyeshield 21 clothes. As she puts the visored helmet onto a resisting Mamori's head, that is when Monta suddenly walks in, believing that was Sena with Suzuna, and from the angle he was standing it looked like they were kissing.
Her catchphrase is a loud "YA!" (translated as "YEAH!").
She does not like being addressed as 'San' or by her last name. She demanded that Sena(and anyone who 'San' her) call her by her first, to his embarrassment (in Japanese culture, this is usually done between close friends or couples), perhaps she does not like a very formal treat for herself. However she gladly accepts being addressed as 'Chan'.
Suzuna claims to have little interest in romantic relationships of her own, but is always interested in those of other people. Whenever a prospective couple is mentioned, part of Suzuna's hair sticks up and spins like a radar, locking onto the unfortunate target (usually Mamori regarding Hiruma) before bombarding him/her with questions of their relationship.
She had a habit of making nicknames for people that she thinks makes them cuter. She called Hiruma "You-nii" (much to the shock of the other members, although Hiruma doesn't seem to mind as much), Jumonji as "Monjii", Kuroki as "Kurokki", Toganou as "Toga", Komusubi as "Komusubicchi" (this was also used by Mizumachi), Yukimitsu as "Yukki" (though he was her senior, although not from the same school), Tetsuo Ishimaru as "Tet-chan", Gen "Musashi" Takekura as "Musha-syan", Mamori as "Mamo-nee" (though Riku calls her this as well), Shien "Kid" Mushakonoji as "Kiddon", Cerberus as "Ceru", both Doburoku-sensei and Pig-Berus as "Burokki" (Much to Doburoku's chagrin). In fact, the only person that Suzuna doesn't make a nickname for is Sena, which might actually imply that she thinks Sena's name is fine as it is, and doesn't need a nickname to know that she acknowledges him.
In several scenes, it has been implied that she has feelings toward Sena, though this has not yet been confirmed. It may also be interpreted that likewise, Sena may have feelings for Suzuna, based on his protective actions towards her. Examples include numerous instances when Suzuna leaps from high places and Sena purposely places himself beneath her to cushion her fall, perhaps by the own Sena's nature to help to anyone, although both of them claim to have tried to avoid each other at the same time and by the same way, so ending with a colission. Also, when Mizumachi attempts to peek into the girls' side of the bath house, Sena tries to stop him after hearing that Suzuna is there as well (manga only). And when Sena finally reveals his identity in the game against the Bando Spiders, Suzuna gives a squeal of overjoyed excitement and declares that she was "waiting for this," and immediately begins to cheer him on using his name. After being exhausted in the game against the Spiders, Sena collapsed in Suzuna's arms(he was walking almost asleep and thinking about the game, so he did not notice if someone was in front of him); although she was initially embarrassed she supported him. Additionally, in chapter 241, Suzuna reacts to the possibility of Sena dating the Dinosaurs' team manager with worry, though Mamori thinks that it is because Suzuna thinks of Sena like a little brother. In response, Suzuna says that her feelings are different since the time she met him, but she does not elaborate on this. Also in the 7th ending of Eyeshield 21 (EP 127+) it show's Suzuna holding up Sena's Shirt to dry and the ending also shows the silhouette of Sena and and Suzuna holding hands. In chapter 275, Suzuna was wearing a dress, and wanted Sena to say that she looked beautiful. Sena did think so, but he was too shy to say it outright (he was actually also really surprised).
At the end of the anime, Suzuna and Sena are seen shopping together, while being spied on by Mamori, Monta, and Togano.
Also at the end of the anime, while Sena plays for the NFL, Suzuna is a cheerleader for his team (this is not certain, as she was also seen in the stands, though still cheering).
Character Info
The first time Sena and Monta (and Yukimistu in the anime) saw her in her cheerleading outfit, they were shocked as if they had just seen a ghost (here she teases Sena about liking her). She even made a special cheerleading outfit for Mamori and Monta was extremely happy to see it (he had a massive nosebleed there and then). Hiruma managed to get American cheerleaders for the team mostly via threatening them (two of the cheerleaders appear to look distinctively like the two American girls who were featured in an episode in the anime). In the 100th chapter (a whole chapter consisting of cute 4-column panel omake), Suzuna got Mamori to wear the Eyeshield 21 clothes. As she puts the visored helmet onto a resisting Mamori's head, that is when Monta suddenly walks in, believing that was Sena with Suzuna, and from the angle he was standing it looked like they were kissing. Her catchphrase is a loud "YA!" (translated as "YEAH!"). She does not like being addressed as 'San' or by her last name. She demanded that Sena(and anyone who 'San' her) call her by her first, to her own, but is always interested in those of other people. Whenever a prospective couple is mentioned, part of Suzuna's hair sticks up and spins like a radar, locking onto the unfortunate target (usually Mamori regarding Hiruma) before bombarding him/her with questions of their relationship. She had a habit of making nicknames for people that she thinks makes them cuter. She called Hiruma "You-nii" (much to the shock of the other members, although Hiruma doesn't seem to mind as much), Jumonji as "Monjii", Kuroki as "Kurokki", Toganou as "Toga", Komusubi as "Komusubicchi" (this was also used by Mizumachi), Yukimitsu as "Yukki" (though he was her senior, although not from the same school), Tetsuo Ishimaru as "Tet-chan", Gen "Musashi" Takekura as "Musha-syan", Mamori as "Mamo-nee" (though Riku calls her this as well), Shien "Kid" Mushakonoji as "Kiddon", Cerberus as "Ceru", both Doburoku-sensei and Pig-Berus as "Burokki" (Much to Doburoku's chagrin). In fact, the only person that Suzuna doesn't make a nickname for is Sena, which might actually imply that she thinks Sena's name is fine as it is, and doesn't need a nickname to know that she acknowledges him. In several scenes, it has been implied that she has feelings toward Sena, though this has not yet been confirmed. It may also be interpreted that likewise, Sena may have feelings for Suzuna, based on his protective actions towards her. Examples include numerous instances when Suzuna leaps from high places and Sena purposely places himself beneath her to cushion her fall, perhaps by the own Sena's nature to help to anyone, although both of them claim to have tried to avoid each other at the same time and by the same way, so ending with a colission. Also, when Mizumachi attempts to peek into the girls' side of the bath house, Sena tries to stop him after hearing that Suzuna is there as well (manga only). And when Sena finally reveals his identity in the game against the Bando Spiders, Suzuna gives a squeal of overjoyed excitement and declares that she was "waiting for this," and immediately begins to cheer him on using his name. After being exhausted in the game against the Spiders, Sena collapsed in Suzuna's arms(he was walking almost asleep and thinking about the game, so he did not notice if someone was in front of him); although she was initially embarrassed she supported him. Additionally, in chapter 241, Suzuna reacts to the possibility of Sena dating the Dinosaurs' team manager with worry, though Mamori thinks that it is because Suzuna thinks of Sena like a little brother. In response, Suzuna says that her feelings are different since the time she met him, but she does not elaborate on this. Also in the 7th ending of Eyeshield 21 (EP 127+) it show's Suzuna holding up Sena's Shirt to dry and the ending also shows the silhouette of Sena and and Suzuna holding hands. In chapter 275, Suzuna was wearing a dress, and wanted Sena to say that she looked beautiful. Sena did think so, but he was too shy to say it outright (he was actually also really surprised). At the end of the anime, Suzuna and Sena are seen shopping together, while being spied on by Mamori, Monta, and Togano. Also at the end of the anime, while Sena plays for the NFL, Suzuna is a cheerleader for his team (this is not certain, as she was also seen in the stands, though still cheering).
1st year student (Grade 10)
Suzuna is a cute blue-haired girl who's always wearing rollerblades. She came to the United States and hitched a ride with one of the bikers of a bike gang. Sena first met her after he got lost halfway through the Death March and was surrounded by a whole lot of American bikers - Sena being Sena, he couldn't really communicate with them. However, one biker mentioned the words 'Japanese girl', 'Football player', and 'Japan', and Sena assumed said biker was talking about Mamori, and immediately went off in search of the aforementioned Japanese girl. The 'Japanese girl' term was actually referring to Suzuna, and 'Football player' Natsuhiko, her brother. Suzuna was looking for her brother, and in that same respect, met up with the 'Football player' assuming that it was Natsuhiko. The bikers then assumed they were boyfriend and girlfriend (cheering them on with "C'mon, hug! Kiss! Hug!", but the fact was that Suzuna and Sena were not in a relationship). She eventually finds her brother and jumps and rolls her skates across his back while still on her feet as punishment for taking the family savings to fly to America. She also witnesses Sena in action as Eyeshield 21.
Later, Suzuna follows the team back to Japan after her brother accepts Sena's offer to join the Devil Bats (he didn't get picked for the American football team he was trying to enter). She then becomes a cheerleader for the Devil Bats even though she's not from Deimon High School (and the captain for the otherwise all-American cheerleading team). Now, the club has a second female member in the group. Fitting to her fiery personality and dislike of being by her surname, Suzuna loudly cheers for the Devil Bats, no matter what the situation as long as it's a competition, and gives many of them nicknames, even Hiruma.
Suzuna is built like that of a young girl, and is often teased mercilessly by others because of that. One thing to note is that she does not like to be addressed by her family name or be called Miss, (in Japanese, using the term 'san') however she does not mind being called Suzuna-ojōchan (little miss, young lady or even madame) by Doboroku.
In the anime, Suzuna was introduced earlier in the timeline as a part-time reporter, working for the magazine American Football Monthly to discover Eyeshield 21's identity. Her reason was to find her long-lost brother, whom she suspected was Eyeshield 21. Realizing that Eyeshield 21 was too short, however, she then leaves for America due to a tip from Hiruma. She later meets up with the Devil Bats during their Death March training. She even came up with the Devil Bats cheer:
GO! GO! LET'S GO!
GO! GO! DEVIL!
FLY! FLY! BATS!
RUN! RUN! BATS!
COME ON! COME ON! 21!
EYESHIELD 21! 21!
COME ON OUT, EYESHIELD 21!
Character Info:
The first time Sena and Monta (and Yukimistu in the anime) saw her in her cheerleading outfit, they were shocked as if they had just seen a ghost (here she teases Sena about liking her). She even made a special cheerleading outfit for Mamori and Monta was extremely happy to see it (he had a massive nosebleed there and then).
Hiruma managed to get American cheerleaders for the team mostly via threatening them (two of the cheerleaders appear to look distinctively like the two American girls who were featured in an episode in the anime).
In the 100th chapter (a whole chapter consisting of cute 4-column panel omake), Suzuna got Mamori to wear the Eyeshield 21 clothes. As she puts the visored helmet onto a resisting Mamori's head, that is when Monta suddenly walks in, believing that was Sena with Suzuna, and from the angle he was standing it looked like they were kissing.
Her catchphrase is a loud "YA!" (translated as "YEAH!").
She does not like being addressed as 'San' or by her last name. She demanded that Sena(and anyone who 'San' her) call her by her first, to his embarrassment (in Japanese culture, this is usually done between close friends or couples), perhaps she does not like a very formal treat for herself. However she gladly accepts being addressed as 'Chan'.
Suzuna claims to have little interest in romantic relationships of her own, but is always interested in those of other people. Whenever a prospective couple is mentioned, part of Suzuna's hair sticks up and spins like a radar, locking onto the unfortunate target (usually Mamori regarding Hiruma) before bombarding him/her with questions of their relationship.
She had a habit of making nicknames for people that she thinks makes them cuter. She called Hiruma "You-nii" (much to the shock of the other members, although Hiruma doesn't seem to mind as much), Jumonji as "Monjii", Kuroki as "Kurokki", Toganou as "Toga", Komusubi as "Komusubicchi" (this was also used by Mizumachi), Yukimitsu as "Yukki" (though he was her senior, although not from the same school), Tetsuo Ishimaru as "Tet-chan", Gen "Musashi" Takekura as "Musha-syan", Mamori as "Mamo-nee" (though Riku calls her this as well), Shien "Kid" Mushakonoji as "Kiddon", Cerberus as "Ceru", both Doburoku-sensei and Pig-Berus as "Burokki" (Much to Doburoku's chagrin). In fact, the only person that Suzuna doesn't make a nickname for is Sena, which might actually imply that she thinks Sena's name is fine as it is, and doesn't need a nickname to know that she acknowledges him.
In several scenes, it has been implied that she has feelings toward Sena, though this has not yet been confirmed. It may also be interpreted that likewise, Sena may have feelings for Suzuna, based on his protective actions towards her. Examples include numerous instances when Suzuna leaps from high places and Sena purposely places himself beneath her to cushion her fall, perhaps by the own Sena's nature to help to anyone, although both of them claim to have tried to avoid each other at the same time and by the same way, so ending with a colission. Also, when Mizumachi attempts to peek into the girls' side of the bath house, Sena tries to stop him after hearing that Suzuna is there as well (manga only). And when Sena finally reveals his identity in the game against the Bando Spiders, Suzuna gives a squeal of overjoyed excitement and declares that she was "waiting for this," and immediately begins to cheer him on using his name. After being exhausted in the game against the Spiders, Sena collapsed in Suzuna's arms(he was walking almost asleep and thinking about the game, so he did not notice if someone was in front of him); although she was initially embarrassed she supported him. Additionally, in chapter 241, Suzuna reacts to the possibility of Sena dating the Dinosaurs' team manager with worry, though Mamori thinks that it is because Suzuna thinks of Sena like a little brother. In response, Suzuna says that her feelings are different since the time she met him, but she does not elaborate on this. Also in the 7th ending of Eyeshield 21 (EP 127+) it show's Suzuna holding up Sena's Shirt to dry and the ending also shows the silhouette of Sena and and Suzuna holding hands. In chapter 275, Suzuna was wearing a dress, and wanted Sena to say that she looked beautiful. Sena did think so, but he was too shy to say it outright (he was actually also really surprised).
At the end of the anime, Suzuna and Sena are seen shopping together, while being spied on by Mamori, Monta, and Togano.
Also at the end of the anime, while Sena plays for the NFL, Suzuna is a cheerleader for his team (this is not certain, as she was also seen in the stands, though still cheering).
Character Info
The first time Sena and Monta (and Yukimistu in the anime) saw her in her cheerleading outfit, they were shocked as if they had just seen a ghost (here she teases Sena about liking her). She even made a special cheerleading outfit for Mamori and Monta was extremely happy to see it (he had a massive nosebleed there and then). Hiruma managed to get American cheerleaders for the team mostly via threatening them (two of the cheerleaders appear to look distinctively like the two American girls who were featured in an episode in the anime). In the 100th chapter (a whole chapter consisting of cute 4-column panel omake), Suzuna got Mamori to wear the Eyeshield 21 clothes. As she puts the visored helmet onto a resisting Mamori's head, that is when Monta suddenly walks in, believing that was Sena with Suzuna, and from the angle he was standing it looked like they were kissing. Her catchphrase is a loud "YA!" (translated as "YEAH!"). She does not like being addressed as 'San' or by her last name. She demanded that Sena(and anyone who 'San' her) call her by her first, to her own, but is always interested in those of other people. Whenever a prospective couple is mentioned, part of Suzuna's hair sticks up and spins like a radar, locking onto the unfortunate target (usually Mamori regarding Hiruma) before bombarding him/her with questions of their relationship. She had a habit of making nicknames for people that she thinks makes them cuter. She called Hiruma "You-nii" (much to the shock of the other members, although Hiruma doesn't seem to mind as much), Jumonji as "Monjii", Kuroki as "Kurokki", Toganou as "Toga", Komusubi as "Komusubicchi" (this was also used by Mizumachi), Yukimitsu as "Yukki" (though he was her senior, although not from the same school), Tetsuo Ishimaru as "Tet-chan", Gen "Musashi" Takekura as "Musha-syan", Mamori as "Mamo-nee" (though Riku calls her this as well), Shien "Kid" Mushakonoji as "Kiddon", Cerberus as "Ceru", both Doburoku-sensei and Pig-Berus as "Burokki" (Much to Doburoku's chagrin). In fact, the only person that Suzuna doesn't make a nickname for is Sena, which might actually imply that she thinks Sena's name is fine as it is, and doesn't need a nickname to know that she acknowledges him. In several scenes, it has been implied that she has feelings toward Sena, though this has not yet been confirmed. It may also be interpreted that likewise, Sena may have feelings for Suzuna, based on his protective actions towards her. Examples include numerous instances when Suzuna leaps from high places and Sena purposely places himself beneath her to cushion her fall, perhaps by the own Sena's nature to help to anyone, although both of them claim to have tried to avoid each other at the same time and by the same way, so ending with a colission. Also, when Mizumachi attempts to peek into the girls' side of the bath house, Sena tries to stop him after hearing that Suzuna is there as well (manga only). And when Sena finally reveals his identity in the game against the Bando Spiders, Suzuna gives a squeal of overjoyed excitement and declares that she was "waiting for this," and immediately begins to cheer him on using his name. After being exhausted in the game against the Spiders, Sena collapsed in Suzuna's arms(he was walking almost asleep and thinking about the game, so he did not notice if someone was in front of him); although she was initially embarrassed she supported him. Additionally, in chapter 241, Suzuna reacts to the possibility of Sena dating the Dinosaurs' team manager with worry, though Mamori thinks that it is because Suzuna thinks of Sena like a little brother. In response, Suzuna says that her feelings are different since the time she met him, but she does not elaborate on this. Also in the 7th ending of Eyeshield 21 (EP 127+) it show's Suzuna holding up Sena's Shirt to dry and the ending also shows the silhouette of Sena and and Suzuna holding hands. In chapter 275, Suzuna was wearing a dress, and wanted Sena to say that she looked beautiful. Sena did think so, but he was too shy to say it outright (he was actually also really surprised). At the end of the anime, Suzuna and Sena are seen shopping together, while being spied on by Mamori, Monta, and Togano. Also at the end of the anime, while Sena plays for the NFL, Suzuna is a cheerleader for his team (this is not certain, as she was also seen in the stands, though still cheering).
Monday, January 25, 2010
Sumito Sendoda
Although he appears like a wise old sage, he is in reality the coach of Shinryuji's team. Normally, he's strict on discipline, but he turns a blind eye to Agon's behavior, since he considers him as a player that appears only once a century. However, like Agon's brother Unsui, he does recognize Deimon's offensive potential and changes the team's strategies in order to defeat them, but it wasn't enough to stop the Devil Bats from claiming victory.
Suguru Aoyanagi
He used to be a scrawny student, very similar in appearance to Weird Al Yankovic, until he took the Amino training program for six months, which gave him an incredibly muscular body. He thinks himself unstoppable until he is defeated repeatedly by the linemen of the Devil Bats. He is the only member of the Cyborgs to enjoy the cheerleading captain Hakui's harsh treatment.
Position: Lineman
Jersey Number: 64
Position: Lineman
Jersey Number: 64
Shun Kakei
The Poseidon's fourth-tallest player (202 cm) and de facto captain, Kakei is the first character to allude to the existence of a "real" Eyeshield 21 in the series. Shun attended middle school in the United States, where he witnessed the play of this true Eyeshield 21, a running back for Notre Dame University's affiliated middle school (later revealed to be Yamato Takeru). Amazed by the prowess of a Japanese player, Kakei became reinvigorated with American football after having been frustrated by his inferiority to the American players around him. When Kakei's team Arizonia University's affiliated middle school played against Notre Dame, Kakei and Eyeshield 21 played against each other on a single play, and while Kakei lost, Eyeshield 21 promised to play him again. Kakei trained hard, practicing how to use his great height to his advantage, and became the team's ace player. However, by the time Phoenix played Notre Dame the following year, Yamato had departed for Japan, and the Notre Dame players had been instructed not to speak of his existence but most of players along with the coach were really mad about not being able to speak about him because they respect him and were really mad at oberman for doing such a rotten thing. Kakei returned to Japan as well, determined to find Eyeshield 21 again, and joined the American football team at Kyoshin. Under Kakei's direction, the Poseidon adapted their belief that height was essential to winning American football, and the team recruited several more tall players. When he learned of the "fake" Eyeshield 21, Sena, playing for the Devil Bats, Kakei declared him an impostor, knowing the Eyeshield 21 he had encountered in America to be taller and stronger. Kakei despises Sena and believes him unworthy of his title before and then throughout the Kyoshin-Deimon match, and is determined to expose his inferiority. After being defeated at the end of the game by Sena's newest technique, the Devil Bat Hurricane, Kakei deems Sena worthy of the title Eyeshield 21, but warns Sena that the Eyeshield 21 he met in America will one day stand against him. Kakei becomes a friendly acquaintance of the Devil Bats, appearing at several of their games as a spectator. When he learns that Sena will play against Yamato, whom he believes and later confirms to be the true Eyeshield 21, Kakei vows to teach Juumonji all of his hand techniques in the hope that Juumonji will be able to help Sena defeat Yamato.
Kakei is physically distinguished by his great height, long powerful arms, and fierce blue eyes. While physically powerful, he has a slender build, and draws his strength from using his great height to gain leverage on his opponents. He is capable of holding back or even shoving to the ground most players shorter than himself with a single hand. His long arms also provide him with an extended reach, which allows him to counter against a runner's feints more effectively. Kakei is also a strong strategist, personally being able to discern how to defeat the Wishbone. He is named one of the best three linebackers at the end of the Fall Tournament.
Kakei is physically distinguished by his great height, long powerful arms, and fierce blue eyes. While physically powerful, he has a slender build, and draws his strength from using his great height to gain leverage on his opponents. He is capable of holding back or even shoving to the ground most players shorter than himself with a single hand. His long arms also provide him with an extended reach, which allows him to counter against a runner's feints more effectively. Kakei is also a strong strategist, personally being able to discern how to defeat the Wishbone. He is named one of the best three linebackers at the end of the Fall Tournament.
Shinryuuji Naga
Logo: Dragon 
Team colours (manga): charcoal-grey or black, with two-tone gold/orange detail.
Team colours (anime): dark purple, red and gold.
Helmet (manga): black flames on a gold background
Helmet (anime): dark purple flames on a red background
Team uniform bears flames down the side of both the jerseys and pants, and across the top of the helmet. Team dress outside of games kind of resembles a Buddhist monk's robes (it's referred to in the manga as a dougi).
Before the start of each game, the linemen go into a kind of meditation exercise to achieve a Zen state of mind. Supposedly, this is to get them mentally prepared for the game and nothing can disturb them when they are like this... that is, until Ikkyu commented on some cute girls. The fact that Shinryuuji is an all-boys school makes all the players but Unsui susceptible to female distraction.
The strongest team in the Kanagawa area by far. Known as the "Gods of Kantou",since the founding of their school, they've won the Kantou tournament for 9 years straight . Four of the players resemble the main characters from Journey to the West (or as they call it, Saiyuki). The name Shinryūji can translate to "Temple of the Dragon God".
The team is made up of members who are good all-rounders, with two aces, (Agon and Ikkyu). As a result, they are well-balanced in both offense and defense, which is directly opposite to Deimon's team of specialists.
Their coach is Sendou Dasumito, an old man who looks much like a hermit martial arts master would look like in a martial arts movie. He guides the team with seeming wisdom and tactics, though he always turns a blind eye toward Agon and his lack of discipline, due to his God-Impulse Ability.
Another fact about the team is that they had never allowed any opponent a two-point conversion against them. This record is destroyed along with their bid for a 10th Kantou Championship when they lose to the Devil Bats in the opening round in quite possibly the most unbelievable upset in their entire history.

Players
Agon Kongo
He is Unsui's younger twin brother. Ever since he was little he had the Godspeed Impusle which give him natural talent thats appears every 100 years. With his natural talent he was very arrgoant and he didn't train his body. He treat people as trash. He also like to flirt with pretty women but hate ugly women. He think trash with no talent doesn't deserve to live. He was describe by Sena as evil.
Unsui Kongo
金剛雲水 Kongō Unsui) He is the older twin brother of Agon. A very strong player. Not much is known about him, but in the previous year's match between the Ojo White Knights and Shinryuji Naga, both he and his brother (as first-year players) were sent out with 5 minutes to play and Ojo holding a 16-3 lead. Their entrance resulted in a 17-16 victory for Shinryūji. During their second-year Spring Tournament, the Nagas trounce the White Knights by a score of 40-3, without Agon playing at all. Unsui is passionately devoted to football, but is considered merely a "good" player. In contrast, Agon takes a casual, cynical, almost scornful approach to the sport, but is far better. Far more serious and intense than Agon, Unsui is much better liked, as opposed to feared like his brother is. He is a good player because of his wide range of vision, allowing him to know where all his players are.
Ikkyu Hosokawa
(細川一休 Hosakawa Ikkyū) The only person who has an attitude like Monta (but doesn't eat bananas like Monta does). His hair resembles Vegeta from the manga/anime series Dragon Ball Z, and he has a red mole in the middle of his forehead. By the look of him, no one should be intimidated, but his true skill lies in his running technique. He has the record of 4.9 seconds in the 40-yard-dash while running backwards, making him the best cornerback in the Kanto Zone. He is the only player on the Nagas that Agon has any respect for, since he is considered a genius. He has great respect for Agon and is probably the only one on the team who doesn't fear him and actually looks forward to playing with him. Ikkyu is proud of his jumping and catching ability. He tells Unsui that no one can beat him on air. However, Kanto's best cornerback is nothing compared to Japan's best linebacker- Shin proves this to him in his first match against him.
Ikkyu peppers his speech with the inflection oni, which is used as an emphatic phrase. It is usually translated as "completely".
Gondayū Yamabushi
(山伏権太夫 Yamabushi Gondayū) One of the senior members of the Naga team, as he is referred to as Yabushi-sempai by Unsui and others. A very skilled lineman, he is the center (literally and by position) of the line for offense and defense. According to his coach, he is more skilled than Kurita, almost a match for Kurita in power, and faster than Kurita. During his freshman year, Yamabushi was noted alongside fellow receiver Doujirou Tenma as the future of the team. However, as skilled as he was, the lineman was embarrased when Tenma was recruited for the all-stars of Teikoku instead of himself. He is one of the three Shinryuji players crushed at the end of the Naga-Devilbats game by Kurita's game-ending powerdrive. In spite of his team's legendary success, Yamabushi is generally unfazed by the aura of the Shinryuji team and treats even his opponents with respect, especially Kurita. With the end of his final season, Yamabushi defers the future of the team to Ikkyu and Unsui.
Officials
Sumito Sendōda
(仙洞田 寿人) Although he appears like a wise old sage, he is in reality the coach of Shinryuji's team. Normally, he's strict on discipline, but he turns a blind eye to Agon's behavior, since he considers him as a player that appears only once a century. However, like Agon's brother Unsui, he does recognize Deimon's offensive potential and changes the team's strategies in order to defeat them, but it wasn't enough to stop the Devil Bats from claiming victory.
Team colours (manga): charcoal-grey or black, with two-tone gold/orange detail.
Team colours (anime): dark purple, red and gold.
Helmet (manga): black flames on a gold background
Helmet (anime): dark purple flames on a red background
Team uniform bears flames down the side of both the jerseys and pants, and across the top of the helmet. Team dress outside of games kind of resembles a Buddhist monk's robes (it's referred to in the manga as a dougi).
Before the start of each game, the linemen go into a kind of meditation exercise to achieve a Zen state of mind. Supposedly, this is to get them mentally prepared for the game and nothing can disturb them when they are like this... that is, until Ikkyu commented on some cute girls. The fact that Shinryuuji is an all-boys school makes all the players but Unsui susceptible to female distraction.
The strongest team in the Kanagawa area by far. Known as the "Gods of Kantou",since the founding of their school, they've won the Kantou tournament for 9 years straight . Four of the players resemble the main characters from Journey to the West (or as they call it, Saiyuki). The name Shinryūji can translate to "Temple of the Dragon God".
The team is made up of members who are good all-rounders, with two aces, (Agon and Ikkyu). As a result, they are well-balanced in both offense and defense, which is directly opposite to Deimon's team of specialists.
Their coach is Sendou Dasumito, an old man who looks much like a hermit martial arts master would look like in a martial arts movie. He guides the team with seeming wisdom and tactics, though he always turns a blind eye toward Agon and his lack of discipline, due to his God-Impulse Ability.
Another fact about the team is that they had never allowed any opponent a two-point conversion against them. This record is destroyed along with their bid for a 10th Kantou Championship when they lose to the Devil Bats in the opening round in quite possibly the most unbelievable upset in their entire history.

Players
Agon Kongo
He is Unsui's younger twin brother. Ever since he was little he had the Godspeed Impusle which give him natural talent thats appears every 100 years. With his natural talent he was very arrgoant and he didn't train his body. He treat people as trash. He also like to flirt with pretty women but hate ugly women. He think trash with no talent doesn't deserve to live. He was describe by Sena as evil.
Unsui Kongo
金剛雲水 Kongō Unsui) He is the older twin brother of Agon. A very strong player. Not much is known about him, but in the previous year's match between the Ojo White Knights and Shinryuji Naga, both he and his brother (as first-year players) were sent out with 5 minutes to play and Ojo holding a 16-3 lead. Their entrance resulted in a 17-16 victory for Shinryūji. During their second-year Spring Tournament, the Nagas trounce the White Knights by a score of 40-3, without Agon playing at all. Unsui is passionately devoted to football, but is considered merely a "good" player. In contrast, Agon takes a casual, cynical, almost scornful approach to the sport, but is far better. Far more serious and intense than Agon, Unsui is much better liked, as opposed to feared like his brother is. He is a good player because of his wide range of vision, allowing him to know where all his players are.
Ikkyu Hosokawa
(細川一休 Hosakawa Ikkyū) The only person who has an attitude like Monta (but doesn't eat bananas like Monta does). His hair resembles Vegeta from the manga/anime series Dragon Ball Z, and he has a red mole in the middle of his forehead. By the look of him, no one should be intimidated, but his true skill lies in his running technique. He has the record of 4.9 seconds in the 40-yard-dash while running backwards, making him the best cornerback in the Kanto Zone. He is the only player on the Nagas that Agon has any respect for, since he is considered a genius. He has great respect for Agon and is probably the only one on the team who doesn't fear him and actually looks forward to playing with him. Ikkyu is proud of his jumping and catching ability. He tells Unsui that no one can beat him on air. However, Kanto's best cornerback is nothing compared to Japan's best linebacker- Shin proves this to him in his first match against him.
Ikkyu peppers his speech with the inflection oni, which is used as an emphatic phrase. It is usually translated as "completely".
Gondayū Yamabushi
(山伏権太夫 Yamabushi Gondayū) One of the senior members of the Naga team, as he is referred to as Yabushi-sempai by Unsui and others. A very skilled lineman, he is the center (literally and by position) of the line for offense and defense. According to his coach, he is more skilled than Kurita, almost a match for Kurita in power, and faster than Kurita. During his freshman year, Yamabushi was noted alongside fellow receiver Doujirou Tenma as the future of the team. However, as skilled as he was, the lineman was embarrased when Tenma was recruited for the all-stars of Teikoku instead of himself. He is one of the three Shinryuji players crushed at the end of the Naga-Devilbats game by Kurita's game-ending powerdrive. In spite of his team's legendary success, Yamabushi is generally unfazed by the aura of the Shinryuji team and treats even his opponents with respect, especially Kurita. With the end of his final season, Yamabushi defers the future of the team to Ikkyu and Unsui.
Officials
Sumito Sendōda
(仙洞田 寿人) Although he appears like a wise old sage, he is in reality the coach of Shinryuji's team. Normally, he's strict on discipline, but he turns a blind eye to Agon's behavior, since he considers him as a player that appears only once a century. However, like Agon's brother Unsui, he does recognize Deimon's offensive potential and changes the team's strategies in order to defeat them, but it wasn't enough to stop the Devil Bats from claiming victory.
Sengoku Samurai
Sengoku Samurai is a team in Tokyo. They made it to the final 8 before being chrushed by Ojo White Knights.Though they have a good offense, their skill was nothing in compare to Ojo's defense. They have a very boastful and show-off coach. He harshly critics Ojo before their game but found out his team was weak, not Ojo. He played on the same American Football team as Shogun, Ojo's coach and Doburoku ,Deimon's coach during high school.
Seibu Wild Gunmans
Team Logo/Mascot: A cactus wearing a cowboy suit (Saboten)
Team colours: Brown, Gold and Dark Blue
Helmet logo: cross-section of a six-shooter's bullet chamber. Helmets are copper-coloured.
The english name of Wild Gunmans has been corrected to "Wild Gunmen" in the Viz Comms translation.
Like Deimon, Seibu is highly focused on offense, with passing being the major component, (though the run with Riku has been recently added).
Although bizarre by Japanese standards due to their American appearance, the Wild Gunmen are considered the strongest offensive team in Tokyo and one of the strongest teams in Kantō. Complete with cheerleaders dressed in sexy cowgirl outfits with real guns and a coach who sports a ten-gallon hat on top of his short body, the team is obsessed with creating an American image for an American game such as football.
The training location of the Gunmen is the Ben Ranch, a dude ranch in Houston, Texas (the city also notable as the home of the American NASA Aliens (Shuttles)) owned by coach Billy Horide. Primarily a cattle ranch, it is also notable for holding a stable of horses that look like various players in the Kantō tournament.
Although a rival of the Deimon Devil Bats, the Wild Gunmen are one of the few teams that respects the players on the team. The best of the two even came together during a beach football tournament, where they temporarily became the "Devil Gunmen".
The teams chant is "GUN&GUN that will do"
Players
Shien Mushanokoji (The Kid)
Voiced by: Yuuya Uchida
(キッド/武者小路紫苑) Although he goes by an enigmatic cowboy name, Shien (or "The Kid") is actually from a line of nobles. His father is particularly known as a three-time Olympic gold medalist in pistol shooting, where his son gains his marksmanship both with a gun and with a football. He is a quarterback, and has one of the fastest pass speeds in Japan, possibly in the world. Kid and Tetsuma make up one of the strongest quarterback-wide receiver combinations in Japan (by high school standards), like the legendary Joe Montana-Jerry Rice combination, although to a lesser extent.
Jo Tetsuma
Voiced by: Eiji Takemoto
(鉄馬丈 Tetsuma Jō) A fast and quiet guy, he has a habit of following orders to the letter, and that can lead to disaster. It is very important to give him specific instructions and to watch him carefully. Otherwise, he will follow any general directions to the extreme. For example, the coach once said to him, "Go run a bit!!" so he kept running for 3 days and 3 nights, until he collapsed from hunger. During another incident, Tetsuma was told to wake Kid in five hours while on a flight to the United States, yet ends up bursting out of the back window of a bus to go look for Kid 3 hours later after arriving in Houston! (In this way he is like a golem.) Whenever Kid calls a pass route, he dashes and uses it as followed, no questions asked. This makes him perfect for his position as a Wide Receiver, since the Kid doesn't even have to look for him in order to pass. In spite of his seemingly robotic demeanor, Tetsuma is a nice person, who has been friends with Kid since they were kids.
Riku Kaitani
Voiced by: Yuuki Masuda, Chikiri Kyoko (younger)
(甲斐谷陸) Sena's childhood friend. An extremely fast boy who happens to be the one who taught Sena how to run. When Riku was in elementary school, he saw Sena being bullied and he used his speed to save him. Riku told Sena that he shouldn't have to deal with the bullies and he should stand up to them. Sena pointed out that unlike Riku he had never fought before and he was weak so Riku told Sena he was going to teach him speed as a way to fight the bullies because with speed you have an advantage in avoiding attacks. So Riku taught Sena how to run as a way of building up his speed. After days of practicing Sena finally learned how to dash and run fast. Sadly, Sena used his speed to be a gopher, (though it's ironic that being a gopher is what helped build up his speed). Riku soon left Sena's school because his family needed to move. In the anime, he and Sena made two promises. One was that Sena would always run. The second was that Sena would protect Mamori. Before he left, Mamori gave him a cat charm she made (Sena and Riku thought it was either a pig or a horse), which he wears around his neck in a pouch. It was shown that Mamori made one for herself and Sena, which Mamori keeps in her schoolbag, and Sena hangs on his lamp at home.
Buharou "Buffalo" Ushijima
Voiced by: Kazuya Sueiyoshi
(バッファロー牛島 Baffarō Ushijima) A long haired (wavy), large lineman for Seibu, he is one of the few defense-oriented players on the mostly offensive team. Using the training period at the team ranch in the United States, he chooses to master a more gripping style to destroy the offense of other teams by means of the "Dual Bison Horn". However, as delinquent as his style appears to be, the Hah Hah Brothers (particularly Jumonji) use their own delinquent defensive abilities to block him and allow for their offense to break through him.
Tenichi Saba
Kicker of Seibu Wild Gunmen. Despite being a decent kicker, when the team got pressed down, he became nervous that Kid decides to do a 2 point conversion with Tetsuma instead at one instance, and had Riku putting his helmet in another instance.
Other Players
Position: Kicker
Jersey Number: 13
Oguri Babayama
o Position: Guard o Jersey Number: 72
Yōsuke Iseri
o Position: Safety o Jersey Number: 45
Shun Higashigi
o Position: Defensive Lineman o Jersey Number: 74
Sōji Nishina
o Position: Defensive Lineman o Jersey Number: 75
Ryōsuke Haga
o Position: Tight End o Jersey Number: 6
Rokurō Hata
o Position: Wide Receiver o Jersey Number: 22
Kōra Snake
o Position: Defensive Lineman o Jersey Number: 61
Mototsugu Hazama
o Position: Split End o Jersey Number: 34
Tetsurō Kokonoe
o Position: Guard o Jersey Number: 71
Hinata Shiraishi
o Position: Lineback o Jersey Number: 52
Santa Saiyama
o Position: Cornerback o Jersey Number: 36
Tetsuo Yokome
o Position: Tackle o Jersey Number: 59
Kakumichi Ushio
o Position: Center o Jersey Number: 60
Coaches & Other Assistants
"Doc" Billy Horide
Voiced by: Miyazawa Tadashi
(ドク堀出 Doku Horide) The coach of the Wild Gunmen, his appearance is like a stereotypical cowboy complete with two pistols he uses to fire with. (showing off similar gunmenship skills to both Kid and Hiruma) His main philosophy revolves around a fast-shooting offense that crushes the opponent. Unfortunately, his management of the team leads to bad luck for his side, particularly in Tetsuma following his advice to the point of hurting his team as opposed to helping it.
Hina Aiuchi
(相内比奈)The blond head of the "Wild Fanning" cheerleader corp for Seibu, leading the chants for the team.
Team colours: Brown, Gold and Dark Blue
Helmet logo: cross-section of a six-shooter's bullet chamber. Helmets are copper-coloured.
The english name of Wild Gunmans has been corrected to "Wild Gunmen" in the Viz Comms translation.
Like Deimon, Seibu is highly focused on offense, with passing being the major component, (though the run with Riku has been recently added).
Although bizarre by Japanese standards due to their American appearance, the Wild Gunmen are considered the strongest offensive team in Tokyo and one of the strongest teams in Kantō. Complete with cheerleaders dressed in sexy cowgirl outfits with real guns and a coach who sports a ten-gallon hat on top of his short body, the team is obsessed with creating an American image for an American game such as football.
The training location of the Gunmen is the Ben Ranch, a dude ranch in Houston, Texas (the city also notable as the home of the American NASA Aliens (Shuttles)) owned by coach Billy Horide. Primarily a cattle ranch, it is also notable for holding a stable of horses that look like various players in the Kantō tournament.
Although a rival of the Deimon Devil Bats, the Wild Gunmen are one of the few teams that respects the players on the team. The best of the two even came together during a beach football tournament, where they temporarily became the "Devil Gunmen".
The teams chant is "GUN&GUN that will do"
Players
Shien Mushanokoji (The Kid)
Voiced by: Yuuya Uchida
(キッド/武者小路紫苑) Although he goes by an enigmatic cowboy name, Shien (or "The Kid") is actually from a line of nobles. His father is particularly known as a three-time Olympic gold medalist in pistol shooting, where his son gains his marksmanship both with a gun and with a football. He is a quarterback, and has one of the fastest pass speeds in Japan, possibly in the world. Kid and Tetsuma make up one of the strongest quarterback-wide receiver combinations in Japan (by high school standards), like the legendary Joe Montana-Jerry Rice combination, although to a lesser extent.
Jo Tetsuma
Voiced by: Eiji Takemoto
(鉄馬丈 Tetsuma Jō) A fast and quiet guy, he has a habit of following orders to the letter, and that can lead to disaster. It is very important to give him specific instructions and to watch him carefully. Otherwise, he will follow any general directions to the extreme. For example, the coach once said to him, "Go run a bit!!" so he kept running for 3 days and 3 nights, until he collapsed from hunger. During another incident, Tetsuma was told to wake Kid in five hours while on a flight to the United States, yet ends up bursting out of the back window of a bus to go look for Kid 3 hours later after arriving in Houston! (In this way he is like a golem.) Whenever Kid calls a pass route, he dashes and uses it as followed, no questions asked. This makes him perfect for his position as a Wide Receiver, since the Kid doesn't even have to look for him in order to pass. In spite of his seemingly robotic demeanor, Tetsuma is a nice person, who has been friends with Kid since they were kids.
Riku Kaitani
Voiced by: Yuuki Masuda, Chikiri Kyoko (younger)
(甲斐谷陸) Sena's childhood friend. An extremely fast boy who happens to be the one who taught Sena how to run. When Riku was in elementary school, he saw Sena being bullied and he used his speed to save him. Riku told Sena that he shouldn't have to deal with the bullies and he should stand up to them. Sena pointed out that unlike Riku he had never fought before and he was weak so Riku told Sena he was going to teach him speed as a way to fight the bullies because with speed you have an advantage in avoiding attacks. So Riku taught Sena how to run as a way of building up his speed. After days of practicing Sena finally learned how to dash and run fast. Sadly, Sena used his speed to be a gopher, (though it's ironic that being a gopher is what helped build up his speed). Riku soon left Sena's school because his family needed to move. In the anime, he and Sena made two promises. One was that Sena would always run. The second was that Sena would protect Mamori. Before he left, Mamori gave him a cat charm she made (Sena and Riku thought it was either a pig or a horse), which he wears around his neck in a pouch. It was shown that Mamori made one for herself and Sena, which Mamori keeps in her schoolbag, and Sena hangs on his lamp at home.
Buharou "Buffalo" Ushijima
Voiced by: Kazuya Sueiyoshi
(バッファロー牛島 Baffarō Ushijima) A long haired (wavy), large lineman for Seibu, he is one of the few defense-oriented players on the mostly offensive team. Using the training period at the team ranch in the United States, he chooses to master a more gripping style to destroy the offense of other teams by means of the "Dual Bison Horn". However, as delinquent as his style appears to be, the Hah Hah Brothers (particularly Jumonji) use their own delinquent defensive abilities to block him and allow for their offense to break through him.
Tenichi Saba
Kicker of Seibu Wild Gunmen. Despite being a decent kicker, when the team got pressed down, he became nervous that Kid decides to do a 2 point conversion with Tetsuma instead at one instance, and had Riku putting his helmet in another instance.
Other Players
Position: Kicker
Jersey Number: 13
Oguri Babayama
o Position: Guard o Jersey Number: 72
Yōsuke Iseri
o Position: Safety o Jersey Number: 45
Shun Higashigi
o Position: Defensive Lineman o Jersey Number: 74
Sōji Nishina
o Position: Defensive Lineman o Jersey Number: 75
Ryōsuke Haga
o Position: Tight End o Jersey Number: 6
Rokurō Hata
o Position: Wide Receiver o Jersey Number: 22
Kōra Snake
o Position: Defensive Lineman o Jersey Number: 61
Mototsugu Hazama
o Position: Split End o Jersey Number: 34
Tetsurō Kokonoe
o Position: Guard o Jersey Number: 71
Hinata Shiraishi
o Position: Lineback o Jersey Number: 52
Santa Saiyama
o Position: Cornerback o Jersey Number: 36
Tetsuo Yokome
o Position: Tackle o Jersey Number: 59
Kakumichi Ushio
o Position: Center o Jersey Number: 60
Coaches & Other Assistants
"Doc" Billy Horide
Voiced by: Miyazawa Tadashi
(ドク堀出 Doku Horide) The coach of the Wild Gunmen, his appearance is like a stereotypical cowboy complete with two pistols he uses to fire with. (showing off similar gunmenship skills to both Kid and Hiruma) His main philosophy revolves around a fast-shooting offense that crushes the opponent. Unfortunately, his management of the team leads to bad luck for his side, particularly in Tetsuma following his advice to the point of hurting his team as opposed to helping it.
Hina Aiuchi
(相内比奈)The blond head of the "Wild Fanning" cheerleader corp for Seibu, leading the chants for the team.
Savanna Survivors
Logo:A Zebra
Team Colors:Green
Helmet:
Team Uniform:Green-striped
All of their players are over two meters tall and look strikingly similar, with dark skin and reddish brown hair.
The survivors represent Africa's football team to join Cream Puff Cup.
In the first round of the Cream Puff Cup, the Survivors lose to the Devil Bats 0-28.
Players
Jono
They say that he is fast like a cheetah
Team Colors:Green
Helmet:
Team Uniform:Green-striped
All of their players are over two meters tall and look strikingly similar, with dark skin and reddish brown hair.
The survivors represent Africa's football team to join Cream Puff Cup.
In the first round of the Cream Puff Cup, the Survivors lose to the Devil Bats 0-28.
Players
Jono
They say that he is fast like a cheetah
Sasuke Kanagushi
He's the team captain and safety. His belief is that football is a mind game. He wears his long hair in a braid that stands up like a scorpion's tail whenever he's excited or angry. Kanagushia is able to predict the opposing team's strategies by reading the telltale signs of the players. Things such as glances, body movements and certain behaviors allow him to figure out what kind of play the other team will use. However, Hiruma already knew about Kanagushi's strategies and used several tricks (including lipstick), and his own brand of psychological warfare to confound him. In the end, the Scorpions were stung by their own poison. In the anime Kanagushia also became Hiruma's slave, by accidentally saying his plan to capture Hiruma and keeping him away from the game aloud, giving Hiruma the chance to recorded it and use as blackmail. In an omake, it shows that he's slapped around frequently by his father ("I've predicted your movements! You're going to slap me on my left cheek now, aren't you?"), who's often annoyed by his abrasive personality; so, while he can predict the movements of others, it's somewhat useless.
Position: Quarterback/Safety
Jersey Number: 14
Height: 166 cm (5`5")
Weight: 60 kg (132 lb)
Position: Quarterback/Safety
Jersey Number: 14
Height: 166 cm (5`5")
Weight: 60 kg (132 lb)
Sado Strong Golem
Sado Strong Golems is a Sado high school football team, the ace is Ganjō Iwashima as a running back. Sado Strong has qualified for Kantou Tournament, in first round they defeated by Ojo White Knights.
Reisuke Aki (Achilles)
Reisuke Aki aka Achilles
A player who is considered to be an idiot (compared on a scale, Hiruma considered him 60%, whereas players such as Yamato, Taka and Karin were 0% and Taki was 100%). Unlike many of the current first squad, he was the only one who played in the previous Christmas Bowl, where he learned firsthand about Agon Kongo (even though Teikoku did defeat Shinryuji in the game). Was there when Agon tried to join the team. He appears to have a crush on Karin, as he asks her to be his girlfriend at the start of the game, but was pounded by Heracles before finishing the sentence.
Position: Lineman Jersey Number: 76 Like all of the first team Achilles has a 40 yard dash of under 5 seconds. TECHNIQUES/STRATIGIES
Cross Stunts: See Heracles' entry.
A player who is considered to be an idiot (compared on a scale, Hiruma considered him 60%, whereas players such as Yamato, Taka and Karin were 0% and Taki was 100%). Unlike many of the current first squad, he was the only one who played in the previous Christmas Bowl, where he learned firsthand about Agon Kongo (even though Teikoku did defeat Shinryuji in the game). Was there when Agon tried to join the team. He appears to have a crush on Karin, as he asks her to be his girlfriend at the start of the game, but was pounded by Heracles before finishing the sentence.
Position: Lineman Jersey Number: 76 Like all of the first team Achilles has a 40 yard dash of under 5 seconds. TECHNIQUES/STRATIGIES
Cross Stunts: See Heracles' entry.
Reiji Maruko (Marco)
The Dinosaurs' quarterback and captain, Marco is a suave-appearing man who ambitiously dreams of winning the Christmas Bowl, yet when encountered by a strong opponent he acts panicked and frightened. He calls himself "Marco" because he feels his real name sounds like a girl's name, and also wears an Italian suit to match his Italian nickname. In his first year in middle school, he joined the American football team, and also courted Maruko Himuro, who is two years older than him. To impress her, he vowed to win the Christmas Bowl, to show her the "morning sunshine after a victory." He led Hakushu to the SIC District Championship later that year, and then began studying the great teams at the high school level. His teammates encouraged him to give up on his dream of winning the Christmas Bowl because of the strength of the undefeated Teikoku Alexanders, and after witnessing the team play, Marco despaired, realizing that the chances of defeating Teikoku were slim. He became determined to defeat Teikoku using strength, and recruited Gao to accomplish this. He even used Gao's tremendous power to injure opposing players, a strategy that Himuro came to dislike him for.
Marco's skill as a throwing quarterback is never established, as Hakushu's offense is based entirely on him taking the snap and following Gao's block as the large lineman plows through the defense using the "North-South Game". On defense, Marco's skill comes from his ability to follow ball movements and react to them. He can see through a runner's feints, and given the smallest opportunity can steal an unsecured ball using his signature "Screw Bite" technique. He is also able to act as a "Quarterback Spy", precisely following the opposing quarterback's movements and reacting to them. While his strategies are simple and brutal, Marco is effective at determining how to direct his team's defense to stop their opponents, whether by deliberately injuring the quarterback or by sending a defender to mark a player.
Marco's skill as a throwing quarterback is never established, as Hakushu's offense is based entirely on him taking the snap and following Gao's block as the large lineman plows through the defense using the "North-South Game". On defense, Marco's skill comes from his ability to follow ball movements and react to them. He can see through a runner's feints, and given the smallest opportunity can steal an unsecured ball using his signature "Screw Bite" technique. He is also able to act as a "Quarterback Spy", precisely following the opposing quarterback's movements and reacting to them. While his strategies are simple and brutal, Marco is effective at determining how to direct his team's defense to stop their opponents, whether by deliberately injuring the quarterback or by sending a defender to mark a player.
Pig-berus
When Komusubi ran away, Doburoku went on an epic journey to find him. Not realizing that Komusubi had stayed in Tokyo, he went far afield, without a cell phone or any way for the team to tell him that Komusubi had been found. When Doburoku finally returned, dazed and drunk, he had with him a piglet; which he thought was Komusubi.
This piglet, being too far away from home, stayed at Deimon. Cerberus would have made Pig-Berus into tonkatsu, but Pig-Berus saved himself by pointing out that he would make a much better meal when fully grown. Pig-Berus is now a mascot and cheerleads alongside Cerberus.
This piglet, being too far away from home, stayed at Deimon. Cerberus would have made Pig-Berus into tonkatsu, but Pig-Berus saved himself by pointing out that he would make a much better meal when fully grown. Pig-Berus is now a mascot and cheerleads alongside Cerberus.
Osamu Kobanzame
Kobanzame is the short, nervous captain of the Kyoshin Poseidon. He and the other third-year players on the team are of below-average height, as opposed to the extremely tall underclassmen on the team. Kobanzame has a tendency to stutter and mess up quotations in his attempts to raise the morale of the team. According to the mangaka, Kobanzame is one of the shyest characters in the series, second only to Sena. He is often unsure of what to do and will usually wait for Kakei to decide on something before claiming to have thought of the exact same thing, in a half-hearted attempt to appear to have some capacity for leadership. Kobanzame additionally has a tendency to complain a lot, but he is extremely dedicated to helping his team to win in any way possible - he actually completed the same amount of training as the diligent Kengo Mizumachi prior to the tournament. He also resorts to spying on opposing teams to help his teammates to win as a way of making up for his lack of athleticism. After Kyoshin is eliminated from the tournament, he tearfully states that although his dreams of winning the championship are over, and his final year with the Poseidon was his hardest, it was also the most enjoyable.
Kobanzame is very short, especially for a quarterback, and is also slow and physically weak. His lack of self-confidence also makes him generally unsuited for his position as captain. While he lacks natural skill and a commanding personality, Kobanzame is well-respected for his hard work and mistake-free play as a quarterback. He never throws an interception throughout the tournament, and reacts quickly to rushing defenders by immediately but safely getting rid of the ball, preventing both turnovers and sacks (although in the anime he throws a single interception against the Devil Bats when Hiruma frightens him into making a mistake). Additionally, in the anime only, his ability to escape being tackled is a key aspect of the "Tempest Formation", an offensive strategy of throwing quick, short passes to his receivers.
Kobanzame is very short, especially for a quarterback, and is also slow and physically weak. His lack of self-confidence also makes him generally unsuited for his position as captain. While he lacks natural skill and a commanding personality, Kobanzame is well-respected for his hard work and mistake-free play as a quarterback. He never throws an interception throughout the tournament, and reacts quickly to rushing defenders by immediately but safely getting rid of the ball, preventing both turnovers and sacks (although in the anime he throws a single interception against the Devil Bats when Hiruma frightens him into making a mistake). Additionally, in the anime only, his ability to escape being tackled is a key aspect of the "Tempest Formation", an offensive strategy of throwing quick, short passes to his receivers.
Ojou White Knight
The Oujou White Knights are a High School American Football team based out of Ojo Private Senior High School. They are the main rivals of the Deimon Devil Bats throughout the series, and the team's star linebacker Seijuro Shin is Sena's first and most prominent rival. The White Knights are a strong team with a major focus on their stringent defense.
Overview
The White Knights are historically known as the best high school team in the greater Tokyo area and one of the best teams in all of Japan. One reason for this strength is the program in place at Oujou - Oujou is an escalator school from Oujou Junior High, so students can gain an additional three years of experience prior to entering high school. In recent years Oujou has been considered the only team in Kanto capable of challenging the Shinryuji Naga due to the strength of the Golden Generation, a group of players who graduated from Oujou the year before the series takes place. However, Oujou was never actually able to defeat Shinryuji, coming closest in the Golden Generation's final year when Shin Seijuro joined the team, when Agon and Unsui Kongo had to lead the Naga to a comeback in the final five minutes to win.
When the Golden Generation departs, the White Knights are considered a weaker team, which particularly shows when the team nearly loses to the Seibu Wild Gunmen and is blown out by Shinryuji in the Spring tournament. During the course of the series, the team exceeds these expectations, primarily due to the improvement of Shin and the wide receiver Haruto Sakuraba.
Team Members
Players
Seijuro Shin
The ace linebacker of the Ojo White Knights, Shin is Sena Kobayakawa's main rival throughout the series. When the Devil Bats and White Knights play in the second round of the Spring Tournament, the White Knights begin to dominate the game once Shin enters. However, in one instance, Sena manages to out-run Shin. As a result, Shin vows to play Sena on the field again, as well as to train himself to be able to match Sena's speed. Over time, Shin, already considered possibly the greatest linebacker in the history of American football in Japan, improves himself in preparation for facing Sena again. On the other hand, he often acts as a source of motivation for Sena to improve himself, and on a few occasions even offers advice to his rival.
Shin is known for being extremely strong and fast, and almost continuously trains to improve himself in often extreme and ridiculous fashion. He is frequently recognized as one of the best players in Japan, and earns various honors including Autumn Tokyo Tournament MVP and being recruited to Team Japan for the World Youth Cup. His trademark move is the Spear Tackle, a powerful tackle that involves thrusting his entire body into an open-palmed thrust of his arm. Shin continues to improve this technique, eventually combining it with the Speed of Light Pace to create the Trident Spear Tackle. Shin is always calm and serious, and often demonstrates that he has a deep understanding of the game. He is typically the leader of Ojo's defense on the field, and is named the captain of the team at the end of the year.
Haruto Sakuraba
Sakuraba is a wide receiver for the Oujou White Knights, and also an attractive pop idol. He stands out on the team due to his great height, and also because of his appearances in advertisements under the company Jari Productions. Because of his status as an idol, he has a large number of female fans who believe him to be the ace of the team. However, at the beginning of the series, Sakuraba has only average abilities. Following the Spring Tournament, Sakuraba separates himself from Jari Productions in order to dedicate himself to practicing and improving his athletic abilties. As a result, Sakuraba becomes Oujou's key offensive weapon, and comes to be regarded as one of the four best wide receivers in the entire Kanto region. A major aspect of this success is Sakuraba's cooperation with Takami, who is also very tall. The two are able to utilize their combined height with the Everest Pass, a pass that Takami throws with a high trajectory such that only Sakuraba is capable of reaching it.
While at the beginning of the series Sakuraba is repeatedly overcome by self-doubt and the pressure accompanying the perception that he is the team's ace, he becomes more confident as his skills improve. Otherwise he has a fairly quiet and submissive personality, which often leads to him suffering the consequences when his teammate Otawara acts recklessly.
Ichiro Takami
Takami is the quarterback of the Ojo White Knights, and acting captain of the team. Takami is ailed by a childhood leg injury suffered in a car accident, which hampers his running ability. In middle school he was told he could not play due to this drawback, and so he decided to attempt to make up for his disadvantage by training harder and practicing his throwing ability. Takami was thus able to become Ojo's starting quarterback when he entered high school. Takami is intelligent, insightful, and sometimes crafty, and he is usually capable of analyzing an opposing team's abilities. However, while his throws are renowned for their accuracy, he is not considered a top-notch quarterback. Takami's only natural ability is his height, which allows him to accurately throw passes at a greater height than any other quarterback. He is only able to do so, however, by throwing to a receiver who is also very tall. He had thus been depending on Sakuraba to improve, as he does prior to the Autumn Tokyo Tournament. Together, Takami and Sakuraba develop the Everest Pass, which becomes Oujou's greatest offensive strategy.
Makoto Otawara
(大田原誠 Ōtawara Makoto)
A large lineman for the White Knights, Otawara is an extremely muscular, brash, and dense senior student. He has a number of juvenile habits, such as farting in public, picking his nose, and his pants falling off frequently, all of which are played as running jokes throughout the series. He is repeatedly considered one of the least intelligent characters in the series, matched only by Taki, and is not only confused by somewhat complicated language, but also American football strategy. Despite this, he is very strong and also extremely fast for someone of his size, which makes him a very good defensive player. Otawara can be very insightful on occasion, which genuinely shocks just about everyone, but is in general a cheerfully bumbling person who is at his best when he does not bother to think about a situation. He also takes great pride in the capabilities and achievements of his team, and seems to be a motivational leader for the White Knights, as he is responsible in leading the team's chant at the beginning of each game.
Daigo Ikari
Ikari, nicknamed "Prison Chain Ikari" in middle school, is a former notorious delinquent and lineman for the Oujou White Knights. He is very quick to irritate, and often reacts violently to any comments he perceives as insulting to his teammates or to Oujou High School in general. Because of this, he was frequently suspended from school up until deciding to join the football team after overhearing a remark that the White Knights were weaker without the Golden Generation playing for them. However, his bouts of violence continue, which causes him to be disqualified from each of Oujou's games before he is able to play; this pattern continues until Oujou's second match with the Deimon Devil Bats. His violent behavior continues when he plays games, as he brutally attacks any opposing ball-carrier without hesitation.
Other Players
Various players from the White Knights are additionally named, though their role in the story is extremely limited. However, it is made quite apparent that the White Knights' strength is a team effort, and in the Autumn Tokyo Tournament, several players are named the best of their position. Additional players include:
Hikaru Itadaki, #16, Tight End
Shun Kankazi, #83, Wide Receiver
Keisuke Nekoyama, #32, Running Back
Shoichi Mayumura, #38, Running Back
Reiji Kagamido, #52, Offensive Lineman
Atsuo Iwabana, #62, Offensive Lineman
Yoshinori Agota, #78, Offensive Lineman. Agota is named to the Tokyo Best 11.
Eiji Suzuki, #57, Offensive Lineman
Kyohei Yakumaru, #35, Linebacker
Takaya Gushiken, #51, Linebacker
Rintaro Tsuyashima, #22, Cornerback. Tsuyashima is named to the Tokyo Best 11.
Hiroyuki Iguchi, #25, Cornerback. Iguchi is named to the Tokyo Best 11. At the beginning of the second game against Deimon, he covers Monta, and Monta develops the Devil Backfire against him before Sakuraba takes over covering him.
Tadashi Tsurime, #15, Safety. Tsurime is named to the Tokyo Best 11.
Sota Nakawaki, #33, Safety. Nakawaki is named to the Tokyo Best 11.
Naoki Uemura, #92, Defensive Lineman. Uemura is named to the Tokyo Best 11.
Yorihiro Watanabe, #70, Defensive Lineman. Watanabe is named to the Tokyo Best 11.
Gunpei Shoji ("Shogun")
(庄司軍平 Shōji Gunpei)
Seiyū: Tetsuo Komura
Shōji is the head coach and trainer of the Ojo White Knights. During his years in university, he had been an ace player for his football team, along with Deimon's trainer Doburoku. Together, they were known at the Twin Japanese Blades. Unlike his former teammate, Shōji had avoided seriously injuring himself during the Death March training. He is a harsh but fair coach and he firmly believes that defense is the most important element in winning football games. Shoji was responsible for Shin's being recruited to the football team, as he instantly recognized his talent upon seeing the young player.
Koharu Wakana
(若菜小春 Wakana Koharu)
Seiyū: Sakenobe Mika
Wakana is the manager and assistant of the Ojo White Knights. She's known for recording most of the football games and has a habit of catching garbage thrown by the coach and players in a wastebasket. She seems to developed a friendship with fellow member Takami and Deimon's Mamori and Suzuna. It was said that she actually became manager to avoid working for her parents' grocery store.
Team Appearance and Rituals
Mascot: Knight with lance on horse.
Helmet logo: Blue shield with a white crucifix.
Team colors: White and blue. Jerseys feature a lightning bolt across each shoulder.
Notes: Ojo Private Senior High School resembles the Notre Dame Cathedral to indicate that the school has a long, proud American football tradition like the University of Notre Dame in the United States. Their team's chant is "Glory on the Kingdom!" The team coach is Gunpei Shoji, a man who played football with Doburoku when they were young. A pony-tailed girl named Koharu Wakana is the team manager.
The team is based on the old football maxim "Offense Wins Games, But Defense Wins Championships". If the opponent can be prevented from scoring, then only one point is needed to win. This is the direct opposite of the Deimon Devil Bats, in which ultimate offense is the best strategy. Hiruma: "If we can score 100 points to their 99 points (the number of points Ojo scored on their first game against Deimon), then one point is all we need to win."
Like Zokugaku, Ojo also has a university school, whose football team is the "Silver Knights". Currently, their players consist of the legendary "Golden Generation", known as the pinnacle of the ultimate defense and who came the closest to defeat the unstoppable Shinryuji Nagas during their time (prior to Deimon doing so this football season).
Overview
The White Knights are historically known as the best high school team in the greater Tokyo area and one of the best teams in all of Japan. One reason for this strength is the program in place at Oujou - Oujou is an escalator school from Oujou Junior High, so students can gain an additional three years of experience prior to entering high school. In recent years Oujou has been considered the only team in Kanto capable of challenging the Shinryuji Naga due to the strength of the Golden Generation, a group of players who graduated from Oujou the year before the series takes place. However, Oujou was never actually able to defeat Shinryuji, coming closest in the Golden Generation's final year when Shin Seijuro joined the team, when Agon and Unsui Kongo had to lead the Naga to a comeback in the final five minutes to win.
When the Golden Generation departs, the White Knights are considered a weaker team, which particularly shows when the team nearly loses to the Seibu Wild Gunmen and is blown out by Shinryuji in the Spring tournament. During the course of the series, the team exceeds these expectations, primarily due to the improvement of Shin and the wide receiver Haruto Sakuraba.
Team Members
Players
Seijuro Shin
The ace linebacker of the Ojo White Knights, Shin is Sena Kobayakawa's main rival throughout the series. When the Devil Bats and White Knights play in the second round of the Spring Tournament, the White Knights begin to dominate the game once Shin enters. However, in one instance, Sena manages to out-run Shin. As a result, Shin vows to play Sena on the field again, as well as to train himself to be able to match Sena's speed. Over time, Shin, already considered possibly the greatest linebacker in the history of American football in Japan, improves himself in preparation for facing Sena again. On the other hand, he often acts as a source of motivation for Sena to improve himself, and on a few occasions even offers advice to his rival.
Shin is known for being extremely strong and fast, and almost continuously trains to improve himself in often extreme and ridiculous fashion. He is frequently recognized as one of the best players in Japan, and earns various honors including Autumn Tokyo Tournament MVP and being recruited to Team Japan for the World Youth Cup. His trademark move is the Spear Tackle, a powerful tackle that involves thrusting his entire body into an open-palmed thrust of his arm. Shin continues to improve this technique, eventually combining it with the Speed of Light Pace to create the Trident Spear Tackle. Shin is always calm and serious, and often demonstrates that he has a deep understanding of the game. He is typically the leader of Ojo's defense on the field, and is named the captain of the team at the end of the year.
Haruto Sakuraba
Sakuraba is a wide receiver for the Oujou White Knights, and also an attractive pop idol. He stands out on the team due to his great height, and also because of his appearances in advertisements under the company Jari Productions. Because of his status as an idol, he has a large number of female fans who believe him to be the ace of the team. However, at the beginning of the series, Sakuraba has only average abilities. Following the Spring Tournament, Sakuraba separates himself from Jari Productions in order to dedicate himself to practicing and improving his athletic abilties. As a result, Sakuraba becomes Oujou's key offensive weapon, and comes to be regarded as one of the four best wide receivers in the entire Kanto region. A major aspect of this success is Sakuraba's cooperation with Takami, who is also very tall. The two are able to utilize their combined height with the Everest Pass, a pass that Takami throws with a high trajectory such that only Sakuraba is capable of reaching it.
While at the beginning of the series Sakuraba is repeatedly overcome by self-doubt and the pressure accompanying the perception that he is the team's ace, he becomes more confident as his skills improve. Otherwise he has a fairly quiet and submissive personality, which often leads to him suffering the consequences when his teammate Otawara acts recklessly.
Ichiro Takami
Takami is the quarterback of the Ojo White Knights, and acting captain of the team. Takami is ailed by a childhood leg injury suffered in a car accident, which hampers his running ability. In middle school he was told he could not play due to this drawback, and so he decided to attempt to make up for his disadvantage by training harder and practicing his throwing ability. Takami was thus able to become Ojo's starting quarterback when he entered high school. Takami is intelligent, insightful, and sometimes crafty, and he is usually capable of analyzing an opposing team's abilities. However, while his throws are renowned for their accuracy, he is not considered a top-notch quarterback. Takami's only natural ability is his height, which allows him to accurately throw passes at a greater height than any other quarterback. He is only able to do so, however, by throwing to a receiver who is also very tall. He had thus been depending on Sakuraba to improve, as he does prior to the Autumn Tokyo Tournament. Together, Takami and Sakuraba develop the Everest Pass, which becomes Oujou's greatest offensive strategy.
Makoto Otawara
(大田原誠 Ōtawara Makoto)
A large lineman for the White Knights, Otawara is an extremely muscular, brash, and dense senior student. He has a number of juvenile habits, such as farting in public, picking his nose, and his pants falling off frequently, all of which are played as running jokes throughout the series. He is repeatedly considered one of the least intelligent characters in the series, matched only by Taki, and is not only confused by somewhat complicated language, but also American football strategy. Despite this, he is very strong and also extremely fast for someone of his size, which makes him a very good defensive player. Otawara can be very insightful on occasion, which genuinely shocks just about everyone, but is in general a cheerfully bumbling person who is at his best when he does not bother to think about a situation. He also takes great pride in the capabilities and achievements of his team, and seems to be a motivational leader for the White Knights, as he is responsible in leading the team's chant at the beginning of each game.
Daigo Ikari
Ikari, nicknamed "Prison Chain Ikari" in middle school, is a former notorious delinquent and lineman for the Oujou White Knights. He is very quick to irritate, and often reacts violently to any comments he perceives as insulting to his teammates or to Oujou High School in general. Because of this, he was frequently suspended from school up until deciding to join the football team after overhearing a remark that the White Knights were weaker without the Golden Generation playing for them. However, his bouts of violence continue, which causes him to be disqualified from each of Oujou's games before he is able to play; this pattern continues until Oujou's second match with the Deimon Devil Bats. His violent behavior continues when he plays games, as he brutally attacks any opposing ball-carrier without hesitation.
Other Players
Various players from the White Knights are additionally named, though their role in the story is extremely limited. However, it is made quite apparent that the White Knights' strength is a team effort, and in the Autumn Tokyo Tournament, several players are named the best of their position. Additional players include:
Hikaru Itadaki, #16, Tight End
Shun Kankazi, #83, Wide Receiver
Keisuke Nekoyama, #32, Running Back
Shoichi Mayumura, #38, Running Back
Reiji Kagamido, #52, Offensive Lineman
Atsuo Iwabana, #62, Offensive Lineman
Yoshinori Agota, #78, Offensive Lineman. Agota is named to the Tokyo Best 11.
Eiji Suzuki, #57, Offensive Lineman
Kyohei Yakumaru, #35, Linebacker
Takaya Gushiken, #51, Linebacker
Rintaro Tsuyashima, #22, Cornerback. Tsuyashima is named to the Tokyo Best 11.
Hiroyuki Iguchi, #25, Cornerback. Iguchi is named to the Tokyo Best 11. At the beginning of the second game against Deimon, he covers Monta, and Monta develops the Devil Backfire against him before Sakuraba takes over covering him.
Tadashi Tsurime, #15, Safety. Tsurime is named to the Tokyo Best 11.
Sota Nakawaki, #33, Safety. Nakawaki is named to the Tokyo Best 11.
Naoki Uemura, #92, Defensive Lineman. Uemura is named to the Tokyo Best 11.
Yorihiro Watanabe, #70, Defensive Lineman. Watanabe is named to the Tokyo Best 11.
Gunpei Shoji ("Shogun")
(庄司軍平 Shōji Gunpei)
Seiyū: Tetsuo Komura
Shōji is the head coach and trainer of the Ojo White Knights. During his years in university, he had been an ace player for his football team, along with Deimon's trainer Doburoku. Together, they were known at the Twin Japanese Blades. Unlike his former teammate, Shōji had avoided seriously injuring himself during the Death March training. He is a harsh but fair coach and he firmly believes that defense is the most important element in winning football games. Shoji was responsible for Shin's being recruited to the football team, as he instantly recognized his talent upon seeing the young player.
Koharu Wakana
(若菜小春 Wakana Koharu)
Seiyū: Sakenobe Mika
Wakana is the manager and assistant of the Ojo White Knights. She's known for recording most of the football games and has a habit of catching garbage thrown by the coach and players in a wastebasket. She seems to developed a friendship with fellow member Takami and Deimon's Mamori and Suzuna. It was said that she actually became manager to avoid working for her parents' grocery store.
Team Appearance and Rituals
Mascot: Knight with lance on horse.
Helmet logo: Blue shield with a white crucifix.
Team colors: White and blue. Jerseys feature a lightning bolt across each shoulder.
Notes: Ojo Private Senior High School resembles the Notre Dame Cathedral to indicate that the school has a long, proud American football tradition like the University of Notre Dame in the United States. Their team's chant is "Glory on the Kingdom!" The team coach is Gunpei Shoji, a man who played football with Doburoku when they were young. A pony-tailed girl named Koharu Wakana is the team manager.
The team is based on the old football maxim "Offense Wins Games, But Defense Wins Championships". If the opponent can be prevented from scoring, then only one point is needed to win. This is the direct opposite of the Deimon Devil Bats, in which ultimate offense is the best strategy. Hiruma: "If we can score 100 points to their 99 points (the number of points Ojo scored on their first game against Deimon), then one point is all we need to win."
Like Zokugaku, Ojo also has a university school, whose football team is the "Silver Knights". Currently, their players consist of the legendary "Golden Generation", known as the pinnacle of the ultimate defense and who came the closest to defeat the unstoppable Shinryuji Nagas during their time (prior to Deimon doing so this football season).
Nasa Aliens / Nasa Shuttle
Team Mascot: Alien
Team colours: blue and yellow (different shades to Taiyō - closer to that of the Swedish flag) Helmet logo: an atom with electron paths traced around it This is the American team that Deimon plays when they represent Japan. The best player on the team, Panther, only picks up balls and is not allowed to play because of his previous mistake in a game and not following through with the coach's instructions, although it was later found out that this was merely a rationalization. The Aliens first play a practice game against Zokugaku University's Frilled Lizards and slaughter them with a score of 73-0. There was a bet before the game with Deimon and the terms were that if a team didn't win by more than 10 points, then that team would stay in the opposite country (Japan for NASA, US for Deimon). Deimon lost by one point (32-33), but only because they lacked a kicker and Sena was too exhausted to try the Devil Bat Dive at the end. Neither team succeeded in one-upping each other by 10 points. So Deimon went to America, while NASA stayed. In actuality, this was all according to Hiruma's plans since he wanted the Devil Bats to gain more experience against a veteran team and get some training in the United States. The more muscular members of the NASA Aliens have a habit of getting into a group pose and flexing their muscles, in which they believe show off their physiques to all female spectators, thereby getting them dates and such. So far, it hasn't worked.
Contents
Coach
Leonard Apollo
(レオナルド・アポロ) Apollo is the coach of the Nasa Aliens team and has an extreme prejudice against those who have innate talents, rather than using skills earned by training. This is the main reason why he does not allow Panther to play during games and had him picking up balls. He's also racist against African Americans, and he dislikes the Japanese as well, thinking that they are weak and submissive as compared to the Americans. Due to this attitude, he cancels the game against the Devil Bats.
In response to this, Hiruma creates an insulting web video. He sends it over the Internet, which directly calls Apollo a chicken for refusing to face Deimon and humiliates the Nasa coach worldwide. Outraged, Apollo reschedules their match, stating that if the Aliens do not crush the Devil Bats by at least 10 points, then the Americans would not return to the United States.
In truth, the coach's real motivation for excluding Panther is jealousy. In his days as an NFL player, Apollo, despite his considerable efforts (such as training three times more than anyone), was never more than a benchwarmer. When it looked like he would finally play, the bigwigs of his team hired Morgan, an extremely talented sprinter and an African American, much like Panther. Apollo was cut from the team, and the flashback he had during the Deimon game showed him asking for one more chance to play, then being denied. Bitter about it all, Apollo went on to find his ideal high school team (Nasa Aliens) that relied solely in perfectly executed and superior strategies without leaning on the performance of talented aces. As coach, he also made up the rule that any team member who made a mistake on the field would immediately be substituted.
When Apollo's strategies during the Deimon game crumbled in front of Hiruma's tricks and Eyeshield's speed, Apollo reluctantly allowed Panther to play, after the whole team begged him to. Panther himself said that he would quit the team if he failed to stop Eyeshield 21 and win the game if he were to be given "one more chance". This caused a flashback for Apollo.
While Panther was playing on defense, Watt and Homer revealed that for a long time, despite how badly Panther was treated, Panther had always admired Apollo, because he was a hard-working man (Panther, like Apollo had, trained three times as hard as a ballboy and secretly with the rest of the team). There was another flashback of Panther when he was little, in which he declared that he had to be on Apollo's team no matter what. Despite the failure to win by ten points, the coach commented with his back turned during the hand-shaking that it was a good game. When the Alien's change their name to the NASA Shuttles and board a bus to leave Japan, Apollo reminded Panther of the deal, which Panther didn't exactly accomplish on his end ("Never call yourself a NASA Alien again"). However, Apollo told him that there would be a number 20 uniform for the Running Back (Panther) of the new "NASA Shuttles" team (#20 was Apollo's uniform number during his NFL days with the San Antonio Armadillos). This loophole allowed the team to go back to America and let Panther play.
One note in the anime, is that Apollo meets up with Morgan during the tournament between the 4 great teams. At this point, Morgan was the coach of the Russian team. Though the Aliens/Shuttles put up a good fight against Morgan's team, the Blizzards, they still lose. Dejected, Apollo considered quitting football altogether, but changes his mind after Hiruma invites him to watch the game with the Devil Bats against the Blizzards. Seeing the Bats work hard to come back from a lopsided first half, (and even cheering for Eyeshield 21), Apollo regains his drive and determination. In the anime, he owns a cat named Hillary.
Position: Coach
Players
Patrick "Panther" Spencer
Voiced by: Kousuke Kujirai
(パトリック・スペンサー) Panther is a good-natured person who has extraordinary running talents, but has been reduced to being a ballboy, due to Apollo's prejudice. He trains everyday by running across rooftops. Panther's dream is to become a pro NFL player and make money so that his grandmother would no longer have to work. He is also one of the few people who is able to eat his grandmother's horrendous oatmeal recipe.
Initially, he wasn't interested in going to Japan since he really wanted to compete against Shin. Then he saw Eyeshield 21's running ability on Hiruma's web video and wanted to run against him; however, Apollo wouldn't let him play due to a previous mistake he had made in a game. While trying to gain the chance to play, he discovered that Sena is actually Eyeshield 21. Eventually, he and Sena became good friends and promised to play on equal terms the next time they met on the field, (Sena was nearly at his limit by the time Panther had entered the game).
Jeremy Watt
Voiced by: Yasuo Saito, Hiroshi Shimogiki
(ジェレミー・ワット) Watt is the best Wide Receiver of the Nasa Aliens, and he also serves as team's translator, though he's more of a pseudo-Japan scholar (meaning that he's more of an otaku than a Japan-ophile). As a result, he often gets translations wrong, and has some misconceptions concerning Japanese culture but is shown as well-meaning and would not take offense if corrected. Most of his knowledge and obsession with Japan is pinpointed to an encounter with Shun Kakei when he played for Phoenix Junior High (prior to his return to Kyoushin). He is able to calculate the landing point for Homer's Shuttle Pass with pinpoint accuracy like Mission Control.
Homer Fitzgerald
Voiced by: Kouji Ochiai
(ホーマー・フィッツジェラルド) Homer is the quarterback of the Nasa Aliens and his specialty is being able to heave a football from over half the length of the field. Along with Watt, he's one of Panther's closest friends, and helped him endure Apollo's racial attitude against African Americans.
Gonzales (Big Brother)
Voiced by: Kanenari Kiminobu
(ニーサン・ゴンザレス Nīsan Gonzalez) The largest member on the Nasa Aliens, (even bigger than Kurita), he plays center on the line. His massive size and crushing power will reduce any lesser player to pulp. However, his slow speed makes it easy for faster opponents to dodge. His catch-phrase is "Big Useful!" Before going to Japan, he wanted to get a kanji tattoo which meant 'big and useful guy.' He asked Watt about the kanji for 'big' and 'useful.' However, (due to a mis-translation by Watt), when putting those two kanji together, the end result was POOP! In the end, his tattoo means Big Poop Guy.
Gonzales (Little Brother)
Voiced by: Akio Seki
(オットー・ゴンザレス Otto Gonzalez) Though lacking in size and overall strength of his sibling, the younger Gonzales makes up for it in speed and tenacity. He's about the same size as Komusubi. He admires his brother and wanted to be known as the Small Helpful Guy. In a way, he is to his big brother like Komusubi is to Kurita. His catch-phrase is, "Don't look down on me!" Unfortunately, he went to Watt for a kanji tattoo as well and the kanji for 'small' and 'helpful' translates as PEE, and that gives him the title of Little Pee Guy. He is also easily fooled by handoff fakes.
Team colours: blue and yellow (different shades to Taiyō - closer to that of the Swedish flag) Helmet logo: an atom with electron paths traced around it This is the American team that Deimon plays when they represent Japan. The best player on the team, Panther, only picks up balls and is not allowed to play because of his previous mistake in a game and not following through with the coach's instructions, although it was later found out that this was merely a rationalization. The Aliens first play a practice game against Zokugaku University's Frilled Lizards and slaughter them with a score of 73-0. There was a bet before the game with Deimon and the terms were that if a team didn't win by more than 10 points, then that team would stay in the opposite country (Japan for NASA, US for Deimon). Deimon lost by one point (32-33), but only because they lacked a kicker and Sena was too exhausted to try the Devil Bat Dive at the end. Neither team succeeded in one-upping each other by 10 points. So Deimon went to America, while NASA stayed. In actuality, this was all according to Hiruma's plans since he wanted the Devil Bats to gain more experience against a veteran team and get some training in the United States. The more muscular members of the NASA Aliens have a habit of getting into a group pose and flexing their muscles, in which they believe show off their physiques to all female spectators, thereby getting them dates and such. So far, it hasn't worked.
Contents
Coach
Leonard Apollo
(レオナルド・アポロ) Apollo is the coach of the Nasa Aliens team and has an extreme prejudice against those who have innate talents, rather than using skills earned by training. This is the main reason why he does not allow Panther to play during games and had him picking up balls. He's also racist against African Americans, and he dislikes the Japanese as well, thinking that they are weak and submissive as compared to the Americans. Due to this attitude, he cancels the game against the Devil Bats.
In response to this, Hiruma creates an insulting web video. He sends it over the Internet, which directly calls Apollo a chicken for refusing to face Deimon and humiliates the Nasa coach worldwide. Outraged, Apollo reschedules their match, stating that if the Aliens do not crush the Devil Bats by at least 10 points, then the Americans would not return to the United States.
In truth, the coach's real motivation for excluding Panther is jealousy. In his days as an NFL player, Apollo, despite his considerable efforts (such as training three times more than anyone), was never more than a benchwarmer. When it looked like he would finally play, the bigwigs of his team hired Morgan, an extremely talented sprinter and an African American, much like Panther. Apollo was cut from the team, and the flashback he had during the Deimon game showed him asking for one more chance to play, then being denied. Bitter about it all, Apollo went on to find his ideal high school team (Nasa Aliens) that relied solely in perfectly executed and superior strategies without leaning on the performance of talented aces. As coach, he also made up the rule that any team member who made a mistake on the field would immediately be substituted.
When Apollo's strategies during the Deimon game crumbled in front of Hiruma's tricks and Eyeshield's speed, Apollo reluctantly allowed Panther to play, after the whole team begged him to. Panther himself said that he would quit the team if he failed to stop Eyeshield 21 and win the game if he were to be given "one more chance". This caused a flashback for Apollo.
While Panther was playing on defense, Watt and Homer revealed that for a long time, despite how badly Panther was treated, Panther had always admired Apollo, because he was a hard-working man (Panther, like Apollo had, trained three times as hard as a ballboy and secretly with the rest of the team). There was another flashback of Panther when he was little, in which he declared that he had to be on Apollo's team no matter what. Despite the failure to win by ten points, the coach commented with his back turned during the hand-shaking that it was a good game. When the Alien's change their name to the NASA Shuttles and board a bus to leave Japan, Apollo reminded Panther of the deal, which Panther didn't exactly accomplish on his end ("Never call yourself a NASA Alien again"). However, Apollo told him that there would be a number 20 uniform for the Running Back (Panther) of the new "NASA Shuttles" team (#20 was Apollo's uniform number during his NFL days with the San Antonio Armadillos). This loophole allowed the team to go back to America and let Panther play.
One note in the anime, is that Apollo meets up with Morgan during the tournament between the 4 great teams. At this point, Morgan was the coach of the Russian team. Though the Aliens/Shuttles put up a good fight against Morgan's team, the Blizzards, they still lose. Dejected, Apollo considered quitting football altogether, but changes his mind after Hiruma invites him to watch the game with the Devil Bats against the Blizzards. Seeing the Bats work hard to come back from a lopsided first half, (and even cheering for Eyeshield 21), Apollo regains his drive and determination. In the anime, he owns a cat named Hillary.
Position: Coach
Players
Patrick "Panther" Spencer
Voiced by: Kousuke Kujirai
(パトリック・スペンサー) Panther is a good-natured person who has extraordinary running talents, but has been reduced to being a ballboy, due to Apollo's prejudice. He trains everyday by running across rooftops. Panther's dream is to become a pro NFL player and make money so that his grandmother would no longer have to work. He is also one of the few people who is able to eat his grandmother's horrendous oatmeal recipe.
Initially, he wasn't interested in going to Japan since he really wanted to compete against Shin. Then he saw Eyeshield 21's running ability on Hiruma's web video and wanted to run against him; however, Apollo wouldn't let him play due to a previous mistake he had made in a game. While trying to gain the chance to play, he discovered that Sena is actually Eyeshield 21. Eventually, he and Sena became good friends and promised to play on equal terms the next time they met on the field, (Sena was nearly at his limit by the time Panther had entered the game).
Jeremy Watt
Voiced by: Yasuo Saito, Hiroshi Shimogiki
(ジェレミー・ワット) Watt is the best Wide Receiver of the Nasa Aliens, and he also serves as team's translator, though he's more of a pseudo-Japan scholar (meaning that he's more of an otaku than a Japan-ophile). As a result, he often gets translations wrong, and has some misconceptions concerning Japanese culture but is shown as well-meaning and would not take offense if corrected. Most of his knowledge and obsession with Japan is pinpointed to an encounter with Shun Kakei when he played for Phoenix Junior High (prior to his return to Kyoushin). He is able to calculate the landing point for Homer's Shuttle Pass with pinpoint accuracy like Mission Control.
Homer Fitzgerald
Voiced by: Kouji Ochiai
(ホーマー・フィッツジェラルド) Homer is the quarterback of the Nasa Aliens and his specialty is being able to heave a football from over half the length of the field. Along with Watt, he's one of Panther's closest friends, and helped him endure Apollo's racial attitude against African Americans.
Gonzales (Big Brother)
Voiced by: Kanenari Kiminobu
(ニーサン・ゴンザレス Nīsan Gonzalez) The largest member on the Nasa Aliens, (even bigger than Kurita), he plays center on the line. His massive size and crushing power will reduce any lesser player to pulp. However, his slow speed makes it easy for faster opponents to dodge. His catch-phrase is "Big Useful!" Before going to Japan, he wanted to get a kanji tattoo which meant 'big and useful guy.' He asked Watt about the kanji for 'big' and 'useful.' However, (due to a mis-translation by Watt), when putting those two kanji together, the end result was POOP! In the end, his tattoo means Big Poop Guy.
Gonzales (Little Brother)
Voiced by: Akio Seki
(オットー・ゴンザレス Otto Gonzalez) Though lacking in size and overall strength of his sibling, the younger Gonzales makes up for it in speed and tenacity. He's about the same size as Komusubi. He admires his brother and wanted to be known as the Small Helpful Guy. In a way, he is to his big brother like Komusubi is to Kurita. His catch-phrase is, "Don't look down on me!" Unfortunately, he went to Watt for a kanji tattoo as well and the kanji for 'small' and 'helpful' translates as PEE, and that gives him the title of Little Pee Guy. He is also easily fooled by handoff fakes.
Kadoguchi Naosumi
Kadoguchi Naosumi Kadoguchi is a cornerback for Amino who has used motion capture technology to optimize his running movements to maximize his speed. His body strangely appears to be formed of polygon shapes. While fairly fast, he gives up easily on passes that he deems to be out of his reach, which allows Monta to easily defeat him.
Position: Cornerback
Jersey Number: 48
40-Yard-Dash: 4.8 seconds
Position: Cornerback
Jersey Number: 48
40-Yard-Dash: 4.8 seconds
Mitsui Saburo
Kicker for the Hakushu Dinosaurs, he is quite stocky in build, has a dark complexion, a square jaw and limp, messy dark hair. When seen, he acts in overall serious manner, never seen smiling and keeps a tight frown.
He is the third best kicker out of the Kanto teams but has no aspirations to gain a higher ranking as he feels Musashi and Koutaro, the two best kickers, cannot be surpassed; this coins his humorous philosophy of "Aim for the third place in life".
He is the third best kicker out of the Kanto teams but has no aspirations to gain a higher ranking as he feels Musashi and Koutaro, the two best kickers, cannot be surpassed; this coins his humorous philosophy of "Aim for the third place in life".
Misaki Wolves
Misaki Wolves, in Kantou tournament they defeated by Seibu. Ace of Misaki wolves is Kamiya Taiga.
Mikoto Sano
Mikoto Sano is the former ace Receiver of the Shachi Goldens team. Gets crushed by Kurita in a catching contest.
3rd year Student (12th Grade) Position: Wide Receiver (1st Team) Jersey Number: 68 TECHNIQUES/STRATIGIES
Super Low Altitude Shachihoko Catch: Sano goes and catches a pass at a low altitude that no other player is able to intercept. It is named after a mythoical creature with a tiger's head and a carp's body.
3rd year Student (12th Grade) Position: Wide Receiver (1st Team) Jersey Number: 68 TECHNIQUES/STRATIGIES
Super Low Altitude Shachihoko Catch: Sano goes and catches a pass at a low altitude that no other player is able to intercept. It is named after a mythoical creature with a tiger's head and a carp's body.
Megu Tsuyumine
Zokugaku's manager and trainer, Megu Tsuyumine (露峰 メグ, Tsuyumine Megu?) is a rough, no-nonsense woman who carries a wooden practice sword and is not above torturing the team members in order to get them to train harder. Some of her known tactics are towing players behind her motorcycle, hitting them between the legs with her wooden sword, and making them carry their motorcycles on their backs, with herself sitting on Habashira's motorcycle. She rules the team with an iron fist and even Habashira is afraid of her. However, she and Habashira are good companions who share a great deal of trust and understanding. She refers to him as "Rui", his given name, instead of Habashira-kun, which is Japanese custom even for close friends, and especially for women, demonstrating their closeness. Like Habashira, she is a second-year student.
Leonardo Apollo
Apollo is the coach of the Nasa Aliens team and has an extreme prejudice against those who have innate talents, rather than using skills earned by training. This is the main reason why he does not allow Panther to play during games and had him picking up balls. He's also racist against African Americans, and he dislikes the Japanese as well, thinking that they are weak and submissive as compared to the Americans. Due to this attitude, he cancels the game against the Devil Bats.
In response to this, Hiruma creates an insulting web video. He sends it over the Internet, which directly calls Apollo a chicken for refusing to face Deimon and humiliates the Nasa coach worldwide. Outraged, Apollo reschedules their match, stating that if the Aliens do not crush the Devil Bats by at least 10 points, then the Americans would not return to the United States.
In truth, the coach's real motivation for excluding Panther is jealousy. In his days as an NFL player, Apollo, despite his considerable efforts (such as training three times more than anyone), was never more than a benchwarmer. When it looked like he would finally play, the bigwigs of his team hired Morgan, an extremely talented sprinter and an African American, much like Panther. Apollo was cut from the team, and the flashback he had during the Deimon game showed him asking for one more chance to play, then being denied. Bitter about it all, Apollo went on to find his ideal high school team (Nasa Aliens) that relied solely in perfectly executed and superior strategies without leaning on the performance of talented aces. As coach, he also made up the rule that any team member who made a mistake on the field would immediately be substituted.
When Apollo's strategies during the Deimon game crumbled in front of Hiruma's tricks and Eyeshield's speed, Apollo reluctantly allowed Panther to play, after the whole team begged him to. Panther himself said that he would quit the team if he failed to stop Eyeshield 21 and win the game if he were to be given "one more chance". This caused a flashback for Apollo.
While Panther was playing on defense, Watt and Homer revealed that for a long time, despite how badly Panther was treated, Panther had always admired Apollo, because he was a hard-working man (Panther, like Apollo had, trained three times as hard as a ballboy and secretly with the rest of the team). There was another flashback of Panther when he was little, in which he declared that he had to be on Apollo's team no matter what. Despite the failure to win by ten points, the coach commented with his back turned during the hand-shaking that it was a good game. When the Alien's change their name to the NASA Shuttles and board a bus to leave Japan, Apollo reminded Panther of the deal, which Panther didn't exactly accomplish on his end ("Never call yourself a NASA Alien again"). However, Apollo told him that there would be a number 20 uniform for the Running Back (Panther) of the new "NASA Shuttles" team (#20 was Apollo's uniform number during his NFL days with the San Antonio Armadillos). This loophole allowed the team to go back to America and let Panther play.
One note in the anime, is that Apollo meets up with Morgan during the tournament between the 4 great teams. At this point, Morgan was the coach of the Russian team. Though the Aliens/Shuttles put up a good fight against Morgan's team, the Blizzards, they still lose. Dejected, Apollo considered quitting football altogether, but changes his mind after Hiruma invites him to watch the game with the Devil Bats against the Blizzards. Seeing the Bats work hard to come back from a lopsided first half, (and even cheering for Eyeshield 21), Apollo regains his drive and determination. In the anime, he owns a cat named Hillary.
Position: Coach
In response to this, Hiruma creates an insulting web video. He sends it over the Internet, which directly calls Apollo a chicken for refusing to face Deimon and humiliates the Nasa coach worldwide. Outraged, Apollo reschedules their match, stating that if the Aliens do not crush the Devil Bats by at least 10 points, then the Americans would not return to the United States.
In truth, the coach's real motivation for excluding Panther is jealousy. In his days as an NFL player, Apollo, despite his considerable efforts (such as training three times more than anyone), was never more than a benchwarmer. When it looked like he would finally play, the bigwigs of his team hired Morgan, an extremely talented sprinter and an African American, much like Panther. Apollo was cut from the team, and the flashback he had during the Deimon game showed him asking for one more chance to play, then being denied. Bitter about it all, Apollo went on to find his ideal high school team (Nasa Aliens) that relied solely in perfectly executed and superior strategies without leaning on the performance of talented aces. As coach, he also made up the rule that any team member who made a mistake on the field would immediately be substituted.
When Apollo's strategies during the Deimon game crumbled in front of Hiruma's tricks and Eyeshield's speed, Apollo reluctantly allowed Panther to play, after the whole team begged him to. Panther himself said that he would quit the team if he failed to stop Eyeshield 21 and win the game if he were to be given "one more chance". This caused a flashback for Apollo.
While Panther was playing on defense, Watt and Homer revealed that for a long time, despite how badly Panther was treated, Panther had always admired Apollo, because he was a hard-working man (Panther, like Apollo had, trained three times as hard as a ballboy and secretly with the rest of the team). There was another flashback of Panther when he was little, in which he declared that he had to be on Apollo's team no matter what. Despite the failure to win by ten points, the coach commented with his back turned during the hand-shaking that it was a good game. When the Alien's change their name to the NASA Shuttles and board a bus to leave Japan, Apollo reminded Panther of the deal, which Panther didn't exactly accomplish on his end ("Never call yourself a NASA Alien again"). However, Apollo told him that there would be a number 20 uniform for the Running Back (Panther) of the new "NASA Shuttles" team (#20 was Apollo's uniform number during his NFL days with the San Antonio Armadillos). This loophole allowed the team to go back to America and let Panther play.
One note in the anime, is that Apollo meets up with Morgan during the tournament between the 4 great teams. At this point, Morgan was the coach of the Russian team. Though the Aliens/Shuttles put up a good fight against Morgan's team, the Blizzards, they still lose. Dejected, Apollo considered quitting football altogether, but changes his mind after Hiruma invites him to watch the game with the Devil Bats against the Blizzards. Seeing the Bats work hard to come back from a lopsided first half, (and even cheering for Eyeshield 21), Apollo regains his drive and determination. In the anime, he owns a cat named Hillary.
Position: Coach
Kyoshin Poseidon
The Kyoshin Poseidon are an American football team from Kyoshin High School that the Deimon Devil Bats face in the Autumn Tokyo Tournament. As their team name suggests, the Poseidon's theme is based on water. Their strategy depends on the great height of their ace players, including Shun Kakei and Kengo Mizumachi.
Contents
Team Appearance and Rituals
The Poseidon uniform is predominantly a light blue. The sides of the jersey and pants feature sea-green fish-scale patterns, while the front of the helmet features a fin of the same color on either side. The team's cheerleaders wear uniforms with a similar color scheme with white seashell designs on the chest, giving the appearance of mermaids. The team in general has traditional practice sessions, but the cheerleaders often lead the team's fans in performing the wave at games. Additionally, after practice the Poseidon routinely visit a sauna to relax their bodies.
Story
Not much is known of the Kyoshin Poseidon before the arrival of the school's ace freshmen, only that, according to captain Osamu Kobanzame, Kyoshin was a mediocre team. However, Shun Kakei joined the team, and also attempted to recruit tall players, completely restructuring the team. Kengo Mizumachi joined the club because he admired Kakei's drive to win the national championship.
The team's tall freshmen stay on the bench for all of the team's official games through the start of the Autumn Tokyo Tournament. However, after the team falls behind 0-14 to Hashiratani, Mizumachi and Kakei enter the game, and lead the Poseidon to a 31-14 victory. A 42-0 rout of Zokugaku follows, and in the tournament quarterfinals the Poseidon face the Deimon Devil Bats. After a hard-fought match the Poseidon lose on the final play of the game by a score of 17-18, 23-24 in the anime.
Players
Shun Kakei
Although a first-year student, Kakei is the Poseidon's ace player and unofficial leader, and the team's actual captain Kobanzame often turns to him for instruction. He is a linebacker whose skill is exceptional, as he is able to defeat Sena's Devil Bat Ghost easily. He is among the tallest high school American football players in Japan, over two meters in height, and he has experience from playing the sport in the United States in middle school. His goal is to find and compete against the 'real' Eyeshield 21, a running back he played in the United States who inspired to take up the sport again when he had been prepared to quit. When he returned to Japan, Kakei immediately signed up for the American football club at Kyoshin, and revitalized the team by recruiting a number of tall players.haha
Kengo Mizumachi
Mizumachi is the Poseidon's other ace player along with Kakei. He is a lineman who, though not very bulky, is formidable because of his speed and great height, which he uses to his advantage. Mizumachi is considered a natural athletic prodigy, and he was highly sought out by his middle school's athletic clubs, and he chose the swimming club. He joined the American football club because of Kakei's aspiration to win the national championship, which matches his own drive, and he quickly became a talented lineman. Unlike Kakei, Mizumachi is rarely serious, instead being energetic, cheerful, and sometimes rude.
Osamu Kobanzame
Although the captain of the team and a third-year student, Kobanzame is an incredibly meek person with little capacity for leadership. Additionally, he is not very talented, though he trains hard along with the rest of the team and his play as a quarterback is generally mistake-free.
Hiroshi Ohira and Hiroshi Onishi
Ohira and Onishi are a pair of first-year linebackers for the Poseidon and are the two tallest high school American football players in Japan, at 205 and 204 cm respectively. They have shared an intense rivalry since childhood, and each claims to be Kakei's first disciple. They address Kakei as "sensei" despite his being in the same year as them, and their actions are generally foolish. However, despite not being as good as Kakei, they are skilled in the use of the techniques he has taught them, and together all three form the Poseidon's "High Wave" defense strategy.
Strategy
Kyoshin's offensive and defensive strategies largely depend on the strength of their tall freshman players. On offense, Mizumachi serves as a blocker for Kobanzame and the team's less-talented running backs. Additionally, on passing plays Mizumachi buys time for Kobanzame to complete passes. The team's true strength is on defense, where all four of their tall players play. Aside from Mizumachi's ability to break through blockers, the linebackers Kakei, Ohira, and Onishi form a powerful barrier behind the line, termed the High Wave. Using hand techniques, which Kakei has taught to the other linebackers, the team is able to break through lead blockers and Kakei is able to stop most running backs; on the other hand, their great height enables them to stop forward passes. The High Wave can be made stronger if Mizumachi lines up as a fourth linebacker, creating a 3-4 defense formation called Poseidon. Although Mizumachi's absence from the line theoretically makes running through the middle easier for opposing offenses, the four are generally able to stop most running backs with little physical strength from advancing due to their physique.
Contents
Team Appearance and Rituals
The Poseidon uniform is predominantly a light blue. The sides of the jersey and pants feature sea-green fish-scale patterns, while the front of the helmet features a fin of the same color on either side. The team's cheerleaders wear uniforms with a similar color scheme with white seashell designs on the chest, giving the appearance of mermaids. The team in general has traditional practice sessions, but the cheerleaders often lead the team's fans in performing the wave at games. Additionally, after practice the Poseidon routinely visit a sauna to relax their bodies.
Story
Not much is known of the Kyoshin Poseidon before the arrival of the school's ace freshmen, only that, according to captain Osamu Kobanzame, Kyoshin was a mediocre team. However, Shun Kakei joined the team, and also attempted to recruit tall players, completely restructuring the team. Kengo Mizumachi joined the club because he admired Kakei's drive to win the national championship.
The team's tall freshmen stay on the bench for all of the team's official games through the start of the Autumn Tokyo Tournament. However, after the team falls behind 0-14 to Hashiratani, Mizumachi and Kakei enter the game, and lead the Poseidon to a 31-14 victory. A 42-0 rout of Zokugaku follows, and in the tournament quarterfinals the Poseidon face the Deimon Devil Bats. After a hard-fought match the Poseidon lose on the final play of the game by a score of 17-18, 23-24 in the anime.
Players
Shun Kakei
Although a first-year student, Kakei is the Poseidon's ace player and unofficial leader, and the team's actual captain Kobanzame often turns to him for instruction. He is a linebacker whose skill is exceptional, as he is able to defeat Sena's Devil Bat Ghost easily. He is among the tallest high school American football players in Japan, over two meters in height, and he has experience from playing the sport in the United States in middle school. His goal is to find and compete against the 'real' Eyeshield 21, a running back he played in the United States who inspired to take up the sport again when he had been prepared to quit. When he returned to Japan, Kakei immediately signed up for the American football club at Kyoshin, and revitalized the team by recruiting a number of tall players.haha
Kengo Mizumachi
Mizumachi is the Poseidon's other ace player along with Kakei. He is a lineman who, though not very bulky, is formidable because of his speed and great height, which he uses to his advantage. Mizumachi is considered a natural athletic prodigy, and he was highly sought out by his middle school's athletic clubs, and he chose the swimming club. He joined the American football club because of Kakei's aspiration to win the national championship, which matches his own drive, and he quickly became a talented lineman. Unlike Kakei, Mizumachi is rarely serious, instead being energetic, cheerful, and sometimes rude.
Osamu Kobanzame
Although the captain of the team and a third-year student, Kobanzame is an incredibly meek person with little capacity for leadership. Additionally, he is not very talented, though he trains hard along with the rest of the team and his play as a quarterback is generally mistake-free.
Hiroshi Ohira and Hiroshi Onishi
Ohira and Onishi are a pair of first-year linebackers for the Poseidon and are the two tallest high school American football players in Japan, at 205 and 204 cm respectively. They have shared an intense rivalry since childhood, and each claims to be Kakei's first disciple. They address Kakei as "sensei" despite his being in the same year as them, and their actions are generally foolish. However, despite not being as good as Kakei, they are skilled in the use of the techniques he has taught them, and together all three form the Poseidon's "High Wave" defense strategy.
Strategy
Kyoshin's offensive and defensive strategies largely depend on the strength of their tall freshman players. On offense, Mizumachi serves as a blocker for Kobanzame and the team's less-talented running backs. Additionally, on passing plays Mizumachi buys time for Kobanzame to complete passes. The team's true strength is on defense, where all four of their tall players play. Aside from Mizumachi's ability to break through blockers, the linebackers Kakei, Ohira, and Onishi form a powerful barrier behind the line, termed the High Wave. Using hand techniques, which Kakei has taught to the other linebackers, the team is able to break through lead blockers and Kakei is able to stop most running backs; on the other hand, their great height enables them to stop forward passes. The High Wave can be made stronger if Mizumachi lines up as a fourth linebacker, creating a 3-4 defense formation called Poseidon. Although Mizumachi's absence from the line theoretically makes running through the middle easier for opposing offenses, the four are generally able to stop most running backs with little physical strength from advancing due to their physique.
Kureji Hera(Heracles)
A large-set player for Teikoku's first team and the official captain of Alexanders' squad, he has a bizarre sense of humor and lets his roots in Kansai show compared to the others. Sena, Monta and Suzuna meet him as he offers the tour of the Teikoku campus (though Yamato mostly gives the words and comments to their Deimon guests). Though cheerful, he is a tad eccentric, to the point of wearing costumes to fit the role he holds such as a tour guide for Deimon's visit and as a "Roman Senator" during the football strategy meeting in the forum. During the game, he even mimics Karin words behind her, threatening Devil Bats while Karin smiling innocently.
Heracles exhibits great pride in the honor of making it into "Teikoku's All Stars", which is the 1st team. He acknowledges the difficulty and determination needed by a Teikoku player to make the first team, relating his own trials in fighting for his current position on the team. Furthermore, he feels disrespect for any other player outside the first team who shuns their duties as a member of the football squad, particularly Ibarada's arrogant behavior. Hera had actually prepared a countermearsure for Gaou of Hakushuu Dinosaurs and it seems that it would prove more effective on Kurita, though it was unknown what this counter was until recently during the Chrismas Bowl match against Deimon Devilbats. Apparently, the counter is not being used right away, seeing as Kurita plowed through a double team of Heracles and Achilles without much effort.
Position: Lineman (1st Team) Jersey Number: 78 3rd Year Student (12th Grade) like all of the first team Heracles has a 40 yard dash of under 5 seconds. TECHNIQUES/STRATIGIES
Cross Stunts: Variation of stunts performed by Kurita and Komusubi before, in which Heracles and Achilles crossing paths to confuse players. This was effective to distracting stronger but slower opponent like Kurita, so the faster one (Achilles) can performing other task, while the stronger one (Heracles) will holds enemies at bay. Using this, Achilles is almost manged to secure the ball fumbled by Hiruma, before The Ha Ha Brothers gang on him.
Heracles exhibits great pride in the honor of making it into "Teikoku's All Stars", which is the 1st team. He acknowledges the difficulty and determination needed by a Teikoku player to make the first team, relating his own trials in fighting for his current position on the team. Furthermore, he feels disrespect for any other player outside the first team who shuns their duties as a member of the football squad, particularly Ibarada's arrogant behavior. Hera had actually prepared a countermearsure for Gaou of Hakushuu Dinosaurs and it seems that it would prove more effective on Kurita, though it was unknown what this counter was until recently during the Chrismas Bowl match against Deimon Devilbats. Apparently, the counter is not being used right away, seeing as Kurita plowed through a double team of Heracles and Achilles without much effort.
Position: Lineman (1st Team) Jersey Number: 78 3rd Year Student (12th Grade) like all of the first team Heracles has a 40 yard dash of under 5 seconds. TECHNIQUES/STRATIGIES
Cross Stunts: Variation of stunts performed by Kurita and Komusubi before, in which Heracles and Achilles crossing paths to confuse players. This was effective to distracting stronger but slower opponent like Kurita, so the faster one (Achilles) can performing other task, while the stronger one (Heracles) will holds enemies at bay. Using this, Achilles is almost manged to secure the ball fumbled by Hiruma, before The Ha Ha Brothers gang on him.
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